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An industrial mat having a supporting structure; an upper layer provided above the supporting structure for forming an upper surface of the mat, a lower layer provided below the supporting structure for providing a lower surface of the mat; and lifting elements attached to the upper layer, the lower

An industrial mat having a supporting structure; an upper layer provided above the supporting structure for forming an upper surface of the mat, a lower layer provided below the supporting structure for providing a lower surface of the mat; and lifting elements attached to the upper layer, the lower layer or the supporting structure. The lifting elements include D-shaped members, O-shaped members, U-shaped members, eyelets, hooks, circular or polygonal rings, chains, or cables that are configured and dimensioned for attachment to attached to the supporting structure or the upper or lower layer with sufficient strength to provide certified overhead lifting of the mat for installation and reclamation thereof.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A crane mat comprising: outer side members comprising first and second side beams or boards of engineered lumber, oak or other hardwoods, or bumper members of solid or filled or unfilled hollow plastic members that optionally may be reinforced;a core structure comprising a metal frame that includ

1. A crane mat comprising: outer side members comprising first and second side beams or boards of engineered lumber, oak or other hardwoods, or bumper members of solid or filled or unfilled hollow plastic members that optionally may be reinforced;a core structure comprising a metal frame that includes side and end members and that contains therein a plurality of longitudinal members made of pine or other softwoods;external components including an upper layer of elongated members located above and attached to the core structure to protect the core structure, a lower layer of elongated members located below and attached to the core structure to also protect the core structure, or both of the upper and lower layers; anda plurality of joining rods that attach the outer side members to the core structure;wherein the elongated members are made of wood, engineered wood, or a thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, or elastomeric material. 2. The crane mat of claim 1 wherein the outer side members, side members of the frame and longitudinal members each include a plurality of spaced lateral apertures passing therethrough, with the lateral apertures being in alignment to form bores through the mat; wherein each joining member passes through each of the previously mentioned members through the aligned lateral apertures to hold the members together in the mat. 3. The crane mat of claim 2 further comprising steel plates of substantially the same height as the longitudinal members with each plate located between adjacent longitudinal members, wherein the joining rods also pass through the steel plates to hold those components together in the mat. 4. The crane mat of claim 1, further comprising one or more lifting elements each located in an opening in that is at least partially present in an elongated member of the upper or lower layer and a subjacent longitudinal member or present in adjacent elongated and longitudinal members of the upper or lower layer, with each lifting element connected to a joining rod to secure the lifting element to the mat; and with the lifting element(s) comprising a loop portion that is configured with an opening sufficient to receive and allow grasping by a hook, fingers, hand or other lifting member, and a securement portion that includes an opening sufficient to receive a joining member therein, with the loop and securement portions either connected to each other or forming a unitary lifting element, and with a joining member passing through the securement portion to attach the lifting element to the mat; wherein the opening is configured and dimensioned to receive the lifting element therein in a storage position with the lifting element maintained at or below the surface of the mat when not used for lifting or moving of the mat or when securing articles thereto, and wherein the loop portion is movable to a lifting position that exposes the loop above the surface of the mat for engagement by a hook or other grasping element for certified overhead lifting, manipulation or movement of the mat or for securing other articles to the lifting element. 5. The crane mat of claim 1 wherein the frame member further comprises one or a plurality of cross members attached to side members to strengthen the frame, with the longitudinal members located between cross members and with additional filler members located between the cross members and end members of the frame, wherein a joining member passes through the additional filler members through aligned lateral apertures therein to hold those members together in the mat. 6. The crane mat of claim 5, further comprising one or more lifting elements each located in an opening in that is at least partially present in an elongated member of the upper or lower layer and a subjacent longitudinal member or present in adjacent elongated and longitudinal members of the upper or lower layer, with each lifting element connected to a cross member to secure the lifting element to the mat; and with the lifting element(s) comprising a loop portion that is configured with an opening sufficient to receive and allow grasping by a hook, fingers, hand or other lifting member, and a securement portion that is connected to the cross member to attach the lifting element to the mat, with the loop and securement portions either connected to each other or forming a unitary lifting element; wherein the opening is configured and dimensioned to receive the lifting element there in in a storage position with the lifting element maintained at or below the surface of the mat when not used for lifting or moving of the mat or when securing articles thereto, and wherein the loop portion is movable to a lifting position that exposes the loop above the surface of the mat for engagement by a hook or other grasping element for certified overhead lifting, manipulation or movement of the mat or for securing other articles to the lifting element. 7. The crane mat of claim 1 further comprising outer end members to protect the end members of the frame, the outer end members comprising first and second side beams of engineered lumber, oak or other hardwoods, or bumper members of solid or filled or unfilled hollow plastic members that optionally may be reinforced. 8. The crane mat of claim 1 wherein the side and end members of the frame are made of steel C-beams that retain the longitudinal members therebetween, and wherein the elongated members of the upper or lower layers extend across the entire width and length of the mat including over the outer side members to form a working surface for the mat. 9. The crane mat of claim 1 wherein the outer side members each have a top surface and is located in a position that aligns the top surface of each outer side member with the upper surfaces of the elongated members of the upper layer to form an upper working surface for the mat; and wherein the outer side members each also have a bottom surface and is located in a position that aligns the bottom surface of each outer side member with the lower surfaces of the elongated members of the lower layer to form a lower working surface for the mat. 10. The crane mat of claim 1 further comprising: steel plates of substantially the same height as the longitudinal members with each plate located between adjacent longitudinal members, wherein the joining rods also pass through the steel plates to hold those components together in the mat;outer end members to protect the end members of the frame, the outer end members comprising first and second side beams of engineered lumber, oak or other hardwoods; andat least two lifting elements, one located near each end of the mat, with each lifting element located in an opening in that is at least partially present in an elongated member of the upper or lower layer and a subjacent longitudinal member or present in adjacent elongated and longitudinal members of the upper or lower layer, with each lifting element connected to a joining rod to secure the lifting element to the mat; and with the lifting element(s) comprising a loop portion that is configured with an opening sufficient to receive and allow grasping by a hook, fingers, hand or other lifting member, and a securement portion that includes an opening sufficient to receive a joining member therein, with the loop and securement portions either connected to each other or forming a unitary lifting element, and with a joining member passing through the securement portion to attach the lifting element to the mat;wherein the opening is configured and dimensioned to receive the lifting element therein in a storage position with the lifting element maintained at or below the surface of the mat when not used for lifting or moving of the mat or when securing articles thereto, and wherein the loop portion is movable to a lifting position that exposes the loop above the surface of the mat for engagement by a hook or other grasping element for certified overhead lifting, manipulation or movement of the mat or for securing other articles to the lifting element; andwherein the outer side members are beams or boards of engineered lumber, oak or other hardwoods and the elongated members of the external components are boards of engineered wood, oak or other hardwoods; andwherein the outer side members, side members of the frame and longitudinal members each include a plurality of spaced lateral apertures passing therethrough, with the lateral apertures being in alignment to form bores through the mat; wherein each joining member passes through each of the previously mentioned members through the aligned lateral apertures to hold the members together in the mat. 11. The crane mat of claim 1, further comprising: steel plates of substantially the same height as the longitudinal members with each plate located between adjacent longitudinal members, wherein the joining rods also pass through the steel plates to hold those components together in the mat;outer end members to protect the end members of the frame, the outer end members comprising first and second side beams of engineered lumber, oak or other hardwoods;at least two cross members attached to side members to strengthen the frame, with the longitudinal members located between the cross members and with additional filler members located between the cross members and end members of the frame, wherein a joining member passes through the additional filler members through aligned lateral apertures therein to hold those members together in the mat; andat least two lifting elements, one located near each end of the mat, with each lifting element connected to a cross member to secure the lifting element to the mat; and with the lifting element(s) comprising a loop portion that is configured with an opening sufficient to receive and allow grasping by a hook, fingers, hand or other lifting member, and a securement portion that is connected to the cross member to attach the lifting element to the mat, with the loop and securement portions either connected to each other or forming a unitary lifting element;wherein the opening is configured and dimensioned to receive the lifting element therein in a storage position with the lifting element maintained at or below the surface of the mat when not used for lifting or moving of the mat or when securing articles thereto, and wherein the loop portion is movable to a lifting position that exposes the loop above the surface of the mat for engagement by a hook or other grasping element for certified overhead lifting, manipulation or movement of the mat or for securing other articles to the lifting element; andwherein the outer side members are beams or boards of engineered lumber, oak or other hardwoods and the elongated members of the external components are boards of engineered wood, oak or other hardwoods; andwherein the outer side members, side members of the frame and longitudinal members each include a plurality of spaced lateral apertures passing therethrough, with the lateral apertures being in alignment to form bores through the mat; wherein each joining member passes through each of the previously mentioned members through the aligned lateral apertures to hold the members together in the mat. 12. A lifting element for a crane mat that has a working surface, a plurality of longitudinal members, and an opening or recess for receiving the lifting element, with the lifting element comprising: a loop portion that is configured with an opening sufficient to receive and allow grasping by a hand, fingers, or a hook or other lifting member;a support member for supporting the loop portion;a body member for joining the loop and securement portions, wherein the body member extends in the channel and into the mat away from the support member, and is fixed in position by the support member and securement portion;a securement portion for securing the lifting element to the mat;wherein the loop portion, support member and securement portions are connected to each other; andwherein the support member is secured to the opening or recess in the mat with the opening configured and dimensioned to have a floor for receiving the support member, a channel for receiving the securement portion, and a depth that allows the lifting element to be received in the opening with the loop portion in a storage position that is maintained at or below the working surface of the mat when not used for lifting or moving of the mat or for securing articles thereto, and wherein the support member and securement portion are fixed in the mat while the loop portion is movable to a lifting position that exposes the loop above the working surface of the mat for engagement by a hook or other grasping element for certified overhead lifting, manipulation or movement of the mat or for securing other articles to the mat. 13. The lifting element of claim 12, wherein the body member comprises an elongated rod that passes through the mat from the working surface to the opposite side, the support member is a head portion of the elongated rod that has openings for receiving and securing the loop portion thereto, and the securement portion comprises a threaded end of the rod member and a fastening nut, such that the lifting element is secured to the mat with the head and loop portions provided in the opening and with the nut present in an opening or recess on the opposite side of the mat from the working surface. 14. The lifting element of claim 13, further comprising a first contact plate present between the head portion and the floor of the opening; a second contact plate between the nut and the recess; or both first and second contact plates so that the lifting element is more securely attached to the mat. 15. The lifting element of claim 12, wherein the loop portion is a ring member that is secured to the support member in a manner that allows the ring to pivot between the storage and lifting positions, the body member comprises a first plate that passes into the mat, the support member has a thickness that is greater than that of the first plate and the mat includes lateral rods for joining together the longitudinal members and the securement portion includes an opening in the first plate sufficient to receive therein one of the lateral rods of the crane mat to attach the lifting element to the mat. 16. The lifting element of claim 12, wherein the body member comprises a first plate that passes into the mat, the support member is a second plate oriented perpendicular to the first plate, wherein the support member plate includes holes to receive fasteners that secure the support member plate to the floor of the opening or recess, wherein the mat includes lateral rods for joining together the longitudinal members and the securement portion includes an opening in the first plate sufficient to receive therein one of the lateral rods of the crane mat to attach the lifting element to the mat. 17. The lifting element of claim 16, wherein the loop portion is a D-ring that is attached to the support member by a U-shaped member that is welded to one side of the second plate, and the body member is welded to the opposite side of the second plate. 18. A crane mat having a working surface and an opening or recess in the working surface, the crane mat comprising: outer side members comprising first and second side beams or boards of engineered lumber, oak or other hardwoods, or bumper members of solid or filled or unfilled hollow plastic members that optionally may be reinforced;a core structure comprising a plurality of longitudinal members;a plurality of joining rods that attach the outer side members to the longitudinal members of the core structure; andone or more lifting elements comprising a loop portion that is configured with an opening sufficient to receive and allow grasping by a hand, fingers, or a hook or other lifting member, a support member for supporting the loop portion, and a securement portion for securing the lifting element to the mat, wherein the loop portion, support member and securement portions are connected to each other;wherein the opening is configured and dimensioned to have a floor for receiving the support member, a channel for receiving the securement portion, and a depth that allows the lifting element to be received in the opening with the loop portion in a storage position that is maintained at or below the working surface of the mat when not used for lifting or moving of the mat or for securing articles thereto, wherein the support member is secured to the floor of the opening or recess with the securement portion fixed in position in the mat, wherein the loop portion is movable to a lifting position that exposes the loop above the working surface of the mat for engagement by a hook or other grasping element for certified overhead lifting, manipulation or movement of the mat or for securing other articles to the mat. 19. The crane mat of claim 18, wherein upper surfaces of the longitudinal members form at least part of the working surface of the mat, wherein the opening or recess is present in one or adjacent longitudinal members, and wherein the mat optionally includes metal plates of the same height and length as the longitudinal members and which are provided between adjacent longitudinal members. 20. The crane mat of claim 18, further comprising external components including an upper layer of elongated members located above and attached to the core structure to protect the core structure, a lower layer of elongated members located below and attached to the core structure to also protect the core structure, or both of the upper and lower layers; wherein the elongated members are made of wood, engineered wood, metal or a thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, or elastomeric material, wherein each lifting element is located in an opening that is at least partially present in an elongated member of the upper or lower layer and a subjacent longitudinal member or present in adjacent elongated and longitudinal members, with each lifting element connected to a joining rod to secure the lifting element to the mat. 21. The crane mat of claim 18, wherein the lifting element further comprises a body member for joining the loop and securement portions, wherein the body member extends in the channel and into the mat away from the support member, and is fixed in position by the support member and securement portion, wherein the securement portion includes an opening sufficient to receive a joining rod therein, and with a joining rod passing through the securement portion to attach the lifting element to the mat. 22. The crane mat of claim 18, wherein the core structure further comprises a metal frame that includes side and end members, and wherein the outer side members, side members of the frame and longitudinal members each include a plurality of spaced lateral apertures passing therethrough, with the lateral apertures being in alignment to form bores through the mat; wherein each joining rod passes through each of the previously mentioned members through the aligned lateral apertures and bores to hold the members together in the mat. 23. A crane mat comprising a plurality of longitudinal beams that are positioned in a side by side arrangement; each of the beams having a plurality of spaced lateral apertures passing therethrough, with the lateral apertures being in alignment to form bores through the mat; a plurality of lateral rods with each rod passing through each beam through the aligned lateral apertures to hold the beams together in the side by side arrangement; at least one opening or recess provided in one of the beams or in and between adjacent beams wherein one lateral rod passes through a lower portion of the opening; and at least one lifting element received in the at least one opening or recess, wherein the lifting element comprises: a loop portion that is configured with an opening sufficient to receive and allow grasping by a hand, fingers, or a hook or other lifting member;a support member for supporting the loop portion; anda securement portion for securing the lifting element to the mat;wherein the loop portion, support member and securement portions are connected to each other; andwherein the support member of the lifting element is secured to the opening or recess in the mat with the opening configured and dimensioned to have a floor for receiving the support member, a channel for receiving the securement portion, and a depth that allows the lifting element to be received in the opening with the loop portion in a storage position that is maintained at or below the working surface of the mat when not used for lifting or moving of the mat or for securing articles thereto; andwherein the securement portion has an opening that allows a lateral rod to pass therethrough to help secure the lifting element to the mat; andwherein the support member and securement portion are fixed in the mat while the loop portion is movable to a lifting position that exposes the loop above the working surface of the mat for engagement by a hook or other grasping element for certified overhead lifting, manipulation or movement of the mat or for securing other articles to the mat. 24. The crane mat of claim 23 which includes a plurality of openings or recesses in the beams or between adjacent beams, and a plurality of lifting elements, wherein each lifting element is associated with an opening or recess.