Interlocking Mat System with Finger Projections for Machine Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interlocking mat systems for temporary support surfaces often require manual labor for installation and do not provide sufficient holding strength to prevent lateral and vertical separation, relying on material interferences or external locking devices for security.
Innovation Solution
The development of uniformly sized plastic mats with recessed upper and lower lips and finger projections that interlock securely without manual handling, allowing machine-based installation and enhanced stability through the interlocking mechanism, which can also incorporate external locking pins for added security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If material interference or external locking devices are used to secure mats, then holding strength is improved, but installation complexity and manual labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged into the mat structure itself through integrated lips and finger projections. The upper lip with finger projection and lower lip with opening form an inherent interlocking system that eliminates the need for separate external locking devices, thereby maintaining holding strength while reducing installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The mat structure provides its own locking capability through the integrated lip and finger projection system. When mats are overlapped, the finger projection automatically engages with the opening in the adjacent mat's lip, creating a self-securing mechanism that prevents lateral and vertical separation without requiring manual installation of separate fasteners
2Reliability
If separate locking devices are installed after mat arrangement, then security is improved, but installation time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking features (lips and finger projections) are pre-integrated into the mat structure during manufacturing. This preliminary incorporation means that when mats are overlapped during installation, the locking mechanism is already in place and simply requires the mats to be positioned together, eliminating the need for subsequent installation of separate locking devices and significantly reducing installation time
3Manufacturing precision
If manual handling is used for mat installation, then precision of placement is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking lip and finger projection system enables mats to self-align and secure to each other during machine-based installation. The finger projection fits into the opening of the adjacent mat's lip, providing automatic positioning and securing that maintains placement precision while enabling high-speed machine handling, thereby eliminating the trade-off between precision and productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A portable overlapping secured mat system with uniformly sized plastic mats joined together to form structural support surface for use by persons or equipment. The mats' edges have recessed upper and lower lips with finger projections extending from the upper lips sized to fit into holes of adjacent mats' lower lips securing the mats together when the front edge of the finger projections are moved into a recesses of the back wall of the hole.