Laminated Support Mat Corners That Flex Under Heavy Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reinforced laminated support mats face issues with steel reinforcement members becoming damaged due to bending when used with heavy equipment, and there is a need for improved steel reinforcement to support heavy loads without permanent deformation.

Innovation Solution

The use of resilient belting corner members made from materials like SBR, rubber, or polymers, attached to the longitudinal ends of corrugated protective edge members, which allow for deflection without permanent deformation, and nested corrugations to mitigate trip hazards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If steel reinforcement members are used in reinforced laminated support mats, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the steel members become damaged and deformed when used with heavy equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoiddamage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid steel to resilient polymer (SBR rubber), transforming the damage mechanism from permanent deformation to elastic recovery. This allows the corner members to withstand heavy equipment loads without permanent damage while maintaining the load-bearing capacity provided by the steel I-beams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining steel I-beams for primary load-bearing with polymer corner members for impact absorption and damage prevention. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function - steel provides strength while polymer provides resilience and damage resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If corrugated protective edge members are used to prevent damage, then the protection is improved, but the corrugations create trip hazards when mats are placed side by side

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from damageVSAvoidtrip hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of protruding corrugations into a beneficial feature by adding resilient corner members that cover and smooth the ends of the corrugated edge members. This eliminates the trip hazard while preserving the protective function of the corrugated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient corner members act as intermediary elements between the corrugated edge members and the ground/equipment. These corner members smooth out the protruding corrugations at the critical end sections, preventing trip hazards while allowing the main body of the edge members to maintain their protective corrugated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides enhanced durability and prevents damage to the corrugated edge members while supporting heavy equipment, reducing the risk of deformation and trip hazards.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient belting corner member is mounted to opposing wide face of the reinforced support mat adjacent the longitudinal ends of the corrugated protective edge members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A plurality of corrugated protective edge members is positioned against, and attached to, each opposing wide face of the reinforced support mat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorrugation: Corrugation

Implementation Method 3

A lag bolt attaches an outboard end of each resilient belting corner member to a wide face of the support mat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS12485652B2Reinforced laminated support mat with resilient corner member

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 ANTHONY HARDWOOD COMPOSITES

AI summary

A reinforced support mat includes a plurality of vertically oriented individual wood members adhesively bonded to each other, and having wide faces oriented parallel to a direction of an applied load. A plurality of corrugated protective edge members is positioned against, and attached to, each opposing wide face of the reinforced support mat, and a resilient belting corner member is mounted to opposing wide face of the reinforced support mat adjacent the longitudinal ends of the corrugated protective edge members. A plurality of rigid fasteners extending through and connecting pairs of the corrugated protective edge members on opposite sides of the reinforced support mat, and inboard ends of pairs of the resilient edge members, to the wide faces of the support mat. A lag bolt attaches an outboard end of each resilient belting corner member to a wide face of the support mat.