Stackable Mat Construction with Internal Truss Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mats used for crossing deep wet areas are cumbersome to assemble and disassemble, prone to movement due to tidal surges, and difficult to retrieve, often leading to environmental issues when left submerged.
Innovation Solution
A stackable mat system comprising two industrial mats with internal support structures that allow water flow-through, enabling faster assembly and retrieval, with a modular design that reduces the number of mats required and incorporates lifting elements for easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional mats are piled up to fill the void below wet areas to achieve desired height, then the roadway or platform can be formed above water, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing one mat inside another mat, with inner mats having smaller external dimensions than outer mats. This nested configuration allows multiple mats to be stacked vertically to achieve the required height above water level, while the inner mats can be easily removed through openings in the outer mats. This resolves the contradiction by enabling rapid assembly through simple vertical stacking rather than time-consuming side-by-side placement.
2Reliability
If conventional mats are used in deep water areas, then they can provide surface support, but they move due to tidal surge and are difficult to retrieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mat system into segmented units with standardized openings and connection points. Each mat is an independent module that can be individually retrieved by pulling through the openings in adjacent mats. This segmentation allows the entire mat system to be easily disassembled and retrieved piece by piece, resolving the contradiction between providing stable water support and enabling easy retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces openings in the mats as intermediary elements that facilitate retrieval. These openings serve as access points for inserting retrieval tools or for manually pulling inner mats through outer mats. The openings act as mediators between the mat structure and retrieval operations, enabling easy removal without requiring heavy equipment or complex procedures.
3Ease of operation
If heavy tools or equipment are used to retrieve submerged mats, then the mats can be pulled from water, but the soil on the bottom may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The openings in the mats serve as intermediary access points that allow retrieval operations to be performed without direct contact between heavy equipment and the bottom soil. Retrieval tools can be inserted through the openings to engage and pull the mats, eliminating the need for excavators or other heavy equipment that would otherwise disturb the bottom soil. This resolves the contradiction by providing effective retrieval capability while protecting the environment.
Data Source
AI summary
A stackable mat includes a first industrial mat, a second industrial mat and an internal support structure. The mats each have a plurality of layers or plies of construction materials for forming the upper and lower portions, respectively, of the stacker mat, and have a thickness that provide support for vehicle movement thereover. The internal support structure includes a truss or elongated members for retaining the first and second mats in parallel spaced relation at a distance that is greater than the thickness of the first industrial mat. Preferably, the internal support structure and the second industrial mat or both the first and second industrial mats are configured with sufficient openings to allow water to flow therethrough so that the stacker mat may be placed in wet areas to form a temporary roadway or platform.