Protective Edge Member For A Laminated Support Mat

Abstract

A protective edge member for a support mat includes an elongated substantially corrugated body defining two elongated ridges separated by an elongated groove.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to laminated support mats. In particular, this invention relates to a protective edge member for a laminated support mat.

The construction industry uses solid sawn wood and wood panel members in a variety of forms to aid in the erection of buildings, roads, and bridges. For example, temporary road panels and crane mats are often constructed using solid-sawn hardwood timbers or some species of softwoods. These panels are used to form a temporary lightweight roadway or foundation to facilitate vehicular and equipment travel as may be required in construction operations. Additionally, such mats may be used in the pipeline, utility, transportation, oil, and infrastructure fields.

A typical laminated support mat may include a plurality of individual wood members, at least two protective edge members, and at least two fasteners. For example, the laminated support mat may be as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,426,480 to Fiutak et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The support mat has outermost wood members with outwardly facing wide faces. The protective edge members have inboard wide faces that are positioned against the wide faces of the support mat. The fasteners extend through and the protective edge members and connect the protective edge members and adjacent wood members.

The protective edge members may be formed from a folded metal sheet. The protective edge member folded from a metal sheet results in edges of the metal sheet contacting the wide face of the outermost wood members. The edges of the metal sheet are not flush with the wide face of the outermost wood members. Also, the protective members may be formed from the folded metal sheet using sharp bends or creases. However, the sharp bends or creases are known to concentrate stress on the protective edge member. Furthermore, the protective edge members may be displaced from the laminated support mat to which they are attached by vehicles, heavy equipment, material, debris, and the like that may catch or snag on the non-flush edges of the metal sheet. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a protective edge member that has improved strength and reduces the likelihood of the of the protective edge member being caught or snagged by vehicles, heavy equipment, material, debris, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to a laminated support mat having an improved protective edge member. The protective edge member for a support mat includes an elongated substantially corrugated body defining two elongated ridges separated by an elongated groove.

In another embodiment, a support mat includes a plurality of vertically oriented individual wood members adhesively bonded to each other. Each of the individual wood members has wide faces oriented parallel to a direction of a load applied to the support mat. The support mat has outboard wood members, and the outwardly facing wide faces of the outboard wood members define an outboard wide face of the support mat. A protective edge member is attached to at least one of the outboard wide faces of the support mat. Each protective edge member includes an elongated substantially corrugated body defining two elongated ridges separated by an elongated groove. A substantially rigid fastener extends through and connects the protective edge member to the support mat.

Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a laminated support mat having a first embodiment of a protective edge member in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion of the laminated support mat and the protective edge member illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the protective edge member taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the laminated support mat and the protective edge member laminated support mat taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a protective edge member in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the protective edge member illustrated in FIG. 5 shown installed on the laminated support mat illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 a laminated support mat 10 having a plurality of a first embodiment of improved elongated protective edge members 12 in accordance with this invention. The illustrated laminated support mat 10 is comprised of a plurality of laminated beams or billets 14 and has a substantially planar wide or load-bearing face 16.

Each of the illustrated billets 14 comprises a plurality of wood members or individual wood laminations 18. Apertures 20 may be formed through the laminated support mat 10 for receiving fastening means, such as the substantially rigid fasteners or bolts 22, as will be described in detail herein. As used in the description of the invention, the term “mat” includes mats as well as panels. Examples of such a support mat are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,137,226 and 7,818,929, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The individual wood laminations 18 may be fabricated by structurally joining together arbitrary or different lengths or strips of wood or wood material. The arbitrary strips of wood material may be disposed end-to-end and joined together, such as by a jointing process. One example of such a jointing process is finger jointing. It will be understood that the strips may be continuous and full length. The arbitrary strips of wood may be strips of hardwood, such as oak, birch, or maple, although any desired hardwood or softwood may be used. The strips of wood laminations 18 may be any length, such as for example a length within the range of from about 5 feet to about 16 feet. The strips of wood material may be joined together to define the individual wood laminations 18 of any desired length, such as for example individual wood laminations having a length within the range of from about 12 feet to about 60 feet. It will be understood however, that the individual wood laminations 18 may be of any other desired length. Not all the wood laminations 18 need to be formed by joining together the strips, and the billet 14 may be formed with some of the laminations formed by joined strips, and some of the wood laminations 18 being a continuous piece of full length wood. In one embodiment of the billet 14, at least 50 percent of the wood laminations are made of strips joined together.

The individual wood laminations 18 have a thickness or height H1, a thickness or width W1, and a length L1. The laminations 18 may have any desired length L1. In the embodiment illustrated, the length L1 is about 8 feet. It will be understood however, that the laminations 18 may have any other desired length. The individual wood laminations 18 may have a height H1 within the range of from about 3 inches to about 6 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the individual wood laminations 18 have a height H1 of about 5½ inches. The individual wood laminations 18 have a width W1 within the range of from about 0.50 inches to about 1.00 inches. In the illustrated embodiment the individual wood laminations 18 have a width W1 of about 0.75 inches. It will be understood however, that the individual wood laminations 18 may have any desired length L1, height H1, and width W1.

A plurality of the individual wood laminations 18 are joined together to form the laminated billets 14. The illustrated individual wood laminations 18 are vertically oriented, having a wide face 24 oriented parallel to a direction of a load (indicated by the arrow 26) applied to the laminated billet 14.

The laminated billet 14 has the height H1, a width W2, and the length L1. It will be understood that the laminated billet 14 may have any desired width W2. A typical laminated billet 14 may contain within the range of from about 14 laminations to about 16 laminations and have a width W2 of about 12 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the length L1 of the laminated billets 14 is equal to the length L1 of the laminations 18, and the height H1 of the laminated billets 14 is equal to the height H1 of the laminations 18.

The individual wood laminations 18 may be joined together into the billet 14 using any desired adhesive. The individual wood laminations 18 may be joined together with a waterproof adhesive, such as an adhesive that conforms to ASTM D2559-01. Each billet 14 includes outboard laminations 28. The wide faces of the outboard laminations 28 of each outboard billet 14, such as the wide face 24, define an outboard wide face 30 of the billet 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, three of the laminated billets 14 are attached together to form the laminated support mat 10. If desired, a spacer (not shown), such as a portion of an individual wood laminations 18 may be attached between adjacent billets 14, such that a space 46 is defined between the wide faces 30 of the outboard laminations 28 of the adjacent billets 14. The three laminated billets 14 further define a width W3 for the entire laminated support mat 10. It will be understood that the laminated support mat 10 may comprise any desired number of the laminated billets 14, such as one, two, or more than three of the laminated billets 14, and may have any desired width W3. Also, the laminated billets 14 need not all be of the same width W2, but may be of different widths W2. Non-limiting examples of suitable widths W3 for the laminated support mat include widths of 4 feet, 8 feet, and greater than 8 feet.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, each of the elongated protective edge members 12 has a substantially corrugated shape, i.e., having at least two elongated ridges 12A separated by an elongated groove 12B, as described in detail below.

The elongated protective edge member 12 includes first and second elongated outboard walls 32A and 32B, respectively, and first and second elongated inboard walls 34A and 34B, respectively. A first elongated side edge of the first outboard wall 32A defines a first support mat engagement surface 33A, and a first elongated side edge of the second outboard wall 32B defines a second support mat engagement surface 33B. The first and second inboard walls 34A and 34B are connected by a central wall 36. A wide face of the central wall 36 defines a third support mat engagement surface 36A.

The first outboard wall 32A and the first inboard wall 34A are connected by a first intermediate wall 38A. Similarly, the second outboard wall 32B and the second inboard wall 34B are connected by a second intermediate wall 38B. As shown in FIG. 3, the first and second intermediate walls 38A and 38B, respectively, are substantially parallel to the central wall 36. Alternatively, the first and second intermediate walls 38A and 38B may be formed other than parallel to the central wall 36.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the first outboard wall 32A, the first inboard wall 34A, and the first intermediate wall 38A have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define a first one of the elongated ridges 12A. Similarly, the second outboard wall 32B, the second inboard wall 34B, and the second intermediate wall 38B have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define a second one of the elongated ridges 12A. The first inboard wall 34A, the second inboard wall 34B, and the central wall 36 also have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define the elongated groove 12B between the elongated ridges 12A.

As also shown in FIG. 3, the protective edge member 12 is formed such that an intersection 40A of the first outboard wall 32A and the first intermediate wall 38A define a rounded outside surface. Similarly, the intersection 40B of the first inboard wall 34A and the first intermediate wall 38A, the intersection 40C of the first inboard wall 34A and the central wall 36, the intersection 40D of the second inboard wall 34B and the central wall 36, the intersection 40E of the second inboard wall 34B and the second intermediate wall 38B, and the intersection 40F of the second outboard wall 32B and the second intermediate wall 38B each define a rounded outside surface.

The protective edge member 12 may be produced by any desired method known to those skilled in the art. For example, the protective edge member 12 may be produced by a stamping or a bending operation.

The first and second outboard walls 32A and 32B extend a first distance X1 from the respective mat engagement surface 33A and 33B thereof to an outside surface of the each of the first and second intermediate walls 38A and 38B, respectively along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly to the third support mat engagement surface 36A of the central wall 36. The first and second inboard walls 34A and 34B extend a second distance X2. As shown in FIG. 3, the second distance X2 is measured along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly from the third support mat engagement surface 36A of the central wall 36 to the respective outside surfaces of the each of the first and second intermediate walls 38A and 38B. A difference between the first distance X1 and the second distance X2 defines a third distance X3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the distance X1 is about 2.0 inches. Alternatively, the first distance X1 may be within the range of about 1.7 inches to about 2.25 inches. The third distance X3 is about 0.125 inches. Alternatively, the third distance X3 may be within the range of about 0.0625 inches to about 0.1875 inches. Significantly, the third distance is greater than zero, such that the central wall 36 does not contacts the outboard wide face 30 after the protective edge member 12 has been installed on the laminated support mat 10.

When the protective edge member 12 is placed against a substantially planar surface, for example the outboard wide face 30 of the billet 14 during assembly of the laminated support mat 10, the first and second mat engagement surfaces 33A and 33B, contact the outboard wide face 30, but the central wall 36 does not. Rather, the third support mat engagement surface 36A of the central wall 36 is spaced apart from the outboard wide face 30 by the third distance X3, as shown in FIG. 3

Referring again to FIG. 1, the protective edge member 12 may have any desired length L2. In the illustrated embodiment, the laminated billet 14 has a length L1 of about 8 feet and two protective edge members 12 are mounted to each outboard wide face 30 of each outboard billet 14. Each of the protective edge members 12 may have a length L2 slightly less than 4.0 feet, such as about 47.875 inches. Alternatively, the protective edge members 12 may have a length L2 within a range of from about 47.5 inches to about 47.875 inches. Additionally, the protective edge members 12 may have a length L2 less than about 47.5 inches. It will be understood however, that protective edge members 12 having other lengths may be provided for laminated support mats 10 having lengths other than about 8 feet.

The protective edge members 12 may have a plurality of apertures 42. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, each protective edge member 12 has two apertures 42. Alternatively, the protective edge members 12 may have any desired number of apertures 42, including no apertures, one aperture 42, or more than two apertures 42.

The protective edge members 12 may be attached to one or more of the billets 14 by any suitable means to attach two or more of the billets 14 together to form the laminated support mat 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of the billets 14 is assembled together with fasteners, such as the bolts 22. The bolts 22 extend through the apertures 42 in the protective edge members 12 and through the bolt apertures 20 in the laminated billets 14. Each bolt 22 may be inserted through the aperture 42 such that a head 22H of the bolt 22 engages the central wall 36. A nut 44 may be attached to a distal end 22D of the bolt 22 such that the nut 44, when tightened onto the bolt 22, will also engage the central wall 36 of an opposite protective edge member 12. When the nut 44 is securely tightened, the first and second mat engagement surfaces 33A and 33B of the first and second outboard walls 32A and 32B, respectively, of each protective edge member 12 will be firmly pressed into contact with respective outboard wide faces 30 of the billets 14.

It will be understood that the protective edge member 12 may have other transverse cross-sectional shapes than as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. For example, the protective edge member 12 may be formed without the first and second intermediate walls 38A and 38B. In such an embodiment, the protective edge member 12 may be formed such that the first outboard wall 32A is connected to the first inboard wall 34A and the second outboard wall 32B is connected to the second inboard wall 34B, thus maintaining a substantially corrugated shape.

It will be further understood that the protective edge member 12 may have a height H2 corresponding to the height H1 of the laminated support mat 10. For example, the height H2 of the protective edge member 12 may be equal to or slightly less than the height H1 of the laminated support mat 10.

The protective edge member 12 may be formed from any desired substantially rigid material, such as steel. Non-limiting examples of alternative material from which the protective edge member 12 may be formed include aluminum, plastic, composite material, and other metal and non-metal materials. Further, the protective edge member 12 may be formed from material having a thickness of about 0.20 inches. Alternatively, the protective edge member 12 may be formed from material having a thickness within the range of about 0.10 inches to about 0.30 inches. Additionally, the protective edge member 12 may be formed from material having a thickness less than about 0.10 inches or greater than about 0.20 inches.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the protective edge member 12 is illustrated installed on the laminated billet 14. Upon tightening the bolt 22, the first and second mat engagement surfaces 33A and 33B of the first and second outboard walls 32A and 32B, respectively, engage with and may penetrate into, the outboard wide face 30, as shown by the phantom lines 32A′ and 32B′. At the same time, the first and second outboard walls 32A and 32B may displace outwardly; i.e., the first outboard wall 32A may be displaced upwardly when viewing FIG. 4, and the second outboard wall 32B may be displaced downwardly when viewing FIG. 4. If desired, and to aid in displacement, the first and second legs 32A and 32B may be formed such that they are biased outwardly, such as shown in FIG. 4. Significantly, the third support mat engagement surface 36A of the central wall 36 remains spaced apart from the outboard wide face 30 of the laminated billet 14 by the distance X3, even after the protective edge members 12 are securely attached to the laminated billet 14 with the bolts 22 and the nuts 44.

It will be understood that the protective edge member 12 may be attached to the laminated billets 14 by means other than the bolts 22. Non-limiting examples of other means of attaching the protective edge member 12 to the laminated billets 14 include binding wire, shear connectors, brackets, and other mechanical fasteners, all not shown. The bolts 22, or any of the alternative mechanical fasteners described above, allow stress to be transferred between billets 14. If desired, an adhesive may be used in conjunction with the bolts 22, or any of the alternative mechanical fasteners described above.

As described above, the laminated support mat 10 may be used for example, as a temporary lightweight roadway or foundation to facilitate vehicular and equipment travel, such as at a construction site. When used in such a manner, a vehicle being driven onto the load-bearing face 16 of the laminated support mat 10 will first drive over the protective edge member 12 and apply a load (as indicated by the arrow 48) to the outboard wall 32A.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a laminated support mat 10′ includes a second embodiment of the protective edge member 50.

Like the elongated protective edge members 50, each of the elongated protective edge members 50 has a substantially corrugated shape, i.e., having at least two elongated ridges 52A separated by an elongated groove 52B, as described in detail below.

The elongated protective edge member 50 includes first and second elongated outboard walls 54A and 54B, respectively, and first and second elongated inboard walls 56A and 56B, respectively. A first elongated side edge of the first outboard wall 54A defines a first support mat engagement surface 58A, and a first elongated side edge of the second outboard wall 54B defines a second support mat engagement surface 58B. The first and second inboard walls 56A and 56B are connected by a central wall 60. A wide face of the central wall 60 defines a third support mat engagement surface 60A.

The first outboard wall 54A and the first inboard wall 56A are connected by a first intermediate wall 62A. Similarly, the second outboard wall 54B and the second inboard wall 56B are connected by a second intermediate wall 62B. As shown in FIG. 6, the first and second intermediate walls 62A and 62B, respectively, are substantially parallel to the central wall 60. Alternatively, the first and second intermediate walls 62A and 62B may be formed other than parallel to the central wall 60.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the first outboard wall 54A, the first inboard wall 56A, and the first intermediate wall 62A have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define a first one of the elongated ridges 52A. Similarly, the second outboard wall 54B, the second inboard wall 56B, and the second intermediate wall 62B have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define a second one of the elongated ridges 52A. The first inboard wall 56A, the second inboard wall 56B, and the central wall 60 also have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define the elongated groove 52B between the elongated ridges 52A.

As also shown in FIG. 6, the protective edge member 50 is formed such that an intersection 64A of the first outboard wall 54A and the first intermediate wall 62A define a rounded outside surface. Similarly, the intersection 64B of the first inboard wall 56A and the first intermediate wall 62A, the intersection 64C of the first inboard wall 56A and the central wall 60, the intersection 64D of the second inboard wall 56B and the central wall 60, the intersection 64E of the second inboard wall 56B and the second intermediate wall 62B, and the intersection 64F of the second outboard wall 54B and the second intermediate wall 62B each define a rounded outside surface.

Like the protective edge member 12, the protective edge member 50 may be produced by any desired method known to those skilled in the art. For example, the protective edge member 50 may be produced by a stamping or a bending operation.

The first and second outboard walls 54A and 54B extend the first distance X1 from the respective mat engagement surface 58A and 58B thereof to an outside surface of the each of the first and second intermediate walls 62A and 62B, respectively along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly to the third support mat engagement surface 60A of the central wall 60. The first and second inboard walls 56A and 56B extend a fourth distance X4. As shown in FIG. 6, the fourth distance X4 is measured along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly from the third support mat engagement surface 60A of the central wall 60 to the respective outside surfaces of the each of the first and second intermediate walls 62A and 62B. A difference between the first distance X1 and the fourth distance X4 defines a fifth distance X5.

In the illustrated embodiment, the distance X1 is about 2.0 inches. As described above regarding the protective edge member 12, the first distance X1 may also be within the range of about 1.75 inches to about 2.25 inches. The fourth distance X4 is about 75 percent of the distance X1, or about 1.5 inches. Alternatively, the fourth distance X4 may be within the range of about 1.25 inches to about 1.75 inches. The fifth distance X5 is therefore is about 25 percent of the distance X1, or about 0.50 inches. Alternatively, the fifth distance X5 may be within the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.625 inches.

As best shown in FIG. 5, first strengthening features or ribs 68 may be formed in the first and second outboard walls 54A and 54B. In the illustrated embodiment, the ribs 68 are formed from an outboard surface of the first and second outboard walls 54A and 54B toward the respective inboard surfaces of the first and second outboard walls 54A and 54B. The illustrated ribs 68 are formed along an entire length of the protective edge member 50 and may be spaced apart by a distance D1. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance D1 is about 3.5 inches. Alternatively, the ribs 68 may be formed on any portion of the first and second outboard walls 54A and 54B at any other desired distance apart, such as within the range of about 2.0 inches to about 5.0 inches apart. Additionally, the ribs 68 may be formed at a distance of less than 2.0 inches apart or greater than 5.0 inches apart.

As also shown in FIG. 5, second strengthening features or ribs 70 may be formed in the first and second inboard walls 56A and 56B. In the illustrated embodiment, the ribs 70 are formed from an inboard surface of the first and second inboard walls 56A and 56B toward the respective outboard surfaces of the first and second inboard walls 56A and 56B. The illustrated ribs 70 are formed along an entire length of the protective edge member 50 and may be spaced apart by a distance D2. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance D1 is about 6.5 inches. Alternatively, the ribs 70 may be formed on any portion of the first and second inboard walls 56A and 56B at any other desired distance apart, such as within the range of about 4.0 inches to about 8.0 inches apart. Additionally, the ribs 70 may be formed at a distance of less than 4.0 inches apart or greater than 8.0 inches apart.

As used herein, a strengthening rib is defined as a structure formed in, formed on, or attached to an inboard or outboard wall, and that is configured to provide strength and rigidity to the wall in or on which it is formed, or to which it is attached.

When the protective edge member 50 is placed against a substantially planar surface, for example the outboard wide face 30 of the billet 14 during assembly of the laminated support mat 10, the first and second mat engagement surface 58A and 58B, contact the outboard wide face 30, but the central wall 60 does not. Rather, the third support mat engagement surface 60A of the central wall 60 is spaced apart from the outboard wide face 30 by the fifth distance X5, as shown in FIG. 6. The fifth distance X5 defines a shift or gap 67 between the outboard wide face 30 and the third support mat engagement surface 60A.

Like the protective edge members 12, the protective edge member 50 may have the length L2, the height H2, and may be formed from material, such as steel, having a thickness T of about 0.20 inches. Alternatively, the protective edge member 50 may be formed from material having a thickness within the range of about 0.10 inches to about 0.30 inches. Additionally, the protective edge member 50 may be formed from material having a thickness less than about 0.10 inches or greater than about 0.20 inches.

Additionally, the protective edge members 50 may have a plurality of apertures 66. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, each protective edge member 50 has two apertures 66. Alternatively, the protective edge members 50 may have any desired number of apertures 66, including no apertures, one aperture 66, or more than two apertures 66.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of the billets 14 is assembled together with fasteners, such as the bolts 22. The bolts 22 extend through the apertures 66 in the protective edge members 50 and through the bolt apertures 20 in the laminated billets 14. Each bolt 22 may be inserted through the aperture 66 such that a head 22H of the bolt 22 engages the central wall 60. A nut 44 may be attached to a distal end 22D of the bolt 22 such that the nut 44, when tightened onto the bolt 22, will also engage a central wall 60 of an opposite protective edge member 50, as shown in FIG. 6. When the nut 44 is securely tightened, the first and second mat engagement surfaces 58A and 58B of the first and second outboard walls 54A and 54B, respectively, of each protective edge member 50 will be firmly pressed into contact with respective outboard wide faces 30 of the billets 14.

As described above, the laminated support mat 10′ may be used for example, as a temporary lightweight roadway or foundation to facilitate vehicular and equipment travel, such as at a construction site. When used in such a manner, a vehicle being driven onto the load-bearing face 16 of the laminated support mat 10′ will first drive over the protective edge member 50 and apply a load (as indicated by the arrow 48) to the outboard wall 54A. Loads 48 that may be applied to the laminated support mats 10 and 10′ when used to facilitate vehicular and equipment travel vary with the type of vehicles or equipment being used, but typical loads 48 are not more than about 10,000 lbs., and often must less that about 10,000 lbs.

Advantageously, it has been shown that when the protective edge member 50 is manufactured as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 and is attached to a billet 14 to define the gap 67 of about 0.5 inches between the outboard wide face 30 and the third support mat engagement surface 60A, the protective edge member 50 can withstand a load 48 of at least 16,800 lbs.

Significantly, a region R of the inboard wall 56A (the upper most inboard wall when viewing FIG. 6) has a length of about 1.0 inch when measured from the third support mat engagement surface 60A toward the first intermediate wall 62A. Advantageously, it has been shown that the region R of the inboard wall 56A is the only portion of the protective edge member 50 that will support the load (as indicated by the arrow 48) of at least 16,800 lbs.

It will also be understood that the first embodiment of the protective edge member 12 may include one or more of the first ribs 68 and/or the second ribs 70.

The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. A protective edge member for a support mat, the protective edge member comprising an elongated substantially corrugated body defining two elongated ridges separated by an elongated groove.

2. The protective edge member according to claim 1, wherein the elongated substantially corrugated body includes: first and second elongated outboard walls;first and second elongated inboard walls, wherein the first and second elongated outboard walls are connected to the first and second elongated inboard walls, respectively; anda central wall that connects the first and second elongated inboard walls.

3. The protective edge member according to claim 2, wherein the first elongated inboard wall and the first elongated outboard wall define a first elongated ridge, wherein the second elongated inboard wall and the second elongated outboard wall define a second elongated ridge, and wherein the first elongated inboard wall, the second elongated inboard wall, and the central wall connected therebetween define the elongated groove.

4. The protective edge member according to claim 3, wherein a first elongated side edge of the first outboard wall defines a first support mat engagement surface, and a first elongated side edge of the second outboard wall defines a second support mat engagement surface.

5. The protective edge member according to claim 4, wherein a wide face of the central wall defines a third support mat engagement surface.

6. The protective edge member according to claim 2, further including: a first intermediate wall between the first outboard wall and the first inboard wall; anda second intermediate wall between the second outboard wall and the second inboard wall, wherein the first and second intermediate walls are substantially parallel to the central wall.

7. The protective edge member according to claim 5, further including: a first intermediate wall between the first outboard wall and the first inboard wall; anda second intermediate wall between the second outboard wall and the second inboard wall, wherein the first and second intermediate walls are substantially parallel to the central wall.

8. The protective edge member according to claim 7, wherein the first and second outboard walls extend a first distance from their respective first and second mat engagement surfaces to an outside surface of the each of the first and second intermediate walls; and wherein the first and second inboard walls extend a second distance, shorter than the first distance and measured along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly from the third support mat engagement surface of the central wall to the respective outside surfaces of the each of the first and second intermediate walls.

9. The protective edge member according to claim 8, wherein a difference between the first distance and the second distance is a third distance, and wherein the third distance is about 25 percent of the first distance.

10. The protective edge member according to claim 9, wherein the third distance is about 0.5 inches.

11. A support mat comprising: a plurality of vertically oriented individual wood members adhesively bonded to each other, each of the individual wood members having wide faces oriented parallel to a direction of a load applied to the support mat, the support mat having outboard wood members, the outwardly facing wide faces of the outboard wood members defining an outboard wide face of the support mat;a protective edge member attached to at least one of the outboard wide faces of the support mat, each protective edge member comprising an elongated substantially corrugated body defining two elongated ridges separated by an elongated groove; anda substantially rigid fastener extending through and connecting the protective edge member to the support mat.

12. The support mat according to claim 11, wherein the elongated substantially corrugated body of the protective edge member includes: first and second elongated outboard walls;first and second elongated inboard walls, wherein the first and second elongated outboard walls are connected to the first and second elongated inboard walls, respectively; anda central wall that connects the first and second elongated inboard walls.

13. The support mat according to claim 12, wherein the first elongated inboard wall and the first elongated outboard wall define a first elongated ridge, wherein the second elongated inboard wall and the second elongated outboard wall define a second elongated ridge, and wherein the first elongated inboard wall, the second elongated inboard wall, and the central wall connected therebetween define the elongated groove.

14. The support mat according to claim 13, wherein a first elongated side edge of the first outboard wall defines a first support mat engagement surface, and a first elongated side edge of the second outboard wall defines a second support mat engagement surface.

15. The support mat according to claim 14, wherein a wide face of the central wall defines a third support mat engagement surface.

16. The support mat according to claim 15, further including: a first intermediate wall between the first outboard wall and the first inboard wall; anda second intermediate wall between the second outboard wall and the second inboard wall, wherein the first and second intermediate walls are substantially parallel to the central wall.

17. The support mat according to claim 16, wherein the first and second outboard walls extend a first distance from their respective first and second mat engagement surfaces to an outside surface of the each of the first and second intermediate walls; and wherein the first and second inboard walls extend a second distance, shorter than the first distance and measured along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly from the third support mat engagement surface of the central wall to the respective outside surfaces of the each of the first and second intermediate walls.

18. The support mat according to claim 17, wherein a difference between the first distance and the second distance is a third distance, and wherein the third distance is about 25 percent of the first distance.

19. The support mat according to claim 18, wherein the third distance is about 0.5 inches.

20. The support mat according to claim 15, wherein the protective edge member is configured such that when attached to the support mat with the rigid fastener, the third support mat engagement surface is urged into contact with the outboard wide face of the support mat, and the first and second mat engagement surfaces one of engage with and penetrate into the outboard wide face of the support mat.