Apparatus for electrically grounding at least one mat

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017338596-A1
Application number	US-201715673676-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 10, 2017
Priority date	Oct 9, 2013
Publication date	Nov 23, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

An electrically-conductive cover for electrically grounding a mat includes a frame constructed at least partially of electrically-conductive material and configured to sit at the perimeter of the top surface of the mat. An electrically-conductive inner panel fits within the frame. The inner panel is coupled to the frame so they can be attached to or removed from the mat as a single unit. At least one fastener releasably couples the frame and/or inner panel to the mat. At least one electrically-conductive interface is configured to facilitate electrical connection of the cover to another electrically-conductive component.

First claim

1 . An electrically-conductive cover for electrically grounding a planar mat having top and bottom surfaces, the electrically-conductive cover comprising:
a frame constructed at least partially of electrically-conductive material and configured to sit at the perimeter of the top surface of the mat; an electrically-conductive inner panel configured to fit within said frame, wherein said inner panel is coupled to said frame so that said frame and said inner panel can be attached to or removed from the mat as a single unit; at least one fastener for releasably coupling one or both of said frame and said inner panel to the mat; and at least one electrically-conductive interface configured to facilitate electrical connection of the electrically-conductive cover to another electrically-conductive component.

2 . The electrically-conductive cover of claim 1 wherein said frame includes a top, bottom and multiple sides, further including a plurality of electrically-conductive interfaces, at least one said electrically-conductive interface being disposed proximate to each respective side of said frame.

3 . The electrically-conductive cover of claim 1 wherein said at least one electrically-conductive interface is provided on said frame.

4 . The electrically-conductive cover of claim 3 further including multiple said electrically-conductive interfaces at different respective locations on said frame.

5 . The electrically-conductive cover of claim 1 wherein said frame and said inner panel extend across the entire top surface of the mat.

6 . The electrically-conductive cover of claim 5 wherein each said fastener is a bolt and said inner panel is constructed of mesh material.

7 . An electrically groundable support surface for use in an Equi-Potential Zone, the electrically groundable support surface comprising:
a mat constructed of non-conductive material and having top and bottom surfaces, said mat being configured to be deployed on or near the earth's surface in the Equi-Potential Zone; and at least one reusable, electrically-conductive cover being releasably engageable with said mat, each said electrically-conductive cover including an outer frame and an inner panel each constructed at least partially of electrically-conductive material, said inner panel being configured to extend at least partially across said top surface of said mat.

8 . The electrically groundable support surface of claim 7 wherein said outer frame and said inner panel are coupled together and said outer frame is configured to sit at the perimeter of said top surface of said mat.

9 . The electrically groundable support surface of claim 8 wherein said inner panel is constructed at least partially of mesh material, further wherein said mat and said at least one electrically-conductive cover are configured to support the weight of personnel, vehicles and equipment thereupon.

10 . The electrically groundable support surface of claim 7 further including at least one electrically-conductive interface configured to facilitate electrical connection of said at least one electrically-conductive cover to another electrically-conductive component.

11 . The electrically groundable support surface of claim 10 wherein each said electrically-conductive interface is provided on said outer frame of each said electrically-conductive cover.

12 . The electrically groundable support surface of claim 10 further including a plurality of said electrically-conductive interfaces, each said electrically-conductive interface being disposed at a different respective location on said outer frame of each said electrically-conductive cover.

13 . Apparatus for electrically grounding a portable mat having top and bottom surfaces and being constructed of non-conductive material, the mat being configured to be deployed on or near the surface of the earth and support the weight of personnel, vehicles and equipment thereupon, the apparatus comprising:
a cover constructed at least partially of electrically-conductive material and configured to support the weight of personnel, vehicles and equipment thereupon, said cover being engageable with the mat sufficient to prevent said cover from separating from the mat during use thereof and being selectively disengageable therefrom, said cover including at least one inner panel configured to extend at least partially across the top surface of the mat and be electrically grounded to the earth.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 further including at least one fastener for releasably engaging said cover to said mat.

15 . The apparatus of claim 13 further including at least one electrically-conductive interface configured to facilitate electrical connection of said cover to another electrically-conductive component.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said cover further includes an outer frame coupled to said inner panel and extending around the perimeter of said top surface of said mat.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each said electrically-conductive interface is provided on said outer frame.

18 . The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said inner panel is positioned at least partially within and coupled to said outer frame and said outer frame is configured to sit at the perimeter of said top surface of said mat.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said inner panel is constructed at least partially of mesh material.

20 . An electrically groundable support surface for use on or near the earth's surface and being electrically connectable to at least one other support surface, the electrically groundable support surface comprising:
a mat having top and bottom surfaces, said mat being configured to be deployed on or near the surface of the earth and support the weight of personnel, vehicles and equipment thereupon; and a reusable cover constructed at least partially of electrically-conductive material and configured to support the weight and movement of vehicles and equipment directly upon said cover, said cover being associated with said mat and configured to extend at least partially across said top surface of said mat and be electrically grounded to the earth, said cover including at least one electrically-conductive interface configured to be electrically coupled to another support surface.

21 . The electrically groundable support surface of claim 20 wherein said mat and said cover are planar.

22 . The electrically groundable support surface of claim 21 further including at least one fastener for releasably engaging said cover to said mat.

23 . The electrically groundable support surface of claim 22 wherein said cover has multiple sides, further including a plurality of electrically-conductive interfaces, at least one said conductive interface disposed proximate to each respective side of said cover.

24 . The electrically groundable support surface of claim 20 wherein said cover includes an outer frame and an inner mesh portion, said outer frame and said inner mesh portion being constructed at least partially of electrically-conductive material and configured to interconnected.

25 . An electrically groundable support surface for use on or near the earth's surface and being electrically connectable to at least one other electrically-conductive component, the support surface comprising:
a mat having top and bottom surfaces, said mat being configured to be deployed on or near the surface of the earth; an elec

Assignees

• Newpark Mats & Integrated Services Llc

Inventors

• Mcdowell James Kerwin
• Durio Kenneth Edward

Classifications

• E21B41/0021

  Safety devices, e.g. for preventing small objects from falling into the borehole · CPC title

• E01C2201/12

  vertically interlocking · CPC title

• E01C11/24

  Methods or arrangements for preventing slipperiness or protecting against influences of the weather {(measures taken in connection with the foundation E01C3/06; paving elements with anti-slip inlays E01C5/22; aggregates resisting to grinding E01C7/085, E01C7/142, E01C7/182; specially for surface layers E01C7/35; reinforcements extending up to the surface E01C11/16, E01C11/18, E01C11/185; drainage E01C11/22; windscreens E01F7/02; snow fences E01F7/02; combating fog E01H13/00)} · CPC title

• E01C5/005

  Individual couplings or spacer elements for joining the prefabricated units (E01C5/10 takes precedence) · CPC title

• Y10T29/49117

  Conductor or circuit manufacturing · CPC title