Electrically groundable support surface and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9985390-B2
Application number	US-201715673676-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 10, 2017
Priority date	Oct 9, 2013
Publication date	May 29, 2018
Grant date	May 29, 2018

Abstract

An electrically groundable support surface includes a lower portion configured to be deployed on or near the surface of the earth. An electrically-conductive cover portion constructed at least partially of electrically-conductive material is configured to extend at least partially across the top surface of the lower portion and is electrically groundable to the earth. At least one electrically-conductive interface is configured to facilitate electrical connection of the support surface to another electrically-conductive component.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

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 equipotential 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 equipotential 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, wherein said outer frame and said inner panel are not integrally formed, 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 and electrically connecting the mat to at least one other electrically-conductive component, the mat having a top and a bottom and configured to be deployed on or near the surface of the earth, the apparatus comprising:
a cover constructed at least partially of electrically-conductive material, said cover releasably attached to the mat sufficient to prevent said cover from separating from the mat during use thereof, said cover including metallic grating configured to extend at least partially across the top of the mat and be electrically grounded to the earth; and
at least one electrically-conductive interface configured to facilitate electrical connection of said cover to at least one other electrically-conductive component.

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

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said cover further includes an outer frame coupled to said metallic grating and extending around the perimeter of the top of the mat.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein each said electrically-conductive interface is provided on said outer frame.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said metallic grating is positioned at least partially within and coupled to said outer frame and said outer frame is configured to sit at the perimeter of the top of the mat.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said metallic grating is constructed at least partially of mesh material.

19. An electrically groundable support surface for use on or near the earth's surface and being electrically connected to at least one other electrically groundable support surface, the electrically groundable support surface comprising:
a lower portion having a top and a bottom, said lower portion being configured to be deployed on or near the surface of the earth;
cover portion constructed at least partially of electrically-conductive material, said cover portion being associated with said lower portion and configured to extend at least partially across said top of said lower portion and be electrically grounded to the earth; and
at least one electrically-conductive interface electrically coupled between said cover portion and the at least one other electrically groundable support surface.

20. The electrically groundable support surface of claim 19 wherein said lower portion and said cover portion are planar.

21. The electrically groundable support surface of claim 20 further including at least one fastener for releasably engaging said cover portion to said lower portion.

22. The electrically groundable support surface of claim 21 wherein said cover portion 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 portion.

23. The electrically groundable support surface of claim 19 wherein said cover portion 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 be interconnected.

24. The electrically groundable support surface of claim 19 wherein said lower portion and said cover portion are attached to one another.

25. The electrically groundable support surface of claim 24 wherein said lower portion and said cover portion are attached by welding.

26. An electrically groundable support surface for use on or near the earth's surface and being electrically connected to at least one other electrically groundable support surface, the electrically groundable support surface comprising:
a mat having top and bottom surfaces, said mat being configured to be depl

Assignees

• Newpark Mats & Integrated Services Llc

Inventors

• Mcdowell James Kerwin
• Durio Kenneth Edward

Classifications

• E01C5/005

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

• E04B5/02

  Load-carrying floor structures formed substantially of prefabricated units (E04B5/43 - E04B5/48 take precedence) · CPC title

• E01C9/08 Primary

  Temporary pavings ({E01C9/008 takes precedence } ; steel gratings E01C9/10) · CPC title

• E04H3/126

  Foldable, retractable or tiltable tribunes (E04H3/123 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H05F3/025

  Floors or floor coverings specially adapted for discharging static charges · CPC title