U.S. patent application number 14/752067 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-21 for adjustable mat locking pin and methods of use thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is NEWPARK MATS & INTEGRATED SERVICES LLC. Invention is credited to James Kerwin McDowell, Donald Scott Rogers.
Application Number | 20160017910 14/752067 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51059830 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160017910 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McDowell; James Kerwin ; et
al. |
January 21, 2016 |
ADJUSTABLE MAT LOCKING PIN AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
Abstract
An adjustable locking pin useful for connecting at least first
and second adjacent mats includes an elongated main body having a
bore extending therethrough. An elongated rotor is configured to be
disposed at least partially within the bore of the main body and
extend downwardly therefrom. The rotor includes at least one foot
disposed at its lower end and configured to releasably engage the
second mat, The rotor is moveable relative to the main body to
provide multiple locking positions of the locking pin relative to
the first and second mats.
Inventors: |
McDowell; James Kerwin;
(Lafayette, LA) ; Rogers; Donald Scott;
(Lafayette, LA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NEWPARK MATS & INTEGRATED SERVICES LLC |
The Woodlands |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51059830 |
Appl. No.: |
14/752067 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13780350 |
Feb 28, 2013 |
9068584 |
|
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14752067 |
|
|
|
|
61748818 |
Jan 4, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
403/323 ;
29/525.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02B 3/126 20130101;
F16B 21/02 20130101; B29C 65/562 20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
B29L 2031/737 20130101; B29C 66/43 20130101; B29C 66/1122 20130101;
Y10T 24/42 20150115; B29C 66/1282 20130101; B29C 66/14 20130101;
F16B 5/02 20130101; E02D 31/004 20130101; B29C 66/12861 20130101;
F16B 19/008 20130101; B29C 66/12841 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16B 21/02 20060101
F16B021/02; F16B 19/00 20060101 F16B019/00 |
Claims
1. Adjustable locking pin useful for connecting at least first and
second adjacent mats configured to be placed upon the ground or
another one or more surfaces, the first mat being configured to at
least partially overlap the second mat so that a connecting hole in
the first mat aligns over a connecting hole in the second mat, the
adjustable locking pin comprising: an elongated main body having an
upper end, a lower end and an at least partially threaded bore
extending through said main body, said main body being configured
to extend through the connecting hole of the first mat and into the
connecting hole of the second mat; and an elongated at least
partially threaded rotor configured to threadably engage said bore
of said main body and extend therefrom, said rotor having an upper
end and a lower end and being configured to be rotatable through at
least one 360 degree revolution of rotation relative to said main
body, said rotor having at least one foot disposed at said lower
end thereof and being movable therewith relative to said main body,
each said foot being rotatably movable between multiple locking and
multiple unlocked positions when said main body is disposed within
the respective connecting holes of the first and second mats,
wherein each said foot in each said unlocked position is configured
to be movable up through the connecting holes of the first and
second mats, further wherein each said foot in each said locking
position is configured to be non-movable up through the respective
connecting holes of the first and second mats, engage the second
mat at least partially around the connecting hole thereof and
anchor the locking pin to the first and second mats, wherein said
rotor is configured so that the rotation thereof in one direction
relative to said main body draws said foot closer to said bottom of
said main body and provides at least two different said locking
positions of said foot, said foot in each said successive locking
position being configured to form a tighter connection of the first
and second mats, whereby the rotational adjustability of said rotor
allows the first and second mats to be tightly held together.
2. The adjustable locking pin of claim 1 wherein said main body
includes a head at said upper end thereof, said head being
configured to assist in preventing the rotation of said main body
in the respective connecting holes of the first and second
mats.
3. The adjustable locking pin of claim 2 further including at least
one elastomeric seal extending around the periphery of said head of
said main body, said at least one seal being configured to form a
fluid tight seal between said head of said main body and the first
mat around the connecting hole thereof.
4. The adjustable locking pin of claim 3 wherein said at least one
seal is configured to prevent the entry of liquid into the
connecting hole of the first mat from above.
5. The adjustable locking pin of claim 3 wherein each said foot, in
each successive locking position as it is rotated in one direction,
is configured to form a tighter connection of the first and second
mats and increase compression of said at least one seal between
said head of said main body and the first mat.
6. The adjustable locking pin of claim 3 wherein the first mat
includes an indentation formed in an upper surface thereof around
the connecting hole thereof, the indentation having a rim extending
around the connecting hole, the rim having a curved outer surface,
further wherein said head of said main body at least partially
seats within the indentation of the first mat and said at least one
seal is configured to engage and be compressed against the rim of
the indentation of the first mat.
7. The adjustable locking pin of claim 6 wherein said at least one
seal includes an upper bulb portion and an elongated lip extending
downwardly therefrom, said upper bulb portion and elongated lip
both extending around said head of said main body, said lip having
a length defined by inwardly-tapered inner and outer sides
terminating at a rounded bottom portion, wherein as said at least
one seal is compressed between said head and the rim of the
indentation of the first mat, said rounded bottom portion of said
lip is configured to engage said rim.
8. The adjustable locking pin of claim 3 wherein the outer
peripheral edge of said head of said main body has an unbroken
oblong shape, further including at least one recess formed in said
head to receive an extraction tool useful for removing the
adjustable locking pin from the first and second mats, said at
least one recess being spaced away from said outer peripheral edge
of said head to allow a fluid tight seal to be formed around said
head and between said at least one seal and the first mat.
9. The adjustable locking pin of claim 1 wherein said rotor has at
least three threads formed therein.
10. The adjustable locking pin of claim 9 wherein each said foot
has a flat upper surface.
11. The adjustable locking pin of claim 9 wherein the second mat
includes an indentation formed in a lower surface thereof around
the connecting hole thereof, further wherein each said foot in each
said locking position engages the indentation of the second
mat.
12. The adjustable locking pin of claim 1 wherein said rotor
includes at least 5 threads formed therein.
13. The adjustable locking pin of claim 1 wherein said rotor is
configured to allow the tight connection of at least first and
second mats having different respective thicknesses or being
disposed upon an uneven surface.
14. The adjustable locking pin of claim 1 wherein said main body
has a plurality of weight reduction cut-outs formed therein.
15. The adjustable locking pin of claim 14 wherein said plurality
of weight reduction cut-outs includes a plurality of slots formed
in said main body, a plurality of ribs formed in said main body or
a combination thereof.
16. The adjustable locking pin of claim 1 wherein said rotor is
configured to be rotatable through at least two 360 degree
revolutions of rotation relative to said main body and wherein the
rotation of said rotor in one direction relative to said main body
provides at least four different said locking positions of said at
least one foot, each said foot in each successive locking position
being configured to form a tighter connection of the first and
second mats.
17. The adjustable locking pin of claim 1 wherein said bore of said
main body includes an upper section and a ledge disposed at the
lower end of said upper section, further wherein said rotor
includes a rotor head configured to be axially moveable within said
upper section of said bore and sealable on said ledge of said bore,
further wherein said rotor head includes a receiver at its upper
end configured to receive a tool useful to rotate said rotor
relative to said main body.
18. A sealing locking pin releasably engageable with at least first
and second adjacent mats placed upon the ground or another one or
more surfaces and useful to connect the mats together, the first
mat being configured to at least partially overlap the second mat
so that a connecting hole in the first mat aligns over a connecting
hole in the second mat, the connecting hole of each mat extending
from an upper surface to a lower surface of its respective mat, the
sealing locking pin comprising: an elongated main body having an
upper end, a lower end and a bore extending through said main body,
said main body being configured to extend through the connecting
hole of the first mat and into the connecting hole of the second
mat, said main body having a head at said upper end thereof
configured to engage the upper surface of the first mat around the
connecting hole thereof; at least one elastomeric seal configured
to extend around the periphery of said head of said main body, said
at least one seal being configured to form a fluid tight seal
between said head and the upper surface of the first mat when the
locking pin is engaged with the first and second mats; and an
elongated rotor configured to be disposed at least partially within
said bore of said main body and extend downwardly therefrom, said
rotor having an upper end and a lower end and being configured to
be movable upwardly and downwardly in said bore relative to said
main body, said rotor having at least one foot disposed at said
lower end thereof and being movable therewith relative to said main
body, each said foot being movable between multiple successive
locking and unlocked positions when said rotor is moved in at least
one direction relative to said main body and said main body is
disposed within the respective connecting holes of the first and
second mats, wherein each said foot in each said unlocked position
is configured to be movable up through the connecting holes of the
first and second mats, and wherein each said foot in each said
locking position is configured to be non-movable up through the
respective connecting holes of the first and second mats, engage
the lower surface of the second mat at least partially around the
connecting hole thereof and anchor the locking pin to the first and
second mats.
19. The sealing locking pin of claim 18 wherein when said rotor is
moved upwardly relative to said main body, each said foot in each
said successive locking position is configured to form a tighter
connection of the first and second mats.
20. The sealing locking pin of claim 18 wherein said main body is
configured to be non-rotatable when disposed in the respective
connecting holes of the first and second mats.
21. A method of connecting at least first and second mats
positionable on the ground or one or more other surfaces with the
use of an adjustable locking pin, the first mat at least partially
overlapping the second mat so that a connecting hole in the first
mat aligns over a connecting hole in the second mat, the adjustable
locking pin having a main body with a threaded bore extending
therethrough, a threaded rotor threadably engaged in the bore and
extending downwardly therefrom, having a foot at its lower end and
being rotatable in each direction through at least one 360 degree
revolution of rotation relative to the main body, the method
comprising: inserting the main body through the connecting hole of
the first mat and into the connecting hole of the second mat until
the foot of the rotor is positioned below the second mat; and
selectively rotating the rotor relative to the main body and the
first and second mats in the direction that moves the foot of the
rotor closer to the main body into one among at least two different
locking positions of the foot relative to the mats until a head at
the upper end of the main body tightly engages the first mat at
least partially around the connecting hole thereof and the foot of
the rotor tightly engages the second mat at least partially around
the connecting hole thereof, preventing vertical movement of either
mat relative to the other at the location of the locking pin.
22. The method of claim 21 further including compressing at least
one elastomeric seal that extends around the periphery of the head
of the main body against the first mat, the at least one seal
forming a fluid tight seal between the head of the main body and
the first mat around the connecting hole thereof.
23. The method of claim 22 further including, after the passage of
time since the first and second mats are connected with the
adjustable locking pin and at least one of the mats has deformed,
deteriorated or shifted, again selectively rotating the rotor
relative to the main body and the first and second mats in the
direction that moves the foot of the rotor closer to the main body
until the head of the main body tightly engages the first mat and
the foot of the rotor tightly engages the second mat, preventing
vertical movement of either mat relative to the other at the
location of the locking pin.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/780,350 filed on Feb. 28, 2013 and
entitled "Apparatus and Methods for Connecting Mats", which claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/748,818, filed on Jan. 4, 2013 and entitled "Apparatus and
Methods for Connecting Mats", both of which are hereby incorporated
by reference herein in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to connecting adjacent
components of a modular load-supporting surface system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Temporary or semi-permanent support surfaces have been used
for roadways, remote jobsites, industrial staging areas and the
like in an ever-increasing myriad of industries, such as
construction, military, oilfield, transportation, disaster
response, utilities and entertainment. These support surfaces are
often made up of heavy duty, durable, all-weather, thermoplastic
mats, which are reusable and interlock together to form the support
surface. Traditionally, the mats include connecting holes that can
be aligned on adjacent mats and through which removable locking
pins are inserted for connecting the mats. However, many presently
known locking pins are not adjustable to form a tight connection of
adjacent mats in different circumstances.
[0004] In various known system, a plastic liner is placed below and
around the mat assembly in an effort to capture liquids that are
spilled, or otherwise introduced, onto the support surface before
such liquids encounter the subgrade terrain. The use of liners with
temporary or semi-permanent support surfaces may have one or more
disadvantages. In many instances, once the need for the temporary
support surface has lapsed, the interlocking mats are disassembled
for later use. However, since the liners, unlike the mats, are not
normally reusable, they must often be discarded. This can be
problematic because landfill operators have expressed disinterest
in accepting used liners on the basis that they are bulky and
require excessive landfill space, or for other reasons. Thus, it
can be difficult to find suitable cost-effective ways to dispose of
the liners. For another example, the plastic liners are sometimes
ineffective at preventing fluid leakage from the support surface or
allowing effective clean-up, which can cause other problems and
require significant time and effort. Thus, in some instances, there
is a need for locking pins that can assist in forming a fluid tight
seal between adjacent mats.
[0005] It should be understood that the above-described features,
capabilities and disadvantages are provided for illustrative
purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope or subject
matter of the appended claims or those of any related patent
application or patent. Thus, none of the appended claims or claims
of any related application or patent should be limited by the above
discussion or construed to address, include or exclude each or any
of the above-cited features, capabilities or disadvantages merely
because of the mention thereof herein.
[0006] Accordingly, there exists a need for improved systems,
articles and methods useful for connecting components of a
load-supporting surface having one or more of the attributes or
capabilities described or shown in, or as may be apparent from, the
other portions of this patent.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves an
adjustable locking pin for connecting at least first and second
overlapping mats placed upon the ground or another one or more
surfaces. The first mat at least partially overlaps the second mat
so that a connecting hole in the first mat is aligned over a
connecting hole in the second mat. The apparatus includes an
elongated main body having an upper end, a lower end and an at
least partially threaded bore extending through the mats. The main
body is configured to extend through the connecting hole of the
first mat and into the connecting hole of the second mat and
configured to prevent rotation therein. The main body also includes
an elongated, at least partially threaded rotor threadably engaged
in the bore of the main body and extending downwardly therefrom.
The rotor has an upper end and a lower end and is configured to be
rotatable through at least one 360 degree revolutions of rotation
relative to the main body.
[0008] The rotor includes a foot disposed at its lower end and
which is movable therewith relative to the main body. The foot is
movable between multiple locking and multiple unlocked positions
when the main body is disposed within the respective connecting
holes of the first and second mats. In its unlocked positions, the
foot is movable up through the connecting holes of the first and
second mats. In its locking positions, the foot is non-movable up
through the respective connecting holes of the first and second
mats and is engageable with the second mat at least partially
around the connecting hole thereof. The rotor is configured so that
the rotation thereof in one direction relative to the main body
draws the foot closer to the bottom of the main body and provides
at least two different locking positions of the foot. In each
successive locking position, the foot is configured to form a
tighter connection of the first and second mats.
[0009] Accordingly, the present disclosure includes features and
advantages which are believed to enable it to advance
load-supporting surface technology. Characteristics and advantages
of the present disclosure described above and additional features
and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art
upon consideration of the following detailed description of various
embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The following figures are part of the present specification,
included to demonstrate certain aspects of various embodiments of
this disclosure and referenced in the detailed description
herein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a locking
pin in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the exemplary locking
pin of FIG. 1 having its rotor rotated 90.degree.;
[0013] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the exemplary locking
pin of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a front view of the exemplary locking pin of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of the exemplary locking pin of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the locking pin of FIG.
5 taken along lines 6-6;
[0017] FIG. 6B is an exploded view of the exemplary sealing member
of the exemplary locking pin of FIG. 6A shown in cross-section;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
locking pin in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the exemplary rotor of the
locking pin shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary rotor
shown in FIG. 8 taken along lines FIG. 8-FIG. 8;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment of a rotor
useful in one or more embodiments of the locking pin in accordance
with the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a front view of the exemplary rotor shown in FIG.
10;
[0023] FIG. 12A is a side view of the exemplary locking pin of FIG.
1 shown disengaged with first and second mats shown in
cross-section;
[0024] FIG. 12B is an exploded cross-sectional view of the
exemplary sealing member of the exemplary locking pin of FIG.
12A;
[0025] FIG. 13A is a side view of the exemplary locking pin of FIG.
1 shown engaged with first and second mats;
[0026] FIG. 13B is a perspective view of a connecting hole in an
exemplary mat;
[0027] FIG. 13C is a perspective view of an exemplary locking pin
engaged in the connecting hole of FIG. 13B in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary locking
pin of FIG. 1 shown engaged with first and second mats; and
[0029] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary locking
pin of FIG. 1 shown engaged with first and second mats on a
non-horizontal surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure and
additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those
skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed
description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and
referring to the accompanying figures. It should be understood that
the description herein and appended drawings, being of example
embodiments, are not intended to limit the claims of this patent or
any patent or patent application claiming priority hereto. On the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents
and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claims.
Many changes may be made to the particular embodiments and details
disclosed herein without departing from such spirit and scope.
[0031] In showing and describing preferred embodiments in the
appended figures, common or similar elements are referenced with
like or identical reference numerals or are apparent from the
figures and/or the description herein. The figures are not
necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the
figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the
interest of clarity and conciseness.
[0032] As used herein and throughout various portions (and
headings) of this patent application, the terms "invention",
"present invention" and variations thereof are not intended to mean
every possible embodiment encompassed by this disclosure or any
particular claim(s). Thus, the subject matter of each such
reference should not be considered as necessary for, or part of,
every embodiment hereof or of any particular claim(s) merely
because of such reference. The terms "coupled", "connected",
"engaged" and the like, and variations thereof, as used herein and
in the appended claims are intended to mean either an indirect or
direct connection or engagement. Thus, if a first device couples to
a second device, that connection may be through a direct
connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices and
connections.
[0033] Certain terms are used herein and in the appended claims to
refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will
appreciate, different persons may refer to a component by different
names. This document does not intend to distinguish between
components that differ in name but not function. Also, the terms
"including" and "comprising" are used herein and in the appended
claims in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to
mean "including, but not limited to . . . . " Further, reference
herein and in the appended claims to components and aspects in a
singular tense does not necessarily limit the present disclosure or
appended claims to only one such component or aspect, but should be
interpreted generally to mean one or more, as may be suitable and
desirable in each particular instance.
[0034] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of a mat
locking pin 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown.
The locking pin 10 is useful to connect, or secure together, at
least first (upper) and second (lower) mats 12, 14 (e.g. FIG. 12A)
placed upon one or more earthen or other surface 106. The
illustrated mats 12, 14 are durable thermoplastic mats, such as the
DURA-BASE.RTM. mats current sold by Applicant and useful, for
example, as temporary roads, jobsites and staging areas. However,
the present disclosure and appended claims are not limited to this
type of mat. As used herein and in the appended claims, the terms
"mat" and variations thereof include boards, mats, sheets, plates
or other-shaped members desired to be connected together and
constructed of any suitable material.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 12A, in this example application, the first
mat 12 is positioned atop the second mat 14 so that a connecting
hole 18 in an overlapping lip 12a of the first mat 12 is aligned
over a connecting hole 20 in an overlapping lip 14a the second mat
14. The upper and lower surfaces of the illustrated mat lips 12a,
14a each include an indentation extending around each respective
connecting hole 18, 20. For example, the upper surface 24 of the
lip 12a of the first mat 12 includes an indentation 22 extending
around its connecting hole 18, and the lower surface 28 of the lip
14a of the second mat 14 includes an indentation 26 formed around
its connecting hole 20. The indentations 22, 26 each include a rim
22a, 26a that has a curved outer surface. The rim 22a, 26a thus has
a circular arc or radius. The illustrated mats 12, 14 are at least
substantially identical and, thus, reversible. In other words, the
connecting hole 18 and indentation 22 of the lip 12a of the first
mat 12 are generally the same as the connecting hole 20 and
indentation 26 of the lip 14a of the second mat 14. While this
particular form, configuration and arrangement of mats 12, 14 is
known in the art, it is not limiting upon the present disclosure
and appended claims. The locking pin 10 may be used with any
suitable form, configuration and arrangement of mats 12, 14 or
other sheets, plates or other-shaped members desired to be
connected together.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the exemplary locking pin 10
includes an elongated main body 30 and an at least
partially-threaded elongated rotor 50 that is rotatable relative to
the main body 30 and the first and second mats 12, 14 (e.g. FIG.
12A) when the locking pin 10 is engaged therewith. The main body 30
and rotor 50 may have any suitable form, configuration and
operation. In this example, the main body 30 is constructed of
high-strength, molded, thermoplastic and has an upper end 32, a
lower end 34 and an at least partially-threaded bore 36 (FIG. 6A)
extending therethrough.
[0037] If desired, excess material that is not necessary for
operation and use of the locking pin 10 may be removed from the
main body 30, such as to reduce the amount of material used, weight
and/or cost of the locking pin 10 or any other desired purpose(s).
In this embodiment, a series of weight reduction cut-outs 16 are
formed in portions of the main body 30 where material is
unnecessary. The weight reduction cut-outs 16 may have any form,
configuration and location. For example, in FIG. 7, the weight
reduction cut-outs 16 are slots. For yet another example, the
weight reduction cut-outs 16 may be ribs (not shown). In addition
or alternately, the main body 30 may be formed with a different
shape to remove unnecessary material. For example, in the
embodiment of FIG. 7, material is shown removed from the lower end
34 of the main body 30. However, it should be noted that the shape
of the main body 30 and form of weight reduction cut-outs 16, if
included, are not limiting upon the present disclosure.
[0038] Referring again to FIG. 12A, the illustrated main body 30 is
configured to extend through the connecting hole 18 of the first
mat 12 and into the connecting hole 20 of the second mat 14. The
main body 30 and/or connecting holes 18, 20 may be configured to
prevent rotation of the main body 30 in the holes 18, 20. For
example, the main body 30 and/or connecting holes 18, 20 may have
non-circular or asymmetrical shapes. In this embodiment, the main
body 30 (e.g. FIG. 3) and connecting holes 18, 20 (e.g. FIG. 13B)
all have oblong shapes, respectively. However, the main body 30
and/or holes 18, 20 may have different shapes or another suitable
mechanism may be used to prevent rotation of the main body 40 in
the holes 18, 20.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 6A, at its upper end 32, the illustrated
main body 30 includes an enlarged head 40. The head 40 may have any
suitable form, configuration and operation. In this example, the
head 40 has a profile, or outer perimeter, that extends laterally
beyond the profile, or outer perimeter, of the remainder of the
main body 30 (see FIG. 3) and is engageable with the upper mat 12
(e.g. FIG. 12A). In this example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the
illustrated head 40 is configured to at least partially seat within
the indentation 22 and abut the rim 22a thereof. While the
exemplary head 40 is shown protruding upwardly above the upper mat
12, there may be situations where the head 40 is flush with or even
below the level of the upper surface 24 of the lip 12a of the first
mat 12.
[0040] In addition, the illustrated head 40 may be configured not
to rotate within the indentation 22. For example, the head 40 and
indentation 22 may each have non-circular or asymmetrical shapes so
that when the head 40 is seated in the indentation 22, the head 40
(and the body 30) cannot rotate relative to the mats 12, 14. In
this embodiment, the head 40 and indentation 22 have oblong shapes,
respectively. However, the head 40 and/or indentation 22 may have
different shapes or another suitable mechanism may be used to
prevent rotation of the head 40 in the indentation 22.
[0041] Still referring to FIG. 6A, the illustrated head 40 includes
at least one extraction tool receiver 44 configured to receive an
extraction tool (not shown) useful to remove the locking pin 10
from the mats 12, 14. The extraction tool receiver 44 may have any
suitable form, configuration, operation and location. In this
example, the receiver 44 includes a pair of angularly oriented
extractor recesses 46 (see also FIG. 3) extending into the head 40
from the upper surface 48 thereof and spaced from the outer edge 72
thereof.
[0042] Still referring to FIG. 6A, the illustrated rotor 50 is
constructed of cast metal, such as stainless steel, and includes a
cylindrical shaft 52 having threads 54 that threadably mate with
the bore 36 of the main body 30. The threaded engagement of the
rotor 50 and main body 30 may be included for any suitable
purpose(s). For example, as will be further described below, the
threaded engagement allows the exemplary locking pin 10 to be
adjustable relative to the mats 12, 14 (e.g. FIG. 12A). For another
example, the threaded engagement of the rotor 50 and main body 30
may allow loads to be transferred to the main body 40 through the
threads during use, providing increased strength of the locking pin
10.
[0043] The shaft 52 may have any suitable form and configuration.
Referring to FIGS. 8 & 9, in this example, the shaft 52
includes a threaded section 76 having threads 54 and a non-threaded
section 78 extending below the lowermost thread. The threads 54 may
have any suitable dimensions and location. Further, any desired
number of threads 54 may be included. In this example, six threads
54 are machined into the threaded section 76 of the shaft 52. For
another example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, the shaft 52
includes three larger threads 54 spaced approximately 1/2 inches
apart from each other at their peaks. The non-threaded section 78
of this example has a length of approximately 0.646 inches.
[0044] Referring back to FIGS. 8 & 9, at its upper end, the
exemplary rotor 50 includes an enlarged head 60 that is axially
moveable within an upper bore section 38 (FIG. 6A) of the bore 36.
As shown in FIG. 6A, at its lowermost position in the bore section
38, the exemplary head 60 abuts a ledge 42 forming the bottom of
the bore section 38. The illustrated head 60 includes a receiver 62
that may be used to rotate the rotor 50. In this embodiment, for
example, the receiver 62 is a socket recess 64 shaped and
configured to receive a driver (not shown) used to rotate the rotor
50 relative to the main body 30.
[0045] The illustrated rotor 50 also includes at least one foot 66
disposed at its lower end 68. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the
exemplary rotor 50 is engaged in the bore 36 of the main body 30,
the foot 66 is positioned below the lower end 34 of the main body
30. During use of the exemplary locking pin 10, as shown in FIG.
12A, when the main body 30 extends through the connecting hole 18
of the first mat 12 and into the connecting hole 20 of the second
mat 14, the foot 66 may be positioned below the connecting hole 20
of the second mat 14 and effectively underneath the second mat 12.
Although the illustrated foot 66 is shown flush with the bottom of
the lower mat 14, the bottom of the foot 66 may protrude downwardly
below the mat 14.
[0046] The foot 66 may have any suitable form, configuration and
operation. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 & 9, the foot 66 has an
outer shape this is generally oblong, or asymmetrical, and extends
outwardly of the outer profile of the other parts of the rotor 50.
The bottom 88 of the illustrated foot 66 is at least substantially
flat, while the top 90 has a generally upwardly and inwardly
sloping surface 92 that blends into the shaft 52. In contrast, in
the embodiment of FIGS. 9 & 10, the top 90 of the foot 66 is
shown having a flat upper surface 92.
[0047] The exemplary foot 66 is rotatable between at least two
positions relative to the main body 30 (and mats 12, 14) as the
rotor 50 is rotated. In at least a first position, as shown in FIG.
1, the exemplary foot 66 lies generally within the profile of the
main body 30 (see also FIG. 5), so that it aligns with and is
movable through the respective connecting holes 18, 20 (e.g. FIG.
12A) of the mats 12, 14. Such positioning is referred to herein as
the "unlocked" position of the foot 66. In a preferred embodiment,
the foot 66 is in this general position when the locking pin 10 is
inserted into and removed from the holes 18, 20.
[0048] In at least a second position, such as shown in FIG. 2, the
illustrated foot 66 extends outwardly of the profile of the main
body 30. As shown in FIG. 13A, when the exemplary locking pin 10 is
engaged with the mats 12, 14, the foot 66 in this position is
misaligned with and non-movable through the holes 18, 20. This
positioning of the exemplary foot 66 is generally used to secure
the locking pin 10 to the mats 12, 14 and is referred to herein as
the "locking" position of the foot 66. In this embodiment, when in
one or more locking positions, the foot 66 is configured to at
least partially engage the indentation 26 of the mat 14 and abut
the rim 26a, preventing the foot 66 from passing up into the
connecting hole 20, and anchoring the locking pin 10 to the mats
12, 14. The illustrated foot 66 is thus configured to rotate under
the bottom mat 14 and seat in the indentation 26 thereof to tighten
and secure the mats 12, 14 together and prevent removal of the
locking pin 10.
[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 14 & 15, with the inclusion of
the exemplary threaded rotor 50, the locking pin 10 of this
embodiment is adjustable relative to the mats 12, 14 and has
multiple different locking positions to tighten and hold the lips
12a, 14a together. These features may be provided for any desired
purpose(s). For example, the rotational adjustability of the
exemplary foot 66 relative to the main body 30 may allow the user
to control and properly align the locking pin 10 in the holes 18,
20 and adjust the reach of the locking pin 10 relative to the mats
12, 14 to fit the particular circumstances. These capabilities may
be beneficial, for example, to allow the locking pin 10 to be used
to form a tight fit between mats 10, 12 having different
thicknesses, shapes and/or sizes, assist in preventing or
restricting undesirable "play" and/or vertical movement of one mat
12, 14 relative to the other mat 12, 14, assist in providing and
maintaining a close interface 70 of the mats 12, 14, maintain a
close relationship or tight fit of the mats 12, 14 on an uneven
surface 106 (e.g. FIG. 15), assist in providing or allowing an at
least partial fluid-tight seal at the upper end of the connecting
hole 18 of the upper mat 12 and/or between the mats 12, 14, or a
combination thereof. In some embodiments, if one or both of the
connected mats 12, 14 deforms, degrades, shifts or otherwise moves
over time or the mats become loose relative to one another, the
rotor 50 may be readjusted to again establish a desired connection
fit between the mats 12, 14.
[0050] The illustrated locking pin 10 may be adjustable relative to
the mats 12, 14 and provide a range of locking positions in any
suitable manner. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the
exemplary foot 66 is in spaced relationship via a gap 74 relative
to the lower end 34 of the main body 30, allowing a range of axial
movement of the foot 66 relative to the main body 30. As the rotor
50 is rotated in one direction (e.g. clockwise) relative to the
main body 30, the foot 66 is drawn closer to the lower end 34 of
the main body 30, reducing the size of the gap 74 associated with
each successive locking position of the foot 66. This provides
multiple locking positions of the locking pin 10 relative to the
mats 12, 14. Rotation of the rotor 50 in the opposition direction
will alternately move the foot 66 away from the main body 30, such
as to loosen or disconnect the locking pin 10 from the mats 12,
14.
[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, each 360.degree. clockwise
revolution of the rotor 50 relative to the main body 30 provides a
total of two different locking positions of the foot 66 and
associated gap 74 sizes, as well as two different unlocked
positions of the foot 66. In some embodiment, the locking pin 10
may be configured to move through at least two 360.degree.
revolutions of rotation. If the rotor 50 has three threads (e.g.
FIG. 10), for example, the locking pin 10 may be configured to move
through three 360.degree. revolutions of rotation, providing a
total of six different locking positions. However, the locking pin
10 may be configured to provide any desired number of different
locking positions of the foot 66.
[0052] In FIG. 14, for example, the locking pin 10 is shown
securing the mats 12, 14 together after a 1/4, or 90.degree., turn
of the rotor 50 (and foot 66). In this example, there is no space
between the lips 12a, 14a of the mats 12, 14 at the mat interface
70. FIG. 15 shows the exemplary locking pin 10 used with mats 12,
14 on an uneven surface 106. While the illustrated lips 12a, 14a
are not abutting along their entire lengths, at least a portion of
the lips 12a, 14a are in contact at the mat interface 70. The
number of turns of the rotor 50 necessary for sufficiently securing
the mats 12, 14 together may vary depending upon the particular
circumstances.
[0053] In another independent aspect of the present disclosure, if
desired, the locking pin 10 may be used as part of a sealing, or
spill management system, for a series of mats. For example, the
locking pin 10 may provide a tight fit between the mats 10, 12 to
inhibit the ingress of fluid and/or debris into the interface 70
(e.g. FIG. 14) between the mats 12, 14. For another example, the
locking pin 10 may be configured to assist in preventing, or
substantially inhibiting, the entry of fluid and/or debris into the
connecting holes 18, 20 of the mats 12, 14. As shown in FIGS. 1-3,
in some embodiments, the locking pin 10 may include one or more
sealing members 80 extending around the periphery of the head 40 of
the main body 30. In these embodiments, as the rotor 50 is rotated,
the foot 66 effectively compresses the sealing member 80 against
the upper mat 12 (e.g. FIG. 14) as it tightens the upper and lower
mats 12, 14 together. The entire package, including the sealing
member 80, head 40 of the main body 30, mats 12, 14 and foot 66 of
the rotor 50 are effectively compressed or squeezed together.
[0054] The sealing member(s) 80 may have any suitable form,
configuration and operation. Referring to FIGS. 13A-C, for example,
the sealing member 80 may be an elastomeric seal 84 configured to
form an at least substantially fluid-tight seal between the head 40
of the main body 30 and the indentation 22 of the first mat 12,
such as to prevent the entry of debris and/or fluid into the
connecting hole 18 of the first mat 12 from above. As the locking
pin 10 is tightened in place, the seal 84 will crush or deform
between the head 40 and the rim 22a to form an at least
substantially fluid tight seal around the connecting hole 18.
[0055] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the seal 84 is a
separately molded gasket adhered at least partially to the edge 72
of the head 40. The illustrated seal 84 includes an upper bulb
portion 96 and an elongated lip 98 extending downwardly therefrom.
The exemplary lip 98 is shown formed in an overall, general
V-shape, having a length L formed by inwardly tapered inner and
outer sides 100 and a rounded bottom 102. For example, the length L
of the lip 98 may be approximately 0.20 inches-0.40 inches, the
span S of the tapered sides 100 may be approximately
10.degree.-30.degree. and the bottom 102 may be formed with a
radius of approximately 0.03 inches-0.09 inches. In one preferred
embodiment, the length L of the lip 98 may be approximately 0.30
inches, the span S of the tapered sides 100 may be approximately
20.degree. and the bottom 102 may be formed with a radius of
approximately 0.06 inches.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 12B, the exemplary seal 84 is configured to
abut the rim 22a of the indentation 22 around the head 40. During
use of the exemplary locking pin 10, as the seal 84 is squeezed and
compressed between the head 40 and the rim 22a of the indentation
22, the bottom 102 will engage the rim 22a and inner and outer
sides 100 of the lip 98 will spread apart, causing the span S to
expand and widen and the length of the lip 98 to decrease. In FIG.
14, for example, the exemplary seal 84 is shown squeezed or crushed
in the indentation 22 of the upper mat 12. If desired, a removable
sealing plug (not shown) or other sealing material may be
insertable into the upper bore section 38 (FIG. 6A) of the main
body 30 and/or the receiver 62 in the rotor 50, such as to assist
in preventing the ingress of fluid and/or debris into the
connecting holes 18, 20 from above.
[0057] If desired, the locking pin 10 may also or instead include
one or more sealing members (not shown) extending around the
periphery of the foot 66 of the rotor 50. This sealing member may
be similar in construction and general operation to the sealing
member 80 described above, except for use applied to the foot 66
engaging the rim 26a of the indentation 26 of the lower mat 14.
[0058] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure thus offer
advantages over the prior art and are well adapted to carry out one
or more of the objects of this disclosure. However, the present
invention does not require each of the components and acts
described above and is in no way limited to the above-described
embodiments or methods of operation. Any one or more of the above
components, features and processes may be employed in any suitable
configuration without inclusion of other such components, features
and processes. Moreover, the present invention includes additional
features, capabilities, functions, methods, uses and applications
that have not been specifically addressed herein but are, or will
become, apparent from the description herein, the appended drawings
and claims.
[0059] The methods that may be described above or claimed herein
and any other methods which may fall within the scope of the
appended claims can be performed in any desired suitable order and
are not necessarily limited to any sequence described herein or as
may be listed in the appended claims. Further, the methods of the
present invention do not necessarily require use of the particular
embodiments shown and described herein, but are equally applicable
with any other suitable structure, form and configuration of
components.
[0060] While exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown
and described, many variations, modifications and/or changes of the
system, apparatus and methods of the present invention, such as in
the components, details of construction and operation, arrangement
of parts and/or methods of use, are possible, contemplated by the
patent applicant(s), within the scope of the appended claims, and
may be made and used by one of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the spirit or teachings of the invention and scope
of appended claims. Thus, all matter herein set forth or shown in
the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative,
and the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims should not
be limited to the embodiments described and shown herein.
* * * * *