Method and apparatus for forming temporary road surfaces

Abstract

A mat construction usable in the construction, mining and the like industries wherein timbers or other such materials are tied together into an array. The mat can be used as an underlayment for roadways built over unstable ground surfaces, or a number of the mats can be superimposed one upon the other to form a thicker mat.

1 . A support device for constructing multiple portable road surface sections comprising:
 A frame including a first end piece, a second end piece, and a horizontal connector extending therebetween;   The first end piece including a first upright, a second upright, a first fixed cross piece interconnecting the first and second uprights, and at least a first removable cross piece located above the fixed cross piece and removably extending between the first and second uprights; and   The second end piece including a third upright, a fourth upright, a second fixed cross piece interconnecting the third and fourth uprights, and at least a second removable cross piece located above the fixed cross piece and removably extending between the third and fourth uprights.   
   
   
       2 . The support device of  claim 1  further including a plurality of vertical spacers adapted for insertion between a first plane extending from the first upright and the third upright and a second plane extending from the second upright to the fourth upright. 
   
   
       3 . The support device of  claim 2  further including at least a third removable cross piece located above the first removable cross piece and removably extending between the first and second uprights. 
   
   
       4 . The support device of  claim 3  further including at least a fourth removable cross piece located above the second removable cross piece and removably extending between the third and fourth uprights. 
   
   
       5 . The support device of  claim 3  further including a plurality of wedges adapted for insertion along the first plane. 
   
   
       6 . The support device of  claim 5  further including a plurality of wheels affixed to the frame to facilitate the movement thereof. 
   
   
       7 . A method of constructing multiple portable road surface sections comprising the steps of:
 Positioning a first row of base components extending between first and second horizontal cross-pieces;   Positioning a second row of base components extending between first and second horizontal cross-pieces;   Setting two or more vertically oriented spacers between the first and second rows of base components;   Spacing a third and fourth removable horizontal cross-pieces a defined distance above an upper surface of the first and second base components;   Positioning a third row of linear base components extending between first and second horizontal cross-pieces;   Positioning a fourth row of linear base components extending between first and second horizontal cross-pieces with the two or more vertically oriented spacers between the third and fourth rows of base components;   Substantially simultaneously drilling first and second vertically aligned holes wherein the first hole is in the first and second rows of base components and wherein the second hole is in the third and fourth rows of base components; and   Substantially simultaneously drilling third and fourth vertically aligned holes wherein the third hole is in the first and second rows of base components and is horizontally spaced from the first hole, and wherein the fourth hole is in the third and fourth rows of base components and is horizontally spaced from the second hole.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  including the further step of inserting bolts through the first, second, third and fourth holes. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  including the further step of removing the two or more vertically oriented spacers. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  including the further steps of placing a nut on the ends of the bolts and tightening the nuts until the first and second linear base components rigidly engage to form a first portable road surface section. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  including the further steps of placing a nut on the ends of the bolts and tightening the nuts until the third and fourth base components rigidly engage to form a second portable road surface section. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  including the further steps of moving the second portable road surface section, and moving the first portable road surface section. 
   
   
       13 . A system for constructing multiple portable road surface sections comprising:
 First, second third and fourth horizontal cross-pieces;   First, second, third and fourth rows of base components, each having an upper surface;   At least two vertically oriented spacers;   Means for positioning the first row of base components between first and second horizontal cross-pieces;   Means for positioning the second row of base components between first and second horizontal cross-pieces;   Means for setting the at least two vertically oriented spacers between the first and second rows of base components;   Means for spacing the third and fourth removable horizontal cross-pieces a defined distance above the upper surface of the first and second base components;   Means for positioning the third row of base components between first and second horizontal cross-pieces; and   Means for positioning the fourth row of base components between the first and second horizontal cross-pieces with the two or more vertically oriented spacers between the third and fourth rows of base components.   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  further including:
 Means for substantially simultaneously drilling first and second vertically aligned holes wherein the first hole is in the first and second rows of the base components and wherein the second hole is in the third and fourth rows of the base components; and   Means for substantially simultaneously drilling third and fourth vertically aligned holes wherein the third hole is in the first and second rows of the base components and is horizontally spaced from the first hole, and wherein the fourth hole is in the third and fourth rows of the base components and is horizontally spaced from the second hole.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  including means for inserting bolts through the first, second, third and fourth holes. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  including means for removing the two or more vertically oriented spacers. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  including means for placing a nut on the ends of the bolts and means for tightening the nuts until the first and second base components rigidly engage to form a first portable road surface section. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  including means for placing a nut on the ends of the bolts and means for tightening the nuts until the third and fourth base components rigidly engage to form a second portable road surface section. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15  including means for moving the second portable road surface section and the first portable road surface section. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the means for substantially simultaneously drilling first and second vertically aligned holes are mounted on a body which slideably travels on upper and lower guide rails.