Interlocking rig mat

Abstract

A pair of disengageably interlocking rig mats are provided. The rig mats are engaged to prevent longitudinal separation. An interlocking mechanism of key and receiver is provided. The key is lockably, slidably engaged with the receiver by lateral movement of one mat relative to the other. The mats are configured such that the interlocking mechanism is protected from dirt and debris.

1 . A pair of rig mats capable of being disengagably interlocked in longitudinal alignment, each rig mat comprising:
 a rectangular frame having first and second ends,   at least one key element mounted to the first end and   at least one receiver element mounted to the second end;   the key element(s) of one frame being formed so as to interlock with the receiver element(s) of the other frame when they are laterally and slidably engaged;   the key element(s) of said one frame and the receiver element(s) of said other frame being positioned so that they can laterally and slidably engage, when the first end of the one frame abuts the second end of the other frame and the key element(s) are adjacent to and aligned with the receiver elements, in response to lateral displacement of the one frame to bring the two frames into longitudinal alignment.   
   
   
       2 . The rig mats as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 each frame is formed by longitudinally and laterally extending steel I-beams;   each receiver element is tubular, has a bore and is welded in position between the flanges of a laterally extending I-beam, said receiver element having a side wall portion forming a slot extending part way along the length of the receiver element from one end thereof, whereby a stop is provided at the other end of the slot; and   each key element comprises a key web welded in position to a laterally extending I-beam web so as to project horizontally therefrom, said key web being dimensioned so as to be received by the slot, said head being dimensioned so as to be received in the bore of the receiver element but being too large to pass through the slot;   the stop being located so as to engage the key web of a key element when the one frame has been laterally displaced to bring the two frames into longitudinal alignment.