Modular roadway

Abstract

A roadway is formed by a plurality of mats flexibly connected together at their ends. The mats are rectangular in configuration to form straight sections of the roadway and trapezoidal in configuration to form curved sections. Each mat comprises a flat platform of transverse wooden boards secured to side rails at their ends. The mats may be tied together at their ends by overlapping flat steel plates secured together by bolts to form connections. The connections may have sufficient flexibility to allow the mats to conform to uneven terrain. The rails may function as curbs to limit a vehicle, passing along the roadway, from slipping off sideways. The mats may be relatively light, allowing manual installation.

1 . A roadway comprising a formation of mats flexibly linked together in end to end alignment, some of the mats being rectangular in configuration and linked together to form a straight section of the roadway, and some of the mats being trapezoidal in configuration and linked together to form a curved section of the roadway. 
     
     
         2 . The roadway as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 each rectangular mat comprises a rectangular platform formed of transverse, rectangular boards aligned in side by side formation; and 
 each trapezoidal mat comprises a trapezoidal platform formed of transverse, trapezoidal boards aligned in side by side formation. 
 
     
     
         3 . The roadway as set forth in  claim 2  comprising:
 a pair of rails secured to the boards and projecting upwardly from the side edges of each mat platform, to provide curbs; 
 whereby the boards and rails form a coherent structure. 
 
     
     
         4 . The roadway as set forth in  claim 3  comprising:
 means, located at the ends of each rail, for flexibly linking a mat to an adjacent mat; and 
 straps extending longitudinally along the underside of each mat platform and being secured to its boards to cooperate with the boards and rails to form a coherent structure. 
 
     
     
         5 . The roadway as set forth in  claim 4  wherein:
 the linking means at the end of each rail comprises a flat plate bolted to the rail, and wherein adjacent plates are bolted together. 
 
     
     
         6 . The roadway of  claim 5  wherein each mat is light enough to be carried by two men. 
     
     
         7 . A rectangular mat for use in constructing a roadway comprising:
 a flat platform of transverse rectangular boards aligned in side by side formation;   rails secured to the platform and extending upwardly along the side edges of the platform, for providing curbs;   downwardly projecting, spaced apart straps extending longitudinally of the underside of the platform and secured thereto for reinforcing and supporting the platform and cooperating with the rails and boards to form a coherent structure; and   means, secured to the ends of the rails, for flexibly linking one mat end to another in end to end alignment.   
     
     
         8 . A trapezoidal mat for use in constructing a curved section of a roadway comprising:
 a flat platform of transverse trapezoidal boards aligned in side by side formation;   rails secured to the platform and extending upwardly along the side edges of the platform, for providing curbs;   downwardly projecting, spaced apart straps extending longitudinally of the underside of the platform and secured thereto for reinforcing and supporting the platform and cooperating with the rails and boards to form a coherent structure; and   means, secured to the ends of the rails, for flexibly linking one mat end to another in end to end alignment   
     
     
         9 . A roadway as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the boards are wooden. 
     
     
         10 . A roadway as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the boards and rails are wooden. 
     
     
         11 . A roadway as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the boards, rails and straps are wooden.