Ground mat and method of making the same using recycled tires

Abstract

A ground mat for use at construction sites is described. Embodiments of the ground mat include one or more sections comprising a plurality of entry blocks and regular blocks. Each of the blocks typically comprises a plurality of tire tread sections sandwiched between a pair of rigid plates. The plates can be held together by way of threaded bolts and associated nuts. A cable can be implemented to secure the blocks together. Some embodiments can include wiper elements located in-between the intersection of neighboring blocks. The wiper elements can comprise relatively short pieces of vertically-orientated tread portions.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A mat for use in construction, the mat comprising:
 a plurality of first blocks each including a plurality of tapered tire treads; and   a plurality of second blocks each including a plurality of substantially rectangular tire treads, wherein a first set of the plurality of second blocks is coupled to a first set of the plurality of first blocks.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first blocks comprises:
 a first pair of steel plates;   the plurality of tapered tire treads; and   one or more rods adapted to couple the first pair of steel plates together, wherein the plurality of tapered tire treads are secured between the first pair of steel plates.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of the second blocks comprises:
 a second pair of steel plates;   the plurality of substantially rectangular tire treads; and   one or more rods adapted to couple the second pair of steel plates together, wherein the plurality of substantially rectangular tire treads are secured between the second pair of steel plates.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a steel cable couples the first set of the plurality of seconds blocks to the plurality of first blocks. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each of the blocks includes at least one through hole adapted to receive the steel cable. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of substantially rectangular tire treads and the plurality of tapered tire treads are comprised of recycled tire treads. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a plurality of wipers, each wiper being located at an interface between the first set of second blocks with the plurality of first blocks.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein each wiper (i) comprises a substantially rectangular panel of recycled tire tread having a through hole configured to receive a steel cable and (ii) extends above a top surface of the blocks. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a second set of the plurality of second blocks is coupled to the first set of second blocks. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a second set of the plurality of first blocks is coupled to the second set of the second blocks. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first steel plate;   a plurality of recycled tire treads each having at least one through hole;   a second steel plate, wherein the plurality of recycled tire treads are located between the first steel plate and the second steel plate; and   one or more rods threaded through each of the plurality of tire treads, wherein the one or more rods are adapted to couple the first steel plate to the second steel plate.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of recycled tire treads have a substantially rectangular shape. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first steel plate and the second steel plate have a substantially rectangular shape. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of recycled tire treads are tapered. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more rods each comprise a carriage bolt and a nut. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein ends of the one or more rods are welded to the first steel plate and the second steel plate. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a mat at a construction exit, the method comprising:
 placing the mat at the construction exit, the mat comprising:
 a plurality of first blocks each including a plurality of tapered tire treads; and 
 a plurality of second blocks each including a plurality of substantially rectangular tire treads, wherein a first set of the plurality of second blocks is coupled to a first set of the plurality of first blocks; 
   removing the mat from the construction exit.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the mat includes a plurality of wipers. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each wiper (i) comprises a substantially rectangular panel of recycled tire tread having a through hole configured to receive a steel cable and (ii) extends above a top surface of the blocks. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a steel cable couples the first set of the plurality of seconds blocks to the first set of the plurality of first blocks.