Bio-access mat

Abstract

Disclosed are stable bases comprising: a plurality of members, a plurality of poles, and a plurality of dowels, where the combination provides a stable, biodegradable mat. Also disclosed are methods of constructing the above device with biodegradable materials.

what is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An access mat comprising:
 a plurality of middle members, each middle member comprising a plurality of openings;   two end members, each end member comprising a plurality of openings; and   a plurality of poles, wherein each pole traversing the plurality of middle members and the plurality of end members through one set of aligned plurality of openings.   
     
     
         2 . The access mat of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of dowels, each dowel inserted into an end of each of the plurality of poles, thereby preventing the pole from sliding out of the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         3 . The access mat of  claim 1 , having a top surface and a bottom surface. 
     
     
         4 . The access mat of  claim 3 , wherein the top surface comprises a texture configured for pedestrian or equipment traffic. 
     
     
         5 . The access mat of  claim 3 , wherein the bottom surface comprises a texture suitable to grip the ground. 
     
     
         6 . The access mat of  claim 1 , wherein the access mat is composed of biodegradable material. 
     
     
         7 . The access mat of  claim 6 , wherein the biodegradable material is selected from the group consisting of wood, biodegradable polymers, and biodegradable plastics. 
     
     
         8 . The access mat of  claim 6 , wherein the biodegradable material is selected from the group consisting of a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH), polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polycaprolactone (PCL), a polyanhydride, polyvinyl alcohol, a starch derivative, a cellulose ester, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, and celluloid. 
     
     
         9 . A method of providing a stable access mat, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of middle members, each middle member comprising a plurality of openings;   providing two end members, each end member comprising a plurality of openings;   providing a plurality of poles,   inserting each pole through one set of aligned plurality of openings of the plurality of middle members and the plurality of end members.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising inserting a dowel into an opening at an end of each pole. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the access mat is composed of biodegradable material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the biodegradable material is selected from the group consisting of wood, biodegradable polymers, and biodegradable plastics. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the biodegradable material is selected from the group consisting of a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH), polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polycaprolactone (PCL), a polyanhydride, polyvinyl alcohol, a starch derivative, a cellulose ester, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, and celluloid.