Laminated mat with endcap

Abstract

An improved laminated mat is disclosed and includes a plurality of layers and end caps. The plurality of layers may be formed of wood, synthetic materials, wood, metal, or a combination of such materials. The end caps may form longitudinal edges of the laminated mats, and may have an outer region having a thickness equal to a total thickness of the plurality of layers. The outer region of the end caps may provide improved performance of the laminated by reducing wear and tear of the laminated mat. In an additional aspect, the laminated may include attachment means recessed within the plurality of layers, and may include a cover plate that overlies the attachment means and is flush with a top surface of the laminated mat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A laminated mat comprising:
 a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including at least a top layer and a bottom layer, the top layer having a first thickness, a first width, and a first length, and the bottom layer having a second thickness, a second width, and a second length; and   one or more end caps, wherein the one or more end caps form longitudinal edges of the laminated mats, and wherein the end caps have an outer region having a thickness equal to a total thickness of the plurality of layers.   
     
     
         2 . The laminated mat of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more end caps include a channel sized to receive at least a portion of one of the plurality of layers. 
     
     
         3 . The laminated mat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of layers includes an intermediate layer disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer, and wherein each of the one or more end caps includes a channel sized to receive a portion of the intermediate, the portion of the intermediate layer extending beyond the top layer and the bottom layer. 
     
     
         4 . The laminated mat of  claim 3 , each of the plurality of layers includes a plurality of boards, and wherein boards of adjacent layers of the plurality of layers are disposed in a cross-hatched manner with respect to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The laminated mat of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more end caps is formed as a single homogeneous piece. 
     
     
         6 . The laminated mat of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more attachment means. 
     
     
         7 . The laminated mat of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more attachment means are recessed within the plurality of layers such that the one or more attachment means are substantially flush with a top surface of the laminated mat. 
     
     
         8 . The laminated mat of  claim 6 , further comprising one or more cover plates. 
     
     
         9 . The laminated mat of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more cover plates are configured to be secured to one or more of the plurality of layers. 
     
     
         10 . The laminated mat of  claim 9 , wherein each of the one or more cover plates is secured to one or more of the plurality of layers in an orientation that overlies one of the one or more attachment means, and wherein each of the one or more cover plates is seated flush with a top surface of the laminated mat. 
     
     
         11 . The laminated mat of  claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more cover plates includes a member protruding perpendicular to a surface of the one or more cover plates. 
     
     
         12 . The laminated mat of  claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more cover plates includes a member protruding from a surface of the one or more cover plates, wherein the member is configured to be inserted into an opening in one of the plurality of layers. 
     
     
         13 . The laminated mat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of layers are formed of wood. 
     
     
         14 . The laminated mat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of layers are formed of a synthetic material. 
     
     
         15 . The laminated mat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of layers are formed of wood, a synthetic material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The laminated mat of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom layer includes one or more metal channels. 
     
     
         17 . A method for forming a laminated mat, the method comprising:
 providing a first plurality of boards;   disposing the first plurality of boards adjacent to one another along a first axis;   providing a second plurality of boards;   disposing the second plurality of boards adjacent to one another along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis;   providing a third plurality of boards;   disposing the third plurality of boards adjacent to one another along the first axis;   providing end caps along longitudinal edges of the laminated mat; and   attaching the first plurality of boards, the second plurality of boards, the third plurality of boards, and the end caps to form the laminated mat.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising disposing one or more metal channels between select ones of the third plurality of boards. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the end caps include a channel, and wherein the method includes disposing one or more of the second plurality of boards within the channel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the method includes:
 providing one or more attachment means;   securing the one or more attachment means to at least one board selected from among the first plurality of boards, the second plurality of boards, and the third plurality of boards; and   providing a cover plate for each of the one or more attachment means; and   securing each cover plate in an orientation that overlies one of the one or more attachment means and is flush with a top surface of the laminated mat.