Ecologically friendly traction mat

Abstract

A system and method of an operating surface for vehicles in a roadless area is provided. More specifically, a mat that provides a vehicle operating surface in a roadless area is provided. The mat includes pockets forming ridges with a predetermined orientation. A variety of materials may be positioned within the pockets to provide a predetermined thickness and rigidity to the pockets. The pockets of a first portion of the mat alternate with pockets of a second portion of the mat. In this manner, the mat may be folded for transport, handling, and storage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mat for vehicles including a plurality of ridges, comprising:
 an area defined by a first sheet selectively joined to a second sheet, the area having a predetermined length and width;   first pockets formed in a first portion of the area and second pockets formed in a second portion of the area, each of the first and second pockets defined by two generally parallel joints interconnecting the first sheet to the second sheet, wherein the first pockets alternate along the length of the area with the second pockets;   a filling member positionable within each of the first and second pockets, the filling member comprising a first cylinder with a first bore and a second cylinder positionable within the first bore; and   a median portion between the first and second portions, the median portion devoid of pockets, wherein the mat is foldable along a longitudinal axis of the median portion such that a first pocket of the first portion is arranged between two adjacent pockets of the second portion.   
     
     
         2 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first pockets are aligned at a first angle with the length of the mat area and the second pockets are aligned at a second angle with the length of the mat area. 
     
     
         3 . A mat for vehicles, comprising:
 an area defined by a predetermined length and width, the area comprising a first portion, a median portion, and a second portion;   pockets formed in the first and second portions; and   a filling member for the pockets, wherein the pockets have a predetermined orientation such that when the first portion is folded proximate to the second portion, a first pocket of the first portion contacts an area of the second portion between two adjacent pockets of the second portion.   
     
     
         4 . The mat of  claim 3 , wherein the pockets are substantially perpendicular to longitudinal edges of the first and second portions. 
     
     
         5 . The mat of  claim 3 , wherein the pockets are transverse to longitudinal edges of the first and second portions. 
     
     
         6 . The mat of  claim 3 , wherein the filling material comprises a first cylinder configured to be positioned in a pocket. 
     
     
         7 . The mat of  claim 6 , wherein the first cylinder includes a first bore. 
     
     
         8 . The mat of  claim 7 , wherein the filling material further comprises a second cylinder configured to be positioned in the first bore. 
     
     
         9 . The mat of  claim 8 , wherein the second cylinder includes a second bore. 
     
     
         10 . The mat of  claim 3 , wherein the filling material comprises a rubber aggregate to be retained within a pocket. 
     
     
         11 . The mat of  claim 10 , wherein the rubber aggregate comprises recycled tire rubber. 
     
     
         12 . The mat of  claim 10 , wherein the rubber aggregate has an average particle size of less than about ⅜ inch in diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The mat of  claim 12 , wherein a binding agent is added to the rubber aggregate. 
     
     
         14 . The mat of  claim 12 , wherein the rubber aggregate is devoid of binding agents. 
     
     
         15 . The mat of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second portions comprise a first sheet selectively joined to a second sheet, and wherein the median portion comprises at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet. 
     
     
         16 . The mat of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second sheets comprise a geo-textile including a woven polypropylene material. 
     
     
         17 . The mat of  claim 16 , wherein the geo-textile of the first and second sheets has a tensile strength of between about 315 pounds by about 315 pounds to about 350 pounds by about 450 pounds. 
     
     
         18 . The mat of  claim 3 , wherein first pockets of the first portion alternate width-wise with second pockets of the second portion. 
     
     
         19 . A method of using a mat to provide an operating surface for a vehicle, comprising:
 at least one of unfolding the mat and unrolling the mat;   placing the mat on a surface, the mat comprising:
 an area defined by a predetermined length and width, the area comprising a first portion, a median portion, and a second portion; 
 a plurality of retention elements; 
 pockets formed in the first and second portions; and 
 a filling member for the pockets; 
   securing a fastener to the mat with one of the plurality of retention elements; and   driving the fastener at least partially into the surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein first pockets of the first portion form a first angle with a first edge longitudinal edge of the mat and second pockets of the second portion for a second angle with the first edge longitudinal edge, and wherein the first and second angles are supplementary angles.