Crane mat

Abstract

A method of forming a crane mat includes providing a plurality of boards. Each board of the plurality of boards may be positioned adjacent to another board of the plurality of boards along at least one longitudinal edge. The method includes inserting a plurality of tie bolts through the plurality of boards to secure the plurality of boards together to form the crane mat, and providing two or more lifting plates. Each lifting plate may include a coupling portion configured to couple to a lifting tool during movement of the crane mat. The lifting plates may be configurable into a recessed orientation and a non-recessed orientation, where the coupling portion of each lifting plate may be recessed within the crane mat in the recessed orientation, and may be exposed when in the non-recessed orientation

1 . A crane mat comprising:
 a plurality of boards, wherein each board of the plurality of boards is positioned adjacent to another board of the plurality of boards along at least one longitudinal edge;   a plurality of tie bolts inserted through the plurality of boards, wherein the plurality of tie bolts secure the plurality of boards together; and   two lifting plates, each lifting plate including a coupling portion configured to couple to a lifting tool during movement of the crane mat, wherein the two lifting plates are configurable into a recessed orientation and a non-recessed orientation, wherein the coupling portion of each lifting plate is recessed within the crane mat in the recessed orientation, and wherein the coupling portion of each lifting plate is exposed when in the non-recessed orientation.   
     
     
         2 . The crane mat of  claim 1 , wherein the two lifting plates are recessed within pockets formed in one or more of the plurality of boards. 
     
     
         3 . The crane mat of  claim 2 , wherein the pockets are include an open end and a closed end, wherein the coupling portion of each lifting plate extends through the open end when in the non-recessed orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The crane mat of  claim 2 , wherein the lifting plates, when recessed within the pockets, are substantially flush with a top surface of one or more of the plurality of boards. 
     
     
         5 . The crane mat of  claim 2 , wherein the two lifting plates are adjustably secured within the pockets by one or more tie bolts of the plurality of tie bolts. 
     
     
         6 . The crane mat of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more tie bolts extend through the pockets. 
     
     
         7 . The crane mat of  claim 5 , wherein each of the lifting plates includes a slotted opening configured to receive a tie bolt to secure the lifting plates within the pockets, and wherein the slotted openings provide slideable adjustment of the lifting plates from the recessed orientation to the non-recessed orientation. 
     
     
         8 . The crane mat of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional lifting plates. 
     
     
         9 . The crane mat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of boards include a top surface and a bottom surface. 
     
     
         10 . The crane mat of  claim 9 , wherein the top surface of each of the plurality of boards includes a traction pattern, the traction pattern including a pattern of grooves, bumps, scuffs, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The crane mat of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom surface of each of the plurality of boards includes a traction pattern, the traction pattern including a pattern of grooves, bumps, scuffs, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The crane mat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of boards are synthetic boards. 
     
     
         13 . The crane mat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of boards are wood boards. 
     
     
         14 . A method for forming a crane mat comprising:
 providing a plurality of boards, wherein each board of the plurality of boards is positioned adjacent to another board of the plurality of boards along at least one longitudinal edge;   inserting a plurality of tie bolts through the plurality of boards, wherein the plurality of tie bolts secure the plurality of boards together to form the crane mat; and   providing two lifting plates, each lifting plate including a coupling portion configured to couple to a lifting tool during movement of the crane mat, wherein the two lifting plates are configurable into a recessed orientation and a non-recessed orientation, wherein the coupling portion of each lifting plate is recessed within the crane mat in the recessed orientation, and wherein the coupling portion of each lifting plate is exposed when in the non-recessed orientation.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the two lifting plates are recessed within pockets formed in one or more of the plurality of boards. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pockets are include an open end and a closed end, wherein the coupling portion of each lifting plate extends through the open end when in the non-recessed orientation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the lifting plates, when recessed within the pockets, are substantially flush with a top surface of one or more of the plurality of boards. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the two lifting plates are adjustably secured within the pockets by one or more tie bolts of the plurality of tie bolts. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of boards include a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface of each of the plurality of boards includes a traction pattern, the traction pattern including a pattern of grooves, bumps, scuffs, or a combination thereof 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of boards include synthetic boards, wood boards, or a combination thereof.