Support unit for forming a temporary roadway

Abstract

A support unit ( 10 ) is connectable together with similar such units to form a temporary roadway. A plurality of upwardly extending and tapering recesses ( 18 ) are provided on a lower surface ( 20 ) of the support unit ( 10 ) to provide engagement with the ground. Locking arrangements and respective flanges and corresponding recesses are provided on the sides of the support units ( 10 ), for interconnecting adjacent such units ( 10 ).

1 - 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . A support component, comprising:
 a support unit having an underside surface, a first pair of sides, a second pair of sides, and a plurality of connection arrangements;   the first pair of sides comprising a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side being positioned opposite each other on the support unit, the second pair of sides comprising a third side and a fourth side, the third side and the fourth side being positioned opposite each other on the support unit, the plurality of connection arrangements being positioned on at least one of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side;   the underside surface comprising a plurality of recesses are engageable with a ground surface and the plurality of recesses tapering inwardly into the support unit in an upward direction.   
     
     
         66 . The support component of  claim 65 , wherein the plurality of recesses each comprise a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending from the underside surface at a first angle, the second portion extending from the first portion at a second angle, the second angle being greater than the first angle. 
     
     
         67 . The support component of  claim 66 , wherein the second portion is axially offset relative to the first portion. 
     
     
         68 . The support component of  claim 65 , wherein the plurality of recesses are substantially square in plan view. 
     
     
         69 . The support component of  claim 65 , wherein the plurality of recesses each have a closed top surface. 
     
     
         70 . The support component of  claim 65 , wherein the plurality of recesses limit sinkage of the support unit into the ground surface when material from the ground surface enters the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         71 . A support component, comprising:
 a support unit having an underside surface, a first pair of sides, a second pair of sides, and a first plurality of connection arrangements, the first plurality of connection arrangements each comprising a cam surface, the underside surface comprising a plurality of recesses engageable with a ground surface, the plurality of recesses tapering inwardly into the support unit in an upward direction;   wherein a second plurality of connection arrangements on a second support unit is engageable with the first plurality of connection arrangements to urge together the support unit and the second support unit.   
     
     
         72 . The support component of  claim 71 , wherein the plurality of recesses each comprise a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending from the underside surface at a first angle, the second portion extending from the first portion at a second angle, the second angle being greater than the first angle. 
     
     
         73 . The support component of  claim 71 , wherein the plurality of recesses each have a closed top surface. 
     
     
         74 . The support component of  claim 71 , wherein the plurality of recesses limit sinkage of the support unit into the ground surface when material from the ground surface enters the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         75 . The support component of  claim 71 , wherein the first plurality of connection arrangements are positioned along at least one side of the support unit. 
     
     
         76 . The support component of  claim 71 , wherein each of the second plurality of connection arrangements is rotatable relative to each of the first plurality of connection arrangements to connect the first plurality of connection arrangements to the second plurality of connection arrangements. 
     
     
         77 . The support component of  claim 71 , wherein the second plurality of connection arrangements is insertable into the first plurality of connection arrangements. 
     
     
         78 . The support component of  claim 71 , wherein each of the first plurality of connection arrangements comprises a diametrically extending opening, wherein a portion of each of the second plurality of connection arrangements is insertable into the diametrically extending opening. 
     
     
         79 . A support component, comprising:
 an underside surface, the underside surface comprising a plurality of recesses engageable with a ground surface, the plurality of recesses tapering inwardly into the support component in an upward direction;   a first pair of opposing sides, the first pair of opposing sides comprising a first plurality of connection arrangements, the first plurality of connection arrangements each comprising a cam surface, wherein a second plurality of connection arrangements on a second support component is engageable with the first plurality of connection arrangements to urge together the support component and the second support component;   a second pair of opposing sides, the second pair of opposing sides comprising at least one recess, the at least one recess comprising at least one mounting hole, the at least one mounting hole containing a trapped nut.   
     
     
         80 . The support component of  claim 79 , wherein the plurality of recesses each have a closed top surface. 
     
     
         81 . The support component of  claim 79 , wherein the plurality of recesses limit sinkage of the support component into the ground surface when material from the ground surface enters the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         82 . The support component of  claim 79 , further comprising at least one strap positioned in the at least one recess. 
     
     
         83 . The support component of  claim 82 , wherein the at least one strap comprises at least one hole aligned with the at least one mounting hole of the at least one recess. 
     
     
         84 . The support component of  claim 82 , wherein the at least one strap is connectable to a recess in the second support component.