Interlocking device for ground cover mats

Abstract

The invention is directed to an interlocking device for releasably connecting ground a first and a second ground cover mats each having tubular members. The device includes two clamping arms and a securing means. The clamping arms each have a collar member to engage one of the tubular members. The collar members are adjustably connected to each other to move the device from an open installation position into a closed restraining position in which the concave surfaces restrain the tubular members and are opposed to each other. The securing means releasably locks the clamping arms in the closed restraining position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An interlocking device for releasably connecting two abutting ground cover mats, each of the mats having a tubular member, the device comprising:
 (a) a first clamping arm comprising a first curved collar member and a first plate;   (b) a second clamping arm comprising a second curved collar member and a second plate;   (c) wherein the first and second clamping arms moveably engage each other to move between an open installation position and a closed restraining position where the first and second plates are substantially co-planar with the mats, and the first and second curved collar members are opposed to each other to restrain the tubular members of the adjacent mats; and   (d) means for securing the first and second clamping arms in the closed restraining position.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the securing means comprises a clip or a clamp that is sized to mount over at least a portion of both of the first and second clamping arms in the closed restraining position. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the securing means comprises a channel formed on each of the first and second clamping arms and a securing member slidable through the channels when the first and second clamping arms are in the closed restraining position. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the second clamping arm slideably engages the first clamping arm. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first clamping arm is fixed to a base, and the second clamping arm is pivotally attached to the base. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the securing means comprises an opening defined by the plate, an opening defined by the second clamping arm, and a securing member sized and shaped to pass through both of the openings when the second clamping arm is moved into the closed restraining position. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the securing means comprises a notch formed in the plate and at least one angled tooth formed on a linear member attached to second clamping arm, wherein the angled tooth is positioned to engage the notch when the second clamping arm is moved into the closed restraining position. 
     
     
         8 . The device of clamp  5  wherein the securing means comprises a pawl connected to the plate and at least one angled tooth formed on the second clamping arm, wherein the angled tooth is positioned to engage the pawl when the second clamping arm is moved into the closed restraining position. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  for use in releasably connecting four rectangular ground cover mats arranged in a two-by-two array, each mat comprising a tubular member such that each tubular member is co-axial with another tubular member of an adjacent mat, and is parallel to another tubular member of an abutting mat, wherein the first curved collar member restrains two tubular members of adjacent mats, and the second curved collar member restrains the other two tubular members of adjacent mats. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein each tubular member comprises a terminal flange cap, and each of the first and second clamping arms defines a slot allowing passage of two abutting or adjacent vertical flange caps attached to two adjacent or abutting tubular members. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein each of the first and second curved collar members is split into two members, disposed on both sides of each respective slot. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the first and second plates, or the base defines the slot. 
     
     
         13 . An interlocking device for releasably connecting two abutting ground cover mats, each of the mats having a tubular member, the device comprising:
 (a) a first clamping arm comprising a first curved collar member and a first plate;   (b) a second clamping arm comprising a second curved collar member and a second plate; and   (c) a hinge pin, wherein the first and second clamping arms are pivotally attached to the hinge pin to pivot between an open installation position and a closed restraining position where the first and second plates are substantially co-planar, and the first and second curved collar members are opposed to each other to restrain the tubular members of the abutting mats; and   (d) wherein the first and second clamping arms are configured to clamp the first and second collar members against and frictionally engage the tubular members to remain in the closed restraining position.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein one or both of the curved collar members is flexibly resilient. 
     
     
         15 . A ground cover mat system comprising:
 (a) at least four ground cover mats, each having a tubular member disposed at an end of the mat, and wherein the mats may be arranged in a two-by-two array such that each tubular member is co-axial with another tubular member of an adjacent mat, and is parallel to another tubular member of an abutting mat, and the mats collectively define a mat opening exposing the tubular members;   (b) an interlocking device having opposing collar members for restraining the at least four tubular members, wherein the interlocking device comprises a plate shaped and sized to substantially fill the mat opening.   
     
     
         16 . A method of interconnecting two adjacent ground cover mats, each mat having an exposed tubular member disposed at an end of the mat, comprising the step of restraining the tubular members in an adjacent position with a device as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  adapted to connect four adjacent and abutting ground cover mats with a single device.