Edge protector mat

Abstract

An edge protector mat is formed from a mat with a top surface, a bottom surface, and a number of metal bars. The top surface contains a number of receptacles grouped into one or more pairs sized, shaped, and otherwise configured to receive opposing ends of the metal bars therein. Each of the metal bars define opposing ends, different ones of which are positioned within corresponding ones of the pair of the receptacles of the top surface. The metal bars are configured to prevent friction from being imparted onto the mat. At least one pair of the receptacles are positioned opposite one another on the mat allowing receipt of different portions of at least one of the metal bars.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An edge protector mat comprising
 a mat formed from multiple layers and defining a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface including two or more receptacles;   one or more removable members defining opposing ends, each of the opposing ends positioned within different ones of the two or more receptacles, the one or more removable members configured to prevent friction and/or heat from being imparted onto the mat, wherein one or more of the multiple layers are secured by stitching, wherein the top surface is defined as a first material, wherein a first intermediate layer is defined as a second material; wherein a second intermediate layer is defined as a third material, and wherein the bottom surface is defined as a fourth material, wherein at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth materials defines a different material than at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth materials.   
     
     
         2 . The edge protector mat of  claim 1 , wherein the mat is formed from a deformable, continuous web. 
     
     
         3 . The edge protector mat of  claim 1 , wherein the mat defines a shape of a rectangle including four sides and four corners. 
     
     
         4 . The edge protector mat of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more removable members are defined as rods. 
     
     
         5 . The edge protector mat of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more removable members are formed from a metallic material. 
     
     
         6 . The edge protector mat of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more receptacles are defined as loops. 
     
     
         7 . The edge protector mat of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more receptacles are further defined as two or more pairs of receptacles that are oriented into one or more rows, and wherein the one or more rows of receptacles on the top surface are laterally positioned six inches apart from one another. 
     
     
         8 . The edge protector mat of  claim 7 , wherein at least two of the two or more pairs of receptacles are longitudinally positioned one to two inches apart from one another. 
     
     
         9 . The edge protector mat of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more receptacles are affixed to the top surface by sewing, gluing, or by hook and loop. 
     
     
         10 . The edge protector mat of  claim 1 , whereby a thickness of the mat is defined as 0.25 to 0.5 of an inch. 
     
     
         11 . The edge protector mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first material is defined as a 1000 denier ballistic nylon in a hi-vis color, the second material is defined as a woven black nylon weave in a herringbone pattern, and whereby the stitching further comprises reflective stitching that secures the first material to the second material. 
     
     
         12 . The edge protector mat of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface is a 1000 denier nylon material, wherein the first intermediate layer is a high loft, three-dimensional textile; wherein the second intermediate layer is selected from a 1000 denier nylon material and/or a 1680 denier nylon material; and wherein the bottom surface defines an herringbone nylon weave material formed from 0.25 inch thick nylon webbing, and whereby the stitching further comprises reflective stitching to secure the one or more multiple layers. 
     
     
         13 . The edge protector mat of  claim 1 , wherein the mat further defines a hanging loop secured on each corner of the mat. 
     
     
         14 . The edge protector mat of  claim 1 , wherein the mat defines longitudinal and lateral edges, wherein the mat comprises reflective strips at the longitudinal and lateral edges on the top surface of the mat. 
     
     
         15 . An edge protector mat comprising
 a planar mat formed with multiple layers and defined by a deformable, continuous web forming a rectangular shape having four sides and four corners, wherein the planar mat defines a pair of opposingly oriented longitudinal edges and a pair of opposingly oriented lateral edges, the planar mat defining a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface including a plurality of receptacles defined as loops, the plurality of receptacles grouped into one or more pairs and wherein the one or more pairs of receptacles are oriented into one or more rows and wherein the one or more rows of receptacles on the top surface are laterally positioned six inches apart from one another; and   one or more removable, metallic rods, each of the one or more removable, metallic rods positioned within one of the one or more pairs of receptacles on the top surface, each of the one or more removable, metallic rods configured to prevent friction from being imparted onto the planar mat;   whereby at least one of the one or more pairs of receptacles are positioned in laterally opposing relation on the planar mat so as to receive different portions of at least one of the one or more removable, metallic rods therein;   wherein one or more of the multiple layers are secured by stitching, wherein the top surface is defined as a first material, wherein a first intermediate layer is defined as a second material; wherein a second intermediate layer is defined as a third material, and wherein the bottom surface is defined as a fourth material, wherein at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth materials defines a different material than at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth materials.   
     
     
         16 . The edge protector mat of  claim 15 , wherein at least two of the plurality of receptacles are longitudinally positioned one to two inches apart from one another. 
     
     
         17 . The edge protector mat of  claim 15 , wherein one or more of the multiple layers are secured by reflective stitching, wherein the top surface is a 1000 denier nylon material, wherein the first intermediate layer is a high loft, three-dimensional textile; wherein the second intermediate layer is selected from a 1000 denier nylon material and/or a 1680 denier nylon material; and wherein the bottom surface defines an herringbone nylon weave material and 0.25 inch thick nylon webbing. 
     
     
         18 . The edge protector mat of  claim 15 , wherein the planar mat comprises one or more visual safety indicators. 
     
     
         19 . The edge protector mat of  claim 15 , wherein the planar mat comprises reflective strips at the longitudinal and lateral edges on the top surface of the planar mat. 
     
     
         20 . The edge protector mat of  claim 15 , wherein the planar mat further defines a hanging loop secured on each of the four corners of the planar mat.