End-to-end connection for lightweight airfield matting system

Abstract

In one embodiment, a kit for airfield matting comprises a plurality of matting panels each including a rectangular mat core having a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end. The first side has a first side connector. The second side has a second side connector. The first side connector of one matting panel of the plurality of matting panels is configured to couple with at least a part of the second side connector of one or more side neighboring matting panels of the plurality of matting panels to be connected therewith. The first end has a first end connector. The second end has a second end connector. The first end connector of one matting panel of the plurality of matting panels is configured to couple with the second end connector of an end neighboring matting panel of the plurality of matting panels to be connected therewith. The matting panels each have a length of not greater than about 84 inches.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . In an airfield matting system which comprises a plurality of matting panels each including a rectangular mat core having a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end, the first end having a first end connector, and the second end having a second end connector; an end-to-end connection, between the first end connector of one matting panel of the plurality of matting panels and the second end connector of an end neighboring matting panel, comprising:
 the first end connector of one matting panel of the plurality of matting panels configured to couple with the second end connector of an end neighboring matting panel of the plurality of matting panels to be connected therewith;   the first end connector including an overlap end connector having a top slot portion;   the second end connector including an underlap end connector having a bottom slot portion;   the top slot portion and the bottom slot portion forming a locking bar slot; and   a locking bar configured to be disposed in the locking bar slot formed by the top slot portion of the overlap end connector and the bottom slot portion of the underlap end connector, and substantially filling the locking bar slot.   
     
     
         2 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the locking bar slot is rectangular.   
     
     
         3 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the overlap end connector includes a top hook with a top hook distal portion;   wherein the underlap end connector includes a bottom hook with a bottom hook distal portion; and   where in the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion are configured to engage one another.   
     
     
         4 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the overlap end connector includes a top hook having a top hook proximal portion and a top hook having a top hook distal portion;   wherein the underlap end connector includes a bottom hook having a bottom hook proximal portion and a bottom hook having a bottom hook distal portion; and   where in the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion are configured to engage one another.   
     
     
         5 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the top hook distal portion is disposed between the top slot portion and the top hook proximal portion, the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion are disposed between the top hook proximal portion and the locking bar slot, the top hook distal portion is disposed between the bottom hook distal portion and the bottom hook proximal portion, and the bottom hook distal portion is disposed between the top hook distal portion and the top hook proximal portion.   
     
     
         6 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the bottom slot portion is disposed in the bottom hook proximal portion; and   wherein the locking bar is a rectangular locking bar disposed above the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion.   
     
     
         7 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the top hook comprises a J-shaped top hook having a generally vertical orientation as a generally upright top hook having a top hook distal portion oriented generally vertically upward;   wherein the bottom hook comprises a J-shaped bottom hook having a generally vertical orientation as a generally inverted vertical bottom hook having a bottom hook distal portion oriented generally vertically downward; and   wherein the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion are disposed adjacent to one another.   
     
     
         8 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the locking bar slot is an inclined slot which is inclined at an angle of about 10°-30° relative to horizontal, downward on a side of the top hook distal portion and upward on a side of the bottom hook distal portion.   
     
     
         9 . An end-to-end connection for end neighboring matting panels in an airfield matting system, the end-to-end connection comprising:
 a first end connector of one matting panel of a plurality of matting panels each including a rectangular mat core having a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end, the first end connector to be attached to the first end, the first end connector including an overlap end connector having a top slot portion;   a second end connector of another matting panel of the plurality of matting panels, the second end connector being configured to be attached to the second end and to couple with the first end connector, the second end connector including an underlap end connector having a bottom slot portion, the top slot portion and the bottom slot portion forming a locking bar slot;   a locking bar configured to be disposed in the locking bar slot formed by the top slot portion of the overlap end connector and the bottom slot portion of the underlap end connector, and substantially filling the locking bar slot.   
     
     
         10 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the locking bar slot is rectangular.   
     
     
         11 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the overlap end connector includes a top hook with a top hook distal portion;   wherein the underlap end connector includes a bottom hook with a bottom hook distal portion; and   where in the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion are configured to engage one another.   
     
     
         12 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the overlap end connector includes a top hook having a top hook proximal portion and a top hook having a top hook distal portion;   wherein the underlap end connector includes a bottom hook having a bottom hook proximal portion and a bottom hook having a bottom hook distal portion; and   where in the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion are configured to engage one another.   
     
     
         13 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the top hook distal portion is disposed between the top slot portion and the top hook proximal portion, the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion are disposed between the top hook proximal portion and the locking bar slot, the top hook distal portion is disposed between the bottom hook distal portion and the bottom hook proximal portion, and the bottom hook distal portion is disposed between the top hook distal portion and the top hook proximal portion.   
     
     
         14 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the bottom slot portion is disposed in the bottom hook proximal portion; and   wherein the locking bar is a rectangular locking bar disposed above the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion.   
     
     
         15 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the top hook comprises a J-shaped top hook having a generally vertical orientation as a generally upright top hook having a top hook distal portion oriented generally vertically upward;   wherein the bottom hook comprises a J-shaped bottom hook having a generally vertical orientation as a generally inverted vertical bottom hook having a bottom hook distal portion oriented generally vertically downward; and   wherein the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion are disposed adjacent to one another.   
     
     
         16 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the locking bar slot is an inclined slot which is inclined at an angle of about 10°-30° relative to horizontal, downward on a side of the top hook distal portion and upward on a side of the bottom hook distal portion.   
     
     
         17 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the first end connector includes a first end connector insert configured to slide in between ribs of the first end of the rectangular mat core;   wherein the second end connector includes a second end connector insert configured to slide in between ribs of the second end of the rectangular mat core.   
     
     
         18 . An end-to-end connection for two end neighboring matting panels in an airfield matting system which comprises a plurality of matting panels each including a rectangular mat core having two ends, the end-to-end connection comprising:
 an overlap end connector to be attached to an end of a first rectangular mat core of a first one of the two end neighboring matting panels, the overlap end connector having a top slot portion;   an underlap end connector to be attached to an end of a second rectangular mat core of a second one of the two end neighboring matting panels, the underlap end connector having a bottom slot portion, the top slot portion and the bottom slot portion forming a locking bar slot; and   a locking bar configured to be disposed in the locking bar slot formed by the top slot portion of the overlap end connector and the bottom slot portion of the underlap end connector, and substantially filling the locking bar slot.   
     
     
         19 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 18 ,
 wherein the overlap end connector includes a top hook having a top hook proximal portion and a top hook having a top hook distal portion;   wherein the underlap end connector includes a bottom hook having a bottom hook proximal portion and a bottom hook having a bottom hook distal portion;   where in the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion are configured to engage one another; and   wherein the top hook distal portion is disposed between the top slot portion and the top hook proximal portion, the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion are disposed between the top hook proximal portion and the locking bar slot, the top hook distal portion is disposed between the bottom hook distal portion and the bottom hook proximal portion, and the bottom hook distal portion is disposed between the top hook distal portion and the top hook proximal portion.   
     
     
         20 . The end-to-end connection of  claim 19 ,
 wherein the top hook comprises a J-shaped top hook having a generally vertical orientation as a generally upright top hook having a top hook distal portion oriented generally vertically upward;   wherein the bottom hook comprises a J-shaped bottom hook having a generally vertical orientation as a generally inverted vertical bottom hook having a bottom hook distal portion oriented generally vertically downward;   wherein the top hook distal portion and the bottom hook distal portion are disposed adjacent to one another; and   wherein the locking bar slot is an inclined slot which is inclined at an angle of about 10°-30° relative to horizontal, downward on a side of the top hook distal portion and upward on a side of the bottom hook distal portion.