Patent ID: 9297124
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: B66C,E01C

Claim Text:
1. Method of handling at least one mat with the use of a crane-mounted grab head, each mat being configured to withstand the load of a vehicle passing over it, each mat having at least first and second spaced-apart holes extending therethrough and at least first and second peripheral sides opposite one another, each mat further having a stepped-configuration that includes a first projection extending at least partially along at least the first side of each mat and a second projection extending at least partially along at least the second side of each mat, the first and second projections being offset height-wise relative to one another so that the first projection is lower than the second projection when each mat is upright, wherein at least the first hole is formed in the first projection and at least the second hole is formed in the second projection, the grab head including a central portion engageable with the crane, at least first and second elongated telescoping supports extending linearly from and in opposite lateral directions relative to the central portion, each of the first and second supports having a central longitudinal axis, a first jaw disposed proximate to the end of the first support opposite the central portion and a second jaw disposed proximate to the end of the second support opposite the central portion, and at least one actuator configured to selectively and independently move each of the first and second jaws toward and away from one another, each jaw including at least a first tooth extending downwardly therefrom, each tooth of each jaw having at least one flange projecting in the direction of the other jaw, the first tooth of the first jaw being engageable with the first hole in each mat and, concurrently, the first tooth of the second jaw being engageable with the second hole in each mat, wherein when the central longitudinal axis of the first and second supports is oriented generally horizontally, the flange of each tooth of the first jaw is configured to be positioned farther downwardly relative to the central portion of the grab head than the flange of each tooth of the second jaw, the method comprising: (a) the crane extending the first tooth of the first jaw of the grab head at least partially through the first hole in a first mat and the first tooth of the second jaw of the grab head at least partially through the second hole in the first mat; (b) at least one actuator of the grab head moving the first and second jaws toward one another sufficient to position each flange of each respective tooth at least partially below the first mat adjacent to the corresponding associated hole of the first mat; (c) the crane raising the grab head to lift the first mat; (d) the crane placing the first mat at a desired location; (e) at least one actuator of the grab head moving the first and second jaws away from one another to align each flange of each respective tooth in or below the corresponding associated hole of the first mat; and (f) the crane lifting the grab head away from the first mat.