Patent ID: 9447547
Filing Date: 2016-09-20
CPC Classification: B32B,E01C

Claim Text:
1. A mat comprising: a core structure that provides strength and rigidity to the mat, the core structure provided as one or more components comprising a sheet, a plurality of elongated members, a frame, a plurality of compartments, or combinations thereof, wherein the structural components of the core structure are made of environmentally resistant non-wood materials; and at least one outer layer attached to the core structure directly or indirectly through other components, with the outer layer(s) having a length and width that substantially corresponds to that of the core structure and that forms an upper or lower surface of the mat or both upper and lower surfaces of the mat, wherein the at least one outer layer comprises plurality of elongated members, wherein the elongated members of the outer layer(s) are made of wood, engineered wood, thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic or elastomeric materials, with the materials of the elongated members of at least one outer layer being different from the materials of the structural components of the core; wherein the components of the outer layer(s) provide abrasion, wear and abuse resistance to the mat and are removably attached to the core construction so that the components of the outer layer(s) are replaceable when damaged while the core structure is protected and not subject to degradation so that the core structure can be reused to form a mat having replaced components in the outer layer(s), wherein the core structure comprises a grating of a fiberglass reinforced thermosetting plastic material having a thickness of between about 2.5 to about 4 inches with openings of between 1.5×1.5 inches and 3×3 inches and wherein the outer layer(s) comprises a plurality of elongated members of wood or engineered wood which are removably attached directly or indirectly to the core structure by bolting, wherein the components of the outer layer(s) have a modulus of about 1.6 M psi.