Abstract:
Disclosed are stable bases comprising: a plurality of members, a plurality of poles, and a plurality of dowels, where the combination provides a stable, biodegradable mat. Also disclosed are methods of constructing the above device with biodegradable materials.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is in the field of ground surfaces, and specifically in the field of devices that provide a moveable stable base, comprised of biodegradable materials. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    When using heavy equipment in locations with snow or soft ground, a stable base, or access mat, is needed to prevent the equipment and persons from sinking into the snow or soft ground. Normally, these mats must be removed from the site after use to reduce the environmental impact, greatly increasing costs. Thus, new mats are needed that are less costly and have negligible environmental impact. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Disclosed are stable bases comprising: a plurality of members, a plurality of poles, and a plurality of dowels, where the combination provides a stable, biodegradable mat. Also disclosed are methods of constructing the above device with biodegradable materials. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the completed assembly of the disclosed bio-access mat. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a cut away view showing the internal components of an embodiment of the mat assembly. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing showing the features of an embodiment of an end member. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing showing the features of an embodiment of a middle member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0008]    Disclosed herein are devices and methods for the creation of a stable platform, better known as an access mat. The construction of the mat takes advantage of biodegradable materials. The mats disclosed herein can be left in place after their use, or the mats can be broken up, burned, or mulched into the soil in the event of site reclamation. 
         [0009]      FIG. 1-4  show schematic drawings of one embodiment of the devices disclosed herein. The devices and the methods are described with reference to  FIG. 1-4 , but those of skill in the art recognize that variation, including those described herein, are still within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0010]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , disclosed herein is a platform  100 . The device  100  is composed of a number of end members  102  and middle members  104 . 
         [0011]    Each end member  102  and middle member  104  is an elongated piece made from a biodegradable material, as discussed below. In some embodiments, the middle member is a rectangular cube having a length that is several times greater than the width or the height. In some embodiments, the end members  102  and middle members  104  comprise regular or irregular geometric shapes. By way of example only, the shapes can include: rectangular, square, circular, triangular, trapezoidal, hexagonal, octagonal, or other polygonal shapes. In some embodiments, the shape of the end members  102  and middle members  104  for a particular unit  100  is similar. 
         [0012]    The illustrated embodiment uses two end members  102  and twelve middle members  104 . However, it is apparent to the skilled artisan that other embodiments having additional end members  102  and/or additional middle members  104  are consistent with the present disclosure and are fully contemplated herein. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, a number of poles  106  run through the end members  102  and middle members  104 . The poles  106  hold the members  102  and  104  in place and do not allow the members to move relative to each other. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, a number of dowels  108  are inserted into each pole  106 . In some embodiments, two dowels  108  per pole  106  are provided, where one dowel  108  is inserted near the each end of each pole  106 . The dowels  108  prevent the members  102  and  104  from slipping out of the pole  106  or from becoming loose, so that extra space is created between the middle members  104 . 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , each pole  106  runs through the end members  104  and middle members  102 . In this embodiment, each pole  106  extends from one end member  102  through each middle member  104  to another end member  102 . This embodiment uses one dowel  108  to secure each end of each pole  106  to each end member  102 . 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the end member  102  features a number of openings  302  and alternate openings  304 . This embodiment features seven openings  302  which are intersected by seven alternate openings  304 . In this embodiment, each opening  302  receives a pole  106 , and each alternate opening  304  receives a dowel  108 . 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, there is no difference in structure between an end member  102  and a middle member  104 . In these embodiments, all the members are the same, each one having all the requisite number of openings  302  and  304 . Any member that is a the edge of the unit  100  is considered an end member  102  and any member that is not at the edge is considered a middle member  104 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the middle member features a number of openings  402 . This embodiment features seven openings  402 . In this embodiment, each opening  402  allows passage of a pole  106 . 
         [0019]    With respect to the devices disclosed herein, “top” and “top surface” refer to the surface of the access mat that comes into contact with the persons or equipment being moved over the mat. “Bottom” and “bottom surface” refer to the surface of the access mat that comes into contact with the ground over which the mat is placed. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the top surface comprises a texture suitable for pedestrian or equipment traffic. That is, the top surface provides proper traction for equipment, such as automobiles or other wheeled vehicles, or pedestrians to move over the access mat without slipping. In some embodiments, the bottom surface comprises a texture suitable to grip the ground. That is, the bottom surface provides proper traction so that the access mat does not slip on the ground and provides a stable surface. In other embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces may feature the same texture to allow the unit to be used in either orientation. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the elements of the assembly  100  may be entirely, or in combination, composed of biodegradable materials. By way of example only, the elements may be composed of wood or biodegradable polymers or plastics. Examples of biodegradable plastics include, but are not limited to, those having aliphatic polyesters, whose ester bonds are hydrolyzable and are amenable to microbial attack. Some examples include, but are not limited to, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), such as the poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) and polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH). Other examples include, but are not limited to, polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyanhydrides, polyvinyl alcohol, starch derivatives, cellulose esters, such as cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose and their derivatives (celluloid). 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the pole  106  may extend along a different direction than the disclosed embodiment. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the number of dowels  108  may differ from the number of poles  106 . By way of example only, a single dowel may extend through more than one pole  106 . For example, the dowel  108  may extend horizontally, or in the direction of the length of middle members  104 , thereby running through a plurality of poles  106 . 
         [0024]    In other embodiments, the dowels  108  may be omitted. By way of example only, the end of each pole may be capped or secured by another means. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, multiple units  100  may be placed adjacent to create a larger area or a pathway. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the multiple units  100  will not feature a connecting mechanism. In other embodiments, a separate connecting mechanism will bind the units  100 . By way of example only, a connecting mechanism could span from the opening  302  or alternate opening  304  of the end member of one unit  100  to the opening  302  or alternate opening  304  of another unit  100 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the poles  106  are of variable length. In some of these embodiments, the poles  106  are telescopic, such that their length can be increased or decreased depending on the use. In other embodiments, two or more poles  106  can be attached to each other end-to-end to increase the length of the resulting pole  106 . In some of these embodiments, the two poles  106  that connect to each other are of the same length whereas in other embodiments, the two poles  106  are of different length. By increasing or decreasing the length of the poles  106 , the user can increase or decrease, respectively, the width of the unit  100  that is used for a particular application. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, two or more units  100  can be shaped so as to interlock with one another. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the unit  100  comprises a regular or irregular geometric shape. By way of example only, the shapes can include: rectangular, square, circular, triangular, trapezoidal, hexagonal, octagonal, or other polygonal shapes. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the openings  302  and alternate openings  304  are of the same size to allow the end member  102  to change orientation. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the end member  102  can replace the middle member  104 . By way of example only, the number of members  102  used can change the size or shape of the mat  100 . 
         [0032]    As those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate, the presently disclosed devices and methods provide an access mat to be placed on the ground. Further, the materials of the access mat are biodegradable, allowing greater sensitivity to the environmental impact and disturbance to the natural surroundings.