Patent Publication Number: US-9430943-B2

Title: Apparatus and methods for providing illuminated signals from a support surface

Description:
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/857,474, filed on Jul. 23, 2013 and entitled “Apparatus and Methods for Providing Illuminated Signals from a Support Surface”, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to providing illuminating signals from support surfaces. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Temporary or semi-permanent support surfaces have been used for roadways, remote jobsites, industrial staging areas and the like, in an ever-increasing myriad of industries, such as the construction, military, oilfield, transportation, disaster response, utilities and entertainment arenas. These support surfaces are often made up of heavy duty, durable, all-weather, thermoplastic mats, which are reusable and interlock together to form the support surface. 
     In various scenarios, it may be beneficial to provide one or more illuminated signals from the support surface. For example, in some scenarios, it may be desirable to signal a driver or other equipment operator who is entering, exiting or located upon the support surface. For another example, there may be instances when it is desirable to signal other personnel on or near the support surface. The signal can have any desired purpose, such as indicating a path, boundary or environmental condition. 
     It should be understood that the above-described discussion is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope or subject matter of the appended claims or those of any related patent application or patent. Thus, none of the appended claims or claims of any related application or patent should be limited by the above discussion or construed to address, include or exclude each or any of the above-cited features or disadvantages merely because of the mention thereof herein. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for improved systems, articles and methods useful for providing illuminated signals from a support surface having one or more of the attributes or capabilities described or shown in, or as may be apparent from, the other portions of this patent. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves apparatus for providing illumination from a load-supporting surface that includes at least one mat. The apparatus includes a shell releasably engageable with the mat. The shell includes a transparent upper surface, a fluid-sealed cavity and a power connection interface therein. An electronics system is configured to be disposed within the cavity of the shell and project light out of the shell through the upper surface of the shell. The electronics system includes at least one electrical connector arranged and adapted to be aligned with the power connection interface of the shell. A power pack is configured to releasably engage the shell and sealingly engage the power connection interface thereof. The power pack has at least one electrical connector arranged and adapted to be aligned with the power connection interface of the shell and electrically couple to the electrical connector of the electronics system to provide electric power thereto. A fluid tight seal is provided around the respective engaged electrical connectors. 
     In many embodiments, the present disclosure involves a system for providing illumination from a load-supporting surface. The system includes a plurality of portable illuminators releasably engageable with the load-supporting surface at different locations and a network coordinator. Each illuminator includes a fluid-sealed cavity therein and a wirelessly-controlled electronics system disposed within the cavity. The electronics system is configured to project light out of its respective illuminator. Each illuminator also includes a power pack for providing electrical power to the electronics system. The network coordinator is configured to wirelessly communicate with the illuminators to selectively control and vary the color, intensity and/or duration of light projected from each illuminator. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure includes features and advantages which are believed to enable it to advance support surface technology. Characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure described above and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following figures are part of the present specification, included to demonstrate certain aspects of various embodiments of this disclosure and referenced in the detailed description herein: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an illuminator in accordance with the present disclosure engaged with the upper mat of a pair of exemplary overlapping mats in a load-supporting surface; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the exemplary mat of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a series of three exemplary interconnected mats; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of an embodiment of an illumination system including multiple exemplary illuminators in accordance with the present disclosure shown used with a series of four exemplary interconnected mats; 
         FIG. 5  is an assembly drawing of the exemplary illuminator shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the exemplary illuminator shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of exemplary illuminator of  FIG. 6  taken along lines  6 - 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the shell portion of the exemplary illuminator of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an end view of the shell portion of the exemplary illuminator of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a power pack useful in the exemplary illuminator of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a power pack useful in the exemplary illuminator of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an exemplary battery charging system; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the exemplary illuminator of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary illuminator of  FIG. 13  taken along lines  14 - 14 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of part of the exemplary illuminator of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the exemplary reflector shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom view of the exemplary electronics system shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of the exemplary electronics system shown in  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the exemplary electronics system shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and referring to the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the description herein and appended drawings, being of example embodiments, are not intended to limit the claims of this patent or any patent or patent application claiming priority hereto. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claims. Many changes may be made to the particular embodiments and details disclosed herein without departing from such spirit and scope. 
     In showing and describing preferred embodiments in the appended figures, common or similar elements are referenced with like or identical reference numerals or are apparent from the figures and/or the description herein. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
     As used herein and throughout various portions (and headings) of this patent application, the terms “invention”, “present invention” and variations thereof are not intended to mean every possible embodiment encompassed by this disclosure or any particular claim(s). Thus, the subject matter of each such reference should not be considered as necessary for, or part of, every embodiment hereof or of any particular claim(s) merely because of such reference. The terms “coupled”, “connected”, “engaged” and the like, and variations thereof, as used herein and in the appended claims are intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection or engagement. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections. 
     Certain terms are used herein and in the appended claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Also, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used herein and in the appended claims in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . . ” Further, reference herein and in the appended claims to components and aspects in a singular tense does not necessarily limit the present disclosure or appended claims to only one such component or aspect, but should be interpreted generally to mean one or more, as may be suitable and desirable in each particular instance. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of an illuminator  10  in accordance with the present disclosure is shown engaged with an exemplary load-supporting surface  16 . The illustrated load-supporting surface  16  is shown having adjacent mats  26  disposed upon the ground  20  or other surface or area. In this example, the load-supporting surface  16  is reusable and may be capable of supporting the weight of vehicles, equipment and/or other structures thereupon. The illustrated load-supporting surface  16  includes at least two interconnected adjacent mats  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the mats  26  may have any suitable form, construction and configuration. Some examples of mats  26  which may be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,551 to Seaux, entitled “Mat System for Construction of Roadways and Support Surfaces” and issued on Aug. 5, 1997, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,257 to Seaux et al., entitled “Interlocking Mat System for Construction of Load Supporting Surfaces” and issued on Jan. 28, 2003, both of which have a common Assignee as the present patent application and the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. For example, the mats  26  may be 14′×8′ DURA-BASE® mats currently sold by the Assignee of this patent application. The illustrated mats  26  are durable thermoplastic mats, such as the DURA-BASE® mats current sold by Applicant and useful, for example, as temporary roads, jobsites and staging areas. However, the present disclosure and appended claims are not limited to this type of mat. As used herein and in the appended claims, the terms “mat” and variations thereof include boards, mats, sheets, plates or other-shaped members desired to be connected together and constructed of any suitable material. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in the illustrated embodiment, each mat  26  is flat, or planar, and constructed of impermeable material, such as thermoplastic. The exemplary mat  26  has a rectangular shape with an opposing pair of short sides  28 ,  30 , an opposing pair of long sides  37 ,  38 , and an edge  44  extending along each side  28 ,  30 ,  37  and  38 . In this particular example, the first short side  28  and first long side  37  each have an upper lip  46  extending horizontally outwardly therefrom, forming the edge  44  and which will be typically spaced above the ground  20  or other surface. The second short side  30  and second long side  38  each have a lower lip  54  extending horizontally outwardly therefrom below the edge  44  thereof and which will typically rest on the ground  20  or other surface. The upper and lower lips  46 ,  54  may have any suitable size, shape, configuration and length. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , in this example, the respective upper and lower lips  46 ,  54  of different mats  26  are interconnectable with locking pins  34  (e.g.  FIG. 3 ) releasably securable through corresponding locking pin holes  32  formed therein. The locking pin holes  32  and locking pins  34  may have any suitable form, construction and configuration. The illustrated locking pin  34  is useful to connect, or secure together, at least first (upper) and second (lower) overlapping mats  26   a ,  26   b  (e.g.  FIG. 3 ). In this embodiment, the illustrated mats  26  include a plurality of locking pin holes  32 . The exemplary locking pin holes  32  have an oval-shape. Each illustrated mat  26  may include, for example, a total of sixteen locking pin holes  32 , eight holes  32  formed in each of the upper and lower lips  46 ,  54 . In some embodiments, the locking pins  34  may form a fluid-tight seal around, or in, the locking pin holes  32  within which they are engaged. Some examples of locking pins  34  which may be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,831 to Rogers et al, entitled “Fastening Device” and issued on Apr. 20, 2004, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/748,818, entitled “Apparatus and Methods for Connecting Mats” and filed on Jan. 14, 2013, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/780,350, entitled “Apparatus and Methods for Connecting Mats” and filed on Feb. 28, 2013, all of which have a common Assignee as the present patent application and the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. In the example of  FIG. 4 , the load-supporting surface  16  includes four overlapping mats  26  interconnected with locking pins  34  and having gaps  22  formed between their respective adjacent edges  44 . 
     Referring back to the example of  FIG. 1 , an indentation  27  is formed in the upper and lower surfaces  40 ,  42  of the respective upper and lower lips  46 ,  54  of each illustrated mat  26  around each locking pin hole  32 . In this embodiment, the indentation  27  formed in the upper lips  46  of the mats  26  is also oval and configured to seat an oval-shaped enlarged head  36  (e.g.  FIG. 3 ) of the illustrated locking pin  34 . 
     It should be noted, however, that the illuminator  10  of the present disclosure is not limited to use with the above-described or referenced types and configurations of load-supporting surfaces  16 , mats  26 , locking pins  34  and locking pin holes  32 , or to the disclosures of the above-referenced patents and patent applications. Any suitable load-supporting surfaces  16 , mats  26 , locking pins  34  and locking pin holes  32  may be used. Moreover, the illuminator  10  may be used with load-supporting surfaces  16  not having mats  26 , locking pins  34  or locking pin holes  32 . Thus, the illuminator  10  of the present disclosure may be used with any type of support surface having any desired components and is not limited thereby, unless and only to the extent as may be explicitly required in a particular claim hereof and only for such claim and any claims depending therefrom. 
     Now in accordance with the present disclosure, referring back to  FIG. 1 , the illuminator  10  is arranged and adapted to be illuminated, or provide an illuminated signal, in connection with the load-supporting surface  16 . If desired, the illuminator  10  may be part of an illumination system  14  that includes multiple illuminators  10  and control equipment relating thereto. 
     The illuminator  10  may have any suitable form, configuration and operation and may be associated with the load-supporting surface  16  in any suitable manner. In this embodiment, each illuminator  10  is configured to be inserted into a locking pin hole  32  of one of the mats  26 . For example, the exemplary illuminator  10  may be friction fit or snapped into the hole  32  of one mat  26  (or the upper mat  26  of a set of overlapping mats). In other embodiments, the illuminator  10  may be insertable into and extend at least partially through the corresponding aligned holes  32  of two overlapping mats  26 . However, the present disclosure is not limited to these particular arrangements. The illuminator  10  may be affixed to or associated with the load-supporting surface  16  in any other desired manner. For example, each illuminator  10  may be secured (via clip, connector, adhesive, etc.) to the side, top or other aspect of the load-supporting surface  16  or a component thereof. For another example, the illuminator  10  may be integral to, or formed as part of, the load-supporting surface  16  or a component thereof. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the illuminator  10  includes an electronics system  60  that provides illumination, a housing  80  that carriers and protects the electronics system  60  and directs light from the electronics system  60  and a power pack  110  that supplies power to the electronics system  60 . The electronics system  60 , housing  80  and power pack  110  may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , the illustrated housing  80  includes a lens  84 , reflector  90  and shell  94 . The exemplary lens  84  and reflector  90  overlay the electronics system  60 , which is housed in the shell  94 . In this embodiment, the reflector  90  is arranged and adapted to direct light from the illuminator  10  as desired. The reflector  90  may have any suitable, form, configuration and operation and may be constructed of any suitable material. If molded from plastic, for example, the reflector  90  may be electroplated to provide sufficient reflectivity. The illustrated reflector  90  (e.g.  FIG. 16 ) includes an angled ridge  91  around its perimeter and a series of cut-outs  92  to be aligned over, and allow the passage of light to or from, various illuminating or light receiving components of the electronics system  60 , such as described further below. The reflector  90  may, if desired, be configured to reflect heat away from the electronics system  60  in high temperature environments. 
     The exemplary lens  84  is configured to assist in protecting the electronics system  60  from forces applied to the illuminator  10  from above. It may have any suitable form, configuration and operation and may be constructed of any suitable material. In many embodiments, the lens  84  may be designed with sufficient strength and other specifications to withstand loading from rolling vehicles and equipment, dropped tools and other load-bearing events and hazards occurring on the load-supporting surface  16  (e.g.  FIG. 1 ), as well as environmental factors, such as temperature, rain, snow, etc. If desired, the lens  84  may be sufficiently scratch resistant to avoid damage thereto during typical or expected use scenarios. For example, the lens  84  may be constructed of transparent thermoplastic material. 
     The lens  84  may be configured to assist the reflector  90  in directing light out of the illuminator  10 . For example, the lens  84  may have an optical design for promoting effective illumination, especially if the illuminator  10  is used during daytime hours. In this embodiment, the lens  84  includes a face  86  having a curved shape to allow the desired light projecting angles from the illuminator  10  and enhance the load-withstanding capacity of the lens  84 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , the exemplary lens  84  is configured to sealing engage the shell  94 , such as to prevent the entry of liquids therein. In this example, the lens  84  includes a lip  88  extending around the perimeter thereof and which sealingly engages an upper perimeter edge  96  of the shell  94 . If desired, one or more suitable adhesive or sealant may be included at the interface between the lip  88  and edge  96 . In some embodiments, the lens  84  and shell  94  may be welded to provide a sealed housing  80 . 
     The exemplary shell  94  isolates and protects the electronics system  60  and its electrical connection to the power pack  110 . The shell  94  may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. In this example, the shell  94  includes an interior cavity  95  (e.g.  FIG. 8 ) within which the electronics system  60  securely seats and a hard, fluid-resistant wall  98  for encapsulating the electronics system  60 . The shell  94  may be constructed of any suitable material or combination of materials to withstand the expected forces, environmental factors and other variables acting on it and the load-supporting surface  16 . For example, the shell  94  may be constructed of thermoplastic material by injection molding. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the exemplary shell  94  releasably engages the locking pin hole  32  of the mat  26  in any suitable manner. In this embodiment, the shell  94  includes a pair of spaced-apart legs  102 ,  104  extending downwardly therefrom and each having at least one outwardly extending protrusion  109  (see also  FIG. 9 ) configured to engage the underside indentation  27  formed in the mat  26  below the locking pin hole  32 . In this example, the legs  102 ,  104  bend sufficiently to allow a snap-fit of the protrusions  109  in the indentation  27  to securely engage the illuminator  10  to the mat  26 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 , the illustrated shell  94  releasably engages the exemplary power pack  110  and secures its connection with the electronics system  60 . For example, the legs  102 ,  104  of the shell  94  may be configured to engage or grip the power pack  110 . In this embodiment, each leg  102 ,  104  includes an inwardly facing ledge  106  that grips a ridge  112  (e.g.  FIG. 5 ) on the outside of the power pack  110 . In this example, the ridge  112  is an outer edge of the power pack  110 . The power pack  110  may be releasably engageable with the shell  94  for ease of replacement and/or maintenance or any other desired purpose. In the present embodiment, for example, the snap-in design allows different types of power packs  110  to be used with the electronics system  60 . 
     It should be noted, however, in other embodiments, the power pack  110  may not be releasably engageable with the shell  94 . For example, the power pack  110  and shell may  94  be part of the same component. For another example, the power pack  110  may be integral to (or a part of) the shell  94 . One example embodiment would be a one-time use illuminator  10 , wherein the entire device can be replaced or has a limited battery recharge capability (e.g. solar assisted). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 , in this embodiment, the exemplary shell  94  includes a power connection interface  100  within the cavity  95  for facilitating, isolating and/or protecting the electrical connection between the electronics system  60  and power pack  110 . The power connection interface  100  may have any suitable form, configuration, operation and construction. For example, the power connection interface  100  may be insert-molded. In this example, the power connection interface  100  has multiple (e.g. four) holes  108  that accept multiple (e.g. four) power adapter pins  63  (e.g.  FIG. 5 ) of the electronics system  60  and align them for engagement with corresponding socket holes  117  (e.g.  FIGS. 10 &amp; 11 ) in the adapter  114  of the power pack  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the power pack  110  may have any suitable form, configuration and operation sufficient to provide the necessary power supply to the exemplary electronics system  60 . The illustrated power pack  110  includes an adapter  114  for providing power to the electronics system  60 . The exemplary adapter  114  includes an electrical connector  116  for electrical connection with the electronics system  60 . For example, the electrical connector  116  may include multiple (e.g. four) socket holes  117 . In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , the connector  116  sealingly engages the power connection interface  100  of the shell  94  to assist in providing a fluid tight seal around its engagement with the electrical connector  62  or power adapter pins  63  of the electronics system  60 . For example, one or more O-ring seals  115  may extend around the connector  116  to sealingly engage the interface  100 . However, the power pack  110  may provide power to the electronics system  60  in any other suitable manner. 
     In some embodiments, the power pack  110  may include a cord  118  connectable with an external power source, such as a local power grid (not shown). The use of a corded power pack  110  to receive direct external power may be beneficial in various circumstances, such as for long term and/or continuous use of the illuminator  10 . A corded-version of the power pack  110  may require power conversion electronics (not shown) to meet device input requirements, as are and become further known in the industry. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 11 , the power pack  110  may instead, or also, be battery-powered. For example, the power pack  110  may include one or more batteries  120  that are releasably engageable with a battery housing, or adapter  114 , such as by snap-fitting. Any suitable type and configuration of battery  120  may be incorporated into the power pack  110 . The battery specifications may depend upon the requirements of the electronics system  60 , as are and become further known in the art. The use a battery-powered power pack  110  may be useful, for example, in remote areas where a corded power source is not available or feasible. Some embodiments of the power pack  110  may have both battery powering capability and a corded option for powering the power pack  110  and, if desired, for recharging the battery. 
     In some embodiments, the battery  120  may be rechargeable, as is and becomes further known. If desired, referring to the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , a battery charging system  128  may be used. The charging system  128  may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. In  FIG. 12 , an exemplary charging system  128  is connectable to an external power source (not shown) and useful for charging a multitude of batteries  120 . The illustrated system  128  may, for example, be wall or table mounted, or have its own support structure, and be designed to accommodate a large volume of batteries  120 . The illustrated charging system  128 , for example, includes ten battery charging stations  132 . The system  128  may control all aspects of the charging cycle and indicate the condition of the battery  110  at each station  132 . In this example, a status indicator  136  is provided at each station  132 . 
     The electronics system  60  may have any suitable form, configuration and operation sufficient to provide the desired illumination from the illuminator  10 . Referring to  FIGS. 17 &amp; 18 , the exemplary electronics system  60  is wirelessly controlled to provide light having a selected brightness and color scheme for a selected duration and/or sequence. In this embodiment, the electronics system  60  includes an RF module  64 , one or more LED drivers  68 , an antenna  72  and multiple LED units  74 . 
     The illustrated LED units  74  provide the light source for the illuminator  10 . If desired, each LED unit  74  may include multiple individual LED lights, such as to provide different colors of light. For example, each LED unit  74  may include individual red, green and blue LED lights to be able to provide a wide spectrum of different colors (including white). The exemplary LED drivers  68  are used to regulate current to the LED units  74 . For example, the LED drivers  68  may be configured to boost battery power voltage to power large LED units  74 , protect the LED lights from being destroyed by current surge and ensure consistent performance of the LED lights at varying battery charge levels. If desired, brightness of the LED lights may be controlled by pulse width modulation. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 17 &amp; 18 , the illustrated RF module  64  includes a wireless transceiver and microcontroller. The exemplary microcontroller interprets messages received by the transceiver and generates control signals for the LED drivers  68 . In this embodiment, the exemplary antenna  72  is used by the transceiver of the RF module  64  to receive messages. In some embodiments, the antenna  72  may also be used by the transceiver to transmit messages. The transmit and receive capabilities of the electronics system  60  may be used to support a network of illuminators  10  in the illumination system  12 . 
     In this embodiment, the electronics system  60  also includes an electrical connector  62  (e.g.  FIG. 19 ) for electrical connection to the power pack  110 . The illustrated electrical connector  62  includes multiple (e.g. four) power adapter pins  63  extending downwardly from the system  60  for engagement with the shell  94  and power pack  110 . In this example, the pins  63  receive energy from the power pack  110  during operation of the illuminator  10 . If desired, the electronics system  60  may include one or more solar panels  76  (e.g.  FIG. 18 ) to capture energy from sunlight during daytime hours and provide it to the illuminator  10 . For example, the solar panels  76  may be used to supplement power to the electronics system  60  during operations and/or provide a charge to one or more battery  120  (e.g.  FIG. 11 ) in the power pack  110 . If necessary or desired, a charger circuit  78  may be included in the electronics system  60  to convert energy captured by the solar panels  76  into safe and useful energy. When solar panels  76  are included, the electrical connector  62  of the electronics systems  60  may, if desired, be used to deliver the captured energy from the solar panels  76  to the power pack  110 . 
     The present embodiment of the illuminator  10  is assembled in a stacked arrangement and requires minimal labor for assembly. Various embodiments of the illuminator  10  are stand-alone, self-contained, portable and reusable. The exemplary illuminator  10  is designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions and industrial environments. For example, the illuminator  10  may be designed to support loads from rolling vehicles and other equipment, function across a wide range of ambient temperatures and weather conditions, and survive contact with oil and grease, submersion in water, extended ultraviolet light exposure and impact. 
     An exemplary illumination system  14  (e.g.  FIG. 4 ) includes a plurality of illuminators  10  deployable at different desired locations in the load-supporting surface  16  and at least one network coordinator  18 . In this embodiment, the network coordinator  18  can be an on-site or off-site computer or other wireless device that wirelessly communicates with and remotely controls the illuminators  10 . If desired, the communication protocol used in the network may be selected to support standard data encryption techniques for network security and use 2.4 GHX ISM bandwith for global interoperability. 
     Each exemplary illuminator  10  is a portable illuminated marker that can be used to serve as a node in a secure wireless mesh network of illuminators  10 . A variety of types of signals may be provided, such as, for example, by on/off sequencing or switching, lighting sequencing, color changes or light intensity changes of one or more illuminator  10 . The illuminator  10  or system  14  may be used in any desired application. For example, the illuminator  10  or system  14  may be useful to signal an observer to indicate a path, boundary, environmental condition, etc. Other exemplary potential applications include perimeter markings, illuminated road lines, zone designation within a workspace, identification of dangerous areas, crew changes, alarm signals, etc. The illumination system  14  may, if desired, be a wireless mesh network of illuminators  10  that integrates wireless sensing, monitoring and alarm systems. Thus, the types of uses and applications of the illuminator  10  and illumination system  14  are not limiting upon the present disclosure. 
     As mentioned above, the exemplary illuminators  10  are useful with DURA-BASE® mats, which are durable thermoplastic mats currently sold by Applicant and useful, for example, as temporary roads, jobsites and staging areas. However, the illuminator  10  is not limited to use with DURA-BASE® mats, but may be used with any suitable mats, boards, sheets, plates or other-shaped members that are part of, connected to or associated with a support surface. Likewise, the illuminator  10  is not limited to use in the pin holes of DURA-BASE® mats, but may be used in any other suitable holes or orifices of any suitable support surface, or may be otherwise connected to, or associated with, any suitable support surface. 
     If desired, the illuminator  10  and/or illumination system  14  may be used in conjunction with technology shown and disclosed in any combination of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/790,916, entitled “Liquid Containment System for Use With Load-Supporting Surfaces” and filed on Mar. 8, 2013, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/888,580, entitled “Apparatus &amp; Methods for Electrically Grounding a Load-Supporting Surfaces” and filed on Oct. 9, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/889,171 filed on Oct. 10, 2013 and entitled “Apparatus &amp; Methods for Sealing Around the Opening to an Underground Borehole”, all of which has a common Assignee as the present application and the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure thus offer advantages over the prior art and are well adapted to carry out one or more of the objects of this disclosure. However, the present invention does not require each of the components and acts described above and is in no way limited to the above-described embodiments or methods of operation. Any one or more of the above components, features and processes may be employed in any suitable configuration without inclusion of other such components, features and processes. Moreover, the present invention includes additional features, capabilities, functions, methods, uses and applications that have not been specifically addressed herein but are, or will become, apparent from the description herein, the appended drawings and claims. 
     The methods that may be described above or claimed herein and any other methods which may fall within the scope of the appended claims can be performed in any desired suitable order and are not necessarily limited to any sequence described herein or as may be listed in the appended claims. Further, the methods of the present invention do not necessarily require use of the particular embodiments shown and described herein, but are equally applicable with any other suitable structure, form and configuration of components. 
     While exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, many variations, modifications and/or changes of the system, apparatus and methods of the present invention, such as in the components, details of construction and operation, arrangement of parts and/or methods of use, are possible, contemplated by the patent applicant(s), within the scope of the appended claims, and may be made and used by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or teachings of the invention and scope of appended claims. Thus, all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative, and the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims should not be limited to the embodiments described and shown herein.