Patent ID: 7604431

Claim:
A quadrilateral ground cover mat comprising: (a) two opposing major surfaces, the opposing major surfaces being defined by a plurality of elongate boards contained within a frame, each board having a substantially rectangular cross-section and disposed such that the vertical dimension is larger than the horizontal dimension; (b) two opposing end surfaces, and first and second opposing lateral surfaces, wherein one end surface comprises a tubular member extending towards, but not beyond, the lateral surfaces of the mat in an orientation that is parallel to the end surface; (c) an interlock opening defined by the second lateral surface, wherein said interlock opening has a receiving section, and a locking section; (d) an interlock member projecting from the first lateral surface, said interlock member having a neck portion and a locking portion; (e) whereby the interlock member mates with the interlock opening of an adjacent cover mat by inserting the interlock member into the receiving section, and sliding the locking portion of the interlock member laterally into the locking section; and (f) means for releasably engaging the end of an adjacent mat said means disposed on each end surface.