Patent ID: 7874761

Claim:
A support structure for soft ground including at least first and second elements, each of the elements comprising: a plate ( 1 ) having first and second end faces ( 4 , 5 ), first and second side faces ( 6 , 7 ), a top surface ( 2 ) and a lower supporting surface ( 3 ) with three anchoring projections in the form of first, second and third hooks thereon, wherein the first hook ( 9 ) is positioned proximate the second end face ( 5 ), and a curved anchoring element ( 11 ) having side surfaces ( 12 ) inclined with respect to the lower supporting surface, wherein the curved anchoring element has three arcuate segments ( 13 , 14 , 15 ), that project beyond the lower supporting surface at the first end face and at the first and second side faces, providing a space sufficient to engage one of the hooks, wherein each of the side faces ( 6 , 7 ) comprises first and second portions inclined in opposite directions with respect to a longitudinal section of the plate ( 1 ), wherein the end faces ( 4 , 5 ) are inclined with respect to a transverse section of the plate ( 1 ) in the same direction, wherein the second and third hooks ( 8 , 10 ) are positioned proximate the first portions of the side faces, and wherein the second end face ( 5 ), the first portions ( 17 , 19 ) of the side faces ( 6 , 7 ) adjacent to the second end face, and outside faces of the hooks are inclined at an acute angle with respect to the top surface ( 2 ), and wherein the first end face ( 4 ) and the second portions ( 16 , 18 ) of the side faces ( 6 , 7 ) adjacent to the first end face are inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the top surface ( 2 ); and wherein the first portions of the first and second side faces ( 6 , 7 ) are of unequal length, and wherein the second portions of the first and second side faces are of unequal length, wherein for each of the side faces, the first and second portions are separated by a limit surface ( 20 , 21 ) that is positioned to inhibit longitudinal movement of the first and second elements thereby.