Patent ID: 7210876

Claim:
A load bearing mat, comprising: a mat unit having a bottom surface, a top surface, a first side, an opposing second side, a first end and an opposing second end; a plurality of spaced apart cell rows disposed in said mat unit, each of said plurality of cell rows having a plurality of generally tubular cell members, said plurality of cell members comprising a series of a first cell member and an adjoining second cell member, each of said cell members having one or more generally upstanding sidewalls, each of said first cell members axially offset relative to each of said second cell members, said plurality of cell rows comprising at least a first side row at said first side of said mat unit and a second side row at said second side of said mat unit; a plurality of generally flexible linking members interconnecting said first side row and said second side row, said linking members configured to allow said mat unit to be placed in a generally rolled condition; and means at each of said first side, said second side, said first end and said second end for connecting said mat unit to one or more adjacent mat units, said connecting means configured for complimentary interlocking engagement of said mat unit with said one or more adjacent mat units.