Patent ID: 8490361

Claim:
A large-area protective surface covering system comprising a plurality of panels, wherein each of the panels comprises: an upper surface, a lower surface spaced from said upper surface, a grid-pattern internal structure between said upper surface and said lower surface, said grid pattern internal structure positioned entirely between a flat portion of said upper surface and a flat portion of said lower surface, said upper surface and said lower surface entirely enclosing said grid pattern internal structure therebetween; a first side having a first, side locking system, a second side having a second, side locking system, for operative engagement with the first, side locking system of an adjacent panel, a first end having a first end locking system, a second end having a second end locking system, for operative engagement with the second end locking system of an adjacent panel; and, wherein said grid-pattern internal structure provides enhanced weight distribution and strength to the panels and the locking systems on each of the panels are positioned as to permit adjacent panels to be locked together; and wherein the locking system comprises a u-shaped projecting member and a receiving member which are adapted for operative engagement with said receiving member and said u-shaped projecting member from an adjacent panel, respectively.