Patent ID: 7934885

Claim:
A ground cover mat comprising: (a) a quadrilateral frame comprised of: (i) two substantially parallel opposing end members, each such end member having an inner slot facing the opposing end member and an outer slot facing away from the opposing end member, said end members each comprising an I-beam comprising a vertical web and upper and lower horizontal flanges connected to opposite ends of the vertical web, said horizontal flanges and vertical web forming the inner and outer slots; and (ii) two substantially parallel opposing lateral members, each, having an inner slot; whereby the four corners of the quadrilateral frame comprise a joint between one end of a lateral member and one end of an end member; (b) a plurality of elongate boards retained within the frame, the boards collectively forming two opposing major surfaces, and whereby said boards insert into, and are retained by the inner slots of the end members or the lateral members, or both the end members and the lateral members; and (c) a tubular member attached at each end of the mat, whereby each tubular member directly inserts into, and is retained by the outer slots of the I-beams, such that the tubular member contacts the vertical web and upper and lower horizontal flanges.