Structural supporting complex

Claim 2

In a structural supporting complex comprising a pluraliTy of detachably interlocking panels including connecting means on the longitudinal and transverse edges thereof, the improvement which comprises a first panel with a connector of a first connecting means on a transverse edge and a connector of a second connecting means on a longitudinal edge, and a second panel with a connector of a first connecting means on a longitudinal edge and a connector of a second connecting means on a transverse edge, the connectors of the first connecting means on the first and second panels adapted to be interlocked with each other and complementary connectors of the second connecting means on the first and the second panels adapted to be interlocked with each other, the first connecting means being dissimilar from the second connecting means, the panels being suitably interlockingly positioned adjacent to each other with the adjacent first connectors and the adjacent second connectors being detachably interlocked to provide a supporting complex with discontinuous linearly extending joints therebetween.

Claim 3

The improvement of claim 1 wherein the panel transverse edges are interlocked with the longitudinal edges of adjacent panels.

Claim 4

The improvement of claim 2 wherein the panels are generally longitudinally detachably interlocked in multi-panel groups, the panel groups being detachably interlocked with and generally transversely spaced apart by a generally longitudinally extending panel and detachably interlocked with and generally longitudinally spaced apart by at least one panel insert, the generally longitudinally extending panels being longitudinally interlocked with and spaced apart by the panel groups and the panel inserts.

Claim 5

The improvement of claim 3 wherein each panel group comprises three panels.

Claim 6

The improvement of claim 4 wherein the panels are interlockingly positioned to avoid movement of adjacent panels relative to each other in directions parallel and transverse to the upper surface of the panels.

Claim 7

The improvement of claim 3 wherein the panels are interlockingly positioned to avoid movement of adjacent panels relative to each other in directions parallel and transverse to the upper surface of the panels.

Claim 8

The improvement of claim 6 wherein the connecting means on the transverse panel edge is adapted to interlock with the connecting means on the longitudinal edge of an adjacent panel.

Claim 9

The improvement of claim 2 wherein the panels are detachably interlocked in a plurality of substantially rectangular detachably interlocked multipanel groups.

Claim 10

The improvement of claim 8 wherein each panel group comprises three panels.

Claim 11

The improvement of claim 8 wherein the longitudinal dimension of the panel is from two to six times the transverse dimension.

Claim 12

The improvement of claim 8 wherein each panel group in a generally longitudinally extending panel row is spaced apart by at least two generally transversely extending panel groups.

Claim 13

The improvement of claim 1 wherein the joints extend linearly for up to about one and one-half the length of a single panel.

Claim 14

The improvement of claim 1 wherein the panel longitudinal dimension is an integer multiple of the transverse direction greater than one.

Claim 15

The improvement of claim 1 wherein the structural supporting complex is adapted for use as an aircraft runway.

Claim 16

The improvement of claim 14 wherein the aircraft runway is resistant to rutting and bow wave.

Claim 17

The improvement of claim 1 wherein the panels are interlockingly positioned to avoid movement of adjacent panels relative to each other in directions parallel and transverse to the upper surface of the panels.

Claim 18

The improvement of claim 1 wherein transverse portions of the first panel are positioned adjacent to longitudinal portions of the second panel, the first connecting means includes a locking bar adapted to be slidably received within suitable receptacles in the connectors of the first connecting means and the panels are positioned with the locking bar iN a generally perpendicular direction to the length of the supporting complex.

Claim 19

An improved method of laying a structural supporting complex comprising detachably interlockingly positioning a plurality of panels adjacent to each other, the improvement which comprises providing a first panel with a connector of a first connecting means on a transverse edge and a connector of a second connecting means on a longitudinal edge, and a second panel with a connector of a first connecting means on a longitudinal edge and a connector of a second connecting means on a transverse edge, the connectors of the first connecting means on the first and second panels adapted to be interlocked with each other and complementary connectors of the second connecting on the first and the second panels adapted to be interlocked with each other, the first connecting means being dissimilar from the second connecting means; positioning the first and the second panels adjacent to each other; and detachably interlocking the adjacent first connectors and the adjacent second connectors to provide a supporting complex with discontinuous linearly extending joints therebetween resistant to rutting and bow wave.

Claim 20

An improved method of laying a structural supporting complex comprising detachably interlockingly positioning a plurality of panels adjacent to each other, the improvement which comprises providing a first panel with a connector of a first connecting means on a transverse edge and a connector of a second connecting means on a longitudinal edge, and a second panel with a connector of a first connecting means on a longitudinal edge and a connector of a second connecting means on a transverse edge, the connectors of the first connecting means on the first and second panels adapted to be interlocked with each other and complementary connectors of the second connecting on the first and the second panels adapted to be interlocked with each other, the first connecting means being dissimilar from the second connecting means; positioning the first and the second panels adjacent to each other; and detachably interlocking the adjacent first connectors and the adjacent second connectors to provide a supporting complex with discontinuous linearly extending joints therebetween resistant to rutting and bow wave.

Claim 21

The method of claim 18 including laying a structural supporting complex adapted for use as an aircraft runway.

Claim 22

The method of claim 18 including interlockingly positioning the panels to avoid movement of adjacent panels relative to each other in directions parallel and transverse to the upper surface of the panels.

Claim 23

The method of claim 18 including positioning transverse portions of the first panel adjacent to longitudinal portions of the second panel.