Method and apparatus for construction of artificial roads

Claim 1

Apparatus for construction of temporary decking and roads for use in areas of poor soil conditions comprising a plurality of substantially identical rectangular units which are placed in two layers, wherein units in different layers are inverted relative to each other, and wherein each unit comprises: (a) a first rectangular and substantially planar surface; (b) a second rectangular surface presenting at least four ridges comprising elements arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rectangle, wherein; (i) first and second transverse elements are each disposed so as to be flush with one of the ends of the unit; (ii) the remaining transverse elements are approximately twice the width of the first and second transverse elements and wherein said transverse elements are spaced to form at least three similar transverse channels of substantially equal dimensions on the second surface; and, (iii) wherein the first and second transverse ridge elements are approximately half the width of the channels and the remaining transverse elements are approximately the same width as the channels so that transverse elements of any one unit will conform to channels of any other inverted unit, and when units are so interconnected during installation, will substantially prevent longitudinal movement of any unit relative to adjacent units.

Claim 4

A method of constructing a decking system to facilitate transportation over poor soil and rough terrain conditions comprising: (a) the steps of assembling a plurality of similar rectangular units wherein each of said units is formed by having a first rectangular and substantially planar surface, a second rectangular surface presenting at least four ridges transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rectangle, wherein the first and second transverse elements are flush with the ends of the units, the remaining transverse elements are spaced equidistant to form at least three transverse channels of substantially equal dimensions on the second surface, and wherein the first and second transverse ridge elements are approximately half the width of the remaining transverse ridge elements and the remaining transverse ridge elements are approximately the same width as the channels so that the transverse elements of any one unit will conform to the channels of any other inverted unit so that when units are interconnected as described below the transverse elements substantially prevent longitudinal movement of any unit relative to adjacent units; (b) laying down a first and third unit with the first planar surfaces adjacent the ground and the second ridged surfaces up, and then placing the second surface of a second unit against the second surfaces of the first and third units so that the first surface of the second unit is up so that the second unit overlaps the first unit substantially, by up to one-half in the longitudinal direction and so that the second unit overlaps the third unit by one-half or more and so that the transverse elements across the second face of the second unit fit into channels within the second face of the first and third units to interlock the second unit with the first and third units to substantially prevent movement in the longitudinal direction; (c) thereafter laying down an interlocking alternate unit from the third, fifth, seventh, et. seq series and the second, fourth, sixth, et. seq series to extend the decking in longitudinal and lateral directions as desired.

Claim 5

A method of constructing a decking system to facilitate transportation over poor soil and rough terrain conditions comprising: (a) the steps of assembling a plurality of similar rectangular units wherein each of said units is formed by having a first rectangular and substantially planar surface, a second rectangular surface presenting at least four ridges transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rectangle, wherein the first and second transverse elements are flush with the ends of the units, the remaining transverse elements are spaced equidistant to form at least three transverse channels of substantially equal dimensions on the second surface, and wherein the first and second transverse ridge elements are approximately half the width of the remaining transverse ridge elements and the remaining transverse ridge elements are approximately the same width as the channels so that the transverse elements of any one unit will conform to the channels of any other inverted unit so that when units are interconnected as described below the transverse elements substantially prevent longitudinal movement of any unit relative to adjacent units; (b) laying down a first and third unit with the first planar surfaces adjacent the ground and the second ridged surfaces up, and then placing the second surface of a second unit against the second surfaces of the first and third units so that the first surface of the second unit is up so that the second unit overlaps the first unit substantially, by up to one-half in the longitudinal direction and so that the second unit overlaps the third unit by one-half or more and so that the transverse elements across the second face of the second unit fit into channels within the second face of the first and third units to interlock the second unit with the first and third units to substantially prevent movement in the longitudinal direction; (c) thereafter laying down an interlocking alternate unit from the third, fifth, seventh, et. seq series and the second, fourth, sixth, et. seq series to extend the decking in longitudinal and lateral directions as desired.