Playground mats

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for connecting a first mat tile to a second mat tile, including, but not limited to, a first bracket embedded in the first mat tile and a second bracket embedded in the second mat tile. In various embodiments, the first bracket includes a first pin hole while the second bracket comprising a second pin hole. Systems and methods further include a pin coupled to the first bracket through the first pin hole and to the second bracket through the second pin hole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for connecting a first mat tile to a second mat tile, the system comprising:
 a first fastener, the first fastener comprising:
 a first aperture for receiving a first rod, the first rod being embedded in the first mat tile; 
 a first surface having a first pin hole; and 
 a second surface having a second pin hole; 
   a second fastener, the second fastener comprising:
 a second aperture for receiving a second rod, the second rod being embedded in the second mat tile; 
 a third surface having a third pin hole; and 
 a fourth surface having a fourth pin hole; 
   a pin inserted into the first pin hole of the first surface, the second pin hole of the second surface, the third pin hole of the third surface, and the fourth pin hole of the fourth surface when the third surface is between the first surface and the second surface, and when the second surface is between the third surface and the fourth surface, to secure the first rod and the second rod together when embedded in the respective mats in order to secure the mats together.   
     
     
         2 . A system for connecting a first mat tile to a second mat tile, the system comprising:
 a first U-shaped bracket, the first U-shaped bracket comprising:
 at least one first aperture for receiving a first rod embedded in the first mat tile; 
 a first surface having a first pin hole; and 
 a first pin lock; 
   a second U-shaped bracket, the second U-shaped bracket comprising:
 at least one second aperture for receiving a second rod embedded in the second mat tile; 
 a second surface having a second pin hole; and 
 a second pin lock; 
   a pin inserted into the first pin hole and the second pin hole to secure the first rod and the second rod together when embedded in the respective mats in order to secure the mats together, the pin being inserted into the first pin hole in a first direction and into the second pin hole in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the first pin lock being secured to a first distal end of the pin protruding beyond the first pin hole, and the second pin lock being secured to a second distal end of the pin protruding beyond the second pin hole, whereby:   the first pin lock prevents the pin from moving in the second direction once inserted; and   the second pin lock prevents the pin from moving in the first direction once inserted.   
     
     
         3 . A system for connecting a first mat tile to a second mat tile, the system comprising:
 a first strip bracket embedded into the first mat tile, the first strip bracket comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a first pin hole; and 
 a first pin lock provided at the first pin hole opposite to the first surface; 
   a second strip bracket embedded into the second mat tile, the second strip bracket comprising:
 a second surface; 
 a second pin hole; and 
 a second pin lock provided at the second pin hole opposite to the second surface; 
   a pin inserted into the first pin hole and the second pin hole to secure the first strip bracket and the second strip bracket together when embedded in the respective mats to secure the mats together, the pin being inserted into the first pin hole in a first direction and into the second pin hole in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the first pin lock being secured to a first distal end of the pin protruding beyond the first pin hole, and the second pin lock being secured to a second distal end of the pin protruding beyond the second pin hole, the first and second surfaces facing each other, whereby the first pin lock prevents the pin from moving in the second direction once inserted, and the second pin lock prevents the pin from moving in the first direction once inserted.