Structural surface enhancing panel

Abstract

Disclosed is a structural surface enhancing panel ( 100 ) comprising: a body ( 110 ) comprising a plurality of interconnected cells ( 120 ); a first plurality of arms ( 1241 ) which extend along a first side ( 161 ) of the body and which are coupled at a proximal end thereof to the first side of the body, and a second plurality of arms ( 124 ) which extend along a second side ( 162 ) of the body and which are coupled at a proximal end thereof to the second side of the body; the arms ( 124 ) of the first plurality of arms ( 1241 ) being separated along the first side ( 161 ) to define a first plurality of receiving portions ( 125 ) therebetween; the arms ( 124 ) of the second plurality of arms ( 1242 ) being separated along the second side ( 162 ) to define a second plurality of receiving portions ( 125 ) therebetween; wherein a distal end ( 126 ) of at least a portion of the first plurality of arms ( 1241 ) of the panel ( 100 a ) is arranged to locate within a respective receiving portion ( 126 ) of a second plurality of receiving portions ( 126 ) of a further panel ( 100 b ).

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A structural surface enhancing panel comprising:
 a body comprising a plurality of interconnected cells;
 a first plurality of arms which extend along a first side of the body and which are coupled at a proximal end thereof to the first side of the body, and a second plurality of arms which extend along a second side of the body and which are coupled at a proximal end thereof to the second side of the body; 
 the arms of the first plurality of arms being separated along the first side (to define a first plurality of receiving portions therebetween; 
 the arms of the second plurality of arms being separated along the second side to define a second plurality of receiving portions therebetween; 
 wherein a distal end of at least a portion of the first plurality of arms of the panel is arranged to locate within a respective second plurality of receiving portions of a further panel; 
 wherein a distal end of the arms of the first and second plurality of arms comprise a bore; 
 wherein the bores formed in the first plurality of arms are collinearly orientated along a first axis to define a first channel for receiving a connecting member; 
 wherein the bores formed in the second plurality of arms are collinearly orientated along a second axis to define a second channel for receiving a connecting member; 
 wherein the panel body further comprises a first and second end, at least one of the ends comprises a pivotable closure means, the pivotable closure means configurable between a position closing the first or second channel and an open position allowing access for the connecting member to pass into the first or second channel. 
   
     
     
         20 . A panel according to  claim 19  wherein the first and second axis are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         21 . A panel according to  claim 19 , wherein the connecting member comprises a substantially rigid elongate body. 
     
     
         22 . A panel according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of interconnected cells are closed cells. 
     
     
         23 . A panel according to  claim 19 , wherein first and second plurality of arms define open side cells, the open side cells become closed when the panel is coupled with a further panel on a side adjacent to the side cells. 
     
     
         24 . A panel according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of interconnected cells are hexagonally shaped cells. 
     
     
         25 . A panel according to  claim 19 , wherein the end cells adjacent to a first and second end of the panel are of substantially semi-circular shape. 
     
     
         26 . A panel according to  claim 25 , wherein the end cells adjacent to the first and second ends of the panel are configured to receive a ground engagement member ( 400 ) to releasably secure the panels to a surface. 
     
     
         27 . A panel according to  claim 19 , wherein the cells extend from a top face of the panel to a ground face of the panel, the cells have a cell body which tapers from a greatest perimeter at the ground face of the panel to a narrowest perimeter at the top face of the panel. 
     
     
         28 . A panel according to  claim 19 , detachably coupled to one or more panels to form a deployable roadway. 
     
     
         29 . A modular platform assembly suitable for use as a portable deployable roadway, the platform assembly comprising:
 at least a first and second structural surface enhancing panel according to  claim 19 ; and   at least one connecting member for detachably coupling one panel with another.   
     
     
         30 . A kit of parts comprising at least a first and second structural surface enhancing panel according to  claim 19  and at least one connecting member for detachably coupling one panel with another, the panels configured to be moveable between a storage configuration, wherein said panels are detached from one another, and a surfacing configuration wherein said panels are coupled together at respective adjacent sides. 
     
     
         31 . A kit of parts according to  claim 30 , further comprising one or more ground engagement members to releasably secure the panels to a ground surface. 
     
     
         32 . A portable deployable roadway comprising a plurality of structural surface enhancing panels according to  claim 19  and a plurality of connecting members for detachably coupling one panel with another, wherein the portable deployable roadway is reconfigurable between rolled configuration comprising a cylindrical bale and an unrolled configuration comprising an elongate roadway.