U.S. patent application number 09/754705 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for truck/trailer box constructions.
Invention is credited to Kloepfer, Michael.
Application Number | 20020084676 09/754705 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25035954 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020084676 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kloepfer, Michael |
July 4, 2002 |
Truck/trailer box constructions
Abstract
The sidewalls of a truck/trailer box are constructed from a
plurality of panels (10, 12, 14) which are welded together where
their vertical edges meet (82, 88, 90). The panels (10, 12, 14) are
each extrusions and each includes thin side skins (24, 26 and 48,
50 and 56, 58) and thin webs (28, 52, 60). The top panel (10) may
be formed to include an integral top rail (34). The bottom panel
(14) may be formed to include one or two side rails (18, 18'and
120). The regions that need to be welded are made thick enough to
be welded. Other regions are too thin to be welded. The overall
construction is lightweight and quite strong and facilitates
construction of the truck/trailer box.
Inventors: |
Kloepfer, Michael; (Delhi,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Delbert J. Barnard
Barnard & Pauly, P.S.
P.O. Box 58888
Seattle
WA
98138-1888
US
|
Family ID: |
25035954 |
Appl. No.: |
09/754705 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/186.1 ;
296/191 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 33/046
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/181 ;
296/183; 296/191 |
International
Class: |
B62D 025/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A truck/trailer box sidewall, comprising: a horizontally
elongated bottom sidewall panel having a top edge, a bottom edge,
inside and outside, vertical side skins, and a plurality of
vertically spaced apart, horizontal webs interconnecting the side
skins vertically between the top and bottom edges; said side skins
and said webs together defining a plurality of horizontally
elongated inner spaces in said bottom sidewall panel, each said
inner space being defined horizontally between the two side skins
and vertically between two webs; a horizontally elongated side rail
extending laterally inwardly from the inside side skin of the
sidewall panel at a location spaced above the bottom edge, said
side rail having a bottom surface that forms a nook with a lower
side surface of the inside side skin that extends downwardly from
the bottom surface of side rail; and wherein the top and bottom
edges, the inside and outside vertical side skins, the horizontal
webs and the side rail are all portions of a common extrusion.
2. The truck/trailer sidewall of claim 1, further comprising a
horizontally elongated top sidewall panel and a plurality of
horizontally elongated intermediate sidewall panels that are
positioned vertically between the top sidewall panel and the bottom
sidewall panel, wherein the top sidewall panel has a top portion, a
bottom edge, inside and outside vertical side skins, and a
plurality of vertically spaced apart horizontal webs
interconnecting the vertical side skins, and wherein the
intermediate sidewall panels have top and bottom edges, inside and
outside vertical side skins, and a plurality of vertically spaced
apart horizontal webs interconnecting the vertical side skins; and
wherein the bottom edge of the top sidewall panel is connected to
the top edge of an adjacent intermediate wall panel that is below
it, and the top edge of the bottom wall panel is connected to the
bottom edge of an adjacent intermediate sidewall panel that is
above it; and wherein when the top sidewall panel, the bottom
sidewall panel and the intermediate sidewall panels are all
connected together, the outside vertical side skins of all of said
panels are substantially coplanar and the inside vertical side
skins of all of said wall panels are substantially coplanar.
3. The truck/trailer box sidewall of claim 1, further comprising a
horizontally elongated bottom side rail extending laterally
outwardly from the inside side skin of the sidewall at a location
adjacent the bottom edge, wherein the two side rails and the lower
side surface of the inside side skin that extends downwardly from
the first side rail to the second side rail form a channel shaped
nook adapted to receive an end portion of transverse beams that are
a part of a bottom for the truck/trailer box.
4. The truck/trailer box sidewall of claim 4, wherein the first
mentioned side rail has a concave upper surface.
5. The truck/trailer box sidewall of claim 2, wherein the side rail
is integral with the inside side skin of the bottom sidewall panel
and projects laterally from the inside, vertical side skin.
6. A truck/trailer box sidewall, comprising: a horizontally
elongated top sidewall panel having a top portion, a bottom edge,
inside and outside, vertical side skins, a plurality of vertically
spaced apart, horizontal webs interconnecting the side skins
vertically between the top portion and bottom edge; said side skins
and said webs together defining a plurality of horizontally
elongated inner spaces in said top sidewall panel, each said inner
space being defined horizontally between the two side skins and
vertically between two webs; the top portion includes a top rail
extending longitudinally of the top sidewall panel, said top edge
rail being wider than the top sidewall panel and including a
vertical outside skin, a vertical inside skin, a top skin and a
bottom skin, and at least one web extending between the side skins
and dividing the top rail into inner spaces; and wherein the top
rail and bottom edges, the inside vertical side skins of the top
sidewall panel, the outside vertical side skins, the top skins and
the bottom skins of the top rail, the horizontal webs in the top
sidewall panel, and the horizontal webs in the top rail are all
portions of a common extrusion.
7. A truck/trailer box sidewall, comprising: a lower, horizontally
elongated, first sidewall panel having a top edge, vertical inside
and outside side skins, and vertically spaced apart horizontal webs
interconnecting the side skins vertically below the top edge and
horizontally between the two side skins; an upper, horizontally
elongated, second sidewall panel having a lower edge, vertical
inside and outside side skins, and horizontal webs interconnecting
the side skins together vertically above the bottom edge and
horizontally between the two side skins; said inside and outside
skins of the first and second sidewall panels being too thin to be
welded; one of said top edge and said bottom edge including a
longitudinal groove and the other including a longitudinal tongue
that extends into the groove when the top and bottom edges are in
contact; said first sidewall panel having corner regions that
extend diagonally between the side skins and the top edge of the
first wall section; said second sidewall panel having corner
portions that extend diagonally between the side skins of the
second sidewall section and the bottom edge of the second sidewall
section; said corner regions together forming horizontally
extending weld recesses where the corner regions of the first
sidewall panel adjoin the corner regions of the second sidewall
panel when the top and bottom edges are in contact; said corner
regions of the first and second sidewall panels, being thick enough
at the weld recesses to permit the placement of weld beads in the
weld recesses; and weld beads in the weld recesses welding the
upper edge of the first sidewall panel to the lower edge of the
second sidewall panel.
8. The truck/trailer box sidewall of claim 7, wherein the first
sidewall panel is an intermediate sidewall panel and the second
sidewall panel is a top sidewall panel, said top side panel
including a top rail having an inside skin, an outside skin, a top
skin, a. bottom skin and at least one web extending between the
inside and outside skins and dividing the top rail into inner
spaces.
9. The truck/trailer box sidewall of claim 7, wherein the first
sidewall panel is a bottom sidewall panel and the second sidewall
panel is an intermediate sidewall panel, and wherein the first
sidewall panel has a horizontally elongated side rail extending
laterally outwardly from the inside side skin, and said side rail
has a bottom surface that forms a nook with a lower side surface of
the inside side skin that extends downwardly from the bottom
surface of the side rail.
10. A trailer box sidewall, comprising: a horizontally elongated
top sidewall panel having a top portion, a bottom edge, inside and
outside vertical side skins, and a plurality of vertically spaced
apart, horizontal webs interconnecting a side skin vertically
between the top portion and the bottom edge; a horizontally
elongated bottom sidewall panel having a top edge, a bottom
portion, inside and outside, vertical side skins, and a plurality
of vertically spaced apart, horizontal webs interconnecting the
side skins vertically between the top edge and the bottom portion;
and a plurality of horizontally elongated intermediate sidewall
panels that are positioned vertically between the top sidewall
panel and the bottom sidewall panel, said intermediate sidewall
panels each having top and bottom edges, inside and outside
vertical side skins, and a plurality of vertically spaced apart
horizontal webs interconnecting the vertical side skins; wherein
the top sidewall panel has corner regions adjacent its lower edge,
the intermediate sidewall panels have corner regions adjacent their
upper and lower edges, and the bottom sidewall panel has corner
regions adjacent its upper edge; wherein said corner regions form
horizontally extending weld bead receiving recesses where the lower
edge of the top sidewall panel meets the upper edge of the
intermediate panel below it, where top and bottom edges of
intermediate panels join, and where the lower edge of the lowermost
intermediate panel and the top edge of the bottom sidewall panel
meet; wherein said corner regions of the sidewall panels are thick
enough at the weld recesses to permit the placement of weld beads
in the weld recesses; and weld beads in the weld recesses welding
the adjacent sidewall panels together to form a trailer box
sidewall.
11. The trailer box sidewall of claim 10, wherein the top portion
of the top sidewall panel is a sidewall rail that extends the
length of the top sidewall panel.
12. The trailer box sidewall of claim 11, wherein the top rail, the
bottom edge, the inside and outside vertical side skins and the
horizontal webs of the top sidewall panel are all portions of a
common extrusion.
13. A truck/trailer box, comprising: a pair of horizontally
elongated bottom sidewall panels, each having a top edge, a bottom
edge, inside and outside, vertical side skins, and a plurality of
vertically spaced apart, horizontal webs interconnecting the side
skins vertically between the top and bottom edges; said side skins
and said webs tog ether defining a plurality of horizontally
elongated inner spaces and each said bottom sidewall panel, each
said inner space being defined horizontally between the two side
skins and vertically between two webs; each bottom sidewall panel
including a horizontally elongated side rail extending laterally
inwardly from the inside side skin of the sidewall at a location
spaced above the bottom edge, each said side rail having a bottom
surface that forms a nook with a lower side surface of the inside
side skin that extends downwardly from the bottom surface of the
side rail; and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart,
transverse floor beams having opposite end portions that are
situated in said nooks.
14. The truck/trailer box of claim 13, wherein each bottom sidewall
panel includes a second horizontally elongated side rail extending
laterally inwardly from the inside side skin of the sidewall panel
at a location spaced below the first mentioned side rail, wherein
the two side rails and the side portions of the sidewall panel
extending between the side rails form inwardly opening longitudinal
channels, and end portions of the transverse bottom beams are
received within said channels.
15. The truck/trailer box of claim 13, further comprising
longitudinal support and guide beams on top of the transverse floor
frame beams, bearings on the longitudinal support and guide beams,
and conveyor slats on said bearings.
16. The truck/trailer box of claim 15, wherein the outside conveyor
slat on at least one side of the truck/trailer box carries a seal
strip that makes sealing contact with an inside surface portion of
the side rail.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to truck/trailer box constructions.
More particularly, it relates to a sidewall construction for a
truck/trailer box that is basically characterized by a plurality of
horizontally elongated sidewall panels each composed of skins and
webs that are too thin to be welded, and to a joint construction
that permits the sidewall panels to be welded together where they
join.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There is a need for a way of constructing the sidewalls of
truck/trailer boxes from materials that are very light weight but
strong and rigid. There is also a need for such a truck/trailer box
construction that permits sections of a sidewall to be welded
together while still allowing for the use of very thin skins and
webs that are themselves too thin to be welded.
[0003] There is also a need for a truck/trailer box sidewall
construction that provides for the easy manufacture of both a top
rail and a bottom rail for adding strength and rigidity to the tops
and bottoms of the sidewalls.
[0004] The principal object of the present invention is to provide
a truck/trailer sidewall construction that meets the above needs.
Regarding the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,741, granted Oct. 1,
1991, to Raynard Brown and Norval I. Lopshire discloses a truck box
that is composed of a plurality of sidewall panels and an
interlocking joint structure where edges of the panels meet. In the
Background of the Invention portion of this patent, there is
reference to the more common truck body sidewalls that are formed
from plywood covered with an aluminum or plastic exterior surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,726, granted Aug. 11, 1998, to Thomas N.
Kaufman discloses a livestock trailer having sidewalls that are
constructed from aluminum tubular members. The Background of the
Invention section of this patent discloses and discusses several
prior art trailers.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,929, granted Nov. 22, 1988, to Raymond
K. Foster, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,356, granted Mar. 17, 1992, also
to Raymond K. Foster disclose bottom constructions for
truck/trailer boxes. The truck/trailer box sidewalls of the present
invention are particularly adapted for use with the bottom
constructions disclosed by these patents.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention includes providing a truck/trailer box
sidewall construction that is characterized by a horizontally
elongated bottom sidewall panel having a top edge, a bottom edge,
inside and outside, vertical side skins, and a plurality of
vertically spaced apart, horizontal webs interconnecting the side
skins vertically between the top and bottom edges. The side skins
and the webs together define a plurality of horizontally elongated
inner spaces in said bottom sidewall panel. Each inner space is
defined horizontally between the two side skins and vertically
between the two webs. A horizontally elongated side rail may extend
laterally outwardly from the inside skin of the sidewall at a
location spaced above the bottom edge. The side rail has a bottom
surface that forms a nook with a lower side surface of the inside
side skin that extends downwardly from the bottom surface of the
side rail. The top and bottom edges, the inside and outside
vertical side skins, the horizontal webs and the side rail are all
portions of a common extrusion.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, the
truck/trailer sidewall further comprises a horizontally elongated
top sidewall panel and a plurality of horizontally elongated
intermediate sidewall panels. The intermediate sidewall panels are
positioned vertically between the top sidewall panel and the bottom
sidewall panel. The top sidewall panel has a top portion, a bottom
edge, inside and outside vertical side skins, and a plurality of
vertically spaced apart horizontal webs interconnecting the
vertical side skins. The intermediate sidewall panels have top and
bottom edges, inside and outside vertical side skins, and a
plurality of vertically spaced apart horizontal webs
interconnecting the vertical side skins. The bottom edge of the top
sidewall panel is connected to the top edge of an adjacent
intermediate wall panel that is below it. The top edge of the
bottom wall panel is connected to the bottom edge of an adjacent
intermediate sidewall panel that is above it. All other
intermediate wall panels are connected to edges of the wall panel
that is above it and the wall panel that is below it. When the top
sidewall panel, the bottom sidewall panel and the intermediate
sidewall panels are all connected together, the outside vertical
side skins of all of said panels are substantially coplanar and the
inside vertical side skins of all of said wall panels are
substantially coplanar.
[0008] A further aspect of the invention is to provide a side rail
that is integral with the inside side skin of the bottom sidewall
panel. This sidewall projects laterally from the inside, vertical
side skin.
[0009] The present invention also includes providing a
truck/trailer box sidewall construction that comprises a
horizontally elongated top sidewall panel having a top portion, a
bottom edge, inside and outside, vertical side skins, and a
plurality of vertically spaced apart, horizontal webs
interconnecting the side skins vertically between the top portion
and the bottom edge. The side skins and webs together define a
plurality of horizontally elongated inner spaces in said top
sidewall panel. Each said inner space is defined horizontally
between the two side skins and vertically between two webs. The top
portion of the top sidewall panel includes a top rail extending
longitudinally of the top sidewall panel. The top edge rail is
wider than the top sidewall panel and includes a vertical outside
skin, a vertical inside skin, a top skin and a bottom skin, and at
least one web extending between the side skins and dividing the top
rail into inner spaces. The top rail and the bottom edge of the top
sidewall panel, and the inside and outside vertical side skins, and
the top and bottom skins of the top rail, and the horizontal webs
in the top sidewall panel, and in the top rail, are all portions of
a common extrusion.
[0010] The present invention further includes providing a
truck/trailer box sidewall construction that is characterized by a
lower, horizontally elongated, first sidewall panel and an upper,
horizontally elongated second sidewall panel. The first sidewall
panel has a top edge, vertical inside and outside side skins, and
vertically spaced apart horizontal webs interconnecting the side
skins vertically below the top edge and horizontally between the
two side skins. The second sidewall panel has a lower edge,
vertical inside and outside side skins, and horizontal webs
interconnecting the side skins together vertically above the bottom
edge and horizontally between the two side skins. The inside and
outside skins of the first and second sidewall panels are too thin
to be welded. One of the top and bottom edges includes a
longitudinal groove and the other includes a longitudinal tongue
that extends into the groove when the top and bottom edges are in
contact. The first sidewall panel has corner regions that extend
diagonally between the side skins and the top edge of the first
wall section. The second sidewall panel has corner regions that
extend diagonally between the side skins of the second sidewall
section and the bottom edge of the second sidewall section. The
corner regions together form horizontally extending weld recesses
where the corner regions of the first sidewall panel adjoin the
corner regions of the second sidewall panel when the top and bottom
edges are in contact. The corner regions of the first and second
sidewall panels are thick enough at the weld recesses to permit the
placement of weld beads in the weld recesses. Weld beads are placed
in the weld recesses and serve to weld the upper edge of the first
sidewall panel to the lower edge of the second sidewall panel.
[0011] Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will
become apparent from the description of the best mode set forth
below, from the drawings, from the claims and from the principles
that are embodied in the specific structures that are illustrated
and described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0012] Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts
throughout the several views of the drawing, and:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a first extrusion that
forms a top wall panel section of a trailer sidewall;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of a second extrusion that
forms an intermediate wall panel section of the trailer
sidewall;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of a third extrusion that
forms a bottom wall panel section of a trailer sidewall;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an enlarged scale end elevational view showing the
top edge portion of a lower wall panel spaced form a bottom edge
portion of an adjacent upper wall panel;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4, but showing the two edge
portions of the wall panels together and further showing welds
connecting the wall panel sections together where they meet;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an enlarged scale fragmentary view of the lower
portion of FIG. 3, showing an end portion of a transverse beam that
extends cross the full width of the trailer and connects to the
lower regions of the bottom sidewall panel sections of the
trailer;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 6, showing a reciprocating slat
conveyor installed on the transverse beams, and further showing a
relationship between an outside conveyor slat and the side rail
that is a part of the extrusion that forms the bottom sidewall
panel sections of the trailer sidewall;
[0020] FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of a modified top sidewall
panel showing a top rail extrusion that is separate from the
extrusion that forms the top sidewall panel; and
[0021] FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 6, but showing a modified
construction of the side rail, and showing the bottom sidewall
panel section further including a bottom flange that is vertically
spaced from the side rail, so as to define an elongated channel in
which an end portion of a cross frame member, or a trailer floor
section is received.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] FIG. 2 of the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,354 shows a
reciprocating slat conveyor forming a floor in a material receiving
compartment of a trailer box (TB) . The trailer box (TB)is shown to
have a pair of sidewalls (14, 16), a forward wall (18), a rear wall
(20) and a floor or bottom (10). The rear wall (20)is formed of a
door or a pair of doors. The floor (10)is shown to include
transverse beams (36) on which the conveyor components rest. In
FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the illustrated transverse beams are I-beams
(36). The construction of the sidewalls is not disclosed and does
not matter in that patent.
[0023] FIGS. 1-3 show components for making the sidewalls of a
trailer box or similar container or compartment. Element 10 shown
in FIG. 1 is a top panel section for a sidewall. Element 12 shown
in FIG. 2 is an intermediate panel section. Element 14 shown in
FIG. 3 is a bottom panel section. A typical sidewall is formed by
one top panel section 10, three intermediate panel sections 12 and
one-bottom panel section 14. The second sidewall can be formed by
the same panel sections 10, 12, 14. However, the top panel section
10 and the bottom panel section 14 would have to be turned end to
end so that the top rail on top panel section 10 is projecting
inwardly and the side rail 18 on bottom panel section 14 is
directed inwardly. Because of the sidewall construction, it is only
necessary to show one top panel section 10, one intermediate panel
section 12 and one bottom panel section 14. When the two sidewalls
are assembled, each is a mirror image of the other.
[0024] Top panel section 10 includes a top edge 20 that forms a
part of the bottom or base of the top rail 16. It further includes
a bottom edge 22, a pair of laterally spaced apart side skins 24,
26 and a plurality of horizontal webs 28. The top rail 16 includes
an outside skin 30, a top skin 32, an inside skin 34, and a bottom
skin 36 and one or two webs 38. All portions of the top panel
section 10 are horizontally elongated, preferably for the full
length of the trailer. The top edge 20, a substantial portion of
the bottom edge 22, skins 32, 36 and the webs 28, 38 all extend
horizontally. The side skins 24, 26, 30, 34 extend vertically. As
clearly shown by FIG. 1, outside skins 24, 20 are different
sections of a continuous single skin that extends from the bottom
edge 22 up to the top skin 32. Inside skin 34 is offset outwardly
from inside skin 36. Webs 28 and edge walls 20, 22 divide the space
that is laterally between the side skins 24, 26 into horizontally
elongated spaces 40. Webs 38 define the space that is laterally
between skins 30, 32 into three spaces 42. Spaces 40, 42 are
horizontally elongated spaces. As previously described, the top
panel section 10 is a one-piece extrusion. It is preferably formed
from a metal that is predominately aluminum.
[0025] The intermediate panel section 12 is also a one-piece
extrusion. It has an upper edge wall 44, a lower edge wall 46, an
outside skin 48, an inside skin 50 and a plurality of webs 52. Webs
52 divide the space that is laterally between skins 48, 50 into
smaller spaces 54. Side skins 48, 50 are parallel to each other in
separate vertical planes. The webs 52 are parallel to each other in
separate horizontal planes.
[0026] Bottom panel section 14 is also a continuous single piece
extrusion. It is formed of outside and inside skins 56, 58 that are
in separate, parallel vertical planes. The space between the skins
56, 58 is divided into smaller spaces by horizontal webs 60. Webs
60 divide the larger space into smaller spaces or cells 62. Bottom
panel section 14 includes a top edge wall 66 and a bottom edge wall
70. It also includes the aforementioned side rail 18. In this
embodiment, the side rail 18 has an inner wall 72 that includes the
inside skin 58 plus some additional thickness. It also includes a
top wall 74, an inside wall 76, and a bottom wall 78. Walls 74, 76,
78 are substantially equal in thickness. Wall 72 has a thickness
that is substantially the sum of the thickness of walls 76 and the
skin 58.
[0027] Near the bottom of the bottom panel section 14, the outside
skin 56 includes a recess 80. Because the bottom panel section 14
is formed by extrusion, it is easy to provide the recess 80 and the
side rail 18 to the rest of the extrusion. The recess 80 extends
the full length of the bottom panel section 14. A conspicuity tape
is received within the recess 80.
[0028] The sidewall panel sections 10, 12, 14 are connected
together by weld beads 82, one on each side of the sidewall. By way
of example, the thickness dimension T for the top panel section 10,
below the top rail 16, the entire intermediate panel section 12,
and the bottom panel section 14, except at the side rail 18 and at
the recess 80 may be substantially about 1 1/2inches. The skins 24,
26, 30, 48, 50, 56, 58 and webs 28, 52, 60 may be substantially
about 0.09 inches thick. The center-to-center dimension between
adjacent webs 28, 52, 60 may be substantially about 1.763 inches.
An important dimension is the thickness Z in the region of the
welds 82. In the example, this thickness is substantially about
0.188 inches. The weld recess width W is substantially about 0.250
inches. The weld recess depth D is substantially about 0.125
inches.
[0029] In preferred construction, the lower edge walls 22, 46 are
formed to include a longitudinally extending groove 84. The top
edges 44, 68 are provided with a complementary longitudinally
extending tongue 86. As shown by FIG. 5, the tongue 86 makes a
loose fit with the groove 84. In the given example, the tongue
width may be substantially about 0.1875 inches. The groove width
may be substantially about 0.25 inches. The tongue length may be
about 0.1825 inches. The groove depth may be substantially about
0.2475 inches. During assembly, two panel sections to be joined are
brought together. The tongue 86 on one is inserted into the groove
84 in the other. Then, the side planes of the two panel sections
are put into substantial coplanar alignment and the weld beads 82
are placed within the weld recess W, D. The tongue and groove
components facilitate the welding process. If they were not present
when the panels were welded together, the panels would expand and
contract and become "wavy" down the length of the side. This would
make it impossible to weld properly. It would be possible to "tack"
weld every twelve inches on one side, but this would be
impractical. The invention includes any type of tongue and groove
system that holds the panels parallel to each other for welding
purposes. For example, a two tongue and two groove system could be
used.
[0030] At each joint, the diagonal corner regions 88, 90 provide
both structural reinforcement and width and depth for the weld
beads W. A weld bead 82 that is substantially triangular in cross
section, substantially about 0.250 inches wide, and substantially
about 0.125 inches deep is made possible because of the thickness
of the material in regions 88, 90. The corner regions 88, 90 and
the weld beads 82 together form outwardly widening flanges that,
together with the wall sections 22, 44 provide a reinforcing beam
section at the location of each joint. This beam section extends
the full length of the joint and its parts 22, 44, 82, 88, 90 in
effect form I-beam like longitudinal stiffening and strengthening
ribs at each joint location.
[0031] The panels 10, 12, 14 that make up a sidewall are laid flat
on a jig. They are clamped and then tack welded about every four
feet on the underneath side. They are no tack welds on the top.
Then, all panels are welded the full length of the wall,
simultaneously. The wall forming panel assembly is then flipped
over to position its welded side facing downwardly. The wall
structure is then clamped down and the new "up" side is welded the
full length, simultaneously.
[0032] In the stated example, the width of top rail 16 may be
substantially about 3.5 inches. The depth dimension, from the top
of skin 32 to the bottom of skin 36 may measure substantially about
9.149 inches. The width dimension of skins 32, 34, 36 may be
substantially about 0.1495 inches.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in the given example, the width
and height outside dimensions of the side rail 18 may be
substantially about 1.75 inches. Side rail 18 includes a bottom
surface 92 that is substantially perpendicular to the side surface
94 of the bottom panel section 14. The bottom surface 92 and the
side surface 94 together form a substantially right angle "nook" in
which end portions 96 of transverse frame beams 98 are received. In
a manner known per se, the transverse beams 98 are parallel to each
other and are spaced apart longitudinally of the trailer. In
accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the end
portions 96 of the beams 98 are welded to the side rail 18 and the
lower portion of the bottom panel section 14 that depends
downwardly from the side rail 18. In the given example, the height
dimensions H of the beams 98 is substantially about 5.25 inches.
The flanged width a is substantially about 2 inches. The flange and
web thicknesses b, c, is substantially about 0.25 inches. In the
given example, the dimension d between the lower surface of the
lower flange of beam 98 and the lower surface 70 of bottom panel
section 14 is substantially about 0.25 inches. To a certain extent,
the inside and outside skins of the first and second sidewall
panels are too thin to be welded. They can be welded across the
ribs but suffer stress cracking when welded along the ribs.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows a reciprocating slat conveyor mounted on the
floor beams 98. Longitudinal guide a support beams 100 are welded
to the top flanges of the beams 98. See also, for example, FIG. 11
of U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,929. Self-lubricated plastic bearings 102
are positioned on the beams 100. Elongated conveyor slats 104 are
positioned on the bearings 102. The floor slats 104 are
reciprocated lengthwise of the beams 100. For example, they are all
moved in unison from the front to the rear of the truck/trailer
box. They are then stopped and are retracted, one third at a time.
That is, slats 1, 4, 7, etc. are retracted while the remaining
slats remain stationary. Then, slats 2, 5, 8, etc. are retracted
while the others slats are stationary. Then, slats 3, 6, 9, etc.
are retracted while the other slats are stationary. Then, the cycle
is repeated.
[0035] The conveyor slats 104 carry seal members 106. The inside
seal members 106 make a sliding sealing contact with an opposing
side portion of an adjacent conveyor slat 104. On the two sides of
the conveyor, the seal strips 106 make sliding sealing contact with
a surface 108 that is the inside vertical face of the side rail 18.
In the system shown by FIG. 7, the floor slat 104 that is adjacent
the side rail 18 at the opposite side of the truck/trailer box
includes two seal strips 106. The inside seal strip 106 contacts a
confronting surface of the next conveyor slat 104 that is to its
inside. The outside seal strip 106 makes sealing contact with a
side rail 18 that is like side rail 18 shown in FIG. 7, but
projecting inwardly from the bottom sidewall panel 14 that is on
the opposite side of the truck/trailer box.
[0036] As shown by FIG. 7, the skin portion 94 is thicker than the
skin portions 56, 58. It is thick enough to allow the end portion
of beams 98 to be welded to the skin portions 94. The side rail 104
is also made thick enough so that it can welded to the top flanges
of the transverse beams 98.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows an alternate construction of the top panel 10'.
Panel 10' includes outer and inner skins 24', 26' and webs 28'. In
this embodiment, the top rail 16' is a separate extrusion from the
remainder of the top panel 10'. It is formed to include a
downwardly opening longitudinal channel 110 formed by and between
side members 112, 114. The upper edge portion of the top panel 10'
fits in the channel 110 and is welded to the flanges 112, 114 at
116, 118.
[0038] FIG. 9 shows a modified construction of the bottom panel
14'. It has vertically spaced apart upper and lower side rails 18',
120. The side rails 18', 120 and wall portion 122 together form
inwardly opening longitudinal channels 12 in which end portions of
the floor beams 98 are received. The floor beams 98 may be welded
to the side rails 18', 120 at 126, 128.
[0039] Other floor constructions are within the scope of the
present invention. For example, the floor structure may itself be
formed by a plurality of joined together panels or extrusions, for
example. Other floor constructions could be used as well.
[0040] The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present
invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood
that many changes in the particular structure, materials and
features of the invention may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is my intention
that my patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments
illustrated and described herein, but rather determined by the
following claims, interpreted according to accepted doctrines of
claim interpretation, including use of the doctrine of equivalents
and reversal of parts.
* * * * *