Plate-Type Trailer Construction

The present invention relates generally to a plate-type trailer body, and more particularly, the invention relates to a trailer body having a plurality of aluminum box-type post assemblies for securing side plates in side-by-side relation and increasing the rigidity and strength of the panel of the trailer body.

Trailers and the like, of the general type disclosed herein, are well known and include a variety of types of side posts. A typical well known construction of a side post is known in the industry as a box-type side post. This box-type construction is desirable because it increases the strength and rigidity of the panels. However, these prior art side posts also have many disadvantages. For example, box-type side posts are complicated and expensive to manufacture. Further, they do not seal the cracks between the edges of adjacent pairs of side plates of the side panels thereby allowing water leakage.

Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved side post assembly, for use in a trailer body, which side post assembly is simple in design and economical to manufacture.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide a novel extruded aluminum side post assembly having flanges and hollow recesses for reducing material and increasing the rigidity of the side panels.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel side post assembly having a side lap for sealing the side-plates which are held in side-by-side relation by the side post.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the reading of the following descriptions.

The present invention is for use in connection with a trailer or the like having a body including side panels, a roof and a floor. The upper ends of the side panels and roof are supported by a top rail and the lower ends of the side panels and floor are supported by a frame assembly. The top rail includes a horizontal leg having a wing member extending from the horizontal leg end and a substantially vertical leg having a ledge extending therefrom. The side panels comprise a plurality of vertical side plates having substantially abutting edges, a plurality of side laps respectively covering each pair of side plates, and a plurality of side posts overlying said side laps and said plates.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The organization and manner of operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a trailer body structure incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the trailer body within circle 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the trailer body portion shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a trailer body taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the trailer body within circle 5 in FIG. 1.;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective side sectional view as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Turning to the drawings, wherein like components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures, a trailer body, constructed in accordance with the present invention, is illustrated in FIG. 1 and generally designated by reference number 10.

The trailer body 10, includes rectangular side panels 12, a top panel or roof 14 and a floor assembly (not shown). The floor assembly and the lower portion of the side panels 12 are suitably secured to a lower frame assembly 16 and are supported by rear wheel assembly 17.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side panels 12, include a plurality of pairs of vertical aluminum side plates 18 which are positioned in side-by-side relation. The adjacent pairs of aluminum side plates have substantially abutting side edges 19. The aluminum plates 18 also include a plurality of first preformed apertures 20. The apertures 20 are appropriately spaced between the upper and lower ends or margins of the side plates 18. These apertures 20 will be discussed in detail below. The members 18 are designated plates since they are preferably formed from heavy gauge aluminum which for example may be on the order of 0.190 inch.

The adjacent plates 18 of each pair are held in side-by-side relation so that the edges 19 substantially abut each other by a plurality of hollow, box-like post structures 22. As shown best in FIGS. 2-7, the box-like structures 22 include an elongated side post 23 and an inner sheet member or side lap 34. The side lap 34 is preferably made of a relatively thin sheet of metal such as aluminum which, for example, may be about 0.050 inch. The side lap 34 has a plurality of second apertures 36 suitably spaced from the upper ends and lower ends of the side lap 34.

The side post 23 is preferably made of extruded metal such as aluminum. The side post 23 includes curved marginal portions 24, outer side flange portions 26, a central section 25, and spaced apart middle flange portions 28, projecting perpendicularly inwardly from the central section 25. The marginal portion 24, flanges 26 and flanges 28 have inwardly facing edges disposed in a common plane so that they are all adapted simultaneously to bear against the side lap 34. In addition, side post 23 includes U-shaped channels 27 between the outer portions 26 and marginal portions 24. The U-shaped channels 27 are adapted to receive cables, wires and the like (not shown). The side post also includes a plurality of third apertures 32 suitably spaced from the upper and lower ends of the side posts 23.

The outer curved margins 24, the outer flanges 26, and middle flanges 28, abut side lap 34 when the parts are riveted or bolted together. Thus constructed the box-like structure or assembly 22 increases the strength and rigidity of the side panels 12. In addition, the box-type structure 22 is relatively economical and simple to manufacture.

As shown best in FIGS. 2-5, the box-like structure 22 overlays the outer side wall of adjacent vertical side plates 18. The apertures 20, 36 and 32 of the side plates 18, side lap 34 and side post 23 respectively are aligned and side plate fasteners 40 extend through the apertures for securing the box-type structure 22 to the adjacent side plates 18. It is to be noted that the overall thickness of the composite side post 22 is preferably only about 0.375 inch. Thus, the relatively stiff yet thin side posts in combination with the plates 18 enable the trailer body to be built with a maximum interior width without exceeding the legally permissable exterior width for permissable highway travel. This enables the trailer to have significantly increased capacity as compared with conventional trailers for receiving certain types of loads such as pallitized containers. This particular post structure also provides significantly improved strength and rigidity in combination with economy as compared with heretofor suggested plate-type trailers.

As shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7, a top rail 42 preferably formed of extruded aluminum extend the entire length of the upper-ends of the vertical side panels 12 for supporting the side panels 12 and securing the top panel 14.

The top rail 42 is provided with a substantially vertical leg 44 having an outwardly extending ledge 46 and a substantially horizontal leg 48 having a wing member 50 extending from a predetermined point on said horizontal leg 48 Leg 44 has a plurality of apertures 49 for receiving a fastener 52. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, side lap 34 extends vertically from the upper and lower ends or margins of the vertical side plates 18 covering the abutting edges 19 of the side plates 18. Further, the side lap 34 and side plates 18 overlap a substantial portion of the inside of the vertical leg 44 of top rail 42. Apertures 20 and 36 of the side plates and side lap 34 respectively are aligned with aperture 49 of leg 44, and fasteners 52 are extended through said appertures for securing the upper margins of the side plates 18 and side lap 34 with the top rail 42. The wing member 50 is provided with aperture 54 for receiving fastener means 56. The top panel 14 has apertures 58 which are aligned with apertures 54 of wing member 50. Fastener 56 extends through these apertures for securing the top panel 14 with the top rail 42.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the side post 23 is dimensioned so that it terminates at a predetermined point below the ledge 46 of the top rail 42, thereby creating a gap 60 between the top rail 42 and the side post 23. As previously indicated, the side lap 34 extends vertically from or beyond the top end or margin and bottom end or margin of the vertical side plate 18. Thus constructed, the side lap overlaps the space 60 between the ledge 46 of the top rail 42 and the side post 23. Accordingly, side lap 34 effectively seals any space between the abutting edges 19 of the adjacent side plates 18 thereby preventing water leakage.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made. It is, therefore, contemplated to cover the present invention and any such modifications as follows in the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.