CA2112921C - Frameless container for carrying cargo having overlapped sidewalls and a unitary bottom scuff panel - Google Patents
Frameless container for carrying cargo having overlapped sidewalls and a unitary bottom scuff panel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2112921C CA2112921C CA002112921A CA2112921A CA2112921C CA 2112921 C CA2112921 C CA 2112921C CA 002112921 A CA002112921 A CA 002112921A CA 2112921 A CA2112921 A CA 2112921A CA 2112921 C CA2112921 C CA 2112921C
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- Prior art keywords
- panels
- container
- scuff
- frameless
- sidewalls
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- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
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- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
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- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011120 plywood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005728 strengthening Methods 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
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- 239000011121 hardwood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002650 laminated plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006262 metallic foam Substances 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D33/00—Superstructures for load-carrying vehicles
- B62D33/04—Enclosed load compartments ; Frameworks for movable panels, tarpaulins or side curtains
- B62D33/046—Enclosed load compartments ; Frameworks for movable panels, tarpaulins or side curtains built up with flat self-supporting panels; Fixed connections between panels
Abstract
A frameless container is disclosed having a predetermined length and comprising a floor having floor supports, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalls and end walls; at least one end wall including an access door. The sidewalls are respectively connected to the floor supports and the roof. The upper portion of each of the opposing sidewalls comprises at least first and second lap jointed panels each having predetermined dimensions for the height, width and thickness.
The lower portion of sidewalls comprises a scuff plate with a thickness dimension that generally exceeds that of the lap-jointed panels if both are made of identical strength materials. The scuff plate has its bottom connected to the floor support and its top extending up from the floor by a predetermined distance defining a "scuff zone." The scuff zone has a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of the container. The fasteners that attach the scuff plate to the lap-jointed upper wall portion are arranged into at least one horizontal row located above the scuff zone. The fasteners have low profile heads which project only slightly from the inner surface of the scuff plate.
The lower portion of sidewalls comprises a scuff plate with a thickness dimension that generally exceeds that of the lap-jointed panels if both are made of identical strength materials. The scuff plate has its bottom connected to the floor support and its top extending up from the floor by a predetermined distance defining a "scuff zone." The scuff zone has a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of the container. The fasteners that attach the scuff plate to the lap-jointed upper wall portion are arranged into at least one horizontal row located above the scuff zone. The fasteners have low profile heads which project only slightly from the inner surface of the scuff plate.
Description
A FRAMELESS CONTAINER FOR CARRYING
CARGO HAVING OVERLAPPED SIDEWALLS
AND A UNITARY BOTTOM SCUFF PANEL
S Field of the Invention The present invention relates to trailers and other containers for moving cargo and, more particularly, to a frameless container with sidewalls comprising a lap-jointed mufti-panel upper portion connected to a unitary plate bottom portion.
Background of the Invention Frameless containers for carrying cargo are known and one such container is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,212,405 ('405). The '405 patent discloses a frameless container, that is, a container without posts stiffening its side panels, which is specially designed to provide an enlarged interior volume in the cargo-carrying container while at the same time providing an interior surface without protrusions that might otherwise damage cargo within the interior. The '405 patent serves its intended purpose well, but further improvements to such frameless container are desired. More particularly, it is desired to retain, as far as possible, the above outlined advantages of the '405 patent container construction, but to do this at a reduced material cost and with improved material availability.
Scuff plates to protect the inner surface of a cargo carrying container are known, and one such scuff plate is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,357,047 ('047). The '047 patent discloses a unitary uniform heightscuff plate that forms the whole lower portion of the sidewall of a trailer cargo body having a relatively level floor or a sloped floor such as found in a "wedge" trailer.
The upper portion of the scuff plate has a ledge upon which rest and to which are connected the trailer sidewall panels and the trailer post members which stiffen those sidewall panels. It is desired that a scuff panel similar to that of the '047 patent be provided; however, it is further desired that such a scuff panel be provided by replacing the lower portion of a container sidewall of the type described in United States Patent No. 5,286,079 ('079). The sidewall of the '079 patent is constructed of multiple lap jointed plates, instead of a single unitary plate as per the '405 patent or instead of post stiffened panels as per the '047 patent. Further, it is desired that the scuff member be interconnected to the upper sidewall portion in a simple yet structurally sound manner and, more importantly, provide a relatively smooth surface facing the interior of the container that will not entangle any of the cargo or the equipment used to load or unload the cargo.
In addition to a scuff plate, it is important that the panels comprising the upper portion of the sidewalls of the container be sealed watertight at the lap joints between them and around the periphery, where they interfacewith and are structurally connected to other containermembers, so that the moisture or rain on the outside of the container does not find its way into the interior of the container.
Accordingly, it is an aspectof the present invention to provide means to safeguard the sidewalls of the trailer against the entrance of moisture into the interior of the trailer.
It is anotheraspect of the present invention to provide a scuff plate construction for a frameless cargo carrying container which avoids entanglementwith the cargo or any related loading or unloading equipment.
Moreover, it is another aspecmf the present invention to provide a scuff plate that is connected to the upper sidewall portion of the frameless cargo carrying container in a structurally sound manner while still providing (I:ISd 1.0(1.19<.'n 1.(:W/Id9N.1 a smooth surface that avoids entanglementwith any of the cargo being carried by the container or any equipment used to load or unload this cargo.
It is a further aspectof the present invention t~p provide a unitary scuff plate and an upper sidewalI portion, both being either wedge-shaped S or of uniform height, which, when combined to form a complete sidewall, can be used to construct either a "wedge" or a "straight" anon-wedge) container, primarily used as a trailer cargo body.
Summary of the Inventioza The present invention is directed to a frazneless container for carrying cargo thathas a sidewall of a novel and a ziidue construction; its upper portion comprising multiple lap jointed metal panels; and its lower portion comprising a single piece of metal plate with the triple role of forming a watertight enclosure for the cargo, carrying the stnzctural loads and acting as a scuff plate.
The frameless container has a predetermined length and comprises a floor having floor support means, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalk and end walls; at least one end wall including an access door. The sidewalls have means, located at bottom and top thereof, that connect the sidewalk to the floor support means and to the roof. Each of the opposing sidewalls in its upper portion comprises at least first and second lap-jointed panels, each having predetermined dimensions for the height; width and thickness. The lower portion of each of these walls comprises a scuff plate with a thickness dimension that generally exceeds that of the lap-jointed panels, and means far fastening the scuff plate to the panels. The scuff plate has its bottom connected to the floor support means and its top extending up from the floor by a predetermined distance and defining a "scuff zone." The scuff plate has an inner surface exposed to the interior of the container. The means for fastening the scuff plate to the lap-jointed panels are arranged into at least one horizontal row located close to the top edge of the scuff plate. The means for fastening are I
CARGO HAVING OVERLAPPED SIDEWALLS
AND A UNITARY BOTTOM SCUFF PANEL
S Field of the Invention The present invention relates to trailers and other containers for moving cargo and, more particularly, to a frameless container with sidewalls comprising a lap-jointed mufti-panel upper portion connected to a unitary plate bottom portion.
Background of the Invention Frameless containers for carrying cargo are known and one such container is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,212,405 ('405). The '405 patent discloses a frameless container, that is, a container without posts stiffening its side panels, which is specially designed to provide an enlarged interior volume in the cargo-carrying container while at the same time providing an interior surface without protrusions that might otherwise damage cargo within the interior. The '405 patent serves its intended purpose well, but further improvements to such frameless container are desired. More particularly, it is desired to retain, as far as possible, the above outlined advantages of the '405 patent container construction, but to do this at a reduced material cost and with improved material availability.
Scuff plates to protect the inner surface of a cargo carrying container are known, and one such scuff plate is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,357,047 ('047). The '047 patent discloses a unitary uniform heightscuff plate that forms the whole lower portion of the sidewall of a trailer cargo body having a relatively level floor or a sloped floor such as found in a "wedge" trailer.
The upper portion of the scuff plate has a ledge upon which rest and to which are connected the trailer sidewall panels and the trailer post members which stiffen those sidewall panels. It is desired that a scuff panel similar to that of the '047 patent be provided; however, it is further desired that such a scuff panel be provided by replacing the lower portion of a container sidewall of the type described in United States Patent No. 5,286,079 ('079). The sidewall of the '079 patent is constructed of multiple lap jointed plates, instead of a single unitary plate as per the '405 patent or instead of post stiffened panels as per the '047 patent. Further, it is desired that the scuff member be interconnected to the upper sidewall portion in a simple yet structurally sound manner and, more importantly, provide a relatively smooth surface facing the interior of the container that will not entangle any of the cargo or the equipment used to load or unload the cargo.
In addition to a scuff plate, it is important that the panels comprising the upper portion of the sidewalls of the container be sealed watertight at the lap joints between them and around the periphery, where they interfacewith and are structurally connected to other containermembers, so that the moisture or rain on the outside of the container does not find its way into the interior of the container.
Accordingly, it is an aspectof the present invention to provide means to safeguard the sidewalls of the trailer against the entrance of moisture into the interior of the trailer.
It is anotheraspect of the present invention to provide a scuff plate construction for a frameless cargo carrying container which avoids entanglementwith the cargo or any related loading or unloading equipment.
Moreover, it is another aspecmf the present invention to provide a scuff plate that is connected to the upper sidewall portion of the frameless cargo carrying container in a structurally sound manner while still providing (I:ISd 1.0(1.19<.'n 1.(:W/Id9N.1 a smooth surface that avoids entanglementwith any of the cargo being carried by the container or any equipment used to load or unload this cargo.
It is a further aspectof the present invention t~p provide a unitary scuff plate and an upper sidewalI portion, both being either wedge-shaped S or of uniform height, which, when combined to form a complete sidewall, can be used to construct either a "wedge" or a "straight" anon-wedge) container, primarily used as a trailer cargo body.
Summary of the Inventioza The present invention is directed to a frazneless container for carrying cargo thathas a sidewall of a novel and a ziidue construction; its upper portion comprising multiple lap jointed metal panels; and its lower portion comprising a single piece of metal plate with the triple role of forming a watertight enclosure for the cargo, carrying the stnzctural loads and acting as a scuff plate.
The frameless container has a predetermined length and comprises a floor having floor support means, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalk and end walls; at least one end wall including an access door. The sidewalls have means, located at bottom and top thereof, that connect the sidewalk to the floor support means and to the roof. Each of the opposing sidewalls in its upper portion comprises at least first and second lap-jointed panels, each having predetermined dimensions for the height; width and thickness. The lower portion of each of these walls comprises a scuff plate with a thickness dimension that generally exceeds that of the lap-jointed panels, and means far fastening the scuff plate to the panels. The scuff plate has its bottom connected to the floor support means and its top extending up from the floor by a predetermined distance and defining a "scuff zone." The scuff plate has an inner surface exposed to the interior of the container. The means for fastening the scuff plate to the lap-jointed panels are arranged into at least one horizontal row located close to the top edge of the scuff plate. The means for fastening are I
preferably rivets with Iow profile heads, which facilitate the sliding of cargo over them, if such cargo is pushed along the inner surface of the scuff plate.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frameless container for carrying a cargo with a known load and S having a predetermined length comprising a floor having floor support means, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalls and endwalls, at least one end wall including an access door, said sidewalls having means located at the top and bottom thereof that are respectively connected to said floor support means and to said roof, the upper portion of each of said opposing sidewalls comprising at least first and second lap jointed panels each having predetermined height, width, and thickness dimensions, the lower portion of said sidewalls comprising: (a) a scuff plate having its bottom connected to said floor means and its top extending up from the floor by a predetermined distance to define a scuff zone with a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of said container, said scuff plate having a predetermined thickness relative to the thickness of each of said first and second lap jointed panels; (b) fastening means for fastening said scuff plate to said lap jointed first and second panels, said fastening means arranged in at Ieast one horizontal row located above said defined scuff zone, said fastening means having low profile heads projecting only slightly from said exposed inner surface for avoiding entanglement with cargo carried by said frameless container.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trailer having a predetermined length comprising a floor having floor support means, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalls and end walls, the sidewalk having means located at the bottom and top thereof that are respectively connected to the floor support means and to the roof, the upper portion of each of the opposing sidewalls comprising at least first and second lap jointed panels each having predetermined height, width, and thickness dimensions, the trailer further comprising: (a) a top rail interconnected between the roof and each of the opposite sidewalls, the top rail having a portion of an inner surface exposed to interior of the trailer; (b) an access door of the overhead type with opposite sides and having -4a-respective roller members attached to an upper portion of each opposite side of the access door, each of the roller members being arranged within guide means to allow the access door to be moved up and down, and wherein the guide means comprises:
(i) a pair of tracks each having an inner surface and a top portion and vertically S arranged in respective comers between each opposite sidewall and one of the end walls, each of the inner surfaces of the pair of tracks guiding its respective roller;
and (ii) a pair of clip members each with a predetermined vertical length respectively interconnected to the pair of tracks and having at least one hole therein and an offset portion connected to the top portion of the track, each of the clip members comprising an extension portion that runs against an inner surface of the top rail, the arrangement of the clip members and the top rail as well as the predetermined vertical length of the clip members being selected so that the tracks are fixed at a predetermined distance relative to the top rail; and (c) a lower portion of the sidewalls comprising: (i) a scuff plate having its bottom connected to the floor 1 S support means and its top extending up from the floor by a predetermined distance to define a scuff zone with a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of the trailer, the scuff plate having a predetermined thickness relative to the thickness of each of the first and second lap jointed panels; and (ii) fastening means for fastening the scuff plate to the overlapped first and second panels, the fastening means arranged in at least one horizontal row located above the defined scuff zone, the fastening means having a head portion substantially flush with the exposed inner surface for avoiding entanglement with cargo carried by the trailer.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trailer having a predetermined length for carrying cargo comprising a floor having floor support means, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalls and end walls, the sidewalk and end walls each having means located at the bottom and top thereof that are respectively connected to the floor (ii) a pair of clip members each with a predetermined vertical length and respectively interconnected to the pair of tracks and having at least one hold therein, each of the clip members comprising an offset portion connected to the top portion of the track, an extension portion that runs against an inner surface of a major portion of the dependent web, and an upper i i , I
-4b-portion that runs against a portion of an inner surface of the main horizontal web portion, the arrangement of the clip members and the top rail as well as the predetermined vertical length of the clip members being selected so that the tracks are fixed at a predetermined distance relative to the main horizontal web portion of the top rail. (d) a lower portion of the sidewalls comprising: (i) a scuff plate having its bottom connected to the floor support means and its top extending up from the floor support means by a predetermined distance to define a scuff zone with a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of the trailer, the scuff plate having a predetermined thickness relative to the thickness of each of the first and second lap-jointed panels; and (ii) fastening means for fastening the scuff plate to the overlapped first and second panels, the fastening means arranged in at least one horizontal row located above the defined scuff zone, the fastening means having a head portion substantially flush with the exposed inner surface, whereby the exposed inner surface avoids entanglement with cargo carried by the trailer.
-4c-Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
S Brief Description of the Drawings For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
Fig. 1 is a side-elevation view of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, used as the cargo body of a trailer.
Fig. 2 is a side-elevation view of a container in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention used as the cargo body of a trailer.
1 S Fig. 3 is a side-elevation view of a container in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention used as the cargo body of a trailer.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4A illustrates details of the mating of the lip and floor members shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of an alternative arrangement of the sidewalls of the container taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of another alternative arrangement of the sidewalls of the container, again taken along line S-S of Fig. 1.
2S Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the interconnection of the lap jointed sidewall portion and scuff plate portion of the present invention.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged illustration of fastening means used to make the interconnection illustrated in Fig. 7.
Od8d1.00~19CA
LC;W/1A99.1 2~~~~z~
Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 through the top rail 16 of Fig. 1.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements and wherein the counterparts of such elements axe designated by either primes (') or primes ("), there is shown in Fig. 1 a side-elevation view of a trailer 10. The instant invention is not restricted to a trailer as is shown in Fig. l (and Figs. 2 and 3) but more broadly relates to the construction of frameless cargo-carrying cont<liners, including but not limited to trailer bodies such as trailer 10 of Fig. 1 adapted to be suitably hauled by tractor units.
The terms "container" and "cargo-carrying container" are used interchangeably herein and each such term is meant to designate a closed, hollow structure. In one embodiment of the invention, a container may be mounted on a "chassis' ; i.e., a frame, supported by a running gear ("bogie"), and transported by a suitably connected tractor unit. A bulk cargo container may be filled with a pourable bulk cargo, such as grain or plastic beads, shipped an a suitable vessel, and discharged at its port of destination. Containers may be transported, in a stacked relationship, in the hold or on a deck of a ship, on railroad cars such as flat-bed cars, or by other well-known means.
The term "trailer body" as used herein connotes one type of "cargo-carrying container," and is intended to designate a closed hollow storage unit. The trailer body as illustrated is contemplated to include provisions at the base thereof for a running gear, landing gear, and a kingpin. A trailer body is adapted to be hauled over-the-road by a tractor unit and is not usually used to transport cargo by ship or by rail, except as an entire unit with bogie attached. A typical trailer badyhas a substantially rectangular or square cross-section, having a length of at least about twenty-eight feet, a width of about eight feet and a height of about nine feet.
0:18~13.0049GA
LCW/149).1 2~.~.2921 As used herein, the term "frameless" designates a trailer body or cargo-carrying container in which a substantial poxtion, at least about 67%
and preferably at least about 75%, of the load caused by the cargo in the container, trailer body or cargo-carrying container is borne by the sidewalk of the container or trailer body. The sidewalk of the "frameless" container are substantially devoid of stz~uctural stiffening posts. The walls of a "fi~ameless"
container, trailer body or cargo-carrying container are capable of safely with-standing stresses in the range from about 15,000 p.s.i. to about 25,000 p.s.i.
caused by the weight of the cargo in the container or trailer body, as well as the dynamic forces arising from the transportation of the frameless cargo-carrying container of the present invention.
With regard to Fig. 1, the trailer 10 is adapted to be pulled by a tractor. The trailer 10 includes a sidewa.ll 12 on one side comprising panels 12A and 12B which overlap in zone 12C. An opposite sidewall (not visible in the figure) is located on the other side. The housing 10 further includes a roof 14, a top rail 16, preferably extruded aluminum, and anti-sag roof bows 18 (shown in phantom), also preferably extruded aluminum. Further, the housing 10 includes a corner fittings 20 preferably made of aluminum, a front panel 22, a front corner past member 24, and a rear frame 26.
The trailer 10 further includes a one-piece scuff plate 28, preferably fabricated from aluminum having a thiclrness of about 0.160 inches. The trailer 10 further includes a floor 30 which rests upon a plurality of cross sills 32.
Trailer 10 is provided with a kingpin 34 at the front end, a wheel support assembly 36 (sometimes referred to as running gear or "bogie") adjacent the rear end, and a set of retractable landing gear legs 38 intermediately Located between the ends of the trailer 10 forward of the wheel support assembly 36.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the trailer 10 has a sloping floor 30 that allows for more cargo to be placed at the rear of the trailer than at the front. The trailer of Fig. 1 is commonly termed a "wedge" type trailer and the scuff plate 28 is correspondingly shaped. The shaped scuff plate 28 onaw.oo,ncn t .c;wna~o, i 21~.~~1~1.
is trapezoidal in side elevation, and has a non-uniform height which, in turn, allows the sidewall panels 12A and 12B to have a constant height. This simplifies the manufacturing of the sidewalk of trailer 10. The scuff plate 28 may be of any length sufficient to accommodate the overall length of the trailer 10.
The one-piece scuff plate 28 simplifies the assembly process of the trailer 10.
This dual construction sidewall 12 is particularly suitable for short trailers, such as the approximately 28 feet long "doubles", due to the following reasons: (1) easier handling of the long one-piece scuff/bottom rail plate; (2) side marker lights at half length and top of the trailer, required in some states on trailers longer than 48 feet, would be difficult to accommodate in this sidewall construction; and (3) due to the smaller bending moment (carried by the sidewalk 12) weight and cost saviizgs can be obtained by using a considerably thinner plate material for the upper (lapped panels, to be described) wall portion than for the lower wall portion (also to be described). The difficulty of mounting the center side marker light in the high (top) position of the trailer is primarily created because the electrical harness is usually installed in the trailer subframe, and, to tap into this harness for the connection to this marker light causes some difficulty in the present invention. The difficulty is created because the associated connection wire of the marker lamp cannot go down the sidewall, like it can on post-and-sheettype prior art trailers (either through the hollow post or through the space between the wall panel and the plywood lining). Nevertheless, the Federal (Department of Transportation (DOT)) rules require a center marker light for trailers longer than 30 feet but they also permit the mounting of this center light at the bottom edge of the sidewalk which does not pxesent any problems in the type of trailer shown herein.
However, some states mandate that this center light on trailers longer then 48 feet be mounted at the top of the trailer which would then present a difficulty to the trailers shown herein.
Fig. 2 is a side-elevation view of a trailer designated generally 10', in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The 0.18.13.OOd9CA
(..C;W/lAJ9.1 - 2,112J~~.
trailer 10', commonly termed a "straight" type, is similar to trailer 10, except that its floor is not sloped, nor is its scuff plate wedge shaped. Instead, scuff plate 28' is rectangular in side elevation. Except for this difference, however, scuff plate 28' is the same as scuff plate 28. Corresponding prime (') numbers relative to Fig. 1 have been applied to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2.
Similarly, Fig. 3 is a side-elevation view of a trailer designated generally 10", in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
The "wedge" type trailer 10" is similar to both trailers 10' and 10" of Figs.
1 and 2, respectively, but differs from either trailer 10 or 10' because the upper portion of sidewalk 12" is of a non-uniform height (wedge-shaped) and its lower portion, comprising scuff plate 28", is of a uniform height, the reverse of the trailer 10, also a "wedge" type. Corresponding prime (") nutobers relative to Fig. 1 have been applied to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.
Common to the three embodiments shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is the use of a single unitary metal plate (called "scuff plate" herein) for the lower portion of the sidewall. The upper portion of the sidewall in these embodiments (as shown in Figs.1 through 9, and to be described hereinafter), is of a multiple lap-jointed plate construction; however, this sidewall portion could be of any other type used in trailers of conventional design; where the sidewalk have a uniform construction thm their entire height. The upper portion of the sidewall of the present invention may comprise various materials having multiple arrangements; all that is needed is, that the material and its construction or arrangement be selected so, that the overall sidewall panels of the frameless container would have the capability of withstanding the load and stress factors previously described herein. Suitable materials presently used for sidewalls of conventional trailers are 1) fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) covered plywood panels; 2) "sandwich" type panels, with metallic, or plastic foam core between them; 3) panels consisting of solid, plastic reinforced fiberglasswith no core; and 4) one piece (non-spliced) metal plate, described in the '405 patent; used for the upper sidewall portion of the present invention, O~ISA3.OOd9<.'A
LC;w/1 ~199,1 2~.~.292~.
such plate can be thinner than the scuff and dent resisting plate required for the lower portion; this and the narrower width of these plates translates into cost savings as compared to the single piece sidewall of the '405 patent. The scuff plate 28", 28' or 28 may be fuxther described with reference to Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1 through the sidewall 12 of Fig. 1 a.nd shows the floor 30 resting on sill members 32.
Each sill member 32 has two end plates 40 which connect sill member 32 to the sidewalls. The sill end plate 40 is fastened to the scuff plate 28 by means of at least two, but preferably four rivets 42. The outer edge 30A of member 30 is recessed to enable it to fit under a lip member 44 which is also fastened to the scuff plate 28 by means of at least two rivets 46. An elastomeric gasket 48, acting as a sealant to prevent the entry of water or other unwanted subst<~nces into the interior of the trailer, is inserted under lip 44 and compressed between same and floor boards 30. The elastomeric gasket 48 is shown .in more detail in Fig. 4A.
Fig. 4A shows gasket 48 as filling the gap between the floor member 30 and the lip 44. Fig. 4A further shows two gaps 44A and 44B related to the lip 44 which permit expansion of floor boards 30, usually of wood, when these boards absorb moisture and swell. The scuff plate 28 to which lip 44 is connected may be further described again with reference to Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 further shows scuff plate 28 as being fastened to the overlapping panels 12A and 12B in zones 12C of sidewall 12 and between zones 12C by means of a plurality of rivets 50. The overlapping or lap-jointed panels 12A and 12B are similarly fastened to each other by means of a plurality of rivets 52. The terms "overlapping" and "lap-jointed" are used herein in an interchangeable manner. The overlapping panels 12A and 12B are fastened to each other and to the top rail member 16 by a further plurality of rivets 54. The top rail 16 is connected to roof 14 by means of a plurality of attachment means 56. The top rail 16 supports the roof bow members 18 and is connected thereto by attachment means 58. The top rail 16 will be filrther described 0~IY~19.OO~IJCA
LC:~VII~t99.1 -1°- ~~~.2~z~.
below, with reference to Fig. 9. The overlapping panels 12A and 12B and the scuff plate 28 may be the same material such as aluminum. The scuff plate 28 is normally of a thicker gauge than the panels 12A and 12B; however, if the snuff plate 28 is made of a stronger material than that of the panels, S for example, steel, or if the panels 12A and 12B use a weaker material, for example, plastic laminate, then the thickness ratio is reversed; i.e., the panel thickness exceeds that of the scuff plate. The ovexlapping panels 12A and 12B shown in Fig. 4, of the sidewalk 12 of Fig. 1 and also of the sidewalk 12' and 12" of Figs. 2 and 3, have alternative embodiments to be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6, both being sectional views taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1.
Fig. S illustrates the sidewall 12 as comprising a plurality of panels 60 having at least one planar poxtion 60A, at least one closed-offset portion 60B, and at least one open-offset portion 60C. As seen in Fig. 5, the closed-1S offset portion 60B, commonly referred to as being corrugated, first deviates (offsets itself in an angular manner) fi~om the planar portion 60A to run parallel with it, but then returns from such deviation to again be in alignment with the planar portion 60A. In contrast, open-offsetportion 60C deviates (offsets itself in an angular manner) and runs parallel to but never rettarns into alignment with planar portion 60A. The planar portion 60A and the open-offsetportion 60C of adjacent panels are brought together at zone 12C and fastened together by rivets 52. The corrugated portion 60B serves as a stiffening and strengthening means. Corrugations, such as 60B (Fig. S) or 62B (Fig. 6 to be described) increase both the moment of inertia ("I") and the section modules ("Z");
increases of "I" make the panel stiffer (less deflection for a given load, thus also greater resistance to buckling failure); and increases of "Z" make the panel stronger (lower stress for a given load, thus ability to resist higher load).
A finther embodiment of sidewall 12 shown in Fig. 6 also includes stiffening and strengthening means. Fig. 6 shows a sidewall 12 comprising a plurality of panels 62 each of which in turn comprises a first planar portion 0.ig:13.00:19CA
(.cwnn». ( -11- 2~.1~~21 62A and a closed-offset or corrugated portion 62B which serves to strengthen and stiffen the sidewall 12 in the overlap zones in the same manner as the closed-offset portion 60B of panel 60 between the overlap zones. The planar portion 62A and the corrugated portion 62B from two separate panels 62 are brought together in zone 12C and fastened by rivets 52.
Fig. 7 illustrates the panel 60 of sidewall 12 as having a lowermost portion 60D that overlaps and is fastened to scuff plate 28 by means of rivets 50, as previously described with reference to Fig. 4. Similarly, the scuff plate 28 abuts the end plates 40 of the sill members 32.. It should be noted that Fig. 7 shows only one sill member 32 supporting floor 30 whereas, in actu ality, a plurality of sill members 32 and their end plates 40 are equally spaced apart from each other and support the floor 30 along its full length.
In cargo containers and trailer cargo bodies the cargo load stresses their sidewalk in bending. In conventional design containers and trailer bodies the compression and tension loads, imposed by such bending, are carried, respectively, by the top and bottom rails, which therefore are full length, continuous structural shapes made of metal, usually aluminum or steel. The shear loads of such bending are carried by the sidewall panels located between the top and bottom rails and structurally connected to them; these panels are constructed in a number of differentways, and are made of a number of different materials, such as discussed above.
These sidewalk panels, not being resistant to dents, gauges, tears, scratches, etc., caused by cargo loading equipment or the cargo itself, in the zone most prone to such damage are usually protected there by "scuff boards,"
i.e., continuous or multiple piece metal plates, usually corrugated for additional strength, or boards of hardwood, both attached to sidewall panels.
In the present invention the conventional "bottom rail" and the continuous metal "scuff board" have been replaced by a single paa~t, the "unitary bottom scuffpanel,"whichfulfillsthe roles of both of these conventionalparts.
The advantages are simpler manufacture and smaller encroachment into the ons~n.ooa~r.A
f.C~Vll4)9.l 211~~~a.
load space of the cargo container or the trailer cargo body. Also, since the "unitary bottom scuff panel" of the present invention, instead of simply covering the lower sidewall, like the "scuff board" does, replaces it structurally, the height of the conventional design sidewall panel, is only xequired for the upper portion of the sidewall, thus saving both cost and weight. In the rare cases, where purely aesthetic considerations, such as a requirement for an unbroken sidewall surface to accommodate standardized decorative painting and/or decals, would outweigh the aforesaid savings, the conventionalsidewall panel can, of course, be extended down to covex the whole "unitary scuff bottom panel' ; this extension would play no stxuctural role as the tension would still be carried by the "scuff bottom panel."
The scuff plate 28 relating to the present invention is preferably a long, single piece of an aluminum plate. This preferred scuff plate is heavily stressed in tension at its bottom edge. Therefore, it is not desired to make the scuff plate in several shorter pieces welded together because welded joints and the heat annealed aluminum next to the joints reduce its strength to carry tension. However, if the material used to make the scuff plate is steel of the type which does not lose much strength in the welded joints (so-called High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) steel), it is possible to make an acceptable stxength scuff plate from several pieces. Also, although it would add considerable weight and cost, a scuff plate made from several pieces joined by xiveted or bolted splice members could be possibly developed (with some functional sacrifices).
Still referring to Figure 7, the scuff plate 28 has its inner surface 28A exposed to the interior of the trailer 10 and, by forming the lower portion of the sidewall, makes it resistant to damage inflicted by goods within the trailer 10 striking and/or scraping along the sidewalls and also resistant to damage inflicted by equipment, such as forklift trucks, loading or unloading cargo on and off the trailer 10. The scuff plate 28 extends upward from the floor 30 by a predetermined distance 66 i.n the range of about 8 to 24 inches but preferably not less than 16 inches. The predetermined distance encompasses 0.18,13.00.IgC'n l.C:~Vl1~1v9.1 an area that defines a "scuff zone" indicated by reference number 68 as shown.
Each panel 60 has its lowermost portion 60D above the scuff zone and, therefore, the panel 60 need only have a thickness that is based solely on a structural (beam) loads that are carried by the sidewalk. Any additional thickness that would have to be added to the panel 60, if it would extend all the way down to the floor, to provide for dent and tear resistance to safeguard against any damage typically inflicted by the cargo is not required with the present invention.
The thickness of scuff plate 28 projects inward from the sm°face of the wall above it and thus provides protection for panel 60; scuff plate 28 also leas means for attachment to the overlapping panels 12, such means comprising at least one, preferably two, horizontal rows 70 and 72 of rivets 50. These rivets 50 should, however, avoid entangletnentwith the cargo and loading/unloading equipment in the infrequent cases, when sliding contact occurs above the normal "scuff zone" defined by distance 66. Rivet 50 is further described by reference to Fig. 8.
Fig. 8 illustrates a low head profile rivet 50 fastening portions 60C, 60A of panel 60 to the scuff plate 28. The xivet 50 comprises a first head portion 50A and a shank 50B having an extension that is "bucked" (hammered or pressed down) to form a second head portion SOC. Head 50A provides a smooth profile that projects only slightly from the inner surface 28A. This smooth "feathered edge" profile avoids entanglement with any objects that may infrequently come into sliding contact with the upper edge of inner surface 28A.
The present invention reduces the cost of the sidewalls by doing 2S away with any unnecessary thickness in the sidewall panels and eliminates the need to recess the associated rivets by locating these rivets above the scuff zone. Moreover, the sidewall upper portion panels may have a uniform height even when these panels are used for wedge shaped trailers or containers.
As an alternative and as shown in Fig. 3, uniform height scuff plate may be used in combination with wedge-shaped upper sidewall portion, if so desired.
0.18:13,ODd9C:A
I~C:~V/1499,1 Further details of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the upper rail taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 1, and shows a low head profile rivet 50 fastening the lower portion of the upper rail 16 to the upper. portions of the first and S second overlapping panels 12A and 12B (previously discussed with reference to Fig. 4). The top rail 16 has a main horizontal web portion 74, a dependent vertical web portion 76 to which rivet SO and a rivet 77 are both fastened, and a lip 78 which overlaps the upper edges of panels 12A and 12B so as to direct water away from these panels. The top rail 16 further comprises a ledge 80 that extends inwardly of a vertical web portion 82. Ledge 80 supports roof bow members 18 which are fastened to the ledge 80 by fastening means 58 (also shown in Fig. 4). The top rail :16 further has an upper, horizontally outwardly extending portion 84 aver which the edge portion of roof sheet 1~L
drapes. As discussed with reference to and as also seen in Fig. 4, the roof sheet 14 is .fastened to the overhanging section 84 by attachment means 56.
As seen in Fig. 9, the top edges of the sidewall panels 12A and 12B fit underneath the lip edge 78 of the top rail 16. This lip 78 accommodates an elastomeric seal 86 which is compressed by the top edges of panels 12A
and 12B and also lodged under lip 78. The seal 86 provides watertight mating of the upper rail 16 with the sidewalk 12. The upper rail 16, in particular the bottom surface of web portion 74 that faces the interior of the trailer 10, is used as a .reference plane for accurately mounting access door tracks 88 of trailer 10.
An access door 90 is shown in its open horizontal, under-the-roof position and is an overhead "garage" type, comprising multiple horizontal panels joined to each other by hinges (not shown) and having roller members 92 attached to each of its sides by shafts 94 with thrust collars 96. Roller members 92 run in tracks 88, which have a "C"-shaped cross section and an inverted "L" overall configuration, with the vertical legs of the "L" straddling the door opening on the inside. The horizontal legs of track 88 (shown in Fig. 9) are O.1843,00~l9CA
L.CW/tdl9, t 21~.~~~1 located a predetermined distance 100 below the roof of the trailer, such distance providing sufficient clearance for the door and its locking hardware (not shown) with the roof, when the door is rolled from its closed (vertical) position to its open (horizontal) position, and, at the same time, positioning the door in its open position as close to the roof as possible to minimize encroachment inter the load space of the trailer 10 (or 10' or 10").
Element 98 is a clip member comprising portions 98A, 98B and 98C. Portion 98A is attached by appropriate means, such as welding, to back portion 88B of track 88 while holding dimension 100, portion 98B, offset from portion 98A laterally by dimension 101, has at least one hole for attaching the clips, and tlms the whole horizontal leg of the track 88, to trailer upper rail 16 by the means of fasteners, preferably rivets 77; finally, portion 98C, at 90° to portion 98B, contacts horizontal web portion 7El of tap rail 16.
At installation the horizontal.leg of track 88 with attached clips 98 is pushed outward and upward, until portions 98B of the clips contact the vertical web portion 76 of the top rail and portions 98C contact the horizontal web portion of this rail; then, while held in this position, holes for rivets are transfer drilled from holes in clips thr~ri the vertical web portion of the top rail, and rivets 77 installed in these holes. Thus the track has been secured in the exact desired position, defined by dimensions 100 and 101, without any measuring or using special installation aids, which would be difficult due to the limited access.
It will be appreciated that the present invention provides for clip members 98 which allow for a convenient, easy and acclarate mounting of the tracks 88.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from this spirit or essential attributes thexeof and, accordingly, reference should be made to appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frameless container for carrying a cargo with a known load and S having a predetermined length comprising a floor having floor support means, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalls and endwalls, at least one end wall including an access door, said sidewalls having means located at the top and bottom thereof that are respectively connected to said floor support means and to said roof, the upper portion of each of said opposing sidewalls comprising at least first and second lap jointed panels each having predetermined height, width, and thickness dimensions, the lower portion of said sidewalls comprising: (a) a scuff plate having its bottom connected to said floor means and its top extending up from the floor by a predetermined distance to define a scuff zone with a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of said container, said scuff plate having a predetermined thickness relative to the thickness of each of said first and second lap jointed panels; (b) fastening means for fastening said scuff plate to said lap jointed first and second panels, said fastening means arranged in at Ieast one horizontal row located above said defined scuff zone, said fastening means having low profile heads projecting only slightly from said exposed inner surface for avoiding entanglement with cargo carried by said frameless container.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trailer having a predetermined length comprising a floor having floor support means, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalls and end walls, the sidewalk having means located at the bottom and top thereof that are respectively connected to the floor support means and to the roof, the upper portion of each of the opposing sidewalls comprising at least first and second lap jointed panels each having predetermined height, width, and thickness dimensions, the trailer further comprising: (a) a top rail interconnected between the roof and each of the opposite sidewalls, the top rail having a portion of an inner surface exposed to interior of the trailer; (b) an access door of the overhead type with opposite sides and having -4a-respective roller members attached to an upper portion of each opposite side of the access door, each of the roller members being arranged within guide means to allow the access door to be moved up and down, and wherein the guide means comprises:
(i) a pair of tracks each having an inner surface and a top portion and vertically S arranged in respective comers between each opposite sidewall and one of the end walls, each of the inner surfaces of the pair of tracks guiding its respective roller;
and (ii) a pair of clip members each with a predetermined vertical length respectively interconnected to the pair of tracks and having at least one hole therein and an offset portion connected to the top portion of the track, each of the clip members comprising an extension portion that runs against an inner surface of the top rail, the arrangement of the clip members and the top rail as well as the predetermined vertical length of the clip members being selected so that the tracks are fixed at a predetermined distance relative to the top rail; and (c) a lower portion of the sidewalls comprising: (i) a scuff plate having its bottom connected to the floor 1 S support means and its top extending up from the floor by a predetermined distance to define a scuff zone with a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of the trailer, the scuff plate having a predetermined thickness relative to the thickness of each of the first and second lap jointed panels; and (ii) fastening means for fastening the scuff plate to the overlapped first and second panels, the fastening means arranged in at least one horizontal row located above the defined scuff zone, the fastening means having a head portion substantially flush with the exposed inner surface for avoiding entanglement with cargo carried by the trailer.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trailer having a predetermined length for carrying cargo comprising a floor having floor support means, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalls and end walls, the sidewalk and end walls each having means located at the bottom and top thereof that are respectively connected to the floor (ii) a pair of clip members each with a predetermined vertical length and respectively interconnected to the pair of tracks and having at least one hold therein, each of the clip members comprising an offset portion connected to the top portion of the track, an extension portion that runs against an inner surface of a major portion of the dependent web, and an upper i i , I
-4b-portion that runs against a portion of an inner surface of the main horizontal web portion, the arrangement of the clip members and the top rail as well as the predetermined vertical length of the clip members being selected so that the tracks are fixed at a predetermined distance relative to the main horizontal web portion of the top rail. (d) a lower portion of the sidewalls comprising: (i) a scuff plate having its bottom connected to the floor support means and its top extending up from the floor support means by a predetermined distance to define a scuff zone with a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of the trailer, the scuff plate having a predetermined thickness relative to the thickness of each of the first and second lap-jointed panels; and (ii) fastening means for fastening the scuff plate to the overlapped first and second panels, the fastening means arranged in at least one horizontal row located above the defined scuff zone, the fastening means having a head portion substantially flush with the exposed inner surface, whereby the exposed inner surface avoids entanglement with cargo carried by the trailer.
-4c-Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
S Brief Description of the Drawings For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
Fig. 1 is a side-elevation view of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, used as the cargo body of a trailer.
Fig. 2 is a side-elevation view of a container in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention used as the cargo body of a trailer.
1 S Fig. 3 is a side-elevation view of a container in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention used as the cargo body of a trailer.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4A illustrates details of the mating of the lip and floor members shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of an alternative arrangement of the sidewalls of the container taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of another alternative arrangement of the sidewalls of the container, again taken along line S-S of Fig. 1.
2S Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the interconnection of the lap jointed sidewall portion and scuff plate portion of the present invention.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged illustration of fastening means used to make the interconnection illustrated in Fig. 7.
Od8d1.00~19CA
LC;W/1A99.1 2~~~~z~
Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 through the top rail 16 of Fig. 1.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements and wherein the counterparts of such elements axe designated by either primes (') or primes ("), there is shown in Fig. 1 a side-elevation view of a trailer 10. The instant invention is not restricted to a trailer as is shown in Fig. l (and Figs. 2 and 3) but more broadly relates to the construction of frameless cargo-carrying cont<liners, including but not limited to trailer bodies such as trailer 10 of Fig. 1 adapted to be suitably hauled by tractor units.
The terms "container" and "cargo-carrying container" are used interchangeably herein and each such term is meant to designate a closed, hollow structure. In one embodiment of the invention, a container may be mounted on a "chassis' ; i.e., a frame, supported by a running gear ("bogie"), and transported by a suitably connected tractor unit. A bulk cargo container may be filled with a pourable bulk cargo, such as grain or plastic beads, shipped an a suitable vessel, and discharged at its port of destination. Containers may be transported, in a stacked relationship, in the hold or on a deck of a ship, on railroad cars such as flat-bed cars, or by other well-known means.
The term "trailer body" as used herein connotes one type of "cargo-carrying container," and is intended to designate a closed hollow storage unit. The trailer body as illustrated is contemplated to include provisions at the base thereof for a running gear, landing gear, and a kingpin. A trailer body is adapted to be hauled over-the-road by a tractor unit and is not usually used to transport cargo by ship or by rail, except as an entire unit with bogie attached. A typical trailer badyhas a substantially rectangular or square cross-section, having a length of at least about twenty-eight feet, a width of about eight feet and a height of about nine feet.
0:18~13.0049GA
LCW/149).1 2~.~.2921 As used herein, the term "frameless" designates a trailer body or cargo-carrying container in which a substantial poxtion, at least about 67%
and preferably at least about 75%, of the load caused by the cargo in the container, trailer body or cargo-carrying container is borne by the sidewalk of the container or trailer body. The sidewalk of the "frameless" container are substantially devoid of stz~uctural stiffening posts. The walls of a "fi~ameless"
container, trailer body or cargo-carrying container are capable of safely with-standing stresses in the range from about 15,000 p.s.i. to about 25,000 p.s.i.
caused by the weight of the cargo in the container or trailer body, as well as the dynamic forces arising from the transportation of the frameless cargo-carrying container of the present invention.
With regard to Fig. 1, the trailer 10 is adapted to be pulled by a tractor. The trailer 10 includes a sidewa.ll 12 on one side comprising panels 12A and 12B which overlap in zone 12C. An opposite sidewall (not visible in the figure) is located on the other side. The housing 10 further includes a roof 14, a top rail 16, preferably extruded aluminum, and anti-sag roof bows 18 (shown in phantom), also preferably extruded aluminum. Further, the housing 10 includes a corner fittings 20 preferably made of aluminum, a front panel 22, a front corner past member 24, and a rear frame 26.
The trailer 10 further includes a one-piece scuff plate 28, preferably fabricated from aluminum having a thiclrness of about 0.160 inches. The trailer 10 further includes a floor 30 which rests upon a plurality of cross sills 32.
Trailer 10 is provided with a kingpin 34 at the front end, a wheel support assembly 36 (sometimes referred to as running gear or "bogie") adjacent the rear end, and a set of retractable landing gear legs 38 intermediately Located between the ends of the trailer 10 forward of the wheel support assembly 36.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the trailer 10 has a sloping floor 30 that allows for more cargo to be placed at the rear of the trailer than at the front. The trailer of Fig. 1 is commonly termed a "wedge" type trailer and the scuff plate 28 is correspondingly shaped. The shaped scuff plate 28 onaw.oo,ncn t .c;wna~o, i 21~.~~1~1.
is trapezoidal in side elevation, and has a non-uniform height which, in turn, allows the sidewall panels 12A and 12B to have a constant height. This simplifies the manufacturing of the sidewalk of trailer 10. The scuff plate 28 may be of any length sufficient to accommodate the overall length of the trailer 10.
The one-piece scuff plate 28 simplifies the assembly process of the trailer 10.
This dual construction sidewall 12 is particularly suitable for short trailers, such as the approximately 28 feet long "doubles", due to the following reasons: (1) easier handling of the long one-piece scuff/bottom rail plate; (2) side marker lights at half length and top of the trailer, required in some states on trailers longer than 48 feet, would be difficult to accommodate in this sidewall construction; and (3) due to the smaller bending moment (carried by the sidewalk 12) weight and cost saviizgs can be obtained by using a considerably thinner plate material for the upper (lapped panels, to be described) wall portion than for the lower wall portion (also to be described). The difficulty of mounting the center side marker light in the high (top) position of the trailer is primarily created because the electrical harness is usually installed in the trailer subframe, and, to tap into this harness for the connection to this marker light causes some difficulty in the present invention. The difficulty is created because the associated connection wire of the marker lamp cannot go down the sidewall, like it can on post-and-sheettype prior art trailers (either through the hollow post or through the space between the wall panel and the plywood lining). Nevertheless, the Federal (Department of Transportation (DOT)) rules require a center marker light for trailers longer than 30 feet but they also permit the mounting of this center light at the bottom edge of the sidewalk which does not pxesent any problems in the type of trailer shown herein.
However, some states mandate that this center light on trailers longer then 48 feet be mounted at the top of the trailer which would then present a difficulty to the trailers shown herein.
Fig. 2 is a side-elevation view of a trailer designated generally 10', in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The 0.18.13.OOd9CA
(..C;W/lAJ9.1 - 2,112J~~.
trailer 10', commonly termed a "straight" type, is similar to trailer 10, except that its floor is not sloped, nor is its scuff plate wedge shaped. Instead, scuff plate 28' is rectangular in side elevation. Except for this difference, however, scuff plate 28' is the same as scuff plate 28. Corresponding prime (') numbers relative to Fig. 1 have been applied to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2.
Similarly, Fig. 3 is a side-elevation view of a trailer designated generally 10", in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
The "wedge" type trailer 10" is similar to both trailers 10' and 10" of Figs.
1 and 2, respectively, but differs from either trailer 10 or 10' because the upper portion of sidewalk 12" is of a non-uniform height (wedge-shaped) and its lower portion, comprising scuff plate 28", is of a uniform height, the reverse of the trailer 10, also a "wedge" type. Corresponding prime (") nutobers relative to Fig. 1 have been applied to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.
Common to the three embodiments shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is the use of a single unitary metal plate (called "scuff plate" herein) for the lower portion of the sidewall. The upper portion of the sidewall in these embodiments (as shown in Figs.1 through 9, and to be described hereinafter), is of a multiple lap-jointed plate construction; however, this sidewall portion could be of any other type used in trailers of conventional design; where the sidewalk have a uniform construction thm their entire height. The upper portion of the sidewall of the present invention may comprise various materials having multiple arrangements; all that is needed is, that the material and its construction or arrangement be selected so, that the overall sidewall panels of the frameless container would have the capability of withstanding the load and stress factors previously described herein. Suitable materials presently used for sidewalls of conventional trailers are 1) fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) covered plywood panels; 2) "sandwich" type panels, with metallic, or plastic foam core between them; 3) panels consisting of solid, plastic reinforced fiberglasswith no core; and 4) one piece (non-spliced) metal plate, described in the '405 patent; used for the upper sidewall portion of the present invention, O~ISA3.OOd9<.'A
LC;w/1 ~199,1 2~.~.292~.
such plate can be thinner than the scuff and dent resisting plate required for the lower portion; this and the narrower width of these plates translates into cost savings as compared to the single piece sidewall of the '405 patent. The scuff plate 28", 28' or 28 may be fuxther described with reference to Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1 through the sidewall 12 of Fig. 1 a.nd shows the floor 30 resting on sill members 32.
Each sill member 32 has two end plates 40 which connect sill member 32 to the sidewalls. The sill end plate 40 is fastened to the scuff plate 28 by means of at least two, but preferably four rivets 42. The outer edge 30A of member 30 is recessed to enable it to fit under a lip member 44 which is also fastened to the scuff plate 28 by means of at least two rivets 46. An elastomeric gasket 48, acting as a sealant to prevent the entry of water or other unwanted subst<~nces into the interior of the trailer, is inserted under lip 44 and compressed between same and floor boards 30. The elastomeric gasket 48 is shown .in more detail in Fig. 4A.
Fig. 4A shows gasket 48 as filling the gap between the floor member 30 and the lip 44. Fig. 4A further shows two gaps 44A and 44B related to the lip 44 which permit expansion of floor boards 30, usually of wood, when these boards absorb moisture and swell. The scuff plate 28 to which lip 44 is connected may be further described again with reference to Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 further shows scuff plate 28 as being fastened to the overlapping panels 12A and 12B in zones 12C of sidewall 12 and between zones 12C by means of a plurality of rivets 50. The overlapping or lap-jointed panels 12A and 12B are similarly fastened to each other by means of a plurality of rivets 52. The terms "overlapping" and "lap-jointed" are used herein in an interchangeable manner. The overlapping panels 12A and 12B are fastened to each other and to the top rail member 16 by a further plurality of rivets 54. The top rail 16 is connected to roof 14 by means of a plurality of attachment means 56. The top rail 16 supports the roof bow members 18 and is connected thereto by attachment means 58. The top rail 16 will be filrther described 0~IY~19.OO~IJCA
LC:~VII~t99.1 -1°- ~~~.2~z~.
below, with reference to Fig. 9. The overlapping panels 12A and 12B and the scuff plate 28 may be the same material such as aluminum. The scuff plate 28 is normally of a thicker gauge than the panels 12A and 12B; however, if the snuff plate 28 is made of a stronger material than that of the panels, S for example, steel, or if the panels 12A and 12B use a weaker material, for example, plastic laminate, then the thickness ratio is reversed; i.e., the panel thickness exceeds that of the scuff plate. The ovexlapping panels 12A and 12B shown in Fig. 4, of the sidewalk 12 of Fig. 1 and also of the sidewalk 12' and 12" of Figs. 2 and 3, have alternative embodiments to be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6, both being sectional views taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1.
Fig. S illustrates the sidewall 12 as comprising a plurality of panels 60 having at least one planar poxtion 60A, at least one closed-offset portion 60B, and at least one open-offset portion 60C. As seen in Fig. 5, the closed-1S offset portion 60B, commonly referred to as being corrugated, first deviates (offsets itself in an angular manner) fi~om the planar portion 60A to run parallel with it, but then returns from such deviation to again be in alignment with the planar portion 60A. In contrast, open-offsetportion 60C deviates (offsets itself in an angular manner) and runs parallel to but never rettarns into alignment with planar portion 60A. The planar portion 60A and the open-offsetportion 60C of adjacent panels are brought together at zone 12C and fastened together by rivets 52. The corrugated portion 60B serves as a stiffening and strengthening means. Corrugations, such as 60B (Fig. S) or 62B (Fig. 6 to be described) increase both the moment of inertia ("I") and the section modules ("Z");
increases of "I" make the panel stiffer (less deflection for a given load, thus also greater resistance to buckling failure); and increases of "Z" make the panel stronger (lower stress for a given load, thus ability to resist higher load).
A finther embodiment of sidewall 12 shown in Fig. 6 also includes stiffening and strengthening means. Fig. 6 shows a sidewall 12 comprising a plurality of panels 62 each of which in turn comprises a first planar portion 0.ig:13.00:19CA
(.cwnn». ( -11- 2~.1~~21 62A and a closed-offset or corrugated portion 62B which serves to strengthen and stiffen the sidewall 12 in the overlap zones in the same manner as the closed-offset portion 60B of panel 60 between the overlap zones. The planar portion 62A and the corrugated portion 62B from two separate panels 62 are brought together in zone 12C and fastened by rivets 52.
Fig. 7 illustrates the panel 60 of sidewall 12 as having a lowermost portion 60D that overlaps and is fastened to scuff plate 28 by means of rivets 50, as previously described with reference to Fig. 4. Similarly, the scuff plate 28 abuts the end plates 40 of the sill members 32.. It should be noted that Fig. 7 shows only one sill member 32 supporting floor 30 whereas, in actu ality, a plurality of sill members 32 and their end plates 40 are equally spaced apart from each other and support the floor 30 along its full length.
In cargo containers and trailer cargo bodies the cargo load stresses their sidewalk in bending. In conventional design containers and trailer bodies the compression and tension loads, imposed by such bending, are carried, respectively, by the top and bottom rails, which therefore are full length, continuous structural shapes made of metal, usually aluminum or steel. The shear loads of such bending are carried by the sidewall panels located between the top and bottom rails and structurally connected to them; these panels are constructed in a number of differentways, and are made of a number of different materials, such as discussed above.
These sidewalk panels, not being resistant to dents, gauges, tears, scratches, etc., caused by cargo loading equipment or the cargo itself, in the zone most prone to such damage are usually protected there by "scuff boards,"
i.e., continuous or multiple piece metal plates, usually corrugated for additional strength, or boards of hardwood, both attached to sidewall panels.
In the present invention the conventional "bottom rail" and the continuous metal "scuff board" have been replaced by a single paa~t, the "unitary bottom scuffpanel,"whichfulfillsthe roles of both of these conventionalparts.
The advantages are simpler manufacture and smaller encroachment into the ons~n.ooa~r.A
f.C~Vll4)9.l 211~~~a.
load space of the cargo container or the trailer cargo body. Also, since the "unitary bottom scuff panel" of the present invention, instead of simply covering the lower sidewall, like the "scuff board" does, replaces it structurally, the height of the conventional design sidewall panel, is only xequired for the upper portion of the sidewall, thus saving both cost and weight. In the rare cases, where purely aesthetic considerations, such as a requirement for an unbroken sidewall surface to accommodate standardized decorative painting and/or decals, would outweigh the aforesaid savings, the conventionalsidewall panel can, of course, be extended down to covex the whole "unitary scuff bottom panel' ; this extension would play no stxuctural role as the tension would still be carried by the "scuff bottom panel."
The scuff plate 28 relating to the present invention is preferably a long, single piece of an aluminum plate. This preferred scuff plate is heavily stressed in tension at its bottom edge. Therefore, it is not desired to make the scuff plate in several shorter pieces welded together because welded joints and the heat annealed aluminum next to the joints reduce its strength to carry tension. However, if the material used to make the scuff plate is steel of the type which does not lose much strength in the welded joints (so-called High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) steel), it is possible to make an acceptable stxength scuff plate from several pieces. Also, although it would add considerable weight and cost, a scuff plate made from several pieces joined by xiveted or bolted splice members could be possibly developed (with some functional sacrifices).
Still referring to Figure 7, the scuff plate 28 has its inner surface 28A exposed to the interior of the trailer 10 and, by forming the lower portion of the sidewall, makes it resistant to damage inflicted by goods within the trailer 10 striking and/or scraping along the sidewalls and also resistant to damage inflicted by equipment, such as forklift trucks, loading or unloading cargo on and off the trailer 10. The scuff plate 28 extends upward from the floor 30 by a predetermined distance 66 i.n the range of about 8 to 24 inches but preferably not less than 16 inches. The predetermined distance encompasses 0.18,13.00.IgC'n l.C:~Vl1~1v9.1 an area that defines a "scuff zone" indicated by reference number 68 as shown.
Each panel 60 has its lowermost portion 60D above the scuff zone and, therefore, the panel 60 need only have a thickness that is based solely on a structural (beam) loads that are carried by the sidewalk. Any additional thickness that would have to be added to the panel 60, if it would extend all the way down to the floor, to provide for dent and tear resistance to safeguard against any damage typically inflicted by the cargo is not required with the present invention.
The thickness of scuff plate 28 projects inward from the sm°face of the wall above it and thus provides protection for panel 60; scuff plate 28 also leas means for attachment to the overlapping panels 12, such means comprising at least one, preferably two, horizontal rows 70 and 72 of rivets 50. These rivets 50 should, however, avoid entangletnentwith the cargo and loading/unloading equipment in the infrequent cases, when sliding contact occurs above the normal "scuff zone" defined by distance 66. Rivet 50 is further described by reference to Fig. 8.
Fig. 8 illustrates a low head profile rivet 50 fastening portions 60C, 60A of panel 60 to the scuff plate 28. The xivet 50 comprises a first head portion 50A and a shank 50B having an extension that is "bucked" (hammered or pressed down) to form a second head portion SOC. Head 50A provides a smooth profile that projects only slightly from the inner surface 28A. This smooth "feathered edge" profile avoids entanglement with any objects that may infrequently come into sliding contact with the upper edge of inner surface 28A.
The present invention reduces the cost of the sidewalls by doing 2S away with any unnecessary thickness in the sidewall panels and eliminates the need to recess the associated rivets by locating these rivets above the scuff zone. Moreover, the sidewall upper portion panels may have a uniform height even when these panels are used for wedge shaped trailers or containers.
As an alternative and as shown in Fig. 3, uniform height scuff plate may be used in combination with wedge-shaped upper sidewall portion, if so desired.
0.18:13,ODd9C:A
I~C:~V/1499,1 Further details of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the upper rail taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 1, and shows a low head profile rivet 50 fastening the lower portion of the upper rail 16 to the upper. portions of the first and S second overlapping panels 12A and 12B (previously discussed with reference to Fig. 4). The top rail 16 has a main horizontal web portion 74, a dependent vertical web portion 76 to which rivet SO and a rivet 77 are both fastened, and a lip 78 which overlaps the upper edges of panels 12A and 12B so as to direct water away from these panels. The top rail 16 further comprises a ledge 80 that extends inwardly of a vertical web portion 82. Ledge 80 supports roof bow members 18 which are fastened to the ledge 80 by fastening means 58 (also shown in Fig. 4). The top rail :16 further has an upper, horizontally outwardly extending portion 84 aver which the edge portion of roof sheet 1~L
drapes. As discussed with reference to and as also seen in Fig. 4, the roof sheet 14 is .fastened to the overhanging section 84 by attachment means 56.
As seen in Fig. 9, the top edges of the sidewall panels 12A and 12B fit underneath the lip edge 78 of the top rail 16. This lip 78 accommodates an elastomeric seal 86 which is compressed by the top edges of panels 12A
and 12B and also lodged under lip 78. The seal 86 provides watertight mating of the upper rail 16 with the sidewalk 12. The upper rail 16, in particular the bottom surface of web portion 74 that faces the interior of the trailer 10, is used as a .reference plane for accurately mounting access door tracks 88 of trailer 10.
An access door 90 is shown in its open horizontal, under-the-roof position and is an overhead "garage" type, comprising multiple horizontal panels joined to each other by hinges (not shown) and having roller members 92 attached to each of its sides by shafts 94 with thrust collars 96. Roller members 92 run in tracks 88, which have a "C"-shaped cross section and an inverted "L" overall configuration, with the vertical legs of the "L" straddling the door opening on the inside. The horizontal legs of track 88 (shown in Fig. 9) are O.1843,00~l9CA
L.CW/tdl9, t 21~.~~~1 located a predetermined distance 100 below the roof of the trailer, such distance providing sufficient clearance for the door and its locking hardware (not shown) with the roof, when the door is rolled from its closed (vertical) position to its open (horizontal) position, and, at the same time, positioning the door in its open position as close to the roof as possible to minimize encroachment inter the load space of the trailer 10 (or 10' or 10").
Element 98 is a clip member comprising portions 98A, 98B and 98C. Portion 98A is attached by appropriate means, such as welding, to back portion 88B of track 88 while holding dimension 100, portion 98B, offset from portion 98A laterally by dimension 101, has at least one hole for attaching the clips, and tlms the whole horizontal leg of the track 88, to trailer upper rail 16 by the means of fasteners, preferably rivets 77; finally, portion 98C, at 90° to portion 98B, contacts horizontal web portion 7El of tap rail 16.
At installation the horizontal.leg of track 88 with attached clips 98 is pushed outward and upward, until portions 98B of the clips contact the vertical web portion 76 of the top rail and portions 98C contact the horizontal web portion of this rail; then, while held in this position, holes for rivets are transfer drilled from holes in clips thr~ri the vertical web portion of the top rail, and rivets 77 installed in these holes. Thus the track has been secured in the exact desired position, defined by dimensions 100 and 101, without any measuring or using special installation aids, which would be difficult due to the limited access.
It will be appreciated that the present invention provides for clip members 98 which allow for a convenient, easy and acclarate mounting of the tracks 88.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from this spirit or essential attributes thexeof and, accordingly, reference should be made to appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.
Claims (23)
1. A frameless container for carrying a cargo with a known load and having a predetermined length comprising a floor having floor support means, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalls and end walls, at least one end wall including an access door, said sidewalls having means located at the top and bottom thereof that are respectively connected to said floor support means and to said roof, the upper portion of each of said opposing sidewalls comprising at least first and second lap-jointed panels each having predetermined height, width, and thickness dimensions, the lower portion of said sidewalls comprising:
(a) a scuff plate having its bottom connected to said floor means and its top extending up from the floor by a predetermined distance to define a scuff zone with a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of said container, said scuff plate having a predetermined thickness relative to the thickness of each of said first and second lap-jointed panels;
(b) fastening means for fastening said scuff plate to said lap-jointed first and second panels, said fastening means arranged in at least one horizontal row located above said defined scuff zone, said fastening means having low profile heads projecting only slightly from said exposed inner surface for avoiding entanglement with cargo carried by said frameless container.
(a) a scuff plate having its bottom connected to said floor means and its top extending up from the floor by a predetermined distance to define a scuff zone with a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of said container, said scuff plate having a predetermined thickness relative to the thickness of each of said first and second lap-jointed panels;
(b) fastening means for fastening said scuff plate to said lap-jointed first and second panels, said fastening means arranged in at least one horizontal row located above said defined scuff zone, said fastening means having low profile heads projecting only slightly from said exposed inner surface for avoiding entanglement with cargo carried by said frameless container.
2. A frameless container according to claim 1, wherein said scuff plate and each of said lap-jointed panels are composed of the same material and the thickness of said scuff panel exceeds the thickness of each of said lap-jointed panels.
3. A frameless container according to claim 1, wherein said scuff plate and said lap-jointed panels are composed of dissimilar materials with the material for the scuff plate being stronger than that of said lap-jointed panels and the thickness of said scuff plate being less than the thickness of each of said lap-jointed panels.
4. A frameless container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said container comprises a trailer and which has means for being suitably connected to a tractor unit.
5. A frameless container according to claim 4, wherein said trailer has a predetermined length of about 28 feet or more.
6. A frameless container according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said container is wedge-shaped, the upper sidewall portion comprising said lap-jointed panels is of uniform height, and said scuff plate is wedge-shaped, said scuff panel having a length which substantially matches said predetermined length of the container.
7. A frameless container according to claim 6, wherein said upper portion of each of said opposing sidewalls is selected from a material and arranged so that the sidewalls are capable of withstanding about 67%
to about 75% of the load carried by the frameless container imposed by the weight of the cargo in the frameless container.
to about 75% of the load carried by the frameless container imposed by the weight of the cargo in the frameless container.
8. A frameless container according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said container and the upper sidewall portion, comprising said lap-jointed panels, are both of uniform height, and the scuff plate is also of uniform height and has a length which substantially matches said predetermined length of the container.
9. A frameless container according to claim 8, wherein said upper portion of each of said opposing sidewalls is selected from a material and arranged so that the sidewalls are capable of withstanding about 67%
to about 75% of the load carried by the frameless container imposed by the weight of the cargo in the frameless container.
to about 75% of the load carried by the frameless container imposed by the weight of the cargo in the frameless container.
10. A frameless container according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said container and the upper sidewall portion, comprising said lap jointed panels, are both wedge-shaped, and the scuff plate is of uniform height and has a length, which substantially matches said predetermined length of the container.
11. A frameless container according to claim 10, wherein said upper portion of each of said opposing sidewalls is selected from a material and arranged so that the sidewalls are capable of withstanding about 67%
to about 75% of the load carried by the frameless container imposed by the weight of the cargo in the frameless container.
to about 75% of the load carried by the frameless container imposed by the weight of the cargo in the frameless container.
12. A frameless container according to claim 1, further comprising a top rail interconnected between said roof and each of said opposite sidewalls, said top rail having a portion of an inner surface exposed to the interior of said container; said top rail also having a portion of an outer surface which is exposed to the ambient, said top rail comprising:
(a) a main horizontal web portion;
(b) a ledge portion;
(c) a lip portion;
(d) a vertical web portion;
(e) an upper horizontal, outwardly extending portion;
and (f) a dependent web portion adjacent to and running along the inner side of said lip portion, said dependent web portion having at least one hole for accepting fastening means that join said first and second panels to said dependent web portion.
(a) a main horizontal web portion;
(b) a ledge portion;
(c) a lip portion;
(d) a vertical web portion;
(e) an upper horizontal, outwardly extending portion;
and (f) a dependent web portion adjacent to and running along the inner side of said lip portion, said dependent web portion having at least one hole for accepting fastening means that join said first and second panels to said dependent web portion.
13. A frameless container according to claim 12, further comprising a seal located under said lip portion and covering the top edges of said connected first and second lap jointed panels.
14. A frameless container according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said access door is an overhead type with opposite sides and has roller members attached to each opposite side of said access door, said roller members engaging "C"-shaped guide tracks to allow the access door to be rolled from its vertical closed position to its horizontal open position, in which said door rests in and is supported by said guide tracks parallel to the container roof and at a predetermined, functionally critical distance below it.
15. A frameless container according to claim 14, wherein the positioning of said guide tracks at said predetermined distance below roof, prior to permanent attachment to the container top rail, is facilitated and ensured by clip members which are shaped to be contoured to one surface of said dependent web portion and to one surface of the guide tracks.
16. A frameless container according to claim 15, wherein a portion of said clip members for attaching to said one surface of said dependent web portion and to said one surface of said guide tracks have at least one hole for accepting a fastener and said clip members being positioned so as to extend vertically upward to contact a designated inside surface of the container's top rail, each of said clip members serving as a gauge for easily and accurately locating said guide tracks at said predetermined distance below the container roof during installation.
17. A frameless container according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second panels comprises at least one corrugated portion.
18. A frameless container according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second panels comprises a first planar portion and a corrugated portion and wherein the planar portion of one of said first and second panels overlaps the corrugated portion of the other said first and second panel.
19. A frameless container according to claim 12, further comprising anti-sag roof bow members that rest upon and are fastened to said top rail.
20. A trailer having a predetermined length comprising a floor having floor support means, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalls and end walls, said sidewalls having means located at the bottom and top thereof that are respectively connected to said floor support means and to said roof, the upper portion of each of said opposing sidewalls comprising at least first and second lap-jointed panels each having predetermined height, width, and thickness dimensions, said trailer further comprising:
(a) a top rail interconnected between said roof and each of said opposite sidewalls, said top rail having a portion of an inner surface exposed to interior of said trailer;
(b) an access door of the overhead type with opposite sides and having respective roller members attached to an upper portion of each opposite side of said access door, each of said roller members being arranged within guide means to allow the access door to be moved up and down, and wherein said guide means comprises:
(i) a pair of tracks each having an inner surface and a top portion and vertically arranged in respective corners between each opposite sidewall and one of said end walls, each of said inner surfaces of said pair of tracks guiding its respective roller; and (ii) a pair of clip members each with a predetermined vertical length respectively interconnected to said pair of tracks and having at least one hole therein and an offset portion connected to said top portion of said track, each of said clip members comprising an extension portion that runs against an inner surface of said top rail, said arrangement of said clip members and said top rail as well as the predetermined vertical length of said clip members being selected so that said tracks are fixed at a predetermined distance relative to said top rail;
and (c) a lower portion of said sidewalls comprising:
(i) a scuff plate having its bottom connected to said floor support means and its top extending up from the floor by a predetermined distance to define a scuff zone with a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of said trailer, said scuff plate having a predetermined thickness relative to the thickness of each of said first and second lap jointed panels;
and (ii) fastening means for fastening said scuff plate to said overlapped first and second panels, said fastening means arranged in at least one horizontal row located above said defined scuff zone, said fastening means having a head portion substantially flush with said exposed inner surface for avoiding entanglement with cargo carried by said trailer.
(a) a top rail interconnected between said roof and each of said opposite sidewalls, said top rail having a portion of an inner surface exposed to interior of said trailer;
(b) an access door of the overhead type with opposite sides and having respective roller members attached to an upper portion of each opposite side of said access door, each of said roller members being arranged within guide means to allow the access door to be moved up and down, and wherein said guide means comprises:
(i) a pair of tracks each having an inner surface and a top portion and vertically arranged in respective corners between each opposite sidewall and one of said end walls, each of said inner surfaces of said pair of tracks guiding its respective roller; and (ii) a pair of clip members each with a predetermined vertical length respectively interconnected to said pair of tracks and having at least one hole therein and an offset portion connected to said top portion of said track, each of said clip members comprising an extension portion that runs against an inner surface of said top rail, said arrangement of said clip members and said top rail as well as the predetermined vertical length of said clip members being selected so that said tracks are fixed at a predetermined distance relative to said top rail;
and (c) a lower portion of said sidewalls comprising:
(i) a scuff plate having its bottom connected to said floor support means and its top extending up from the floor by a predetermined distance to define a scuff zone with a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of said trailer, said scuff plate having a predetermined thickness relative to the thickness of each of said first and second lap jointed panels;
and (ii) fastening means for fastening said scuff plate to said overlapped first and second panels, said fastening means arranged in at least one horizontal row located above said defined scuff zone, said fastening means having a head portion substantially flush with said exposed inner surface for avoiding entanglement with cargo carried by said trailer.
21. A trailer having a predetermined length for carrying cargo comprising a floor having floor support means, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalls and end walls, said sidewalls and end walls each having means located at the bottom and top thereof that are respectively connected to said floor means and said roof, the upper portion of each of said opposing sidewalls comprising at least first and second lap jointed panels each having predetermined height, width, and thickness dimensions, said trailer further comprising:
(a) a top rail member interconnected between said roof and said sidewalls, said top rail having a portion with an inner surface exposed to the interior of said container, said top rail also having an outer surface exposed to the ambient, said top rail comprising:
(i) a main horizontal web portion;
(ii} a ledge portion;
(iii) a lip portion;
(iv} a vertical web portion;
(v) an upper horizontal, outwardly extending portion; and (vi) a dependent web adjacent to and running along the inner side of said lip portion, said dependent web portion extending downward to contact and overlap one of said first and second overlapping panels, said dependent web portion having at least one hole for accepting fastening means that joins said first and second overlapping panels to said dependent web portion;
(b) an access door having opposite sides located in one of the end walls and being an overhead type having a roller member attached to an upper portion of each of said opposite sides of said access door;
(c) guide means accepting each of said roller members and comprising:
(i) a pair of tracks each having an upper surface and a top portion and vertically arranged in respective corners between each opposite sidewall and one of said end walls, each of said inner surfaces of said tracks guiding its respective roller;
and (ii) a pair of clip members each with a predetermined vertical length and respectively interconnected to said pair of tracks and having at least one hole therein, each of said clip members comprising an offset portion connected to said top portion of said track, an extension portion that runs against an inner surface of a major portion of said dependent web, and an upper portion that runs against a portion of an inner surface of said main horizontal web portion, said arrangement of said clip members and said top rail as well as the predetermined vertical length of said clip members being selected so that said tracks are fixed at a predetermined distance relative to said main horizontal web portion of said top rail.
(d) a lower portion of said sidewalls comprising:
(i) a scuff plate having its bottom connected to said floor support means and its top extending up from said floor support means by a predetermined distance to define a scuff zone with a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of said trailer, said scuff plate having a predetermined thickness relative to the thickness of each of said first and second lap-jointed panels; and (ii) fastening means for fastening said scuff plate to said overlapped first and second panels, said fastening means arranged in at least one horizontal row located above said defined scuff zone, said fastening means having a head portion substantially flush with said exposed inner surface, whereby said exposed inner surface avoids entanglement with cargo carried by said trailer.
(a) a top rail member interconnected between said roof and said sidewalls, said top rail having a portion with an inner surface exposed to the interior of said container, said top rail also having an outer surface exposed to the ambient, said top rail comprising:
(i) a main horizontal web portion;
(ii} a ledge portion;
(iii) a lip portion;
(iv} a vertical web portion;
(v) an upper horizontal, outwardly extending portion; and (vi) a dependent web adjacent to and running along the inner side of said lip portion, said dependent web portion extending downward to contact and overlap one of said first and second overlapping panels, said dependent web portion having at least one hole for accepting fastening means that joins said first and second overlapping panels to said dependent web portion;
(b) an access door having opposite sides located in one of the end walls and being an overhead type having a roller member attached to an upper portion of each of said opposite sides of said access door;
(c) guide means accepting each of said roller members and comprising:
(i) a pair of tracks each having an upper surface and a top portion and vertically arranged in respective corners between each opposite sidewall and one of said end walls, each of said inner surfaces of said tracks guiding its respective roller;
and (ii) a pair of clip members each with a predetermined vertical length and respectively interconnected to said pair of tracks and having at least one hole therein, each of said clip members comprising an offset portion connected to said top portion of said track, an extension portion that runs against an inner surface of a major portion of said dependent web, and an upper portion that runs against a portion of an inner surface of said main horizontal web portion, said arrangement of said clip members and said top rail as well as the predetermined vertical length of said clip members being selected so that said tracks are fixed at a predetermined distance relative to said main horizontal web portion of said top rail.
(d) a lower portion of said sidewalls comprising:
(i) a scuff plate having its bottom connected to said floor support means and its top extending up from said floor support means by a predetermined distance to define a scuff zone with a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of said trailer, said scuff plate having a predetermined thickness relative to the thickness of each of said first and second lap-jointed panels; and (ii) fastening means for fastening said scuff plate to said overlapped first and second panels, said fastening means arranged in at least one horizontal row located above said defined scuff zone, said fastening means having a head portion substantially flush with said exposed inner surface, whereby said exposed inner surface avoids entanglement with cargo carried by said trailer.
22. A trailer according to claim 21, wherein said scuff plate is of a unitary construction.
23. A trailer according to claim 21, wherein said scuff plate comprises a plurality of pieces that are welded together.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/107,269 US5509714A (en) | 1993-08-16 | 1993-08-16 | Frameless container for carrying cargo having overlapped sidewalls and a unitary bottom scuff panel |
| US107,269 | 1993-08-16 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2112921A1 CA2112921A1 (en) | 1995-02-17 |
| CA2112921C true CA2112921C (en) | 2005-06-21 |
Family
ID=22315783
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002112921A Expired - Fee Related CA2112921C (en) | 1993-08-16 | 1994-01-06 | Frameless container for carrying cargo having overlapped sidewalls and a unitary bottom scuff panel |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5509714A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2112921C (en) |
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| CN201068305Y (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2008-06-04 | 中国国际海运集装箱(集团)股份有限公司 | Bottom structure for container |
| US20090001075A1 (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2009-01-01 | China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd. | Container |
| US8016152B2 (en) | 2007-07-27 | 2011-09-13 | Vanguard National Trailer Corp. | Container sidewall connector |
| US20100233503A1 (en) * | 2009-03-13 | 2010-09-16 | Zachman Joseph M | Panel for a storage container |
| US8876193B2 (en) | 2011-07-20 | 2014-11-04 | Wabash National, L.P. | Inner wall liner for a refrigerated trailer wall panel |
| CN103043114A (en) * | 2013-01-15 | 2013-04-17 | 山东丛林福禄好富汽车有限公司 | Aluminium alloy corner profile for van semi trailer carriage tops |
| CN103085895B (en) * | 2013-01-25 | 2016-06-01 | 山东丛林福禄好富汽车有限公司 | Aluminum alloy van transportation semitrailer car |
| US10239566B2 (en) * | 2016-02-24 | 2019-03-26 | Wabash National, L.P. | Composite floor for a dry truck body |
| US10730568B2 (en) | 2017-01-26 | 2020-08-04 | Wabash National, L.P. | Single shear fastener stabilizer |
| US11825789B2 (en) * | 2019-08-21 | 2023-11-28 | Dynaforge Trading Llc | Board connector system and method |
| US11027783B1 (en) | 2019-12-06 | 2021-06-08 | Strick Trailers, Llc | Joint between sidewall and roof panel of trailer |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2172571A (en) * | 1939-09-12 | Vehicle | ||
| US2322088A (en) * | 1941-05-05 | 1943-06-15 | Fifth Third Union Trust Compan | Door for freight carrying vehicles |
| US2384965A (en) * | 1944-03-13 | 1945-09-18 | Fruehauf Trailer Co | Vehicle body construction |
| US4212405A (en) * | 1972-03-07 | 1980-07-15 | Srick Corporation | Aluminum panel container or trailer body |
| US4015876A (en) * | 1972-05-11 | 1977-04-05 | Fruehauf Corporation | Wedge type trailer body |
| US4357047A (en) * | 1980-11-24 | 1982-11-02 | Strick Corporation | Trailer with unitary bottom rail-scuff plate |
| US4420183A (en) * | 1981-07-31 | 1983-12-13 | Sherman Robert C | Body liner assembly |
| US4685721A (en) * | 1986-06-09 | 1987-08-11 | Monon Corporation | Plate trailer |
| US5286079A (en) * | 1992-12-09 | 1994-02-15 | Strick Corporation | Frameless container for carrying cargo having a multi-panel construction |
-
1993
- 1993-08-16 US US08/107,269 patent/US5509714A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1994
- 1994-01-06 CA CA002112921A patent/CA2112921C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2112921A1 (en) | 1995-02-17 |
| US5509714A (en) | 1996-04-23 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |