초록 ▼

An improved semi-trailer panel assembly which offers the strength and durability of a standard “post and sheet panel”trailer as well as the lighter weight and increased cargo area which, until now, has only been associated with a “plate-type”trailer. Multiple rectangular panels having a generally co

An improved semi-trailer panel assembly which offers the strength and durability of a standard “post and sheet panel”trailer as well as the lighter weight and increased cargo area which, until now, has only been associated with a “plate-type”trailer. Multiple rectangular panels having a generally corrugated design are placed side-by-side upon the side of a semi-trailer. Seam extrusion members, each having two elongated grooves, are positioned between adjacent panels whereby the side edges of these panels are inserted into the grooves and secured in place with a flexible adhesive; no bolts or rivets are necessary for this function.. Small connection clips are also provided which snap over the side edges of the panels and ensure the proper positioning of the panel edges within the grooves for adhesion purposes. The upper and lower edges of all panels and extrusion members are then secured with bolts or rivets to the upper and lower base rails, respectively, of the trailer frame. The corrugated design of the side panels provides sufficient columnar strength for the trailer such that vertical support posts are not required. Accordingly, the interior width of the trailer may be extended, within regulatory guidelines, to at least 101 inches.

대표청구항 ▼

In a cargo-carrying trailer having a floor supported by a lower rail assembly, a roof supported by an upper rail assembly, a front wall secured between said lower rail assembly and said upper rail assembly, and a plurality of panels making up the side walls of the trailer, the improvement comprising

In a cargo-carrying trailer having a floor supported by a lower rail assembly, a roof supported by an upper rail assembly, a front wall secured between said lower rail assembly and said upper rail assembly, and a plurality of panels making up the side walls of the trailer, the improvement comprising: (a) a plurality of rectangular and substantially planar vertical panels being mounted between said lower rail assembly and said upper rail assembly, said panels being of corrugated construction so as to include a plurality of individual channels of corrugation, said individual channels being vertically extending and horizontally aligned, said panels including side edges wherein said panels may be positioned upon said trailer with said side edges of adjacent panels being in near-abutting relation to each other, said side edges extending no further inward into said trailer body than an innermost interior surface of said panel; (b) a plurality of attaching members being positioned between said side edges of adjacent panels, each of said attaching members having a vertical length approximately equal to a vertical height of said panels and including two outwardly extending channels to accommodate said side edges, said attaching members being mounted between said lower rail assembly and said upper rail assembly and extending no further inward into said trailer body than an innermost interior surface of said adjacent panels; (c) means for securely attaching said side edges of said panels within said channels of said attaching members without the use of screws, bolts or rivets.