초록 ▼

An improved slat construction (20) for use in a livestock trailer (22) includes a double skin slat (24) connected to upright posts (38) of the trailer (22) with weld connections (68). The slat (24) includes an inner skin (26), an outer skin (28), a plurality of bulkheads (30), and female and male ed

An improved slat construction (20) for use in a livestock trailer (22) includes a double skin slat (24) connected to upright posts (38) of the trailer (22) with weld connections (68). The slat (24) includes an inner skin (26), an outer skin (28), a plurality of bulkheads (30), and female and male edge connections (32, 34). The inner and outer skins (26, 28) are spaced apart to define a gap (62) therebetween, and the bulkheads (30) are positioned in the gap (62) and connect to the inner and outer skins (26, 28) to divide the gap (62) into internal chambers which inhibit heat transfer by convection. The female connection (32) includes opposed legs (78) defining a groove (80) therebetween, and the male connection (34) includes a tongue (74) inserted into the groove (80) to connect adjacent slats (24).

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.]1. An elongated, integrally formed, extruded metal sidewall slat for use in a trailer, the slat comprising:an outer skin having an exterior surface and an interior surface;a substantially continuous inner skin spaced apart from the outer skin to define an internal insulating gap, and

[ I claim:] [1.]1. An elongated, integrally formed, extruded metal sidewall slat for use in a trailer, the slat comprising:an outer skin having an exterior surface and an interior surface;a substantially continuous inner skin spaced apart from the outer skin to define an internal insulating gap, and the inner skin having an enclosed surface and an exposed surface;a longitudinally extending first edge;a longitudinally extending second edge opposite the first edge; andat least one reinforcing bulkhead positioned in the gap between the first and second edges, and the bulkhead being connected to the inner skin and the outer skin to divide the gap into a plurality of internal chambers thereby inhibiting convection between the inner skin and the outer skin,said exposed surface of the inner skin being flat,said outer skin having, in transverse cross-section, at least a pair of smoothly arcuate, side-by-side, outwardly convex arches integrally joined together at a valley between the two arches to render said exterior surface smoothly convexly scalloped,said at least one bulkhead being aligned with and located at said valley.