Abstract: Improved trailers (e.g., semi-trailers) are disclosed. The trailers may include a floor having a top surface and a bottom surface, where the top surface is adapted to transport a payload, and an elongated shell connected to the bottom surface of the floor, where the elongated shell defines a portion of a substantially closed torsion-resistant chamber of the trailer. The trailers may have a torsion resistance that is substantially higher than conventional trailers of similar size and/or load capacity. The trailers may weigh substantially less than conventional trailers of similar size and/or load capacity. The trailers may realize a bending resistance that is at least equivalent to the bending resistance of conventional trailers of similar size and/or load capacity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 16, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2013
Assignee:
Alutrec Inc.
Inventors:
Julien Nadeau, Michel Guillot, Jean-Christian Methot, Russell S. Long
Abstract: Improved trailers (e.g., semi-trailers) are disclosed. The trailers may include a floor having a top surface and a bottom surface, where the top surface is adapted to transport a payload, and an elongated shell connected to the bottom surface of the floor, where the elongated shell defines a portion of a substantially closed torsion-resistant chamber of the trailer. The trailers may have a torsion resistance that is substantially higher than conventional trailers of similar size and/or load capacity. The trailers may weigh substantially less than conventional trailers of similar size and/or load capacity. The trailers may realize a bending resistance that is at least equivalent to the bending resistance of conventional trailers of similar size and/or load capacity.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 16, 2009
Publication date:
December 24, 2009
Applicants:
Alcoa Inc., Alutrec Inc., Universite Laval
Inventors:
Julien Nadeau, Michel Guillot, Jean-Christian Methot, Russell S. Long