Sidewall plank for constructing a trailer and associated trailer sidewall construction
A sidewall plank (14) for constructing trailers and an associated sidewall construction (10). The sidewall plank (14) has an body (15) defining a first edge portion (17) and has a second edge portion (19) for engaging the first edge portion (17) of another plank (14). The first edge portion (17) of the sidewall plank (14) defines a tongue (18) and the second edge portion (19) defines a primary groove (20) for receiving the tongue (18) of another sidewall plank (14). The first edge portion (17) also includes a second groove (24) for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and the second edge portion (19) is provided with a third groove (26) for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and for registering with the second groove (24) of another plank (14). The associated sidewall construction (10) includes a plurality of sidewall planks (14), and a roof support member (30).
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to sidewall planks used in the construction of a trailer, such as a trailer for transporting horses or other livestock. The invention also relates to an improved system for constructing a sidewall portion of a trailer and supporting the roof of the trailer.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of interlocking, horizontally oriented planks to form the sidewalls of a trailer for carrying livestock or other cargo is know in the art. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,671. Whereas, such planks often define tubular members with hollow interiors to reduce the weight of the planks, with aluminum being a common fabricating material. Further, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,726, tongue and groove joints have been used to join such sidewall planks in the forming of a sidewall portion. However, in order to protect the cargo carried within the trailer, it is important that the trailer sidewall planks not only firmly and securely interlock with one another, but do so in a weatherproof fashion. In this regard, the joint between sidewall planks should be substantially fluid impervious such that wind and rain cannot enter the trailer. Whereas it is known to place adhesives or sealants between the adjoining sidewall planks as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,726 and Canadian Patent No. 2,097,340, sidewall plank joints are not typically engineered to facilitate the placing of adhesives and sealants between the planks. Moreover, providing a strong, durable and weatherproof means for securing the roof of the trailer to the stack of interlocking sidewall planks can be problematic. This is particularly true in view of the need to limit the distance which the roof support, and/or roof, overhangs the sidewall portions of the trailer such that the effective width of the trailer is limited.
Other examples of trailer construction are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,913; Canadian Patent No. 2,088,284; French Patent Nos. 1,497,184 and 2,510,061; United Kingdom Patent Nos. 842,388 and 1,455,564; and German Patent No. 1,093,222.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a sidewall plank for constructing trailers, such as, for example, livestock trailers, and provides an associated sidewall construction for such trailers. The sidewall planks define an elongated body having a first edge portion and having a second edge portion for engaging the first edge portion of another sidewall plank. The first edge portion of the sidewall plank is provided with a tongue having an outwardly facing distal surface, and the second edge portion defines a primary groove for receiving the tongue of another sidewall plank, the primary groove having an outwardly facing bottom surface. The distal surface of the tongue of the sidewall plank is provided with a second groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material, and the bottom surface of the primary groove of the sidewall plank is provided with a third groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and for registering with the second groove of another sidewall plank when the second edge portion of the sidewall plank engages the first edge portion of the other sidewall plank.
The associated sidewall construction includes a plurality of the sidewall planks stacked in an interlocking configuration with the tongue of one plank being received in the primary groove of an adjacent plank. Accordingly, when a first sidewall plank is stacked upon a second sidewall plank, with the tongue of the second plank seated in the groove of the first plank, the third groove of the first sidewall plank and the second groove of the second sidewall plank register and cooperatively form a channel for receiving an adhesive/sealant material. The sidewall construction also includes a roof support member that extends along at least a portion of the length of the uppermost sidewall plank for engaging and supporting at least a portion of the roof of the trailer. The roof support member is provided with a downwardly disposed receptor for receiving the upper portion of the uppermost sidewall plank, and defines a roof engaging surface for engaging at least a portion of the roof of the trailer. In one embodiment the roof support member is provided with a recessed portion for receiving a light fixture or other trailer accessories.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGSThe above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
A trailer sidewall construction incorporating the present invention is illustrated generally at 10 in the
As best illustrated in
Each of the sidewall planks 14 has a first edge portion 17 defining an tongue 18 that, in one embodiment, extends the length of the plank 14, and has a second, opposite edge portion 19 defining a groove 20 that, in one embodiment, extends the length of the plank 14. In this regard, the tongue 18 of the sidewall plank 14 is configured to be closely received in the groove 20 of another plank 14 in order to interlock the planks together. Accordingly, as illustrated in
The interlocking of the tongues 18 and grooves 20 of adjacent planks 14 not only provide a strong joint for the securing the adjacent planks 14, but provide a joint which is highly weatherproof. However, to further strengthen the junction between adjacent planks 14, and to further weatherproof that junction, an adhesive/sealant material 22 is placed on the mating surfaces of the planks 14 as illustrated in
Further, in one embodiment of the planks 14, the first edge portion 17 of each plank 14 defines a second groove 24, and the second edge portion 19 of each plank 14 defines a third groove 26 which registers with the second groove 24 of an interlocking plank 14. As best illustrated in
It will be noted that in the preferred illustrated embodiment of the planks 14 the second groove 24 is defined in the outwardly facing distal surface 27 of the tongue 18 and extends the length of the tongue 18, and the third groove 26 is defined in the bottom surface 29 of the groove 20 and extends the length of the groove 20. (See
As illustrated in
In order to secure the roof support member 30 to the uppermost plank 14 of the sidewall portion 16 the roof support member 30 is provided with a downwardly disposed receptor 36 which, in the illustrated embodiment, extends the length of the roof support member 30. As best illustrated in
Because the receptor 36 of the roof support member 30 is configured to receive the upper portion of the uppermost plank 14, rather than the tongue 18 alone, a more stable interlocking of the roof support member 30 and the plank 14 is accomplished, thereby providing greater support for the roof 32. In this regard, the roof support member 30 defines a roof engaging surface 50 to which the roof 32 is secured. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the roof 32 can be secured to the roof engaging surface 50 by welding, mechanical fasteners (not shown), or other suitable securing means.
It will also be noted that in the illustrated embodiment the roof support member 30 defines a recessed portion 52 above the outer wall section 46. The recessed portion 52 provides a location for the mounting of lights, reflectors, and/or other trailer accessories, without increasing the overall width of the trailer. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the irregular cross section created by providing the recessed portion 52 strengthens the roof support member 30 when the member 30 defines an extruded tubular configuration.
In light of the above, it will be recognized that the trailer sidewall construction 10 provides advantages over the prior art. The tongue and groove construction ensures that the planks 14 securely interlock, and provide a strong, durable sidewall. The registering grooves 24 and 26 of the planks 14 allow the adhesive/sealant 22 to effectively bond adjacent planks 14 together and render the resulting joint substantially fluid impervious. Where extruded aluminum is used to construct the planks 14, the resulting sidewall is lightweight, and strong. Moreover, the roof support member 30 provides a stable, yet lightweight, means for securing the roof 32 to the sidewalls of the trailer. Thus, in accordance with the present invention opposing sidewall portions 10 can be joined by a floor 54 and a roof 32 to provide a strong, but lightweight trailer 12, such as a horse or livestock trailer.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
Claims
1. A sidewall plank for interlocking with other said sidewall planks in the construction of at least a portion of the sidewall of a trailer, said sidewall plank comprising an elongated body having a first edge portion and having a second edge portion for engaging said first edge portion of another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion defining a tongue and said second edge portion defining a primary groove for receiving said tongue of said another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion of said sidewall plank being provided with a second groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material, said second groove being oriented so as to open toward a surface of said second edge portion of said another said sidewall plank.
2. The sidewall plank of claim 1 wherein said second edge portion of said sidewall plank is provided with a third groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and for registering with said second groove of said another said sidewall plank when said second edge portion of said sidewall plank engages said first edge portion of said another said sidewall plank.
3. The sidewall plank of claim 2 wherein said second groove is defined in and extends along at least a portion of said tongue, and said third groove is defined in and extends along at least a portion of said primary groove.
4. The sidewall plank of claim 3 wherein said tongue defines an outwardly facing distal surface and said primary groove defines an outwardly facing bottom surface, and wherein said second groove is defined in said distal surface of said tongue, and said third groove is defined in said bottom surface of said primary groove.
5. The sidewall plank of claim 2 wherein said body of said sidewall plank is tubular.
6. The sidewall plank of claim 5 wherein said body of said sidewall plank is fabricated from an extruded material.
7. The sidewall plank of claim 6 wherein said extruded material is aluminum.
8. The sidewall plank of claim 4 wherein said body of said sidewall plank is tubular.
9. The sidewall plank of claim 8 wherein said body of said sidewall plank is fabricated from an extruded material.
10. The sidewall plank of claim 9 wherein said extruded material is aluminum.
11. A sidewall plank for interlocking with other said sidewall planks in the construction of at least a portion of the sidewall of a trailer, said sidewall plank comprising an elongated body having a first edge portion and having a second edge portion for engaging said first edge portion of another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion defining a tongue and said second edge portion defining a primary groove for receiving said tongue of said another said sidewall plank, said second edge portion of said sidewall plank being provided with a further groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material.
12. The sidewall plank of claim 11 wherein said primary groove defines an outwardly facing bottom surface and said further groove is defined in and extend along at least a portion of said bottom surface of said primary groove.
13. A sidewall construction for constructing at least a portion of the sidewall of a trailer, said sidewall construction comprising:
- a plurality of sidewall planks, each said sidewall plank having an elongated body defining a first edge portion and defining a second edge portion for engaging said first edge portion of another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion of each said sidewall plank defining a tongue and said second edge portion defining a primary groove for receiving said tongue of said another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion of each said sidewall plank being provided with a second groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and said second edge portion of each said sidewall plank being provided with a third groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and for registering with said second groove of said another said sidewall plank when said second edge portion of said sidewall plank engages said first edge portion of said another said sidewall plank; and
- a roof support member extending along at least a portion of one said sidewall plank for engaging and supporting at least a portion of the roof of the trailer.
14. The sidewall construction of claim 13 wherein said second groove of said sidewall planks is defined in and extends along at least a portion of said tongue, and said third groove of said sidewall planks is defined in and extends along at least a portion of said primary groove.
15. The sidewall construction of claim 13 wherein said tongue of each said sidewall plank defines an outwardly facing distal surface and said primary groove defines an outwardly facing bottom surface, and wherein said second groove of each said sidewall plank is defined in said distal surface of said tongue, and said third groove is defined in said bottom surface of said primary groove.
16. The sidewall construction of claim 13 wherein said body of each said sidewall plank is tubular.
17. The sidewall construction of claim 16 wherein said body of each said sidewall plank is fabricated from an extruded material.
18. The sidewall construction of claim 17 wherein said extruded material is aluminum.
19. The sidewall construction of claim 13 wherein said roof support member is provided with a downwardly disposed receptor for receiving an upper portion of at least one of said sidewall planks, and defines a roof engaging surface for engaging at least a portion of the roof of the trailer.
20. The sidewall construction of claim 13 wherein said roof support member defines a recessed portion extending along at least a portion of its length for receiving trailer accessories.
21. The sidewall construction of claim 19 wherein said roof support member is tubular and defines a recessed portion extending along its length for receiving a light fixture.
22. The sidewall construction of claim 21 wherein said roof support member is fabricated of an extruded material.
23. The sidewall construction of claim 22 wherein said extruded material is aluminum.
24. A sidewall construction for constructing at least a portion of the sidewall of a trailer, said sidewall construction comprising:
- a plurality of sidewall planks, each said sidewall plank having an elongated body defining a first edge portion and defining a second edge portion for engaging said first edge portion of another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion of each said sidewall plank defining a tongue having an outwardly facing distal surface and said second edge portion defining a primary groove for receiving said tongue of said another said sidewall plank, said primary groove having an outwardly facing bottom surface, said distal surface of said tongue of each said sidewall plank being provided with a second groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material, and said bottom surface of said primary groove of each said sidewall plank being provided with a third groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and for registering with said second groove of said another said sidewall plank when said second edge portion of said sidewall plank engages said first edge portion of said another said sidewall plank; and
- a roof support member extending along at least a portion of the length of one said sidewall plank for engaging and supporting at least a portion of the roof of the trailer, said roof support member being provided with a downwardly disposed receptor for receiving an upper portion of at least one of said sidewall planks, and defining a roof engaging surface for engaging at least a portion of the roof of the trailer, said roof support member further defining a recessed portion extending along its length for receiving trailer accessories.
25. The sidewall construction of claim 24 wherein said body of each said sidewall plank is tubular, and wherein said roof support member is tubular.
26. The sidewall construction of claim 24 wherein said body of each said sidewall plank is fabricated of an extruded material, and said roof support member is fabricated of said extruded material.
27. The sidewall construction of claim 26 wherein said extruded material is aluminum.
28. A trailer for carrying livestock, said trailer comprising:
- first and second sidewalls each including a plurality of sidewall planks, each said sidewall plank having an elongated body defining a first edge portion and defining a second edge portion for engaging said first edge portion of another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion of each said sidewall plank defining a tongue and said second edge portion defining a primary groove for receiving said tongue of said another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion of each said sidewall plank being provided with a second groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and said second edge portion of each said sidewall plank being provided with a third groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and for registering with said second groove of said another said sidewall plank when said second edge portion of said sidewall plank engages said first edge portion of said another said sidewall plank;
- a floor extending between said first and second sidewalls;
- first and second roof support members, said first roof support member extending along at least a portion of one said sidewall plank of said first sidewall and said second roof support member extending along at least a portion of one said sidewall plank of said second sidewall; and
- a roof extending between and supported by said first and second roof support members.
29. The trailer of claim 28 wherein said second groove of said sidewall planks is defined in and extends along at least a portion of said tongue, and said third groove of said sidewall planks is defined in and extends along at least a portion of said primary groove.
30. The trailer of claim 28 wherein said tongue of each said sidewall plank defines an outwardly facing distal surface and said primary groove defines an outwardly facing bottom surface, and wherein said second groove of each said sidewall plank is defined in said distal, surface of said tongue, and said third groove is defined in said bottom surface of said primary groove.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 27, 2004
Publication Date: Apr 6, 2006
Applicant: Blue Hen, LLC (Gordonsville, TN)
Inventors: Hugh Moser (Jefferson City, TN), Gordon Woodard (Carthage, TN)
Application Number: 10/950,845
International Classification: E04B 2/18 (20060101);