Abstract: A combination door header and rain gutter for a trailer is disclosed. A generally U-shaped section having vertically oriented leg portions of different height extends across the top of a door opening of the trailer. A substantially Z-shaped closure member is secured to the upper edges of the leg portions on the U-shaped section. The forward portion of the Z-shaped member defines a rain gutter and provides for attachment of the roof skin of the vehicle and the rearward end of the Z-shaped member forms a drip cap.

Abstract: An automated process of making reinforced roof and wall sheets for trucks and trailers employs step-by-step advancement of the sheet rock and lateral infeed of the structural reinforcing members. As the reinforcing members are sequentially fed into registry with the sheet stock, two kinds of adhesive are applied to them, one being a hot melt adhesive and the other being a catalyzed room temperature curing adhesive. The hot melt adhesive sets to provide an initial bonding which allows normal handling while the room temperature curing adhesive cures in the joint ultimately to augment the hot melt and provide a high strength joint.

Abstract: A platform trailer comprises a plurality of extruded aluminum floor boards, which are approximately four inches in thickness centrally of the trailer. The floor boards transversely outward of the center portion taper to a thickness of approximately 21/2 inches at the side edges of the trailer platforms. The floor boards have top and bottom panels which are joined by angularly disposed webs. The floor boards have mating welded edges that are joined to form a continuous horizontal substantially planar platform. A floor board spaced inwardly from each side edge of the platform has a downwardly extending web portion on the bottom thereof to which the web portion of an inverted T-shaped longitudinal frame member is secured. Pockets are welded in openings through the top and bottom panels of the transversely outermost floor boards for the acceptance of stakes in any desired longitudinally spaced relation.

Abstract: A cargo container formed of extruded light metal framing members and cooperating panels is made in subassemblies composed of parts which are secured together primarily by riveting, the subassemblies also being secured to one another primarily by riveting, although certain key fastenings are made by welding, and parts are limitedly telescopable prior to welding, to accommodate variations resulting from manufacturing tolerances.Fastening means for securing cargo within the container, and for securing the container against displacement in a vehicle during transportation, are integrated with rigid framing elements.

Abstract: Fastening means for a hinged door consists of a locking cam shaped like an elongated hooked finger, swingable about a vertical axis to and from overengaged relation with a keeper pin to secure and release the door. The cam is tapered to reduced vertical thickness toward its free end and is keystone-shaped in cross section. The keeper pin is contained in a keeper housing into and out of which the cam moves. The keeper housing has wall portions with which the cam is engageable if the door is sagged or misaligned, so that due to its tapered form the cam urges the door toward realignment during closing. Due to the cross-sectional shape of the cam, the area of contact between the cam and such wall portions of the housing is limited (theoretically to a point) during movement of the cam to and from the locked position.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to trailer or semi-trailer body of the wedge type having a horizontal roof and a rearwardly downwardly sloping floor providing a greater height at the rear opening than at the front. The body is of unique construction having the posts and front wall parallel to each other and at right angles to the underframing and lower rail. The roof and rear door frame are disposed at right angles to each other in horizontal and vertical respectively, the arrangement being such as to readily lend itself to mass production of the body.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the configuration and method of fabrication of the forward underbody of a semitrailer. A lower plate of the underbody has two inverted channels welded thereto. A kingpin extends downwardly through an aperture in the lower plate and is welded in position between the two inverted channels. The kingpin and the channels are braced by laterally spaced gussets which are welded in position thereto. A top plate with angular edge flanges fills the space between the inverted channels, the edge engaging sloping corners of the channels and forming a right angle therwith. Continuous welds secure the top plate to the channels which are below the top surface thereof. The assembly thus provided is extremely strong, light in weight, and capable of assembly with conventional welding equipment and without need of repositioning the several elements during the assembly and welding process. Critical welds are spaced from the high stress areas of the secured elements.

Abstract: A generally arcuate camming finger is disposed at each end of a vertical lock rod which is rockable about its axis and which extends above and below the edges of a door of a cargo vehicle body such as an enclosed freight-hauling semi-trailer, or a large container for cargo. The lock rod has a horizontally extending operating handle that locks against the outer surface of the door in the conventional manner. As the door completes its closing movements, each finger enters an opening in a hollow keeper housing secured to the header or sill of the door opening, and when the lock rod is rotated exerts a camming force by engagement with a keeper pin to produce the final movement of the door to closed and locked position. The door has a reinforcing rib which carries one half of an anti-rack mechanism the other half of which is associated with a keeper housing which carries the keeper pin.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a solution to the problem of distortion and deformation of the floor of a lightweight shipping container. Heretofore, relatively heavy loading of lightweight shipping containers has caused the floor thereof to deflect sufficiently to distort the side walls and end walls of the container and often permanently deform the floor. In practicing the present invention, the floor boards adjacent the side walls of the container are modified so as to increase the resistance thereof to shear loads and thus minimize deflection.

Abstract: An automated process of making reinforced roof and wall sheets for trucks and trailers employs step-by-step advancement of the sheet stock and lateral infeed of the structural reinforcing members. As the reinforcing members are sequentially fed into registry with the sheet stock, two kinds of adhesive are applied to them, one being a hot melt adhesive and the other being a catalyzed room temperature curing adhesive. The hot melt adhesive sets to provide an initial bonding which allows normal handling while the room temperature curing adhesive cures in the joint ultimately to augment the hot melt and provide a high strength joint.

Abstract: In the making of vehicle bodies such as truck and trailer bodies, the roof sheets are secured to the roof bows by means of a hot melt adhesive. Premature cooling of the adhesive which otherwise does not allow sufficient time to position the roof sheet and then mate it with the roof bows properly after the adhesive is applied, is prevented by employing a heat-insulating layer of glass fiber scrim cloth on the roof bows and upon which the hot melt adhesive is applied. Temporary clamping pressure forces the hot melt adhesive through the pores of the scrim cloth and into contact with the roof bows whereupon it rapidly cools and sets. The presence of the scrim cloth provides a substantial increase in the otherwise unacceptably low bonding strength of the hot melt adhesive.

Abstract: A security system for double doors which incorporates keeper blocks secured to the doors near their free edges in positions such that they overlap vertically when the doors are closed. The blocks have holes extending vertically therethrough which align when the doors are closed to form a passage for reception of a lock pin assembly having irremovable heads above and below the blocks. The lock pin can only be removed by destroying the pin or the keeper blocks or their supports. The blocks are secured to and shielded by vertically extending reinforcing ribs attached to the doors near their free edges. A pilot hole of a diameter exceeding that of the pin extends through one of the blocks perpendicular to the axis of the pin so that the pin can be cut by means of a drill, allowing the two severed sections of the pin to be moved out of the aligned holes to free the doors.

Abstract: An apparatus for arresting the pendulums and rotational sway motion of a suspended load relative to its lifting platform and utilizing a compensated reeving system. Rope drums are mounted on the ends of a shaft which is rotatably secured to a lifting spreader having a load attached thereto. Wire ropes are reelable from the rope drums and are secured at their ends to a feeder reel mounted on the lifting platform. Unreeling of the ropes from the drums due to sway of the load causes work to be done on a brake engaged with the shaft. The feeder reel gathers in and pays out the wire rope as the load is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A variable centers rope suspension system for a gantry crane including a pair of trolleys mounted on the crane and interconnected by a frame which reciprocates the trolleys with respect to each other. The trolleys are moved synchronously along the gantry through the drive cables being connected to the frame.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing foam filled laminated planks which includes continuous means for forming and feeding a longitudinally corrugated plastic reinforcing core between, and bonding it to, top and bottom cover sheet laminae consisting of roll-fed strips of resin-impregnated fabric. The corrugations of the core define channels extending lengthwise through the assembly consisting of the core and cover sheets, and lengths are cut off and fed laterally therefrom to a position wherein each channel is aligned with an elongated lance, and then fed longitudinally into overfitted relation on the lances. The outer ends of the channels are closed, and foaming plastic is fed into the channels through the lances. The planks are then moved off of the lances toward a desired delivery position.

Abstract: Apparatus for aerating and assisting the discharge of pulverulent or finely divided dry cargo such as bulk Portland cement comprises a discharge hopper with a sloping bottom having a port in its sloping wall and a cylindrical aerating assembly insertable and removable through the port and consisting of an apertured tube into which air is fed under pressure and which is covered by a fabric sleeve.