Abstract: A relatively thin side wall panel is formed of an array of sheet metal riveted sections formed from an aluminum coil to form inner and outer panel skins which are placed in a mold and used to form with the skins an injected thermoset plastic rigid foam core panel which is 48 foot by 9 foot and is about 0.9 inches thick. The panel is cut into three side panels for each container side. The roof is also formed similarly into a single panel of about 1.1 inches thick with an array of recesses which reinforce the roof panels and allow for thermal expression, the recesses containing the rivets of the adjoining skin sections. The panel is then cut to form three roof panels. A frame is formed of lower and upper extruded aluminum rails and lower steel rails at the front and rear, front and rear corner posts and two pairs of intermediate posts to which posts and rails the side panels are attached. The posts are interconnected to headers to which with the upper rails the roof panels are attached.

Abstract: A pair of main beams, a plurality of diagonal cross braces and transverse beams having a beam height of about 75% of prior art main beam heights provide a relatively flexible chassis. A clamp assembly central of the chassis clamps a cubicle cargo container central region to the chassis to rigidify the chassis. The cargo container is connected to the chassis front and rear by conventional bolster pin and twist lock assemblies. An upper container casting has an opening for receiving an interbox twist lock connector aligned on an axis closely spaced to the side panels of upper and lower containers on a rail car to minimize bending loads on lower container intermediate support posts. Lower castings at the base of each of the intermediate posts mate with a lower container upper castings in a stacked arrangement on a rail car. The chassis has a bogie assembly receiving channel for slidably receiving a bogie locked to the chassis by a conventional retractable pin mechanism.

Abstract: A container sidewall comprises a plurality of sections each section comprising an extruded aluminum post formed of a tubular rectangular tube having a pair of oppositely extending flanges coplanar with one of the tube broad sides and an aluminum plate riveted to each flange. An identical post interconnects the plates of adjacent sections. A reinforcing hat shaped rib is riveted to each plate midway between posts. The outer wall of the post tube is thicker than the inner wall which is the same thickness as the plates. The tube sides are thinnest to save weight. The plates are relatively thick to preclude damage during normal use. The tube is dimensioned to withstand transverse bending loads and bowing of the sidewalls to preclude damage in a rail car well.

Abstract: A two piece top rail assembly for interchangeable use in constructing both open top trailers with exterior posts and exterior skin. The rail assembly includes an elongated outside element having in cross section a depending base leg for securing to the posts on the trailer. A lower cross leg is secured in angle to the base leg and an intermediate leg is secured to the lower cross leg and has at least a portion extending substantially in the opposite direction to the base leg. An upper cross leg is secured to the intermediate leg and extends at an angle substantially in the direction toward the base leg. An inside element that may be used in two positions in contact with the outside element includes a connecting leg extending between and connecting first and second transverse leg. Openings which are in alignment are provided in the first and second transverse leg for receiving the roof bow.