Abstract: A side impact guard for a trailer, including: a plurality of un-reinforced crossmember assemblies spaced out and attached to a base assembly of the trailer; a plurality of reinforced crossmember assemblies spaced out between the plurality of un-reinforced crossmember assemblies; a plurality of lattice assemblies, wherein each lattice assembly is coupled to a reinforced crossmember assembly, each lattice assembly including a pair of vertical struts, a pair of diagonal struts, and a horizontal strut, wherein each of the pair of vertical struts attaches to the reinforced crossmember assembly at one end and the pair of diagonal struts at the other end, wherein each of the pair of diagonal struts attaches to the reinforced crossmember assembly at one end the vertical struts at the end, wherein the horizontal strut attaches to the pair of diagonal struts.

Abstract: A rub rail coupled to a side rail including a first top notch and a first bottom notch, the rub rail including: a top chamfer; a top horizontal face diagonally connected to the top chamfer; a second top notch extending out of the top horizontal face; a side vertical face diagonally connected to the top chamfer; a bottom chamfer; a bottom horizontal face diagonally connected to the bottom chamfer; a second bottom notch extending out of the bottom horizontal face; wherein the second top notch couples to the first top notch, and wherein the second bottom notch couples to the first bottom notch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating power for a tractor-trailer combination, including: a drop-lift axle coupled to the bottom of the trailer, the drop-lift axle to deploy at least one wheel when a primary brake is applied and the trailer is operating at a predetermined state; at least one regenerative brake retarder coupled to the at least one wheel, the at least one regenerative brake retarder to generate energy when the at least one wheel is deployed, wherein the at least one regenerative brake retarder acts as an auxiliary brake; and an energy storage system configured to store the energy generated by the at least one regenerative brake retarder, the energy storage system to release the stored energy a main battery to power at least one component of the trailer when needed.

Abstract: Monitoring critical areas of a trailer for thermal events, including: a plurality of sensors placed at or near the critical areas of the trailer, the plurality of sensors to sense the thermal events at the critical areas as sensor data, wherein the critical areas include at least tire, brake, and wheel end; a main controller to receive and monitor the sensor data measured by the plurality of sensors, the main controller to trigger at least one of alerts and warnings; an indicator light to activate the alerts; and an alarm to sound the warnings.

Abstract: A rail assembly for a flatbed trailer, including: a side rail configured generally as C-shaped, the side rail including a first top horizontal face, a first side vertical face, and a first bottom horizontal face; and a rub rail coupled to the side rail, the rub rail configured generally as C-shaped, the rub rail including a second top horizontal face, a second side vertical face, and a second bottom horizontal face, wherein the second top horizontal face is coupled to the second side vertical face by a top chamfer, wherein the top chamfer is diagonally connected to the second top horizontal face and the second side vertical face, wherein the second bottom horizontal face is coupled to the second side vertical face by a bottom chamfer, wherein the bottom chamfer is diagonally connected to the second side vertical face and the second bottom horizontal face.

Abstract: An electrical connector apparatus, including: a first connector coupled to a first end of an electrical wire, the first connector including a locking hook; a second connector coupled to a second end of the electrical wire, the second connector including a first bumper; and a locking device configured to keep the first connector and the second connector coupled together and to keep the first end and the second end of the wire connected, the locking device including a ring and an arm, wherein the ring is configured to insert over the second connector until the ring is flush with the first bumper of the second connector, and the arm hooks onto the locking hook of the first connector when the ring is flush with the first bumper of the second connector.

Abstract: A door latch activator system for a trailer or truck body coupled to a door latch, including: a plunger installed in a path of the door latch; a switch configurable into one of an open or closed position by the plunger; and a pneumatic valve configured to control flow of pressurized air through the pneumatic valve depending on the position of the switch, wherein the plunger is moved toward or away from the roller switch by the door latch operating in the path, which activates the pneumatic valve to control the pressurized air flowing through the pneumatic valve.

Abstract: A sidewall assembly for a trailer including: a plurality of composite sandwich panels; and at least one composite side post coupled to the plurality of composite sandwich panels, each of the at least one composite side post including an outer post and an inner logistics post coupled to the outer post, wherein the outer post is formed with flexible metallic material and the inner logistics post is formed with hard metallic material.

Abstract: A multi-piece roof assembly for a trailer includes: a first section configured with a sandwich panel having a convex shape; and at least one additional section configured with a flexible sheet panel coupled to the first section and to at least one top rail assembly.

Abstract: Two-piece rail assemblies for truck trailers are provided. The two piece rail assemblies may include: a first rail configured with a first straight edge, and a second rail configured with a second straight edge coupled to the first straight edge of the first rail and configured with a curved edge to receive a cambered roof panel.

Abstract: An apparatus or device for securing a deck panel including: at least one hinge assembly coupled to the wall and the deck panel, the at least one hinge assembly configured to allow movement between a stored position and a work position of the deck panel; and a locking device coupled to the deck panel, the locking device having a hook configured to rotate out and engage a securing mechanism on the wall when the deck panel is moved from the work position to the stored position.

Abstract: A bracket molding formed on a bottom rail assembly of a trailer coupled to a sandwich panel sidewall, the bracket molding including: a sloped top surface configured to create a space below a bottom surface of the sandwich panel sidewall to allow contaminants to drain from beneath the sandwich panel sidewall; and a dam formed on the sloped top surface, the dam configured to seal out the contaminants from accumulating in the space below the bottom surface of the sandwich panel sidewall.

Abstract: A hook device for securing or releasing a deck panel used in a cargo section of a trailer, the hook device including: a guide bracket configured with at least first and second sides, the guide bracket including a groove formed on the first side and extending to the second side; and a hook configured to operate within the groove to secure or release the deck panel, the hook configured to secure the deck panel in a stored position when the hook is on the first side of the guide bracket and to release the deck panel in a work position when the hook is on the second side of the guide bracket.

Abstract: A composite panel comprises a first outer layer, a second outer layer, a filler layer, and a joint section of the composite panel. The filler layer is positioned between a portion of the respective first and second outer layers. The first and second outer layers are positioned adjacent one another without an intervening filler layer.

Abstract: An apparatus or device including: at least one hinge assembly coupled to the deck panel and the wall, the at least one hinge assembly configured to move the deck panel between a stored position and a work position; a hook holder coupled to the wall; and a locking device coupled to the deck panel, the locking device configured to protrude out and engage the hook holder when the deck panel is moved from the work position to the stored position.

Abstract: A door latch activator system for a trailer or truck body coupled to a door latch, including: a plunger installed in a path of the door latch; a switch configurable into one of an open or closed position by the plunger; and a pneumatic valve configured to control flow of pressurized air through the pneumatic valve depending on the position of the switch, wherein the plunger is moved toward or away from the roller switch by the door latch operating in the path, which activates the pneumatic valve to control the pressurized air flowing through the pneumatic valve.

Abstract: A roll-up door assembly including a plurality of door panels; a pneumatic seal apparatus having an elastic membrane of an elongated tube disposed around a perimeter of the trailer door so as to be adjacent to the plurality of door panels, wherein pressurized air is injected into the pneumatic seal apparatus to expand the elastic membrane and to apply an outward force against multiple sides of the plurality of door panels, wherein applying the outward force against the plurality of door panels on multiple sides keeps the plurality of door panels as a single unit such that substantially less air flows through the plurality of door panels than prior to the application of the outward force to seal the trailer door.

Abstract: A door latch activator system for a trailer or truck body coupled to a door latch, including: a plunger installed in a path of the door latch; a switch configurable into one of an open or closed position by the plunger; and a pneumatic valve configured to control flow of pressurized air through the pneumatic valve depending on the position of the switch, wherein the plunger is moved toward or away from the roller switch by the door latch operating in the path, which activates the pneumatic valve to control the pressurized air flowing through the pneumatic valve.

Abstract: A composite panel comprises a first outer layer, a second outer layer, a filler layer, and a joint section of the composite panel. The filler layer is positioned between a portion of the respective first and second outer layers. The first and second outer layers are positioned adjacent one another without an intervening filler layer.

Abstract: In combination: a) a chassis with a first frame and a first twist lock assembly, with an enlarged head, on the first frame; and b) a cargo carrying container mounted in an operative position upon the chassis. The cargo carrying container has a second frame and a second twist lock assembly on the second frame that cooperates with the first twist lock assembly. The second twist lock assembly has a slide plate with an aperture through which the enlarged head is passed in an axial direction with the enlarged head in an assembly/disassembly orientation. The enlarged head in the assembly/disassembly orientation, moving relative to the slide plate in the first axial direction, deflects the slide plate from a first position to allow the enlarged head to pass through the slide plate aperture.