Abstract: A sidewall construction arrangement for a trailer includes a plurality of upstanding panels. Each panel includes two opposing flanges. The flanges are disposed on opposing lateral edges of the panel. Adjacent flanges of two adjacent panels partially overlap each other. Each of a plurality of vertically oriented logistics posts includes two lateral margins. A first of the margins is attached to a respective first of the flanges of the two partially overlapping panels. A second of the margins of the post is attached to each of the first and second flanges of the two partially overlapping panels.

Abstract: A sidewall construction arrangement for a trailer includes a plurality of upstanding panels. Each panel includes two opposing flanges. The flanges are disposed on opposing lateral edges of the panel. Adjacent flanges of two adjacent panels partially overlap each other. Each of a plurality of vertically oriented logistics posts includes two lateral margins. A first of the margins is attached to a respective first of the flanges of the two partially overlapping panels. A second of the margins of the post is attached to each of the first and second flanges of the two partially overlapping panels.

Abstract: A sidewall construction arrangement for a trailer includes a plurality of upstanding panels. Each panel includes two opposing flanges. The flanges are disposed on opposing lateral edges of the panel. Adjacent flanges of two adjacent panels partially overlap each other. Each of a plurality of vertically oriented logistics posts includes two lateral margins. A first of the margins is attached to a respective first of the flanges of the two partially overlapping panels. A second of the margins of the post is attached to each of the first and second flanges of the two partially overlapping panels.

Abstract: A trailer includes a pair of vertical, spaced apart opposing sidewalls and a roof sheet extending between and mounted atop the sidewalls. The sidewalls and roof sheet cooperate to define a cargo space. The roof sheet has an interior surface facing the cargo space and an opposing exterior surface. A plurality of bows are mounted to the exterior surface of the roof sheet and extend between the sidewalls. The plurality of bows support the roof sheet. Each bow includes at least three contact portions attached to the exterior surface of the roof sheet. A rib portion interconnects the contact portions and defines a channel between the rib portion and the exterior surface of the roof sheet.

Abstract: A sidewall for a cargo container is provided having at least one pair of composite panels joined together. Each composite panel includes an inside and an outside face member, each member having a body portion and at least one joint portion. The inside face member of each composite panel has an inclined portion connecting the body and at least one joint portions. At least one joint portion of the inside face member of each composite panel is parallel to and abuts a joint portion of the outside face member of the composite panel, each composite panel having a core member sandwiched between and bonded to the body portions of the inside and outside face members. Adjacent composite panels are joined at an outer surface of a joint portion of the first or second member of a first composite panel which overlaps and abuts an outer surface of a joint portion of the first or second member of a second composite panel. The first composite panel and second composite panel are joined through logistics plate.

Abstract: A trailer is provided having an electrical power connector for coupling a multi-conductor jumper cable plug between trailers connected in tandem, the connector comprising a multi-prong electrical power receptacle mounted to a trailer. One prong of the receptacle is electrically connected with the electrical power to the rear stop lights of the trailer. The connector further contains a switch for interrupting electrical power to the rear stop lights of the trailer when the jumper cable plug is connected to the receptacle while allowing electrical power to pass from the prong into the plug to supply electrical power to rear stop lights of a following trailer.

Abstract: A sidewall for a cargo container is provided having at least one pair of composite panels and means for joining the panels. Each composite panel includes a uniform facing member; a non-uniform facing member having major, minor and inclined portions; and a core member sandwiched between and bonded to the uniform facing member and the major portion of the non-uniform facing member. The uniform member is planar and has outer and inner surfaces. The non-uniform member has a planar major portion and a parallel minor portion which has outer and inner surfaces. The inner surface of the minor portion of the non-uniform member abuts the inner surface of the uniform member. The non-uniform member also has an inclined portion which connects the major and minor portions and which is angled with respect to the major and minor portions.

Abstract: A frameless container of a predetermined length includes a floor having floor supports, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalls and a pair of opposing end walls. One end wall includes an access door. The sidewalls are respectively connected to the floor supports and the roof. The upper portion of each of the opposing sidewalls has at least a first and second lap-jointed panels. Each panel has predetermined dimensions for the height, width and thickness. The lower portion of each sidewall includes a scuff plate. The bottom of the scuff plate is connected to the floor supports. The top of the scuff plate extends up from the floor by a predetermined distance defining a "scuff zone." The scuff zone has a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of the container. Fasteners attach the scuff plate to the lap-jointed upper wall portion and are arranged into a horizontal row located above the scuff zone. The fasteners have low profile heads which project only slightly from the inner surface of the scuff plate.

Abstract: A frameless container is disclosed for carrying cargo and having opposing sidewalls that are comprised of a plurality of panels. The plurality of panels have a coplanar relationship relative to each other and comprise a majority portion having an edge region that has apertures therein and an inner face portion which defines a vertical plane. The panels further comprise integral connecting and bracing means comprising a first inclined portion, first and second ledge portions each having an aperture therein, a plateau portion, and a plurality of fasteners extending through and clamped within respective apertures of the first and second ledges, as well as the apertures of the majority portion. The plurality of panels are arranged in a side-by-side manner with the bracing and connecting means of the forward first panel overlapping a section of the majority portion of the next panel.

Abstract: An intermodal road/rail transportation system wherein the freight containers or road trailers are adapted for transportation on detachable rail trucks or bogies. The system includes various bogie constructions, locking devices and trailer constructions which obviate the disadvantages of the prior art by, among other things, absorbing and/or minimizing the various stresses applied to the system. In the rail mode, the system allows the sequential starting of rail cars, thereby reducing the force necessary to start a string of trailers. The system also includes a variety of compatibility components to allow use of the system with other dissimilar intermodal or bimodal systems and/or conventional locomotives and freight containers.

Abstract: An intermodal road/rail transportation system wherein the freight containers or road trailers are adapted for transportation on detachable rail trucks or bogies. The system includes various bogie constructions, locking devices and trailer constructions which obviate the disadvantages of the prior art by, among other things, absorbing and/or minimizing the various stresses applied to the system. In the rail mode, the system allows the sequential starting of rail cars, thereby reducing the force necessary to start a string of trailers.

Abstract: A overhead door assembly which includes a device to maintain the door in a raised position in the door opened position. The door is maintained in a position significantly higher than the position the door would normally assume thus providing an enlarged door opening. The door can be maintained in the raised position by either locating the point of attachment between the load balancing operator cable and the door or by blocking the path of the door in the door guide tracks. Various structures for relocating the cable attachment point and blocking the path of the door are contemplated.

Abstract: Two containers are mounted on telescoping chassis sections and moved toward each other. Mating coupler structure at juxtaposed lower corners of the containers rigidly connect the containers horizontally. At least one spacer member at the juxtaposed upper ends of the containers space the containers from each other. Cables connected to the ends of the coupled containers may be utilized to lift the containers as a unit off the chassis sections for loading into a container ship.

Abstract: A trailer van is adapted to load compressible materials in sequential steps resulting in a compressed product load. The product is compressed by a bulkhead which in turn is moved by a pair of wheeled trolleys. A separate pair of cables is associated with each trolly for stabilizing the trolleys in a vertical disposition. A chain tensioner sprocket is used in conjunction with each loop arrangement and trolley. A direction reversing control valve and handle are located in the trailer floor adjacent the rear opening.

Abstract: The housing of a wheeled trailer has a discrete bottom rail-scuff plate along the bottom end of each side wall. Each scuff plate is coupled to the bottom wall of the housing and extends upwardly from the floor surface for a height of at least eight inches. The upper end portion of each scuff plate supports the lower ends of inner and outer panels of the side wall whereby the inner surface of the bottom rail acts as a scuff plate to protect the inner panels from being scuffed by the load or lift trucks for handling the load.

Abstract: The king pin assembly is adapted to be mounted on a first vehicle for coupling said vehicle to a second vehicle. First and second king pins are integral in one piece with a common shaft and are 90.degree. out of phase with each other. Each king pin when in its operative position is preloaded in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft and is preloaded in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A removable L-shaped lift pad for a trailer or cargo container has its legs interconnected by a rub rail. One leg has fastener means to facilitate attachment to traverse beams on a container. The pad provides a flush bottom on a container without welding.

Abstract: A trailer container or the like has a rear header that extends upwardly and rearwardly from the roof. The roof is supported by a horizontally disposed flange at or adjacent to the bottom surface of the rear header so that the vertical height from the container floor to the rear header bottom surface is substantially the same as the height from said floor to said roof.

Abstract: A trailer van is adapted to load compressible materials in sequential steps resulting in a compressed product load. The product is compressed by a bulkhead which in turn is moved by a pair of wheeled trolleys. A separate pair of cables is associated with each trolley for stabilizing the trolleys in a vertical disposition.

Abstract: A highway semitrailer body converts for transporting either discrete or loose bulk cargo by either maintaining hinged slope sheets in the ends of the body latched up near the roof or inclining them down to form a continuation of the hoppers in the floor. A grating over the hoppers supports the discrete cargo or permits loose bulk cargo to pass through its openings. The slope sheets are raised and lowered by flexible belt hoists actuated from outside the body through chain and sprocket transmissions mounted under covers between pairs of vertical ribs. The slope sheets are released from their upwardly latched positions by pull rod linkages also mounted between the pairs of vertical ribs. The bottom ends of the slope sheets are firmly clamped against the floor grating by locking pawls which hold down hooks on the bottom ends of the slope sheets, which pass through spaces in the grating.