Patents Assigned to Wabash National, L.P.
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Publication number: 20120061533Abstract: A low profile hold down assembly is mounted to the exterior surface of a sidewall of a trailer. The hold down assembly includes a cover member formed from the same material from which the sidewall of the trailer is formed and therefore is aesthetically desirable.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: WABASH NATIONAL, L.P.Inventors: Michael Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert, Francis Smidler
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Patent number: 8079793Abstract: A low profile hold down assembly is mounted to the exterior surface of a sidewall of a trailer. The hold down assembly includes a cover member formed from the same material from which the sidewall of the trailer is formed and therefore is aesthetically desirable.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Michael Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert, Francis Smidler
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Publication number: 20110232307Abstract: A liquid refrigeration system for a thermally-insulated storage container includes a tank configured to store liquid air therein, a conduit system having a first end portion coupled to the tank and a second end portion configured to be positioned within an interior of the thermally-insulated storage container, a spray head coupled to the second end portion of the conduit system, a control system electrically coupled to the tank and the spray head to control the flow of liquid air from the tank to the spray head.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: Wabash National, L.P.Inventor: David Pickup
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Patent number: 8025331Abstract: A roof assembly is provided for a storage container having two opposing side walls that together define a length of the storage container. The roof assembly includes a plurality of roof panels arranged atop and between the two opposing side walls along the length of the storage container in side-by-side relationship. Each of the plurality of roof panels has opposite sides and opposite ends. Each of the opposite ends of the plurality of roof panels is configured to be secured to a top of a corresponding one of the two opposing side walls of the storage container. Each of the opposite sides of each of the plurality of roof panels is configured to be attached to the side of an adjacent one of the plurality of roof panels.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Rodney P. Ehrlich, Will Lewallen
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Patent number: 8006386Abstract: A method of forming an inner wall of a sidewall configuration of a trailer is provided which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of posts, each post having slots provided therethrough; (b) providing at least one pre-configured punching die; (c) providing a one-piece continuous liner; (d) securing the one-piece continuous liner to the plurality of posts; and (e) punching slots through the one-piece continuous liner with the at least one pre-configured punching die. In a first embodiment of the method, step (d) is performed before step (e). In a second embodiment of the method, step (e) is performed before step (d).Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2009Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Wabash National. L.P.Inventor: Rodney P. Ehrlich
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Patent number: 7931328Abstract: A logistics panel includes a composite panel that is formed of inner and outer skins and a core member secured therebetween. The composite panel has top and bottom end portions and first and second side end portions. The composite panel further has an aperture set provided therethrough which defines at least one aperture which extends through the inner and outer skins and the core member and between the end portions. Multiple logistics panels can be used to form a sidewall of a trailer by joining the first side end portion of one panel to the second side end portion of an adjacent panel. Top and bottom rails are secured to the top and bottom end portions, respectively, of the panels.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Wilfred E. Lewallen, Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert
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Patent number: 7878574Abstract: A skylight is provided for mounting to a wall of a vehicle to allow passage of light through the wall. The skylight may include a frame having a window that is configured to allow passage of light through at least a portion of the frame, and the frame may define an inner periphery about the window. A wall member may extend away from the frame adjacent to and about the inner periphery of the frame. A plurality of spaced apart gripping arms may extend away from one of the wall member and the frame adjacent to the inner periphery of the frame with the plurality of gripping arms extending beyond the wall member. Each of the plurality of gripping arms may be configured to engage the wall of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert
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Patent number: 7862103Abstract: A wall or roof of a trailer are formed from a first panel and a second panel which are joined together by a cap and a strip which interengage. The cap includes a base wall and an interlock provided thereon. The base wall abuts the outer surfaces of the panels. The strip includes a base wall and an interlock provided thereon. The strip and cap are separate members. The base wall of the strip abuts the inner surfaces of the panels. The interlock of the strip and the interlock of the cap mate together to form a joint. The interlocks extend between the panels. The panels may be composite panels or may be from a single sheet or multiple sheets of metal. An adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the cap and the outer surfaces, and an adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the strip and the inner surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Kevin Riley, Francis S. Smidler, Victor Vargas, Robert L. Hancock, Leonard Baker
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Patent number: 7762618Abstract: A logistics panel includes a composite panel that is formed of inner and outer skins and a core member secured therebetween. The composite panel has top and bottom end portions and first and second side end portions. The composite panel further has an aperture set provided therethrough which defines at least one aperture which extends through the inner and outer skins and the core member and between the end portions. Multiple logistics panels can be used to form a sidewall of a trailer by joining the first side end portion of one panel to the second side end portion of an adjacent panel. Top and bottom rails are secured to the top and bottom end portions, respectively, of the panels.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2009Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Wilfred E. Lewallen, Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert
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Patent number: 7722112Abstract: A composite panel of a wall of a trailer has inner and outer skins and a core material positioned between and secured to the skins. The core material defines or includes a plurality of voids which extend vertically along a height of the core material. At a plurality of points in a cross-section taken along the height of the core material, the core material is secured to both the skins. Alternatively, at any point in a cross-section taken along the height of the core material, the core material is secured to at least one of the skins. The voids through the composite panel provide a vent path from an interior of the trailer to an exterior of the trailer when top ends of the voids are separated from the top rail of the trailer and when bottom ends of the voids are separated from the bottom rail of the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventor: Rodney P. Ehrlich
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Patent number: 7677642Abstract: A butt joint assembles side panels of a side wall of a trailer to the base rail of the trailer. The butt joint positions the side panels over the base rail and vertically aligns the outer surfaces of the side panels and the base rail, which provides for an improved trailer side wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventor: Andrzej Wylezinski
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Patent number: 7588286Abstract: A logistics panel of the invention is formed of a composite panel, a logistics plate and a splicing plate. The composite panel is formed of inner and outer skins and a core member secured therebetween. The composite panel has top and bottom end portions and first and second side end portions. The composite panel further has an aperture set provided therethrough which defines at least one aperture which extends through the inner and outer skins and the core member and between the end portions. The logistics plate has a plurality of logistics apertures provided therethrough. The logistics plate is secured to the composite panel such that the plurality of logistics apertures are in alignment with the aperture set such that the aperture set is accessible through the logistics plate. The splicing plate is positioned to cover the aperture set such that the aperture set is inaccessible through the splicing plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2007Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Wilfred E. Lewallen, Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert
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Patent number: 7527309Abstract: An integrated rear impact guard and pintle hook assembly is provided which can be releasably secured to the rear underside of a trailer by a plurality of fastening members. The assembly is secured to roadside and curbside slide rails and rear bumper brackets of the trailer under the rear door frame sill. No welding is required for securement of the assembly to the trailer. The assembly includes a rear impact guard which is formed of the rear bumper brackets and a bumper which is attached to the rear bumper brackets at their lower ends. The assembly further includes a main channel which is connected at its opposite ends to the rear bumper brackets, a mount which is connected to the main channel at a center thereof, and a mount plate which is releasably secured to the main channel. A pintle hook may be secured to the mount and mount plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventor: Francis S. Smidler
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Patent number: 7500713Abstract: A wall or roof of a trailer are formed from a first panel and a second panel which are joined together by a cap and a strip which interengage. The cap includes a base wall and an interlock provided thereon. The base wall abuts the outer surfaces of the panels. The strip includes a base wall and an interlock provided thereon. The strip and cap are separate members. The base wall of the strip abuts the inner surfaces of the panels. The interlock of the strip and the interlock of the cap mate together to form a joint. At least one of the interlocks extend between the panels. The panels may be composite panels or may be from a single sheet or multiple sheets of metal. An adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the cap and the outer surfaces, and an adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the strip and the inner surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Kevin Riley, Francis S. Smidler, Victor Vargas, Robert L. Hancock, Leonard Baker
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Publication number: 20070205882Abstract: An air tank monitoring system and method. An air tank pressure sensor which includes a microcontroller and a transceiver, such that the pressure sensor can send as well as receive and process information. Also provided is a wireless air tank status monitoring system which includes a wireless pressure transducer. The transducer is connected to a microcontroller which is powered by a battery. The microcontroller is connected to a transceiver which sends and receiver information using an antenna. The pressure information is communicated to a data concentrator or coordinator which includes a transceiver which sends and receives information using an antenna and a processor which processes the data and effectively controls the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2007Publication date: September 6, 2007Applicant: WABASH NATIONAL, L.P.Inventors: Rodney P. Ehrlich, Paul D. Nelson, Victor Vargas
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Publication number: 20070195808Abstract: A wireless multi-node communication network which includes a coordinator, and a plurality of vehicle nodes which are configured to communicate information back and forth with said coordinator. The system may include a plurality of clusters, each of which comprises a plurality of devices such as sensors. One of the devices of each cluster is configured to receive information from the other devices in the cluster, and transmit information to the coordinator. The coordinator not only receives information about the network, but may also be configured to route the information to other networks. The network could be disposed on a tractor-trailer, wherein the devices comprise different sensors, such as pressure sensors, temperature sensors, voltage sensors and switch controls, all of which are located in areas relatively close to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2006Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Rodney P. Ehrlich, Paul D. Nelson, Victor Vargas
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Publication number: 20070194896Abstract: A wireless tire pressure sensor which is configured to thread onto a valve of a tire and sense the air pressure of the tire. Preferably, the tire pressure sensor also includes a microcontroller and a transceiver, such that the tire pressure sensor can send as well as receive and process information. The tire pressure sensor is configured to maintain the tire pressure as a result of having a secondary valve thereon, which can be actuated to fill the tire with air. Also provided is a wireless tire status monitoring system which includes a wireless tire pressure transducer and/or tire pressure transducer. The transducer(s) are connected to a microcontroller which is powered by a battery. The microcontroller is connected to a transceiver which sends and receiver information using an antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2006Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: WABASH NATIONAL, L.P.Inventors: Rodney P. Ehrlich, Paul D. Nelson, Victor Vargas
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Publication number: 20070165348Abstract: A circuit which is configured for connection between a voltage source and a load, and which is configured to function as an automatic, re-settable fuse with regard to providing current to the load. The circuit includes a switch and sensor, such as a field effect transistor (FET), which is connected to the voltage source and the load and which is configured to selectively provide current to the load, depending on whether an overload condition exists. There is circuitry in communication with the FET which is configured to periodically send pulses to the FET in an attempt to re-set the switch and sensor during an overload condition. The circuit is configured to stop providing current to the load during an overload condition, but is configured to provide current to the load upon the overload condition being rectified. The circuitry which is in communication with the field effect transistor and which is configured to periodically send pulses thereto includes a timing circuit and an oscillator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: July 19, 2007Applicant: WABASH NATIONAL, L.P.Inventors: Paul D. Nelson, Robert L. Hancock, Steven W. Lewis
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Patent number: D573874Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Michael L. Thoma, Danny Lee Gilbert, Francis S. Smidler
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Patent number: D619505Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert