Abstract: A sidewall construction arrangement for a trailer includes a plurality of upstanding sidewall panels. Each of a plurality of vertically oriented posts is disposed between and engages a respective substantially coplanar pair of the panels. Each post has an exterior surface that is entirely continuous in a vertical cross-sectional view throughout a portion of the post that extends beyond the panels in a lateral direction.

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 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 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 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: An improved mousetrap is provided featuring a handle that is remote from the trapping mechanism so that the mousetrap may be set for use without endangering one's hands or fingers. The mousetrap includes a cover that serves a fourfold function of protecting humans from the trapping mechanism, shielding captured animals from sight, defining a single deadly pathway for an animal to advance upon bait on the mousetrap, and providing decorative indicia. The handle protrudes from the cover which encloses a spring-biased jaw frame, trigger, and catch member of the mousetrap. The jaw frame is pivotally mounted to a base such that the jaw frame pivots between a cocked position, whereat the catch member retains the jaw frame in an orientation perpendicular to the base, and a shut position. Movement of the trigger by an animal causes the catch member to release the jaw frame so that the mousetrap snaps shut.

Abstract: A prefabricated stairway formed of a plurality of preformed steps composed of wear-resistant plastic or composite material which can be injection molded in units of one or more steps to permit inexpensive mass production and which are simple and inexpensive to install and can be formed of colored material to provide a highly aesthetic appearance.

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 frameless cargo-carrying container or trailer body construction, in which at least the side walls of the container or trailer body and one or both end walls each consists essentially of a unitary aluminum alloy plate having a thickness of at least about 5/32", and preferably having a tensile yield point of at least about 25,000 p.s.i. In a preferred form of the invention at least a majority of the major structural elements of the container or trailer body are formed of suitable aluminum alloys, and in one embodiment thereof, the container or trailer body includes forged aluminum alloy corner fittings, said alloy having an average percentage elongation of at least about 15%. The overall design of containers or trailer bodies of this invention is preferably such that the inner face of each side is substantially coplanar with the plate forming that side.

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.