Sidewall assembly having composite panels for trailers and vans
A sidewall assembly for a trailer or van having a plurality of composite panels interconnected along the length of the trailer. The composite panels have a polyurethane core sandwiched between inner and outer metal panels in bonded relationship. The composite panels are affixed to a respective hat-shaped inner side post between adjacent vertical ends of the composite panels. A plurality of vertically arranged rivets affixes the composite panel to inner post and to an outer sidepost.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/635,145 filed Dec. 10, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates in general to trailers and, more particularly, to a trailer having a sidewall assembly including composite panels interconnected by side posts.
SUMMARY OF THE PRIOR ARTA common form of a cargo carrying trailer or van relies on a sheet and post design for its sidewall construction. Known sheet and post designs employ a plurality of hat-shaped side posts to which outer and inside metal side sheets are riveted by a vertical array of rivets. Such sheet and post trailers do not optimize interior cargo space because of the width of the sidewall structure. Many prior attempts to reduce the thickness of the sidewall of a trailer have suffered from several disadvantages, including extra weight, higher repair costs and designs that are not optimumly strong under all loading conditions. Prior art post and sheet sidewall constructions are also not efficiently durable and are not economical to manufacture and repair. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a trailer having a sidewall assembly that is economical to manufacture and to operate, is durable during use, and provides a reduced sidewall thickness to increase cargo space and reduce weight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an objective of this invention to provide a trailer having a sidewall assembly formed of a plurality of composite panels that reduce the thickness and weight of the side structures. The composite panels of the invention comprise a polyurethane core thermally bonded to inner and outer metal panels or skins. The edge portions of each of the composite panels are respectively riveted to a plurality of side posts having a hat-shaped sectional cross section and to outer posts. The inner surface created by the composite panels and the intervening surfaces of the side posts create a generally smooth and snag free surface. The sidewall assembly herein disclosed is strong, durable, and lightweight, and is easily repaired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to
Referring now to
Adjacent vertical end portions 26 of composite panels 20 are interconnected as a sidewall unit by intervening metal inner side posts 30 vertically extending within cargo space 14 (
The upper portions 20a (
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Claims
1. A sidewall assembly for a transporting vehicle comprising
- a side wall including a plurality of composite panels having a non-metallic imposed between a pair of sheets and extending vertically along a horizontal axis,
- a plurality of inner side posts vertically positioned between adjacent pairs of said plurality of composite panels,
- a plurality of outer vertical side posts being vertically positioned in confronting relationship with said plurality of inner side posts, and
- mechanical fastener means for interconnecting each plurality of composite panels, said plurality of inner side posts, and said plurality of outer side posts together as a unit.
2. The sidewall assembly according to claim 1 wherein each said plurality of composite panels includes a non-metallic core sandwiched between metal inner and outer metal panels in thermally bond relationship.
3. The sidewall assembly according to claim 2 wherein said non-metallic core is polyurethane.
4. The sidewall assembly according to claim 3 wherein said metal inner and outer panels are molecularly bonded to said core.
5. The sidewall assembly according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of inner side posts have vertically extend offset edge portions, said composite panels include vertical end portions overlapping said offset edge portions, and said mechanical fastener means extending through said offset portions and said end portions.
6. The sidewall assembly according to claim 5 wherein said offset portion of said inner posts contacts said outer post.
7. The sidewall assembly according to claim 6 wherein said mechanical fastener means comprises a plurality of rivets.
8. The sidewall assembly according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of inner posts have a hat-shaped cross sections forming a central portion spaced from said plurality of outer posts.
9. The sidewall assembly according to claim 8 wherein said central portion and said composite panel form a flat, generally coplanar surface.
10. The sidewall assembly according to claim 1 further including a lower scuff plate extending along said side wall beneath said plurality of outer side posts.
11. A composite panel for the sidewall of a trailer and van comprising
- a non-metallic core,
- said metallic being sandwiched between an inner and outer metal sheet,
- said non-metallic core being thermally molecularly bonded to said inner and outer panels to form a panel unit.
12. The composite panel according to claim 11 wherein said non-metallic core is polyurethane.
13. The composite panel according to claim 12 wherein said inner and outer panels are metal.
14. The composite panel according to claim 12 wherein saqid panels unit includes offset vertical end portions.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 12, 2005
Publication Date: Jul 20, 2006
Inventor: Donald Brown (Jonesboro, AR)
Application Number: 11/301,353
International Classification: B62D 33/023 (20060101);