Abstract: A drop deck trailer frame includes a front section having a first upper surface, a rear section having a second upper surface lower than the first upper surface, and an improved connection between the front and rear sections which tends to reduce cracking which commonly occurs in drop deck trailer frames due to the stresses in the region of the connection. The connection preferably includes a semicircular weld. In addition, heat treated bent flanges are typically used to provide additional strength. Fasteners such as bolts are also typically used to connect various flanges.

Abstract: An improved side rail structure is used to form a portion of a flat bed trailer. The side rail structure is integrally formed as one piece. The side rail structure includes an outer side rail wall which is integrally formed as one piece with a rub rail that projects from the outward surface of the side rail wall.

Abstract: An attachment bracket in a vehicle for providing integrated support for one or more security features required by law enforcement agencies. The attachment bracket includes a first part including a horizontal cross member extending across the top of a rear panel of the vehicle body. The structure further includes a second part, connected to the first part, which includes two or more intersecting cross members. The second part is mechanically coupled to the vehicle body inside the vehicle cabin below the second row passenger seat. The structure also includes a third part, connected to the second part, which includes one or more arcuate tubular members extending along the vehicle floor panel from the second part towards the first row of seats. The third part is open at the end towards the first row passenger seats.

Abstract: A heavy duty wheeled trailer for use in towing the trailer behind a vehicle. The trailer includes an adjustable height tow connection point to adjust and connect to different types of tow vehicles while maintaining the front deck substantially parallel to the trailer main deck. The trailer further includes a modular support frame allowing the trailer to be easily scaled in length and performance capabilities through removal or addition of modular frame cells.

Abstract: A trailer which is sized to be towed behind a motorcycle. The trailer includes a cargo bay for storing luggage, spare parts, tools or other cargo. The trailer is preferably towed behind a motorcycle in a group of motorcycles. In the unfortunate event that one of the motorcycles breaks down or a rider is unable to continue operating his or her motorcycle, the cargo bay can be converted to a towing configuration for towing the disabled motorcycle. This allows the group of motorcycles to continue riding, and the disabled motorcycle can be towed to a repair location at a more convenient time for the entire group of riders.

Abstract: A truck body floor includes a truck body floor frame and a floor plate attached to and supported by the truck body floor frame. The truck body floor frame includes two frame rails extending along a longitudinal length of the truck body floor, and a plurality of bolster structures attached to both of the two frame rails and extending across a width of the truck body floor. The plurality of bolster structures includes at least one layered bolster structure having an inner bolster and an outer bolster that is at least partially flush with and attached to the inner bolster.

Abstract: An improved side rail structure is used to form a portion of a flat bed trailer. The side rail structure is integrally formed as one piece. The side rail structure includes an outer side rail wall which is integrally formed as one piece with a rub rail that projects from the outward surface of the side rail wall.

Abstract: In an electric vehicle, the generation of unusual sounds due to the movement of snow and ice remaining in an undercover is prevented, thereby enhancing silence. An electric vehicle comprising an undercover arranged below a vehicle floor is provided. The undercover comprises: a substantially flat-plate cover body that covers the vehicle floor from the vehicle front side to the vehicle rear side; a discharge portion for discharging snow and ice that have entered between the vehicle floor and the cover body; and an upward protruding portion which is arranged on the vehicle front side relative to the discharge portion and which is formed to extend in a vehicle width direction and to protrude upwardly from the plane including the cover body.

Abstract: An improved truck bed design for automotive and equipment delivery preferably includes at least one front section, a rear section and a front pan. A front of the rear section is preferably pivotally retained on a rear of the front section. The front pan is attached to a front of the front section. The front section includes a plurality of front lengthwise support members, at least one cross member and two front deck plates. The rear section includes two first rear deck plates, a second rear deck plate, a plurality of rear lengthwise support members and at least two improved air bag retention systems. Each improved air bag retention system includes an air bag, an air bag bracket and a base bracket. The front pan is formed from a single piece of material, which includes a base member, a first side member and a second side member.

Abstract: A structural arrangement of a motor vehicle, of a type including a cabin and a loading bed, between which a substantially vertical partition extends, of a type including a cabin floor that extends at a first height, and a loading floor of the bed that extends at a second height that differs from the first height of the cabin floor, and of a type including a hollow body that stiffens the structure and extends substantially vertically between the first height of the cabin floor and the second height of the loading floor. The hollow body includes two substantially vertical structural elements, and the first structural element is formed by the lower portion of the partition.

Abstract: A vehicle having a structural bed configured to serve as a structural load-bearing member is provided. The structural bed extends rearward from a cab structure of the vehicle and includes a core layer. First and second outer layers flank the core layer and span substantially the entirety of the core layer. The first and second outer layers are composed of a material that has a higher strength than the core layer. The thickness of the core layer may be at least approximately 10 times greater than each of the thicknesses of the first and second outer layers, respectively. The composite structural bed may be integrated with mass-efficient structures to produce an efficient load-bearing structure for a vehicle.

Abstract: A floor system configured for use with a storage container such as a trailer. The floor system includes an upper floor section including a plurality of upper floor boards made of glass fiber reinforced polymer, and a lower floor section including a plurality of lower floor boards made of glass fiber reinforced polymer. The upper floor boards are configured to extend along a length of the trailer and the lower floor boards are configured to extend across the width of the trailer.

Abstract: A flatbed trailer includes first, second and third flatbed sections whereby the first and second sections are joinable in an extendable configuration and the first and third sections are joinable in an alternate and typically standard configuration. The trailer can be switched between the extendable and alternate configuration within a fairly short time. The invention thus eliminates the need for both a standard extendable trailer and a separate non-extendable trailer, and provides the ability to use the alternate configuration when the extendable configuration is not necessary in order to substantially reduce the weight which would otherwise be involved with the use of the extendable configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated composite floor unit and front wall assembly that can be used in a variety of structures. The integrated composite floor unit and front wall assembly is formed of a floor unit having a front portion and a front wall integrally formed with and rising up from the front portion of the floor unit. The assembly can include other structural features and may be easily combined with a number of further structural components to form a structure. In specific embodiments, the assembly forms part of a modular trailer. In particular, the trailer can be formed of the composite assembly, a composite roof, composite side walls, and a composite rear frame. Such composite trailers advantageously provide a storage volume approximately equal to or greater than conventional trailers but are lighter in weight, thus allowing for storage and/or hauling of a greater weight of cargo than in conventional trailers.

Abstract: A trailer floor assembly includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails supporting a plurality of self-mating transverse panels. The plurality of transverse panels includes extruded aluminum panels interspersed with roll-formed steel panels at locations where extra strength is desired (e.g., king pin, landing dollies, and rear door). The extruded panels include T-shaped slots in a bottom wall thereof to allow the extruded panels to be fastened to the side rails by fasteners engaging the bottom wall of the panel but not the top wall the panel. The assembly eliminates transverse cross-beams used to support longitudinal panels in the prior art, and thereby provides improved aerodynamics.

Abstract: A flatbed trailer comprising front and rear flatbed trailer sections and a method of operation is provided. In one embodiment, a first support assembly is configured to lift the front flatbed trailer section relative to the rear flatbed trailer section, and second support assembly is configured to lift the rear flatbed trailer section relative to the front flatbed trailer section. Roller wheels may provide rolling engagement between the front and rear flatbed trailer sections, and slide members may provide sliding engagement between the front and rear flatbed trailer sections.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved wooden flooring system for use with flatbed trailers used in the commercial trucking industry. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a plurality of reinforced, domestically grown, wooden floorboards that are affixed together in an end-to-end manner using top and bottom joiner plates and fasteners to create a plurality of integrated floor planks to replace costly and increasingly hard to find tropical hardwood flooring for flatbed trailers.

Abstract: A synthetic flooring module and method of fabricating the module are disclosed. The flooring module comprises an extruded floor member composed of a chemical resin material which is unaffected by the complications inherent with wood flooring. The flooring module has a profile adapted to provide for the maximum strength under significant compressive loads normally inherent in supporting forklifts used in, for example tractor trailer flooring. The profile of the floor module provides a plurality of spaced apart supports can figure to provide the compressive strength noted above while employing a minimal amount of resent material. The volume between the spaced apart supports has a channel configuration and a substantially C-shaped profile. The profile in combination with the resent employed and the overall configuration of the supports provides for a structure having properties which exceed the properties inherent with wood or other materials previously used in the art.

Abstract: A system that attaches an edge-supported curved metal plate floor to a load carrying body of a vehicle, such as a truck or rail wagon, is disclosed. The attachment system includes a series of tensile members that are connected directly or indirectly at opposite ends to the plate floor and the body of the vehicle. The tensile members principally transfer forces from the floor plate to the body.

Abstract: A hardwood floor used for making trailers in the transportation industry is treated, at least for a portion thereof, with a water-based wood preservative. The preservative is preferably a borate-based preservative. When the floor is provided with a steel plate at a rear thereof, the wood preservative located in the vicinity of the steel plate prevents the formation of fungi and increases the useful life of the floor.

Abstract: A livestock trailer providing a dual level livestock loading entrance with a first loading area at a level for loading and unloading livestock or other animals at a dock height and a built-in chute within a second loading area at a level for ground loading and unloading livestock at or near ground level, the trailer further providing a combination interior wall and floor panel with a central rotating mechanism providing either an interior wall separating the first and second loading areas or lying securely flat over the recessed floor in the second ground loading area to prevent access to the recessed floor of the ground loading area during loading and unloading in the first loading area and also providing a ramp in the recessed floor of the second loading area, the ramp being adjustable at a front end to be raised or lowered, the raised position utilized during the loading and unloading operation forming a ramp between the principle trailer floor and the recessed floor of the second loading area, and a lower

Abstract: A flatbed trailer includes first, second and third flatbed sections whereby the first and second sections are joinable in an extendable configuration and the first and third sections are joinable in an alternate and typically standard configuration. The trailer can be switched between the extendable and alternate configuration within a fairly short time. The invention thus eliminates the need for both a standard extendable trailer and a separate non-extendable trailer, and provides the ability to use the alternate configuration when the extendable configuration is not necessary in order to substantially reduce the weight which would otherwise be involved with the use of the extendable configuration.

Abstract: A cross laminated strand product formed from a laminate of a plurality of layers, wherein each layer includes substantially aligned strands of wood bonded together with a binder including an isocyanate resin, and wherein the respective strands of adjacent layers are oriented substantially perpendicularly to one another.

Abstract: A trailer includes a floor engageable with a load, the trailer floor comprising a plurality of floor panels. Each floor panel comprises a plurality of tubular portions that are hollow inside to reduce weight. The tubular portions have an upper wall comprising pairs of parallel channels which slideably receive at least one sliding bracket for securing the load to the trailer.

Abstract: A utility bed includes a bed frame, a bed floor, a sidewall, and a locking mechanism. The bed floor is pivotally coupled with the bed frame and is pivotable between an upright position and a cargo support position. The sidewall comprises a door portion and a wall portion. The door portion is pivotally coupled with the bed floor and pivotable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking mechanism is associated with the sidewall. The locking mechanism is configured to retain the bed floor in the upright position with the door portion of the sidewall in the opened position. Vehicles including a utility bed are also provided.

Abstract: A heavy duty wheeled trailer for use in towing the trailer behind a vehicle. The trailer includes an adjustable height tow connection point to adjust and connect to different types of tow vehicles while maintaining the front deck substantially parallel to the trailer main deck. The trailer further includes a modular support frame allowing the trailer to be easily scaled in length and performance capabilities through removal or addition of modular frame cells.

Abstract: An improved side rail structure is used to form a portion of a flat bed trailer. The side rail structure is integrally formed as one piece. The side rail structure includes an outer side rail wall which is integrally formed as one piece with a rub rail. A flooring section may also be formed as one piece with the outer side rail wall. The one piece side rail structure may be formed of extruded metal.

Abstract: A fifth wheel trailer of the type designed to be towed with a towing vehicle having a vehicle hitch assembly includes a trailer body having an elevated front portion, and a mounting arrangement extending downward from beneath the front portion. The front portion of the trailer body has a generally convex forward surface. The trailer further includes a trailer chassis supporting the trailer body. The trailer chassis includes a forward portion supporting the front portion of the trailer body. The forward portion of the trailer chassis has a pair of side frame beams that extend along the sides of the trailer chassis. The forward portion of the trailer chassis includes a curved forward edge beam that is joined to the forward ends of the pair of side frame beams. The curved forward edge beam generally matches the curve of the front portion of the trailer body and provides support for the trailer body.

Abstract: A flatbed trailer includes first, second and third flatbed sections whereby the first and second sections are joinable in an extendable configuration and the first and third sections are joinable in an alternate and typically standard configuration. The trailer can be switched between the extendable and alternate configuration within a fairly short time. The invention thus eliminates the need for both a standard extendable trailer and a separate non-extendable trailer, and provides the ability to use the alternate configuration when the extendable configuration is not necessary in order to substantially reduce the weight which would otherwise be involved with the use of the extendable configuration.

Abstract: Vessel (1) for a goods transport vehicle comprising two side walls (2) and a base (3), characterized in that it comprises means for the transverse movement (4) of the side walls (2) relative to the base (3). Advantageously, the means of transverse movement (4) are designed to move the bottom edges (5) of the side walls (2) in order to change the shape of the vessel from a basically rectangular shape to a basically U shape or vice versa. The present invention applies particularly to the transportation of bulk materials or made-up goods.

Abstract: An improved side rail structure is used to form a portion of a flat bed trailer. The side rail structure is integrally formed as one piece. The side rail structure includes an outer side rail wall which is integrally formed as one piece with a rub rail. A flooring section may also be formed as one piece with the outer side rail wall. The one piece side rail structure may be formed of extruded metal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a front flatbed trailer section, a rear flatbed trailer section, a first support assembly carried by one of the front and rear flatbed trailer sections, and wherein the first support assembly at least partially disengages the other of the front and rear flatbed trailer sections. A method of extending a trailer comprising the steps of providing a first flatbed trailer section and a second flatbed trailer section with a slide member and a first support assembly, displacing the first support assembly in a first direction, separating the first and second flatbed trailer sections in a vertical direction, and moving one of the first and second flatbed trailer sections in a horizontal direction relative to the other of the first and second flatbed trailer sections.

Abstract: Reinforced wood flooring for truck trailers and containers and methods for making and using the same. A reinforced wood flooring may include a wood member. The wood member may include a plurality of wood strips that are attached together. The wood member may also have a top surface and a bottom surface. An essentially water impermeable underlay may be attached to the bottom surface of the wood member with a discontinuous layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A vehicle deck structure that can suppress deformation of a deck floor is provided. The vehicle deck structure includes a deck floor that extends in a vehicle body front-rear direction and a vehicle width direction, a cross member disposed at a lower side of the deck floor and whose longitudinal direction corresponds to the vehicle width direction, and a top plate as a reinforcing member interposed between the deck floor and the cross member. The top plate has a plurality of ridges, whose longitudinal directions each correspond to the vehicle body front-rear direction, and which are arranged in parallel in a vehicle width direction, and these ridges overhang at both sides in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the cross member.

Abstract: A truck box frame includes first and second laterally extending frame members and a frame side rail assembly. The frame side rail assembly includes first and second frame side rails. The first and second frame side rails generally extend between and are coupled to the first and second laterally extending frame members. The first and second laterally extending frame members are extendable laterally, creating a variable width truck box frame. The first and second frame side rails may be curved or swept so that the intermediate portions extend inwardly toward one another, forming a tapered portion of the frame side rail assembly. The length and curvature, or sweep, of the side frame rails may also be varied to create a variable length truck box frame.

Abstract: A system that attaches an edge-supported curved metal plate floor (41) to a load carrying body (28) of a vehicle, such as a truck or rail wagon, is disclosed. The attachment system includes a series of tensile members (43) that are connected directly or indirectly at opposite ends to the plate floor (41) and the body (28) of the vehicle and the tensile members (43) are at least the principal means for transfer of forces from the floor plate (41) to the body (28).

Abstract: A trailer which can be used to tow a vehicle and which can be towed by the same vehicle while that vehicle is inside the trailer and lowered down to ground level.

Abstract: A removable deck plate or platform for a vehicle includes a platform for placement on a vehicle frame, a clamping plate for clamping the platform against the frame, a clamping arm engageable with the clamping plate via a hole in the platform, wherein the clamping arm and the clamping plate are configured so as to clamp the platform to the frame upon moving the clamping arm into a position adjacent the platform.

Abstract: A truck mounted carrier body having a front and rear section connected with hinges is disclosed. The front body section comprises a front bed section mounted to a sub frame. This section maybe operated in the flat or tilted position. The rear section of the body when slid rearward to the load position allows ground loading capability. The forward and rear body sections are connected with a hinge. Sub frame connects to the rear truck frame with a hinge and front with hydraulic cylinders. A roller assembly mounted to the body glides the front sub frame and rear slope assembly. The rear slope assembly hinged at the rear will guide the rear body tail section to the ground, under the rear slope assembly stabilizer feet will push carrier bed to a dock height. A hydraulic cylinder mounted to the sub frame will allow forward and rearward slide operation of carrier.

Abstract: A floor for a trailer, the floor comprising a plurality of cells, each of the cells having a top plate, a bottom plate, and a plurality of parallel vertical members extending between the top plate and bottom plate, the cells being welded to adjacent cells and to longitudinally extending beams. The structure permits the trailer to be relatively low compared to other known designs and provides for a more stable trailer in use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a frame structure for vertically mounting an integrated package, which can improve mountability of the batteries and structural rigidity of the integrated package and a vehicle body. To this end, the present invention provides a frame structure which comprises: a rear floor frame disposed behind a rear seat of the vehicle in a transverse direction of body of the vehicle; and a pair of guide frames are installed in parallel with each other behind the rear floor frame in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A composite floor pan may be joined with other structural members of an automotive vehicle. External loads imparted to the structural members may be transferred to the floor pan. The floor pan may be configured to absorb and/or transfer these external loads without separating.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present development, a platform trailer includes a chassis comprising first and second aluminum beams each including an upper flange and a lower flange connected by a web. The first and second beams are arranged parallel to each other and each extend from a forward end to a rear end in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the trailer. The first and second beams are each defined with an arch comprising an upwardly oriented apex located between the forward and rear ends. At least one axle assembly connected to the chassis and includes a left wheel and tire assembly and a right wheel and tire assembly. A platform is supported on the first and second beams of the chassis. The platform includes spaced-apart left and right side rails and a plurality of extruded aluminum panels that each extend from a left lateral end abutted with said left side rail to a right lateral end abutted with said right side rail.

Abstract: A height adjusting device is provided for the cargo floor of a motor vehicle with at least one guide, on which the cargo floor is pivotably guided about a first pivoting axis. The cargo floor can be guided from a lower cargo floor position into an upper cargo floor position. The cargo floor features a rear cargo floor section and a front cargo floor section that are pivotably connected to one another about a second pivoting axis. The cargo floor can be lifted in the region of the second pivoting axis such that the rear and the front cargo floor sections are pivoted relative to one another, and the guide is realized in such a way that the cargo floor is displaced from the lower into the upper cargo floor position along the guide by lifting the cargo floor in the region of the second pivoting axis.

Abstract: A cross-member for a trailer frame and a frame incorporating the same. The cross-member extends between longitudinally aligned rails designed to pivotally support a dumping body thereon. The cross-member includes a cylindrical tube having a wall defining a bore therethrough. A planar member is received within the bore and is axially aligned therewith. The tube includes one or more axially aligned openings proximate a central region thereof. The planar member is disposed intermediate the openings and is aligned axially with the openings. The cross-member is substantially rigid under tension and at least a portion thereof is flexible under torsion.

Abstract: A trailer includes a chassis and a body connected to the chassis. The body includes an open-top cargo-retaining space adapted to carry a bulk commodity payload. An axle subassembly is connected to the chassis and includes at least one set of left and right wheel and tire assemblies to rollably support the chassis. A landing gear assembly is connected to one or both of the chassis and body and includes legs that are selectively deployed to support a forward end of the trailer. A kingpin is located at the forward end of the trailer and is adapted for connection to a fifth-wheel of an associated vehicle used to pull the trailer. The body includes left and right bottom rails and left and right top rails spaced vertically above the left and right bottom rails, respectively. A horizontal floor extends between the left and right bottom rails. The floor includes a plurality of abutted one-piece extruded panels that each extend horizontally between and contact the left bottom rail and the right bottom rail.

Abstract: A slide deck device for a vehicle is provided wherein a luggage placement plate can be operated to slide smoothly even if heavy luggage is placed on the front or rear end of the luggage placement plate and also wherein no adverse effect occurs in subsequent sliding operations. The slide deck device includes upper rollers 69 which are mounted to the upper rails 52, 53, 70, 71 and 87 to be positioned in front of rearmost lower rollers of the lower rollers 64, are positioned in the lower rails 25, are spaced away from ceiling surfaces 31 of the lower rails and the bottom surfaces 30 of the lower rails when in contact with the bottom surfaces, and come in contact with the ceiling surfaces to be rotatable thereon when some of the lower rollers move away from the bottom surfaces and the ceiling surfaces.

Abstract: A cargo floor handle has a handle shell enclosing a grasping opening and a handling surface. The grasping opening is closed using a handle opening flap that is mounted so it is pivotable on the handle shell on a rotational axis.

Abstract: A ground cargo vehicle has a chassis, multiple wheels mounted on the chassis such that the chassis is mobile upon the wheels, and a cargo compartment mounted on the chassis. The cargo compartment includes at least one panel constructed of a reinforced polymer composite material, and a lowered floor disposed lower than the top of at least one of the wheels. The vehicle may be powered by a hybrid drive system mounted on the chassis, the hybrid drive system including an internal combustion drive component and an electrical drive component. The floor may have a roadway height of less than 14 inches. The cargo compartment, cab compartment, chassis, and floor of the vehicle may be constructed entirely of lightweight reinforced polymer composite material.

Abstract: A truck box frame includes first and second laterally extending frame members and a frame side rail assembly. The frame side rail assembly includes first and second frame side rails. The first and second frame side rails generally extend between and are coupled to the first and second laterally extending frame members. The first and second laterally extending frame members are extendable laterally, creating a variable width truck box frame. The first and second frame side rails may be curved or swept so that the intermediate portions extend inwardly toward one another, forming a tapered portion of the frame side rail assembly. The length and curvature, or sweep, of the side frame rails may also be varied to create a variable length truck box frame.