# US 10,479,419 B2 · Composite refrigerated semi-trailer and method of making the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,419 B2 - Document ID: US10479419B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/438,667 - Filed: 2017-02-21 - Published: 2017-08-24 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-24 - Assignees: Wabash National, L.P. - Applicants: Wabash National, L.P. - Inventors: Scott A. Storz; Jeffrie Scott Bauer; Andrzej Wylezinski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479419B2 ## CPC - B62D 33/048: {for refrigerated goods vehicles} - B62D 21/02: comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members - B62D 21/20: trailer type, i.e. a frame specifically constructed for use in a non-powered vehicle - B62D 29/001: {characterised by combining metal and synthetic material} - B62D 29/043: {Superstructures (B62D25/161 takes precedence)} - B62D 53/068: {having devices to equalise or modify the load between the fifth wheel and the rear wheels (adjustable couping saddles per se B62D53/0807; load transfer devices to permit coupling or uncoupling B62D53/0857; anti jack-knifing devices B62D53/0871)} - B62D 53/0842: {King pins} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A refrigerated composite semi-trailer is disclosed that may improve thermal efficiency, fuel efficiency, and costs of manufacturing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A semi-trailer for use with a tractor, the semi-trailer comprising: a composite floor having: an upper surface; a lower surface; a right longitudinal support beam that extends downward from the lower surface, wherein the right longitudinal support beam is made from a composite material; and a left longitudinal support beam that extends downward from the lower surface, wherein the left longitudinal support beam is made from a composite material; and a roof; a right sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof; a left sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof; a nose coupled to the floor, the roof, the right sidewall, and the left sidewall; and a slide rail assembly defining a plurality of holes configured to couple the semi-trailer to a wheel assembly, the slide rail assembly comprising: a right rail coupled to and vertically aligned with the right longitudinal support beam of the composite floor; and a left rail coupled to and vertically aligned with the left longitudinal support beam of the composite floor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The semi-trailer of claim 1, wherein: the right rail of the slide rail assembly is adhesively bonded to the right longitudinal support beam of the composite floor; and the left rail of the slide rail assembly is adhesively bonded to the left longitudinal support beam of the composite floor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The semi-trailer of claim 1, further comprising: a right connector that cooperates with the right rail of the slide rail assembly to surround side and bottom surfaces of the right longitudinal support beam of the composite floor; and a left connector that cooperates with the left rail of the slide rail assembly to surround side and bottom surfaces of the left longitudinal support beam of the composite floor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The semi-trailer of claim 1, wherein: the right rail includes a plurality of holes located beneath the right longitudinal support beam of the composite floor; and the left rail includes a plurality of holes located beneath the left longitudinal support beam of the composite floor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The semi-trailer of claim 1, wherein: each of the right and left longitudinal support beams tapers inward from top to bottom; and each of the right and left rails mimics the taper of the corresponding longitudinal support beam. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The semi-trailer of claim 1, further comprising a king pin assembly configured to couple the semi-trailer to the tractor, wherein the right and left longitudinal support beams extend from the slide rail assembly at a rear end of the semi-trailer to the king pin assembly at a front end of the semi-trailer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The semi-trailer of claim 6, wherein the lower surface of the composite floor is flush with a horizontal grid plate of the king pin assembly. ### Claim 8 A semi-trailer for use with a tractor, the semi-trailer comprising: a composite floor having: an upper surface; a lower surface; a first longitudinal support beam that extends downward from the lower surface, wherein the first longitudinal support beam is made from a composite material; and a second longitudinal support beam that extends downward from the lower surface, wherein the second longitudinal support beam is made from a composite material; and a roof; a right sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof; a left sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof; a nose coupled to the floor, the roof, the right sidewall, and the left sidewall; and a landing gear assembly configured to support the semi-trailer on the ground, the landing gear assembly coupled to and vertically aligned with the first and second longitudinal support beams of the composite floor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The semi-trailer of claim 8, further comprising: a first connector adhesively bonded to the first longitudinal support beam of the composite floor and mechanically fastened to a first leg of the landing gear assembly; and a second connector adhesively bonded to the second longitudinal support beam of the composite floor and mechanically fastened to a second leg of the landing gear assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The semi-trailer of claim 9, wherein: each of the first and second longitudinal support beams tapers inward from top to bottom; and each of the first and second connectors mimics the taper of the corresponding longitudinal support beam. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The semi-trailer of claim 8, further comprising: a third longitudinal support beam that extends from the lower surface of the composite floor, wherein the third longitudinal support beam is made from a composite material; and a fuel tank assembly coupled to the first and third longitudinal support beams of the composite floor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The semi-trailer of claim 11, wherein the first longitudinal support beam is longer than the third longitudinal support beam. ### Claim 13 A semi-trailer for use with a tractor, the semi-trailer comprising: a composite floor having: a first internal support beam made from a composite material; a second internal support beam made from a composite material; a third internal support beam made from a composite material; a fourth internal support beam made from a composite material, wherein the third and fourth internal support beams extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the semi-trailer and the first and second internal support beams are positioned longitudinally intermediate the third and fourth internal support beams; and a recess defined between the first and second internal support beams; and a roof; a right sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof; a left sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof; a nose coupled to the floor, the roof, the right sidewall, and the left sidewall; and a king pin assembly configured to couple the semi-trailer to the tractor, the king pin assembly being received within the recess and adhesively bonded to the first and second internal support beams of the composite floor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The semi-trailer of claim 13, wherein the third and fourth internal support beams define the recess. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The semi-trailer of claim 13, further comprising a grid plate adhesively bonded to the first and second internal support beams of the composite floor to support the king pin assembly in an opening of the composite floor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The semi-trailer of claim 15, wherein the grid plate is flush with a lower surface of the composite floor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The semi-trailer of claim 13, further comprising: an underbody accessory having a mounting bracket; and an intermediate connector bonded to the composite floor and mechanically coupled to the mounting bracket. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The semi-trailer of claim 13, wherein the composite floor further comprises: a fifth internal support beam made from a composite material and positioned laterally outward of the first internal support beam; and a sixth internal support beam made from a composite material and positioned laterally outward of the second internal support beam. ### Claim 19 A semi-trailer for use with a tractor, the semi-trailer comprising: a composite floor having: a first internal support beam made from a composite material; a second internal support beam made from a composite material; and a recess defined between the first and second internal support beams; and a roof; a right sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof; a left sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof; a nose coupled to the floor, the roof, the right sidewall, and the left sidewall; and a king pin assembly configured to couple the semi-trailer to the tractor, the king pin assembly being received within the recess and adhesively bonded to the first and second internal support beams of the composite floor, wherein: each of the first and second internal support beams tapers inward from top to bottom; and the king pin assembly tapers outward from top to bottom. ### Claim 20 A semi-trailer for use with a tractor, the semi-trailer comprising: a composite floor having: a first internal support beam made from a composite material; a second internal support beam made from a composite material; and a recess defined between the first and second internal support beams; and a roof; a right sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof; a left sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof; a nose coupled to the floor, the roof, the right sidewall, and the left sidewall; and a king pin assembly configured to couple the semi-trailer to the tractor, the king pin assembly being received within the recess and adhesively bonded to the first and second internal support beams of the composite floor, wherein: the first and second internal support beams travel inward toward one another such that the recess is trapezoidal-shaped; and the king pin assembly mimics the trapezoidal-shape of the recess. ### Claim 21 A semi-trailer for use with a tractor, the semi-trailer comprising: a composite floor having: a first internal support beam made from a composite material; a second internal support beam made from a composite material; and a recess defined between the first and second internal support beams; and a roof; a right sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof; a left sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof; a nose coupled to the floor, the roof, the right sidewall, and the left sidewall; and a king pin assembly configured to couple the semi-trailer to the tractor, the king pin assembly being received within the recess and adhesively bonded to the first and second internal support beams of the composite floor, wherein the composite floor includes a composite skirt positioned around the first and second internal support beams, wherein the composite skirt is sandwiched between at least one outer connector and at least one interior connector.