# US 11,027,783 B1 · Joint between sidewall and roof panel of trailer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,783 B1 - Document ID: US11027783B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/706,455 - Filed: 2019-12-06 - Published: 2021-06-10 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-06 - Assignees: Strick Trailers, LLC - Applicants: Strick Trailers, LLC - Inventors: Aaquib M. Asif - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027783B1 ## CPC - B62D 33/046: {built up with flat self-supporting panels; Fixed connections between panels (B62D29/045, B62D33/048 take precedence)} - B60R 13/08: Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation {(sound insulating linings for trains B61D17/185; drivers' cabs for load-carrying vehicles insulated against vibrations or noise B62D33/0604; thermal or acoustic insulation of engines F02B77/11; damping of sounds using compensation by electro-acoustic methods G10K11/178)} - B62D 33/048: {for refrigerated goods vehicles} - B62D 27/023: {Assembly of structural joints} - 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) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A trailer includes a vertically-oriented sidewall, a horizontally-oriented roof panel disposed above the sidewall, and a top rail attached to the sidewall. At least a section of the top rail is disposed above the sidewall and below the roof panel. A substantially L-shaped cove has a horizontal leg attached to a lower surface of the roof panel, and a vertical leg attached to an inner surface of the sidewall. A board of thermal insulation includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is disposed between the vertical leg of the cove and the section of the top rail, and the lower portion is disposed between the vertical leg of the cove and the sidewall. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A trailer, comprising: a vertically-oriented sidewall; a horizontally-oriented roof panel disposed above the sidewall; a top rail attached to the sidewall, at least a section of the top rail being disposed above the sidewall and below the roof panel; a substantially L-shaped cove having a horizontal leg attached to and supporting a lower surface of the roof panel, and a vertical leg attached to an inner surface of the sidewall; and a board of thermal insulation including an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being disposed between the vertical leg of the cove and the section of the top rail, and the lower portion being disposed between the vertical leg of the cove and the sidewall. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The trailer of claim 1 wherein the vertical leg of the cove includes a proximal body, an angled segment attached to a lower end of the proximal body, and a distal tip attached to a lower end of the angled segment, the upper portion of the board of thermal insulation being disposed between the proximal body of the vertical leg and the section of the top rail, and the lower portion being disposed between the proximal body of the vertical leg and the sidewall, the distal tip of the vertical leg being attached to the sidewall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The trailer of claim 2 wherein the distal tip of the vertical leg is substantially planar, the distal tip of the vertical leg being parallel to and laterally offset from the proximal body of the vertical leg. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The trailer of claim 3 wherein the angled segment of the vertical leg is oriented at an angle of approximately between 135 degrees and 165 degrees relative to the proximal body of the vertical leg and relative to the distal tip of the vertical leg. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The trailer of claim 4 wherein the angled segment of the vertical leg is oriented at an angle of approximately 150 degrees relative to the proximal body of the vertical leg and relative to the distal tip of the vertical leg. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The trailer of claim 1 further comprising a fastener attached to the section of the top rail and jutting from the section of the top rail toward an interior of the trailer, the vertical leg of the cove covering the fastener. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The trailer of claim 1 further comprising a fastener attached to the sidewall and jutting from the sidewall toward an interior of the trailer, the vertical leg of the cove covering the fastener. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The trailer of claim 1 wherein there is an air gap between the sidewall and the top rail, the trailer further comprising blown insulation in the air gap, the vertical leg of the cove covering the blown insulation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The trailer of claim 1 wherein there is an air gap between the sidewall and the top rail, the air gap being fluidly connected to ambient air, the cove substantially sealing an interior of the trailer from the air gap. ### Claim 10 A trailer, comprising: a vertically-oriented sidewall; a horizontally-oriented roof panel disposed above the sidewall; a top rail attached to the sidewall, the top rail being disposed at least partially above the sidewall and at least partially below the roof panel, wherein there is an air gap between the sidewall and the top rail, the air gap being fluidly connected to ambient air; a substantially L-shaped cove having a horizontal leg attached to a lower surface of the roof panel, and a vertical leg attached to an inner surface of the sidewall, the cove blocking air flow between an interior of the trailer and an exterior of the trailer through the air gap; and a board of thermal insulation including an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being disposed between the vertical leg of the cove and the top rail, and the lower portion being disposed between the vertical leg of the cove and the sidewall such that the board of thermal insulation covers the air gap. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The trailer of claim 10 wherein the vertical leg of the cove includes a proximal body, an angled segment attached to a lower end of the proximal body, and a distal tip attached to a lower end of the angled segment, the upper portion of the board of thermal insulation being disposed between the proximal body of the vertical leg and the top rail, and the lower portion being disposed between the proximal body of the vertical leg and the sidewall, the distal tip of the vertical leg being attached to the sidewall. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The trailer of claim 11 wherein the distal tip of the vertical leg is substantially planar, the distal tip of the vertical leg being parallel to and laterally offset from the proximal body of the vertical leg. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The trailer of claim 12 wherein the angled segment of the vertical leg is oriented at an angle of approximately between 135 degrees and 165 degrees relative to the proximal body of the vertical leg and relative to the distal tip of the vertical leg. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The trailer of claim 13 wherein the angled segment of the vertical leg is oriented at an angle of approximately 150 degrees relative to the proximal body of the vertical leg and relative to the distal tip of the vertical leg. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The trailer of claim 10 further comprising a fastener attached to the top rail and jutting from the top rail toward an interior of the trailer, the vertical leg of the cove covering the fastener. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The trailer of claim 10 further comprising a fastener attached to the sidewall and jutting from the sidewall toward an interior of the trailer, the vertical leg of the cove covering the fastener. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The trailer of claim 10 further comprising blown insulation in the air gap, the board of thermal insulation covering the blown insulation. ### Claim 18 A trailer, comprising: a vertically-oriented sidewall; a horizontally-oriented roof panel disposed above the sidewall; a top rail attached to the sidewall, at least a section of the top rail being disposed above the sidewall and below the roof panel; a substantially L-shaped cove having a horizontal leg attached to a lower surface of the roof panel, and a vertical leg attached to an inner surface of the sidewall; a board of thermal insulation including an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being disposed between the vertical leg of the cove and the section of the top rail, and the lower portion being disposed between the vertical leg of the cove and the sidewall; a first fastener attached to the section of the top rail and jutting from the section of the top rail toward an interior of the trailer, the board of thermal insulation and the vertical leg of the cove covering the first fastener; and a second fastener attached to the sidewall and jutting from the sidewall toward an interior of the trailer, the board of thermal insulation at least partially covering the second fastener, the vertical leg of the cove covering the second fastener. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The trailer of claim 18 wherein the vertical leg of the cove includes a proximal body, an angled segment attached to a lower end of the proximal body, and a distal tip attached to a lower end of the angled segment, the upper portion of the board of thermal insulation being disposed between the proximal body of the vertical leg and the section of the top rail, and the lower portion being disposed between the proximal body of the vertical leg and the sidewall, the distal tip of the vertical leg being attached to the sidewall. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The trailer of claim 19 wherein the distal tip of the vertical leg is substantially planar, the distal tip of the vertical leg being parallel to and laterally offset from the proximal body of the vertical leg.