Hardpoint connectors for composite truck body floors
AssigneeWabash National, L.P.
InventorMichael Bodey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cargo vehicle includes a chassis having a longitudinal rail coupled to a motorized truck. A cargo body is coupled to the chassis and includes a floor for supporting cargo. A hardpoint connector couples the longitudinal rail of the chassis to the floor of the cargo body. The hardpoint connector includes a base, a neck coupled to the base, and a head coupled to the neck opposite the base. The head is embedded in the floor of the cargo body. The hardpoint connector further includes a first leg coupled to the base and extending opposite the neck, and a second leg coupled to the base and extending opposite the neck.
Claims25
A cargo vehicle comprising:
- a chassis comprising a longitudinal rail coupled to a motorized truck;
- a cargo body coupled to the chassis and including a floor for supporting cargo;
- a hardpoint connector coupling the longitudinal rail of the chassis to the floor of the cargo body, the hardpoint connector comprising:
- a base;
- a neck coupled to the base;
- a head coupled to the neck opposite the base, the head being embedded in the floor of the cargo body;
- a first leg coupled to the base and extending opposite the neck;
- and
- a second leg coupled to the base and extending opposite the neck.
A cargo vehicle comprising:
- a chassis coupled to a motorized truck and comprising a longitudinal rail;
- a cargo body coupled to the chassis and including a floor for supporting cargo;
- a hardpoint connector coupling the longitudinal rail of the chassis to the floor of the cargo body, the hardpoint connector comprising:
- an inverted U-bolt portion coupled to the longitudinal rail of the chassis;
- and
- a stationary capstan portion coupled to the floor of the cargo body.
A method for coupling a chassis rail of a vehicle to a lower surface of a composite floor of a cargo body of the vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing a hardpoint connector, the hardpoint connector comprising a base, a neck coupled to the base, a head coupled to the neck opposite the base, a first leg coupled to the base and extending opposite the neck, and a second leg coupled to the base and extending opposite the neck;
- embedding the head of the hardpoint connector in the composite floor of the cargo body of the vehicle;
- and
- coupling the first leg and the second leg of the hardpoint connector to the chassis rail.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.