Trailer having improved side wall

A cargo trailer for use with a motorized vehicle, said trailer comprising:

• a wheel assembly;
• a floor supported by said wheel assembly;
• and
• two side walls extending upward from respective longitudinal sides of said floor, at least one of said side walls including
• an outer surface,
• an inner surface,
• a plurality of elongated posts disposed between said outer surface and said inner surface,
• a plurality of interior side wall liner panels, wherein each said liner panel is disposed between respective said posts and partially defines said inner surface,
• wherein each said post includes
• a longitudinal first portion that partially defines said inner surface,
• a pair of first longitudinal flanges generally parallel to and disposed on opposite sides of said first portion and recessed from said first portion between said inner surface and said outer surface,
• a pair of second longitudinal flanges generally parallel to and disposed on opposite sides of said first portion and recessed from said first longitudinal flanges between said first longitudinal flanges and said outer surface, and
• a pair of third longitudinal flanges generally parallel to and disposed on opposite sides of said first portion and recessed from said second longitudinal flanges between said second longitudinal flanges and said outer surface, and
• wherein each said liner panel is attached to respective said first flanges, and/or respective said second flanges, of adjacent said posts.

In construction of a cargo trailer having a wheel assembly, a floor supported by the wheel assembly, and two side walls extending upward from respective longitudinal sides of the floor, wherein at least one of the side walls includes an outer surface, an inner surface and at least one vertical post disposed between and supporting the inner surface, a method of forming the vertical post, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an elongated metal post having a generally planar longitudinal central surface, a pair of stepped accordion flanges respectively disposed on opposite sides of said central surface, and a pair of elongated side edges respectively defined on opposite sides of said post;
• securing said elongated side edges against lateral deformation;
• and
• stamping a predetermined area of said central surface at an end of said post so that said predetermined area is recessed with respect to a remaining portion of said central surface and so that said accordion flanges compress between said central surface and said elongated side edges.

A cargo trailer for use with a motorized vehicle, said trailer comprising:

• a plurality of wheels;
• a floor supported by said plurality of wheels;
• a side wall extending vertically upward from a side edge of said floor, said side wall including a plurality of elongated vertical posts, wherein each said post has
• a generally planar longitudinal front face defining a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion is smaller than said first portion and is recessed rearward of said first portion,
• a pair of elongated side edges respectively defined on opposite sides of said post and in parallel with each other rearward of said first portion, and
• a pair of stepped accordion flanges, wherein each said stepped accordion flange is disposed between said front face and a respective said elongated side edge, and wherein each said accordion flange is compressed between its said respective elongated side edge and said second portion so that said respective elongated side edge remains uniform along said first portion and said second portion;
• and
• a scuff band extending along at least a portion of said side wall and received within said second portions of said posts so that at least a portion of said scuff band is disposed rearward of said first portion.

A cargo trailer for use with a motorized vehicle, said trailer comprising:

• a plurality of wheels;
• a floor supported by said plurality of wheels;
• a side wall extending vertically upward from a side edge of said floor, wherein said side wall includes a plurality of elongated vertical posts, and wherein each said post has
• a generally planar longitudinal front face defining a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion is smaller than said first portion and is recessed rearward of said first portion,
• a pair of elongated side edges respectively defined on opposite sides of said post and in parallel with each other rearward of said first portion, and
• a pair of stepped accordion flanges, wherein each said stepped accordion flange is disposed between said front face and a respective said elongated side edge, and wherein each said accordion flange is compressed between its said respective elongated side edge and said second portion so that said respective elongated side edge remains uniform along said first portion and said second portion.

A cargo trailer for use with a motorized vehicle, said trailer comprising:

• a plurality of wheels;
• a floor supported by said plurality of wheels;
• two side walls extending vertically upward from opposite side edges of said floor, wherein each said side wall includes
• (a) a plurality of elongated vertical posts, wherein each said post has
• a generally planar longitudinal front face defining a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion is smaller than said first portion and is recessed rearward of said first portion,
• a pair of elongated side edges respectively defined on opposite sides of said post and in parallel with each other rearward of said first portion, and
• a pair of stepped accordion flanges, wherein each said stepped accordion flange is disposed between said front face and a respective said elongated side edge, wherein each said accordion flange is compressed between its said respective elongated side edge and said second portion so that said respective elongated side edge remains uniform along said first portion and said second portion, and wherein each said accordion flange includes
• a first longitudinal flange on which said respective elongated side edge is defined, and
• a second longitudinal flange disposed between said first longitudinal flange and said front face and recessed rearward of said first portion,
• wherein said second longitudinal flange is parallel to said front face along said first portion and is disposed at an angle with respect to said front face along said second portion,
• (b) a plurality of side wall liner panels, wherein each said liner panel is disposed between a respective pair of adjacent said posts and is fastened to said adjacent posts at respective said accordion flanges thereof, and wherein each said liner panel is fastened to said second flanges of said respective accordion flanges along said first portions of said adjacent posts, and
• (c) an outer skin fastened to said first flanges of said posts;
• and
• a respective scuff band extending along at least a portion of each said side wall and received within said second portions of said posts of said side wall so that at least a portion of said scuff band is disposed rearward of said first portions.