Sidewall of a semi-trailer having a high baserail
AssigneeWabash National, L.P.
InventorFrancis S. Smidler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sidewall for a semi-trailer is provided. The sidewall includes composite side panels, a baserail and a splicing member. The panels are formed of inner and outer skins and a core member therebetween. An upper portion of the panels is secured to a top rail of the semi-trailer. A lower portion of the baserail is secured to a bottom rail of the semi-trailer. The upper portion of the baserail and the lower portion of the panels overlap such that an outer surface of the baserail is positioned against the inner skin of the panels. The upper portion of the baserail and the lower portion of the panels are secured together by the splicing member which is positioned against the outer skin of the panels, and the outer surface of the baserail. The splicing member also supports the panels at the bottom end thereof.
Claims37
A sidewall for a trailer having a front end and a rear end comprising:
- a bottom rail which extends generally from the front end of the trailer to the rear end of the trailer;
- at least one panel comprised of an inner skin, an outer skin and a core member between said inner skin and said outer skin, said at least one panel having an upper portion, a lower portion and a bottom end, said at least one panel being supported at said bottom end thereof;
- and
- a baserail having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion of said baserail being secured to said bottom rail and said upper portion of said baserail being secured to said lower portion of said at least one panel such that said baserail vertically separates said at least one panel from said bottom rail and such that said baserail is positioned generally vertically between said at least one panel and said bottom rail, said upper portion of said baserail further being secured to said lower portion of said at least one panel such that an outer surface of said baserail at said upper portion thereof contacts said inner skin of said at least one panel at said lower portion thereof and such that an inner surface of said baserail at said upper portion thereof forms part of a boundary of an interior of the trailer.
A sidewall for a trailer comprising:
- a bottom rail;
- at least one panel comprised of an inner skin, an outer skin and a core member between said inner skin and said outer skin;
- a baserail having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion of said baserail being secured to said bottom rail;
- and
- a splicing member which secures said upper portion of said baserail to said at least one panel such that said baserail separates said at least one panel from said bottom rail.
A sidewall for a trailer having a front end and a rear end comprising:
- a bottom rail which extends generally from the front end of the trailer to the rear end of the trailer;
- at least one panel comprised of an inner skin, an outer skin and a core member between said inner skin and said outer skin, said at least one panel having an upper portion and a lower portion;
- and
- a baserail having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion of said baserail being secured to said bottom rail and said upper portion of said baserail being secured to said lower portion of said at least one panel such that said baserail vertically separates said at least one panel from said bottom rail and such that said baserail is positioned generally vertically between said at least one panel and said bottom rail, said upper portion of said baserail further being secured to said lower portion of said at least one panel such that an outer surface of said baserail at said upper portion thereof faces said inner skin of said at least one panel at said lower portion thereof and such that an inner surface of said baserail at said upper portion thereof forms part of a boundary of an interior of the trailer, said baserail has a lower end, said lower end of said baserail being positioned on top of at least a portion of said bottom rail.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.