# US 7,407,216 B2 · Frame for building a vehicular body with a load bearing support system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,407,216 B2 - Document ID: US7407216B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/203,778 - Filed: 2005-08-15 - Published: 2006-02-16 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2004-08-13 - Assignees: JDM Venture, LLC - Inventors: William Taylor - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7407216B2 ## CPC - B60P 1/00: Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading (vehicles for carrying harvested crops with means for self-loading or self-unloading A01D90/00; peculiar to refuse collecting-vehicles B65F; loading or unloading vehicles by means not incorporated therein B65G) - B62D 33/04: Enclosed load compartments {; Frameworks for movable panels, tarpaulins or side curtains (side curtains per se B60J5/065; tarpaulins per se B60J7/00, B60P7/04)} - B62D 33/044: {built up with profiles of constant elongated shape, e.g. extruded, mechanically interconnected by coupling members, e.g. by clamping, riveting or bolting} - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) - 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 skeleton or frame for building a vehicular body of a cargo vehicle with a load bearing support system for supporting one or more levels of accessories to provide one or more additional levels of load bearing surfaces. The frame comprises at least two side portions comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced sidewall posts and at least one transverse member connecting the two side frames for mounting various panels (e.g., a roof, floor, wall, door, window, sunroof, refrigerator unit, air conditioner unit, etc.) and accessories (e.g., a shelf, drawer, bin, cabinet, platform, cot, sliding rack, bucket, bench and the like). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A frame for building a vehicular body of a cargo box or vehicle with a load bearing support system, comprising: at least two opposing side portions, each side portion comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced sidewall posts, each sidewall posts connected to another sidewall posts of the same respective side member by one or more stabilization bar member to provide stability and alignment of said plurality of longitudinally spaced sidewall posts; and at least one transverse member, said at least one transverse member connects opposing sidewall posts in the respective opposing side portions to form said frame for mounting a panel of said vehicular body and comprising said load bearing support system for supporting one or more levels of accessories, thereby providing one or more additional levels of load bearing surfaces for said cargo vehicle; and wherein each of the opposing side portions comprises an internal side and an external side, wherein said accessory is mounted on the internal side of an opposing side portion; and wherein said panel is mounted on the external side of said opposing said portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein said at least one transverse member is an adjustable transverse member such that the length of said at least one transverse member is adjustable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein said panel comprises one or more of the following: a roof, a wall, a refrigerator unit, a floor, an air conditioner unit, a sunroof, a door or a window. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein said accessory is molded with one or more support arms, wherein each support arm comprises a bracket at the proximal end for connecting said support arm to a vertical member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein said accessory is at least one of the following: a shelf, a bench, a cot, a platform, a drawer, a bin, a bucket, a sliding rack, a cabinet, a hook, or a rack. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein said accessory is a load bearing surface, wherein said load bearing surface is connected to one or more said sidewall posts, and wherein said load bearing surface is held at an angular position with respect to said sidewall posts from about 0 to about 180 degrees. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein said at least one transverse member comprises a bracket at each end for connecting said at least one transverse member to opposing vertical members of the respective opposing side frames. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein said at least one transverse member is a telescopic member comprising an outer member and an inner member, wherein said inner member is insertable into said outer member and moves with respect to said outer member to adjust the length of said at least one transverse member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein at least one or more of said members or said sidewall posts are non-uniform in size or shape to build said vehicular body of varying dimensions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein the number of said plurality of longitudinally spaced sidewall posts and the longitudinal spacing between said each sidewall posts in each opposing side portion varies to build said vehicular body of varying dimensions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein said plurality of longitudinal spaced sidewall posts, said one or more stabilization bar member and said at least one transverse member are constructed of at least one of the following suitable load bearing material: steel, aluminum, plastic, vinyl, plastic resin, fiberglass, and fiberglass reinforced plywood. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein said cargo vehicle is one of the following: truck, van, trailer, train, plane, freight, container vessel or ship. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein at least one level of accessories comprises a load bearing surface, wherein said load bearing surface is one of the following: a shelf, bench, cot, platform, drawer, bin, bucket, sliding rack, cabinet, hook, or rack. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein said members and sidewall posts of said frame are manufactured in a predetermined size and are cut accordingly to build said vehicular body of varying dimensions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, further comprising a cross brace formed of at least two stabilization bar members. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The frame of claim 15, wherein said cross brace connects at least two different longitudinally spaced sidewall posts. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, further comprising a cross brace formed of at least two transverse members. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The frame of claim 17, wherein said cross brace connects said opposing side portions. ### Claim 19 A frame for building a vehicular body of a cargo vehicle with a load bearing support system manufactured by the process comprising the steps of: assembling at least two opposing side portions, wherein each side portion comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced load bearing sidewall posts, by connecting each said sidewall posts to another sidewall post within each respective side portion by one or more stabilization bar member to provide stability and alignment of said plurality of longitudinally spaced sidewall posts; and connecting opposing sidewall posts in the respective opposing side portions by at least one transverse member to form said frame for mounting a panel of said vehicular body with said load bearing support system for supporting one or more levels of accessories, thereby providing one or more additional levels of load bearing surfaces for said cargo vehicle; and wherein each of the opposing side portions comprises an internal side and an external side; and wherein said accessory is mounted on the internal side of an opposing side portion; and wherein said panel is mounted on the external side of said opposing side portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The process of claim 19, wherein said at least one transverse member is an adjustable transverse member such that the length of said at least one transverse member is adjustable. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The process of claim 19, wherein said accessory is at least one of the following: a shelf, a bench, a cot, a platform, a drawer, a bin, a sliding rack, a cabinet, a bucket, or a rack. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The process of claim 19, wherein said at least one transverse member is a telescopic member comprising an outer member and an inner member, wherein said inner member is insertable into said outer member and moves with respect to said outer member to adjust the length of said at least one transverse member. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The process of claim 19, wherein said panel comprises one or more of the following: a roof, a wall, an air conditioner unit, refrigerator unit, a floor, a door, a sunroof or a window. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The process of claim 19, wherein said cargo vehicle is one of the following: truck, van, trailer, train, plane, freight, container vessel and ship. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The process of claim 19, wherein said sidewall posts and said members of the support system are manufactured in a predetermined size and are cut accordingly to build said vehicular body of varying dimensions. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The process of claim 19, wherein at least one level of accessories comprises a load bearing surface, wherein said load bearing surface is one of the following: a shelf, bench, cot, platform, drawer, bin, bucket, sliding rack, cabinet, hook, or rack. ### Claim 27 (depends on 19) The process of claim 19, wherein said plurality of longitudinal spaced sidewall posts, said one or more stabilization bar member and said at least one transverse member are constructed of at least one of the following suitable load bearing material: steel, aluminum, plastic, vinyl, plastic resin, fiberglass, and fiberglass reinforced plywood. ### Claim 28 (depends on 19) The process of claim 19, wherein the number of said plurality of longitudinally spaced sidewall posts and the longitudinal spacing between said each sidewall posts in each opposing side portion varies to build said vehicular body of varying dimensions. ### Claim 29 A kit for assembling a frame for building a vehicular body with a load bearing support system for use in a cargo vehicle, the kit comprising: a plurality of load bearing sidewall posts for forming at least two opposing side portions; one or more stabilization bar members for connecting said vertical members of each respective side portion to provide stability and alignment of said plurality of load bearing sidewall posts; and at least one transverse member for connecting said opposing sidewall posts in the respective opposing side portion to form said frame for mounting a panel of said vehicular body and comprising said load bearing support system for supporting one or more levels of accessories, thereby providing one or more additional levels of load bearing surfaces for said cargo vehicle; and wherein each opposing side portion having an internal side and an external side; wherein said accessory is mounted on the internal side of an opposing side portion; and wherein said panel is mounted on the external side of said opposing side portion. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The kit of claim 29, wherein said sidewall posts and members of the support system are manufactured in a predetermined size and are cut accordingly to build said vehicular body of varying dimensions. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The kit of claim 29, wherein said at least one transverse member is an adjustable transverse member such that the length of said at least one transverse member is adjustable. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The kit of claim 29, wherein said accessory is at least one of the following: a shelf, a bench, a cot, a platform, a drawer, a cabinet, a sliding rack, a bin, a hook, a bucket, or a rack. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The kit of claim 29, wherein said at least one transverse member is a telescopic member comprising an outer member and an inner member, wherein said inner member is insertable into said outer member and moves with respect to said outer member to adjust the length of said at least one transverse member. ### Claim 34 (depends on 29) The kit of claim 29, wherein said kit further comprises instructions for assembling said frame for building said vehicular body with said load bearing support system for use in said cargo vehicle. ### Claim 35 (depends on 29) The kit of claim 29, wherein said load bearing surface is one of the following: a shelf, rack, bin, bench, cot, drawer, cabinet, bucket, hook, sliding rack, and platform. ### Claim 36 (depends on 29) The kit of claim 29, wherein said panel comprises one or more of the following: a roof, a wall, a refrigerator unit, an air conditioner unit, a floor, a door or a window. ### Claim 37 (depends on 29) The kit of claim 29, wherein the number of said plurality of longitudinally spaced sidewall posts in each opposing side portion varies to build said vehicular body of varying dimensions. ### Claim 38 (depends on 29) The kit of claim 29, wherein said plurality of load bearing sidewall posts, said one or more stabilization bar member and said at least one transverse member are constructed of at least one of the following suitable load bearing material: steel, aluminum, plastic, vinyl, plastic resin, fiberglass, and fiberglass reinforced plywood. ### Claim 39 (depends on 29) The kit of claim 29, further comprising a cross brace formed of at least two stabilization bar members. ### Claim 40 The kit 39, wherein said cross brace connects at least two different longitudinally spaced load bearing sidewall posts. ### Claim 41 (depends on 29) The kit of claim 29, further comprising a cross brace formed of at least two transverse members. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The kit of claim 41, wherein said cross brace connects said opposing side frames.