COMPOSITE PANEL FOR A TOWING WALL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1 The present invention relates generally to walls for trailers. More specifically, the present invention relates to trailer walls that are formed of a plurality of composite panels having sections of central members of the composite panels removed or not provided in order to provide voids that extend vertically throughout. of the height of composite panelas. The use of composite panels, particularly those having thin inner and outer metal liners and a continuous central material provided therebetween, have been widely used in the formation of trailer walls because they are strong and lightweight. Both of these properties are important in the formation of trailer walls. The walls must be strong enough to prevent or substantially inhibit damage to the products that are transported or stored within the trailer. The walls should also be lightweight because trailers, including their cargo, are subject to weight restrictions when traveling, so that the lighter the weight of the trailer, the heavier the weight of the load may be. Obviously, the bigger the load, the better. 'In this way, it is desirable to provide panels
composite for trailer walls that are still lighter, so that the load that is transported by the trailer can still be larger, but without compromising the strength and structural integrity of the trailer walls. The present invention provides a composite panel for a trailer wall. It is further desirable for a tow wall to provide a ventilation path from an interior of the trailer to an exterior of the trailer so that the fluidc increased mainly increased humidity within the trailer, can be vented outside the trailer. The present invention provides a tow wall. ! Briefly, and in accordance with the above, the invention provides a composite panel for use in a tow wall. The composite panel has inner and outer metal linings with each liner having an upper end and a lower end. The composite panel also has the central material placed between and secured in the inner and outer linings. The core material has a predetermined height1 that extends from a top end of the core material to a lower end of the core material. The core material defines or includes a plurality of empty spaces. Each empty space extends generally and vertically along the height of the central material so that each empty space opens in the
ism ^ L, can be better understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where similar reference numbers identify similar elements in the tuals: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a trailer incorporating a wall having formed panels according to features of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective of the wall of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wall panel shown in FIGURE 2 and illustrating the empty spaces provided in the wall panel; FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodiment of the wall panel and illustrating the configuration of the voids provided in the first alternative embodiment of the pe-panel; FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of the wall panel and illustrating the configuration of the empty spaces provided in the second alternative embodiment of the network panel; FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of a. { trailer wall, showing the upper and lower rails and a portion of the floor structure;
FIGURE 6A is an enlargement of a portion of the cross-sectional view of the wall of the trailer taken from within Circle 6A of FIGURE 6; and FIGURE 6B is an enlargement of a portion of the cross-sectional view of the wall of the trailer taken from within the circle 6B of FIGURE 6.! While this invention may be susceptible to the modality in different forms, the drawings are shown and specific embodiments will be described in detail herein with the understanding that the present description is considered an exemplary embodiment of the principles of the invention, and not it is intended to limit the invention to what is illustrated. 1 As illustrated in FIGURE 1, a trailer 20
I includes the body 22 formed from a pair of rectangular side walls 24, a front wall 26, rear frame and doors 28, a roof structure 30 and a floor structure 32. The rear part of the frame structure 32 is supported by a conventional rear body assembly 34 and the front part of the floor structure 32 has a landing gear 36 secured thereon. The floor structure 32 and a lower portion of each side wall 24 are secured to a respective lower rail 38 extending the length of the trailer 20. The lower rails 38 i are preferably formed of aluminum, which
you can < _ extrude. The roof structure 30 and a portion
The upper one of each side wall 24 is secured to a respective upper rail 40 which extends the length of the trailer 20. The upper rails 40 are preferably formed of aluminum, which can be extruded. The trailer 20 can be connected to a tractor 42 by conventional means, such
I like μ? Fifth wheel assembly. 1 The side walls 24 are identical, and as such, only one of the side walls 24 is described. The lateral wall 24 is formed from a plurality of panels 46 which are joined together at the joints 48. As best shown in FIGURE 2, each composite panel 46 includes a central member 50 sandwiched between a liner. 52a thin interior and a thin outer lining 52b and is bonded thereto by a suitable known adhesive or other similar means. The inner lining 52a and the outer lining 52b may be formed of metal, preferably aluminum or steel, and may vary in thickness (such as 0.33 to 0.66 (0.013 to 0.026) for steel linings and 1.27 mm (0.050 inches). for aluminum liners) or can be a thin composite material and can vary in thickness (such as 0.66 (0.026)). It will be understood that other thicknesses may be used as required by the application. Typically, each composite panel 46 is 1,219 meters (4 feet) wide, but may be larger or shorter depending on the application. By
The two panels 46 are joined together to form a side wall 24 of the body 22. The inner and outer liners 52a, 52b have upper ends 54a, 54b and lower ends 55a, 55b. In a preferred embodiment, as best illustrated in FIGURE 6, the upper ends 54a, 54b are flat and the lower ends 55a, 55b are flat. Each central member 50 is formed of a certain type of compressible non-metallic material, preferably thermoplastic, such as polypropylene or high density polyethylene. Because composite panels 46 are used, the weight of the trailer construction is reduced on scraps having metal sidewalls. The centric member 50 has a defined height between an upper end 56 thereof and a lower end 58 thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the upper end 56 of the central member 50 is flat with the upper ends 54a, 54b of the lining 52a, 52b as best illustrated in FIGURE 6A, but may be displaced from one or both of the ends 54a, 54b of the liners 52a, 52b. Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, the lower end 58 of the member 50
I central is flat with the lower ends 55a, 55b of the liners 52a, 52b, as best illustrated in FIGURE 6B, but may be displaced from one or both of the lower ends 55a, 55b of the liners 52a, 52b. I The weight of the central member 50 is further reduced
due to a plurality of sections of the central member 50 have been removed or are not provided in the original construction of the panel 46. Therefore, the central member 50 defines or includes a plurality of void spaces 56 that extend vertically which are provided preferably along the height of the central member 50 from the upper end 56 thereof to the lower end 58 thereof, and thus, the panel 46, may extend along only a substantial portion of the height of the panel 46, for example when one end 56, 58 of the central member 50 moves from the ends 54a, 54b, 55a, i 55b 'of the liners 52a, 52b. The empty space 56 is preferably continuous along its height and is open at least one of the upper ends 54a, 54b of the folds 52a, 52b and at least one of the lower ends 55a, 55b of the linings. 52a, 52b. This reduces the weight of the panel! 46, and thus sidewall 24, without sacrificing important structural integrity. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a preferred embodiment, the empty spaces 56 extend all the disjunction between the liners 52a, 52b, so that the cehtral member 50 is discontinuous along the length of the panel 46. Preferably, each empty space 56 is approximately 12.7 millimeters (0.5 inches) in length (in the direction of the front of the trailer 20 to the rear).
of the Trailer 20), and the discontinuous sections of the 50 cent-jal member between the adjacent voids 56 are approximately 38.1 millimeters (1.5 inches in length). Therefore, empty spaces 56 are generally formed five point zero eight centimeters (two inches) in the center. The empty spaces 56 can be straight sides as it is mirrored, they can be curved or they can take other forms.
In this way, as best illustrated in FIGURE 3, in a cross section taken along the height of the central member 50, the central member 50 is secured to the inner and outer liners 52a, 52b, but in a cross section taken along the height of the empty space
56, 4l central member 50 is not secured to any of the inner or outer frames 52a, 52b. ! As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the central member 50 can define or include other empty spaces 56a, 56b 'that extend vertically in different configurations. As shown, these empty spaces 56a, 56b are hemispheric, but may take other forms. ! In FIGURE 4, pairs of empty spaces 56a are formed adjacent each other to form a sand clock shape generally, with an empty space 56a being provided between the inner liner 52a and the central member 50 and the other empty space 56a being provided I entered the outer lining 56b and the central member 50. The
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empty spaces 56a in each pair can interbreed with each other, jj > However, they are preferably separated so that the central member 50 extends evenly along a length of the composite panel 46, so that the pair of empty spacings 56a are discontinuous between the liners 52a, 52b. ie, in a plurality of points in a cross section taken along the height of the central member 50 i, the central member 50 is secured to the liners 52a,
52b inside and outside, but a cross section taken along the height of the empty spaces 56a, the central member 50 is not secured to any of the outer or outer lining 52a, i 52b. i In FIGURE 5, the empty spaces 56b are
I move to each other and alternate by providing between the inner liner J 52a and the central member 50 and provided between j the outer lining 52b and the central member 50. The central member 50 extends continuously along a length of the composite panel 46 so that the displacement and the empty voids 56b are discontinuous between the liners 52a, 52b. In this way, in
If any point in a cross section taken along the height of the central member 50, the central member 50 is secured to at least one of the liners 52a, 52b. More particularly, when a cross section is taken along the height of the central member 50 through the
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empty space 56b provided along the inner lining 52a, the central member 50 is secured to the lining 52b
I exter; when a cross section is taken along the height of the central member 50 through the empty space 56b provided along the outer lining 52b, the central member 50 is secured in the inner lining 52a; when a cross section is taken along the height of the central member 50 and not through any of the empty spaces 56b, the central member 50 is secured to either of the inner and outer liners 52a, 52b. It will be understood that the empty spaces 56, 56a, 56b and i illustrated herein are exemplary only and the empty spaces may take other forms and conformations.
Due to the central member 50 defining or including the empty spaces 56, 56a, 56b, in order to ensure structural integrity of the composite panel 46, the central member 50 is preferably secured to both inner and outer shells 52a, 52b when a cross section is taken from a plurality of points along the height of the composite panel 46, as illustrated in each of FIGURES 3-5. Alternatively, in order to ensure the structural integrity of the composite panel 46, the central member 50 is secured to at least one of the inner lining 52a, 52b and exterior when a cross section is taken from any point along the height of the composite panel 46, as
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i illustrates in FIGURE 5. I The board 48 connects the ends of the adjacent composite panels 46. The gasket 48 shown in FIGURE 2 is exemplary, and it will be understood that other gaskets may be provided to join the panels 46. As shown, the gasket 48 includes an interior member 62 and an exterior logistics lid 64, sometimes called member of separation, of which amboíj are known in the art. The inner logistics member 62 is provided inside the trailer 20 and can extend along the entire height of the panels 46 or 'may end at its lower end in the protection plate 66. The outer logistics cap 64 is provided on the outside of the trailer 20 and may extend along the height of the panels 46, or may end on the lower and upper tracks 38, 40. The ends of the panels 46 are separated from each other when they are joined by the joint 48 of m, since an air cavity 68 is formed between the interior logistics member 62 and the logistics lid 64
I exte † ior. The interior logistics member 62 preferably,
As shown, it is a flat plate having a plurality of openings or slots 70 spaced therethrough from an intermediate portion of the inner logistics member 62. The slots 70 provide a means by which the
The equine can be attached, for example by means of a clasp or a hook, to the side wall 24 of the trailer 20. The inner logistics member 62 can be formed from heavier and stronger material than the material used for the forrcjs 52a, 52b interior and exterior to provide the 'lateral 24' wall with strength and rigidity. The inner logistics member 62 sits against the inner liners 52a of the adjacent panels 46. The interior logistic member 62 forms a bridge between the space between the panels 46 so that the slot 70 is aligned with the air cavity 68 so that the snaps or hooks can be engaged with the slot 70. The exterior logistics cover 64 which is like a pad, preferably sits against the outer skins 52b of the adjacent panels 46 and may extend under the lower and upper rails 38, 40 of the trailer 20, or may end up on the lower and upper rails 38, 40 . The outer logistics cap 64 preferably has a flat top portion (not shown), a flat lower portion 72 and flat side portions 74, 76 that preferably
I lie against the outer surfaces of the liners 52b
I adjacent exteriors, and an intermediate portion 78 projecting externally from the upper, lower and lateral portions 72, 74, 76. When the outer logistics cap 64 was buffed with the outer liners 52b of the panels 46, the
internal surfaces of the side portions 74, 76 lie against the flat outer liners 52b and the intermediate portion 78 projects externally from the side wall 24. the projecting intermediate portion 78 forms a bridge of the air cavity 68 formed between the panels 46 and aligns with the air cavity 68. The superheated intermediate portion 68 provides more space within the air cavity 68 to allow the joining of the members, such as broaches or hooks, in the groove 70 of the indoor logistics member 62. The flat upper portion and the flat lower portion 72 of the outer logistics lid 64 facilitate the connection of the panels 46 and prevents moisture ingress to the interior of the trailer 20 through the air cavity 68. The upper end of the flat upper portion can be spliced against the upper rail 40, or the upper end of the flat upper portion can settle under a portion of the upper rim 40. The lower end of the flat lower portion 72 can be spliced against the lower rail 38, or the lower extjremo of the flat lower portion 72 can settle under a portion of the lower rail 38. The inner logistics member 62 and the outer logistics lid 64 are attached to the panels 46 by suitable means, such as rivets 80 as shown, and / or adhesives (not shown). The rivets 80 extend to
through the inner logistics member 62, the respective end sections of the adjacent panels 46 and the side portions 74, 76 the outer logistics cover 64 and / or the protection plate 66. The rivets 80 extend through the central member 50 of the panels 46. There is sufficient central member 50 uninterrupted between the
I empty spaces 56, 56a, 56b to accommodate rivets 80. i P & amp; 46 and shield plate 66 are joined together by suitable means, such as rivets 82 as shown, and / or adhesives (not shown) . The rivets 82 extend through the panels 46 and the protection plate 66. The rivets 82 extend through the central member 50 of the panels 46. There is sufficient uninterrupted central member 50 between the empty spaces 56, 56a, 56b, 56c to accommodate the rivets 82. If desired, each end of the inner lining 52a of each panel 46 may have a side end section which is forged or recessed with an intermediate section of each panel 46 remaining flat. The interim log member 62 can then be seated against the side end section, so that the interior surface of the side wall 24 is flush. As best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6B, the rail 3 $ base is preferably formed of a vertical wall 84 that tacks a generally horizontal flange 86 that is
extends perpendicular thereto to an exterior of the trailer 20 and a generally horizontal flange 88 extending perpendicular thereto toward the interior of the trailer 20. The horizontal flanges 86, 88 divide the wall into an upper wall portion 90 and a portion thereof. 92 of inferior wall. The floor structure 32 is attached to the flange i 88 and j the lower wall portion 92 in a conventional manner. The upper wall portion 90 sits against an inner surface of the inner liners 52a of the panels 46, near the lower ends 55a thereof. The shield plate 66 may extend over the upper wall portion 90 on the inner or outer side thereof, may terminate at the upper end of the upper wall portion 90, or may be integrally formed with the portion 90 of upper wall. In a
I preferred mode, the lower ends 55a, 55b, 58 of the lights 52a, 52b and the central member 50 preferably are
I spaced slightly from the horizontal flange 86 so that a small space 94 is provided therebetween. I 1 As best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A, the top rail 4 preferably has an L-shaped wall having a vertical wall portion 96 that sits against an outer surface of the outer skin lining 52b. the panels 46, near the upper ends 54b of the miamos, and a horizontal wall portion 98 which is
joins the roof structure 30. In a preferred embodiment, the upper ends 54a, 54b, 56 of the liners 52a, 52b and the central member 50 are preferably separated from the portion 98 of the horizontal wall so that a space 100 is provided therebetween. As a result of this construction, a ventilation path is provided in the side wall 24 of the trailer 20. Fluids, typically moisture accumulated in the trailer 20, can flow through the interior of the trailer 20, into the space 100, through of the empty spaces 56, 56a, 56b in the side wall 24 and out of the space 94 towards the exterior of the trailer 20. It will be understood that while the present invention is described with respect to the sidewalls 24 of the trailer, panes 46 could be used in the formation of the wall i 26 frojntal, the rear doors 28, or a later parad
I if the rear doors are not provided. While preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art can visualize various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the foregoing description, the accompanying drawings and the drawings.
I attached claims.