Sidewall plank for constructing a trailer and associated trailer sidewall construction

• US 20060070334A1
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Blue Hen, LLC
• Original Assignee: Blue Hen, LLC
• Inventors: Moser, Hugh J. III, Woodard, Gordon N.
• Application Number:
  US10/950,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20060070334A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/592.600
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/02 Side panels B62D33/046 takes precedence; sideboards for open load compartments B62D33/023
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/046 built up with flat self-supporting panels; Fixed connections between panels B62D29/045, B62D33/048 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/08 of metal, e.g. sheet metal E04C2/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/34 composed of two or more spaced sheet-like parts E04C2/32 takes precedence; spacers for cavity walls E04B2/44

Abstract

A sidewall plank (14) for constructing trailers and an associated sidewall construction (10). The sidewall plank (14) has an body (15) defining a first edge portion (17) and has a second edge portion (19) for engaging the first edge portion (17) of another plank (14). The first edge portion (17) of the sidewall plank (14) defines a tongue (18) and the second edge portion (19) defines a primary groove (20) for receiving the tongue (18) of another sidewall plank (14). The first edge portion (17) also includes a second groove (24) for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and the second edge portion (19) is provided with a third groove (26) for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and for registering with the second groove (24) of another plank (14). The associated sidewall construction (10) includes a plurality of sidewall planks (14), and a roof support member (30).

Claims

1. A sidewall plank for interlocking with other said sidewall planks in the construction of at least a portion of the sidewall of a trailer, said sidewall plank comprising an elongated body having a first edge portion and having a second edge portion for engaging said first edge portion of another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion defining a tongue and said second edge portion defining a primary groove for receiving said tongue of said another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion of said sidewall plank being provided with a second groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material, said second groove being oriented so as to open toward a surface of said second edge portion of said another said sidewall plank.

2. The sidewall plank of claim 1 wherein said second edge portion of said sidewall plank is provided with a third groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and for registering with said second groove of said another said sidewall plank when said second edge portion of said sidewall plank engages said first edge portion of said another said sidewall plank.

3. The sidewall plank of claim 2 wherein said second groove is defined in and extends along at least a portion of said tongue, and said third groove is defined in and extends along at least a portion of said primary groove.

4. The sidewall plank of claim 3 wherein said tongue defines an outwardly facing distal surface and said primary groove defines an outwardly facing bottom surface, and wherein said second groove is defined in said distal surface of said tongue, and said third groove is defined in said bottom surface of said primary groove.

5. The sidewall plank of claim 2 wherein said body of said sidewall plank is tubular.

6. The sidewall plank of claim 5 wherein said body of said sidewall plank is fabricated from an extruded material.

7. The sidewall plank of claim 6 wherein said extruded material is aluminum.

8. The sidewall plank of claim 4 wherein said body of said sidewall plank is tubular.

9. The sidewall plank of claim 8 wherein said body of said sidewall plank is fabricated from an extruded material.

10. The sidewall plank of claim 9 wherein said extruded material is aluminum.

11. A sidewall plank for interlocking with other said sidewall planks in the construction of at least a portion of the sidewall of a trailer, said sidewall plank comprising an elongated body having a first edge portion and having a second edge portion for engaging said first edge portion of another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion defining a tongue and said second edge portion defining a primary groove for receiving said tongue of said another said sidewall plank, said second edge portion of said sidewall plank being provided with a further groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material.

12. The sidewall plank of claim 11 wherein said primary groove defines an outwardly facing bottom surface and said further groove is defined in and extend along at least a portion of said bottom surface of said primary groove.

13. A sidewall construction for constructing at least a portion of the sidewall of a trailer, said sidewall construction comprising:

a plurality of sidewall planks, each said sidewall plank having an elongated body defining a first edge portion and defining a second edge portion for engaging said first edge portion of another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion of each said sidewall plank defining a tongue and said second edge portion defining a primary groove for receiving said tongue of said another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion of each said sidewall plank being provided with a second groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and said second edge portion of each said sidewall plank being provided with a third groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and for registering with said second groove of said another said sidewall plank when said second edge portion of said sidewall plank engages said first edge portion of said another said sidewall plank; and

a roof support member extending along at least a portion of one said sidewall plank for engaging and supporting at least a portion of the roof of the trailer.

14. The sidewall construction of claim 13 wherein said second groove of said sidewall planks is defined in and extends along at least a portion of said tongue, and said third groove of said sidewall planks is defined in and extends along at least a portion of said primary groove.

15. The sidewall construction of claim 13 wherein said tongue of each said sidewall plank defines an outwardly facing distal surface and said primary groove defines an outwardly facing bottom surface, and wherein said second groove of each said sidewall plank is defined in said distal surface of said tongue, and said third groove is defined in said bottom surface of said primary groove.

16. The sidewall construction of claim 13 wherein said body of each said sidewall plank is tubular.

17. The sidewall construction of claim 16 wherein said body of each said sidewall plank is fabricated from an extruded material.

18. The sidewall construction of claim 17 wherein said extruded material is aluminum.

19. The sidewall construction of claim 13 wherein said roof support member is provided with a downwardly disposed receptor for receiving an upper portion of at least one of said sidewall planks, and defines a roof engaging surface for engaging at least a portion of the roof of the trailer.

20. The sidewall construction of claim 13 wherein said roof support member defines a recessed portion extending along at least a portion of its length for receiving trailer accessories.

21. The sidewall construction of claim 19 wherein said roof support member is tubular and defines a recessed portion extending along its length for receiving a light fixture.

22. The sidewall construction of claim 21 wherein said roof support member is fabricated of an extruded material.

23. The sidewall construction of claim 22 wherein said extruded material is aluminum.

24. A sidewall construction for constructing at least a portion of the sidewall of a trailer, said sidewall construction comprising:

a plurality of sidewall planks, each said sidewall plank having an elongated body defining a first edge portion and defining a second edge portion for engaging said first edge portion of another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion of each said sidewall plank defining a tongue having an outwardly facing distal surface and said second edge portion defining a primary groove for receiving said tongue of said another said sidewall plank, said primary groove having an outwardly facing bottom surface, said distal surface of said tongue of each said sidewall plank being provided with a second groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material, and said bottom surface of said primary groove of each said sidewall plank being provided with a third groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and for registering with said second groove of said another said sidewall plank when said second edge portion of said sidewall plank engages said first edge portion of said another said sidewall plank; and

a roof support member extending along at least a portion of the length of one said sidewall plank for engaging and supporting at least a portion of the roof of the trailer, said roof support member being provided with a downwardly disposed receptor for receiving an upper portion of at least one of said sidewall planks, and defining a roof engaging surface for engaging at least a portion of the roof of the trailer, said roof support member further defining a recessed portion extending along its length for receiving trailer accessories.

25. The sidewall construction of claim 24 wherein said body of each said sidewall plank is tubular, and wherein said roof support member is tubular.

26. The sidewall construction of claim 24 wherein said body of each said sidewall plank is fabricated of an extruded material, and said roof support member is fabricated of said extruded material.

27. The sidewall construction of claim 26 wherein said extruded material is aluminum.

28. A trailer for carrying livestock, said trailer comprising:

first and second sidewalls each including a plurality of sidewall planks, each said sidewall plank having an elongated body defining a first edge portion and defining a second edge portion for engaging said first edge portion of another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion of each said sidewall plank defining a tongue and said second edge portion defining a primary groove for receiving said tongue of said another said sidewall plank, said first edge portion of each said sidewall plank being provided with a second groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and said second edge portion of each said sidewall plank being provided with a third groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and for registering with said second groove of said another said sidewall plank when said second edge portion of said sidewall plank engages said first edge portion of said another said sidewall plank;

a floor extending between said first and second sidewalls;

first and second roof support members, said first roof support member extending along at least a portion of one said sidewall plank of said first sidewall and said second roof support member extending along at least a portion of one said sidewall plank of said second sidewall; and

a roof extending between and supported by said first and second roof support members.

29. The trailer of claim 28 wherein said second groove of said sidewall planks is defined in and extends along at least a portion of said tongue, and said third groove of said sidewall planks is defined in and extends along at least a portion of said primary groove.

30. The trailer of claim 28 wherein said tongue of each said sidewall plank defines an outwardly facing distal surface and said primary groove defines an outwardly facing bottom surface, and wherein said second groove of each said sidewall plank is defined in said distal, surface of said tongue, and said third groove is defined in said bottom surface of said primary groove.