TRAILER WITH REAR IMPACT GUARD
First Claim
1. A trailer comprising:
- a front end provided for attachment to a truck;
a rear end spaced from the front end in a longitudinal direction to define a cargo area between the front and rear ends;
a frame including a rear bolster extending transversely to the longitudinal direction at a bottom rear edge of the cargo area; and
a rear impact guard includinga bumper positioned at the rear end of the trailer and spaced below the rear bolster, the bumper having opposing distal ends spaced laterally across the trailer,a pair of distal end supports connected to the corresponding distal ends of the bumper, each of the pair of distal end supports includinga diagonal truss member coupled to the distal end of the bumper and extending therefrom along an axis in a forward, inward and upward direction from the bumper to an attachment point beneath the cargo area, anda vertical stabilizer member separate from the diagonal truss member and coupled to the distal end of the bumper and extending upwardly to the rear bolster, the vertical stabilizer reducing an offset component of buckling load incident on the diagonal truss member upon rear impact to the bumper, andat least one inboard post extending between the bumper and the rear bolster at a location between the pair of distal end supports.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A trailer includes front and rear ends and a cargo area. A rear bolster extends transversely to a longitudinal direction at a bottom rear edge of the cargo area. A rear impact guard includes a bumper having opposing distal ends spaced laterally across the trailer. A pair of distal end supports connect to the distal ends of the bumper, each including a diagonal truss member and a vertical stabilizer. The diagonal truss extends along an axis in a forward, inward and upward direction from the bumper. The vertical stabilizer members are separate from the diagonal truss members and extend upwardly from the bumper to the rear bolster. The vertical stabilizer reduces an offset component of buckling load on the diagonal truss member upon rear impact. At least one inboard post extends between the bumper and the rear bolster at a location between the pair of distal end supports.
24 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A trailer comprising:
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a front end provided for attachment to a truck; a rear end spaced from the front end in a longitudinal direction to define a cargo area between the front and rear ends; a frame including a rear bolster extending transversely to the longitudinal direction at a bottom rear edge of the cargo area; and a rear impact guard including a bumper positioned at the rear end of the trailer and spaced below the rear bolster, the bumper having opposing distal ends spaced laterally across the trailer, a pair of distal end supports connected to the corresponding distal ends of the bumper, each of the pair of distal end supports including a diagonal truss member coupled to the distal end of the bumper and extending therefrom along an axis in a forward, inward and upward direction from the bumper to an attachment point beneath the cargo area, and a vertical stabilizer member separate from the diagonal truss member and coupled to the distal end of the bumper and extending upwardly to the rear bolster, the vertical stabilizer reducing an offset component of buckling load incident on the diagonal truss member upon rear impact to the bumper, and at least one inboard post extending between the bumper and the rear bolster at a location between the pair of distal end supports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A trailer comprising:
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a front end provided for attachment to a truck; a rear end spaced from the front end in a longitudinal direction to define a cargo area between the front and rear ends; a frame including a rear bolster extending transversely to the longitudinal direction at a bottom rear edge of the cargo area; and a rear impact guard including a bumper positioned at the rear end of the trailer and spaced below the rear bolster, the bumper having opposing distal ends spaced laterally across the trailer, a pair of distal end supports connected to each corresponding distal end of the bumper, each of the pair of distal end supports including a diagonal truss member coupled to the distal end of the bumper and extending therefrom along an axis in a forward, inward and upward direction from the bumper to an attachment point beneath the cargo area, wherein each of the diagonal truss members has a rear end defining a notch that conforms to and receives both a top side of the bumper and a forward side of the bumper, and at least one inboard post extending between the bumper and the rear bolster at a location between the pair of distal end supports. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification