Wall joint configuration
DCFirst Claim
1. A wall joint comprising:
- a first panel having a main plateau defining a first plane, a spliced plateau defining a second plane substantially parallel to and spaced-apart from the first plane, and a jogged portion interconnecting the main plateau and the spliced plateau, the spliced plateau and main plateau being substantially the same thickness;
a second panel having a main plateau lying generally in the first plane, a spliced plateau lying generally in the second plane, and a jogged portion interconnecting the main plateau and the spliced plateau, the spliced plateau and main plateau being substantially the same thickness; and
a splicer coupled to the spliced plateaus of both the first and second panels.
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Abstract
The wall joint of the present invention is configured to reduce or eliminate protrusions into the interior of the trailer or container, but does not require coining or stamping of the edges of consecutive sidewall panels. In some embodiments of the present invention, the wall joint includes two consecutive sidewall panels, each bent to form a main plateau, a spliced plateau and a jogged portion therebetween. In this way, the spliced plateau lies in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from the main plateau, with the thickness of the sidewall panel most preferably remaining substantially constant throughout. Also, a recessed region is preferably defined at the seam between the two panels. A splicer plate connecting the adjacent panels can be received into this recessed region. In some preferred embodiments, adhesive and/or rivets are employed to further strengthen the sidewall panel joints.
92 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A wall joint comprising:
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a first panel having a main plateau defining a first plane, a spliced plateau defining a second plane substantially parallel to and spaced-apart from the first plane, and a jogged portion interconnecting the main plateau and the spliced plateau, the spliced plateau and main plateau being substantially the same thickness;
a second panel having a main plateau lying generally in the first plane, a spliced plateau lying generally in the second plane, and a jogged portion interconnecting the main plateau and the spliced plateau, the spliced plateau and main plateau being substantially the same thickness; and
a splicer coupled to the spliced plateaus of both the first and second panels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A wall joint comprising:
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a first sidewall panel located substantially in a first plane;
a second sidewall panel located substantially in the first plane;
a splicer plate coupled to the first and second panels and lying in a second plane which is generally parallel to the first plane; and
an adhesive sheet between the first sidewall panel and the splicer plate, and between the second sidewall panel and the splicer plate, each of the first and second sidewall panels having a plateau portion lying in a third plane and to which the splicer plate is coupled. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 29)
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15. A cargo body, comprising:
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a plurality of panels arranged in side-by-side relationship to define pairs of adjacent first and second panels;
a joint between each pair of adjacent first and second panels, each joint being at least partially defined by an edge of the first panel and an edge of the second panel adjacent to the first panel, the first panel having a main plateau defining a first plane, a spliced plateau defining a second plane substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane, and a jogged portion interconnecting the main plateau and the spliced plateau, the spliced plateau and main plateau being substantially the same thickness;
the second panel having a main plateau lying generally in the first plane, a spliced plateau lying generally in the second plane, and a jogged portion interconnecting the main plateau and the spliced plateau, the spliced plateau and main plateau being substantially the same thickness; and
a splicer coupled to the spliced plateaus of each pair of adjacent first and second panels. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A cargo body, comprising:
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a plurality of sidewall panels defining pairs of adjacent first and second sidewall panels;
the first sidewall panel in each pair of adjacent sidewall panels located substantially in a first plane;
the second sidewall panel in each pair of adjacent sidewall panels located substantially in the first plane;
a splicer plate coupled to each pair of first and second sidewall panels and lying in a second plane which is generally parallel to the first plane; and
an adhesive sheet between each first sidewall panel and splicer plate coupled thereto, and between each second sidewall panel and splicer plate coupled thereto, each of the first and second sidewall panels having a plateau portion lying in a third plane and to which the splicer plate is coupled. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 30)
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Specification