US20060070334A1 - Sidewall plank for constructing a trailer and associated trailer sidewall construction - Google Patents

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).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
• Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of Invention
• This invention relates to sidewall planks used in the construction of a trailer, such as a trailer for transporting horses or other livestock. The invention also relates to an improved system for constructing a sidewall portion of a trailer and supporting the roof of the trailer.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• The use of interlocking, horizontally oriented planks to form the sidewalls of a trailer for carrying livestock or other cargo is know in the art. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,671. Whereas, such planks often define tubular members with hollow interiors to reduce the weight of the planks, with aluminum being a common fabricating material. Further, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,726, tongue and groove joints have been used to join such sidewall planks in the forming of a sidewall portion. However, in order to protect the cargo carried within the trailer, it is important that the trailer sidewall planks not only firmly and securely interlock with one another, but do so in a weatherproof fashion. In this regard, the joint between sidewall planks should be substantially fluid impervious such that wind and rain cannot enter the trailer. Whereas it is known to place adhesives or sealants between the adjoining sidewall planks as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,726 and Canadian Patent No. 2,097,340, sidewall plank joints are not typically engineered to facilitate the placing of adhesives and sealants between the planks. Moreover, providing a strong, durable and weatherproof means for securing the roof of the trailer to the stack of interlocking sidewall planks can be problematic. This is particularly true in view of the need to limit the distance which the roof support, and/or roof, overhangs the sidewall portions of the trailer such that the effective width of the trailer is limited.
• Other examples of trailer construction are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,913; Canadian Patent No. 2,088,284; French Patent Nos. 1,497,184 and 2,510,061; United Kingdom Patent Nos. 842,388 and 1,455,564; and German Patent No. 1,093,222.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention provides a sidewall plank for constructing trailers, such as, for example, livestock trailers, and provides an associated sidewall construction for such trailers. The sidewall planks define an elongated body having a first edge portion and having a second edge portion for engaging the first edge portion of another sidewall plank. The first edge portion of the sidewall plank is provided with a tongue having an outwardly facing distal surface, and the second edge portion defines a primary groove for receiving the tongue of another sidewall plank, the primary groove having an outwardly facing bottom surface. The distal surface of the tongue of the sidewall plank is provided with a second groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material, and the bottom surface of the primary groove of the sidewall plank is provided with a third groove for receiving an adhesive/sealant material and for registering with the second groove of another sidewall plank when the second edge portion of the sidewall plank engages the first edge portion of the other sidewall plank.
• The associated sidewall construction includes a plurality of the sidewall planks stacked in an interlocking configuration with the tongue of one plank being received in the primary groove of an adjacent plank. Accordingly, when a first sidewall plank is stacked upon a second sidewall plank, with the tongue of the second plank seated in the groove of the first plank, the third groove of the first sidewall plank and the second groove of the second sidewall plank register and cooperatively form a channel for receiving an adhesive/sealant material. The sidewall construction also includes a roof support member that extends along at least a portion of the length of the uppermost sidewall plank for engaging and supporting at least a portion of the roof of the trailer. The roof support member is provided with a downwardly disposed receptor for receiving the upper portion of the uppermost sidewall plank, and defines a roof engaging surface for engaging at least a portion of the roof of the trailer. In one embodiment the roof support member is provided with a recessed portion for receiving a light fixture or other trailer accessories.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
• The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a trailer sidewall construction in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a trailer incorporating the trailer sidewall construction of the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is an end view of at trailer sidewall construction in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 4 is an end view of a sidewall plank of the present invention;
• FIG. 5 is a partial end view, in section, of sidewall planks used in the trailer sidewall construction of the present invention;
• FIG. 6 is a partial end view, in section, of the trailer sidewall construction of the present invention; and
• FIG. 7 is an end view of a trailer utilizing the sidewall construction of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• A trailer sidewall construction incorporating the present invention is illustrated generally at10 in theFIGS. 1, 2, and5-7. Further, the sidewall planks of the present invention are illustrated generally at14 in the figures. The sidewall construction of the present invention is utilized to produce trailers, such as thetrailer12 illustrated inFIG. 2. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that such trailers can be used for carrying various cargo, including, for example, horses or other livestock. As will be discussed in detail below, the improved construction provides greater sidewall strength, and greater strength in the junction between the sidewalls of the trailer and the roof portion of the trailer. Further, the improved construction results in a more weather proof sidewall, thereby better protecting the contents of the trailer.
• As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3-5, thesidewall construction10 includes a plurality ofsidewall planks14 fashioned to interlock with one another in a stacked configuration to form awall portion16. It will be understood that the length of theindividual planks14 can vary greatly depending upon the length of the trailer being constructed and the point at which theparticular plank14 is incorporated into the trailer construction. In one preferred embodiment thesidewall planks14 each define tubular abody15 of an extruded material such as, for example, aluminum. This tubular construction provides a strong, durable structure which is lightweight. However, it will be understood that theplanks14 need not be tubular, and could define solid, or other non-tubular, bodies if desired. Further, various strong, durable materials can be used to fabricate thesidewall planks14, and extruded aluminum is merely one desirable material which is strong, yet lightweight, and can be easily extruded into the desired configuration.
• Each of thesidewall planks14 has afirst edge portion17 defining antongue18 that, in one embodiment, extends the length of theplank14, and has a second,opposite edge portion19 defining agroove20 that, in one embodiment, extends the length of theplank14. In this regard, thetongue18 of thesidewall plank14 is configured to be closely received in thegroove20 of anotherplank14 in order to interlock the planks together. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3, a plurality ofplanks14 can be stacked in an interlocking configuration to form asidewall portion16. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, when incorporated into a sidewall portion, each of theplanks14 is preferably oriented such that thegroove20 is downwardly disposed and thetongue18 of theplank14 positioned below extends upwardly into thegroove20 such that water or other liquids do not collect in thegrooves20.
• The interlocking of thetongues18 andgrooves20 ofadjacent planks14 not only provide a strong joint for the securing theadjacent planks14, but provide a joint which is highly weatherproof. However, to further strengthen the junction betweenadjacent planks14, and to further weatherproof that junction, an adhesive/sealant material22 is placed on the mating surfaces of theplanks14 as illustrated inFIG. 5. In this regard, the tongue and groove construction of theplanks14 provides greater surface area for bonding than a common butt joint or certain other conventional joint constructions, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the adhesive/sealant material22. With respect to the adhesive/sealant material22, various materials having adhesive and/or sealing qualities can be used. For example, one acceptable adhesive/sealant material22 is Silaprene® manufactured by Royal Adhesives and Sealants, LLC. It will also be noted that, as illustrated inFIG. 1, selectively spacedribs28 can be welded or secured to thesidewall portion16 with mechanical fasteners to further secure theplanks14 together and to strengthen thesidewall portion16.
• Further, in one embodiment of theplanks14, thefirst edge portion17 of eachplank14 defines asecond groove24, and thesecond edge portion19 of eachplank14 defines athird groove26 which registers with thesecond groove24 of an interlockingplank14. As best illustrated inFIG. 5, the registeringgrooves24 and26 serve to receive the adhesive/sealant material22, and the adhesive/sealant material22 which fills the registeringgrooves24 and26 forms a gasket, thereby sealing the joint between the interlockingplanks14 and rendering the joint substantially fluid impervious. It will also be understood that thegrooves24 and26 increase the surface area for bonding and add to the irregularity of the bonding surfaces defined by the first andsecond edge portions17 and19, respectively, thereby enhancing the strength and durability of bond effected by the adhesive/sealant material22.
• It will be noted that in the preferred illustrated embodiment of theplanks14 thesecond groove24 is defined in the outwardly facingdistal surface27 of thetongue18 and extends the length of thetongue18, and thethird groove26 is defined in thebottom surface29 of thegroove20 and extends the length of thegroove20. (SeeFIG. 5) However, it will be understood that the registeringgrooves24 and26 can be disposed at other locations on the bonding surfaces provided by the first andsecond edge portions17 and19 of theplanks14. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment thegrooves24 and26 define V-shaped grooves, but it will be understood that other groove configurations could be used if desired.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, in one embodiment thesidewall construction10 also includes aroof support member30 that engages, and extends along, theuppermost plank14 of thesidewall portion16 and supports theroof32 of the trailer. Preferably, theroof support member30 is formed as a closed, tubular extrusion from a strong, durable material such as, for example, aluminum. Such tubular construction enhances the strength of theroof support member30 while allowing it to be lightweight. Moreover, the tubular construction provides an aestheticallypleasing surface structure34 for improving the appearance of the interior of the trailer. Moreover, the tubular construction allows electrical wiring (not shown) to be run through theroof support member30 such that it is hidden from view. It will, however, be understood that theroof support member30 need not be tubular, and could define a solid or other non-tubular construction if desired. Further, various strong, durable materials can be used to fabricate theroof support member30, and extruded aluminum is merely one desirable material which is strong, yet lightweight, and can be easily extruded into the desired configuration.
• In order to secure theroof support member30 to theuppermost plank14 of thesidewall portion16 theroof support member30 is provided with a downwardly disposedreceptor36 which, in the illustrated embodiment, extends the length of theroof support member30. As best illustrated inFIG. 6, in the preferred embodiment, thereceptor36 is configured to receive not only thetongue18 of theplank14, but the upper portion of theplank14. More specifically, thereceptor36 is defined by aninner wall38 which is bonded or secured to the upper portion of theinner wall40 of theplank14, and ashoulder portion42 which follows at least a portion of the bonding surface provided by thefirst edge portion17 of theplank14. Further, thereceptor36 is configured such that thetongue18 terminates proximate, and can be bonded or secured to, anupper wall44 of thereceptor36. Further, thereceptor36 is defined by an outer wall section46 which extends below thefirst edge portion17 of theplank14 such that it can be bonded to a portion of theouter wall48 of theplank14. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the adhesive/sealant22 can be used to bond the upper portion of theplank14 to the interior surfaces of thereceptor36. However, it will be understood that mechanical fasteners can also be used.
• Because thereceptor36 of theroof support member30 is configured to receive the upper portion of theuppermost plank14, rather than thetongue18 alone, a more stable interlocking of theroof support member30 and theplank14 is accomplished, thereby providing greater support for theroof32. In this regard, theroof support member30 defines aroof engaging surface50 to which theroof32 is secured. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that theroof32 can be secured to theroof engaging surface50 by welding, mechanical fasteners (not shown), or other suitable securing means.
• It will also be noted that in the illustrated embodiment theroof support member30 defines a recessedportion52 above the outer wall section46. The recessedportion52 provides a location for the mounting of lights, reflectors, and/or other trailer accessories, without increasing the overall width of the trailer. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the irregular cross section created by providing the recessedportion52 strengthens theroof support member30 when themember30 defines an extruded tubular configuration.
• In light of the above, it will be recognized that thetrailer sidewall construction10 provides advantages over the prior art. The tongue and groove construction ensures that theplanks14 securely interlock, and provide a strong, durable sidewall. The registeringgrooves24 and26 of theplanks14 allow the adhesive/sealant22 to effectively bondadjacent planks14 together and render the resulting joint substantially fluid impervious. Where extruded aluminum is used to construct theplanks14, the resulting sidewall is lightweight, and strong. Moreover, theroof support member30 provides a stable, yet lightweight, means for securing theroof32 to the sidewalls of the trailer. Thus, in accordance with the present invention opposingsidewall portions10 can be joined by afloor54 and aroof32 to provide a strong, butlightweight trailer12, such as a horse or livestock trailer.
• While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims (30)

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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 2 wherein said body of said sidewall plank is tubular.

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

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

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

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

10. The sidewall plank ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 13 wherein said body of each said sidewall plank is tubular.

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

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

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

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

26. The sidewall construction ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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.

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