Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
LOGISTICS PANEL FOR USE IN A SIDEWALL OF A TRAILER
AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to sidewalls for trailers. More specifically,
the invention
relates to composite panels for use in forming sidewalls for trailers, where
the composite panels
have logistics apertures provided therethrough at positions other than where
adjacent composite
panels are joined together.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A prior art semi-trailer 20 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The semi-trailer 20 can
be
connected to a tractor 45 by conventional means, such as a fifth wheel
assembly (not shown).
The semi-trailer 20 includes a body 21 formed from a pair of rectangular
sidewalls 22, a front
wall 23, rear doors 24, a top panel or roof 25, and a bottom panel or floor
26. The floor 26 is
supported by a conventional rear undercarriage assembly 27 and has a landing
gear 28 secured
thereunder. The roof 25 and an upper portion of the sidewalls 22 are secured
to a top rail 29.
The floor 26 and a lower portion of the sidewalls 22 are secured to a bottom
rail 30.
Each sidewall 22 includes a plurality of vertical upstanding composite panels
31. Each
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composite panel 31 includes a core member 32 sandwiched between an inner skin
33 and an
outer skin 34 and bonded thereto by a suitable known adhesive or other like
means. Each
composite panel 31 preferably has a thickness of approximately 0.295 inches.
The skins 33, 34 are preferably made of aluminum, galvanized, full hardened
steel, such
as AISI Grade E full hard steel because of its cost effectiveness, or the
like. Preferably, the inner
and outer skins 33, 34 are made of galvanized steel. Aluminum may be used, but
it may be too
soft for some purposes and strength and punch resistance are sacrificed,
however, aluminum is
lightweight.
Each core member 32 is made of some type of compressible non-metal material,
preferably thermoplastic, such as polypropylene or high density polyethylene.
These materials
are relatively inexpensive as compared to aluminum found in prior semi-trailer
wall
constructions. In addition, because a composite panel 31 is used, the weight
of the semi-trailer
construction is reduced over semi-trailers having aluminum sidewalls.
Each composite panel 31 preferably has a width of forty-eight inches from a
first side end
thereof to an opposite side end thereof, but it is to be understood that the
composite panels 31 can
have a width which is longer or shorter. As shown, end portions 38, 39 of each
composite panel
31 are coined or stepped to reduce the thickness of the composite panels 31 at
their end portions
38, 39. The end portions 38, 39 are not always stepped or coined in the prior
art. Each end
portion 38, 39 of each composite panel 31 preferably is approximately 1.3
inches wide and has a
thickness of approximately 0.215 inches such that the end portions 38, 39 are
preferably coined
or stepped by approximately 0.080 inches. Each composite panel 31 also has a
height defined
from a top end 46 thereof to a bottom end 47 thereof.
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The composite panels 31 are joined together by a joint configuration 35,
preferably of the
type disclosed in any one of United States Patent Nos. 4,958,472, 5,860,693,
5,997,076,
6,220,651, 6,412,854, and 6,986,546, all of which are owned by the assignee of
the present
application. Typically, the joint configuration 35 includes an interior post
or logistics member 36
and an exterior post or splicing member 37.
The interior post 36 is an elongated member which is secured to the inner
skins 33 of
adjacent composite panels 31 at the end portions 38, 39 thereof. The interior
post 36 joins the
adjacent composite panels 31 together, as well as spaces the ends of the
adjacent composite
panels 31 apart from one another such that a gap or air pocket 40 exists
between the adjacent
composite panels 31. The interior post 36 is seated against the end portions
38, 39. The interior
post 36 has a plurality of apertures or slots 41 extending therethrough which
are in
communication with the gap 40. The apertures 41 are provided such that
equipment, such as
clips, hooks, or any other appropriate item, may be engaged with the apertures
41. The interior
post 36 preferably has a thickness of approximately 0.074 inches.
The exterior post 37 is an elongated member which is secured to the outer
skins 34 of
adjacent composite panels 31 at the end portions 38, 39. The exterior post 37
joins the adjacent
composite panels 31 together, spaces the ends of the adjacent composite panels
31 apart from one
another, and seals the junction between the adjacent composite panels 31 on
the exterior of the
trailer 20 so as to seal the interior of the trailer 20 from moisture. As
shown, the exterior post 37
has an intermediate bulging portion 42 which bulges outwardly from the outer
skins 34. The
bulging portion 42 is aligned with the gap 40 provided between the adjacent
composite panels
31, and is provided to provide for more room in the gap 40 to allow for the
engagement of
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equipment with or through the apertures 41 of the interior post 36. The
exterior post 37
preferably has a thickness of approximately 0.050 inches.
The interior and exterior posts 36, 37 are fixedly secured to the adjacent
composite panels
31 by suitable means, such as rivets 43 and/or by a suitable adhesive or
bonding agent (not
shown). The interior and exterior posts 36,37 preferably extend along an
entire height of the
adjacent composite panels 31, generrly from the roof 25 to the floor 26. The
bottom rail 30 may
have a portion 44 thereof which extends upwardly from the floor 26 for a
predetermined distance
in the interior of the trailer 20. The portion 44 is generally positioned to
face or abut against the
inner skins 33 of the composite panels 31 and, thus, also faces or abuts
against the interior post
36. The portion 44, otherwise known as a baserail, is fixedly secured to a
lower portion of the
adjacent composite panels 31, as well as to the interior and exterior posts
36, 37 by suitable
means, such as rivets 43 and/or by a suitable adhesive or bonding agent (not
shown).
It should be noted that while a specific example of the joint configuration 35
has been
described and illustrated, this joint configuration 35 is merely an example.
The joint
configuration 35 is thus intended to generally include any joint configuration
which secures
adjacent composite panels 31 together in any manner. The joint configuration
35 need not even
provide logistics apertures therethrough for the engagement of equipment and
need not space the
ends of adjacent composite panels 31 apart from one another. The end portions
38, 39 also need
not be stepped or coined.
As stated above, each composite panel 31 typically has a width of four feet
(48 inches)
such that a distance between the apertures 41 of adjacent interior posts 36 is
slightly larger than
four feet, typically approximately fifty inches. Customer demand, however, has
required the
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provision of logistics apertures, such as apertures 41 of the interior posts
36, at distances which
are shorter than those provided for between adjacent composite panels 31. For
instance, some
customers have required that logistics apertures be provided approximately
every sixteen to
seventeen inches along an interior of the trailer 20, while other customers
have required that
logistics apertures be provided approximately every twenty-four to twenty-five
inches along an
interior of the trailer 20.
As manufacturers of trailers 20 have not found it cost-feasible to manufacture
and store
varying widths of composite panels 31, e.g., those of sixteen, twenty-four and
forty-eight inches
in width, manufacturers have instead cut or sheared the forty-eight inch
composite panels 31 at
the appropriate widths and provided the joint configurations 35 to secure the
two or three cut
pieces of the forty-eight inch composite panels 31 together in order to
provide the logistics
apertures at the desired locations along the sidewall 22 within the interior
of the trailer 20. Such
a trailer 20 is partially illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
This solution to the customer's requirements, however, has a number of
drawbacks
including, but not necessarily limited to, the following drawbacks. First, the
trailer 20 with all of
these extra joint configurations 35 will add to the weight of the trailer 20.
Second, extra
apertures must be provided through the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 in
order to allow for
fastening members, such as the rivets 43, to extend therethrough and secure
the portion 44 to the
composite panels 31 and to the interior and exterior posts 36, 37, possibly
weakening the
structural integrity of the bottom rail 30. Third, it costs more money to
manufacture such a
trailer 20 as the manufacture invariably requires increased man hours, reduced
throughput,
increased cost, more scrap, and more material (e.g., the amount of rivets 43
used) per trailer 20.
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Fourth, the appearance of the trailer 20 is not necessarily appealing and
fifth, the trailer 20 may
have potential leak paths which would allow moisture to enter the interior of
the trailer 20.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a method of manufacturing a sidewall 22 of
the trailer 20
which overcomes or minimizes these drawbacks, but which will also allow the
manufacturer of
the trailer 20 to meet the customer's demands/requirements. The present
invention provides for
such a method and such a sidewall of a trailer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a logistics panel having a composite panel, a
logistics
plate and a splicing plate. The composite panel is formed of inner and outer
skins and a core
member secured therebetween. An aperture set is formed through the composite
panel and
defines at least one aperture which extends through the inner and outer skins
and the core
member and between the end portions. The logistics plate has a plurality of
logistics apertures
provided therethrough. The logistics plate is secured to the composite panel,
such that the
logistics apertures are in alignment with the aperture set and the aperture
set is accessible through
the logistics plate. The splicing plate is secured to the composite panel, the
logistics plate, or
both, and is positioned to cover the aperture set, such that the aperture set
is inaccessible through
the splicing plate.
In some embodiments, the logistics plate is secured to the inner skin of the
composite
panel and the splicing plate is secured to the outer skin of the composite
panel. In other
embodiments, the logistics plate is secured to the outer skin of the composite
panel and the
splicing plate is secured to the logistics plate. Also, in some embodiments,
the composite panel
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has a reduced thickness intermediate portion and the logistics plate is
secured to the composite
panel at the reduced thickness intermediate portion.
Adjacent logistics panels are secured to one another by joint constructions
and the
logistics panels are joined to both top and bottom rails in order to form a
sidewall of a trailer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are described in
detail
hereinbelow. The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the
invention,
together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood
by reference to the
following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings
wherein like
reference numerals identify like elements in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art trailer having a plurality of
joined composite
panels forming the sidewalls of the trailer, with the trailer connected to a
tractor;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art pair of joined composite panels
used in forming
a sidewall of a trailer;
FIG. 3 is an interior side view of the prior art pair of joined composite
panels used in
forming the sidewall of the trailer shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an exterior side view of the prior art pair of joined composite
panels used in
forming the sidewall of the trailer shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart identifying the steps of a first embodiment of a method
of forming a
logistics panel in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 6 is a side view of a composite panel used in forming the logistics panel
in
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accordance with the first embodiment of the method;
FIG. 7 illustrates a step of forming aperture sets through the composite panel
of FIG. 6 in
accordance with the first embodiment of the method of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a side view of a logistics plate used in forming the logistics panel
in accordance
with the first embodiment of the method;
FIG. 9 is a side view of a splicing plate used in forming the logistics panel
in accordance
with the first embodiment of the method;
FIG. 10 illustrates a step of applying a tape to an exterior surface of the
logistics plate of
FIG. 8 in accordance with the first embodiment of the method of the invention;
FIG. 11 illustrates a step of applying a tape to an interior surface of the
splicing plate of
FIG. 9 in accordance with the first embodiment of the method of the invention;
FIG. 12 illustrates a step of applying an adhesive to the exterior surface of
the logistics
plate of FIG. 10 in accordance with the first embodiment of the method of the
invention;
FIG. 13 illustrates a step of applying an adhesive to the interior surface of
the splicing
plate of FIG. 11 in accordance with the first embodiment of the method of the
invention;
FIG. 14 illustrates a step of securing the logistics plate of FIG. 12 to the
inner skin of the
composite panel of FIG. 7 in accordance with the first embodiment of the
method of the
invention;
FIG. 15 illustrates a step of securing the splicing plate of FIG. 13 to the
outer skin of the
composite panel of FIG. 14 in accordance with the first embodiment of the
method of the
invention;
FIG. 16 is a flow chart identifying the steps of a second embodiment of a
method of
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forming a logistics panel in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 17 is illustrates the steps of securing the logistics plate of FIG. 12 to
a reduced
thickness intermediate portion of the inner skin of the composite panel, and
of securing the
splicing plate of FIG. 13 to the outer skin of the composite panel in
accordance with the second
embodiment of the method of the invention;
FIG. 18 is a flow chart identifying the steps of a third embodiment of a
method of
forming a logistics panel in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 19 illustrates the steps of securing the logistics plate of FIG. 12 to an
outer skin of
the composite panel of FIG. 7 and of securing the splicing plate of FIG. 13 to
the logistics plate
in accordance with the third embodiment of the method of the invention;
FIG. 20 is a flow chart identifying the steps of a fourth embodiment of a
method of
forming a logistics panel in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 21 illustrates the steps of securing the logistics plate of FIG. 12 to a
reduced
thickness intermediate portion of the outer skin of the composite panel, and
of securing the
splicing plate of FIG. 13 to the logistics plate in accordance with the fourth
embodiment of the
method of the invention;
FIG. 22 is a flow chart identifying the steps of a fifth embodiment of a
method of forming
a logistics panel in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 23 is a side view of the logistics panel formed in accordance with the
fifth
embodiment of the method of the invention;
FIG. 24 illustrates the steps of securing the logistics plate to the outer
skin of the
composite panel, and of securing the splicing plate of FIG. 13 to the
logistics plate in accordance
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with the fifth embodiment of the method of the invention;
FIG. 25 is a flow chart identifying the steps of a sixth embodiment of a
method of
forming a logistics panel in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 26 illustrates the steps of securing the logistics plate to the reduced
thickness
intermediate portion of the outer skin of the composite panel, and of securing
the splicing plate
of FIG. 13 to the logistics plate in accordance with the sixth embodiment of
the method of the
invention;
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the a pair of
adjacent logistics
panels formed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention being
joined together;
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional interior perspective view of the joined adjacent
logistics
panels of FIG. 27 being secured to a bottom rail;
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional exterior perspective view of the joined adjacent
logistics
panels of FIG. 27 being secured to the bottom rail;
FIG. 30 is a side view of an interior of a sidewall of a trailer formed in
accordance with
methods of the invention;
FIG. 31 is a side view of an exterior of the sidewall of the trailer formed in
accordance
with methods of the invention;
FIG. 32 is an interior side view illustrating the composite panels having
aperture sets
provided therethrough being secured to adjacent composite panels prior to
logistics plates in
alignment with the aperture sets being secured to the composite panels or the
top and bottom
rails;
FIG. 33 is an exterior side view illustrating the composite panels having
aperture sets
CA 02599678 2014-03-26
provided therethrough being secured to adjacent composite panels prior to
splicing plates in
alignment with the aperture sets being secured to the composite panels or the
top and bottom
rails;
FIG. 34 is an exterior perspective view illustrating the composite panels
having aperture
sets provided therethrough being secured to adjacent composite panels and to
said top and
bottom rails prior to logistics and splicing plates in alignment with the
aperture sets being
secured to the composite panels;
FIG. 35 is an exterior perspective view illustrating the composite panels
having aperture
sets provided therethrough being secured to adjacent composite panels and to
said top and
bottom rails prior to splicing plates in alignment with the aperture sets
being secured to the
composite panels;
FIG. 36 illustrates the logistics panel of FIG. 15 formed in accordance with
the first
embodiment of the method of the invention, but with an alternative
configuration of the splicing
plate;
FIG. 37 illustrates the logistics panel of FIG. 24 formed in accordance with
the fifth
embodiment of the method of the invention, but with an alternative
configuration of the splicing
plate;
FIG. 38 illustrates an alternative configuration of the logistics panels
formed in
accordance with methods of the invention;
FIG. 39 illustrates an interior side view of the logistics panel formed in
accordance with
the first embodiment of the method described and illustrated in connection
with FIGS. 5-15, with
the logistics plate being secured to the inner skin of the composite panel and
the logistics
apertures being in communication with the apertures provided through the
composite panel such
that the apertures provided through the composite panel can be accessed
through the logistics
apertures; and
FIG. 40 illustrates an exterior side view of the logistics panel formed in
accordance with
the first embodiment of the method described and illustrated in connection
with FlGS. 5-15, with
the splicing plate being secured to the outer skin of the composite panel and
the intermediate
bulging portion covering the apertures provided through the composite panel
such that the
apertures provided through the composite panel cannot be accessed through the
splicing plate.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
While this invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms,
there is shown
in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments
with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an
exemplification of the principles
of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as
illustrated.
Attention is now invited to the various methods of forming a logistics panel
174 to be
used in forming a sidewall of a trailer which will meet the customer's
demands/requirements, but
which will also overcome the drawbacks associated with the method of forming
the sidewall 22
of the trailer 20. A first embodiment of a method 100 of forming a logistics
panel 174 to be used
in forming a sidewall 122 of a trailer 20 is described herein and illustrated
in FIGS. 5-15, 39 and
40. A second embodiment of a method 200 of forming a logistics panel 274 is
described herein
and illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. A third embodiment of a method 300 of
forming a logistics
panel 374 is described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. A fourth
embodiment of a
method 400 of forming a logistics panel 474 is described herein and
illustrated in FIGS. 20 and
21. A fifth embodiment of a method 500 of forming a logistics panel 574 is
described herein and
illustrated in FIGS. 22-24. A sixth embodiment of a method 600 of forming a
logistics panel 674
is described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26. Like elements are
denoted with like
reference numerals with the first embodiment being in the one hundreds, the
second embodiment
being in the two hundreds, the third embodiment being in the three hundreds,
the fourth
embodiment being in the four hundreds, the fifth embodiment being in the five
hundreds, and the
sixth embodiment being in the six hundreds. It is to be understood that the
drawings are not
necessarily drawn to scale.
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Attention is invited to FIGS. 5-15, 39 and 40 and the first embodiment of the
method
100. FIG. 5 provides a flow chart of the method 100, FIGS. 6-15 show the step-
by-step
formation of the logistics panel 174, and FIGS. 39 and 40 show interior and
exterior views of the
formed logistics panel 174.
First, in step 101, a composite panel 31 having inner and outer skins 33, 34
and a core
member 32 provided therebetween, as illustrated in FIG. 6, is formed in a
known manner.
In step 102, at least one aperture set 148 is formed through the composite
panel 31, as
desired, between the ends of the composite panel 31, as illustrated in FIG. 7.
If, for example, a
customer demands/requires logistics apertures every sixteen to seventeen
inches along the
interior of the trailer 20, two aperture sets 148 are provided, with one
aperture set 148 being
approximately one-third of the way between the ends of the composite panel 31
and the other
aperture set 148 being approximately two-thirds of the way between the ends,
as shown in FIG.
7. If, however, a customer demands/requires logistics apertures every twenty-
four to twenty-five
inches along the interior of the trailer 20, a single aperture set 148 would
be provided generally
midway between the ends of the composite panel 31. Of course, if desired, more
than one or two
aperture sets 148 could be provided. Each aperture set 148 may be formed
through the composite
panel 31 in any appropriate manner, including, but not limited to, punching or
cutting. For
convenience, further description of the method 100 will be described with
reference to only one
aperture set 148 with the understanding that where more than one aperture set
148 provided, the
identical steps would be performed in connection with the other aperture
set(s).
The aperture set 148 extends from a position below the top end 46 of the
composite panel
31 to a position above the bottom end 47 of the composite panel 31. The
position below the top
end 46 of the composite panel 31 is a position which is provided at, or
preferably below, where
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the top rail 29 of the trailer 20 will be secured to the composite panel 31.
The position above the
bottom end 47 of the composite panel 31 is a position which is provided at, or
preferably above,
where the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 will be secured to the composite
panel 31.
The aperture set 148 includes at least one aperture 149, but may include many
apertures
149. For illustration purposes, FIG. 7 illustrates each aperture set 148
having four separate
apertures 149. Where more than one aperture 149 is provided, the apertures 149
are separated
from adjacent apertures 149 by a predetermined distance along the height of
the composite panels
31. As illustrated in FIG. 7, each of the apertures 149 are preferably
elongated and have rounded
top and bottom ends, although this does not need to be the exact configuration
of the apertures
149. The apertures 149 of each aperture set 148 are linearly arranged along
the height of the
composite panel 31.
In step 103, a logistics plate 150, as illustrated in FIG. 8, which is similar
to the interior
post 36, but which has a reduced height comparative to the interior post 36,
is provided. The
logistics plate 150 has top and bottom ends 151, 152, first and second
opposite sides 153, 154
and a plurality of apertures 155 provided therethrough from an interior
surface 156 to an exterior
surface 157 thereof. The apertures 155 are the logistics apertures and are
separated from one
another by a predetermined distance along the height of the logistics plate
150. The plurality of
apertures 155 are generally equivalent in size and shape to the plurality of
apertures 41 provided
through the interior post 36, but are preferably smaller in size than the
aperture(s) 149 provided
through the composite panels 31, for reasons which will be discussed herein.
The logistics plate
150 preferably has a thickness of approximately 0.074 inches.
In step 104, a splicing plate 158, as illustrated in FIG. 9, which is similar
to the exterior
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post 37, but which has a reduced height comparative to the exterior post 37,
is provided. The
splicing plate 158 has flat top and bottom portions 159, 160, flat side
portions 161, 162, and an
intermediate bulging portion 163 which bulges outwardly from the flat top,
bottom and side
portions 159, 160, 161, 162. The splicing plate 158 further includes top and
bottom ends 164,
165 and first and second opposing sides 166, 167, as well as an interior
surface 168 and an
exterior surface 169. The splicing plate 158 preferably has a thickness of
approximately 0.050
inches.
In step 105, a tape 170 is applied to the exterior surface 157 of the
logistics plate 150
along the outer perimeter thereof, e.g., along the top and bottom ends 151,
152 and along the first
and second sides 153, 154, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The tape 170 is
preferably a PVC foam tape
and has a minimal thickness, for example 0.0625 inches thick. The tape 170 is
preferably not so
wide as to extend all the way to the apertures 155 provided through the
logistics plate 150.
In step 106, a tape 171, which is preferably the same as tape 170, is applied
to the interior
surface 168 of the splicing plate 158 along the outer perimeter thereof, e.g.,
along the top and
bottom ends 164, 165 and along the first and second sides 166, 167, as
illustrated in FIG. 11.
In step 107, a bead of bonding adhesive 172 is applied around the outer
perimeter of the
exterior surface 157 of the logistics plate 150 and interior to the tape 170,
as illustrated in FIG.
12. The bonding adhesive 172 may be applied continuously or may be applied at
various
locations on the exterior surface 157. The bonding adhesive 172 may have a
thickness which is
greater than, less than, or equal to the thickness of the tape 170.
In step 108, a bead of bonding adhesive 173, which is preferably the same as
bonding
adhesive 172, is applied around the outer perimeter of the interior surface
168 of the splicing
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
plate 158 and interior to the tape 171, as illustrated in FIG. 13. The bonding
adhesive 173 may
be applied continuously or may be applied at various locations on the interior
surface 168. The
bonding adhesive 173 may have a thickness which is greater than, less than, or
equal to the
thickness of the tape 171.
In step 109, the logistics plate 150 is secured to the inner skin 33 of the
composite panel
31 by aligning the plurality of apertures 155 of the logistics plate 150 with
the aperture(s) 149 of
the composite panel 31 and by causing the bonding adhesive 172 applied to the
logistics plate
150 to come into contact with the inner skin 33 of the composite panel 31, as
illustrated in FIG.
14. The aperture(s) 149 of the composite panel 31 are thus accessible through
the plurality of
apertures 155 of the logistics plate 150. In order to ensure securement of the
logistics plate 150
to the inner skin 33, pressure may be applied to one or both of the logistics
plate 150 and the
composite panel 31. This provides that the top end 151 of the logistics plate
150 is positioned at,
or preferably below, where the top rail 29 of the trailer 20 will be secured
to the composite panel
31. This further provides that the bottom end 152 of the logistics plate 150
is positioned at, or
preferably above, where the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 will be secured
to the composite
panel 31. The securement causes the adhesive 172 to flow outwardly, and the
tape 170 acts as a
dam as it stops or substantially prevents the bonding adhesive 172 from
running/flowing outside
of the outer perimeter of the exterior surface 157 when the pressure is
applied. Under pressure,
the tape 170 is crushed such that the tape 170 and the adhesive 172 each have
substantially the
same thickness, preferably approximately 0.010 inches.
In step 110, the splicing plate 158 is secured to the outer skin 34 of the
composite panel
31 by aligning the intermediate bulging portion 163 with the aperture(s) 149
of the composite
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panel 31 and by causing the bonding adhesive 173 applied to the splicing plate
158 to come into
contact with the outer skin 34, as illustrated in FIG. 15. The aperture(s) 149
of the composite
panel 31 are thus inaccessible through the splicing plate 158. In order to
ensure securement of
the splicing plate 158 to the outer skin 34 of the composite panel 31,
pressure may be applied to
one or both of the splicing plate 158 and the composite panel 31. The top end
164 of the splicing
plate 158 is positioned at, or preferably below, where the top rail 29 will be
secured to the
composite panel 31; and the bottom end 165 of the splicing plate 158 is
positioned at, or
preferably above, where the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 will be secured
to the composite
panel 31. This further seals off the aperture(s) 149 through the composite
panel 31 so as to seal
the interior of the trailer 20 from moisture. The securement causes the
adhesive 173 to flow
outwardly, and the tape 171 acts as a darn as it stops or substantially
prevents the bonding
adhesive 173 from running/flowing outside of the outer perimeter of the
interior surface 168
when the pressure is applied, tinder pressure, the tape 170 is crushed such
that the tape 171 and
the adhesive 173 each have substantially the same thickness, preferably about
0.010 inches.
As a result, logistics panels 174, which are illustrated in FIGS. 15, 39 and
40, are formed
by steps 101-110. Where the aperture(s) 149 are provided through the logistics
panels 174, the
logistics panels 174 have a thickness of approximately 0.315 inches, which
includes the
thickness of the composite panel 31, the thickness of the tape 170 and the
adhesive 172, and the
thickness of the tape 171 and the adhesive 173, but not the thicknesses of the
logistics plate 150
or the splicing plate 158. It should be noted that the steps 101-110 of the
method 110 could be
performed in any other logical order, for example steps 103, 105, 107 and 109
could be
performed before steps 104, 106, 108 and 110 are performed, or vice versa. It
should also be
noted that some of the steps 101-110
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22502998,1
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
could be performed at substantially the same time as some of the other steps
101-110 whenever
possible. In other words, the order in which the steps 101-110 are performed
as described
hereinabove and as illustrated in FIG. 5 can be altered whenever feasible so
long as the logistics
panel 174 is formed as desired.
Attention is invited to FIGS. 16 and 17 and the second embodiment of the
method 200 of
forming a logistics panel 274. Method 200 includes the steps 101-108 and 110
of method 100
and, therefore, the description of these steps will not be repeated herein for
brevity purposes.
Method 200 further includes step 211 and step 209, which is a modification of
step 109 of
method 100.
In step 211 of method 200, a portion of the inner skin 33 of the composite
panel 31 is
offset in order to form a reduced thickness intermediate portion 275 of the
composite panel 31
either before, after, or substantially at the same time as, performing step
102, along a height of
the composite panel 31. The reduced thickness intermediate portion 275 of the
composite panel
31 preferably has a thickness of approximately 0.215 inches. As such, the
aperture set 148 is
provided through the reduced thickness intermediate portion 275. The reduced
thickness
intermediate portion 275 may be formed by coining or stepping the inner skin
33, which may
cause the core member 32 provided between the inner and outer skins 33, 34 to
compress. The
reduced thickness intermediate portion 275 extends from a position below the
top end 46 to a
position above the bottom end 47 of the composite panel 31. The position below
the top end 46
is provided at, or preferably below, where the top rail 29 of the trailer 20
will be secured to the
composite panel 31. The position above the bottom end 47 is provided at, or
preferably above,
where the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 will be secured to the composite
panel 31.
18
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
Step 209 of method 200 secures the logistics plate 150 to the reduced
thickness
intermediate portion 275 of the inner skin 33 of the composite panel 31 by
aligning the plurality
of apertures 155 of the logistics plate 150 with the aperture(s) 149 of the
composite panel 31 and
by causing the bonding adhesive 172 applied to the logistics plate 150 to come
into contact with
the reduced thickness intermediate portion 275. The aperture(s) 149 of the
composite panel 31
are thus accessible through the plurality of apertures 155 of the logistics
plate 150. In order to
ensure securement, pressure may be applied to one or both of the logistics
plate 150 and the
composite panel 31. The securement of the logistics plate 150 ensures that the
logistics plate 150
will not extend as far into the interior of the trailer 20 as it will into the
interior of the trailer 20
using the method 100, and may even be, depending on the thickness of the tape
170, the adhesive
172 and the logistics plate 150, flush with the interior surface of the inner
skin 33 of the
composite panel 31. This further provides that the top end 151 of the
logistics plate 150 is
positioned at, or preferably below, where the top rail 29 will be secured to
the composite panel
31. This also provides that the bottom end 152 of the logistics plate 150 is
positioned at, or
preferably above, where the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 will be secured
to the composite
panel 31. If the logistics plate 150 is flush or substantially flush with the
interior surface of the
inner skin 33, the logistics plate 150 may extend below where the portion 44
of the bottom rail
30 will be secured to the logistics panel 274, as the logistics plate 150
would then not interfere
with the connection of the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 to the logistics
panel 274.
Thus, logistics panel 274 is formed by steps 101-108, 209, 110 and 211 of
method 200.
Where the aperture(s) 149 are provided through the logistics panels 274, the
logistics panels 274
have a thickness of approximately 0.235 inches, which includes the thickness
of the composite
19
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
panel 31, the thickness of the tape 170 and the adhesive 172, and the
thickness of the tape 171
and the adhesive 173, but not the thicknesses of the logistics plate 150 or
the splicing plate 158.
It should be noted that the steps 101-108, 209, 110 and 211 of the method 200
could be
performed in any other logical order, for example steps 103, 105, 107 and 209
could be
performed before steps 104, 106, 108 and 110 are performed, or vice versa. It
should also be
noted that some of the steps 101-108, 209, 110 and 211 could be performed at
substantially the
same time as some of the other steps 101-108, 209, 110 and 211 whenever
possible. In other
words, the order in which the steps 101-108, 209, 110 and 211 are performed as
described
hereinabove and as illustrated in FIG. 16 can be altered whenever feasible so
long as the logistics
panel 274 is formed as desired.
Attention is now invited to FIGS. 18 and 19 and the third embodiment of the
method 300.
Method 300 includes the steps 101-104, 106 and 108 of method 100 and,
therefore, the
description of these steps will not be repeated herein for brevity purposes.
Method 300 further
includes steps 305, 307, 309 and 310, which are modifications of steps 105,
107, 109 and 110,
respectively, of method 100.
In step 305, the tape 170 is applied to the interior surface 156 of the
logistics plate 150
along the outer perimeter thereof, e.g., along the top and bottom ends 151,
152 and along the first
and second sides 153, 154.
Next, in step 307, a bead of bonding adhesive 172 is applied around the outer
perimeter
of the interior surface 156 of the logistics plate 150 and interior to the
tape 170. The bonding
adhesive 172 may be applied continuously or may be applied at various
locations on the interior
surface 156. The bonding adhesive 172 may have a thickness which is greater
than, less than, or
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
equal to the thickness of the tape 170.
hi step 309, the logistics plate 150 is secured to the outer skin 34 of the
composite panel
31 by aligning the plurality of apertures 155 of the logistics plate 150 with
the aperture(s) 149 of
the composite panel 31 and by causing the bonding adhesive 172 applied to the
logistics plate
150 to come into contact with the outer skin 34 of the composite panel 31. The
aperture(s) 149
of the composite panel 31 are thus accessible through the plurality of
apertures 155 of the
logistics plate 150. In order to ensure securement of the logistics plate 150
to the outer skin 34 of
the composite panel 31, pressure may be applied to one or both of the
logistics plate 150 and the
composite panel 31. This provides that the top end 151 of the logistics plate
150 is positioned at,
or preferably below, where the top rail 29 will be secured to the composite
panel 31, and
provides that the bottom end 152 of the logistics plate 150 is positioned at,
or preferably above,
where the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 will be secured to the composite
panel 31. The
securement causes the adhesive 172 to flow outwardly with the tape 170 acting
as a dam as it
stops or substantially prevents the bonding adhesive 172 from running/flowing
outside of the
outer perimeter of the interior surface 156 when the pressure is applied.
Under pressure, the tape
170 is crushed such that the tape 170 and the adhesive 172 each have
substantially the same
thickness, preferably about 0.010 inches.
In step 310, the splicing plate 158 is secured to the logistics plate 150 by
aligning the
intermediate bulging portion 163 of the splicing plate 158 with the plurality
of apertures 155 of
the logistics plate 150 and by causing the bonding adhesive 173 applied to the
splicing plate 158
to come into contact with the exterior surface 157 of the logistics plate 150.
The aperture(s) 149
of the composite panel 31 are thus inaccessible through the splicing plate
158. In order to ensure
21
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
securement of the splicing plate 158 to the logistics plate 150, pressure may
be applied to one or
both of the splicing plate 158 and the composite panel 31. This provides that
the top end 164 of
the splicing plate 158 is positioned at, or preferably below, where the top
rail 29 will be secured
to the composite panel 31, and that the bottom end 165 of the splicing plate
158 is positioned at,
or preferably above, where the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 will be
secured to the composite
panel 31. This further seals off the aperture(s) 149 through the composite
panel 31 so as to seal
the interior of the trailer 20 from moisture. The securement causes the
adhesive 172 to flow
outwardly with the tape 171 acting as a dam as it stops or substantially
prevents the bonding
adhesive 173 from running/flowing outside of the outer perimeter of the
interior surface 168
when the pressure is applied. Under pressure, the tape 171 is crushed such
that the tape 171 and
the adhesive 173 each have substantially the same thickness, preferably about
0.010 inches.
Thus, logistics panel 374 is formed by steps 101-104, 305, 106, 307, 108, 309
and 310 of
the method 300. It should be noted that the steps 101-104, 305, 106, 307, 108,
309 and 310 of
the method 300 could be performed in any other logical order, for example
steps 103, 305, 307
and 309 could be performed before steps 104, 106, 108 and 310 are performed,
or vice versa. It
should also be noted that some of the steps 101-104, 305, 106, 307, 108, 309
and 310 could be
performed at substantially the same time as some of the other steps 101-104,
305, 106, 307, 108,
309 and 310 whenever possible. In other words, the order in which the steps
101-104, 305, 106,
307, 108, 309 and 310 are performed as described hereinabove and as
illustrated in FIG. 18 can
be altered whenever feasible so long as the logistics panel 374 is formed as
desired.
Attention is invited to FIGS. 20 and 21 and the fourth embodiment of the
method 400.
Method 400 includes the steps 101-104, 106 and 108 of method 100 and steps
305, 307 and 310
22
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
of method 300 and, therefore, the description of these steps will not be
repeated herein for brevity
purposes. Method 400 further includes steps 409 and 411. Step 409 is a
modification of steps
209 and 309 of methods 200 and 300, and step 411 is a modification of step 211
of method 200.
In step 411, a portion of the outer skin 34 of the composite panel 31 is
offset in order to
form a reduced thickness intermediate portion 475 of the composite panel 31
either before, after,
or substantially at the same time as, performing step 102, along a height of
the composite panel
31. The reduced thickness intermediate portion 475 of the composite panel 31
preferably has a
thickness of approximately 0.215 inches. As such, the aperture set 148 is
provided through the
reduced thickness intermediate portion 475. The reduced thickness intermediate
portion 475 may
be formed by coining or stepping the outer skin 34 of the composite panel 31,
which may cause
the core member 32 provided between the inner and outer skins 33, 34 to be
compressed. The
reduced thickness intermediate portion 475 thus extends from a position below
the top end 46 to
a position above the bottom end 47 of the composite panel 31. The position
below the top end
46 is a position which is provided at, or preferably below, where the top rail
29 of the trailer 20
will be secured to the composite panel 31. The position above the bottom end
47 of the
composite panel 31 is a position which is provided at, or preferably above,
where the portion 44
of the bottom rail 30 will be secured to the composite panel 31.
In step 409, the logistics plate 150 is secured to the reduced thickness
intermediate
portion 475 by aligning the plurality of apertures 155 of the logistics plate
150 with the
aperture(s) 149 of the composite panel 31 and by causing the bonding adhesive
172 applied to the
logistics plate 150 to come into contact with the reduced thickness
intermediate portion 475. The
aperture(s) 149 of the composite panel 31 are thus accessible through the
plurality of apertures
23
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
155 of the logistics plate 150. In order to ensure securement of the logistics
plate 150 to the
reduced thickness intermediate portion 475, pressure may be applied to one or
both of the
logistics plate 150 and the composite panel 31. This provides that the top end
151 of the logistics
plate 150 is positioned at, or preferably below, where the top rail 29 will be
secured to the
composite panel 31. If the logistics plate 150 is flush or substantially flush
with the exterior
surface of the outer skin 34 of the composite panel 31, the logistics plate
150 may extend above
where the top rail 29 will be secured to the logistics panel 474, as the
logistics plate 150 would
then not interfere with the connection of the top rail 29 to the logistics
panel 474. This further
provides that the bottom end 152 of the logistics plate 150 is positioned at,
or preferably above,
where the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 will be secured to the composite
panel 31. If the
logistics plate 150 is flush or substantially flush with the exterior surface
of the outer skin 34 of
the composite panel 31, the logistics plate 150 may extend below where the
portion 44 of the
bottom rail 30 will be secured to the logistics panel 474, as the logistics
plate 150 would then not
interfere with the connection of the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 to the
logistics panel 474.
The securement causes the adhesive 172 to flow outwardly with the tape 170
applied to the
logistics plate 150 acting as a dam as it stops or substantially prevents the
bonding adhesive 172
from running/flowing outside of the outer perimeter of the interior surface
156 when the pressure
is applied. Under pressure, the tape 170 is crushed such that the tape 170 and
the adhesive 172
each have substantially the same thickness, preferably about 0.010 inches.
Thus, logistics panel 474 is formed by steps 101-104, 305, 106, 307, 108, 409,
310 and
411 of the method 400. It should be noted that the steps 101-104, 305, 106,
307, 108, 409, 310
and 411 of the method 400 could be performed in any other logical order, for
example steps 103,
24
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
305, 307 and 409 could be performed before steps 104, 106, 108 and 310 are
performed, or vice
versa. It should also be noted that some of the steps 101-104, 305, 106, 307,
108, 409, 310 and
411 could be performed at substantially the same time as some of the other
steps 101-104, 305,
106, 307, 108, 409, 310 and 411 whenever possible. In other words, the order
in which the steps
101-104, 305, 106, 307, 108, 409, 310 and 411 are performed as described
hereinabove and as
illustrated in FIG. 20 can be altered whenever feasible so long as the
logistics panel 474 is
formed as desired.
= Attention is invited to FIGS. 22-24 and the fifth embodiment of the
method 500. Method
500 includes the steps 101, 102, 104, 106 and 108 of method 100 and,
therefore, the description
of these steps will not be repeated herein for brevity purposes. Method 500
further includes steps
503, 505, 507, 509 and 510. Step 503 is a modification of step 103 of method
100. Step 505 is a
modification of steps 105 and 305 of methods 100 and 300. Step 507 is a
modification of steps
107 and 307 of methods 100 and 300. Step 509 is a modification of steps 109
and 309 of
methods 100 and 300. Step 510 is a modification of steps 110 and 310 of
methods 100 and 300.
In step 503, a logistics plate 550 is provided as illustrated in FIG. 23,
which is different in
configuration from logistics plate 150. Logistics plate 550 has a reduced
height which is
comparable to the reduced height of logistics plate 150. The logistics plate
550 has top and
bottom ends 551, 552, first and second opposite sides 553, 554 and a plurality
of apertures 555
provided from an interior surface 556 to an exterior surface 557 thereof. The
apertures 555 are
the logistics apertures and are separated from one another by a predetermined
distance along the
height of the logistics plate 550. The plurality of apertures 555 are
generally equivalent in size
and shape to the plurality of apertures 41 provided through the interior post
36, but are preferably
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
smaller in size than the aperture(s) 149 provided through the composite panels
31, for reasons
which will be discussed herein. The plurality of apertures 555 are provided on
one or more hat-
shaped portions 576 of the logistics plate 550. If more than one hat-shaped
portion 576 is
provided, adjacent hat-shaped portions 576 are separated from one another by a
predetermined
distance. Each hat-shaped portion 576 has first and second portions 577, 578,
which are planar
to one another and which extend toward one another from the first and second
opposite sides
553, 554, third and fourth portions 579, 580, which are parallel to one
another, perpendicular to
the first and second portions 577, 578, and which extend inwardly from ends of
the first and
second portions 577, 578, respectively, and a fifth portion 581 which is
parallel to the first and
second portions 577, 578 and which connects the third and fourth portions 579,
580 together.
The plurality of apertures 555 extend through the fifth portion 581. The
third, fourth and fifth
portions 579, 580, 581 of the hat-shaped portion 576 are generally sized to
fit in the aperture(s)
149 of the composite panel 31. As such, the exterior surface 557 of the fifth
portion 581 is
preferably inset from the interior surfaces 556 of the first and second
portions 577, 578 by
approximately 0.285 inches.
In step 505, the tape 170 is applied to the interior surface 556 of the
logistics plate 550
along the outer perimeter thereof, e.g., along the top and bottom ends 551,
552 and along the first
and second sides 553, 554.
In step 507, the bead of bonding adhesive 172 is applied around the outer
perimeter of the
interior surface 556 interior to the tape 170, but exterior to the third and
fourth portions 579, 580.
The bonding adhesive 172 may be applied continuously or may be applied at
various locations on
the interior surface 556. The bonding adhesive 172 may have a thickness which
is greater than,
26
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
less than, or equal to the thickness of the tape 170.
In step 509, the logistics plate 550 is secured to the outer skin 34 by
inserting the third,
fourth and fifth portions 579, 580, 581 of the hat-shaped portion(s) 576 into
the aperture(s) 149
of the composite panel 31. The third and fourth portions 579, 580 are
preferably snugly fit
against the walls defining the aperture(s) 149, and cause the bonding adhesive
172 applied to the
logistics plate 550 to come into contact with the outer skin 34. The
aperture(s) 149 of the
composite panel 31 are accessible through the plurality of apertures 555 of
the logistics plate 550.
In order to ensure securement of the logistics plate 550 to the outer skin 34,
pressure may be
applied to one or both of the logistics plate 550 and the composite panel 31.
The plurality of
apertures 555 through the logistics plate 550 are thus accessible from the
interior of the trailer 20.
The securement of the logistics panel 550 provides that the top end 551 of the
logistics plate 550
is positioned at, or preferably below, where the top rail 29 will be secured
to the composite panel
31, and that the bottom end 552 of the logistics plate 550 is positioned at,
or preferably above,
where the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 will be secured to the composite
panel 31. The
securement causes the adhesive 172 to flow outwardly with the tape 170 acting
as a dam as it
stops or substantially prevents the bonding adhesive 172 from running/flowing
outside of the
outer perimeter of the interior surface 556 when the pressure is applied.
Under pressure, the tape
170 is crushed such that the tape 170 and the adhesive 172 each have
substantially the same
thickness, preferably about 0.010 inches.
In step 510, the splicing plate 158 is secured to the logistics plate 550 by
aligning the
intermediate bulging portion 163 of the splicing plate 158 with the plurality
of apertures 555 of
the logistics plate 550 and by causing the bonding adhesive 173 applied to the
splicing plate 158
27
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
to come into contact with the exterior surface 557 of the logistics plate 550.
The aperture(s) 149
of the composite panel 31 are inaccessible through the splicing plate 158. In
order to ensure
securement, pressure may be applied to one or both of the splicing plate 158
and the composite
panel 31. The securement of the splicing plate 158 provides that the top end
164 of the splicing
plate 158 is positioned at, or preferably below, where the top rail 29 will be
secured to the
composite panel 31, and that the bottom end 165 of the splicing plate 158 is
positioned at, or
preferably above, where the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 will be secured
to the composite
panel 31. This further seals off the aperture(s) 149 through the composite
panel 31 so as to seal
the interior of the trailer 20 from moisture. The securement causes the
adhesive 173 to flow
outwardly with the tape 171 acting as a dam as it stops or substantially
prevents the bonding
adhesive 173 from running/flowing outside of the outer perimeter of the
interior surface 168
when the pressure is applied. Under pressure, the tape 171 is crushed such
that the tape 171 and
the adhesive 173 each have substantially the same thickness, preferably about
0.010 inches.
Thus, logistics panel 574 is formed by steps 101, 102, 503, 104, 505, 106,
507, 108, 509
and 510 of the method 500. It should be noted that the steps 101, 102, 503,
104, 505, 106, 507,
108, 509 and 510 of the method 500 could be performed in any other logical
order, for example
steps 503, 505, 507 and 509 could be performed before steps 104, 106, 108 and
510 are
performed, or vice versa. It should also be noted that some of the steps 101,
102, 503, 104, 505,
106, 507, 108, 509 and 510 could be performed at substantially the same time
as some of the
other steps 101, 102, 503, 104, 505, 106, 507, 108, 509 and 510 whenever
possible. In other
words, the order in which the steps 101, 102, 503, 104, 505, 106, 507, 108,
509 and 510 are
performed as described hereinabove and as illustrated in FIG. 22 can be
altered whenever so long
28
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
as the logistics panel 574 is formed as desired.
Attention is invited to FIGS. 25 and 26 and the sixth embodiment of the method
600.
Method 600 includes the steps 101, 102, 503, 104, 505, 106, 507, 108, 510 and
411 of methods
100, 400 and 500 and, therefore, the description of these steps will not be
repeated herein for
brevity purposes. Method 600 further includes step 609 which is a modification
of steps 509 of
method 500.
In step 609, the logistics plate 550 is secured to the reduced thickness
intermediate
portion 475 of the outer skin 34 by inserting the third, fourth and fifth
portions 579, 580, 581 of
the logistics plate 550 into the aperture(s) 149 of the composite panel 31.
The third and fourth
portions 579, 580 are preferably snugly fit against the walls defining the
aperture(s) 149, and
cause the bonding adhesive 172 applied to the logistics plate 550 to come into
contact with the
reduced thickness intermediate portion 475 of the outer skin 34. The
aperture(s) 149 of the
composite panel 31 are thus accessible through the plurality of apertures 555
of the logistics plate
550. In order to ensure securement, pressure may be applied to one or both of
the logistics plate
550 and the composite panel 31. The securement of the logistics panel 550
provides that the top
end 551 of the logistics plate 550 is positioned at, or preferably below,
where the top rail 29 will
be secured to the composite panel 31. If the logistics plate 550 is flush or
substantially flush with
the exterior surface of the outer skin 34, the logistics plate 550 may extend
above where the top
rail 29 will be secured to the logistics panel 674, as the logistics plate 550
would then not
interfere with the connection of the top rail 29 to the logistics panel 674.
The securement of the
logistics plate 550 further provides that the bottom end 552 of the logistics
plate 550 is
positioned at, or preferably above, where the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30
will be secured to
29
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
the composite panel 31. If the logistics plate 550 is flush or substantially
flush with the exterior
surface of the outer skin 34, the logistics plate 550 may extend below where
the portion 44 of the
bottom rail 30 will be secured to the logistics panel 674, as the logistics
plate 550 would then not
interfere with the connection of the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 to the
logistics panel 674.
The securement causes the adhesive 172 to flow outwardly with the tape 170
acting as a dam as it
stops or substantially prevents the bonding adhesive 172 from running/flowing
outside of the
outer perimeter of the interior surface 556 when the pressure is applied.
Under pressure, the tape
170 is crushed such that the tape 170 and the adhesive 172 each have
substantially the same
thickness, preferably about 0.010 inches.
Thus, logistics panel 674 is fonned by steps 101, 102, 503, 104, 505, 106,
507, 108, 609,
510 and 411 of the method 600. It should be noted that the steps 101, 102,
503, 104, 505, 106,
507, 108, 609, 510 and 411 of the method 600 could be performed in any other
logical order, for
example steps 503, 505, 507 and 609 could be performed before steps 104, 106,
108 and 510 are
performed, or vice versa. It should also be noted that some of the steps 101,
102, 503, 104, 505,
106, 507, 108, 609, 510 and 411 could be performed at substantially the same
time as some of
the other steps 101, 102, 503, 104, 505, 106, 507, 108, 609, 510 and 411
whenever possible. In
other words, the order in which the steps 101, 102, 503, 104, 505, 106, 507,
108, 609, 510 and
411 are performed as described hereinabove and as illustrated in FIG. 25 can
be altered whenever
so long as the logistics panel 674 is formed as desired.
It should be noted that the configuration of the logistics panels 150, 550
could be altered
as desired so long as they provide the apertures 155, 555 therethrough and
preferably span the
aperture(s) 149.
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
To form the sidewall 22 of the trailer 20, a plurality of the logistics panels
174, 274, 374,
474, 574, 674 may be secured together using a joint configuration, such as the
joint
configurations disclosed in United States Patent Nos. 4,958,472, 5,860,693,
5,997,076,
6,220,651, 6,412,854 or 6,986,546. It should be noted that any one of the
logistics panels 174,
274, 374, 474, 574, 674 may be secured together with any other one of the
logistics panels 174,
274, 374, 474, 574, 674 if desired. In other words, logistics panel 174 need
not be secured
together with another logistics panel 174, but may be secured together with
any one of the
logistics panels 274, 374, 474, 574, 674. FIG. 27 illustrates two logistics
panels 174 being joined
together by a joint configuration 35.
To form the sidewall 22 of the trailer 20, each logistics panel 174, 274, 374,
474, 574,
674 is secured to the top and bottom rails 29,30 of the trailer 20. Each
logistics panel 174, 274,
374, 474, 574,674 can be secured to the top rail 29 in the same well-known
manner that the
composite panels 31 of the prior art are secured to the top rail 29, for
example by adhesive and/or
fasteners. FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate two logistics panels 174, which have
been cut in half in
height, secured to the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30. Each logistics panel
174, 274, 374, 474,
574, 674 is secured to the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 in the same well-
known manner that
the composite panels 31 of the prior art are secured to the bottom rail 30,
for example by
adhesive and/or fasteners. FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate the formed sidewall 22
of the trailer 20.
It should be noted that, if desired, only a portion of the methods 100, 200,
300, 400, 500,
600 of forming the logistics panels 174, 274, 374, 474, 574, 674 need be
performed prior to the
connection of the logistics panels 174, 274, 374, 474, 574, 674 to one another
with the joint
construction 35, and prior to the connection of the logistics panels 174, 274,
374, 474, 574, 674
31
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
to both the top and bottom rails 29, 30. For example, FIGS. 32 and 33
illustrate the logistics
panels 174 being secured to one another by the joint construction 35 prior to
the logistics and
splicing plates 150, 158 being secured thereto. FIG. 34 then shows the
logistics panels 174
secured to the top and bottom rails 29, 30 prior to the logistics and splicing
plates 150, 158 being
secured thereto. FIG. 35 then shows the logistics plates 150 being secured to
the logistics panels
174 prior to the splicing plates 158 being secured thereto. It is again to be
understood that the
steps taken in forming the sidewall 22 of the trailer 20 can be performed in
any logical order,
e.g., formation of the logistics plates 174, 274, 374, 474, 574, 674 need not
be completed as
described hereinabove prior to securing same to one another with the joint
construction 35 or to
the top and bottom rails 29, 30. In other words, the order in which the steps
are performed to
form the sidewall 22 as described hereinabove can be altered whenever feasible
so long as the
sidewall 22 of the trailer 20 is formed as desired.
With the sidewall 22 of the trailer 20 thus formed, logistics apertures 41 are
provided at
the joining of adjacent logistics panels 174, 274, 374, 474, 574, 674 by the
joint constructions 35,
and one or more sets of logistics apertures 155, 555 are provided between the
logistics apertures
41. The logistics apertures 41, 155, 555 are accessible through the interior
of the trailer 20 in
order to allow for the engagement of equipment, such as clips or hooks, to the
logistics plates 36,
150, 550. As explained hereinabove, the logistics apertures 155, 555 are
preferably smaller than
the aperture(s) 149 provided through the composite panels 31 because it is
preferable for the
equipment to only engage the logistics plates 150, 550, and not the inner or
outer skins 33, 34 or
the core member 32 of the composite panels 31, as the engagement of the
equipment with any
portion of the composite panels 31 could possibly harm or damage the integrity
of the composite
32
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
panels 31. It should be noted, however, that the size of the logistics
apertures 155, 555 through
the logistics plate 150, 550 could be equivalent to the aperture(s) 149
through the composite
panels 31 such that the equipment could be engaged with any one of the inner
and outer skins 33,
34 or the core member 32 of the composite panels 31. It should further be
noted that while the
logistics apertures 155, 555 provided through the composite panels 31 are
illustrated as being
rectangular in configuration, other configurations of the logistics apertures
155, 555 may be
utilized as desired, for instance, the apertures 155, 555 could be circular in
configuration. The
configuration of the aperture(s) 149 through the composite panels 31 can also
be altered as
desired. The configuration of the logistics apertures 155, 555 and the
aperture(s) 149 is primarily
dependent on the equipment to be engaged with the logistics plate 150, 550.
It is noted that in each of the logistics panels 174, 274, 374, 474, 574, 674,
the splicing
plate 158 is described and illustrated as having an intermediate bulging
portion 163. The
intermediate bulging portion 163 is provided in order to provide more space or
distance between
the splicing plate 158 and the logistics apertures 155, 555 of the logistics
plates 150, 550 for the
engagement of the equipment to the logistics plates 150, 550. It has been
determined that a
minimum distance of approximately 0.30 inches between the exterior surface
157, 557 of the
logistics plate 150, 550, where the logistics apertures 155, 555 are provided,
and the interior
surface 168 of the splicing plate 158 is typically needed to allow for the
proper engagement of
the equipment to the logistics plates 150, 550. In each instance where the
intermediate bulging
portion 163 is provided on the splicing plate 158, the exact configuration of
the bulging portion
163 may be altered to ensure this distance is achieved.
Because of the thickness of the layer of tape 170 and adhesive 172 (about
0.010 inches)
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CA 02599678 2007-08-30
and due to the thickness of the layer of tape 171 and adhesive 173 (about
0.010 inches), it is not
necessary in either of the logistics panels 174, 574 to provide the splicing
plate 158 with the
intermediate bulging portion 163 as the distance between the exterior surface
157, 557 of the
logistics plate 150, 550, where the logistics apertures 155, 555 are provided,
and the interior
surface 168 of the splicing plate 158 is approximately 0.315 inches. Thus, in
connection with the
logistics panels 174, 574, the splicing plate 158 may be a flat piece like the
logistics plate 150, as
illustrated in FIGS. 36 and 37. This is beneficial for a number of reasons,
including that it
provides the exterior surface of the sidewall 22 of the trailer 20 with a
sleeker, smoother finish
and also allows for the exterior surface of the sidewall 22 of the trailer 20
to be painted easier.
Of course, if desired, other modifications could be made to the thicknesses of
the parts of
the other logistics panels 274, 374, 474, 674 in order to make the splicing
plate 158 thereof also
be a flat piece like the logistics plate 150 as opposed to including the
intermediate bulging
portion 163.
It is also noted that in each of the logistics panels 174, 274, 374, 474, 574,
674 described
and illustrated, that the logistics plates 150, 550 and the splicing plates
158 are provided in a
vertical manner on the sidewall 22 of the trailer 20, e.g., generally running
from proximate the
bottom rail 30 straight upwardly to proximate the top rail 29. If desired, the
layout of the
logistics plate 150, 550 and the splicing plates 158 could be changed to be
horizontal, as
illustrated in FIG. 38, or even diagonal, if desired.
It should be noted that while it is discussed in each of the embodiments that
tapes 170,
171 are provided, that the tapes 170, 171 do not need to be provided, if
desired. The tapes 170,
171 are primarily provided to act as a dam to stop or substantially prevent
the bonding adhesives
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CA 02599678 2007-08-30
172, 173 from running/flowing outside of the exterior perimeters of the
logistics plates 150, 550
and the splicing plates 550, but it is not necessary to prevent the adhesives
172, 173 from
running/flowing or the run/flow of the adhesives 172, 173 could be controlled
by other means,
for instance, the amount of adhesives 172, 173 used, the placement of the
adhesives 172, 173,
etc. Thus, methods 100, 200 may be performed without step 105 and/or without
step 106;
methods 300,400 may be performed without step 305 and/or without step 106; and
methods 500,
600 may be performed without step 505 and/or without step 106.
It should further be noted that while adhesives 172, 173 are described and
illustrated
herein as securing the logistics plates 150, 550 and the splicing plates 158
to the composite
panels 31 or to one another, that it is to be understood that the logistics
plates 150, 550 and the
splicing plates 158 could alternatively be joined to the composite panels 31
or to one another by a
fasteners (not shown), such as a rivet, in a manner which is well-known in the
art, as fasteners
and the adhesives 172, 173 are considered to be equivalents in this invention
(as they are both
intended to permanently secure the logistics plates 150, 550, the splicing
plates 158 and the
composite panels 31 together). Of course, unless further alterations were made
to the logistics
panels 174, 574, these panels 174, 574 would then preferably need to have a
splicing plate 158
formed with the intermediate bulging portion 163 in order to ensure that the
proper amount of
space is provided (as the extra space of 0.020 inches provided by the
adhesives 172, 173 would
no longer be provided) to allow for the engagement of equipment with the
logistics plates 150,
550. Also, if desired, the adhesives 172, 173 could be utilized in conjunction
with fasteners.
It should also be noted that, if desired, in connection with the formation of
the logistics
panels 374, 474, 574, 674, the logistics panels 150, 550 and the splicing
plate 158 could be
CA 02599678 2007-08-30
integrally formed if desired, thus removing the necessity for securing the
logistics panels 150,
550 and the splicing plate 158 together using the tape 171 and the bonding
adhesive 173 (or any
other type of fasteners as discussed hereinabove).
Further, it should be noted that, if desired, in connection with the logistics
panels 374,
474, 574, 674, the splicing panel 158 may be configured in a manner to enlarge
the flat side end
portions 161, 162 such that the tape 171 and the bonding adhesive 173 could be
used to secure
the splicing panel 158 to the outer skin 34 of the composite panel 31, rather
than to the logistics
panels 150, 550, in generally the same manner in which the splicing panel 158
is secured to the
outer skin 34 of the composite panel 31 in connection with the logistics
panels 174, 274.
The invention thus provides methods 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 of forming
logistics
panels 174, 274, 374, 474, 574, 674 for use in forming a sidewall 22 of a
trailer 20. The sidewall
22 would have logistics slots provided at shorter intervals, for example,
sixteen to seventeen inch
intervals or twenty-four to twenty-five inch intervals, than those sidewalls
of a trailer where
logistics slots are provided only at the joint configurations 35 which join
adjacent composite
panels 31 together, which provides logistics slots at intervals of, for
example, forty-eight to fifty
inches. The methods 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 allow for a simplified and
more efficient
manufacturing process comparative to the prior art method as it is unnecessary
to make and/or
stock composite panels of varying widths. Thus, manpower personnel and/or
hours is saved in
forming the trailers 20; less scrap is created during formation, increased
profit is realized and less
material is utilized. The trailers 20 also are lighter in weight comparative
to prior art trailers,
have improved aesthetics, and retain all of the benefits realized by the prior
art trailers. Also, the
logistics plates 150, 550 will not hold the portion or baserail 44 of the
bottom rail 30 out from the
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CA 02599678 2007-08-30
sidewalls 22 as will occur with the sidewalls of the prior art trailers at
every connection of the
reduced width adjacent composite panels 31.
It should further be noted that while the invention is described with regard
to the type of
trailer 20 described and illustrated herein, that the invention could also be
utilized with other
types of trailers or trucks or the like, where logistics apertures are
required for engagement of
equipment. The invention may also be utilized in trailers having a high
baserail, which extends
further upwardly from the floor 26 than does the bottom rail 30 of the trailer
20. Such a sidewall
of a trailer is described and illustrated in United States Patent No.
7,114,762, issued October 3,
2006 and entitled "Sidewall Of A Semi-Trailer Having A High Baserail", the
invention of which
is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. In such a sidewall, the
logistics plate 150,
550 and the splicing plate 158 would extend to a position above where a top
end of the high
baserail is provided, similar to how the logistics plate 150, 550 and the
splicing plate 158 extend
to a position above where the portion 44 of the bottom rail 30 is provided.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown and described,
it is
envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications of
the present invention
without departing from the spirit and scope of the foregoing description, the
attached drawings
and the appended claims.
37
