US2008134509A1PendingUtilityA1

Method of forming a logistics panel for use in a sidewall of a trailer

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Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Nov 21, 2006Filed: Sep 17, 2007Published: Jun 12, 2008
Est. expiryNov 21, 2026(~0.3 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Wilfred E. LewallenMichael L. ThomaDanny L. Gilbert
Y10T29/49622B60P 7/15B60P 7/0815
40
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

A method of forming a logistics panel for use in a sidewall of a trailer includes the step of providing a composite panel formed of inner and outer skins and a core member secured therebetween; the step of forming an aperture set defining at least one aperture extending through the composite panel; the step of securing a logistics plate having at least one aperture provided therethrough to the composite panel in order to align the at least one aperture provided through the logistics plate with the aperture set provided through the composite panel such that the aperture set is accessible through the logistics plate; and the step of securing a splicing plate to at least one of the composite panel and the logistics plate in order to cover the aperture set such that the aperture set is inaccessible through the splicing plate.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A method of forming a logistics panel for use in a sidewall of a trailer, said comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a composite panel formed of inner and outer skins and a core member secured therebetween;   b) forming an aperture set defining at least one aperture extending through said composite panel;   c) securing a logistics plate having at least one aperture provided therethrough to said composite panel in order to align said at least one aperture provided through said logistics plate with said aperture set provided through said composite panel such that said aperture set is accessible through said logistics plate; and   d) securing a splicing plate to at least one of said composite panel and said logistics plate in order to cover said aperture set such that said aperture set is inaccessible through said splicing plate.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said logistics plate is secured to said inner skin of said composite panel. 
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said splicing plate is secured to said outer skin of said composite panel. 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said inner skin of said composite panel has a reduced thickness intermediate portion, said logistics plate being secured to said reduced thickness intermediate portion of said inner skin of said composite panel. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said logistics plate is secured to said outer skin of said composite panel. 
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said splicing plate is secured to said logistics plate. 
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said outer skin of said composite panel has a reduced thickness intermediate portion, said logistics plate being secured to said reduced thickness intermediate portion of said outer skin of said composite panel. 
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said aperture set formed through said composite panel extends generally vertically downwardly from a position below a top end portion of said composite panel to a position above a bottom end portion of said composite panel. 
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said aperture set formed through said composite panel extends generally horizontally from a position proximate a first side end portion of said composite panel to a position proximate a second side end portion of said composite panel. 
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said logistics plate is secured to said composite panel by an adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said splicing plate is secured to said at least one of said composite panel and said logistics plate by an adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein during securement of said logistics plate to said composite panel a top end of said logistics plate is provided below a top end portion of said composite panel and a bottom end of said logistics plate is provided above a bottom end portion of said composite panel. 
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein during securement of said splicing plate to said at least one of said composite panel and said logistics plate, a top end of said splicing plate is provided below a top end portion of said composite panel and a bottom end of said splicing plate is provided above a bottom end portion of said composite panel. 
     
     
         14 . A method of forming a sidewall of a trailer, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing first and second composite panels, each said composite panel having top and bottom end portions and first and second side end portions;   b) forming an aperture set through each said composite panel, each said aperture set defining at least one aperture;   c) joining said first side end portion of said first composite panel to said second side end portion of said second composite panel;   d) providing top and bottom rails;   e) joining said top end portions of said first and second composite panels to said top rail;   f) joining said bottom end portions of said first and second composite panels to said bottom rail;   g) securing a logistics plate having at least one aperture provided therethrough to each of said composite panels in order to align said at least one aperture provided through said logistics plate with said aperture sets provided through said composite panels such that said aperture sets are accessible through said logistics plates; and   h) securing a splicing plate to each of said composite panels in order to cover said aperture sets such that said aperture sets are inaccessible through said splicing plates.   
     
     
         15 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said aperture set formed through said composite panel extends generally vertically downwardly from a position below said top rail to a position above said bottom rail. 
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said aperture set formed through said composite panel extends generally horizontally between said top and bottom rails. 
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said logistics plates are secured to said composite panels by an adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said splicing plates are secured to said composite panels by an adhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising the step of forming a reduced thickness intermediate portion on each said composite panel, said aperture sets being formed through said reduced thickness intermediate portions and said logistics plates being secured to said reduced thickness intermediate portions. 
     
     
         20 . A method of forming a sidewall of a trailer, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing first and second composite panels, each said composite panel having top and bottom end portions and first and second side end portions;   b) forming an aperture set through each said composite panel, each said aperture set defining at least one aperture;   c) joining said first side end portion of said first composite panel to said second side end portion of said second composite panel;   d) providing top and bottom rails;   e) joining said top end portions of said first and second composite panels to said top rail;   f) joining said bottom end portions of said first and second composite panels to said bottom rail;   g) securing a logistics plate having at least one aperture provided therethrough to each of said composite panels in order to align said at least one aperture provided through said logistics plate with said aperture sets provided through said composite panels such that said aperture sets are accessible through said logistics plates; and   h) securing a splicing plate to each of said logistics plates in order to cover said aperture sets such that said aperture sets are inaccessible through said splicing plates.   
     
     
         21 . The method as defined in  claim 20 , wherein said aperture set formed through said composite panel extends generally vertically downwardly from a position below said top rail to a position above said bottom rail. 
     
     
         22 . The method as defined in  claim 20 , wherein said aperture set formed through said composite panel extends generally horizontally between said top and bottom rails. 
     
     
         23 . The method as defined in  claim 20 , wherein said logistics plates are secured to said composite panels by an adhesive. 
     
     
         24 . The method as defined in  claim 20 , wherein said splicing plates are secured to said composite panels by an adhesive. 
     
     
         25 . The method as defined in  claim 20 , further comprising the step of forming a reduced thickness intermediate portion on each said composite panel, said aperture sets being formed through said reduced thickness intermediate portions and said logistics plates being secured to said reduced thickness intermediate portions.

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