Abstract:
A commodity trailer for storage and transport of a commodity, and provided with a lighting system. The commodity trailer can include a tub in which the commodity is stored and transported, wherein the tub includes at least one wall that is sloped from a first elevation to an opening beneath the tub at a second elevation lower than the first elevation to funnel the commodity toward the opening, and wherein the opening has a plurality of sides; a frame extending along at least one side of the opening; and a lamp mounted to the frame, wherein the lamp is positioned and oriented to direct light upon an area beneath the opening into which commodity from the tub flows upon exiting the opening.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/937,099, filed Feb. 7, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to commodity trailers, and specifically to lighting systems for commodity trailers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Commodity trailers are often used to haul a grain or other harvested commodity (e.g., corn and soybean) in and around a farm and/or over a road. The trailers can be of a monocoque or semi-monocoque construction having walls and one or more tubs constructed between the walls that carry and support the commodity. Each tub has walls that are sloped from a larger opening at a middle or top of the tub to a smaller opening at a bottom of the tub. Each tub includes a door at the bottom of the tub that opens partially or fully to allow the commodity to unload and flow out of the tub at a desired rate into a pit, or into a piece of farm equipment that transfers the commodity to a storage location. 
         [0004]    The trailers are often unloaded in dark locations and environments. In order to have control over the flow of the commodity, current commodity trailers incorporate the use of after-market work lights that are ordered and then installed on the commodity trailers. The work lights can be mounted on the frame of the commodity trailer, and can be powered with auxiliary power from a tractor coupled to the trailer (i.e., with an extra plug) or in another manner. While the use of such work lights provides some lighting, the lighting is often dimmed, reduced, or obscured due to the location and orientation of the work lights and the shadows that are formed underneath the commodity trailer. Additionally, the use of such work lights is costly, requires extra time to install and implement, and must often be significantly modified or adapted for installation on each unique commodity trailer. 
         [0005]    In light of the shortcomings of existing lighting systems used in conjunction with commodity trailers, improved commodity trailer lighting systems continue to be welcome additions to the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to one construction, a commodity trailer includes a body having a top side and a bottom side, and a tub coupled to the body and disposed at least partially beneath the bottom side, the tub including walls that are sloped from a larger opening at a top of the tub to a smaller opening at a bottom of the tub, the smaller opening being defined partially by a lip that extends in a direction along a width of the trailer, the tub also including a door that opens and closes over the smaller opening. The trailer also includes a stop member disposed adjacent the lip that stops movement of the door in one direction, the stop member extending in a direction along the width of the trailer. The trailer also includes a commodity trailer working area lighting system including an enclosure disposed adjacent the stop member, the enclosure extending in a direction along the width of the trailer, the enclosure having a plurality of LED lamps disposed therein that emit light out of the enclosure directly below the stop member and into an area directly below the lip and smaller opening to provide viewing of material falling out of the smaller opening. 
         [0007]    According to another construction, a commodity trailer includes a body having a top side and a bottom side, and a tub coupled to the body and disposed at least partially beneath the bottom side, the tub including walls that are sloped from a larger opening at a top of the tub to a smaller opening at a bottom of the tub, the tub also including a door that opens and closes over the smaller opening. The trailer also includes a commodity trailer working area lighting system including an elongate enclosure disposed adjacent the smaller opening, the enclosure extending in a direction along a width of the trailer, the enclosure including an angled surface with a plurality of openings through which LED lamps extend and emit light. The enclosure further includes sidewalls extending from the angled surface, and a cover that couples over the sidewalls to at least substantially enclose each of the LED lamps within the enclosure. 
         [0008]    According to another construction, a commodity trailer includes a body having a top side and a bottom side, and a tub coupled to the body and disposed at least partially beneath the bottom side, the tub including walls that are sloped from a larger opening at a top of the tub to a smaller opening at a bottom of the tub, the smaller opening being defined partially by a lip that extends in a direction along a width of the trailer, the tub also including a door that opens and closes over the smaller opening. The commodity trailer also includes an integrated commodity trailer working area lighting system disposed adjacent the lip that includes a plurality of LED lamps that emit light directly below the smaller opening adjacent the lip. 
         [0009]    According to another construction, a commodity trailer for storage and transport of a commodity is provided, and comprises a tub in which the commodity is stored and transported, wherein the tub includes at least one wall that is sloped from a first elevation to an opening beneath the tub at a second elevation lower than the first elevation to funnel the commodity toward the opening, and wherein the opening has a plurality of sides. A frame extends along at least one side of the opening, and a lamp is mounted to the frame and is positioned and oriented to direct light upon an area beneath the opening into which commodity from the tub flows upon exiting the opening. 
         [0010]    According to another construction, a commodity trailer for storage and transport of a commodity over ground is provided and comprises a tub in which the commodity is stored and transported, wherein the tub includes at least one wall that is sloped from a first elevation to an opening beneath the tub at a second elevation lower than the first elevation to funnel the commodity toward the opening, and where the opening has a plurality of sides. A lamp is secured in place with respect to the opening, and is positioned and oriented to direct light upon an area beneath the opening into which commodity from the tub flows upon exiting the opening. 
         [0011]    According to another construction, a lighting system for a commodity trailer having a tub in which commodity is stored and transported over ground is provided, and comprises an elongated beam having a cross sectional shape that includes a mounting flange shaped to secure the elongated beam in a position adjacent a tub, and a body extending away from the mounting flange; and a light mounted to the body of the elongated beam; wherein the elongated beam is shaped to orient the light at an oblique angle with respect to the ground when the elongated beam is secured in the position adjacent the tub via the mounting flange. 
         [0012]    According to another construction, a commodity trailer in which a commodity is stored and transported over ground is provided and comprises a body having a top side, a bottom side, and side walls extending between the top side and the bottom side, wherein the top side, bottom side, and side walls at least partially define an interior of the body; a tub in which the commodity is stored and transported, the tub including at least one wall that is sloped from a first elevation to an opening beneath the tub at a second elevation lower than the first elevation to funnel the commodity from the interior of the body toward the opening; a plurality of wheels coupled to the bottom side of the body; a plurality of top rails proximate the top side of the body and collectively at least partially defining a rectangular periphery of the top side; and a light coupled to at least one of the top rails and positioned to direct light downward into the interior to illuminate the tub from within the commodity trailer. 
         [0013]    Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a commodity trailer according to one construction of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the commodity trailer of  FIG. 1 , illustrating two tubs and doors. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the commodity trailer of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrating one of the tubs and doors, the door being partially open. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are top perspective views of one of the tubs and doors of the commodity trailer of  FIGS. 1-3 , the door being partially open. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a commodity trailer, illustrating a commodity trailer working area lighting system according to one construction of the invention integrated into the commodity trailer. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a schematic, exploded view of a portion of the commodity trailer working area lighting system, illustrating a switch and two harnesses coupled to the switch, each harness having multiple LED lamps. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the commodity trailer working area lighting system of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , illustrating an elongate enclosure for holding one of the harnesses and LED lamps. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the commodity trailer working area lighting system of  FIGS. 6-8 , illustrating an LED lamp disposed along a bottom rail of the trailer. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of another portion of the commodity trailer working area lighting system  FIGS. 6-9 , illustrating a switch disposed along a bottom rail of the commodity trailer. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are bottom perspective views of a commodity trailer, illustrating LED lamps of the commodity trailer working area lighting system, and openings for the LED lamps. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a bottom perspective view of the commodity trailer of  FIGS. 11 and 12 , illustrating LED lamps of the commodity trailer working area lighting system, and a door crank used to open to the door. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the switch of  FIG. 10  used to control the commodity trailer working area lighting system. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a rearwardly-directed perspective view of the underside of a commodity trailer, illustrating three LEDs of the commodity trailer working area lighting system turned on. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a door crank illuminated by an LED lamp of the commodity trailer working area lighting system. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a door crank lamp bracket for securing an LED lamp of the commodity trailer working area lighting system to the commodity trailer. 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a top of a commodity trailer, illustrating a further lighting system for use along top rails of the commodity trailer. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 19-21  are schematic views of a further lighting system for use along bottom, outer rails of a commodity trailer. 
       
    
    
       [0031]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a commodity trailer  10 . The illustrated trailer  10  is for hauling grain or other types of commodities, and includes a body  12  having top side  14 , a bottom side  18 , a front end  22 , a back end  26 , and a plurality of side walls  30  extending between the top side  14  and the bottom side  18 . The trailer  10  further includes a set of wheels  34  coupled to and disposed beneath the bottom side  18 , as well as a front tub  38  and a rear tub  42  (e.g., hoppers) coupled to the body  12  and disposed at least partially beneath the bottom side  18 , the rear tub  42  being disposed between the wheels  34  and the front tub  38 . 
         [0033]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , both the front tub  38  and the rear tub  42  include walls  46  that are sloped from a larger opening  50  at a top of the tub  38 ,  42  to a smaller opening  54  at a bottom of the tub  38 ,  42 . In other embodiments, the tubs  38 ,  42  can be differently shaped while still having at least one wall oriented at an oblique angle (e.g., with respect to ground) in order to funnel commodity toward the opening  54 . In such embodiments, the angled wall(s) need not necessarily extend fully to the top and/or bottom of the tub  38 ,  42 . With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , each tub  38 ,  42  further includes a door  58  at the bottom of the tub  38 ,  42  that opens partially or fully over the opening  54  to allow the commodity to unload and flow out of the tub  38 ,  42  at a desired rate into a pit, into a piece of farm equipment, or into another structure or environment. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  11 - 13 , the trailer  10  includes a door opening structure  62  for each tub  38 ,  42  to open and close the doors  58 . In the illustrated construction, the door opening structure  62  is a rack and pinion mechanism with a geared rack  66  on the door  58  and pinion  70  coupled to the rack  66 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , a driving member  74  (e.g., door crank) is coupled to the pinion  70  to turn the pinion  70 . As the pinion  70  is turned, the rack  66  is moved and the door  58  slides over a set of bosses or rollers  78  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) either toward the front end  22  of the trailer  10  or the back end  26 . The door  58  on the tub  38  slides toward the back end  26  to open and toward the front end  22  to close. Conversely, the door  58  on the tub  42  slides toward the front end  22  to open and toward the back end  26  to close. In other embodiments, the doors  58  can be positioned to open in any direction desired, such as moving in opposite directions to those just described, both doors  58  moving forward to open and rearward to close, both doors  58  moving rearward to open and forward to close, and even door(s)  58  moving sideways (i.e., laterally with respect to a direction of travel of the commodity trailer) or pivoting to open and close. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , each door  58  of the illustrated trailer  10  has an associated stop member  82  that stops movement of the door  58  toward a closed position. In the illustrated embodiments, the stop members  82  are elongate protrusions that extend along a width of the trailer (i.e., in a direction into and out of the page of  FIG. 6 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the stop member  82  is disposed adjacent a lip  86  that partially defines the opening  54 , the lip  86  also extending along a width of the trailer  10 . Other constructions include different structures and arrangements for opening and closing the doors  58 . 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIGS. 6-17 , the trailer  10  also includes a commodity trailer working area lighting system  1000 . The illustrated commodity trailer working area lighting system  1000  is coupled to the trailer  10  in an integrated manner during manufacture of the trailer  10 , such that the commodity trailer working area lighting system  1000  comes as standard equipment on the trailer  10 . In other constructions the lighting system  1000  is applied as a retro-fit to existing commodity trailers. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 ,  10  and  14 , the illustrated commodity trailer working area lighting system  1000  includes a switch  1010 . The switch  1010  is a weatherproof toggle switch. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the switch  1010  is disposed generally along a bottom of one of the walls  30  (e.g., between the front tub  38  and the rear tub  42 ). More specifically, the switch  1010  in the illustrated embodiment is located in a recess in a bottom rail  1172  (described further below) of the wall  30 . The bottom rail  1172  runs along a length (e.g., substantially the entire length) of the commodity trailer  10 . Other constructions include different locations for the switch  1010 . 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , the switch  1010  is coupled to both a front harness  1012  and a rear harness  1014 , although the switch  1010  can be coupled to any number of different harnesses as desired, such as a single harness for powering a lighting system  1000  for a single tub  38 ,  42 , a single harness for powering a lighting system  1000  for two or more tubs  38 ,  42  in series, or a single harness for powering any number of tubs  38 ,  42  in parallel or in any other manner. With continued reference to  FIG. 7 , the front harness  1012  includes a proximal harness component  1040  coupled to the switch  1010 , a distal harness component  1050  coupled to the proximal harness component  1040 , a single lamp  1060  coupled to the proximal harness component  1040 , and three lamps  1060  coupled to the distal harness component  1050 . The rear harness  1014  includes a proximal harness component  1040  coupled to the switch  1010 , a distal harness component  1050  coupled to the proximal harness component  1040 , a single lamp  1060  coupled to the proximal harness component  1040 , and three lamps  1060  coupled to the distal harness component  1050 . Other constructions include different numbers and arrangements of lamps  1060  than that illustrated. 
         [0039]    The lamps  1060  in the illustrated embodiment are LED lamps, although it will be appreciated that any or all of the lamps  1060  can be of any of type desired, including without limitation neon, halogen, xenon, high-intensity discharge, and incandescent lamps. 
         [0040]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 ,  12 , and  15 , the three LED lamps  1060  coupled to the distal harness component  1050  on the front harness  1012  are arranged to provide light to an area adjacent the opening  54  at the bottom of the front tub  38 . Similarly, the three LED lamps  1060  coupled to the distal harness component  1050  on the rear harness  1014  are arranged to provide light to an area adjacent the opening  54  at the bottom of the rear tub  42 . 
         [0041]    The single LED lamp  1060  coupled to the proximal harness component  1040  on the front harness  1012  is arranged to provide light to an area adjacent the pinion  70  on the front tub  38 , and to provide light for the driving member  74 . Similarly, the single LED lamp  1060  coupled to the proximal harness component  1040  on the rear harness  1014  is arranged to provide light to an area adjacent the pinion  70  on the rear tub  42 , and to provide light for the driving member  74 . 
         [0042]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , each of the illustrated single LED lamps  1060  is coupled to the proximal harness component  1040  on the front harness  1012  and the rear harness  1014 . In some embodiments, these single LED lamps  1060  are disposed within or otherwise mounted to brackets  1080  along the walls  30  of the trailer  10  ( FIG. 9 ). For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in some embodiments the bracket  1080  is secured to an inside surface (i.e., away from the exterior of the trailer  10 ) of the lower rail  1172 . The brackets  1080  can be angled as shown in  FIG. 9 , such that the single LED lamp  1060  directs light at an oblique angle (e.g., a downward angle) with respect to the ground toward the pinions  70 , thereby illuminating the pinion  70  and/or the driving member  74  (for example as shown in  FIG. 16 ). 
         [0043]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , each of the LED lamps  1060  of the illustrated embodiment is controlled via the switch  1010 . The LED lamps  1060  in each of the front and rear harnesses  1012 ,  1014  are arranged in series, although other (e.g., parallel) electrical arrangements are possible. In the illustrated embodiment the switch  1010  is operable to turn the LED lamps  1060  on the front harness  1012  either all on or all off at once. Similarly, in the illustrated embodiment the switch  1010  is operable to turn the LED lamps  1060  on the rear harness  1014  either all on or all off at once. In other embodiments one or more such switches  1010  are operable to control each LED lamp  1060  individually, or to have other variations of control over the LED lamps  1060  (e.g., the crank LED lamps  1060  independently of the tub LED lamps  1060 , and/or the LED lamp(s)  1060  of one tub  38  independently of the LED lamp(s)  1060  of another tub  42 , and the like). In some embodiments the switch  1010  or another user-operable control is operable to vary the brightness of one or more of the LED lamps  1060 . 
         [0044]    The illustrated trailer  10  utilizes a common 7-way plug (not shown) in a tractor coupled to the trailer  10  to power the LED lamps  1060 . Thus, no additional or auxiliary plug is required to power the LED lamps  1060  in the commodity trailer working area lighting system  1000 , although in other constructions other power sources are used (e.g., a dedicated battery that in some embodiments can be rechargeable). 
         [0045]    The LED lamps  1060  can be part of an overall LED lighting circuit for the trailer  10 , in which additional LED lamps are used to provide lighting on and around the trailer  10 . The switch  1010  can provide independent control of the commodity trailer working area lighting system  1000  separate from other LED lamps in an overall LED lighting circuit. 
         [0046]    With reference to  FIGS. 8 ,  11 ,  12 , and  15 , in some embodiments the commodity trailer working area lighting system  1000  includes a respective frame  1082  located adjacent each tub  38 ,  42  (e.g., mounted directly to or adjacent the tub  38 ,  42 , or integrally formed as part of the tub  38 ,  42 ). In some embodiments the frame  1082  functions as a mount for one or more of the LED lamps  1060  used to illuminate a work area beneath the opening  54  of the tub  38 ,  42 . The frame  1082  can be located adjacent any side or sides of the opening  54 , and in some embodiments can be located adjacent all sides of the opening  54 . In this regard, the frame  1082  can extend alongside one or more sides of the opening  54 , such as running parallel to any or all of the sides of the opening  54 . In some embodiments (e.g., the illustrated embodiments), the frame  1082  is located on only one side of the opening  54 . In some embodiments, the frame  1082  is located on a side of the opening opposite the side where the door  58  moves when the door  58  is opened (e.g., adjacent the stop member  82 , by way of example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 ,  12 , and  15 ). 
         [0047]    The frame  1082  can have any shape suitable for mounting one or more LED lamps  1060  thereto in a manner described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the frame  1082  is a beam extending along a side of the opening  54 . The beam  1082  can have any cross-sectional shape desired, such as a rectangular, square, I, T, L, irregular, or other cross-sectional shape. With reference to  FIG. 8 , the beam  1082  in the illustrated embodiment has a cross-sectional shape defining a flange used for mounting the beam  1082  to the tub  42  and a body extending from the beam to which the LED lamps  1060  are mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, the body of the beam  1082  is or at least partially defines an enclosure or enclosed space. The enclosure or enclosed space can also be at least partially defined by other structures of the trailer  10 , such as by a wall  46  of the tub  38 ,  42  located above the beam  1082 . Alternatively, the enclosure or enclosed space can be completely defined by the beam  1082 , such as by a channel of the beam  1082 , the interior area of a rectangular or square beam  1082 , and the like. 
         [0048]    In the trailer  10  of the illustrated embodiment, one beam  1082  is mounted adjacent the front tub  38  and another beam  1082  is mounted adjacent the rear tub  42 . Each of the beams  1082  extends along a width of the trailer  10  (i.e., in a direction into the page of  FIG. 6 , or transverse to a driving direction of the trailer  10 ). The beam  1082  can be mounted so that at least a portion or the entire beam  1082  is located at an elevation that is lower than the opening  54 , thereby positioning the LED lamps  1060  mounted thereto at an elevation that is lower than the opening  54 . Such a positioning can improve the positions of the LED lamps  1060  (which are laterally positioned with respect to the opening  54  in the illustrated embodiment) to be able to shine upon a work area located beneath the opening  54  and/or to illuminate the tub  34 ,  42 , the door  58 , and/or the lip  86 . In some embodiments, the beam  1082  is mounted directly to a wall  46  of the tub  38 ,  82 , such as by welding, fastening, and the like. 
         [0049]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 8 ,  11 , and  12 , each beam  1082  in the illustrated embodiment includes an angled surface  1084  to which the LED lamps  1060  are mounted. Described in another manner, the surface  1084  is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the ground. Any number of the LED lamps  1060  (three in the illustrated embodiment) can be mounted to the surface  1084  in a number of different manners, such as by one or more screws, rivets, or other fasteners, by a threaded connection between each LED lamp  1060  and a respective threaded hole in the beam  1082 , by adhesive or cohesive bonding material, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment each LED lamp  1060  is received within a respective hole in the beam  1082  and is retained therein by a nut, clip, spring, or other retainer on an opposite (e.g., rear) side of the angled surface  1084 . By virtue of being mounted on the angled surface  1084  of the beam  1082 , the LED lamps  1060  are oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the ground (e.g., downward and inwardly toward a center of the trailer  10 ). However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the LED lamps  1060  can be mounted to one or more surfaces  1084  of the beam  1082  that are not oblique with respect to the ground, in which cases the LED lamps  1060  can be mounted to the surface(s)  1084  in an angled orientation so that they are still directed (i.e., cast light) at an oblique angle with respect to the ground. 
         [0050]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 8 ,  11 ,  12 , and  15 , the beam  1082  in the illustrated embodiment contains three openings  1086  through which the three LED lamps  1060  extend.  FIG. 11  shows two of the three LED lamps  1060  turned on, whereas  FIG. 15  shows all three LED lamps  1060  turned on. The openings  1086  are generally spaced equally apart from one another along the angled surface  1084 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the illustrated beam  1082  further includes sidewalls  1088  extending from the angled surface  1084 , and a cover  1090  that extends over the sidewalls  1088  to fully (or at least substantially) enclose the rear of each of the LED lamps  1060  and define enclosures  1085  for the LED lamps  1060 . 
         [0051]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , in the illustrated embodiment the front and rear harnesses  1012 ,  1014  extend through their respective beams  1082  (i.e., through their respective enclosures  1085 ). At ends of the enclosures  1085  the harnesses  1012 ,  1014  extend out of the enclosures  1082  and become surrounded by a tube  1140  that is caulked and held in place against the tub  38 ,  42 . The tube  1140  provides a pathway for the harnesses  1012 ,  1014  to extend to the switch  1010 . In other embodiments, the tube  1140  is eliminated, and the harnesses  1012 ,  1014  extend away from the beams  1082  and are secured in place to the tubs  38 ,  42  or other trailer structure in any other manner desired. The illustrated harnesses  1012 ,  1014  extend to and are electrically connected to the distal harness components  1050  as described above. 
         [0052]    With reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the beams  1082 , as well as the LED lamps  1060 , are arranged in close proximity to the doors  58 , with the LED lamps  1060  angled toward respective working areas beneath the openings  54  so as to provide improved lighting and visibility to the working areas (and in some cases, the doors  58  and/or openings  54  when the doors  58  are open). As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , for example, the beam  1082  and LED lamps  1060  are disposed adjacent the stop member  82  and lip  86 , such that the LED lamps  1060  shine light directly below and past the stop member  82  and into an area directly below the opening  54  and lip  86 . In this manner, light from the LED lamps  1060  is not impeded or interrupted with shadows. The light remains bright and focused on the work area below the opening  54  where the door  58  is opening. Additionally, in some embodiments the LED lamps  1060  remain shielded and/or enclosed and protected by the beam  1082  (e.g., where the body of each LED lamp extends behind the surface  1084  as described above, and in some cases into an enclosed area as also described above. 
         [0053]    With reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , in some embodiments the trailer  10  includes a door crank  1150  that includes its own dedicated LED lamp  1060  that provides lighting for an area surrounding the door crank  1150 . In some constructions the LED lamp  1060  is part of the lighting system  1000  described above, and is one of a plurality of LED lamps  1060  on the trailer  10  that provide light around the working areas of the tub  38 ,  42 . In other constructions the trailer  10  may include a lighting system  1000  that includes only a single LED lamp  1060  (e.g., the LED lamp  1060  illustrated in  FIG. 16  for the door crank  1150 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , in some constructions the LED lamp  1060  for the door crank  1150  includes its own lamp bracket  1154  mounted on or near the tub  38 ,  42  (e.g., to a location along an interior-facing side of the bottom rail  1172  as shown in  FIG. 17 ) proximate the door crank  1150  to help support the LED lamp  1060 . 
         [0054]    With reference to  FIG. 18 , in some embodiments the trailer  10  includes a further lighting system  1158  (e.g., in addition to or alternatively from the lighting system  1000 ) to provide lighting along the top side  14  of the trailer  10 . Similar to the lighting system  1000 , the lighting system  1158  also includes a plurality of lamps  1060 . Although the lamps  1060  in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 18  are LED lamps, any other type of lamp (for example, those described above in connection with earlier embodiments) can instead be used. The illustrated LED lamps  1060  are coupled to top rails  1162  that define all or part of the top side  14  of the trailer  10 . The LED lamps  1060  can be secured to the top rails  1162  by being mounted within the top rails  1162  with light exiting the top rails  1162  through holes in the top rails  1162  (e.g., in the same or similar manner to the openings  1086  in the frame  1082  described above), by being directly or indirectly secured to exterior surfaces of the top rails  1162  (e.g., fastened to the top rails  1162  or secured thereto via brackets in the same or similar manner as the by brackets  1080  as also described above), or in any other suitable manner. In the illustrated construction the top rails  1162  define an outer rectangular periphery or frame  1164  of the top side  14 , as well as an arched lattice structure  1166  that extends over an interior  1168  of the trailer  10 . The LED lamps  1060  shine light down into the interior  1168  (e.g., toward the tub  38 ,  42 ), to provide improved lighting and visibility to work areas in the trailer  10 . For example, in some constructions the top rails  1162  include openings (e.g., cut-outs in the top rails  1162 ) that permit light to shine out from the LED lamps  1060  and into the interior  1168 . In some constructions the LED lamps  1060  are mounted to the top rails  1162  in manner similar to that shown in  FIG. 8  or  FIG. 9 . 
         [0055]    The LED lamps  1060  are positioned proximate a top of the side walls  30  and/or on the top rails  1162  of the trailer  10  so that they shine light downward into the interior of the trailer  10  and/or laterally across the interior of the trailer, thereby in both cases illuminating the interior of the trailer. Accordingly the LED lamps  1060  shed light in a direction between and including a horizontally inward direction and a vertically downward direction, including any range or all of the included oblique angles therebetween. 
         [0056]    In the illustrated embodiment a plurality of LED lamps  1060  are disposed along two opposing, parallel top rails  1162  that define part of the outer rectangular periphery or frame  1164 . However, in other constructions the LED lamps  1060  are disposed along other areas of the periphery or frame  1164  or along the top rails  1162  of the lattice structure  1166 . In some embodiments the lighting system  1158  is coupled to the same switch  1010  as the lighting system  1000  to be operated simultaneously with lighting system  1000 . 
         [0057]    With continued reference to  FIG. 18 , in some embodiments the lighting system  1158  is coupled to the trailer  10  in an integrated manner during manufacture of the trailer  10 , such that the lighting system  1158  comes as standard equipment on the trailer  10 . In other constructions the lighting system  1158  is applied as a retro-fit to existing commodity trailers. 
         [0058]    With reference to  FIGS. 19-21 , in some constructions the trailer  10  includes a further lighting system  1170  (e.g., in addition to or alternatively from lighting system  1000  and/or lighting system  1158 ). Similar to the lighting systems  1000 ,  1058  described above, the lighting system  1170  includes a plurality of lamps  1060 . Although the lamps  1060  in the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 19-21  are LED lamps, any other type of lamp (for example, those described above in connection with earlier embodiments) can instead be used. The LED lamps  1060  in  FIGS. 19-21  are secured to one or more lower rails  1172  extending along a bottom of the trailer  10 . In some constructions the lower rail  1172  defines a lowermost portion of the outer side wall  30  of the trailer. The LED lamps can be coupled to the lower rails  1172  by being mounted within the lower rails  1172  with light exiting the lower rails  1172  through holes in the lower rails  1172  (e.g., in the same or similar manner to the openings  1086  in the frame  1082  described above), by being directly or indirectly secured to exterior surfaces of the lower rails  1172  (e.g., fastened to the lower rails  1172  or secured thereto via brackets in the same or similar manner as the by brackets  1080  as also described above), or in any other suitable manner. 
         [0059]    In some constructions the lower rail  1172  is hollow and/or forms a channel, recess, or angle to receive at least one of the LED lamps  1060 , as well as an opening (e.g., cut-out) to permit light to shine out of or from the lower rail  1172 . In some constructions, for example as illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 21 , the lower rail  1172  protrudes below the bottom side  18  of the trailer. The trailer  10  can include multiple lower rails  1172  that define a lower, outer rectangular periphery of frame on the bottom side  18  of the trailer  10 . 
         [0060]    With reference to  FIG. 19 , in some embodiments at least one LED lamp  1060  is received within the lower rail  1172 , and projects light out of or from a bottom  1174  of the lower rail  1172  in a downward and/or inward direction toward the tub  38 , the wheels  34 , the pinion  70 , the driving member  74 , and/or other components along the bottom of the trailer  10 . In some constructions the LED lamp  1060  directs light toward a ground surface (e.g., a road) beneath the trailer  10 . 
         [0061]    With reference to  FIG. 20 , in some embodiments the lower rail  1172  forms part of or is flush with the bottom side  18  of the trailer, and the LED lamp  1060  is disposed within and/or on the lower rail  1172  to direct light out in a downward and/or inward direction. 
         [0062]    With reference to  FIG. 21 , in some embodiments the LED lamp  1060  is disposed within and/or on the lower rail  1172 , and is positioned inwardly to project light from an interior-facing wall  1176  of the lower rail  1172 . 
         [0063]    In some embodiments, including any of the embodiments of  FIGS. 19-21 , the LED lamp  1060  is angled (e.g., similar to how the LED lamp  1060  is angled in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) to focus the light more directly in both a downward and inward direction to illuminate a ground surface beneath the trailer  10 . 
         [0064]    In some embodiments, the lighting system  1170  is coupled to the same switch  1010  as the lighting system  1000  and/or the lighting system  1158 , to be operated along with lighting system  1000  and/or the lighting system  1158 . 
         [0065]    In some embodiments, the lighting system  1170  is coupled to the trailer  10  in an integrated manner during manufacture of the trailer  10 , such that the lighting system  1170  comes as standard equipment on the trailer  10 . In other constructions the lighting system  1170  is applied as a retro-fit to existing commodity trailers. 
         [0066]    In yet other constructions, the trailer  10  and lighting systems described herein include at least one LEP lamp  1060  that is disposed elsewhere (e.g., physically within the inside  1168  of the trailer  10  along a bottom near the tub  38  or along a bottom near one of the lower rails  1072 , such that the LED lamp  1060  shines light up and/or inwardly into the inside  1168 ). Various other locations for LED lamps  1060  are also possible, such as along inner sides of the walls  30 , or along other walls and areas of the trailer  10 , to provide added lighting as desired. 
         [0067]    Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.