Abstract:
A trailer roof assembly includes a horizontal roof member and a vertical wall member. An arcuate member is connected on a first end with the vertical wall member and on a second end with the horizontal roof member. The arcuate roof member includes a nub that extends outwardly and abuts the horizontal roof member. A fastener extends through the horizontal roof member and the arcuate member into a channel disposed on an underside of the arcuate member. A trim piece is disposed in the channel hiding the fastener from view.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/426,793, filed on Dec. 23, 2010, entitled “TRAILER ROOF INSTALLATION ASSEMBLY,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a method for installing a roof assembly in a cargo trailer. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a trailer roof assembly includes a horizontal roof member and a vertical wall member. An arcuate member is connected on a first end with the vertical wall member and on a second end with the horizontal roof member. The arcuate roof member includes a nub that extends outwardly and abuts the horizontal roof member. A fastener extends through the horizontal roof member and the arcuate member into a channel disposed on an underside of the arcuate member. A trim piece is disposed in the channel hiding the fastener from view. 
         [0004]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a trailer roof transition piece includes an arcuate member defining a concave side and a convex side and having a first end adapted for connection with a vertical wall member and a second end adapted for connection with a horizontal roof member. A nub extends outwardly from the convex side of the arcuate member. A channel is disposed on the concave side of the arcuate member. A trim piece is disposed in the channel. 
         [0005]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of installing a trailer roof includes positioning an arcuate member having a convex side and a concave side between a horizontal roof member and a vertical wall member. A channel is formed on the concave side of the arcuate member. The arcuate member is coupled to the vertical member with a fastener. An elongate polymeric trim piece is positioned on the concave side over a portion of the fastener. 
         [0006]    Trailers are generally constructed utilizing a variety of components that are held together by various mechanical fasteners including screws and nails. During the construction of roofing assemblies, components are assembled and then connected by mechanical fasteners. Mechanical fasteners are oftentimes set through the top of the roofing surface downward into the trailer. As a result, the screw tip or nail tip is exposed inside the trailer, providing an unsightly and aesthetically displeasing condition to a user. 
         [0007]    These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    In the drawings: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a trailer using one embodiment of a trailer roof transition piece of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of a trailer roof transition piece of the present invention prior to assembly; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a partial side cross-sectional view of the trailer roof transition piece of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of a trailer roof transition piece of the present invention during installation of a trim piece; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a partial side cross-sectional view of the trailer roof transition piece of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of a trailer roof transition piece of the present invention after assembly; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  is a partial side cross-sectional view of the trailer roof transition piece of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a trailer roof installation assembly  8  includes an arch member  10  is provided inside a trailer  12  that is designed to connect vertically-extending sidewalls  14  of the trailer  12  to a lateral horizontally-extending roof member  16 . The arch member  10  includes a base  18  and a top portion  20  with an inside face  22  and an outside face  24 . The arch member  10  also includes an abutment member  26  on the outside face  24  thereof. The abutment member  26  includes a substantially planar abutment side  26 A, a substantially arcuate back side  26 B, and a top side  26 C. The arch member  10  is rigidly connected with the sidewalls  14  during construction via mechanical fasteners  25 . The inside face  22  of the top portion  20  of the arch member  10  includes a channel  28  adapted to receive mechanical fasteners  25 . The channel  28  is defined by first and second curved walls  30 ,  32 . The first and second curved walls  30 ,  32 , as illustrated, curve inwardly toward one another, thereby forming first and second receiving slots  34 ,  36 , which are discussed in further detail below. It is contemplated that the first and second curved walls  30 ,  32  may include a variety of other constructions including angular and linear configurations. 
         [0018]    During the manufacturing process, an end of the horizontally-extending roof member  16  is positioned over the arch member  10  in abutting contact with the abutment member  26 . The mechanical fasteners  25  are then driven through a top side  42  ( FIG. 2 ) of the horizontally-extending roof member  16  and through the outside face  24  of the arch member  10  proximate the channel  28 . Tips  44  ( FIGS. 2 and 2A ) of the mechanical fasteners  25  extend downward into the channel  28 . After the mechanical fasteners  25  are driven through both the horizontally-extending roof member  16  and the arch member  10 , into the channel  28 , the tips  44  of the mechanical fasteners  25  are left exposed. A plastic trim piece  50  ( FIG. 3 ) is slid along the channel  28  on the inside face  22  of the arch member  10 . The plastic trim piece  50  includes first and second engagement legs  52 ,  54  adapted to extend into the first and second receiving slots  34 ,  36 , respectively, formed by the first and second curved walls  30 ,  32  of the arch member  10 . Accordingly, when the mechanical fasteners  25  extend through the horizontally-extending roof member  16  downward into the channel  28  of the arch member  10 , the tips  44  of the mechanical fasteners  25  are not exposed inside the trailer  12 . Rather, the tips  44  of the mechanical fasteners  25  are positioned inside the flexible plastic trim piece  50  that extends along the channel  28 . Not only is the number of mechanical fasteners  25  generally hidden from view by the user, the number of mechanical fasteners  25  and placement of those mechanical fasteners  25  are hidden. Alternatively, the plastic trim piece  50  may be positioned in the channel  28  prior to installation of the mechanical fasteners  25  to hide the tips  44  of the mechanical fasteners  25  from view. 
         [0019]    After the mechanical fasteners  25  have been secured, a caulk or adhesive mixture is applied to a top surface of the completed roof to waterproof the roof assembly. Additional exterior or interior trim pieces  50  that are pleasing to the eye of a consumer may also be added to the finished trailer  12  construction. 
         [0020]    The trailer roof installation assembly  8 , as disclosed in detail above, provides an easily installed and aesthetically pleasing construction. The positive connection of the arch member  10  and the horizontally-extending roof member  16  by mechanical fasteners  25  provides a solid roof structure for a variety of trailers  12 . In addition, the flexible trim piece  50  hides from view the exposed mechanical fastener tips  44  that would otherwise extend into the trailer  12  or engage a thin wood shim secured to a top portion of the trailer  12 , which can be very costly and unsightly. 
         [0021]    It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
         [0022]    For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
         [0023]    It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
         [0024]    It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
         [0025]    It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.