Patent Abstract:
A sealing device for an enclosed cargo trailer comprises four integrally attached members positioned between the vertical posts and the cross supports of a cargo trailer structural assembly. The placement of the sealing device prevents particulates and fluids from being drawn up between the vertical post and the cross support and subsequently entering the interior of the trailer through the slit between the sidewalls and the flooring. In another aspect of the invention a reversible cross support is disclosed comprising three integrally formed members. A first channel is formed on one side of the first member and located proximate to its bottom, while the opposing side is also formed with a channel proximate to the top of the first member. The placement of these channels permits the cross support to be attached to and extend toward either side of the cargo trailer, thereby eliminating the costs associated with providing cross supports which can extend in only one direction.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND AND TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to enclosed cargo trailers and, more particularly, to a device which prohibits fluids and particulates from entering the interior of an enclosed cargo trailer. 
     Presently, enclosed cargo trailers find a wide variety of application in both the industrial and consumer markets. These trailers are frequently employed to store and transport a variety of boxed and loose cargo, furniture, vehicles and the like. Some of the vehicles transported by enclosed cargo trailers include automobiles, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and go-carts. Delicate objects or objects and packaging which are susceptible to weather or road debris damage are frequently hauled in enclosed cargo trailers. More often than not, the cargo being hauled by these trailers is of sufficient commercial value or personal worth to the trailer operator to justify the cost of an enclosed trailer as opposed to open flat-bed trailers which provide little protection from road debris and weather damage. 
     Standard cargo trailers normally comprise an enclosed interior into which the cargo is placed. A structural assembly incorporated with or connected to the trailer chassis is generally disposed below the floor of the interior and provides a frame for the trailer. Such a structural assembly contains at least two sets of longitudinal I-beams, placed a preselected distance apart, running from the front to the rear of the trailer. The I-beams normally comprise part of or are secured to the trailer chassis. Additional support is gained by a series of cross members forming floor joists which are attached perpendicularly and span between the I-beams. Attached along the opposing sides of the I-beams are additional outwardly extending cross supports which cooperate with the spanning cross members in forming floor joists. The outward cross supports extend towards, and the distal ends are and secured to, thin vertically aligned posts positioned along the sides of the trailers. The vertical posts form wall studs which support the enclosing exterior walls of the trailer. Conventionally, the cross supports are generally “C” shaped in cross-section. The cross supports are thus directionally “handed” and can only be used in a given orientation with the lateral opening to the “C” facing rearwardly. If the cross support lateral opening were faced forwardly, unwanted road debris would undesirably collect on the lower ledge of the cross member. 
     An attachment assembly in conventional operational connection with the structural components of the trailer, typically the longitudinal I-beams or other chassis components, permits the trailer to be coupled to a vehicle for transportation. The structural configuration of the adjustment assembly varies in accordance with both the configuration of the trailer and the vehicle used for transportation. 
     The interior of a cargo trailer normally has a plywood flooring placed over the structural assembly. The vertically aligned posts depend below the plywood flooring to be approximately co-planar with the bottom of the I-beams. Conventionally, along the sides of the trailer are interior sidewalls which are secured to the vertically aligned posts or studs and rest on the flooring. As previously noted, exterior paneling is provided in the form of thin sheeting, and is attached to the exterior surface of the posts or studs. 
     One problem common to all enclosed trailers is the unwanted introduction of particulate matter, such as dust, sand, small gravel, grease, and other like road debris, and fluids, such as a rainwater and snow melt, to the trailer&#39;s interior. During transportation, it is the inventors&#39; understanding that movement of the trailer causes a draft, or pressure gradient, between the paneling and the sidewalls. This draft, in turn creates a partial vacuum which draws particulate matter and fluids between the interior surface of the posts and the thin slit or crack defined by the intersection of the sidewalls and the flooring. Since the sidewalls are connected to the vertical posts or studs, there is no positive connection between the sections of sidewall spanning the vertical posts and the trailer flooring assembly. A slight longitudinal crack is thus formed at each span between vertical posts and the abutment with the floor assembly. The fluids and particulates are eventually drawn into the interior of the trailer through these cracks. Once within the interior, the fluids and particulates cause serious damage to the cargo being transported. Any bowing of the trailer sidewalls between vertical posts due to wind generated while towing increases the crack width and exacerbates the problem. Moreover, both the sidewalls and the flooring are normally made of treated plywood, and thus when repeatedly exposed to moisture, tend to deform, crack, or otherwise fail, resulting in the need for maintenance or replacement. 
     In response to this issue, the industry has employed a variety of sealing compounds which are inserted between the sidewalls and the flooring in order to form a sealing joint at the corner abutment. These sealing compounds provide only a temporary solution to the intrusion of particulate matter and fluids. Over time, exposure to the elements causes the chemical degradation of these sealing compounds. Once degradation begins, the sealing material no longer performs its function of prohibiting fluids and particulate material from entering the interior of the trailer. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for a device which can effectively prohibit the infiltration of fluids and particulates into the trailer interior, is simple and cost effective to manufacture, and provides additional structural support for the trailer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention, advances a new and unique device and assembly which prohibits the infiltration of moisture, particulates, and other fluids into the interior of a trailer via the crack or slit defined by the intersection of the floor and sidewalls. According to one preferred aspect of the invention, the device includes an angled member positioned in the area defined between the vertical posts and the cross supports of a trailer. The positioning of the member creates a seal, preventing particulates and fluids from being drawn between the posts and the cross support and subsequently entering the interior of the vehicle. Moreover, the angled member provides additional structural support between the cross supports and the vertical posts. 
     According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the device includes a rail or member having four attached sections that provide an overall “S” or somewhat “Z” configuration. The first section is positioned between the exterior surface of the vertical posts and the interior surface of the panels and is orthogonally attached to a second section positioned beneath the bottom surface of the vertical posts. A third section, orthogonally joined to the second section, is positioned between the interior surface of the vertical post and the cross support member and is orthogonally attached to a fourth section positioned between the top of the cross support members and the bottom of the flooring. In a preferred embodiment, the sections are integrally formed. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a reversible cross support member or joist for a trailer is also provided with a generally “Z” shaped cross section. The cross member includes a first member having a top and opposing bottom. Extending from the top of the first member is a second member, while the bottom has extending therefrom a third member. The second and third member extend from the first member in opposite directions, and in a preferred embodiment, both the second and third members extend perpendicularly from the first member. The first member is formed with a pair of channels. The first of these channels is formed in one side of the first member and proximate to the second member. The other channel is formed in the opposing end of the first member and is proximate to the third member. Preferably, these channels are horizontal. 
     The support member is reversible, that is, it can be attached to either the right-hand side or the left-hand side of the I-beam. This reversibility eliminates the need to produce separate support members for support between the left-hand side of the trailer and the I-beam and the right-hand side of the trailer and the I-beam. This in turn reduces production and warehousing costs. 
     These and other advantages, benefits and objects will be understood by one skilled in the art from the drawings, description, and claims which follow. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective, partial cut-away view of the cargo section of an enclosed cargo trailer according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, partially fragmentary end view of the cargo section of an enclosed cargo trailer according to the present invention, taken along line I—I of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sealing device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a crossing support member according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of a crossing support member according to the present invention shown in FIG. 4; and 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of a crossing support member according to the present invention shown in FIG.  4 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is embodied in a unique sealing device for prohibiting liquids and particulate matter from infiltrating the interior of an enclosed cargo trailer. Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a sealing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and generally designated by reference number  10 , shown positioned within the structural framework of an enclosed cargo trailer  150 . 
     Normally, the support or structural assembly  140  of cargo trailer  150  contains a first set of I-beams  50  having two contiguous I-beams  52  and  54 . A second set of I-beams  60 , having contiguous I-beams  62  and  64 , are positioned in spaced relation to first set of I-beams  50 . Both first I-beam set  50  and second I-beam set  60  are oriented horizontally and run longitudinally from the front of trailer  150  to the rear. Attached perpendicularly to I-beam  52  of the first set  50  and I-beam  62  of the second set  60  are a series of spanning cross members  61 . Additionally, a plurality of side cross supports  70  are attached to I-beams  54  and  64 , and extend in cantilever fashion toward sides  152  and  154 , respectively, of trailer  150 . 
     Upon I-beams  52 ,  54 ,  62 , and  64 , spanning cross members  61  and side support members  70  is laid a floor  40 . Floor  40  is attached to the structural assembly  140  by any means conventional to the industry. Floor  40  can be made of any material commonly employed in the art having the requisite rigidity necessary to support the cargo of interest. Most often, floor  40  is made of treated plywood. 
     Positioned along sides  42  and  44  of floor  40  are a pair of inner sidewalls  46  and  48 . Floor  40  and sidewalls  46  and  48  together with a roof (not shown) define a trailer interior  148 . Sidewalls  46  and  48  are attached to the interior surfaces  92  of vertical posts  90 . Vertical posts  90  therefore operate as studs for the trailer enclosure. Vertical posts  90  are positioned along sides  152  and  154  of trailer  150  and are attached to sealing device  10  in a manner which will be discussed in detail below. 
     On the opposing, or exterior side  94  of vertical posts  90  are placed a plurality of exterior panels  96 . Panels  96  are attached to posts  90  by any means commonly employed in the art including, but not limited to, screw type fasteners or rivets. At the intersection of floor  40  and sidewalls  46  and  48 , cracks or slits  32  and  34 , respectively, are formed. Heretofore, the presence of slits  32  and  34  has provided an entrance for the introduction of particulates and fluids into interior  148  of trailer  150 . As used herein, the term “particulates” means any solid substance commonly encountered on a road, track, or other driving surface. The term “particulates” includes, but is not limited to dust, dirt, gravel, stones, and glass. As used herein the term “fluids” includes any liquid or gas normally encountered in driving conditions as well as rainwater, snowmelt and the like. The term “liquids” includes, but is not limited to grease, oil, gasoline, diesel, water, moisture and mixtures thereof. 
     Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of sealing device  10 . Sealing device  10  includes an outer first member  20  attached to side  21  of a lower second member  23 . Extending from inner side  22  of second member  23  is a generally vertical third member  26 . An upper fourth member  28  extends from the inner side  27  of third member  26 . In a preferred embodiment, members  20 ,  23 ,  26 , and  28  are integrally formed. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, each member extends orthogonally, or at a right angle from each adjacent member. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, members  20  and  26  would be parallel, as would members  23  and  28 . In a preferred embodiment, sealing device  10  has a somewhat “Z” or “S” shaped cross section, with an upstanding outer lip on the lower wall of the “Z.” Sealing device  10  can be manufactured from any material normally used in the art having sufficient durability and rigidity. Such materials include, but are not limited to polymers, metals and metal alloys. 
     Sealing device  10  is positioned within structural assembly  140  of trailer  150  such that first member  20  is vertically oriented between exterior surfaces  94  of posts  90  and interior surfaces  97  of panels  96 . Accordingly, lower second member  23  will be positioned beneath bottoms  91  of vertical posts  90 , while third member  26  will be vertically oriented between ends  72  of outer cross supports  70  and interior surfaces  92  of vertical posts  90 . Upper fourth member  28  will be positioned between bottom surface  41  of floor  40  and tops  73  of cross supports  70 . Sealing device  10  therefore preferably forms a rail that wraps beneath vertical posts  90  and bends over outer cross supports  70 , with exterior panels  96  abutting outside of sealing device  10  and flooring resting on top of sealing device  10 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, sealing device  10  runs from the rear of the trailer to its front. Securement between sealing device  10 , vertical posts  90  and cross supports  70  is achieved by attaching lower second member  23  to bottoms  91  of vertical posts  90  and upper fourth member  28  to tops  73  of cross supports  70 . Attachment of lower second member  23  to vertical posts  90  and upper fourth member  28  to cross supports  70  can be achieved by any attachment means commonly employed in the art. Preferably, second member  23  is welded to bottoms  91  of vertical posts  90  and fourth member  28  is welded to tops  73  of cross supports  70 . 
     When positioned in structural assembly  140  of trailer  150 , device  10  provides a barrier between interior surfaces  92  of vertical posts  90  and the ends  74  of cross supports  70 . In doing so, sealing device  10  prohibits the infiltration of moisture, particulates, and other fluids into the interior  148  of trailer  150  through slits  32  and  34 , which would otherwise occur when trailer  150  is in motion. Thus, sealing device  10  serves to protect the cargo positioned within trailer  150  as well as prolong the life of floor  40  and sidewalls  46  and  48 . Furthermore, device  10  increases the structural integrity of trailer  150  by providing additional support between cross supports  70  and vertical posts  90 . It is the inventor&#39;s belief that sealing device  10  operates similarly to a labyrinth seal in order to define a convoluted passage which impedes particulate and liquid travel. Alternatively, sealing device  10  may be positioned with upper fourth member  28  seated on top of floor  40 , although it is believed that this arrangement would not be as effective in impeding passage of fluid and debris into the interior of the trailer. As another alternative, first member  20  may be positioned exterior of panels  96  so that lower second member  23  wraps beneath panels  96 . Again, it is believed that this alternative arrangement may not be as effective as the most preferred arrangement. 
     In the most preferred embodiment, first member  20  is approximately 1.5 inches in height, while second member  23  and fourth member  28  are approximately 1.5 inches in length. Also most preferably, the height of third member  26  is approximately 10 inches. 
     In another aspect, the present invention is embodied in a unique cross support, a preferred embodiment of which is shown in FIGS. 1,  2 , and  4 - 6 , and generally designated by reference numeral  70 . Cross support  70  includes a first member  74  having a top  76 , a bottom  77  and opposing sides  78  and  79 . Extending from top  76  is an upper second member  80 . A lower third member  84  extends from bottom  77  of first member  74 . Preferably, second member  80  and third member  84  extend orthogonally from first member  74 , in opposite directions. A first channel  82  is formed in side  78  of first member  74 , proximate to second member  80 . A second channel  85  is formed in side  79  of first member  74 , proximate to third member  84 . Preferably, cross support  70  is oriented with lower third member  84  extending rearwardly of first member  74 . This positioning reduces the accumulation of road debris on third member  84 . 
     The placement of channels  82  and  85  within first member  74  permits cross support  70  to be used in reversible manner. That is, cross support  70  may be positioned in I-beam  52  of first set of I-beams  50 , with channel  82  receiving flange  55  of I-beam  52 . Alternatively, cross support  70  may be positioned in, and extend from I-beam  62  with channel  85  receiving flange  65  of I-beam  62 . Cross supports  70  are secured to I-beams  52  or  62  by welding channel  82  or  85  withing flange  55  or  65 . Cross support  70  may be manufactured from many materials commonly used in the art including, but not limited to, metals, polymers, or metal alloys. 
     In the most preferred embodiment, the height of cross support  70  is approximately between 3.0 and 7.5 inches, whereas second member  80  and third member  84  extend approximately 1.5 inches from first member  74 . Also in the most preferred embodiment, channels  82  and  85  have an approximate length of 1.375 inches and an approximate height of 0.25 inches. Additionally, the length of cross support  70  is most preferably between approximately 10.25 inches and 18.0 inches. 
     The reversibility of cross support  70  eliminates the need for the production of dedicated cross supports which extend toward a particular side of trailer  150 . This in turn drastically reduces the production costs associated with the manufacturer of trailer  150 . 
     It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of the preferred embodiments. One skilled in the art will recognize that variations, modifications, and improvements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed herein. Scope of the protection is to be measured by the claims which follow and the breath of interpretation which the law allows.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1