Patent ID: 12240397

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A side impact guard is usually installed on the center underbelly area of a trailer and is designed so that when a vehicle impacts or strikes the side of the trailer (where this device is installed), the side impact guard limits the distance that the striking vehicle's front-end slides under the trailer. However, as described above, current designs of the side impact guard have numerous issues related to the safety and cost.

For example, conventional side impact guards are designed such that the impact energy from the side collision is transferred to the side wall assemblies. That is, when a passenger vehicle impacts or strikes one side of the trailer, the forces are transferred to the opposite side wall of the impact. Further, the damage caused on the sides of the trailer may result in expensive repairs and/or an inoperable trailer.

Certain implementations of the present disclosure include improved side impact guard designs for energy absorption, manufacturability, installation, and compatibility (i.e., across van products and third-party trailer accessories). In some implementations, the improved side impact guard design provides, among others. (a) reinforced crossmembers with specialized lattice mounting; (b) standardized parts for simplified manufacturing and installation; and (c) an in-board design.

In one implementation, the reinforced crossmembers include and/or provide: (a) lattice structures mounted directly to the crossmember at three points along the width of the crossmember; (b) impact energy transfer directed not only to the side impact guard but also to the trailer floor structure (bay area crossmembers); (c) the crossmembers reinforced with doubler plates to optimize the energy transfer from the lattice structure and reduce further transfer to other trailer structure; (d) a specialized crossmember design to reduce damage to other trailer components (in the event of damage from an impacting vehicle) so that only the reinforced crossmembers may need to be replaced.

In one implementation, the standardized parts include: (a) lattice assemblies and reinforced crossmembers designed to be identical, which allow for easy installation into different base layouts specified by end customers; and (b) the reinforced crossmembers are part of the base assembly and allow for easy installation of lattice assemblies, because. the design is optimized for manufacturing line installation.

In one implementation, the in-board design serves following purposes: (a) enables installation of numerous side skirt aerodynamic products without interference; (b) the position of outer mount plates of the lattice assembly reduces damage to crossmember clips and side bottom rail caused by ground impacts of the horizontal member of the side impact guard during normal operation.

After reading the below descriptions, it will become apparent how to implement the disclosure in various implementations and applications. Although various implementations of the present disclosure will be described herein, it is understood that these implementations are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, the detailed description of various implementations should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present disclosure.

FIG.1is a perspective view of side impact guard100mounted on a trailer130in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. In the illustrated implementation ofFIG.1, the trailer130includes and/or couples to side walls136, a front wall134, a rear wall138, a base assembly132(i.e., the trailer floor), a roof assembly140, a rear impact guard146, a suspension assembly144(i.e., the tire suspension), a landing gear assembly142, and the side impact guard100. In one implementation, the side impact guard100is mounted on the bottom of the trailer130and includes, among others, multiple lattice assemblies110(e.g., 6 are shown inFIG.1) and horizontal members112(e.g., 2 are shown inFIG.1).

FIG.2is a bottom view of the mounted side impact guard100in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. The illustrated implementation ofFIG.2also shows side bottom rails210which form a structural element of the trailer130and connect the side walls136to the base assembly132. In one implementation, the side bottom rails210are composed of aluminum or steel.

As further shown inFIG.2, in one implementation, the side impact guard100includes or couples to cross member assemblies202,200, some (referred to as reinforced crossmember assemblies200) of which couple to the lattice assemblies110. The number of the lattice assemblies110and the crossmember assemblies202,200may vary between trailer types, for example, short trailers with smaller bay areas may have less, while long trailers with larger bay areas may have more.

FIG.3is a bottom view of the mounted side impact guard100shown with a side skirt device including side skirt panels300and side skirt mounting brackets310in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG.4is a side view of the mounted side impact guard100in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG.5is a side view of the mounted side impact guard100shown with a side skirt device including side skirt panels300in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG.6is a bottom perspective view of the mounted side impact guard100shown with the lattice assemblies110and horizontal members112in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. The illustrated implementation ofFIG.6shows the side impact guard100mounted to the bottom of the base assembly132. In one implementation, the horizontal members112stretch from near the landing gear142to near the running gear (suspension assembly) underneath the trailer130.

FIG.7is another bottom perspective view of the mounted side impact guard100shown with the side skirt device including the side skirt panels300in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. The illustrated implementation ofFIG.7shows the side impact guard100mounted to the bottom of the base assembly132.

FIG.8is a top perspective view of the side impact guard100including the un-reinforced crossmember assemblies202and the reinforced crossmember assemblies200in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure.FIG.8shows that the reinforced crossmember assemblies200couple to the lattice assemblies110. The reinforced crossmember assemblies200are installed on the bottom of the base assembly132of the trailer130and are the primary attachment points to the trailer structure for the side impact guard100.

FIG.9is a bottom perspective view of the side impact guard100including the crossmember assemblies202,200, the lattice assemblies110, and the horizontal members112in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. As stated above, the number of the lattice assemblies110and the crossmember assemblies202,200may vary between trailer types, for example, short trailers with smaller bay areas may have less, while long trailers with larger bay areas may have more. In one implementation, the side impact guard100may be mounted to the bottom of the base assembly132. In the illustrated implementation ofFIG.9, each of the lattice assemblies110includes a pair of vertical struts900and a pair of diagonal struts902.

In one implementation, the lattice assemblies110and the corresponding reinforced crossmember assemblies200and un-reinforced crossmember assemblies are spaced out in a bay area (i.e., area around the bay assembly2) of the trailer130. The spacing (of the lattice assemblies110and the corresponding reinforced crossmember assemblies200) depends on the customer base crossmember layout requirement (e.g., 12″, 10″, or 8″). In one example implementation, the reinforced crossmember assemblies200are spaced 12″ apart from each other. The reinforced crossmember assemblies200are included in the bay area with the un-reinforced crossmembers202. In one implementation, as the trailer130proceeds down the manufacturing line, the lattice assemblies110are attached to the reinforced crossmember assemblies200with nuts and bolts. Subsequently, the horizontal members112(one on each side of the trailer) are attached to the lattice assemblies110with nuts and bolts.

FIG.10is a bottom perspective view of the side impact guard100mounted on the base assembly132of the trailer130in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG.11is a bottom front perspective view of the side impact guard100mounted on the base assembly132of the trailer130in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG.12is a side perspective view of the side impact guard100including only the reinforced crossmember assemblies200, the lattice assemblies110, and the horizontal members112in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG.13is a bottom perspective view of the side impact guard100including only the reinforced crossmember assemblies200, the lattice assemblies110, and the horizontal members112in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure;

FIG.14is a side perspective view of the forward section of the side impact guard100showing the lattice assemblies110, the horizontal members112, and both the reinforced crossmember assemblies200and the un-reinforced crossmember assemblies202in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG.15is a perspective view of a lattice assembly110mounted on a reinforced crossmember assembly200in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. In the illustrated implementation ofFIG.15, the lattice assembly110includes, among others, a pair of vertical struts900(one on each side), a pair of diagonal struts902(one on each side), one horizontal strut1500(in the middle), two outer mount plates1502(one on each side), one inner mount plate1504(in the middle), and two lower mount plates1506(one on each side), which are used to attach the lattice assembly110to the horizontal member112. In the illustrated implementation ofFIG.15, each of the lower mount plates1506includes two holes for attaching the lower mount plates1506to the horizontal member112.

In some implementations, the lattice assembly110includes only some of the items enumerated above. For example, in an alternative implementation, the lattice assembly110includes only the pair of vertical struts900and the pair of diagonal struts902.

In one implementation, the vertical struts900are made of a steel plating formed into a C-channel cross section. In one implementation, the diagonal struts902are made of rectangular steel bar. In one implementation, the horizontal strut1500is made of a rectangular steel tube. In one implementation, the outer mount plates1502and the inner mount plate1504are made of steel plating formed into a C-channel cross section. In one implementation, the outer mount plates1502have holes for 2 fasteners, while the inner mount plate1504has holes for 3 fasteners). In one implementation, the lower mount plates1506are made of steel plating with holes for 2 fasteners.

In one implementation, the vertical struts900are welded to the outer mount plates1502and the diagonal struts902are welded to the inner mount plate1504. In an alternative implementation, the vertical struts900are attached to the outer mount plates1502and the diagonal struts902are attached to the inner mount plate1504by other means such as with nuts and screws and/or other fasteners. In one implementation, the other ends (i.e., the ends which are not welded to the outer1502and inner mount plates1504) of the vertical struts900and the diagonal struts902are welded together (one welding point on each side). In one implementation, the lower mount plates1506are attached to the vertical struts900, near the welding point.

In the illustrated implementation ofFIG.15, the horizontal strut1500is positioned at a middle point between the pair of vertical struts900and is attached to both diagonal struts902. The primary purpose of the horizontal strut1500is to transfer energy from one diagonal strut to the other diagonal strut and not cause the diagonal struts902to pierce into a floor structure (e.g., the bay assembly 2) of the trailer130at the center (i.e., the middle point). In one implementation, gussets1510are attached (e.g., welded) between the horizontal strut1500and the diagonal strut902(one on each side), and gussets1508are attached (e.g., welded) between the outer mount plates1502and the vertical struts900(one on each side). In one implementation, the struts900,902,1500are formed for energy absorption, while the gussets1508,1510are formed to reduce the possibility of twisting during a loading situation (i.e., in a crash).

In the illustrated implementation ofFIG.15, the reinforced crossmember assembly200is formed with a single crossmember with clearance holes, doubler plates1524,1526with the same clearance holes as the crossmember, round tubes1528placed in the clearance holes, and a pair of attachment plates1522at the ends of the crossmember. The attachment plates1522attach to the side bottom rail210. In one implementation, the clearance holes are added to the web1532of the I-beam1520(in between the upper1530and lower flanges1534) at the mount points of the outer sides (2holes per side) and in the middle (3 holes) of the crossmember. In one implementation, the doubler plates1524,1526with the same clearance holes as the crossmember are welded to the crossmembers at the outer sides and middle on either one or both sides on the web1532of the I-beam1520. That is, at least one doubler plate may be used on either one or both sides on the web1532of the I-beam1520. In one implementation, the round tubes1528are placed in the clearance holes (sit in the middle of the I-beam1520) and are welded on both sides of the beams. The primary purpose of the doubler plates1524,1526is to allow the crossmember assembly200to absorb more energy, and transfer less energy to the rest of the trailer structure, while the primary purpose of the round tubes1528is to hold the fasteners in place. Although the figures show three clearance holes, round tubes1528, and corresponding screws and nuts for the inner mount plate, and two clearance holes, round tubes1528, and corresponding screws and nuts for each of the outer mount plates, each of the inner mount plate and outer mount plates may be held in place with one or more (i.e., at least one) holes, round tubes, and corresponding screws and nuts. That is, the figures are shown for purposes of example only.

FIG.16is a perspective view of the lattice assembly110in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. The illustrated implementation ofFIG.16shows, in detail, the lattice assembly110including, among others, a pair of vertical struts900(one on each side), a pair of diagonal struts902(one on each side), one horizontal strut1500(in the middle), two outer mount plates1502(one on each side), one inner mount plate1504(in the middle), two lower mount plates1506(one on each side), and two gussets1508,1510. Generally, the low mount plates1506are mounting positions of the horizontal members112.

FIG.17is a perspective view of the reinforced crossmember assembly200in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. The illustrated implementation ofFIG.17shows, in detail, the reinforced crossmember assembly200including, among others, the crossmember with clearance holes, the doubler plates1524,1526, the round tubes1528, and the pair of attachment plates1522.

FIG.18is a perspective view of a single lattice cut away of the side impact guard100in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. The illustrated implementation ofFIG.18shows, in detail, the side impact guard100including, among others, the lattice assembly110, the reinforced crossmember assembly200, and a single lattice cut away of the pair of horizontal members112.

FIG.19is a top view of section A-A of the side impact guard100shown inFIG.18in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. The illustrated implementation ofFIG.19shows, in detail, the middle section of the reinforced crossmember assembly200including, among others, the inner mount plate1504, the two doubler plates1524on both sides of the web1532of the I-beam1520, the three round tubes1528. In the illustrated implementation ofFIG.19, three matching clearance holes are made on the web1532of the I-beam1520, the doubler plates1524, and both sides1504A,1504B of the inner mount plate1504. Subsequently, the three round tubes1528are inserted into the matching clearance holes, and three screws1900are inserted into the clearance holes on one side (e.g.,1504A) of the inner mount plate1504, into the round tubes1528, and through the clearance holes on the other side (e.g.,1504B) of the inner mount plate1504. Finally, the screws1900are tightened using three nuts1902on the other side (e.g.,1504B) of the inner mount plate1504.

FIG.20is a top view of section B-B of the side impact guard100shown inFIG.18in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. In the illustrated implementation ofFIG.20, two matching clearance holes are made on the web1532of the I-beam1520, the doubler plates1526, and both sides1502A,1502B of the outer mount plate1502. Subsequently, the two round tubes1528are inserted into the matching clearance holes, and two screws1900are inserted into the clearance holes on one side (e.g.,1502A) of the outer mount plate1502, into the round tubes1528, and through the clearance holes on the other side (e.g.,1502B) of the outer mount plate1502. Finally, the screws1900are tightened using two nuts1902on the other side (e.g.,1502B) of the outer mount plate1502.

FIG.21is a front view of section C-C of the side impact guard100shown inFIG.18in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. In the illustrated implementation ofFIG.21, clearance holes are made on the horizontal member112to match the holes on the lower mount plates1506and a screw2100is inserted into the clearance hole on the horizontal member112through the hole on the lower mount plates1506. The screw2100is tightened using a nut2102.

In a particular implementation, a side impact guard for a trailer includes a plurality of un-reinforced crossmember assemblies, a plurality of reinforced crossmember assemblies, and a plurality of lattice assemblies. The plurality of un-reinforced crossmember assemblies is spaced out and attached to a base assembly of the trailer. The plurality of reinforced crossmember assemblies is spaced out between the plurality of un-reinforced crossmember assemblies. Each lattice assembly is coupled to a reinforced crossmember assembly and includes a pair of vertical struts, a pair of diagonal struts, and a horizontal strut. Each of the pair of vertical struts attaches to the reinforced crossmember assembly at one end and the pair of diagonal struts at the other end. Each of the pair of diagonal struts attaches to the reinforced crossmember assembly at one end the vertical struts at the end. The horizontal strut attaches to the pair of diagonal struts.

In one implementation, the side impact guard further includes: first and second outer mount plates to couple the pair of vertical struts to outer portions of the reinforced crossmember assembly; and an inner mount plate to couple the pair of diagonal struts inner portion of the reinforced crossmember assembly. In one implementation, each of the first and second outer mount plates includes at least one clearance hole. In another implementation, each of the first and second outer mount plates includes at least two clearance holes. In one implementation, the side impact guard further includes: at least one doubler plate attached to the outer portions of the reinforced crossmember assembly, wherein the at least one doubler plate includes at least one clearance hole corresponding to the at least one clearance holes in the at least one outer mount plate. In another implementation, the side impact guard further includes: first and second outer doubler plates attached to the outer portions of the reinforced crossmember assembly, wherein each of the first and second outer doubler plates includes at least two clearance holes corresponding to the at least two clearance holes in each of the first and second outer mount plates. In one implementation, the side impact guard further includes at least one round tube inserted into the at least one clearance hole in the at least one outer doubler plate. In another implementation, the side impact guard further includes a plurality of round tubes inserted into the at least two clearance holes in each of the first and second outer doubler plates. In one implementation, side impact guard further includes at least one screw to pass through the at least one clearance hole in each of the at least one outer mount plate and the at least one round tube. In another implementation, side impact guard further includes a plurality of screws to pass through the at least two clearance holes in each of the first and second outer mount plates and the plurality of round tubes.

In another particular implementation, a side impact guard for a trailer includes a plurality of crossmember assemblies and a plurality of lattice assemblies. The plurality of crossmember assemblies is coupled to a base assembly of the trailer, and each crossmember assembly of the plurality of crossmember assemblies is one of an un-reinforced crossmember assembly or a reinforced crossmember assembly. Each lattice assembly of the plurality of lattice assemblies is coupled to the reinforced crossmember assembly. Each lattice assembly also includes first and second vertical struts, first and second diagonal struts, and a horizontal strut. A first end of the first vertical strut couples to a first outer portion of the reinforced crossmember assembly and a second end of the first vertical strut couples to a second end of the first diagonal strut. A first end of the first diagonal strut couples to an inner portion of the reinforced crossmember assembly. A first end of the second vertical strut couples to a second outer portion of the reinforced crossmember assembly and a second end of the second vertical strut couples to a second end of the second diagonal strut. A first end of the second diagonal strut couples to the inner portion of the reinforced crossmember assembly. A first end of the horizontal strut couples to an upper portion of the first diagonal strut and a second end of the horizontal strut couples to an upper portion of the second diagonal strut.

In one implementation, the side impact guard further includes a first outer mount plate to couple the first end of the first vertical strut to the first outer portion of the reinforced crossmember assembly; a second outer mount plate to couple the first end of the second vertical strut to the second outer portion of the reinforced crossmember assembly; and an inner mount plate to couple the first end of the first diagonal strut and the first end of the second diagonal strut to the inner portion of the reinforced crossmember assembly. In one implementation, each of the first and second outer mount plates is formed with first and second sides, and each of the first and second sides includes at least two clearance holes. In one implementation, the side impact guard further includes: at least one outer doubler plate attached to at least one side of the reinforced crossmember assembly, wherein the at least one outer doubler plates includes at least one clearance hole corresponding to the at least one clearance hole in each of the first and second outer mount plates; and a plurality of screws, wherein at least one screw of the plurality of screws pass through the at least one clearance hole on the first side of the first outer mount plate, the at least one clearance hole on the at least one outer doubler plate, and the at least one clearance hole on the second side of the at least one outer mount plate, and wherein at least one screw of the plurality of screws pass through the at least one clearance hole on the first side of the second outer mount plate, the at least one clearance hole on the at least one outer doubler plate, and the at least one clearance hole on the second side of the at least one outer mount plate. In another implementation, the side impact guard further includes: first and second outer doubler plates attached to both sides of the reinforced crossmember assembly, wherein each of the first and second outer doubler plates includes at least two clearance holes corresponding to the at least two clearance holes in each of the first and second outer mount plates; and a plurality of screws, wherein at least two screws of the plurality of screws pass through the at least two clearance holes on the first side of the first outer mount plate, the at least two clearance holes on the first outer doubler plates, and the at least two clearance holes on the second side of the first outer mount plate, and wherein at least two screws of the plurality of screws pass through the at least two clearance holes on the first side of the second outer mount plate, the at least two clearance holes on the second outer doubler plates, and the at least two clearance holes on the second side of the second outer mount plate. In one implementation, the side impact guard further includes at least one round tube inserted into the at least one clearance hole in the at least one outer doubler plate. In another implementation, the side impact guard further includes a plurality of round tubes inserted into the at least two clearance holes in each of the first and second outer doubler plates.

In one implementation, the inner mount plate is formed with first and second sides, and wherein each of the first and second sides includes at least one clearance hole. In another implementation, the inner mount plate is formed with first and second sides, and wherein each of the first and second sides includes at least three clearance holes. In one implementation, the side impact guard further includes: at least one inner doubler plate attached to at least one side of the reinforced crossmember assembly, wherein the at least one inner doubler plates plate includes at least one clearance hole corresponding to the at least one clearance hole in the inner mount plate; and at least at least one screw to pass through the at least one clearance hole on the first side of the inner mount plate, the at least one clearance hole on the at least one inner doubler plate, and the at least one clearance hole on the second side of the inner mount plate. In another implementation, the side impact guard further includes: inner doubler plates attached to both sides of the reinforced crossmember assembly, wherein the inner doubler plates include at least three clearance holes corresponding to the at least three clearance holes in the inner mount plate; and at least three screws to pass through the at least three clearance holes on the first side of the inner mount plate, the at least three clearance holes on the inner doubler plates, and the at least three clearance holes on the second side of the inner mount plate. In one implementation, the side impact guard further includes at least one round tube inserted into the at least one clearance hole in the at least one inner doubler plate. In another implementation, the side impact guard further includes a plurality of round tubes inserted into the at least three clearance holes in the inner doubler plates. In one implementation, the first end of the first vertical strut is welded to the first outer mount plate, the first end of the second vertical strut is welded to the second outer mount plate, and the first ends of the first and second diagonal struts are welded to the inner mount plate. In another implementation, the first end of the first vertical strut is welded to the first outer mount plate, the first end of the second vertical strut is welded to the second outer mount plate, and the first ends of the first and second diagonal struts are welded to the inner mount plate. In one implementation, the side impact guard further includes: a first horizontal member coupled to second ends of first vertical struts of the plurality of lattice assemblies; and a second horizontal member coupled to second ends of second vertical struts of the plurality of lattice assemblies. In one implementation, the plurality of crossmember assemblies is evenly spaced out on the bay assembly of the trailer. In one implementation, plurality of lattice assemblies coupled to reinforced crossmember assemblies is evenly spaced out on the bay assembly of the trailer. In one implementation, the side impact guard further includes: a first gusset attached between the horizontal strut and a first diagonal strut; and a second gusset attached between the horizontal strut and a second diagonal strut. In one implementation, the side impact guard further includes: a first gusset attached between the first vertical strut and the first outer mount plate; and a second gusset attached between the second vertical strut and the second outer mount plate.

The description herein of the disclosed implementations is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Numerous modifications to these implementations would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein can be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principal and novel features disclosed herein. Accordingly, additional variations and implementations are also possible.

All features of each of the above-discussed examples are not necessarily required in a particular implementation of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein are representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present disclosure. It is further understood that the scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other implementations that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present disclosure is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.