Patent ID: 7134820

Claim:
A joint between side plates adapted for use in a side wall of a vehicle body, comprising: a first plate having a first end and a second end, said first plate being comprised of an inner skin, an outer skin and a core member between said inner skin and said outer skin of said first plate; a second plate having a first end and a second end, said second plate being comprised of an inner skin, an outer skin and a core member between said inner skin and said outer skin of said second plate; a track member having a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle portion, said middle portion being positioned between at least a portion of said first plate and at least a portion of said second plate such that said middle portion abuts against at least a portion of said second end of said first plate and at least a portion of said first end of said second plate, said first end portion of said track member being attached to said first plate, said second end portion of said track member being attached to said second plate, said middle portion having a top, a bottom, and at least one elongated slot extending substantially from said top to said bottom thereof for accepting at least one associated member, said at least one elongated slot is configured to permit said at least one associated member to travel substantially continuously between said tap of said middle portion of said track member and said bottom of said middle portion of said track member; and means for attaching said outer skins of said first and second plates together.