Sidewall assembly having composite panels for trailers and vans

Abstract

A sidewall assembly for a trailer or van having a plurality of composite panels interconnected along the length of the trailer. The composite panels have a polyurethane core sandwiched between inner and outer metal panels in bonded relationship. The composite panels are affixed to a respective hat-shaped inner side post between adjacent vertical ends of the composite panels. A plurality of vertically arranged rivets affixes the composite panel to inner post and to an outer sidepost.

1 . A sidewall assembly for a transporting vehicle comprising 
 a side wall including a plurality of composite panels having a non-metallic imposed between a pair of sheets and extending vertically along a horizontal axis,    a plurality of inner side posts vertically positioned between adjacent pairs of said plurality of composite panels,    a plurality of outer vertical side posts being vertically positioned in confronting relationship with said plurality of inner side posts, and    mechanical fastener means for interconnecting each plurality of composite panels, said plurality of inner side posts, and said plurality of outer side posts together as a unit.    
   
   
       2 . The sidewall assembly according to  claim 1  wherein each said plurality of composite panels includes a non-metallic core sandwiched between metal inner and outer metal panels in thermally bond relationship.  
   
   
       3 . The sidewall assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said non-metallic core is polyurethane.  
   
   
       4 . The sidewall assembly according to  claim 3  wherein said metal inner and outer panels are molecularly bonded to said core.  
   
   
       5 . The sidewall assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said plurality of inner side posts have vertically extend offset edge portions, said composite panels include vertical end portions overlapping said offset edge portions, and said mechanical fastener means extending through said offset portions and said end portions.  
   
   
       6 . The sidewall assembly according to  claim 5  wherein said offset portion of said inner posts contacts said outer post.  
   
   
       7 . The sidewall assembly according to  claim 6  wherein said mechanical fastener means comprises a plurality of rivets.  
   
   
       8 . The sidewall assembly according to  claim 5  wherein said plurality of inner posts have a hat-shaped cross sections forming a central portion spaced from said plurality of outer posts.  
   
   
       9 . The sidewall assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said central portion and said composite panel form a flat, generally coplanar surface.  
   
   
       10 . The sidewall assembly according to  claim 1  further including a lower scuff plate extending along said side wall beneath said plurality of outer side posts.  
   
   
       11 . A composite panel for the sidewall of a trailer and van comprising 
 a non-metallic core,    said metallic being sandwiched between an inner and outer metal sheet,    said non-metallic core being thermally molecularly bonded to said inner and outer panels to form a panel unit.    
   
   
       12 . The composite panel according to  claim 11  wherein said non-metallic core is polyurethane.  
   
   
       13 . The composite panel according to  claim 12  wherein said inner and outer panels are metal.  
   
   
       14 . The composite panel according to  claim 12  wherein saqid panels unit includes offset vertical end portions.