Refrigerated trailer door having an automotive-style handle and locking mechanism

Abstract

A door for a refrigerated trailer including a door pan formed of fiberglass reinforced plastic, the door pan having an inner surface and an outer surface. A door sheet is formed of fiberglass reinforced plastic and has an inner surface and an outer surface. A foamed plastic core is provided between the inner surfaces of the door pan and the door sheet. A housing is mounted between the inner surfaces of the door pan and the door sheet and is substantially encapsulated within the foamed plastic core. An automotive-style handle and locking mechanism is mounted to the housing.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A door for a refrigerated trailer comprising:
 a door pan having an inner surface and an outer surface;   a door sheet having an inner surface and an outer surface;   a core provided between the inner surfaces of the door pan and the door sheet;   a housing mounted between the inner surfaces of the door pan and the door sheet; and   an automotive-style handle and locking mechanism mounted to the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the door pan is formed of fiberglass reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the door sheet is formed of fiberglass reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the core further comprises a foamed plastic core. 
     
     
         5 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is substantially encapsulated within the foamed plastic core. 
     
     
         6 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed of fiberglass reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         7 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a receiver for receiving signals for unlocking and/or locking the automotive-style handle and locking mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a key hole into which a key is inserted for manually locking and/or unlocking the door. 
     
     
         9 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a key hole into which a key is inserted for manually locking and/or unlocking the door. 
     
     
         10 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a handle having an outer surface which is substantially flush with the outer surface of the door sheet. 
     
     
         11 . A door for a refrigerated trailer comprising:
 a door pan having an inner surface and an outer surface;   a door sheet having an inner surface and an outer surface;   a housing mounted between the inner surfaces of the door pan and the door sheet; and   an automotive-style handle and locking mechanism mounted to the housing.   
     
     
         12 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 11 , further comprising a foamed plastic core provided between the inner surfaces of the door pan and the door sheet. 
     
     
         13 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the housing is substantially encapsulated within the foamed plastic core. 
     
     
         14 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the door pan and the door sheet are formed of a fiberglass reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the housing is formed of fiberglass reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         16 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a receiver for receiving signals for unlocking and/or locking the automotive-style handle and locking mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a key hole into which a key is inserted for manually locking and/or unlocking the door. 
     
     
         18 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a key hole into which a key is inserted for manually locking and/or unlocking the door. 
     
     
         19 . The door for a refrigerated trailer as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a handle having an outer surface which is substantially flush with the outer surface of the door sheet.