Platform trailer with extruded floor panel cross members

摘要

In accordance with one aspect of the present development, a platform trailer includes a chassis comprising first and second aluminum beams each including an upper flange and a lower flange connected by a web. The first and second beams are arranged parallel to each other and each extend from a forward end to a rear end in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the trailer. The first and second beams are each defined with an arch comprising an upwardly oriented apex located between the forward and rear ends. At least one axle assembly connected to the chassis and includes a left wheel and tire assembly and a right wheel and tire assembly. A platform is supported on the first and second beams of the chassis. The platform includes spaced-apart left and right side rails and a plurality of extruded aluminum panels that each extend from a left lateral end abutted with said left side rail to a right lateral end abutted with said right side rail. Each of the panels comprises an upper wall, a lower wall spaced-apart from the upper wall, and first and second spaced-apart end walls that are connected to and extend between the upper and lower walls. The extruded aluminum panels are abutted in series with the first end wall of one panel abutted with the second end wall of an adjacent abutted panel such that the respective upper walls of adjacent abutted panels of the platform together define an upper, cargo supporting surface of the platform. The platform is arched to correspond with the arch of the first and second beams. A method for constructing the platform trailer is also disclosed.

主权项

1. A platform trailer comprising:
first and second aluminum I-beams each comprising an upper flange and a lower flange connected by a web, said first and second I-beams arranged parallel to each other and each extending axially from a forward end to a rear end in the direction of a longitudinal axis of said trailer, wherein said respective upper flanges of said first and second beams are each defined with an arch comprising an upwardly oriented apex located between said forward and rear ends; at least one axle assembly connected to the first and second I-beams, said axle assembly comprising a left wheel and tire assembly and a right wheel and tire assembly; a platform supported on said respective upper flanges of said first and second beams, said platform comprising spaced-apart left and right side rails and a plurality of extruded aluminum panels that each extend from a left lateral end abutted with said left side rail to a right lateral end abutted with said right side rail, each of said panels comprising an upper wall, a lower wall spaced-apart from said upper wall, and first and second spaced-apart end walls that are connected to and extend between the upper and lower walls, wherein said extruded aluminum panels are abutted in series with the first end wall of one panel abutted with the second end wall of an adjacent abutted panel such that the respective upper walls of adjacent abutted panels of said platform together define an upper, cargo supporting surface of said platform and such that the respective lower walls of adjacent abutted panels of said platform together define an underside of said platform, wherein said underside of said platform is supported on said upper flanges of said first and second beams and said platform is arched to correspond with said arch defined by said respective upper flanges of said first and second beams; said platform welded to said upper flange of said first beam by a first pair of welds that extend respectively along left and right interfaces between the upper flange of the first beam and the underside of the platform; and, said platform welded to said upper flange of said second beam by a second pair of welds that extend respectively along left and right interfaces between the upper flange of the second beam and the underside of the platform.