Freight accommodation on freight carrier – Load bearer accommodation – Load bearer accommodation by underside socketing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-28
2003-02-04
Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)
Freight accommodation on freight carrier
Load bearer accommodation
Load bearer accommodation by underside socketing
C410S067000, C410S080000, C410S091000, C410S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06514021
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to load bearing beds which are installable upon or utilized as a component of pickup trucks, flat bed trucks, trailers, cargo ships, cargo airplanes, and other cargo transporting vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to such load bearing beds incorporating T-flange engaging tie down means or equipment supporting means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional load bearing beds commonly incorporate recessed tie down rings or brackets, or incorporate fixed point slip joint brackets for fixed installation of cargo retaining equipment. Such load bearing beds are cumbersome to utilize, and are uneconomically constructed due to the numerosity of tie downs or slip joint attachments which must be incorporated as part of the load bearing bed space in order to provide flexibility in cargo placement. The instant inventive T-flange engaging load bearing bed solves such problems posed by such conventional load bearing beds by providing a C-channel beam reinforced slotted load bearing bed; such beams in combination with slots reinforcing the bed while forming T-flange engaging slots.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In its simplest expression, the instant inventive T-flange engaging load bearing bed comprises an upper stratum of sheet material, such sheet having an upper load bearing surface and a lower surface. Preferably, the sheet is composed of steel or aluminum. However, suitably, the sheet may be composed of materials such as fiberglass, plastic, composite board, or plywood. Typically, the sheet has a rectangular shape matching the common rectangular shapes of trailer cargo spaces, pickup truck cargo spaces, and the like. Suitably, the sheet may be differently shaped.
The sheet necessarily has at least a first post receiving slot adapted for receiving the post or web of a T-flange. Preferably, the lateral dimension of the post receiving slot is from one-fourth inch to one-half inch. However, other dimensions narrower or wider may be suitably utilized. An upwardly opening C-channel beam is preferably welded to the undersurface of the sheet so that its upwardly opening channel aligns with and underlies the slot. Upon such configuration, the hollow bore of the C-channel beam forms a T-receiving space which, in conjunction with the overlying slot forms a T-flange engaging T-channel. Necessarily, the lateral dimension of such channel is greater than the lateral dimension of the slot it underlies. In addition to its function as a component of the T-flange receiving channel, the C-channel beam functions to provide structural support and rigidity to the slotted sheet.
Preferably, the present inventive T-flange engaging load bearing bed comprises a plurality of substantially parallel post engaging slots, each having an underlying C-channel beam as described above. Also preferably, the inventive load bearing bed further comprises a plurality of perpendicularly oriented intersecting slots, each such slot similarly having an underlying C-channel beam, the perpendicular underlying C-channel beams preferably intersecting longitudinally extending beams at mitered joints.
Preferably, inset roller receiving races extend along the left and right sides or forward and rearward sides (as the case may be) of the post receiving slots, such races allowing T-flanges which are further configured as roller supports to dually function as an equipment bracket securing means and as equipment rollable moving means.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a load bearing bed adapted for engagement of T-flanges.
It is a further object to provide such a bed which facilitates rolling movement of such T-flanges.
Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review of the Detailed Description which follows, and upon review of the appended drawings.
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Gordon Stephen T.
Jack Kenneth H.
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