TRAILER WITH HORIZONTAL LOGISTICS SPLICE AND VERTICAL DUMMY SPLICE MEMBERS

摘要

A novel trailer body (20) design having a plurality of"dummy" splices (88) thereon is provided by the presentinvention. The dummy splices (88) are used to improve theaesthetics of a trailer body (20) so that a subsequentlyperformed repair of the body (20) is not noticeable. The sidewalls (24, 26) of the body (20) are formed from upper andlower panels (44, 46), and a horizontal logistics member (48)connected between the panels (44, 46) to join the panels (44,46) together along the length of the body (20). Thehorizontal logistics member (48) spaces the panels (44, 46)apart and includes a plurality of spaced apertures (74)therethrough. The apertures (74) align with the space (66) sothat equipment can be attached to the inside of the body (20).The dummy splices (88) are vertically affixed to the outersurface of at least one of the panels and spaced apart fromeach other along the length thereof. Each vertical dummysplice ( 88) may be a metal or plastic plate or a decal securedto the outer surface of the panel. When a repair is performedon the trailer body (20) due to damage of the side wall (24,26), the damaged portion of the panel, along with the adjacentdummy vertical splices (88), are cut out of the panel. Areplacement wall section is inserted into the cutout andaffixed to the remainder of the panel by conventionalpermanent splices. Because of the remaining dummy splices(88), the body (20) does not look like it has been repaired.