Container sidewall and roof connector
Disclosed is a connector between sidewalls, or the top rails of the sidewalls, and roof panels. The connector includes a downwardly oriented pocket adapted to receive a portion of the sidewall and an inwardly oriented pocket adapted to receive a portion of a roof panel. The connector also includes a base flange that is comparatively sized to, and adapted to be supported by, a roof bow support ledge of the sidewall. The inwardly oriented pocket is located directly above, and offset from, the base flange of the connector. Connectors, such as adhesives or rivets, may be utilized to secure the connector to the sidewall and to secure the connector to the roof panel.
1. A connector for joining a sidewall to a roof panel, the connector comprising:
a central wall perpendicularly intersecting with a top panel;
the top panel having
an inner portion located inward of the central wall,
an outer portion located outward of the central wall, and
a downward flange extending from the outer portion of the top panel;
a bottom flange inwardly extending parallel to the top panel from the central wall below the outer portion of the top panel;
a central panel extending parallel to both the inner portion of the top panel and the bottom flange, the central panel located directly between the inner portion of the top panel and the bottom flange;
wherein
the downward flange, outer portion of the top panel, and the central wall form a downwardly opening pocket adapted to receive a portion of the sidewall; and
the central panel, the central wall, and the inner portion of the top panel form an inwardly opening pocket adapted to receive a portion of the roof panel.
2. The connector of claim 1 wherein
The central panel extends directly from the central wall.
3. The connector of claim 1 wherein
the inwardly opening pocket includes a first corner at the intersection of the central wall and the inner portion of the top panel;
the first corner has a concave surface directly adjacent to a convex surface; and
the first corner is adapted to receive an outer skin of the roof panel.
4. The connector of claim 1 wherein the base bottom flange inwardly extends a first distance from the central wall;
the outer portion of the top panel outwardly extends a second distance from the central wall;
the inner portion of the top panel inwardly extends a third distance from the central wall;
the third distance is less than the second distance; and
the second distance is less than the first distance.
5. The connector of claim 1 wherein
the downwardly opening pocket has a first depth and a first width;
the inwardly opening pocket has a second depth and a second width;
the second depth is at least twice the first depth; and
the first width is at least twice the second width.
6. The connector of claim 1 wherein
the central panel inwardly extends a first distance from the central wall;
the inner portion of the top panel inwardly extends a second distance from the central wall; and
the second distance is at least twice the first distance.
7. The connector of claim 1 wherein
the bottom flange, the central wall, and the central flange form a third pocket that opens inwardly below the inwardly opening pocket; and
the third pocket is adapted to receive a roof bow to support the roof panel.
8. The connector of claim 1 further comprising
a bonding agent secured to a bottom side of the inner portion of the top panel for securing the roof panel within the inwardly opening pocket.
9. A sidewall-roof construction of a container comprising:
a roof panel;
a sidewall having
a vertically oriented portion,
a top flange outwardly extending from the top of the vertically oriented portion,
a lower flange inwardly extending from the vertically oriented portion, and
the lower flange located below the top flange;
a connector having
a central wall perpendicularly intersecting with a top panel,
the top panel having
an inner portion located inward of the central wall and
an outer portion located outward of the central wall, and
a bottom flange extending inwardly from the central wall adjacent to the lower flange of the sidewall;
wherein
the outer portion of the top panel and the central wall form a downwardly opening pocket receiving the top flange of the sidewall; and
the top flange of the central wall and the inner portion of the top panel form an inwardly opening pocket receiving the roof panel.
10. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 further comprising
the connector having a
a central panel inwardly extending parallel to the inner portion of the top panel, and
a downward flange extending from the outermost part of outer portion of the top panel;
wherein
the central panel partially defines the inwardly opening pocket, and
the downward flange partially defines the downwardly opening pocket.
11. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein
the lower flange of the sidewall inwardly extends the full length of the bottom flange of the connector.
12. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein
the sidewall includes a horizontal top outwardly extending from the bottom of the vertically oriented portion; and
the outermost portion of the top panel is inward of the outermost portion of the horizontal top.
13. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein
the bottom flange of the connector is secured to the lower flange of the sidewall via at least one of a double-sided adhesive tape, caulk, epoxy resin, and a rivet.
14. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein
the connector is a unitary piece of metal separate from the sidewall.
15. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 further comprising
the connector having a
a central panel inwardly extending parallel to the inner portion of the top panel;
wherein
the roof panel is a composite panel with
an upper metal skin,
a lower metal skin, and
a non-metallic inner core;
the outermost portion of the upper metal skin is directly adjacent to the inner portion of the top panel; and
the outermost portion of the lower skin is directly adjacent to the central panel.
16. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 15 wherein
the inwardly opening pocket has a first corner with a nook at the intersection of the central wall and the inner portion of the top panel; and
a portion of the upper metal skin of the roof panel is located within the nook.
17. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein
the bottom flange inwardly extends a first distance from the central wall;
the outer portion of the top panel outwardly extends a second distance from the central wall;
the inner portion of the top panel inwardly extends a third distance from the central wall;
the third distance is less than the second distance; and
the second distance is less than the first distance.
18. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein
the downwardly opening pocket has a first depth and a first width;
the inwardly opening pocket has a second depth and a second width;
the second depth is at least twice the first depth; and
the first width is at least twice the second width.
19. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 further comprising
a bonding agent secured to both
a bottom side of the inner portion of the top panel and
an upper metal skin of the roof panel.
20. The sidewall-roof construction of claim 9 wherein
the vertically oriented portion, the top flange, and the lower flange are formed as unitary metal top rail of the sidewall.