Francis S Smidler

US Patent:

6536607, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Nov 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/999573

Inventors:

Paul Knoll - Appleton WI
Michael W. Weiss - De Pere WI
Steve Jarosinski - Green Bay WI
Francis Steven Smidler - Lafayette IN
David Phillip Kunkel - Lebanon IN

Assignee:

Schneider National Inc. - Greenbay WI

International Classification:

A47G 1908

US Classification:

211 4114

Abstract:

A transportable rack comprising a first A-frame upright attached to a first base member, a rolling device rotatably attached to the first base member, and a second A-frame upright attached to a second base member. The transportable rack further includes a central support member having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion attached to the first base member, the second end portion attached to the second base member. In addition, a retractable beam member is slidably disposed within the central support member, the retractable beam member having a lift receiving device.

US Patent:

6587044, Jul 1, 2003

Filed:

Aug 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/927837

Inventors:

Rodney P. Ehrlich - Monticello IN
Francis S. Smidler - Lafayette IN

Assignee:

Wabash Technology Corporation - Arlington Hills IL

International Classification:

B60Q 100

US Classification:

340441, 340467, 340479, 180282, 303123, 303124, 307 101

Abstract:

A brake lamp illumination system for a trailer senses when the speed of the wheels decreases. If the system detects such a deceleration, the system senses whether power has been supplied to illuminate brake lamps provided on the vehicle. If no power is detected in the circuit which supplies power to the brake lamps, power is directed to the circuit to illuminate the brake lamps.

US Patent:

6910591, Jun 28, 2005

Filed:

Feb 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/358869

Inventors:

Paul Knoll - Appleton WI, US
Michael W. Weiss - De Pere WI, US
Steve Jarosinski - Green Bay WI, US
Francis Steven Smidler - Lafayette IN, US
David Phillip Kunkel - Lebanon IN, US

Assignee:

Schneider National, Inc. - Green Bay WI

International Classification:

A47G019/08

US Classification:

211 4114

Abstract:

A transportable rack comprises a first upright attached to a first base member, a rolling device attached to the first base member, a second upright attached to a second base member, and a central support member having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the central support member is attached to the first base member, the second end portion attached to the second base member. A retractable beam member is slidably disposed within the central support member, the retractable beam member having a lift receiving portion.

US Patent:

7114762, Oct 3, 2006

Filed:

Jan 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/762738

Inventors:

Francis S. Smidler - Lafayette IN, US

Assignee:

Wabash National, L.P. - Lafayette IN

International Classification:

B60J 7/00

US Classification:

2961861, 296199

Abstract:

A sidewall for a semi-trailer is provided. The sidewall includes composite side panels, a baserail and a splicing member. The panels are formed of inner and outer skins and a core member therebetween. An upper portion of the panels is secured to a top rail of the semi-trailer. A lower portion of the baserail is secured to a bottom rail of the semi-trailer. The upper portion of the baserail and the lower portion of the panels overlap such that an outer surface of the baserail is positioned against the inner skin of the panels. The upper portion of the baserail and the lower portion of the panels are secured together by the splicing member which is positioned against the outer skin of the panels, and the outer surface of the baserail. The splicing member also supports the panels at the bottom end thereof.

US Patent:

D573874, Jul 29, 2008

Filed:

Nov 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

29/297593

Inventors:

Michael L. Thoma - Lafayette IN, US
Danny Lee Gilbert - Monticello IN, US
Francis S. Smidler - Lafayette IN, US

Assignee:

Wabash National, L.P. - Lafayette IN

International Classification:

0805

US Classification:

D 8356

US Patent:

7500713, Mar 10, 2009

Filed:

Feb 7, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/672240

Inventors:

Kevin Riley - Lafayette IN, US
Francis S. Smidler - Lafayette IN, US
Victor Vargas - Lafayette IN, US
Robert L. Hancock - Lafayette IN, US
Leonard Baker - Lafayette IN, US

Assignee:

Wabash National, L.P. - Lafayette IN

International Classification:

B62D 33/023

US Classification:

296191, 2961861, 525822, 525841

Abstract:

A wall or roof of a trailer are formed from a first panel and a second panel which are joined together by a cap and a strip which interengage. The cap includes a base wall and an interlock provided thereon. The base wall abuts the outer surfaces of the panels. The strip includes a base wall and an interlock provided thereon. The strip and cap are separate members. The base wall of the strip abuts the inner surfaces of the panels. The interlock of the strip and the interlock of the cap mate together to form a joint. At least one of the interlocks extend between the panels. The panels may be composite panels or may be from a single sheet or multiple sheets of metal. An adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the cap and the outer surfaces, and an adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the strip and the inner surfaces.

US Patent:

7527309, May 5, 2009

Filed:

Jan 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/625908

Inventors:

Francis S. Smidler - Lafayette IN, US

Assignee:

Wabash National, L.P. - Lafayette IN

International Classification:

B60D 1/56

US Classification:

293155, 280501

Abstract:

An integrated rear impact guard and pintle hook assembly is provided which can be releasably secured to the rear underside of a trailer by a plurality of fastening members. The assembly is secured to roadside and curbside slide rails and rear bumper brackets of the trailer under the rear door frame sill. No welding is required for securement of the assembly to the trailer. The assembly includes a rear impact guard which is formed of the rear bumper brackets and a bumper which is attached to the rear bumper brackets at their lower ends. The assembly further includes a main channel which is connected at its opposite ends to the rear bumper brackets, a mount which is connected to the main channel at a center thereof, and a mount plate which is releasably secured to the main channel. A pintle hook may be secured to the mount and mount plate.

US Patent:

7862103, Jan 4, 2011

Filed:

Feb 11, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/369538

Inventors:

Kevin Riley - Lafayette IN, US
Francis S. Smidler - Lafayette IN, US
Victor Vargas - Lafayette IN, US
Robert L. Hancock - Lafayette IN, US
Leonard Baker - Lafayette IN, US

Assignee:

Wabash National, L.P. - Lafayette IN

International Classification:

B62D 33/023

US Classification:

2961861, 296191, 525841

Abstract:

A wall or roof of a trailer are formed from a first panel and a second panel which are joined together by a cap and a strip which interengage. The cap includes a base wall and an interlock provided thereon. The base wall abuts the outer surfaces of the panels. The strip includes a base wall and an interlock provided thereon. The strip and cap are separate members. The base wall of the strip abuts the inner surfaces of the panels. The interlock of the strip and the interlock of the cap mate together to form a joint. The interlocks extend between the panels. The panels may be composite panels or may be from a single sheet or multiple sheets of metal. An adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the cap and the outer surfaces, and an adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the strip and the inner surfaces.