Roof-to-sidewall unit method joint structure for transportation type vehicles

Claim 1

In a transportation type vehicle having sidewalls and a roof structure, supported thereon, a roof-to-sidewall joint structure comprising, a downwardly open channel member of selected width incorporated as an integral, structural element along each side of the roof structure, an upwardly open channel member incorporated as an integral, structural element in the upper edge of each sidewall, each sidewall channel member being of a width corresponding substantially to that of the channel member incorporated in the roof structure on the same side of the vehicle, a riveting flange incorporated in the lower, outer edge portion of each side of the roof structure and extending outwardly therealong, a riveting flange incorporated in the upper, outer edge portion of each sidewall and extending outwardly therealong in underlying, contacting relation with the roof structure riveting flange along the same side of the vehicle, and a row of rivets securing together the riveting flanges along each side of the vehicle, and means securing the upper end of each sidewall to the lower end of each roof structure said means comprising; an interlocking flange incorporated in, and extending inwardly along, the lower, inner edge portion of each side of the roof structure, an interlocking flange incorporated in, and extending inwardly along, the upper, inner edge portion of each side wall to underlie, in contacting relation, the roof structure interlocking flange along the same side of the vehicle, one of the interlocking flanges along each side of the vehicle having a reversely bent portion integral with the inner edge thereof, each reversely bent flange portion being spaced from its respectivE said one flange, and each other flange on the same side of the vehicle being fitted in interlocked relation between its respective said one flange and the reversely bent portion thereof.