Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – With distinct wind deflector
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-27
2001-10-30
Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
With distinct wind deflector
C296S180100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309010
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to aerodynamic devices for use with vehicles, such as trucks and semi-trailers, and in particular relates to an aerodynamic wind drag reduction device or airfoil for attachment to the rear of a truck or trailer by means of a collapsible frame.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The shape of conventional trucks and semi-trailers is dictated by a need to provide a large cargo volume within maximum allowable dimensions, and generally results in vehicles which sacrifice aerodynamic efficiency to obtain maximum cargo volume. Various devices have been proposed to increase the aerodynamic efficiency for trucks and trailers, including aerodynamic airfoils attached to the roof of trucks for pulling trailers, as well as devices for attachment to the rear of trailers to provide a streamlined shape in order to reduce the effects of the low pressure region created at the rear of the trailer.
Common problems addressed by prior art aerodynamic devices for attachment to the rear of trailers include accommodating the need for proper access to the rear of the trailer to permit loading and unloading of cargo. Accordingly, many prior art devices provide various mechanisms for providing folding frames to define the contour of the airfoil, or for providing an inflatable airfoil which collapses when the vehicle is not in motion. A further problem associated with such devices includes providing a convenient mechanism for extending and retracting the airfoil and which will not unduly alter the structure of the trailer or require extensive modifications.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an airfoil for use with a truck or semi-trailer to reduce aerodynamic drag and which requires a minimum number of moving parts resulting in easier and faster deployment and in a reduced cost. There is a further need for such a device in which the airfoil may be incorporated into vehicles having either pivoted doors or roll up door closures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a deployable airfoil to reduce wind resistance of trucks and semi-trailers being constructed with a substantially planar rear surface. The device includes first and second substantially rigid frame structures supported at the plane of the rear surface for the truck or semi-trailer. Each frame structure includes a proximal edge pivotally mounted adjacent to the plane of the rear surface, and a distal edge movable outwardly from a location adjacent the rear surface to a location distal from the rear surface.
A flexible fabric structure is attached to the distal edges of the frame structure and extends between the first and second frame structures. A connecting structure is additionally provided between the first and second frame structures whereby the frame structures are connected to pivot simultaneously outwardly to move the fabric structure from a folded configuration adjacent to the rear surface to a deployed configuration where the fabric structure is substantially taut between the first and second frame structures.
In a further aspect of the invention, the first frame structure comprises a pair of upper frame members and the second frame structure comprises a pair of lower frame members wherein an upper frame member is paired with a lower frame member to define a left hand pair of frames and the other upper frame member and lower frame member are paired to form a right hand pair of frames. The distal edges of the frame structures are defined by distal edges of the frame members, and the distal edges of the upper and lower frame members pivot outwardly in opposite directions during movement from the folded configuration to the deployed configuration.
In another aspect of the invention, the connecting structure comprises first and second elongated lever structures connected to the first and second frame structures, respectively. The first and second lever structures each include a proximal end supported for movement adjacent to the rear surface of the truck and a distal end attached to a respective frame structure. In particular, the first lever structure comprises a pair of upper frame levers, and the second lever structure comprises a pair of lower frame levers, each of the levers being connected to a respective frame member at distal ends of the frame levers. Proximal ends of the frame levers are guided for substantially linear movement adjacent and parallel to the rear surface wherein actuation of the proximal ends in movement causes the distal ends of the frame levers to force the frame members outwardly to the deployed configuration.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the proximal ends of the frame levers associated with each of the left hand and right hand pair of frame members are connected to each other through a flexible cable whereby the pairs of frame levers move simultaneously to simultaneously move the pairs of left hand or right hand frame members in deploying or retracting the airfoil. It should be noted that references to a flexible cable throughout this application are intended to include cables, chains, V-belts, or equivalent structures.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an airfoil capable of being deployed from a folded configuration to a deployed configuration.
It is another object of the invention to provide such an airfoil with frame members supporting a flexible fabric structure wherein pivotal movement of the frame members causes folding and deployment of the fabric structure.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide a folding airfoil structure including an actuation mechanism for efficiently deploying and folding the airfoil.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
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Gutierrez, et al., “Aerodynamics Overview of the Ground Transportation Systems (GTS) Project for Heavy Vehicle Drag Reduction,”SAE Technical Paper Series, No. 960906, 1996, (pp. 219-236).
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Biebel & French
Gordon Stephen T.
Morrow Jason
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