Aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus
OwnerThomas Scott Breidenbachinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is adaptable for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus consists of a series of nesting shapes and/or frameworks that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.
Claims20
An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus adapted for mounting at a mounting location of a vehicle with a substantially vertical rear end, the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus comprising:
- an aerodynamic panel adapted for movement between a first position whereat the aerodynamic panel is in a deployed configuration and a second position whereat the aerodynamic panel is in a non-deployed configuration;
- a first link;
- a first rotational joint defining relative movement between the first link and the mounting location of the vehicle at least when the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is mounted at the mounting location of the vehicle;
- a second rotational joint defining relative movement between the first link and the aerodynamic panel;
- a second link;
- a third rotational joint defining relative movement between the second link and the mounting location of the vehicle at least when the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is mounted at the mounting location of the vehicle;
- and
- a fourth rotational joint defining relative movement between the second link and the aerodynamic panel;
- wherein the second rotational joint and the fourth rotational joint are adapted to guide the movement of the aerodynamic panel at least when the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is mounted at the mounting location of the vehicle;
- and
- wherein the movement of the aerodynamic panel between the first position and the second position includes rotational movement of the aerodynamic panel.
An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus adapted for use on a vehicle with a substantially vertical rear end, the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus comprising:
- an aerodynamic panel assembly adapted for movement between a first position whereat the aerodynamic panel assembly is in a deployed configuration, a second position whereat the aerodynamic panel assembly is in a non-deployed configuration, and an intermediate position through which the aerodynamic panel assembly passes when moving between the first position and the second position;
- and
- a linkage arrangement adapted to mount the aerodynamic panel assembly to the vehicle and to guide the movement of the aerodynamic panel assembly between the first position, the intermediate position, and the second position;
- wherein when the aerodynamic panel assembly is moved from the first position to the intermediate position, a distance that the aerodynamic panel assembly is spaced from the vehicle increases;
- and
- wherein when the aerodynamic panel assembly is moved from the second position to the intermediate position, the distance that the aerodynamic panel assembly is spaced from the vehicle increases.
An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus adapted for use on a vehicle with a substantially vertical rear end, the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus comprising:
- at least one aerodynamic panel assembly moveable between a first position whereat the aerodynamic panel assembly extends a contour of the vehicle and a second position;
- and
- at least one support device for supporting the at least one aerodynamic panel assembly at least in the first position;
- wherein the at least one support device includes a four-bar linkage having at least four joint axes for guiding the aerodynamic panel assembly between the first position and the second position, the four-bar linkage including:
- at least one first link having a first length and at least one second link having a second length, the first length being longer than the second length;
- wherein the first link and the second link each include a first joint for attachment to the vehicle and a second joint for pivotally connecting the first link and the second link, respectively, to the aerodynamic panel assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.