# US 11,027,784 B2 · Aerodynamic devices for moving vehicles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,784 B2 - Document ID: US11027784B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/400,230 - Filed: 2019-05-01 - Published: 2019-11-07 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-03 - Assignees: Inrange Technologies Corporation - Applicants: Inrange Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Timothy Brereton; Brett Simmons - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027784B2 ## CPC - B62D 35/008: {Side spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)} - B62D 35/001: {For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans} - B62D 35/02: Streamlining the undersurfaces {(B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence)} - B62D 37/02: by aerodynamic means - B62D 35/007: {Rear spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)} - Y02T 10/82: Elements for improving aerodynamics - Y02T 10/88: Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A vehicle trailer assembly includes a moveable bracket or frame member mounted to a trailer at a location outboard from one or more rear wheels of the trailer; and at least one undercarriage skirt wall at least partially affixed to the moveable bracket or frame member positioned along a bottom portion of a trailer. The at least one undercarriage skirt wall is selectively positioned laterally around the one or more rear wheels of the trailer, and the at least one undercarriage skirt wall is retractable in at least one direction to expose a portion of an underside of the trailer and/or the one or more rear wheels of the trailer. Another vehicle trailer assembly includes at least one undercarriage skirt wall positioned on a bottom side portion of the trailer. The at least one undercarriage skirt wall may be made of a pliable material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle assembly for transporting freight, comprising: a frame of the vehicle assembly including a first side, a second side, and a longitudinal axis positioned between the first side and the second side; a frame member mounted to one of the first side or the second side of the frame at a location outboard from one or more rear wheels, the frame member including a slot oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and having an opening facing outwardly from the one of the first side and the second side of the frame; and at least one undercarriage skirt formed of a pliable material and including a length and a coupling element, the coupling element configured to be slidably received in the slot such that the at least one undercarriage skirt is movable between a first position in which the at least one undercarriage skirt is positioned laterally outward from the one or more rear wheels, and a second position in which at least a portion of the one or more rear wheels are exposed, wherein the at least one undercarriage skirt is retractable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame to move from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one undercarriage skirt is coupled to the frame via a plurality of brackets mounted to the one of the first side or the second side of the frame, the frame member is a first frame member, and further comprising a second frame member having an opening facing outwardly from the other of the first side and the second side of the frame, the first and second frame members respectively connected to either a top or a bottom portion of each bracket. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vehicle assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and second frame members include the same configuration of grooves and slots, and wherein the first and second frame members include one or more central or internal openings that extend longitudinally within the frame members. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vehicle assembly of claim 3, wherein the brackets include one or more extensions to couple the brackets to the frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The vehicle assembly of claim 3, wherein the brackets include one or more tabs in the top and bottom portions, and wherein the two frame members include channels configured to receive at least one of the one or more tabs. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The vehicle assembly of claim 3, wherein the brackets include one or more openings configured to receive a coupling member, wherein the frame members each include one or more grooves configured to lockably receive the coupling member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicle assembly of claim 6, wherein tightening the coupling member that couples the frame member to the bottom portion of the bracket is configured to tension the fabric or pliable material. ### Claim 8 A vehicle assembly for transporting freight, comprising: a frame of the vehicle assembly including a first side, a second side, and a longitudinal axis positioned between the first side and the second side; a frame member clamped to one of the first side or the second side of the frame by a bracket at a location outboard from one or more rear wheels, the frame member including a slot oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and having an opening facing outwardly from the one of the first side and the second side of the frame; and at least one undercarriage skirt wall formed of a pliable material and including a length and a coupling element extending at least partially along the length, the coupling element being slidably received in the slot such that the undercarriage skirt wall is movably coupled to the frame member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one undercarriage skirt extends around at least a portion of a bottom perimeter of the frame including at least one rear wheel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The side skirt system of claim 8, the bracket having a clamp that couples the frame member to one of the first side or the second side of the frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The side skirt system of claim 8, wherein a mechanical device is configured to apply tension to the undercarriage skirt wall such that the at least one undercarriage skirt wall becomes taut and smooth when tension is applied thereto. ### Claim 12 A side skirt system for a vehicle assembly for transporting freight, the vehicle assembly having a first side, a second side, and a longitudinal axis positioned between the first side and the second side, the system, comprising: a side skirt formed of a pliable material, the side skirt including a length and a coupling element extending at least partially along the length; a coupling mechanism configured to couple the side skirt to one of the first side and the second side of the vehicle assembly, the coupling mechanism including a slot oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and having an opening facing outwardly from the one of the first side and the second side of the vehicle, the slot being configured to slidably receive the coupling element of the side skirt. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The side skirt system of claim 12, wherein the coupling mechanism includes a bracket configured to be coupled to the one of the first side and the second side of the vehicle; and a frame member coupled to the bracket, the frame member including the slot. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The side skirt system of claim 13, wherein the bracket includes a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein each of the top portion and the bottom portion include at least one tab that extends away from the bracket, and the frame member includes a channel configured to receive at least a portion of one tab that extends away from portions of the bracket.