# US 11,299,217 B1 · Pivoting cab extender apparatus, system and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,299,217 B1 - Document ID: US11299217B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/841,767 - Filed: 2020-04-07 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2019-04-08 - Applicants: Mark Timothy James; Christopher Ryan Leroux - Inventors: Mark Timothy James; Christopher Ryan Leroux - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299217B1 ## CPC - B62D 35/001: {For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans} - Y02T 10/82: Elements for improving aerodynamics - 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 pivoting cover and cover system are shown and described. In some examples, a vehicle trailer system and a pivoting cab extender apparatus, system, kit, methods, and assembly for protecting the vehicle and vehicle parts while economically and safely covering a gap between the cab and the trailer are shown and described. In some examples the inventions may be considered a hinged wind deflector for minimizing a trailer gap and, also minimizing vehicle damage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cab extender for a tractor trailer cab comprising: a pivotable panel bracket, a first leg of the pivotal panel bracket for interfacing a cab and the bracket, a second leg of the pivotal panel bracket for interfacing an extension panel and the bracket, and an expansion member extending between the first leg and the second leg and configured to allow a dynamic pivot between a first position and a second position of the extension panel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bracket of claim 1 including a movement facilitator toward a distal end of said a second leg. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The bracket of claim 2 wherein said second leg pivots about a fixed location near the forward edge of said cab extender panel to engage a movement of a distal end of the cab extender panel to an opened second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The bracket of claim 3 wherein said opened second position may include a pivot at the distal end of up to an angle alpha prime. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The bracket of claim 3 wherein a pivot engages an outboard rotation of said cab extender bracket when an outboard acting load is applied to the cab extender bracket. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The bracket of claim 5 wherein the cab extender bracket returns to a first position in an operating condition. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The bracket of claim 6 including a stop located on the first leg of the bracket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The bracket of claim 6 wherein an operating condition is in the range of 0 degrees to 10 degrees. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The bracket of claim 1 wherein said expansion member includes an expandable portion including a pre-tensioning. ### Claim 10 A tractor trailer protection system including: a tractor cab, a tractor trailer, a trailer gap between the tractor and the trailer, a set of cab extender panels extending between the tractor and the trailer in the trailer gap, and a set of cab extender brackets attaching said tractor cab to the set of cab extender panels, wherein said cab extender brackets engage a pivot that allows the cab extender panels to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein an opening angle is maintained by a stop located on a fixed leg of said brackets to prevent contact between the tractor cab and one of the cab extender panels when the cab extender panel is in an open position. ### Claim 11 A tractor trailer protection system including: a tractor cab, a tractor trailer, a trailer gap between the tractor and the trailer, a set of cab extender panels extending between the tractor and the trailer in the trailer gap, and a set of cab extender brackets attaching said tractor cab to the set of cab extender panels, wherein said cab extender brackets engage a pivot that allows the cab extender panels to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein each of said cab extender brackets includes a first fixed leg, a second movable leg, and an expansion member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein said cab extender brackets are movable upon interaction with the trailer such that the cab extender panels slidable engage with the trailer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10 wherein said set of cab extender panels are pivoting covers for the trailer gap along vertical sides of a tractor trailer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein said set of cab extender panels minimize a trailer gap to below twenty inches. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein each of the cab extenders of the set of cab extenders includes a primary panel and a secondary panel.