Aerodynamic panel apparatus mountable behind truck cab

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to an aerodynamic panel apparatus mountable to a truck cab. A panel apparatus includes a fixed panel, a moveable panel extender arranged rearward of the fixed panel, and a hinge mechanism. When aligned, the fixed panel and moveable panel extender guide an air flow past side walls of a cab and a trailer for improved aerodynamics and enhanced vehicle performance. The hinge mechanism enables pivotal movement of the moveable panel extender outboard from a closed position. The pivotal movement provides back of cab accessibility, while outboard movement avoids interference with items located in the back of cab area, and provides easy access to a handle bar arranged along an inner surface of the fixed panel. The moveable panel extender includes a resiliently deformable material that may be temporarily deformed during trailer articulation but returned to its original shape thereafter.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.