US 2023/0406420 A1Published application

Segmented aerodynamic skirts for flatbed trailer

AssigneeTranstex Inc.

InventorsSemir KAPETANOVIC, Nathan David SEE, Michael Lorenzo HENDERSON

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Abstract

A multi-panel skirt system for a flatbed includes two pair of forward and aft skirt panels with each pair located on an opposite lateral sides of the flatbed. In each pair, the forward skirt panel extends along the lateral side edge generally in the lengthwise direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge, which is located adjacent to and aligned with or positioned laterally inboard of the lateral side edge of the flatbed. An aft skirt panel extends along the lateral side edge generally in the lengthwise direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge aft of the forward skirt panel, which trailing edge is located adjacent to and aligned with or positioned laterally inboard of the lateral side edge. The leading edge of the aft skirt panel is positioned laterally inboard of the trailing edge of the forward skirt panel.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A flatbed portion of a trailer or a vehicle comprising an axle, comprising:

a floor extending in a lengthwise direction, and extending between a first lateral side edge and a second lateral side edge in a lateral direction above the axle;
and
a multi-panel skirt system installed or otherwise secured to the floor below the floor, the multi-panel skirt system being forward to the axle, the multi-panel skirt system comprising:
(i) a first forward skirt panel extending along the floor generally in the lengthwise direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge, the trailing edge of the first forward skirt panel being located adjacent to and aligned with or positioned laterally inboard of the first lateral side edge;
and
(ii) a first aft skirt panel extending along the floor generally in the lengthwise direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge aft of the first forward skirt panel relative to a forward travel direction, the trailing edge of the first aft skirt panel being located adjacent to and aligned with or positioned laterally inboard of the first lateral side edge;
wherein the first aft skirt panel extends laterally inboard as the first aft skirt panel extends in the lengthwise direction from its trailing edge to its leading edge such that the leading edge of the first aft skirt panel is positioned laterally inboard of the trailing edge of the first forward skirt panel.

4 more elements

A multi-panel skirt system for a flatbed portion of a trailer or a vehicle, the multi-panel skirt system comprising:

(a) a first forward skirt panel configured to extend along a first lateral side edge of the flatbed portion generally in a lengthwise direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the first forward skirt panel, with the trailing edge of the first forward skirt panel located adjacent to and aligned with or positioned laterally inboard of the first lateral side edge of the flatbed portion of a trailer or a vehicle;
and
(b) a first aft skirt panel configured to extend along the first lateral side edge aft of the first forward skirt panel generally in the lengthwise direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the first aft skirt panel relative to a forward travel direction, with the trailing edge of the first aft skirt panel being located adjacent to and aligned with or positioned laterally inboard of the first lateral side edge,
wherein the first aft skirt panel is configured to extend laterally inboard as the first aft skirt panel extends in the lengthwise direction from its trailing edge to its leading edge such that the leading edge of the first aft skirt panel is positioned laterally inboard of the trailing edge of the first forward skirt panel.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/226,136Filed 25 Jul 2023
Priority: 30 Jan 2019
Published: 21 Dec 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B62D 35/02
Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining: streamlining the undersurfaces
B62D 33/04
Superstructures for load-carrying vehicles: enclosed load compartments ; Frameworks for movable panels, tarpaulins or side curtains
B62D 35/001
Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining: for commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
Y02T 10/82
Technologies aiming to reduce greenhouse gasses emissions common to all road transportation technologies: elements for improving aerodynamics

Family

Application62/798,807Us provisional application · filed 30 Jan 2019
Application16/777,874Continuation · filed 30 Jan 2020
Application17/589,110Continuation · filed 31 Jan 2022
Application18/131,774Continuation · filed 6 Apr 2023
Application18/226,136Continuation
US 11,235,819 B2Related patent
US 11,623,700 B2Related patent
US 12,371,110 B2Related patent
US 2020/0239088 A1Published application
US 2022/0153359 A1Published application
US 2023/0406420 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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