Aerodynamic device and method of use
OwnerStephen Kohlsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An aerodynamic device is disclosed for limiting aerodynamic drag on the rear surface of various types of trucks with trailers. The aerodynamic device includes a plurality of rigid members and a flexible sheet designed to create a pyramid-shaped projection pointing away from the rear surface of the trailer. The device members can be quickly disassembled and the flexible sheet collapses so that the aerodynamic device lies flat against the rear surface of the trailer. The aerodynamic device can be attached directly to doors on the rear surface of a trailer or to a mounting frame that may rotate around to the side of the trailer where a roll-up style door is present.
Claims13
An aerodynamic device for mounting on a rear wall surface of a vehicle, the device comprising:
- first and second device halves that have a generally pyramidal shape when both halves are mounted adjacent to each other on the rear wall surface of the vehicle, each device half including:
- an upper support member having first and second ends, the first end being adapted to connect to an upper horizontal perimeter of the rear wall surface;
- a lower support member having first and second ends, the first end being adapted to connect to a lower horizontal perimeter of the rear wall surface, the second end of the lower support being operatively connected to the second end of the upper support member;
- and
- a flexible sheet connected along at least a portion of the upper support member and along at least a portion of the lower support member, the flexible sheet having first and second spaced-apart connection points, the first connection point adapted to connect to the upper horizontal perimeter of the rear wall surface in spaced relation to the first end of the upper support member, the second connection point adapted to connect to the lower horizontal perimeter of the rear wall surface in spaced relation to the first end of the lower support member;
- wherein the flexible sheet forms a generally half-pyramidal shape when the flexible sheet and the upper and lower support members are connected to the rear wall surface of the vehicle and wherein each device half lies generally flat against the rear wall surface when the lower support member is disconnected from the upper support member and the lower horizontal perimeter of the rear wall surface.
A method for installing one device half of an aerodynamic device onto a rear wall surface of a vehicle, where the device half includes upper and lower support members and a flexible sheet with first and second spaced-apart connection points, comprising:
- affixing the flexible sheet to a portion of the upper support member;
- connecting a first end of the upper support member to the upper horizontal perimeter of the rear wall surface of the vehicle;
- affixing the flexible sheet to a portion of the lower support member;
- connecting a first end of the lower support member to the lower horizontal perimeter of the rear wall surface of the vehicle;
- connecting a second end of the upper support member to a second end of the lower support member;
- connecting the flexible sheet at the first connection point to the upper horizontal perimeter of the rear wall surface;
- and
- connecting the flexible sheet at the second connection point to the lower horizontal perimeter of the rear wall surface;
- wherein the flexible sheet forms a generally half-pyramidal shape once the device half is installed and wherein the device half lies generally flat against the rear wall surface when the lower support member is disconnected from the upper support member and the lower horizontal perimeter of the rear wall surface.
An aerodynamic device for mounting on a rear wall surface of a vehicle, the device comprising:
- first and second device halves that have a generally pyramidal shape when both halves are mounted adjacent to each other on the rear wall surface of the vehicle, each device half including:
- a mounting frame including an upper horizontal frame member having first and second ends, a lower horizontal frame member having first and second ends, and a vertical frame member with upper and lower ends, the upper end being connected to first end of the upper horizontal frame member, the lower end being connected to the first end of the lower horizontal frame member, each of the second ends of the upper and lower horizontal frame members are adapted to pivotally mount to a side edge of the rear wall surface of the vehicle so that the mounting frame can swing away from the rear wall surface;
- an upper support member having first and second ends, the first end being removably connected to the upper end of the vertical member;
- a lower support member having first and second ends, the first end being removably connected to the lower end of the vertical member, the second end of the lower support being removably connected to the second end of the upper support member;
- and
- a flexible sheet removably connected along a portion of the upper support member, a portion of the lower support member, a portion of the upper horizontal frame member, and the lower horizontal frame member;
- wherein the flexible sheet forms a generally half-pyramidal shape when the flexible sheet and the upper and lower support members are connected to the mounting frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.