# US 9,039,069 B2 · Rear-mounted aerodynamic structure for truck cargo bodies > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,069 B2 - Document ID: US9039069B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/752,368 - Filed: 2013-01-28 - Published: 2013-08-22 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2007-05-17 - Assignees: Advanced Transit Dynamics, Inc. - Applicants: Advanced Transit Dynamics, Inc. - Inventors: Andrew F. Smith; Charles M. Horrell; Jeffrey J. Grossmann; Jonathan R. Feldman; Alexander R. Bruccoleri - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039069B2 ## CPC - B62D 35/001: {For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans} - 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) ## Abstract This invention provides an aerodynamic structure attached to the rear cargo body, having doors that swing open, or a single, full-width door, which rolls upwardly. The embodiments provide an aerodynamic structure attached to the rear in a manner that would obscure access to the door(s) in a deployed position, in which the structure reduces drag, yet enables access to the door(s) in a folded position. The folded position allows access to the rear for loading and unloading, and in the case of swinging, hinged doors, allows the doors to be folded through a 270-degree arc, with a minimal sideways projection. The various embodiments also enable relatively rapid and easy transition between the folded position and the deployed position using actuators and/or linkages that tie the folding and deployment of panels of the structure together. This allows selective folding and deployment of the structure without undue effort or strength. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aerodynamic structure for a cargo body comprising: a side panel hingedly mounted to the cargo body; an upper panel hingedly mounted to the side panel, the upper panel including a hinge line that defines a first upper foldable section and a second upper foldable section; a lower panel hingedly mounted to the side panel, the lower panel including a hinge line that defines a first lower foldable section and a second lower foldable section; and an interconnection between the upper panel and the lower panel that folds the upper panel as the lower panel is moved into a folded position, wherein the interconnection comprises a flexible cable. ### Claim 2 An aerodynamic structure for a cargo body comprising: a side panel hingedly mounted to the cargo body; an upper panel hingedly mounted to the side panel, the upper panel including a hinge line that defines a first upper foldable section and a second upper foldable section; a lower panel hingedly mounted to the side panel, the lower panel including a hinge line that defines a first lower foldable section and a second lower foldable section; and an interconnection between the upper panel and the lower panel that folds the upper panel as the lower panel is moved into a folded position, wherein the interconnection comprises a medial panel hingedly secured to the upper panel and the lower panel. ### Claim 3 An aerodynamic structure for a cargo body comprising: a side panel hingedly mounted to the cargo body; an upper panel hingedly mounted to the side panel, the upper panel including a hinge line that defines a first upper foldable section and a second upper foldable section; a lower panel hingedly mounted to the side panel, the lower panel including a hinge line that defines a first lower foldable section and a second lower foldable section; and an interconnection between the upper panel and the lower panel that folds the upper panel as the lower panel is moved into a folded position, wherein the interconnection comprises a tie rod and swing arm assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The aerodynamic structure of claim 1 wherein the interconnection is secured between the first upper foldable section and the first lower foldable section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The aerodynamic structure of claim 1 wherein the interconnection is secured between the second upper foldable section and the second lower foldable section. ### Claim 6 An aerodynamic structure for a cargo body comprising: a side panel hingedly mounted to the cargo body; an upper panel hingedly mounted to the side panel, the upper panel including a hinge line that defines a first upper foldable section and a second upper foldable section; a lower panel hingedly mounted to the side panel, the lower panel including a hinge line that defines a first lower foldable section and a second lower foldable section; an interconnection between the upper panel and the lower panel that folds the upper panel as the lower panel is moved into a folded position, wherein the interconnection comprises a flexible cable; and wherein the side panel overlies the upper panel and the lower panel when the aerodynamic structure is in a folded orientation; and wherein deployment of the upper panel to a deployed orientation simultaneously deploys the lower panel to the deployed orientation and folding of the lower panel simultaneously folds the upper panel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The aerodynamic structure of claim 2 wherein the interconnection is secured between the first upper foldable section and the first lower foldable section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The aerodynamic structure of claim 3 wherein the interconnection is secured between the first upper foldable section and the first lower foldable section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The aerodynamic structure of claim 3 wherein the interconnection is secured between the second upper foldable section and the second lower foldable section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The aerodynamic structure of claim 6 wherein the interconnection is secured between the first upper foldable section and the first lower foldable section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The aerodynamic structure of claim 6 wherein the interconnection is secured between the second upper foldable section and the second lower foldable section.