Trailer fairing access panel
AssigneeHeil Trailer International, Co.
InventorBrian Polgrean
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trailer having an aerodynamic skirt that includes a valve access panel is disclosed. The trailer includes a tank for transporting cargo and a valve at the base of the tank for accessing unloading the cargo from the trailer. The aerodynamic skirt extends along a first side of the trailer body that includes the valve and a valve access panel that is configured to cover the valve when closed and to allow access to the valve when open. The apparatus also includes a trailer brake interlock that is communicatively coupled to the valve access panel and a trailer brake to restrict motion of the trailer when the valve access panel is open and to permit motion of the trailer when the valve access panel is closed.
Claims9
A trailer comprising:
- a trailer body having an undercarriage;
- a drivetrain coupled to the undercarriage, the drivetrain comprising one or more wheels and a brake, the brake being operable to restrict movement of the wheels;
- a valve coupled to a container of the trailer body;
- the valve being positioned along a first side of the undercarriage and oriented such that a valve outlet is directed away from the first side of the undercarriage;
- an aerodynamic skirt extending along the first side of the undercarriage, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a valve access panel proximate the valve, wherein the valve access panel is movable between an open position and a closed position, the valve access panel permitting access to the valve when in an open position and covering the valve when in a closed position;
- and
- an interlock coupled to the brake and to the valve access panel, the interlock being operable to engage the brake when the valve access panel is moved from the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.