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US 9,868,477 B2Granted
Aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus
AssigneeStemco Co., Ltd.
InventorThomas Scott Breidenbach
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus includes folding panels that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.
Claims17
An aerodynamic device for a rear portion of a cargo body comprising:
- an upper panel network;
- a lower panel network;
- and
- a vertical panel network,
- wherein the upper panel network is downwardly tapered, and
- wherein the vertical panel network is directly connected to the upper panel network and the lower panel network such that movement of any one of the upper panel network, the lower panel network, or the vertical panel network causes subsequent movement of each of the upper panel network, the lower panel network, and the vertical panel network, wherein the direct connection between the vertical panel network and the upper panel network comprises a first direct connection along a first hinge line.
3 more elements
An aerodynamic device for a rear portion of a cargo body comprising:
- an upper panel network;
- a lower panel network;
- and
- a vertical panel network,
- wherein the upper panel network is downwardly tapered, and
- wherein the vertical panel network is directly connected to the upper panel network and the lower panel network such that movement of any one of the upper panel network, the lower panel network, or the vertical panel network causes subsequent movement of each of the upper panel network, the lower panel network, and the vertical panel network, wherein the direct connection between the vertical panel network and the lower panel network comprises a second direct connection along a second hinge line.
3 more elements
An aerodynamic device for a rear portion of a cargo body comprising:
- an upper panel network;
- a lower panel network;
- and
- a vertical panel network,
- wherein the upper panel network is downwardly tapered,
- wherein the vertical panel network is directly connected to the upper panel network and the lower panel network such that movement of any one of the upper panel network, the lower panel network, or the vertical panel network causes subsequent movement of each of the upper panel network, the lower panel network, and the vertical panel network;
- and
- a linkage connected to the upper panel network that supports the upper panel network when the aerodynamic device is in a deployed state and adjusts into a low-profile position when the aerodynamic device is in a retracted state.
5 more elements
An aerodynamic device for a rear portion of a cargo body comprising:
- an upper panel arrangement;
- a lower panel arrangement;
- and
- a vertical panel arrangement,
- wherein the vertical panel arrangement is adapted to have a deployed orientation,
- wherein the vertical panel arrangement is substantially planar when the vertical panel arrangement is in the deployed orientation,
- wherein the vertical panel arrangement is connected to the upper panel arrangement and the lower panel arrangement such that movement of any one of the upper panel arrangement, the lower panel arrangement, or the vertical panel arrangement causes subsequent movement of each of the upper panel arrangement, the lower panel arrangement, and the vertical panel arrangement and
- wherein the connection between the vertical panel arrangement and the upper panel arrangement comprises a first direct connection along a first hinge line.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.