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An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is adaptable for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus consists of a series of nesting shapes and/or frameworks that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving c

An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is adaptable for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus consists of a series of nesting shapes and/or frameworks that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A drag reducing device for use in reducing drag on a vehicle, the drag reducing device comprising: a drag reducing assembly that is movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the drag reducing assembly including a first end adapted for connection

What is claimed is: 1. A drag reducing device for use in reducing drag on a vehicle, the drag reducing device comprising: a drag reducing assembly that is movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the drag reducing assembly including a first end adapted for connection to the vehicle and a second end that is moved outwardly from the first end when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the retracted configuration toward the extended configuration; a flexible member routed through the drag reducing assembly; a motor for moving the flexible member in first and second directions, the flexible member causing the drag reducing assembly to extend when moved in the first direction, and the flexible member causing the drag reducing assembly to retract when moved in the second direction; and a set of linkages that interconnects the first end to the second end; wherein a first tensile load is transferred through the flexible member to move the drag reducing assembly from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration and wherein a second tensile load is transferred through the flexible member to move the drag reducing assembly from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration. 2. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the first end of the drag reducing assembly is adapted for connection to a rear end of the vehicle. 3. The drag reducing device of claim 2, wherein the rear end of the vehicle is substantially vertical. 4. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the motor is operably connected to the flexible member by a pulley. 5. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the set of linkages includes a first link rotatably connected to the first end of the drag reducing assembly and a second link rotatably connected to the first link and wherein the second link is rotatably connected to a moveable section of the drag reducing assembly. 6. The drag reducing device of claim 5, wherein the set of linkages further includes a third link rotatably connected to the first end of the drag reducing assembly and a fourth link rotatably connected to the third link, wherein the fourth link is rotatably connected to the moveable section of the drag reducing assembly, wherein the first link is rotatable relative to the first end of the drag reducing assembly about a first axis, the second link is rotatable relative to the first link about a second axis, the second link is rotatable relative to the moveable section of the drag reducing assembly about a third axis, the third link is rotatable relative to the first end of the drag reducing assembly about a fourth axis, the fourth link is rotatable relative to the third link about a fifth axis, and the fourth link is rotatable relative to the moveable section of the drag reducing assembly about a sixth axis, wherein the first, the second, and the third axes are substantially parallel to each other, wherein the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth axes are substantially parallel to each other, and wherein the first, the second, and the third axes are non-parallel to the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth axes. 7. The drag reducing device of claim 6, wherein a first plane is substantially perpendicular to the first, the second, and the third axes, wherein a second plane is substantially perpendicular to the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth axes, and wherein the first and the second planes are substantially perpendicular to each other. 8. The drag reducing device of claim 6, wherein the first and the fourth axes are fixed with respect to the vehicle when the drag reducing assembly is connected to the vehicle. 9. The drag reducing device of claim 8, wherein the first and the fourth axes are fixed with respect to a rear door of the vehicle when the drag reducing assembly is connected to the vehicle. 10. The drag reducing device of claim 6, wherein the moveable section of the drag reducing assembly is an intermediate moveable section. 11. The drag reducing device of claim 6, wherein the moveable section of the drag reducing assembly includes the second end of the drag reducing assembly. 12. The drag reducing device of claim 6, wherein the moveable section of the drag reducing assembly supports a fabric covering that defines at least a portion of an outer surface of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration. 13. The drag reducing device of claim 12, wherein the moveable section of the drag reducing assembly is an intermediate moveable section. 14. The drag reducing device of claim 12, wherein the moveable section of the drag reducing assembly includes the second end of the drag reducing assembly. 15. The drag reducing device of claim 6, wherein the moveable section of the drag reducing assembly includes a panel assembly that defines at least a portion of an outer surface of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration. 16. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is routed through the drag reducing assembly along a route and the route has a substantially constant route length when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration, when the drag reducing assembly is at the retracted configuration, and when the drag reducing assembly is between the extended and the retracted configurations. 17. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the set of linkages linearly guides the second end of the drag reducing assembly as the drag reducing assembly is moved between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration. 18. A drag reducing device for use in reducing drag on a vehicle, the drag reducing device comprising: a drag reducing assembly that is movable between a deployed configuration and a retracted configuration, the drag reducing assembly including a first end adapted for connection to a rear end of the vehicle and a second end that is moved outwardly from the first end when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the retracted configuration toward the deployed configuration; a tensile load transfer arrangement including at least one flexible member, at least a portion of the tensile load transfer arrangement having a rearward routing; and an actuator for moving the tensile load transfer arrangement in first and second directions, a first tensile load transferred through the tensile load transfer arrangement urges the drag reducing assembly to deploy when the tensile load transfer arrangement is moved by the actuator in the first direction, and a second tensile load transferred through the tensile load transfer arrangement urges the drag reducing assembly to retract when the tensile load transfer arrangement is moved by the actuator in the second direction. 19. The drag reducing device of claim 18, wherein the rear end of the vehicle is substantially vertical. 20. The drag reducing device of claim 18, wherein the actuator is a motor. 21. The drag reducing device of claim 20, wherein the motor is operably connected to the tensile load transfer arrangement by a pulley. 22. The drag reducing device of claim 18, further comprising a linkage that interconnects the first end to the second end of the drag reducing assembly. 23. The drag reducing device of claim 18, further comprising a linkage and a first and a second section of the drag reducing assembly, wherein the linkage interconnects the first and the second sections of the drag reducing assembly, the linkage telescopingly guiding the second section relative to the first section, and wherein the tensile load transfer arrangement is routed through the first and the second sections. 24. The drag reducing device of claim 23, wherein the first section includes the first end of the drag reducing assembly and the second section includes the second end of the drag reducing assembly. 25. A drag reducing device for use in reducing drag on a vehicle, the drag reducing device comprising: a drag reducing assembly that is movable between a deployed configuration and a retracted configuration, the drag reducing assembly including a first end adapted for connection to a rear end of the vehicle and a second end that is moved outwardly from the first end when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the retracted configuration toward the deployed configuration; and a set of linkages including a first link, a second link, a third link, and a fourth link, the set of linkages defining a first axis, a second axis, a third axis, a fourth axis, a fifth axis, and a sixth axis; wherein the first link is rotatably connected to the first end of the drag reducing assembly about the first axis, the third link is rotatably connected to the first end of the drag reducing assembly about the fourth axis, the second link is rotatably connected to a moveable section of the drag reducing assembly about the third axis, the fourth link is rotatably connected to the moveable section of the drag reducing assembly about the sixth axis, the second link is rotatably connected to the first link about the second axis, and the fourth link is rotatably connected to the third link about the fifth axis; and wherein the first, the second, and the third axes are substantially parallel to each other, the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth axes are substantially parallel to each other, and the first, the second, and the third axes are non-parallel to the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth axes. 26. The drag reducing device of claim 25, wherein a first plane is substantially perpendicular to the first, the second, and the third axes, wherein a second plane is substantially perpendicular to the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth axes, and wherein the first and the second planes are substantially perpendicular to each other. 27. The drag reducing device of claim 25, further comprising a tensile load transfer arrangement including at least one flexible member, the tensile load transfer arrangement adapted to transfer a first tensile load to urge the drag reducing assembly toward the deployed configuration and adapted to transfer a second tensile load to urge the drag reducing assembly toward the retracted configuration. 28. The drag reducing device of claim 27, further comprising an actuator for moving the tensile load transfer arrangement in first and second directions, wherein the first tensile load transferred through the tensile load transfer arrangement urges the drag reducing assembly to deploy when the tensile load transfer arrangement is moved by the actuator in the first direction and wherein the second tensile load transferred through the tensile load transfer arrangement urges the drag reducing assembly to retract when the tensile load transfer arrangement is moved by the actuator in the second direction. 29. The drag reducing device of claim 25, wherein the first and the second links are movable between an open position and a closed position, the first and the second links being in the open position when the drag reducing assembly is in the deployed configuration, the first and the second links also being in the open position when the drag reducing assembly is in the retracted configuration, and the first and the second links pivoting toward and then away from the closed position as the drag reducing assembly is moved from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration. 30. The drag reducing device of claim 25, wherein the first and the second links are movable between an open position and a closed position, the first and the second links being in the open position when the drag reducing assembly is in the deployed configuration, and the first and the second links being in the closed position when the drag reducing assembly is in the retracted configuration. 31. The drag reducing device of claim 25, wherein the set of linkages is repeated thereby forming a repeating linkage chain. 32. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the drag reducing assembly at least partially defines an extended volume when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration, at least a portion of the extended volume tapering inwardly as the drag reducing assembly extends in a direction from the first end to the second end of the drag reducing assembly. 33. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the set of linkages is connected to a moveable section of the drag reducing assembly and wherein the moveable section supports a fabric covering that defines at least a portion of an outer surface of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration. 34. The drag reducing device of claim 33, wherein the moveable section of the drag reducing assembly includes the second end of the drag reducing assembly. 35. The drag reducing device of claim 6, wherein the drag reducing assembly at least partially defines an extended volume when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration and wherein the second axis moves inwardly away from an adjacent first exterior portion of the extended volume and the fifth axis moves inwardly away from an adjacent second exterior portion of the extended volume when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the extended configuration toward the retracted configuration. 36. The drag reducing device of claim 18, wherein the drag reducing assembly at least partially defines an extended volume when the drag reducing assembly is at the deployed configuration, at least a portion of the extended volume tapering inwardly as the drag reducing assembly extends in a direction from the first end to the second end of the drag reducing assembly. 37. The drag reducing device of claim 18, wherein a moveable section of the drag reducing assembly includes the second end of the drag reducing assembly and wherein the moveable section supports a fabric covering that defines at least a portion of an outer surface of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is at the deployed configuration. 38. The drag reducing device of claim 25, wherein the drag reducing assembly at least partially defines an extended volume when the drag reducing assembly is at the deployed configuration, at least a portion of the extended volume tapering inwardly as the drag reducing assembly extends in a direction from the first end to the second end of the drag reducing assembly. 39. The drag reducing device of claim 25, wherein the drag reducing assembly at least partially defines an extended volume when the drag reducing assembly is at the deployed configuration and wherein the second axis moves inwardly away from an adjacent first exterior portion of the extended volume and the fifth axis moves inwardly away from an adjacent second exterior portion of the extended volume when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the deployed configuration toward the retracted configuration. 40. The drag reducing device of claim 39, wherein the set of linkages is biased to move the drag reducing assembly toward the retracted configuration. 41. The drag reducing device of claim 39, wherein the set of linkages is biased to move the drag reducing assembly toward the deployed configuration. 42. The drag reducing device of claim 39, wherein the set of linkages is biased to move the drag reducing assembly toward the retracted configuration when the drag reducing assembly is near the retracted configuration and wherein the set of linkages is biased to move the drag reducing assembly toward the deployed configuration when the drag reducing assembly is near the deployed configuration. 43. The drag reducing device of claim 39, wherein the moveable section supports a fabric covering that defines at least a portion of an outer surface of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is at the deployed configuration. 44. The drag reducing device of claim 43, wherein the fabric covering is tensioned when the drag reducing assembly is at the deployed configuration. 45. The drag reducing device of claim 43, wherein the fabric covering is attached to a support member mounted to the first end of the drag reducing assembly and wherein the fabric covering at least partially tucks between the support member and the moveable section when the drag reducing assembly is at the retracted configuration. 46. The drag reducing device of claim 25, wherein rotational movement between at least some of the links is coordinated. 47. The drag reducing device of claim 46, wherein the rotational movement is coordinated by a flexible shaft. 48. A drag reducing device for use in reducing drag on a vehicle, the drag reducing device comprising: a drag reducing assembly that is movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the drag reducing assembly including a first end adapted for connection to the vehicle and a second end that is moved outwardly from the first end when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the retracted configuration toward the extended configuration; and a plurality of links, each of the links defining substantially parallel first and second axes; wherein adjoining links of the links of a first group of the plurality of links are rotatably connected together to form a first linkage chain, wherein the links of the first linkage chain include at least a first link and a last link, wherein the first link of the first linkage chain rotatably connects to the first end of the drag reducing assembly about the first axis of the first link of the first linkage chain to form a first connection of the first linkage chain, and wherein the last link of the first linkage chain rotatably connects to the second end of the drag reducing assembly about the second axis of the last link of the first linkage chain to form a last connection of the first linkage chain; wherein adjoining links of the links of a second group of the plurality of links are rotatably connected together to form a second linkage chain, wherein the links of the second linkage chain include at least a first link and a last link, wherein the first link of the second linkage chain rotatably connects to the first end of the drag reducing assembly about the first axis of the first link of the second linkage chain to form a first connection of the second linkage chain, and wherein the last link of the second linkage chain rotatably connects to the second end of the drag reducing assembly about the second axis of the last link of the second linkage chain to form a last connection of the second linkage chain; wherein a rotatable connection is formed between each of the adjoining links of the first and the second linkage chains about the corresponding first and second axes of the adjoining links; wherein the axes of the links of the first linkage chain are substantially parallel to each other, wherein the axes of the links of the second linkage chain are substantially parallel to each other, and wherein the axes of the links of the first linkage chain are non-parallel to the axes of the links of the second linkage chain; and wherein the axes of the links of the first linkage chain are non-perpendicular to an adjacent first exterior portion of the drag reducing assembly and the axes of the links of the second linkage chain are non-perpendicular to an adjacent second exterior portion of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration. 49. The drag reducing device of claim 48, wherein the second end of the drag reducing assembly is biased outwardly from the first end of the drag reducing assembly. 50. The drag reducing device of claim 49, further comprising a means of retracting the second end of the drag reducing assembly to move the drag reducing assembly to the retracted configuration. 51. The drag reducing device of claim 50, wherein the means of retracting the second end of the drag reducing assembly includes a tension member and an actuator. 52. The drag reducing device of claim 48, wherein one of the links of the first linkage chain and one of the links of the second linkage chain are both included in a panel assembly or a framework of the drag reducing assembly. 53. The drag reducing device of claim 48, wherein the first linkage chain further includes intermediate links between the first and the last link of the first linkage chain and the second linkage chain further includes intermediate links between the first and the last link of the second linkage chain, wherein the intermediate links of the first and the second linkage chains rotatably connect to an intermediate moveable section of the drag reducing assembly, and wherein the intermediate moveable section is positioned between the first and the second ends of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration. 54. The drag reducing device of claim 48, further comprising a fabric covering that defines at least a portion of an outer surface of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration. 55. The drag reducing device of claim 54, wherein the fabric covering is connected between the first and the second ends of the drag reducing assembly. 56. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the drag reducing assembly has an extended length in a range of 6 to 22 feet when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration. 57. The drag reducing device of claim 6, wherein the first, the second, the third, and the fourth links each include a first end and a second end, wherein the first axis is adjacent the first end of the first link and the second axis is adjacent the second end of the first link, wherein the second axis is adjacent the first end of the second link and the third axis is adjacent the second end of the second link, wherein the fourth axis is adjacent the first end of the third link and the fifth axis is adjacent the second end of the third link, and wherein the fifth axis is adjacent the first end of the fourth link and the sixth axis is adjacent the second end of the fourth link. 58. The drag reducing device of claim 25, wherein the first, the second, the third, and the fourth links each include a first end and a second end, wherein the first axis is adjacent the first end of the first link and the second axis is adjacent the second end of the first link, wherein the second axis is adjacent the first end of the second link and the third axis is adjacent the second end of the second link, wherein the fourth axis is adjacent the first end of the third link and the fifth axis is adjacent the second end of the third link, and wherein the fifth axis is adjacent the first end of the fourth link and the sixth axis is adjacent the second end of the fourth link. 59. A drag reducing device for use in reducing drag on a vehicle, the drag reducing device comprising: a drag reducing assembly that is movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the drag reducing assembly including a first end adapted for connection to the vehicle and a second end that is moved outwardly from the first end when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the retracted configuration toward the extended configuration; and a plurality of links, each of the links defining first and second axes; wherein adjoining links of the links of a first group of the plurality of links are rotatably connected together to form a first linkage chain, wherein the links of the first linkage chain include at least a first link and a last link, wherein the first link of the first linkage chain rotatably connects to the first end of the drag reducing assembly about the first axis of the first link of the first linkage chain to form a first connection of the first linkage chain, and wherein the last link of the first linkage chain rotatably connects to the second end of the drag reducing assembly about the second axis of the last link of the first linkage chain to form a last connection of the first linkage chain; wherein adjoining links of the links of a second group of the plurality of links are rotatably connected together to form a second linkage chain, wherein the links of the second linkage chain include at least a first link and a last link, wherein the first link of the second linkage chain rotatably connects to the first end of the drag reducing assembly about the first axis of the first link of the second linkage chain to form a first connection of the second linkage chain, and wherein the last link of the second linkage chain rotatably connects to the second end of the drag reducing assembly about the second axis of the last link of the second linkage chain to form a last connection of the second linkage chain; wherein a rotatable connection is formed between each of the adjoining links of the first and the second linkage chains about the corresponding first and second axes of the adjoining links; wherein the first and the second axes of the first and the last links of the first linkage chain are all substantially parallel to each other, wherein the first and the second axes of the first and the last links of the second linkage chain are all substantially parallel to each other, and wherein the first and the second axes of the first and the last links of the first linkage chain are non-parallel to the first and the second axes of the first and the last links of the second linkage chain; and wherein the first and the last links of the first and the second linkage chains each include a first end and a second end, wherein for each of the first and the last links of the first and the second linkage chains the first axis is adjacent the corresponding first end of the corresponding link and the second axis is adjacent the corresponding second end of the corresponding link. 60. The drag reducing device of claim 59, wherein the second end of the drag reducing assembly is biased outwardly from the first end of the drag reducing assembly. 61. The drag reducing device of claim 60, further comprising a means of retracting the second end of the drag reducing assembly to move the drag reducing assembly to the retracted configuration. 62. The drag reducing device of claim 61, wherein the means of retracting the second end of the drag reducing assembly includes a tension member and an actuator. 63. The drag reducing device of claim 59, further comprising a fabric covering that defines at least a portion of an outer surface of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration, wherein the fabric covering is connected between the first and the second ends of the drag reducing assembly.