초록 ▼

A drag reducing apparatus for use with vehicles having surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus includes an exterior cover that forms a drag reducing shape when the apparatus is fully extended. The apparatus can be retracted to a space saving configuration. A scissors linkage extends and ret

A drag reducing apparatus for use with vehicles having surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus includes an exterior cover that forms a drag reducing shape when the apparatus is fully extended. The apparatus can be retracted to a space saving configuration. A scissors linkage extends and retracts the apparatus. The scissors linkage can be motorized, and the motor can extend the scissors linkage by turning in a first direction and can retract the apparatus by turning in a second direction. The scissors linkage can hold the exterior cover taut when the apparatus is fully extended. The scissors linkage can support the exterior cover at intermediate locations when the apparatus is not fully extended. The apparatus can include support linkages and intermediate moveable members that support the exterior cover and define the drag reducing shape.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A drag reducing apparatus adapted for mounting to a rear end of a vehicle, the drag reducing apparatus comprising: a scissors linkage including a plurality of connection locations; and a tension member routed through the scissors linkage, the tension member operably connected

What is claimed is: 1. A drag reducing apparatus adapted for mounting to a rear end of a vehicle, the drag reducing apparatus comprising: a scissors linkage including a plurality of connection locations; and a tension member routed through the scissors linkage, the tension member operably connected to the plurality of connection locations of the scissors linkage; wherein when the tension member is driven in a first direction the scissors linkage extends thereby extending the drag reducing apparatus; and wherein when the tension member is driven in a second direction the scissors linkage retracts thereby retracting the drag reducing apparatus. 2. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection locations of the scissors linkage includes an attachment point that attaches the tension member to the scissors linkage at the attachment point. 3. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tension member includes a first end and a second end, wherein the attachment point is a first attachment point attached to the tension member adjacent the first end of the tension member, and wherein the plurality of connection locations of the scissors linkage also includes a second attachment point attached to the tension member adjacent the second end of the tension member. 4. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the scissors linkage includes a plurality of joints, wherein at least two connection locations of the plurality of connection locations respectively coincide with at least two joints of the plurality of joints, wherein the tension member is routed between the at least two connection locations, and wherein when the tension member is driven in the first direction the tension member urges at least two of the at least two joints toward each other and thereby extends the scissors linkage. 5. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection locations of the scissors linkage includes a rotating member rotatably mounted on the scissors linkage and wherein the tension member is routed across the rotating member and is thereby connected to the scissors linkage. 6. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the rotating member is a pulley. 7. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the scissors linkage includes a plurality of joints and wherein the rotating member is coaxial with a joint of the plurality of joints. 8. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the rotating member is a first rotating member, wherein the plurality of connection locations of the scissors linkage also includes a second rotating member rotatably mounted on the scissors linkage, wherein the tension member is also routed across the second rotating member and is thereby further connected to the scissors linkage, and wherein when the tension member is driven in the first direction the tension member urges the first and the second rotating members toward each other and thereby extends the scissors linkage. 9. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the tension member provides vertical support to the scissors linkage. 10. A drag reducing apparatus for use in reducing drag on a vehicle, the drag reducing apparatus 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 a rear end of the vehicle and a second end that is moved outwardly from the first end of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the retracted configuration toward the extended configuration, the drag reducing assembly including a scissors linkage connected between the first and the second ends of the drag reducing assembly, and the drag reducing assembly including a tensile load transfer arrangement including at least one tension member; wherein the scissors linkage is connected to the tensile load transfer arrangement at a plurality of connection locations; wherein when the tensile load transfer arrangement is driven in a first direction the scissors linkage extends thereby moving the drag reducing assembly toward the extended configuration from the retracted configuration; and wherein when the tensile load transfer arrangement is driven in a second direction the scissors linkage retracts thereby moving the drag reducing assembly toward the retracted configuration from the extended configuration. 11. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of connection locations includes an attachment point that attaches the tensile load transfer arrangement to the scissors linkage at the attachment point. 12. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of connection locations includes a plurality of rotating members rotatably mounted on the scissors linkage, wherein the tensile load transfer arrangement is routed across and between the plurality of rotating members and is thereby further connected to the scissors linkage, wherein the plurality of rotating members includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member, and wherein when the tensile load transfer arrangement is driven in the first direction the tensile load transfer arrangement urges the first and the second rotating members toward each other and thereby extends the scissors linkage. 13. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 11, wherein a portion of the tensile load transfer arrangement extends between the attachment point and a mounted rotating member rotatably mounted to the first end of the drag reducing assembly and wherein when the tensile load transfer arrangement is driven in the second direction the tensile load transfer arrangement urges the attachment point toward the mounted rotating member and thereby retracts the scissors linkage. 14. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the mounted rotating member is driven by a motor and thereby drives the tensile load transfer arrangement in the first and the second directions. 15. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 13, wherein an end of the scissors linkage is pivotably mounted to the first end of the drag reducing assembly. 16. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the portion of the tensile load transfer arrangement provides vertical support to the scissors linkage when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration. 17. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 16, wherein a center-of-gravity of the drag reducing assembly vertically rises as the drag reducing assembly moves away from the retracted configuration toward the extended configuration and also vertically rises as the drag reducing assembly moves away from the extended configuration toward the retracted configuration. 18. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one spring assists in moving the drag reducing assembly toward the extended configuration from the retracted configuration. 19. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a fabric covering, wherein the scissors linkage holds the fabric covering taut between the first and the second ends of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is in the extended configuration. 20. The drag reducing apparatus of claim 19, further comprising at least one intermediate moveable member that supports the fabric covering when the drag reducing assembly is not in the extended configuration.