초록 ▼

An air drag reduction apparatus includes left and right panels and top and bottom panels for mounting to the rear doors of a tractor trailer along the top, bottom and side edges thereof. Hinges are interposed between the panels and the doors so that the panels can pivot about the hinges between an e

An air drag reduction apparatus includes left and right panels and top and bottom panels for mounting to the rear doors of a tractor trailer along the top, bottom and side edges thereof. Hinges are interposed between the panels and the doors so that the panels can pivot about the hinges between an extended drag-reducing position and a collapsed position generally adjacent the rear doors. Stop devices releasably secure the panels in the extended position, and biasing devices such as tensioning springs are operative to bias the panels outwardly and rearwardly to the extended position and are further operative to permit the panels to pivot between the extended position towards and to the collapsed position upon impact and contact from an external object occurring and then return to the extended position substantially immediately upon contact ceasing thereby significantly reducing the impact damage. The apparatus also includes a ramp and wheel arrangement to facilitate opening and collapsing of the panels. The apparatus of the invention also includes an outwardly extending panel protection member projecting from the lower corner of the panel in a position for being contacted by external objects during movement of the vehicle to thereby prevent direct contact between an external object and the panel and cause the panel to move toward its collapsed position.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. An air drag reduction apparatus for use with vehicles having a generally rectangular rear door, said apparatus comprising:a side panel having an inner edge and an outer edge, said outer edge of the side panel having an upper corner;a top panel having an inner edge and an outer edge, said

I claim: 1. An air drag reduction apparatus for use with vehicles having a generally rectangular rear door, said apparatus comprising:a side panel having an inner edge and an outer edge, said outer edge of the side panel having an upper corner;a top panel having an inner edge and an outer edge, said outer edge of the top panel having a laterally disposed outer corner;respective hinge assemblies mounted on the panels adjacent the inner edges thereof, said assemblies being configured and arranged for pivotally mounting said panels on the rear door of the vehicle and operative to permit each of said panels to pivot between an extended drag-reducing position where the panel extends generally rearwardly from the rear door and a collapsed position where the panel is located adjacent the rear door, said panels being located relative to one another such that the upper corner of the side panel and the outer corner of the top panel corner are in proximity with one another when the panels are in their respective extended drag-reducing positions; anda respective force transferring element mounted at each of said corners, said elements being interengageable and cooperable for causing the top panel to pivot toward its collapsed position in response to pivoting of the side panel toward its collapsed position, one of said elements comprising a cam surface and the other of said elements comprising a cam follower,wherein one of said elements comprises a ramp presenting said surface and the other element comprises a wheel which engages and rides on said surface.