Reduced wind resistant haulage vehicle apparatus

• US 20080179916A1
• Filed: 01/25/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenneth R. Breakfield
• Original Assignee: Kenneth R. Breakfield
• Inventors: Breakfield, Kenneth R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,694,774 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/180.4
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/001 For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans

Abstract

A reduced wind resistance haulage vehicle apparatus includes an undercarriage portion which supports a motor/transmission. Driven wheel assemblies are connected to the undercarriage portion and are powered by the motor/transmission. A cab portion is supported by the an undercarriage portion for controlling the motor/transmission. Steering wheel assemblies are supported by the undercarriage portion for steering by a driver seated in the cab portion. A haulage portion is supported by the undercarriage portion. More specifically, the haulage portion includes haulage compartment side walls. Haulage compartment front doors and rear doors are connected to the haulage compartment side walls. When the haulage portion is empty, the front doors and the rear doors are opened, and air flow can flow through the haulage portion when the vehicle is driven along a road surface. As a result, the air resistance of the vehicle is significantly reduced, and the vehicle saves in energy demand and in fuel consumption.

Claims

1. A reduced wind resistance haulage vehicle apparatus, comprising:

an undercarriage portion,

a motor/transmission supported by said an undercarriage portion,

driven wheel assemblies connected to said undercarriage portion and powered by said motor/transmission,

a cab portion supported by said an undercarriage portion, wherein said cab portion includes controls for controlling said motor/transmission,

steering wheel assemblies supported by said undercarriage portion for steering by a driver in said cab portion, and

a haulage portion supported by said undercarriage portion, wherein said haulage portion includes haulage compartment side walls, a haulage compartment front door connected to at least one of said side walls of said haulage compartment, and a haulage compartment rear door connected to at least one of said sidewalls of said haulage compartment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said front door comprises a pair of doors hingedly connected to said walls, respectively and which are adapted to open inward with respect to said haulage portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rear door comprises a pair of doors hingedly connected to said side walls, respectively and which are adapted to open inward with respect to said haulage portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said motor/transmission is located midway between a front portion of said undercarriage portion and a rear portion of said undercarriage portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further including:

idler wheel assemblies supported by said undercarriage portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further including:

means for raising and lowering said idler wheel assemblies.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for raising and lowering said idler wheel assemblies are air bags.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said haulage compartment front door is connected to said haulage compartment and is located above said cab portion and is of lesser vertical extent than said rear door connected to said haulage compartment at the rear of said vehicle.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a control system is disposed between said front doors and said cab portion for remotely causing said front doors to move inward with respect to said haulage compartment.

10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a control system is disposed between said rear doors and said cab portion for remotely causing said rear doors to move inward with respect to said haulage compartment.

11. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said control system further includes a weight sensor on said undercarriage of the vehicle, and means responsive to said weight sensor for automatically opening said front and rear doors when the vehicle weight falls below a predetermined magnitude corresponding to an empty condition of the vehicle.