AERODYNAMIC SKIRT ASSEMBLY

• US 20120032475A1
• Filed: 08/03/2011
• Published: 02/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ridge Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ridge Corporation
• Inventors: Grandominico, Gary Alan, Grandominico, Dominic Plauche, McDonald, Raymond Augustus, Moss, Bret Jameson
• Granted Patent: US 9,004,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/180.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2410/122 Plastic parts manufactured by moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/168 Mud guards for utility vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/001 For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/02 Streamlining the undersurfaces B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A resilient or flexible skirt panel assembly having an integral bracing system is disclosed. In operation, the bracing system need not attach to a trailer base rail. The innovation discloses straight, straight-angled and curved skirt panel orientations. Additionally, angled braces, ‘v-braces,’ ‘v-wings,’ and integral rib bracing mechanisms are disclosed. In aspects, the skirt panel and bracing mechanisms can absorb (or bend) under force while effectively having a ‘memory’ to return to their original shape upon removal of the force. The skirt assembly can include a hem along the bottom edge of the skirt panel thereby enhancing performance and longevity of the assembly. Additionally, an “anti-skid” clamping assembly can be employed to connect the skirt assemblies to the trailer I-beam, base rail or cross-members.

Claims

1. A system that facilitates aerodynamics, comprising:

a skirt panel configured for installation upon a trailer; and

a brace that provides structural support to the skirt panel, wherein the structural support resists wind deflection and wherein the brace is positioned on an interior surface of the skirt panel.

2. The system of claim 1, the skirt panel is “

hemmed”

skirt panel.

3. The system of claim 2, the skirt panel is a resilient skirt panel that bends under force and regains an original shape upon alleviation of the force.

4. The system of claim 3, the brace is a resilient brace that bends under the force and regains an original shape upon alleviation of the force.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the brace is a ‘

v-brace’

that is wholly attached to the interior portion of the skirt panel.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the brace is an integral ‘

rib’

molded into the skirt panel.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the brace is a “

v-wing”

that is wholly attached to the interior portion of the skirt panel.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the brace is an angled brace that is wholly attached to the interior portion of the skirt panel between an interior panel face and a horizontal mounting flange.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the skirt panel is configured in a straight orientation substantially in-plane with a sidewall of the trailer.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the skirt panel is configured in a straight-angled orientation, wherein a rear portion of the skirt panel is substantially in-plane with a sidewall of the trailer and a forward portion of the skirt angles to a landing gear portion of the trailer.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the skirt panel comprises a curve between a rear portion and a forward portion of the skirt panel, wherein the forward portion bends inward toward a landing gear portion of the trailer and wherein the rear portion is substantially in-plane with a sidewall of the trailer.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of spacers that at least one of separate the skirt panel from the trailer or adapt one or more heights of a base rail or cross member to accommodate installation of the skirt panel.

13. A trailer skirt assembly, comprising:

a resilient skirt panel;

a resilient bracing means that supports the skirt panel; and

a connection means having a treatment, wherein the treatment establishes force upon a mounting surface, wherein the force secures the connection means to a surface.

14. The trailer skirt assembly of claim 13, wherein the resilient bracing means is a v-brace configured to position wholly within an interior face of the resilient skirt panel.

15. The trailer skirt assembly of claim 13, wherein the resilient bracing means is a v-wing configured to position wholly within an interior face of the resilient skirt panel.

16. The trailer skirt assembly of claim 13, wherein the resilient bracing means is an integral rib encapsulated within the skirt panel.

17. The trailer skirt assembly of claim 13, wherein the resilient bracing means is an angled brace positioned wholly within an interior face of the skirt panel.

18. The trailer skirt assembly of claim 13, wherein the connection means comprises a pair of brackets, wherein each bracket is equipped with the treatment that establishes force upon a mounting surface, and wherein the treatment is one or more countersinks that secure into a coating of the surface.

19. The trailer skirt assembly of claim 13, wherein the connection means comprises a pair of brackets, wherein each bracket is equipped with the treatment that establishes force upon a mounting surface, and wherein the treatment is one or more teeth that secure into the surface.

20. A method of installing a skirt panel assembly to a trailer, comprising:

positioning a skirt panel upon an underside of the trailer in a predetermined configuration;

mounting a brace upon the interior surface of the skirt panel; and

securing the skirt panel to the underside of the trailer via a pair of brackets that facilitate connection to an upper flange of skirt panel.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein each bracket in the pair of brackets comprises a treatment that enhances attachment to a beam of the trailer.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the treatment is a countersink treatment.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the predetermined configuration includes a curve that transitions from a rear flush position with the trailer to an inward front landing gear position.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the brace is one of a v-brace, v-wing or integral rib.