Aerodynamic Trucking Systems
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system of aerodynamic skirt fairings designed to minimize aerodynamic drag and maintain smoother air flow over highway-operated long-haul tractor-trailer vehicles.
38 Citations
51 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. ) A side skirt system, relating to reducing aerodynamic drag below cargo trailers, comprising:
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a) a cargo trailer comprising a generally-rectilinear floor assembly having longitudinal sides, a longitudinal axis, a forward portion, a trailing portion, and having at least one rear wheel assembly situated below said generally-rectilinear floor; b) a plurality of generally-vertical support posts, said plurality located generally below a said longitudinal side; and c) a set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels; d) wherein each respective generally-vertical support post of said plurality comprises a respective upper end; e) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled only adjacent, at said respective upper end, with said generally-rectilinear floor assembly; f) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled below said upper end to at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels; g) wherein at least two of said generally-vertical support posts of said plurality of generally-vertical support posts and at one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels are located along a path from said forward portion to said trailing portion; h) wherein such path proceeds outwardly, relative to said longitudinal axis, from said forward portion to said trailing portion to a location adjacent and forward of said rear wheel assembly; and i) wherein interaction of airflow below said cargo trailer, when moving forward, with said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels reduces aerodynamic drag of said cargo trailer.) - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 39, 43, 46, 49)
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30. ) A side skirt system, relating to reducing aerodynamic drag of cargo trailers, such cargo trailer comprising a generally-rectilinear floor assembly having longitudinal sides, a longitudinal axis, a forward portion, a trailing portion, and having at least one rear wheel assembly situated below said generally-rectilinear floor, said system comprising:
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a) at least two generally-vertical support posts, each said generally-vertical support post being configured to be located generally below at least one of such longitudinal sides; and b) a set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels; c) wherein each said generally-vertical support post comprises an upper end configured to be coupled with such generally-rectilinear floor assembly; d) wherein each said generally-vertical support post is configured to be coupled below said upper end to at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels; e) wherein said at least two generally-vertical support posts and at one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels are configured to be located along a path, proceeding outwardly relative to such longitudinal side, from such forward portion to such trailing portion, to a location adjacent and forward of such rear wheel assembly; and f) wherein such side skirt system, when assembled with such cargo trailer, assists in reducing aerodynamic drag of such cargo trailer.) - View Dependent Claims (33, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 47, 48, 50)
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51. ) A side skirt system, relating to reducing aerodynamic drag below cargo trailers, comprising:
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a) a cargo trailer comprising a generally-rectilinear floor assembly having longitudinal sides, a longitudinal axis, a forward portion, a trailing portion, and having at least one rear wheel assembly situated below said generally-rectilinear floor; b) a plurality of generally-vertical support posts, said plurality located generally below a said longitudinal side; and c) a set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels; d) wherein each respective generally-vertical support post of said plurality comprises a respective upper end; e) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled only adjacent, at said respective upper end, with said generally-rectilinear floor assembly; f) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled below said upper end to at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels; g) wherein at least two of said generally-vertical support posts of said plurality of generally-vertical support posts and at one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels are located along a path from said forward portion to said trailing portion; h) wherein such path proceeds outwardly, relative to said longitudinal axis, from said forward portion to said trailing portion to a location adjacent and forward of said rear wheel assembly; i) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is configured to assist upward and inward pivoting of at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels to reduce impact damage; j) wherein such respective generally-vertical support post further comprises at least one positional biaser structured and arranged to positionally bias such respective generally-vertical support post into at least one generally-vertical position and wherein said at least one positional biaser comprises at least one spring; k) wherein said upper end comprises at least one adjustable attacher structured and arranged to adjustably attach said generally-vertical support post to said generally-rectilinear floor; l) wherein said at least one adjustable attacher comprises at least one vertical-axis rotator configured to allow rotation of said generally-vertical support post about a generally-vertical axis; m) wherein said at least one vertical-axis rotator comprises at least one positional maintainer structured and arranged to maintain such respective generally-vertical support post in at least one defined rotational position about such generally-vertical axis; n) wherein said at least one adjustable attacher comprises; i) at least one mounting plate structured and arranged to assist mounted engagement of said generally-vertical support post with said generally-rectilinear floor, and ii) at least one threaded-shaft tensioner structured and arranged to tension said at least one mounting plate toward such mounted engagement; o) wherein said at least one mounting plate comprises at least one slotted aperture structured and arranged to receive said at least one threaded-shaft tensioner; p) wherein said generally-vertical support post comprises at least one channel having at least one mounting flange structured and arranged to assist connection of at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels to such respective generally-vertical support post; and q) wherein said at least one mounting plate and said at least one threaded-shaft tensioner are configured to form at least one clamping assembly structured and arranged to assist, when assembled, adjustable clamping of said generally-vertical support post to such at least one floor support member of such generally-rectilinear floor.
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Specification