Air scoop for selectively inducing drag on a vehicle

• US 5,360,252 A
• Filed: 08/03/1992
• Issued: 11/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard C. Larsen
• Original Assignee: Richard C. Larsen
• Inventors: Larsen, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US07/924,168
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 296/180.1, 296/180.2, 296/180.3, 296/180.5
• US Class Current: 296/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/002 for caravans B62D35/004 takes precedence

Abstract

An air scoop that is installed in certain type recreational vehicles, commercial buses, and commercial 5th wheel trailers for creating drag when activated. The basic construction is a rectangular box like structure having a slanted front with a controlled front panel. The controlled front panel, when activated, extends the forward edge thereof into the air stream passing by the vehicle while moving. This opening of the front of the retangular box like structure allows air to enter and the amount of air that enters depends on the amount of opening of the controlled panel and the speed of the vehicle. Air is guided into the unit allowing some of the air to escape through perforations in the back panel. The amount of drag created can be controlled by adjusting the front controlled panel opening amount. When the panel is closed the air scoop has no other function. If necessary, this invention is easily detached from the vehicle.

Claims

1. An air scoop attachable to a vehicle for selectively creating drag on the vehicle as a speed reduction aid, said air scoop comprising:

a generally box like structure having a bottom panel, a top panel, a pair of side panels, and a fixed rear panel attached to each other to form said box like structure and a controlled front panel hingedly attached to either said top panel or to said bottom panel for selective opening and closing of said box like structure,

an actuator attached to said controlled front panel for opening and closing said controlled front panel,

said fixed back panel having a plurality of perforations therein,

wherein said controlled front panel is normally closed to prevent air from the air stream that passes by the vehicle from entering said air scoop and when speed reduction is desired, said actuator is activated to open said controlled front panel and allow air into said air scoop which increases the drag on the vehicle as the air impacts said fixed rear wall, said plurality of perforations in said fixed rear wall allow for some air pressure relief as well as moisture to pass through said air scoop.

2. The air scoop according to claim 1, wherein said controlled front wall is slanted towards the rear of said vehicle when closed to reduce drag while in this position.

3. The air scoop according to claim 1, wherein said air scoop includes a plurality of stiffener panels located inside said box like structure.

4. The air scoop according to claim 1, wherein said controlled front panel includes a plurality of air guide panels thereon.