Device for reducing vehicle aerodynamic resistance
First Claim
1. A device for reducing aerodynamic resistance of a vehicle, having a generally rectangular body with a front, a rear, a bottom, and sides disposed above rear wheels, which positions the rectangular body a predetermined position above a ground surface, the device comprising:
- a plurality of load bearing struts of a predetermined size attached to the bottom of the rectangular body adjacent the sides thereof;
a plurality of opposed flat sheets, front opposed flat sheets disposed toward the front of the rectangular body, intermediate opposed flat sheets disposed behind the front opposed flat sheets, and rear opposed flat sheets disposed toward the rear of the rectangular body, each having a top edge disposed adjacent the bottom and side of the rectangular body, a lower edge disposed at a predetermined height above the ground surface and below the bottom of the rectangular body, and fastened to the load bearing struts; and
a plurality of angled flaps fastened adjacent the lower edges of the intermediate opposed flat sheets and rear opposed flat sheets, each angled flap forming an obtuse angle with respect to each attached opposed flat sheet, extending inwardly with respect to the sides of the rectangular body, and extending to a predetermined height above the ground surface;
whereby the intermediate opposed flat sheets and rear opposed flat sheets are stiffened by the angled flaps, which flex toward the generally rectangular body if struck by protrusions on the ground surface to resist damage;
so that airflow is directed around the rear wheels reducing the aerodynamic resistance of the vehicle when moving.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for reducing vehicle aerodynamic resistance for vehicles having a generally rectangular body disposed above rear wheels, comprising a plurality of load bearing struts attached to the bottom of the rectangular body adjacent its sides, a plurality of opposing flat sheets attached to the load bearing struts, and angled flaps attached to the lower edge of the opposing sheets defining an obtuse angle with the opposing flat sheets extending inwardly with respect to the sides of the rectangular body to a predetermined height above the ground, which, stiffen the opposing flat sheets, bend to resist damage when struck by the ground, and guide airflow around the rear wheels of the vehicle to reduce its aerodynamic resistance when moving.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for reducing aerodynamic resistance of a vehicle, having a generally rectangular body with a front, a rear, a bottom, and sides disposed above rear wheels, which positions the rectangular body a predetermined position above a ground surface, the device comprising:
- a plurality of load bearing struts of a predetermined size attached to the bottom of the rectangular body adjacent the sides thereof;
a plurality of opposed flat sheets, front opposed flat sheets disposed toward the front of the rectangular body, intermediate opposed flat sheets disposed behind the front opposed flat sheets, and rear opposed flat sheets disposed toward the rear of the rectangular body, each having a top edge disposed adjacent the bottom and side of the rectangular body, a lower edge disposed at a predetermined height above the ground surface and below the bottom of the rectangular body, and fastened to the load bearing struts; and
a plurality of angled flaps fastened adjacent the lower edges of the intermediate opposed flat sheets and rear opposed flat sheets, each angled flap forming an obtuse angle with respect to each attached opposed flat sheet, extending inwardly with respect to the sides of the rectangular body, and extending to a predetermined height above the ground surface;
whereby the intermediate opposed flat sheets and rear opposed flat sheets are stiffened by the angled flaps, which flex toward the generally rectangular body if struck by protrusions on the ground surface to resist damage;
so that airflow is directed around the rear wheels reducing the aerodynamic resistance of the vehicle when moving. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- a plurality of load bearing struts of a predetermined size attached to the bottom of the rectangular body adjacent the sides thereof;
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20. A device for reducing aerodynamic resistance of a vehicle, having a generally rectangular body with a front, rear, bottom and opposing sides disposed above rear wheels, which positions the rectangular body a predetermined position above a ground surface, the device comprising:
- a plurality of load bearing struts of a predetermined size attached to the bottom of the rectangular body adjacent the sides thereof;
a plurality of opposed flat sheets, front opposed flat sheets disposed adjacent the bottom and sides of the rectangular body and toward the front thereof and having front edges that form an acute angle with respect to the bottom of the rectangular body and rectangular rearward portions fastened to the load bearing struts;
a plurality of rectangular intermediate opposed flat sheets disposed adjacent the bottom and sides of the rectangular body and the front opposed flat sheets and fastened to the load bearing struts;
rear opposed flat sheets disposed adjacent the bottom and sides of the rectangular body and towards the rear thereof and having rear edges forming acute angles with respect to the bottom of the rectangular body and rectangular forward portions fastened to the load bearing struts and adjacent the intermediate opposed flat sheets;
each opposed flat sheet having a top portion disposed adjacent the bottom and sides of the rectangular body bent generally at right angles to form flanges extending toward the opposing flat sheet, a lower edge disposed a predetermined height above the ground surface and below the bottom of the rectangular body, and overlapping adjacent opposed flat sheets attached to common load bearing struts;
a plurality of angled flaps attached to the lower edges of the intermediate opposing flat sheets and rear opposing flat sheets, each angled flap forming an obtuse angle with respect to the attached flat sheet and extending inwardly with respect to the sides of the rectangular body, and extending to a predetermined height above the ground surface;
whereby the opposing flat sheets are stiffened by the angled flaps, which flex toward the bottom of rectangular body, if struck by protrusions on the ground surface to resist damage, and airflow is directed around the rear wheels to reduce the aerodynamic resistance of the vehicle when moving and the flanges and angled flaps cooperate to stiffen the opposed intermediate flat sheets to prevent wind induced oscillations.
- a plurality of load bearing struts of a predetermined size attached to the bottom of the rectangular body adjacent the sides thereof;
Specification