The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 10, 1984
Filed:
Nov. 08, 1982
Ronald L Beckmann, Rochester, MI (US);
Willard W Gregg, Troy, MI (US);
Del C Schroeder, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
An aerodynamic drag reducing device for a tractor trailer vehicle includes a rigid deflector panel having its leading edge pivotally mounted on the cab roof and having a length greater than the cab roof so that the trailing edge of the deflector panel overhangs the rear wall of the cab. A pair of rigid cab extender panels are mounted on the rear wall of the cab in alignment with the cab side walls. The deflector panel and extender panels terminate at a distance from the trailer which permits unrestricted turning movement of the tractor relative to the trailer. A pair of air deflecting side members extend generally vertically between each side edge of the rigid deflector panel and the cab roof and the extender panels. The side members are molded urethane and comprise a plurality of foldably interconnected triangular segments which fold relative one another to accommodate pivotal movement of the rigid deflector panel relative to the cab roof and the extender panels. The top edge of the side member is attached to the side edge of the deflector panel. The bottom edge of the side member is attached to the cab roof and to the extender panel. The deflector panel, the extender panels and the side members cooperate to aerodynamically extend the cab toward the trailer to substantially reduce the drag inducing gap therebetween without requiring any connection to or modification of the trailer.