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US3834752A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle space closing means
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-01-18
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1993-01-18
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to large motor trucks commonly known as semi-trailers and to an arrangement for closing or filling in the rather substantial space which necessarily exists between the tractor cab and the trailer body, as well as the space between two trailer bodies in the case of tandem trailers or ''''doublebottoms,'''' as known in the trade. Closing in of such spaces has been shown in wind tunnel tests to effect a reduction in power necessary at high speeds substantially in excess of that which can be accomplished by smoothing or streamlining other parts of the combination. It is contemplated that the closing means may be in the form of a flexible enclosure or bag-like member which may be inflated by the exhaust gas from the tractor engine, in which case the bag would act as an effective silencer for the exhaust noise, although other means for inflating the bag may be utilized, or the bag may be used without inflation, within the scope of the invention.
Inventors
- 👤 G Friedenfeld
- 👤 N Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:47
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D35/00; B62D35/001; B62D35/004; B60; B60D; B60D5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
For use in combination with spaced coupled vehicle units one of said units having a back wall, and a trailer including a box portion having a front wall spaced backwardlY from said back wall, fairing means enclosing the space between said back wall and said box portion comprising a flexible fluid-tight enclosure of such dimensions as to be substantially congruent on one side with said front wall of said box portion, and substantially congruent on the other side with said back wall of the first mentioned unit, said fluid-tight enclosure being fixed to one of said walls; and means to fix said enclosure to the other wall and to release said enclosure from said other wall at will.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
For use in combination with spaced coupled vehicle units one of said units having a back wall, and a trailer including a box portion having a front wall spaced backwardlY from said back wall, fairing means enclosing the space between said back wall and said box portion comprising a flexible fluid-tight enclosure of such dimensions as to be substantially congruent on one side with said front wall of said box portion, and substantially congruent on the other side with said back wall of the first mentioned unit, said fluid-tight enclosure being fixed to one of said walls; and means to fix said enclosure to the other wall and to release said enclosure from said other wall at will.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 1 including means for inflating said flexible fluid-tight enclosure to maintain its shape against aerodynamic pressure imposed on the outside of said enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 2, one of said vehicle units having a propelling engine provided with an exhaust conduit, said conduit leading into said fluid-tight enclosure for inflating said fluid-tight enclosure with exhaust fluid from said exhaust conduit, and means for venting exhaust fluid from said fluid-tight enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 3 in which said venting means is constituted to restrict the flow of exhaust fluid so as to maintain a positive pressure within said fluid-tight enclosure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device according to claim 3 including means installed in said fluid-tight enclosure constituted to direct a cleaning fluid onto interior surfaces of said fluid-tight enclosure, a sump supported in position for collecting said cleaning fluid, said sump having a drain, and means for closing said drain to provide for retaining exhaust fluid within said fluid-tight enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 1, one of said vehicle units having a source of compressed gas, and conduit means extending from said source of compressed gas to said fairing means for inflating said fairing means from said source of compressed gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 6, in which said source of compressed gas includes a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, and means for connecting said conduit means to said inlet of said compressor at will for rapidly collapsing said fairing means when desired.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device in accordance with claim 1, in which said fluid-tight enclosure is composed of rugged, flexible corrugated bellows material having a smooth stretchable overlying membrane covering the corrugated surface of said fluid-tight enclosure to provide a smooth surface for air flow about said fluid-tight enclosure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |