Patent US4116482A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4116482A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle airflow control device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-04-13
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Granted: 1978-09-26
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Expires: 1997-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A device attachable to either end of a vehicle is extendible while the vehicle is underway to effect streamlining at either or both ends of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard Lee Spiegel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:31
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D35/00; B62D35/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
A streamlining device for attachment to a land vehicle comprising: a bumper attached to a land vehicle to be movable toward and away of that vehicle; bumper moving means on the land vehicle for moving said bumper while the vehicle is in motion; an air deflecting structure attached to the land vehicle at one end of that vehicle to be essentially upright and to have a top end and a bottom end, said air deflecting structure top end being immovably attached to the land vehicle and said air deflecting structure bottom end being immovably attached to said bumper to be movable therewith so that said air deflecting structure moves with said bumper to change the orientation of said air deflecting structure with respect to the land vehicle as said bumper is moved toward and away of the land vehicle; and control means on the land vehicle controlling said bumper moving means to move said bumper while the vehicle is in motion so that at low speeds said bumper is located in a position closely adjacent the vehicle one end and said air deflecting structure is essentially vertical to be flush with the vehicle one end and thereby define a blunt surface to the atmosphere, and at higher speeds said bumper is located in a position spaced from the vehicle one end and said air deflecting structure bottom end is spaced from the vehicle one end thereby tilting said air deflecting structure with respect to the vehicle into a streamlining orientation with respect to the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
A streamlining device for attachment to a land vehicle comprising: a bumper attached to a land vehicle to be movable toward and away of that vehicle; bumper moving means on the land vehicle for moving said bumper while the vehicle is in motion; an air deflecting structure attached to the land vehicle at one end of that vehicle to be essentially upright and to have a top end and a bottom end, said air deflecting structure top end being immovably attached to the land vehicle and said air deflecting structure bottom end being immovably attached to said bumper to be movable therewith so that said air deflecting structure moves with said bumper to change the orientation of said air deflecting structure with respect to the land vehicle as said bumper is moved toward and away of the land vehicle; and control means on the land vehicle controlling said bumper moving means to move said bumper while the vehicle is in motion so that at low speeds said bumper is located in a position closely adjacent the vehicle one end and said air deflecting structure is essentially vertical to be flush with the vehicle one end and thereby define a blunt surface to the atmosphere, and at higher speeds said bumper is located in a position spaced from the vehicle one end and said air deflecting structure bottom end is spaced from the vehicle one end thereby tilting said air deflecting structure with respect to the vehicle into a streamlining orientation with respect to the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A streamlining device for a land vehicle as defined in claim 1 further including a plurality of transversely extending piston rods movable into and out of horizontally extending cylinders to move the streamlining device into and out of a streamlining position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The streamlining device as defined in claim 1 wherein said bumper moving means includes a fluid power system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The streamlining device as defined in claim 3 wherein said fluid power system includes a reservoir to receive fluid when said bumper impacts an object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The streamlining device as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means includes a speed indicating instrument.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The streamlining device as defined in claim 1 further including a plurality of telescoping members attached to the vehicle, said telescoping members each including a rod mounted in a tubular support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The streamlining device as defined in claim 6 further including a flexible, stretchable cover mounted on said telescoping members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The streamlining device as defined in claim 6 wherein a pair of telescoping members are each mounted on the vehicle to contact said bumper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The streamlining device as defined in claim 1 further including a second air deflecting structure on another end of the vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The streamlining device as defined in claim 1 wherein said air deflecting structure includes a plurality of plates hingedly connected to said bumper and to the vehicle.
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) | 1981-09-25 | 1982-03-27 | 1982-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-25 | 1986-03-27 | 1986-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | 1990-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |