US4214787A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drag reducing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-12-07
•
Granted: 1980-07-29
•
Expires: 1997-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A pair of trim panels are pivotally connected to the rear end of a vehicle to reduce air drag when the vehicle is in motion, with control apparatus connected between each trim panel and the rear end of the vehicle for maintaining the trim panel in an operating position when the vehicle is moving at a rate exceeding a predetermined minimum velocity, and for maintaining the trim panels in a storage position when the vehicle is moving at a rate not exceeding the minimum velocity.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Chain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:24
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D35/00; B62D35/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
Drag reducing apparatus for use with a vehicle having a substantial rectangular rear end, comprising: a trim panel having a panel leading edge and a panel trailing edge, the panel leading edge pivotally connected along and coterminous with the trailing edge of the one side of the vehicle, the trim panel positioned to extend rearwardly of said vehicle so that the panel trailing edge is positioned rearwardly of the vehicle; and control means connected between the rear end of the vehicle and the trim panel for maintaining the trim panel in an operating position in which a forward projection of the plane tangent to the panel trailing edge intersects the rearward projection of the panel within about 30 degrees and rearwardly to the vehicle rear end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
Drag reducing apparatus for use with a vehicle having a substantial rectangular rear end, comprising: a trim panel having a panel leading edge and a panel trailing edge, the panel leading edge pivotally connected along and coterminous with the trailing edge of the one side of the vehicle, the trim panel positioned to extend rearwardly of said vehicle so that the panel trailing edge is positioned rearwardly of the vehicle; and control means connected between the rear end of the vehicle and the trim panel for maintaining the trim panel in an operating position in which a forward projection of the plane tangent to the panel trailing edge intersects the rearward projection of the panel within about 30 degrees and rearwardly to the vehicle rear end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control means are defined further as comprising: a ram connected between the rear end of the vehicle and the trim panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the ram is connected to the braking system of the vehicle, whereby the trim panel automatically moves toward the storage position in response to actuation of the braking system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control means are further characterized as maintaining the trim panel in the operating position only when the vehicle is moving forwardly at a rate exceeding a predetermined minimum velocity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the control means are further characterized as biasing the trim panel toward a storage position wherein the trim panel is adjacent to, and substantially parallel with, the rear end of said vehicle, except when the vehicle is moving forwardly at a rate exceeding the predetermined minimum velocity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the control means are defined further as comprising: a sleeve connected to the trim panel adjacent to the trailing edge thereof; a cable having one end thereof connected to the rear end of the vehicle; and a biasing element disposed in the sleeve and connected to one other end of the cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the biasing element is a spring connected between said other end of the cable and a lower end of the sleeve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the trim panel is further characterized as a rectangular panel having a substantially flat transverse section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the trim panel is further characterized as a cylindric panel having an arcuate transverse section of not more than 30° of arc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control means includes means for preventing movement of the trim panel beyond the operating position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
113 words
Drag reducing apparatus for use with a vehicle having substantially rectangular rear end, comprising: a trim panel pivotally connected along a leading edge thereof to the trailing edge of one side of the vehicle, with a trailing edge of the trim panel positioned rearwardly of the vehicle; and control means connected between the rear end of the vehicle and the trim panel for maintaining the trim panel in an operating position with the plane tangent to the trailing edge of the trim panel within about 30° of the rearward projection of the leading edge, the control means comprising a motor-driven screw connected between the rear end of the vehicle and the trim panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
113 words
Drag reducing apparatus for use with a vehicle having substantially rectangular rear end, comprising: a trim panel pivotally connected along a leading edge thereof to the trailing edge of one side of the vehicle, with a trailing edge of the trim panel positioned rearwardly of the vehicle; and control means connected between the rear end of the vehicle and the trim panel for maintaining the trim panel in an operating position with the plane tangent to the trailing edge of the trim panel within about 30° of the rearward projection of the leading edge, the control means comprising a motor-driven screw connected between the rear end of the vehicle and the trim panel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the motor-driven screw is connected to the brake light portion of the braking system of the vehicle, whereby the trim panel automatically moves toward the storage position in response to the actuation of the braking system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-07-29 | 1984-01-28 | 1984-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-29 | 1988-01-28 | 1988-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-29 | 1992-01-28 | 1992-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |