Retractable streamlining device for vehicles

Claim 1

A streamlining apparatus for trucks or the like comprising: a first member adapted to be operatively pivotally attached to a top rear portion of a truck body along a first axis; a second member adapted to be operatively pivotally attached to a lower rear portion of a truck body along said first axis, said first and second members being pivotable between a first position parallel to the forward direction of a truck and a second position transverse to the forward direction of a truck; a first arcuate element; means for pivotally attaching said first arcuate element along a second axis to said first and second members whereby said first arcuate element is pivotable between a first position wherein the first arcuate element lies generally in a first plane containing said first and second axes and a second position wherein said first arcuate member is disposed substantially at a right angle with respect to said first plane; a first flexible sheet adapted for attachment to a rear side of a truck body, said first flexible sheet being connected to said first arcuate element whereby said first flexible sheet can be selectively moved to cover a portion of the rear of a truck body for streamlining purposes; a third member adapted to be operatively pivotally attached to a top rear portion of a truck body along a third axis; a fourth member adapted to be operatively pivotally attached to a lower rear portion of a truck body along said third axis, said third and fourth members being pivotable between a first position parallel to the forward direction of a truck and a second position transverse to the forward direction of a truck; a second arcuate element; means for pivotally attaching said second arcuate element along a fourth axis to said third and fourth members whereby said second arcuate element is pivotable between a first position wherein the second arcuate element lies generally in a second plane containing said third and fourth axes and a second position wherein said second arcuate element is disposed substantially at a right angle with respect to said second plane, said first and second arcuate elements being in juxtaposition when in their respective second positions and the first and second members are in the respective second positions thereof; and a second flexible sheet adapted for attachment to a rear side of a truck body, said second flexible sheet being connected to said second arcuate element whereby said second flexible sheet can be selectively moved to cover another portion of the rear of a truck body for streamlining purposes.