Abrégé

There is provided a securing mechanism for securing a strut portion to an I-beam, the securing mechanism comprising a pair of clamps, each including a gripping portion, a securing portion, an abutting portion and a fastener for applying tension on the clamps toward each other for moving the clamps toward each other. A kit thereof and a method of installing the securing mechanism are also contemplated in the present application.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/00 - Caisses de véhicule caractérisées par leur aérodynamisme

Abrégé

Aerodynamic skirt systems are used to reduce air drag of a vehicle. The present aerodynamic skirt system comprises a skirt panel, a plurality of struts, each strut comprising an upper portion for securing an upper portion of the skirt panel to the trailer, a strut member connected, at a first end thereof, to the upper portion of the strut, a lower portion for securing a lower portion of the skirt panel, the lower portion being connected to the strut member at a second end thereof, the strut member including a concave portion adapted to sustain a force applied by air routing on the aerodynamic skirt in an aerodynamic configuration thereof, the strut member being adapted to buckle and bend when a force exceeding a buckling threshold is applied on the aerodynamic skirt to move the aerodynamic skirt in an object avoidance configuration. A kit and a method of use thereof is also presented.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/00 - Caisses de véhicule caractérisées par leur aérodynamisme

Abrégé

This invention relates to aerodynamic trailer skirts adapted to be mounted on trailers to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the trailer. The present invention more precisely relates to a modular self-repositioning aerodynamic skirt assembly with reduced size skirt panel portions and improved shock transmission properties.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous
• B62D 35/00 - Caisses de véhicule caractérisées par leur aérodynamisme

Abrégé

This invention relates to packaging of a modular aerodynamic trailer skirts that is adapted to minimize the size of a shipment thereof. The packaging further protects the skirt portions by stacking skirt portions and using interconnecting edges thereof to secure a skirt portion therebetween.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous
• B62D 35/00 - Caisses de véhicule caractérisées par leur aérodynamisme

Abrégé

A resilient strut adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is provided, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the skirt panel being adapted to move away from the aerodynamic configuration when contacting a foreign object and to recover its aerodynamic configuration thereafter, the resilient strut includes a shape variation adapted to change the mechanical strength thereof and also adapted to sustain an elastic deformation allowing the resilient strut to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to self-recover its original shape when the load is removed. A kit of resilient struts, a method thereof and a trailer equipped with same are also provided.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous
• B60R 9/00 - Accessoires supplémentaires extérieurs au véhicule, pour recevoir des charges, p. ex. des bagages, des engins de sport ou des objets similaires

Abrégé

A resilient strut adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is provided, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the skirt panel being adapted to move away from the aerodynamic configuration when contacting a foreign object and to recover its aerodynamic configuration thereafter, the resilient strut includes a shape variation adapted to change the mechanical strength thereof and also adapted to sustain an elastic deformation allowing the resilient strut to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to self-recover its original shape when the load is removed. A kit of resilient struts, a method thereof and a trailer equipped with same are also provided.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous
• B60R 9/00 - Accessoires supplémentaires extérieurs au véhicule, pour recevoir des charges, p. ex. des bagages, des engins de sport ou des objets similaires

Abrégé

A resilient strut adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is provided, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the front portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted toward a rear portion of the trailer in an aerodynamic configuration, the skirt panel being adapted to move away from the aerodynamic configuration when contacting a foreign object and to recover its aerodynamic configuration thereafter, the resilient strut adapted to sustain an elastic deformation allowing the resilient strut to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to self-recover its original shape when the load is removed. A kit of resilient struts, a method thereof and a trailer equipped with same are also provided.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous
• B60R 9/00 - Accessoires supplémentaires extérieurs au véhicule, pour recevoir des charges, p. ex. des bagages, des engins de sport ou des objets similaires

Abrégé

A support member adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is provided, the support member comprising a trailer connecting portion; a skirt connecting portion; and an intermediate portion interconnecting the trailer connecting portion to the skirt connecting portion. A kit of resilient struts adapted to resiliently secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is also provided, the kit comprising at least two resilient struts. A method of using a resilient strut to resiliently secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is equally provided, the method comprising providing at least one resilient strut; securing the resilient strut to the trailer; securing the resilient strut to the aerodynamic skirt; and applying a load on the aerodynamic skirt to resiliently bend the at least one resilient strut.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous
• B60R 9/00 - Accessoires supplémentaires extérieurs au véhicule, pour recevoir des charges, p. ex. des bagages, des engins de sport ou des objets similaires

Abrégé

A securing mechanism adapted to secure struts to a trailer is provided, the securing mechanism comprising a pair of clamps adapted to be secured to the strut to clamp a frame member of the trailer therebetween. A method of securing a strut to a trailer is also provided, the method comprising providing a strut; providing a pair of clamps; positioning an end of the strut adjacent to a side of a frame member of the trailer; positioning the pair of clamps on an opposed side of the frame member; and securing the pair of clamps to the strut to clamp the frame member therebetween. A securing mechanism kit for securing a strut to a frame member of a trailer is equally provided, the kit comprising a pair of clamps; and a strut.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous
• B60R 9/00 - Accessoires supplémentaires extérieurs au véhicule, pour recevoir des charges, p. ex. des bagages, des engins de sport ou des objets similaires

Abrégé

A skirt assembly kit comprising a skirt panel adapted to be disposed on a trailer to route air about the road trailer is provided, a plurality of upper supports adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer and a plurality of struts adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer. A method of installing an aerodynamic skirt on a trailer is also provided, the method comprising providing a skirt panel, installing the skirt panel on the trailer; and performing an opening in the skirt panel. An aerodynamic skirt kit adapted to mounted to a trailer is equally provided, the aerodynamic skirt kit comprising a skirt panel adapted to define an opening therein adapted to give access through the skirt panel, and an opening closing element adapted to close the opening.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous
• B60R 9/00 - Accessoires supplémentaires extérieurs au véhicule, pour recevoir des charges, p. ex. des bagages, des engins de sport ou des objets similaires

Abrégé

An aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a surface adapted to direct airflow around the trailer is provided, the skirt panel being made of a single part of sheet material. A method of manufacturing a skirt panel and a kit thereof are also provided.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous
• B60R 9/00 - Accessoires supplémentaires extérieurs au véhicule, pour recevoir des charges, p. ex. des bagages, des engins de sport ou des objets similaires

Abrégé

An aerodynamic skirt adapted to be installed on a trailer for managing airflow is provided, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a substantially curved shape adapted to be positioned adjacent to a rear wheel of the trailer, the curved shape substantially mirroring the shape of the wheel to reduce the gap between the skirt panel and the wheel. A method of installing an aerodynamic skirt on a trailer to manage airflow around the trailer is also provided, the method comprising providing a skirt panel defining a curved shape adapted to cooperate with an exterior circumference of a wheel of the trailer; and positioning the curved shape of the skirt panel adjacent to the rear wheel of the trailer to reduce the air gap therebetween. An aerodynamic skirt kit comprising a skirt panel having a curved shape adapted to cooperate with an exterior circumference of a wheel of the trailer; and a plurality of struts adapted to secure the skirt panel to a trailer is equally provided.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous
• B60R 9/00 - Accessoires supplémentaires extérieurs au véhicule, pour recevoir des charges, p. ex. des bagages, des engins de sport ou des objets similaires

Abrégé

An aerodynamic skirt adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted on a trailer is provided, the resilient aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted toward a rear portion of the trailer, the forward portion having a front height and the rear portion having a rear height, the forward height being shorter than the rear height. A method of mounting an aerodynamic skirt on a trailer is also provided, the method comprising providing a skirt panel defining a forward portion and a rear portion the forward portion having a front height and the rear portion having a rear height, the forward height being shorter than the rear height, positioning the forward portion toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion toward a rear portion of the trailer, and securing the skirt panel to the trailer. A kit comprising a skirt panel defining a forward portion and a rear portion is equally provided, the forward portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted toward a rear portion of the trailer, the forward portion having a front height and the rear portion having a rear height, the forward height being smaller than the rear height; and at least one strut adapted to secure the skirt panel to the trailer.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous
• B60R 9/00 - Accessoires supplémentaires extérieurs au véhicule, pour recevoir des charges, p. ex. des bagages, des engins de sport ou des objets similaires

Abrégé

A resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly is provided, the aerodynamic skirt assembly comprising a skirt panel adapted to connect to a trailer to route airflow along the trailer, skirt supports adapted to connect the skirt to a trailer are also provided with a plurality of resilient struts providing lateral support to the skirt panel, the resilient struts allowing substantial lateral deflection of the skirt panel away from an aerodynamic configuration. A method of assembling an aerodynamic skirt assembly and an aerodynamic skirt kit are also provided.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous

Abrégé

A drag reducing apparatus is hingedly mounted to the rear of a truck or trailer vehicle so that the apparatus can be pivoted clear of the rear doors of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a hinge assembly that allows the apparatus to open substantially flat against the side of the vehicle so as not to impede the full movement of the doors. The apparatus includes an arrangement of connected panels that are initially folded flat against the back of the vehicle but automatically open to a drag reducing configuration at a sufficient vehicle speed. The connected panels are further configured so that the force of gravity automatically returns the panels to their initial folded configuration when the vehicle speed falls below a threshold. The apparatus incorporates a modular construction that allows replacement of individual panel sections. The mounting frame is constructed to augment the drag reduction characteristics of the apparatus.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/00 - Caisses de véhicule caractérisées par leur aérodynamisme

Abrégé

A resilient skirt assembly is provided, the assembly comprising a skirt panel adapted to connect to a trailer to direct at least a portion of the amount of air on the side of the trailer; and a skirt support adapted to connect the skirt to a trailer, the skirt support having a resilient strut providing lateral support to the skirt panel, the resilient strut allowing substantial lateral pivotal movement of the skirt panel between a skirt panel unloaded position and a skirt panel loaded position. A method of assembling a skirt assembly and a skirt kit are also provided.

Classes IPC  ?

• B62D 35/02 - Carénage des surfaces de dessous
• B60R 9/00 - Accessoires supplémentaires extérieurs au véhicule, pour recevoir des charges, p. ex. des bagages, des engins de sport ou des objets similaires