CA2689749C - Aerodynamic skirt support member - Google Patents
Aerodynamic skirt support member Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2689749C CA2689749C CA2689749A CA2689749A CA2689749C CA 2689749 C CA2689749 C CA 2689749C CA 2689749 A CA2689749 A CA 2689749A CA 2689749 A CA2689749 A CA 2689749A CA 2689749 C CA2689749 C CA 2689749C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- resilient
- trailer
- skirt
- strut
- connecting portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D35/00—Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
- B62D35/001—For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
- B60R13/08—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation
- B60R13/0861—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation for covering undersurfaces of vehicles, e.g. wheel houses
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
- B60R19/56—Fittings damping bouncing force in truck collisions, e.g. bumpers; Arrangements on high-riding vehicles, e.g. lorries, for preventing vehicles or objects from running thereunder
- B60R19/565—Fittings damping bouncing force in truck collisions, e.g. bumpers; Arrangements on high-riding vehicles, e.g. lorries, for preventing vehicles or objects from running thereunder on vehicle sides
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S180/00—Motor vehicles
- Y10S180/903—Airstream reactive vehicle or vehicle structure
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
- Clamps And Clips (AREA)
Abstract
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.
Description
This invention relates to aerodynamic trailer skirts, and also relates to a resilient skirt and 6 attachment mechanism thereof.
9 Road tractors are used to pull road trailers on roads to transport cargo.
Aerodynamic apparatuses are installed on the road tractor and/or on the road trailer in order to reduce the 11 aerodynamic air drag and improve fuel efficiency.
12 Trailer skirts made of rigid materials are installed on both sides of a road trailer to help manage 13 the flow of air around and underneath the trailer. Brackets, also made of rigid material, are 14 affixed to the trailer to secure the skirts positioned thereto. These skirts are secured to the bottom portion of the trailer, or on the sides of the trailer's floor, to ensure proper positioning 16 when the vehicle is moving.
17 People who are familiar with the trucking industry know that trailers are subject to hazardous 18 road conditions. The skirts, because of their position under the trailer's floor and their proximity 19 with the road, are significantly vulnerable and might easily enter in contact with surrounding obstacles. The brackets holding the skirts, when put under significant stress, plastically bend 21 and/or break to effect the skirts' position En respect to the road trailer thus reducing the efficiency 22 of the skirts. Moreover, the skirt itself might bend and/or break if they contact a foreign object.
23 This also increases the operation cost and the maintenance time that is required.
24 The shape of the skirts, and their respective positions on the road trailer, have a significant effect on the aerodynamics efficiency of the road trailer.
1 Therefore, there exists a need in the art for an improved aerodynamic skirt assembly over the 2 existing art. There is a need in the art for such a resilient skirt assembly that can be easily 3 installed and economically manufactured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
6 It is one aspect of the present invention to alleviate one or more of the drawbacks of the 7 background art by addressing one or more of the existing needs in the art.
8 Accordingly, one object of one or more embodiments of this invention provides an improved 9 trailer skirt over the prior art.
An object of the invention provides a skirt assembly adapted to be installed on a road trailer to 11 reduce the aerodynamic drag produced by the movement of the road trailer when pulled by a 12 road tractor. The skirt assembly comprising a skirt panel sized and designed to channel air 13 along the trailer. The skirt assembly, once installed on the road trailer, being substantially 14 vertically disposed under the road trailer between the road trailer wheels and the trailer supports (and could even be extended in front of the trailer supports) with a curved shape defined from 16 the front of the skirt panel to a distance of about between 1,5 meter to 3.5 meters.
17 One object of the invention provides a resilient skirt assembly that is adapted to bend when it 18 contacts a foreign object and recovers its original position and shape thereafter.
19 One other object of the invention provides a resilient skirt assembly that can be easily installed and economically manufactured.
21 Another object of the invention provides a skirt panel adapted to be installed on a road trailer 22 with a rear edge disposed next to the forwardmost road trailer rear wheel to keep a gap 23 therebetween to a minimum. The skirt panel being adapted to forwardly extend next to the road 24 trailer support Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a skirt assembly made of 26 composite materials offering a significant: range of elastic deformation.
1 Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a resilient strut adapted 2 to secure a skirt panel to a road trailer, the strut being made of a resilient material adapted to 3 sustain significant deformation and adapted to resiliently regain its original position.
4 Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides strut supports made of non-metallic material.
6 One other aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a trailer skirt that is 7 sized and designed to allow a temporary deflection of, inter alia, a bottom portion of the skirt 8 panel.
9 A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a fastening system for easily securing the skirt panel to the trailer; the fastening system uses a limited number of parts 11 to reduce the assembly time and the weight added to the trailer.
12 A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a skirt assembly 13 comprising a plurality of support angles adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer.
14 According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, support angles made of composite material is provided.
16 According to an aspect of the present invention provides a resilient strut shaped in one piece.
17 According to another aspect of the present invention is provided a resilient strut made of 18 composite materials.
19 Another aspect of the present invention provides a resilient strut having a constant section.
A further aspect of one or more embodiments provides a resilient strut adapted to be connected 21 to the skirt panel at an angle.
22 One additional aspect of the present invention provides an opening in the skirt panel adapted to 23 allow access to a fuel tank located underneath the road trailer, the opening being adapted to be 24 optionally provided with a door.
Another additional aspect of the present invention provides a skirt panel composed of a plurality 26 of skirt panel modules, at least one panel module being adapted to be removed or pivoted about 27 a hinged mechanism to allow access under the road trailer.
1 Another aspect of the present invention provides a substantially progressive curvature on the 2 forward portion of the skirt panel.
3 One other aspect of the invention provides a method of installing a skirt assembly on a road 4 trailer comprising installing fastening a portion of a skirt panel substantially on the edge of a road trailer floor and securing a forwardmost portion of the skirt panel at a predetermined position on 6 the trailer to define the shape of the skirt panel.
7 Another aspect of the invention provides a radius on the skirt panel adapted to mate the shape 8 of the road trailer wheel to reduce the air gap therebetween.
9 One other aspect of the invention provides a skirt panel extension adapted to selectively reduce the gap between the road trailer wheels and the skirt panel when the road trailer wheels, 11 disposed on a moveable trailer buggy, are longitudinally moved about the road trailer to change 12 the load distribution of the road trailer.
13 Another aspect of the present invention provides an aerodynamic skirt adapted to be mounted to 14 a trailer, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be proximally mounted toward a center of the trailer, 16 the rear portion being adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer.
17 One other aspect of the present invention provides a method of installing a skirt assembly on a 18 trailer, the method comprising securing upper supports to the trailer, securing a skirt panel to the 19 upper supports, and securing struts between the trailer and the skirt panel.
An aspect of the present invention provides a skirt assembly kit comprising a skirt panel adapted 21 to be disposed on a trailer to route air about the road trailer, a plurality of upper supports 22 adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer and a plurality of struts adapted to secure the 23 skirt panel to the road trailer.
24 One additional aspect of the invention provides a support member adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer, the support member comprising a trailer connecting portion; a skirt 26 connecting portion; and an intermediate portion interconnecting the trailer connecting portion to 27 the skirt connecting portion.
28 Another aspect of the present invention provides kit of resilient struts adapted to resiliently 29 secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer, the kit comprising at least two resilient struts.
1 A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of using a resilient strut to resiliently 2 secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer, the method comprising providing at least one resilient 3 strut; securing the resilient strut to the trailer; securing the resilient strut to the aerodynamic 4 skirt; and applying a load on the aerodynamic skirt to resiliently bend the at least one resilient strut.
6 Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent 7 from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the 8 detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the 9 invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this 11 detailed description.
12 Additional and/or alternative advantages and salient features of the invention will become 13 apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed 14 drawings, disclose preferred embodiments of the invention.
17 Referring now to the drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:
18 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a road tractor and a road trailer with a skirt assembly secured 19 thereto;
Figure 2 is a left elevational view of the road tractor of Figure 1;
21 Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the road tractor of Figure 1;
22 Figure 4 is a left-front perspective view of a portion of a floor section of the road trailer of Figure 23 1;
24 Figure 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the floor section of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a right elevational section view of a portion of the road trailer and the skirt assembly 26 of Figure 1;
9 Road tractors are used to pull road trailers on roads to transport cargo.
Aerodynamic apparatuses are installed on the road tractor and/or on the road trailer in order to reduce the 11 aerodynamic air drag and improve fuel efficiency.
12 Trailer skirts made of rigid materials are installed on both sides of a road trailer to help manage 13 the flow of air around and underneath the trailer. Brackets, also made of rigid material, are 14 affixed to the trailer to secure the skirts positioned thereto. These skirts are secured to the bottom portion of the trailer, or on the sides of the trailer's floor, to ensure proper positioning 16 when the vehicle is moving.
17 People who are familiar with the trucking industry know that trailers are subject to hazardous 18 road conditions. The skirts, because of their position under the trailer's floor and their proximity 19 with the road, are significantly vulnerable and might easily enter in contact with surrounding obstacles. The brackets holding the skirts, when put under significant stress, plastically bend 21 and/or break to effect the skirts' position En respect to the road trailer thus reducing the efficiency 22 of the skirts. Moreover, the skirt itself might bend and/or break if they contact a foreign object.
23 This also increases the operation cost and the maintenance time that is required.
24 The shape of the skirts, and their respective positions on the road trailer, have a significant effect on the aerodynamics efficiency of the road trailer.
1 Therefore, there exists a need in the art for an improved aerodynamic skirt assembly over the 2 existing art. There is a need in the art for such a resilient skirt assembly that can be easily 3 installed and economically manufactured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
6 It is one aspect of the present invention to alleviate one or more of the drawbacks of the 7 background art by addressing one or more of the existing needs in the art.
8 Accordingly, one object of one or more embodiments of this invention provides an improved 9 trailer skirt over the prior art.
An object of the invention provides a skirt assembly adapted to be installed on a road trailer to 11 reduce the aerodynamic drag produced by the movement of the road trailer when pulled by a 12 road tractor. The skirt assembly comprising a skirt panel sized and designed to channel air 13 along the trailer. The skirt assembly, once installed on the road trailer, being substantially 14 vertically disposed under the road trailer between the road trailer wheels and the trailer supports (and could even be extended in front of the trailer supports) with a curved shape defined from 16 the front of the skirt panel to a distance of about between 1,5 meter to 3.5 meters.
17 One object of the invention provides a resilient skirt assembly that is adapted to bend when it 18 contacts a foreign object and recovers its original position and shape thereafter.
19 One other object of the invention provides a resilient skirt assembly that can be easily installed and economically manufactured.
21 Another object of the invention provides a skirt panel adapted to be installed on a road trailer 22 with a rear edge disposed next to the forwardmost road trailer rear wheel to keep a gap 23 therebetween to a minimum. The skirt panel being adapted to forwardly extend next to the road 24 trailer support Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a skirt assembly made of 26 composite materials offering a significant: range of elastic deformation.
1 Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a resilient strut adapted 2 to secure a skirt panel to a road trailer, the strut being made of a resilient material adapted to 3 sustain significant deformation and adapted to resiliently regain its original position.
4 Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides strut supports made of non-metallic material.
6 One other aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a trailer skirt that is 7 sized and designed to allow a temporary deflection of, inter alia, a bottom portion of the skirt 8 panel.
9 A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a fastening system for easily securing the skirt panel to the trailer; the fastening system uses a limited number of parts 11 to reduce the assembly time and the weight added to the trailer.
12 A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a skirt assembly 13 comprising a plurality of support angles adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer.
14 According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, support angles made of composite material is provided.
16 According to an aspect of the present invention provides a resilient strut shaped in one piece.
17 According to another aspect of the present invention is provided a resilient strut made of 18 composite materials.
19 Another aspect of the present invention provides a resilient strut having a constant section.
A further aspect of one or more embodiments provides a resilient strut adapted to be connected 21 to the skirt panel at an angle.
22 One additional aspect of the present invention provides an opening in the skirt panel adapted to 23 allow access to a fuel tank located underneath the road trailer, the opening being adapted to be 24 optionally provided with a door.
Another additional aspect of the present invention provides a skirt panel composed of a plurality 26 of skirt panel modules, at least one panel module being adapted to be removed or pivoted about 27 a hinged mechanism to allow access under the road trailer.
1 Another aspect of the present invention provides a substantially progressive curvature on the 2 forward portion of the skirt panel.
3 One other aspect of the invention provides a method of installing a skirt assembly on a road 4 trailer comprising installing fastening a portion of a skirt panel substantially on the edge of a road trailer floor and securing a forwardmost portion of the skirt panel at a predetermined position on 6 the trailer to define the shape of the skirt panel.
7 Another aspect of the invention provides a radius on the skirt panel adapted to mate the shape 8 of the road trailer wheel to reduce the air gap therebetween.
9 One other aspect of the invention provides a skirt panel extension adapted to selectively reduce the gap between the road trailer wheels and the skirt panel when the road trailer wheels, 11 disposed on a moveable trailer buggy, are longitudinally moved about the road trailer to change 12 the load distribution of the road trailer.
13 Another aspect of the present invention provides an aerodynamic skirt adapted to be mounted to 14 a trailer, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be proximally mounted toward a center of the trailer, 16 the rear portion being adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer.
17 One other aspect of the present invention provides a method of installing a skirt assembly on a 18 trailer, the method comprising securing upper supports to the trailer, securing a skirt panel to the 19 upper supports, and securing struts between the trailer and the skirt panel.
An aspect of the present invention provides a skirt assembly kit comprising a skirt panel adapted 21 to be disposed on a trailer to route air about the road trailer, a plurality of upper supports 22 adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer and a plurality of struts adapted to secure the 23 skirt panel to the road trailer.
24 One additional aspect of the invention provides a support member adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer, the support member comprising a trailer connecting portion; a skirt 26 connecting portion; and an intermediate portion interconnecting the trailer connecting portion to 27 the skirt connecting portion.
28 Another aspect of the present invention provides kit of resilient struts adapted to resiliently 29 secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer, the kit comprising at least two resilient struts.
1 A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of using a resilient strut to resiliently 2 secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer, the method comprising providing at least one resilient 3 strut; securing the resilient strut to the trailer; securing the resilient strut to the aerodynamic 4 skirt; and applying a load on the aerodynamic skirt to resiliently bend the at least one resilient strut.
6 Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent 7 from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the 8 detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the 9 invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this 11 detailed description.
12 Additional and/or alternative advantages and salient features of the invention will become 13 apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed 14 drawings, disclose preferred embodiments of the invention.
17 Referring now to the drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:
18 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a road tractor and a road trailer with a skirt assembly secured 19 thereto;
Figure 2 is a left elevational view of the road tractor of Figure 1;
21 Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the road tractor of Figure 1;
22 Figure 4 is a left-front perspective view of a portion of a floor section of the road trailer of Figure 23 1;
24 Figure 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the floor section of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a right elevational section view of a portion of the road trailer and the skirt assembly 26 of Figure 1;
1 Figure 7 is a rear elevational section view of a portion of the road trailer and the skirt assembly 2 of Figure 1;
3 Figure 8 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the securing mechanism of the skirt to the road 4 trailer's floor;
Figure 9 is a section view of a portion of the road trailer's floor with the securing mechanism 6 attached thereto;
3 Figure 8 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the securing mechanism of the skirt to the road 4 trailer's floor;
Figure 9 is a section view of a portion of the road trailer's floor with the securing mechanism 6 attached thereto;
7 Figure 10 is a rear elevational section view of a portion of the skirt's securing mechanism;
8 Figure 11 is a rear elevational section view of a portion of the skirt's securing mechanism;
9 Figure 12 is a rear elevational section view of an alternate embodiment of a portion of the skirt' securing assembly;
11 Figure 13 is a rear elevational section view of an alternate embodiment of a portion of the skirt' 12 securing assembly of Figure 12 when deflected;
13 Figure 14 is a perspective view of a road tractor and a road trailer with a skirt assembly secured 14 thereto and a skirt panel module in the opened position; and Figure 15 is a left-front perspective view of a portion of a floor section of the road trailer of 16 Figure 14.
19 A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described bellow with reference to the drawings.
21 Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a road tractor 10 with a road trailer 20 attached thereto equipped 22 with a pair of skirt assemblies 30, installed on each side of the road trailer 20, adapted to deflect 23 and direct the airflow around the road trailer 20. Each skirt assembly 30 includes a skirt panel 24 32, adapted to be disposed on the side of the road trailer 20, and a plurality of securing members adapted to secure the skirt panel 32 to the road trailer 20. The securing members are 26 not illustrated on Figures 1, 2 and 3 and will be discussed in more details later in this 1 specification. Once installed on the road trailer 20, the skirt assembly 30 helps channel the flow 2 of air around the road trailer 20 to reduce the air drag of the vehicle when the road trailer 20 3 moves on the road, pulled by the road tractor 10.
4 The skirt assembly 30 of the present embodiment is mostly located under the road trailer 20, between the wheels 12 of the road tractor 10 and the wheels 26 of the road trailer 20. The skirt 6 panels 32 can alternatively extend forward up to the trailer supports 14 of the road trailer, and 7 be secured thereto, thus preventing complex skirt panel 32 arrangements through the trailer 8 supports 14. The skirt panels 32 are substantially vertically positioned on each side of the road 9 trailer 20 with a clearance with the ground by illustratively about 15-25 centimeters (about 6 to 10 inches). The air management around the trailer 20 provided by the skirt assembly 30 11 reduces the air drag created by the road trailer 20 by directing the flow of air around the road 12 trailer 20. The flow of air would otherwise turbulently move around and below the road trailer 20 13 to create substantial air drag. The airflow management around the road trailer 20 provided by 14 the skirt assembly 30 helps maintain laminar airflow around the road trailer 20 that helps diminish fuel consumption of the road tractor 10. The skirt assembly 30 also improves the safety 16 of the vehicle by providing a barrier that can significantly prevent foreign objects to get under the 17 road trailer 20.
18 The skirt panel 32 can also be used to display advertising thereon. Each skirt panel 32 provides 19 additional display area in addition to the road trailer's wall 22.
As illustrated, the skirt panel 32 is shaped with an optional progressive height from the 21 forwardmost portion 34. The skirt panels 32 can alternatively also be installed at an angle, in 22 respect to the vertical, on the road trailer 20 to change the airflow pattern around the road trailer 23 20 and more precisely adjust the aerodynamics to a specific vehicle shape.
24 It can be appreciated from Figure 3 that each skirt panel 32 is installed directly on the side of the road trailer 20 and, when seen from above, have a front portion 34 that progressively proximally 26 leans toward the center 24 of the road trailer 20. The recessed front portion 34 of the skirt panel 27 32 improves the collection of the turbulent airflow generated by the road tractor 10 thus 28 improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the skirt assembly 30. Additional explanation about the 29 shape of the skirt panel 32 will be provided in further details below.
Figure 4 is a perspective image of the skirt assembly 30 installed on the left side of a road trailer 31 20 from which is only illustrated a series of frame members 23 forming a portion of the road I trailer floor frame 22. A series of angle supports 40 are secured to the trailer to secure the 2 juxtaposed skirt panel 32 thereto. The angle supports 40 could be omitted altogether and the 3 skirt panel could alternatively be attached directly to the road trailer 20 without deviating from 4 the scope of the present application. The rear portion 36 of the skirt panel 32 is preferably positioned on the edge of the road trailer's wall 28. It is also encompassed by the present 6 invention that the skirt panel 32 be installed a little in recess about the side of the road trailer 20 7 to avoid winches, lights, toolbox or ladders located on the side/edge of the road trailer 20. In 8 contrast, it can be appreciated that the front portion 34 of the skirt panel 32 is progressively 9 positioned and secured toward the center 24 of the road trailer 20. The skirt panel 32 is secured adjacent to the frame 22 with a series of angle supports 40 secured to both the frame members 11 23 and the skirt panel 32. Lower, the skirt panel 32 is secured to the road trailer 20 with a series 12 of intervening resilient struts 42 also secured to both the frame members 23 and the skirt panel 13 32. Additional details about the angle supports 40 and the resilient struts 42 are provided later in 14 reference with Figure 7 through Figure 11.
Still referring to Figure 4, it can be appreciated that the upper series of holes 35 disposed on a 16 top portion of the skirt panel 32 is used to fasten the skirt panel 32 to respective angle supports 17 40 that, themselves, are secured to frame members 23 of the road trailer 20. A number of 18 connection points between the skirt panel 32 and the road trailer 20 are used to ensure the skirt 19 panel 32 is well secured to the road trailer 20 and will not vibrate or deflect (some deflection can be acceptable under certain conditions) during operation. The series of holes 35 disposed on a 21 lower portion of the skirt panel 32 are adapted to fasten to an end of each resilient strut 42.
22 Similarly, the other end of the resilient strut 42 is connected to the frame members 23 of the 23 road trailer 20 via a fastener mechanism that will be discussed below in details.
24 A curved portion 38 is defined on the rear portion 36 of the skirt panel 32 and preferably corresponds to the exterior shape of the adjacent wheel 26 of the road trailer 20. In so doing, it 26 is possible to install the skirt panel 32 close to the wheel 26 without risking any contact 27 therebetween. The skirt panel 32 should be installed as close as possible to the road trailer 28 wheels 26 to maximize its efficiency. It is preferable to leave a distance between the wheel 26 of 29 the road trailer 20 and the skirt panel 32 to avoid any risk of interference therebetween.
The wheels 26 of a road trailer 20 are commonly adapted to be longitudinally adjustable to 31 distribute the mass of the road trailer 20 in a desired fashion. The adjustment of the position of 32 the axels of a road trailer 20 is desirable, for instance, when a heavy load is carried or during 1 thaw and freeze periods. In this respect, and to avoid reinstalling the skirt panel 32 in various 2 positions on the road trailer 20, it might be desirable to install the skirt panel 32 in respect with 3 the forwardmost possible position of the axels of the road trailer 20. That would prevent to 4 remove and reposition the skirt panel 32 when the trolley's 16 position is modified.
The road trailer wheels 26 are mounted on a road trailer buggy 16 adapted to move the wheels 6 26 along a portion of the road trailer's length to distribute the weight of the road trailer 20 in a 7 desired fashion. The skirt assembly 30 is preferably permanently secured to the road trailer 20 8 taking in consideration the forwardmost position of the trailer buggy 16.
The gap between the 9 skirt panel 32 and the road trailer's wheels 26 is however increased when the trailer buggy 16 is move toward the rear of the road trailer 20 thus likely reducing the aerodynamic efficiency of the 11 skirt assembly 30. The present invention provides a skirt panel extension module 33 adapted to 12 reduce the gap between the skirt panel 32 and the road trailer's wheels 26 to prevent any 13 aerodynamic efficiency reduction. The skirt panel extension modules 33 are secured to the road 14 trailer in a similar fashion. The skirt panel extension module 33 can be provided in various lengths to fill gaps of various sizes. They can also be provided as skirt panel extension modules 16 33 kit. An alternate embodiment provides a sliding skirt panel extension 33 that is permanently 17 secured to the road trailer 20 and extendable to the desired length when the trailer buggy 16 is 18 moved.
19 A skirt panel extension 33, illustrated on Figure 6, can alternatively be added between the skirt panel 32 and the wheels 26 when the axles of the road trailer 20 are located in a rearward 21 position leaving an increased distance therebetween to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of 22 the skirt assembly 30. A reasonable distance between the skirt panel 32 and the wheels 26 23 could be between about 15 centimeters and about 30 centimeters although a shorter distance, 24 or even a superposition of the skirt panel 32 (or skirt panel module(s) 33) over the wheel 26, can be achieved.
26 Figure 5 is a top elevational view of the road trailer frame 22. As mentioned above, it can be 27 appreciated from Figure 5 that the skirt panel 32 is disposed inwardly on the forward portion of 28 the road trailer 20 and is progressively located on the edge of the road trailer's wall 28 toward 29 the rear end of the road trailer 20. A departure angle support 60 and a cooperating forward angle support 64 are secured to the road trailer to correctly locate the skirt panel 32 on the road 31 trailer 20. The departure angle support 60 and the forward angle support 64 are installed on the 32 trailer 20 prior to install the skirt panel 32. The rear portion 36 of the skirt panel 32 is secured to I the road trailer 20 up to the departure angle support 60 and then the skirt panel 32 is bent to 2 reach the forward angle support 64 and secured thereto. That bent locates the skirt panel 32 to 3 the road trailer 20 and defines the shape of the skirt panel 32 with the desired progressive 4 proximal bent. The remaining angle supports 62 and resilient struts 42 are installed thereafter to further secure the assembly.
6 The rear portion 36 of the skirt panel 32 is intended to be secured to the road trailer to leave only 7 a minimum gap with the road trailer wheels 26 to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the skirt 8 assembly 30. The skirt panel 32 extends to the front of the road trailer 20 and defines a curve 9 portion on its front portion 34. A long skirt 32 appears to be more efficient than a shorter skirt panel 32 and should therefore extend as far as possible to the front of the road trailer 32.
11 However, for reasons of complexity, the front portion 34 of the skirt panel 32 is likely to stop at 12 the trailer supports 14. It is nonetheless encompassed by the present invention that the skirt 13 panel 32 alternatively extends in front of the trailer supports 14.
14 In an embodiment of the invention adapted to fit a standard 16.1 meters (53 feet) road trailer 20 the forward end of the departure angle support 60 is located at a distance dl from the forward 16 end of the skirt panel 32. A forward angle support 64 is secured to the frame at a distance d2 17 from the side edge of the road trailer 20. Distance dl is about between 1.5 meter and 3 meters, 18 preferably about between 2 meters and 2.5 meters and most preferably about between 2.1 19 meters and 2.4 meters. Distance d2 is about between 0.20 meter and 0.40 meter, preferably about between 0.25 meter and 0.35 meter and most preferably about 0.27 meter and 0.32 21 meters. More precisely, distance dl is preferably about 2.29 meters and distance d2 is 22 preferably about 0.31 meter in a preferred embodiment. Corresponding angle supports 40 and 23 resilient struts 42 are installed to further secure the skirt panel 32 at the desired position.
24 A left side elevational view schematically illustrating, on Figure 6, the overall size of the skirt panel 32. Length d3 of the skirt panel 32 is about between 5 meters and 9 meters, preferably 26 about between 6 meters and 8 meters and most preferably about between 6.5 meters and 7.5 27 meters. The height d4 of the skirt panel 32 is about between 0.5 meter and 1 meter, preferably 28 about between 0.6 meter and 0.9 meter and most preferably about between 0.7 meter and 0.8 29 meter. And the forwardmost height d5 of the skirt panel 32 is about between 0.3 meter and 0.7 meter, preferably about between 0.4 meter and 0.6 meter and most preferably about between 31 0.45 meter and 0.5 meter. More precisely, distance d4 is preferably about 0.76 meter and 32 distance d5 is preferably about 0.48 meter in a preferred embodiment.
1 Alternate embodiments providing a skirt assembly sized and designed to fit road trailers of 2 different lengths can be inferred from the dimensions discussed above. For instance, a skirt 3 assembly can be designed to fit a 14.6 meters (48 feet) road trailer 20 or any other road trailer 4 4 20 sizes and lengths.
As further illustrated on Figure 6, the skirt panel 32 is provided with a series of holes 35 used to 6 connect the skirt panel 32 to the road trailer 20. The series of holes 35 disposed on the upper 7 portion of the skirt panel 32 is used to connect the skirt panel 32 to the frame 22 of the trailer 20 8 whereas, in a similar fashion, the series of holes 35 disposed on the bottom portion of the skirt 9 panel 32 is used to connect the skirt panel 32 to the skirt connecting portion 48 of the resilient strut 42. The resilient strut 42 is connected to the frame member 23 of the trailer via the trailer 11 connecting portion 46 of the resilient strut 42. The skirt connecting portion 48 and the trailer 12 connecting portion 46 are provided with respective series of holes 35 to receive fasteners 13 therein. The holes 35 can be factory pre-drilled or can be drilled during installation to ensure 14 desired customization. Rivets or bolts are placed in the holes 35 to secure the skirt panel 32 to the trailer frame 22 or the support assembly. Other appropriate fastening mechanism variations 16 well known in the art are encompassed by the present disclosure and can be used without 17 departing from the scope of the invention.
18 An opening 70 is defined in the skirt panel 32 to allow access to an optional fuel tank disposed 19 on the road trailer 20 to fuel an onboard generator or freezer. Such a fuel tank is commonly disposed under the floor 22 of the road trailer 20 and is most likely hidden by the skirt assembly 21 30. The opening is sized, designed and located on the skirt panel 32 to allow access to the fuel 22 tank. A door (not illustrated) can optionally be added to close the opening 70.
23 Turning now to Figure 7 where is illustrated a plurality of resilient struts 42 and angles support 24 40 assembly secured between the frame 22 and the skirt panel 32. The rear elevational view shows that the front portion 34 of the skirt panel 32 is proximally recessed from the left lateral 26 side of the trailer 20 by, illustratively, about 30 centimeters. It can also be appreciated that the 27 skirt panel 32 is held to the road trailer frame 22 via the series of angled support 40 on its upper 28 portion. The lower portion of the skirt panel 32 is connected to the trailer connecting portion 46 29 of the resilient strut 42 at an angle a,, which is an angle of about 45 in the present illustrative embodiment and could be different without departing from the present description.
I In one embodiment, the resilient strut 42 has a rectangular section and is made of composite 2 material. Recommended multilayer composite material, or reinforced thermoplastic 3 manufactured by Transtex Composites Inc is used in the present embodiment.
The composite 4 material forming the resilient struts 42 of the illustrative example is shaped in a rectangular section to allow the resilient strut 42 to bend when the skirt panel 32 is pushed toward the center 6 of the road trailer 20 (proximally) when, for instance, contacting an obstacle or having a force 7 applied thereon. The resilient strut 42 bends, allowing a significant displacement of the bottom 8 portion of the skirt panel 32, is adapted to retrieve its original position when the force is removed 9 from the skirt panel 32. The resilient strut 42 is preferably made of a one-piece material where both ends are slightly angled 44 to evenly contact the skirt panel 32 and the road trailer frame 11 member 23. In so doing, no additional intervening parts are required between the resilient strut 12 42 and both the skirt panel 32 and the road trailer frame member 23.
13 The resilient struts 42 of the present embodiment is about 4 millimeters thick and can reach a 14 radius of 20 centimeters without going into plastic deformation or breaking. Generally, the thinner the resilient strut 42 is, the shorter will be its maximum radius of curvature. A lateral 16 proximal displacement of about 60 centimeters of the bottom portion of the skirt panel 32 is 17 possible. The lower portion of the skirt panel 32 can even reach, under certain circumstances, a 18 position parallel with the trailer 20 floor. The skirt assembly 30 and the skirt panel 32 will recover 19 their original positions when the force causing the bending is removed.
Further, the bending of the resilient struts 42 provides energy absorption in case of impact from another vehicle for 21 example. It can be noted that a distal displacement of the skirt panel 32 is possible. A distal 22 displacement of the skirt panel 32 will occur when a properly directed force is applied to the skirt 23 panel 32 to bend the skirt panel 32.
24 Figures 8 and 9 depict with more details the connection mechanism between the resilient struts 42 and the trailer frame members 23. One of the resilient strut 42 ends is juxtaposed on the 26 lower surface of the road trailer frame 22. A set of holes, identified with holes axes 54, are used 27 to fasten two clamps 4, one on each side of the frame 22, to secure the resilient strut 42 to the 28 road trailer frame 23. The clamps 50 are illustratively made of a shaped stainless steel plate 29 material to prevent corrosion.
Figure 10 illustrates the connection between the resilient strut 42 and the skirt panel 32. The end 31 of the resilient strut 42 is positioned to the surface of the skirt panel 32 and secured thereto. Any 32 types of fasteners 56 can be used to fasten both parts together. Rivets are preferably used I although a bolt could also fit into the holes 54 performed in the skirt panel 32 and the resilient 2 strut 42, and illustrated with hole axes 54 to secure the assembly. Glue or resin could 3 alternatively be applied between the resilient strut 42 and the skirt panel 32 to secure the 4 resilient strut 42 and the skirt panel 32 together and is also encompassed by the present invention.
6 Figure 11 shows the assembly between the upper portion of the skirt panel 32 and one of the 7 angled supports 40. The angle support 40 is disposed next to the edge of the road trailer 20 to 8 position the exterior surface of the skirt panel 32 significantly co-planar with the lateral wall of the 9 road trailer 20. Again, any types of fasteners can be used to fasten both parts together. Rivets are preferably used but a bolt could also fit into the holes 54 in the skirt panel 32 and the angled 11 support 40 to secure the assembly. Here again, glue or resin could alternatively be applied 12 between the angle support 40 and the skirt panel 32 to permanently secure the angle support 40 13 and the skirt panel 32 together.
14 Figure 12 and Figure 13 illustrate an alternate embodiment where the resilient strut 42 is fixed to the trailer frame 22 and the skirt panel 32 differently. Instead of installing the resilient strut 42 16 with both ends slightly angled to mate with the skirt panel 32, both ends of the resilient strut 42 17 are further angled to contact the skirt panel 32 from the opposite side.
This alternate layout 18 assembly reduces the stress on the resilient strut 42, when the skirt panel 32 is deflected, for 19 instance, under a force F, by expending the radius of curvature of the resilient strut 42 throughout the resilient strut 42 ergo significantly reducing local stress points in the resilient strut 21 42.
22 In another unillustrated embodiment, the section of the resilient strut 42 has a shape adapted to 23 increase its stiffness. A "U" or a "C" shaped resilient strut 42 can be manufactured. Alternatively, 24 an embossed portion on a planar shaped resilient strut 42 can also be manufactured. Preferably the selected shape should prevent dirt and road debris to keep stuck on the resilient strut 42.
26 The shape can also be uneven along the length of the resilient strut 42 to provide an uneven flex 27 to the resilient strut 42.
28 As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in view of the present specification, the 29 nature of the material used to build the skirt panel 32 and the resilient strut 42 can vary. These materials are also contemplated to fall within the scope of the invention if they lead to the 31 flexibility and resilience required to build a resilient skirt assembly 30.
1 Turning now to Figure 14 and Figure 15, illustrating the road tractor 10 and the road trailer 20. In 2 this embodiment the skirt panel 32 is constructed with a plurality of skirt panel modules 80. A
3 pivotable skirt panel module 86 is adapted to be pivoted about hinges 84 to give access under 4 the road trailer 20. A support member 82 is also provided to maintain the pivoted skirt panel module 86 in its opened position. The support member 82 being composed of a suspension 6 means and a damper means.
7 While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be 8 the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to 9 be limited to the disclosed embodiments and elements, but, to the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications, combinations of features, equivalent arrangements, and equivalent 11 elements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Furthermore, the 12 dimensions of features of various components that may appear on the drawings are not meant 13 to be limiting, and the size of the components therein can vary from the size that may be 14 portrayed in the figures herein. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of the invention, provided they come within the scope of the 16 appended claims and their equivalents.
11 Figure 13 is a rear elevational section view of an alternate embodiment of a portion of the skirt' 12 securing assembly of Figure 12 when deflected;
13 Figure 14 is a perspective view of a road tractor and a road trailer with a skirt assembly secured 14 thereto and a skirt panel module in the opened position; and Figure 15 is a left-front perspective view of a portion of a floor section of the road trailer of 16 Figure 14.
19 A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described bellow with reference to the drawings.
21 Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a road tractor 10 with a road trailer 20 attached thereto equipped 22 with a pair of skirt assemblies 30, installed on each side of the road trailer 20, adapted to deflect 23 and direct the airflow around the road trailer 20. Each skirt assembly 30 includes a skirt panel 24 32, adapted to be disposed on the side of the road trailer 20, and a plurality of securing members adapted to secure the skirt panel 32 to the road trailer 20. The securing members are 26 not illustrated on Figures 1, 2 and 3 and will be discussed in more details later in this 1 specification. Once installed on the road trailer 20, the skirt assembly 30 helps channel the flow 2 of air around the road trailer 20 to reduce the air drag of the vehicle when the road trailer 20 3 moves on the road, pulled by the road tractor 10.
4 The skirt assembly 30 of the present embodiment is mostly located under the road trailer 20, between the wheels 12 of the road tractor 10 and the wheels 26 of the road trailer 20. The skirt 6 panels 32 can alternatively extend forward up to the trailer supports 14 of the road trailer, and 7 be secured thereto, thus preventing complex skirt panel 32 arrangements through the trailer 8 supports 14. The skirt panels 32 are substantially vertically positioned on each side of the road 9 trailer 20 with a clearance with the ground by illustratively about 15-25 centimeters (about 6 to 10 inches). The air management around the trailer 20 provided by the skirt assembly 30 11 reduces the air drag created by the road trailer 20 by directing the flow of air around the road 12 trailer 20. The flow of air would otherwise turbulently move around and below the road trailer 20 13 to create substantial air drag. The airflow management around the road trailer 20 provided by 14 the skirt assembly 30 helps maintain laminar airflow around the road trailer 20 that helps diminish fuel consumption of the road tractor 10. The skirt assembly 30 also improves the safety 16 of the vehicle by providing a barrier that can significantly prevent foreign objects to get under the 17 road trailer 20.
18 The skirt panel 32 can also be used to display advertising thereon. Each skirt panel 32 provides 19 additional display area in addition to the road trailer's wall 22.
As illustrated, the skirt panel 32 is shaped with an optional progressive height from the 21 forwardmost portion 34. The skirt panels 32 can alternatively also be installed at an angle, in 22 respect to the vertical, on the road trailer 20 to change the airflow pattern around the road trailer 23 20 and more precisely adjust the aerodynamics to a specific vehicle shape.
24 It can be appreciated from Figure 3 that each skirt panel 32 is installed directly on the side of the road trailer 20 and, when seen from above, have a front portion 34 that progressively proximally 26 leans toward the center 24 of the road trailer 20. The recessed front portion 34 of the skirt panel 27 32 improves the collection of the turbulent airflow generated by the road tractor 10 thus 28 improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the skirt assembly 30. Additional explanation about the 29 shape of the skirt panel 32 will be provided in further details below.
Figure 4 is a perspective image of the skirt assembly 30 installed on the left side of a road trailer 31 20 from which is only illustrated a series of frame members 23 forming a portion of the road I trailer floor frame 22. A series of angle supports 40 are secured to the trailer to secure the 2 juxtaposed skirt panel 32 thereto. The angle supports 40 could be omitted altogether and the 3 skirt panel could alternatively be attached directly to the road trailer 20 without deviating from 4 the scope of the present application. The rear portion 36 of the skirt panel 32 is preferably positioned on the edge of the road trailer's wall 28. It is also encompassed by the present 6 invention that the skirt panel 32 be installed a little in recess about the side of the road trailer 20 7 to avoid winches, lights, toolbox or ladders located on the side/edge of the road trailer 20. In 8 contrast, it can be appreciated that the front portion 34 of the skirt panel 32 is progressively 9 positioned and secured toward the center 24 of the road trailer 20. The skirt panel 32 is secured adjacent to the frame 22 with a series of angle supports 40 secured to both the frame members 11 23 and the skirt panel 32. Lower, the skirt panel 32 is secured to the road trailer 20 with a series 12 of intervening resilient struts 42 also secured to both the frame members 23 and the skirt panel 13 32. Additional details about the angle supports 40 and the resilient struts 42 are provided later in 14 reference with Figure 7 through Figure 11.
Still referring to Figure 4, it can be appreciated that the upper series of holes 35 disposed on a 16 top portion of the skirt panel 32 is used to fasten the skirt panel 32 to respective angle supports 17 40 that, themselves, are secured to frame members 23 of the road trailer 20. A number of 18 connection points between the skirt panel 32 and the road trailer 20 are used to ensure the skirt 19 panel 32 is well secured to the road trailer 20 and will not vibrate or deflect (some deflection can be acceptable under certain conditions) during operation. The series of holes 35 disposed on a 21 lower portion of the skirt panel 32 are adapted to fasten to an end of each resilient strut 42.
22 Similarly, the other end of the resilient strut 42 is connected to the frame members 23 of the 23 road trailer 20 via a fastener mechanism that will be discussed below in details.
24 A curved portion 38 is defined on the rear portion 36 of the skirt panel 32 and preferably corresponds to the exterior shape of the adjacent wheel 26 of the road trailer 20. In so doing, it 26 is possible to install the skirt panel 32 close to the wheel 26 without risking any contact 27 therebetween. The skirt panel 32 should be installed as close as possible to the road trailer 28 wheels 26 to maximize its efficiency. It is preferable to leave a distance between the wheel 26 of 29 the road trailer 20 and the skirt panel 32 to avoid any risk of interference therebetween.
The wheels 26 of a road trailer 20 are commonly adapted to be longitudinally adjustable to 31 distribute the mass of the road trailer 20 in a desired fashion. The adjustment of the position of 32 the axels of a road trailer 20 is desirable, for instance, when a heavy load is carried or during 1 thaw and freeze periods. In this respect, and to avoid reinstalling the skirt panel 32 in various 2 positions on the road trailer 20, it might be desirable to install the skirt panel 32 in respect with 3 the forwardmost possible position of the axels of the road trailer 20. That would prevent to 4 remove and reposition the skirt panel 32 when the trolley's 16 position is modified.
The road trailer wheels 26 are mounted on a road trailer buggy 16 adapted to move the wheels 6 26 along a portion of the road trailer's length to distribute the weight of the road trailer 20 in a 7 desired fashion. The skirt assembly 30 is preferably permanently secured to the road trailer 20 8 taking in consideration the forwardmost position of the trailer buggy 16.
The gap between the 9 skirt panel 32 and the road trailer's wheels 26 is however increased when the trailer buggy 16 is move toward the rear of the road trailer 20 thus likely reducing the aerodynamic efficiency of the 11 skirt assembly 30. The present invention provides a skirt panel extension module 33 adapted to 12 reduce the gap between the skirt panel 32 and the road trailer's wheels 26 to prevent any 13 aerodynamic efficiency reduction. The skirt panel extension modules 33 are secured to the road 14 trailer in a similar fashion. The skirt panel extension module 33 can be provided in various lengths to fill gaps of various sizes. They can also be provided as skirt panel extension modules 16 33 kit. An alternate embodiment provides a sliding skirt panel extension 33 that is permanently 17 secured to the road trailer 20 and extendable to the desired length when the trailer buggy 16 is 18 moved.
19 A skirt panel extension 33, illustrated on Figure 6, can alternatively be added between the skirt panel 32 and the wheels 26 when the axles of the road trailer 20 are located in a rearward 21 position leaving an increased distance therebetween to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of 22 the skirt assembly 30. A reasonable distance between the skirt panel 32 and the wheels 26 23 could be between about 15 centimeters and about 30 centimeters although a shorter distance, 24 or even a superposition of the skirt panel 32 (or skirt panel module(s) 33) over the wheel 26, can be achieved.
26 Figure 5 is a top elevational view of the road trailer frame 22. As mentioned above, it can be 27 appreciated from Figure 5 that the skirt panel 32 is disposed inwardly on the forward portion of 28 the road trailer 20 and is progressively located on the edge of the road trailer's wall 28 toward 29 the rear end of the road trailer 20. A departure angle support 60 and a cooperating forward angle support 64 are secured to the road trailer to correctly locate the skirt panel 32 on the road 31 trailer 20. The departure angle support 60 and the forward angle support 64 are installed on the 32 trailer 20 prior to install the skirt panel 32. The rear portion 36 of the skirt panel 32 is secured to I the road trailer 20 up to the departure angle support 60 and then the skirt panel 32 is bent to 2 reach the forward angle support 64 and secured thereto. That bent locates the skirt panel 32 to 3 the road trailer 20 and defines the shape of the skirt panel 32 with the desired progressive 4 proximal bent. The remaining angle supports 62 and resilient struts 42 are installed thereafter to further secure the assembly.
6 The rear portion 36 of the skirt panel 32 is intended to be secured to the road trailer to leave only 7 a minimum gap with the road trailer wheels 26 to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the skirt 8 assembly 30. The skirt panel 32 extends to the front of the road trailer 20 and defines a curve 9 portion on its front portion 34. A long skirt 32 appears to be more efficient than a shorter skirt panel 32 and should therefore extend as far as possible to the front of the road trailer 32.
11 However, for reasons of complexity, the front portion 34 of the skirt panel 32 is likely to stop at 12 the trailer supports 14. It is nonetheless encompassed by the present invention that the skirt 13 panel 32 alternatively extends in front of the trailer supports 14.
14 In an embodiment of the invention adapted to fit a standard 16.1 meters (53 feet) road trailer 20 the forward end of the departure angle support 60 is located at a distance dl from the forward 16 end of the skirt panel 32. A forward angle support 64 is secured to the frame at a distance d2 17 from the side edge of the road trailer 20. Distance dl is about between 1.5 meter and 3 meters, 18 preferably about between 2 meters and 2.5 meters and most preferably about between 2.1 19 meters and 2.4 meters. Distance d2 is about between 0.20 meter and 0.40 meter, preferably about between 0.25 meter and 0.35 meter and most preferably about 0.27 meter and 0.32 21 meters. More precisely, distance dl is preferably about 2.29 meters and distance d2 is 22 preferably about 0.31 meter in a preferred embodiment. Corresponding angle supports 40 and 23 resilient struts 42 are installed to further secure the skirt panel 32 at the desired position.
24 A left side elevational view schematically illustrating, on Figure 6, the overall size of the skirt panel 32. Length d3 of the skirt panel 32 is about between 5 meters and 9 meters, preferably 26 about between 6 meters and 8 meters and most preferably about between 6.5 meters and 7.5 27 meters. The height d4 of the skirt panel 32 is about between 0.5 meter and 1 meter, preferably 28 about between 0.6 meter and 0.9 meter and most preferably about between 0.7 meter and 0.8 29 meter. And the forwardmost height d5 of the skirt panel 32 is about between 0.3 meter and 0.7 meter, preferably about between 0.4 meter and 0.6 meter and most preferably about between 31 0.45 meter and 0.5 meter. More precisely, distance d4 is preferably about 0.76 meter and 32 distance d5 is preferably about 0.48 meter in a preferred embodiment.
1 Alternate embodiments providing a skirt assembly sized and designed to fit road trailers of 2 different lengths can be inferred from the dimensions discussed above. For instance, a skirt 3 assembly can be designed to fit a 14.6 meters (48 feet) road trailer 20 or any other road trailer 4 4 20 sizes and lengths.
As further illustrated on Figure 6, the skirt panel 32 is provided with a series of holes 35 used to 6 connect the skirt panel 32 to the road trailer 20. The series of holes 35 disposed on the upper 7 portion of the skirt panel 32 is used to connect the skirt panel 32 to the frame 22 of the trailer 20 8 whereas, in a similar fashion, the series of holes 35 disposed on the bottom portion of the skirt 9 panel 32 is used to connect the skirt panel 32 to the skirt connecting portion 48 of the resilient strut 42. The resilient strut 42 is connected to the frame member 23 of the trailer via the trailer 11 connecting portion 46 of the resilient strut 42. The skirt connecting portion 48 and the trailer 12 connecting portion 46 are provided with respective series of holes 35 to receive fasteners 13 therein. The holes 35 can be factory pre-drilled or can be drilled during installation to ensure 14 desired customization. Rivets or bolts are placed in the holes 35 to secure the skirt panel 32 to the trailer frame 22 or the support assembly. Other appropriate fastening mechanism variations 16 well known in the art are encompassed by the present disclosure and can be used without 17 departing from the scope of the invention.
18 An opening 70 is defined in the skirt panel 32 to allow access to an optional fuel tank disposed 19 on the road trailer 20 to fuel an onboard generator or freezer. Such a fuel tank is commonly disposed under the floor 22 of the road trailer 20 and is most likely hidden by the skirt assembly 21 30. The opening is sized, designed and located on the skirt panel 32 to allow access to the fuel 22 tank. A door (not illustrated) can optionally be added to close the opening 70.
23 Turning now to Figure 7 where is illustrated a plurality of resilient struts 42 and angles support 24 40 assembly secured between the frame 22 and the skirt panel 32. The rear elevational view shows that the front portion 34 of the skirt panel 32 is proximally recessed from the left lateral 26 side of the trailer 20 by, illustratively, about 30 centimeters. It can also be appreciated that the 27 skirt panel 32 is held to the road trailer frame 22 via the series of angled support 40 on its upper 28 portion. The lower portion of the skirt panel 32 is connected to the trailer connecting portion 46 29 of the resilient strut 42 at an angle a,, which is an angle of about 45 in the present illustrative embodiment and could be different without departing from the present description.
I In one embodiment, the resilient strut 42 has a rectangular section and is made of composite 2 material. Recommended multilayer composite material, or reinforced thermoplastic 3 manufactured by Transtex Composites Inc is used in the present embodiment.
The composite 4 material forming the resilient struts 42 of the illustrative example is shaped in a rectangular section to allow the resilient strut 42 to bend when the skirt panel 32 is pushed toward the center 6 of the road trailer 20 (proximally) when, for instance, contacting an obstacle or having a force 7 applied thereon. The resilient strut 42 bends, allowing a significant displacement of the bottom 8 portion of the skirt panel 32, is adapted to retrieve its original position when the force is removed 9 from the skirt panel 32. The resilient strut 42 is preferably made of a one-piece material where both ends are slightly angled 44 to evenly contact the skirt panel 32 and the road trailer frame 11 member 23. In so doing, no additional intervening parts are required between the resilient strut 12 42 and both the skirt panel 32 and the road trailer frame member 23.
13 The resilient struts 42 of the present embodiment is about 4 millimeters thick and can reach a 14 radius of 20 centimeters without going into plastic deformation or breaking. Generally, the thinner the resilient strut 42 is, the shorter will be its maximum radius of curvature. A lateral 16 proximal displacement of about 60 centimeters of the bottom portion of the skirt panel 32 is 17 possible. The lower portion of the skirt panel 32 can even reach, under certain circumstances, a 18 position parallel with the trailer 20 floor. The skirt assembly 30 and the skirt panel 32 will recover 19 their original positions when the force causing the bending is removed.
Further, the bending of the resilient struts 42 provides energy absorption in case of impact from another vehicle for 21 example. It can be noted that a distal displacement of the skirt panel 32 is possible. A distal 22 displacement of the skirt panel 32 will occur when a properly directed force is applied to the skirt 23 panel 32 to bend the skirt panel 32.
24 Figures 8 and 9 depict with more details the connection mechanism between the resilient struts 42 and the trailer frame members 23. One of the resilient strut 42 ends is juxtaposed on the 26 lower surface of the road trailer frame 22. A set of holes, identified with holes axes 54, are used 27 to fasten two clamps 4, one on each side of the frame 22, to secure the resilient strut 42 to the 28 road trailer frame 23. The clamps 50 are illustratively made of a shaped stainless steel plate 29 material to prevent corrosion.
Figure 10 illustrates the connection between the resilient strut 42 and the skirt panel 32. The end 31 of the resilient strut 42 is positioned to the surface of the skirt panel 32 and secured thereto. Any 32 types of fasteners 56 can be used to fasten both parts together. Rivets are preferably used I although a bolt could also fit into the holes 54 performed in the skirt panel 32 and the resilient 2 strut 42, and illustrated with hole axes 54 to secure the assembly. Glue or resin could 3 alternatively be applied between the resilient strut 42 and the skirt panel 32 to secure the 4 resilient strut 42 and the skirt panel 32 together and is also encompassed by the present invention.
6 Figure 11 shows the assembly between the upper portion of the skirt panel 32 and one of the 7 angled supports 40. The angle support 40 is disposed next to the edge of the road trailer 20 to 8 position the exterior surface of the skirt panel 32 significantly co-planar with the lateral wall of the 9 road trailer 20. Again, any types of fasteners can be used to fasten both parts together. Rivets are preferably used but a bolt could also fit into the holes 54 in the skirt panel 32 and the angled 11 support 40 to secure the assembly. Here again, glue or resin could alternatively be applied 12 between the angle support 40 and the skirt panel 32 to permanently secure the angle support 40 13 and the skirt panel 32 together.
14 Figure 12 and Figure 13 illustrate an alternate embodiment where the resilient strut 42 is fixed to the trailer frame 22 and the skirt panel 32 differently. Instead of installing the resilient strut 42 16 with both ends slightly angled to mate with the skirt panel 32, both ends of the resilient strut 42 17 are further angled to contact the skirt panel 32 from the opposite side.
This alternate layout 18 assembly reduces the stress on the resilient strut 42, when the skirt panel 32 is deflected, for 19 instance, under a force F, by expending the radius of curvature of the resilient strut 42 throughout the resilient strut 42 ergo significantly reducing local stress points in the resilient strut 21 42.
22 In another unillustrated embodiment, the section of the resilient strut 42 has a shape adapted to 23 increase its stiffness. A "U" or a "C" shaped resilient strut 42 can be manufactured. Alternatively, 24 an embossed portion on a planar shaped resilient strut 42 can also be manufactured. Preferably the selected shape should prevent dirt and road debris to keep stuck on the resilient strut 42.
26 The shape can also be uneven along the length of the resilient strut 42 to provide an uneven flex 27 to the resilient strut 42.
28 As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in view of the present specification, the 29 nature of the material used to build the skirt panel 32 and the resilient strut 42 can vary. These materials are also contemplated to fall within the scope of the invention if they lead to the 31 flexibility and resilience required to build a resilient skirt assembly 30.
1 Turning now to Figure 14 and Figure 15, illustrating the road tractor 10 and the road trailer 20. In 2 this embodiment the skirt panel 32 is constructed with a plurality of skirt panel modules 80. A
3 pivotable skirt panel module 86 is adapted to be pivoted about hinges 84 to give access under 4 the road trailer 20. A support member 82 is also provided to maintain the pivoted skirt panel module 86 in its opened position. The support member 82 being composed of a suspension 6 means and a damper means.
7 While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be 8 the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to 9 be limited to the disclosed embodiments and elements, but, to the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications, combinations of features, equivalent arrangements, and equivalent 11 elements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Furthermore, the 12 dimensions of features of various components that may appear on the drawings are not meant 13 to be limiting, and the size of the components therein can vary from the size that may be 14 portrayed in the figures herein. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of the invention, provided they come within the scope of the 16 appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (58)
1. A resilient strut adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer, the aerodynamic skirt being adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the aerodynamic skirt comprising:
a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be laterally proximally mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be laterally distally mounted in respect with the forward portion 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 comprising:
a trailer connecting portion extending at a first end thereof into an elongated resilient intermediate portion, the resilient intermediate portion further extending into a skirt connecting portion at a second end thereof, the elongated resilient intermediate portion being adapted to sustain an elastic deformation allowing the elongated resilient intermediate portion 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 skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be laterally proximally mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be laterally distally mounted in respect with the forward portion 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 comprising:
a trailer connecting portion extending at a first end thereof into an elongated resilient intermediate portion, the resilient intermediate portion further extending into a skirt connecting portion at a second end thereof, the elongated resilient intermediate portion being adapted to sustain an elastic deformation allowing the elongated resilient intermediate portion 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.
2. The resilient strut of claim 1, wherein the trailer connecting portion, the skirt connecting portion and the elongated resilient intermediate portion are made of a continuous member.
3. The resilient strut of claims 1 and 2, wherein the trailer connecting portion and the skirt connecting portion are angularly extending from respective ends of the elongated resilient intermediate portion.
4. The resilient strut of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resilient strut has a substantially constant section thereof.
5. The resilient strut of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elongated resilient intermediate portion is made of composite materials.
6. The resilient strut of claims 1 to 5, wherein the trailer connecting portion and the skirt connecting portion projections intersect at an angle of about 90 degrees thereof.
7. The resilient strut of claims 1 to 6, wherein the resilient strut is shaped and designed to be stackable with other resilient struts.
8. The resilient strut of claim 7, wherein the elongated resilient intermediate portion is adapted to support the load applied thereon without bending until it buckles when a stronger load is applied thereon.
9. The resilient strut of claims 1 to 8, wherein the resilient strut has a substantially constant rectangular section defining opposed flat sides.
10. The resilient strut of claim 9, wherein the substantially rectangular section has a thickness of between 2 millimeters and 6 millimeters.
11. The resilient strut of claims 1 to 10, wherein bending of the elongated resilient intermediate portion is buckling.
12. The resilient strut of claims 1 to 11, wherein the skirt panel defines a curved portion between the front portion and the rear portion when mounted on the trailer in the aerodynamic configuration.
13. A kit of resilient struts adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer, the aerodynamic skirt being adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the aerodynamic skirt comprising:
a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be laterally proximally mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be laterally distally mounted in respect with the forward portion toward a rear portion of the trailer when mounted on 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, at least two resilient struts including a trailer connecting portion extending into an elongated resilient intermediate portion, the elongated resilient intermediate portion further extending into a skirt connecting portion, the elongated resilient intermediate portion being adapted to sustain an elastic deformation thereof allowing the elongated resilient intermediate portion to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to automatically recover its original shape when the load is removed.
a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be laterally proximally mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be laterally distally mounted in respect with the forward portion toward a rear portion of the trailer when mounted on 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, at least two resilient struts including a trailer connecting portion extending into an elongated resilient intermediate portion, the elongated resilient intermediate portion further extending into a skirt connecting portion, the elongated resilient intermediate portion being adapted to sustain an elastic deformation thereof allowing the elongated resilient intermediate portion to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to automatically recover its original shape when the load is removed.
14. The kit of resilient struts of claim 13, further comprising at least one angle support adapted to further secure the aerodynamic skirt to the trailer.
15. The kit of resilient struts of claim 14, wherein the at least one angle support is a plurality of angle supports.
16. The kit of resilient struts of claims 13 to 15, further comprising a second skirt panel adapted to be secured to the trailer with resilient struts.
17. The kit of resilient struts of claims 13 to 16, wherein the trailer connecting portion, the skirt connecting portion and the elongated resilient intermediate portion are made of a continuous member.
18. The kit of resilient struts of claims 13 to 17, wherein the trailer connecting portion and the skirt connecting portion are angularly extending from respective ends of the elongated resilient intermediate portion.
19. The kit of resilient struts of claims 13 to 18, wherein the resilient strut has a substantially constant section thereof.
20. The kit of resilient struts of claims 13 to 19, wherein the elongated resilient intermediate portion is made of composite materials.
21. The kit of resilient struts of claims 13 to 20, wherein the trailer connecting portion and the skirt connecting portion projections are forming an angle of about 90 degrees thereof.
17.1
17.1
22. The kit of resilient struts of claims 13 to 21, wherein the resilient struts are shaped and designed to be stackable.
23. The kit of resilient struts of claims 13 to 22, wherein the resilient intermediate portion is adapted to support the load applied thereon without bending until it buckles when a stronger load is applied thereon.
24. The kit of resilient struts of claims 13 to 23, wherein the resilient struts have a substantially constant rectangular section defining opposed flat sides.
25. The kit of resilient struts of claim 24, wherein the rectangular section has a thickness of between 2 millimeters and 6 millimeters.
26. The kit of resilient struts of claims 13 to 25, wherein the elongated resilient intermediate portion bending is buckling.
27. The kit of resilient struts of claims 13 to 26, wherein the skirt panel defines a curved portion between the front portion and the rear portion.
28. A method of installing a resilient strut to resiliently secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer, the aerodynamic skirt being adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the method comprising:
providing a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion,;
providing at least one resilient strut including a trailer connecting portion extending into an elongated resilient intermediate portion, the elongated resilient intermediate portion further extending into a skirt connecting portion, the elongated resilient intermediate portion being adapted to sustain an elastic deformation thereof allowing the elongated resilient intermediate portion to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to automatically recover its original shape when the load is removed;
securing the resilient strut to the trailer; and 17.2 securing the resilient strut to the skirt panel and the trailer such that the front portion of the skirt panel be laterally proximally mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion of the skirt panel be laterally distally mounted in respect with the forward portion 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.
providing a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion,;
providing at least one resilient strut including a trailer connecting portion extending into an elongated resilient intermediate portion, the elongated resilient intermediate portion further extending into a skirt connecting portion, the elongated resilient intermediate portion being adapted to sustain an elastic deformation thereof allowing the elongated resilient intermediate portion to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to automatically recover its original shape when the load is removed;
securing the resilient strut to the trailer; and 17.2 securing the resilient strut to the skirt panel and the trailer such that the front portion of the skirt panel be laterally proximally mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion of the skirt panel be laterally distally mounted in respect with the forward portion 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.
29. The method of installing a resilient strut of claim 28, wherein securing the resilient strut to the trailer via the trailer connecting portion is made with a clamping mechanism adapted to avoid drilling a securing hole in the trailer.
30. The method of installing a resilient strut of claims 28 and 29, wherein the trailer connecting portion, the skirt connecting portion and the elongated resilient intermediate portion are made of a continuous member.
31. The method of installing a resilient strut of claims 28 to 30, wherein the trailer connecting portion and the skirt connecting portion are angularly extending from respective ends of the elongated resilient intermediate portion.
32. The method of installing a resilient strut of claims 28 to 31, wherein the resilient strut has a substantially constant section thereof.
33. The method of installing a resilient strut of claims 28 to 32, wherein the elongated resilient intermediate portion is made of composite materials.
34. The method of installing a resilient strut of claims 28 to 33, wherein the trailer connecting portion and the skirt connecting portion projections are intersecting at an angle of about 90 degrees thereof.
35. The method of installing a resilient strut of claims 28 to 34, wherein the resilient strut is adapted to be stackable with other resilient struts.
36. The method of installing a resilient strut of claim 35, wherein the elongated resilient intermediate portion is adapted to support the load applied thereon without bending until it buckles when a stronger load is applied thereon.
17.3
17.3
37. The method of installing a resilient strut of claims 28 to 36, wherein the resilient strut has a substantially constant rectangular section defining opposed flat sides.
38. The method of installing a resilient strut of claims 28 to 37, wherein the substantially rectangular section has a thickness of between 2 millimeters and 6 millimeters.
39. The method of installing a resilient strut of claims 28 to 38, wherein the bending of the elongated resilient intermediate portion is buckling.
40. The method of installing a resilient strut of claims 28 to 39, wherein the skirt panel defines a curved portion between the front portion and the rear portion.
41. A trailer using a resilient strut adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to the trailer, the aerodynamic skirt being adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the aerodynamic skirt comprising:
a skirt panel defining a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be laterally proximally mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be laterally distally mounted in respect with the forward portion toward a rear portion of the trailer when mounted to 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 comprising:
a trailer connecting portion extending into an elongated resilient intermediate portion, the resilient intermediate portion further extending into a skirt connecting portion, the elongated resilient intermediate portion being adapted to sustain an elastic deformation thereof allowing the elongated resilient intermediate portion to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to automatically recover its original shape when the load is removed.
17.4
a skirt panel defining a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be laterally proximally mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be laterally distally mounted in respect with the forward portion toward a rear portion of the trailer when mounted to 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 comprising:
a trailer connecting portion extending into an elongated resilient intermediate portion, the resilient intermediate portion further extending into a skirt connecting portion, the elongated resilient intermediate portion being adapted to sustain an elastic deformation thereof allowing the elongated resilient intermediate portion to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to automatically recover its original shape when the load is removed.
17.4
42. The trailer of claim 41, wherein the trailer connecting portion, the skirt connecting portion and the elongated resilient intermediate portion are made of a continuous member.
43. The trailer of claims 41 and 42, wherein the trailer connecting portion and the skirt connecting portion are angularly extending from respective ends of the elongated resilient intermediate portion positioning at least one of the trailer connecting portion and the skirt connecting portion beyond a length of the elongated resilient intermediate portion.
44. The trailer of claims 41 to 43, wherein the resilient strut has a substantially constant section thereof.
45. The trailer of claims 41 to 44, wherein the elongated resilient intermediate portion is made of composite materials.
46. The trailer of claims 41 to 45, wherein the trailer connecting portion and the skirt connecting portion projections are intersecting at an angle of about 90 degrees thereof.
47. The trailer of claims 41 to 46, wherein the resilient strut is shaped and designed to be stackable with other resilient strut.
48. The trailer of claim 47, wherein the elongated resilient intermediate portion is adapted to support the load applied thereon without bending until it buckles when a stronger load is applied thereon.
49. The trailer of claims 41 to 48, wherein the resilient strut has a substantially constant rectangular section defining opposed flat sides.
50. The trailer of claim 49, wherein the substantially rectangular section has a thickness of between 2 millimeters and 6 millimeters.
51. The trailer of claims 41 to 50, wherein bending of the elongated resilient intermediate portion is buckling.
52. The trailer of claims 41 to 51, wherein the skirt panel defines a curved portion between the front portion and the rear portion.
17.5
17.5
53. A flat resilient strut adapted to interconnect a skirt panel with a trailer, the flat resilient strut comprising an elongated resilient intermediate portion adapted to elastically buckles when a load is applied thereon, the elongated resilient intermediate portion extending into a trailer connecting portion at a first end thereof and extending into a skirt connecting portion at a second end thereof.
54. The flat resilient strut of claim 53, wherein the load between the skirt panel and the trailer is transmitted by the elongated resilient intermediate portion.
55. The flat resilient strut of claims 54 and 55, wherein a plurality of flat resilient struts can be stacked.
56. The flat resilient strut of claims 53 to 55, wherein the flat resilient strut is made of a unitary part.
57. The flat resilient strut of claims 53 to 56, wherein the flat resilient strut is made of composite material.
58. The flat resilient strut of claims 53 to 56, wherein the flat resilient strut is made of a continuous piece of material.
17.6
17.6
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| US61/024,217 | 2008-01-29 | ||
| CA2651688A CA2651688C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic trailer skirts |
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| CA2651688A Division CA2651688C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic trailer skirts |
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| CA2689749C true CA2689749C (en) | 2012-04-10 |
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| CA2689751A Active CA2689751C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic skirt wheel interface |
| CA2689748A Active CA2689748C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic skirt opening |
| CA2668323A Active CA2668323C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Resilient aerodynamic trailer skirts |
| CA2689747A Active CA2689747C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic skirt panel |
| CA2689746A Active CA2689746C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic skirt securing mechanism |
| CA2797778A Active CA2797778C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic skirt |
| CA2651688A Active CA2651688C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic trailer skirts |
| CA2689749A Active CA2689749C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic skirt support member |
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| CA2689751A Active CA2689751C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic skirt wheel interface |
| CA2689748A Active CA2689748C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic skirt opening |
| CA2668323A Active CA2668323C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Resilient aerodynamic trailer skirts |
| CA2689747A Active CA2689747C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic skirt panel |
| CA2689746A Active CA2689746C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic skirt securing mechanism |
| CA2797778A Active CA2797778C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic skirt |
| CA2651688A Active CA2651688C (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2009-01-27 | Aerodynamic trailer skirts |
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| US8292351B2 (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2012-10-23 | Transtex Composite Inc. | Resilient strut for aerodynamic skirt |
| US8449017B2 (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2013-05-28 | Transtex Composites Inc. | Aerodynamic skirt resilient member |
| US10550569B2 (en) | 2016-02-24 | 2020-02-04 | Wabash National, L.P. | Composite floor structure and method of making the same |
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