CA2205496C - Ram-air caboose - Google Patents
Ram-air caboose Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2205496C CA2205496C CA 2205496 CA2205496A CA2205496C CA 2205496 C CA2205496 C CA 2205496C CA 2205496 CA2205496 CA 2205496 CA 2205496 A CA2205496 A CA 2205496A CA 2205496 C CA2205496 C CA 2205496C
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- vehicle
- compartment
- air flow
- adjustable
- dihedral wing
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
- B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
- B60P3/32—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping, or like vehicles
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
- Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
Abstract
The Ram-Air Caboose is an attachment with adjustable weight distribution and air flow control fitted to the rear of a mini-van type vehicle and consists of a compartment that provides control of various air flows, weight distribution and counter balance. It has a vertical section secured with adjustable adaptors to a conventional class III trailer hitch, and an adjustable dihedral wing stabilizer extending horizontally forward and connecting to conventional van roof rack inserts with adaptors.
Adjusting the dihedral wing stabilizer up will increase down air flow velocity pressure between the compartment and the vehicle, producing a degree of lift at the rear of the vehicle during forward motion. Conversely, lowering the stabilizer and raising the rear of the compartment creates down pressure. These adjustments improve vehicle stabilization and control at highway speeds. The Ram-Air Caboose's counter-balanced support system reduces vehicle rear sag and improves level by shifting load points as far forward on the vehicle chassis as practical. The dihedral wing stabilizer is also utilized as a torque extension to down load counter-balance pressure through adaptor connections. The interior of the dihedral wing stabilizer is open storage space. The vertical section contains the main open space, and windows that give safe rear vision through compartment front and rear walls. The Ram-Air Caboose can be used for work or recreation, and can be easily installed and removed.
Adjusting the dihedral wing stabilizer up will increase down air flow velocity pressure between the compartment and the vehicle, producing a degree of lift at the rear of the vehicle during forward motion. Conversely, lowering the stabilizer and raising the rear of the compartment creates down pressure. These adjustments improve vehicle stabilization and control at highway speeds. The Ram-Air Caboose's counter-balanced support system reduces vehicle rear sag and improves level by shifting load points as far forward on the vehicle chassis as practical. The dihedral wing stabilizer is also utilized as a torque extension to down load counter-balance pressure through adaptor connections. The interior of the dihedral wing stabilizer is open storage space. The vertical section contains the main open space, and windows that give safe rear vision through compartment front and rear walls. The Ram-Air Caboose can be used for work or recreation, and can be easily installed and removed.
Description
2,205,496 - 1 -TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an automotive removable accessory consisting of a compartment attached to the rear of a mini-van type vehicle which can be used for recreation, personal or commercial applications. More particularly, it relates to such a compartment that improves and stabilizes vehicle handling by weight distribution and counter balance and with an adjustable dihedral wing stabilizer which can raise or lower rear of vehicle by altering up or down air flow velocity pressures when vehicle is in forward motion.
BA KGROLTND QF THE INVENTION
Many types of enclosures are known for mounting on top of cars, to the rear of automotive vans and on the back of pick-up trucks. Many such enclosures are rigidly mounted, non-adjustable structures that extend upwardly from the roof and overhang rearwardly. These types of enclosures are typically heavy, bulky and aerodynamically inefficient, thereby causing significant drag, increasing fuel consumption, rear end sag, and unbalanced loads, and these, under certain conditions, cause unstable handling. Some enclosures significantly alter the vehicle transport specification by modifying the carriage, and others need custom fitting to form tight seals between the vehicle and the enclosure requiring specialized equipment for mounting. These normally involve extensive body cutting, steel frame attachments, elaborate bolting and clamping patterns and special brackets to light gauge rain gutters to support massive loads. These fasteners are mostly rigid fixtures requiring fine tolerances to line up many bolts, clamps and brackets. Most of these enclosures are semi-permanently attached or mounted as boxes on roof, and cannot be easily removed, particularly after weekend use. Many types of enclosures require high overhead clearances unless elaborate fold down devices are used to enter a standard seven foot garage door; a basic requirement, generally overlooked, which prohibits inside storage, and, in particular, mounting and removing the enclosure during inclement weather. The amount of time required to safely install and remove some enclosures is prohibitive to perform on a regular basis. Thus, a need has arisen for a practical-sized, 2,205,496 - 2 -light-weight, self contained, prefabricated compartment that can be shipped as a single unit and may be easily mounted on a mini-van type vehicle. Most importantly, a need has arisen for a compartment that, when attached, ensures the vehicle is stable and in control at highway speeds through adjustment of air flow pressures such as a dihedral wing stabilizer.
Furthermore, a need has arisen for an improved compartment to enhance weight distribution and counter balance to retain safe carnage level and avoid rear end sag.
SLTwIMARY OF T~~INVENTION_ The foregoing and other problems associated with mounted compartments are addressed by the present invention. The Ram-Air Caboose is a compartment that is attached on the rear of a mini-van type vehicle and in view of all the previous art work that has been presented in this field, this invention is based on safe highway handlin~_ simplicity, and y. rsatil~'.~.
These problems are addressed as follows.
Safe hi~~way handling: the most important consideration when making any changes to a vehicle carnage is considered by the Ram-Air Caboose. Particularly, weight distribution; this is addressed by mounting locations and the counter-balanced support system by which the compartment is attached. The compartment pivots on its lower mounting adaptors and is counter-balanced by attaching and torquing down the dihedral wing stabilizer to conventional roof rack adaptors.
Secondly, to offset weight and balance, the dihedral wing stabilizer, can be adjusted up or down to alter up or down air flow velocity pressure. Altering this pressure will provide lift or down pressure to the vehicle read end to suit driving conditions. The compartment contains large polycarbonate windows both on front and rear walls allowing a clear vision through the compartment for monitoring rear traffic and backing up. Window angles refract light to avoid rear reflection from following vehicles, headlights or sunlight. Finally, safety while attaching;
the compartment is light weight and can be safely secured by one person using a small scissor jack.
2,205,496 - 3 -~1T1DI1C1~: the Ram-Air Caboose does not encompass vast numbers of bolt clamps, screws, seals and brackets. It can be secured to the vehicle with four bolts; two other bolts are added, simply to show an added safety factor. Most importantly, the compartment is manufactured as a complete non-bulky unit for easy shipping and transporting. Since the compartment is a small, compact unit and easily handled, it can be installed and removed by one person not skilled in mechanics.
Versa~li~: the Ram-Air Caboose is a versatile unit that can be fitted with desired equipment so as to serve, for example, as a kitchen, mobile laboratory or service center, or merely employed as an additional storage space. Furthermore, the compartment is not limited to one type of vehicle and is adaptable to various vehicles; for example, mounted on a rear wheel drive mini-van, as demonstrated, a front wheel drive mini-van or a sports utility vehicle. The compartment easily passes under a standard seven foot high garage door when mounted on a mini-van type vehicle for easy indoor installation or removal. Also, when removed, the compartment can be used as an indoor or outdoor multi-purpose storage encloswe.
D__ 4.SI= cI~mTION OF T)'iE.S
The invention will be further understood from the following more detailed description of several embodiments of the invention, taken with the drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a mini-van type vehicle having thereon a rearwardly, projecting, compartment embodying the principles of the invention;
FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of the compartment removed from the vehicle and illustrates the dihedral wing stabilizer, upper adjustable roof rack adaptors and lower adjustable mounting adaptors.
2,205,496 - 4 -FIGURE 3 is a side elevation showing counter-balanced dihedral wing stabilizer section and adjustable trailer hitch adaptor mounted on vehicle and, illustrates air flow space between vehicle and the compartment.
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmented view of the adjustable dihedral wing stabilizer bracket mounted to the vehicle conventional roof rack inserts.
FIGURE S is an enlarged fragmented view of the structural steel frame and adjustable trailer hitch adaptor fitted to vehicle trailer hitch and illustrates adjusting slots.
DF~'AILED DESt'~TION
In the drawings, a mini-van type vehicle 10 has conventionally installed roof rack inserts 11 for mounting roof racks, trailer hitch frame 12 mounted on the vehicle frame 13.
The vehicle typically also having side doors 14-15, rear door 16 normally hinged at the top and remains in a closed position.
Figure 1 illustrates a typical mini-van type vehicle 10 of conventional manufacture with a laminar air flow shaped compartment 17, attached to the rear. In accordance with invention, the compartment 17 includes a tapered vertical section 18 mounted, as will be later described, on trailer hitch frame 12 of the vehicle and a dihedral wing stabilizer 19 mounted, as will be later described, on the roof of the vehicle. As can be seen from Figure l, the mass of the compartment 17 being counter balanced for weight distribution and being supported on the trailer hitch frame 12 and extending up and forward as a structural shape over the vehicle, is distributed longitudinally by the counter-balanced support system so as to maintain vehicle carriage level, stability and handling control.
As also seen in Figure 1, the vertical tapered section 18 covers the entire rear area of the vehicle and, therefore, the vertical section 18 is provided with usual vehicle tail lights 23, and licence plate bracket 24. The licence plate is removed from the vehicle and placed on the compartment 17 when in use. Since the rear view window of the vehicle is covered by the compartment 17 vertical 2,205,496 - 5 -section 18, front and rear windows 22 line up with vehicle rear window 36 to provide rear vision.
Bumper structure 25 is also provided at the lower end of the taper vertical section 18 and is, as will be later described, interconnected to the vehicle frame.
Referring to Figure 2, the compartment 17 is shown removed from the vehicle.
The vertical section 18 is supported on structural steel frame 26 and extends horizontally with two steel trailer hitch adaptors 27. The horizontal dihedral wing stabilizer section 19 is fitted with cantilever brackets 28 at the leading edge air sputter 29, rubber bushings 30 cross connect the upper adaptor bracket 31. Normally the upper adaptor bracket 31 will remain on vehicle conventional roof rack inserts 11 figure 3, but can be easily removed if desired. The conventional rear bumper 25 is connected to vehicle frame 13 figure 3 through the structural steel frame 26 and the trailer hitch adaptors 27. Door 32 located on the right side, is hinged to avoid opening during travel. The structural steel frame 26 and trailer hitch adaptors 27 facilitate support for compartment 17 to sit squarely on the ground when the compartment is not in use.
Figure 3 as there shown, the compartment 17 contoured to rear of vehicle but still allows air space 43 for air flow velocity pressure under the dihedral wing stabilizer 19, and between vehicle and compartment 17.
The procedure for mounting the compartment 17 on vehicle has been briefly described above. The mounting system serves two functions; counter balance support by equalizing the mass loads between the trailer hitch frame 12 and the roof rack inserts 1 l, secondly adjusting the elevation of the dihedral wing stabilizer to change the up or down air flow velocity pressure during forward motion. Raising the leading edge air splitter 29 up increases the lift, reducing weight on rear of vehicle. Adjusting rear roof section 33 up and leading edge 29 down increases vehicle rear load pressure, enhancing driving and handling under certain road conditions.
2,205,496 - 6 -The compartment 17 can be mounted safely by one person using this simple procedure. Firstly, the back door 16 of vehicle is closed; no modifications are necessary. Then licence plate is removed and relocated to licence plate bracket 24. Roof racks must be removed from vehicle and conventional roof rack inserts 11 and conventional slider track 42, Figure 4, remain on van. The trailer hitch adaptors 27 must firstly be secured to trailer hitch frame 12 by fitting bolts in round hole 34, Figure S. Then a small scissor jack is placed under rear bumper 25 raising compartment 17 to line up elongated cantilever brackets 28 with upper adaptor bracket 31, Figure 4. Insert mounting screws through upper adaptor bracket 3 l and screw into roof rack inserts 11.
Insert dihedral wing stabilizer adjusting bolts 35 through elongated cantilever brackets 28 and push through rubber bushings 30, and upper adaptor bracket 31. Adjust dihedral wing stabilizer 19 and rear roof section 33 to desired elevation to suit road conditions. Finally add bolt to slot hole 37. The upper adaptor bracket 31 can slide front or back when mounted on roof rack inserts 11. This allows for fine tuning of dihedral wing stabilizer 19 elevation.
Figure 3 shows shape of compartment 17 front wall 21, rear wall 20, roof 33, floor 43, all indicative of laminar air flow characteristics. Figure 3 also shows the configuration of the counter-balance support system and the basic four mounting points. As well, Figure 3 shows air flow velocity pressure route in air space 43 under the dihedral wing stabilizer 19 and route down in air space 43 between vehicle and compartment 17, so as when vehicle is in forward motion, air flow velocity pressure provide vehicle rear erid lift.
Figure 4 as shown, the adjustable connections include elongated cantilever brackets 28 secured to the dihedral wing stabilizer 19; these mounted by the adjusting bolt 35 through rubber bushings 30, and upper adaptor bracket 31. The upper adaptor bracket 31 is connected to the conventional roof rack inserts 11 which in turn is connected to the vehicle roof slider track 42 and roof 38. Adding or removing rubber bushings 30 changes dihedral wing stabilizer 19 elevation;
these changes adjust 2,205,496 - 7 -amount of lift. The upper adaptor bracket slides forward or backward on roof rack inserts 11 located in slider track 42.
Figure 5 as shown; the adjustable connections include structural steel frame 26 on which, shown by dotted lines, is mounted the compartment 17; also, connected on are the bumper brackets 41, and the trailer hitch adaptors 27. The trailer hitch adaptors 27 are fitted to the trailer hitch frame 12, which in turn is bolted to the vehicle frame 13. The trailer hitch adaptors 27 are fully adjustable by bolting through round hole 34 and slot hole 37. These adjustments are required to set counter balance support system and adjust dihedral wing stabilizer 19 so as when vehicle is in forward motion increase or decrease air flow velocity pressure will alter vehicle rear end lift..
This invention relates to an automotive removable accessory consisting of a compartment attached to the rear of a mini-van type vehicle which can be used for recreation, personal or commercial applications. More particularly, it relates to such a compartment that improves and stabilizes vehicle handling by weight distribution and counter balance and with an adjustable dihedral wing stabilizer which can raise or lower rear of vehicle by altering up or down air flow velocity pressures when vehicle is in forward motion.
BA KGROLTND QF THE INVENTION
Many types of enclosures are known for mounting on top of cars, to the rear of automotive vans and on the back of pick-up trucks. Many such enclosures are rigidly mounted, non-adjustable structures that extend upwardly from the roof and overhang rearwardly. These types of enclosures are typically heavy, bulky and aerodynamically inefficient, thereby causing significant drag, increasing fuel consumption, rear end sag, and unbalanced loads, and these, under certain conditions, cause unstable handling. Some enclosures significantly alter the vehicle transport specification by modifying the carriage, and others need custom fitting to form tight seals between the vehicle and the enclosure requiring specialized equipment for mounting. These normally involve extensive body cutting, steel frame attachments, elaborate bolting and clamping patterns and special brackets to light gauge rain gutters to support massive loads. These fasteners are mostly rigid fixtures requiring fine tolerances to line up many bolts, clamps and brackets. Most of these enclosures are semi-permanently attached or mounted as boxes on roof, and cannot be easily removed, particularly after weekend use. Many types of enclosures require high overhead clearances unless elaborate fold down devices are used to enter a standard seven foot garage door; a basic requirement, generally overlooked, which prohibits inside storage, and, in particular, mounting and removing the enclosure during inclement weather. The amount of time required to safely install and remove some enclosures is prohibitive to perform on a regular basis. Thus, a need has arisen for a practical-sized, 2,205,496 - 2 -light-weight, self contained, prefabricated compartment that can be shipped as a single unit and may be easily mounted on a mini-van type vehicle. Most importantly, a need has arisen for a compartment that, when attached, ensures the vehicle is stable and in control at highway speeds through adjustment of air flow pressures such as a dihedral wing stabilizer.
Furthermore, a need has arisen for an improved compartment to enhance weight distribution and counter balance to retain safe carnage level and avoid rear end sag.
SLTwIMARY OF T~~INVENTION_ The foregoing and other problems associated with mounted compartments are addressed by the present invention. The Ram-Air Caboose is a compartment that is attached on the rear of a mini-van type vehicle and in view of all the previous art work that has been presented in this field, this invention is based on safe highway handlin~_ simplicity, and y. rsatil~'.~.
These problems are addressed as follows.
Safe hi~~way handling: the most important consideration when making any changes to a vehicle carnage is considered by the Ram-Air Caboose. Particularly, weight distribution; this is addressed by mounting locations and the counter-balanced support system by which the compartment is attached. The compartment pivots on its lower mounting adaptors and is counter-balanced by attaching and torquing down the dihedral wing stabilizer to conventional roof rack adaptors.
Secondly, to offset weight and balance, the dihedral wing stabilizer, can be adjusted up or down to alter up or down air flow velocity pressure. Altering this pressure will provide lift or down pressure to the vehicle read end to suit driving conditions. The compartment contains large polycarbonate windows both on front and rear walls allowing a clear vision through the compartment for monitoring rear traffic and backing up. Window angles refract light to avoid rear reflection from following vehicles, headlights or sunlight. Finally, safety while attaching;
the compartment is light weight and can be safely secured by one person using a small scissor jack.
2,205,496 - 3 -~1T1DI1C1~: the Ram-Air Caboose does not encompass vast numbers of bolt clamps, screws, seals and brackets. It can be secured to the vehicle with four bolts; two other bolts are added, simply to show an added safety factor. Most importantly, the compartment is manufactured as a complete non-bulky unit for easy shipping and transporting. Since the compartment is a small, compact unit and easily handled, it can be installed and removed by one person not skilled in mechanics.
Versa~li~: the Ram-Air Caboose is a versatile unit that can be fitted with desired equipment so as to serve, for example, as a kitchen, mobile laboratory or service center, or merely employed as an additional storage space. Furthermore, the compartment is not limited to one type of vehicle and is adaptable to various vehicles; for example, mounted on a rear wheel drive mini-van, as demonstrated, a front wheel drive mini-van or a sports utility vehicle. The compartment easily passes under a standard seven foot high garage door when mounted on a mini-van type vehicle for easy indoor installation or removal. Also, when removed, the compartment can be used as an indoor or outdoor multi-purpose storage encloswe.
D__ 4.SI= cI~mTION OF T)'iE.S
The invention will be further understood from the following more detailed description of several embodiments of the invention, taken with the drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a mini-van type vehicle having thereon a rearwardly, projecting, compartment embodying the principles of the invention;
FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of the compartment removed from the vehicle and illustrates the dihedral wing stabilizer, upper adjustable roof rack adaptors and lower adjustable mounting adaptors.
2,205,496 - 4 -FIGURE 3 is a side elevation showing counter-balanced dihedral wing stabilizer section and adjustable trailer hitch adaptor mounted on vehicle and, illustrates air flow space between vehicle and the compartment.
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmented view of the adjustable dihedral wing stabilizer bracket mounted to the vehicle conventional roof rack inserts.
FIGURE S is an enlarged fragmented view of the structural steel frame and adjustable trailer hitch adaptor fitted to vehicle trailer hitch and illustrates adjusting slots.
DF~'AILED DESt'~TION
In the drawings, a mini-van type vehicle 10 has conventionally installed roof rack inserts 11 for mounting roof racks, trailer hitch frame 12 mounted on the vehicle frame 13.
The vehicle typically also having side doors 14-15, rear door 16 normally hinged at the top and remains in a closed position.
Figure 1 illustrates a typical mini-van type vehicle 10 of conventional manufacture with a laminar air flow shaped compartment 17, attached to the rear. In accordance with invention, the compartment 17 includes a tapered vertical section 18 mounted, as will be later described, on trailer hitch frame 12 of the vehicle and a dihedral wing stabilizer 19 mounted, as will be later described, on the roof of the vehicle. As can be seen from Figure l, the mass of the compartment 17 being counter balanced for weight distribution and being supported on the trailer hitch frame 12 and extending up and forward as a structural shape over the vehicle, is distributed longitudinally by the counter-balanced support system so as to maintain vehicle carriage level, stability and handling control.
As also seen in Figure 1, the vertical tapered section 18 covers the entire rear area of the vehicle and, therefore, the vertical section 18 is provided with usual vehicle tail lights 23, and licence plate bracket 24. The licence plate is removed from the vehicle and placed on the compartment 17 when in use. Since the rear view window of the vehicle is covered by the compartment 17 vertical 2,205,496 - 5 -section 18, front and rear windows 22 line up with vehicle rear window 36 to provide rear vision.
Bumper structure 25 is also provided at the lower end of the taper vertical section 18 and is, as will be later described, interconnected to the vehicle frame.
Referring to Figure 2, the compartment 17 is shown removed from the vehicle.
The vertical section 18 is supported on structural steel frame 26 and extends horizontally with two steel trailer hitch adaptors 27. The horizontal dihedral wing stabilizer section 19 is fitted with cantilever brackets 28 at the leading edge air sputter 29, rubber bushings 30 cross connect the upper adaptor bracket 31. Normally the upper adaptor bracket 31 will remain on vehicle conventional roof rack inserts 11 figure 3, but can be easily removed if desired. The conventional rear bumper 25 is connected to vehicle frame 13 figure 3 through the structural steel frame 26 and the trailer hitch adaptors 27. Door 32 located on the right side, is hinged to avoid opening during travel. The structural steel frame 26 and trailer hitch adaptors 27 facilitate support for compartment 17 to sit squarely on the ground when the compartment is not in use.
Figure 3 as there shown, the compartment 17 contoured to rear of vehicle but still allows air space 43 for air flow velocity pressure under the dihedral wing stabilizer 19, and between vehicle and compartment 17.
The procedure for mounting the compartment 17 on vehicle has been briefly described above. The mounting system serves two functions; counter balance support by equalizing the mass loads between the trailer hitch frame 12 and the roof rack inserts 1 l, secondly adjusting the elevation of the dihedral wing stabilizer to change the up or down air flow velocity pressure during forward motion. Raising the leading edge air splitter 29 up increases the lift, reducing weight on rear of vehicle. Adjusting rear roof section 33 up and leading edge 29 down increases vehicle rear load pressure, enhancing driving and handling under certain road conditions.
2,205,496 - 6 -The compartment 17 can be mounted safely by one person using this simple procedure. Firstly, the back door 16 of vehicle is closed; no modifications are necessary. Then licence plate is removed and relocated to licence plate bracket 24. Roof racks must be removed from vehicle and conventional roof rack inserts 11 and conventional slider track 42, Figure 4, remain on van. The trailer hitch adaptors 27 must firstly be secured to trailer hitch frame 12 by fitting bolts in round hole 34, Figure S. Then a small scissor jack is placed under rear bumper 25 raising compartment 17 to line up elongated cantilever brackets 28 with upper adaptor bracket 31, Figure 4. Insert mounting screws through upper adaptor bracket 3 l and screw into roof rack inserts 11.
Insert dihedral wing stabilizer adjusting bolts 35 through elongated cantilever brackets 28 and push through rubber bushings 30, and upper adaptor bracket 31. Adjust dihedral wing stabilizer 19 and rear roof section 33 to desired elevation to suit road conditions. Finally add bolt to slot hole 37. The upper adaptor bracket 31 can slide front or back when mounted on roof rack inserts 11. This allows for fine tuning of dihedral wing stabilizer 19 elevation.
Figure 3 shows shape of compartment 17 front wall 21, rear wall 20, roof 33, floor 43, all indicative of laminar air flow characteristics. Figure 3 also shows the configuration of the counter-balance support system and the basic four mounting points. As well, Figure 3 shows air flow velocity pressure route in air space 43 under the dihedral wing stabilizer 19 and route down in air space 43 between vehicle and compartment 17, so as when vehicle is in forward motion, air flow velocity pressure provide vehicle rear erid lift.
Figure 4 as shown, the adjustable connections include elongated cantilever brackets 28 secured to the dihedral wing stabilizer 19; these mounted by the adjusting bolt 35 through rubber bushings 30, and upper adaptor bracket 31. The upper adaptor bracket 31 is connected to the conventional roof rack inserts 11 which in turn is connected to the vehicle roof slider track 42 and roof 38. Adding or removing rubber bushings 30 changes dihedral wing stabilizer 19 elevation;
these changes adjust 2,205,496 - 7 -amount of lift. The upper adaptor bracket slides forward or backward on roof rack inserts 11 located in slider track 42.
Figure 5 as shown; the adjustable connections include structural steel frame 26 on which, shown by dotted lines, is mounted the compartment 17; also, connected on are the bumper brackets 41, and the trailer hitch adaptors 27. The trailer hitch adaptors 27 are fitted to the trailer hitch frame 12, which in turn is bolted to the vehicle frame 13. The trailer hitch adaptors 27 are fully adjustable by bolting through round hole 34 and slot hole 37. These adjustments are required to set counter balance support system and adjust dihedral wing stabilizer 19 so as when vehicle is in forward motion increase or decrease air flow velocity pressure will alter vehicle rear end lift..
Claims (6)
- Claim 1 An attachment with adjustable weight distribution and air flow velocity pressure control fitted on the rear of a mini-van type vehicle consisting of a compartment with a vertical section including roof, walls and floor, and an upper horizontal dihedral wing stabilizer; means to support compartment on vehicle with vertical section supported by adjustable adaptors on vehicle rear end and the dihedral wing stabilizer extending forward over top of vehicle; having an adjustment to regulate air flow velocity pressure down between compartment structure and vehicle to produce rear end lift when vehicle in forward motion, front wall contoured to rear of vehicle, rear wall sloped to minimize rear drag, extend down from roof to floor to form tapered vertical section with windows and door; an adjustable frame for attaching compartment in a secure position and adjustable support upper brackets, said compartment configured as a counter balance structure to equalize and distribute weight on vehicle frame by tension on roof rack adaptors to counteract weight imbalance; a pair of adjustable trailer hitch adaptors for extending support towards rear wheels and adjusted in conjunction with dihedral wing stabilizer adjustment to set counter balance and air flow velocity pressure adjustments, a pair of cantilever brackets on rubber bushings tension upper adaptor brackets at vehicle roof and set adjustment of dihedral wing stabilizer up or down to obtain desired air flow velocity pressure to lift rear of vehicle when in forward motion.
- Claim 2 An attachment with adjustable weight distribution and air flow velocity pressure control fitted on the rear of a mini-van type vehicle, consisting of a compartment with a vertical section including roof, walls and floor, and a horizontal dihedral wing stabilizer; means to support compartment on vehicle with vertical section supported by adjustable adaptors on vehicle rear end and the dihedral wing stabilizer extending forward over the top of vehicle, sloped down to leading edge air splitter front and sloping down in a rearward direction to provide laminar air flow, adjustable to control air flow velocity pressure, produced when vehicle in forward motion, down between compartment structure and vehicle, air space contoured to rear of vehicle vertical section extending down from roof at rear of compartment with steep slope breaking reflective glare at rear window, sloping inwardly below window to break rear air suction and back wash from high speed turbulence and to produce laminar air flow, a frame for attaching compartment structure in a secure position and adjustable support upper brackets; a pair of adjustable trailer hitch adaptors for extending support towards rear wheels and adjusted in conjunction with dihedral wing stabilizer adjustment to set counter balance and air flow velocity pressure adjustments, a pair of cantilevered brackets on rubber bushings tension upper adaptor brackets at vehicle roof and set adjustment of dihedral wing stabilizer up or down to obtain desired air flow velocity pressure to lift rear of vehicle when in forward motion.
- Claim 3 An attachment with adjustable weight distribution and air flow velocity pressure control fitted on the rear of a mini-van type vehicle, consisting of a compartment with a vertical section including roof, walls and floor, and an upper horizontal dihedral wing stabilizer; means to support compartment on vehicle with vertical section supported by adjustable adaptors on vehicle rear end and the dihedral wing stabilizer extending forward over top of vehicle, having an adjustment to regulate air flow velocity pressure down between compartment structure and vehicle to produce vehicle rear end lift when vehicle in forward motion, front wall contoured to rear of vehicle, rear wall sloped to minimize rear drag, extend down from roof to floor to form tapered vertical section with windows and door, an adjustable frame for attaching compartment in a secure position and adjustable support upper brackets, said compartment configured as a counter balanced structure to equalize and distribute weight on the vehicle frame by tension on roof rack adaptors to counter act weight imbalance in which the compartment is so arranged relative to the dihedral wing stabilizer such that force applied thereto in a direction to move dihedral wing stabilizer vertically down causes a force on the structure in a direction opposed to the said structure so as to reduce the mass at the rear of the vehicle while a force is applied to the dihedral wing stabilizer; a pair of adjustable trailer hitch adaptors for extending support towards rear wheels and adjusted in conjunction with dihedral wing stabilizer adjustment to set counter balance support system and air flow velocity pressure adjustments, a pair of cantilevered brackets on rubber bushing tension upper adaptor brackets at vehicle roof and set adjustment of dihedral wing stabilizer up or down to obtain desired air flow velocity pressure to lift rear of vehicle when in forward motion.
- Claim 4 An attachment with adjustable weight distribution and air flow velocity pressure control fitted on the rear of a mini-van type vehicle, consisting of a compartment with a vertical section including roof, walls and floor, and an upper horizontal dihedral wing stabilizer, means to support compartment on vehicle with vertical section support by adjustable adaptors on vehicle rear end and the dihedral wing stabilizer extending forward over the top of vehicle, having an adjustment to regulate air flow velocity pressure down between compartment structure and vehicle to produce rear end lift when vehicle in forward motion, front wall contoured to rear of vehicle, rear wall sloped to minimize rear drag; extend down from the roof to floor to form tapered vertical section with windows and door, a structural steel frame for mounting the compartment and to support and firmly secure by which the structural steel frame, with adjustable adaptors, can be connected to a conventional trailer hitch frame where the trailer hitch frame includes the first portion thereof arranged for engagement with the second portion, a trailer hitch adaptor that extends to connection points;
the trailer hitch frame extends rearwardly and to one side, the second portion, the trailer hitch adaptor is such that mechanical force applied at the connection points secures trailer hitch adaptor to trailer hitch frame and pivot of trailer hitch adaptor at connection facilitate counter balance to equalize and distribute weight on vehicle chassis frame and tension on the upper adaptor brackets to counter act weight imbalance and in conjunction with the dihedral wing stabilizer bracket adjustments set counter balance support system and obtain desired air flow velocity pressure to lift rear of vehicle when in forward motion. - Claim 5 An attachment with adjustable weight distribution and air flow velocity pressure control fitted on the rear of a mini-van type vehicle consisting of a compartment with a vertical section including roof, walls and floor, and an upper horizontal dihedral wing type stabilizer, means to support compartment on vehicle with vertical section supported by adjustable adaptors on vehicle rear end and the dihedral wing stabilizer extending forward over top of vehicle, having an adjustment to regulate air flow velocity pressure down between compartment structure and vehicle to produce rear end lift when vehicle in forward motion, front wall contoured to rear of vehicle, rear wall sloped to minimize rear drag; extend down from roof to floor to form tapered vertical section with windows and door; an adjustable frame for attaching compartment in a secure position and adjustable support elongated cantilevered brackets fitted to dihedral wing stabilizer and tensioned to upper adaptor brackets with flexible rubber bushing and adjusting bolts, and screwed to conventional vehicle roof rack inserts with slider tracks permitting pivotal movement both in horizontal and vertical directions; and in conjunction with the adjustment of trailer hitch adaptors for extending support towards vehicle rear wheels and to set counter balance weight distribution and dihedral wing stabilizer adjustment to produce desired air flow velocity pressure to lift rear of vehicle when in forward motion.
- Claim 6 An attachment with adjustable weight distribution and air flow velocity pressure control fitted on the rear of a mini-van type vehicle, consisting of a compartment with a vertical section including roof, walls and floor, and an upper horizontal dihedral wing stabilizer, means to support compartment on vehicle with vertical section supported by adjustable adaptors on vehicle rear end and the dihedral wing stabilizer extending forward over top of vehicle, having an adjustment to regulate air flow velocity pressure down in air space between compartment structure and vehicle to produce rear end lift when vehicle in forward motion; wherein that portion, the dihedral wing stabilizer is inclined to a direction horizontally to the vertical section such that application of air flow velocity pressure under the dihedral wing stabilizer during forward motion produces a component of force and positive lift at rear of vehicle, downward adjustment of dihedral wing stabilizer decreases lift and increases down pressure on compartment roof and upward adjustment increase vehicle rear end lift;
extending down from the dihedral wing stabilizer a tapered vertical structure;
a frame for mounting compartment with support upper brackets and configured as a counter balance to equalize and redistribute excessive rear end weight on vehicle chassis frame and tension on upper adaptor brackets to counteract weight imbalances with positive distribution; a pair of trailer hitch adaptors for extending support towards rear wheels and adjusted in conjunction with the dihedral wing stabilizer adjustment to set counter balance and air flow velocity pressure adjustments, a pair of elongated cantilever brackets on rubber bushings tension upper adaptor brackets at vehicle roof to set adjustment of dihedral wing stabilizer leading edge air sputter up or down to obtain desired air flow velocity pressure to lift or depress vehicle rear end to maintain carriage level, stability and handling control during vehicle forward motion.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2205496 CA2205496C (en) | 1997-05-27 | 1997-05-27 | Ram-air caboose |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2205496 CA2205496C (en) | 1997-05-27 | 1997-05-27 | Ram-air caboose |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2205496A1 CA2205496A1 (en) | 1998-11-27 |
| CA2205496C true CA2205496C (en) | 2005-12-13 |
Family
ID=4160669
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2205496 Expired - Fee Related CA2205496C (en) | 1997-05-27 | 1997-05-27 | Ram-air caboose |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2205496C (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8708398B2 (en) | 2007-06-06 | 2014-04-29 | Thomas Scott Breidenbach | Aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus |
| US11904659B2 (en) * | 2017-03-09 | 2024-02-20 | Dometic Sweden Ab | Mobile leisure accommodation vehicle and a method for ventilating a mobile leisure accommodation vehicle |
-
1997
- 1997-05-27 CA CA 2205496 patent/CA2205496C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8708398B2 (en) | 2007-06-06 | 2014-04-29 | Thomas Scott Breidenbach | Aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus |
| US11904659B2 (en) * | 2017-03-09 | 2024-02-20 | Dometic Sweden Ab | Mobile leisure accommodation vehicle and a method for ventilating a mobile leisure accommodation vehicle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2205496A1 (en) | 1998-11-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20150527 |