GB1585462A - Aerodynamic device for streamlining a road vehicle - Google Patents

Description

(54) AERODYNAMIC DEVICE FOR STREAMLINING A ROAD VEHICLE (71) We, NOSE CONE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC., of 8690 Los Coyotes Drive, Buena Park, California 90621, United States of America, formerly of 9331 Mikinda Avenue, La Habra, California 90631, United States of America, a corporation organised and existing under the laws of the State of California, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to an aerodynamic device for streamlining a road vehicle.

A road transport vehicle such as a pantechnicon van or a trailer or semi-trailer of a cab and trailer combination has a forward facing front wall usually fonned as a skin which is a large forward-facing planar surface having a considerable air resistance.

In order to reduce the aerodynamic drag of such a vehicle, and hence the engine power required, it is known to mount over at least a part of the vehicle's front skin a nose cone having a bulging outer surface.

The precise shape of the nose cone is aerodynamically designed to streamline air flow and to minimise air turbulence over and around the vehicle. Thus not only is the fuel consumption of a vehicle decreased, but the vehicle is easier and safer to drive.

According to one of its aspects the invention provides an aerodynamic device in combination with a vehicle, the vehicle having a substantially vertical forward facing front wall extending substantially to the top of the vehicle, the device being attached to that front wall, the device having a bulging outer surface adapted to reduce aerodynamic drag, at least part of said surface being translucent, and light source means attached to the vehicle such that when the light source means is fitted with a light source and the light source emits light, the device is illuminated from the back and visible light is transmitted by such translucent part of said surface. The device may comprise a shell of translucent material of which one side forms said bulging outer surface. The translucent material is preferably fibre glass. The translucent material may be transparent or lightdiffusing. In either case, part of it may be rendered opaque. On different Parts it may be arranged to transmit light of different characteristics, be it of different intensities or of different colours. This may be done by the application of a masking layer or layers in selected parts or of a light transmitting coloured layer or layers in selected parts, possibly of different colours, or both. The layers may for example be paint or adhesive transfers. Preferably the layer or layers are applied to said bulging outer surface.

Preferably the light source means is attached to the vehicle so that when fitted with a light source it provides light adjacent the back of the translucent part of the outer surface. The light source means may include a plurality of sockets to which a corresponding plurality of light bulbs can be fitted. Or it may include a pair of sockets to which can be fitted a light tube.

In a preferred form of the invention a nose cone extends the entire width and covers an upper portion only of the forward facing part of a trailer or semi-trailer and in addition to reducing aerodynamic drag, the nose cone disposed in this prominent position displays advertising material, for example an advertising slogan, and/or a comoany's name or trademark, painted on it, illuminated from the back at night to render visible the translucent portions and giving a three dimensional effect which moreover can be seen from a wider range of angles than an advertisement painted on a planar surface.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates in side elevation, a nose cone fitted to a cab and trailer combination; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a nose cone and a front part of a trailer body; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a nose cone mounted to a trailer body, and Figure 4 is a vertical section along the line IV-IV of Figure 3 to show means for illuminating the nose cone.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a nose cone generally designated 1 has a shell 2 and is of a size and shape to cover the entire upper portion of a front skin 3 of a trailer body 4. The shell 2 has a bulging somewhat convex outer surface whose precise shape is chosen to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the trailer body 4. The nose cone 1 includes top and side flanges 5 and 6 respectively, to fit over respective edges of the trailer body 4. A flange 7 is also provided at the lower edge of the nose cone 1 to lie adjacent the front skin 3.

The nose cone 1 is mounted on the front side of the trailer body 4 by means of rivets through holes 8 and is sealed around its perimeter by applying an elastic caulking sealer.

It will be readily appreciated that many modifications may be made to the preferred form of nose cone described above without deviating from the scope of the invention as claimed in the appendant claims. Thus although the nose cone is preferably made from fibre glass which transmits visible light, any other translucent (whether diffusing or transparent) material may be used. A diffusing material is, however, generally preferred since it avoids glare from the lighting system.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4 a lighting system includes an angle-section bar 9 and a bracket 10 also of angle-section extending parallel to the bar 9 and mounted on one of its flanges. Several regularly spaced, forwardly facing light sockets 11 are attached to the bracket 10 and light bulbs 12 are fitted in the sockets. The number and spacing of the bulbs 12 are selected according to the design or advertisement to be illuminated. Electrical conductors 15 lead to the sockets 11.

The assembly of the nose cone 1 and lighting system will now be described with reference to all four figures. The depending flange of the bar 9 is secured to the front side of the trailer body 4 by screws (not shown) so as to extend horizontally in a position to lie behind the parts of the nose cone 1 to be illuminated. One or more apertures 13 are cut in the front skin 3 of the trailer body immediately beneath the lighting system and one or more doors 16 can be fitted to cover the aperture. In this way access may be had to the light sockets 11 for repair or maintenance of the lighting system and the apertures are covered when the access is not required. The conductors 15 of the light sockets are wired into the main electrical circuit of the vehicle and may be connected so as to operate with the rear lights or may be provided with an independent on-off switch.

The nose cone 1 is made from translucent fibre glass sheeting, parts of which are rendered opaque. A desired advertising sign or other pattern is marked out in a central area on its outer surface, which is then sprayed with a thin coating of paint such as acrylic paint of the colour to be illuminated.

If necessary the outer surface may be sandpapered to remove any gloss before applying paint. Next, the marked out pattern is masked and the entire outer surface of the nose cone 1 is coated with a dark coloured paint which will help to emphasise the contrast of the pattern with its surrounding area.

A further coating of paint of any desired colour or colours may be added to the surface, and the masking is then removed to reveal the pattern as a translucent coloured area. Alternatively, the above method is followed, but a blank "window" 14 is masked out. When the masking is removed an opaque or translucent pattern is added over the window area, for example by painting or by applying a transfer or decalcomania.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. An aerodynamic device in combination with a vehicle, the vehicle having a substantially vertical forward facing front wall extending substantially to the top of the vehicle, the device being attached to that front wall, the device having a bulging outer surface adapted to reduce aerodynamic drag, at least part of said surface being translucent, and light source means attached to the vehicle such that when the light source means is fitted with a light source and the light source emits light, the device is illuminated from the back and visible light is transmitted by such translucent part of said surface.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the device comprises a shell of translucent material of which one side forms said bulging outer surface.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the translucent material is fibre glass.

4. The combination according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the translucent material is either transparent or light-diffusing.

5. The combination according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein a part of the translucent material is rendered opaque.

6. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light source means is attached to the vehicle so that, when fitted with a light source, it pro

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. nose cone fitted to a cab and trailer combination; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a nose cone and a front part of a trailer body; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a nose cone mounted to a trailer body, and Figure 4 is a vertical section along the line IV-IV of Figure 3 to show means for illuminating the nose cone. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a nose cone generally designated 1 has a shell 2 and is of a size and shape to cover the entire upper portion of a front skin 3 of a trailer body 4. The shell 2 has a bulging somewhat convex outer surface whose precise shape is chosen to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the trailer body 4. The nose cone 1 includes top and side flanges 5 and 6 respectively, to fit over respective edges of the trailer body 4. A flange 7 is also provided at the lower edge of the nose cone 1 to lie adjacent the front skin 3. The nose cone 1 is mounted on the front side of the trailer body 4 by means of rivets through holes 8 and is sealed around its perimeter by applying an elastic caulking sealer. It will be readily appreciated that many modifications may be made to the preferred form of nose cone described above without deviating from the scope of the invention as claimed in the appendant claims. Thus although the nose cone is preferably made from fibre glass which transmits visible light, any other translucent (whether diffusing or transparent) material may be used. A diffusing material is, however, generally preferred since it avoids glare from the lighting system. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 a lighting system includes an angle-section bar 9 and a bracket 10 also of angle-section extending parallel to the bar 9 and mounted on one of its flanges. Several regularly spaced, forwardly facing light sockets 11 are attached to the bracket 10 and light bulbs 12 are fitted in the sockets. The number and spacing of the bulbs 12 are selected according to the design or advertisement to be illuminated. Electrical conductors 15 lead to the sockets 11. The assembly of the nose cone 1 and lighting system will now be described with reference to all four figures. The depending flange of the bar 9 is secured to the front side of the trailer body 4 by screws (not shown) so as to extend horizontally in a position to lie behind the parts of the nose cone 1 to be illuminated. One or more apertures 13 are cut in the front skin 3 of the trailer body immediately beneath the lighting system and one or more doors 16 can be fitted to cover the aperture. In this way access may be had to the light sockets 11 for repair or maintenance of the lighting system and the apertures are covered when the access is not required. The conductors 15 of the light sockets are wired into the main electrical circuit of the vehicle and may be connected so as to operate with the rear lights or may be provided with an independent on-off switch. The nose cone 1 is made from translucent fibre glass sheeting, parts of which are rendered opaque. A desired advertising sign or other pattern is marked out in a central area on its outer surface, which is then sprayed with a thin coating of paint such as acrylic paint of the colour to be illuminated. If necessary the outer surface may be sandpapered to remove any gloss before applying paint. Next, the marked out pattern is masked and the entire outer surface of the nose cone 1 is coated with a dark coloured paint which will help to emphasise the contrast of the pattern with its surrounding area. A further coating of paint of any desired colour or colours may be added to the surface, and the masking is then removed to reveal the pattern as a translucent coloured area. Alternatively, the above method is followed, but a blank "window" 14 is masked out. When the masking is removed an opaque or translucent pattern is added over the window area, for example by painting or by applying a transfer or decalcomania. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. An aerodynamic device in combination with a vehicle, the vehicle having a substantially vertical forward facing front wall extending substantially to the top of the vehicle, the device being attached to that front wall, the device having a bulging outer surface adapted to reduce aerodynamic drag, at least part of said surface being translucent, and light source means attached to the vehicle such that when the light source means is fitted with a light source and the light source emits light, the device is illuminated from the back and visible light is transmitted by such translucent part of said surface.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the device comprises a shell of translucent material of which one side forms said bulging outer surface.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the translucent material is fibre glass.

4. The combination according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the translucent material is either transparent or light-diffusing.

5. The combination according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein a part of the translucent material is rendered opaque.

6. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light source means is attached to the vehicle so that, when fitted with a light source, it pro

vides light adjacent the back of the translucent part of the bulging outer surface.

7. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light source means includes a plurality of sockets adapted to receive a corresponding plurality of light bulbs.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the light source means includes a pair of sockets adapted to receive a light tube.

9. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light source means is connected to the electrical system of the vehicle.

10. An aerodynamic device for attachment to a front wall of a vehicle, the device being substantially as shown in and herein described with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 4.

11. A road transport vehicle having a device according to claim 10 attached to its front wall.