MXPA03007660A - Adjustable trailer underbody fairing. - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable trailer underbody fairing for a trailer having an adjustable rear wheel assembly and a corresponding tractor unit having rear wheels, the fairing including first and second fairing sections attached to the rear wheel assembly and trailer, respectively, and an adjustable fairing panel coupled to the first and second fairing sections that extends and collapses as the rear wheel assembly is moved to present a planar fairing surface at all times. The fairing can be selectively raised to provide access beneath the trailer.

Description

ADJUSTABLE PROFILING OF THE BOTTOM OF TRAILERS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of the United States of America Provisional Patent Application Number 60 / 314,815 filed on August 24, 2001, where this provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the profiling of trailers, and more particularly to the profiling of the lower part of the longitudinally and vertically adjustable trailer.

Description of the Related Art It is known that fuel economy can be improved in long-distance towing of trailers by using profiles mounted below each of the lower outer longitudinal edges of the trailer. Ideally, these profiles extend between the wheel assembly on the rear of the trailer and the wheels of the tractor unit attached to the front of the trailer.

Commonly the trailer wheel assembly is repositioned longitudinally in relation to the trailer to achieve an appropriate load distribution. If the profiling can not be adjusted quickly and easily to accommodate the new placement of the wheel assembly, then the length of the profiling will not be optimized to achieve maximum fuel economy. Accordingly, the length of the profiling should be reduced to ensure that the wheel assembly can be repositioned along its entire length without interfering with profiling. Previous profile designs did not accommodate longitudinal adjustment, resulting in substantial intermediate open spaces between profiling and wheel assembly. These intermediate open spaces reduce the profiling efficiency and consequently the fuel economy, resulting in higher fuel costs. Attempts to overcome this inconvenience have resulted in heavy and complex profile assemblies which, while perhaps achieving some aerodynamic efficiency, displace the resulting fuel economy with an increased weight. The above, as well as the cost required to manufacture such complicated devices and the reluctance of operators and mechanics to use these devices, have made them impractical. Consequently, there is a need for lightweight, low cost, easily adjustable profiling that maximizes the aerodynamic flow of air around the trailer and is easy to use when the rear wheels are rearranged in order to reduce minimum the intermediate open spaces between the profiling and the trailer wheels and the tractor unit.

BRIEF COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The described and claimed embodiments of the invention are directed to a profiling for a trailer, the trailer having an adjustable rear wheel assembly and which is configured to be attached to a tractor unit that also has rear wheels, the profile including a first section of profiling configured to join the rear wheel assembly of the trailer, a second section of profiling configured to join the trailer adjacent to the front of the trailer and the rear wheels of the tractor unit and in sliding gear with the first profiling section; and an adjustable profiling panel coupled to the first and second profiling sections, the adjustable profiling panel configured to extend and fold as the position of the rear wheel assembly is adjusted longitudinally relative to the trailer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, profiling is provided which includes a telescopic frame having a bendable panel attached thereto. Ideally, the bendable panel includes a plurality of vertically oriented slats slidably mounted on the telescopic frame, the plurality of slats that have cloth mounted thereon. Preferably, the slats are mounted to rotate on a vertical axis to guide the panel that can be folded into a folded configuration and to facilitate the extension of the panel. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the bendable panel is constructed of fabric which, ideally, is mounted under tension in the telescopic frame. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, profiling is provided for a trailer having a profile mounting system that allows the profiling to move between a lowered operational configuration and an extended and raised configuration to access the underside of the trailer. . Ideally, the profiling is slidably mounted to the profiling assemblies to slide vertically with respect to the profiling assemblies. As will be readily apparent from the foregoing, the profiling of the present invention is a lightweight, flattened structure designed to control the air flow on the undersides of a conventional trailer, including box trucks. The flattened structure is placed parallel to and below the sides of the trailer, extending from the front of the trailer wheels until right after the wheels of the tractor, and this extends as close to the ground as practical. The structure of the profiling allows a variable area to be covered between the wheels of the trailer and the tractor, which can be adjusted axially as much as 335.28 centimeters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS The above features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent as they become more comprehensible by the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a tractor unit coupled to a main trailer and a secondary trailer, both trailers having profiles formed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a tractor unit coupled to a single trailer having a profiling formed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3 is an isometric projection of a profiling assembly formed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 4 is an isometric projection of a profiling assembly of Figure 3, in an extended configuration. Figure 5 is an enlarged partial view of a profiling assembly and a portion of the profiling assembly of Figure 4. Figure 6 is an isometric projection of a profiling assembly in an operational configuration. Figure 7 is an isometric view of the profiling assembly of Figure 6, in an unlocked and extended configuration. Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the profiling of Figure 4, showing the folding profiling panel in a partially folded configuration. Figure 9 is an isometric projection of a portion of an alternative embodiment of a profiling assembly of the present invention, showing the profiling panel that can be folded into an extended configuration.

Figure 10 is an isometric projection of a slider assembly in an assembled configuration. Figure 11 is an isometric projection separated into portions of the slider assembly of Figure 10. Figure 3 is an isometric projection of a splint configuration for use in the bendable panel of the present invention. Figure 13 is an isometric projection of a frame section of the profiling, formed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 14 is an isometric projection of a reinforcement bracket of the profiling frame of the present invention. Figure 15 is an isometric projection of an alternative embodiment of a collapsible profiling panel using a compensating reel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown a tractor trailer unit 20 having a tractor 22 coupled to a main trailer 24 which, in turn, is coupled to a secondary trailer 26. shows a first adjustable profile 28 in solid lines in an operational configuration in the operational trailer 24. Similarly, a second adjustable profile 30 is shown in an operational configuration in the secondary trailer 26 in solid line and in a configuration raised in lines of scripts The present invention can also be adapted for use with a tractor towing unit 32 having a tractor 34 and a single trailer 36. Here, an adjustable profile 38 is shown in solid line in an operational configuration, and in line of dashes in a raised configuration. In the embodiment shown in the Figure, the trailer 36 has a rear wheel assembly 40 mounted thereon so that it slides longitudinally (towards and away from the rear wheels 36 of the tractor 34), as shown by the solid lines of the rear wheel assembly 40 in a forward position, and the dashed lines in a rearward position. Adjustable profiling 38 includes an adjustable profiling panel 42 that bends and unfolds in an accordion-like manner, to allow adjustment in the profiler 38. Referring next to Figure 3, a profiling assembly is shown therein. 44 formed in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. The profiling assembly 44 includes a first profiling section 46, unit slidably to a second profiling section 48, preferably in a telescopic manner. An adjustable profiling panel 50 is slidably mounted to the second profiling section 48, and coupled to the first profiling section 46, to be folded and extended in response to movement of the first and second profiling sections 46, 48 one with with respect to the other. Lifting mounts 52 are shown in slidable gear with a profiling assembly 54 in the first and second profiling sections 46, 48. A third profiling assembly 54 is shown near the center of the profiling assembly, wherein the first and second sections 46, 48 are telescopically joined. For illustration purposes, the corresponding survey assembly is not shown. In Figure 3 the adjustable profiling panel is shown in a fully extended configuration, such that the profiling assembly 44 is at its maximum length. In addition, the lifting assemblies 52 are shown in an unclamped and partially extended configuration, but without the first and second profiling sections 46, 48 in a raised position relative to the lifting assemblies 52. In Figure 5 there is shown a more detailed view of the second profiling section with respect to its relation to the lifting assembly 52. As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the first and second profiling sections 46, 48 slide vertically relative to the assembly of lift 52. Figures 6 and 7 show an individual lift assembly 52 having a T-bar or T-bar 56 rotatably mounted to a lower mobile member 58. The T-bar 56 has an upper end 60 which engages a top bar 62. The oscillatory parallel arms 64 are pivotally coupled to the upper bar 62 and the lower mobile member 58, to allow movement of the mobile member inf 58 relative to the upper bar 62. A mounting plate 66 is fixedly attached to the upper bar 62 to provide a point of attachment to the trailer 36 or the rear wheel assembly 40. Ideally, the mounting plate 66 is sized to straddle at least two longitudinal rails below the trailer (not shown) or channels (not shown) on the outside bottom of the trailer. In this embodiment of the invention, the upper bar 62 comprises a hollow tube having a cross-shaped configuration in the form of a square with a projection end 68. A groove 70 formed in an upper wall 72 and a lower wall 74 of the projection end 68 which is dimensioned and shaped to receive the rod 76 in the bar T 56. The rod 76 is retained within the slot 70 by means of a conventional impact knocker (not shown), which is known to those skilled in the art and It is commercially available easily. Accordingly, the impact knocker will not be described in more detail herein. Alternatively, other retention methods may be used, such as a retaining pin slid through the openings in the stem 76 and the upper bar 62. Each lifting assembly 52 includes an energy storage device, such as a spring. gas 78, mounted on the internal axial bore 80 of the lower mobile member 58. The gas spring 78 is coupled to a pair of cables 82 that extend through the openings 84 in the T-bar 56. Preferably, the cables 82 they extend into the channels (not shown) formed on the exposed face 86 of the bar T 56. These cables 82 are used to support the first and second profiling sections 46, 48 in the lifting assemblies 52, as will be described in more detail later in the present. As shown in Figure 7, when the bar T 56 is unlocked from the upper bar 62, the lower mobile member 58 is free to extend outwardly by means of the parallel oscillating arms 64., such that the bar T 56 is maintained in at least the same vertical orientation, or is allowed to pivot slightly outwardly with the upper end 60 extended away from the upper bar 62. This is the configuration shown for the mounts of lift 52 in Figure 3. Referring again to Figure 5, the profile assembly 54 comprises a flat rear wall 88 having a pair of longitudinal channels 90 formed along each longitudinal side thereof. The profile assembly 54 is dimensioned and shaped to be slidably received on the T-bar 56, as shown in Figure 5. In this manner, the profile assembly 54 slides longitudinally along the T-bar 56, so as to moving the first and second profiling sections 46, 48, from a lowered operatcipnal configuration (shown in Figure 2) to a raised configuration (shown in phantom in Figure 2 and Figures 4 and 5). The profile assembly 54 is prevented from sliding out of the bar T 56 by joining the ends of the cable 92 to respective attachment points (not shown) in the profile assembly 54. The cables 82 are also used for lifting the first and second profiling sections 46, 48 by means of the operation of the gas spring 78. It should be understood that other energy storage elements, such as a mechanical spring, may be used, as will be known to those skilled in the art. The profiling sections 46, 48 are formed around a tubular frame 94, made of longitudinal slides 96, 98 and transverse supports 100, which form a ladder-like structure as shown in Figure 13. The reinforcement brackets of the frame 102 are used to engage the transverse supports 100 to the longitudinal slides 96, 98. As shown in Figure 14, each of the replacement squares 102 has the configuration shown therein, which includes a base 104 having a curved upper surface 106, sized and shaped to engage with the outside of the longitudinal slides 96, 98, and a receptacle 108 projecting outwardly from the base 104. A pair of triangular shaped ties 110 reinforce the receptacle 108 in the base 104. The receptacle 108 includes an aperture 112 dimensioned and shaped to receive the transverse support 100 therein, in slidable gear. The openings 112 that receive a hook 114. are formed in the ties. Ideally, the hook 114 is in the form of a question mark. The first profiling section 46 has its tubular frame 116 sized and shaped such that the longitudinal slides are slidably engaged with the tubular frame 118 of the second profiling section 48. Ideally, the one tubular frame cooperates telescopically with the other tubular frame, in the same manner as a trombone slides to extend and retract, thereby changing the overall length of the profiling assembly 44. The tubular frame 116 of the first profile section 46 may be the largest or the smallest of the frame members to receive the tubular frame 118 of the second profiling section 48. The profiling assembly 44 includes profiling panels 120 mounted to the tubular frames 116, 118 to form the profiling coating. Ideally, each profiling panel 120 is formed of a fiber reinforced plastic fabric that is cut and sewn together such that it can be joined at points along the length of each of the tubular frames 116, 118 To accommodate the joining of the profile panels 120 to the frames 116, 118, rigid circular fasteners or D-rings 122 are sewn into the corners of the profile panels 120 for attachment to the hooks 114 in the reinforcement brackets 102. In this way, the lining of the profiling assembly is divided into rectangular panels 120 connected with a pattern of holes reinforced by reinforcement rings 124 near the center of each panel 120. A string (not shown) can be inserted through these holes 124 and tightened to place each panel 120 in tension between the junctions of the four corners, the D-rings 122 thereby creating a structure fabricated from the tubular frame with the cross members and the profile panels 120. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the profile panels 120 include a fin 126 which is attached to the panel at each location of the transverse supports 100, and guided around the transverse supports such that they are captured between the flap 126 and the profiling panel 120. The flap 126 can be closed by passing a rope to through the holes reinforced by reinforcement rings (not shown) between the fin 126 and the main fabric profiling panel 120. Alternatively, the entire fabric panel 120 can be constructed to fit over the tubular transverse supports 100 in the manner of a sleeve, and then tensioned with a cord placed in the holes reinforced by reinforcing rings and tightened. It is important that the fabric panels 120 be as tight as possible over the tubular support frames 116, 118, to avoid damage caused by the aerodynamic forces that move the fabric rapidly against the tubular frames 116, 188. Because the Assembly of wheels 40 has approximately a range of 335.28 centimeters of longitudinal movement, it should cover the wingspan of 335.28 centimeters to ensure the continuity of the aerodynamic surface. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of slats 128 (see Figure 8) are units to the tubular frames 116 or 118 and covered with the fabric 130 to form an accordion-like structure, which is folded and unfolded in response to the telescopic movement of the first and second tubular frames 116, 118. Each splint 128 has a pivot point 132 formed in an upper part 134 and a lower part 136 thereof. These pivot points are mounted on corresponding slide assemblies 138, which are shown in more detail in Figures 10 and 11. Each slide assembly is formed of first and second halves 140, 142 which are pivotally joined together at the top by means of of a hinge pin 144, and in the lower part by means of suitable fasteners (not shown). At the bottom of each of the first and second halves 140, 142 a groove 146 is formed, which is sized and shaped to receive and capture the pivot point 132 on the board 128. In this way, the board 128 can rotate to the pivot points 132 in each of the slide assemblies 138. In addition, each slide assembly 138 includes a plurality of roller bearings or rollers 148, in this case three rollers 148, which are placed around the interior of a longitudinal bore. 150 formed by the two halves 140, 142 to, by the same, support the weight and provide a friction free movement of the slider assembly 138 in the tubular frames 116, 118. Each board 128, as shown in Figure 2, has a plurality of holes 152 formed therein to lighten the weight of the slats. Preferably, the slats are covered by the fabric 138, and preferably joined to the fabric by stitching, gluing, or other known method, to eliminate the vibration caused by the wind. The fabric 130 is sewn together between each slat 128 to form a hinge point for the folding of the fabric 130 as the profiling assembly is folded, as shown in Figure 8. In this way, with the wheel assembly rear or platform truck 40 in the fully extended configuration, as shown in Figure 9, the adjustable profiling panel 50 presents a completely flat surface where all the slats are coplanar; and in the fully retracted or compressed position, the slats are folded all together in a front-to-front configuration.

In an alternative embodiment, a spring-energized compensation spool is mounted on the tubular frame 156, adjacent to a stationary profiling panel 120. A fabric sheet 158 has one end attached to a transverse support 100, and the other end wound on the spool 154. The spool 154 is attached to a first section of the profiling 160 which is telescopically meshed with a second section of the profiling 162, which has the sliding gear point 164 positioned between the transverse support 100 and the spool 154. The longitudinal movement of the first section of the profiling in relation to the second section of the profile 162 causes the sheet 158 to be wound on the reel 154 and to unwind from the reel 154, providing a continuous flat surface at all times, regardless of the overall length or position relative to the first and second sections of the profiling 160, 162. Alternatively, a rigid plan fabric support could be used a attached to any of the first and second sections of the profiling, which would move in a deviation lane parallel to the main planar structure. A spring loaded roller would maintain tension in the turn of the forming fabric connecting the support panel with the main fabric sheet. All patents of the United States of America, publications of patent applications of the United States of America, patent applications of the United States of America, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and publications other than prior patents, to which referenced in this specification and / or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. From the foregoing it will be noted that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In accordance with the above, the invention is not limited except by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims (16)

1. CLAIMS 1. A profile for a trailer, having a usable rear wheel assembly and a corresponding tractor unit having rear wheels, the profile comprising: a first profile section configured for attachment to the rear wheel assembly of the trailer; a second section of the profiling configured for connection to the trailer; and an adjustable profiling panel coupled to the first and second profiling sections, and configured to extend and fold as the position of the rear wheel assembly longitudinally adjusts in the trailer. The profiling of claim 1, wherein the first and second sections of the profiling comprise a telescopic frame having a first frame member telescopically coupled to a second frame member. The profiling of claim 2, wherein the adjustable profiling panel comprises a plurality of vertically oriented slats having a bendable panel mounted thereon. The profiling of claim 3, wherein the plurality of slats are slidably mounted to the telescopic frame and configured to rotate toward a vertical axis to guide bending and unfolding in the panel that can be bent. 5. The profiling of claim 4, wherein the bendable panel is constructed of fabric. 6. The profiling of claim 5, wherein the fabric is mounted to the telescopic frame under tension. 7. A trailer assembly for use with a tractor, having a mobile assembly of rear wheels, the trailer assembly comprising: a trailer having rear wheels adjustably mounted therein, and a front configured for attachment to the tractor; a first section of the profiling joined to the mobile assembly of rear wheels; a second section of the profiling attached to the trailer to be adjacent to the rear wheels of the tractor; and an adjustable profile panel, coupled to the first and second profiling sections, and configured to extend and fold as the position of the rear wheels longitudinally adjusts in the trailer. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjustable profile panel comprises a panel that can be bent. 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the adjustable profiling panel comprises a plurality of vertically oriented slats, slidably mounted on a telescopic frame formed by the first and second profiling sections, the plurality of slats having the panel that can be fold mounted on them. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of slats are mounted so that each rotates toward a vertical axis, to guide bending and unfolding of the panel that can be bent. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the bendable panel is constructed of fabric. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the fabric is mounted to the telescopic frame under tension. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second sections of the profiling and the adjustable profiling panel are attached to the trailer to move as a unit between a raised position and a lowered position. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the adjustable profiling panel comprises a plurality of slats, each slat mounted on a telescopic frame by means of an upper slider assembly and a lower slider assembly, each slider assembly configured to slide on the telescopic frame, and to hold the corresponding splint in rotating gear for rotation towards a longitudinal axis of the splint. The assembly of claim 14, wherein each slider assembly includes a plurality of rollers mounted thereon to support the slider assembly on the telescopic frame. The assembly of claim 7, comprising a first profiling assembly configured to attach the first profiling section to the mobile rear wheel assembly, and a second profiling assembly configured to attach the second profiling section to the trailer, each assembly of profiling comprising at least one cable attached to an activator in the profiling assembly, and attached to the corresponding profiling section to move the corresponding profiling section relative to the profiling assembly.