Jonathan H Feldman

US Patent:

8360510, Jan 29, 2013

Filed:

Jan 4, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/343288

Inventors:

Andrew F. Smith - Redwood City CA, US
Charles M. Horrell - Solana Beach CA, US
Jeffrey J. Grossmann - San Francisco CA, US
Jonathan R. Feldman - Roslyn Heights NY, US
Alexander R. Bruccoleri - Glastonbury CT, US

Assignee:

Advanced Transit Dynamics, Inc. - South San Francisco CA

International Classification:

B62D 35/00

US Classification:

2961804, 2961805

Abstract:

This invention provides an aerodynamic structure attached to the rear cargo body, having doors that swing open, or a single, full-width door, which rolls upwardly. The embodiments provide an aerodynamic structure attached to the rear in a manner that would obscure access to the door(s) in a deployed position, in which the structure reduces drag, yet enables access to the door(s) in a folded position. The folded position allows access to the rear for loading and unloading, and in the case of swinging, hinged doors, allows the doors to be folded through a 270-degree arc, with a minimal sideways projection. The various embodiments also enable relatively rapid and easy transition between the folded position and the deployed position using actuators and/or linkages that tie the folding and deployment of panels of the structure together. This allows selective folding and deployment of the structure without undue effort or strength.

US Patent:

20080309122, Dec 18, 2008

Filed:

May 16, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/122645

Inventors:

Andrew F. Smith - San Francisco CA, US
Charles M. Horrell - Solana Beach CA, US
Jeffrey J. Grossmann - Mountain Lakes NJ, US
Jonathan R. Feldman - Roslyn Heights NY, US
Alexander R. Bruccoleri - Glastonbury CT, US

Assignee:

ADVANCED TRANSIT DYNAMICS, INC. - South San Francisco CA

International Classification:

B62D 35/00

US Classification:

2961801

Abstract:

This invention provides an aerodynamic structure attached to the rear face of a truck cargo body, which rear typically contains a door assembly, with a plurality of doors that swing open on hinges, or a single, full-width door, which rolls upwardly. The various embodiments of the invention allow an aerodynamic structure to be permanently attached to the rear of the trailer in a manner that would obscure access to the door(s) in a deployed position, in which the aerodynamic structure generates reduced drag on the trailer body, yet enables ready access to the door(s) in a folded position. The folded position still allows the rear of the trailer to be fully accessible for loading and unloading, and in the case of swinging, hinged doors (among others), allows the doors to be folded through a full 270-degree arc from a closed position to a position flush along the sides of the vehicle, with a minimal sideways projection. The various embodiments also enable relatively rapid and easy transition between the folded position and the deployed position using a variety of actuators and linkages that tie the folding and deployment of various panels of the structure together. This allows an operator to selectively fold and deploy the structure without undue effort or strength.