Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/WNC2014-19
- 1 -
LANDING GEAR AERO SKIRT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to vehicles and trailers
for vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to aerodynamic
trailers with skirt systems, for example.
BACKGROUND
[0002] To reduce wind flow resistance and drag on a semi-trailer truck,
trailer, a pup trailer, tractor, semitrailer, or other vehicle, aerodynamic
devices
may be used to redirect and control the flow of air passing around the
vehicle.
During operation of a tractor-trailer truck, air around the tractor-trailer
truck
may flow between the tractor unit and the trailer and impart a drag force to
the
trailer. Aerodynamic devices are designed to control the air flowing into the
gap formed between the tractor unit and the trailer and under underneath the
tractor and trailer. Such reduction on the drag of the vehicle may conserve
fossil fuels, as well as other sources of vehicle drive power for hybrid
vehicles,
battery-operated vehicles, and alternative fuel-based vehicles, for example.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present disclosure may comprise one or more of the
following features and combinations thereof.
[0004] According to the present disclosure, a trailer may include a floor,
a rear wheel assembly, a landing gear, and a skirt system. The floor may
have a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side. The rear wheel
assembly may be coupled to the floor and the landing gear may be coupled to
the floor between the rear wheel assembly and the front side of the floor. The
landing gear may include at least one support leg moveable from a stowed
position to a use position. The skirt system may improve the fuel efficiency
of
the vehicle by improving the air flow around the trailer.
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/WNC2014-19
- 2 -
[0005] The skirt system may include a left landing gear skirt that
extends downwardly from and along the left side of the floor and a right
landing gear skirt that extends downwardly from and along the right side of
the floor. The landing gear may be located within a footprint of the left
landing
gear skirt and the right landing gear skirt when the trailer is viewed from
the
left side or the right side of the trailer so that air may deflect away from
the
underside of the trailer beginning at the landing gear.
[0006] These and other features of the present disclosure will become
more apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tractor, two pup trailers with
landing gear skirts, and side skirts coupled to the pup trailers between the
rear wheel assemblies and the front of the pup trailers;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the exterior of the landing
gear
skirt of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the exterior of the side skirt
of
FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the interior of the side skirt
of
FIG. 3;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the interior of the landing gear
skirt of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a mount bracket assembly that
attaches the skirt system to the floor of the trailer;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the skirt
system including a landing gear skirt, a side skirt, a wheel assembly skirt,
and
a rear skirt all connected continuously to one another and coupled to the
trailer;
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 3 -
[0014] FIG. 8A is a side elevation view of the exterior of the landing
gear skirt and the side skirt of the skirt system of FIG. 7, and showing that
the
landing gear skirt includes an aperture for a landing gear handle;
[0015] FIG. 8B is a side elevation view of the exterior of the rear wheel
assembly skirt and the rear skirt of the skirt system of FIG. 7;
[0016] FIG. 9A is a side elevation view of the interior of the landing
gear skirt and the side skirt of the skirt system of FIG. 7, and showing that
the
landing gear skirt includes an aperture for a landing gear handle;
[0017] FIG. 9B is a side elevation view of the interior of the rear wheel
assembly skirt and the rear skirt of the skirt system of FIG. 7;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the skirt
system including a landing gear skirt, a segmented side skirt, and a rear
skirt
coupled to the trailer;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the exterior of the skirt
system
of FIG.10 showing the landing gear skirt, the spaced-apart side skirt panels,
and the rear skirt;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the interior of the skirt
system
of FIG.10 showing the landing gear skirt, the spaced apart side skirt panels,
and the rear skirt;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the left and right sides of the
aerodynamic skirt system showing the arrangement of the landing gear skirt,
the spaced-apart side skirt panels, and the rear skirt of FIG. 10;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an skirt
system showing a landing gear skirt that overlaps a side skirt coupled to the
trailer;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the exterior of the side skirt
of
FIG. 14;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the interior of the side skirt
of
FIG. 14;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the exterior of the landing
gear skirt of FIG. 14;
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/WNC2014-19
- 4 -
[0026] FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the interior of the landing
gear
skirt of FIG. 14;
[0027] FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the skirt system of FIG. 14 showing
the left and right skirt systems, and showing the rear edge of the landing
gear
skirt overlapping the forward edge of the side skirt;
[0028] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an skirt
system showing a landing gear skirt, and a spaced apart side skirt coupled to
the trailer;
[0029] FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of the exterior of the side skirt
of FIG. 20;
[0030] FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the left and right sides of the skirt
system showing the landing gear skirts and side skirts of FIG. 20;
[0031] FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of the exterior of a landing gear
skirt;
[0032] FIG. 24 is a side elevation view of the interior of the landing
gear
skirt of FIG. 23 showing a landing gear bracket;
[0033] FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the landing gear skirt of FIG. 23;
[0034] FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the landing gear skirt of FIG. 23
coupling to a landing gear support leg; and
[0035] FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the left and right side landing gear
skirts of FIG. 23 on a trailer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0036] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to a number of
illustrative embodiments shown in the attached drawings and specific
language will be used to describe the same. While the concepts of this
disclosure are described in relation to a trailer for a tractor, it will be
understood that that they are equally applicable to other trailers generally,
and
more specifically to pup trailers, conventional flat-bed and/or box or van
type
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 5 -
trailers, examples of which include, but should not be limited to, straight
truck
bodies, small personal and/or commercial trailers and the like.
[0037] A tractor 10 can be coupled to one or more trailers 12 for
transporting goods along a roadway as shown in FIG. 1. A trailer 12 can have
a container 14, a floor 16, a rear wheel assembly 18, a landing gear 20, and a
skirt system 22 as shown in FIG. 1. The skirt system 22 is coupled to the
floor
16 and is configured to redirect air and improve fuel efficiency of the
tractor 10
when transporting goods.
[0038] The container 14 of the trailer 12 can have a roof 24, a front wall
26, a left wall 28, a right wall 30, and a rear wall 32 as shown in FIG. 1.
The
rear wall 32 can include one or more doors 34 to allow access to the interior
of container 14.
[0039] The floor 16 of the trailer 12 has a front side 36, a left side 38,
a
right side 40, a back side 42, and a cross-member 92 as shown in FIG. 1.
The floor 16 is included in an embodiment of trailer 12 in which the floor 16
supports container 14. Alternatively, the trailer 12 can be a flat-bed trailer
which does not include the container 14.
[0040] The rear wheel assembly 18 is coupled to the floor 16 near the
back side 42 of the floor 16 as shown in FIG. 1. The rear wheel assembly 18
includes wheels 44 and an axle 46 that support the rear of the trailer 12 when
the trailer 12 is being pulled by tractor 10, and when the trailer 12 is
stationary
and disconnected from the tractor 10.
[0041] The landing gear 20 is coupled to the floor 16 between the rear
wheel assembly 18 and the front side 36 of the floor 16 as shown in FIG. 1.
The landing gear 20 includes at least one support leg 48, a crank handle 50,
and may contain a landing gear foot 52. The support leg 48 can extend down
from the floor 16 to a surface to support the trailer 12 when not connected to
the tractor 10, or can be retracted when connected to the tractor 10. The
support leg 48 of the landing gear 20 can be extended or retracted using the
crank handle 50.
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 6 -
[0042] To improve the air flow and fuel efficiency of the tractor 10 when
pulling a trailer 12, the trailer 12 can include an aerodynamic skirt system
22
as shown in FIG. 1. Illustratively, a skirt system 22 can include any
combination of a landing gear skirt 54, a side skirt 56, a rear wheel assembly
skirt 58, and a rear skirt 60. In an embodiment, a skirt system 22 includes a
landing gear skirt 54 and side skirt 56 as shown in FIG. 1. In another
illustrative embodiment a skirt system 222 includes a landing gear skirt 254,
a
side skirt 256, a rear wheel assembly skirt 58, and a rear skirt 60 as shown
in
FIG. 7. In another illustrative embodiment, a skirt system 322 includes a
landing gear skirt 354, a side skirt 356, and a rear skirt 360 as shown in
FIG.
10. In another illustrative embodiment, a skirt system 422 includes a landing
gear skirt 454 and a side skirt 456 as shown in FIG. 14. In yet another
illustrative embodiment, a skirt system 522 includes a landing gear skirt 554
and a side skirt 556 as shown in FIG. 20.
[0043] The skirt system 22 can be coupled to the trailer 12 along the
left side 38 or the right side 40 of the floor 16, or both the left side 38
and the
right side 40 as shown in FIG. 1. In an embodiment the skirt system 22 is
configured to be coupled rigidly to the left side 38 or the right side 40 of
the
floor 16. Illustratively, the skirt system 22 is attached to the left side 38
and
the right side 40 of the floor 16 with mount bracket assemblies 62 as shown in
FIGS. 1-5. Attaching the skirt system 22 with mount bracket assemblies 62
can allow the skirt system 22 to flex if contacted by an object to reduce
stress
on the skirt system 22, or the object, as discussed below.
[0044] The landing gear skirt 54 of the skirt system 22 may improve
fuel economy by deflecting air away from the front side 36 of the trailer 12
and
allow the flow to attach to the side skirt 56 quicker. The landing gear skirt
54
is coupled to the floor 16 of the trailer as shown in FIG. 1. The landing gear
skirt 54 includes a wall panel 64, mount bracket assemblies 62 for coupling
the wall panel 64 to the floor 16, and a moveable bottom flap 66 coupled to
the wall panel 64 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The moveable bottom flap 66 is
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 7 -
configured to attach to the wall panel 64 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 and
provides a protective edge, as discussed below.
[0045] The wall panel 64 includes a top edge 68, a forward edge 70, a
bottom edge 72, and a rear edge 74 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. In an
embodiment the rear edge 74 extends generally perpendicular to the floor 16
of the trailer 12, and the forward edge 70 extends generally non-perpendicular
to the floor of the trailer. Illustratively, the top edge 68 can have a length
longer than the length of the bottom edge 72 so that the forward edge 70 is
angled as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.
[0046] The wall panel 64 of the landing gear skirt 54 can be made from
a composite material, or from a metal. For example, the composite material
may include a plastic core and metal outer skins coupled to the plastic core.
Such a composite material provides a rigid, but lightweight and durable
material. For example, each wall panel 64 may be made of a DURAPLATE8
composite panel provided by Wabash National Corporation of Lafayette, Ind.
DURAPLATE0 composite panels are constructed of a high-density
polyethylene plastic core bonded between two high-strength steel skins. For
another example, the skirt system 22 can be made of a glass reinforced
thermoplastic composite. It should be understood that other suitable
composite materials may be used as well. Further, the wall panels 64 may be
of any number of suitable, non-composite materials such as metals, metal
alloys, and/or plastics, for example.
[0047] The moveable bottom flap 66 extends downwardly from the wall
panel 64 of the landing gear skirt 54 to provide a less stiff strip along the
bottom side 72 of wall panel 64 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The moveable
bottom flap 66 is configured to be coupled along the bottom side 72 of wall
panel 64 along the entire length of wall panel 64. Illustratively, the
moveable
bottom flap 66 is made of plastic. However, other suitable materials may be
used as well. The moveable bottom flap 66 further operates to resist airflow
and may prevent damage to the wall panel 64 from forces applied vertically
such as in situations where the trailer 12 may traverse over a curb or
railroad
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 8 -
track where the road surface is not flat. In such instances, for example, the
moveable bottom flap 66 is configured to bend, or flex to prevent damage to
the wall panel 64.
[0048] The wall panel 64 of the landing gear skirt 54 may optionally be
formed to include an aperture 76 sized to allow passage of a landing gear
crank handle 50 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The aperture 76 may be
included in the right landing gear skirt 54R or the left landing gear skirt
54L, or
illustratively may be included in both the left landing gear skirt 54L and in
the
right landing gear skirt 54R. Illustratively, the aperture 76 may not be
included
either in the left landing gear skirt 54L or the right landing gear skirt 54R.
The
aperture 76 may be arranged along a top side of the wall panel 64 adjacent to
the floor 16 of the trailer 12 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.
[0049] The landing gear skirt 54 can be coupled to the floor 16 as to be
parallel with either the left side 38 or the right 40 side of the floor 16 of
the
trailer 12. Alternatively, the landing gear skirt 54 can be non-parallel with
the
either the right side 40 or the left side 38 of floor 16 of the trailer 12 as
shown
in FIG. 1. Illustratively, the left landing gear skirt 54L has a front edge 78
facing the front side 36 of the floor 16 and a back edge 80 facing the back
side 42 of the floor 16 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The left landing gear skirt
54L is angled relative to the floor so that front edge 78 of the left landing
gear
skirt 54L is closer to the right side 40 of the floor 16 than the back edge 80
of
the left landing gear skirt 54L. Orienting the landing gear skirt 54 in such a
manner may lead to improved uptake of the air flow from underneath the
trailer 12.
[0050] The skirt system 22 includes a left side skirt 56L and a right side
skirt 56R as shown in FIG. 1. The left side skirt 56L extends downwardly from
and is located along the left side 38 of the floor 16 between the left landing
gear skirt 54L and the rear wheel assembly 18 as shown in FIG. 1. The right
side skirt 56R extends downwardly from and is located along the right side 40
of the floor 16 between the right landing gear skirt 54R and the rear wheel
assembly 18. It should be understood that the trailer 12 has both a right
skirt
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/WNC2014-19
- 9 -
system 22R and a left skirt system 22L that are identical in configuration and
function, even if only a single side is being described.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1 - 5, the skirt system 22 includes a side skirt
56 having two wall panels 84 coupled to each other, mount bracket
assemblies 62, and a moveable bottom flap 85. The wall panels 84 are
secured to each other and to the trailer 12 by mount bracket assemblies 62.
Illustratively, a first mount bracket assembly 62 is positioned to couple the
forward wall panel 84F to the floor 16 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. A second
mount bracket assembly 62 is positioned between and coupled to the forward
wall panel 84F and the rear wall panel 84R to couple the two wall panels 84F,
84R to each other and to the floor 16. A third mount bracket assembly 62 is
coupled to the rear wall panel 84R to secure the wall panel 84R to the floor
16
of the trailer 12. Illustratively, while the side skirt 56 includes three
mount
bracket assemblies 62 and two wall panels 84F, 84R, it is within the scope of
this disclosure to provide a side skirt 56 having any number of mount bracket
assemblies 62 and any number of wall panels 84. Further, it is within the
scope of this disclosure for the side skirt 22 to include a single, unitary
wall
panel 84 as well. The moveable bottom flap 85 of the side skirt 56 is similar
to the moveable bottom flap 66 of the landing gear skirt 54. Illustratively,
the
wall panels 84F and 84R can each have a moveable bottom flap 85 coupled
by a bracket 87, or alternatively can share a single moveable bottom flap 85.
[0052] As is discussed in greater detail below, the mount bracket
assembly 62 is configured to couple the wall panels 64,84 of the skirt system
22 to the floor 16 of the trailer 12 as shown in FIGS. 2-5. Furthermore, the
mount bracket assembly 62 allows the skirt system 22 to tilt laterally both
inwardly and outwardly relative to the floor 16 of the trailer 12. The ability
of
the wall panels 64,84 to tilt bi-laterally relative to the cross-member 92
(i.e., to
tilt both inwardly and outwardly relative to the cross-member 92) allows the
wall panels 64,84 to potentially avoid damage when the trailer 12 traverses
into or over a fixed, immovable obstacle, for example, and thus runs laterally
into the obstacle, for example. It should also be understood, however, that
the
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585ANNC2014-19
- 10 -
skirt system 22 be sufficiently rigidly mounted to the floor such that the
skirt
system 22 is generally prevented from tilting under normal wind and road air
forces.
[0053] Each mount bracket assembly 62 is coupled to a cross-member
92 of the floor 16 of the trailer 12 as shown in FIG. 1. Illustratively, each
mount bracket assembly 62 includes a channel mount 94 configured to be
coupled to a single or adjacent wall panels 64,84, a mount plate 96, and a
spring 98 as shown in FIGS.1-5. As shown in FIG. 6, the mount plate 96
includes a base wall 100 and two side flanges 102 coupled to and angled
downwardly from each side of the mount base 104. Illustratively, the mount
plate 96 is coupled to the cross-member 92 by a U-bolt 106 received through
two apertures 108 formed in the mount base 104 of the mount plate 96. The
U-bolt 106 has threaded ends 110 which are each received through a
respective aperture of the cross-member 92. Nuts 114 are threaded onto the
threaded ends 110 to secure the U-bolt 106 and the mount plate 96 to the
cross-member 92. Illustratively, while a U-bolt is shown and described herein,
it is also within the scope of this disclosure to use an eye bolt or other
such
fastener onto which the spring 98 may be coupled.
[0054] The channel mount 94 of the mount bracket assembly 62
includes spaced-apart side walls 116, a top wall 118 coupled to each side wall
116, a rear wall 120 including side flanges 122 extending outwardly therefrom,
and a front wall 124 coupled to each side wall 116 as shown in FIG. 6.
Illustratively, the side walls 116, front wall 124, and rear wall 120
cooperate to
define a passageway 126 therebetween. While the channel mount 94 is
shown to include the front wall 124, it is within the scope of this disclosure
to
include a channel mount lacking such a front wall in order to gain access to
the spring 98 positioned within the passageway 126. Illustratively, each side
flange 122 includes a plurality of apertures 128 formed therein as shown in
FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. Each aperture 128 is configured to receive a fastener (not
shown) such as a bolt, rivet, or screw, for example, in order to couple the
channel mount 94 to the wall panels 64,84. The top wall 118 of the channel
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-2415851WNC2014-19
- 11 -
mount 94 includes an aperture 130 configured to receive the U-shaped
portion of the U-bolt 106 therein. A bolt 132 is received through an aperture
134 formed in each side wall 116 of the channel mount 94. The bolt 132 is
secured to the channel mount 94 such that the bolt 132 extends horizontally
across the passageway 126 of the channel mount 94. As shown in FIG. 6,
the bolt 132 is positioned below and spaced-apart from the top wall 118 of the
channel mount 94. Illustratively, the bolt 132 operates as a bridge or an arm
extending between and coupled to each of the side walls 116 of the channel
mount 94. Illustratively, it should be understood that any suitable structure
may be positioned between and coupled to one or more of the side walls 116
in order to provide an anchor for the spring 98, as discussed below.
[0055] The spring 98 is coupled at a first, upper end to the U-shaped
portion of the U-bolt 106 while a second, lower end of the spring 98 is
coupled
to the bolt 132. In use, therefore, the mount bracket assembly 62 is tiltable
relative to the cross-member 92 of the floor 16 of the trailer 12. In
particular,
the channel mount 94, including the spring 98 and the bolt 132, is laterally
tiltable relative to the cross-member 92 while the U-bolt 106 and the mount
plate 96 remain generally stationary with the cross-member 92. The channel
mount 94 and the wall panel 84 mounted thereto are laterally tiltable
outwardly in a direction away from the trailer 12 and inwardly in a direction
toward the floor 16 of the trailer 12. Illustratively, the side flanges 102 of
the
mount plate 96 operate as a stop to prevent further tilting movement of the
channel mount 94 relative to the mount plate 96 in both the outward and the
inward directions. Further illustratively, the channel mount 94 is configured
to
tilt approximately 30 degrees outwardly and 30 degrees inwardly relative to
its
vertical position. However, it is within the scope of this disclosure to
provide a
channel mount 94 configured to tilt relative to the cross-member 92 of the
trailer 12 any suitable degree.
[0056] In another embodiment, a skirt system 222 includes a
continuously connected landing gear skirt 254, a side skirt 256, a rear wheel
assembly skirt 58, and a rear skirt 60 as shown in FIGS. 7-9. The skirt
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 12 -
system 222 can be coupled to a floor 216 of a trailer 212 using mount bracket
assemblies 62, 262.
[0057] Illustratively, the landing gear skirt 254 includes an aperture 276
that is sized for a crank handle 250, three wall panels 264, mount bracket
assemblies 62 to couple the wall panels 264 to each other and to the floor
216, and a single moveable bottom flap 266 as shown in FIG. 7. The wall
panels 264 and the moveable bottom flaps 266 of the landing gear skirt 254
are similar the corresponding parts in landing gear skirt 54.
[0058] The landing gear skirt 254 is coupled to the side skirt 256 by
mount bracket assemblies 62 to form the continuously connected skirt system
222 as shown in FIGS. 7, 8A and 9A. The side skirt 256 includes wall panels
284, mount bracket assemblies 62 that connects the wall panels 284 to the
floor 216, and moveable bottom flaps 285. Illustratively, the side skirt 256
can
have two wall panels 284F, 284R coupled to each other as shown in FIGS. 8A
and 9A. The wall panels 284F, 284R are secured to each other and to the
trailer 212 by a mount bracket assembly 62 in a similar fashion to the side
skirt 56 as shown in FIG. 7. Illustratively, a first mount bracket assembly 62
is
positioned to couple the forward wall panel 284F to the floor 216 and to
landing gear skirt 254. Illustratively, a second mount bracket assembly 62 is
positioned between and coupled to the forward and the rear wall panels 284F,
284R to couple the two wall panels 284F, 284R to each other and to the floor
216. A third mount bracket assembly 62 is coupled to the rear wall panel
284R to secure the wall panel 284R to the floor 216 of the trailer 212.
Illustratively, while the side skirt 256 includes three mount bracket
assemblies
62 and two wall panels 284, it is within the scope of this disclosure to
provide
a side skirt 256 having any number of mount bracket assemblies 62 and any
number of wall panels 284.
[0059] The rear wheel assembly skirt 58 includes wall panels 286,
mount bracket assemblies 262 for coupling the wall panels 286 to the floor
216, and bottom strips 288 as shown in FIG. 7. The rear wheel assembly skirt
58 extends downwardly from the floor 216 and along the left side 238 or the
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 13 -
right side 240 of the floor 216. Illustratively, the rear wheel assembly skirt
58
is located between the back side 242 of the floor 216 and the side skirt 256,
and locates the rear wheel assembly 218 within a footprint of the left wheel
assembly skirt 58L and the right wheel assembly skirt 58R when the trailer is
viewed from the left side or the right side of the trailer. Illustratively,
the rear
wheel assembly skirt 58 can be coupled to the side skirt 256 or may not be
coupled to side skirt 256.
[0060] Illustratively, the rear wheel assembly skirt 58 can have two wall
panels 286F, 286R coupled to each other as shown in FIGS. 8B and 9B. The
wall panels 286F, 286R are secured to each other and to the trailer 212 by
mount bracket assemblies 262. The mount bracket assembly 262 is
positioned to couple the forward wall panel 286F to the floor 216 and is
comprised of a stiff metal plate. Illustratively, the mount bracket assembly
262 is positioned between and coupled to the forward and the rear wall panels
286F, 286R to couple the two wall panels 286F, 286R to each other and to
the floor 216. A third mount bracket assembly 262 is coupled to the rear wall
panel 286R to secure the rear wall panel 286R to the floor 216 of the trailer
212, and optionally to the rear skirt 60 as shown in FIGS. 8B and 9B.
Illustratively, the rear wheel assembly skirt includes hinges 290 and tethers
292 that couple the wall panels 286 to the floor 16 as shown in FIGS. 8B and
9B. The hinges 292 allow pivoting of the wall panels 286 relative to the floor
216 of the trailer 212. The tethers 292 provide an additional attachment point
of the wall panels 286 to the floor 216 of the trailer 212. Illustratively,
the
bottom strip 288 is similar in composition and function to the moveable bottom
flaps 266, 285 of the landing gear skirt 254 and side skirt 256.
Illustratively,
while the rear wheel assembly skirt 58 includes three mount bracket
assemblies 262 and two wall panels 286F, 286R, it is within the scope of this
disclosure to provide a rear wheel assembly skirt 58 having any number of
mount bracket assemblies 262 and any number of wall panels 286.
[0061] The rear skirt 60 includes a wall panels 29, mount bracket
assemblies 262 for coupling the wall panel 294 to the floor 216, and a bottom
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/WNC2014-19
- 14 -
strip 296 as shown in FIGS. 7, 8B and 9B. The rear skirt 60 extends
downwardly from the floor 216 and along the left side 238 or the right side
240
of the floor 216 and is located between the back side 242 of the floor 216 and
the rear wheel assembly skirt 58. Illustratively, the rear skirt 60 can be
coupled to the rear wheel assembly skirt 58 with a mount bracket assembly
262.
[0062] The wall panel 294 of the rear skirt 60 includes a forward edge
298 and a rear edge 299 as shown in FIGS. 7, 8B and 9B. Illustratively, the
forward edge 298 extends down from the floor 216 an is generally
perpendicular to floor 216, and the rear edge 299 can be straight, or
alternatively can be curved to provide additional aerodynamic properties to
the trailer 212.
[0063] In another embodiment, a skirt system 322 includes a landing
gear skirt 354, a side skirt 356, and a rear skirt 360 as shown in FIGS. 10-
13.
The skirt system 322 can be coupled to a floor 316 of a trailer 312 using a
mount bracket assemblies 62 to provide improved aerodynamic properties.
[0064] Illustratively, the landing gear skirt 354 includes a wall panel 364
and mount bracket assemblies 62 to couple the wall panel 364 to the floor 316
as shown in FIGS. 10-12. The wall panel 364 of the landing gear skirt 354 is
similar to the corresponding parts in landing gear skirt 54. Landing gear
skirt
354 extends downwardly from floor 316 and is coupled to the floor 316 by at
least one mount bracket assembly 62. Illustratively, the landing gear skirt
354
is angled in a manner so that the forward edge 370 is closer to the interior
of
trailer 312 than the rear edge 374 as shown in FIGS.10 and 13.
[0065] Illustratively, the forward edge 370 of landing gear skirt 354 has
a generally triangular shape with an apex 370P arranged to form the forward-
most point of the forward edge 370, and the apex 370P is located about
midway between a top edge 368 and a bottom edge 372 of the landing gear
skirt 354. The rear edge 374 of the landing gear skirt 354 has a generally
triangular shape cutout and an apex 374P arranged to form the forward-most
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 15 -
point of the rear edge, and the apex 374P is located about midway between a
top edge 368 and the bottom edge of the landing gear skirt 354.
[0066] The side skirt 356 includes wall panels 386 and mount bracket
assemblies 62 for coupling the wall panels 386 to the floor 316 as shown in
FIGS. 10-13. Illustratively, the side skirt 356 may include a first wall panel
386A, a second wall panel 386B and a third wall panel 3860. In an
embodiment, the wall panels 386A, 386B, 3860 are located in spaced apart
relation as shown in FIGS. 10-13. In one illustrative embodiment the first
wall
panel 386A has a first length, the second wall panel 386B has a second
length and the third wall panel 386C has a third length. Illustratively, the
first
length of the first wall panel 386A, the second length of the second wall
panel
386B and the third length of wall panel 386C are generally the same. In
another embodiment, first length of wall panel 386A is the same as the
second length of wall panel 386B and both have a longer length than the third
length of wall panel 386C. In an embodiment the wall panels 386A, 386B,
and 386C are angled in a reference to the floor 316 in similar manner to the
landing gear wall panel 364 as seen in FIG. 13.
[0067] The rear skirt 360 includes a wall panel 394 and mount bracket
assemblies 62 for coupling the wall panel 394 to the floor as shown in FIGS.
10-13. The rear skirt 360 extends downwardly from the floor 316 and along
the left side 338 or the right side 340 of the floor 316. Illustratively, the
rear
skirt 360 is located between the back side 342 of the floor 316 and the rear
wheel assembly 358. The wall panel 394 of the rear skirt 360 includes a
forward edge 398 and a rear edge 399. Illustratively forward edge 398
extends down from the floor 316 an is generally perpendicular to floor 316,
and the rear edge 399 can be straight, or alternatively can be curved to
provide additional aerodynamic properties to the trailer 312.
[0068] In another embodiment, a skirt system 422 includes a landing
gear skirt 454, mount bracket assemblies 62, and a side skirt 456 as shown in
FIGS. 14-19. The skirt system 422 can be coupled to a floor 416 of a trailer
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/WNC2014-19
- 16 -
412 using mount bracket assemblies 62 to improve the airflow around the
trailer 412.
[0069] Illustratively, the landing gear skirt 454 includes an aperture 476
that is sized for a crank handle 450, a wall panel 464, mount bracket
assemblies 62 to couple the wall panel 464 to the floor 416, and a moveable
bottom flap 466 as shown in FIGS. 14, 17 and 18. The landing gear skirt 454
can be coupled to the floor 416 as to be parallel with either the left side
438 or
the right 440 side of the floor 416 of the trailer 412. Alternatively, the
landing
gear skirt 454 can be non-parallel with the either the right side 440 or the
left
side 438 of floor 416 of the trailer 412 as shown in FIG. 19. Illustratively,
the
left landing gear skirt 454L has a front edge 478L facing the front side 436
of
the floor 416 and a back edge 480L facing the back side 442 of the floor 416.
The left landing gear skirt 454L is angled relative to the floor so that front
edge
478 of the left landing gear skirt 454L is closer to the right side 440 of the
floor
416 than the back edge 480 of the left landing gear skirt 454L. Orienting the
landing gear skirt 454 in such a manner may lead to improved uptake of the
air flow from underneath the trailer 412.
[0070] The side skirt 456 includes wall panels 484, mount bracket
assemblies 62 that couples the wall panels 484 to the floor 416, and a
moveable bottom flap 485 that is coupled to the wall panel 484 as shown in
FIGS. 14-16. Illustratively, the side skirt 456 can have three wall panels
484F,
484M, 484R coupled to each other as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The wall
panels 484F, 484M, 484R are secured to each other and to the trailer 412 by
the mount bracket assemblies 62 in a similar fashion to the side skirt 56.
Illustratively, a first mount bracket assembly 62 is positioned to couple the
forward wall panel 484F to the floor 416 as shown in FIG. 15. Illustratively,
a
second mount bracket assembly 62 is positioned between the forward and the
middle wall panels 484F, 484M to couple the two wall panels 484F, 484M to
each other and to the floor 416. A third mount bracket assembly 62 is
positioned between the middle and the rear wall panels 484M,484R to couple
the two wall panels 484M,484R to each other and to the floor 416. A fourth
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585ANNC2014-19
- 17 -
mount bracket assembly 62 is coupled to the rear wall panel 484R to secure
the wall panel 484R to the floor 416 of the trailer 412. Illustratively, while
the
side skirt 456 includes four mount bracket assemblies 62 and three wall
panels 484F, 484M, 484R it is within the scope of this disclosure to provide a
side skirt 456 having any number of mount bracket assemblies 62 and any
number of wall panels 484. The moveable bottom flap 485 of the side skirt
456 is similar to the moveable bottom flap 66 of the landing gear skirt 54.
Illustratively, the wall panels 484F, 484M, 484R can each have a moveable
bottom flap 485.
[0071] The forward wall panel 484F includes a top edge 487F, a bottom
edge 489F, a forward edge 491F and a rear edge 493F as shown in FIGS. 15
and 16. Illustratively, the top edge 487F has a first length and the bottom
edge 489F has a shorter second length so that the forward edge 491F is non-
perpendicular to the floor 416, and the rear edge 493F is generally
perpendicular to the floor 416 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The rear wall
panel 484R includes a top edge 487R, a bottom edge 489R, a forward edge
491R, and a rear edge 493R. Illustratively, the top edge 487R has a first
length and the bottom edge 489R has a shorter second length so that the rear
edge 493R is non-perpendicular to the floor 416 and the forward edge 491F is
generally perpendicular to the floor 416 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0072] The side skirt 456 can be non-parallel with the either the right
side 440 or the left side 438 of floor 416 of the trailer 412. Illustratively,
the
left side skirt 456L has a front edge 495L facing the front side 436 of the
floor
416 and a rear edge 497L facing the back side 442 of the floor 416 as shown
in FIG. 19. The left side skirt 456L is angled relative to the floor so that
front
edge 495 of the left side skirt 456L is closer to the right side 440 of the
floor
416 than the rear edge 497L of the left side skirt 456L as shown in FIGS. 14
and 19. The right side skirt 456R is oriented in an equivalent manner.
Illustratively, the front edge 495L of the left side skirt 456L is located
between
the front side 436 of the floor 416 and the back edge 480 of the landing gear
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
=
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 18 -
skirt 454, and is angled to be nearer the left side 438 of the floor 416 than
the
landing gear skirt 454 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 19.
[0073] In another embodiment, a skirt system 522 includes a
landing
gear skirt 554, mount bracket assemblies 62, and a spaced-apart side skirt
556 as shown in FIGS. 20-22. The skirt system 522 can be coupled to a floor
516 of a trailer 512 using the mount bracket assemblies 62 to improve the
airflow around the trailer 512.
[0074] Illustratively, the landing gear skirt 554 includes an
aperture 576
that is sized for a crank handle 550, wall panel 564, mount bracket
assemblies 62 to couple the wall panel 564 to the floor 516, and a moveable
bottom flap 566 as shown in FIG. 20. The landing gear skirt 554 can be
coupled to the floor 516 as to be parallel with either the left side 538 or
the
right 540 side of the floor 516 of the trailer 512. Alternatively, the landing
gear skirt 554 can be non-parallel with the either the right side 540 or the
left
side 538 of floor 516 of the trailer 512 as shown in FIGS. 20 and 22.
Illustratively, the left landing gear skirt 554L has a front edge 578 facing
the
front side 536 of the floor 516 and a back edge 580 facing the back side 542
of the floor 516. The left landing gear skirt 564L is angled relative to the
floor
so that front edge 578 of the left landing gear skirt 554L is closer to the
right
side 540 of the floor 516 than the back edge 580 of the left landing gear
skirt
554L as shown in FIGS. 20 and 22. Orienting the landing gear skirt 554 in
such a manner may lead to improved uptake of the air flow from underneath
the trailer 512.
[0075] The side skirt 556 includes wall panels 584, mount
bracket
assemblies 62 that couple the wall panels 584 to the floor 516, and a
moveable bottom flap 585 that is coupled to the wall panels 584 as shown in
FIGS. 20 - 22. Illustratively, the side skirt 556 can have three wall panels
584F, 584M, 584R coupled to each other as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. The
wall panels 584F, 584M, 584R are secured to each other and to the trailer
512 by a mount bracket assembly 62 in a similar fashion to the side skirt 56.
Illustratively, a first mount bracket assembly 62 is positioned to couple the
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 19 -
forward wall panel 584F to the floor 416. Illustratively, a second mount
bracket assembly 62 is positioned between the forward and the middle wall
panels 584F, 584M to couple the two wall panels 584F, 584M to each other
and to the floor 516. A third mount bracket assembly 62 is positioned
between the middle and the rear wall panels 584M, 584R to couple the two
wall panels 584M,R to each other and to the floor 516. A fourth mount
bracket assembly 62 is coupled to the rear wall panel 584R to secure the wall
panel 584R to the floor 516 of the trailer 512. Illustratively, while the side
skirt
556 includes four mount bracket assemblies 62 and three wall panels 584F,
584M, 584R, it is within the scope of this disclosure to provide a side skirt
556
having any number of mount bracket assemblies 62 and any number of wall
panels 584. The moveable bottom flap 585 of the side skirt 556 is similar to
the moveable bottom flap 66 of the landing gear skirt 54. Illustratively, the
wall panels 584F, 584M, 584R can each have a moveable bottom flap 585, or
may share a single moveable bottom flap 585. In an embodiment the three
wall panels 584F, 584M, 584R are similar in length, and in another
embodiment they each have a different length as to allow access to fluid tank
517.
[0076] The forward wall panel 584F includes a top edge 587F, a bottom
edge 589F, a forward edge 591F, and a rear edge 593F as shown in FIG. 21.
Illustratively, the top edge 587F has a first length and the bottom edge 589F
has a shorter second length so that the forward edge 591F is non-
perpendicular to the floor 516, and the rear edge 593F is generally
perpendicular to the floor 516 as shown in FIG. 21. The rear wall panel 584R
includes a top edge 587R, a bottom edge 589R, a forward edge 591R, and a
rear edge 593R. Illustratively, the top edge 587 has a first length and the
bottom edge 589 has a shorter second length so that the rear edge 593R is
non-perpendicular to the floor 516 and the forward edge 591F is generally
perpendicular to the floor 516 as shown in FIG. 21.
[0077] The side skirt 556 can be non-parallel with the either the right
side 540 or the left side 538 of floor 516 of the trailer 412 as shown in FIG.
22.
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585ANNC2014-19
- 20 -
Illustratively, the left side skirt 556L has a front edge 595L facing the
front side
536 of the floor 516 and a rear edge 597L facing the back side 542 of the
floor
516. The left side skirt 556L is angled relative to the floor so that front
edge
595 of the left side skirt 556L is closer to the right side 540 of the floor
516
than the rear edge 597L of the left side skirt 556L. The right side skirt 556R
is
oriented in an equivalent manner. Illustratively, the front edge 595L of the
left
side skirt 556L is located between the back edge 580 of the landing gear skirt
554 and the rear wheel assembly 518 and is angled to be nearer the left side
538 of the floor 516 than the landing gear skirt 554 as shown in FIG. 20 and
22.
[0078] In another embodiment, a skirt system 622 includes a landing
gear skirt 654,. and a side skirt 656 to improve the airflow around the
trailer
512 as seen in FIGS. 23-27. Illustratively, the side skirt 656 can be similar
to
any of the side skirts 56, 256, 356, 456 or 556.
[0079] The landing gear skirt 654 includes a wall panel 664, flanges
665, a landing gear mount bracket 667, and a moveable bottom flap 666 as
shown in FIG. 23. The landing skirt 654 can be rigidly coupled to a floor 616
of a trailer 612 using the flanges 665õ and can be coupled to the landing gear
support leg 648 with the landing gear mount bracket 667. The flanges 665
include apertures 631, 632 and is configured for rigidly coupling the landing
gear skirt wall panel 664 to the floor 616 of the trailer 612 as shown in
FIGS.
23-26. The landing gear mount bracket 667 is configured to couple to the wall
panel 664 and to the landing gear support leg 648 as shown in FIGS. 25 and
26. Illustratively, the landing gear skirt wall panel 664 includes an aperture
676 sized for crank handle 650 to pass therethrough as shown in FIGS. 23
and 27..
[0080] Illustratively, the left landing gear skirt 654L has a front edge
678L facing the front side 636 of the floor 616 and a back edge 680L facing
the back side 642 of the floor 616 as seen in FIG. 27. The left landing gear
skirt 664L is angled relative to the floor so that front edge 678L of the left
landing gear skirt 654L is closer to the right side 640 of the floor 616 than
the
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/WNC2014-19
- 21 -
back edge 680 of the left landing gear skirt 654L. Orienting the landing gear
skirt 654 in such a manner may lead to improved uptake of the air flow from
underneath the trailer 612. Illustratively the right landing gear skirt 654R
is
oriented in an equivalent manner.
[0081] The landing gear skirt 54 mounts to the floor 16, which may be
called the underside, of the trailer 12 between the side gear and the side
face
of the trailer. The landing gear skirt 54 can be a flat panel that may be
mounted rigidly at a slight angle.
[0082] The landing gear skirt 54 may improve fuel economy by
deflecting air away from the front side 36, sometimes called the front
underside, of the trailer 12 and allowing the flow to attach to the side skirt
56,
which may be called the main skirt panels, quicker. Additionally, there may be
a gap between the landing gear skirt 54 and the side skirt 56, which may be
called the main skirt panel, that allows trapped air from underneath to pass
through as well. Another added benefit can be visual inspection of the fifth
wheel.
[0083] The landing gear skirt 54 may offer significant improvement in
fuel economy for a small amount of material. The landing gear skirt 54 may
be used for pup trailers but could also be used on refrigerated or dry van
trailers.
[0084] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail
in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as
illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only
illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all
changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are
desired to be protected.
[0085] The following numbered clauses include embodiments that are
contemplated and non-limiting:
[0086] Clause 1. A trailer, comprising:
a floor having a front side, a back side, a left side and a right
side;
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 22 -
a rear wheel assembly coupled to the floor;
a landing gear coupled to the floor between the rear wheel
assembly and the front side of the floor, the landing gear including at least
one support leg moveable from a stowed position to a use position; and
a skirt system including a left landing gear skirt that extends
downwardly from and along the left side of the floor, and a right landing gear
skirt that extends downwardly from and along the right side of the floor,
wherein the landing gear is located within a footprint of the left
landing gear skirt and the right landing gear skirt when the trailer is viewed
from the left side or the right side of the trailer.
[0087] Clause 2. A trailer, comprising:
[0088] a floor having a front side, a back side, a left side and a right
side;
a rear wheel assembly coupled to the floor;
a landing gear coupled to the floor between the rear wheel
assembly and the front side of the floor, the landing gear including at least
one support leg moveable from a stowed position to a use position;
a skirt system including a left landing gear skirt that extends
downwardly from and along the left side of the floor, and a right landing gear
skirt that extends downwardly from and along the right side of the floor, each
of the left landing gear skirt and the right landing gear skirt includes a
mount
bracket assembly coupled to the floor, a wall panel that extends downwardly
from the mount bracket assembly and has a first stiffness, and a moveable
bottom flap that extends downwardly from the wall panel and has a second
stiffness less than the first stiffness, and the wall panel is formed to
include an
aperture along a top side of the wall panel, and the aperture is sized to
allow
passage of a landing gear crank handle therethrough, wherein the landing
gear is located within a footprint of the left landing gear skirt and the
right
landing gear skirt when the trailer is viewed from the left side or the right
side
of the trailer; and
a left side skirt and a right side skirt, the left side skirt extends
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 23 -
downwardly from and is located along the left side of the floor between the
left
landing gear skirt and the rear wheel assembly, and the right side skirt
extends downwardly from and is located along the right side of the floor
between the right landing gear skirt and the rear wheel assembly.
[0089] Clause 3. A method of assembling a trailer, the method
comprising:
providing a floor having a front side, a back side, a left side and
a right side, a rear wheel assembly, a landing gear, and a skirt system;
coupling the rear wheel assembly to the floor;
coupling the landing gear to the floor between the rear wheel
assembly and the front side of the floor, the landing gear including at least
one support leg moveable from a stowed position to a use position; and
coupling the skirt system to the floor, the skirt system including a
left landing gear skirt that extends downwardly from and along the left side
of
the floor, and a right landing gear skirt that extends downwardly from and
along the right side of the floor,
wherein the landing gear is located within a footprint of the left
landing gear skirt and the right landing gear skirt when the trailer is viewed
from the left side or the right side of the trailer.
[0090] Clause 4. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the skirt
system includes a left side skirt and a right side skirt, the left side skirt
extends
downwardly from and is located along the left side of the floor between the
left
landing gear skirt and the rear wheel assembly, and the right side skirt
extends downwardly from and is located along the right side of the floor
between the right landing gear skirt and the rear wheel assembly.
[0091] Clause 5. The trailer of any other clause, wherein each of the
left landing gear skirt and the right landing gear skirt includes a mount
bracket
assembly coupled to the floor, a wall panel that has extends downwardly from
the mount bracket assembly and a first stiffness, and a moveable bottom flap
that extends downwardly from the wall panel and has a second stiffness less
than the first stiffness.
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 24 -
[0092] Clause 6. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the wall panel
is formed to include an aperture sized to allow passage of a landing gear
crank handle therethrough.
[0093] Clause 7. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the aperture
is arranged along a top side of the wall panel adjacent to the floor of the
trailer.
[0094] Clause 8. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the wall panel
includes a bottom edge, a top edge, a forward edge and a rear edge, the rear
edge extends generally perpendicular to the floor of the trailer, and the
forward edge extends generally non-perpendicular to the floor of the trailer.
[0095] Clause 9. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the top edge
of the wall panel has a first length and the bottom edge has a generally
shorter second length.
[0096] Clause 10. The trailer of any other clause, wherein each mount
bracket assembly includes a mount plate coupled to the floor, a channel
mount configured to be coupled to the wall panel of one of the left landing
gear skirt or the right landing gear skirt and movable relative to the mount
plate, and a spring coupled to the mount mount plate and to the channel
mount to bias the channel mount toward a position in which the wall panel of
one of the left landing gear skirt or the right landing gear skirt extends
downwardly from the floor to form a right angle with the floor.
[0097] Clause 11. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the spring is
arranged at least in part within a downwardly-opening channel defined by the
plate and the mount.
[0098] Clause 12. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the left
landing gear skirt has a front edge facing the front side of the floor and a
back
edge facing the back side of the floor, the right landing gear skirt has a
front
edge facing the front side of the floor and a back edge facing the back side
of
the floor, the left landing gear skirt is angled relative to the floor so that
the
front edge of the left landing gear skirt is closer to the right side of the
floor
than the back edge of the left landing gear skirt, and the right landing gear
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 25 -
skirt is angled relative to the floor so that the front edge of the right
landing
gear skirt is closer to the left side of the floor than the back edge of the
right
landing gear skirt.
[0099] Clause 13. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the front
edge of each of the left landing gear skirt and the right landing gear skirt
has a
generally triangular shape with an apex arranged to form a forward-most point
of the front edge, the apex of the front edge is located about midway between
a top edge and a bottom edge of the landing gear skirt, and the rear edge of
each of the left landing gear skirt and the right landing gear skirt has a
generally triangular shape cutout and an apex arranged to form the forward-
most point of the rear edge, the apex of the rear edge is located about
midway between the top edge and the bottom edge of the landing gear skirt.
[00100] Clause 14. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the left
landing gear skirt is spaced apart from the left side skirt along the left
side of
the floor, and the right landing gear skirt is spaced apart from the right
side
skirt along the right side of the floor.
[00101] Clause 15. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the skirt
system includes a left rear skirt and a right rear skirt, the left rear skirt
extends
downwardly from and is located along the left side of the floor between the
rear wheel assembly and the back side of the floor, and the right rear skirt
extends downwardly from and is located along the right side of the floor
between the rear wheel assembly and the back side of the floor.
[00102] Clause 16. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the skirt
system includes a left wheel assembly skirt and a right wheel assembly skirt,
the left wheel assembly skirt extends downwardly from the floor and along the
left side of the floor, and the right wheel assembly skirt extends downwardly
from the floor and along the right side of the floor, and wherein the rear
wheel
assembly is located within a footprint of the left wheel assembly skirt and
the
right wheel assembly skirt when the trailer is viewed from the left side or
the
right side of the trailer.
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/VVNC2014-19
- 26 -
[00103] Clause 17. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the left
landing gear skirt, the left side skirt, the left wheel assembly skirt and the
left
rear skirt are connected to one another without spaces therebetween along
the left side of the floor to form a continuous left skirt surface.
[00104] Clause 18. The trailer of any other clause, wherein each of the
left side skirt and the right side skirt include a plurality of side skirt
panels, the
plurality of side skirt panels of the left side skirt extend downwardly from
and
are spaced apart from one another along the left side of the floor between the
left landing gear skirt and the rear wheel assembly, and the plurality of side
skirt panels of the right side skirt extend downwardly from and are spaced
apart from one another along the right side of the floor between the right
landing gear skirt and the rear wheel assembly.
[00105] Clause 19. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the skirt
system includes a left rear skirt and a right rear skirt, the left rear skirt
extends
downwardly from the floor and is located along the left side of the floor
between the rear wheel assembly and the back side of the floor, and the right
rear skirt extends downwardly from the floor and is located along the right
side
of the floor between the rear wheel assembly and the back side of the floor.
[00106] Clause 20. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the left side
skirt has a front edge facing the front side of the floor and a back edge
facing
the back side of the floor, the right side skirt has a front edge facing the
front
side of the floor and a back edge facing the back side of the floor, the left
side
skirt is angled relative to the floor so that the front edge of the left side
skirt is
closer to the right side of the floor than the back edge of the left side
skirt, and
the right side skirt is angled relative to the floor so that the front edge of
the
right side skirt is closer to the left side of the floor than the back edge of
the
right side skirt.
[00107] Clause 21. The trailer any other clause, wherein each of the left
side skirt and the right side skirt each include a plurality of side skirt
panels,
the plurality of side skirt panels of the left side skirt extend downwardly
from
and are spaced apart from one another along the left side of the floor
CA 02902607 2015-08-31
43634-241585/WNC2014-19
- 27 -
between the left landing gear skirt and the rear wheel assembly, and the
plurality of side skirt panels of the right side skirt extend downwardly from
and
are spaced apart from one another.
[00108] Clause 22. The trailer of any other clause, wherein the front
edge of the left side skirt is located between the front side of the floor and
a
back edge of the left landing gear skirt and the front edge of the right side
skirt
is located between the front side of the floor and the back edge of the right
landing gear skirt.
[00109] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail
in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as
exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only
illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all
changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are
desired to be protected.
