Patent ID: 9522706
Filing Date: 2016-12-20
CPC Classification: B62D

Claim Text:
1. An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus adapted to mount to a rear end of a vehicle, the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus further adapted to move between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus comprising: an interconnected panel arrangement including a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, and a plurality of interconnections between the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel, wherein the first panel is rotatably connected to the rear end of the vehicle, wherein the third panel is rotatably connected to the rear end of the vehicle, and wherein movement of the interconnected panel arrangement between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration is coordinated by the plurality of interconnections; an actuator arrangement including a first actuator corresponding to the first panel and a second actuator corresponding to the third panel, wherein the first actuator is rotatably connected to the first panel and the second actuator is rotatably connected to the third panel; and an actuator coordination arrangement adapted to coordinate movement of the first actuator and the second actuator at least during a portion of when the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is moved from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration; wherein the first actuator is a first linear actuator and the second actuator is a second linear actuator; and wherein the first linear actuator is a first gas spring and the second linear actuator is a second gas spring.