Patent ID: 8444210
Filing Date: 2013-05-21
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A drag reducing apparatus for a vehicle rear end, comprising: a first lobe and a second lobe wherein said lobes are inflatable; each said lobe including a top portion and a leg portion wherein said top portion is integral with said leg portion; said top portion and said leg portion intersect at a joint and form a generally right angle therebetween; each said lobe includes a mounting surface proximal to the vehicle rear end; each said lobe having a deflated non-deployed position and an inflated deployed position relative to the vehicle rear end; each said lobe includes a profile having a cross sectional three sided shape; each said leg portion of each said lobe extending along a majority of a height of the vehicle rear end and each said top portion of each said lobe extending along generally half the width of the vehicle rear end; said profile includes an aft edge along each said lobe wherein said aft edge extends from about 20 inches to about 46 inches rearward from the vehicle rear end; wherein said first lobe is mounted to a first mounting frame and said second lobe is mounted to a second mounting frame; and, said first mounting frame and said second mounting frame hingedly retained to opposing sides of the vehicle rear end.