Abstract:
An aerodynamic reducer for a trailer comprising one or more sheet members which are secured to the lower ends of at least some of the cross-members positioned beneath the floor of the trailer. The sheet members enclose the space between at least some of the cross-members.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to an aerodynamic drag reducer for a trailer and more particularly to an aerodynamic drag reducer for a trailer which is secured to some of the floor supporting cross-members thereof to enclose the cross-members to prevent the air flow of cross-winds from entering the space between the cross-members, 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    A vast majority of trailers have right and left lower side rails which extend longitudinally along the lower sides of the trailer. A plurality of cross-members are secured to the lower side rails and extend therebetween to strengthen the trailer and to provide a support structure for the floor of the trailer. 
         [0005]    As the trailer is being pulled by a tractor or truck, the trailer is often subjected to cross-winds. As the air flow from a cross-wind passes beneath the side of the trailer, the air flow swirls and moves upwardly between the cross-members thereby creating air turbulence and aerodynamic drag on the trailer which adversely affects the fuel mileage of the tractor or truck. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0007]    An aerodynamic drag reducer is provided for a trailer which has a generally horizontally disposed floor, having upper and lower sides, and which has a forward end, a rearward end, a first side and a second side. The floor of the trailer is supported upon a plurality of transversely extending and horizontally spaced-apart cross-members which are positioned below the floor with the cross-members having upper and lower ends. 
         [0008]    A flat sheet member is secured to the lower ends of at least some of the cross-members and which extends therebetween to enclose the cross-members. When the trailer experiences a cross-wind, the air passing beneath the sides of the trailer is prevented from swirling upwardly into the spaces between the cross-members thereby preventing air turbulence therebetween which would otherwise create an aerodynamic drag upon the trailer thereby adversely affecting the fuel mileage of the tractor or truck pulling the trailer. 
         [0009]    A principal object of the invention is to provide an improved aerodynamic drag reducer for a trailer. 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide an aerodynamic drag reducer for a trailer which encloses some of the cross-members of the trailer which support the floor of the trailer. 
         [0011]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a conventional semi-trailer having the drag reducer of this invention mounted there on which is shown in broken lines; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a partial side elevational view which illustrates cross-members of the trailer and the drag reducer of this invention illustrated in broken lines; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating the manner in which the drag reducer of this invention is secured to the lower ends of the cross-members of the trailer; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a partial sectional view illustrating the manner in which the aerodynamic drag reducer of this invention is secured to the lower ends of the cross-members; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a partial sectional view illustrating the drag reducer of this invention secured to one form of the cross-members; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 5  except that the cross-members are shown to be I-beams. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0020]    The numeral  10  refers to a conventional trailer which is designed to be pulled by a tractor or truck  12 . Trailer  10  will be described as having a forward end  14 , a rearward end  16 , a left side  18  and a right side  20 . Most trailers  10  have, a left lower side rail  22  and a right lower side rail  24  which have the lower ends of side walls  20  and  28  secured thereto in conventional fashion. A plurality of transversely extending cross-members  30  or  32  are secured to and extend between the lower side rails  18  and  20  and have a floor  34  supported thereon.  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  illustrate that the cross-members  30  are of I-beam configuration.  FIG. 5  illustrates that the cross-members  32  are channel-shaped. The I-beam cross-members include a flange  30 A, a lower flange  308  and a web  30 C extending therebetween. Cross-members  32  include a lower base portion  32 A with legs  32 B and  32 C extending upwardly therefrom. 
         [0021]    As the trailer experiences a cross-wind, the air flow from the cross-wind impinges upon the side walls and passed therebelow. As the air flow from the cross-wind passes below the windward lower side rail, the air flow becomes turbulent and passes upwardly between the cross-members thereby creating an aerodynamic drag on the trailer which decreases the fuel mileage of the tractor  12 . It is for that reason that the instant invention is provided. 
         [0022]    The aerodynamic drag reducer of this invention is referred to generally by the reference number  36  and is comprised of one or more flat sheet members which are secured to the lower ends of at least some of the cross-members  30  or  32  to prevent the air flow of the cross-wind from swirling upwardly between the cross-members thereby reducing the aerodynamic drag on the trailer. The sheet members  36  may be fabricated from metal or plastic. 
         [0023]    Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
         [0024]    Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.