Abstract:
The subject invention is an air deflector for a motor vehicle that is adapted to be attached to the posterior portion of a roof structure of a motor vehicle, with some limited overhang over the vertical rear vehicle surface for purposes of directing the flow of air over the roof of a moving motor vehicle downwardly over such rear surface of the motor vehicle, said deflector comprising an air deflector member forming with the motor vehicle an air passage that is curved downwardly from the upper rear surface of the roof in order to deflect air movements from a horizontal flow pattern over the roof surface to a substantial vertical flow directed downwardly and adjacent to the posterior surface of the vehicle, such air deflector device having a concave lower surface adapted to fit conformingly over the rear portion of the roof and the upper portion of the rear surface of the vehicle, with specialized attachment means affixed to such lower surface for attaching the air deflector to a portion of the motor vehicle without use of permanent attachment means to penetrate the body of the vehicle.

Description:
KNOWN PRIOR ART 
     The follow comprise patents that Applicant has found as relevant to the status of the prior art: 
     (A) U.S. Pat. No. 3,843,195 
     (B) U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,239 
     (C) U.S. Pat. No. 3,853,371 
     (D) U.S. Pat. No. 3,973,478 
     (E) U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,032 
     DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The subject invention relates to devices and processes used to deflect the aerodynamic flow of air over the upper surface of a motor vehicle while the vehicle is moving. Such deflectors are variously and differentially structured to accomplish one or more functions. Some air deflectors are structured and deployed to deflect air away from vehicle surfaces that directly blunt the air flow, such as substantially flat, vertical surfaces facing towards the vehicle&#39;s usual direction of movement. Such air deflectors are primarily equipped and structured to reduce the resultant drag effect on the movement of the vehicle and thereby improve gas mileage. 
     Other air deflectors are appropriately structured and positioned on a motor vehicle to deflect the air flow over the roof of a vehicle to help yield downward force components to keep the rear portion of the vehicle stabilized relative to the wheel contact with the roadway. 
     Still other functions are accomplished by air deflectors, one of which is to direct the flow of air over the upper surface of the roof of a moving vehicle and thence downwardly over the posterior vertical surface of the vehicle. Such deflectors are structured and positioned towards the rear roof portion of the vehicle to utilize air flowing over roof surfaces and thence downwardly over the rear vehicle surface whereby the resultant redirected air flow cleanses dust, dirt, and other material accumulation that obscures the view through windows on such rear surface. The rear portion of the vehicle particularly the relatively vertical, flat surface of such vehicle and rear window areas, tend to collect dirt, dust and it is difficult to keep such surface clean for viewing and other purposes. The subject invention is conceived for this latter purpose as an improvement on devices adapted for this purpose. 
     There are several air deflector devices conceived and structured for this purpose in the existing art that are adapted to be retrofitted over the rear roof portion of a vehicle, particularly the van-type structure. Such devices are adapted to be affixed in some manner to the upper rear surface of the vehicle having downward turned means just aft of the most posterior roof portions structured to receive the rearward flow of air to deflect the air downwardly. 
     In this regard there are several disadvantages to existing air deflectors used for the above stated purpose. One such disadvantage is that such devices are not generally structured as a universal fit to conform to the various roof structures of the different types of vans. Another disadvantage is that the existing air deflection structures are structured with attachment means that invade and damage the integrity of the vehicle. More specifically, most such air deflectors are affixed through insert means that are adapted to penetrate the vehicle&#39;s metallic roof or outer surface, which in turn damages the vehicle. There are numerous other disadvantages in existing air deflectors used for this described purpose. 
     By reason of these shortcomings and disadvantages, in the above stated art, the subject invention is conceived as a means to improve such air deflector structures, and the subject invention is conceived accordingly, with the following objects. 
     OBJECTS OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of the subject invention to provide an improved air deflector for a motor vehicle; 
     Another object of the subject invention is to provide an improved air deflector for helping to cleanse the posterior areas of motor vehicles; 
     A further object of the subject invention is to provide an improved air deflector for a van-type motor vehicle; or other types of motor vehicles, irrespective of the size, shape, functions of the vehicle. 
     Still another object of the subject invention is to provide an improved structure appended to the roof of a motor vehicle for deflecting air flow to the rear surface areas of the vehicle; 
     Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide an improved structure that provides multiple purpose air deflection as a motor vehicle moves forward; 
     It is also a purpose of the subject invention to provide an air deflector that can be appended to detachable cab-type installations used on the upper rear portions of a motor vehicle; 
     An object of the subject invention is to provide improved attachment means for air deflectors or other devices to be appended to the outer surface of a motor vehicle. 
     A further object is to provide a more efficient and effective means for air flow cleansing of the posterior areas of a motor vehicle; 
     Other and further objects of the subject invention will be apparent from a reading of the description taken in conjunction with the claims. 
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the subject invention demonstrating how the subject apparatus is appended to a motor vehicle; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, in cross section, of the preferred embodiment of the subject air deflector showing means thereon to affix the air deflector to a motor vehicle; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the subject invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view; in cross section, of the preferred embodiment of the subject invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the subject invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the back surface of the air deflector embodiment shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, in cross section, of the alternate embodiment of the subject invention shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a frontal elevation view of a third embodiment of the subject invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, in cross section, showing the locking mechanisms of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 as well as those embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4; 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the air deflect shown in FIG. 5, as attached to a motor vehicle; 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the embodiment showing FIG. 5 demonstrating how the air deflector is attached. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL EMBODIMENT AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The subject invention is an air deflector for a motor vehicle that is adapted to be attached to the posterior portion of a roof structure of a motor vehicle with some limited overhang over the rear vehicle surface for purposes of directing the flow of air that accumulates over the roof of a moving motor vehicle so as to move such air downwardly over rear surface of the motor vehicle, said deflector comprising an air deflector member forming with the motor vehicle an internal air passage that is curved downwardly towards the rear vehicle surface from the upper rear surface of the roof in order to deflect air movements from a horizontal flow pattern over the roof surface to a substantially vertical flow directed downwardly and adjacent to the posterior surface of the vehicle, such air deflector device having a concave lower surface adapted to fit conformingly over the rear portion of the roof and adjacent upper portion of the rear surface of the vehicle, with specialized attachment means affixed to such lower surface for attaching the air deflector to a portion of the motor vehicle without use of permanent attachment means to penetrate the body of the vehicle. 
     In further summary, the subject invention is an air deflector that is structured to channel air flow over a moving vehicle from a horizontal flow pattern moving over the upper surface of the vehicle roof to a substantially vertical downward movement over the rear surface of the vehicle. The primary purpose of the downward air flow is to help cleanse the rear vehicle surface, including the vehicle rear windows, so as to maintain a clear window view through such rear window. Applicant&#39;s concept includes non-invasive means to attach such air deflector device to the motor vehicle By using such non-invasive attachment means no portion of the body of the motor vehicle is damaged by penetration of conventional or permanent fastener means, such as screws. Correspondingly, detachment of the air deflector when necessary can be quickly and efficiently accomplished, leaving virtually no marks or damage to the vehicle. 
     As described above, the subject invention is adapted to be used primarily on van-type vehicles or utility vehicles. However, the subject invention is equally applicable to all types of vehicles, and can also be affixed to removable cab structures that are appended to the rear upper portion of truck-type vehicles. The inventive concepts described herein are also applicable to other than over-the-road vehicles, and may apply to some instances to aircraft and boats. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In describing the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the following description is of only a few specific and preferred embodiments of the subject invention and as a consequence, the following description shall not be considered as limiting the scope of the subject invention as set forth in the claims appended hereto. Moreover, the fact that the preferred embodiments as are discussed as being used primarily for van types of vehicles, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. 
     The structural concept of the subject invention centers on the use of the air flow over the roof of a moving motor vehicle to use such air flow to cleanse the rear surface portion of a motor vehicle, particularly the outer surface of the back panel of a van-type vehicle. Generally, the air deflector described herein directs such air flow to achieve an air-fluid circulation system directed downwardly over the outer surface of the back windows and back door panel of van-type or utility vehicle to keep such surface dust and dirt free. Moreover, the subject device is generally an air deflector apparatus designed and structured to be retrofitted to the roof of motor vehicles, and is further adapted to be easily affixed to the vehicle or removed without damage to the structural integrity of the vehicle. The air deflector apparatus herein comprises a longitudinally extending member that has a curved frontal under surface, as seen from a side elevational view; and such curved under-surface creates, when installed as stated below, a downwardly curved constricted air flow space between such under surface and the back corner portion of the motor vehicle so as to provide a means to continually air cleanse such surface while the vehicle is moving. In the preferred embodiment this constricted air flow space is open on the sides and is gradually reduced in size so as to funnel the resultant air flow into an increasingly confined area as the air flows backwardly and downwardly over the back surface of the motor vehicle. This latter feature causes the air flow to move at a more rapid speed and increased volume flow towards the end portions of the air flow space. 
     Specific attention is directed to the drawings in which a land-based motor vehicle  10  is shown. As seen in the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, motor vehicle  10  as shown incorporates the features of the subject invention, and as can be observed, motor vehicle  10  shown in part has the general features of a conventionally structured and styled van-type motor vehicle having a front section  20  and a posterior section  30 . Such motor vehicle may have any type of engine, not shown, so long as it is structured and adapted to be the primary motive power source for the motor vehicle  10 . Moreover, it is to be noted that the precise type, structure and pertinent features of the motor vehicle  10  may be varied without affecting the applicability of the subject invention. In this latter regard, it is to be understood that the concepts of the invention herein are provided as an auxiliary structure for the motor vehicle  10 . A comparison between the motor vehicle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 reveals similar vehicles each with appended air deflectors  150 . The respective air deflectors shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have similar constructional attributes for purposes of the inventions described herein, but with one shown in FIG. 2 having a longer front to back extent. Otherwise, the attributes of each of the deflectors shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are similar. 
     Moreover, motor vehicle  10  has a passenger section  50  disposed between the front section  20  and the rear section  30  of such motor vehicle. Rear section  30  of motor vehicle  10 , as in most vehicles, houses seating areas as well as a storage area  55  Additionally, motor vehicle  10  has a front axle  60  on which are mounted rotatable wheels such as left front wheel  70  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Motor vehicle  10  also has a rear axle  80  on which rotatable wheels, such as left rear wheel  90 . In some vehicles the front wheels are structured to be drive wheels while in others the rear wheels are adapted as the drive wheels. In others, both front and back wheels function as the drive wheels. However, the subject invention shall not be considered as being limited to a vehicle of the type specified above, and it is to be understood that the subject invention is equally applicable to other types of land-based vehicles of varying or differing structures. 
     Moreover, as seen in the drawings, vehicle  10  has a level upper roof surface  110  and a rear panel  120  which has an outer substantially vertical surface. As can be seen in the drawings, with particular attention being directed to FIGS. 1,  10  and  11 , the rear panel  120  has a door member  130  disposed in the panel member. This door member  130  can be hinged either on a side edge or an upper edge  160 , as seen in the drawings. The inventive concepts herein apply irrespective of whether the rear panel has a door therein or simply a window on the fixed or movable type. However, as to the vehicle  10  shown in the drawings, the door member  130  has a window  165  therein. This rear window member  165  shown in the drawings can be in some instances raised or lowered with such window having an upper edge  170  that is capable of moving up and down in the door frame. The significance of this latter aspect will be more fully discussed below. 
     The air deflector apparatus  150 , which incorporates features of the subject invention, is adapted to be fitted over the upper surface  1   10  of vehicle roof  10  in a conforming manner so as to maximize the utilization of the dynamic air flow over such upper surface of the roof. Air deflector member  150  functions as stated to divert the flow of air over the moving roof vehicle to permit passage of such air down to the immediate area of the outer surface of the back panel  120  of the vehicle  10 , as well as over rear window  165  structured in the door member  130  in such back panel. This flow of air is intended to be directed into the air flow passage  175  more fully described below. 
     In the preferred embodiment air deflector  150  is optimally affixed over the rear portion of the roof  110  of vehicle  10  in a position that is substantially adjacent to the upper edge of the rear panel door  130  as seen in FIGS. 1,  2  and  11 . In the vehicle shown in the drawings, the rear panel door  130  is represented as the type that can be raised upwardly from hinge members at the top of the door. When the air deflector  150  is installed as seen in the drawings, particularly over the back of roof  110  and partially over the back panel  120 , it forms a semi-closed constricted air flow space  175  between the air deflector and the adjacent outer vehicle surface over which the deflector is installed. This air flow space becomes gradually constricted as it extend rearwardly and downwardly and over the back panel  120  of the vehicle  10 . 
     Referring again to the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, as seen in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5 , the air deflector  150  is comprised preferably of plastic-based member and is an elongated member having a posterior upper outer surface  180  and a frontal lower frontal surface  190 . The respective upper surface  180  and lower surface  190  or air deflector extend from a common front or leading edge  200  to a common posterior edge portion  210 . Flanking the lateral portions of the upper surface  180  and lower surface  190  are side edges  220  and  240 , with such upper surface  180  and lower surface  190  extending the entire length of the air deflector from side edge  220  to side edge  240 . The longitudinal extent of the air delfector  150  from side edge  220  to side edge  240  has an longitudinal central axis A—A shown in the drawings. Moreover, in the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, as can be seen in FIG. 7, the lower surface  190  of the air deflector  150  is curved in a concave manner as viewed from the bottom or side thereof so that such lower surface  190  can be conformingly placed and positioned in a spaced away portion, over the downwardly curved rear corner portion of the vehicle at the extreme posterior part of roof  110 , as seen in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  10  and  11 . More particularly, as seen in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  7 ,  10 , and  11 , the lower surface  190  of air deflector  150  is slightly curved in a concave, manner while the upper surface  180  of the air deflector is generally convex in configuration as it extends from the front edge  200  rearwardly. The concave curvature of the lower surface  190  decreases at the portion thereof nearest to posterior edge  210 , so that the lower surface becomes substantially vertically disposed in a downward direction when affixed on the rear of vehicle  10  and by this disposition extends in a direction somewhat parallel to the rear panel  120  of vehicle  10 . This feature is seen in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  10  and  11 . 
     Alternatively stated, air deflector  150  has a curved lower surface  190  which can be conformingly positioned with some minimal spatial separation from the upper surface of vehicle roof  110  as well as having some minimal spatial separation from the upper portion of the back panel  120  of vehicle  10 . By virtue of the concave curvature formed into the lower surface  190  and the positioning of the air deflector over part of the back roof structures, as well as over the upper portion of the rear panel  120 , an air flow space  175  is formed between the lower surface  190  of air deflector  150  and the adjacent vehicle roof and panel surfaces. This constricted air flow space has an entrance point  250  just under the leading edge  200  of air deflector  150 , as installed, just above the adjacent upper roof surface  110 . This air flow space  175  thusly formed extends as seen in the drawings over the rear of roof  110  and immediately downward over the rear vehicle panel  120 . As stated, this air flow space is open near the side edges  220  and  240  of the air deflector  150 . The directional arrows shown in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  10  and  11  graphically demonstrate the air flow through this passageway, which as stated above in the preferred embodiment becomes increasingly smaller in distance between such lower surface and the roof and back panel surface as it extends from the air entrance point  250  to an exit point  255  adjacent the outer surface of the back panel  120 . 
     In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the lower surface  190  of the air deflector has two downwardly and outwardly protruding support members  270 A and  270 B. These protruding members  270 A and  270 B are spatially separated members that are preferably equally spaced in some symmetrical manner from the corresponding side edges  220  and  240  of air deflector  150 . The protruding members  270 A and  270 B each have a frontal surface  275 A and  275 B which is either flat or slightly rounded and a lower face  280 A and  280 B which is slightly rounded in a concave manner, but which can be flat. As seen in the cross-sectional side elevational configuration shown in FIG. 7, the frontal surface  275 A and  275 B and the mating lower surfaces  280 A and  280 B respectively are substantially perpendicular to one another with each lower surface blending into the lower surface  190  of the air deflector  150  as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. In this latter respect it is noted that the frontal face  275 A and  275 B on each protruding member may be relatively flat while the lower face  280 A and  280 B may be formed so as to not to blend in and lead into the lower surface  190  of the air deflector in an uninterrupted manner. In a primary embodiment of the subject invention, as seen in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  4 ,  7  and  11 , the lower face  280 A and  280 B of each of the protruding members  270 A and  270 B has a plate member  340 A and  340 B affixed thereon such plate member being affixed conformingly and flush against each lower face  280 A and  280 B. The plate members  340 A and  340 B may be metallic or other material and are integrally affixed to such lower face of each protruding member  270 A and  270 B. As seen in FIGS. 3,  4 ,  5  and  6  in the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the plate member  340 A and  340 B is formed with two longitudinally extending parallel strips,  350 A and  350 B preferably of metallic or a plastic based composition; however, other materials may be used in this regard, 
     The metallic strips  350 A and  350 B extend in a longitudinal direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A—A of the air deflector  150 . Further, as seen in the drawings, the parallel metallic strips  350 A and  350 B are spaced from one another a minimal distance, this particular spacing being intended to form a longitudinal spatial area  355 A and  355 B between such metallic strips to accommodate an electrical wire as more fully explained below. The outer surface of each metallic strip  350 A and  350 B is adapted to receive a corresponding shaped and sized longitudinal strip of double sided adhesive tape  360 A and  360 B. The tape affixed to the metal strips  350 A and  350 B is adapted to be adhered to the outer surface of the motor vehicle as a means of attaching the air deflector without damage to the vehicle, as more fully described below. 
     It is to be stressed at this point that the plate members  340 A and  340 B may be structured in another manner than that described above, and may be formed with a solid metal plate, without the parallel metallic strips described. Alternatively, the plate members may be formed as a continuous member or as a discontinuous member with or without intermittent spacing between its components. Moreover, the manner of adhering the plate members  340 A and  340 B may employ other than adhesive means to accomplish the noninvasive attachment of the air deflector  150  to the motor vehicle. In some embodiments an intermediate plate is positioned between the lower face  280 A and  280 B of the respective protruding members to hold the respective plate members  340 A and  340 B. 
     As stated, in order to affix the air deflector  150 , to the outer surface of the motor vehicle  10 , the lower surface of each of the protruding members  270 A and  270 B as indirectly or directly covered with adhesive coating or strips of adhesive tape  360 A and  360 B, which adhesive substance will adhere indirectly the lower face  280 A and  280 B of the vehicle and is easily detached when the air deflector  150  is to be romoved from the vehicle for any purpose. This adhesive arrangement avoids invading the body of the vehicle  10  with screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the air deflector to the vehicle without damage to the vehicle. In some embodiments each adhesive strip  360 A and  360 B has an outer peel off cover to be removed when the air deflector is to be installed. 
     In yet another embodiment of the subject invention, the respective lower faces of  280 A and  280 B of the protruding members  270 A and  270 B can be structured without an intermediate or other plate member affixed thereto, and adhesive or other material can be placed directly on such lower faces. Other structural formations can be used for the protruding members  270 A and  270 B so long as the protruding members function when directly or indirectly affixed to the outer surface of vehicle  10 , to hold the air deflector  150 , and specifically the lower surface  190  thereof in a spaced relationship away from the outer surface of the motor vehicle  10  so as to provide the air flow passage  175  between such surface of the air deflector and the adjacent surface portion of the motor vehicle  10 . This latter feature is shown in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  7   10 . Moreover, only one protruding member may be deployed on the undersurface  190  of the air deflector  150  for purposes of implementation of the subject invention, or alternatively more than two protruding members may be used on such undersurface in order to achieve the objects of the subject invention. 
     As stated alternatively, as can be observed from the drawings, integrally formed on the lower surface  190  of the air deflector  150  are two separate protruding members  270 A and  270 B, such protruding members being spaced apart on the lower surface  190  of the air deflector  150 . More specifically, these protruding members  270 A and  2708  are spaced apart from one another by an arbitrary distance and are formed as being approximately shaped, as rectangular members as seen from a frontal view seen in FIGS. 3,  4 ,  5  and  6 , while the side cross sectional view of each of the protruding members is shown as being substantially rectangular as seen in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  7   10 ,  11 . In some embodiments, the protruding members  270 A and  270 B may be shown as triangular in shape,from a side elevational view, as seen in FIG. 8, with the lower surface  280 A and  280 B of each protruding member leading and blending in with the lower surface  190  of the air deflector  150 , without interruption. Other shapes for the protruding members  270 A and  270 B may be used in this regard. 
     As described above, the basic fastening means to affix the air deflector  150  to the motor vehicle is the adhesive means affixed to the plate member. In an additional embodiment of the subject invention, as seen in FIGS. 5,  6  and  7 , the plate members  400 A and  400 B mounted to the lower face  280 A and  280 B of the protruding members  270 A and  270 B have a forward extension  410 A and  410 B that extends forward and beyond the forward edge  295 A and  295 B of each lower face member. More specifically, the plate members  400 A and  400 B in this embodiment are identical in configuration to the basic plate members  340 A and  340 B described before. The difference between plate attachment members  340 A and  3406  is that attachment plates  400 A and  400 B have upper sections  405 A and  405 B and upper sections  410 A and  410 B longer than plate members  340 A and  340 B. Moreover, all along the frontal edge  420 A and  420 B of each plate member on such respective frontal ends  420 A and  420 B there is a curved hook portion  430 A and  430 B curved downwardly then inwardly to form such hook portions, with spacing inside. In this embodiment, the attachment plates  400 A and  400 B are fixed non-pivotal members as seen in FIGS. 5,  6 ,  7  and the hook portion of each plate member is adapted to be affixed over the top edge  160  of the door  130  in panel  120  to provide additional means to affix the air deflector  150  to motor vehicle  10 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the subject invention as shown in FIGS. 11, the attachment plates  400 A and  400 B, as described above and as seen, are adapted with hinge means to permit rotation of the attachment plates about the lower face  280 A and  280 B of each protruding member  270 A and  270 B. More specifically, the attachment plates  500 A and  500 B comprising the preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 are identical to plate members  400 A and  400 B as shown in the figure except that the back, upper surface  505 A and  505 B of each such attachment plate  500 A and  500 B is affixed through hinge members  520 A and  520 B appended directly or indirectly to the lower face  280 A and  280 B of the respective protruding members  270 A and  270 B as seen. This hinge arrangement permits the plate members  500 A and  500 B to rotate to some degree about such hinge members  520 A and  520 B, such rotational movement being about a hinge axis that is parallel to the planes of the respective lower faces  280 A and  2806  of each protruding member  270 A and  270 B. In other words the plate members  500 A and  500 B can rotate a limited degree towards or away from the leading edge  200  of the air deflector in a plane of directional rotation perpendicular to such frontal edge, or perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis A—A of the air deflector  150 . 
     It is seen in FIGS. 8 and 11 of the drawings that the preferred location of the hinge members  520 A and  520 B is at or near the lower forward, low edge  285 A and  285 B of each lower face  280 A and  280 B. This arrangment will then permit the attachment plate to rotate to a limited degree about such forward edges  285 A and  285 B. 
     In certain embodiments the hinge members  520 A and  520 B are affixed to an intermediate plate  540 A and  540 B attached flush to the lower face  280 A and  280 B on each protruding member  270 A and  270 B. Other positions may be used for the hinge members,  520 A and  520 B on the lower faces  280 A and  280 B, however the frontal edge  285 A and  285 B of the lower face  280 A and  280 B is the only practical location to permit free rotation of the plate members  500 A and  500 B. In this embodiment the forwardly placed hook portions  550 A and  550 B of attachment plate members  500 A and  500 B are identical to the hook portions on attachment plate members  400 A and  400 B as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11. These hooked portions  550 A and  550 B are adapted to be placed over the upper edge  160  of door member  130  in vehicle  10 , just as in the situation with plate members  400 A and  400 B described above, for purposes of providing additional means to secure the air deflector to the vehicle  10 . 
     Stated alternately and more particularly, in the latter described embodiment, the outer upper edges  530 A and  530 B of the attachment plate members  500 A and  500 B portion are curved outwardly away from the lower  280 A and  280 B face of the protruding member  270 A and  270 B and thence curved down in a hook-like manner in a substantially parallel position to the front face  570 A and  570 B of the plate member  500 A and  500 B thereby forming longitudinally extending hooked portions  550 A and  550 B all along the longitudinal upper edge  580 A and  580 B of such fastening plate member as graphically represented in FIG. 6,  8  and  11 . In this particular embodiment, each hooked portion  550 A and  550 B is structured to hook around the upper edge of the rear door  130  affixed in the rear panel  120  of the vehicle as described above. The hooked portions  550 A and  550 B are placed over the upper edge of the rear door when opened with the adhesive coating of the plate members  500 A and  500 B facing towards the upper outer surface of the door  130  on panel  120  as to avoid any damage to the surface of the door. The door  130  is then closed with the hooked portion in place with the adhesive outer surface of the plate members  500 A and  500 B adhered to the adjacent outer surface of the vehicle  10 . 
     Once the fastening plates  500 A and  500 B are hooked above the door edge and the door  130  is closed, each fastening plate pivots in a closing manner towards the lower faces  280 A and  280 B of the respective protruding members and the fastening plates, each with its adhesive surface will rest and set flush against the outer surface of the rear panel  120  as well as again the respective lower face of the protruding member. This mechanical action will in turn draw the air deflector  150  towards the vehicle surface for proper positioning. FIG. 8 shows schematically by the directional arrow how the fastening plates  500 A and  500 B will pivotal move downwardly towards the outer surface of the panel  120  to eventually adhere flush against a portion of the back panel  120  of vehicle  10 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 10 of the drawing, in yet another embodiment of the subject invention, additional or secondary locking members  600 A and  600 B are affixed on the lower surface  190  of the air deflector  150 , and preferably, positioned at the same level as the attachment plates  500 A and  500 B and spaced away a minimal distance from such attachment plates  500 A and  500 B, as seen in such drawing. More particularly, as seen, the secondary locking members  600 A and  600 B are positioned and other wise affixed on the lower surface of  190  of the air deflector  150  preferably at approximately the same level as the attachment plates  500 A and  500 B and between such attachment plates. However, these secondary locking members  600 A and  600 B may be positioned on other portions or areas of the lower surface of the air deflector  150 . Additionally, only one or more than two of the said secondary locking members  600 A and  600 B may be used as secondary locking members. In the preferred embodiment, each of the secondary locking members  600 A and  600 B is positioned at approximately the same level as attachment plates  500 A and  500 B on the lower surface. 
     More specifically, each of the secondary locking members  600 A and  600 B are double acting, that is with double pivot points. As seen in FIG. 8, each secondary locking member has a secondary base plate  610 A and  610 B affixed to the lower surface  190  of the air deflector  150 , each such secondary base plate member having an outer face  640 A and  640 B. As seen, each secondary base plate member  610 A and  610 B has a hinge  670 A and  670 B preferably on the lower end of the outer face  640 A and  640 B, which hinge is aligned parallel to the lower surface  190  of the air deflector and parallel to the longitudinal central axis A—A of the air deflector  150 . As seen from the drawings, each hinge member  670 A and  670 B is connected to a first pivotable arm member  690 A and  690 B on each said locking member  600 A and  600 B, and which first arm member is pivotable outwardly from the outer face  640 A and  640 B of the secondary base plate member  610 A and  610 B, as seen. 
     The upper portion of each of the first pivotable arm members  690 A and  690 B is affixed to a second hinge member  700 A and  700 B, which is in turn, pivotably mounted to a second pivotable arm member  720 A and  720 B. Each second pivotable arm member  720 A and  720 B has a hooked portion  730 A and  730 B in the upper outer part thereof which is adapted to engage against the upper edge of the rear retractable window  165  in door  130  in the back panel  120  of the vehicle  10 . This provides additional locking means for air deflector  150  and with such double acting pivotable features provides flexible adaptation of the air deflector when installing, or removing, and further flexibility when the rear door is opened or closed, or the rear window raised or lowered