Abstract:
A detachable side fairing for a vehicle in one form comprises a panel body that can include steps. An access opening is defined by the panel body and is opened and closed by a door, such as the riser of a step, to allow access to the rear of the panel. A latch actuator can be accessed through the access opening for use in operating a latch to allow movement of the panel body away from the vehicle. The latch actuator can comprise first and second actuators comprising respective first and second elongated handles that each actuates an associated latch to release the panel body. The handles can be configured to prevent closing of the door when the actuators have not been moved to a position that completes the latching of the panel body to the vehicle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/859,734, filed Nov. 17, 2006, entitled, “Selectively Removable Side Faring For A Vehicle”, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The disclosure relates to side panels or fairings for vehicles and in particular toward selectively removable or detachable side fairings. 
   OVERVIEW OF AN ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT 
   Detachable side fairings are desirable so as to permit selective access to areas behind the panel or fairing. For example, in large vehicles such as semi-trucks, the batteries of the vehicle may be positioned forwardly, such as near the driver&#39;s side of the vehicle outside of vehicle frame rails and directly underneath the driver&#39;s door. By positioning the batteries at such a location, the batteries are closer in proximity to the starter and engine of the vehicle, thereby providing a cost savings for the vehicle electrical system. 
   Because batteries require frequent inspection and occasional maintenance and replacement, trucks and other vehicles with side fairings or panels would benefit from the removable side fairing panel that allows quick and easy access to the battery compartment. Alternatively, such removable side panels can provide quick and easy access to a toolbox, or other type of compartment or accessory, regardless of whether batteries are present near the removable panel. 
   In accordance with one aspect of an embodiment, plural latches, such as two latches, secure the panel and are operated by respective handles that can be accessed through a door located, for example, near the top of the removable panel. The door may comprise a kick plate or riser portion of a step of a plural step panel. The kick plate may be pivotally mounted to the panel so that it can be folded to an open position, for example downwardly, to provide access to the latch actuating handles. In addition, in constructions where batteries are located behind the removable panel, pivoting of the kick plate to an open position can provide access to the batteries for inspection without requiring the removal of the panel to provide more complete access. 
   As another aspect of the embodiment, to remove the panel, the operator opens the access door and then grips the latch actuating handles. The handles can then be moved, such as pulled toward the operator, to unlatch the latches. Once unlatched, the panel for example, can be pivoted, such as toward the operator. The panel can be rotated to a position which allows the panel to be removed from panel supports. The handles used to unlatch the panel can be provided with a locking mechanism that secures the handles in place so that the handles can also be located for use to carry the panel following its removal. In contrast, to reinstall or reattach the removable side fairing to the vehicle, an operator can carry the panel by the handles and align panel pivot mechanisms, such as lower bushings with respective vehicle mounted holders or panel supports. The bushings can be inserted into the holders and the panel can be pivoted toward a closed position. 
   In one specific approach, the handles latch the latches by movement of the handles in the inboard direction after the panel has been shifted to a closed position. Thereafter, the operator can again close the access door or kick plate. To provide a warning to the operator, the handles can be configured to interfere with closing the access door or kick plate in the event the handles are not returned to the fully latched position. Also, if the access door is open, the operator does not have easy access to a step or a tread plate thereon, thereby warning the operator by hindering ingress into the cab. 
   In desirable embodiments, the latches can operate as over-center latches. In one specific embodiment, the handles are coupled to a loop that, when latched, connects to a loop catcher that is attached to a chassis mounting bracket. In this embodiment, the handle and loop pivot in such a way as to increase the latching force on the loop catcher until the handle reaches a certain point. Further rotation of the handle causes the force to reduce on the loop catcher. The handles and loops are prevented from turning too far, such as by stops, so that latching is maintained. The loop or loop support can be biased so it is forced or urged toward the latched position. Again, desirably two such handles are provided. 
   In a more specific exemplary approach for locking handles in a locked position for use in carrying a panel that has been detached from the chassis, a respective keeper mechanism for each handle activated latching mechanism can be utilized. The keeper mechanism can be spring biased and designed to interlock with the handle when the handle is in the unlatched position and the panel is in the open position. When the panel is closed, a mechanism, such as a pin or tab, on a chassis mounting bracket, urges the keeper away from the handle, such as rotating the keeper away from the handle, allowing the handle to pivot freely under such conditions. Again, desirably two such handles and keeper mechanisms are provided. 
   Lower bushings on the panel desirably fit snugly into corresponding receptacles on mounting brackets. These mounting brackets can include openings shaped to guide the respective bushings into their final positions. In one specific embodiment, an elastomeric bumper, such as a rubber bumper, is used to apply a force between each mounting bracket and a corresponding respective support bracket on the removable side fairing. This force assists in the operation of an over-center latch. 
   Although not essential, it is desirable to provide a removable side fairing that can be latched and unlatched without requiring the use of tools. In addition, for side fairings positioned beneath a driver&#39;s door, the side fairing can incorporate steps to facilitate access to the cab of the vehicle. 
   A mechanism, such as a detachable cable, can also be used to hold the fairing at a defined angle after unlatching the panel to permit a defined access for the panel while the panel is still attached to the vehicle. Such a mechanism would keep the panel from falling to an entirely open position when the handles are operated or, in the alternative, assist in securing the panel to the truck in the unlikely event the latches unlatch while the vehicle is traveling along the highway. 
   As another aspect of an embodiment, the detachable fairing or panel can accommodate a lock, such as a padlock, to prevent removal of the panel by unauthorized users. 
   The disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. In addition, the disclosure is directed toward all novel and non-obvious elements and method acts described herein, both alone and in combinations and sub-combinations with one another. There is no requirement that the disclosure satisfy all or specific problems of known designs nor that an embodiment address all of the advantages disclosed herein. It should also be noted that, in this description, the term “include” or “including” has the same broad meaning as “comprise” and “comprising”, respectively. Also, the terms “a” and “an” encompasses singular as well as plural unless expressly excluded. Thus, the presence of plural elements or features means that there is a or one of such features also present. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of a semi-truck with an exemplary detachable side fairing shown in a partially open position. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a side fairing having a kick plate pivoted to an open position to provide access to latch actuating handles provided behind the kick plate. 
       FIG. 2A  is a schematic illustration of the operation of an embodiment of a latching mechanism. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view, taken from behind the detachable panel and showing first and second exemplary latching mechanisms in a first position in solid lines and in a second position in dashed lines. 
       FIG. 3A  is similar to  FIG. 3  but with the latching mechanism shown in a second position. 
       FIG. 3B  is an enlarged view of a portion of one of the exemplary latching mechanisms. 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a portion of the  FIG. 3  embodiment. 
       FIG. 4A  is an enlarged view of a portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is yet another view of a portion of an exemplary latching mechanism. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary panel support and panel coupling bushing. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a portion of a latching mechanism with a padlock shown in place to prevent unauthorized removal of the panel. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a truck  10  is illustrated with a driver&#39;s side door  12  (in American style vehicles). The illustrated truck comprises a detachable side fairing or panel  20  that is selectively detachable as explained below. The truck can also comprises a non-detachable fairing  24  rearwardly of the detachable fairing. In the  FIG. 1  embodiment, the detachable fairing  20  is positioned beneath the driver&#39;s door  12  and rearwardly of the front vehicle wheel  26 . A compartment  28  is provided behind the detachable fairing  20 , as indicated by the number  30  in this example. Batteries  32  are shown in this particular compartment. Thus, access to the batteries is provided by selectively detaching the detachable panel  20 . The illustrated panel  20  also comprises steps  34 , 36  to provide or facilitate ingress and egress into and out of the cab of the vehicle through the driver&#39;s door  12 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 2 , the illustrated detachable panel  20  can have a kick plate  40  that comprises a riser extending upwardly from the step  36 . Kick plate  40  is movable from a first closed position shown in  FIG. 1  to a second open position shown in  FIG. 2 . In this example, kick plate  40  is pivotally coupled to the fairing  20  so that it can be pivoted from closed to open positions. First and second mounting brackets  50 , 52  are shown in  FIG. 2 . These mounting brackets are coupled to an associated frame rail of the vehicle along the driver&#39;s side of the vehicle in this example. The term “coupled” in this description includes both direct mounting and indirect mounting through one or more other components. Although not shown in  FIG. 2 , the supports  50 , 52  extend outwardly from the associated frame rail toward the detachable fairing or panel and have supports coupled thereto for carrying or supporting the panel when the panel is attached to the vehicle. Desirably, these supports allow the panel to be pivoted between closed (attached) and opened (for removal) positions. As can be see in  FIG. 2 , when the kick plate  40  is in the open position, first and second latch actuating handles  60 , 62  (which can be of other shapes and configurations than those shown in  FIG. 2 ), are readily accessible through the opening previously covered by the kick plate. Also, a handhold opening  64 , or recess, can be provided in the face of the panel for grasping by an operator to assist in carrying or supporting the panel, for example, when it is installed. 
   A schematic illustration of an exemplary latching mechanism is shown in  FIG. 2A . More specifically, in  FIG. 2A-1 , the panel  20  is shown in a detached position. When in this position, a keeper  70 , pivoted by pivot  72  to the panel structure, has a keeper receiver, such as a slot  74 , positioned to receive a handle locking mechanism, such as a pin  76 , coupled to a lower end portion  78  of the handle  62 . The handle is pivoted at  80  to the panel structure. When in this position, a latch mechanism, such as a loop  90 , pivoted to the panel structure at  92  and more specifically to the handle, is held by the handle in the position shown. A keeper disengaging mechanism, such as a disengaging pin  96 , is shown carried by a bracket  98  coupled to the frame mounting bracket  52 . A latch receiving catch  100  is also coupled to the bracket  98 . In  FIG. 2A-1 , the panel is shown being pivoted in the direction of an arrow  104  toward a closed position. When in this position, lower pivots on the panel, such as bushings, can be received in a pivot support included in bracket  98  or the frame bracket  52 . With reference to  FIGS. 2A-2 , as the panel  20  is shifted toward a closed position, pin  96  engages the keeper  70  so as to pivot the keeper  70  and free the pin  76  from pin receiving slot  74  so that the handle is free to pivot or rotate. When the handle is rotated in the direction of arrow  110  (about pivot  80 ), the loop  90  is positioned above the loop catcher  100 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 2A-3 , the loop  90  is shown dropped onto the catcher  100  but without latching force being applied to the loop. When the handle is in the position shown in  FIG. 2A-3 , handle  62  prevents the kick plate  40  from being pivoted to a closed position. 
   With reference to  FIG. 2A-4 , further rotation of handle  62  in the direction of arrow  110  results in an over center holding force being applied to the loop to latch the loop onto the catcher. In addition, the handle  62  is now clear of the kick plate  40  so that the kick plate  40  can be shifted to its closed position. 
   In the description that follows, the components of the latching mechanism associated with handle  60  are given the same number as the corresponding components associated with handle  62 , but with the addition of the letter “A”. In addition, although components of the embodiments shown in the remaining figures have different configurations than those shown in the schematic illustration of  FIG. 2A , components associated with the handle  62  in these remaining figures have been given the same number as the corresponding components in  FIG. 2A . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a biasing spring  120  is provided to bias the handle to its latched position. Also, an elastomeric stop  124  carried by the bracket  98  bears against a portion of a panel carried support  130 . The stop  124  is compressed and provides a force urging the panel toward an open position when the handle is shifted to its over-center latching state. The support  130  carries the handle  62 , loop  90 , biasing spring  120  and a loop actuating portion  132  of the handle that lifts the loop off of the catcher  100  when the handle is moved from its latched to unlatched positions. A bushing  140  of a circular cross-section in this example is carried by a lower end portion of the panel bracket  130 . A bushing receiving receptacle along a lower end portion of bracket  98  has a channel or opening that is shaped and configured to receive the bushing  140 . End portion  150  may be generally hook shaped with an upwardly facing opening for receiving the bushing as the bushing is inserted into the bushing support. This connection allows the panel to pivot relative to the support  98  on the bushing  140  and relative to support  98 A on a corresponding bushing  140 A positioned within a bushing receptacle  150 A. 
     FIG. 3A  shows the handles  60 , 62  shifted to a position just prior to the lifting of latch members, in the example loops  90 , 90 A from the associated loop catchers  100 , 100 A. The components in  FIG. 3A  have been assigned the same numbers as the components in  FIG. 3 . For clarity, the frame mounting brackets  50  and  52  are not shown in  FIG. 3A . In addition, the kicker plate  40  has been omitted in this figure as well. 
     FIG. 3B  is an enlarged view of a portion of the exemplary latching mechanism with components numbered as previously discussed and shown in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 3B , the keeper pin  74  is shown dislodged from the keeper pin receiving slot  76  as the handle is being rotated in the direction of arrow  160  toward an unlatched position. Continued rotation of the handle in this direction eventually allows keeper pin  74  to be received in slot  76  to latch the handles in the open position where the handles (handle  62  being shown in this figure) can be used to carry the panel. Assume the panel is being shifted or carried back to the vehicle. Following reception of the bushings  140 , 140 A in the receiving openings  150 , 150 A ( FIG. 3 ) and pivoting of the panel toward a closed position, a first keeper pin dislodger  96  engages a surface  174  of the keeper. Member  96  urges the keeper away from the keeper pin in the direction of arrow  154  so that the keeper pin is withdrawn from the keeper pin slot and movement of the handles  60 , 62  to a latching position is permitted. A keeper stop  170  limits the motion of the keeper in the direction opposite to arrow  154 . The keeper pin dislodger  96  can have an end portion  172  shaped for reception in a recess  174  formed in a dislodge engaging surface of the keeper to assist in positive engagement of the keeper by the keeper pin dislodger when the panel is being pivoted or shifted to a closed position. It should be noted that the latching mechanism which allows the handles to be used as latch carriers, is a desirably, but optional, feature of the technology. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates the latching loop  90  in a first position (partially shown in solid lines corresponding to a latched position) and in a second position (shown in dashed lines) wherein the loop  90  is ready to be lifted from the catcher  100  in response to continued movement of the handle  62  toward an unlatched position. The handle  62  is coupled to an arm member  180  pivotal about pivot  80 . The illustrated arm member  180  is of an angled configuration and carries a latching loop engager  200  at a first end portion  202  of the arm. The opposite end portion  204  of the arm member carries the pivot  92  about which one end portion  210  of the loop is pivoted to the arm member  180 . A spring  120  biases the arm member to the position shown in solid lines in  FIG. 4 . The assembly also comprises an arm member  180 ′ and a cross portion  214  interconnecting the arm members  180 ,  180 ′. Thus, in the illustrated construction, the latch actuator comprises a bifurcated actuator mechanism comprising first and second arm portions  180 , 180 ′ interconnected by cross portion  214  in a generally U-shape construction. As the arm member  180  is pivoted toward the unlatched position, loop engager  200  shifts upwardly in  FIG. 4  and into a position engaging the underside of the loop  90 . Continued movement of the arm  62  toward the open position results in the loop being lifted clear of the loop catcher  100 . As can also be seen in  FIG. 4 , an additional reinforcement, for example tubular reinforcement  220 , coupled to the vehicle, can be provided adjacent to the support  98 . A bracket  222  can be coupled to reinforcement  220  and to the bracket  98  to provide additional support for the vehicle mounted portions of the panel carrying structure. A similar reinforcement  220 A (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) can also be provided for the support  98 A. Alternatively, the panel carrying structure can be otherwise mounted to the vehicle, such as to the vehicle fuel tank. 
     FIG. 4A  is similar to  FIG. 4  except that only one position of the latching mechanism is shown. The position illustrated in  FIG. 4  is such that further movement of the handle  62  in the direction of arrow  240  will cause loop engager  200  to lift the loop  90  free of the loop catcher  100 . In  FIG. 4A , mounting brackets  246 , 248  coupled to the respective lower and upper end portions of the tubular reinforcement  220  are shown in this figure and are adapted for coupling to the frame of the vehicle. 
     FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown in  FIG. 4A  with components numbered as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . In  FIG. 5 , an upper longitudinally extending panel reinforcement  280  is shown as well as couplings thereto. A lower reinforcement can be provided along the lower portion of the panel, such as indicated at  282  in  FIG. 4A . 
     FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary lower panel receiving mechanism which, in the illustrated embodiment, permits pivoting of the panel (the upper portion of the panel) away from the vehicle when the latching mechanism is unlatched. As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , in the exemplary embodiment the panel receiving portion of support  98  comprises an upwardly opening panel pivot receiving slot  290  having a first arcuate guiding surface  292  adapted to receive and engage the panel bushing  140  of the illustrated embodiment to assist in moving the panel bushing toward the base  294  of the slot  290 . The distal end of the portion of support  98  defining the receiving channel  290  desirably in this example extends toward the surface  292  to form a hook portion that assists in capturing the bushing  140  within opening  290  while still permitting pivoting of the panel when the latch mechanism is unlatched. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary lock, in this case a padlock  300 , that is shown locked to a flange  302  of support  98  with the flange  302  carrying the catcher  100 . More specifically, the loop  90  is shown extending through a U-shaped portion  304  of lock  300  with the U-shaped portion  304  also extending through an opening through flange  302 . As a result, even if the mechanism is unlatched, the lock  300  prevents the loop  90  from being lifted clear of the loop catcher  100  to thereby minimize the risk of unauthorized removal of the detachable panel. 
   Having illustrated and described the principles of our invention with reference to a number of embodiments, it should be apparent that this invention may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the inventive principles set forth herein. All such modifications are within the scope of this disclosure and the invention.