Patent Publication Number: US-2016236727-A1

Title: Aerodynamic Drag Reducing Device for Pickup Trucks

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/942,784, filed 2014 Feb. 21 by the present inventor. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to aerodynamic drag reducing devices for pickup trucks. More particularly, this invention relates to an aerodynamic drag reducing device which is affixed to the rearward surface of the pickup truck cab. The aerodynamic drag reducing device is three faceted with a left and right side panel connected to a main upper panel. The three faceted aerodynamic device is mounted to the truck cab generally along the upper edge perimeter and the opposed left and right side edge perimeters of the rear window of the truck cab. Known prior art most relevant to this invention can be found in U.S. Patent Class 296 subclass 180.1 and 37.6. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     For several years cover systems of various forms have been developed to cover the open beds of pickup trucks. In more recent years, low profile covers systems (tonneau covers) to cover the open bed of a pickup truck have been developed. Utilization of a tonneau cover type bed cover assembly has been shown to improve the fuel efficiency of the truck upon which it is mounted. 
     However, for purposes of further reducing the aerodynamic drag of a pickup truck to improve fuel efficiency, a new aerodynamic drag reducing device has been developed to be utilized in conjunction with a tonneau cover. The new device is to be affixed upon the rear facing surface of the pickup truck cab along the upper and opposed side edges of the rear window of the cab. This new drag reducing device also affords shade from the sun for the rear window of the cab and offers protection from snow and ice buildup upon the rear window in inclement weather. 
     Both U.S. Pat. No. Des. 286,143 to James Lund (1986) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,229 to David M. Lund (2000), show pickup truck cab fairings affixed to the cab and cargo bed of a pickup truck. In U.S. Pat. No. Des. 286,143, Lund states, “The ornamental design for an air spoiler for pickup trucks, as shown and described.” The description generally shows an air spoiler with two opposed sides and a top middle section mounted upon the top surface of the forward side walls of the truck bed adjacent to the aft facing surface of the truck cab. The air spoiler is not attached to the rear facing surface of the cab but instead sets upon and is attached to the top surface of the opposed sides of the truck bed at the forward end of the truck bed nearest the truck cab. 
     The new aerodynamic drag reducing device for pickup trucks is to meant to be affixed to the rearward facing surface of the pickup truck cab that contains the rear window. This new device does not set upon or is connected to the truck bed. U.S. Pat. No. DES. 286,143 makes no claim as to any effect the ornamental design for an air spoiler may have on reducing the aerodynamic drag of the pickup truck it is affixed to. 
     A pickup truck with the new aerodynamic device mounted to the aft surface of the truck cab benefits from a reduction in aerodynamic drag thereby increasing the fuel efficiency of the pickup truck. The new aerodynamic device is most effective in reducing aerodynamic drag when utilized in conjunction with a flat tonneau cover mounted over the open bed of a pickup truck. In another embodiment of the invention, the new aerodynamic device can be used on a pickup truck with an open truck bed but the reduction in aerodynamic drag is diminished when used without a tonneau cover covering the bed due to the aerodynamic drag of the open bed. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,229 Lund states, “A cab fairing for attachment to a pickup truck cab is provided. The cab fairing includes a left side panel, a right side panel, and a wing panel. The left and right side panels include a forward region having a forward edge for adhesive attachment to a pickup truck sidewalls provided beyond the pickup truck driver and passenger doors. The left and right side panels can additionally be adhesively attached to the pickup truck roof. The wing panel includes a forward region having a forward edge for adhesive attachment to the roof of the pickup truck cab.” 
     In every embodiment of the new aerodynamic drag reducing device, the device is affixed to the rearward facing surface of the truck cab only. Additionally, the new aerodynamic device is mechanically fastened to the rearward facing surface of the truck cab. The new aerodynamic device is affixed to the truck cab along the outer left and right side and upper perimeter of the rear window of the truck cab not along the forward sides and roof of the truck cab itself. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention, an improved aerodynamic drag reducing device for pickup trucks, which is affixed to the rear exterior surface of the pickup truck cab generally mounted upon the cab rear along the top and two side outer perimeter edges of the rear window of the cab. The new aerodynamic drag reducing device reduces the aerodynamic drag of the pickup truck upon which it is mounted by reducing the low pressure region which forms behind the truck cab while the truck is in motion through the air thereby improving the fuel efficiency of the pickup truck. The new aerodynamic drag reducing device also shades the rear window of the cab from sunlight and protects the rear window from the buildup of frozen precipitation such as snow and ice. 
     Accordingly several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide an improved aerodynamic drag reducing device to increase the fuel efficiency of a pickup truck and to provide protection for the rear window from the heat of sunlight and frozen precipitation. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a study of the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following drawings, which form part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numbers have been employed throughout where possible to indicate like parts in various views: 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmentary perspective view with the aerodynamic drag reducing device mounted to the rear facing surface of a conventional truck cab. The truck bed is shown open, without coverage. 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary right side view with the aerodynamic drag reducing device shown mounted to the rear facing surface of a conventional pickup truck cab. No cover is present over the truck bed. 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary perspective view, similar to  FIG. 1 , with the aerodynamic drag reducing device mounted to the rear facing surface of a conventional pickup truck cab. A tonneau cover is shown covering the truck bed. 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary right side view, similar to  FIG. 2 , with the aerodynamic drag reducing device mounted to the rear facing surface of a conventional pickup truck cab. A tonneau cover is shown mounted over the truck bed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With initial reference directed to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the appended drawings, a conventional pickup truck having a cab  11 , a conventional truck bed  12 , situated behind the cab  11 . Truck bed  12  has a front panel  13 , two opposed side panels  15  and a tailgate  14 . The instant aerodynamic drag reducing device  17  is shown affixed to the rear facing surface of truck cab  11  framing the truck cab window  20  along the top edge and opposed side edges of truck cab window  20 . The truck bed  12  is illustrated with no coverage upon it and the tailgate  14  is shown in a raised, closed position. The aerodynamic drag reducing device  17  is comprised of a top panel  18  connected to two opposed side panels  19  and open at the bottom. 
     Another embodiment of aerodynamic drag reducing device  17  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The aerodynamic drag reducing device  17  is shown affixed to the rearward facing surface of the truck cab  11  mounted to cab  11  along the top edge and opposed side edges of truck cab rear window  20 . The drag reducing device  17  is shown being utilized in conjunction with tonneau cover  16  which is disposed on top of and covering truck bed  12  in both  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     Operation 
     The aerodynamic drag reducing device  17  is statically affixed to the rearward facing surface of the truck cab  11  framing truck cab rear window  20  along the upper and opposed side edges of truck cab window  20 , ( FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 ). Device  17  affords shade to the rear window  20  and reduces the buildup of snow and ice upon rear window  20  in inclement weather. Device  17  mainly increases the fuel efficiency of a conventional pickup truck by effectively reducing the low pressure region formed behind the truck cab  11  when the pickup truck is in motion through the atmosphere. 
     The aerodynamic drag reducing device  17  can be utilized on a pickup truck with the truck bed  12  having no coverage or in conjunction with a flat tonneau cover  16  or the like to achieve optimum reduction in aerodynamic drag further increasing the fuel efficiency of a pickup truck.