Patent Abstract:
An aerodynamic skirt adapted to be installed on a trailer for managing airflow is provided, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a substantially curved shape adapted to be positioned adjacent to a rear wheel of the trailer, the curved shape substantially mirroring the shape of the wheel to reduce the gap between the skirt panel and the wheel. A method of installing an aerodynamic skirt on a trailer to manage airflow around the trailer is also provided, the method comprising providing a skirt panel defining a curved shape adapted to cooperate with an exterior circumference of a wheel of the trailer; and positioning the curved shape of the skirt panel adjacent to the rear wheel of the trailer to reduce the air gap therebetween. An aerodynamic skirt kit comprising a skirt panel having a curved shape adapted to cooperate with an exterior circumference of a wheel of the trailer; and a plurality of struts adapted to secure the skirt panel to a trailer is equally provided.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    The present application relates to and is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/360,038, filed Jan. 26, 2009, entitled AERODYNAMIC TRAILER SKIRTS, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 61/024,217, filed Jan. 29, 2008, entitled AERODYNAMIC TRAILER SKIRT. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to aerodynamic trailer skirts, and also relates to a resilient skirt and attachment mechanism thereof. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Road tractors are used to pull road trailers on roads to transport cargo. Aerodynamic apparatuses are installed on the road tractor and/or on the road trailer in order to reduce the aerodynamic air drag and improve fuel efficiency. 
         [0004]    Trailer skirts made of rigid materials are installed on both sides of a road trailer to help manage the flow of air around and underneath the trailer. Brackets, also made of rigid material, are affixed to the trailer to secure the skirts positioned thereto. These skirts are secured to the bottom portion of the trailer, or on the sides of the trailer&#39;s floor, to ensure proper positioning when the vehicle is moving. 
         [0005]    People who are familiar with the trucking industry know that trailers are subject to hazardous road conditions. The skirts, because of their position under the trailer&#39;s floor and their proximity with the road, are significantly vulnerable and might easily enter in contact with surrounding obstacles. The brackets holding the skirts, when put under significant stress, plastically bend and/or break to effect the skirts&#39; position in respect to the road trailer thus reducing the efficiency of the skirts. Moreover, the skirt itself might bend and/or break if they contact a foreign object. This also increases the operation cost and the maintenance time that is required. 
         [0006]    The shape of the skirts, and their respective positions on the road trailer, have a significant effect on the aerodynamics efficiency of the road trailer. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there exists a need in the art for an improved aerodynamic skirt assembly over the existing art. There is a need in the art for such a resilient skirt assembly that can be easily installed and economically manufactured. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is one aspect of the present invention to alleviate one or more of the drawbacks of the background art by addressing one or more of the existing needs in the art. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, one object of one or more embodiments of this invention provides an improved trailer skirt over the prior art. 
         [0010]    An object of the invention provides a skirt assembly adapted to be installed on a road trailer to reduce the aerodynamic drag produced by the movement of the road trailer when pulled by a road tractor. The skirt assembly comprising a skirt panel sized and designed to channel air along the trailer. The skirt assembly, once installed on the road trailer, being substantially vertically disposed under the road trailer between the road trailer wheels and the trailer supports (and could even be extended in front of the trailer supports) with a curved shape defined from the front of the skirt panel to a distance of about between 1.5 meter to 3.5 meters. 
         [0011]    One object of the invention provides a resilient skirt assembly that is adapted to bend when it contacts a foreign object and recovers its original position and shape thereafter. 
         [0012]    One other object of the invention provides a resilient skirt assembly that can be easily installed and economically manufactured. 
         [0013]    Another object of the invention provides a skirt panel adapted to be installed on a road trailer with a rear edge disposed next to the forwardmost road trailer rear wheel to keep a gap therebetween to a minimum. The skirt panel being adapted to forwardly extend next to the road trailer support 
         [0014]    Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a skirt assembly made of composite materials offering a significant range of elastic deformation. 
         [0015]    Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a resilient strut adapted to secure a skirt panel to a road trailer, the strut being made of a resilient material adapted to sustain significant deformation and adapted to resiliently regain its original position. 
         [0016]    Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides strut supports made of non-metallic material. 
         [0017]    One other aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a trailer skirt that is sized and designed to allow a temporary deflection of, inter alia, a bottom portion of the skirt panel. 
         [0018]    A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a fastening system for easily securing the skirt panel to the trailer; the fastening system uses a limited number of parts to reduce the assembly time and the weight added to the trailer. 
         [0019]    A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a skirt assembly comprising a plurality of support angles adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer. 
         [0020]    According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, support angles made of composite material is provided. 
         [0021]    According to an aspect of the present invention provides a resilient strut shaped in one piece. 
         [0022]    According to another aspect of the present invention is provided a resilient strut made of composite materials. 
         [0023]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a resilient strut having a constant section. 
         [0024]    A further aspect of one or more embodiments provides a resilient strut adapted to be connected to the skirt panel at an angle. 
         [0025]    One additional aspect of the present invention provides an opening in the skirt panel adapted to allow access to a fuel tank located underneath the road trailer, the opening being adapted to be optionally provided with a door. 
         [0026]    Another additional aspect of the present invention provides a skirt panel composed of a plurality of skirt panel modules, at least one panel module being adapted to be removed or pivoted about a hinged mechanism to allow access under the road trailer. 
         [0027]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a substantially progressive curvature on the forward portion of the skirt panel. 
         [0028]    One other aspect of the invention provides a method of installing a skirt assembly on a road trailer comprising installing fastening a portion of a skirt panel substantially on the edge of a road trailer floor and securing a forwardmost portion of the skirt panel at a predetermined position on the trailer to define the shape of the skirt panel. 
         [0029]    Another aspect of the invention provides a radius on the skirt panel adapted to mate the shape of the road trailer wheel to reduce the air gap therebetween. 
         [0030]    One another aspect of the invention provides a skirt panel extension adapted to selectively reduce the gap between the road trailer wheels and the skirt panel when the road trailer wheels, disposed on a moveable trailer buggy, are longitudinally moved about the road trailer to change the load distribution of the road trailer. 
         [0031]    Another aspect of the present invention provides an aerodynamic skirt adapted to be mounted to a trailer, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be proximally mounted toward a center of the trailer, the rear portion being adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer. 
         [0032]    One other aspect of the present invention provides a method of installing a skirt assembly on a trailer, the method comprising securing upper supports to the trailer, securing a skirt panel to the upper supports, and securing struts between the trailer and the skirt panel. 
         [0033]    An aspect of the present invention provides a skirt assembly kit comprising a skirt panel adapted to be disposed on a trailer to route air about the road trailer, a plurality of upper supports adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer and a plurality of struts adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer. 
         [0034]    One additional aspect of the invention provides an aerodynamic skirt adapted to be installed on a trailer for managing airflow, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a substantially curved shape adapted to be positioned adjacent to a rear wheel of the trailer, the curved shape substantially mirroring the shape of the wheel to reduce the gap between the skirt panel and the wheel. 
         [0035]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of installing an aerodynamic skirt on a trailer to manage airflow around the trailer, the method comprising providing a skirt panel defining a curved shape adapted to cooperate with an exterior circumference of a wheel of the trailer; and positioning the curved shape of the skirt panel adjacent to the rear wheel of the trailer to reduce the air gap therebetween. 
         [0036]    A further aspect of the present invention provides an aerodynamic skirt kit comprising a skirt panel having a curved shape adapted to cooperate with an exterior circumference of a wheel of the trailer; and a plurality of struts adapted to secure the skirt panel to a trailer. 
         [0037]    Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
         [0038]    Additional and/or alternative advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, disclose preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0039]    Referring now to the drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: 
           [0040]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a road tractor and a road trailer with a skirt assembly secured thereto; 
           [0041]      FIG. 2  is a left elevational view of the road tractor of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the road tractor of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 4  is a left-front perspective view of a portion of a floor section of the road trailer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a portion of the floor section of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 6  is a right elevational section view of a portion of the road trailer and the skirt assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 7  is a rear elevational section view of a portion of the road trailer and the skirt assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of a portion of the securing mechanism of the skirt to the road trailer&#39;s floor; 
           [0048]      FIG. 9  is a section view of a portion of the road trailer&#39;s floor with the securing mechanism attached thereto; 
           [0049]      FIG. 10  is a rear elevational section view of a portion of the skirt&#39;s securing mechanism; 
           [0050]      FIG. 11  is a rear elevational section view of a portion of the skirt&#39;s securing mechanism; 
           [0051]      FIG. 12  is a rear elevational section view of an alternate embodiment of a portion of the skirt&#39; securing assembly; 
           [0052]      FIG. 13  is a rear elevational section view of an alternate embodiment of a portion of the skirt&#39; securing assembly of  FIG. 12  when deflected; 
           [0053]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a road tractor and a road trailer with a skirt assembly secured thereto and a skirt panel module in the opened position; and 
           [0054]      FIG. 15  is a left-front perspective view of a portion of a floor section of the road trailer of  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0055]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described bellow with reference to the drawings. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  illustrate a road tractor  10  with a road trailer  20  attached thereto equipped with a pair of skirt assemblies  30 , installed on each side of the road trailer  20 , adapted to deflect and direct the airflow around the road trailer  20 . Each skirt assembly  30  includes a skirt panel  32 , adapted to be disposed on the side of the road trailer  20 , and a plurality of securing members adapted to secure the skirt panel  32  to the road trailer  20 . The securing members are not illustrated on  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  and will be discussed in more details later in this specification. Once installed on the road trailer  20 , the skirt assembly  30  helps channel the flow of air around the road trailer  20  to reduce the air drag of the vehicle when the road trailer  20  moves on the road, pulled by the road tractor  10 . 
         [0057]    The skirt assembly  30  of the present embodiment is mostly located under the road trailer  20 , between the wheels  12  of the road tractor  10  and the wheels  26  of the road trailer  20 . The skirt panels  32  can alternatively extend forward up to the trailer supports  14  of the road trailer, and be secured thereto, thus preventing complex skirt panel  32  arrangements through the trailer supports  14 . The skirt panels  32  are substantially vertically positioned on each side of the road trailer  20  with a clearance with the ground by illustratively about 15-25 centimeters (about 6 to 10 inches). The air management around the trailer  20  provided by the skirt assembly  30  reduces the air drag created by the road trailer  20  by directing the flow of air around the road trailer  20 . The flow of air would otherwise turbulently move around and below the road trailer  20  to create substantial air drag. The airflow management around the road trailer  20  provided by the skirt assembly  30  helps maintain laminar airflow around the road trailer  20  that helps diminish fuel consumption of the road tractor  10 . The skirt assembly  30  also improves the safety of the vehicle by providing a barrier that can significantly prevent foreign objects to get under the road trailer  20 . 
         [0058]    The skirt panel  32  can also be used to display advertising thereon. Each skirt panel  32  provides additional display area in addition to the road trailer&#39;s wall  22 . 
         [0059]    As illustrated, the skirt panel  32  is shaped with an optional progressive height from the forwardmost portion  34 . The skirt panels  32  can alternatively also be installed at an angle, in respect to the vertical, on the road trailer  20  to change the airflow pattern around the road trailer  20  and more precisely adjust the aerodynamics to a specific vehicle shape. 
         [0060]    It can be appreciated from  FIG. 3  that each skirt panel  32  is installed directly on the side of the road trailer  20  and, when seen from above, have a front portion  34  that progressively proximally leans toward the center  24  of the road trailer  20 . The recessed front portion  34  of the skirt panel  32  improves the collection of the turbulent airflow generated by the road tractor  10  thus improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the skirt assembly  30 . Additional explanation about the shape of the skirt panel  32  will be provided in further details below. 
         [0061]      FIG. 4  is a perspective image of the skirt assembly  30  installed on the left side of a road trailer  20  from which is only illustrated a series of frame members  23  forming a portion of the road trailer floor frame  22 . A series of angle supports  40  are secured to the trailer to secure the juxtaposed skirt panel  32  thereto. The angle supports  40  could be omitted altogether and the skirt panel could alternatively be attached directly to the road trailer  20  without deviating from the scope of the present application. The rear portion  36  of the skirt panel  32  is preferably positioned on the edge of the road trailer&#39;s wall  28 . It is also encompassed by the present invention that the skirt panel  32  be installed a little in recess about the side of the road trailer  20  to avoid winches, lights, toolbox or ladders located on the side/edge of the road trailer  20 . In contrast, it can be appreciated that the front portion  34  of the skirt panel  32  is progressively positioned and secured toward the center  24  of the road trailer  20 . The skirt panel  32  is secured adjacent to the frame  22  with a series of angle supports  40  secured to both the frame members  23  and the skirt panel  32 . Lower, the skirt panel  32  is secured to the road trailer  20  with a series of intervening resilient struts  42  also secured to both the frame members  23  and the skirt panel  32 . Additional details about the angle supports  40  and the resilient struts  42  are provided later in reference with  FIG. 7  through  FIG. 11 . 
         [0062]    Still referring to  FIG. 4 , it can be appreciated that the upper series of holes  35  disposed on a top portion of the skirt panel  32  is used to fasten the skirt panel  32  to respective angle supports  40  that, themselves, are secured to frame members  23  of the road trailer  20 . A number of connection points between the skirt panel  32  and the road trailer  20  are used to ensure the skirt panel  32  is well secured to the road trailer  20  and will not vibrate or deflect (some deflection can be acceptable under certain conditions) during operation. The series of holes  35  disposed on a lower portion of the skirt panel  32  are adapted to fasten to an end of each resilient strut  42 . Similarly, the other end of the resilient strut  42  is connected to the frame members  23  of the road trailer  20  via a fastener mechanism that will be discussed below in details. 
         [0063]    A curved portion  38  is defined on the rear portion  36  of the skirt panel  32  and preferably corresponds to the exterior shape of the adjacent wheel  26  of the road trailer  20 . In so doing, it is possible to install the skirt panel  32  close to the wheel  26  without risking any contact therebetween. The skirt panel  32  should be installed as close as possible to the road trailer wheels  26  to maximize its efficiency. It is preferable to leave a distance between the wheel  26  of the road trailer  20  and the skirt panel  32  to avoid any risk of interference therebetween. 
         [0064]    The wheels  26  of a road trailer  20  are commonly adapted to be longitudinally adjustable to distribute the mass of the road trailer  20  in a desired fashion. The adjustment of the position of the axels of a road trailer  20  is desirable, for instance, when a heavy load is carried or during thaw and freeze periods. In this respect, and to avoid reinstalling the skirt panel  32  in various positions on the road trailer  20 , it might be desirable to install the skirt panel  32  in respect with the forwardmost possible position of the axels of the road trailer  20 . That would prevent to remove and reposition the skirt panel  32  when the trolley&#39;s  16  position is modified. 
         [0065]    The road trailer wheels  26  are mounted on a road trailer buggy  16  adapted to move the wheels  26  along a portion of the road trailer&#39;s length to distribute the weight of the road trailer  20  in a desired fashion. The skirt assembly  30  is preferably permanently secured to the road trailer  20  taking in consideration the forwardmost position of the trailer buggy  16 . The gap between the skirt panel  32  and the road trailer&#39;s wheels  26  is however increased when the trailer buggy  16  is move toward the rear of the road trailer  20  thus likely reducing the aerodynamic efficiency of the skirt assembly  30 . The present invention provides a skirt panel extension module  33  adapted to reduce the gap between the skirt panel  32  and the road trailer&#39;s wheels  26  to prevent any aerodynamic efficiency reduction. The skirt panel extension modules  33  are secured to the road trailer in a similar fashion. The skirt panel extension module  33  can be provided in various lengths to fill gaps of various sizes. They can also be provided as skirt panel extension modules  33  kit. An alternate embodiment provides a sliding skirt panel extension  33  that is permanently secured to the road trailer  20  and extendable to the desired length when the trailer buggy  16  is moved. 
         [0066]    A skirt panel extension  33 , illustrated on  FIG. 6 , can alternatively be added between the skirt panel  32  and the wheels  26  when the axles of the road trailer  20  are located in a rearward position leaving an increased distance therebetween to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the skirt assembly  30 . A reasonable distance between the skirt panel  32  and the wheels  26  could be between about 15 centimeters and about 30 centimeters although a shorter distance, or even a superposition of the skirt panel  32  (or skirt panel module(s)  33 ) over the wheel  26 , can be achieved. 
         [0067]      FIG. 5  is a top elevational view of the road trailer frame  22 . As mentioned above, it can be appreciated from  FIG. 5  that the skirt panel  32  is disposed inwardly on the forward portion of the road trailer  20  and is progressively located on the edge of the road trailer&#39;s wall  28  toward the rear end of the road trailer  20 . A departure angle support  60  and a cooperating forward angle support  64  are secured to the road trailer to correctly locate the skirt panel  32  on the road trailer  20 . The departure angle support  60  and the forward angle support  64  are installed on the trailer  20  prior to install the skirt panel  32 . The rear portion  36  of the skirt panel  32  is secured to the road trailer  20  up to the departure angle support  60  and then the skirt panel  32  is bent to reach the forward angle support  64  and secured thereto. That bent locates the skirt panel  32  to the road trailer  20  and defines the shape of the skirt panel  32  with the desired progressive proximal bent. The remaining angle support  62  and resilient struts  42  are installed thereafter to further secure the assembly. 
         [0068]    The rear portion  36  of the skirt panel  32  is intended to be secured to the road trailer to leave only a minimum gap with the road trailer wheels  26  to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the skirt assembly  30 . The skirt panel  32  extends to the front of the road trailer  20  and defines a curve portion on its front portion  34 . A long skirt  32  appears to be more efficient than a shorter skirt panel  32  and should therefore extend as far as possible to the front of the road trailer  32 . However, for reasons of complexity, the front portion  34  of the skirt panel  32  is likely to stop at the trailer supports  14 . It is nonetheless encompassed by the present invention that the skirt panel  32  alternatively extends in front of the trailer supports  14 . 
         [0069]    In an embodiment of the invention adapted to fit a standard 16.1 meters (53 feet) road trailer  20  the forward end of the departure angle support  60  is located at a distance d 1  from the forward end of the skirt panel  32 . A forward angle support  64  is secured to the frame at a distance d 2  from the side edge of the road trailer  20 . Distance d 1  is about between 1.5 meter and 3 meters, preferably about between 2 meters and 2.5 meters and most preferably about between 2.1 meters and 2.4 meters. Distance d 2  is about between 0.20 meter and 0.40 meter, preferably about between 0.25 meter and 0.35 meter and most preferably about 0.27 meter and 0.32 meters. More precisely, distance d 1  is preferably about 2.29 meters and distance d 2  is preferably about 0.31 meter in a preferred embodiment. Corresponding angle supports  40  and resilient struts  42  are installed to further secure the skirt panel  32  at the desired position. 
         [0070]    A left side elevational view schematically illustrating, on  FIG. 6 , the overall size of the skirt panel  32 . Length d 3  of the skirt panel  32  is about between 5 meters and 9 meters, preferably about between 6 meters and 8 meters and most preferably about between 6.5 meters and 7.5 meters. The height d 4  of the skirt panel  32  is about between 0.5 meter and 1 meter, preferably about between 0.6 meter and 0.9 meter and most preferably about between 0.7 meter and 0.8 meter. And the forwardmost height d 5  of the skirt panel  32  is about between 0.3 meter and 0.7 meter, preferably about between 0.4 meter and 0.6 meter and most preferably about between 0.45 meter and 0.5 meter. More precisely, distance d 4  is preferably about 0.76 meter and distance d 5  is preferably about 0.48 meter in a preferred embodiment. 
         [0071]    Alternate embodiments providing a skirt assembly sized and designed to fit road trailers of different lengths can be inferred from the dimensions discussed above. For instance, a skirt assembly can be designed to fit a 14.6 meters (48 feet) road trailer  20  or any other road trailer  20  sizes and lengths. 
         [0072]    As further illustrated on  FIG. 6 , the skirt panel  32  is provided with a series of holes  35  used to connect the skirt panel  32  to the road trailer  20 . The series of holes  34  disposed on the upper portion of the skirt panel  32  is used to connect the skirt panel  32  to the frame  22  of the trailer  20  whereas, in a similar fashion, the series of holes  35  disposed on the bottom portion of the skirt panel  32  is used to connect the skirt panel  32  to the skirt connecting portion  48  of the resilient strut  42  that is connected to the frame member  23  of the trailer via the trailer connecting portion  46  of a resilient strut  42 . The skirt connecting portion  48  and the trailer connecting portion  46  are provided with respective series of holes  35  to receive fasteners therein. The holes  35  can be factory pre-drilled or can be drilled during installation to ensure desired customization. Rivets or bolts are placed in the holes  35  to secure the skirt panel  32  to the trailer frame  22  or the support assembly. Other appropriate fastening mechanism variations well known in the art are encompassed by the present disclosure and can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0073]    An opening  70  is defined in the skirt panel  32  to allow access to an optional fuel tank disposed on the road trailer  20  to fuel an onboard generator or freezer. Such a fuel tank is commonly disposed under the floor  22  of the road trailer  20  and is most likely hidden by the skirt assembly  30 . The opening is sized, designed and located on the skirt panel  32  to allow access to the fuel tank. A door (not illustrated) can optionally be added to close the opening  70 . 
         [0074]    Turning now to  FIG. 7  where is illustrated the resilient struts  42  and angles support  40  assembly with the frame  22  and the skirt panel  32 . The rear elevational view shows that the front portion  34  of the skirt panel  32  is proximally recessed from the left lateral side of the trailer  20  by, illustratively, about 30 centimeters. It can also be appreciated that the skirt panel  32  is held to the road trailer frame  22  via the series of angled support  40  on its upper portion. The lower portion of the skirt panel  32  is connected to the trailer connection portion  46  of the resilient strut  42  at an angle α 1 , which is an angle of about 45° in the present illustrative embodiment and could be different without departing from the present description. 
         [0075]    In one embodiment, the resilient strut  42  has a rectangular section and is made of composite material. Recommended multilayer composite material, or reinforced thermoplastic manufactured by Transtex Composites Inc is used in the present embodiment. The composite material forming the resilient struts  42  of the illustrative example is shaped in a rectangular section to allow the resilient strut  42  to bend when the skirt panel  32  is pushed toward the center of the road trailer  20  (proximally) when, for instance, contacting an obstacle or having a force applied thereon. The resilient strut  42  bends, allowing a significant displacement of the bottom portion of the skirt panel  32 , is adapted to retrieve its original position when the force is removed from the skirt panel  32 . The resilient strut  42  is preferably made of a one-piece material where both ends are slightly angled  44  to evenly contact the skirt panel  32  and the road trailer frame member  23 . In so doing, no additional intervening parts are required between the resilient strut  42  and both the skirt panel  32  and the road trailer frame member  23 . 
         [0076]    The resilient struts  42  of the present embodiment is about 4 millimeters thick and can reach a radius of 20 centimeters without going into plastic deformation or breaking. Generally, the thinner the resilient strut  42  is, the shorter will be its maximum radius of curvature. A lateral proximal displacement of about 60 centimeters of the bottom portion of the skirt panel  32  is possible. The lower portion of the skirt panel  32  can even reach, under certain circumstances, a position parallel with the trailer  20  floor. The skirt assembly  30  and the skirt panel  32  will recover their original positions when the force causing the bending is removed. Further, the bending of the resilient struts  42  provides energy absorption in case of impact from another vehicle for example. It can be noted that a distal displacement of the skirt panel  32  is possible. A distal displacement of the skirt panel  32  will occur when a properly directed force is applied to the skirt panel  32  to bend the skirt panel  32 . 
         [0077]      FIGS. 8 and 9  depict with more details the connection mechanism between the resilient struts  42  and the trailer frame members  23 . One of the resilient strut  42  ends is juxtaposed on the lower surface of the road trailer frame  22 . A set of holes, identified with holes axes  54 , are used to fasten two clamps  4 , one on each side of the frame  22 , to secure the resilient strut  42  to the road trailer frame  22 . The clamps  50  are illustratively made of a shaped stainless steel plate material to prevent corrosion. 
         [0078]      FIG. 10  illustrates the connection between the resilient strut  42  and the skirt panel  32 . The end of the resilient strut  42  is positioned to the surface of the skirt panel  32  and secured thereto. Any types of fasteners  56  can be used to fasten both parts together. Rivets are preferably used although a bolt could also fit into the holes  54  performed in the skirt panel  32  and the resilient strut  42 , and illustrated with hole axes  54  to secure the assembly. Glue or resin could alternatively be applied between the resilient strut  42  and the skirt panel  32  to secure the resilient strut  42  and the skirt panel  32  together and is also encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0079]      FIG. 11  shows the assembly between the upper portion of the skirt panel  32  and one of the angled supports  40 . The angle support  40  is disposed next to the edge of the road trailer  20  to position the exterior surface of the skirt panel  32  significantly co-planar with the lateral wall of the road trailer  20 . Again, any types of fasteners can be used to fasten both parts together. Rivets are preferably used but a bolt could also fit into the holes  34  in the skirt panel  32  and the angled support  40  to secure the assembly. Here again, glue or resin could alternatively be applied between the angle support  40  and the skirt panel  32  to permanently secure the angle support  40  and the skirt panel  32  together. 
         [0080]      FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13  illustrate an alternate embodiment where the resilient strut  42  is fixed to the trailer frame  22  and the skirt panel  32  differently. Instead of installing the resilient strut  42  with both ends slightly angled to mate with the skirt panel  32 , both ends of the resilient strut  42  are further angled to contact the skirt panel  32  from the opposite side. This alternate layout assembly reduces the stress on the resilient strut  42 , when the skirt panel  32  is deflected, for instance, under a force F, by expending the radius of curvature of the resilient strut  42  throughout the resilient strut  42  ergo significantly reducing local stress points in the resilient strut  42 . 
         [0081]    In another unillustrated embodiment, the section of the resilient strut  42  has a shape adapted to increase its stiffness. A “U” shape resilient strut  42  can be manufactured. Alternatively, an embossed portion on a planar shaped resilient strut  42  can also be manufactured. Preferably the selected shape should prevent dirt and road debris to keep stuck on the resilient strut  42 . The shape can also be uneven along the length of the resilient strut  42  to provide an uneven flex to the resilient strut  42 . 
         [0082]    As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in view of the present specification, the nature of the material used to build the skirt panel  32  and the resilient strut  42  can vary. These materials are also contemplated to fall within the scope of the invention if they lead to the flexibility and resilience required to build a resilient skirt assembly  30 . 
         [0083]    Turning now to  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 , illustrating the road tractor  10  and the road trailer  20 . In this embodiment the skirt panel  32  is constructed with a plurality of skirt panel modules  80 . A skirt module  86  is adapted to be pivoted about hinges  84  to give access under the road trailer  20 . A support member  82  is also provided to maintain the skirt panel module  86  in its opened position. The support member  82  being composed of a suspension means and a damper means. 
         [0084]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments and elements, but, to the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications, combinations of features, equivalent arrangements, and equivalent elements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the dimensions of features of various components that may appear on the drawings are not meant to be limiting, and the size of the components therein can vary from the size that may be portrayed in the figures herein. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of the invention, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1