AERO INDUSTRIES, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150008701 | Drag Reducing Device - A drag reducing device for a vehicle includes an air flow turning component having a curved surface adapted to turn air flow passing over the curved surface, a first mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to a rear door of the vehicle, and a second mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to one of the opposite side walls of the vehicle. The mounting components are configured so that the air flow component is automatically in a deployed position when the rear door is closed, in which position the air flow turning component turns air flow passing along the side the vehicle inward to thereby reduce drag. The mounting components are further configured so that the air flow component is automatically stowed between the rear door and the vehicle side wall when the door is fully opened. The air turning component is an extrusion sized for a minimal prominence in the stowed position. | 01-08-2015 |
20150008700 | Drag Reducing Device - A drag reducing device for a vehicle includes an air flow turning component having a curved surface adapted to turn air flow passing over the curved surface, a first mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to a rear door of the vehicle, and a second mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to one of the opposite side walls of the vehicle. The mounting components are configured so that the air flow component is automatically in a deployed position when the rear door is closed, in which position the air flow turning component turns air flow passing along the side the vehicle inward to thereby reduce drag. The mounting components are further configured so that the air flow component is automatically stowed between the rear door and the vehicle side wall when the door is fully opened. The air turning component is an extrusion sized for a minimal prominence in the stowed position. | 01-08-2015 |
20140339850 | Bow Pivot Assembly For A Side Roll Tarping System - A bow system is provided for an open-topped container body having a cover sized and configured to extend laterally across the body from one side rail to the other side rail. The bow system includes a plurality of curved bows pivotably mounted at one end to one side rail and sized to extend in a curved path over the open-top of the container body to engage the other side rail at an opposite end of the bows. A ridge pole assembly is provided that includes first and second ridge pole segments, each of the segments pivotably engaged to a corresponding number of the plurality of curved bows. A tether element is coupled between the facing ends of the ridge pole segments that permits movement of the segments relative to each other as the bow system is moved between a deployed configuration in which the plurality of curved bows extend across the open-top of the container body and a retracted position in which the curved bows are substantially outside the open-top of the container body. | 11-20-2014 |
20140217768 | ACTUATION MECHANISM FOR A TARPING SYSTEM - An actuation assembly for a cover extendable over an open-topped container body from a stowed position to a deployed position includes two actuator mechanisms on each side of the body, each including at least one torsion spring having a base portion and at least one reaction end and at least one reaction post in contact with a corresponding reaction end of the at least one spring. In a first exterior actuator mechanism, the reaction post is connectable to the bail arm, while in the second interior actuator mechanism the reaction post is mountable to the container body. A common shaft extends between the base portions of the spring(s) of each actuator mechanism to transmit torque from the interior spring(s) to the exterior spring(s), serving as a rotating anchor for the exterior actuator mechanism. In one embodiment, only the exterior actuator mechanism is situated outside the side extent of the container body. | 08-07-2014 |
20140145466 | TENSIONING BOW ASSEMBLY FOR A FLEXIBLE COVER SYSTEM - A cover system for covering an open top of a container includes a flexible cover, a bail member, a bow member, and a tension element. The cover has a first end connected to the container and is sized to cover the open top when a second end is in an extended position. The bail member has an end pivotally connected to the container and an end connected to the second end of the cover. The bail member pivots to deploy the cover into the extended position. The bow member includes an end pivotally connected to the bail member and an end configured to bear against the cover between the ends of the cover. The tension element is connected between the container and the bow member. The tension element applies a force to the bow member to apply a force against the cover. | 05-29-2014 |
20130328345 | Actuation Mechanism For A Tarping System - An actuation assembly for a cover extendable over an open-topped container body from a stowed position to a deployed position includes two actuator mechanisms on each side of the body, each including at least one torsion spring having a base portion and at least one reaction end and at least one reaction post in contact with a corresponding reaction end of the at least one spring. In a first exterior actuator mechanism, the reaction post is connectable to the bail arm, while in the second interior actuator mechanism the reaction post is mountable to the container body. A common shaft extends between the base portions of the spring(s) of each actuator mechanism to transmit torque from the interior spring(s) to the exterior spring(s), serving as a rotating anchor for the exterior actuator mechanism. Only the exterior actuator mechanism is situated outside the side extent of the container body. | 12-12-2013 |
20130175822 | Locking Mechanism For A Flexible Cover System - A locking mechanism is provided for a tarping system having a flexible cover deployable from a roller assembly for covering a container and a mechanism for extending and retracting the cover from the roller assembly. The locking mechanism includes a locking element, such as a taut cable, mounted to the roller assembly and spanning the width of the cover. The locking element is arranged on the roller assembly with a portion of the length of the cover less than the entire length of the cover wound around the locking element. This portion of the cover corresponds to an extended length of the cover. The locking mechanism prevents further advancement of the cover from the roller assembly once the locking mechanism is uncovered when the cover is unwound. | 07-11-2013 |
20130076063 | Drag Reducing Device - A drag reducing device includes an air flow turning component having a curved surface adapted to turn air flow passing over the curved surface, a first mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to a rear door of the vehicle, and a second mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to one of the opposite side walls of the vehicle. The mounting components are configured so that the air flow component is automatically in a deployed position when the rear door is closed, so the air flow turning component turns air flow passing along the side the vehicle inward to thereby reduce drag. The mounting components are further configured so that the air flow component is automatically stowed between the rear door and the vehicle side wall when the door is fully opened. The air turning component is sized for a minimal prominence when stowed. | 03-28-2013 |
20130015418 | Adjustable Bail Arm CouplingAANM Vogel; JohnAACI ColumbusAAST INAACO USAAGP Vogel; John Columbus IN USAANM Reeder; RyanAACI CarmelAAST INAACO USAAGP Reeder; Ryan Carmel IN US - A bail arm assembly for a retractable tarp or cover system for a container, comprises a lower arm configured to be pivotably mounted relative to the container, an upper arm configured to support the tarp or cover, and an adjustable coupling connecting the lower arm to the upper arm. The adjustable coupling includes a pair of opposing engagement faces configured to permit selective adjustment of the angular relationship between the lower and upper arms at discrete angular intervals. | 01-17-2013 |
20130009421 | Hold-down Locking Mechanism for a Flexible Cover System - A locking mechanism is provided for a tarping system having a flexible cover carried by a deployment mechanism having a horizontal arm spanning the width of a container, the deployment mechanism movable to an extended position in which the horizontal arm is adjacent one end of the container. The locking mechanism includes at least one locking element associated with one end of the container and at least one latching element having a latching portion configured to engage the at least one locking element. The latching element is pivotably supported on the horizontal arm so that latching element can pivot to and from a locked position in which the latching portion engages the at least one locking element. A tension element is connected between the latching element and the cover to control the pivoting of the latching element under the force of gravity based on the position of the flexible cover. | 01-10-2013 |
20120104788 | Tensioning Bow Member For A Flexible Cover System - A cover system for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover includes a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to an end of the flexible cover, a hold-down bow member including an end portion pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover, and a spring pack between the bail member and tensioning bow member. | 05-03-2012 |
20110266826 | Tension Bow Locking Device For A Flexible Cover System - A cover system for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover comprises a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to an end of the flexible cover, a tensioning bow member including an end portion pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover, and a mechanism between the bail member and tensioning bow member including first and second members configured to cooperate to lock the tensioning bow member against movement relative to the bail member. | 11-03-2011 |
20110115247 | Automated Flexible Tarping System - An automated tarping system for open-topped containers includes a winding mechanism and an extension mechanism. The winding mechanism is attached to the container and to a cover and exerts a winding force to retain the cover so that the top of the container remains open. The extension mechanism utilizes a drive mechanism which exerts an extension force on a cable to pivot an arm to which a cover is attached. The arm is pivotally attached to a side of the container and is connected to the cable. When the drive mechanism exerts the extension force on the cable, the arm, which is connected, pivots with respect to the container. The cover, which is connected to the arm, is then drawn across the open-top of the container to close the top of the container as the extension force exerted by the drive mechanism overcomes the winding force generated by the winding mechanism. | 05-19-2011 |
20110084517 | SELF-DEPLOYING DRAG REDUCING DEVICE - A drag reducing apparatus is hingedly mounted to the rear of a truck or trailer vehicle so that the apparatus can be pivoted clear of the rear doors of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a hinge assembly that allows the apparatus to open substantially flat against the side of the vehicle so as not to impede the full movement of the doors. The apparatus includes an arrangement of connected panels that are initially folded flat against the back of the vehicle but automatically open to a drag reducing configuration at a sufficient vehicle speed. The connected panels are further configured so that the force of gravity automatically returns the panels to their initial folded configuration when the vehicle speed falls below a threshold. The apparatus incorporates a modular construction that allows replacement of individual panel sections. The mounting frame is constructed to augment the drag reduction characteristics of the apparatus. | 04-14-2011 |
20100253111 | Hold-down Locking Mechanism for a Flexible Cover System - A locking mechanism is provided for a tarping system having a flexible cover carried by a deployment mechanism having a horizontal arm spanning the width of a container, the deployment mechanism movable to an extended position in which the horizontal arm is adjacent one end of the container. The locking mechanism includes at least one locking element associated with one end of the container and at least one latching element having a latching portion configured to engage the at least one locking element. The latching element is pivotably supported on the horizontal arm so that that latching element can pivot to and from a locked position in which the latching portion engages the at least one locking element. A tension element is connected between the latching element and the cover to control the pivoting of the latching element under the force of gravity based on the position of the flexible cover. | 10-07-2010 |
20100038925 | Actuation Mechanism for a Tarping System - An actuation mechanism for a tarping system includes a double coil spring mountable on a pivot shaft of the mechanism. A bushing is mounted on the pivot shaft and within the double coil spring. The bushing includes an eccentric external periphery that limits the deflection of the spring, particularly at the transition points between the center portion and each of the coil portions of the spring. As the spring winds or coils, the coil portions progressively contact the eccentric periphery of the bushing to not only limit further movement of the coil portions, but also to provide support for those portions under load. | 02-18-2010 |
20090200834 | Self-Deploying Drag Reducing Device - A drag reducing apparatus is hingedly mounted to the rear of a truck or trailer vehicle so that the apparatus can be pivoted clear of the rear doors of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a hinge assembly that allows the apparatus to open substantially flat against the side of the vehicle so as not to impede the full movement of the doors. The apparatus includes an arrangement of connected panels that are initially folded flat against the back of the vehicle but automatically open to a drag reducing configuration at a sufficient vehicle speed. The connected panels are further configured so that the force of gravity automatically returns the panels to their initial folded configuration when the vehicle speed falls below a threshold. The apparatus incorporates a modular construction that allows replacement of individual panel sections. The mounting frame is constructed to augment the drag reduction characteristics of the apparatus. | 08-13-2009 |