REAR-MOUNTED AERODYNAMIC STRUCTURE FOR TRUCK CARGO BODIES

摘要

This invention provides an aerodynamic structure (104) attached to the rear face (102) of a truck cargo body' (100), which rear typically contains a door assembly, with a plurality of doors (120) that swing open on hinges, or a single, full-width door, which rolls upwardly. The various embodiments of the invention allow an aerodynamic structure to be permanently attached to the rear of the trailer in a manner that would obscure access to the door(s) in a deployed position, in which the aerodynamic structure generates reduced drag' on the trailer body, yet enables ready access to the door(s) in a folded position. The various embodiments also enable relatively rapid and easy transition between the folded position and the deployed position using a variety of actuators and linkages that tie the folding and deployment of various panels (106, 108, 110, 112) of the structure together.