Patents by Inventor W. David Whitten

W. David Whitten has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6666498
    Abstract: An airfoil to reduce wind resistance of trucks and semi-trailers and moveable between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration. First and second side panels are provided adjacent a rear surface of a truck and are pivotally mounted adjacent the sides of the truck. Upper and lower first end panels are associated with the first side panel, and upper and lower second end panels are associated with the second side panel wherein the end panels are pivotally mounted adjacent upper and lower edges of the truck. In the storage configuration, the end panels are pivoted inwardly and the side panels are pivoted over the end panels. In movement toward the storage configuration, the end panels are actuated for movement outwardly whereby outer edges of the end panels engage and slide along the side panels to cause the side panels to pivot outwardly to the deployed configuration. The side panels are provided with a fold area intermediate proximal and distal lateral edges of the side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: W. David Whitten
  • Patent number: 6309010
    Abstract: A deployable airfoil to reduce wind resistance of trucks and semi-trailers including first and second frame structures supported for pivotal movement at the rear of the truck. Each of the first and second frame structures include a pair of frame members including upper and lower frame members. The upper and lower pairs of frame members are connected through an actuation mechanism whereby the upper and lower frame members will move simultaneously to deploy or fold the airfoil. Each pair of upper and lower frame members support a fabric member wherein, in a deployed configuration, the fabric member is drawn substantially taut between the upper and lower frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: W. David Whitten