Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a grain tank carried by the chassis. The grain tank includes a frame having an opening formed therethrough; a pair of tank cover sections movably associated with the frame such that the tank cover sections can switch between an open position and a covering position relative to the opening of the frame; and at least one actuator linked to at least one of the tank cover sections and configured to selectively provide a switching force. The agricultural harvester further includes a force assistor or a brake linked to one of the pair of tank cover sections and configured to apply an assist force or a braking force, respectively, to one of the pair of tank cover sections but not the other of the pair of tank cover sections.

Abstract: A rear spoiler for a motor vehicle has a spoiler body (14) for deflecting a stream of air to provide an aerodynamic effect. The spoiler body (14) has a main spoiler (16) with a main surface (21) and an auxiliary spoiler (18) with an auxiliary surface (62). A multi-jointed actuating kinematics (34) can move the main spoiler (16) and the auxiliary spoiler (18) between a storage position where the auxiliary surface (62) of the auxiliary spoiler (18) is at least partially below the main spoiler (16) and a use position where the auxiliary spoiler (18) is substantially in a common plane with the main surface (21).

Abstract: A system and method for aerodynamic fairings including an undercarriage fairing. The undercarriage fairing includes multiple panels including at least two front panels and at least two rear panels. The at least two front panels are connected in a front portion under the trailer. The at least two rear panels are positioned in front of a wheel undercarriage at sides of the trailer. One of the at least two front panels and one of the at least two rear panels are interconnected on both sides of the trailer. The undercarriage fairing further includes supports connected to the frame of the trailer. The supports are connected to the at least two rear panels.

Abstract: An expandable grain tank is provided for covering the open end of a grain tank of an agricultural combine. The expandable tank includes a tarp and a support structure for raising and lowering the tarp. The support structure is configured with an upper frame, a plurality of expandable legs connected to the upper frame and the grain tank, and an actuator to expand and retract the expandable legs. The expandable tank is configured to be moved between a retracted position and an expanded position.

Abstract: The device for increasing volume of a container (24) has extension elements (37, 38, 39, 40) pivotally mounted on an upper edge (31) of an upper opening (32) so as to form a cover at least partially closing the upper opening (32) when the extension elements (37, 38, 39, 40) are in flat closed positions and an enlarging extension (27) for the container when the extension elements are in raised filling positions, neighboring extension elements being pivotally connected with each other, and at least one driving pivoting device (53), which pivots or swings each extension element (37, 38, 39, 40) from its flat closed position into its raised filling position (47, 48, 49, 50) out beyond a vertical position thereof in a direction toward an exterior of the container, or from its raised filling position into its flat closed position.

Abstract: The device for increasing volume of a container (24) has extension elements (37, 38, 39, 40) pivotally mounted on an upper edge (31) of an upper opening (32) so as to form a cover at least partially closing the upper opening (32) when the extension elements (37, 38, 39, 40) are in flat closed positions and an enlarging extension (27) for the container when the extension elements are in raised filling positions, neighboring extension elements being pivotally connected with each other, and at least one driving pivoting device (53), which pivots or swings each extension element (37, 38, 39, 40) from its flat closed position into its raised filling position (47, 48, 49, 50) out beyond a vertical position thereof in a direction toward an exterior of the container, or from its raised filling position into its flat closed position.

Abstract: To increase the capacity of an extension attachment for a bulk material container comprising a frame (32) and a plurality of flaps (33, 34) linked to the frame (32), which are capable of swivelling and, in a swivelled-out position, surround an internal space (31) of the extension attachment, the internal surface (28) facing the internal space (31) of at least of one of the flaps (33) has a concave shape in the swivelled-out position.

Abstract: A grain tank cover having a tarp and support structure, the support structure including legs and an upper frame structure that are shiftable downwardly into the tank to assume a lowered position, and a domed structure extends upwardly from the upper frame structure and supports the tarp in a generally domed configuration in that location.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester is provided with a grain tank affixed to its main frame for storing therein processed crop material. The volume of the grain tank can be extended by an extension assembly comprising a first pair of mutually opposed panels and a second pair of mutually opposed panels. The panels are movable between a lower, inoperative position and a higher, operative position in which the panels substantially increase the volume of the grain tank. The movement of the second pair is controlled by the movement of the first pair of panels. The panels are provided with locking mechanism for keeping all panels in their operative position and which are disposed to become engaged and to secure the extension assembly in the extended position when the first pair of panels moves the second pair of panels to their operative position.

Abstract: An edge support extends longitudinally along the lid opening for a bulk body. The edge support includes a wall support, a rim above the wall support, and a receiving slot between the wall support and the rim for receiving the longitudinal extending edge of the bulk body wall. The edge support is unitarily and integrally formed of a single piece, such as an extrusion out of aluminum. The edge support is strong and low cost and facilitates manufacture of the bulk body.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of constructing collapsible raw material bins for a portable asphalt plant in such a manner that said raw material bins may be located on the same flatbed semi trailer as the rest of the asphalt plant. The collapsible material bins are constructed in such that, when not in use, they may collapse in an accordion-like fashion upon one another. This is done by having one wall of two of the bins constructed so that it may slide in and out within the respective bin. Additionally, the bins themselves are mounted on a sliding rail system which allows for the necessary movement of the bin walls. The end result of this design is that it provides a compact enough raw material bin system to allow it to be constructed on the same flatbed trailer as the asphalt tumbler, and yet provides a large enough raw material bin capacity to allow for the efficient operation of the portable asphalt plant.

Abstract: A towable wheeled vehicle or grain cart for transporting a loose cargo, such as grain, includes a perforated panel in the front and rear walls thereof for observing the status of fill of the cargo and to permit visibility to the rear thereof when the vehicle or grain cart is in transit or is being positioned.

Abstract: A spillage retainer for dump trucks to retain the trucks load in spaced relation to the tail gate. The retainer prevents spillage commonly occuring between the tail gate and the trucks bed due to tail gate wear and deterioration.

Abstract: A car spoiler having an aerodynamic surface for controlling the airflow around the automotive body is provided with a built-in liquid handling means which is used as a liquid reservoir, heat storage tank, or heat exchanger. The heat storage tank may be used to store the hot coolant of the cooling system of the engine during normal operation and to supply the hot coolant to the cooling system in order to quickly warm up the engine or to the hot-water car heater system in order to heat the passenger compartment during cold start of the engine. The built-in heat exchanger may be used to cool the engine coolant, engine lubricant, or transmission oil of the automatic transmission system.

Abstract: A side limit post for load-carrying space, comprising a main profile (1) and possibly an extension profile (16). The cross-sectional profile is approximately quadratic in its main dimensions and rounded in its leading corners and side walls. The outer profile wall is provided with turbulence-generating means, with one or a plurality of said means in the leading wall, leading corners, side walls, trailing corners and/or trailing wall of such profile.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the aerodynamic characteristics of a vehicle body comprising positioning a vehicle body provided with desired configurations and dispositions of interior compartments and components in a wind tunnel facility, depositing fluid entrainable particles on the vehicle body and operating the wind tunnel facility to direct a fluid stream onto the vehicle body laden with such entrainable particles whereby the particles are caused to be entrained by the fluid stream along laminar layers of fluid flow and remain deposited in various stagnant, barrier and wake zones, resulting in a reconfigured vehicle body having optimized aerodynamic characteristics. The particles can be deposited on the vehicle body and the fluid stream may then be directed onto the vehicle body or the particles may be injected into the fluid stream upstream of the vehicle body to be entrained and carried by the fluid stream and deposited on the vehicle body in the stagnation, barrier and wake zones.

Abstract: This forced air rain deflector is attached to the sides of a vehicle body, one on each side, and they create a curtain of air to push downward rain, mist, and water which is brought up by the wheel motion of the vehicle. Primarily, each unit is a channel with air scoops on its sides for receiving air, which is deflected downward and out of the channel by vanes secured within the unit.

Abstract: A self-propelled wheeled vehicle has a load receiving tank with the driving wheeled suspension system and the driven steering control system directly attached to the load receiving tank. The prime mover and power transmission system is also attached to the tank and interconnected with the driving wheels. An operators cab is attached to the forward end of the load receiving tank. A front loader mechanism is integrated with a top front load receiving opening in the tank and the closure therefor such that movement of the closure simultaneously lifts an interconnected load container, raises same and dumps the load into the load receiving tank and vice-versa. The chassiless vehicle is applicable to rear loader and side loader use.

Abstract: A vehicle body comprises a pair of opposite side panels and one or more rear panels, all of which are cut from flat sheet material so that the peripheral edges of all the panels are defined by straight lines. The side panels have upper and lower portions connected by straight bend lines. A floor panel extending between the side panels and additional panels along the inside of each side panel cooperate to form three triangularly shaped hollow beams extending lengthwise of the body.

Abstract: A side extension for increasing the volumetric capacity of a vehicle body includes an elongate wall, a first flange extending longitudinally of the wall and bent inwardly of the body from the wall along a bottom edge of the wall and at a sloped incline to the wall, and a second flange bent from the edge of the first flange and extending backward toward the wall. The second flange is fastened to a flange on the vehicle body which extends inwardly of the body. The first and second flanges substantially define a "V" in cross section increasing the strength of the side extension walls, maximizing the capacity of the vehicle body and preventing retention of material carried by the vehicle body at the junction between the side extensions and the vehicle body.

Abstract: A front cowling for a motorcycle which extends from the front, where it has an aperture to admit engine-cowling air, and past to the sides of the engine to a location adjacent to the rider's legs. A side post is formed in the cowling at each side, just ahead of the rider's legs, and a respective baffle is mounted to the cowling so as selectively to close the side posts and permit flow of air to the legs that entered the aperture and was heated by the engine, or to open the side posts and deflect the heated air away from the legs and out the side posts. Thus, in cold weather, the rider's legs can be warmed by the heated air, and in hot weather his legs need not be warmed by the heated air.

Abstract: A removable storage cover for a pickup truck bed comprises a sloping back wall and a hinged top cover. The sloping back wall is secured at the bottom end on opposite sides by retractable pins which fit into holes drilled into the truck wheel wells. The top cover is hinged to the sloping back wall and closes against a pair of supporting rails on the interior side walls of the truck bed. In a second embodiment, the top end of the sloping back wall is secured to the interior side walls, and the bottom end is secured to the wheel wells of the truck bed by retractable pins which fit into holes drilled into the side walls and wheel wells. In a third embodiment, the top end of the sloping back wall rests on rubber bumpers secured in the interior side walls of the truck bed and has a peripherally extending flange which rests on the top of the side walls and the top of the tailgate when in a closed position. When the top cover is in a closed position, it may be locked by provision of a clasp and lock.

Abstract: A land vehicle which comprises three wheel locations, two near the front of the vehicle and spaced apart and the third at rear of the vehicle and centrally located, an engine unit located centrally and within the wheelbase of the vehicle, and two passenger compartments located one on either side of the engine unit.

Abstract: An air deflector is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and, by deflecting air, to reduce turbulence and drag associated with another vehicle which is towed by the first vehicle. The air deflector includes a side shield to extend outwardly and rearwardly outside a side wall of the front vehicle along the side wall, and a mounting for the shield, to mount the shield on the front vehicle. The side shield has an inner edge surface which defines an edge surface contour for facing the side wall of the vehicle in close proximity to such side wall. The mounting is adapted to accomplish the facing-close proximity relationship between the inner edge surface of the shield and the side wall of the vehicle. The mounting includes a post to insert in a substantially vertical opening provided on the front vehicle, and a brace. The post has a surface to extend outwardly and rearwardly and to abut the rear surface of the shield.

Abstract: An improved means for providing overhead access to the freight compartment of a load carrying vehicle to facilitate loading and unloading of cargo. An elongate opening is defined in the roof of the compartment and includes a plurality of hinged door panels that provide a weathertight cover for the opening. Spanning the opening is at least one cross-brace which is rigidly tied to the roof at opposing edges of the opening so as to maintain the opening and afford stability to the opposing sidewalls. The cross-brace, which serves also to seat the door panels, is pivotally secured adjacent one edge about a horizontal axis, preferably at the opposing edge to that where the doors are hinged, such that the panels and cross-braces can be pivoted laterally away from the opening by an individual situated atop the van. When access is had, as in conventional vehicles, through an opening in the sidewalls, or endwall of the vehicle, the invention also contemplates including a movable header over the lower opening.

Abstract: A truck or trailer body construction is disclosed in which the front portion is shaped to reduce dynamic drag, which has a maximum interior capacity, and in which the front corners, which are particularly subject to damage, can be readily replaced. Provisions are also made for diagonally mounted lights and for relief of air pressure at the upper part of the front corners.

Abstract: An air balance panel for vehicles which includes an air balance panel integrally and unitarily formed with a vehicle bumper which is made of plastic and which further includes a flexible portion and a drive mechanism operatively connected to the air balance panel for acting on the flexible portion of the air balance panel according to a predetermined signal. The air balance panel also includes an arm member operatively connected to the drive mechanism for acting on the flexible portion of the air balance panel. Also included are link members interposed between the arm member and the air balance panel for transmitting driving force from the drive mechanism to the air balance panel.

Abstract: An air deflector for a vehicle having a roof opening and a sliding panel to open and close the opening. The sunroof includes a frame around the opening with a pair of opposed longitudinal edges having inward projecting recessed ledges to support the panel flush with the roof. A front transverse edge includes an inward projecting front ledge recessed below the panel. A pair of spaced apart hinges are hinged at a lower end to the front ledge, and the hinges are movable from a retracted position abutting the front ledge to a deployed position with the hinges extending forward and upward. An upper end of the hinge extends above the roof in the deployed position and is attached to the air deflector which extends across the roof opening. A biasing spring urges the air deflector to the deployed position when the panel is open. A forward sliding of the panel urges the air deflector into a recess formed in the front inward projecting ledge allowing the panel to pass over the air deflector and close the opening.

Abstract: A recreation trailer has a wedge-shaped configuration to improve its aerodynamic properties, and enhance the utility of its interior design. From front to rear, the trailer expands in both height and width from approximately 6 feet at the front to approximately 8 feet at the rear. The floor of the trailer expands only in width, and the overall length of the trailer is approximately 141/2 feet. The internal layout of the trailer is designed to insure the optimum utilization of space. A bedroom and dining area is provided in the smaller front end of the trailer with a bathroom and kitchen area in the larger rear end of the trailer.

Abstract: An accessory for a traction vehicle having a power plant requiring inlet air and producing exhaust gas and a cab with a roof (21, 40) on which the accessory is to be secured in the air stream resulting from forward movement of the vehicle, the accessory being configured to interact with and direct the air stream so as to reduce the effective wind resistance of a load compartment behind the cab, and to produce in the stream sites of pressure higher and lower respectively than the pressure ambient to the vehicle, an inlet located at a site of high pressure for extracting from the stream air to be supplied to the power plant, and at least one outlet located at a site of lower pressure for discharging into the stream exhaust gases supplied by the power plant.In one embodiment there are provided a pair of outlets (47) pivotable about a horizontal axis transverse of the cab roof.

Abstract: A tank truck vehicle for transporting fluid or pulverous material, such as oil, comprises in one embodiment a longitudinally extending tubular shell whose length is substantially that of the truck vehicle and which is formed so as to be sufficiently rigid so as to function both as the wall of the transporting container of the vehicle and, simultaneously, as the supporting frame for the vehicle so that there is no need for a supporting beam frame separate from the supporting tank as is conventional. The front and rear wheels are mounted on axle assemblies which are substantially directly connected to the tubular shell.

Abstract: The hopper body is elongated and is provided with a normally lowermost discharge outlet lying along the longitudinal axis of the body as viewed from the top thereof. The interior of the body forms a slide surface for the dry bulk products contained therein, and such surface is outwardly arcuate throughout substantially the total expanse thereof for structural rigidity and unobstructed longitudinal flow. Along the center line or longitudinal axis of the body, the surface presents a pair of opposite end strips converging downwardly toward said outlet and parallel to such axis as viewed from the top thereof. Such strips are so disposed with respect to a horizontal plane that the resultant product fall line of any point within each strip is less than 45.degree. but greater than 25.degree..

Abstract: A closure for the upper portion of a rounded vehicle body end is provided for spanning between the upper marginal edge of the rounded body end and the adjacent end of the top of the vehicle body. The closure is constructed including marginal portions coextensive with the upper marginal edge of the rounded end of the body and the adjacent end of the body top and the closure includes a component thereof comprising one-half of an intermediate product constructed by stretch forming sheet metal over a male die.

Abstract: A tailgate construction for pickup trucks and other vehicles which permits the passage of air therethrough to reduce the drag on the vehicle associated with the tailgate construction when the vehicle is in use and thus increase the gas mileage of the vehicle. Also disclosed is a shutter mechanism for selectively preventing the passage of air through the tailgate construction.

Abstract: A tailgate construction for pickup trucks and other vehicles which permits the passage of air therethrough to reduce the drag on the vehicle associated with the tailgate construction when the vehicle is in use and thus increase the gas mileage of the vehicle. Also disclosed is a shutter mechanism for selectively preventing the passage of air through the tailgate construction.

Abstract: An air-deflecting arrangement in a motor vehicle for maintaining a predetermined portion of a side window in a door of said motor vehicle substantially clear and unobscured from airborne road dust, said motor vehicle door having a bodywork portion located adjacent a forward edge of said side window and a rear-view mirror mounted on said door so as to be readily visible to an occupant of the vehicle through said predetermined portion of said side window, said air-deflecting arrangement comprising an air-deflecting edge member extending substantially vertically along said bodywork portion and adjacent said forward edge of said side window, said air-deflecting edge member being formed with a smoothly curved lip portion extending away from said side window such that, when the vehicle is in forward motion, the air stream passing said side window is deflected away from said predetermined portion and thus substantially prevented from depositing thereon any road dust and water entrained in said air stream.

Abstract: A wagon body adapted to receive and transport seed cotton and the like and which has an elongated deck and upstanding end and side walls, the side walls being pivotally arranged for the upper portions thereof to move toward and away from each other. With the walls in spread apart position the wagon is loaded with cotton whereupon the side walls are moved inwardly, thus to compress the cotton. The side walls are power driven by means of an elongated torsion member which extends from end to end of the body and a plurality of links operatively connected between the torsion member and the side walls.

Abstract: An aerodynamic device for improving the high speed running conditions of motorcycles, comprising an airfoil fitted to the motorcycle to produce a negative lifting action approximately in the vertical plane passing through the pivot axle of the front wheel.

Abstract: This invention relates in the main to the extraction of gases from moving vehicles, by means of a chamber having long narrow discharge aperture, and being mounted in the air-flow past the vehicle. Features of the invention include the provision of aerofoils to direct or control air-flow past the discharge aperture, and the provision of holes in the chamber which may admit some air-flow to the interior of the chamber additional to gases already passing through it. A further feature is the positioning of chamber and/or aerofoils so as to cause a downward thrust to be imposed on the vehicle. The chamber may process or extract gases coming from a passenger/driver compartment, from a high pressure area beneath the vehicle to improve road-holding, and from the exhaust ports of an engine. An apparatus is provided within the chamber for the acoustic treatment of gases and such apparatus may be adapted to configurations suited to the invention.