Patents Assigned to Aero Industries, Inc.
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Patent number: 11833956Abstract: An arm assembly for a cover system includes a force mechanism associated within a hollow arm of the assembly that includes a resiliently compressible element, such as a compression spring or gas spring, connected to one end of a cable. The opposite end of the cable is fastened to a non-circular pulley mounted to the container body, so that the cable is wound around the pulley as the arm pivots relative to the container body. As the arm pivots in a stowed direction, energy is stored by the compressible element, and releasing the stored energy causes the arm to pivot toward an extended or deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder, John Vogel
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Patent number: 11498628Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder, John Vogel, James R. Tuerk
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Patent number: 10935069Abstract: A system includes a pair of gearboxes each having an output shaft. A first adapter is connected to the output shaft of the first gearbox, and a second adapter is connected to the output shaft of the second gearbox. A first drive shaft is connected to the first adapter, and a second drive shaft is connected to the second adapter. Each drive shaft may articulate with respect to an axis defined by its associated output shaft through an angle of at least twenty degrees.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
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Patent number: 10864952Abstract: A drag reducing device for a vehicle body having a top wall and a door pivotably mounted to the rear of the body to open toward a side wall of the body, includes a wing sized and configured to turn airflow across the top wall of the body, the wing having a trailing edge and a proximal edge; and an assembly mounted to the door and configured for pivoting the wing so that the trailing edge of the wing is pivoted upward to a position above the top wall of the vehicle body when the door is open and for pivoting the wing so that the trailing edge of the wing is pivoted downward to a position below the top wall of the vehicle body when the door is closed.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventors: Hunter Miller, John Vogel, James R. Tuerk
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Patent number: 10864948Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder, John Vogel, James R. Tuerk
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Patent number: 10717479Abstract: A drag reducing device for a vehicle body having a top wall and a door pivotably mounted to the rear of the body to open toward a side wall of the body, includes a wing sized and configured to turn airflow across the top wall of the body, the wing having a trailing edge and a proximal edge; and an assembly mounted to the door and configured for pivoting the wing so that the trailing edge of the wing is pivoted upward to a position above the top wall of the vehicle body when the door is open and for pivoting the wing so that the trailing edge of the wing is pivoted downward to a position below the top wall of the vehicle body when the door is closed. A break-away feature is provided that allows the wing to pivot downward when the deployed wing is contacted.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventors: Hunter Miller, John Vogel, James R. Tuerk
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Patent number: 10703180Abstract: An arm assembly for a cover system includes a force mechanism contained within a hollow arm of the assembly that includes a resiliently compressible element, such as a compression spring, with a cable or wire extending through the element. The cable is fastened at one end to an end cap that bears against one end of the compression spring. The opposite end of the cable is fastened to a base mounted to the container body. The base includes a pulley about which the cable is wound as the arm pivots relative to the base. As the arm pivots and the cable winds about the pulley, the end cap bears against the spring to compress the spring.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
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Patent number: 10532780Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder, John Vogel, James R. Tuerk
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Patent number: 10434851Abstract: A cover system includes a cover, two bail arms, and a fluid circuit. Each bail arm is mounted on a gliding assembly. Each gliding assembly includes a gliding body slidably supported on a vehicle frame, and a cylinder connected to the gliding body and defining first and second ends. The fluid circuit is configured to supply fluid to the first end of the first cylinder and the second end of the second cylinder. A fluid line connects the second end of the first cylinder to the first end of the second cylinder and is configured to direct the fluid between the cylinders such that a flow of the fluid to the first cylinder causes movement of the cylinders, gliding bodies, and bail arms in a first direction, and a flow to the second cylinder causes movement of the cylinders, gliding bodies, and bail arms in a second opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
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Patent number: 10434850Abstract: A tarp deployment mechanism for covering a container with a flexible cover sized to cover the container in a deployed configuration is disclosed. The deployment mechanism comprises: a bail member spanning a width of the container and carrying one end of the flexible cover, the bail member movable to an extended position in which the one end of the flexible cover is adjacent one end of the container, the bail member having at least one hollow body portion that defines at least one cavity that extends throughout the hollow body portion of the bail member; and at least one cable arranged within the at least one cavity defined by the at least one hollow body portion of the bail member. The cable prevents complete dislocation of the bail member in the event of its fracture.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2018Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventor: Ronald Eggers
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Patent number: 10434852Abstract: A drive assembly mounted on a pivot arm for a cover system having a cover supported on an axle for the cover to be wound and unwound, the drive assembly including a housing, a drive motor including a hypoid pinion gear in meshed engagement with a hypoid ring gear, a transfer gear engaged to the hypoid ring gear for rotation therewith, an output gear in meshed engagement with the transfer gear, and an output shaft engaged to the output gear for rotation therewith, the output shaft engaged to the axle to transmit rotation from the drive assembly to the axle. The hypoid ring gear, the transfer gear and the output gear are sized and arranged so that the output gear overlaps the hypoid ring gear, and so that the hypoid pinion gear and the output gear are on the same side of the hypoid ring gear and laterally overlap each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2019Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
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Patent number: 10328777Abstract: A drive assembly mounted on a pivot arm for a cover system having a cover supported on an axle for the cover to be wound and unwound, the drive assembly including a housing, a drive motor including a hypoid pinion gear in meshed engagement with a hypoid ring gear, a transfer gear engaged to the hypoid ring gear for rotation therewith, an output gear in meshed engagement with the transfer gear, and an output shaft engaged to the output gear for rotation therewith, the output shaft engaged to the axle to transmit rotation from the drive assembly to the axle. The hypoid ring gear, the transfer gear and the output gear are sized and arranged so that the output gear overlaps the hypoid ring gear, and so that the hypoid pinion gear and the output gear are on the same side of the hypoid ring gear and laterally overlap each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
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Patent number: 10214254Abstract: A drag reducing device for a vehicle body having a top wall and a door pivotably mounted to the rear of the body to open toward a side wall of the body, includes a wing sized and configured to turn airflow across the top wall of the body, the wing having a trailing edge and a proximal edge; and an assembly mounted to the door and configured for pivoting the wing so that the trailing edge of the wing is pivoted upward to a position above the top wall of the vehicle body when the door is open and for pivoting the wing so that the trailing edge of the wing is pivoted downward to a position below the top wall of the vehicle body when the door is closed.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventors: Hunter Miller, John Vogel, James R. Tuerk
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Patent number: 10155435Abstract: A cover system for an open-topped container body includes a cover assembly supported by a first arm assembly pivotably mounted at one end of the container body and a second arm assembly mounted at the opposite end of the body. The first arm assembly is coupled to one end of the cover assembly and includes a drive motor for rotating the cover assembly between deployed and retracted positions. The second arm assembly includes an arm pivotably mounted to the container body, a chain connected at one end to the free end of the arm, and an engagement element connected at the opposite end of the chain that is coupled to the opposite end of the cover assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
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Patent number: 10023033Abstract: An arm assembly for a cover system includes a force mechanism contained within a hollow arm of the assembly that includes a resiliently compressible element, such as a compression spring, with a cable or wire extending through the element. The cable is fastened at one end to an end cap that bears against one end of the compression spring. The opposite end of the cable is fastened to a base mounted to the container body. The base includes a pulley about which the cable is wound as the arm pivots relative to the base. As the arm pivots and the cable winds about the pulley, the end cap bears against the spring to compress the spring.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
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Patent number: 9969248Abstract: A cover system includes a flexible cover, a pair of bail arms connected to one end of said flexible cover, and a corresponding pivot mechanism for pivotably supporting each bail arm. Each pivot mechanism is mounted on a corresponding gliding assembly, and each gliding assembly includes a pair of oppositely disposed rails fixedly mounted to the frame of the vehicle, a gliding body slidably supported on the pair of rails, and a cylinder supporting the gliding body and slidably supported on a rod assembly. The rod assembly includes a pair of collinearly disposed rods, coupled together by a piston element, the piston element defining opposite fluid paths for a pressurizing fluid conveyed under pressure to the cylinder. A fluid circuit is configured to selectively supply pressurized fluid to each cylinder through the pair of rods to move the cylinder, and therefore the gliding body and bails arms supported thereon, in one of two opposite directions along the length of the vehicle frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
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Patent number: 9937964Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventors: Reeder Ryan, John Vogel, James R. Tuerk
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Patent number: 9873466Abstract: 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. Vortex generators are provided on one or more surfaces of the drag reducing device to improve the drag reduction characteristics of the device.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventors: James R. Tuerk, John Vogel
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Patent number: 9815506Abstract: An underbody storage box assembly mountable beneath a vehicle body includes a storage box mountable to the underbody of the vehicle body, the storage box having a leading face and a trailing face in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The assembly is provided with a pair of like-configured aerodynamic caps, one mounted at the leading face of the storage box and the other mounted at the trailing face of the storage box. Each of the aerodynamic caps includes opposite side panels, each having a substantially triangular shape with a rear edge abutting the storage box, a base edge that is substantially perpendicular to the rear edge, and a front edge that is arranged at an acute angle relative to the base edge. A front panel is connected between the opposite side panels at the front edge.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventors: John Vogel, Ryan Reeder
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Patent number: 9812923Abstract: A gear motor includes an electric motor, a high ratio hypoid ring and pinion coupled to the motor, and one set of spur gears to couple to and work with the spiroid gear set to transfer power to an output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss