Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least two air deflection elements each coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door that the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. The air deflection elements are preferably arranged above, below and on either side of the rear-facing door of the vehicle, with at least the latter two air deflection elements having matching configurations. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least two air deflection elements each coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door that the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. The air deflection elements are preferably arranged above, below and on either side of the rear-facing door of the vehicle, with at least the latter two air deflection elements having matching configurations. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least two air deflection elements coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. The air deflection elements are preferably arranged above, below and on either side of the rear-facing door(s) of the vehicle, with at least the latter two air deflection elements having matching configurations. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least two air deflection elements coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle or, in other embodiments, at least two air deflection elements coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. The air deflection elements are preferably arranged above, below and on either side of the rear-facing surface of the vehicle, with at least the latter two air deflection elements having matching configurations, and in some embodiments, with one or more of the air deflection elements being associated with a frame within which it is substantially disposed when in the retracted position.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least two air deflection elements coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle or, in other embodiments, at least two air deflection elements coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. The air deflection elements are preferably arranged above, below and on either side of the rear-facing surface of the vehicle, with at least the latter two air deflection elements having matching configurations, and in some embodiments, with one or more of the air deflection elements being associated with a frame within which it is substantially disposed when in the retracted position.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least two air deflection elements coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle or, in other embodiments, at least two air deflection elements coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. The air deflection elements are preferably arranged above, below and on either side of the rear-facing surface of the vehicle, with at least the latter two air deflection elements having matching configurations, and in some embodiments, with one or more of the air deflection elements being associated with a frame within which it is substantially disposed when in the retracted position.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least two air deflection elements coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. The air deflection elements are preferably arranged above, below and on either side of the rear-facing surface of the vehicle, with at least the latter two air deflection elements having matching configurations. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle, the vehicle having no rear-facing door(s). The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. The air deflection elements are preferably arranged above, below and on either side of the rear-facing surface of the vehicle. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least one air deflection element coupled to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. Each air deflection element is coupled to a respective portion of the rear-facing surface of the vehicle that is arranged above, below or on either side of the rear door, and each air deflection element is associated with a frame in which it is substantially disposed when in the retracted position. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least one air deflection element coupled to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. Each air deflection element is coupled to a respective portion of the rear-facing surface of the vehicle that is arranged above, below or on either side of the rear door, and each air deflection element is associated with a frame in which it is substantially disposed when in the retracted position. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle or, in other embodiments, at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. Each air deflection element comprises a housing member and an elongating member, and the elongating members are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position. The elongating members may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle or, in other embodiments, at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. Each air deflection element comprises a housing member and an elongating member, and the elongating members are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position. The elongating members may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle or, in other embodiments, at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position in which the air deflection elements intersect with the air flowing around the top and sides, and preferably also the bottom, of the vehicle, and in which they divert that airflow in a manner that enhances the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle and thereby improves its fuel economy, resulting in a reduction in fuel cost.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle or, in other embodiments, at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position in which the air deflection elements intersect with the air flowing around the top and sides, and preferably also the bottom, of the vehicle, and in which they divert that airflow in a manner that enhances the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle and thereby improves its fuel economy, resulting in a reduction in fuel cost.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle or, in other embodiments, at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position in which the air deflection elements intersect with the air flowing around the top and sides, and preferably also the bottom, of the vehicle, and in which they divert that airflow in a manner that enhances the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle and thereby improves its fuel economy, resulting in a reduction in fuel cost.

Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle or, in other embodiments, at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position in which the air deflection elements intersect with the air flowing around the top and sides, and preferably also the bottom, of the vehicle, and in which they divert that airflow in a manner that enhances the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle and thereby improves its fuel economy, resulting in a reduction in fuel cost.

Abstract: A side-loading all-terrain fork lift vehicle for handling heavy loads which are long relative to their width, e.g., junked cars, in a storage facility having multi-level racks separated by narrow aisles and with restricted vertical clearance between levels. The vehicle body has an elongated load-carrying frame section which includes a longitudinal torsion beam at one side, two transverse torsion beams at its front and rear ends, two transverse medial beams defining a guideway for the mast-carrying trolley, and cross-brace beams between the torsion beams and the medial beams. The front and rear wheel axles are supported by respective rocker frames pivotally mounted on the associated transverse torsion beams and adapted to be angularly moved up and down by respective hydraulic piston and cylinder units which enable the frame section to be lowered so as to rest on the ground during on-loading and off-loading for maximum stability of the vehicle.

Abstract: A side-loading all-terrain fork lift vehicle for handling heavy loads which are long relative to their width, e.g., junked cars, and are stored in multi-level racks separated by narrow aisles and having restricted vertical clearance between levels. The vehicle body, which is about 28 feet long, has a longitudinal, low-slung, load-carrying frame section in front of an operator's cab and at its front and rear ends is mounted by hydraulic piston and cylinder units on front and rear ground wheels which can be independently driven and steered in forward or reverse through a full 180.degree. arc for straight ahead and sideways movements, for radius turning movement, and for crabwise movement. The mast is mounted on a trolley guided for reciprocal movement along a pair of transverse beams in the mid-region of the frame section which can be lowered by the hydraulic units so as to rest on the ground during on-loading and off-loading for maximum stability of the vehicle.