Patents by Inventor John W. Tatom

John W. Tatom 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).

  • Drag reduction apparatus and method
    Patent number: 3951445
    Abstract: An air drag reduction apparatus for a tractor-trailer vehicle including a top fairing panel and a side fairing panel movably mounted on the tractor cab so that the fairing panels are in a stowed position at lower vehicle speeds out of interference with the trailer as the tractor and trailer turn substantially with respect to each other at these lower speeds and in a deployed position at higher vehicle speeds to significantly reduce the air drag on the vehicle normally associated with the air gap between the tractor and trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: John W. Tatom