Patent · US Active

Flexible truck skirt with floating mount

US7686385B2 · kind B2 · utility

63Cited by

25References

18Claims

0Family size

Assignee

U-HAUL INTERNATIONAL, INC. · US

Inventors

Robert A. Dolan · Apache Junction, US
David L. Simpson · Gilbert, US

Key dates

Filing date	Feb 2, 2006
Grant date	Mar 30, 2010
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jul 5, 2026

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB60R19/565
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle skirt panel assembly includes a skirt panel comprising a thermoplastic material and including a plurality of panel sections each having one or more ribs on its exterior. The skirt panel is mounted to the vehicle so the skirt panel projects below the side of the vehicle and the skirt panel can move relative to the vehicle to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the skirt panel without deforming the skirt panel. One or more struts are mounted between the vehicle and a lower portion of the skirt panel. The strut is adjustable and is deformable to absorb an impact to the exterior of the skirt panel. The strut is bendable by hand to allow the skirt panel to be returned to the original position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.