IP Library › Granted Patent US 12691956
Granted Patent B2
US 12691956 · App. 18/237,226 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Truck/tractor-trailer safety and fuel saving device

Inventors: Mark Peterson (Inver Grove Heights, MN); Loren Paul Skarie (Vergas, MN); Thomas Albert Blomberg (Yucaipa, CA)
B62D35/001B62D25/163B62D25/168
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12691956
App. No.
18/237,226
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device configured for installation behind rear wheels of a truck or trailer includes a cross frame pivotally attachable to frame rails, at least one panel holder comprising a structural member having first and second planar portions joined at an angle relative to one another, and at least one panel attached to the panel holder. Bearings, holder straps, and support brackets facilitate attachment of the device to the frame rails.

Claims (29)

1 . A device installed behind rear wheels of a truck, the truck having a plurality of frame rails with a space between the frame rails and a set of rear wheels positioned below the frame rails, the device comprising:

a cross frame pivotally attached to the frame rails of the truck at an upper end of the cross member;

at least one panel holder comprising a structural member having first and second planar portions joined at an angle relative to one another attached to the cross member at a lower end of the cross member, the lower end of the cross member opposite the upper end thereof; and

at least one panel attached to the at least one panel holder, the at least one panel extending laterally from one lateral end of the truck to an opposing lateral end of the truck.

2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of bearings installed at opposing lateral ends of the cross frame, the cross frame pivotally attached to the frame rails via the pair of bearings.

3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the cross frame comprises a tubular element at the upper end thereof extending laterally between the frame rails.

4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the cross frame comprises a holder strap at each lateral end of the cross frame, the holder strap having an adjustable loop at an upper end thereof, the bearings attached to the cross frame via the adjustable loops.

5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the cross frame comprises a continuous sheet of material that fills a space between the frame rails.

6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one panel holder angle extends laterally in a cantilever relationship to the cross frame.

7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the cross frame is installed between about 30% to about 60% of a distance between the rear tires and a truck bumper.

8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one panel has a plurality of slotted holes therein.

9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the cross frame comprises a tubular element at the upper end thereof extending laterally between the frame rails, a continuous sheet of material that extends downward from the tubular element, and that terminates at an angle relative to the continuous sheet of material, such that at least one panel tilts rearward.

10 . A device installed behind rear wheels of a truck, the truck having a plurality of frame rails with a space between the frame rails and a set of rear wheels positioned below the frame rails, the device comprising:

a cross frame pivotally attached to the frame rails of the truck at an upper end of the cross member;

at least one panel holder comprising a structural member having first and second planar portions joined at an angle relative to one another attached to the cross member at a lower end of the cross member, the lower end of the cross member opposite the upper end thereof; and

at least one panel attached to the at least one panel holder, the at least one panel extending laterally from one lateral end of the truck to an opposing lateral end of the truck, wherein the cross frame comprises a continuous sheet of material that fills a space between the frame rails and wherein the cross frame is installed between about 30% to about 60% of a distance between the rear tires and a truck bumper.

11 . The device of claim 10 , further comprising a pair of bearings installed at opposing lateral ends of the cross frame, the cross frame pivotally attached to the frame rails via the pair of bearings.

12 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the cross frame comprises a tubular element at the upper end thereof extending laterally between the frame rails.

13 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the cross frame comprises a holder strap at each lateral end of the cross frame, the holder strap having an adjustable loop at an upper end thereof, the bearings attached to the cross frame via the adjustable loops.

14 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the at least one panel holder angle extends laterally in a cantilever relationship to the cross frame.

15 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the at least one panel has a plurality of slotted holes therein.

16 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the cross frame comprises a tubular element at the upper end thereof extending laterally between the frame rails, a continuous sheet of material that extends downward from the tubular element, and that terminates at an angle relative to the continuous sheet of material, such that at least one panel tilts rearward.

17 . A device installed behind rear wheels of a truck, the truck having a plurality of frame rails with a space between the frame rails and a set of rear wheels positioned below the frame rails, the device comprising:

a cross frame pivotally attached to the frame rails of the truck at an upper end of the cross member, wherein the cross frame comprises a tubular element at the upper end thereof extending laterally between the frame rails;

at least one panel holder comprising a structural member having first and second planar portions joined at an angle relative to one another attached to the cross member at a lower end of the cross member, the lower end of the cross member opposite the upper end thereof; and

at least one panel attached to the at least one panel holder, the at least one panel extending laterally from one lateral end of the truck to an opposing lateral end of the truck, wherein the cross frame comprises a continuous sheet of material that fills a space between the frame rails and wherein the cross frame is installed between about 30% to about 60% of a distance between the rear tires and a truck bumper, wherein the cross frame comprises a holder strap at each lateral end of the cross frame, the holder strap having an adjustable loop at an upper end thereof, the bearings attached to the cross frame via the adjustable loops.

18 . The device of claim 17 , further comprising a pair of bearings installed at opposing lateral ends of the cross frame, the cross frame pivotally attached to the frame rails via the pair of bearings.

19 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the at least one panel holder extends laterally in a cantilever relationship to the cross frame.

20 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the cross frame comprises a tubular element at the upper end thereof extending laterally between the frame rails, a continuous sheet of material that extends downward from the tubular element, and that terminates at an angle relative to the continuous sheet of material, such that at least one panel tilts rearward.