IP Library Granted Patent US 11,613,312
Granted Patent B2
US 11,613,312 · App. 17/189,471 · Granted Mar 28, 2023

Systems, methods, and devices for an automobile door or window

Inventors: Trevor R. Milton (Phoenix, AZ); Stephen Jennes (Glendale, AZ); Markus Scholten (Phoenix, AZ)
Assignee: NIKOLA CORPORATION
B62D33/0612B60J5/0497B60J5/062B60K6/20B60K6/26B60N3/001B60N3/008B60N3/10B60N3/16B60R3/00B62D35/001B62D35/005E05D15/0604E05F15/41E05F15/60E05F15/632E05F15/70E05F15/73B60K6/28B60L58/26E05Y2900/516Y10S903/906Y10S903/907
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,613,312
App. No.
17/189,471
Granted
Mar 28, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A trailer truck is the combination of a truck and one or more trailers used to haul freight. A trailer attaches to the truck via a trailer coupling (hitch), with much of its weight borne by the truck. The result is that both the truck and the trailer will have a distinctly different design than a rigid truck and trailer. Exemplary vehicles are provided, such as heavy duty trucks having truck bodies with improved aerodynamic characteristics, including improved drag coefficients.

Claims (28)

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a body comprising a nose section, a windshield, and a roof, wherein the nose section comprises an upper portion and a lower portion;

a cabin located within the body, the cabin comprising a seat;

a door comprising a width for providing ingress and egress to and from the cabin; and

a bisecting plane that bisects a width of the vehicle,

wherein the lower portion defines a first slope angle between about 0° and about 6° taken from vertical and that lies in the bisecting plane,

wherein the upper portion defines a second slope angle between about 24° and about 34° taken from vertical and that lies in the bisecting plane,

wherein the windshield defines a third slope angle between about 32° and about 42° taken from vertical and that lies in the bisecting plane,

wherein the roof defines a fourth slope angle between about 71° and about 81° taken from vertical and that lies in the bisecting plane,

wherein a majority of the width of the door is unobstructed by the seat.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle has a drag coefficient that is between about 0.42 and about 0.46.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising an electric motor and an electric drive train.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the width of the door is completely unobstructed by the seat.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the seat is at least two feet from the majority of the width of the door.

6. A vehicle, comprising:

a body comprising a nose section, a windshield, and a roof, wherein the nose section comprises an upper portion and a lower portion;

a cabin located within the body, the cabin comprising a seat and a sleeper;

a door comprising a width located on the body for providing ingress and egress to and from the cabin; and

a bisecting plane that bisects a width of the vehicle,

wherein the lower portion defines a first slope angle between about 0° and 6° taken from vertical and that lies in the bisecting plane,

wherein the upper portion defines a second slope angle between about 20° and about 30° taken from vertical and that lies in the bisecting plane,

wherein the windshield defines a third slope angle between about 31° and about 41° taken from vertical and that lies in the bisecting plane,

wherein the roof defines a fourth slope angle between about 42° and 52° taken from vertical and that lies in the bisecting plane,

wherein a majority of the width of the door is unobstructed by the seat.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the vehicle has a drag coefficient that is between about 0.36 and about 0.40.

8. The vehicle of claim 6 , further comprising an electric motor and an electric drive train.

9. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the width of the door is completely unobstructed by the seat.

10. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the seat is at least two feet from the majority of the width of the door.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 25, 2025
From: NIKOLA CORPORATION
To: HYROAD NETWORKS LLC
Reel/Frame 073706/0118 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 2, 2021
From: MILTON, TREVOR R.; JENNES, STEPHEN; SCHOLTEN, MARKUS
To: NIKOLA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055456/0523 →
Continuity (15)
Continuation 16412748 · May 15, 2019
Continuation In Part 15410130 · Jan 19, 2017
Division 15396209 · Dec 30, 2016
Continuation In Part 15357350 · Nov 21, 2016
Continuation In Part 17189471
Continuation In Part 16509073 · Jul 11, 2019
Continuation In Part 15889159 · Feb 5, 2018
Continuation In Part 15396209 · Dec 30, 2016
Continuation In Part 15357350 · Nov 21, 2016
Continuation In Part 15396209 · Dec 30, 2016
Continuation In Part 15357350 · Nov 21, 2016
Continuation In Part 15357350 · Nov 21, 2016
Provisional Application 62391745 · May 9, 2016
Provisional Application 62273256 · Dec 30, 2015
Related Publication 20210179202A1 · Jun 17, 2021