Patent ID: 6533323
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A quarter fender adapted for use with a tractor having at least one front wheel, a tractor body, a cab and a step portion, the front wheel having a specified width and a vertical axis, the tractor body having an outer surface, the step portion located behind the front wheel and beneath the cab and having a top surface and a bottom edge, the quarter fender preventing mud and other debris from splashing behind the front wheel onto the tractor body and the cab, the quarter fender comprising:(a) an arcuate planar substantially rectangular top panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, an inner edge proximate to the tractor body, an outer edge and a middle portion, the top panel having a width sufficient to approximately span across the specified width of the front wheel, the top panel further having a concave front side and a convex back side; (b) a planar substantially rectangular bottom panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, an inner edge proximate to the tractor body, an outer edge, a front side and a back side, the bottom panel having a width extending wider than the width of the top panel whereby the inner edge of the bottom panel is level with the outer surface of the tractor body proximate the front wheel, the top edge of the bottom panel being secured to the bottom edge of the top panel; and (c) means for attaching the top panel of the quarter fender to the step portion, whereby the quarter fender is adapted to be attached to the step portion such that the concave front side of the top panel faces the front wheel, the means for attaching the top panel of the quarter fender to the step portion comprises, the top surface of the step portion having a plurality of threaded vertical holes proximate the front wheel, a horizontal bracket member having a vertically extending member and a horizontally extending member, the vertically and horizontally extending members coming together lengthwise to form a perpendicular corner edge of the bracket member, the bracket member having a length approximately equal to the width of the top panel, the vertically and horizontally extending members spanning the length of the bracket member, the horizontally extending member having a plurality of threaded vertical holes therethrough, the horizontally extending member resting on the top surface of the step portion such that the bracket member faces the convex back side of the top panel and the vertically extending member projects upwardly in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the step portion, whereby the plurality of threaded vertical holes of the horizontally extending member are aligned with the plurality of threaded vertical holes of the top surface of the step portion, two L-shaped bars comprising an inner bar and an outer bar, the bars each having a longer vertical branch and a shorter horizontal branch, the shorter horizontal branch having a threaded vertical hole therethrough, the longer vertical branch having an arcuate shape to match the shape of the convex back side of the top panel, whereby the threaded vertical holes of the shorter horizontal branches are aligned with the plurality of threaded vertical holes of the horizontally extending member of the bracket member, a plurality of threaded bolts, a means for securing the longer vertical branch of the inner bar to the convex back side of the top panel near the inner edge thereof and proximate the tractor body, and a means for securing the longer vertical branch of the outer bar to the convex back side of the top panel near the middle portion thereof, whereby two of the threaded bolts are inserted through each of the aligned threaded holes to removably secure the shorter horizontal branches of the bars to the horizontally extending member of the bracket member to the top surface of the step portion.