Patent ID: 8783727
Filing Date: 2014-07-22
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A retractable mud flap assembly for a motor vehicle supported on wheels for movement in a forward working direction, the assembly comprising: a housing extending in a lateral direction between two opposing ends; a hitch attachment arranged to suspend the housing from a hitching portion of the vehicle rearward of the wheels such that the lateral direction is perpendicular to the forward working direction of the vehicle; a shaft supported by the housing for rotation about an axis of the shaft oriented in the lateral direction; and a mud flap panel spanning longitudinally between an inner edge secured to the shaft and an opposing free outer edge; the mud flap panel being formed of a flexible material so as to be movable between a working position depending downwardly from the housing towards the free outer edge and a stored position rolled onto the shaft; and the hitch attachment comprising a bracket arranged to be secured about a hitch receiver tube on the vehicle in a manner which does not interfere with mounting of a hitch ball relative to the hitch receiver tube.