Abstract:
A mudflap assembly comprising a bracket for connection to a vehicle and a swiveling support is claimed. A mudflap support bar is connected to an upper end of the swiveling support for supporting a mudflap. The bracket rotatably receives the free lower end of the swiveling support hanger and maintains the mudflap support bar in an initial resting position until the support bar is acted upon by a horizontal force. A spring installed on the free lower end of the swiveling support hanger provides compressive force against the bracket.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/854,882, entitled “Ramping Mudflap Assembly,” filed on Oct. 27, 2006, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of spray suppression in commercial trucking. In particular, the present invention relates to a mudflap assembly. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Mudguards or mudflaps are used primarily behind single or dual rear-wheeled truck and trailer vehicles, particularly heavy duty class 6, 7, and 8. Typically, the mudflap assemblies have the ability to flex in horizontal and vertical directions in order to withstand forces placed upon them during normal operation. Some mudguard mounting structures comprise a single piece of spring-like bar stock bent in a shape for supporting the mudguards and for flexing in all directions. 
         [0004]    Other mounting assemblies for mudflaps use a rigid hanger assembly and resiliently bias the hanger assembly to a seat which is attached to a vehicle. In such assemblies, devices are often provided for restraining rotational movement of the hanger assembly with respect to the seat so that the mudflap always remains in its vertical orientation. If the hanger rotates so that the flap moves toward the wheels, the wheels may prematurely wear the mudflap away. If the hanger rotates in an opposite direction, the effectiveness of the mudflap may be diminished. 
         [0005]    Mudflap brackets having a horizontal tube with a longitudinal mudflap mounting flange on its underside are known. Such brackets comprise a vehicle frame-mounted plate having bolts or studs of a predetermined, fixed separation, often selected to match existing manufacturer provided apertures in the vehicle frame. A proximate end of the horizontal tube is held against the frame-mounted plate, generally in an abutting relationship, by the bias of an elongate spring residing in the tube, the spring connected at one end to the frame-mounted plate and at the other end to the tube, at a location on the tube distal from the vehicle frame. 
         [0006]    The abutting relationship of the horizontal tube and mounting plate to the frame-mounted plate may result in misalignment of the tube, which occurs when the tube is struck or subjected to the forces experienced by the vehicle traveling down the road. The bias of the elongate spring may not overcome the misalignment by itself. Corners or edges between the mounting plate, or tube, and the frame-mounted plate catch or hang up on each other, preventing realignment of the tube. Furthermore, such devices can be expensive to manufacture and replace, and are difficult to install and assemble. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present disclosure provides a ramping mudflap assembly. The mudflap bracket contains a universal bolting pattern for attachment to any vehicle frame, and can be made from any material such as metal, composites, or high-density plastics which are capable of withstanding normal operational forces. An L-shaped mudflap hanger is inserted within the bracket leaving the mudflap projecting outwardly. The mudflap hanger may be made of durable material such as metal, composites, or high-density plastics, capable of withstanding normal operational forces. In one embodiment, the mudflap hanger is held in place by a V-shaped groove formed into the hanger which corresponds to V-shaped ramps on the top surface of the mudflap bracket. A spring is slid over the portion of the hanger projecting through the bracket, and a clip is secured to the bottom of the hanger, holding the spring in place. The spring provides a compressive force between the bracket and the clip. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the mudflap and hanger are pre-formed together. In another embodiment, the mudflap is secured to the hanger using traditional means such as bolts or fasteners. Furthermore, any device or material capable of providing compressive force can be used in the place of the spring. Finally, instead of a clip, a different means of securing the spring to the hanger, such as a cap on the bottom of the hanger may be used so long as the spring can maintain a compressive force on the bottom of the bracket. 
         [0009]    Vertical forces experienced by the mudflap assembly are absorbed by the spring, while horizontal forces cause the hanger to rotate about the bracket wherein the V-shaped coupling between the two components causes the hanger and mudflap to become displaced upward and away from such force. Such displacement further compresses the spring such that when the horizontal force is removed, the hanger returns along the ramp to its resting position where the V-shaped groove of the hanger rests within the V-shaped cradle of the bracket 
         [0010]    These and other embodiments of the present invention will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of mudflap assembly according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mudflap assembly of  FIG. 1  in an assembled configuration. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a frontal perspective view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a top partial plan view of the mudflap assembly of  FIG. 1  in its initial position installed on a vehicle. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a top partial plan view of the mudflap assembly of  FIG. 6 , illustrated in a position wherein the mudflap is being acted on by a horizontal force. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top partial plan view of the mudflap assembly of  FIG. 6 , wherein the mudflap assembly has been rotated a full 90 degrees from its initial position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an perspective view of a mudflap assembly according to the present disclosure, wherein the mudflap assembly is in its initial position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view of the mudflap assembly illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of a mudflap assembly of  FIG. 10 , wherein the mudflap assembly has been acted on by a horizontal force. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view of a mudflap assembly of  FIG. 10 , wherein the mudflap assembly has been rotated a full 90 degrees from its initial position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    The various embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. Throughout the drawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of mudflap assembly  101 , and  FIG. 2  illustrates this embodiment in an assembled configuration. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , L-shaped hanger  105  comprises mudflap support bar  106  and swiveling support  107 . Mudflap support bar  106  is a substantially horizontal bar which provides structural support for resilient mudflap  110 . Swiveling support  107  is a substantially vertical and substantially cylindrical support that rotates around its vertical axis to move mudflap  110  out of the way of any obstacles (not illustrated) it encounters. Swiveling support  107  comprises a free bottom end  144  and also comprises one or more V-shaped protrusions  108  which abut bracket  120 , as further discussed below. 
         [0027]    Support bar  106 , swiveling support  107 , and mudflap  110  may be provided as a one-piece molded assembly, or may comprise separate components that are joined together by any number of means known in the art. Further, support bar  106  and swiveling support  107  may consist of a one-piece assembly that is connected to a separable mudflap  110 . This arrangement may be desirable for ease of changing out worn mudflaps  110 . 
         [0028]    Bracket  120  rotatably connects the support bar  106 , swiveling support  107 , and mudflap  110  to a vehicle (not illustrated). Bracket  120  comprises a substantially cylindrical main opening  121  for receiving swiveling support  107 . Bracket  120  further comprises fastener holes  122  for receiving fasteners (not illustrated) that connect bracket  120  to the vehicle (the vehicle being described further with reference to  FIGS. 6-8 ).  FIG. 2  illustrates swiveling support  107  installed into bracket  120 . 
         [0029]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate front and rear perspective views, respectively, of one embodiment of bracket  120 . Main opening  121 , a substantially vertical and substantially cylindrical channel, receives swiveling support  107  ( FIGS. 1-2 ). Fastener holes  122  in substantially flat rear side  126  receive standard fasteners (not illustrated) for attaching bracket  120  to a vehicle (not illustrated). Fastener holes are illustrated in a universal bolt pattern, but may be provided in any practicable pattern, number, and size. Access holes  123  provide access for tools (not illustrated) to install fasteners into fastener holes  122 . 
         [0030]    Top surface  127  of bracket  120  comprises ramped or angled features to partially conform to angled protrusions  108  ( FIG. 1 ) on swiveling support  107  ( FIG. 1 ). More specifically, referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and with further reference to  FIG. 5 , top surface  127  comprises two mirror-imaged downward-sloping ramps  131  and  136  that slope downwardly from the rear side  126  of bracket  120 . Two mirror-imaged upward-sloping ramps  133  and  132  adjacent to downward-sloping ramps  131  and  136 , respectively, slope upwardly from the lowermost point  134  of the top surface  127  of bracket  120 . As can be seen in the side view of  FIG. 5 , the ramps  131  and  133  form a “V” shape, or valley, where ramps  131  and  133  meet on one side of bracket  120 . Similarly, ramps  132  and  136  form a “V” shape or valley where they meet on the other side of bracket  120 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , forward notch  138  is disposed at the forward top edge of bracket  120  where upward-sloping ramp  133  approaches upward-sloping ramp  132 . Rearward notch  135  is disposed at the rearward top edge of bracket  120  at the location where downward-sloping ramp  136  approaches downward-sloping ramp  131 . 
         [0032]    Spring  130  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is installed onto swiveling support  107  and is retained on support  107  by clip  125 . Spring  130  contacts and exerts a force in the +y direction against bracket  120 . Spring  130  is illustrated as a traditional spiral-type spring, but may be any appropriate visoelastic compressive material known in the art that would provide adequate force against bracket  120 , such as rubber, elastic, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, clip  125  is a semi-circular clip that engages groove  109  on support  107  to retain spring  130 . Other suitable types of clips or retention mechanisms are well known in the art. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 7-9  illustrate the orientation of the mudflap assembly  101  during operation. Specifically,  FIG. 7  is a top partial view of a vehicle  102  with a mudflap assembly  101  installed behind a wheel  103 , wherein the mudflap assembly  101  is in its initial or “resting” orientation (i.e., when no force has been applied to the mudflap  110  ( FIG. 1 ) or L-shaped hanger  105  sufficient to move L-shaped hanger  105  from its starting position perpendicular to the side  104  of the vehicle  102 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , upon contact by an obstacle or object  111 , L-shaped hanger  105  may experience sufficient horizontal force to rotate in either a forwards or backwards direction as it swivels within bracket  120 . When the force is removed from the hanger  105 , the hanger will return to its initial or resting position.  FIG. 9  illustrates the L-shaped hanger  105  after it has rotated a full 90 degrees from its initial position. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12  illustrate the interoperation of bracket  120  with vertical support  107  during the rotation of mudflap assembly  101  described in the preceding paragraph. Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , when the mudflap assembly  101  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is in its resting position, V-shaped protrusions or outcropping  108  ( FIG. 1 ) on swiveling support  107  substantially align with the “V” shaped surfaces created by downward-sloping ramp  136  adjacent to upward-sloping ramp  132  and downward-sloping ramp  131  ( FIG. 3 ) adjacent to upward-sloping ramp  133 . The force of spring  130  pressing against bracket  120  causes the protrusions  108  of swiveling support  107  to press tightly against the top surface  127  of bracket  120 . 
         [0035]    When a horizontal force is applied to L-shaped hanger  105  (e.g., when the hanger  105  encounters an obstacle  111  (FIGS.  8 - 9 )), swiveling support  107  may begin to rotate within bracket  120  in the direction opposite from the force. As swiveling support  107  rotates, lowermost point  140  on V-shaped protrusion  108  presses against upward-sloping ramp  132 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . When the horizontal force is removed from hanger  105 , lowermost point  140  will “travel” back down ramp  132  and the mudflap assembly  101  will return to its resting position (as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). 
         [0036]    Regardless of what direction the swiveling support  107  rotates after the hanger  105  is acted upon by a force, the biasing force caused by ramps  131 ,  132 ,  133 , or  136  pressed against V-shaped protrusions  108  causes the swiveling support  107  to return to its initial resting position. An exception to this general rule occurs when the horizontal force on hanger  105  is sufficient to rotate swiveling support  107  approximately 90 degrees, which causes lowermost point  140  to travel all the way “up” ramp  132  until it comes to a rest in notch  138 , which prevents swiveling support  107  from rotating beyond 90 degrees. Once swiveling support  107  has rotated approximately 90 degrees such that point  140  rests in notch  138 , swiveling support  107  will remain in that position until it is manually “reset” to its initial position. 
         [0037]    Although protrusions  108  are illustrated as a V-shaped surface that contacts with the ramped surfaces of bracket  120 , in other embodiments protrusions  108  may have other shapes and configurations, such as a pin or knob protruding from the swiveling support  107 . 
         [0038]    The illustrated embodiments of bracket  120  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) include mirror-imaged downward-sloping ramps  131  and  136  and mirror-imaged upward-sloping ramps  133  and  132 , and bracket  120  is symmetrical about the axis running through notches  130  and  135 . Further, the top surface  127  is illustrated as being symmetrical from the side view, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . This configuration allows bracket  120  to be used installed on either the right or left side of a vehicle, and for the mudflap  110  to rotate both frontwards and backwards when installed in either location. Other embodiments of the bracket  120  may be tailored to either the left or right side of the invention, and therefore may not have the mirror-imaged ramps or the above-described symmetry. 
         [0039]    This invention may be provided in other specific forms and embodiments without departing from the essential characteristics as described herein. The embodiments described above are to be considered in all aspects as illustrative only and not restrictive in any manner. The following claims rather than the foregoing description indicate the scope of the invention. 
         [0040]    As described above and shown in the associated drawings, the present invention comprises a mudflap assembly. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the present invention.