Abstract:
A mounting assembly for a mud flap of a vehicle includes a mounting bracket for securing to a vehicle. A squeeze member having at least one aperture formed therein is provided with the mounting assembly. At least one wedge member having a wedge body with a transverse dimension that increases along the length of the wedge body is also provided. At least one wedge receiving member is coupled to the mounting bracket and projects through the at least one aperture of the squeeze member. The wedge receiving member has a wedge receiving portion configured for receiving the wedge body. The wedge body forces the squeeze member against the mounting bracket when the wedge body is received within the wedge receiving portion of the wedge receiving member so that the mud flap positioned between mounting bracket and squeeze member is frictionally held therebetween.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/775,878, filed Feb. 23, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The invention relates to wheeled vehicles, and more particularly, to mud flaps and devices for securing mud flaps to wheeled vehicles.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0003]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which:  
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a mounting assembly for a mud flap;  
         [0005]      FIG. 2  is front elevational view of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 , shown with a mud flap held by the mounting assembly;  
         [0006]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the mud flap assembly of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0007]      FIG. 4  is side cross-sectional view of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 3 , taken along the lines IV-IV; and  
         [0008]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment mounting assembly for a mud flap;  
         [0009]      FIG. 6  is a elevational view of still another embodiment of a mounting assembly for a mud flap mounted to a vehicle frame.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mounting assembly  10  for a mud flap is shown. The mounting assembly  10  may be employed with trucks, trailers and other wheeled vehicles. In particular, the mounting assembly  10  may be used on wheeled vehicles where the mud flaps are mounted at a location where they encounter objects during backing operations, which may result in the mud flap being pinched between the wheel and the object. In such instances, this can result in the mud flap being pulled or torn from the vehicle, resulting in damage to the mud flap and requiring substantial effort and costs in replacing the mud flap.  
         [0011]     The assembly  10  may be configured for mounting to a preexisting mud flap bracket  12  or securing device that may be provided with the vehicle. Such conventional mud flap brackets  12  are typically mounted to the vehicle directly behind the rear wheels of the vehicle. The bracket  12  is typically provided with holes or apertures  14  that correspond to holes formed in a mud flap, such as the holes  16  of mud flap  18 . Bolts are used to bolt the mud flaps  18  to the bracket  12 . In the instances, as discussed above, where the mud flap is pinched during backing operations, the mud flap  18  may be pulled loose from the bracket  12 , with the mud flap tearing or ripping from the holes  16 , which are typically used in conventional mud flaps.  
         [0012]     In the present invention, the mounting assembly  10  may be configured for retrofitting on existing vehicles by use with the preexisting bracket  12  or other mud flap securing device that may be provided with the vehicle. Alternatively, the mounting assembly  10  may be configured for installation during the original manufacture of the vehicle or without the need for the bracket  12 . Additionally, the mounting assembly may be coupled to the vehicle by other means, such as by welding, bolting, etc.  
         [0013]     The mounting assembly  10  includes an elongated mounting bracket  20 , which may have a generally L-shaped cross section, as shown in  FIG. 1 , with mounting bracket angled plate members  22 ,  24  being generally at right angles to one another. The plate member  22  may be configured for generally abutting against the bracket  12 . In the embodiment shown, the plate member has a height of about 3 inches. Mounting holes  26  may be provided in the plate  22  and may be located and configured for corresponding to the two center holes  14 A of the mud flap bracket  12 . The holes  26  may be slightly oversized or elongated to facilitate variances in the position of the holes  14 A of the bracket  12 . Bolts  28  and nuts  30  may be used to couple the mounting bracket  20  to the mud flap bracket  12 .  
         [0014]     A pair of apertures or holes  32  is also provided in the plate member  22  of mounting bracket  20 . The holes  32  are located and configured to correspond to the two outermost holes  14 B of the mud flap bracket  12 . The holes  14 B,  32  receive a pair of wedge bolts  33 . The wedge bolts  33  are provided with a head  34  at one end and a shank  35 , which extends from the head  34 .  
         [0015]     The mounting assembly  10  also includes a squeeze plate  36 . The squeeze plate  36  may have a generally flat body but may be outwardly flared or curved at the lower end  38 , as is shown. A lip or inwardly projecting rim  40  is provided at the upper end of squeeze plate  36 . Apertures or holes  42  are provided in the plate  36  and are positioned to generally correspond to the apertures  32  of mounting plate  20 . The apertures  42  may be oversized or slightly elongated to facilitate aligning of the holes  42  with the holes  32  of mounting plate  20 . The position of the apertures  32  and holes  42  may vary, but a suitable location is from about 1 to 2 inches or more below the plate  24 , when assembled.  
         [0016]     The mounting assembly  10  is provided with a pair of wedge members  44 . The wedge members  44  may have a body with a generally curved configuration, as shown. The body of the wedge member  44  tapers inwardly in width from a head  46  at one of the wedge member  44  to a tip  48 . The body of the wedge members  44  may be generally flat or have a generally uniform thickness, which corresponds to an elongated slot  50  formed in the shank  35  of the wedge bolt  33  ( FIG. 2 ). The head  46  is sized to prevent passage of the wedge member  44  through the slot  50  of the wedge bolt  33 . A cotter pin or wedge retaining member  52  may be provided with the wedge member  44  and is received within hole  54  formed in the wedge body at a position opposite the head  46 .  
         [0017]     In use of the mounting assembly  10 , if not already installed, the mounting plate  20  may be bolted or otherwise coupled to an existing mud flap bracket  12  or mud flap securing device by means of the bolts  28  and nuts  30 . Alternatively, the mounting plate  20  may be coupled to the frame of the vehicle through other means. The wedge bolts  33  are also inserted through holes  14 B,  32  and also facilitate mounting of the mounting plate  20  to the mud flap bracket  12 .  
         [0018]     The squeeze plate  36  is positioned against the mounting plate  20  with the lip  40  underlying the plate member  24 , as is shown in  FIG. 3 , with the wedge bolts  33  passing through the apertures  42 . The mud flap  18  is positioned between the mounting plate  20  and squeeze plate  36 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Although the mud flap  18  is shown in  FIG. 1  as having holes for conventional mounting to the mud flap bracket  12 , these may be eliminated from the mud flap  18  since the holes  16  are not used for securing of the mud flap.  
         [0019]     With the mud flap  18  positioned between the plates  20 ,  36 , the wedge members  44 , if not already inserted, are inserted into the slots  50  of wedge bolts  33 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the slot  50  is located and has a sufficient length such that extends across at least a portion of the thickness of the squeeze plate  36  when the mud flap  18  is inserted between plates  20 ,  36 . In this way, the wedge members  44  force the squeeze plate  36  towards the mounting plate  20  and against the mud flap  18  as they are inserted through the slots  50  of the wedge bolts  33 . A hammer or other tool may be used to securely seat the wedge members  44  within the slots  50 . This securely fixes the mud flap  18  in place between the plates  20 ,  36 . The cotter pin or retaining member  52  may then be positioned within the aperture  54  of the wedge member  44 . The cotter pin  52  prevents loss of the wedge members  44  during use, should the wedge members  44  become loose.  
         [0020]     The mounting assembly  10  securely holds the mud flap  18  in place upon the vehicle without falling. If the mud flap  18  is pulled loose from the mounting assembly  10 , however, such as during backing operations where the mud flap becomes pinched between the tire and another object, there is no damage to the mud flap, as would occur in conventional mounting methods where the mud flap is ripped loose from the mounting bolts. Further, the above-described mounting method allows such damaged or ripped mud flaps to be reused without cutting the mud flap and/or punching new holes in the mud flap.  
         [0021]     If the mud flap falls from the mounting assembly  10 , it is merely repositioned between the plate members  20 ,  36 . The wedge members  44  may then be reseated and secured within the slots  50  of the wedge bolts  33 , as previously described.  
         [0022]     In an alternate embodiment, the bolts  28  and nuts  30  that are used to secure the mounting plate  24  to the mud flap bracket  12  may be eliminated and the wedge bolts  33  may be passed through the holes  14 B of the mud flap bracket  12  and through the holes  32 . In this way, the wedge bolts  33  secure the mounting assembly  10  to the bracket  12 . Additional wedge bolts  33  may be used with additional wedge members  44 , with the wedge bolts  33  passing through apertures  14 A,  26  in the mounting plate  24  and apertures (not shown), which may be formed in the squeeze plate  36 , to provide a stronger coupling. Additionally, the position of the apertures  32  and holes  42  may be inverted, with the mounting holes  26  being located at the ends and the apertures  32  being located in the middle. In such instances, the holes  42  in squeeze plate  36  would also be positioned toward the center to align with the apertures  32 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of a mud flap mounting assembly  60 . The mounting assembly  60  is similar in construction to the mounting assembly  10 , previously described, with similar components labeled with the same reference numeral. The assembly  60  includes a mounting plate  62  that is similar to the mounting plate  20 . The mounting plate  62  also includes vertical plate member  64  and horizontal plate member  24 . In the embodiment shown, the plate member  64  has a height of about 4½ to 5 inches.  
         [0024]     In the embodiment shown, instead of separate wedge bolt members that project through the plate member  64 , wedge bolt members  66  are joined directly to the plate member  64 , such as by welding, casting, threading or the like, with and project from plate  64 . The wedge bolt members  66  are positioned inwardly from the ends of the plate member  64 , with the mounting holes  26  being located near the ends of the plate member  64 . Although the position of the bolt members may vary, as an example, the wedge bolt members  66  may be located about 1½ inches below the plate member  24  and spaced about 5 to 7 inches from each end of the plate member  64 .  
         [0025]     A squeeze plate  70  is provided with the assembly  60 . The squeeze plate  70  is similar to the squeeze plate  36 , but is formed as a generally flat plate, with no projecting lip or flared lower end. In the embodiment shown, the squeeze plate  70  is formed from a piece of diamond metal plate, so that it is provided with texturized surfaces. Apertures  72  are provided in the plate  70  for receiving the wedge bolt members  66 .  
         [0026]     One or both of the plate member  64  and squeeze plate  70  may be provided with a textured surface. In the embodiment shown, the plate member  64  is provided with a layer or strip of expanded metal (e.g. ⅛ inch thick), which may be welded or otherwise coupled to the plate member  64 , to provide a textured surface.  
         [0027]     In use of the mounting assembly  60 , if not already installed, the mounting plate  62  may be bolted or otherwise coupled to an existing mud flap bracket  12  or mud flap securing device by means of the bolts  28  and nuts  30 .  
         [0028]     The squeeze plate  70  is positioned against the mounting plate  62  with the upper end of the plate  70  underlying the plate member  24 . The wedge bolt members  66  are passed through the apertures  72 . The mud flap  18  is positioned between the mounting plate  62  and squeeze plate  70 . The mud flap  18  is shown in  FIG. 5  as having no row of holes, as would a conventional mud flap, since no holes are necessary for mounting.  
         [0029]     With the mud flap  18  positioned between the plates  64 ,  70 , the wedge members  44 , if not already inserted, are inserted into the slots  50  of wedge bolt members  66 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the slot  50  is located and has a sufficient length such that extends across at least a portion of the thickness of the squeeze plate  70  when the mud flap  18  is inserted between plates  64 ,  70 . In this way, the wedge members  44  force the squeeze plate  70  towards the mounting plate  62  and against the mud flap  18  as they are inserted through the slots  50  of the wedge bolt members  66 . A hammer or other tool may be used to securely seat the wedge members  44  within the slots  50  by hitting the head  46  of the members  44 . This securely fixes or pinches the mud flap  18  in place between the plates  64 ,  70 . The cotter pin or retaining member  52  may then be positioned within the aperture  54  of the wedge member  44 . The cotter pin  52  prevents loss of the wedge members  44  during use, should the wedge members  44  become loose.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of a mud flap mounting assembly  80 , such as may be used with semi-tractor vehicles, and the like. The assembly  80  is similar in construction to the mud flap mounting assemblies  10 ,  60 , previously described. In the embodiment shown, the mounting assembly  80  does not employ an existing mounting bracket used for mud flaps, but is mounted directly to the vehicle frame through a mounting member  82 . The mounting member  82  is coupled, such as by welding and the like, to one end of the mounting plate  84 , which may be similar in construction to the mounting plates  20 ,  62 , previously described. The mounting plate  82  is coupled, such as through bolt  88 , welding or other fastening means, to the vehicle frame  86  adjacent to the vehicle wheels  90 , which may or may not be exposed. In this way the mounting plate  84  is cantilevered outward from the frame  86  so that the free end is positioned rearwardly adjacent to the wheels  90 .  
         [0031]     A squeeze plate  92  is provided with the mounting assembly  80 , which is similar in construction to the squeeze plates  36 ,  70 , previously described. In the embodiment shown, the squeeze plate is shorter in length so that it only coextends along the outermost portion of the mounting plate  84 , opposite the frame  86 , as is shown.  
         [0032]     A mud flap  18  is positioned between the mounting plate  84  and squeeze plate  92  in a similar manner with respect to the embodiments  10  and  60 , previously described, with the use of wedge members  44  and bolt members  33 .  
         [0033]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the corner  94  of the mud flap  18  extends laterally outward from the mounting assembly  80  several inches. Thus, objects that impact the outer edge of the mud flap  18  will merely deflect the mud flap and will be less likely to pull it loose from the mounting assembly  80 . This also facilitates the mounting assembly  80  from becoming damaged from such impacts.  
         [0034]     While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.