Quick release mud flap apparatus

A quick release mud flap apparatus includes a flexible panel having a bottom end and a top end. A rigid bracket is attached to and extends along a length of the top end. Each of a plurality of clamps is attached to the bracket and extends upwardly away therefrom. The clamps each include an actuator for selectively opening or closing the clamps. Each of the clamps are closed when the actuators are in a downward position located generally adjacent to the bracket and open when the actuators are spaced away from the brackets. The clamps are each selectively coupled to a floor rail such that the panel functions as a mud flap. A locking assembly selectively locks the actuators in the downward position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mud flap devices and more particularly pertains to a new mud flap device for positioning on a floor rail of a truck or trailer.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of mud flap devices is known in the prior art. While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that may be quickly retrofitted to any existing mud flap mounting when a mud flap needs to be replaced while on a roadway.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the needs presented above by providing a plurality of clamps that allows a truck driver to quickly mount a panel to a trailer to replace any damaged or missing mud flaps until the truck driver can have the mud flaps permanently replaced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new mud flap device that including a locking assembly for ensuring that the clamps remained in a closed configuration.

To this end, the present invention generally comprises a flexible panel having a bottom end, a top end, a pair of side edges, a first side and a second side. A rigid bracket is attached to and extends along a length of the top end. Each of a plurality of clamps is attached to the bracket and extends upwardly away therefrom. The clamps each include an actuator for selectively opening or closing the clamps. Each of the clamps are closed when the actuators are in a downward position located generally adjacent to the bracket and open when the actuators are spaced away from the brackets. The clamps are each selectively coupled to a floor rail such that the panel functions as a mud flap. A locking assembly selectively locks the actuators in the downward position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 4, the quick release mud flap apparatus10generally comprises a flexible panel12that has a bottom end14, a top end16, a pair of side edges18, a first side20and a second side22. The panel12is preferably comprised of conventional mud flap materials, such as an elastomeric material.

A rigid bracket24is attached to and extends along a length of the top end16. The bracket24has a central portion26and a pair of arms28,29. The central portion26abuts the top end16and each of the arms28,29abuts one of the first 20 and second 22 sides. The rigid bracket24is preferably comprised of a metallic material and is secured to the rigid bracket with bolts30.

Each of a plurality of clamps34is attached to the bracket24and extends upwardly away therefrom. It is preferred that the clamps34are welded to the bracket24. The clamps34, preferably at least three and spaced from each other, each include an actuator36for selectively opening or closing the clamps34. Each of the clamps34is closed when the actuators36are in a downward position located generally adjacent to the bracket24and open when the actuators36are spaced away from the brackets. The clamps34are selectively coupled to the floor rail38, or other suitable mud flap mount, such that the panel12hangs in place of a mud flap.

A locking assembly selectively locks the actuators36in the downward position to prevent their accidental opening. The locking assembly includes an elongated member40having a plurality of spaced apertures42extending therethrough. Each of a plurality of threaded posts44is attached to and extends outwardly from a first of the arms28. Each of the posts44is orientated perpendicular to a plane of the first arm28. The posts44are each positioned for extending into one of the apertures42. Each of a plurality of fasteners46is removably coupled to one of the posts44. The fasteners46preferably comprise a fly nut such that they may be easily removed from or attached to the posts44without tools.

In use, when a truck driver loses a mud flap, the current apparatus10may be used until a more permanent mud flap is attached to the floor rail38of the truck or the trailer. The clamps34are closed on the rail as shown inFIG. 2. The actuator36is positioned in a downward position as shown inFIG. 4such that the actuator36is adjacent to the bracket24. The elongated member40is then positioned on the posts44so that the actuator36is positioned between the elongate member40and the bracket24. The elongated member40is may be selectively mounted on and secured to the posts44such that the actuators36are positioned between the elongated member40and the bracket24. The elongated member40prevents the actuators36from opening and thereby releasing the panel12from the rail38. The elongated member40may optionally be attached to the vehicle or trailer by way of a chain48to ensure does not fall away from the vehicle.