Removable mud flap

A mud flap assembly is suitable for use with a vehicle. The mud flap assembly includes a rod assembly that is configured to be mounted to the vehicle. The rod assembly has an elongate housing and a stop extending from the housing. The mud flap assembly further includes a mud flap. A keyway extends through a portion of the mud flap. A first part of the keyway is sized and configured to rotatably engage the elongate housing. A second part of the keyway engages the stop to limit rotation of the mud flap between a first position and a second position. The mud flap also includes biasing element that biases the mud flap toward the first position when the mud flap is in the second position.

BACKGROUND

Mud flaps are installed behind the wheels of vehicles to prevent the discharge of water, mud, rocks, and other debris from the rear of the vehicle. Mud flaps are often mounted the fender or other portions of the vehicle body; however, for vehicles with open wheels, such as heavy duty trucks and trailers, or large wheel wells, there is often not a suitable body component to which the mud flap can be mounted. For such vehicles, a support is sometimes mounted to the vehicle frame. The support often takes the form of a rod extending laterally from the vehicle frame, with the flap being mounted to the rod.

Known mud flap assemblies have many drawbacks. The mud flaps must be rigid to maintain the mud flap in a preferred position while being able to absorb the impact of road debris. The mud flaps must also be durable to prevent premature failure under demanding operating conditions. It is also desirable that the mud flaps be easily installed and removed. Thus, there is a need for a mud flap assembly that is functional, durable, and easily installed and removed.

SUMMARY

A first representative embodiment of a disclosed mud flap assembly is suitable for use with a vehicle. The mud flap assembly includes a rod assembly that is configured to be mounted to the vehicle. The rod assembly has an elongate housing and a stop extending from the housing. The mud flap assembly further includes a mud flap. A keyway extends through a portion of the mud flap. A first part of the keyway is sized and configured to rotatably engage the elongate housing. A second part of the keyway engages the stop to limit rotation of the mud flap between a first position and a second position. The mud flap also includes biasing element that biases the mud flap toward the first position when the mud flap is in the second position.

A second representative embodiment of a disclosed mud flap assembly is suitable for use with a vehicle. The mud flap assembly includes a mount that can be coupled to the vehicle, in different positions. The mud flap assembly also includes a rod assembly that can be coupled to the mount. The rod assembly has a cylindrical housing with a stop extending radially from an outer surface of the housing. A mud flap is rotatably mounted to the rod assembly. The mud flap has a keyway extending through a portion of the mud flap. A first part of the keyway is sized and configured to receive the housing of the rod assembly. A second part of the keyway limits rotation of the mud flap. The mud flap also has a biasing element that biases the mud flap toward a first position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, are intended as a description of various embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as precluding other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed.

In the following description, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without embodying all of the specific details. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.

The present application may include references to directions, such as “forward,” “rearward,” “front,” “rear,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” “right hand,” “left hand,” “lateral,” “medial,” “in,” “out,” “extended,” etc. These references, and other similar references in the present application, are only to assist in helping describe and to understand the particular embodiment and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these directions or locations.

FIG. 1shows an example of a vehicle50suitable with a representative embodiment of a disclosed mud flap assembly100. The vehicle50includes a body52mounted to a frame54, which is supported by a plurality of tires56. The illustrated mud flap assembly110is mounted to the vehicle50so that the mud flap assembly100is positioned rearward of the tire56and extends downward from the vehicle frame54. More specifically, the mud flap100is preferably positioned to block mud, water, rocks, and other debris that would otherwise be discharged rearwardly by the tire56when the vehicle50is in motion.

The illustrated embodiment shows a mud flap assembly100mounted behind the rear driver-side tire56of an off-road vehicle50. It will be appreciated that the mud flap assembly100may also be used on various other types of vehicles, including but not limited to cars, buses, heavy duty vehicles, such as class8trucks, trailers, or any other vehicle known to utilize mud flaps. In addition, the mud flap assembly100may be utilized at each tire location or at only some of the tire locations. These and other variations of the use of the disclosed mud flap assemblies100on different vehicles and in different configurations are contemplated and should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now toFIGS. 2-4, the mud flap assembly100includes a mounting bracket140coupled to the frame54of the vehicle50. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket140is a flat bracket formed from a material having suitable strength and durability. A pair of generally parallel horizontal slots142is formed in the bracket140, and a fastener144extends horizontally through each of the slots to secure the bracket to the frame54. The inclusion of slots144allows for the adjustment of the position of bracket140in the forward/aft direction. That is, the fasteners144can be loosened to allow the bracket140to be moved forward or aft, as necessary, and then tightened to secure the position of the bracket relative to the frame54.

A mount160is coupled to the bracket140by a plurality of fasteners. As shown inFIG. 4, the illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of arcuate slots146with a common axis formed in the mounting bracket140. Each slot146corresponds to an aperture in the mount160so that the mount can be secured to the bracket140with a fastener extending through the slot and the corresponding aperture in the mount. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener is a bolt148and nut150in combination; however, it will be appreciated that any suitable fastener or combination of known fasteners can be utilized.

As will be described in further detail, a rod assembly180is coupled to the mount160and supports the mud flap110. The mounting bracket140and the mount160cooperate to position a rod assembly180, and, therefore, the mud flap110. The slotted configuration of the mounting bracket140allows for adjustment of the mud flap110in the forward and aft directions. Alternate embodiments are contemplated in which the slots are not horizontal, but are instead vertical or angled, allowing for adjustment in the vertical direction alone or in combination with the horizontal direction. In this regard, the mounting bracket140can have any suitable configuration to provide for necessary adjustment of the position of the rod assembly180. Moreover, the mounting bracket140can be configured for use on a specific vehicle, allowing the remaining components of the mud flap assembly100to be “universal,” i.e., specific vehicle requirements can be accounted for by the mounting bracket140.

The rod assembly180that supports the mud flap110is secured to the mount160so that rotation of the rod assembly relative to the mount is prevented. The slotted configuration of the mounting bracket140allows the mount to be rotated about the axis of the mounting bracket slots146. By selectively positioning the mount160relative to the mounting bracket140, an installer also selectively positions the rod assembly180and, therefore, the mud flap110relative to the frame54and, therefore, the tire56.

It will be appreciated that the disclosed mounting bracket140and mount160are exemplary only and should not be considered limiting. In this regard, any suitable configuration for mounting the rod assembly180to the vehicle50can be utilized and such configurations should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

As best shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the rod assembly180includes an elongate housing182with a cavity184extending along the length of the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing184is formed form a metal extrusion, preferably aluminum, but it will be appreciated that the housing can be formed from any suitable material by any known manufacturing methods. The exterior surface of the housing184is generally a cylinder with a central axis300. The housing180has a stop186in the shape of a radial fin extending outwardly along the length of the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity184is generally cylindrical, and the outer surface of the housing180is cylindrical except for the rectangular stop186. It will be understood that the housing and the features thereof are exemplary only, and are not limited to the disclosed forms.

A rod188is disposed within the cavity184of the housing182. One end of the rod188has a threaded portion190that threadedly engages a knob192disposed at one end of the housing182. The knob192is sized and configured to be rotated by hand by an operator to allow installation and removal of the mud flap assembly100without the need for tools; however, alternate embodiments are contemplated in which the know is adapted to engage a tool, such as a wrench, a screwdriver, or any other tools suitable for applying an installation torque to the rod188. The knob192has a shoulder194that engages the end of the housing182to prevent movement of the rod relative to the housing in a first direction.

A second end of the rod188has a threaded portion202that extends beyond the housing. As best shown inFIG. 5, disposed within the housing proximate to the threaded portion202is an annular stop196surrounding the rod188. The stop196is fixedly secured within the housing182by a press fit or other suitable means, such as a set screw, retaining rings, etc. Alternate embodiments are also contemplated wherein the annular stop196is integrally formed with the housing182, or wherein the stop is not an annular ring, but is instead has another form, such as one or more projections extending radially inward, or any other suitable shape.

A retaining ring198is partially disposed within a circumferential groove200formed in the second end188of the rod188proximate to the stop196. The retaining ring198engages the stop196to limit movement of the rod188relative to the stop196and, therefore, of the rod relative to the housing182. Thus, the movement of the rod188relative to the housing182is limited (1) in a first direction by the engagement of the shoulder194of the knob192with the end of the housing182, and (2) in a second direction by the engagement of the retaining ring198with the annular stop196

A cylindrical recess162and an elongate slot164are formed in the mount160and are sized and configured to receive the cylindrical portion of the housing182and the stop186, respectively. As best shown inFIG. 5, a boss166is formed in the recess and is sized and configured to engage the end of the cavity184of the housing. A second recess168is formed in the mount160opposite the first recess162, and a nut170is positioned within the recess. When the mount160secured to the mounting bracket140, the nut170is captured within the recess168.

To secure the rod assembly180to the mount160, the end of the housing182is inserted into the recess162and slot164of the mount. The threaded portion190of the rod, which is supported and guided by the annular stop196, extends through the mount to engage the captured nut170. The knob192is rotated to threadedly couple the rod188to the captured nut and, therefore, the mount160.

When the rod assembly180is coupled to the mount160, the housing182in captured between the shoulder194of the knob192and the bottom of the recess162formed in the mount160. The engagement of the boss166with the cavity184in the housing182further secures the housing182to the mount160, and the stop186engages the slot164to prevent the housing182from rotating relative to the mount.

To remove the rod assembly, and therefore the mud flap110, the knob192is rotated to turn the rod188such that the threaded portion202decouples with the captured nut170of the mount170. As the rod188is turned to disengage the nut170, the rod188moves away from the mount170, driven by the engagement of the threaded portion202of the rod with the threads of the nut170. Movement of the rod188away from the mount160also moves the retaining ring198away from the mount. As the retaining ring198moves away from the mount160, the retaining ring engages the annular stop196and applies a force to the stop that drive the stop away from the mount, which in turn drives the housing182away from the nut170to help disengage the housing from the mount. It will be noted that that in the event that the housing182is wedged in the mount160or covered with ice or mud, the disclosed configuration provides additional forces to assist in disengaging the rod assembly180from the mount160.

Referring now toFIGS. 6 and 7, the mud flap110has a body112with a pair of lugs114positioned coaxially along a top end of the body. Referring toFIG. 7, a keyway116is formed in each lug114. Each keyway116has a generally cylindrical first portion118sized and configured to receive the cylindrical outer surface of the housing182of the rod assembly180. A second wedge-shaped portion120is positioned below the first portion and is sized and configured to receive the stop186of the housing182of the rod assembly180.

The mud flap110is mounted to the rod assembly by inserting the rod assembly180through the keyway116of each lug. The round portion118of the keyway116receives the housing182of the rod assembly180, and the wedge-shaped portion120receives the stop186of the rod assembly180. A retainer210is disposed on the rod assembly180to limit movement of the mud flap110relative to the rod assembly. In this regard, when the mud flap110is mounted to the rod assembly180, the mud flap is positioned between the knob192and the retainer210so that the knob and the retainer cooperate to position the mud flap in the preferred position.

Referring now toFIGS. 8 and 9, the keyways116of the mud flap110engage the rod assembly180to allow limited rotation of the mud flap about axis300of the rod assembly180. Specifically, the first portion118of the keyway116engages the housing182of the rod assembly180to rotatably support the mud flap110. When the mud flap110is in a first position, shown inFIG. 8, the stop186engages a rear wall of the second portion120of the keyway116to prevent the mud flap from rotating in a forward direction (clockwise as shown inFIG. 8).

When the mud flap110is in a second position, shown inFIG. 9, the stop186engages a forward wall of the second portion120of the keyway116to prevent the mud flap from rotating in a rearward direction (counter-clockwise as shown inFIG. 9). Thus, the rotation of the mud flap110is limited to movement between the first and second position.

The mud flap110is configured to be biased toward the first position shown inFIG. 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the mud flap110includes a biasing element122in the form of a resilient tab extending up from the top of the mud flap body112. As shown inFIG. 10, the biasing element122engages the stop186of the rod assembly180. As the mud flap110is rotated about axis300toward the second position (counter-clockwise inFIG. 10), biasing element122engages the stop186so that the stop is deflected. This deflection, in turn, results in a force that tends to rotate the mud flap110about axis300toward the first position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing element122is integrally formed with the body112of the mud flap110and is formed from a polymeric material with suitable properties to have a designed spring constant so that the biasing force is within a desired range. It will be appreciated that the biasing element need not be integrally formed with the mud flap body112nor be formed of the same material. In addition, embodiments in which the biasing element is disposed on the rod assembly, and a rigid stop is formed on the mid flap100are contemplated. Also, embodiments in which different types of springs, such as compression springs, tension springs, torsion springs, and the like, are utilized to provide a biasing element. These and other configurations that provide a force to bias the mud flap110to the first position are contemplated and should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

When the vehicle is in motion, debris that would otherwise be discharged from the rear of the vehicle strikes the forward surface of the mud flap110. Mud flap assemblies according to the present disclosure are able to rotate in a rearward when struck by large debris, after which the biasing element122returns the mud flap100the normal (first) operating position. The ability of the mud flap to move in this manner mitigates potential damage to the mud flap components.

An aperture124is formed in the body112of the mud flap110. Because the mud flap110of the disclosed mud flap assembly100is rotatable when a force applied the mud flap110sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the biasing element122, it is possible that under certain conditions, the mud flap110will rotate in a rearward direction in response to air impinging on the forward portion of the mud flap. The aperture124reduces the amount of force generated by the airflow impinging on the forward side of the mud flap110when the vehicle50is in motion. By providing a path for air to flow through the mud flap110, the aperture124reduces the air pressure that builds up on the forward side of the mud flap, thereby helping the mud flap110to maintain its normal (first) operating position. It will be appreciated that the illustrated aperture is exemplary only, and the number, location, and shape of apertures formed in the mud flap110may vary within the scope of the present disclosure.