Abstract:
A mud flap mounting system for connecting a mud flap to a mud flap mounting bracket of a vehicle includes a mud flap group and a mud flap mounting assembly for connecting one mud flap of the mud flap group to a vehicle mud flap mounting bracket. The mud flap group includes at least two mud flaps, each comprising a sheet of flexible material having a top edge and defining at least two mounting openings, each mounting opening including a bolt hole, a first slit and at least a second slit, said first slit being a severed portion of the sheet with virtually no loss of material and extending from the top edge to the corresponding bolt hole, and the at least a second slit extending outwardly from the bolt hole. The mud flap mounting assembly includes a pressure plate, a spring member, a bolt with a head and a shank with a distal end, and a tightening member. The shank extends through the pressure plate, mud flap, bracket, and spring member, and the tightening member engages at the distal end of the shank to compress the pressure plate, mud flap, bracket and spring member between the bolt head and the tightening member. Each mud flap of the mud flap group bears at least one of indicia and an image.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/988,063 filed Nov. 13, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,086, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Applications Nos. 60/520,593 filed Nov. 17, 2003 and 60/511,385 filed Oct. 15, 2003. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the field of vehicle mud flaps and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for mounting mud flaps on a vehicle such as a truck or semi-tractor/trailer. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many jurisdictions require large vehicles such as trucks and semi-tractor/trailers to have mud flaps, which are sheets of flexible material mounted on the vehicle to hang down a short distance behind at least one of the vehicle&#39;s wheels. Typically, the mud flap is secured to a mounting bracket, which is secured to the vehicle chassis. Failure and detachment of the mud flap can occur, however, when the vehicle is being backed up and the mud flap becomes pinched between one of the tires and a curb or other obstruction. The sudden jerk often tears a portion or all of the mud flap from its mounting bracket or bends or completely ruins the mounting bracket. 
   A number of mud flap mounting arrangements and mounting hardware designs are shown in the following U.S. and foreign patents: 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Patent No. 
               Inventor 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               2,683,612 
               Bacino 
             
             
               2,714,015 
               Sherman 
             
             
               2,809,848 
               Carswell 
             
             
               2,826,428 
               Lincoln 
             
             
               2,865,655 
               Boysen 
             
             
               2,935,336 
               Case 
             
             
               3,052,508 
               Federspiel 
             
             
               3,095,215 
               Black 
             
             
               3,158,386 
               Tillinghast 
             
             
               3,219,363 
               Dalsey 
             
             
               3,248,126 
               Sexton et al. 
             
             
               3,258,887 
               Mostoller 
             
             
               3,285,624 
               Aber 
             
             
               3,333,868 
               Sogoian 
             
             
               3,700,260 
               Moore et al. 
             
             
               3,711,119 
               Hollingsworth 
             
             
               3,726,544 
               Miller 
             
             
               3,778,086 
               Moore 
             
             
               3,822,897 
               Heath 
             
             
               3,940,165 
               Sogoian 
             
             
               4,180,230 
               Sogoian 
             
             
               4,856,816 
               Francis 
             
             
               4,044,667 
               Manning 
             
             
               5,460,412 
               Vincent 
             
             
               5,486,079 
               Martin 
             
             
               5,915,708 
               Silva 
             
             
               5,967,553 
               Cominsky 
             
             
               6,116,628 
               Adrian 
             
             
               BE493696 
             
             
               GR604068 
             
             
               IT321968 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   What is needed is an improved mud flap system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the present invention is to provide an economical and practical means of reducing repair and down-time costs incurred when a mud flap is accidentally pinched between a rotating tire and a curb or other obstruction while backing up the vehicle. By using mud flaps with slit or slotted mounting holes and a spring activated pressure plated to hold the mud flap in their service position, a “weakest link” scenario is created at the mud flap mounting points, producing the desired releaseability function. The same mud flap can then be reinstalled easily in a short length of time on the undamaged mud flap mounting bracket. 
   A mud flap mounting system for connecting a mud flap to a mud flap mounting bracket of a vehicle includes a mud flap group and a mud flap mounting assembly for connecting one mud flap of the mud flap group to a vehicle mud flap mounting bracket. The mud flap group includes at least two mud flaps, each comprising a sheet of flexible material having a top edge and defining at least two mounting openings, each mounting opening including a bolt hole, a first slit and at least a second slit, said first slit being a severed portion of the sheet with virtually no loss of material and extending from the top edge to the corresponding bolt hole, and the at least a second slit extending outwardly from the bolt hole. The mud flap mounting assembly includes a pressure plate, a spring member, a bolt with a head and a shank with a distal end, and a tightening member. The shank extends through the pressure plate, mud flap, bracket, and spring member, and the tightening member engages at the distal end of the shank to compress the pressure plate, mud flap, bracket and spring member between the bolt head and the tightening member. Each mud flap of the mud flap group bears at least one of indicia and an image. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved mud flap mounting system. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric exploded view of a mud flap mounting system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front, elevational view of a mud flap  11  of mud flap mounting system  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are top and front views of mud flap  11  of  FIG. 2 , illustrating the dynamics of the releaseability function. 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric, exploded view of a mud flap mounting system  50  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is front, elevational view of a mud flap  51  of the mud flap mounting system  50  of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are front and top views of mud flap  51  of  FIG. 5 , illustrating the dynamics of the releaseability function. 
       FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  8 A and  8 B show exploded and end views of the mud flap mounting system  10  when used with typical contemporary mud flap mounting bracket designs in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  show alternative weld nut tightening member designs in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIGS. 10A ,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D,  10 E and  10 F show alternative spring member designs in accordance with the present invention 
       FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  11 C and  11 D show alternative pressure plate designs in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 11E  shows alternative Belleville type spring member in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  shows a spacer member in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is an isometric, exploded view of a mud flap mounting system  70  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and that any alterations or modifications in the illustrated device, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a mud flap mounting system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Mounting system  10  generally includes a mud flap  11 , a bolt  12 , a tightening member  13 , a spring member  14  and a pressure plate  17 . Mounting system  10  may also include a spacer  15  and a washer  16 . Mounting system  10  is configured to connect with a mounting bracket  18  of a vehicle (such as truck or semi-tractor/trailer and represented generally at  5 ). A “vehicle” as described herein is intended to include trucks, semi-tractors and semi-trailers, all of which having a mud flap mounting bracket. The mud flap mounting bracket is any structure at the rear of such vehicles that has at least a portion that is configured for receipt of one or more mud flaps. As with known mud flaps, mud flap  11  is generally a rectangular sheet of rubber or plastic, but may comprise any appropriate material that is somewhat flexible, but sufficiently rigid, in combination with its thickness and weight, to stay hanging downward when subjected to wind forces while the vehicle is moving at generally accepted highway speeds. At the top edge  23  of mud flap  11  are defined at least two mounting holes  19 . Each mounting hole  19  includes a main bolt hole  20 , a first slit  21  and at least a second slit  22 . The main bolt hole  20  is defined proximal, but down a first distance down from top edge  23 . First slit  21  extends down from top edge  23  to its corresponding main bolt hole  20 . The second slit  22  (or slits  22 ) extend outwardly from main bolt hole  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the second slit(s)  22  extends radially from main bolt hole  20 , but alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein one or more second slits extend outwardly, but not radially outwardly. Also as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the second slit(s) are contemplated to extend from main bolt hole  20  at an angle that is between 180 degrees (solid line slit) and 90 degrees (dashed line slits shown parallel to top edge  23 ) relative to first slit  21 . Thus, in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , mounting holes  19  include vertical first slit  19  and five additional second slits  22  that are roughly 90 degrees, 135 degrees and 180 degrees from first slit  21 . Also, first slit  20  is contemplated to extend roughly 90 degrees downwardly relative to top edge  23 , but it may extend with some slight angle relative thereto. 
   Bolt  12  has a main shank and a threaded distal end  24 . Tightening member  13  is a flanged nut, which enables tightening and loosening by hand, and spring  14  is a coil spring. Spacer  15  is generally cylindrical with a central hole sized and configured to accept extend bolt  12  therethrough. Spacer  15  has an axial length L that is at least as great as the diameter D 1  of bolt shank  27 . It is preferred that L be between D 1  and 3D 1 , and optimally that L be about equal to 2D 1 . Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein the outer shape of spacer  15  is other than round, such as and without limitation, rectangular, hexagonal, or other nonsymmetrical shape. Pressure plate  17  is any, generally flat member with a central hole  33 . Hole  33  is large enough to receive bolt shank  27  therethrough, but is smaller than the diameter of spacer  15  so that spacer  15  can bear against pressure plate  17 . The diameter of pressure plate  17  is sufficiently large to remain generally flat against mud flat  11  in the event bolt  12  and spacer  15  are rocked off their axis and against pressure plate  17 . It is preferred that D 2  is between about 2.5 and 4.0 times greater than D 1  and in one embodiment, D 2  is 3 times D 1 . 
   In assembly, with mud flap  11  positioned against mounting bracket  18  so that main bolt holes  20  are aligned with complementary holes  25  defined in mounting bracket  18 , each bolt  12  extends, in order, through a spacer  15 , a pressure plate  17 , a main bolt hole  20 , a hole  25  in the bracket  18 , and then through a washer  16 , and spring member  14 , and finally, flanged nut  13  is screwed onto the threaded end  24  of nut  12 . Tightening threaded flanged nut  13  onto bolt  12  draws nut  13 , and compresses spring member  14  between washer  16  and nut  13 , and brings the head of nut  12  fairly tight against spacer  15 . Spring  14  is thus in compression. The spring constant of spring  14  and the percentage reduction of its length (i.e. the resulting compressing force) is selected by the user to facilitate ease of assembly, to resist vibrational unscrewing of tightening member  13  and, most importantly, to provide optimum non-damaging release action of mud-flap  11 . 
   In operation, the dynamics of the releaseability function of mounting system  10  provides that the axial force of spring member  14  combines with the frictional forces of the mounting system  10  components (e.g. nut  13 , spring  14 ) to resist nut  13  from unscrewing by itself under normal vehicle movement, and keeps mud flap  11  relatively tight, in a substantially vertical plane, up against mounting bracket  18 . When the mud flap  11  is pinched between a rotating tire  29  and a curb or other obstruction while backing up the vehicle  5 , the resultant extremely high instantaneous jerk on mud flap  11  causes the shank  27  of the mounting bolts  12  to act as a cam to spread one or more of the mud flap  11  slits  21  and  22  apart, distorting mud flap  11  within the space  28  between bolt holes  20 , creating a retreating axial movement of pressure plates  17  and bolts  12  to release mud flap  11  from its mounting bracket  18 . To remount mud flap  11 , the tightening members  13  are unscrewed by hand, without the aid of tools. Spring members  14  and washers  16  are removed. Bolts  12  with spacer  15  and pressure plate  17  are retracted from the mud flap mounting bracket  18 . The mud flap  11  is repositioned against mounting bracket  18 , and bolts  12  with spacer  15  and pressure plate  17  are inserted through mounting holes  20 , mounting bracket holes  25 , washer  16 , and spring members  14 . Tightening members  13  are replaced and adjusted by hand to their original or desired setting. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , there is shown a mud flap mounting system  50  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Mud flap mounting system  50  employs the same components as in the first embodiment with the exception of the mud flap and spring member. Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , top edge  23  of mud flap  51  defines at least two mounting holes  59 . Both mounting holes  59  include a bolt hole  60  and a slot  61  extending from top edge  23  and to its corresponding bolt hole  60 . Slot  61  width approximates the diameter dimension of the mounting bolt. A stronger spring member  54  is required for this embodiment to provide the necessary clamping force to secure the mud flap in the service position. Threaded distal end  24  of bolt  12  extends through spacer  15  and pressure plate  17  and extends through bolt hole  60  in mud flap  51  and bracket hole  25  in mounting bracket  18  and washer  16 . Tightening member  13  is threadedly received on the distal end  24  of bolt  12  to compress spring member  54  interposed between washer  16  and tightening member  13 . 
   In operation, the dynamics of the releaseability function for the mud flap mounting system  50  provides that the force of spring members  54  holds mud flap  51  in a substantially flat vertical plane against the mounting bracket  18  during service. When mud flap  51  is pinched between a rotating tire  29  and a curb or other obstruction while backing up the vehicle, the extremely high instantaneous jerk on the mud flap  51  causes the mud flap  51  to be pulled past the bolts  12 , which releases mud flap  51  from its mounting bracket. To remount mud flap  51 , the tightening members  13  are loosened with tools to release spring member  54  pressure, allowing replacement of mud flap  51  on the mounting bracket  18 . The tightening members  13  are then adjusted with tools to compress the spring members  14  to their originally or desired setting. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  8 A and  8 B, there are shown two other typical applications of mud flap mounting system  10  in accordance with the present invention as applied to contemporary designs of mud flap mounting brackets  52  and  53 . Note that spacer  15  extends through bracket hole  26  to contact pressure plate  17  in the applications shown. 
   Referring to  FIG. 13 , there is shown a mud flap system  70  in accordance with another embodiment of the patent invention. System  70  includes the mud flap mounting system  10  of  FIG. 1 , and comprises a mounting assembly  31 , and wherein the mud flap  11  is a mud flap group  73 . Mud flap group  73  comprises at least two mud flaps  71  and  72 , each of which bears indicia  75  and/or an image  76 . The indicia could be any desired message, such as and without limitation, an advertisement  77  for the vehicle owner or driver, or the owner of the semi-trailer or an associated third party. For example, and without limitation, such indicia could be a message such as, “WIDE LOAD” or “HOW&#39;S MY DRIVING” or “HAPPY ST. PATRICK&#39;S DAY” or an advertising message as shown in  FIG. 13 . The image  76  could be any desired image, such as and without limitation, a random or non-random design, a cartoon, or other image  78  associated with advertising  77 . Such image could appear on the flap  11  by itself or with indicia (as in  FIG. 13 ) The two or more flaps  71  and  72  could bear different indicia  75  and/or images  76  or the two or more flaps  71  and  72  could be identical. 
   Due to the configuration and dynamics of the releaseability function of mud flap mounting system  10 , a particular flap  71  of mud flap system  70  could be pinched or pulled from its mounting bracket  30  with little or no damage occurring to flap  71 . Owing to the ease of assembly and disassembly of the flap mounting assembly  31 , if a flap  71  is forcibly detached from bracket  30  and vehicle  5 , assembly  31  can be manually disassembled, and flap  71  can be quickly re-attached. If flap  71  is damaged at one of its bolt holes or elsewhere as a result of the forcible detachment or otherwise (or is simply dirty), a replacement flap  72  of mud flap system  70  can quickly be connected in its place, such replacement flap  72  here being identical to the damaged or dirty flap  71 . Alternatively, the replacement flap  72  could bear different indicia  75  and/or images(s)  76 . Alternatively, a user might choose to replace flap  71  with flap  72  simply to change the message appearing thereon. It is contemplated that the message or other indicia  75  and/or image(s)  76  would face rearwardly of the vehicle or trailer to which it is attached. 
   The mud flap group  73  of mud flap system  70  contemplates at least two flaps  11  ( 71  and  72  in  FIG. 13 ) and may comprise as many flaps as desired. Mud flaps are typically black or a dark color to minimize noticeability of the dirt, cuts and other such wear and tear. However, because flaps  11  of mud flap system  70  can be so easily changed, one or more of the flaps  11  are contemplated to partially, if not entirely not be predominately black, dark gray or a similar dark color, such as and without limitation, yellow, blue, green, red, orange, or purple. 
   As discussed herein, the mud flap mounting system  70  (and the other mounting systems  10  and  50  and others) is for use in connection with one tire  29  (or tire group, on the left side of the vehicle, for example), and the mud flap group  73  for that tire  29  comprises two or more flaps. Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein a mud flap group comprises three or more mud flaps for use with a pair of tires (e.g. the left and right tires or tire groups). Thus, two such flaps would be mounted, one each proximal to the two mating tires (left and right), and the third flap of the group would be the spare in case of a disconnection event, for example. 
   In another embodiment, one mud flap provider provides a mud flap mounting system  70  for a trucking entity whereby the entity purchases the mud flap system  70 , which then comprises a mounting assembly  31  with sufficient hardware to connect (and easily reconnect) mud flaps  11  ( 71  and  72 , for example) to its vehicles and also provides a plurality of mud flaps  11  ( 71  and  72 , for example), which bear the desired indicia and/or images. Additional mud flaps  11  are provided by the provider, as needed. In another embodiment, a mud flap provider solicits from an advertiser a contract to advertise on mud flaps for X number of vehicles. The provider then contracts with one or more trucking companies or entities to use the flaps with the contracted advertising on X number of vehicles. The provider then completes the arrangement by making or having made flaps that bear the contracted advertising and providing the indicia and/or image bearing flaps (the mud flap group  73 ) and mounting assembly  31  to the company or entity for use as described. 
   Mud flap mounting system  70  permits a particular flap  71  to be wrenched from its connection to bracket  30  (a disconnection event) little or no damage occurring to the flap  71 . Where a mud flap bears valuable advertising, a disconnection event would normally result in a destroyed and unusable flap. Flap  71  can instead easily be reattached, and the advertising carried thereon can continue to be displayed. This is particularly important where only a finite number of flaps  71  may be made (perhaps only a pair) carrying a particular ad message. Fewer flaps with a particular message can thus be made since the destruction thereof by a disconnection event is reduced, if not eliminated. A mud flap group may contain two or more flaps with different advertising. That is, one flap  71  (for one corresponding vehicle wheel) may carry an AL&#39;S CHICKEN ad and the second flap  72  of the group may carry a JOE&#39;S CHICKEN ad. Due to the ease of interchangeability, a driver can change one flap with another as she moves from one geographical area into another. Such advertising can thus more easily be sold on a regional basis for a truck that may often pass through multiple regions. 
   The easily interchangeable mud flap system  70  is contemplated to include flap mounting assembly  31  and flap  11  or any of the other flap mounting assemblies and/or flaps disclosed herein. 
   All alternate components shown in the drawing figures are identified with component reference numbers as indicated herein. The drawing figures are intentionally not shown in any particular scale. 
   While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrated and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.