Abstract:
A mudflap assembly comprising a bracket for connection to a vehicle and a hanger extended therefrom. A mudflap is connected to one end of the hanger, while the bracket rotatable receives the other end and maintains the hanger in an initial resting position until the hanger is acted upon by a sufficient horizontal force. A bulge or detent on the bracket resists horizontal movement of the hanger.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/887,940, entitled “Ramping Mudflap Assembly,” filed on Feb. 2, 2007, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of spray suppression in commercial trucking. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a mudflap assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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 
     The present disclosure is directed to a mudflap assembly device. This is accomplished by providing a mudflap hanger and a mudflap bracket. 
     For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosure have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
     The present disclosure discloses a 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. A mudflap hanger is inserted within the bracket leaving the mudflap projecting away therefrom. The mudflap hanger is also made of durable material such as metal, composites, or high-density plastics, capable of withstanding normal operational forces. The mudflap itself is known in the art and made from standard industrial material. The mudflap can either be molded into the mudflap hanger, can be secured to the hanger using traditional means such as bolts or fasteners, or can otherwise be coupled to the hanger through a slot as described below. 
     In one embodiment, the mudflap hanger is a one-piece molded extension with a first end which couples to the bracket, projecting the other end away therefrom. Along the length of the hanger, is a slot for receiving a mudflap. The top of the mudflap is wedged such that when the bottom of the mudflap is inserted through the top of the hanger through the slot, the wedged portion of the mudflap sets securely within the mudflap slot. The wedge can be preformed into the mudflap, or can be created by mudflap retainers. This is accomplished by providing two halves of a mudflap retainer, wherein each half of the retainer has protrusions which extend through the standard hole placements of the mudflap. The halves are mated together through the mudflap creating a wedge at the top of the mudflap. The mudflap can then be inserted through a slot in a mudflap hanger assembly wherein the wedge created by the retainer couples with the mudflap hanger assembly. 
     In one embodiment, the bracket is dimensioned to securely clamp one end of the mudflap hanger. The clamping mechanism formed into the bracket at the top and bottom portion of the bracket such that a force causing radial displacement of the mudflap will allow the hanger to rotate until the force is removed whereby the hanger returns to its initial resting position. The clamping mechanism can be provided in several different forms, but generally appears as a bulge or detent located on the top and/or bottom of the bracket. The bulge or detent is either formed into the bracket or attached thereto. 
     In one embodiment, the end of the hanger which couples with the bracket has substantially cylindrical protrusions on its top and bottom which extend through corresponding openings in the bracket. In this way, when a force displaces the hanger away from its resting, clamped position, the hanger is free to rotate relative to the bracket. 
     These and other embodiments of the present disclosure 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 disclosure not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the mudflap assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mudflap assembly of  FIG. 1  in an assembled configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the mudflap hanger of  FIG. 1  according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the hanger illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the hanger illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a frontal perspective view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a frontal perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a frontal perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a frontal perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a top partial plan view of the mudflap assembly of  FIG. 1  in its initial position installed on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 13  is a top partial plan view of the mudflap assembly of  FIG. 12 , illustrated in a position wherein the mudflap is being acted on by a horizontal force. 
         FIG. 14  is a top partial plan view of the mudflap assembly of  FIG. 12 , wherein the mudflap assembly has been rotated a full 90 degrees from its initial position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The various embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to  FIGS. 1 through 14  of the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Throughout the drawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
       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 , a hanger  110  is disposed between a bracket  105 . A mudflap  111  is attached to the hanger  110 . In its resting position, the hanger  110  and bracket  105  fit securely together. A detent  150  of the bracket  105  corresponding with a crevice  160  in the hanger  110  maintains the hanger in its resting position. However, a sufficient horizontal force placed upon the hanger  110  will cause the crevice  160  of the hanger  110  to escape the detent  150  of the bracket  105  allowing the hanger  110  to rotate about the bracket  105 . 
       FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5  are, respectively, side, top and front views of a hanger  110 . Two substantially cylindrical protrusions  170 ,  175  located on the hanger set within two corresponding openings  180 ,  185  ( FIG. 6 ) of the bracket  105 . In one embodiment, a slot  181  may be incorporated into the hanger  110  in order to receive a mudflap (not pictured). In other embodiments, fasteners such as screws and bolts may be used to attach the mudflap to the hanger  110 . 
       FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8  are, respectively, perspective, front and top views of a bracket  105  according to the present disclosure. The substantially flat rear surface of the bracket  105  contains openings  145  to allow for the attachment of the bracket  105  to a vehicle (not shown). The openings  145  are illustrated in a universal bolt pattern, but may be provided in any practicable pattern, number, and size. The top and bottom surface of the bracket  105  contain openings  180 ,  185  which receive the cylindrical protrusions  170 ,  175  ( FIG. 3 ) of the hanger. A detent  150  is attached to both the top and bottom of the bracket  105  with fasteners  191 . When the assembly is in its resting position, the detent  150  of the bracket  105  and the crevice  160  ( FIG. 1 ) of the hanger  110  mate with one another to prevent rotation of the hanger  110  ( FIG. 1 ) within the bracket  105 . In one embodiment, U-shaped tabs  190 ,  195  may be cut into the bracket  105  substantially encircling the openings  180 ,  185  to allow for easier installation of the hanger  110  ( FIG. 1 ) within the bracket  105 . 
       FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11  show alternative embodiments of a bracket  105 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the bulge  901  is less pronounced than the detent ( FIG. 6 ). Accordingly, a smaller horizontal force will displace the hanger from its initial resting position than the one required to displace the hanger from the bracket depicted in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the bulge  1001  is more pronounced than the bulge  901  ( FIG. 9 ). Accordingly, a greater horizontal force will be required to displace the hanger from its initial resting position than the one required to displace the hanger from the bracket depicted in  FIG. 9 . Similarly, referring to  FIG. 11 , the bulge  1101  is more pronounced than the bulge  1001  ( FIG. 10 ). Accordingly, a greater horizontal force will be required to displace the hanger from its initial resting position than the one required to displace the hanger from the bracket depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIGS. 12-14  illustrate the orientation of the mudflap assembly  101  during operation. Specifically,  FIG. 12  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 (not shown) or hanger  110  sufficient to move hanger  110  from its starting position perpendicular to the side  104  of the vehicle  102 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , upon contact by an obstacle or object  117 , hanger  110  may experience sufficient horizontal force to rotate in either a forwards or backwards direction as it swivels within bracket  105 . When the force is removed from the hanger  110 , the hanger will return to its initial or resting position.  FIG. 14  illustrates the hanger  110  after it has rotated a full 90 degrees from its initial position. 
     This disclosure 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 disclosure. 
     As described above and shown in the associated drawings, the present disclosure comprises a mudflap assembly. While particular embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it will be understood, however, that the disclosure 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 disclosure.