Abstract:
An apparatus and method for moving the mud flaps mounted on a truck from their normal planar operating position behind the truck&#39;s rear tires to a protected position engaging the rear tires. The mud flaps are connected to a mounting member movably connected to the underside of the truck and fixed to the mud flaps to cause the mud flaps to move from a normal operating position and into a generally U-shaped configuration engaging a rear tire. Further, with the mud flaps in the generally U-shaped configuration, selectively causing rotation of the rear tires in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction effectively causes the mud flap to be drawn over the rear tire between positions resting on a forward or rearward facing side of the tire.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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     Reference to a “Microfiche Appendix” 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates generally to devices which cause the movement of mud flaps mounted on truck vehicles between their normal position and a more protected position to reduce the occurrence of damage to the mud flaps during certain typical operating circumstances. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     The present invention relates to a system mountable on a truck vehicle, such as a dump truck for example, to permit the mud flaps to be selectively moved into a safer position. Potential problems arise typically when the truck backs up to an unloading location or during the dumping of the load. In such circumstances, the mud flaps can be pinched forcibly against the rear tires and become damaged or torn away. The law requires mud flaps to be in good operable position to protect against the throwing of stones or other objects during travel on the roadways. Failure to have proper mud flaps carries a fine and other is penalties. Therefore, when a truck&#39;s mud flaps are torn away or in a damaged condition, the truck is effectively disabled for legal travel until the problem is repaired. This represents a considerable expense in lost productivity and labor. 
     The prior art includes many suggested devices and methods for alleviating this problem. Typical prior art devices to cure this problem are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,062, U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,432, U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,431; and the patents cited in these patents. 
     Of these many prior art attempts to solve this problem, an inexpensive and relatively simple solution has escaped those skilled in the art. Many such prior devices are either of relatively complex construction, or relatively difficult to install, or lack sufficient reliable protection for the mud flaps in many situations which may be encountered or include a combination of these traits. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In accordance with the present invention, a mud flap mounting system provides a relatively simple construction which permits the mud flap to move between a normal planar configuration disposed behind the rear tires of a truck and a protected position engaging the rear tires to assume a generally U-shaped configuration. In this position the mud flaps are protected from damage under most circumstances which usually may occur. In a more preferred embodiment, the mud flaps may be further moved to a more protected position by causing the rear tires, to rotate counterclockwise or forwardly when the mud flap is in the U-shaped configuration frictionally engaging the rear tire described above. The forward rotation of the rear tires pulls the lower end of the mud flap completely over the tire to rest upon the forward facing circumference of the rear tire. 
     By reversing this action, the mud flap in the more preferred method may be moved upwardly and rearwardly to assume a similar, but oppositely directed U-shaped configuration frictionally engaging the rear tire. Then merely backing up the truck causes the rear tires to rotate in a clockwise direction which pulls the lower ends of the mud flaps rearwardly until they assume their normal planar configuration behind the rear tire. 
     The movement of the mud flaps into frictional engagement with the tire may be accomplished with several conventional constructions. These include, for example, rotating or pivoting the mounting means carrying the mud flap, or slideably moving the mounting means in a longitudinal direction relative to the length of the truck, thereby moving the mud flap forwardly or rearwardly. 
     In the more preferred embodiment, a shaft may be rotatably mounted to an underside of the truck and a mounting plate is fixed to the shaft so as to pivot with rotation of the shaft. The mud flaps are fixed at their upper end portions to the mounting plate structure. Therefore by selective rotation of the shaft, the mounting plate may be pivoted toward and away from the front of the truck to cause the mud flap to move between its normal planar operating configuration and into frictional engagement with the rear tire where it assumes a generally U-shaped configuration. In the latter position, the lower end of the mud flap is raised higher and moved forwardly compared to its normal planar operating configuration. 
     This U-shaped configuration position engaging the rear tire significantly reduces damage to the mud flap during backing up of the truck and during most unloading applications. The mud flap may be returned to its normal operating position by pivoting the mounting plate rearwardly to its original normal position. 
     However, when the mud flap is in this first U-shaped configuration engaging the rear tire, the truck operator may, at his option, drive forward a short distance. The frictional engagement between the rear tire and mud flap will pull the lower portion of the mud flap over to the forward facing circumference of the tire as earlier described. In this position the mud flap is fully protected during any unloading circumstance normally encountered. 
     To return the mud flap to its normal position, the truck operator may pivot the mud flap mounting plate toward the rear of the truck to draw the mud flap upwardly into a generally U-shaped configuration oppositely directed from the first described U-shaped configuration. Then upon backing up of the truck a short distance, the mud flap is drawn over the rear tire to resume its normal planar configuration behind the rear tire. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment for mounting a pair of mud flaps to an underside of a vehicle frame for selective movement between a normal, vertically, planar position and second, more protected position in accordance with the present invention, the structure being shown apart from the remaining truck structure; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial side sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 mounted on a conventional truck bed, portions of the sides of the truck are cut away to better view the embodiment shown; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the embodiment in FIG. 2 with portions of the conventional truck bed illustrated by ghost lines; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial side view, partially in section similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating the mud flap mounting plate pivoted forwardly and the mud. flap drawn into a generally U-shaped configuration engaging the rear tire; 
     FIG. 4-A is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 4 illustrating the mud flap being drawn further upwardly on the rear tire by the counterclockwise rotation of the tire upon driving the truck forwardly; 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS.  4  and  4 -A, illustrating the final position of the mud flaps in the most protected position which is obtained upon further driving the truck forwardly relative to FIG. 4-A; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial side view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the position of the mud flap when the truck bed is tilted rearwardly to an unloading position and dumps its contents upon the ground; and 
     FIG. 7 is a view similar to the preceding Figures illustrating the truck bed returned to its normal horizontal position and the mounting plate pivoted rearwardly relative to the position shown in FIG. 5 to its normal original position and the mud flap being drawn rearwardly to form an oppositely directed U-shaped configuration relative to that shown in FIG.  4 . 
    
    
     In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for mounting mud flaps on a truck for movement between a normal operative position and a second position in which they are less susceptible to damage during backing up of the truck or the unloading of its contents. The latter is particularly applicable to dump trucks. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the construction of the mounting assembly is readily adapted for retrofitting existing trucks as well as for installation as part of the original manufacture of trucks or truck beds. The individual components are well-known and readily available. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, essentially standing apart from the remainder of a dump truck body. and includes a mud flap mounting assembly, referred to generally at  20 , for each one of a standard pair of mud flaps  22 . Each mounting member  20  includes an angle bar  24  which is bolted, such as at  26 , or otherwise conventionally fixed, to a rigid plate  28 . Mud flaps  22  are conventionally fixed near their upper edge to plate  28 , such as by bolts  30  or any equivalent connecting or fixing means. Other structural forms may be adopted to provide the same purpose as the combination of angle  24  and plate  28 . 
     A rotatably mounted shaft  32  may be mounted to and supported by one of the supporting or stiffening members conventionally provided on the underside of dump truck bodies, such as C-channel  34 , shown in ghost lines in FIG.  1 . Alternatively, if no convenient mounting support is appropriately located, a separate angle, C-channel or other equivalent mounting means may be provided and welded or otherwise conventionally fixed to the underside of the bed of the truck in lieu of channel  34 . 
     Shaft  32  is mounted to a plurality of brackets  36 . One bracket  36  is located at each end of each angle  26  and one is disposed intermediate the length of each angle  26 . Each bracket  36  is conventionally fixed to a respective angle  26  by welding or the like. Two pair of conventional bearing members  38  are mounted on shaft  32  and are fixed to C-channel  34  to rotatably support shaft  32  in the selected position on the underside of the truck bed. Bearing members  38  are carried by brackets  40  which may be fixed to channel  34  in any conventional manner, such as welding for example. 
     Rotation of shaft  32  is preferably actuated and controlled by an actuator, such a cylinder and piston assembly  42 . The reciprocal stroke of cylinder assembly  42  controls rotation of shaft  32  via a conventional U-shaped connector  45  fixed to a bar  46 , which in turn is conventionally welded at its upper end to shaft  32 . Cylinder assembly  42  may be mounted to the underside of the truck bed in any conventional manner, such as being pivotally mounted to a block  48 , which in turn is welded to a bar  50 . Bar  50  may be welded to a pair of spaced C-channels  52  conventionally provided on truck beds, such as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Other conventional means for operatively mounting the cylinder assembly  42  to the truck or for causing rotation of shaft  32  may be employed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Similarly, it will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art that a separate shaft  32  for each mud flap as well as a single mounting plate extending across the width of the truck bed in lieu of the pair of plates  28  may be substituted without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, a portion of a conventional dump truck, indicated generally at  54 , is shown to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention mounted thereto in an operative condition. The conventional features or parts of the truck are commonly well-known and will not be specifically described, except as they pertain to the present invention for purposes of brevity. 
     As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, cylinder assembly  42  is in an extended position with piston rod  43  extended rearwardly. This positions mounting plates  28  and mud flaps  22  in a generally vertical position for normal operation, i.e., a vertically extending planar configuration for road travel and closely spaced behind rear tire  60  in order to deflect stones or other debris. 
     Now referring to FIG. 4, the truck operator causes the actuator, cylinder assembly  42  in the preferred embodiment shown, to retract piston rod  43 . This action pulls bar  46  forwardly and causes shaft  32  to rotate in a clockwise direction and in turn, pivots the mounting plate toward the forward end of the truck. Mud flap  22  is then carried toward rear tire  60  and into engagement with tire  60 . Continued rotation of shaft  32  to approach approximately about a forty-five degree angle to the vertical, pulls mud flap  22  over the tire  60  and into a generally U-shaped configuration as shown in FIG.  4 . It should be noted that the lower edge of mud flap  22  has been raised higher above the ground compared to the normal operating configuration shown in FIG.  2 . Depending upon the selected dimensions of the parts involved, one may cause further forward rotation of shaft  32  toward a generally horizontal position to draw mud flap  22  further forwardly on the tire and raise the lower end thereof to a slight higher position. However, the position shown, or one close thereto, is sufficient to significantly reduce the occurrence of damage to or the tearing off of the mud flap  22  in a high majority of instances upon backing the truck and during many unloading applications. 
     Also, the position and configuration of mud flap  22  as shown in FIG. 4 is sufficient to permit the mud flap to be carried completely over the tire to the positions shown in FIGS. 4-A and  5  upon causing the rear tires  60  to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, preferably by driving the truck forward a short distance. This is possible because there is sufficient frictional engagement between the surface of the mud flap  22  and tires  60  when mud flap  22  is disposed in the general U-shaped configuration shown in FIG.  4 . 
     While the position shown in FIG. 4 is highly protective for a wide majority of unloading applications encountered by dump trucks, the latter position shown in FIG. 5 is essentially completely protective of the mud flaps  22  during any typical unloading or backing circumstance. Both positions represent an improvement over the prior art in the degree of protection and/or the comparative simplicity and low cost of installation, operation and construction. 
     Now referring to FIG. 6, the dump truck bed  54  is shown in a typical rearwardly tilted condition during dumping of a load. It should be noted that with the mud flaps  22  in the position shown in FIG. 5, they remain in contact with the forwardly facing circumference of tire  60  and fully protected from any contact with the material pile  62  which often tends to spill forwardly and build up against the rear tires  60 . However, it should be noted that even when the mud flaps  22  are in the position shown in FIG. 4, the lower end portion is raised and less likely to be contacted by the load. Even is contacted, damage is less likely to occur since the loop formed in the mud flap provides a significant measure of relief from any tension caused by the load contacting mud flap  22 . 
     Another generally more hazardous circumstance occurs during road paving operations wherein the rear tires of the dump truck are pushed into engagement with a typical paving box used in such road paving operations. Those devices which merely raise the mud flaps rearwardly and upwardly, such as shown in the prior patents referenced earlier herein, are still subject to damage because they still extend rearwardly toward the load materials being dumped. 
     Upon returning the truck bed  54  to its normal horizontal traveling configuration, mud flaps  22  are returned to the position shown in FIG.  5 . As seen in FIG. 7, the truck operator may return the mud flaps to the normal position as shown in FIG. 2 by actuating cylinder assembly  42  to extend rod  43  rearwardly. This is preferably performed after the truck has moved away from the unloading location to a position providing clearance to back up. The extension of rod  43  causes counterclockwise rotation of shaft  32  and pivoting of plate  28  rearwardly to its original starting position as shown in FIG.  7 . Then the truck operator may back the truck up a short distance causing clockwise rotation of tires  60  as seen in FIG.  7 . The frictional engagement between the mud flaps  22  and tires  60  pulls mud flaps  22  rearwardly over tires  60  until the lower or trailing end is free to fall to its normal vertical position such as shown in FIG.  2 . Then the truck, with the mud flaps  22  in their normal operating position, is ready for legal road travel. 
     It should be pointed out that in the preferred embodiment such as shown in FIG. 2, cylinder assembly  42  may be conveniently communicated to either an air or hydraulic power source conventionally provided on dump trucks as well as other forms of truck beds, which is illustrated by tubing or hoses  56  conventionally communicated to a line in a fluid circuit  58 . Those skilled in the art recognize other conventional and well-known means may be employed to supply power to an actuator without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     It should also be noted that other well-known mechanical means may be employed in lieu of the pivotally mounted plate  28  and shaft  32  to effect the desired movement of mud flaps  22  as described. For example, mud flaps  22  may be operatively connected to a slidable support mounted to the underside of the truck to effect forward and rearward movement of the mud flaps  22  into the positions described. However, it is believed the pivoted embodiment shown and described herein is preferred for simplicity and for space saving installation. 
     While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the following claims.