Body Attached Patents (Class 280/848)
  • Patent number: 11890527
    Abstract: Fender assemblies are disclosed, each assembly including a frame and a fender. The frame has a first leg including a first coupling portion and a second leg including a first latch portion, and the frame is configured to be coupled to the vehicle with the first leg and the second leg on opposite sides of a wheel. The fender has a first end and a second end, the first end having a second coupling portion configured to releasably mate with the first coupling portion of the frame to form a manually releasable joint, the second end comprising a second latch portion configured to mate with the first latch portion of the frame to releasably secure the second end to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: FUTURE MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Julian De La Rua, Daniel Blachinsky, Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Phil Rullman
  • Patent number: 11865053
    Abstract: A powered wheelchair apparatus includes a chair component, a power base component and a wheelchair control system. The wheelchair control system includes a processor and a user input device communicatively coupled to the processor. A display is communicatively coupled to the processor. A memory module is communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to receive user instructions from the user input device and display a message on the display based on the user instructions. The display is on a back of the chair component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Moore, Christopher P. Lee, Melvin Alfredo Dominquez, Thomas Mitchell Dair
  • Patent number: 11597450
    Abstract: A truck system includes a truck bed having a first side, a second side, and a back end; a first panel slidingly engaged with the first side; and one or more rails to facilitate the sliding engagement of the first panel with the first side; the first side is positioned above a first wheel; and sliding the first panel from a first position to a second position provides access to an interior of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: James C. Dupre
  • Patent number: 11419773
    Abstract: A convertible wheelchair system, between a wheelchair configuration and an all-terrain configuration, is provided. Embodiments include a central frame aligned along a central longitudinal axis, the central frame having a front and back bar parallel to each other and orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis, paired side bars aligned with the central longitudinal axis, and paired wheel cages, aligned with the central longitudinal axis and attached to the front and back bars, each wheel cage supporting an axle and a wheel mounted thereon. The system further includes a forward beam alignable with the central longitudinal axis, configured to support a forward wheel, and reversibly attached to the front bar. The convertible wheelchair is in the all-terrain configuration when the forward beam is attached to the frame, and the wheelchair configuration when the forward beam is detached from the frame, the central frame thereby standing without the forward beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: THE ONWARD PROJECT, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey D. Babb, John R. Arnold, Dale M. Neubauer
  • Patent number: 11155309
    Abstract: Embodiments include a mud flap having a barrier section configured to intercept and deflect matter discharged from the tire when rotating during vehicle operation. The barrier section including a plurality of horizontal louvers, each horizontal louver forming an elongate member having a length extending primarily in a direction of the mud flap width, where the plurality of horizontal louvers are spaced apart in the direction of the mud flap height in the form of an array, where the plurality of horizontal louvers are configured to intercept and deflect matter of a minimum size traveling along any linear trajectory path from the outer circumference of the tire/wheel assembly towards the front side of the mud flap while substantially maximizing the spacing between adjacent louvers to minimize aerodynamic drag. Other embodiments provide a method of using the mud flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Justin Morgan, Parker Baxter, Chinglin Pan, Calvin Rhett Bradley, Charles Andrew McPillan
  • Patent number: 11110889
    Abstract: A parking enforcement system configured to impair the view of a driver through a windshield of a vehicle is provided. The parking enforcement system includes a plurality of covering assemblies. Each of the covering assemblies has one or more suction assemblies configured for placement against a windshield of a vehicle. A pump assembly is configured for pneumatic communication with the one or more suction assemblies. The pump assembly is configured to develop a partial vacuum between the suction assemblies and the windshield. A release assembly is configured for pneumatic communication with the one or more suction assemblies. The release assembly has a servo motor configured to actuate release of the suction assemblies from the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventors: Colin Heffron, Kevin Dougherty, Robert White, Christian Kreske, Russ Marks, Tony Gerrard
  • Patent number: 11084544
    Abstract: Deflector are disposed below, in a vertical direction of a vehicle body, right and left ends of a front bumper to suppress flowing of traveling air from the from side into wheel houses. Splash shields are disposed between a pair of front side frames and a sub-frame to suppress flowing of the air from an engine room into the wheel houses. Ducts are provided at right and left ends of the front bumper. Each of the ducts includes an intake port that takes in the traveling air from the front side, and a discharge port that discharges the traveling air taken in from the intake port into the wheel houses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuhei Nishida, Michiya Mizokane, Satoshi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11014615
    Abstract: A fender skirt for a vehicle includes an inner member having at least one mounting lug extending therefrom. An outer member mounted to the inner member defines an arcuate upper edge having a curvature that substantially matches a curvature of at least a first upper portion of a wheel opening in the vehicle. The outer member also defines an arched lower edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Vantage Mobility International, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Paul Ungetheim, Toby Allan Himmelberger
  • Patent number: 10994787
    Abstract: A vehicle splash guard includes a flexible body and a body panel attachment area. The body panel attachment area is integrated with the flexible body, the body panel attachment area is configured to abut a vehicle body panel component, the body panel attachment area including a pair of positioning tabs extending towards the vehicle body panel component and receiving the vehicle body panel component therebetween in a state in which the splash guard is installed to the vehicle body panel component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Long Vu
  • Patent number: 10821943
    Abstract: A storage tank assembly for a work vehicle includes a frame assembly configured to couple to a structure of the work vehicle. The storage tank assembly also includes a storage tank configured to store a liquid. The frame assembly is configured to support the storage tank on the structure of the work vehicle. In addition, the frame assembly is configured to position a first portion of the storage tank above a wheel assembly of the work vehicle, the first portion of the storage tank is contoured to substantially match a curvature of the wheel assembly, and the frame assembly is configured to position a second portion of the storage tank laterally inward of the wheel assembly such that the second portion of the storage tank extends within a vertical extent of the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Leonardo Sergio d'Alessandro
  • Patent number: 10562468
    Abstract: A wheel house cover (2) for a wheel house (1) of a motor vehicle (4) has a basic body (13) defining a segment of a circular ring with an outer side (14) and an inner side (15). The wheel house cover (2) is fastened to a body sheet (5) so that the outer side (14) is visible. The rear side (15) of the wheel house cover (2) has fastening crosspieces (16) each of which has a fastening opening (8, 17) and a fastening protrusion (18). The fastening opening (8, 17) receives a fastening element (10) to achieve interlocking connection of the wheel house cover (2) to the body sheet (5). The fastening protrusion (18) engages in a positioning opening (9, 19) of the body sheet (5) to position the wheel house cover (2) relative to the body sheet (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fabian Zentgraf, Eberhard Palmer
  • Patent number: 10513242
    Abstract: A violation enforcement system configured to impair the view of a driver through a windshield of a vehicle is provided. The violation enforcement system includes a plurality of covering assemblies. Each of the covering assemblies has one or more suction assemblies configured for placement against a windshield of a vehicle. A pump assembly is configured for pneumatic communication with the one or more suction assemblies. The pump assembly is configured to develop a partial vacuum between the suction assemblies and the windshield. A release assembly is configured for pneumatic communication with the one or more suction assemblies. The release assembly is further configured to actuate release of the suction assemblies from the windshield. A GSM module is configured to receive information from GPS satellites and then calculate the geographical position of the violation enforcement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: ITSA Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Colin Heffron, Kevin Dougherty, Robert White, Colin Heffron, Jr., Christopher C. D'Antuono, Francis J. Pinero, Amilcar Sergio Penetra
  • Patent number: 10370038
    Abstract: Contemplated are cost reduction and enhanced readiness of parts management related to right and left fenders. A work vehicle includes right and left fenders (16) each having a vertical plate member (18) covering an inner face of a traveling device from an inner side of a vehicle body and a top plate member (19) covering an upper portion of the traveling device (5) from above, wherein the top plate member (19) is configured to be front-rear symmetric, and each of the vertical plate member (18) and the top plate member (19) is configured to act as a right-left interchangeable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroo Fujimoto, Masatoshi Watanabe, Takahiro Hisada
  • Patent number: 10131383
    Abstract: Reinforced textile wheel arch liners including a reinforced textile wheel arch liner comprised of a base layer and a reinforcing layer. The base layer and reinforcing layers are comprised at least partially of a thermoformable textile material and disposed upon and bonded to at least part of the base layer. In some examples, the base layer and reinforcing layer are formed separately. In some further examples, the reinforcing layer can be formed as part of the base layer in a single die that would otherwise be off-cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Job, Daniel Dawson
  • Patent number: 9969436
    Abstract: The retractable mud flap system comprises two tracks, a chute, and a flap carrier. The invention is used to retract and extend a mud flap on a truck and is commonly used in pairs of two so that a mud flap on each side of the truck may be retracted. The retractable mud flap system attaches to the underside of a truck's dump bed or to extensions of the truck frame above the rear wheel. The flap carrier comprises two roller assemblies and a flap clip. A mud flap is coupled to the flap clip and passes through the chute. The roller assemblies move on the tracks with the flap clip mounted between them. A control located within the cab activates a motor on one roller assembly, moving the roller assemblies and the mud flap. A remote control embodiment is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Raymond Gause
  • Patent number: 9884656
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mud flap lifting system for raising and lowering a pair of mud flaps connected to a rear portion of a vehicle and suspended behind corresponding rear wheels of the vehicle, which is particularly beneficial for use on dump trucks. The lifting system raises the rear mud flaps to a safe position when the truck is reversing or on unstable soil or is dumping its load. The mud flaps may thereafter be lowered via an associated control switch in the cab of the truck so that the truck may travel from the job site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: FLAPS UP, LLC
    Inventor: Jeremiah C. Proctor
  • Patent number: 9836660
    Abstract: A method of determining a wet surface condition of a road. An image of a road surface is captured by an image capture device of the host vehicle. The image capture device is mounted on a side of the host vehicle and an image is captured in a downward direction. A region of interest is identified in the captured image by a processor. The region of interest is in a region rearward of a tire of a host vehicle. The region of interest is representative of where a tire track as generated by the tire rotating on the road when the road surface is wet. A determination is made whether water is present in the region of interest as a function of identifying the tire track. A wet road surface signal is generated in response to the identification of water in the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Qingrong Zhao, Qi Zhang, Jinsong Wang, Bakhtiar B. Litkouhi
  • Patent number: 9828038
    Abstract: A road debris system and apparatus for use with a car or vehicle transport trailer. Embodiments include a transport trailer coupled to a truck. A plurality of resistive mounting brackets are attached to the truck. Embodiments also include a plurality of cantilever rods, a first end of each of the cantilever rods attached to one of the plurality of mounting brackets. The second end of each of the plurality of cantilever rods extend away from the respective mounting bracket. A debris guard is coupled to the plurality of cantilever rods such that an edge of the debris guard distal from the mounting bracket may articulate up and down, and such that an end of the debris guard adjacent a front of the transport trailer may articulate up and down. The debris guard is dimensioned to fill a gap between a back end of the truck and the front of the transport trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Cottrell, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Bryan Howes, Steven Thomas Sexton, Lawrence Scott Moore
  • Patent number: 9783248
    Abstract: A rear wheelhouse vent assembly and a vehicle include a wheelhouse liner. A first edge of the wheelhouse liner defines a cutout that is open along the first edge. The assembly includes a side panel and a duct. The side panel defines a recess, and the wheelhouse liner is disposed along the recess transverse to the side panel to define an open area. The duct is disposed in the cutout. The duct includes a first wall, a second wall and a third wall. The second wall is disposed between the first and third walls. The first and third walls each extend outwardly away from the second wall to respective distal ends to space the second wall from an inner surface of the side panel. The duct is secured to the inner surface and presents a tunnel that vents the open area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Mark Welty
  • Patent number: 9694856
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly system and related method are provided. The vehicle assembly system includes a first fender for a first vehicle model having a first shape, a second fender for a second vehicle model having a second, different shape, a front end structure common to the first vehicle model and the second vehicle model, and a support common to the first vehicle model and the second vehicle model. The support has a first member attached to a downstanding flange of the first fender or a downstanding flange of the second fender and a second member extending from a lower portion of the first member is attached to the front end structure. The system and method provide a simple and inexpensive way to attach fenders having different shapes to a common front end of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alfonso Márquez López, Ramon Credi, Michael Shawn Watterworth
  • Patent number: 9663157
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an aerodynamic fairing system that may comprise a base configured to mount to a vehicle, an arm coupled to the base at a proximate end and extending laterally, an a fairing mounted to the arm having an inboard and an outboard surface. The fairing outboard surface may provide an aerodynamic outer surface to direct flow to an angle to the rear. The arm may a fixed or adjustable length arm. The arm may provide a mounting area for a mud flap such that aerodynamic system may act as a mud flap hanger. Embodiments also provide an adjustable mud flap hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Flowbelow Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Butler, Kyle Walker, Redza Shah, Timothy Uys
  • Patent number: 9598183
    Abstract: A wing skin, which was secured to a wing structure by a plurality of fasteners extending through the wing skin, is removed from the wing and aligned with a template. Template holes are drilled through the template corresponding to each of the fastener holes of the wing skin. The template is then aligned with a new wing skin, and pilot holes are drilled through the new wing skin corresponding to each of the template holes. The new wing skin is then aligned with the wing structure such that the pilot holes permit access to corresponding fastener holes of the wing structure. A mill bit is then positioned through each pilot hole and aligned with the center of the corresponding consumable bushing in the fastener hole of the wing sub-structure, and the skin pilot holes are milled to form fastener holes in the new wing skin aligned with existing sub-structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kellstrom Defense Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: John Burton Kalisz, Joshua Ryan Werner
  • Patent number: 9550533
    Abstract: A mud flap assembly is arranged behind a wheel of a vehicle to block mud, water, and/or debris from being thrown into the air. The mud flap assembly includes a bracket and a mud flap. The bracket couples the mud flap assembly with the vehicle. The mud flap extends downwardly away from the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventor: Andrzej Wylezinski
  • Patent number: 9428121
    Abstract: A wheel well liner for use in the wheel well of motor vehicles has inner and outer surfaces each defining one or more acoustical sections. Each acoustical section includes a pattern of irregular or convoluted portions configured and arranged to absorb/attenuation sound. A layer of flock material is deposited on the inner surface of the wheel well liner to enhance aesthetics and provide supplemental sound attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TECHSTYLES, INC.
    Inventor: William H. Vaughn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9371094
    Abstract: An attachment joint for attaching a first panel to a second panel includes a threaded bolt, a cooperating speed nut, and a support plate interposed between the speed nut and a surface of the first panel opposite a mating surface of the first panel. The support plate is configured to engage and support a contour formed in an edge of the first panel. A motor vehicle panel subassembly including a first panel having a mating surface and an opposed surface and including at least one contour formed in an edge thereof and a second panel having a cooperating mating surface and a cooperating edge contour is assembled using the described attachment joint. The first panel may be a plastic motor vehicle fascia and the second panel may be a metal motor vehicle body panel such as a fender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company Brasil Ltda
    Inventors: Victor Ferauche, Rubens Faria
  • Patent number: 9238490
    Abstract: An aerodynamic component in the form of, for example, a fairing is provided. The fairing is attached or otherwise positioned at the entry of or within the fender well of the vehicle. In use, the fender well fairing aims to block entry of airflow into the interior area of the vehicle as well as reduces or eliminates direct impingement against interior surfaces of the fender well. This improves air flow, thereby reducing drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
  • Patent number: 9022428
    Abstract: A vehicle splash guard includes a base portion, a mounting structure, and a first non-fastener locating projection. The base portion is configured to extend into a wheel well defined by a vehicle body structure. The mounting structure is defined on an inner surface of the base portion and is configured to fixedly couple the vehicle splash guard to the vehicle body structure. The first non-fastener locating projection extends away from an inner surface of the base portion and is spaced apart from the mounting structure. The first non-fastener locating projection is configured to contact a laterally extending edge of the vehicle body structure that is located on an underside of the vehicle body structure to restrict movement of the base portion relative to the vehicle body structure in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body structure when the vehicle splash guard is installed to the vehicle body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Barugur Balasundaramohan, Ashley Earl, Randy Johnson
  • Patent number: 9004538
    Abstract: A motor vehicle mud flap is a plate-like body having a suspension section, a quadrant section, and an extension section. The suspension section is adapted for attachment to a mud flap bracket for suspension of the mud flap therefrom. The quadrant section is coupled with the suspension section and has an array of elongate through-openings. The extension section is coupled with the quadrant section and has an array of elongate through-openings. The array of elongate through-openings is defined by alternating recesses and ribs in parallel and longitudinal disposition. Each recess is configured as a pair of opposed elongate shallow recesses fluidly coupled by an elongate through-opening having a width less than the width of each recess. Water and air can flow through the recesses, and debris larger than the width of the through-openings is deflected by the mud flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Fleet Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley K. Eklund, Thomas Gerst, Gary Roberts, Walter Hill
  • Publication number: 20150014976
    Abstract: Dynamic vehicle mudguards are provided. A dynamic vehicle mudguard for attachment to a vehicle includes a first portion, a second portion, and a hinge portion. The hinge portion is coupled to the first portion, and the second portion is coupled to the hinge portion and separated from the first portion. When the dynamic vehicle mudguard is installed on the vehicle, the second portion is pivotable relative to the first portion about a pivot axis from a default position to an aerodynamic position, wherein the pivot axis extends vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Aaron W.J. Atkinson, Kevin Nevaux
  • Patent number: 8882121
    Abstract: A utility vehicle such as an agricultural tractor comprises a steerable wheel secured to a wheel carrier which is mounted to a vehicle frame. The wheel is steerable through a range of steering angles about a substantially vertical steering axis A fender is mounted above the wheel on a support arm. The support arm is fixed relative to the wheel carrier so as to pivot with the wheel during steering through the whole of said range. The fender is pivotally mounted to the support arm at a pivoting mount located above the wheel. The fender is forced to pivot with respect to the wheel and support arm when the fender engages the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Agco SA
    Inventor: Frederic Ducroquet
  • Patent number: 8876164
    Abstract: A mud flap bracket assembly comprises a functional frame bracket assembly and one or more interchangeable bracket covers. The frame bracket assembly has unitary frame bracket that is formed from a sheet metal blank that is configured to form and integral spring mount and integral slots to mount a frame seat. The frame bracket has integral slots that mount mud flap clips that are adjustable within the slots for mounting mud flaps of different hole configurations. The frame bracket assembly is assembled with integral fasteners and without welds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fleet Engineers, Incorporated
    Inventors: Wesley K. Eklund, Tom Gerst, Gary Roberts
  • Patent number: 8864176
    Abstract: A mud flap lifter system wherein the rigid upper portion of a bi-fold mud flap is actuated to rotate and thereby raise upwardly the upper portion so as to draw upwards the rigid lower portion hinged to the upper portion. The upper portion rotates relative to the lower portion about a hinge line between the upper and lower edges of the lower and upper portions respectively. The upper and lower portions may be substantially planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas A. Lasser
  • Patent number: 8844971
    Abstract: An inner fender that faces a wheel arch of a bumper face includes an undercut portion formed on a side of an inner peripheral wall, the side of the inner peripheral wall being an outer side with respect to a vehicle width direction. The undercut portion includes a lower side wall that radially inwardly recedes from the inner peripheral wall and is superposed with a lower end of the wheel arch of the bumper face, an upper side wall that radially outwardly protrudes from the inner peripheral wall and is disposed above the lower side wall so as to be continuous with the lower side wall, and a flange that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from a front end of the upper side wall and is secured to an inner portion of the bumper face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hirofumi Tanaka, Satoru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8814213
    Abstract: A clip for mounting to a vehicle a shield plate arranged on the inside of a fender panel. The clip can be adapted to different vehicle models by changing the shield plate used with the clip. The clip comprises a shield plate insertion slot for inserting a shield plate, and two leg portions mounted in two mounting holes in a body panel. When the leg portions are inserted into the mounting holes in the body panel, conical portions on the leg portions guide the clip to the mounting position. To mount a fender shield plate, the clip has a shield plate engagement prong for engaging an engagement hole in the shield plate, and a shield plate releasing piece for releasing the shield plate engagement prong. The clip has a multi-step engagement prong for engaging the mounting holes in the body panel, and a clip releasing piece for releasing the engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Newfrey LLC, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuuki Aosima, Kohei Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 8770655
    Abstract: A protective frame for placement within enlarged wheel wells of motor vehicles having dual wheel rear fenders includes outer and inner frame rails that are attached together using multiple cross-frame supports. Attachment panels extend from the joined frame rails for attachment to the vehicle frame. An additional attachment panel is optionally provided for attachment of the protective frame to a rear hitch frame, where the latter is also attached to the motor vehicle. A rock kick-out plate can be attached to the protective frame and positioned between the two wheels for off-road use in removing wedged rocks, avoiding damage from thrown rocks upon the resumption of on-road use of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Michael E. Godby
  • Publication number: 20140183850
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wheel guard for a vehicle which may sufficiently absorb and reduce high frequency noise of various frequency bands produced from a tire, using resonance apertures 11a, resonance necks 11b, and resonance chambers 20. The wheel guard includes a resonance wheel guard that is fixed to a vehicle body panel and includes a plurality of resonance apertures. Additionally, the wheel guard includes a resonance chamber cover that is attached to a rear of the resonance wheel guard and forms a plurality of resonance chambers between the resonance wheel guard and the resonance chamber cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Hyun Gyung Kim
  • Patent number: 8668227
    Abstract: A debris barrier for a vehicle receiver hitch with a hitch interface (such as a ball mount or clevis hitch) installed thereon includes a cross-member having a length sufficient to extend between the rear tires of an ATV/UTV. One or more fenders and/or mudguards are removably and replaceably securable to the cross-member in various configurations, with the fenders extending upwardly and the mudguards extending downwardly. The cross-member with fenders and/or mudguards is securable to a ball mount drawbar forward of the hitch ball or clevis, leaving the hitch interface functional so that, e.g., a trailer may also be secured to the vehicle. The fenders/mudguards block debris propelled backwards by the tires and guide the debris downward. The heights and left/right positions of the fenders and/or mudguards on the cross-member are adjustable, as is the forward/rearward position of the cross-member on the drawbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Northwoods Games LLC
    Inventors: Ben Peotter, Jon Peotter
  • Patent number: 8657317
    Abstract: A quick-release fixing structure for a fender of a bicycle is provided with a mounting member fixed to the front fork, an engaging member fixed on the fender, and a U-shaped control member. The mounting member is formed with an elastic piece, a receiving cavity, and two penetrating holes which have two cutting grooves in communication with the receiving cavity and the penetrating holes. The engaging member is received in the receiving cavity of the mounting member and formed with two arc-shaped cutting grooves for mating with the arc-shaped cutting grooves of the mounting member. The control member is inserted in the penetrating holes and formed with two arc-shaped grooves. The quick-release fixing structure is capable of assembling the fender onto the front fork of bicycle or disassembling it therefrom by a simple pressing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sunny Wheel Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guo-Jhong Syu
  • Patent number: 8651528
    Abstract: A vehicle splash guard comprises a base portion, a guard portion, a mounting portion, a mating portion and a flexible portion. The guard portion extends from the base portion. The mounting portion extends from the base portion and is configured to mount to a vehicle body structure. The mounting portion includes a mounting portion free edge. The mating portion is configured to abut the vehicle body structure. The mating portion includes a first mating portion free edge and a second mating portion free edge. The first mating portion free edge extends from the base portion to the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashley Earl, Barugur S Balasundaramohan
  • Patent number: 8608203
    Abstract: A device for preventing spray from emerging from the wheels of vehicles comprises a panel (4) that is adapted to be mounted substantially vertically behind a vehicle wheel (3) for receiving on a first side water released by the wheel (3) as it rotates. The panel (4) includes at least one passage (6) which leads from the first side to a rear second side of the panel (4). The or each passage (6) is other than normal to the plane of the panel (4). There is at least one water-collecting pocket (7A, 7B, 7C) along the side of the or each passage (6). In use, air and water enter the or each passage (6) and are separated so that air passes through the or each passage (6) and mixes with ambient air and water collects in the at least one water-collecting pocket (7A, 7B, 7C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Spraydown Limited
    Inventors: John Anthony Downes, David John Knecht
  • Publication number: 20130320658
    Abstract: A motor vehicle mud flap is a plate-like body having a suspension section, a quadrant section, and an extension section. The suspension section is adapted for attachment to a mud flap bracket for suspension of the mud flap therefrom. The quadrant section is coupled with the suspension section and has an array of elongate through-openings. The extension section is coupled with the quadrant section and has an array of elongate through-openings. The array of elongate through-openings is defined by alternating recesses and ribs in parallel and longitudinal disposition. Each recess is configured as a pair of opposed elongate shallow recesses fluidly coupled by an elongate through-opening having a width less than the width of each recess. Water and air can flow through the recesses, and debris larger than the width of the through-openings is deflected by the mud flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Wesley K. Eklund, Thomas Gerst, Gary Roberts, Walter Hill
  • Patent number: 8585088
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a mainframe located between one pair of left and right front wheels and at least one pair of left and right rear wheels and forming a framework of a chassis. A ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) is provided in a middle part in the vehicle-body front-rear directions in the mainframe, and thereby surrounds a cabin. Front under guards are provided in spaces on rear sides of the front wheels so as to cover mud guard walls provided for separating the cabin from the spaces on the rear sides of the front wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kaku, Yoshinori Tsumiyama
  • Publication number: 20130285358
    Abstract: A mud flap lifter system wherein the rigid upper portion of a bi-fold mud flap is actuated to rotate and thereby raise upwardly the upper portion so as to draw upwards the rigid lower portion hinged to the upper portion. The upper portion rotates relative to the lower portion about a hinge line between the upper and lower edges of the lower and upper portions respectively. The upper and lower portions may be substantially planar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Douglas A. Lasser
  • Patent number: 8517426
    Abstract: A motorcycle fan unit or a horn and fan combination unit includes a decorative cover having a primary surface. An optional first bracket is attached to the cover, and an optional horn is attached to the first bracket. A second bracket is attached to the cover, and a fan is attached to the second bracket. The horn and fan are located behind the cover so as to be hidden from view when the cover is viewed from an angle being approximately perpendicular to the primary surface, or when the motorcycle is viewed from its lateral side. The fan may be located behind the horn in an overlapping fashion. Also, the fan may be designed to move air along a path approximately perpendicular to the primary surface of the cover and also move air along a path approximately parallel to the primary surface of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: George Erik McMillan
  • Patent number: 8485305
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a steering shaft rotatably supported by the vehicle body frame, a power steering device including an electric motor, the power steering device being configured to exert an auxiliary rotational force to the steering shaft by a driving power generated in the electric motor, a radiator disposed in front of the electric motor, and a shield member mounted to the vehicle body frame and positioned between the radiator and the electric motor to cover the electric motor from a forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuma Nozaki, Kazumasa Hisada, Kiyohisa Yoshikawa, Itsuo Takegami, Satoshi Masuda, Takafumi Kumada, Takeshi Tanaka, Sunao Kaihatsu
  • Patent number: 8459393
    Abstract: A rear rear-fender bracket integrally coupled to an upper portion and a lower portion of a rear rear-fender that is mounted to a rear portion of a vehicle body of a motorcycle, extending rearward and downward, and covering a rear wheel from upward and rearward, is provided to the rear rear-fender, and forms, with an internal surface of the rear rear-fender, a closed space having an inverted triangular shape when viewed from a vehicle side in which a space is gradually narrowed from an upper portion to a lower portion. Further, at the time of mounting, the rear rear-fender and the rear rear-fender bracket are coupled by being screwed together by rear winkers on sides of the vehicle (long holes). Further, a lower portion of the rear rear-fender and a lower portion of the rear rear-fender bracket are coupled by being screwed together by a license plate mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Takayo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8408570
    Abstract: A vehicle side fairing having a first fairing panel fixedly secured to the underside of a trailer box, and a second fairing panel slidable mounted to plural cylindrical bars mounted on the underside of the trailer box in a fore and aft orientation. The second fairing panel is secured to the wheel set with a mechanical fastener that selectively joins and releases the second fairing panel and the wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Aerofficient LLC
    Inventors: Peter Heppel, Herbert Golding, Doug Memering, James Reiman, Daniel Peterson, William Bowman
  • Publication number: 20130020792
    Abstract: The thermal signature of a vehicle is reduced by providing a thermal shield (20) on at least one of the wheels (10) covering at least a greater part of the wheel area, in combination with a further shield (42, 50) around or depending from the wheel arch (19) and which overlaps the wheel-mounted shield (20). The shields (20, 42, 50) may also co-operate to reduce the generation of a dust cloud (45, 46) by the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventors: Stuart James Drummond, Patrick Robert Griffin
  • Patent number: 8317212
    Abstract: To provide a motorcycle having a rear fender that effectively prevents a rear wheel, for example, from splashing mud and may support a light stably in accordance with various embodiments. For example, a motorcycle is disclosed for an embodiment having a rear fender that covers a rear wheel, and lights supported by the rear fender. The rear fender includes a support portion that supports the lights, and a lower mudguard extending downward from the support portion, and a dented portion is formed on a surface thereof between the support portion and the lower mudguard to extend to one edge of the rear fender in a motorcycle width direction from the other edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuuta Kobayashi, Tetsuya Hanai
  • Patent number: 8287001
    Abstract: A releasing hanger for mud flaps for trucks includes a rotatable release bar supported on a support plate and having flap lugs for supporting a mud flap. A tension spring encircling the release bar cooperates with retaining pins mounted on the releasing bar to yieldingly hold the release bar in a rotatable position at which the flap legs extend outwardly from the support plate. Under a modified embodiment, the retaining pins are releasably held by a bracket having resilient legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Slip-Flap, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Uhl, Albert L. Mackey