Splash Guards Patents (Class 280/851)
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Patent number: 11958538Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a mud flap for a vehicle having a mounting section and a barrier section. The barrier section is configured to deflect matter discharged from a tire during vehicle operation. The width of the mounting section is greater than the width of the barrier section. The mounting section optionally includes a first set of mounting features, each of the mounting features forming a recess or aperture. One mounting feature of the first set of mounting features is arranged at and/or beyond a widthwise extent of the barrier section width. The one mounting feature is also arranged at least partially within a portion of the mounting section width extending outwardly from a widthwise extent of the barrier section width. Further embodiments include mounting a single wide mud flap on a vehicle configured to receive a dual wide mud flap.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventors: Justin Morgan, Parker Baxter, Calvin Rhett Bradley
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Patent number: 11827167Abstract: A system for managing wheel kinematics during a small overlap collision event includes a deflector apparatus. The deflector is configured to direct a wheel away from an occupant compartment of a vehicle. The deflector includes a first section arranged at an inside wall of a wheel well facing a wheel, near the base of a hinge-pillar. The first section includes a hollow structure configured to absorb energy from the collision event by plastically deforming. The deflector also includes a second section arranged at an angle to the wheel and configured to deflect the wheel laterally outwards from the vehicle away from an occupant compartment during the small overlap collision event. The deflector may be formed of extruded aluminum. The system may include an absorber arranged behind the first section and configured to further absorb energy from the collision event by plastically deforming.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Anish Shah, Jorge Barrios, Akshat Chauhan, Randall Frank
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Patent number: 11767064Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling movement of a mudflap hanger arm, to reliably return from a deflected position to a resting position, while providing improved manufacturability and reduced corrosion and wear through the use of guidance surfaces on a mounting plate and a frame seat that form the interface between the hanger arm and a vehicle frame. When the hanger arm pivots about an axis on one side of the mounting plate and frame seat, guidance surfaces on the opposite side are in contact or near-contact, preventing the mounting plate and frame seat from being laterally displaced or rotated with respect to each other. The improved mounting plate and frame seat can reduce or eliminate manufacturing operations such as welding, coating, etc., reducing the cost of the apparatus, while enhancing manufacturability and operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: FLOWBELOW AERO, INC.Inventors: Roberto Urista, Aditya Peri, Joseph Peter Martin, Benam Shrestha
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Patent number: 11724750Abstract: An apparatus includes a fender base cap bracket shaped to cover a base of a fender of a vehicle; a fender mount defined on the fender base cap bracket; and a mud flap mount defined on the fender base cap bracket. A kit has a fender base cap bracket shaped to cover a base of a fender of a vehicle, the fender base cap bracket having a fender mount defined on the fender base cap bracket, and a mud flap mount defined on the fender base cap bracket; and a mud flap structured to mount to the mud flap mount. A method involves securing a fender base cap bracket to a base of a fender of a vehicle, such that the fender base cap bracket covers the base of the fender, the fender base cap bracket defining a mud flap mount.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: TRUCK HARDWARE LTD.Inventors: Alison Earl, James Earl, Darwin Earl, Ryan Earl
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Patent number: 11667338Abstract: 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, and 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: FLOWBELOW AERO, INC.Inventors: Joshua Butler, Kyle Walker, Redza Shah, Timothy Uys
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Patent number: 11548563Abstract: A wheelhouse liner for a vehicle includes a body portion and a wheelhouse deflector positioned inside the wheelhouse. The deflector includes a deflector portion extending from a first edge of the wheelhouse liner to form a lip at an outboard edge of the wheelhouse liner. In some examples, the wheelhouse deflector includes a deflector surface defining a depression configured to direct a flow of fluid away from a vehicle sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Danilo A. Oliveira
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Patent number: 11400988Abstract: A laterally extending aerodynamic deflector panel disposed upstream in front of an otherwise exposed uppermost portion of a vehicle wheel assembly, and arranged to divert headwinds from otherwise impinging upon drag-magnified uppermost wheel surfaces to thereby minimize overall vehicle drag.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2021Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Inventor: Garth L. Magee
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Patent number: 11390329Abstract: A mud flap retraction system uses two artificial muscles that extend horizontally toward the mud flaps to an elbow, and then hang down alongside the mud flaps opposite the vehicle tire. Also provided is a source of compressed air or fluid, at least one valve for selectively inflating and deflating, the bladder(s), and an operator control inside the vehicle cabin that quickly and reliably raises (or lowers) the mud flaps at the operator's command. Inflation effectively raises the artificial muscles from a limp position (hanging with the mud flaps) to a stiff raised position (thereby raising the mud flaps rearwardly).Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Inventor: Jeff Koontz
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Patent number: 11345411Abstract: A mud flap mounting assembly and system is disclosed. A vehicle body and mud flap are provided as part of the overall system. Advantageously, a toollessly-operated mud flap clamp assembly is provided. The mud flap clamp assembly includes a plurality of mud flap clamp units installed on the vehicle body. Each of the plurality of mud flap clamp units includes a flap clamp bracket, a flap pressure plate, and a flap clamp. Each flap clamp bracket selectively engages a first side of the mud flap, and each flap pressure plate selectively engages a second side of the mud flap. Each flap clamp is operable to a first position such that a clamping force is applied to each respective flap pressure plate and such that the mud flap is frictionally engaged with and retained by each respective flap clamp bracket and each respective flap pressure bracket.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2021Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: MFC Technology Corp.Inventor: Kenneth Blake Deal
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Patent number: 11286006Abstract: A wheel house structure including a bumper forming a part of a wheel arch part on a lower side of a vehicle body; an inner fender disposed inside the bumper in a vehicle width direction; and a connection cover member connecting the bumper and the inner fender and being a separated member from the inner fender. The connection cover member includes a sandwiching part to connect to the bumper. The bumper includes an extension part lengthening toward an inside relative to the wheel arch part in the vehicle width direction. The sandwiching part of the connection cover member is disposed on a center side relative to the extension part in a radial direction of a wheel to connect to the extension part. An outer end part of the connection cover member in the vehicle width direction has a shape along the wheel arch part.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masataka Nishino, Akira Hojo
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Patent number: 11279416Abstract: A weight and anti-curling device is provided for a mud flap with the mud flap having an upper end, a lower end, a first side, a second side, a front side and a rear side. The weight of this invention is comprised of a support member. The support member is positioned at the rearward side of the lower end of the mud flap. Bolts extend through the support member and the mud flap to secure the weight to the lower end of the mud flap. The support member may be positioned at the forward side of the mud flap.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Inventors: Adam J. Wurzer, Terry D. Wurzer, David T. Wurzer
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Patent number: 11247604Abstract: A vehicle mudguard lighting device includes: a mudguard fixing unit attached to the vehicle wheel guard and having a motor therein; a mudguard rotating unit rotatably attached to the mudguard fixing unit and including a lighting device for irradiating light; an external connector for supplying power to the motor and the lighting device; and a controller, where the controller is configured to determine whether power is supplied to the motor and the lighting device, to control whether power is supplied to the external connector, and to adjust a rotation angle of the mudguard rotating unit through the motor.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2021Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATIONInventors: Taehyung Kim, Jungho Kim, Jinwoo Kim, Jung Joong Lee, Byungho Kong
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Patent number: 11172612Abstract: An attachment of a harvesting head of a combine is disclosed. The attachment includes a main body and a flange fixedly connected to the main body. The flange is connected to the main body at an angle and the flange has at least one mounting aperture. The flange is configured to be attached to the harvesting head of a combine by the at least one mounting aperture. When the flange is attached to the harvesting head of the combine and the combine is performing a harvesting operation, a furthest portion of the main body away from the flange is positioned above a lowest portion of the harvesting head from a ground surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: DK AG Solutions LLCInventors: David L. McGargill, Kenneth J. McGargill
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Patent number: 11142259Abstract: A mud flap system is provided comprising a mounting device having a top and bottom including a walled recess extending into an inner volume of the mount and exiting out the bottom. The assembly also includes an elongated suspension bracket having a proximal end to the recess, a distal end defining a length and a thru slot running along the length, a stem extending from a bottom of the bracket at the proximal end, enabled to be inserted into the recess and out of the mounting device. A mud-flap is provided having a top having a thickness and a bottom of the mud flap is inserted through the slot and the thickness at the top suspends the mud flap until force applied to the mud flap causes the thickness at the top to deform and pass through the slot thereby releasing the mud flap from the suspension bracket.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Inventor: William M Cooper
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Patent number: 11142260Abstract: Drag reducing systems for vehicles are provided. In one aspect, a drag reducing system generally includes a flow restricting deflector couplable to a mount and positioned upstream in a path of airflow to an object. The flow restricting deflector generally includes a body portion and a plurality of flow choking orifices configured to provide a choked airflow condition. In another aspect, the drag reducing system is configured for positioning adjacent a wheel and tire combination of a vehicle upstream in a path of airflow to the wheel and tire combination. The flow restricting deflector may be coupled to and extending downward from a splash shield adjacent the wheel and tire combination.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: PACCAR IncInventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
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Patent number: 10933921Abstract: A mudflap assembly includes a bracket assembly that couples to a vehicle frame and a mudflap having a panel. The panel has a first edge coupled to the bracket assembly. The mudflap assembly also includes a lighting element encased in the bracket assembly proximate to the first edge of the mudflap. The lighting element illuminates the panel.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Inventor: Kayden Jacobson
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Patent number: 10829161Abstract: A vehicle splash guard includes a flexible body and at least one reinforcement member. The flexible body has a body panel attachment area that is configured to abut a vehicle body panel. The reinforcement member is fixedly connected to the flexible body. The reinforcement member has at least one bending portion. The bending portion is a portion of weakness in the reinforcement member to enable the reinforcement member to deform at the bending portion in a direction towards the vehicle body panel to reduce a space between the splash guard and the vehicle body panel when the splash guard is installed onto the vehicle body panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Long Vu
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Patent number: 10759485Abstract: A right shock absorber and a left shock absorber are provided on outer sides of a left front wheel and a right front wheel that define a steering allowable space therebetween. At a lower portion of the right shock absorber, an outer edge of a right front fender is positioned farther radially outwards than an outer edge of the right front wheel, and a right guide wall that extends from the outer edge inwards is provided in an upper rear area to the left of the right front wheel. At a lower portion of the left shock absorber, an outer edge of a left front fender is positioned farther radially outwards than an outer edge of the left front wheel, and a left guide wall that extends from the outer edge inwards is provided in an upper rear area to the right of the left front wheel.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takahiro Sasaki
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Patent number: 10710649Abstract: 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, and 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: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: FLOWBELOW AERO, INC.Inventors: Joshua Butler, Kyle Walker, Redza Shah, Timothy Uys
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Patent number: 10625803Abstract: A front mudflap that is mounted with or without the front fender of a motorcycle to block water, dirt, and debris includes a bracket, an elastic shield, a support plate, and at least one fastener. The elastic shield is positioned and mounted in between a shield attachment leg of the bracket and the support plate by the at least one fastener. A frame attachment leg of the bracket is mounted to a frame of the motorcycle by the fastening mechanism thus securing the front mudflap to the motorcycle in a horizontal manner. Since the front mudflap is not connected to the front fender, the front mudflap can function with or without the front fender by blocking water, dirt, and debris away from the motorcycle and the rider.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Inventor: Henry Hyun Kwak
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Patent number: 10589799Abstract: An aerodynamic device for a trailer is provided that includes an air fairing or skirt that smoothly transitions into a fender for the wheels of the trailer. The aerodynamic device may be a substantially unibody member that has a forward region, a transition region, and a rear region. The first region defines the aerodynamic skirt beneath the trailer and the second planar region defines the fender for wheels of the trailer such that the fairing smoothly transitions from the skirt beneath the trailer to the fender covering the wheels based the shape of the bend in the transition region.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Mac LTT, Inc.Inventor: James A. Maiorana
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Patent number: 10457335Abstract: A mud guard portion is placed on a vehicle rear side relative to a rear tire. This makes it possible to restrain mud or the like splashed by the rear tire from hitting an underfloor. Further, an inside flow regulating portion is provided adjacently to an inner side of the mud guard portion in the vehicle width direction, and the inside flow regulating portion extends from its upper end toward a vehicle lower side and toward the vehicle rear side. Hereby, when a travel wind flowing on an inner side of the rear tire in the vehicle width direction in the wheel house hits the inside flow regulating portion, the travel wind flows toward the vehicle rear side along a deflection wall portion of the inside flow regulating portion. Accordingly, turbulence of the air on a vehicle rear side of the rear tire due to the travel wind is restrained.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Fumihiko Kishima
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Patent number: 10377432Abstract: There is provided a vehicle lower section structure including: a suspension member that extends in a vehicle front-rear direction and that includes a pair of side rails that are be separated from each other in a vehicle width direction; a vehicle onboard device that is formed with a substantially box shape, that is disposed between one of the side rails and the other of the side rails, and that includes a bottom face disposed substantially in the same plane as a bottom face of the suspension member; and a flow smoothing section that is provided at at least one of the bottom face of the vehicle onboard device or the bottom face of the suspension member, and that is provided projecting out toward a vehicle lower side and extending along the vehicle front-rear direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tatsuya Ayukawa
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Patent number: 10343723Abstract: A mud flap is attachable to a selected group of through-holes of a vehicle running board. Plugs clamp to inclined surfaces of the through-holes, thereby firmly affixing a bracket portion of the integrally molded mud flap body to the running board. A flap portion of the mud flap body is connected to the bracket portion of the mud flap body only by a hinge portion. The hinge portion has a straight front surface, a straight rear surface and a thickness that is less than the overall thickness of the mud flap body. The flap portion has at least one wall portion that does not conform to any yz plane, stiffening the flap portion and inducing it to rotate around the hinge portion as a unit when a front-to-rear shear force impinges on the flap portion. A notch may be formed to interrupt an otherwise convexly curved rear flap portion surface so to receive a downwardly depending running board reinforcing member when the flap portion flexes out of its rest position.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: MacNeil IP LLCInventors: David F. MacNeil, Walter Malinowicz
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Patent number: 10300960Abstract: An deflection system for a vehicle to deflect flying debris may comprise an elongated support assembly configured to be supported on the vehicle such that the support assembly extends laterally with respect to the vehicle, and a deflection structure extending downwardly from the support assembly. The deflection structure may comprise a plurality of deflection elements including a first deflection element and a second deflection element positioned rearwardly of the first deflection element. The first deflection element may comprise a plurality of deflection bristles and the second deflection element may comprise at least one deflection panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Aaladin Industries, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Wingen, Patrick Christopher Wingen, Richard Sides, Norm Kaufman, Jefferson Lehman, Bruce Hart
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Patent number: 10293872Abstract: 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, and 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: FlowBelow Aero, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Butler, Kyle Walker, Redza Shah, Timothy Uys
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Patent number: 10279649Abstract: A transportation refrigeration system is provided including a tractor cabin having an engine and an engine cooling system. A trailer is operably coupled to the tractor cabin. A transport refrigeration unit is configured to maintain a controller temperature environment of a portion of the trailer. The transport refrigeration unit is mounted to a front surface of the trailer adjacent the truck. A shield (50) is mounted to at least one of the tractor cabin, trailer, and transport refrigeration unit. The shield is configured to block an air flow path between an area (42) of discharge air from the engine cooling system and a condenser air inlet (32) of the transport refrigeration unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Philippe Thierry Vaas, Aurelie Liebmann
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Patent number: 10252753Abstract: A mud flap assembly includes a mud flap with a mounting surface and an exposed surface, where the exposed surface is on an opposite side of the mud flap from the mounting surface. A foam tape is adhesively mounted to the mounting surface and a spring clip contacts the exposed surface of the mud flap when the mud flap is mounted to a vehicle so as to compress the foam tape.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Husky Liners, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth Douglas Johnson
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Patent number: 10252752Abstract: A spray protection device (1) for a wheeled vehicle (20) having at least one wheel (21) standing on the ground, said device (1) comprising a spray shield (2), suitable for being arranged at least in part behind the wheel (21), and connection means (3) for connecting the shield (1) to said vehicle (20), the spray shield (2) presenting a face suitable for facing towards the wheel (21) to be protected and an opposite face, referred to as the “back” of the shield (2), the connection means (3) for connecting the shield (2) to the vehicle (20) being configured, when the shield (2) is coupled to the vehicle (20), to enable the shield (2) to move between a high position, at a distance from the ground, and a low position, close to the ground.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: R-PIInventor: Pierre Reus
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Patent number: 10246134Abstract: A mud flap adapted to be attached behind a wheel or outside a wheel of a vehicle, particularly useful in association with large trucks or tractor trailers, which facilitates the redirected flow of water, mud, snow and roadway debris to and down the exterior surface of the mud flap. The mud flap is adapted to be attached to a vehicle behind a wheel thereof, using conventional technology, and includes a panel defined by an interior surface intended to be positioned approximal a tire and an opposing exterior surface. The panel has a plurality of annular apertures extending through the panel. A plurality of elbow tubes extend from the exterior surface of the panel at each of the apertures, and a plurality of lip structures defined by an arced perimeter, extend from the interior surface of the panel. The elbow tubes of the disclosed technology include a body extending with a downward curvature relative to the panel when the panel is attached to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Inventor: Nicholas Radyk
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Patent number: 10207744Abstract: Drag reducing systems for tractor-trailer combination vehicles are provided. In one aspect, a drag reducing assembly generally includes a stowable mud flap rotatably coupled to a mounting bracket and a linkage. The linkage is configured to transition the mud flap between a first, deployed position, to a second, stowed position. The mud flap is generally positioned adjacent a wheel and tire of the vehicle, downstream of airflow. In the first position, the mud flap may be deployed at an angle of about 90° to the ground. In the second position, the mud flap may be stowed at an angle of about 90° from the first position.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: PACCAR IncInventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
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Patent number: 10190272Abstract: A vehicle distance advise system includes a first housing section including a first reflective strip and a first warning device connected to the first reflective strip, and a second housing section removably connected to the first housing section. The distance advise system may be connected to a vehicle and then set-up to alert other vehicle drivers of the presence of an immobilized vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Armando Acosta Rodriguez, Nathali Vasquez Henao, Ernesto Zepeda Lopez, Jorge Arturo Ortiz Flores, Mario Alejandro Medina Huerta
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Patent number: 10184553Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a blast mitigating differential housing for a vehicle, comprised of a first wall and a second wall in opposed spaced apart relation to each other. The first and second walls are separated by first and second side walls extending there between to define an inner space and an exterior surface. The side walls may be declined toward each other in a V shape. One of the first and second walls is equipped with an aperture to accommodate a vehicle drive line. The side walls are equipped with opposed apertures to accommodate the drive shafts and/or vehicle axles. The side walls may be further equipped with mounting structures along the exterior to accommodate a vehicle suspension system and/or steering elements. The inner space defined by the walls has a surface equipped for at least one vehicle differential mount.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignees: PRATT & MILLER ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION, INC., THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMYInventors: Kevin R. Kwiatkowski, Benjamin J. Wright, James R. Fries, Richard R. Reichenbach, III, Chantelle M. Korson, Celyn M. Evans
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Patent number: 10093361Abstract: An apparatus for providing a vehicular fender extension comprise a wheel-well casing having a top surface, a bottom surface, an inside edge and an outside edge, the wheel-well casing being adapted to fit within a vehicular wheel-well, a guiderail located at the outside edge of the wheel-well casing, and an extending member slideably supported by the guiderail, the extending member having a top surface, a bottom surface, an inside edge and an outside edge, extending between first and second ends. The apparatus further comprises at least one actuator operable to move the extending member between a first position wherein the extending member is contained within the wheel-well casing, and a second position wherein the outside edge of the extending member is distal from the outside edge of the wheel-well casing.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Inventor: Kyle Wilson
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Patent number: 10065686Abstract: A mud guard portion is placed on a vehicle rear side relative to a rear tire. This makes it possible to restrain mud or the like splashed by the rear tire from hitting an underfloor. Further, an inside flow regulating portion is provided adjacently to an inner side of the mud guard portion in the vehicle width direction, and the inside flow regulating portion extends from its upper end toward a vehicle lower side and toward the vehicle rear side. Hereby, when a travel wind flowing on an inner side of the rear tire in the vehicle width direction in the wheel house hits the inside flow regulating portion, the travel wind flows toward the vehicle rear side along a deflection wall portion of the inside flow regulating portion. Accordingly, turbulence of the air on a vehicle rear side of the rear tire due to the travel wind is restrained.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Fumihiko Kishima
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Patent number: 10059379Abstract: A wheel well/fender guard comprising a flat, curved, narrow rectangular panel secured in parallel spaced relationship to the outer edge of a vehicle wheel well, to protect the outer edge. The guard has flat upper and lower surfaces that are generally perpendicular to the plane of the vehicle body panel around the wheel well, and is spaced from the wheel well outer edge by a plurality of spacers secured at intervals along the upper surface of the guard. The spacers are substantially narrower than the guard, which is itself substantially narrower than the width of the wheel well as a whole.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Inventor: Michael P. Mason
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Patent number: 10053163Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first end configured to face oncoming airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface and an opposing second. An underbody extends between the first and second ends of the vehicle body and defines a space between the vehicle body and the road surface and includes a first lateral edge, an opposing second lateral edge and a central region defined therebetween. One or more wheel wells are formed in the underbody proximate the front end of the vehicle body. At least one aerodynamic member is disposed adjacent the one or more openings in the underbody. The at least one aerodynamic member includes a leading portion positioned proximate the one or more openings, a trailing portion positioned proximate the central region of the underbody and at least one aerodynamic surface extending therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Steven A. Del Gaizo, William Fang
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Patent number: 10023241Abstract: An air flow adjusting structure for a vehicle includes: a fender liner provided above a tire in a vehicle vertical direction, the fender liner including an arch such that an air flow passage is formed between the arch and the tire; and an adjusting rib projecting from the arch in a vehicle-downward direction, the adjusting rib being inclined relative to a vehicle-width direction, and extending in a direction that intersects with a vehicle-longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira Umemoto
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Patent number: 9969445Abstract: A trailer (10) and a side skirt (19), each comprising an integrated arrangement (60, 70, 80) for reducing air drag, are provided. Each arrangement (60, 70, 80) comprises means for receiving air (60) comprising at least one air inlet (6), means for ejecting air (70) comprising at least one air outlet (7) facing downwards. The means for ejecting air (70) are arranged along a lower edge (11) of the trailer cargo housing (16) and side skirt (19) respectively. The arrangement also comprises means for conveying air (80) comprising at least one air duct (8). The means for conveying air (80) extend between the air receiving means (60) and the air ejecting means (70). The arrangement (60, 70, 80) is configured to produce a screen of air from the lower edge (11) and downwards during travel. The air screen prevents air, especially side wind, from entering the undercarriage.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Creo Dynamics ABInventor: Andreas Persson
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Patent number: 9862426Abstract: The present invention is, in a first aspect, a two-piece vehicular splash guard assembly including a splash guard body, having at least one slit, and a cover, having at least one tab corresponding to and registerable with the at least one slit. Removably securing the cover about an interior surface of the splash guard body, either before or after painting the splash guard body, ensures that no paint bleeds onto the inside surface of the splash guard body during the manufacturing process. In a second aspect, a method of painting said splash guard assembly is provided in order to create fine paint lines along the edges of the splash guard body. The cover may be attached either prior to or after painting and, thereafter, the combined cover and splash guard body may be attached to a vehicle or, alternatively, the splash guard body alone may be attached to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Quality Engineering CompanyInventor: Bill Iordanou
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Patent number: 9802652Abstract: A mud flap assembly is suitable for use with a vehicle. The mud flap assembly includes a rod assembly that is configured to be mounted to the vehicle. The rod assembly has an elongate housing and a stop extending from the housing. The mud flap assembly further includes a mud flap. A keyway extends through a portion of the mud flap. A first part of the keyway is sized and configured to rotatably engage the elongate housing. A second part of the keyway engages the stop to limit rotation of the mud flap between a first position and a second position. The mud flap also includes biasing element that biases the mud flap toward the first position when the mud flap is in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: TeraFlex, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Paul Cox
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Patent number: 9610982Abstract: An arm for mounting a fender to a vehicle includes a shell defining an internal channel. The shell features a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A mounting plate is secured within the internal channel in the proximal end portion of the shell. The mounting plate includes a fastener opening, which receives a fastener to secure the arm to a vehicle. The distal end portion of the shell is adapted to be fastened to the fender.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Fontaine Spray Suppression CompanyInventors: Kyle Denu, Helbert Flores
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Patent number: 9567016Abstract: An upper wheel fairing assembly for increasing the propulsive efficiency of a wheeled vehicle having wheels otherwise exposed to headwinds, comprising a deflector panel or skirt panel assembly mounted upstream in front of a rearward wheel set, ideally extending downward to not lower than the level of the axle, and arranged to deflect headwinds from impinging upon the high drag-inducing mechanically advantaged upper wheel surfaces downward onto the low drag-inducing mechanically disadvantaged lower wheel surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Inventor: Garth L. Magee
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Patent number: 9394007Abstract: A fender flare includes a side portion and an inner portion. The inner portion includes troughs at a front area of the inner portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Inventor: Tai-Hsien Yen
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Patent number: 9333987Abstract: The invention relates to an improved support for a mudguard. The support at hand comprises an L-shaped arm (1) to which an arcuate support (2) is fastened and the mudguard is connected to the arcuate support (2); a removable fastening means is provided and makes it possible to fasten the arcuate support (2) to the arm (1) in a position chosen from among a plurality of different positions of the support (2).Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: LODI S.P.A.Inventor: Luigi Lodi
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Patent number: 9296433Abstract: A flexible trailer fairing for reducing aerodynamic drag on an over the road trailer is disclosed. A fourfold flexible fairing system may be used to reduce drag from both the trailer landing gear and wheel assembly. Numerous systems for keeping the flexible fairing taught while in continued use are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Vanguard National Trailer CorporationInventor: Mark Roush
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Patent number: 9284000Abstract: A splash guard configured to reduce drag forces, and in turn, improve the aerodynamics of an associated vehicle. The splash guard in some examples defines a forward facing airflow contact surface and rearwardly extending side fins.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: PACCAR IncInventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
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Patent number: 9211916Abstract: A fender for a wheel rotating about an axis comprises a main fender part extending around the axis, a fender protruding from an axial fender fringe towards the axis, a mudguard comprising a main mudguard section extending downwards from the main fender part and a mudguard skirt protruding towards the wheel axis from an axial mudguard fringe, and an elastic interface. The main fender part, the fender skirt, the main mudguard section, and the mudguard skirt are molded of a same dimensionally stable plastic material. The elastic interface is made of an elastomeric plastic material molded to the main fender part, the fender skirt, the main mudguard section and the mudguard skirt, and connects the main mudguard section of the mudguard to a lower back end of the main fender part, and the mudguard skirt to a lower back skirt end of the fender skirt.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: WEGU HOLDING LEICHTBAUSYSTEMEInventors: Martin Rosenbecker, Grit Mueller
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Patent number: 9199676Abstract: A side skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a side skirt wall configured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend below a side wall of the trailer along a length of the trailer. A mounting bracket assembly of the system is coupled to the side skirt wall and is configured to be coupled to a floor assembly of the trailer. The mounting bracket assembly is configured to tilt laterally outwardly and laterally inwardly with respect to a generally vertical axis parallel to the side wall of the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Wabash National, L. P.Inventors: James Bruce Brown, Leonard William Baker
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Patent number: 9162709Abstract: An arched fender extension portion is attached along an edge of an existing fender of an agricultural vehicle with a common curvature and lying in a common plane by a pair of brackets mounted on the existing fender at longitudinally spaced fastening arrangements thereof. The extension portion includes two bolt connectors arranged to pull the flat edge of the extension portion into butting engagement with the outer side edge of the existing fender inwardly of an edge flange portion of the existing fender.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Inventor: Eric Gray