Abstract: A side skirt assembly for a trailer of a tractor-trailer includes a skirt panel and a plurality of skirt mounts that couple the skirt panel to the frame of the trailer. The skirt panel can be formed by a layered composite formed of alternating layers of fiberglass and layers containing recycled fiberglass. The position of the skirt mount can be laterally adjusted along the trailer frame whereby the skirt panel can be mounted to the trailer in more than one lateral position. Additionally, the skirt panel can include a track extending along at least a portion of the skirt panel length, and the track can slide relative to the skirt mount to adjust the longitudinal position of the skirt panel on the trailer during assembly.

Abstract: A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including open channels that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower portions thereof. The panel may be trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members may be inserted into the elongated channels. The panels may be cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members.

Abstract: A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including ribs that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower walls thereof. The panel is trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members are inserted into the elongated channels. The panels can be cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members.

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.

Abstract: A side skirt assembly for a trailer of a tractor-trailer includes a skirt panel and a plurality of skirt mounts that couple the skirt panel to the frame of the trailer. The skirt panel can be formed by a layered composite formed of alternating layers of fiberglass and layers containing recycled fiberglass. The position of the skirt mount can be laterally adjusted along the trailer frame whereby the skirt panel can be mounted to the trailer in more than one lateral position. Additionally, the skirt panel can include a track extending along at least a portion of the skirt panel length, and the track can slide relative to the skirt mount to adjust the longitudinal position of the skirt panel on the trailer during assembly.

Abstract: A precast concrete slab connector for connecting two adjacent slabs in edge-by-edge juxtaposition, each with a recess in registry with a recess in and an adjacent slab. A pair of anchor plates are positioned the slab recesses and a shear plate spans the slabs recesses and overlies the anchor plates. The shear plate has openings that are in registry with one of an anchor plate opening. Multiple fasteners are extend through the openings in the anchor plates and the shear plates and include removable retainers that clamp the shear plates and the anchor plates together. The fasteners can be cast in part into each adjacent slab. Serration can be provided with facing surfaces of the anchor plates and the shear plate or on facing surfaces of the shear plate and washers that are mounted on the fastener.

Abstract: A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including ribs that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower walls thereof. The panel is trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members are inserted into the elongated channels. The panels can be cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members.

Abstract: A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including open channels that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower portions thereof. The panel may be trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members may be inserted into the elongated channels. The panels may be cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members.

Abstract: A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including ribs that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower walls thereof. The panel is trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members are inserted into the elongated channels. The panels are cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members.

Abstract: A vehicle fender is mounted to a mounting arm through at least one clamp that is mounted on the mounting arm. The clamp and an edge of the fender have complementary teeth and grooves to adjustably mount the fender to the mounting arm. The fender teeth and grooves are formed in a pocket and the pocket extends beneath the fender panel and receives the mounting arm.

Abstract: A lightweight roll-up door comprises multiple lightweight panels that can be transversely installed/removed with a simple hinge assembly. The panels are hinged about one edge and have outer complementary arcuate portions that fill the gap at the edges of the door as the panels rotate about the hinge. The panels are extruded from a lightweight material. Additionally, the panels are structurally capable of supporting the necessary door hardware without deformation or breakage. A latch assembly is mounted to an extruded bottom panel forming a latch recess for receiving the latch assembly and with multiple mounting supports disposed within the hollow interior and extending between the latch recess and the interior wall.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a trailer roll up door has a base plate, a handle and hook assembly with a locking flange rotatably mounted to the base plate, a closed keeper to selectively retain the handle in the closed position. The closed keeper is moveably mounted to the base plate for movement between a latched position and an unlatched position. The movement of the closed keeper is limited by stops on the base plate and further has a rotation stop that is adapted to contact a portion of the handle when the closed keeper is in the unlatched position and the handle is moved to the closed position to move the closed keeper into the latched position.

Abstract: A lightweight roll-up door comprises multiple lightweight panels that can be transversely installed/removed with a simple hinge assembly. The panels are hinged about one edge and have outer complementary arcuate portions that fill the gap at the edges of the door as the panels rotate about the hinge. The panels are extruded from a lightweight material. Additionally, the panels are structurally capable of supporting the necessary door hardware without deformation or breakage. A latch assembly is mounted to an extruded bottom panel forming a latch recess for receiving the latch assembly and with multiple mounting supports disposed within the hollow interior and extending between the latch recess and the interior wall.

Abstract: A spray suppressant brush apparatus is mounted to a vehicle fender adjacent to the ground-engaging tires. The apparatus comprises a dual channel mounting member. The first channel is preferably U-shaped and slidably receives the base of a spray suppressant brush. The second channel is preferably C-shaped and slidably receives a rolled outboard edge of the vehicle fender. The C-shaped channel has a first arm and a second, thickened arm which substantially surrounds the rolled edge of the vehicle fender. The thickened arm has a lever flange which extends along the top edge of the fender a short distance. Outward force exerted on the spray suppressant brush is resisted by the thickened arm and the lever flange thereof.

Abstract: A spray-suppressant splash guard is adapted to depend from a vehicle body rearwardly of a wheel of the body and is provided with vertically extending channel means open at least the lower end thereof and baffle means which extend from the rib in a disposition whereby spray thrown rearwardly by the vehicle wheel will enter the channel means and rebound from a splash surface of the splash guard to be intercepted, in part, by the baffle means. The portion so intercepted will be confined to the channel means for discharge at the lower open end thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle quarter fender (10) is adapted to mount to a vehicle frame (12) through a mounting rod (14) secured to the frame (12) and comprises an arcuate panel (16), a rigidifying bracket (18) and a mounting tube (20). The rigidifying bracket (18) is formed integral with the panel (16), extends along the full width of the panel (16), along a bottom side (44) thereof, and provides the panel (16) with stability along longitudinal, transverse and diagonal axes of the same. The mounting tube (20) is formed integral with a top inside portion (48) of the panel (16) and is adapted to slidably and securely engage the mounting rod (14) to mount the fender (10) to the frame (12).

Abstract: A vehicle quarter fender (10) is adapted to mount to a vehicle frame (12) through a mounting rod (14) rigidly secured to the frame (12). The fender (10) comprises an arcuate panel (16), a rigidifying plate (18) and a mounting tube (19) formed integral with the plate (18). The rigidifying plate (18) is mounted to the panel (16), along substantially the full width of a bottom surface (62) thereof, such that the tube (19) is co-extensive with and extends inwardly and laterally of an inside portion (56) of the panel (16). The plate (18) provides the fender (10) with stability along longitudinal, transverse, and diagonal axes of the fender (10). The mounting tube (19) is adapted to slidably and securely engage the mounting rod (14) to mount the fender (10) to the frame (12).

Abstract: A mudflap assembly (10) mounts a mudflap (14) onto a vehicle frame. The mudflap assembly (10) includes a downwardly extending mudflap. The mudflap (14) is suspended from a support bar (16) and provides spray suppression. A bracket member (18) secures the mudflap (14) to the support bar (16). The bracket member (18) has an end flap (22) which extends downwardly from the bracket member (18) to conceal an outer end of the support bar (16) from view. The bracket member (18) can also include a crimped portion (23) at an inner end thereof for limiting vertical movement of the bracket member (18) relative to the support bar (16).