Wheel Guards Patents (Class 280/160)
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Patent number: 12128942Abstract: A toe guard for use on a wheel assembly may include a first and second sidewall, each sidewall including an opening configured to engage with an axle of the wheel assembly. The first and second sidewalls may each further include one or more notches. The toe guard may further include a first locking pin configured to engage with at least one of the notches of the first and second sidewalls. Additionally, the toe guard may include one or more support plates connecting the first and second sidewalls, and a front plate configured to engage with at least one of the support plates or connect with at least one of the sidewalls.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION INC.Inventors: Bruce B. Zutler, Harry E. Wellington, Kevin Chow, Daniel P. Doodnauth, Richard B. Leeds
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Patent number: 12103480Abstract: Cable protector devices, assemblies, and systems. The cable protection system may include a moveable system with wheels for moving the moveable system across a floor and a cable pusher attached to each of the wheels. Each cable pusher may include a frame with a pair of deflector legs configured to be positioned in front of and behind each wheel in close proximity to the floor. The cable pusher may be magnetically secured to the wheel, and the deflector legs may magnetically connect to the frame. As the wheels spin or rotate, the frame and deflector legs remain stationary, thereby pushing obstacles out of the way.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.Inventors: Kevin Zhang, Steven Tracy, David Toombs, Gary Pinard, Norbert Johnson
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Patent number: 11807287Abstract: A toe guard for use on a wheel assembly may include a first and second sidewall, each sidewall including an opening configured to engage with an axle of the wheel assembly. The first and second sidewalls may each further include one or more notches. The toe guard may further include a first locking pin configured to engage with at least one of the notches of the first and second sidewalls. Additionally, the toe guard may include one or more support plates connecting the first and second sidewalls, and a front plate configured to engage with at least one of the support plates or connect with at least one of the sidewalls.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION INC.Inventors: Bruce B. Zutler, Harry E. Wellington, Kevin Chow, Daniel P. Doodnauth, Richard B. Leeds
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Patent number: 11787457Abstract: A pallet truck wheel guard assembly is configured for use on a pallet truck of a type having a spaced pair of rear steer wheels rotatable about an axle residing and steerable within a horizontal plane relative to said pallet truck. The wheel guard assembly comprises a shroud having a width approximately equal to or larger than a spacing between rear steer wheels of a pallet truck. One or more connectors are configured to fixedly attach the shroud only to an axle between the steer wheels of the pallet truck, wherein the shroud is fixed relative to the steer wheels such that a spacing between a bottom edge of shroud and a floor level upon which the steer wheels rest is sufficiently narrow so as to prevent extremities from slipping beneath the shroud and be caught under the pallet jack wheels.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: GPS, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Scott Loveless
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Patent number: 11738790Abstract: A wheel guard is provided for use on a material handling vehicle comprising a steering assembly, an axle extending through the steering assembly and a steer wheel mounted on the axle. The wheel guard may comprise: a front plate to be positioned adjacent to the steer wheel; an axle support coupled to and extending transverse to the front plate and comprising an axle aperture through which the vehicle axle is to be extended, the wheel guard to be rotatable about the axle; and a stop coupled to at least one of the front plate or the axle support to limit rotational movement of the wheel guard about the axle.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Daniel Kahlig, Liming Yue, Daniel Magoto
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Patent number: 11066109Abstract: A tire protection system includes a magnet assembly disposed in front of or behind a tire of a vehicle. The magnet assembly attracts and collects metallic debris on the roadway in front of the tire as the vehicle travels along the roadway, thereby preventing the debris from damaging the tire. The magnet assembly may be integrated into a wire-type housing and/or frame that is coupled to a mud flap, lower windscreen, and/or body-side molding located near the undercarriage of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Inventor: Anthony David
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Patent number: 11001316Abstract: A wheel guard system may include a wheel guard located on an upper portion of a tire; and a deflector to be folded to enter into and to be built in the wheel guard. The deflector may be unfolded to get out of the wheel guard and form tire alignment for shielding a whole tire width. In particular, the deflector is provided with a speed rib rotated by a motor, and the motor may fold or unfold the speed rib in a rotation direction of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Un-Tae Kim, Hak-Lim Kim
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Patent number: 10015929Abstract: Sickle safety guard apparatus comprising an elongated rib laterally bifurcating into a pair of spaced apart longitudinally and laterally extending side wall portions respectively transitioning into a pair of distal, longitudinally and laterally extending, sides wall portions forming a longitudinally and laterally inwardly extending receiving gap between the side wall portions that decreases in separation laterally inwardly for forming respective guiding surfaces laterally inwardly followed by respective pressure surfaces of the side wall portions defining a longitudinally and laterally extending slot therebetween and the respective pressure surfaces radially inwardly increasing in separation to interior terminating ends wherein sickle teeth are received and guided by the guiding surfaces into said longitudinally and laterally extending slot and into abutment with the pressure surfaces while biasing apart the pair of biasing/pressure surfaces for providing a pressure fit between the biasing/pressure surfaces aType: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Inventors: Ryan Atchison, Jeff Atchison
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Patent number: 9694774Abstract: A bumper beam unit for a vehicle is disclosed. A bumper beam unit for a vehicle according to one or a plurality of exemplary embodiments may include a bumper beam of which at least one smaller diameter pipe is inserted into a larger diameter pipe along a length direction thereof, wherein the larger diameter pipe and the smaller diameter pipe are press-formed to have a predetermined length, and a stay that connects both end portions of the bumper beam to a vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: SUNGWOO HITECH CO., LTD.Inventors: Joo Il Park, Mun Yong Lee
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Patent number: 9643657Abstract: A mud flap system for a tractor is described. The mud flap system includes brackets that clamp or secure to a frame of the tractor. Lateral extensions engage to the brackets to support covers over a top surface of rear wheels of the tractor.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Truckmovers.Com, Inc.Inventor: Dean West
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Patent number: 9603305Abstract: A tire guard for a wheel of an agricultural vehicle includes a fender having a first width substantially covering a width of the wheel and a crop shield having a forward area and a back area. A first bracket connects the fender to the wheel and a second bracket connects the crop shield to the wheel. The crop shield is movable over the fender between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the forward area of the crop shield is disposed proximate an upper portion of the wheel and the back area of the crop shield is disposed proximate a rear portion of the wheel. In the second position, the forward area of the crop shield is disposed proximate a front portion of the wheel and the back area of the crop shield is disposed proximate an upper portion of the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: AGCO CorporationInventors: Jeremiah T. Rau, Todd B. Snyder
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Patent number: 9545955Abstract: A number of variations may include a method comprising fixing a wheel cover on a wheel so that the wheel cover remains static as the wheel rotates on a horizontal axis and turns with the wheel as the wheel turns on a vertical axis comprising attaching a bearing system to a knuckle of a wheel; and attaching the wheel cover to the bearing system and the knuckle.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jie Xu, Wenshui Wang, Leon Guo, Yantao You
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Patent number: 8979106Abstract: A tire protection mount may include a bracket that includes a central platform and an arm. The central platform is connected the arm to define an opening. The tire protection mount further includes a shield connected to the bracket that substantially covers the opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Shoup Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Merle Benoit, Eric Kirchner
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Publication number: 20140131973Abstract: A tire protection mount may include a bracket that includes a central platform and an arm. The central platform is connected the arm to define an opening. The tire protection mount further includes a shield connected to the bracket that substantially covers the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Inventors: Merle Benoit, Eric Kirchner
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Publication number: 20140015216Abstract: A skateboard wheel cover. The skateboard wheel cover can include a shielding portion, a sidewall portion coupled to the shielding portion, and a coupling portion coupled to the sidewall portion. The shielding portion may have an arcuate shape and may remain stationary while the skateboard is in use. The coupling portion may be adapted to couple to a wheel nut or an axle of a skateboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventor: Chase KACZMAREK
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Publication number: 20140008888Abstract: The invention pertains to a guard assembly for securement to a wheeled base. The guard assembly comprises a central support, a plurality of wheel guards positioned in an array around the central support, a plurality of struts, and a plurality of support struts. The struts are connected to and extend between a respective pair of the adjacent wheel guards in the array. Each of the support struts are connected to and extend between the central support and a respective one of the struts. The invention also envelops a method of retrofitting an existing wheeled base with the guard assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2012Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventors: Harvey P. FINK, James Jagodzinski
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Patent number: 8567802Abstract: A safety guard which functions to push objects lying in the path of a vehicle out of the path of the wheels of the vehicle, such as a school bus, for safety purposes includes a front guard positioned at an angle in front of a wheel of the vehicle and is secured through a mounting plate unit to both a side panel and either a frame beam or floor board of the vehicle, with the frontal guard being supported in a cantilevered manner in front of the wheel. This configuration provides for a substantially universal mounting arrangement that can be particular advantageous in connection with school buses and other vehicles having underbody frame and support structure remote from the vehicle wheel.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Public Transportation Safety Int'l Corp.Inventor: Mark Bowen Barron
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Patent number: 8505943Abstract: A safety guard which functions to push objects lying in the path of a vehicle out of the path of the wheels of the vehicle, such as a school bus, for safety purposes includes a front guard positioned at an angle in front of a wheel of the vehicle and is mounted to a side panel of the vehicle such that the frontal guard is supported in a cantilevered manner in front of the wheel. This configuration provides for a substantially universal mounting arrangement that can be particular advantageous in connection with school buses and other vehicles which are not provided with underbody frame and support structure closely adjacent to the vehicle wheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Public Transportation Safety Int'l Corp.Inventor: Mark Bowen Barron
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Patent number: 8226158Abstract: The invention is essentially an apparatus and method for reducing the wheel-spray and the aerodynamic drag of a wheel-set of a vehicle having a framework with preexisting holes, the apparatus comprising a three-dimensionally adjustable support infrastructure anchored to the framework without the need for drilling or welding the support infrastructure to the framework; a three-dimensionally adjustable housing superstructure having a housing having an obtuse-angled forward side and an obtuse-angled rearward side for screening the wheel-set, with the housing affixed between a box-sleeve and a stand-on plate with a plurality of U-bolt fasteners, wherein the box-sleeve defines an interior chamber for receiving a girder; and two attenuation rings inserted along both external ends of the girder to dilute vibration from the vehicle to the housing; and a fastening means comprising a locking cap having domed arches and a transplanar bore, a counter-threaded locking bolt, and a locking pin.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Inventor: Allen Forrest Jackson
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Patent number: 8141906Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle has an engine compartment protected from mud and water splash by wheel well shields and a centrally located underbody splash guard member, arranged to substantially block mud and water from splashing back toward an engine during operation of the vehicle. These splash guards are also configured to ensure a space for maintenance. The vehicle includes inner wheel well shields located respectively laterally inside of the front wheels, and an underbody splash guard member including first and second guard portions. The first guard portion provided on the underbody splash guard member is located laterally inside of the wheel well shields, and the second guard portion is located laterally inside of the first guard portion for covering a front portion of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tadashi Oshima, Kazuhito Hirai, Tetsuro Hosoda
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Patent number: 8132824Abstract: A bicycle having a wheel (e.g., a rear wheel) and a frame supported by the wheel. The frame includes a wheel support and a stay extending from the wheel support. A stay protector resiliently engages the stay and comprises a body member including a resilient material adapted to resiliently engage the stay, and a guard member positioned on (e.g., protruding beyond) an outer surface of the body member (e.g., on a top portion and/or bottom portion of the body member). Preferably, the stay includes a molded image on a central portion that is not covered by the guard member. In one embodiment, the guard member comprises a material that has a different hardness than the resilient material of the body member. For example, the guard member can comprise a material that is harder than the resilient material of the body member.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Brandon Dale Sloan, Joseph Edward Buckley, F. Robert Egger
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Publication number: 20110260425Abstract: Methods and apparatus may allow for the protection of vehicle tires from ground debris. A swing arm configuration may be used to displace ground debris from the path of a vehicle tire. The length of the swing arm may be established to maximize the vehicle's angle of approach. The motion of the swing arm may be arrested with a swing motion arrest substantially collocated with a swing axis pivot point. A ground debris displacement system may be capable of unpowered operation from a single position on a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: EAGLE WING LLCInventor: Steven J. Meakins
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Patent number: 8016308Abstract: A rear fender of a motorcycle includes a hollow stay portion which extends in the vehicle rearward and downward direction from a base portion thereof arranged in the inside of a rear portion of a seat rail, the stay portion is configured to be dividable, and lines for electric components are encased in a hollow portion of the stay portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuzuru Ishikawa, Gen Tanabe
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Publication number: 20110095504Abstract: An article for mounting a fender to a truck frame is described. The article permits the fender to swing up and away from the tire, so that the tire can be accessed without removal of the fender. The article includes first and second brackets mounted to the truck frame. The first bracket includes a hinge. The truck fender includes first and second sections. The hinge is mounted to the first section of the truck fender. The second section includes an armature that removably mounts to the second bracket. Unmounting the armature from the second bracket permits the truck fender to rotate about the hinge thereby exposing the tire.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: Jones Performance Products, Inc.Inventor: David A. Jones
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Patent number: 7832751Abstract: A rear fender assembly for a vehicle is provided. The rear fender assembly has an outer fender having an inner surface, an inner fender having an outer surface connected with the inner surface of the outer fender, and an upper bracket sandwiched between the inner surface of the outer fender and the outer surface of the inner fender. The upper bracket has an outer surface connected with the inner surface of the outer fender. The upper bracket forms an upper protrusion which extends from the outer surface of the upper bracket through a first opening defined by the outer fender.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.Inventors: Mark T. Fischer, John S. Cullen, Ronald G. Hurth, Santiago Mendoza, Jr., Jason A. Franklin, James A. Wollmer, Gregory R. Winsor, Douglas D. Clarkson
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Patent number: 7793963Abstract: A bicycle having a wheel and a frame supported by the wheel. The frame includes a wheel support and a stay extending from the wheel support. A stay protector resiliently engages the stay. In one embodiment, the stay includes a tubular-shaped member having an exterior surface, and the stay protector is contoured to substantially match the exterior surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Brandon Dale Sloan, Joseph Edward Buckley, F. Robert Egger
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Patent number: 7568708Abstract: A pallet truck steer wheel safety guard is provided. In combination with a steering assembly of a pallet truck, a steer wheel safety guard is disposed behind the steer wheel and defines a length parallel to the axis of rotation of the steer wheel. The safety guard defines a height perpendicular to such length, the height extending below the axis of rotation of the steer wheel. The safety guard includes a bumper, and may also include at least one strut extending from the bumper for attachment to the pallet truck.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Inventor: Gesualdo Vietri, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090058066Abstract: [Object] To provide a fender supporting structure of a two-wheeled motor vehicle capable of securing the rigidity of a mounting portion of a front fender and the rigidity of the entire front fender, without enlarging the outer shape of the front fender more than necessary. [Solving Means] In a fender supporting structure of a two-wheeled motor vehicle including a fender 65 formed in an arc shape along the shape of a wheel 60, and a fender supporting member 62A on which the fender 65 is mounted from under the fender supporting member 62A so as to cover an area above the wheel, at least two mounting surfaces 100, 110 at different levels in height are formed on each of the fender 65 and the fender supporting member 62A, and the fender 65 is joined to the fender supporting member 62A with these mounting surfaces 100, 110.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Eiji ADACHI, Yuichi KATO, Daisuke SOENO, Yuji NOGUCHI, Tomohiro FUSE, Kazuhito HAYASHI
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Patent number: 7458595Abstract: This fairing comprises a cowl (14) and means (26, 42) for connecting said fairing to the vehicle body (16),said connecting means are designed to allow the release of the fairing from the vehicle body, according to a release movement, when said fairing is subjected to a force exceeding a preset value, in particular when the tyre of said wheel bursts, and said fairing also includes means that enable it to be retained to vehicle body (16) during said release movement, to prevent said fairing from forming projectile material.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Irisbus France S.A.Inventors: Bernard Bonnaud, Bruno Cornuault
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Patent number: 7419188Abstract: A vehicle undershield is disclosed which is made from a material which is essentially conformed to the shape of the wheel housing and attached thereto, which undershield, due to its shape and structure, provides protection from corrosion by the sandblasting effect, causes reduction of the spray mist occurring on road surfaces wet from rain, and an effective noise damping on roads wet from rain and also on dry roads, having a sound-absorbing design for air-borne sound coming from the side facing away from the wheel, having a very good self-cleaning effect, while having a low weight of the constructional part.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Entwicklungsgesellschaft fuer Akustik (EFA) mit Beschraenkter HaftungInventors: Norbert Nicolai, Nelson Dias
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Publication number: 20080197589Abstract: A pallet truck steer wheel safety guard is provided. In combination with a steering assembly of a pallet truck, a steer wheel safety guard is disposed behind the steer wheel and defines a length parallel to the axis of rotation of the steer wheel. The safety guard defines a height perpendicular to such length, the height extending below the axis of rotation of the steer wheel. The safety guard includes a bumper, and may also include at least one strut extending from the bumper for attachment to the pallet truck.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2007Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventor: Gesualdo Vietri
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Patent number: 7258366Abstract: A one-piece synthetic splash and spray suppressor (50) is fastened to the margin of the trailing edge (48) of a front wheel well, or fender, (24) of a vehicle (10) to suppress road splash and spray created by a wheel within the well or fender from hitting steps (40, 42) by which a driver climbs into a cab (36). A wall (58) of the suppressor forms a continuation of an eyebrow (46) in the wheel well, or fender.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2004Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventors: Kerry E. Yingling, David J. Beigel
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Patent number: 7234559Abstract: An improved fender structure for a motorcycle includes a rear fender for covering a rear wheel, and a support stay for supporting the rear fender on a motorcycle body frame. The support stay extends along an inner surface of the rear fender, from the motorcycle body frame to the rear end of the rear fender. The support stay also supports a tail lamp body that is provided on an exterior surface of the rear fender. The front end of the rear fender includes a contact portion that interacts with the motorcycle body frame. The improved fender structure provides sufficient rigidity for a rear end portion of the rear fenders while achieving a simplified fender shape, reducing molding costs, and improving the external appearance. The improved fender structure also permits easy assembly of the rear fender to the motorcycle.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshinori Nakano, Terunati Saiki
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Patent number: 7222884Abstract: A mudguard for a wheel of an agricultural vehicle comprises two or more radially stacked parts and that are movable relative to one another in the axial direction of the wheel and lockable in different relative axial positions to form a mudguard of adjustable width.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Jim Callan, Vince Ellis, Allan Smee
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Patent number: 6886862Abstract: An attachment means (4) in the form of a hollow cylindrical socket (10) integral with a tangentially intersecting housing (30) in which a latch pin (8) is longitudinally slidable. The latch pin (8) has a cylindrical head (8a) of relatively large diameter but relatively short length, and a cylindrical shaft (8b) that is relatively long but of relatively small diameter. The axis of the latch housing is offset outwardly of an imaginary line tangentially intersecting the bore of the socket by more than half the diameter of the latch pin shaft (8b) but less than half the diameter of the latch pin head (8b). The latch pin (8) is biased by a spring (7) such that the latch pin head (8a) normally lies partly within the bore of the socket (10) to engage a notch (12) near the end of a rod (5) or other plug-like member attached to the socket (10) and thereby positively retain this rod (5).Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2001Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Inventor: George Alexander Matthew
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Patent number: 6802517Abstract: A fender skirt for use with a fender of a vehicle, such as a tractor, is provided. The fender skirt is disposed between the tire and the frame of the vehicle to effectively deflect debris away from the frame and engine compartment of the vehicle. The fender skirt preferably includes two rigid members spaced apart adjacent the inner side of the fender frame between the tire and the frame of the vehicle. A flexible skirt extends between the rigid members to form a canopy adjacent at least a portion of the tire.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Inventor: Jeffery J. Wuthrich
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Patent number: 6742787Abstract: This device is a trailer hitched to an atv or off road vehicle to haul cargo over an uneven or rough terrain. The trailer has a frame of steel tubing, a main axle, low pressure tires, trailer cargo box. The axle is comprised of a plurality of wheels rotatable about an axes that are fixed with respect to a cluster arm where cluster arm itself is rotated about an axis so that the wheels will rotate or climb over uneven terrain. The cargo box is constructed of a plastic composite material.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Inventor: Steven A. Wheeler
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Patent number: 6648373Abstract: A vibration-decoupling connector for mounting a fender to a support arm, the vibration-decoupling connector comprising an isolator having a first surface for directly contacting either the upper or lower surface of the fender; whereby the isolator dampens vibrations between the support arm and the fender to reduce the transfer of vibration forces between the frame and the fender when the support arm is mounted to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Fleet Engineers, IncorporatedInventor: Timothy R. Hawes
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Patent number: 6554306Abstract: A wheel protection device for a vehicle for preventing flying debris from striking the rear tire. The wheel protection device includes a mounting bracket for mounting on the front portion of the fender of the vehicle; and a debris deflection member being attached to the mounting bracket and being adapted to extend below the fender of the vehicle forward of the wheel when the mounting bracket is mounted on the front portion of the fender. The debris deflection member has a curved outer surface for orienting in a forward direction on the vehicle to deflect debris laterally of a path of the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventor: Terry J. Gaspar
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Patent number: 6494473Abstract: Means for protecting automobile wheels and tires comprising a shield which is stored in a retracted, inconspicuous position under the vehicle fender when the vehicle is in use, but which can be extended to cover and protect the wheel and tire when the vehicle is not being driven.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Inventor: Sossy Baghboian
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Patent number: 6443492Abstract: A mud flap hanger incorporates a tension spring within a mud flap support member of the hanger which can be tensioned from a location external of the support member. The apparatus includes a connector projecting from the support member threadedly connected to a tensioner nut which is rotated to tension the spring. A stop on the connector engages an end of the support member to limit the tension that can be applied to the tension spring.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Betts Spring CompanyInventors: Graylin Patrick Barr, Jay Ford
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Patent number: 6382675Abstract: A structure for detachably attaching a wheel housing cover to a vehicle body. Provided along the reverse side of a wheel house cover (2) on a peripheral edge are engagement parts (2E, 2F) having upwardly opened engagement holes (2E1, 2F1). In the vicinity of a lower part of the wheel house cover (2)are an insertion hole (2J1, 2K1) for a stud fastener at a front edge rib (2B) and a rear edge rib (2C). A vehicle body is provided with locking parts relatively and downwardly inserted into the corresponding engagement holes (2E1, 2F1) so as to lock said engagement parts (2E, 2F), and is further provided with nut members of receiving parts for receiving the stud fastener.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinobu Furuse, Sumio Horiuchi
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Patent number: 6276746Abstract: In a vehicle with a wheel housing, a tire and a wheel housing liner, a closure for the wheel housing liner comprising first and second brushes connected to the wheel housing liner, wherein the first brush is inside the wheel housing at a side away from a center of the vehicle near an outside periphery of a tire, and wherein the second brush is inside the wheel housing around a suspension opening contour, wherein the brushes reduce flow of outside air that enters the wheel housing and circulates in the housing, thereby reducing aerodynamic friction and increasing vehicle efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2000Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Garvin Gentry, George M. Claypole, Michael J. Kutcher
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Patent number: 6070893Abstract: A wheel retention system for use on the chassis of a large motor vehicle such as a tractor-trailer. Three support members are removably secured to the chassis and the support members support a retaining member positioned proximate to and parallel with the outer sidewalls of the wheels of the vehicle, forming a perimeter around the wheels. A pair of cylindrical sleeves axially and rotatably mounted upon the retaining member, the sleeves being positioned to confront a rotating wheel upon dislodging of the wheel from the chassis. The pair of support members comprise square tubing and completely pass from one side of the chassis to the other side of the chassis. The middle portion of each support member comprises an axle-retaining portion to trap an axle of the vehicle, should the axle disengage from the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Inventors: Robert J. Thorndyke, Wendell E. Thorndyke
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Patent number: 5983452Abstract: A wheel skid having an arcuate base for facilitating mobility of a vehicle on terrain where wheels ordinarily sink into the terrain, and/or otherwise become directed in a direction other than the desired direction of travel of such vehicles, and where wheeled transportation is otherwise difficult or impossible, and hazardous. The wheel skid has an arcuate base having a slot, a wheel assembly having a wheel, the slot having the wheel of the wheel assembly protruding therethrough, and a fastener fastening the wheel assembly thereto the wheel skid. The wheel skid may be supplied as a complete unit and/or as an accessory skid for retrofit installations.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Inventor: Terence R. McGovern
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Patent number: 5961137Abstract: A loose wheel restraint safety system provides bolt-on support brackets in a system for attachment to the chassis or to the body of a vehicle, to which brackets wheel restraint bars are detachably mounted. The brackets of the system are located adjacent the wheels of the vehicle, such that the restraint bars, when mounted, are located in close proximity to the tires and extend horizontally across the wheel. The system elements, when bolted in place form, in combination with the adjoining vehicle bed or chassis portions, substantial wheel enclosures that permit each wheel and rim to turn freely upon its axle or spindle, while restraining the wheel against lateral deviation from its axle. The system is applied to each outer wheel of a multi-wheel rig, to restrain a break-away wheel against run-away, such that the driver, upon observing the situation, can pull the rig off the road and to a halt.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Inventor: John Roland Knight
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Patent number: 5702117Abstract: A trolley intended for a medical apparatus and comprising wheels for displacement on a floor surface. In order to push aside cables running on the floor of the working environment, the wheels are provided with a cable pusher having a pushing edge. The plate constituting the cable pusher is provided with approximately triangular cut-outs which receive stationary cams. If no external forces act on the plate, it is pressed onto the cams by springs in such a manner that the apex of the triangular cut-outs bears on the cams. The springs are proportioned so that an obstructing cable is pushed aside by the plate; however, when this plate comes into contact with a fixed obstacle, for example a threshold, the plate is pushed upwards. Damaging of the cable pusher is thus avoided and the risk of overturning of the trolley is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1995Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Frans E. N. Geelhoed
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Patent number: 5524916Abstract: A mechanic's creeper is provided with a surrounding skirt that serves to deflect tools and other objects lying on the floor, thereby maintaining them accessible to the mechanic.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1993Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Inventor: Raymond S. Redens
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Patent number: 5348328Abstract: A race sulky is provided with wheel guards that are each comprised of a pair of spaced-apart and opposed side shield surfaces, a nose shield surface that extends forward of the sulky wheel and joins the side shield surfaces into a U-shaped plan configuration, and fastener components that secure the joined side shield surfaces to the sulky wheel axle and sulky wheel fork.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1993Date of Patent: September 20, 1994Inventor: Howard G. Millington
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Patent number: 5273315Abstract: A device for protecting the wheels of a vehicle against hydroplaning, having a water film displacement device (4,9) the displacement cross section of which is smaller than its operational cross-section. A deflecting device (11) may be arranged behind the displacement device (4,9) to deflect the hurled up water from the area of the wheel to be protected.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1993Date of Patent: December 28, 1993Inventor: Klaus Debus