Abstract: A towing shield is provided for mounting to a tow bar. The shield apparatus has a first and a second frame section. Each frame section is substantially planar and has an inner edge and an outer edge, with the inner edge of the first section is hingedly connected to the inner edge of the second section. The shield apparatus also has a first and a second shield panel. The first panel is fastened in parallel planar relation to the first frame section, while the second panel is fastened in parallel planar relation to the second frame section. The panels form a shielding surface extending vertically from the tow bar when the frame sections are mounted in an open position. The first and second panels have a flexible peripheral portion extending beyond the outer edge of their frame sections. Either peripheral portion is adapted to flex when engaged by the rear portion of the towing vehicle when the vehicle's rear portion is caused to turn into either of the peripheral portions.

Abstract: A splash guard for a tracked vehicle, the tracked vehicle comprising a track unit which comprises a frame, a track wheel, and a track, the splash guard being placed in an immediate vicinity of the track and attached to the track unit by means of a support, the splash guard comprising on a side facing the track, two slide rails extending in a direction parallel to a direction of movement of the track, and the track being fitted to slide against the slide rails as the splash guard touches the track due to up and down motions of the track unit during travel.

Abstract: In order to improve a spray protection device for vehicles or vehicles trailers for reducing the spray occurring behind a travelling vehicle and produced by the wheels running on wet roads, the spray protection device having the form of a flat structure with a first side facing the relevant vehicle wheel and a second side facing away from this wheel, whereby the first side is formed by an inlet layer having water passage openings, at the back of this inlet layer facing away from the first side at least one spacer is provided for creating a void between the inlet layer and a carrier for the spacer and the inlet layer, such that it is economically produceable and can be fitted to any type of vehicle, it is proposed that the spray protection device be designed such that its inlet layer is formed from a textile material web flexible in any direction.

Abstract: A vehicle has a steerable wheel on an axle, a fender, and a fender mount for supporting the fender on the axle adjacent to the steerable wheel. The fender mount has a bracket fixed to the axle, an arm fixed to the fender and a flexible bushing coupled between the bracket and the arm. The bushing is rotatably flexible about a torsion axis and is bendably flexible in directions transverse to the torsion axis. The bushing includes a flexible core and a pair of wedge-shaped end caps fixed to opposite ends of the core. The bushing has a central axis which is tilted rearwardly with respect to a fore-and-aft axis of the wheel and which is tilted away from the wheel.

Abstract: This invention is related to a safety apparatus for reducing side spray for trucks and other vehicles. The apparatus includes a flexible flap suspended behind the tires of the vehicle with a stiffening device of relatively elongate construction arranged at the outer edge thereof and extending forwardly therefrom. The flap further lacks any substantial stiffening element at the inner edge thereby effecting the flap so that the flap deflects inwardly along the inner edge of the flap and thereby directs air currents and roadway fluids to the inside of the truck. The stiffening device also obstructs fluids from passing around the outer edge of the flap with a forwardly extending main wall portion and an inwardly directed leading wall portion.

Abstract: A wheel lining with a structure made of a polymer, mounted at a distance from wheel, self-supporting, and impermeable to air. The lining is double-walled and incorporates at least two chambers. The walls of the chambers the facing the wheel are provided with at least one opening each to form Helmholtz resonators.

Abstract: A device collects and discharges the splashed water thrown up by a vehicle wheel, and comprises a plurality of collection channels which are disposed side by side and spaced apart. The channels are held on the wheel arch of the vehicle in a position facing a tire tread, and collection channel openings, inclined downwards in their longitudinal direction, are each covered over by a respective recessed rebound wall on which a part of the impinging splashed water is thrown back into the associated collection channel. In order to enable greater efficiency of the device in the collection of splashed water to be achieved, the rebound walls associated with the collection channels are each, as viewed in cross-section, in the form of arcuately curved guide vanes, whereby a major part of the impinging splashed water is deflected by return flushing into the collection channel openings.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement in a vehicle having a frame, a front axle, steerable wheels on the axle, and fenders on the wheels. Fender frames are pivotally mounted on the axle and are adapted to pivot about a substantially vertical axis. A fender is mounted on each of the fender frames and is normally positioned over and in alignment with the steerable wheels. A resilient element is operatively connected to the fenders to maintain the fenders over and in alignment with the steerage wheels, while permitting the fenders to pivot to a position of disalignment with at least one of the steerable wheels when the steerable wheels are moved to an angular position with respect to the axle to cause at least one of the fenders to contact the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: Viscoelastic plastics materials having a dynamic elasticity modulus of 10.sup.7 to 10.sup.10 Nm.sup.-2 and a loss factor of at least 5 are used for the manufacture of motor vehicle parts, such as wheel housing parts, instrument panels, and door panels, in order to reduce interior noise.