Abstract: A sacrificial fairing is an elongated, arcuate trough-shaped panel member having a leg which detachably mounts to a rear edge of an elongated side fairing of a truck between the side fairing and a wheel well. The sacrificial fairing extends only partially around the wheel well. The sacrificial fairing can be easily detached from the side fairing. As a result, the sacrificial fairing can be easily replaced in case of damage from rocks, debris, chains, or the like.

Abstract: In a bumper side supporting structure of the present invention, an outer panel of a wheel house is extended toward the outside of a body beyond an outer panel of a side body, and a bumper side is fastened to the extended portion via a supporting bracket.

Abstract: A mud flap extender for mounting on the rear quarter panel behind each rear wheel or wheels of a truck or other vehicle and suspending a mud flap a sufficient distance rearwardly of the wheel(s) to prevent the wheel(s) from engaging the mud flap and tearing the mud flap from the vehicle frame when the vehicle is operated in reverse. Each mud flap extender is characterized by a fender module that matches the curvature of the vehicle rear quarter panel and typically mounts on the wheel well plate of the rear quarter panel and an angle-iron mount plate having a top flange for engaging the fender module and a bottom flange for mounting a mud flap which is suspended downwardly from the fender module in spaced relationship with respect to the rear wheel or wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fender assemblies for use with road graders and the like that prevent mud, dust, snow, or other substances on the ground or road surface from being thrown up by the grader tires. The fenders are arranged to follow any vertical movement of the grader wheels, are low cost, and easily removable and light-weight so that maintenance and servicing can be performed on the grader easily.

Abstract: A protector has been invented for positioning in a space between two vehicles, one positioned behind the other the protector including a protective member configured to fit into the space between the two vehicles, and movement apparatus connected to the protective member for accommodating relative movement between the two vehicles. In one aspect the protector is formed of flexible material such as screening, mesh, metal foil, cloth, canvas, fencing, fiberglass, nylon and plastic. In another aspect the protector has a sub-member formed of or secured to the protective member and positioned to protect the protective member from effects of a vehicle exhaust adjacent the protective member when the protector is emplaced between two vehicles.

Abstract: A fender is attached to a vehicle side panel by a series of fastener assemblies having a resilient component permitting temporary displacement of the fender from the vehicle side panel. A compression spring biases a fender flange into engagement with the vehicle side panel and permits flange displacement along the fastener assembly as well as angular displacement for accentuated movement of the fender if necessary.

Abstract: A fender having an arcuate section and integral steps is mounted to a trailer frame. The fender arcuate section has a recessed pad. The steps are reinforced with ribs. A pair of fender brackets each having a horizontal center plate are secured to the trailer frame using bolts. The fender step ribs are placed on the fender bracket center plates and fastened thereto from under the fender brackets in a manner that hides the fasteners from normal view. The fender steps have cutouts that receive the bolts. The trailer spring hangers are sandwiched between the trailer frame and the fender brackets in a manner that enables the spring hangers and the fender brackets to be adjustably positioned on the trailer frame independently of each other.

Abstract: An adjustable mud flap holder which can be used as an anti-wrap device for a truck or trailer or the like wherein the mud flap is secured to the vehicle by a mounting member disposed along the upper edge thereof The mud flap holder has a pair of inverted U-shaped mounting supports which have their U-shaped upper ends formed for engaging the front side of the mud flap mounting member proximate the upper opposite ends of the mud flap. The mounting supports are formed to allow a horizontal cross-bar member to be slidably attached proximate the lower ends thereof at variable heights along the mounting supports and for permitting the upper ends of the mounting supports to be disposed at variable spacing from each other to fit different width mud flaps.

Abstract: A protective assembly for all terrain vehicles comprising a front end protector dimensioned to protect substantially all of the front end. It also comprises side rails having front and back ends which are parallel to and spaced away from the sides of the all terrain vehicle which tubular side rails are shaped to receive and have mounted thereon auxiliary front and rear fenders. There is also present a debris deflecting running board. Optional features are rear wheel mud guards and a high intensity light mounted on the steering assembly and a flood light on the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A low-profile modular fender flare having plural contour pieces is provided, the pieces being sized to accommodate packaging of the fender flare in a container of conventional size. The contour pieces are configured for attachment to the vehicle body, each piece being configured for attachment adjacent a particular portion of a vehicle wheel opening. The fender flare is assembled by combination of plural contour pieces including a brow piece with one or more associated leg pieces. The brow piece extends generally horizontally along an upper edge of the wheel opening. The leg pieces extend generally vertically along the side edges of the wheel opening. The brow piece defines an interior of predetermined contour, each leg piece having an alignment tab with an exterior contoured to fittedly engage the interior of the brow piece.

Abstract: A vehicle mud guard made from discarded tires connected to a T-flange is connected to the vehicle body. The tires are recycled and easily attached to the T-flange.

Abstract: A contoured-part arrangement (10) at a wheel cut-out of a car, which extends along at least one third, preferably at least two thirds, of an edge (5) of the car body defining the wheel cut-out, protrudes outwardly, with an outer region (14) extending beyond the edge defining the wheel cut-out. The contoured-part arrangement is composed of strip-shaped sections (11, 12, 13) made from deformable material which are arranged with their adjacent ends overlapping one another and which have, in a direction of their longitudinal extension, a pre-formed curvature, a curvature center line being essentially parallel to a rotational axis of the associated wheel (1).

Abstract: The invention is a fender hinge cover for covering the damaged area which typically surrounds a motorcycle fender hinge. The fender hinge cover comprises a shell having a notched recess and bores which are threaded. Locking screws, threaded to correspond to the thread of the bores, are located within said bores. The shell is placed over the hinge and hinge pin of a motorcycle fender and the locking screws are turned within the bores so that they travel towards and contact the hinge pin, thus locking the hinge within the notched recess of the shell. Accordingly, the fender hinge cover is secured to the hinge and thus fender of the motorcycle, and conceals any damage to the finish of the fender which may immediately surround the hinge.

Abstract: A fender liner for a dual wheel fender formed of epoxy-fiberglass and having a substantially flat top and an inboard side for attaching to a vehicle with bolts along the top of the fender on the inboard side. The fender liner is formed as an elongated flat panel made of sheet material with an inboard side flange. The flat panel runs substantially the length and breadth of the flat top on the inside of the fender for guarding the underside of the flat top against damage by rocks and other objects which may be hurled up against it. The fender liner is attached to the fender along the inboard side flange by the bolts attaching the fender to the vehicle along the top of the fender.

Abstract: A vehicle flap (10) carried in a rearward position with respect to a vehicle tire (12) including a frame (14) with a pair of substantially parallel side walls (22) substantially perpendicular to and carried by a top member (18). The top member (18) is adapted to be carried by a vehicle (48). Vehicle flap (10) has a front side facing a tire (12) opposite a rear side. A roll base (34) extends outwardly toward vehicle tire (12) from near the bottom of flap (10). Vehicle mud flap (10) also has a plurality of arcuate, angularly-directed parallel vanes (24) which extend between the side walls (22) and extend downwardly from the front side to the rear side of the flap (10). The parallel vanes (24) form a plurality of openings (28) such that the parallel vanes (24) redirect any debris from the rotating vehicle tire (12) downwardly through the debris openings (28) while allowing the flow of air therethrough.

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: A device to block and divert lateral water spray generated from a vehicle, the vehicle including a plurality of tires and a body having a pair of lateral sides on opposite sides of a center, an underside between said lateral sides, and a rear. The device includes a first gutter portion attached to one said lateral side to trap and direct said water spray toward said rear. A second gutter portion is in fluid communication with the first gutter portion in order to divert the water spray from the lateral side toward the center and away from the underside down toward the ground.

Abstract: A fender for a rotating tire. The fender has a leading section with parabolic shape vanes which control and discharge downwardly spray cast from the tire. A side shield is spaced apart from the upper half of the tire. The shield has specially dimensional louvers which ensure that the flow rate of the air therethrough is uniform as discharged from the shield to cool the tire and brake assembly.

Abstract: The mist suppressant panel system (10) mounted to the rear of each vehicle wheel and tire (12 and 16) includes a mounting bar (26) attached to the vehicle frame (18). Four mist suppressant panels (28) are attached to the mounting bar (26). The mist suppressant panels (28) each have a mist suppressant surface (34) with an outboard edge (40), an inboard edge (82), a top edge (84), and a bottom edge (86). The mist suppresant surface (34) extends downwardly and rearwardly from the top edge (84) at an angle of about ten degrees from a vertical plane. The mist suppressant surface also extends rearwardly and inwardly from the outboard edge (40) at an angle of about forty-five degrees from a vertical plane that is transverse to the direction of vehicle travel. A plurality of parallel vanes (36) extend outwardly from the mist suppressant surface (34) to form grooves (38) that absorb kinetic energy from water drops and condense water drops. Spoilers (48) can be added to the vanes (36), if desired.

Abstract: A fender flare removably secured to a vehicle fender. The flare has an upper edge abutting the fender surface and an intermediate bowed configuration terminating in a flange that underlies an inturned flange of the fender. The flanges are secured together and the upper edge of the flare is fitted with a bonding strip that bonds the full length of the edge to the fender surface. The bonding strip is characterized in having a sufficient thickness to prevent rubbing of the flare edge against the fender, seals the juncture against leaking of contaminants into the cavity defined by the flare, and securely adheres the upper edge of the flare to the fender surface.

Abstract: A mud guard adapted for attachment to the seat of a bicycle comprises an elongated semi-rigid body adapted to cantilever rearwardly from the seat post over the bicycle rear wheel. The body has a forward section comprising a pair of spaced apart, clamping jaw portions, each jaw portion being adapted to extend around one side of the seat post and having a forwardly projecting end portion. A locking fastener extends through the end portions to clamp them together around the post. At the rear end of the body is a yieldable extension member which is bendable when engaged and serves as a shock absorber to prevent excessive stresses on clamping jaw portions.

Abstract: A wheel-housing shell for incorporation in mudguards of a motor vehicle extends at least approximately parallel to the mudguard and over a considerable part of the inner periphery of the mudguard; the shell forms a hoselike channel having an air inlet at its end at the front in the driving direction and at its other end an air outlet directed towards the roadway, is improved in that the wheel-housing shell is equipped with orifices which assist and make easier the passage of water splashes into the channel; and such a wheel-housing shell is covered with a sound attenuating filter mat on the side of the respective shell facing the wheel and over the respective entire surface that extends parallel to the mudguard.

Abstract: A spray control device for controlling the lateral discharge of spray generated by the rotation of a wheel of a wheeled vehicle during its forward movement over a wet surface, comprises a hollow body mountable to a sidewall of the vehicle above and laterally outwardly in relation to the wheel of the vehicle. The hollow body has a vertically elongated forwardly opening inlet at a forward end thereof for intaking air into the hollow body during forward movement of the vehicle, a horizontally elongated laterally inwardly directed outlet at a lower edge of the body, and at least one channel extending from the inlet to the outlet for directing air flow from the inlet to the outlet, which channel decreases in cross-sectional area from the inlet to the outlet whereby air flow speed is increased to create a high velocity air screen directed inwardly above and across the wheel toward the center of the vehicle.

Abstract: A polymeric liner is arranged for replacement into a wheel well portion of a vehicle for replacement of an original shell lost due to damage and rust. The unitary shell construction permits ease of mounting of the shell structure within an associated vehicle, with the shell having an outer wall formed in a spaced parallel relationship relative to an inner wall, and the outer wall including an outer wall semi-circular recess having a flange orthogonally mounted to the outer wall projecting exteriorly of the shell for ease of mounting to an existing vehicle. The inner wall includes an inner wall recess for accommodating suspension components of an associated vehicle.

Abstract: An improved fender flap and improved side skirts are presented for suppressing spray and coalescing and directing water droplets thrown from rotating tires of vehicles via centrifugal forces, or formed over the tires by the impact of high velocity throw on flat surfaces over the wheels. They are primarily of value to wheeled vehicles, especially large commercial trucks or tractor-trailer combinations. The preferred embodiments herein disclosed are used as fender flap and side skirts, located respectively behind and beside the wheel.The fender flap has symmetric closely spaced apart wedges aligned vertically parallel to the planes of rotation of the tire and a base having slanted slots between the wedges that deflect the coalesced and condensed water toward the center of the fender flap behind the fender flap.

Abstract: A wheel-opening extension molding is disclosed for use on vehicle fenders which have a door or other removable or movable body part in close proximity to the wheel opening. Vehicle extension moldings, such as wide fender flares or the like, cannot be installed on some vehicles because they will interfere with the opening and closing of vehicle doors. The present invention provides a multiple-piece vehicular body extension for attachment to both the fender and door, and to other vehicle body parts, to present the appearance of a single-piece wide flare or fender extension. A first part of the extension molding is shaped to fit against the fender along the margin of the wheel opening. A notch or cut-out is formed in the extension molding to accommodate the opening and closing of the vehicle door. A second extension molding, having an outer face contoured to appear as an extension on the door of the first molding, is attached to the door.

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: The present invention provides an automobile which offers air resistance and lift which are lower than those for a conventional automobile, yet which is hardly changed in its external appearance. The reducing means includes over each front wheel 19 an air passage 4 formed as a hollow 1 made by recessing a body panel located above the wheel, the air passage 4 having an air inlet 2 at its front and an air outlet 3 at its rear. Air current flows smoothly through the hollow 1 located above the front wheel to the air outlet 3 which is on the same level at or located at a higher position than the air inlet 2, thereby reducing air resistance and lift to levels which are lower than those for the conventional automobile. In one aspect of the invention, the air passage 4 is covered by a bonnet 16, other outer shell portions, and a pivotally secured reverse lift plate 5 or a reverse lift member 12 is included.

Abstract: An adjustable mud flap assembly (10) which utilizes the transverse bar member (6) of a trailer hitch assembly (5) as the main support for the mud flaps. Mud flap assembly (10 and 11) has a pair of right and left L-shaped mud flap frame members being removably attached to the ends of the transverse bar member (6). Each L-shaped mud flap frame generally has a rectangular mud flap (12 or 22) removably attached thereto. By varying the radial disposition of the L-shaped mud flap frame member with respect to the transverse bar member (6), the position of the mud flap with respect to vehicle (1) can be changed. Additionally, utilizing the transverse bar member (6) of the hitch assembly (5) as the support base for mud flap assembly (10), necessarily requires that mud flaps (12 and 22) be positioned at the rear of vehicle (1). This disposes mud flaps (12 and 22) in the trajectory path of any projectile destined for the trailer 3.

Abstract: A mud guard for use with an automotive vehicle having rear wheels and a fender panel having a corner behind each of the rear wheels. The mud guard comprises a fixture portion for attachment of the mud guard to the fender panel, a skirt portion continued from the fixture portion, and a flange portion formed between the fixture and skirt portions. The flange portion is tuned to form a fender guard for covering the corner of the fender panel. The fixture, skirt and flange portions are made integrally of a soft material. The mud guard also includes a reinforcement film formed on the fixture portion. The reinforcement film is made of a hard material.

Abstract: A vehicle spray control system apparatus and method for suppressing spray and coalescing and directing water droplets thrown from rotating tires of vehicles via centrifugal forces comprises various embodiments of spray controllers adapted for selective locations on vehicles, such as large commercial trucks and tractor-trailer combinations. The preferred embodiments are used as: fender flap, between tractor-tandem, over-wheel, floor sill, and general purpose spray controllers, located where droplets impact at high velocity and side skirts to condense low-velocity mist and carry the water rearward. Embodiments have a receiving side and an opposite side and comprise a plurality of symmetric or asymmetric wedges which extend from the planar surface of and are integrally formed with a base. In respective embodiments, these wedges either touch or are closely spaced apart at the receiving side of an unperforated base, or a base having slots.

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: The present invention provides an automobile which offers air resistance and lift which are lower than those for a conventional automobile, yet which is hardly changed in its external appearance. The reducing means includes over each front wheel 19 an air passage 4 formed as a hollow 1 made by recessing a body panel located above the wheel, the air passage 4 having an air inlet 2 at its front and an air outlet 3 at its rear. Air current flows smoothly through the hollow 1 located above the front wheel to the air outlet 3 which is on the same level at or located at a higher position than the air inlet 2, thereby reducing air resistance and lift to levels which are lower than those for the conventional automobile. In one aspect of the invention, the air passage 4 is covered by a bonnet 16, other outer shell portions, and a pivotally secured reverse lift plate 5 or a reverse lift member 12 is included.

Abstract: In a mud-flap attachment for the detachable connection of the attachment region of a mud-flap (3) which rests on the fender fold (2), which mud-flap has a main flap body (4) and an extension thereof which forms an adapter protrusion (5) which has an attachment region. A clamp is used which has a first clamping part (10, 110) which is connected with a second clamping part (6, 106) via two screws (11, 12) spaced apart in the longitudinal extension of the attachment region. The side of the clamping part forming the clamp opening has a central recess facing away from the screws (11, 12). The sides of recess are formed by two clamping projections (13, 14). Two corner angle parts (17, 18) of the free ends (15, 16) of the clamping projection are angled towards the clamping part (10, 110). The distance from the associated screw (11) to the free end (15) of the upper clamping projection is less than the corresponding distance of the other clamping projection.

Abstract: An adjustable mud flap assembly (10) which utilizes the transverse bar member (6) of a trailer hitch assembly (5) as the main support for the mud flaps. Mud flap assembly (10) has a pair of right and left L-shaped mud flap frame members (11 and 22) being removably attached to the ends of the transverse bar member (6). Each L-shaped mud flap frame generally has a rectangular mud flap (12 or 23) removably attached thereto. By varying the radial disposition of the L-shaped mud flap frame member (11 or 22) with respect to the transverse bar member (6), the position of the mud flap with respect to vehicle (1) can be changed. Additionally, utilizing the transverse bar member (6) of the hitch assembly (5) as the support base for mud flap assembly (10), necessarily requires that mud flaps (12 and 23) be positioned at the rear of vehicle (1). This disposes mud flaps (12 and 23) in the trajectory path of any projectile destined for the trailer.

Abstract: A boat trailer having a frame, wheel unit, an adjustably mounted winch unit including a keel engaging member, an elongated second keel engaging member pivotally mounted on the frame rearwardly of the winch unit and self-centering to engage a longitudinal length of the keel, a pair of fender units each of which is reversibly mountable on either side of the frame for protecting a wheel, a pair of unitary post load guide brackets slidably engaged with the rear of the frame members and each supporting both a post guide and a rear taillight, a cross member pivotally and longitudinally adjustably mounted at each end to a frame member, and a pair of bunks and a pair of aligned, resiliently mounted roller units interchangeably mounted on said cross member for providing an automatic, full line engagement of either the bunks or the roller units with the bottom of the hull, when loaded, in combination with the second keel engaging member, forming a self-adjusting three point support of the boat hull.

Abstract: A stone shield adjustably attachable to the rear bumper of a pick-up truck extends substantially across the vehicle for protection of a load being towed. The stone shield is mounted to the bumper by brackets that may be adjustably positioned forwardly or rearwardly to allow proper positioning of the shield in the space ahead of the rear bumper and to facilitate alignment of hinge clips for the shield.

Abstract: A mud flap supporting assembly is provided that allows pivotal movement of mounting arm and mud flap about both the vertical and horizontal axes adjacent to the vehicle to which the arm is attached. A spring connected between the base plate and the end cap of the mounting arm holds the arm in the usual position parallel to the vehicle axle. Should the arm be pushed out of position by an obstruction making contact with the arm, the arm will automatically return to its usual position when the obstruction is passed. Upon return, the base plate's raised portion embeds itself into the exact duplicate negative opening of the mounting arm, and returns the arm precisely to center.

Abstract: A fender for a wheel or a set of wheels for one side of an automotive vehicle, for controlling the wet weather spray and splash generated thereby when travelling on a roadway surface. The fender comprises a formed, rigid sheet mounted over and covering the wheels or set of wheels and downwardly curves at its forward and rearward ends. A removably downwardly depending skirt extends along the edges of the sheet. One or more air intake apertures in a forward, curved end of the sheet directs air from outside the fender to inside the fender and over the wheel or set of wheels covered thereby during forward movement of the vehicle. A spray shield in sheet form is adapted to be disposed above the roadway surface vertically depending form the rear of the rigid sheet and is spaced rearwardly from the vehicle wheel or wheels in a plane extending transversely to the vehicle.

Abstract: A mud-flap supporting assembly is provided that allows pivotal movement of mounting arm and mud-flap about both the vertical and horizontal axes adjacent to the vehicle to which the arm is attached. A spring connected between the base plate and the end cap of the mounting arm holds said arm in the usual position parallel to the vehicle axle. Should the arm be pushed out of position by an obstruction making contact with the arm, the arm will automatically return to its usual position when the obstruction is passed. Upon return, the base plate's raised portion embeds itself into the exact duplicate negative opening of the mounting arm, and returns the arm precisely to center.

Abstract: A structure to control the spray cast from rotating wheels. A forward plate spaced apart from the leading edge of a wheel includes openings which directs the water spray rearwardly and inwardly with reference to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A trailing plate is spaced apart from the trailing edge of the rotating wheel. A baffle is secured to the leading and trailing plates and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel(s). This baffle includes openings to direct the spray inwardly.

Abstract: A modular rain skirt assembly (20', 20, 20") for use in reducing the laterally projected component of finely atomized, dense, mist emanating from the running gear of heavy vehicles traveling on rain coated road surfaces and including: one or more generally flat, elongate panels (28, 28', 28"), each having inturned leading and trailing edges (30, 31) and each defining a projected mist capture area adapted to extend downwardly about the outer upper surfaces of the tires mounted on the vehicle's running gear; at least one spacer panel (29, 29') interposed between each adjacent pair of elongate panels (28, 28', 28") in those rain skirt assemblies (20, 20") employing two or more elongate panels (28, 28', 28") for use with tandem axle configurations and wherein the spacer panel (29, 29') includes inturned leading and trailing edges (32, 34) complementally shaped with respect to the trailing and leading edges (31, 30), respectively, of the adjacent elongate panels (28, 28', 28") with the leading edge ( 32) of each s