IE63201B1

IE63201B1 - Motor vehicle mudflap

Info

Publication number: IE63201B1
Application number: IE218388A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Giuseppe De Chirico
Original assignee: Ages Contitech Spa
Priority date: 1987-07-16
Filing date: 1988-07-15
Publication date: 1995-04-05
Also published as: DK164994B; GB8816527D0; IT212168Z2; GB2208160B; FI88600B; ES1007152Y; GB2208160A; DK164994C; BE1002304A4; DK394788D0; SE8802617D0; NO883163L; PT88000B; FI883379L; FR2618118B1; PT88000A; FI883379A0; IT8753526V0; FI88600C; NO168757B

Abstract

A mudflap comprising a waterproof rear element (2) is formed from an elastomeric material and has a number of projections (7,9). A front screen (20) is provided consisting of a molded plastic or elastomeric net secured to the rear element (2) and contacting at least some of the aforementioned projections (7). The number of projections (9) per unit surface of rear element (2) varies from one portion to another of the same, as a function of potential impact.

Description

MOTOR VEHICLE MUDFLAP The present invention relates to a mudflap for a motor vehicle, in particular, an industrial vehicle.

Motor vehicles, particularly industrial vehicles, are frequently fitted with mudflaps behind the wheels, for preventing spray off the wheels from being directed laterally and rearwards of the vehicle, thus seriously impairing visibility .

Known rubber mudflaps provide for only partially solving this problem, by virtue of most of the water on the flap being splashed back on to the wheel or laterally in relation to the vehicle.

Multilayer mudflaps are also known comprising a waterproof rear element, and one or more superimposed layers, one of which, facing the wheel, is designed to allow the water to filter on to the underlying layers, which provide for absorbing the kinetic energy of the water, thus substantially preventing it from bouncing off the waterproof rear element, and enabling controlled runoff. The said layers, are usually formed from extruded plastic netting. The major drawbacks of known multilayer mudflaps of the aforementioned type are the high cost of manufacturing and assembling the various layers, and the relatively heavy weight of the finished flap.

Furthermore, the said layers present the same characteristics over the entire surface area of the flap, regardless of the actual amount of water striking each portion of the same. Consequently, portions of the flap subjected to relatively small amounts of water (e.g. the top and side portions) account for the same percentage of total weight and manufacturing cost as maximum impact portions (e.g. the lower center portion) from which greater efficiency is demanded.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle mudflap designed to overcome the drawbacks typically associated with known mudflaps of the aforementioned type.

According to the present invention, there is provided a mudflap for attachment to a vehicle adjacent a wheel thereof, comprising a waterproof rear element, a permeable layer facing said waterproof element on the side thereof facing said wheel, spacing means and impact means designed to intercept the spray filtering through said permeable layer and enable, by absorbing the kinetic energy from and laterally deflecting the spray particles controlled runoff of the same along said waterproof rear element, said spacing means and said impact means being located between said waterproof rear element and said permeable layer, wherein said impact means and said spacing means consist respectively of first and second integral front projections on said waterproof rear element, the density of said first projections being variable from one portion to another of said waterproof element and greater on portions thereof subjected to greater impact by water during use.

A number of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a partially-sectioned front view of a mud flap in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; Figures 2a and 2b show a partial front view and cross section respectively of a detail in Figure 1; Figures 3a and 3b show a front view and cross section 5 respectively of a further embodiment of the detail in Figures 2a and 2b; Figure 4 shows a partial section of a detail in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a partial section of a further embodiment of the Figure 4 detail; Figure 6 shows a smaller-scale schematic side view of the Figure 1 mudflap fitted to the fender of an industrial vehicle.

Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates a mudflap for an industrial vehicle.

Mudflap 1 comprises a rectangular, substantially flat, waterproof rear element 2 conveniently formed from molded elastomeric material, and having a flat, raised edge 3 extending along vertical sides 4 and top side 5 and having further external projections 6 along vertical sides 4. According to the present invention, rear element 2 presents a number of projections 7, e.g. five, parallel and equally-spaced in relation to one another and in relation to external projections 6, and extending vertically from top side 5 to bottom side 8 of rear element 2. The said projections 7 present a substantially triangular section rounded at the top, and substantially the same height as edge 3 in relation to the surface of rear element 2. Rear element 2 also comprises a number of substantially conical projections 9 rounded at the top and shorter in height than the said projections 7 · The distribution of projections 9 on rear element 2 varies from one portion to another of the same. With reference to Fig.1, the two lateral projections 7, bottom side 8 of rear element 2, and imaginary horizontal line 10 shown by the dotted line and roughly two fifths of the way up rear element 2 from the said bottom edge 8, define a portion 11 hereinafter referred to as .the maximum impact portion. The said portion 11 is further divided by three center projections 7 and horizontal line 13, halfway between bottom edge 8 and line 10, into eight portions numbered (outwards and upwards from the center) 14, 14’, 15, 15', 16, 16’ , 17 and 17* · Inside each of the said portions, projections 9 are arranged in parallel vertical rows offset vertically by half a space in relation to one another. The rows in portions 14, 14', 15 and 15' are equally spaced and packed closer together than in portions 16, 16', 17 and 17'· The vertical center distance of projections 9 is the same in portions 15, 15', 16 and 16', smaller in portions 14 and 14', and larger in portions 17 and 17'· In the portion of rear element 2 outside portion 10, the said rows and projections 9 within each row are equally spaced by twice the row spacing and vertical center distance of portions 14 and 14'· As shown clearly in Fig.1, the above pattern is symmetrical in relation to the mid vertical axis of rear element 2, i.e. in relation to center projection 7· Rear element 2 is fitted with a net 20 of flexible elastomeric or plastic material and conveniently formed by molding. Net 20 as shown in detail in Fig.s 2a and 2b is biplanar, with rhomboidal mesh elements 21, and is placed on top of edge 3 and projections 7» and housed loosely between two lateral projections 6. Net 20 is secured to rear element 2 by a pair of pressure strips 22, each having an L-shaped edge 23 cooperating with a respective projection 6. The said strips 22 extend substantially along the bottom half of sides 4, and are connected to edge 3 by bolts 24'(Fig.4) engaging respective holes 25 on edge 3 and fitting through mesh elements 21 of net 20. Alternatively, the said net may be of the type indicated by 20 in Fig.s 3a and 3b, wherein the said net 26 is again substantially biplanar, but defined by two groups of alternating, parallel elements 27} 27* having an irregular sinusoidal section and lying in slightly offset mid planes 28, 28'. Adjacent elements 27 and 27' present opposed convex sides connected integral with each other, so as to define oblong mesh elements 29.

Fig.5 shows an alternative solution for securing net 20 (or 26) to rear element 2. In this case, edge 3 is bent in the form of a U, at least along a portion of sides 4, so as to define lateral guides 30 for net 20, which is secured by a number of rivets 33· Fig.6 shows an example of mudflap 1 fitted to the fender 34 of a wheel 35 on an industrial vehicle (shown only partially and schematically).

Mudflap 1 is secured to the inner rear surface of fender 34, so as to project downwards by a lower portion at least - 8 equal in height to maximum impact portion 11 designed to intercept most of the spray off wheel 35· Within the said portion 11, potential impact increases downwards and towards the center.

Mudflap 1 is secured to fender 34 by means of bolts 36, for which purpose mudflap 1 presents a number of holes 37 along top side 5 of edge 3, and a number of drilled bosses 38 aligned substantially along the horizontal center line of mudflap 1. Bosses 38 are conveniently the same height as projections 7 and edge 3, so as to provide further supporting and assembly points for net 20.

Mudflap 1 functions as follows. The water raised by wheels 35 is intercepted by net 20 (or 26), which allows at least most of it to filter on to waterproof rear element 2. The impact of the water particles on projections 9 produces a substantial loss in the kinetic energy of the particles, which are deflected laterally and trapped between rear element 2 and net 20 (or 26), where they eventually collect on rear element 2 and run off downwards.

The advantages of mudflap 1 will be clear from the for£ going description. Firstly, it is cheap and lightweight, by virtue of being composed of only a small number of component parts (substantially two layers and relative connecting means). Secondly, it provides for a high degree of efficiency, by virtue of projections 9 being arranged as a function of potential impact.

To those skilled in the art it will be clear that changes may be made to mudflap 1 as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention For example, changes may be made to the design and arrangement of projections 7 and 9, to the type of net, and the manner in which net 20 or 26 is secured to rear element 2. In particular, net 20 or 26 may be formed by extrusion or, if molded, may present mesh elements of different sizes and/or shapes over different portions of the net. Mudflap 1 may also be mounted otherwise than as shown in Fig.6, e.g. housed inside the wheel housing, both over and behind the wheel.

Claims

1. A mud flap for attachment to a vehicle adjacent a wheel thereof, comprising a waterproof rear element, a permeable layer facing said waterproof element on the side thereof facing said wheel, spacing means and impact means designed to intercept the spray filtering through said permeable layer and enable, by absorbing kinetic energy from and laterally deflecting the spray particles, controlled runoff of the same along said waterproof rear element, said spacing means and said impact means being located between said waterproof rear element and said permeable layer, wherein said impact Λ >*’ means and said spacing means consist respectively of first and second integral front projections on said waterproof rear element, the density of said first projections being variable from one portion to another of said waterproof element and greater on portions thereof subjected to greater impact by water during use. I

2. A mudflap as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the said first projections are substantially conical.

3. A mudflap as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the said second projections extend substantially in' a straight line over the front surface of the said waterproof rear element.

4. A mudflap as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the said second projections are parallel and equally spaced.

5. A mudflap as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 wherein the said second projections extend vertically from the top side to the bottom side of the said waterproof rear element.

6. A mudflap as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the said second projections present a substantially triangular cross section.

7. A mudflaps as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the said second projections are higher than the said first projections.

8. λ mudflap as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the said permeable layer consists of a net. 5

9. A mudflap as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the said net is formed from elastomeric material.

10. A mudflap as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the said net is formed from plastic material.

11. A mudflap as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims 8 to 10, wherein the said net is molded.

12. A mudflap as claimed in one of the foregoing 15 Claims 10 to 11, wherein the said net is extruded.

13. A mudflap as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the said waterproof rear element is formed from elastomeric material.

14. A mudflap as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the said waterproof rear element comprises an edge substantially equal in height to the said second projections and extending at least along I two opposite vertical sides of the said waterproof rear element.

15. A mud flap as claimed in Claim 14 wherein it 5 further comprises means for fastening the said net at least to the said edge along the said opposite sides of the said waterproof rear element.

16. A mudflap as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the said 10 fastening means comprise two pressure elements designed to secure the said net to the said edge.

17. A mudflap as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the said pressure elements are integral portions of the side 15 edge.

18. A motor vehicle mudflap substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.