GB2272410A - Mudflaps for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A mudflap (1) for a vehicle includes a projection (2) for fastening on to an in-turned flange (7) of a vehicle body panel or bumper (8), and a shoulder (3), approximately at right angles to the projection, for bearing against the body panel or bumper of the vehicle. The shoulder (3) is generally contoured to fit snugly against the body panel or bumper of the vehicle for which it is designed. The projection (2) of the mudflap is securely fastened to the flange (7) by means of an arrangement of bolts (5) and U-shaped clasps (4). Even if the bolts should work loose overtime, the combination of the clasps (4) and the shoulder (3) prevents lateral movement of the mudflap in either direction relative to the body panel or bumper. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE Mudflaps for vehicles DESCRIPTION Technical Field The invention relates to mudflaps including means for fitting the flaps onto a vehicle having an in-turned flange on a body panel or bumper adjacent a wheel arch.

Such mudflaps may be supplied as original equipment or as a replacement part or accessory.

Background Art Traditionally mudflaps have been attached to the body panels of vehicles by means of screws. Such mudflaps are provided with predrilled holes and corresponding holes are drilled into the body panel of the vehicle to accommodate the screws. This method of attachment is subject to a number of disadvantages, the most serious of these being that the drilling of holes in the body panel of the vehicle tends to weaken its structure and to encourage the formation of rust. In addition, the fitting of the flap requires specialist tools and is not a quick or easy job for the car owner. There is very little space between the mudflap and the inner wing of the vehicle, and relatively limited space between the mudflap and the tyre. This can make the manipulation of nuts and bolts very awkward.It also dictates that any alternative means of attachment of the flap to the body panel should be as narrow as possible in order to fit into the space available.

A solution to the above problems is proposed in Patent Specification GB 2055721. This relates to a universal mudflap with anchoring units of a U-shaped configuration comprising arms for snugly engaging a flange on a body panel. A pin is secured to one of the arms, passes through the body of the mudflap and has a locking cap thereon whereby the mudflap is fastened to the vehicle. A plurality of weakened areas are provided on the mudflap body portion. To fit the mudflap to the vehicle, the anchoring means are positioned on the body panel so that they are aligned with suitably positioned weakened areas in the flap. The pins are then pushed through the appropriate weakened portions and the locking caps fitted. As the mudflap is universal, it is necessary for the body portion to contain more weakened portions than are required for the fitting of the flap to any one particular vehicle.The fastening means is sufficiently narrow to fit in the gap between the mudflap and the inner wing, and there is no requirement to drill holes in the body panel.

However, this arrangement has the disadvantage that the only force retaining the U-shaped anchoring unit on the flange of the body panel is its residual gripping action.

It is possible for the anchoring unit to work loose over a period of time, and no additional anchoring means is provided to prevent the mudflap dislodging in these circumstances. In addition, the strength of the mudflap is reduced by the presence of the weakened areas in its body portion.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages whilst providing a mudflap that is easily fitted to a vehicle without the necessity to drill holes in the body panel.

The Invention The invention provides a mudflap having a projection for fastening to an in-turned flange of a vehicle body panel or bumper adjacent a wheel arch, the projection containing a number of through holes; a shoulder for contacting the body panel; a number of clasps, each having a pair of arms for embracing the flange and an internally threaded spigot integral with one of the arms entering into one of the through holes; and a bolt threaded in the spigot, for engaging the projection and bearing on the flange.

The mudflap is preferably moulded from a rubbery material, and shaped to fit a particular vehicle. The projection on the flap generally follows the shape of the in-turned flange of the vehicle body panel or bumper and rests adajcent that flange when the flap is in position.

The shoulder is substantially at right angles to the projection and is preferably contoured to follow the shape of the body panel or bumper. The location of the shoulder against the body panel serves to prevent lateral movement of the flap towards the centre of the car. The rubbery material of the mudflap preferably has one or more metal reinforcement members integrally moulded therein, advantageously in the region of the holes and of the shoulder.

The clasps slip onto the flange and embrace it with their pairs of arms. The encroachment towards the inner wing is minimal, being caused only by the thickness of the inner wing side arms of the clasps.

The clasps preferably fit snugly onto the arms, but an additional strong gripping action is provided by the bolts, which are screwed down through the internally threaded spigots to cause the tight clamping of the flange between the bolt and the opposite arm of the clasp. The spigots are preferably attached to the tyreside arms of the clasps by crimping or spot welding, and may be barbed on an outer surface to increase the grip against the inner surface of the hole in the mudflap projection.

The tightly fastened clasps therefore prevent any movement of the mudflaps relative to the flange. If the bolt were to work loose, however, it would be impossible for the clasp to dislodge, as this would require the lateral movement of the flap in precisely the manner prevented by the shoulder. The combined action of the clasps, bolts and shoulder provides highly effective fastening means.

Drawings Figure 1 is a cross-section through one of the fixing holes in a mudflap according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the location of the mudflap on the vehicle.

Best Mode Referring to Figure 1, a rubber mudflap 1 includes a projection 2 for attachment to a flange 7 on a vehicle body panel or bumper 8, and a shoulder 3, substantially at 90" to the projection, the shoulder being contoured to fit snugly against the body panel or bumper 8. A hole 12 receives a bolt 5 which passes through a washer 9 and is threaded into an internally threaded spigot 11. The spigot 11 is integral with a tyre-side arm of a U-shaped clasp 4 the clasp consisting of a pair of arms which embrace the flange 7 on the vehicle body panel 8. The clasp is sufficiently narrow that contact with an inner wing 6, of the vehicle is avoided. The bolt 5 when screwed down bears upon the flange 7 and provides a strong gripping action between itself and the opposite arm of the clasp thereby securing the mudflap projection 2 to the flange 7. A metal reinforcement 10 ensures that the mudflap is not deformed, and that the angle between shoulder and projection is kept constant.

To fit the mudflap 1 to the body panel 8, each bolt 5 is unscrewed from its corresponding spigot 11 and the clasp 4 removed from the hole 12 in the projection 2. The mudflap is then positioned correctly on the vehicle and pencil marks made on the flange through and in the positions of, the holes 12. Clasps 4 are slid onto the flange in the positions of the marks, and the mudflap is then brought into place and pushed onto the spigots so that they are forced into their corresponding holes. The bolts are then screwed into place and tightened so that they bear upon the flange 7.

Figure 2 shows the location of the mudflap when correctly fitted, and shows the limited space available between the flap and the tyre.

Claims (9)

1. A mudflap for a vehicle, the mudflap comprising: a projection for fastening to an in-turned flange of a vehicle body panel or bumper adjacent a wheel arch, the projection containing a number of through holes; a shoulder for contacting the body panel or bumper; a number of clasps, each having a pair of arms for embracing the flange and an internally threaded spigot integral with one of the arms for entering into one of the through holes; and a bolt associated with each spigot for entering the spigot to engage the projection and bear on the flange.

2. A mudflap according to claim 1 made substantially from a rubbery material.

3. A mudflap according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the shoulder is at substantially 90" to the projection.

4. A mudflap according to any preceding claim wherein the clasps are subsantially U-shaped.

5. A mudflap according to any preceding claim further including one or more metal reinforcement members.

6. A mudflap according to any preceding claim, wherein the spigots are barbed on an outer surface.

7. A mudflap according to any preceding claim wherein the spigots are spot welded to the arms.

8. A mudflap according to any of claims 1-6 wherein the spigots are attached to the arms by crimping.

9. A mudflap substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.