GB2327401A

GB2327401A - Mudflaps for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2327401A
Application number: GB9711746A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raghbir Singh Chaggar
Original assignee: HITECH AUTOPARTS Ltd
Current assignee: HITECH AUTOPARTS Ltd
Priority date: 1997-06-07
Filing date: 1997-06-07
Publication date: 1999-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-07
Also published as: GB9711746D0; GB2327401B

Abstract

A mudflap (1) for a vehicle includes a projection (3) for bearing against an in-turned flange (4) of a vehicle body panel or bumper (2), a shoulder (5) approximately at right angles to the projection (3) for bearing against the body panel or bumper (2), at least one clamping member (6) and an associated bolt (8). The clamping member (6) has a portion embedded in the projection and a portion approximately at right angles to the embedded portion and parallel to the shoulder (5). The bolt (8) is threaded into the clamping member, and may be tightened against the flange or against the body panel or bumper. The clamping member desirably has a third portion, giving it an overall U shape. This adds strength. If the third portion is embedded in the shoulder (5), the bolt (8) can be threaded into the second portion of the clamping member to bear against the body panel or bumper (2). Alternatively the bolt (8) may be threaded into a third portion which extends at right angles to the second portion and parallel to the first portion, in which case the bolt (8) will bear against the in-turned flange (4). Mudflaps according to the invention are easily fitted without drilling holes in the bodywork of the vehicle.

Description

TITLE Muds laps for vehicles DESCRIPTION Technical Field The invention relate to mudf laps 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 mudf laps may be supplied as original equipment or as a replacement part or accessory.

Background Art Traditionally mudf laps 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.

GB 2272410 overcomes the above problems by providing a mudflap for a vehicle including a projection for fastening on to an in-turned flange of a vehicle body panel or bumper, and a shoulder, approximately at right angles to the projection, for bearing against the body panel or bumper of the vehicle. The shoulder is generally contoured to fit snugly against the body panel or bumper of the vehicle for which it is designed. The projection of the mudflap is securely fastened to the flange by means of an arrangement of bolts and U-shaped clasps. Even if the bolts should work loose over time, the combination of the clasps and the shoulder prevents lateral movement of the mudflap in either direction relative to the body panel or bumper. This works well but is relatively fiddly to fit.

The Invention The invention provides a mudflap for a vehicle, the mudflap including: a projection for bearing against an in-turned flange of a vehicle body panel or bumper; a shoulder approximately at right angles to the projection, for bearing against the body panel or bumper; a clamping member including at least: a first portion embedded in the projection; and a second portion approximately at right angles to the first portion and approximately parallel to the shoulder; and a bolt threaded into the clamping member; whereby the bolt may be screwed down towards the projection or the shoulder to contact the in-turned flange or the body panel or bumper and hold the mudflap against the vehicle.

Preferably, the clamping member is made of a relatively rigid material, and the remainder of the mudflap (excluding the bolt) of a rubbery material.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the clamping member is approximately U-shaped in cross section. Such a U-shaped clamping member may be embedded in the remainder of the mudflap in various different ways.

In a first embodiment, a first side of the U is embedded in the projection to make up the first portion of the clamping member; the base of the U then extends away from the projection, and makes up the second portion of the clamping member; and a second side of the U makes up a further third portion of the clamping member. In this embodiment, it is desirable that the bolt is threaded into the third portion of the clamping member. When the bolt is tightened it bears against the in-turned flange of the vehicle bumper or body panel, holding this flange against the projection on the mudflap and thereby holding the mudflap in place.

In a second embodiment, the first side of the U is embedded in the shoulder of the mudflap; the base of the U is embedded in the projection to form the first portion of the clamping member; and the second side of the U extends away from the projection, to form the second portion of the clamping member. In this embodiment, the bolt is threaded into the second portion of the clamping member.

When the bolt is tightened, it bears against the vehicle body panel or bumper, thus holding the shoulder of the mudflap against the body panel or bumper and keeping the mudflap on the vehicle.

The U-shaped configuration of the clamping member is highly advantageous, because it reinforces the mudflap and itself takes any strain caused by tightening of the bolt, helping to prevent damage occurring to the remainder of the mudflap.

Nevertheless, it is not essential that the clamping member be U-shaped; only the first and second portions as previously defined are essential.

A mudflap according to the invention, preferably includes a plurality of clamping members. Various clamping members on the same mudflap may differ from one another in construction or positioning.

The Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the positioning of a mudflap on a vehicle; Figure 2 is a cross section through a mudflap according to the invention, taken on line A-A in Figure 1 and illustrating a first embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 is a cross section through a mudflap according to the invention, taken on line B-B in Figure 1, showing an alternative arrangement of a clamping member, illustrating a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows the overall shape of the mudflap 1, and its location when correctly fitted on a vehicle body panel or bumper 2. Figures 2 and 3 show more precisely the way in which the mudflap is attached to the vehicle.

Referring to the Figures, the mudflap 1 includes a projection 3 for attachment to a flange 4 on a vehicle body panel or bumper 2. The mudflap also includes a shoulder 5, substantially at 900 to the projection, the shoulder being contoured to fit snugly against the body panel or bumper 2.

The mudflap 1 includes a number of U-shaped clamping members 6, embedded in the projection 3 and, in the embodiment of Figure 3, also in the shoulder 5. Each clamping member 6 includes an internally threaded hole 7 into which an externally threaded bolt 8 is threaded. The lines shown on the bolt 8 in Figure 2 are intended to indicate that it is threaded, although such lines would not be visible in a true cross section.

To fit the mudf lap 1 onto a vehicle, the bolts 8 are loosened until the flange 4 on the vehicle body panel or bumper 2 can fit into the position shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the mudflap 1 has to be positioned quite carefully to allow the flange to pass through a gap 9 between the shoulder 5 and an end 10 of the U-shaped clamping member 6.

Once the mudflap is in place on the vehicle, the bolts 8 are tightened to bear against either the flange 4 (Figure 2) or the body panel or bumper 2 (Figure 3).

The U-shaped clamping members of Figures 2 and 3 are particularly advantageous because the clamping member reinforces the mudflap where strength is needed, and itself takes any strain caused by the tightening of the bolt. If the bolt is tightened excessively, this acts to push one side 11 of the clamping member apart from the other side 12 of the clamping member, and the strength of the clamping member prevents damage occurring to the rubbery part of the mudflap.

Claims

1. A mudflap for a vehicle, the mudflap including: a projection for bearing against an in-turned flange of a vehicle body panel or bumper; a shoulder approximately at right angles to the projection, for bearing against the body panel or bumper; a clamping member including at least: a first portion embedded in the projection; and a second portion approximately at right angles to the first portion and approximately parallel to the shoulder; and a bolt threaded into the clamping member; whereby the bolt may be screwed down towards the projection or the shoulder to contact the in-turned flange or the body panel or bumper and hold the mudflap against the vehicle.

2. A mudflap according to claim 1 in which the clamping member further comprises a third portion approximately at right angles to the second portion and in which the bolt is threaded into the third portion of the clamping member to bear, when tightened, against the in-turned flange of the body panel or bumper.

3. A mudflap according to claim 1 in which the clamping member further comprises a third portion approximately at right angles to the first portion and embedded in the shoulder, and in which the bolt is threaded into the second portion of the clamping member to bear, when tightened, against the body panel or bumper.

4. A mudflap according to claim 1, which mudflap is provided with a plurality of clamping members and a bolt for each clamping member.

5. A mudflap substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 2 of the drawings.

6. A mudflap substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 3 of the drawings.