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WO1994019228A1 - Garde-boue - Google Patents

Garde-boue Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1994019228A1
WO1994019228A1 PCT/AU1994/000089 AU9400089W WO9419228A1 WO 1994019228 A1 WO1994019228 A1 WO 1994019228A1 AU 9400089 W AU9400089 W AU 9400089W WO 9419228 A1 WO9419228 A1 WO 9419228A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
skirt
vehicle
backing material
tufts
mudflap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/AU1994/000089
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Murray John Turner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
WRIGHT RUBBER GROUP Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
WRIGHT RUBBER GROUP Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by WRIGHT RUBBER GROUP Pty Ltd filed Critical WRIGHT RUBBER GROUP Pty Ltd
Priority to AU61778/94A priority Critical patent/AU6177894A/en
Publication of WO1994019228A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994019228A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
    • B62D25/08—Front or rear portions
    • B62D25/16—Mud-guards or wings; Wheel cover panels
    • B62D25/18—Parts or details thereof, e.g. mudguard flaps
    • B62D25/188—Mud-guard flaps for utility vehicles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to mudflaps. More particularly the present invention relates to vehicle mudflaps of a type suitable for use on heavy vehicles.
  • the spray barrier can drastically reduce visibility and hence form a hazard for other vehicles using the roadway.
  • the spray barrier may momentarily blind the driver of an on-coming vehicle as it passes a heavy vehicle travelling in the opposite direction.
  • the spray barrier extending either side of a heavy vehicle may obscure vision from the following vehicle. This may create a dangerous situation for a following vehicle wishing to overtake a slower heavy vehicle but unable to properly see that the roadway ahead is clear.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,361 ,606 suggests a rain flap device comprising an irradiated three-dimensional laminate of a three-dimensional low density polyethylene layer fusion bonded to a high density polyethylene substrate, the laminate remaining ductile at temperatures down to at least minus 29° C, as a means of overcoming the cracking problem.
  • irradiation of the laminate can add considerably to the production cost, and hence the cost to the customer, of the device.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,598,000 discloses a spray reduction device having a substrate layer of high density polyethylene fusion bonded to a three-dimensional molded layer of linear low density polyethylene.
  • the substrate layer is selected such that flexure of the device is inhibited as much as possible.
  • the present invention accordingly provides, in one embodiment, a vehicle mudflap for mounting behind a vehicle wheel characterised by a substantially flexible skirt carrying a facing layer of tufted synthetic grass, the facing layer covering at least a portion of the skirt.
  • the facing layer is preferably in the form of tufted grass mounted on a backing material.
  • the tufts are preferably relatively long and may project at least 10 millimetres and preferably at least 15 millimetres from the backing material. Most preferably the tufts do not extend more than 30 millimetres beyond the backing material.
  • the tufts are preferably resiliently flexible.
  • the tufts may be arranged in the form of a spaced array and are preferably relatively widely spaced from one another. A separation of at least 5 millimetres and preferably between 5 and 15 millimetres between neighbouring tufts is particularly preferred.
  • the tufts are preferably mounted on a flexible backing material.
  • the backing material may comprise a layer of woven textile material.
  • Woven polyolefin strands, particular a woven polypropylene mat, has been found particularly suitable for use as a backing material for carrying grass tufts in accordance with the present invention.
  • the grass tufts may be conveniently formed from a polyolefin, most preferably polypropylene.
  • the grass tufts each comprise a bundle of filaments.
  • the filaments may be ribbon-like or of other profile.
  • a bundle of filaments may be mounted on the flexible backing material in a U-shaped profile.
  • the arms of the U each project through apertures in the backing material with the web of the U extending on the reverse side of the backing material between the respective apertures.
  • the neighbouring arms of adjacent tufts may each project through the same aperture in the backing material, whereby to form a denser tuft comprising two arms of adjacent bundles.
  • an adhesive may be applied to the reverse side of the backing material whereby to adhere the backing material and the webs of the U-shaped tufts projecting therethrough. In this way, the likelihood of inadvertent removal of tufts from the backing material may be reduced.
  • a rubber latex is particularly suitable for such a backing adhesive.
  • a typical suitable rubber latex backing adhesive is neoprene.
  • Another suitable backing adhesive is a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) based adhesive.
  • SBR styrene-butadiene rubber
  • a synthetic grass layer such as Astroturf (trade mark) already known and produced for use in sporting applications is suitable for use as the tufted synthetic grass facing layer in accordance with the present invention although longer than usual grass tufts are more preferred.
  • the skirt of a vehicle mudflap may comprise a vehicle mudflap of known form.
  • the skirt is formed from a resiliently deformable material and may be adapted to depend from a mounting positioned along the upper marginal edge of the skirt.
  • the skirt may be mounted behind the wheel of a vehicle in any suitable manner.
  • the skirted may be mounted in a similar manner to which a conventional mudflap is mounted.
  • the skirt includes a thickened outer marginal edge which may be pre-drilled with a plurality of apertures and subsequently attached to complementary mounting means on the vehicle.
  • Compression moulded rubber mudflaps of a conventional type have been found particularly suitable for use as a skirt in accordance with the present invention.
  • Skirts comprising natural rubber materials, and mixtures of natural and SBR rubber materials, are particularly suitable for use in accordance with the present invention, as they are adapted for compression moulding which may be effected with a variety of colours and which may include a logo moulded into the skirt and hence forming a permanent part of the mudflap.
  • Such rubber skirts typically have a thickened outer marginal edge to resist tearing and may be of a suitable weight to depend downwardly from a mounting along the upper marginal edge without undue flapping or movement during use.
  • the synthetic grass facing layer may be mounted on the skirt by use of an adhesive layer to adhere the flexible backing material to the face of the skirt.
  • the face of the skirt is understood to mean the surface which, in use, faces toward the vehicle wheel.
  • the face of the skirt is preferably substantially planar.
  • a mudflap of conventional form is prepared by compression moulding of natural, or mixtures of natural and SBR rubber materials.
  • the substantially planar face of the skirt is coated with a neoprene or SBR based adhesive, preferably SBR rubber.
  • the woven polypropylene backing material carrying the grass tufts is pressed against the face of the skirt with the free ends of the tufts projecting outwardly.
  • the web of the U-shaped tufts is effectively sandwiched between the woven backing material and the skirt and may form part of the adhesive layer.
  • the skirt may be allowed to air dry, preferably for approximately 24 hours whereby to bind the backing material to the skirt to form a vehicle mudflap in accordance with the present invention.
  • the skirt may be placed on a heated platten which raises the temperature of the skirt and hence the rubber adhesive whereby to effect cross-linking of the adhesive whereby to bind the backing material to the skirt to form a vehicle mudflap in accordance with the present invention.
  • the grass layer substantially covers the face of the skirt.
  • the flexible woven backing material has been found to prolong the life of a conventional mudflap by resisting tearing of the mudflap, particularly in the region of the mounting.
  • a mudflap according to the present invention may be mounted behind a wheel in conventional fashion on a heavy vehicle with the synthetic grass facing layer facing toward the vehicle wheel. It has been found that the arrangement of the present invention substantially reduces side spray and is suitable for use in a variety of weather conditions extending from below freezing to above 50 °C without undue cracking or other forms of degradation.
  • the present invention provides a method of forming a vehicle mudflap, comprising coating a substantially flexible skirt with an adhesive, pressing a backing material carrying a layer of synthetic grass against a face of the skirt, the free ends of the synthetic grass layer projecting outwardly, and air-drying of the adhesive to bind the backing material to the skirt, to form a vehicle mudflap.
  • the present invention provides a vehicle mudflap comprising a substantially flexible skirt carrying a facing layer of tufted synthetic grass attached to a flexible woven backing material adhered to said skirt, the free ends of the tufted synthetic grass layer projecting outwardly, the tufts extending from 10 - 30 mm from the backing material, said synthetic grass layer covering substantially an entire face of said skirt.
  • the present invention provides a vehicle mudflap comprising a substantially flexible skirt carrying a facing layer of resiliently flexible spaced tufts of relatively long synthetic grass embedded in a flexible woven polypropylene backing material adhered directly to a face of said skirt, the tufts extending at least 10 mm from the backing material, said synthetic grass layer covering substantially an entire face of said skirt.
  • Figure 1 is a partial perspective view showing a vehicle mudflap according to the present invention mounted behind a rear wheel of a lorry;
  • Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of a vehicle mudflap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 4 is a front view of a portion of a synthetic grass facing layer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a back view of the portion of Figure 4.
  • a vehicle mudflap 1 is mounted immediately behind wheel 2 of a lorry 3.
  • the mounting 4 may be of any suitable type for the vehicle concerned.
  • Vehicle mudflap 1 comprises a substantially flexible skirt 5 in the embodiment shown in Figure 1.
  • the skirt 5 is a compression moulded rubber skirt in which a logo 6 is moulded into the back of the skirt.
  • Skirt 5 carries a synthetic grass facing layer 7.
  • the facing layer 7 is in the form of a spaced array of tufted grass 8.
  • the grass tufts each comprise a bundle of filaments mounted on flexible backing material 9.
  • flexible backing material 9 comprises a layer of woven textile material preferably a woven polypropylene mat.
  • grass tufts 8 which preferably comprise bundles of polypropylene filaments are mounted in a U-shaped profile on flexible backing material 9.
  • the arms of a U-shaped tuft may each project through apertures in backing material 9 with the web of the U extending on the reverse side of backing material 9 between the respective apertures.
  • the neighbouring arms of adjacent tufts each project through the same aperture in backing material 9.
  • grass tufts 8 are adhered to the reverse side of backing material 9 by the application of an adhesive to the reverse side of backing material 9 i.e. to the side shown in Figure 5.
  • Synthetic grass facing layer 7 is mounted on the skirt 5 as best seen in Figure 3 by the application of an adhesive 10.
  • the web of U-shaped tufts 8 is sandwiched between flexible backing material 9 and the face of the skirt 5 and held in place by adhesive 10.
  • the skirt 5/adhesive 10/facing layer 7 combination is subsequently air-dried to bind the backing material 9 to the skirt 5, to form a finished vehicle mudflap 1.
  • mudflap 1 may be mounted behind a vehicle wheel 2 in conventional fashion with synthetic grass facing layer 7 facing toward the vehicle wheel 2 so that water picked up from the roadway by vehicle wheel 2 will impact on facing layer 7 to become entrapped in tufts 8 and flow downwardly and onto the roadway from the lower marginal edge of mudflap 1 thereby significantly reducing the incidence of potentially dangerous side spray.
  • a substantially flexible skirt is coated with an adhesive 10, a backing material 9 carrying a layer 7 of tufted synthetic grass is pressed against a face of the skirt 5, the free ends of the tufted synthetic grass layer 7 projecting outwardly, and the skirt 5 air-dried to bind the backing material 9 to the skirt, to form a vehicle mudflap 1.
  • a flexible skirt in the form of a conventional rubber mudflap having resiliently flexible, spaced, relatively long synthetic grass tufts in the form of bundles of filaments, the tufts embedded in a backing layer adhered directly to a face of the skirt, r suits in a spray-reducing device having improved water retention capabilities, a reduced tendency to become clogged with debris picked up from road surfaces, and a reduced tendency to crack in conditions of low temperature.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Road Paving Structures (AREA)

Abstract

Un garde-boue de véhicule, servant à réduire l'éclaboussure latérale des roues de véhicules lourds, est caractérisé par une jupe (5) sensiblement flexible (5) portant une couche extérieure (7) d'herbe synthétique en touffes. La couche extérieure (7) peut être montée sur un matériau de support (9), de préférence un mat de polyproylène flexible tissé rattaché à la jupe (5). Les touffes d'herbe synthétique (8) font de préférence saillie à travers des ouvertures pratiquées dans le matériau de support (9) de façon à présenter un profil en U, et s'étendent à au moins 10 mm du matériau de support (9).
PCT/AU1994/000089 1993-02-25 1994-02-25 Garde-boue Ceased WO1994019228A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU61778/94A AU6177894A (en) 1993-02-25 1994-02-25 Mudflaps

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPL7483 1993-02-25
AUPL748393 1993-02-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994019228A1 true WO1994019228A1 (fr) 1994-09-01

Family

ID=3776734

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1994/000089 Ceased WO1994019228A1 (fr) 1993-02-25 1994-02-25 Garde-boue

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1994019228A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0810145A1 (fr) * 1996-05-27 1997-12-03 San Valeriano S.P.A. Panneau de couverture de garde-boue d'un véhicule automobile
EP3524475A1 (fr) 2018-02-09 2019-08-14 Ford Global Technologies, LLC Ensemble marchepied comportant un garde-boue de protection

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3899192A (en) * 1974-04-19 1975-08-12 Walter W Reddaway Splash and spray reducing device for a vehicle
US4361606A (en) * 1980-09-30 1982-11-30 Monsanto Company Method for irradiation of polymeric laminates and product
US4391870A (en) * 1982-04-05 1983-07-05 Monsanto Company Spray-suppression device
GB2126181A (en) * 1982-08-28 1984-03-21 Arend Wolf Improved mud flap
US4598000A (en) * 1985-05-29 1986-07-01 Monsanto Company Spray-suppression device
EP0204681A2 (fr) * 1985-05-29 1986-12-10 Monsanto Company Dispositif supprimant le brouillard de liquides vaporisés
WO1993001963A1 (fr) * 1991-07-22 1993-02-04 Forbo-Poligras Gmbh Bavette garde-boue pour vehicules

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3899192A (en) * 1974-04-19 1975-08-12 Walter W Reddaway Splash and spray reducing device for a vehicle
US4361606A (en) * 1980-09-30 1982-11-30 Monsanto Company Method for irradiation of polymeric laminates and product
US4391870A (en) * 1982-04-05 1983-07-05 Monsanto Company Spray-suppression device
GB2126181A (en) * 1982-08-28 1984-03-21 Arend Wolf Improved mud flap
US4598000A (en) * 1985-05-29 1986-07-01 Monsanto Company Spray-suppression device
EP0204681A2 (fr) * 1985-05-29 1986-12-10 Monsanto Company Dispositif supprimant le brouillard de liquides vaporisés
WO1993001963A1 (fr) * 1991-07-22 1993-02-04 Forbo-Poligras Gmbh Bavette garde-boue pour vehicules

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0810145A1 (fr) * 1996-05-27 1997-12-03 San Valeriano S.P.A. Panneau de couverture de garde-boue d'un véhicule automobile
US6086104A (en) * 1996-05-27 2000-07-11 San Valeriano S.P.A. Wheel-arch cover panel for a motor vehicle
EP3524475A1 (fr) 2018-02-09 2019-08-14 Ford Global Technologies, LLC Ensemble marchepied comportant un garde-boue de protection

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