Stowable tractor mud flap
AssigneePACCAR Inc
InventorJeffrey P. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Drag reducing systems for tractor-trailer combination vehicles are provided. In one aspect, a drag reducing assembly generally includes a stowable mud flap rotatably coupled to a mounting bracket and a linkage. The linkage is configured to transition the mud flap between a first, deployed position, to a second, stowed position. The mud flap is generally positioned adjacent a wheel and tire of the vehicle, downstream of airflow. In the first position, the mud flap may be deployed at an angle of about 90° to the ground. In the second position, the mud flap may be stowed at an angle of about 90° from the first position.
Claims13
A drag reducing assembly, comprising:
- a mounting bracket;
- a stowable mud flap rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket;
- and
- a linkage coupled to the mud flap and configured to transition the mud flap between a first position, wherein the mud flap is deployed, and a second position, wherein the mud flap is stowed, as a result of a trailer attaching to a tractor to form a tractor-trailer combination.
A drag reducing assembly for a tractor-trailer combination vehicle, comprising:
- a mounting bracket coupled to the vehicle;
- a stowable mud flap rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket, the mud flap positioned adjacent a wheel and tire of the vehicle, downstream of airflow;
- and
- a linkage coupled to the mud flap and configured to transition the mud flap between a first position, wherein the mud flap is deployed at an angle of about 90° to the ground, and a second position, wherein the mud flap is stowed at an angle of about 90° from the first position, as a result of a trailer attaching to a tractor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.