Mud flap retractors
OwnerJeff Koontzinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mud flap retraction system uses two artificial muscles that extend horizontally toward the mud flaps to an elbow, and then hang down alongside the mud flaps opposite the vehicle tire. Also provided is a source of compressed air or fluid, at least one valve for selectively inflating and deflating, the bladder(s), and an operator control inside the vehicle cabin that quickly and reliably raises (or lowers) the mud flaps at the operator's command. Inflation effectively raises the artificial muscles from a limp position (hanging with the mud flaps) to a stiff raised position (thereby raising the mud flaps rearwardly).
Claims21
A mud flap retraction system for raising a mud flap of a vehicle, comprising:
- a source of compressed fluid;
- a valve connected downstream to said source of compressed fluid;
- a valve actuator mounted inside a cab of said vehicle for actuating said valve;
- an elongate artificial muscle connected downstream of said valve and configured to articulate from a limp position hanging adjacent said mud flap to a stiff raised position upon inflation thereof, thereby raising the mud flap.
A mud flap retraction system for raising a mud flap of a vehicle, comprising:
- an air compressor having an output valve;
- a switch mounted inside a cab of said vehicle for actuating said compressor valve;
- an artificial muscle connected downstream of said valve, supported by a first cross-member, and attached to said mud flap;
- whereby activation of said switch actuates said compressor to inflate said artificial muscle and articulate it from a limp position to a stiff position raising the mud flap.
A method of raising a mud flap, comprising the steps of:
- inflating an artificial muscle adjacent to said mud flap so as to articulate said artificial muscle from a limp position hanging adjacent said mud flap to a stiff raised position upon inflation thereof, thereby raising the mud flap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.