US 2009/0289446 A1 · AUTOMATIC FLAP LIFTER AND METHOD

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mud flap lifting system for raising and lowering a pair of mud flaps connected to a rear portion of a vehicle and suspended behind corresponding rear wheels of the vehicle. A shaft extends between the mud flaps. First and second sheaves are disposed on the shaft, wherein each of the sheaves is aligned with one of the mud flaps. A pair of cables is provided, each of the cables having a first end connected to one of the sheaves and a second end connected to the correspondingly aligned mud flap. A motor is coupled to the shaft, wherein the shaft is axially rotated upon actuation of the motor. Each of the cables is coiled around the corresponding sheave upon rotation of the shaft in a first direction, thereby raising the mud flaps.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A mud flap lifting system, comprising:

first and second mud flaps connected to a rear portion of a vehicle and suspended behind corresponding rear wheels of the vehicle;
a shaft extending between said first and second mud flaps;
first and second sheaves disposed on said shaft, said first sheave aligned with said first mud flap and said second sheave aligned with said second mud flap;
first and second cables, each of said cables having a first end connected to one of said first and second sheaves and a second end connected to a correspondingly aligned one of said first and second mud flaps;
a motor coupled to said shaft, said shaft rotatable upon actuation of said motor, wherein each of said first and second cables is coiled around a corresponding one of said first and second sheaves upon rotation of said shaft in a first direction, thereby raising said mud flaps.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic flap lifter and method

Life of this patent

Automatic flap lifter and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22