# US 8,465,058 B1 · Sprung mud flap device

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- Number: US 8,465,058 B1
- Document ID: US8465058B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 13/233,899
- Filed: 2011-09-15
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2011-09-15
- Applicants: Mario A. Herrera
- Inventors: Mario A. Herrera
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465058B1

## CPC

- B62D 25/188: {Mud-guard flaps for utility vehicles}
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)

## Abstract

The sprung mud flap device provides a sprung connection between a truck or trailer mount plate and a flap assembly. The device negates damages often incurred when a truck or trailer is backed into a berm or other obstacle and the mud flaps damaged by forces between the tires and the berm or obstacle. By allowing the flap to move, move downward, forward, or rearward, and to flex away from the mount plate fastened to a truck or trailer, the flap is not stressed, torn, or excessively worn. The device includes a rain shield. The rain shield includes a rearward angle. The mount plate includes a forward angle. The device includes a rearward angle on the rain shield. The device includes a u-channel as a part of the flap assembly.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sprung mud flap device comprising, in combination:
a top spaced apart from a bottom, a front and a rear;
a vertically disposed mount plate beginning at the top;
a plurality of spaced apart plate orifices disposed in the mount plate top;
and at least three spaced apart spring orifices disposed downwardly in the mount plate;
a rain shield attached downwardly to the mount plate;
a flap assembly comprising:
an upper attachment affixed to a u-channel;
and at least three spaced apart attachment orifices disposed in the upper attachment;
a flap removably disposed within the u-channel;
a plurality of flap fasteners removably affixing the flap within the u-channel;
a plurality of expansion springs removably connecting the spring orifices to the attachment orifices of the upper attachment, the expansion springs shielded rearwardly by the rain shield.

### Claim 2

A sprung mud flap device comprising, in combination:
a top spaced apart from a bottom, a front and a rear;
a vertically disposed mount plate beginning at the top;
a forward angle disposed downwardly on the vertical mount plate;
a plurality of spaced apart plate orifices disposed in the mount plate top;
a plurality of spaced apart plate orifices disposed downwardly in the mount plate, the downwardly disposed plate orifices adjacent to the forward angle;
and at least three spaced apart spring orifices disposed in the forward angle;
a rain shield having an upwardly disposed vertical section affixed to a rearward angle, the vertical section fastened to the downwardly disposed plate orifices by fasteners;
a flap assembly comprising:
an upper attachment affixed to a u-channel;
and at least three spaced apart attachment orifices disposed in the upper attachment;
a flap removably disposed within the u-channel;
a plurality of flap fasteners removably affixing the flap within the u-channel;
a plurality of expansion springs removably connecting the spring orifices to the attachment orifices of the upper attachment.