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US 8,616,571 B2Granted
Vehicle splash guards and adaptors therefor
AssigneePACCAR Inc
InventorJeffrey P. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The vehicle splash guards and adaptors described herein aim to reduce drag forces caused by the splash guards thereby improving air flow characteristics around the splash guard. In that regard, the splash guards and adaptors may increase the overall fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
Claims14
A vehicle splash guard comprising:
- a substantially planar body having a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface;
- one or more curved outer surfaces positioned radially outwardly of the front surface, the one or more curved outer surfaces extending from a leading edge to trailing outer edge;
- and
- a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the rear surface, wherein the plurality of protrusions are tapered inwardly as they extend rearwardly from the rear surface.
1 more element
An adaptor for a vehicle splash guard, the adaptor comprising:
- a U-shaped frame having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side having one or more convex-shaped outer surfaces that extend from a leading edge to an outer trailing edge, the second side having one or more protrusions extending outwardly therefrom, the frame having an attachment interface configured to secure the adaptor to a vehicle splash guard.
A vehicle splash guard assembly comprising:
- a substantially planar body having a forward surface and a rearward surface opposite the forward surface;
- a frame configured to be secured to the substantially planar body, wherein the frame includes a forward side and a rearward side, wherein the forward side of the frame includes one or more curved outer surfaces positioned radially outwardly of the forward surface of the planar body when the frame is secured to the substantially planar body, each outer surface extending from a leading edge to a trailing outer edge, and wherein the rearward side of the frame includes a plurality of protrusions that taper inwardly as they extend rearwardly therefrom.
A vehicle splash guard assembly comprising:
- a substantially planar body having a forward surface and a rearward surface opposite the forward surface;
- a frame configured to be secured to the substantially planar body, wherein the frame is U-shaped and includes a forward side and a rearward side, wherein the forward side of the frame includes one or more curved outer surfaces positioned radially outwardly of the forward surface of the planar body when the frame is secured to the substantially planar body, each outer surface extending from a leading edge to a trailing outer edge, and wherein the rearward side of the frame includes one or more protrusions extending outwardly therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.