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US 9,284,000 B1Granted
Vehicle splash guard
AssigneePACCAR Inc
InventorJeffrey P. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A splash guard configured to reduce drag forces, and in turn, improve the aerodynamics of an associated vehicle. The splash guard in some examples defines a forward facing airflow contact surface and rearwardly extending side fins.
Claims19
A splash guard for a vehicle, comprising:
- a body having a forward facing planar surface, a rearwardly facing planar surface, and a generally rectangular shape with left and right side edges and a bottom edge;
- and
- first and second fins extending rearwardly from the rearwardly facing surface at the left and right side edges, the first and second fins defining first and second generally planar outwardly facing surfaces, wherein the first and second fins are formed from a portion of the generally rectangular shape of the body;
- wherein the first and second fins extend away from the forward facing planar surface such that, when the splash guard is placed behind at least one tire of the vehicle with the forward facing planar surface facing the at least one tire, the first and second fins extend away from the at least one tire, and
- wherein a portion of the bottom edge between the first and second fins does not extend away from the forward and rearwardly facing planes.
2 more elements
A splash guard for a vehicle, comprising:
- a body having a forward facing planar surface, a rearwardly facing planar surface, and a generally rectangular shape with left and right side edges and a bottom edge;
- and
- first and second symmetrically configured fins extending rearwardly from the rearwardly facing surface at the left and right sides, the first and second fins defining first and second generally planar outwardly facing side surfaces that are contiguous with the forward facing planar surface, wherein the transition between the forward facing planar surfaces and the outwardly facing side surfaces is curved, and wherein the first and second fins are formed from a portion of the generally rectangular shape of the body;
- wherein the first and second fins extend away from the forward facing planar surface such that, when the splash guard is placed behind at least one tire of the vehicle with the forward facing planar surface facing the at least one tire, the first and second fins extend away from the at least one tire, and
- wherein a portion of the bottom edge between the first and second fins does not extend away from the forward and rearwardly facing planes.
2 more elements
A vehicle comprising:
- at least one tire;
- and
- a splash guard mounted to the vehicle rearward of the at least one tire, wherein the splash guard comprises:
- a body having a forward facing planar surface facing the at least one tire, a rearwardly facing planar surface facing away from the at least one tire, and a generally rectangular shape with left and right side edges and a bottom edge, and
- first and second fins extending rearwardly from the rearwardly facing surface at the left and right side edges such that the first and second fins extend away from the at least one tire, the first and second fins defining first and second generally planar outwardly facing surfaces, wherein the first and second fins are formed from a portion of the generally rectangular shape of the body, and wherein a portion of the bottom edge between the first and second fins does not extend away from the forward and rearwardly facing planes.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.