US3737176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dust flap for trailers and trucks
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-04
•
Granted: 1973-06-05
•
Expires: 1991-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A flap for depending behind the wheels of a trailer or truck. The device is used in pairs and consists of a pair of hinged and spring loaded members, one of which is secured to the flap and prevents the flap from being torn from its mount when the rear wheels of the vehicle tend to climb a bumper when the vehicle is backed up.
Inventors
- 👤 R Cobb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:02
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D25/00; B62D25/08; B62D25/16; B62D25/18; B62D25/188
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
320 words
In a dust flap for trailers and trucks, the combination of an elongated horizontally extending first bracket secured stationarily to a vehicle body rear end and located rearward of a rear wheel of said vehicle, said first bracket being of crosssectional L-shape and including a vertical leg positioned adjacent said rear end of said body and receiving mounting bolts therethrough secured to said rear end, a horizontal leg of said L-shaped bracket extending under said body in a forwardly direction, a forward edge of said horizontal leg having spacedapart sleeves integral therewith, said sleeves being axially aligned; a second elongated, horizontally extending bracket being pivotably supported from said stationary bracket, said second bracket being likewise of cross-sectional L-shape and having a horizontal leg normally retained adjacent an underside of the horizontal leg of said stationary bracket, spaced-apart sleeves integral with a forward, longitudinal edge of said horizontal leg, said sleeves being axially aligned; each sleeve of said stationary bracket being aligned with one sleeve of said pivotable bracket, pivot bolts being inserted through said aligned sleeves, a torsion coil spring being fitted around each said pivot bolt, one end of said spring bearing against said stationary bracket while the other end bears against said pivotable bracket so to normally maintain said pivotable bracket with its horizontal leg abutting against the underside of the horizontal leg of said stationary bracket, a rear end of said pivotable bracket horizontal leg being adjacent a vertically downward leg of said pivotable bracket and to which the upper end of a flexible dust flap panel is secured, said panel extending downwardly sufficiently to shield a major portion of a rear side of said vehicle wheels, whereby when said panel is pinched between said wheels and a stationary bumper during backing up of said vehicle, said panel being downwardly pulled causes said pivotable bracket to downwardly pivot so to prevent said panel to become torn off.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
320 words
In a dust flap for trailers and trucks, the combination of an elongated horizontally extending first bracket secured stationarily to a vehicle body rear end and located rearward of a rear wheel of said vehicle, said first bracket being of crosssectional L-shape and including a vertical leg positioned adjacent said rear end of said body and receiving mounting bolts therethrough secured to said rear end, a horizontal leg of said L-shaped bracket extending under said body in a forwardly direction, a forward edge of said horizontal leg having spacedapart sleeves integral therewith, said sleeves being axially aligned; a second elongated, horizontally extending bracket being pivotably supported from said stationary bracket, said second bracket being likewise of cross-sectional L-shape and having a horizontal leg normally retained adjacent an underside of the horizontal leg of said stationary bracket, spaced-apart sleeves integral with a forward, longitudinal edge of said horizontal leg, said sleeves being axially aligned; each sleeve of said stationary bracket being aligned with one sleeve of said pivotable bracket, pivot bolts being inserted through said aligned sleeves, a torsion coil spring being fitted around each said pivot bolt, one end of said spring bearing against said stationary bracket while the other end bears against said pivotable bracket so to normally maintain said pivotable bracket with its horizontal leg abutting against the underside of the horizontal leg of said stationary bracket, a rear end of said pivotable bracket horizontal leg being adjacent a vertically downward leg of said pivotable bracket and to which the upper end of a flexible dust flap panel is secured, said panel extending downwardly sufficiently to shield a major portion of a rear side of said vehicle wheels, whereby when said panel is pinched between said wheels and a stationary bumper during backing up of said vehicle, said panel being downwardly pulled causes said pivotable bracket to downwardly pivot so to prevent said panel to become torn off.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |