US3899192A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Splash and spray reducing device for a vehicle
Assignee: Monsanto Co
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Filing: 1974-04-19
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1994-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A device for reducing the spray and splash of fluid thrown from the wheels of a moving vehicle including a mat adapted to capture fluid thrown from the wheels, coalesce the fluid, and drain it back onto the roadway surface. The mat includes a backing section having a surface expanse facing the wheel and a plurality of elongate, resilient blade elements distributed over the surface expanse. The blade elements are secured at one set of their ends to the backing and project outwardly therefrom generally in the direction of the wheel in random, angular, crossing relationship to each other to present a tangled mass of such elements covering the expanse.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter W Reddaway
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:49
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/12; B62; B62D; B62D25/00; B62D25/08; B62D25/16; B62D25/18; B62D25/188; B32B27/32; B32B2262/00; B32B2262/10; B32B2262/101; B32B2323/00; B32B2323/04; B32B2605/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A device for reducing splash and spray of fluid thrown from the wheels of a vehicle comprising a backing section mounted on such vehicle having a surface expanse facing the periphery of the whEel and a plurality of elongate elements distributed over a major portion of said expanse and secured at an inner set of their ends to said backing with said inner ends of the elements disposed in laterally spaced rows and remainder portions of said elements projecting outwardly generally in the direction of said wheel in random angular relations to each other and to said surface expanse, with portions of said elements spaced outwardly from said backing disposed in a random tangled mass.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A device for reducing splash and spray of fluid thrown from the wheels of a vehicle comprising a backing section mounted on such vehicle having a surface expanse facing the periphery of the whEel and a plurality of elongate elements distributed over a major portion of said expanse and secured at an inner set of their ends to said backing with said inner ends of the elements disposed in laterally spaced rows and remainder portions of said elements projecting outwardly generally in the direction of said wheel in random angular relations to each other and to said surface expanse, with portions of said elements spaced outwardly from said backing disposed in a random tangled mass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein an element comprises a resilient, elongate blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said blades are randomly curved intermediate their inner and outer sets of ends.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for reducing splash and spray of fluids thrown from the wheels of a moving vehicle, said device comprising a backing section having a surface expanse which may be supported on the vehicle with said expanse facing the periphery of the wheel, and a plurality of elongate elements distributed over a major portion of said surface expanse and secured at one set of their ends to said backing, said elements projecting outwardly from said expanse generally in the direction of the wheel in random angular relation to each other and to said surface expanse, whereby portions of said elements intermediate their opposite sets of ends and spaced outwardly from said expanse cross each other at random angles and means for mounting said device on said vehicle adjacent said wheels.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for reducing splash and spray of fluids thrown from the wheels of a moving vehicle, said device comprising a backing section having a surface expanse which may be supported on the vehicle with said expanse facing the periphery of the wheel, and a plurality of elongate elements distributed over a major portion of said surface expanse and secured at one set of their ends to said backing, said elements projecting outwardly from said expanse generally in the direction of the wheel in random angular relation to each other and to said surface expanse, whereby portions of said elements intermediate their opposite sets of ends and spaced outwardly from said expanse cross each other at random angles and means for mounting said device on said vehicle adjacent said wheels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the secured set of ends of said elongate elements are disposed in laterally spaced rows and define fluid flow channels therebetween adjacent said expanse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 5, wherein portions of said elements spaced outwardly from said expanse cross over said fluid flow channels at random angles to each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 6, wherein said portions of said elements spaced outwardly from said expanse are sufficiently closely spaced and randomly oriented as to present a tangled mass of elements covering said expanse.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said elements may range in length from 1/4 inch to 2 1/2 inches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said elements comprise elongate resilient blades which are randomly curved intermediate their opposite sets of ends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
140 words
In combination with a wheeled vehicle a device for reducing splash and spray of fluid from the wheels of said vehicle comprising a mat supported on said vehicle adjacent a wheel in a position to catch fluid emanating from the wheel when the vehicle is moving, said mat including a backing section having a surface expanse facing the periphery of the wheel, and a plurality of elongate elements distributed over a major portion of said surface expanse and secured at one set of their ends to said backing, said elements projecting outwardly from said expanse generally in the direction of the wheel in random angular relationship to each other and to said surface expanse, whereby portions of said elements spaced outwardly from said expanse cross each other at random angles to present a tangled mass of elements covering said expanse.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
140 words
In combination with a wheeled vehicle a device for reducing splash and spray of fluid from the wheels of said vehicle comprising a mat supported on said vehicle adjacent a wheel in a position to catch fluid emanating from the wheel when the vehicle is moving, said mat including a backing section having a surface expanse facing the periphery of the wheel, and a plurality of elongate elements distributed over a major portion of said surface expanse and secured at one set of their ends to said backing, said elements projecting outwardly from said expanse generally in the direction of the wheel in random angular relationship to each other and to said surface expanse, whereby portions of said elements spaced outwardly from said expanse cross each other at random angles to present a tangled mass of elements covering said expanse.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 10, wherein the secured set of ends of said elongate elements are disposed in laterally spaced rows and define fluid flow channels therebetween adjacent said expanse.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 10, wherein said elements comprise elongate resilient blades.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 12, wherein said blades are randomly curved intermediate their oppposite sets of ends.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 10, which further comprises means mounting said device adjacent the rear side of a wheel with said expanse and elements directed toward said wheel operable to catch fluid thrown rearwardly from said wheel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 10, which further comprises means mounting said device adjacent the front of a wheel with said expanse and elements directed toward said wheel operable to catch fluid thrown foRwardly relative to the vehicle from said wheel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 10, which further comprises means mounting said device above a wheel with said expanse and said elements directed downwardly toward said wheel operable to catch fluid thrown upwardly from said wheel.
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) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |