GB2191457A

GB2191457A - Valance assembly for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2191457A
Application number: GB08713592A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Wignall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-06-11
Filing date: 1987-06-10
Publication date: 1987-12-16
Also published as: GB8713592D0

Abstract

To avoid access problems a valance assembly has a fixed part 1 for securing the valance to a vehicle, and a movable valance member 2 which is hingedly secured to the fixed part. The assembly is made from a plastics material with the hinge 3, 4 defined by localised thinning of the material. Bracket means 10 attached to the fixed part of the valance assembly provides a fixing part for the movable part(s). Spray suppression material may be applied to the the valance assembly but a particularly convenient construction results when the valance assembly is actually made from a spray suppression material and the hinge line(s) are formed by removing any tufts and/or thinning the packing of the spray suppression material. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Valance assembly for vehicles The present invention relates to the reduction of spray from vehicles, especially heavy goods vehicles and in particular relates to a valance assembly for this purpose.

Vehicles travelling in wet conditions at speed, especially in excess of 50mph, throw up spray as the tyres pass over the road surface. It is necessary to enclose the wheel of a vehicle to some degree in order to limit the amount of spray thrown up by the wheels of the vehicle. The reduction of spray from heavy goods vehicles is the subject of legislation and currently British Standard BS AU-200 sets down specifications for various acceptable spray reducing devices for heavy goods vehicles.

One device referred to is termed a valance and is intended for fitting outwardly of the vehicle tyre and running the length of the vehicle over a prescribed distance in the area of the tyre, or tyres in the case of multiple axles. In general a valance can be said to be that part of a containment device in or approaching the longitudinal plane of the vehicle.

A containment device is a device intended to contain water shed from the tyre of a vehicle and to return it to the road surface at low velocity.

In relation to valances, the standard specifies that any valances has to extend in a downwardly direction at least as far as the uppermost periphery of the tyre, when the vehicle is unloaden and extending tangentially to the top of the tyre. When the vehicle is laden, the suspension travel causes the valance to extend past the tyre periphery. This causes difficulty of access to the wheel in the event of inspection or maintenance work or breakdown work being required. With known valances this has necessitated removing the valance to gain access. This is clearly undesirable when the object is to gain quick and easy access to carry out any necessary work.

It is an aim of the present invention to remove the above mentioned access problem, whilst providing a valance which conforms to the legislation. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a valance which is light weight, tough and of good appearance.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a valance assembly comprising a movable valance member and a fixed part for securing the valance to a vehicle, and hinge means which allows the valance member to be moved out of the way for access purposes.

Conveniently bracket means is employed to hold the valance in its position of use, preferably using clip or screw means between the valance member and bracket. Several brackets may be positioned along the length of the valance at spaced intervals. The brackets may be secured to the fixed part conveniently by adhesive means or welding.

Preferably the fixed part and the movable valance member are formed in one piece with the hinge means formed integrally therewith.

Conveniently, the hinge extends the length of the valance and more conveniently, the movable valance member and the fixed part are formed from a material which is flexible, especially by localised thinning over the area of the hinge. By using the inherent flexibility of the material, a one piece construction results which avoids gaps through which spray could otherwise penetrate. The valance member can be folded back by 180 degrees.

Through the use of suitable materials a combined one piece bracket and hinge assembly can eliminate the problem of fixing the valance and access to the wheel. One suitable material is polypropylene. At the same time any spray suppression system that may be required by individual operators may be accommodated.

A spray suppression system is a device or material designed to absorb or dissipate the energy of water thrown from the tyre in order to reduce the degree to which the water shatters into fine dropplets on hitting a surface.

Various types of materials have been developed for this purpose such as mats, but tufted constructions are particularly suitable.

These may be made from a plastics material having a solid backing, usuaily flexible, at least to some degree, and having fingers projecting therefrom. Such materials may be attached to the aforesaid movable valance part, even the fixed part.

Alternatively, the above described valance member and fixed part, including hinge may be formed from such spray suppression material. The tufts/fingers may be removed, and part of the backing may be reduced in thickness along the length of the material to define the flexible hinge between the fixed and movable parts of the valance assembly.

The valance assembly may be designed for attaching to the cross-bearers of a vehicle or to the underside of a rave rail. The crosssection of the valance assembly, with particular regard to the section of the fixed and movable parts of the valance, say in its fitted position, may vary according to the design and/or application. In certain applications, one hinge line may suffice, where for example the valance assembly attaches to the underside of a rave rail, however, in other applications two or more hinge lines may be provided, usually spaced parallel to one another. Such a construction may find particular application where the valance assembly is to be fitted to crossbearers and shaped to give clearance around rave rail hooks.

The preferred construction has a constant cross-section along its length and utilises the inherent hinge properties of the materials used. More preferably, the valance assembley is made from a spray suppressant material conforming to British Standard BS AU 200 parts 1 and 2 giving a totally integral unit.

The present invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings: in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of valance according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-section through the valance of Figure 1, Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged detail views of the hinge sections of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a variation on the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 and Figures 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of still further embodiments of valance according to the invention.

Referring firstly to the drawings of Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a valance assembly which encompasses the length of the vehicle in the area of the wheel and which is to be attached to the underside of the cross-bearers by means of the inbuilt bracket construction within the cross-section of the valance in a line across the vehicle chassis.

The valance assembly comprises fixed and movable parts 1 and 2 repsectively formed from one piece of material and having hinge points 3 and 4, shown in further detail in enlarged views 3 and 4 respectively. Figures 3 and 4 show the valance material in its straight form before shaping into its fitted cross-section. The hinge points are conveniently formed by reducing the thickness of the valance material. Hinge 4 is shown by an arcuate groove 8, whilst hinge 3 is formed by a recess having radiussed edges 5. The hinge points run longitudinally over the wheels and utilise the natural hinge properties of the valance material whilst retaining a solid one piece construction for the valance. Low temperature grade polypropylene has been found suitable with a thickness of 4mm and localised thinning at the hinge points to 1.5 to 2mm.

Also provided are brackets 10, these are spaced at intervals along the length of the valance, the number of brackets being determined by the length of the valance. Four brackets are shown in the illustration, the end ones are positioned flush with the ends of the valance.

The brackets are secured to the fixed part 1 of the valance. The brackets are preferably made from the same material as the valance parts to facilitate securing by welding as shown at 16. The brackets provide abutment surfaces 11, 12 for the movable parts 2a and 2b of the valance. Fixing means, not shown, is preferably provided for securing the movable part of the valance to the bracket to retain the valance in its position of use, as shown in Figure 2. A clearance 15 is provided for fixing not shown.

The valance in its normal position meets the legislation but when access to the wheel is required, the movable part of the valance can be deformed away frorn the wheel area in order to give access to the wheel. On release the valance moves back to its original fitment position. Hence full access is gained immediately.

The device itself can be formed from material conforming to the spray syuppression legislation of BS AU 200 parts 1 and 2 giving a totally integral unit. The illustrated device can be used on all vehicles and gives access to such items as rope hooks and curtain side hooks, which normally are located just on the underside of the vehicle floor adjacent to the valance fitment, as at X for example. The illustrated device will also conform to the legislation whether or not a rave rail is fitted to the vehicle. The device can be formed by several methods but particularly convenient is the solid section over the full length of the device and utilising the inherent hinge properties of the materials used.

Referring now to Figure 5, a modification of the valance of Figures 1 to 4 is illustrated. It is intended for fitment to cross-bearers of a vehicle to give clearance around the rave rail for hooks, etc. It has fixed parts 51a and 51b, 51a serving conveniently for attachment of the valance to the cross-bearers by suitable fixing means, say bolts passing through holes in the valance. Secured to the fixed part at intervals along the length thereof, by welding as at 67 are brackets 60-one of which is shown in the drawing. The bracket provides abutment surfaces 61 and 62 for supporting the movable parts 52a and 52b. Part 52b is disposed substantially vertical in use and secured to the bracket releasably by means of fastening plug 70.Two hinge points are provided at 53 and 54 respectively, each formed integrally from the material of the valance by thinning thereof along the length of the valance.

The dimensions A, B, C and D can be made to suit any particular application, but a range of six standard sizes has been found suitable for most applications, with dimension A of from 35mm to 50mm, B of from 65mm to 125mm, C of from 65mm to 75mm, D of from 170 to 300mm. A polypropylene, low temperature grade (-30 degrees C) of 4.5mm thickness is suitable.

Spray suppression material can be attached to the inside surfaces of the part 52b, or the valance can be made from a spray suppression material.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of valance, especially for fitting to the underside of a rave rail. It comprises a fixed part 101 and a movable part 102 and brackets 100. The bracket is welded to the fixed part as at 116.

An integral hinge 103 is formed between the fixed part and the movable parts 101, 102 of the valance, again conveniently by localised thinning. Fixing means not shown is conveniently provided for securing the movable part of the valance releasably to the bracket to hold it in its position of use. The moving portion can be hinged through 180 degrees and conveniently carries spray suppression material on the inside, either as an addition, or formed integrally therewith.

A range of standard sizes, say six can suit most applications, with the length being to suit. The dimensions of part 101 is standardised for each application, say 50mm, with only the length of the movable member being made different. Of course, where the spray suppression material is not an integral part of the valance, the length of 102 can be a minimum, say nominal 50mm, and spray suppressant material of required depth, fixed thereto.

Figure 7 shows a valance assembly which is especially suitable for carrying separable spray suppression material. It again comprises a fixed part being of angled configuration and two movable parts 72a, 72b with hinges 83, 84. The bracket 80 is of generally L-shaped configuration with abutment surfaces for the movable parts of the valance. The fixed part is welded to the brackets as at 86.

The vertical portion of 72b can be provided with spray suppression material for valance depth required, i.e. to increase the depth of the valance beyond the edge 90 to reach the top of the tyre as per the legislation. It is preferred to standardise on the sizes of A and D and offer a range of five sizes for B and C.

Of course where, no rave rail is fitted, dimension A can be increased to cover the wheel.

This can also be the case for the embodiment of Figure 5.

When making any of the above described valances from a spray suppression material, it will be understood, that generally the backing is to form the flexible hinge and any spray suppression elements removed to allow fixing of brackets etc. and/or formation of hinges, where reduction of backing thickness is called for. Of course, reduction could be performed externally.

The described valance constructions are tough, durable and of light weight and of pleasing appearance, and insofar as they meet the legislation and yet allow access to the wheel when required offer considerable advantages over the known valance constructions.

In certain applications where the wheel width is great, the clearance between the underside of the vehicle or rave rail and the top of the wheel may not be sufficient to allow the use of a valance of constant cross-section along its length and yet allow access by way of a gap above the valance to hook on the rave rail or for attaching curtain sider hooks.

Accordingly, it is proposed to provide a scalloped valance wherein the upper generally horizontal boundary of the valance is of undulating configuration, or at least raised immediately above the wheel or wheels. Because the material of the valance is flexible, it can be deformed downwardly momentarily at this point when required to allow access to the rave rail or other hooks.

Claims

1. A valance assembly comprising a movable valance member and a fixed part for securing the valance to a vehicle, and hinge means which allows the valance member to be moved out of the way for access purposes.

2. A valance assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which bracket means is employed as an abutment to hold th valance in its position of use.

3. A valance assembly as claimed in claim 2 in which clip or screw means is used to hold the valance member to the bracket.

4. A valance assembly as claimed in claim 2 or 3 in which several brackets are positioned along the length of the valance at spaced intervals.

5. A valance assembly as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 in which the brackets are secured to the fixed part.

6. A valance assembly as clamed in claim 5 in which the brackets are secured by adhesive means or welding.

7. A valance assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 in which the fixed part and the movable valance members are formed in one piece with the hinge means formed integrally therewith.

8. A valance assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the hinge extends the length of the valance.

9. A valance assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the movable valance member and the fixed part are formed from a material which is flexible.

10. A valance assembly as claimed in claim 9 in which the flexibility is by localised thinning over the area of the hinge.

11. A valance assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the valance member can be folded back by at least 90 degress and preferably up to 180 degrees.

12. A valance assembly as claimed in any preceding claim when made of polypropylene.

13. A valance assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and having a spray suppression material over at least the movable valance part.

14. A valance assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 and formed from a spray suppression material.

15. A valance assembly as claimed in claim 14 in which tufts/fingers of the spray suppresion material are removed, and/or part of the backing reduced in thickness along the length of the material to define the flexible hinge be tween the fixed and movable parts of the valance assembly.

16. A valance assembly as claimed in any preceding claim when designed for attaching to the cross-bearers of a vehicle or to the underside of a rave rail.

17. A valance assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the cross section is constant along the length of the valance assembly.

18. A valance assembly as claim in any one of the preceding claims in which several hinge lines are provided.

19. A valance assembly as claimed in claim 18 in which the hinge lines are spaced parallel to one another.

20. A valance assembly constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings of Figures 1 to 4 or 5 or 6 or 7.

21, A motor vehicle when fitted with a valance assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.