GB2248714A

GB2248714A - Modified vehicle mud flap

Info

Publication number: GB2248714A
Application number: GB9121360A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barrie Stephen Young
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-10-09
Filing date: 1991-10-09
Publication date: 1992-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2011-10-09
Also published as: GB9121360D0; GB9021909D0; GB2248714B

Abstract

In Figure 1 a vehicle mud flap 9 has an internal bulb 15 to illuminate markings 22 in a lens panel 11 on the flap. The bulb is held in a bulb holder 12 secured (by adhesive) to an extension 16 of the lens panel 11, and wires (17, 18) connect the bulb to the vehicles electric system (not shown). The lens panel 11 is secured to lugs 20 on the flap by screws. The flap is of standard profile and has an upper portion 19 for securing the flap to the bodywork of a vehicle (not shown). The markings may indicate the make or model of the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

MODIFIED VEHICLE MUD FLAP This invention relates to mud flaps for vehicles.

Mud flaps are normally made of shaped rubber, or like material, and when fastened to the body of a vehicle, behind the wheels, help to protect the bodywork of the vehicle and to keep down spray etc. created by the wheels. It is known to indicate on the mud flaps the make or model of the vehicle or for the flaps to carry some other markings.

According to the present invention a vehicle mud flap comprises at least one internal light source such as a bulb by which to illuminate markings carried by the mud flap.

The bulb may be held in a bulb holder and may be located within a recess in the mud flap or within a housing unit attached to one or other face of the mud flap.

The markings to be illuminated may be cut directly through the flap material so that illumination from the bulb is able to shine therethrough, and the markings may be filled with a transparent or translucent material.

Alternatively the markings may be provided in a panel for lens placed in the recess in the flap. The panel or lens may be adapted to carry the bulb holder.

The bulb is preferably powered by the vehicles electric system and may be connected to one or more of the lighting circuits so that the flaps are illuminated when, for example, the vehicles external lights are activated, either the headlamp circuit or the brake light circuit.

The panel or the flap may initially be provided without markings so that a user may customise a flap with his own lettering, numerals or logo. Stencils may be provided to assist users in preparing the markings.

The markings may be coloured or alternatively clear and a coloured bulb used to illuminate therethrough.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation through a mud flap in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective of the flap of Figure 1 showing the recess; Figure 3 is a perspective of the lens panel of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective of the bulb and bulb holder of Figure 1.

In the Figures a vehicle mud flap 9 has a recess 10 into which a lens panel 11 is fitted. A bulb holder 12, having terminals 13, 14 and a bulb 15 therebetween, is secured to an extension 16 of the panel 11 (by means of adhesive), and wires 17, 18 connect the terminals to a circuit (not shown) of the vehicles electric system.

The flap 9 is of standard profile (see Figure 2) and has an upper portion 19 for securing the flap to the bodywork of a vehicle (not shown). The recess 10 is of a dimension to allow the insertion of the lens panel 11 and is provided with lugs 20 to receive screw 21 (see Figure 3) to secure the lens panel in the recess.

The lens panel 11 is provided with translucent portions (22) therethrough forming lettering, in this case FORD (Trade Mark).

Claims

1. A vehicle mud flap comprising at least one internal light source such as a bulb by which to illuminate markings carried by the mud flap.

2. A vehicle mud flap as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the bulb is held in a bulb bolder.

3. A vehicle mud flap as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the mud flap is provided with a recess.

4. A vehicle mud flap as claimed in Claims 2 and 3, wherein the bulb holder of Claim 2 is located within the recess.

5. A vehicle mud flap as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the bulb holder is located with a housing attached to one face of the mud flap.

6. A vehicle mud flap as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the markings are cut through the flap material.

7. A vehicle mud flap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the markings are provided in a panel or lens.

8. A vehicle mud flap as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the markings are filled with a transparent material.

9. A vehicle mud flap as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the markings are filled with a translucent material.

10. A vehicle mud flap as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the panel or lens carries the bulb holder.

11. A vehicle mud flap as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the panel or lens is located in the recess of Claim 3.

12. A vehicle mud flap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bulb is powered by the electric system of a vehicle.

13. A vehicle mud flap as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the bulb is connected to one of the vehicles lighting circuits.

14. A vehicle mud flap comprising at least one internal bulb, means to provide markings to be carried by the flap so that the bulb illuminates said markings when so provided.

15. A vehicle mud flap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.