GB2364035A - Spray suppressor for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (201) to reduce the spray from a vehicle wheel (202) includes wiping or scraping means and connecting means (207). The wiping means engage the vehicle wheel (202) to remove water (205) and is connected to the vehicle by the connecting means (207).

Description

2364035 SPRAY SUPPRESSOR FOR VEHICLES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a spray suppressor which serves to significantly reduce the magnitude with which spray or mist is created from the wheels of a moving vehicle.

Backqround to the Invention It is well known that vehicles travelling along a wet road generate spray, this spray being atomized water droplets, which emanate from the wheels and, in particular, the tyres of the vehicle The creation of water spray or mist by, for example, heavy goods vehicles, may be considered a serious hazard to road users in other neighboring vehicles, the problem of the creation of spray or mist effectively reducing visibility of other road users considerably This, in turn, leads to numerous accidents on the roads in wet conditions.

In an attempt to reduce water spray or mist, and hence the number of road accidents, it is well known to fit vehicles, including bicycles, motorcycles, cars, light/heavy goods vehicles and public transport vehicles with mud guards These mud guards attempt to address the problem of rotating wheels picking up water from the road surface, and then throwing this water either directly into the air or against solid surfaces thus creating the atomized water droplets or spray which is caught in the turbulent air surrounding the vehicle and results in the creation of a fine mist.

The function of conventional mud guards, while attempting to overcome the problem of mist creation, is to provide a shield to collect the water and other debris sprayed up from the wheel.

Essentially, the nature of the mud guard design is to address the problem of collecting water sprayed up from the wheel after this water has gained considerable kinetic energy, this energy being transferred from the moving vehicle to the water being transported by the tyre Moreover, water picked up by the tread of the vehicle's tyre reaching the top of the wheel, is moving at high velocity When this highly energized water leaves the periphery of the wheel and impacts upon the mud guard and turbulent air, atomizing of the fast moving water droplets occurs, and results in the creation of a fine mist.

Numerous designs of spray suppressing devices have been proposed which attempt to address the problem of the creation of spray However, the prior art is only partially successful in preventing spray or mist created by the vehicle wheel tyre This only partial success of the prior art stems from the fact that each design attempts to address the problem of spray suppression after the water, picked up by the tread of the tyre, has gained considerable kinetic energy and departs the wheel with a high velocity In particular, GB 2194495, GB 2160835, GB 2084094, EP 0626308 and DE 3613577 all describe mud flap type designs having a textured surface such that water sprayed up from the wheel impacts on the mud guard whereby this water is channeled back down to the ground EP 0897854 teaches of a mud flap type design having a discharging chamber, such that water thrown up by the wheel is directed into the discharging chamber and back onto the ground A similar design of directing water, sprayed up from the wheel, back down to the ground is taught is WO 95/01275, whereby water thrown up by the wheel is intercepted by a ledge which extends across the rear of the tyre This ledge effectively attempting to stop water thrown up by the vehicle wheel tyre travelling up the inside of the mud guard, and out into the surrounding air space.

All of the above designs clearly, therefore, attempt to suppress the creation of spray or mist created by water thrown upwards off the ground by the vehicle wheel after this water has gained considerable kinetic energy and has departed from the wheel thus creating spray or mist.

What is required is a device which removes water from a rotating vehicle wheel tyre close to the point at which the water departs from the wet road surface, thereby eleviating the problem of high energy water being transmitted into the turbulent air or impacting on the vehicle body Teachings of such a device to remove water from the rotating vehicle wheel tyre close to its point of departure from the wet road surface is described in detail herein.

Summary of the Invention

One object of the present invention is to provide a device to remove water from a rotating vehicle wheel tyre close to the point of departure of the water from the wetted road surface One action of the device is such that water removed from the road surface, by the vehicle wheel tyre, is not given the opportunity to acquire the velocity of the rotating vehicle wheel, as would be gained if the water was allowed to rotate more than 90 degrees from its departure point from the road surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device to suppress the creation of spray or mist by way of removing water from the rotating vehicle wheel tyre such that the device is configurable with a plurality of modes of operation The extreme modes of operation of the device being, for example,

maximum water removal and control of this removed water-required when the road surface is heavily saturated Another extreme mode of operation being the disengagement of the device from the rotating vehicle wheel, this particular mode of operation being required when, for example, the road surface is substantially dry.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which controls the water removed from the vehicle wheel tyre and directs this removed water back down to the ground.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device to reduce the spray from a vehicle wheel tyre characterised by:

at least one wiping means; and at least one connecting means configured to connect said wiping means to said vehicle; wherein in use said connecting means positions said wiping means for engagement with said tyre, said wiping means substantially removing water from said tyre during tyre rotation.

Preferably said device comprises control means; said control means being connected to said wiping means; wherein in use said control means are configured to control water removed from said tyre whereby said water is substantially directed towards the ground.

Preferably said connecting means are configured to connect said wiping means to an axle of a vehicle wheel.

Preferably said connecting means are configured to be adjustable, whereby said wiping means can be configured to engage and disengage said tyre.

Preferably engagement of said tyre by said wiping means is variable.

Preferably said device comprises hinge means; whereby said hinge means can be configured to connect to said wiping means.

Preferably said hinge means can be configured to move independently of said connecting means.

Preferably said hinge means can be configured to connect to said control means.

Preferably said hinge means comprises protrusions; whereby said protrusions are configured to control the movement of said hinge means.

Preferably said wiping means is a rubber material.

Preferably said wiping means comprise bristles.

Preferably said wiping means comprise a combination of rubber and is bristles.

Preferably said wiping means comprise at least one piece of material.

Preferably said wiping means comprise three pieces of material.

Preferably said wiping means can be configured to substantially engage the tread of said tyre.

Preferably said wiping means can be configured to substantially engage the tread and the walls of said tyre.

Preferably said wiping means are located in the lower half of the tyre circumference.

Preferably said wiping means are located substantially close to the ground.

Preferably said control means subtend substantially along an arc of said tyre.

Preferably said control means comprise channels, wherein in use water removed from said tyre is directed to the ground.

Preferably said control means comprise dimples, wherein in use water removed from said tyre is directed to the ground.

Preferably said device can be configured to reduce spray from a front wheel of said vehicle.

Preferably said device can be configured to reduce spray from a rear wheel of said vehicle.

Preferably said device is fitted to a vehicle.

Preferably said vehicle is a bicycle.

Preferably said vehicle is an aeroplane.

Preferably said vehicle is a motor cycle.

Preferably said vehicle is a car, light/heavy goods vehicle, truck, van or public transport vehicle.

Preferably according to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing spray from a vehicle tyre using a device, said device comprising at least one wiping means and at least one connecting means, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting said at least one wiping means to said vehicle; engaging said at least one wiping means with said tyre; wiping said tyre; wherein said connecting means positions, said wiping means for engagement with said tyre; said wiping of said tyre being conducted substantially in the lower half of said tyre circumference, said at least one wiping means substantially removing water from said tyre during tyre rotation.

Preferably a method further comprising the step of controlling removed water from said tyre, said removed water being directed onto the ground.

Preferably a method further comprising the step of adjusting said connecting means; whereby engagement of said tyre by said wiping means is variable.

Preferably a method further comprising the step of wiping said tyre using at least one piece of material.

Preferably a method further comprising the step of wiping the tread of said tyre and the walls of said tyre using a plurality of pieces of material.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a 3 o device to reduce the spray from a vehicle tyre said device comprising connecting means configured to support a carriage, said carriage further configured to support a wiping truck, said wiping truck comprising at least one wiping means wherein at least one of said wiping means is configured for engagement at said vehicle tyre to receive spray therefrom.

Preferably, said wiping truck is hingeably mounted on said carriage to facilitate engagement of at least one of said wiping means at said vehicle tyre.

Preferably, said carriage is hingeably mounted at said connecting means to enable movement of said wiping means from a wiping position to a nonwiping position.

Preferably, said wiping means comprises a curved wiping surface configured to receive spray from a side wall of said tyre.

Brief Description of the Drawinqs is For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig 1 illustrates a bicycle fitted with prior art spray suppressers, in the form of conventional mud guards.

Fig 2 illustrates schematically a preferred embodiment of a spray suppresser according to the present invention.

Fig 3 illustrates schematically a method by which the present invention effectively removes water from the vehicle wheel tyre.

Fig 4 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention detailing the connecting means, the wiping means and the control means.

Fig 5 and Fig 5 A illustrate schematically a mode of operation of the present invention when in use, and not in use, respectively.

Fig 6 Illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, detailing the mode by which the wiping means interface with the vehicle wheel tyre.

Figs 7, 7 A and 7 B illustrate schematically various embodiments of the wiping means according to the present invention.

Figs 8 and 8 A illustrate, by way of example, different embodiments of the control means.

Fig 9 and 9 A illustrate, by way of example, a side on view of one embodiment of the present invention Fig 9 A illustrates the device in a non- wiping position and Fig 9 B illustrates the device in a wiping position wherein wiping means 906 are configured to receive spray from tyre 202.

Fig 10 A illustrates a view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Fig 9 A, the view being from A in Fig 9 A Fig 1 OB illustrates a view of wiping means 906 from B in Fig 9 A Fig 1 OC illustrates a front view of wiping means 906.

Detailed Description of the Best Mode for Carryinq Out the Invention

There will now be described by way of example the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details In other instances, well known methods and structures have not 3 o been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Referring to Fig 1 there is illustrated a vehicle, in particular a bicycle, fitted with conventional spray suppressers, these spray suppressers being in the form of mud guards 101 The cyclist 102 propels the bicycle along the wet road 103 such that the bicycle tyres 104 remove water from the road surface, thereby propelling this water into the air so as to create a water spray or mist 105 This spray or mist 105 may be considered a serious hazard with regard to neighboring vehicles, as drivers of these neighboring vehicles experience considerable visual impairment, this often results in serious road accidents.

Additionally, the water spray 106 created by the front wheel of the bicycle, for example, is propelled into the air space in front of the cyclist such that the cyclist in addition to neighboring road user, experiences considerable visual impairment The function of the conventional mud guards 101, while attempting to address the issue of spray suppression, is only partially successful in the prevention or suppression of spray or mist 105 and 106.

Referring to fig 2 there is illustrated, a simplistic representation of a particular embodiment of the spray suppressor device 201 The device 201 configured to reduce spray from a vehicle wheel tyre, when in use, operates to substantially remove water from the vehicle wheel tyre 202 When in use the vehicle wheel tyre 202 being connected to a suitable vehicle, for example a bicycle, rotates as shown by arrow 203 about the central axle 204, whereby water is removed from the wet road surface 103 Water being picked up by the tyre 202 is then transported by the tyre in the direction of arrow 203 The water 205, picked up by the tyre is then intercepted by the device 201 such that water is removed from the tyre and deposited back onto the road surface 206 The details of water removal by the device 201 and the corresponding transfer of removed water back down to the ground is described in detail below.

The device 201, configured to reduce spray from the vehicle wheel tyre, is connected to the vehicle, in this particular example a bicycle, via connecting means 207 Connecting means 207 comprise substantially an extended U shape design such that the spray suppressor device 201 resides at substantially the bottom end of the U-shape design, effectively being located within the curved region while the ends of the connecting means can be configured to connect to the axel or quick release mechanism of the bicycle, for example Connecting s means 207 can be configured to provide adjustment of the spray suppresser device 201, this adjustment being made via, for example, holes 208 such that the wheel axle 204 may be inserted in the various holes 208 so as to result in the spray suppressor device 201 to, when in use, substantially engage the tyre 202 thereby removing water from the tyre 202.

The spray suppressor device 201, via the connecting means 207, is configurable for use on either the front or rear wheels of a vehicle, in this example the front or rear wheels of a bicycle.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, there are provided hinge means 209 such that the spray suppresser device 201 can be configured to hinge about point 210 such that the device 201 is movable in the direction of arrow 211 The hinge means 209 and the movement of the device 201 are described below in more detail.

Referring to fig 3 there is illustrated the spray suppresser device 201 together with details of the wiping means 301 and 302 and control means 303.

Wiping means 301 is configurable to engage the tread of the vehicle wheel tyre 202, while wiping means 302 is configurable to engage, substantially the walls of the tyre 202.

Looking down from a point vertically above the wiping means 301 and 302 it can be seen that wiping means 301 and 302 engage the vehicle wheel tyre 202 at substantially the rear portion of tyre 202 Control means 303 essentially functions as a shroud whereby water is removed from the vehicle wheel tyre by the wiping means 302, this water then being projected onto control means 302 which functions to direct, channel or guide the removed water back onto the road surface The cooperation between wiping means 301, 302 and control means 303 result in the suppression of spray or mist created from the vehicle wheel tyre, whereby water is prevented from being propelled into the neighboring air surrounding the vehicle.

The preferred location of the spray suppresser device 201 is at the rear of the tyre 202 and is located substantially close to the ground This preferred location attempts to reduce the distance between the ground 103 and the bottom of the control means 303 As a result water transferred, by control means 303 back down to the ground 103 has a reduced path length and as such this transferred water is considerably less likely to be propelled into the surrounding air, therefore reducing or eliminating spray or mist.

Referring to fig 4 there is illustrated an exploded view of one embodiment of the spray suppresser device 201 The spray suppresser device 201 in this embodiment, as detailed in fig 4 comprises connecting means 207, connecting means 207 as detailed in fig 2 comprises a substantially U shaped design such that the wiping means 301, 302 and control means 303 are located substantially at the lower bend portion of the connecting means 207 Connecting means 207 is further configured with holes 210, such that when in use the wiping means 301, 302 and control means 303 are able to hinge or pivot about a central hinge or pivot point, this pivot point being identified by hole 210.

In a particular preferred embodiment wiping means 301 and 302 are divided into three separate portions, these separate portions being configured to engage substantially different portions of the vehicle wheel tyre 202 Wiping means 301, in this particular embodiment, is configured with a recess such that wiping means 301 engages or comes into contact with, the curved surface of the vehicle wheel tyre 202, this curved surface being the region of the tyre where the tread is located Wiping means 302 are configured to engage or be brought into contact with the walls of the tyre 202, such that when wiping means 301,and 302 engage or come into contact with the tyre 202 both the tread and the side walls of the tyre are engaged, whereby water is removed from both the tread and side walls of the tyre.

In this particular embodiment the spray suppresser device 201 is configured with hinge means 209, hinge means 209 comprising essentially a sub frame configured to fit over the U shaped portion of connecting means 207 Wiping means 301 and 302 are connected to hinge means 209 via support means 401 and 402 respectively Hinge means 209 comprises holes 404, such that when hinge means 209 is located substantially over the U shape portion of connecting means 207 holes 404 and 210 coincide Connecting means 207 and hinge means 209 may be joined together by suitable securing means, these securing means being, for example a pin, rod, screw or rivet, configured to be located through holes 210 and 404 The arrangement of this particular embodiment as described both allows hinge means 209 to move about an axis of rotation centered around the pivot point identified by holes 210 and 404 Hinge means 209 is further configured with protrusions 403, these protrusions serve to stabilize hinge means 209 and function in part, to restrict excessive movement and rotation of hinge means 209 about the pivot point identified by holes 210 and 404.

Hinge means 209, in this particular embodiment, is configured to provide a means for securing control means 303 to the connecting means 207 Securing of control means 303 to the hinge means 209 is by way of, for example, a suitable adhesive and/or pins, rivets, bolts, screws, or studs In this particular embodiment as described above both the hinge means 209 and the control means 303 are configured to hinge or rotate over a restricted distance, the amount of hinging, moving or rotating being controlled by protrusions 403.

Fig 5 illustrates part of a particular embodiment of the spray suppresser device when in use Various features of the spray suppresser device 201 have been omitted in this figure, these omitted features being, for example, control means 303 and wiping means 302 Fig 5 illustrates the engagement of the vehicle wheel tyre 202 by the wiping means 301 connected to hinge means 209 via support means 401 Hinge means 209 is connected to control means 207 via suitable securing means located through holes 210 and 404 Protrusions 403 function to restrict the movement of hinge means 209 relative to control means 207.

Fig 5 A illustrates the spray suppresser device 201, as detailed in fig 5,

when not in use, having been disengaged from the tyre 202 Hinge means 209 is rotated through a small arc as identified by arrow 501, this rotation being about a pivot point identified by holes 210 and 404 As a result of the slight downward rotation of hinge means 209, contact between wiping means 301 and the tyre 202 is lost, whereby in this particular arrangement the spray suppresser device 201 does not function to remove water from the tyre 202 The disengagement of the wiping means 301 from the tyre 202 would be a preferred arrangement when, for example, the road surface was dry the requirement for spray suppression by the device 201 would no longer be required The different modes of operation as described in figs 5 and 5 A, these being, operative-mode and inoperative- mode, respectively, are interchangeable by a human operator using for example, his or her fingers or hand(s).

Fig 6 illustrates part of a particular embodiment of the spray suppresser device 201, detailing the engagement of the tyre 202 by the wiping means 301 and 302 As described herein before wiping means 301 is configured to engage the tread portion of the tyre 202, whereby wiping means 302 are configured to engage substantially the side walls of the tyre 202 Support for the wiping means 301 and 302 is by way of support means 401 and 402, respectively.

Referring to Fig 7 there is illustrated schematically, by way of example, a particular embodiment of the wiping means 301 and 302 Examples of further embodiments are described in figs 7 A, 7 B and 7 C however, additional embodiments detailing different configurations of the wiping means may equally be configured for use with the spray suppresser device 201 Fig 7 illustrates wiping means 301 and/or 302 comprising a natural or synthetic rubber 701.

Preferably this rubber referred to in figs 7, 7 A, 7 B and 7 C is PVC nitrile.

Fig 7 A illustrates wiping means 301 and/or 302 forming a bi-layered wiping means system, comprising natural or synthetic rubber 701 located directly above natural or synthetic bristles 702 These bristles being capable of agitating water both on the tyre surface and within the tread of the tyre.

Fig 7 B illustrates wiping means 301 and/or 302 forming a tri-layered wiping 1 o means system, comprising natural or synthetic rubber 701, located immediately below material 701 is material 702, this material being natural or synthetic bristles Located immediately below the natural or synthetic bristles 702 is a layer of natural or synthetic rubber 701 such that bristles 702 are effectively sandwiched by rubber 701.

Fig 7 C illustrates wiping means 301 and/or 302 being a bi-layered system comprising natural or synthetic rubber 701 situated directly below a substantially rigid material 703 Rigid material 703 may, by way of example, comprise a metallic, plastic, fibrous or dense rubber type material.

The function of rigid material 703 is to provide a certain degree of rigidity to wiping means 301 and/or 302 such that, for example, when a stone is picked up by the tread of the tyre 202 wiping means 301 and/or 302 serves to remove the stone from the tread of the tyre 202.

The function of the various embodiments as described in fig 7, 7 A, 7 B and 7 C provide a variable interface by which the spray suppresser device 201 removes water from the tyre 202 The various combinations and arrangements of material that comprise the wiping means 301 and/or 302 may be tailored to suit a particular type of tyre composition, such that maximum water removal is achieved for a specific tyre composition.

Referring to Fig 8 there is illustrated one preferred embodiment of the control means 303 This particular embodiment of control means 303 has a substantially reduced spray capture area with respect to control means 303 as detailed in fig 4 For example, if the road surface 103 is not completely saturated with water a user of the spray suppresser device 201 may select, for use, control means 303 as described in Fig 8.

Fig 8 A describes a further specific embodiment of control means 303 having a substantially reduced surface area with respect to control means as detailed in figs 4 and 8 In a particular situation having only a partially wet road surface 103 the extent with which water is removed from the tyre 202 by the spray suppresser device 201 is considerably reduced with respect to use on a completely saturated road surface Accordingly, the requirement for water control is reduced, and a smaller control means 303 may be fitted to device 201.

A spray suppresser device 201 comprising control means 303 of reduced surface area and length would allow the spray suppresser device 201 to be located substantially closer to the ground with respect to a spray suppresser device configured with a large control means 303 as detailed in fig 2 or fig 4.

Water removed from the tyre 202 in the region close to the ground 103, will have gained less kinetic energy and as such the process of water removal and transfer by device 201 is more efficient Specific embodiments of the present invention, having a control means of reduced surface area, take advantage of this fact as the spray suppresser device 201 fitted with such control means 303 maybe located substantially close to the ground.

Figs 9 A, 9 B, 10 A, 10 B and 10 C relate to a further embodiment of the present invention The features of the previous embodiments described may be applied to this specific embodiment Fig 9 A illustrates a connecting means 207 comprising a substantially U-shaped support which may extend to the centre of tyre 202 for attachment Connecting means 207 further supports a carriage 902.

Carriage 902 may be an independent carriage attached to connecting means 207 or may be a carriage portion being substantially an integral part of connecting means 207 Preferably, carriage 902 is mounted about a hinge 901.

Figs 9 A and 9 B illustrate carriage 902 to be maintained within the curved end portion of connecting means 207 Carriage 902 comprises a first portion extending between hinge 901 towards the end of connecting means 207 as shown in Fig 9 A Extending upwardly from carriage 902 is aprojecting bar 903 having a lug at its terminal portion Extending downwardly from carriage 902 is a second portion of said carriage This second portion supports the mounting of a wiping truck 904 Wiping truck 904 is hingeably mounted 907 on carriage 902.

The wiping truck 904 can be an independent component or integrally formed with said carriage 902.

Wiping truck 904 is hingeably mounted so as to be able to rock about hinge is 907 Preferably, wiping truck 904 extends upwardly and downwardly from a central hinge 907 In the region of each terminal portion of said upward and downward extension, a wiping means 906 is located Each wiping means is hingeably mounted 908 Wiping truck 904 further comprises a projection 905 adjacent the upper side of each wiping means 906 to limit the upward rotation of wiping means 906 about hinge 908.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs 9 and 10 is compatible with a shroud or control means as previously described For clarity, the shroud or control means is not shown in these figures.

Fig 9 A specifically illustrates the present embodiment in a non-wiping position This set up may occur when the carriage 902 is initially mounted on connecting means 207 Altematively, the arrangements shown in Fig 9 A may simply be an alternative operating arrangement for dry weather conditions where the wiping means 906 are not required to be engaged at the tyre 202.

Fig 9 B illustrates the present embodiment in a wiping arrangement.

Carriage 902 has been moved about hinge 901 Projection 903 has been pushed downwards such that the lug formed by projection 903 is engaged at the end of connecting means 207 This has the effect of pushing carriage 902 and consequently wiping truck 904 towards tyre 902 Wiping means 906 are thereby engaged at tyre 202 to receive spray from tyre 202 Wiping means 906 are curved and thus the side view illustrated in Fig 9 B shows the wiping means extending around the wall of tyre 202 Wiping means 906 may be released from engagement at tyre 202 by returning carriage 902 to the position illustrated in Fig.

9 A by releasing the engagement of projection 903 and the lug formed from the end of connecting means 207.

Fig 1 OA illustrates a schematic representation of the view towards the back portion of carriage 902 This view is indicated by the letter A on Fig 9 A.

1 S Carriage 902 extends upwardly and downwardly from its location with connecting means 207 and supports wiping truck 904.

Fig 10 B illustrates a view of wiping means 906 from above This view is indicated by the letter B on Fig 9 A Wiping means 906 is shown to be curved such that side portions of the wiping means 906 can extend around the side walls of tyre 202 to receive spray from the side walls A shield 1001 protecting wiping means 906 is also illustrated.

Fig 10 C illustrates a front view of wiping means 906 showing the curved side portions of the wiping means 906.

The embodiment of the present invention described above and illustrated in Figs 9 A, 9 B, 10 A, 10 B and 10 C provide a sophisticated system for the suppression of spray from vehicle wheels Connecting means 207 is configured to support the carriage 902 of the device in the region of the vehicle tyre A shroud or control means may further be located around the carriage and wiping truck to receive spray and direct such spray towards a ground surface.

Moving the carriage 902 from the position illustrated in Fig 9 A to Fig 9 B results in the engagement of wiping means 906 at the vehicle tyre Engagement comprises the contact of wiping means 906 at tyre 202 whilst not being limited to contact as engagement of the wiping means 906 can further comprise locating of wiping means 906 close enough to tyre 202 to receive spray from said tyre.

Engagement of wiping means 906 at tyre 202 is therefore required to be functional in order to effect spray suppression Wiping truck 904 is supported by carriage 902 and mounted thereon Wiping truck 904 is mounted hingeably about hinge 907 Wiping means 906 are supported on wiping truck 904 This arrangement of a hinged wiping truck allows for variations in tyre shapes Whilst one wiper may be engaged at the tyre surface, the other wiper may be pushed out of position Whilst ideally both wiping means 906 are configured for engagement with tyre 202 the hinge 907 ensures that at least one wiping means 906 will be in engagement with tyre 202 to suppress spray therefrom.

Projections 905 on wiping truck 904 are included to limit the movement of wiping means 906 Alternatively wiping means 906 may be configured to have their own internal strength to resist being urged upward beyond a functional spray suppression angle Preferably, wiping means 906 are maintained substantially between a right angled engagement with tyre 202 and a slightly swept back engagement (as illustrated in Fig 9 B) This is to avoid the formation of a substantial wedge of water between the wiping means 906 and tyre 202 Such a wedge of water is not preferable as it decreases the efficiency of spray suppression Wiping means 906 are further hingeably mounted at hinge 908.

Hinges 901, 907 and 908 may be hinged by a spring means including standard coil springs, compression springs and other resilient springs However, the present embodiment is suitable for manufacture from plastic mouldings wherein the connecting means, carriage portion, wiping truck and wiping means may all be assembled by means of snap-fit engagements, the individual parts providing their own resilient spring functions by means of the resilience of the plastic from which each component is moulded.

Fig 10 B illustrates a view of the wiping means from position B in Fig 9 A.

The curved portions of wiping means 906 are desirable as, in practice, they provide tension to wiping means 906 to maintain effective spray suppression at the side walls of tyre 202.

The embodiment described in Figs 9 A, 9 B, 10 A, 10 B and 10 C provides an effective device for the reduction of spray from a vehicle tyre which can accommodate variations in wheel and tyre shape by the inclusion of at least one 1 o wiping means which can be hingeably engaged at a tyre surface 202 to collect spray from the tyre surface 202 By providing a carriage 902 which is moveable between a wiping and non-wiping position the device is further configured for ease of use on wet and dry days wherein the device may be moved between the wiping and non-wiping positions by the user.

Claims (1)

1. Claims:

   1 A device to reduce the spray from a vehicle wheel tyre characterised by:

   at least one wiping means; and at least one connecting means configured to connect said wiping means to said vehicle; wherein in use said connecting means positions said wiping means for engagement with said tyre, said wiping means substantially removing water from said tyre during tyre rotation.

   2 A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device comprises control means; said control means being connected to said wiping means; wherein in use said control means are configured to control water removed from said tyre whereby said water is substantially directed towards the ground.

   3 A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 whereby said connecting means are configured to connect said wiping means to an axle of a vehicle wheel.

   4 A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said connecting means are configured to be adjustable, whereby said wiping means can be configured to engage and disengage said tyre.

   A device as claimed claim 4, wherein in use engagement of said 3 o tyre by said wiping means is variable.

   6 A device as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein said device comprises hinge means; whereby said hinge means can be configured to connect to said wiping means.

   7 A device as claimed in claim 6 whereby said hinge means can be configured to move independently of said connecting means.

   l O 8 A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said hinge means can be configured to connect to said control means.

   9 A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said hinge means comprises protrusions; whereby said protrusions are configured to control the movement of said hinge means.

   A device as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein said wiping means is a rubber material.

   11 A device as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein said wiping means comprise bristles.

   12 A device as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein said wiping means comprise a combination of rubber and bristles.

   13 A device as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein said wiping means comprise at least one piece of material.

   14 A device as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein said wiping means comprise three pieces of material.

   A device as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein said wiping means can be configured to substantially engage the tread of said tyre.

   16 A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said wiping means can be configured to substantially engage the tread and the walls of said tyre.

   17 A device as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein said wiping means are located in the lower half of the tyre circumference.

   18 A device as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein said wiping means are located substantially close to the ground.

   19 A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control means subtend is substantially along an arc of said tyre.

   A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control means comprise channels, wherein in use water removed from said tyre is directed to the ground.

   17 A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control means comprise dimples, wherein in use water removed from said tyre is directed to the ground.

   18 A device as claimed in any proceeding claim, wherein said device can be configured to reduce spray from a front wheel of said vehicle.

   19 A device as claimed in any proceeding claim, wherein said device can be configured to reduce spray from a rear wheel of said vehicle.

   A device as claimed in any proceeding claim, wherein said device is fitted to a vehicle.

   21 A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said vehicle is a bicycle.

   22 A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said vehicle is an aeroplane.

   23 A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said vehicle is a motor cycle.

   24 A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said vehicle is a car, light/heavy goods vehicle, truck, van or public transport vehicle.

   A method of reducing spray from a vehicle tyre using a device, said device comprising at least one wiping means and at least one connecting means, said method comprising the steps of:

   connecting said at least one wiping means to said vehicle; engaging said at least one wiping means with said tyre; wiping said tyre; wherein said connecting means positions, said wiping means for engagement with said tyre; said wiping of said tyre being conducted substantially in the lower half of said tyre circumference, said at least one wiping means substantially removing water from said tyre during tyre rotation.

   26 A method as claimed in claim 25 further comprising the step of controlling removed water from said tyre, said removed water being directed onto the ground.

   27 A method as claimed in claim 25 further comprising the step of adjusting said connecting means; whereby engagement of said tyre by said wiping means is variable.

   28 A method as claimed in claim 25 further comprising the step of wiping said tyre using at least one piece of material.

   29 A method as claimed in claim 25 further comprising the step of wiping the tread of said tyre and the walls of said tyre using a plurality of pieces of material.

   A device to reduce the spray from a vehicle tyre, said device comprising connecting means configured to support a carriage, said carriage further configured to support a wiping truck, said wiping truck comprising at least one wiping means wherein at least one of said wiping means is configured for engagement at said vehicle tyre to receive spray therefrom.

   31 A device as claimed in claim 30, wherein said wiping truck is hingeably mounted on said carriage to facilitate engagement of at least one of said wiping means at said vehicle tyre.

   32 A device as claimed in claim 30 or claim 31, wherein said carriage is hingeably mounted at said connecting means to enable movement of said wiping means from a wiping position to a non-wiping position.

   33 A device as claimed in any of claims 30, 31 or 32, wherein said wiping means comprises a curved wiping surface configured to receive spray from a side wall of said tyre.