Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02328802 2000-12-19
CONSPICUITY PLATE ASSEMBLY FOR FENDER MOUNTING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to conspicuity mountings for a tractor or other similar
vehicle. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a conspicuity plate
mounting
assembly for a vehicle fender. In another of its aspects, the invention
relates to a
fender with a conspicuity plate assembly mounted thereto.
Description of the Related Art
A recent U.S. Department of Transportation requirement states that all
tractors
built after July 1, 1997, must use reflective material on rear fenders or
horizontal
hangers supporting mud flaps. Thus, many tractors on the road must be retrofit
with
such reflective material on the fenders or horizontal hangers. It is both
desirable and
required to attach the reflective material such that its reflective face is
perpendicular to
the road surface, not set at an angle. Thus, where reflective tape is merely
added to
the fender surface, it will not comply with the rule and the effective
reflective surface
will be decreased in direct proportion to the acuteness of the angle relative
to the road
surface. A simple, cost-effective solution for retrofitting existing tractors
with
reflective material as required by the Department of Transportation is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a conspicuity plate assembly is adapted for
mounting on and is mounted to a truck fender that has a generally arcuate
shape about
a fender axis and a relatively uniform width in the direction of the axis. The
fender
has an outer surface and is mounted at its outer surface to an elongated post,
the post
being parallel to the fender axis and having a length greater than the width
of the
fender. The post is adapted to mount the fender to a vehicle frame.
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The invention provides in a truck fender having a generally arcuate shape
about
a fender axis and a relatively uniform width, the fender having an outer
surface, an
elongated mounting post having a longitudinal axis and spanning a substantial
portion
of the width of the fender and mounted to the outer surface of the fender
parallel to the
fender axis, the elongated mounting post being adapted to mount the fender to
a vehicle
frame, the improvement comprising: a conspicuity plate having a mounting
surface of
a length and height sufficient to mount a conspicuity reflector thereon; and a
fastener
mounting the conspicuity plate to the mounting post for adjustment of the
conspicuity
plate about the longitudinal axis of the post to adjustably position the
mounting surface
of the conspicuity plate perpendicular to a road surface when the fender is
mounted to
the vehicle frame.
The invention also provides in a truck fender having a generally arcuate shape
about a fender axis and a relatively uniform width, the fender having an outer
surface,
an elongated mounting post spanning a substantial portion of the width of the
fender
and mounted to the outer surface of the fender parallel to the fender axis,
the elongated
mounting post being adapted to mount the fender to a vehicle frame, the
improvement
comprising: a conspicuity plate having: a front panel forming a mounting
surface
thereon of a length and height sufficient to mount a conspicuity reflector
thereon; and at
least one mounting flange extending rearwardly of the front panel, the at
least one
mounting flange bent into a configuration generally conforming to an outer
surface of
the elongated post, the at least one mounting flange having an opening; and a
fastener
passing through the opening of the at least one mounting flange for mounting
the
conspicuity plate to the post to position the mounting surface of the
conspicuity plate
perpendicular to a road surface when the fender is mounted to the vehicle
frame, and to
secure the at least one mounting flange to the mounting post.
The invention further provides in a truck fender having a generally arcuate
shape about a fender axis and a relatively uniform width, the fender having an
outer
surface, an elongated mounting post spanning a substantial portion of the
width of the
fender and mounted to the outer surface of the fender parallel to the fender
axis, the
elongated mounting post being adapted to mount the fender to a vehicle frame,
the
improvement comprising: a conspicuity plate having: a front panel forming a
mounting surface of a length and height sufficient to mount a conspicuity
reflector
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thereon; and at least one mounting flange extending rearwardly of the front
panel and
spaced rearwardly from the front panel, the at least one mounting flange bent
into a
configuration generally conforming to an outer surface of the elongated post;
and a
fastener mounted to the conspicuity plate and to the mounting post for
mounting the
conspicuity plate to the post to position the mounting surface of the
conspicuity plate
perpendicular to a road surface when the fender is mounted to the vehicle
frame, the
fastener securing the at least one mounting flange to the mounting post.
The invention additionally provides a conspicuity plate assembly for mounting
a
conspicuity reflector on a truck fender having a generally arcuate shape about
a fender
axis and a relatively uniform width, the fender having an outer surface and
being
mounted at the outer surface to an elongated post having a longitudinal axis,
the post
being parallel to the fender axis and spanning a substantial portion of the
width of the
fender and adapted to mount the fender to a vehicle frame; the conspicuity
plate
assembly comprising: a conspicuity plate having a mounting surface of a length
and
height sufficient to mount a conspicuity reflector thereon, and a fastener
mounted to
the conspicuity plate and adapted to mount the conspicuity plate to the
mounting post
for adjustment about the longitudinal axis of the mounting plate to adjustably
position
the mounting surface of the conspicuity plate perpendicular to a road surface
when the
fender is mounted to the vehicle frame.
The invention also provides a conspicuity plate assembly for mounting a
conspicuity reflector on a truck fender having a generally arcuate shape about
a fender
axis and a relatively uniform width, the fender having an outer surface and
being
mounted at the outer surface to an elongated post, the post being parallel to
the fender
axis and spanning a substantial portion of the width of the fender and adapted
to mount
the fender to a vehicle frame; the conspicuity plate assembly comprising: a
conspicuity plate having: a front panel forming a mounting surface of a length
and
height sufficient to mount a conspicuity reflector thereon, and at least one
mounting
flange extending rearwardly of the front panel, the at least one mounting
flange bent
into a configuration generally conforming to an outer surface of the elongated
post, the
at least one mounting flange has an opening; and a fastener passing through
the opening
of the at least one mounting flange and adapted to secure the at least one
mounting
flange of the conspicuity plate to the mounting post and further adapted to
position the
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mounting surface of the conspicuity plate perpendicular to a road surface when
the
fender is mounted to the vehicle frame.
The invention further provides a conspicuity plate assembly for mounting a
conspicuity reflector on a truck fender having a generally arcuate shape about
a fender
axis and a relatively uniform width, the fender having an outer surface and
being
mounted at the outer surface to an elongated post, the post being parallel to
the fender
axis and spanning a substantial portion of the width of the fender and adapted
to mount
the fender to a vehicle frame; the conspicuity plate assembly comprising: a
conspicuity plate having: a front panel forming a mounting surface of a length
and
height sufficient to mount a conspicuity reflector thereon, and at least one
mounting
flange extending rearwardly of the front panel and spaced rearwardly from the
front
panel, the at least one mounting flange bent into a configuration generally
conforming
to an outer surface of the elongated post; and a fastener mounted to the
conspicuity
plate and adapted to secure the at least one mounting flange of the
conspicuity plate to
the mounting post and further adapted to position the mounting surface of the
conspicuity plate perpendicular to a road surface when the fender is mounted
to the
vehicle frame.
The conspicuity plate assembly comprises a conspicuity plate having a
mounting surface of a length and height sufficient to mount a conspicuity
reflector
thereon, and a fastener adapted to mount the conspicuity plate to the mounting
post.
The conspicuity plate and fastener are further adapted to position the
mounting surface
of the conspicuity plate perpendicular to a road surface when the fender is
mounted to
the vehicle frame.
In a preferred embodiment, the conspicuity plate further comprises at least
one
mounting flange that cooperates with the fastener to secure the plate to the
mounting
post. The at least one mounting flange extends from a rear surface of the
plate and has
an aperture therethrough. The mounting flange is shaped to conform to an outer
surface of the mounting post and be secured to the mounting post by the
fastener, which
encircles the post and flange, passing through the opening in the flange.
In a further embodiment, the plate comprises multiple flanges, the flanges
extending rearwardly from the mounting surface and being integrally formed
with the
plate. The flanges can be spaced rearwardly from the plate.
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Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the
ensuing description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are perspective views of three fender and conspicuity plate
assemblies according to the invention;
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the conspicuity plate according to the
invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the conspicuity plate of FIGS. 4 and 5;
FIG. 7 is a rear view of the conspicuity plate of FIGS. 4-6;
FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the conspicuity plate of FIGS. 4-7
attached to a fender and mounting post mounted to a vehicle frame;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 9-9 of FIG. 8; and
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FIG. 10 is a rear view of a semi-tractor with conspicuity plates of FIGS. 4-7
mounted to a rear fender thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown generally in FIGS. 1-3, a conspicuity plate 10 is mounted to a
fenders 50, 52, 54, the fenders 50, 52, 54 typically include a curved leading
portion
56, a horizontal portion 58, and a curved trailing portion 60. The fenders 50,
52, 54
are mounted to the vehicle frame 80 adjacent the tires 26 (see FIGS. 8 and 10)
in a
standard fashion. A mud flap 28 (See FIG. 10) can be mounted at the terminal
edge of
the trailing portion 60 of the fenders 50, 52, 54 to the rear of the tires.
Further, a spray
suppressant apparatus can be selectively mounted to the fenders 50, 52, 54.
The
fenders 50, 52, 54 are described for use with a semi-tractor 24, although it
should be
understood that the conspicuity plate 10 according to the invention can be
employed
on any vehicle with ground-engaging tires including semi-trailers, and trucks.
Each fender 50, 52, 54 includes a mounting bracket 62, shown best in FIG. 2,
for receiving the mounting post 70 and thereby securing the fender 50, 52, 54
to the
semi-tractor. It is preferred that a pair of mounting brackets 62, in spaced-
apart
relationship, define an opening for receiving the mounting post 70. When the
post 70
is within the opening of the mounting brackets 62, a locking mechanism (not
shown)
retains the post 70 within the bracket 62, preferably by means of a threaded
screw
through the mounting bracket 62 into the mounting post 70 or by a compression
clamp
mounted to and circumscribing the mounting post 70 and through the mounting
bracket 62, such as that shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,740,003 to Antekeier.
- T-he conventional connection of the fenders 50, 52,
54 to the mounting post 70 provides a rigid connection of the fenders 50, 52,
54 to the
semi-tractor. To provide a reflective surface for safety, and to comply with
rules
enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation for all semi-tractors built
after July
1, 1997, it is necessary to provide a vertical surface for mounting a
reflective material.
Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, the conspicuity plate 10 includes a front panel 12
for mounting a conspicuity reflector 20, the front panel 12 having a rear
surface 14
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from which extend mounting flanges 30. Fasteners 40 cooperate with the flanges
30
to mount the conspicuity plate 10 to the mounting post 70.
The flanges 30 of the conspicuity plate 10 are shown best in FIGS. 5-7 and are
preferably formed integrally with the plate 10. The flanges 30 includes an
outwardly-
arching extension 32 having an opening 34 formed in generally vertically-
extending
portion 36. While the conspicuity plate 10 is shown preferably with four
flanges 30, it
is contemplated that as few as two and as many as ten extensions can be used,
depending on the length of the mounting post 70 and the width of the fenders
50, 52,
54. Further, while the outwardly-arching extension 32 is shown to comprise a
series
of planar surfaces set at angles to each other to form an arch or concave
surface, a
similar structure can be reached by forming an arcuate extension from the rear
surface
14 of the plate 10.
Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, with the conspicuity plate 10 installed on the
mounting post 70, the concave surface of the extension 32 abuts the mounting
post 70,
which at least partially supports the conspicuity plate 10. The fastener 40,
shown as a
worm-drive clamp, secures the conspicuity plate 10 to the mounting post 70.
More
preferably, fastener 40 is a swivel lock run drive clamp as manufactured by
Ideal-Stant
under the trade mark SNAPLOCK.
The fastener 40 circumscribes the mounting post 70 and extends through the
opening 34 in the extension 32 of flange 30. When the ends of the fastener 40
are
secured together and tightened, the conspicuity plate 10 is secured to the
mounting
post 70 with the flange 30 encompassed by fastener 40. The fastener 40 is
tightened
by driving the included screw 42, thereby reducing the diameter of the
fastener 40, to
hold the flange 30 into tight abutment against the mounting post 70. Until the
fastener
40 is fully tightened and the conspicuity plate 10 is secured tightly to the
mounting
post 70, the angle of the front panel 12 relative to horizontal can be
adjusted so that
the front panel 12 can be made generally perpendicular to the road surface
supporting
the semi-tractor, whereby the effective cross-sectional area of reflective
material is
maximized.
The conspicuity reflector 20 is preferably reflective tape applied to the
front
panel 12. Such reflective tape can be purchased from suppliers such as 3M, for
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example, under the trademarks SCOTCHCALTM or SCOTCHLITETM. Any suitable
conspicuity reflector 20 can be mounted to the front panel 12, preferably by a
pressure-sensitive adhesive.
Referring to FIGS. 8-10, the fender 50 is rigidly secured to a frame 80 of a
semi-tractor 24 or other similar vehicle through a mounting post 70.
Customarily, the
frame 80 is a substantially C-shaped member in cross section, and constitutes
that
portion of the semi-tractor chassis positioned at a point slightly inward of a
set of
wheels mounted to the semi-tractor. Further, as is customary, the mounting
post 70
needed to mount the fender 50 to the frame 80 is positioned transversely to
the
longitudinal axis of the frame 80 and is rigidly secured to the frame 80. In
the
illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the post 70 is secured to the frame
80 by a
post mounting bolt 72, however the conspicuity plate 10 according to the
invention
can mount on a mounting post secured to the vehicle frame 80 by any one of a
variety
of fasteners. For example, as shown in U.S. patent to Lockwood et al.,
4,377,294,
issued March 22, 1983, a mounting rod is shown as
a cylindrical tube having welded within the inner end thereof a mounting
socket in the
tube. The mounting rod is secured to the frame by a bolt extending through a
hole in
the frame and set into tight threaded engagement with the nut. Alternatively,
it is
contemplated that the mounting rod can be of the type disclosed in U.S. patent
to Lea,
3,922,003, issued November 25, 1975. The Lea
patent shows a mounting rod as an elongated solid bar matingly engaging and
rigidly
secured to a top horizontal portion of the frame by a plurality of U-bolts.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be
understood that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may
be made
by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.
Reasonable
variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing
disclosure
without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the
appended
claims.
