| 摘要 |
A mud flap system and method for attaching mud flaps to vehicles are provided. The mud flap system is arranged and configured for attachment to a receiver hitch mounted on a vehicle. The receiver hitch includes a transverse bar which includes a tubular wall. The mud flap system includes (a) a mud flap, (b) an integral (i.e., one-piece) beam having a first portion attached to the mud flap and a second portion fastenable to the transverse bar, and (c) a retaining device mounted on the beam and configured to fasten the second portion of the beam to the transverse bar without penetrating any portion of the tubular wall. The mud flap system maybe adapted for use with a transverse bar that has a protuberance, such as a flange, thereon. The second portion of the beam is adapted to be inserted into the opening in the ends of the transverse bar. The retaining device includes an integral retaining block that can be fastened to the beam. The retaining block also has a groove that engages the protuberance on the tubular bar when the retaining block is fastened to the beam. The retaining device of the mud flap system above may also include a U-bolt fed through two holes in a brace. The U-bolt and the brace form a loop of a sufficient size to encompass the end of the transverse bar. When the U-bolt is tightened sufficiently, then the beam is secured to the transverse bar. In cases where the beam is designed to be inserted into the opening formed in the end of the transverse bar, spacers such as bolts may be attached to the inserted portion of the beam to ensure a snug fit of the beam inside the transverse bar.
|
