SPRAY PREVENTION DEVICE
First Claim
1. A device for preventing spray from emerging from a wheel of a vehicle, the device comprising a planar linearly and vertically extending panel mounted vertically behind a vehicle wheel and spaced therefrom for receiving on a first side water released by the wheel as it rotates, the panel including at least one passage which leads from the first side to a rear second side of the panel, the at least one passage being other than normal to the plane of the panel, and at least one vertically extending water-collecting pocket along a side of the at least one passage, wherein, in use, air and water entering the at least one passage are separated so that air passes through the at least one passage and mixes with ambient air on a second side of the panel, and water collects in the at least one water-collecting pocket.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for preventing spray from emerging from the wheels of vehicles comprises a panel (4) that is adapted to be mounted substantially vertically behind a vehicle wheel (3) for receiving on a first side water released by the wheel (3) as it rotates. The panel (4) includes at least one passage (6) which leads from the first side to a rear second side of the panel (4). The or each passage (6) is other than normal to the plane of the panel (4). There is at least one water-collecting pocket (7A, 7B, 7C) along the side of the or each passage (6). In use, air and water enter the or each passage (6) and are separated so that air passes through the or each passage (6) and mixes with ambient air and water collects in the at least one water-collecting pocket (7A, 7B, 7C).
30 Citations
25 Claims
- 1. A device for preventing spray from emerging from a wheel of a vehicle, the device comprising a planar linearly and vertically extending panel mounted vertically behind a vehicle wheel and spaced therefrom for receiving on a first side water released by the wheel as it rotates, the panel including at least one passage which leads from the first side to a rear second side of the panel, the at least one passage being other than normal to the plane of the panel, and at least one vertically extending water-collecting pocket along a side of the at least one passage, wherein, in use, air and water entering the at least one passage are separated so that air passes through the at least one passage and mixes with ambient air on a second side of the panel, and water collects in the at least one water-collecting pocket.
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12. A method for preventing spray from emerging from a wheel of a vehicle, the methods, comprising:
providing a linear and vertically extending planar panel for receiving on a first side water released by the wheel as it rotates, the panel including at least one vertically extending passage which leads from the first side to a rear second side of the panel, the at least one passage being other than normal to the plane of the panel, and at least one water-collecting pocket along a side of the at least one passage, wherein, in use, air and water entering the at least one passage are separated so that air passes through the at least one passage and mixes with ambient air on a second side of the panel, and water collects in the at least one water-collecting pocket; and
mounting the planar panel substantially vertically behind a vehicle wheel and spaced therefrom.
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13. A device for preventing spray from emerging from a wheel of a vehicle, said vehicle having a wheel arch extending over said wheel, the device comprising a planar linearly and vertically extending panel vertically behind and spaced from a vehicle wheel and below said wheel arch for receiving on a first side water released by the wheel as it rotates, the panel including at least one passage which leads from the first side to a rear second side of the panel, the at least one passage being other than normal to the plane of the panel, and at least one vertically extending water-collecting pocket along a side of the at least one passage, wherein, in use, air and water entering the at least one passage are separated so that air passes through the at least one passage and mixes with ambient air on a second side of the panel, and water collects in the at least one water-collecting pocket.
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14. A method for preventing spray from emerging from a wheel of a vehicle, said vehicle having a wheel arch extending over said wheel, the method comprising:
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providing a linear and vertically extending planar panel for receiving on a first side water released by the wheel as it rotates, the panel including at least one vertically extending passage which leads form the first side to a rear second side of the panel, the at least one passage being other than normal to the plane of the panel, and at least one water-collecting pocket along a side of the at least one passage, wherein, in use, air and water entering the at least one passage are separated so that air passes through the at least one passage and mixes with ambient air on a second side of the panel, and water collects in the at least one water-collecting pocket; and mounting the planar panel vertically behind and spaced from a vehicle wheel and below said wheel arch.
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Specification