Vehicle air deflector

• US 4,033,245 A
• Filed: 04/02/1976
• Issued: 07/05/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jeep Eagle Corp. (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Jeep Eagle Corp. (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: DeRees, Delbert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yuen, Henry C.
• Application Number:
  US05/672,948
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 98/2, 98/2.11, 98/2.12, 98/2.13, 98/2.19, 98/2.16, 296/84 B, 296/91
• US Class Current: 454/135
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/20 Accessories, e.g. wind deflectors, blinds antiglare provisions B60J3/00; wind deflectors associated with roof openings B60J7/22; removable external protective coverings for windows or windscreens B60J11/08 ; aerodynamical spoiler for vehicles B62D35/00; heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B3/84

Abstract

A vehicle air deflector of the disclosure includes an air scoop mounted by an adjustable connection on a support portion of a support member that also has a mounting portion which is positioned between an associated vehicle side door and a detachable exterior rear view mirror support of the door. The adjustable connection for mounting the air scoop is preferably of the ball and socket type so as to permit adjustment of the horizontal and vertical directions of air deflection independently of each other. As disclosed, the rear view mirror and air deflector are located adjacent a front inclined edge of the side door window. The air scoop of the deflector has a curved shape and is positionable in a streamlined position so as to be concave in a downwardly and inwardly facing direction. In this streamlined position, a curved forward and upper edge and a curved rear edge cooperate to give the air scoop a swept-back shape. A straight lower edge of the air scoop is supported by an integral elongated bracket of a first ball socket portion that is cooperable with a second ball socket portion to receive a ball on the support portion of the support member. The mounting portion of the support member has a plate-like construction and defines an opening that receives rear view mirror remote controls upon being positioned between the door and the rear view mirror support. At least one hole in the mounting portion on one side of the opening and an elongated slot on the other side thereof receive securement screws of the rear view mirror support during mounting of the air deflector. The opening for the mirror controls opens in a downward direction below an upwardly extending projection that also defines a hole for receiving an additional securement screw.

Claims

1. A vehicle air deflector for use with a vehicle side door including a vertically movable window, a rear view mirror, and a detachable mirror support for mounting the mirror on the exterior of the door adjacent the front extremity of the window, the air deflector comprising:

an air scoop;

a support member having a support portion that supports the air scoop and a plate-like mounting portion having inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces;

said inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces of the mounting portion on the support member being respectively engaged with the door and the detachable mirror support during mounting so as to be maintained in position on the door;

the plate-like mounting portion of the support member having an opening for receiving rear view mirror remote controls;

securement screw apertures in the mounting portion of the support member on opposite sides of the opening therein; and

an adjustable connection that mounts the air scoop on the support portion of the support member.

2. An air deflector as in claim 1 wherein the adjustable connection comprises a ball and socket connection that enables the air scoop to be positioned on the support member so as to permit adjustment of the horizontal and vertical directions of air deflection independently of each other.

3. An air deflector as in claim 2 wherein the air scoop has a curved shape and is positioned in a streamlined position so as to be concave in an inwardly and downwardly facing direction with respect to the associated vehicle, the scoop having a straight lower edge as well as a curved forward and upper edge and a curved rear edge that cooperate to give the scoop a swept-back shape in the streamlined position.

4. An air deflector as in claim 3 wherein the curved forward and upper edge and the curved rear edge have a junction with each other that is located rearward of the ball and socket connection in the streamlined position of the air scoop.

5. An air deflector as in claim 4 wherein the ball and socket connection includes a first ball socket portion having an integral elongated bracket for receiving and securing the lower edge of the air scoop, a second ball socket portion, and a ball on the support member, said first and second ball socket portions being cooperable with each other to receive the ball and adjustably position the air scoop.

6. A vehicle air deflector for use with a vehicle side door including a vertically movable window, a rear view mirror, and a detachable mirror support for mounting the mirror on the exterior of the door adjacent the front extremity of the window, the air deflector comprising:

an air scoop;

a support member having a support portion that supports the air scoop and a plate-like mounting portion that is positioned between and engaged with the door and the detachable mirror support during mounting so as to be maintained in position on the door;

the plate-like mounting portion defining at least one hole for receiving one securement screw of the rear view mirror support and also defining an elongated slot for receiving another securement screw of the rear view mirror support; and

an adjustable ball and socket connection that mounts the air scoop on the support portion of the support member for horizontal and vertical adjustment of the directions of air deflection.

7. An air deflector as in claim 6 wherein the plate-like mounting portion defines an opening between the hole and the slot thereof, said opening being oriented to open in a vertical direction for receiving rear view mirror remote controls when the mounting portion is positioned between the door and the rear view mirror support.

8. An air deflector as in claim 7 wherein the plate-like mounting portion includes an upwardly extending projection having a hole for a securement screw, and the opening of the mounting portion being oriented to open in a downward direction below the upwardly extending projection.

9. A vehicle air deflector for use with a vehicle side door including a vertically movable window having a rearwardly inclined front edge, a rear view mirror, and a detachable mirror support for mounting the mirror on the exterior of the door adjacent the inclined front edge of the window, the air deflector comprising:

an air scoop having a curved configuration and including a straight lower edge as well as a curved forward and upper edge and a curved rear edge that cooperate to give the scoop a swept-back shape in a streamlined position thereof;

a support member including a support portion for supporting the scoop and a plate-like mounting portion that is positioned between and engaged with the door and the detachable mirror support during mounting so as to be maintained in position on the door;

said plate-like mounting portion having an opening for receiving rear view mirror remote controls upon being positioned between the door and the rear view mirror support; and

an adjustable ball and socket connection that mounts the air scoop on the support portion of the support member in an adjustable manner to permit adjustment of the horizontal and vertical directions of air deflection independently of each other.