Flexible mud flap hanger-bracket

Abstract

Mud flap hanger is disclosed which includes a post member that is configured to allow attachment of the hanger to a vehicle and a hanger arm extending from the post member having a flexible core of a composite material, for example, a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) and that is clad with a substantially inelastic polymer. Preferably, the hanger arm is folined with a cross-section shape of a polygon so that clips for hanging the mud flap from the arm may be conformed to that polygonal shape.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A mud flap hanger comprising:
 an elongated hanger arm comprising:
 an elongated, flexible core formed from a fiber-reinforced polymer material; 
 a polymer cladding encasing said elongated core, said cladding being substantially inelastic relative to said elongated core; 
 wherein said hanger arm is configured with a generally polygonally-shaped cross-section; 
 a first section and a second section adjustably coupled to said first section such that said second section may be selectively coupled at an angle with respect to said first section; 
   a plurality of clips for suspending a mud flap from said hanger arm, said clips shaped to conform to said polygonally-shaped cross-section; and   a post member connected at one end to one end of said hanger arm for attaching said mud flap hanger to a vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The mud flap hanger of  claim 1 , wherein said post member is configured to be vertically inserted into a mounting bracket affixed to a vehicle chassis, said post member further comprising:
 a lower end extending below the bottom of the mounting bracket;   retention means for engaging the bottom of the mounting bracket and retaining said post member within the mounting bracket where said retention means is one of a cotter pin, a spring latch extending from said lower end, and a removable clip.   
     
     
         3 . The mud flap hanger of  claim 1 , wherein said polygonally-shaped cross-section is a generally diamond-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         4 . The mud flap hanger of  claim 1 , further comprising said polymer cladding also encases said post member. 
     
     
         5 . The mud flap hanger of  claim 1 , wherein said post member lower end includes a lower flange and wherein said removable clip comprises a removable expanding clip configured to be installed on said post lower end between said lower flange and the bottom of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         6 . The mud flap of  claim 5 , wherein said lower end of said post member includes a downward protrusion and wherein said removable expanding clip includes an aperture for receiving said downward protrusion in order to prevent said clip from disengaging from said lower end. 
     
     
         7 . The mud flap hanger of  claim 6 , wherein said post member lower end includes a lower flange and wherein said removable clip comprises a removable expanding clip configured to be installed on said post lower end between said lower flange and the bottom of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         8 . The mud flap hanger of  claim 7 , wherein said lower end of said post member includes a downward protrusion and wherein said removable expanding clip includes an aperture for receiving said downward protrusion in order to prevent said clip from disengaging from said lower end. 
     
     
         9 . The mud flap hanger of  claim 1 , further comprising a stiff polymer cladding encasing said post member. 
     
     
         10 . The mud flap hanger of  claim 1 , wherein said second section extends from said first section at an obtuse angle when said second section is selectively coupled at an angle with respect to said first section. 
     
     
         11 . The mud flap hanger of  claim 1 , wherein said post member lower end includes a lower flange and wherein said removable clip comprises a removable expanding clip configured to be installed on said post lower end between said lower flange and the bottom of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         12 . The mud flap hanger of  claim 11 , wherein said lower end of said post member includes a downward protrusion and wherein said removable expanding clip includes an aperture for receiving said downward protrusion in order to prevent said clip from disengaging from said lower end. 
     
     
         13 . The mud flap hanger of  claim 1 , wherein said post member includes a bore for receiving a fastener by which said mud flap hanger is attached to the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The mud flap hanger of  claim 13 , wherein said hanger arm further comprises a first section and a second section, and wherein said second section extends from said first section at an obtuse angle when said second section is selectively coupled at an angle with respect to said first section. 
     
     
         15 . A vehicle having chassis-mounted mud flaps, said vehicle comprising:
 a mounting bracket affixed to said vehicle's chassis, said bracket defining a channel having first and second open ends, said open ends being defined by respective perimeter ledges;   a mud flap hanger comprising:
 a post member configured to be inserted into said channel through said first open end; 
 a hanger arm extending laterally from one end of said post member and comprising a substantially inelastic polymer outer molding encasing a flexible rod and first and second sections adjustably coupled at adjacent respective ends to allow selective angular positioning of second section relative to said first section; 
 a plurality of clips for suspending a mud flap from said hanger arm, said clips shaped to conform to the cross-section shape of said hanger arm. 
   
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein said post member further comprises:
 a second post member end that extends through said second open end, said second post member end configured with a flange; and   a removable clip configured to be installed on said post end in the space between said flange and said ledge of said second open end for preventing said post member disengagement from said mounting bracket.   
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 16 , wherein said second end of said post member also includes a protrusion, and wherein said removable spacer clip includes an aperture for receiving said downward protrusion to prevent said clip from disengaging the second end.