US 12,246,775 B2
Mud flap system with universal adapter
Christopher Pimlott, Bradenton, FL (US); and Philip Lambert, Bradenton, FL (US)
Filed by Bulletproof Hitches LLC, Bradenton, FL (US)
Filed on Mar. 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/188,653.
Prior Publication US 2024/0409162 A1, Dec. 12, 2024
Int. Cl. B62D 25/16 (2006.01); B62D 25/18 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 25/166 (2013.01) [B62D 25/182 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device to affix mud flaps to a rear of a vehicle, the device comprising:
a bracket with one or more replaceable inserts;
the bracket including a central recess;
the central recess to interface with a ball mount, the ball mount interfacing with a receiver of a tow vehicle;
the one or more replaceable inserts fitting within the central recess;
each replaceable insert of the one or more replaceable inserts decreasing a size of the central recess in the bracket;
a vertical clamping fastener;
the vertical clamping fastener passing from an outside of the bracket to the central recess for compression against the ball mount;
the vertical clamping fastener passing through a hole in the one or more replaceable inserts;
a tab recess adjacent to the central recess of the bracket;
each of the one or more replaceable inserts including a protruding tab;
the protruding tab interfacing with the tab recess when the one or more replaceable inserts is installed within the central recess;
whereby interaction of the tab recess and the protruding tab ensures alignment of the one or more replaceable inserts with the bracket and prevents over insertion of the one or more replaceable inserts; and
whereby the one or more replaceable inserts can be removed or swapped to best fit the ball mount.