FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
SPLASH GUARD CAPABLE OF DISCHARGING THE STATIC
CURRENT IN THE VEHICLE
APPLICANT
CEAT LIMITED
of RPG HOUSE, 463, Dr. Annie Besant Road,
Worli, Mumbai 400 030, India
Nationality: Indian
INVENTORS
SHABEER ALI and SREEJESH A
Both are Indian National
Of Ceat Limited
of RPG HOUSE, 463, Dr. Annie Besant Road,
Worli, Mumbai 400 030, India
Nationality: Indian
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the process of producing the vehicle mud guard/Mud flap/splash guard with inbuilt conductive materials capable of discharging the static current in the vehicle. These mud splash guards will perform better than the conventional Splash Guard.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Splash guard or mud guard is the part which protects the vehicle, other vehicles, Pedestrians & other objects on the road, from the flying debris due to the rotation of the tyre. A proper mud flap also accounts for the safety & security of the people & their assets in the road.
[0003] In case of cars, Splash Guards are currently made of moulded plastic, after market rubber Splash Guard are also used. The moulded plastic Splash Guard are prone to break. It is the least ground clearance part in any car & it will break once the vehicle hit the pothole or passing through a big speed breaker. Some of the plastic Splash Guard also interferes in the turning radius of the vehicle due to its rigid nature. Shorter Splash Guard does not provide the adequate cleaning of the vehicle body. Aftermarket rubbers Splash Guards are wavy in nature & breaks easily.
[0004] In case of trucks, Splash Guards are the part of body covers the tyre. The function of the Splash Guard in truck includes self-cleaning of the truck body, avoid damaging the under body parts of the truck from flying debris, Avoid water splash to the trailing vehicles specially in rainy seasons & to provide an aesthetical looks. The materials used for the purpose includes metal sheets, Rubber sheets, Plastic sheets & cloths. The metal Splash Guard restricts the ground clearance of the truck due to its high stiffness. These metal sheets are also prone to break while passing through a pothole or large speed breakers. The welding mechanism used for attaching Splash Guard to vehicle fender makes it impossible to install & dismantle in case of maintenance or repairing works.

Metal Splash Guard also restricts the accessibility to the under body parts for repairing & maintenance purposes.
[0005] Splash Guard made of rubber sheets are having low stiffness will move along with the wind in higher speeds. These thin rubber /plastic sheets will easily tear apart endangering the trailing vehicles. Bushy plastic sheets are used to restrict the motion of Splash Guard but it accumulates the mud. The weight of flaps will considerably increase due to accumulation of mud which will cause the breaking of the vehicle fender. Self-cleaning of the plastic Splash Guard is also difficult.
[0006] When a vehicle is in motion, the friction of air molecules against the body of the vehicle creates a build-up of static electricity. The vehicle can easily accumulate an electric charge equivalent to several thousand Volts responsible for the painful electrostatic discharge when exiting the vehicle to ground. Currently static current release is done by the metal chains & metal straps. This not only increases the weight of the vehicles but increases the no. of moving parts considerably (e.g.: Metal chains contain a huge no. of moving parts). Eliminating such metal chains & metal strips will decrease the Noise-Vibration-Harshness (NVH) aspects of the vehicle.
[0007] The assembly of a conventional splash guard in a vehicle is as shown in figure 1. It shows a tyre (1) covered by Vehicle fendor (2) and a Rubber splash guard (3). The said splash guard (3) is attached with vehicle fendor with the help of nut & screw mechanism (4).
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The main object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle mud guard/Mud flap/splash guard.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a Splash Guard which can be easily removed for getting accessibility to under body parts.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle mud guard/Mud flap/splash guard from the tyre scrap with inbuilt conductive materials capable of discharging the static current in the vehicle.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle mud guard/Mud flap/splash guard which will perform better than the conventional splash guard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In accordance to this invention the figures are described as follows:
[0012] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a conventional splash guard.
[0013] Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a splash guard assembly with metal reinforcement.
[0014] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the Bottom view of metal reinforced splash guard
[0015] Figure 4 shows a isometric view of the removable mechanism with the splash guard.
[0016] Figure 5 shows a sectional isometric view of the assembly of the removable mechanism with the splash guard.
[0017] Figure 6 shows a vehicle with metal reinforced splash guard.

[0018] Figure 7 shows a vehicle with metal reinforced splash guard passing through a speed breaker & discharging the static electricity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] For the purposes of the following detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of ingredients used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". It is noted that, unless otherwise stated, all percentages given in this specification and appended claims refer to percentages by weight of the total composition and the recitation of all numerical ranges by endpoints is meant to include the endpoints of the range, all numbers subsumed within the range and any range within the stated range.
[0020] In describing and claiming the invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forth below. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any sensing device, methods, system and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred sensing device, methods, system and materials are described herein. As used herein, each of the following terms has the meaning associated with it in this section. Specific and preferred values listed below for individual components, substituents, and ranges are for illustration only; they do not exclude other defined values or other values within defined ranges for the components and substituents.
[0021] The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances.

Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention. As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e. to mean including but not limited to.
[0022] Thus, before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularly exemplified systems or process parameters that may of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.
[0023] The following definitions are used in connection with the present application unless the context indicates otherwise. As used herein,
[0024] The term “Splash Guard” refers to a device attached to the automobile to protect the vehicle, passengers, other vehicles, and pedestrians from mud and other flying debris thrown into the air by the rotating tire
[0025] The term “Vehicle fendor” refers to a part of an automobile body that frames a wheel well.
[0026] The term “Rubber splash guard” refers to a Splash guard which made of rubber.
[0027] The term “metal reinforcements” refers to a metal bar or mesh
of metal wires used as a tension device in a medium to strengthen and hold the
medium.

[0028] The term “metal rivet” refers to a metal pin for passing through holes in two or more plates or pieces to hold them together
[0029] This invention discloses the vehicle mud guard/Mud flap for the vehicle. These mud splash guards will perform better than the conventional Splash Guard.
[0030] The present invention discloses a splash guard capable of discharging the static current in the vehicle comprising at least one splash guard (6) attached to vehicle fender by fastening means (7) configured for conducting and grounding the static current of the vehicle; at least one removable mechanism configured to attach said splash guard (6) to the vehicle fender. The splash guard (6) is a rubber splash guard with metal reinforcement (5) inserted in the rubber layer configured for discharging and grounding of the static current accumulated in a vehicle. The splash guard (6) is attached with vehicle fender with the help of removable fastening means (7). The removable fastening means (7) are metal rivets, clamps, nut and bolts, pins, dowels, etc. The removable mechanism has a male part (8) and female part (10) configured to attach the splash guard (6) to the vehicle fender wherein the screw in the male part (8) can be rotated to 90 º for easy removal of the splash guard (6) for cleaning the flaps and providing accessibility to vehicle under body parts. The male part (8) is configured to conduct static electricity accumulated in the vehicle through the corresponding hole provided in the vehicle fender (2) to the metal screw (9) of said male part (8) to the metal reinforced splash guard (6) for grounding on vehicle passage over a speed breaker or through potholes by establishing contact of said splash guard (6) with road. The splash guards (6) are configured to eliminate the use of chains and metal strips to discharge the static electricity thereby reducing overall weight of the vehicle to improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. The splash guards (6) are configured to reduce the vibration due to the moving metal parts and to improve the Noise-Vibration-Harshness (NVH) properties of the vehicle.

[0031] The assembly of a splash guard in a vehicle as per this invention is as shown in figure 2. It shows a tyre (1) covered by Vehicle fender (2) and a metal reinforced rubber splash guard (6). The said metal reinforcement (5) is shown in figure (2). The said splash guard (6) is attached with vehicle fender with the help of removable fastening mechanism (7).The metal reinforced (Steel coated with rubber) Splash guards can help in the discharging of the static current accumulated in a vehicle as shown in the figure 2. This splash guard will act as the grounding line for the vehicle. One end of the Splash guard will be attached to the Vehicle body with a removable fastening mechanism (7) like metal rivets, clamps, nut and bolts, pins, dowels, etc. as shown in the fig 4. This will extend the circuit from the vehicle body to splash guard (6) and further will be grounded with the help of the metal reinforcements (5) of said splash guard (6). The other end of the metal reinforcement in the flap will be exposed occasionally to the ground (e.g.: While passing through speed breakers) which will discharge the current to the ground as shown in the fig.7.
[0032] Figure 3 shows the bottom view of the Splash guard (6) will be having the metal reinforcement (5) inserted in the rubber layer. These reinforcements will transfer the static electricity from the vehicle to ground
[0033] The installation mechanism includes conventional rubber inserts & an innovative removable mechanism as shown in the fig 4. The removable mechanism uses a male & female part to attach the Splash Guard to the vehicle fender as shown in the fig. 4. The screw in the male part can be rotated to 90 º for easy removal. This will help in cleaning the flaps when required. Accessibility to under body parts can be attained by easy removal of Splash Guard.
[0034] Figure 5 shows the final assembly of the removable splash guard assembly comprising of a Male part (8) and a female part (10). Male part (8) will pass first through the hole in the vehicle fender (2) then through the Metal reinforced Splash guard (6) & then through the hole in the female part (10). Static electricity

accumulated in the vehicle will reach the metal fender of the vehicle which will be routed to the metal cords in the Splash guard via the metal screw (9) in the male part(10). This will extend the circuit till the bottom tip of the Splash guard which is nearest to the ground.
[0035] Referring to figures 6 and 7 the static electricity will be accumulated in the vehicle while moving. When the vehicle pass through a speed breaker or potholes as shown in the fig.7, The reinforced splash guard will touch the ground & discharge the current.
[0036] The metal reinforced Splash guards will eliminate the use of chains & metal strips to discharge the static electricity. This will help in reducing overall weight of the vehicle which will improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
[0037] As the metal is covered in rubber the vibration due to the moving metal parts will be minimised. This will improve the Noise-Vibration-Harshness (NVH) aspects of the vehicle.
[0038] Part List:

Part No. Part Description
1 Tyre of the vehicle
2 Vehicle fendor
3 Rubber splash guard
4 Nut & screw mechanism
5 Metal Reinforcement
6 Metal reinforced Splash Guard
7 Removable fastening mechanism
8 Male part
9 Screw (Male part)
10 Female part
11 Hole (Female part)

[0039] A person skilled in the art will be able to practice the present invention in view of the description presented in this document, which is to be taken as a whole. Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, one of skill in the art will appreciate that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
[0040] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

We Claim:
1. Splash guard capable of discharging the static current in the vehicle
comprising
at least one splash guard (6) attached to vehicle fender by fastening means (7) configured for conducting and grounding the static current of the vehicle;
at least one removable mechanism configured to attach said splash guard (6) to the vehicle fender.
2. The splash guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein said splash guard (6) is a rubber splash guard with metal reinforcement (5) inserted in the rubber layer configured for discharging and grounding of the static current accumulated in a vehicle.
3. The splash guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein said splash guard (6) is attached with vehicle fender with the help of removable fastening means (7).
4. The splash guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein said removable fastening means (7) are metal rivets, clamps, nut and bolts, pins, dowels, etc.
5. The splash guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein said removable mechanism has a male part (8) and female part (10) configured to attach the splash guard (6) to the vehicle fender wherein the screw in the male part (8) can be rotated to 90 º for easy removal of the splash guard (6) for cleaning the flaps and providing accessibility to vehicle under body parts.
6. The splash guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein said male part (8) is configured to conduct static electricity accumulated in the vehicle through the corresponding hole provided in the vehicle fender (2) to the metal screw (9)

of said male part (8) to the metal reinforced splash guard (6) for grounding on vehicle passage over a speed breaker or through potholes by establishing contact of said splash guard (6) with road.
7. The splash guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein said splash guards (6) are configured to eliminate the use of chains and metal strips to discharge the static electricity thereby reducing overall weight of the vehicle to improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
8. The splash guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein said splash guards (6) are configured to reduce the vibration due to the moving metal parts and to improve the Noise-Vibration-Harshness (NVH) properties of the vehicle.