A splash guard

Abstract

A splash guard 10 for use on the wheels of a quadracycle, comprising an upper rigid portion 20 and a lower resilient portion 40; the upper rigid portion 20 comprising a back portion 22 and a fender po

Description

Field The present invention relates to weather protection for a quadracycle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a splash guard for the front wheels of a quadracycle. Background To address environmental concerns over air-pollution and greenhouse gas emissions there is a demand for alternatives to conventional motorised combustion vehicles which can meet the needs of the supply chain. In urban centres in particular, cargo delivery needs are increasingly met by human powered cycles, with or without electrical assistance to augment the pedal power of the rider. The addition of electrical power increases the range and speed of such cycles whilst retaining their benefits; namely their lack of contribution to air pollution and potential to ease traffic congestion due to their small size relative to other road vehicles. The cargo capacity of a conventional electrically assisted bicycle, or e-bike, is limited however, due to the bicycle’s decreased handleability at higher loads. Quadracycles and electrically assisted quadracycles provide a solution to this problem, the stability provided by their four-wheel configuration allowing higher cargo loads to be carried safely. Quadracycles can also be referred to as quadricycles. In a typical vehicle of this type, such as the ones disclosed in GB2584919B and EP3380393B1, the rider is positioned at the front of the vehicle between the two front wheels and cargo is loaded behind the rider between the two rear wheels. The present invention relates to a splash guard adapted for use on the front wheels of such a vehicle. In wet conditions a moving wheel causes spray tangential to the direction of its rotation, whilst contact with surface water on the ground projects splash laterally, away from the wheel and against the direction of travel. Spray generally results in finer airborne droplets than a splash, which is analogous to a wave. Conventional mudguards such as those used on bicycles aim to prevent tangential spray from wetting the rider, who is seated above both wheels. Similarly, in motorised quadbikes and other vehicles the rider is protected from spray by mudguards incorporated into the body of the vehicle which elevate the rider’s feet and isolate the rider from the spray. Such considerations are less important in other motorised vehicles like cars and vans, where the driver is isolated from any spray by virtue of being enclosed within the bodywork. Typical mudflaps for cars and vans attach to the wheel arch and extend laterally to simply prevent excess splash against the underside of the bodywork and / or reduce splash and spray for following vehicles. Elevation of the rider’s feet is more challenging in the case of a quadracycle as the rider must pedal in order to propel the vehicle. Quadracycles of the type described above normally have an exposed drivetrain, normally comprising a chain, some form of variable ratio gearing and a crank set, which must be maintained and lubricated in order to reduce friction and allow the vehicle to operate in an efficient manner. Splash, and in particular lateral splash, often reaches the drivetrain. Water from the road, sometimes lying in puddles, often carries grit, mud, and organic matter, as well as road salt in winter, and can lead to premature breakdown of lubrication, wear, and corrosion of the drivetrain. The user must also be able to pedal the vehicle to provide forward motion precluding the provision of a raised static foot rest position. A quadracycle must also be light in order to be pedalled and to maximise load carrying capacity and range, precluding substantial body work such as that of a car. Many such quadracycles are used for multi-drop delivery operations requiring frequent mount and dismount of the quadracycle by the user, therefore for both use and packaging reasons a recumbent rider position is not suitable, placing the rider’s feet close to the ground and in the path of splash in wet conditions. An upright or traditional cycling position is used for comfort and ease of mount and dismount. By virtue of being a quadracycle such a vehicle normally has two front wheels. Often these are turned to provide steering for the vehicle. The rider is placed at or near the vehicle centre line behind the front wheels. Quadracycles are often fitted with simple bicycle style mudguards to prevent spray. However, such bicycle style mudguards only capture spray tangential to the rotation of the wheel and provide little or no splash protection. The pedals and thus the rider’s feet and legs are located between and slightly behind the two front wheels, leaving the rider’s feet particularly vulnerable to splash directed laterally inboard and upwards, toward the centreline of the vehicle from the front wheels. Protection from lateral splash is particularly challenging as it originates from the contact patch C at ground or water level and moves sideways and upwards in a similar fashion to a bow wave of a boat. Such lateral splash therefore travels underneath traditional guards. Quadracycles in urban environments often mount and dismount kerbs both head on and at shallow angles, making protecting the rider from lateral splash challenging as kerbs and other obstacles enter the path taken by splash. The mitigation of spray and inboard splash prevents wetting of drivetrain components, helping to maintain lubrication preventing rust increasing maintenance intervals, drivetrain efficiency and preventing premature failure. In the current economic climate finding staff is challenging, in particular for manual tasks. In the competitive market for electrically assisted vehicles of this type, comfort is important as rider satisfaction and retention are clearly linked. Riders actively seek out more comfortable vehicles since with increasing range, especially as assistance technology improves, riders are able to spend longer periods using the vehicle. The ability to maintain dry feet whilst riding for these periods is prized by riders and the mitigation of wetness of the riders’ feet by splash and spray is therefore commercially important, helping to retain customers and drive sales. Protecting a rider and drive train from splash is challenging. The arc through which the pedals move occupies a substantial volume. Said volume and the splash profile occupy space that is often entered by obstacles making it challenging to place a protective barrier between the wheel contact patch and the user and drive train to protect from splash. Uneven road conditions including potholes, speed humps and other obstacles such as kerbs or gratings all enter or result in other obstacles entering the aforementioned volumes. Mounting and dismounting of kerbs at an acute angle, particularly a shallow acute angle, presents a challenge. In such a situation the kerb travels up the inner face of the wheel through the splash profile. Summary of Invention Aspects and / or embodiments seek to provide solutions to the aforementioned problems. According to a first aspect, there is provided a splash guard for protecting the user and drivetrain of a quadracycle. The quadracycle comprises a front end, a rear end, and a plurality of wheels each rotatably mounted to a hub and having a radius R, an axis of rotation A, a first straight-ahead position and optionally a second turned position. The splash guard has an inboard side facing away from the wheel and an outboard side facing toward the wheel and comprises an upper rigid portion and a lower resilient portion fixed to the upper rigid portion by a connecting means. The upper rigid portion is fixable to the quadracycle, preferably to the wheel hub, and includes a radially extending back portion, an axially and circumferentially extending fender portion, and a lower edge comprising both the back portion and the fender portion. The lower resilient portion extends below the ridged upper portion (20) and has an inboard face facing away from the wheel, an outboard face facing toward the wheel, a top edge and a bottom edge, a longitudinally extending portion for catching lateral splash fixed to the back portion of the upper rigid portion and a laterally extending portion fixed to the fender portion. Optionally, the inboard or outboard face of at least the longitudinally extending portion of the lower resilient portion may contain a plurality of strengthening ribs extending from the top edge toward the bottom edge for providing unidirectional support to the lower resilient portion. Said strengthening ribs may be located only on the longitudinally extending portion of the resilient portion, or on both the longitudinally and laterally extending portion. Optionally the strengthening ribs are discrete strengthening ribs. Preferably, the rib extends to proximal the bottom edge and most preferably to the bottom edge. Advantageously, the unidirectional support provided by the ribs to the lower resilient portion increases stiffness of the resilient portion lateral direction whilst allowing deformation in the longitudinal direction. The strengthening ribs prevent deflection of the lower resilient portion when subject to the force of splash hitting the resilient portion and control deformation of the lower resilient portion when contact is made with an obstacle causing deformation to be substantially restricted to the vertical and longitudinal directions. Thereby ensuring that the lower resilient portion does not come into contact with the wheel when in the deformed or undeformed state. Optionally, the bottom edge (48) of the resilient portion (40) includes a mid-section (54) located below the axis A with the wheel (6) in the first straight ahead position, and the lower resilient section (40) extends at least R - Z below the axis A and is located a distance Y from the (edge of the) tyre and Z <0.7 Y. Optionally, the bottom edge of the resilient portion includes a mid-section located below the axis A with the wheel in the first straight ahead position, and the lower resilient section extends at least R - 30mm below the Axis A at the mid-section and preferably extends at least R-20mm below the axis A at the mid-section. The splash guard is thus configured to deflect spray and inboard lateral splash away from the drivetrain and rider. Tangential spray is contained by the fender portion of the upper rigid portion and the laterally extending portion of the lower resilient portion. Lateral splash is deflected by contact with the longitudinally extending portion of the lower resilient portion. The lower resilient portion extends close to the road surface to block lateral splash. Advantageously, the lower resilient portion allows temporary deform on contact with an uneven road surface or obstacles such as kerbs whilst protecting the vehicle and rider from lateral splash. Optionally, each wheel is in contact with a ground surface G on which the quadracycle may move and the mid-section of the lower resilient portion of the splash guard is within a distance (D) of the ground G on which the wheel sits whilst in use; wherein D is 30mm and preferably 20mm. Optionally, the longitudinally extending portion and laterally extending portion of the lower resilient portion are connected and water tight continuously between the top edge and the bottom edge. Said longitudinally extending portion and laterally extending portion may be a single piece. Advantageously, the water tight joined or one-piece lateral and longitudinal portions of the resilient portion provide improved protection for the rider, in particular if the wheel can be moved to the second turned position. The connection between the lateral and longitudinal portions also endows both portions with increased rigidity, advantageously preventing both portions from moving away from the wheel under the load of splash or air flow, which would reduce efficacy, and may advantageously allow a softer material to be used. Optionally, the lower resilient portion may be made from a resilient material, said material comprising rubber, polyurethane or a woven fabric material, preferably a polyvinylchloride fabric. Advantageously, the latter combines the resilient properties of polyvinylchloride with the reduced extensibility of woven fabric. Optionally the lower resilient portion may be made of a single piece of woven fabric material, the strengthening ribs having a base proximal to either the inboard face or outboard face and comprising pleats of said fabric joined at the base. Said pleats may be sewn at the base. A single piece of woven material increases the strength of the resilient portion and simplifies the manufacturing processes. Optionally, the lower resilient portion may have a leading edge extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, said leading edge including a bidirectional strengthening member. Optionally, the lower resilient portion may comprise a woven fabric and a bidirectional strengthening member, said strengthening member comprising a pleat of the fabric to form the first of the plurality of strengthening ribs and a return of said fabric extending along the longitudinally extending portion of the lower resilient portion. The bidirectional strengthening member on the leading edge of the resilient portion provides strength at the leading edge for resisting longitudinal deformation caused by airflow. Optionally, the lower edge of the upper rigid portion may extend below the axis of rotation A. This advantageously provides support for the resilient portion in the region where deformation is not required. Optionally, the connecting means fastening the upper rigid portion and lower resilient portion includes a means of transferring bending loads from the lower resilient portion to the upper rigid portion at least forward of the axis of rotation A. Optionally, the top edge of the lower resilient portion may overlap with the bottom edge of the upper rigid portion and the connecting means may comprise one or more upper fixings proximal the top edge of the lower resilient portion and a plurality of lower fixings proximal the lower edge of the upper rigid portion, the lower fixings and upper fixings vertically displaced from one another. The unidirectional strengthening ribs resist deformation in a lateral direction. Therefore, a moment is created that must be resisted at the mounting point of the lower resilient portion. This must be transmitted into the upper rigid portion for the ribs to be effective. The overlapping of the upper and lower portions reduces the strain placed on the fixings. Optionally, the lower edge of the of the resilient portion may have a front section forward of the mid-section and a rear section rearward of the mid-section, said front section and rear section inclined upwards from the mid-section. Further optionally, the forward section and rear section of the bottom edge are inclined at an angle p of between 10 and 20 degrees to the horizontal or the ground G and most preferably p is 15 degrees. Optionally, the back portion of the upper rigid portion may include a strengthening member for preventing chatter and transmitting bending loads from the lower resilient section into the wheel hub. Optionally, the connecting means fastening the upper rigid portion and lower resilient portion comprises an overload failure fixing. Optionally, the overload failure fixing comprises plastic snap rivets. The overload failure fixing advantageously protects the upper rigid portion and the vehicle as a whole from damage in the event that the lower resilient portion is deformed beyond its designed limit or becomes snagged on an obstacle. Optionally, the lower edge of the back portion of the upper rigid portion includes a front portion and a rear portion, said front portion extending inboard away from the wheel at an acute angle a to a plane P perpendicular to the axis of rotation A. This angle ensures that airflow generated by the motion of the quadracycle does not cause the resilient portion to deflect in the direction of the wheel which could result in interference between the rotating wheel and the splash guard. According to a second aspect of the current invention a quadracycle may have one or more splash guards as described above. Brief Description of Drawings Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings having like-reference numerals, in which: Figure 1 shows an electrically assisted quadracycle including a splash guard according to the current invention; Figure 2 shows a rear view of the front left wheel of the quadracycle of Figure 1 equipped with a splash guard according to the current invention; Figure 3 shows a wheel and hub assembly equipped with a splash guard according to the current invention; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of a splash guard according to the current invention; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a splash guard according to the current invention fitted to a hub assembly; Figure 6 shows the lower resilient portion of a splash guard according to the current invention; Figure 7 shows an outboard lateral view of a wheel and hub assembly equipped with a splash guard according to the current invention; Figure 8 shows an inboard lateral view of a wheel and hub assembly equipped with a splash guard according to the current invention; Figure 9 shows a bottom view of a wheel and hub assembly equipped with a splash guard according to the current invention. Specific Description Referring to Figures 1 to 9, a preferred embodiment will now be described. Figure 1 shows a quadracycle 1 and figure 2 shows an expanded rear view of a wheel 6 of said quadracycle 1 equipped with a splash guard 10. Each wheel 6 is joined to the quadracycle 1 at a hub 8 and meets the ground or the surface on which the quadracycle 1 is traveling (G) at a point known as the contact patch (C). The quadracycle 1 has a front end 2, a rear end 4, and four wheels 6. The wheels including a pair of front wheels 6a each equipped with a splash guard 10. It will be understood that it is advantageous for a quadracycle 1 to be equipped with two splash guards 10, one for each of the front wheels 6a, but the quadracycle 1 may be fitted with one or more splash guards over any of the wheels 6. The quadracycle 1 may be an electrically assisted quadracycle 1 but it will be understood that the splash guard 10 could be fitted to any sort of quadracycle 1. Quadracycles 1 of this type are normally piloted by a rider. The quadracycle 1 includes a rider interface 5 that places the rider between and slightly to the rear of the front wheels 6a. The rider interface 5 conventionally includes pedals 7 for the rider to provide a torque input in order to propel the quadracycle 1 and a saddle on which the rider may sit. Figure 2 shows a view of the quadracycle 1 of figure 1 taken from the rear of the front left wheel 6a. Splash originates from the contact patch C. Water is propelled laterally relative to the direction of travel of the wheel and upward relative to the ground, from the contact patch. The angle that water is projected from the contact patch when the quadracycle 1 and thus the wheel 6 is in motion varies depending on the velocity of the quadracycle 1 and the depth of the water through which the wheel 6 is traveling. Figure 2 shows a splash profile indicating the approximate path of fluid when the quadracycle 1 is in motion. It can be seen that the pedals 7, suspension and drive train 9 are in the path of the splash profile. Each wheel 6, and in the case of the quadracycle 1 of figure 1, the front wheels 6a, may also be steerable wheels 6c, turnable from a first straight ahead position 6s as show in in figure 1 to a second turned position 6t for steering the quadracycle 1. Figure 3 shows a splash guard 10 mounted to a wheel 6 and hub 8 assembly. The wheel 6 has an axis of rotation A extending laterally about which the wheel 6 may rotate when rotatably mounted to the hub 8 and the quadracycle 1 is in motion. The wheel 6 herein includes a rim 6r and a tyre 6d. The wheel 6 has a radius R extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation A to the contact patch C. Figure 4 shows a splash guard 10. The splash guard 10 has an inboard side 12 facing toward the centreline of the quadracycle 1 and an outboard side 14 facing away from the centreline of the quadracycle 1, an upper rigid portion 20 and a lower resilient portion 40. The lower resilient portion 40 is fixed to the upper rigid portion 20 by a connecting means 60. The Upper rigid portion 20 includes a back portion 22 extending radially relative to the axis A, a fender portion 24 extending circumferentially and axially relative to axis A and a lower edge 26. The lower edge 26 comprising both the back portion 22 and the fender portion 24. The back portion 22 and the fender portion 24 are connected in a fluid tight manner and preferably formed of a single part. The splash guard 10 is fixable to the quadracycle 1 preferably at the hub 8 to which the wheel 6 is rotatably mounted or a component that moves with the wheel 6, in order to maintain a consistent relative position between the wheel 6 and the splash guard 10. This is important if the quadracycle 1 includes suspension. The upper rigid portion 20 may include a strengthening member 28 for preventing chatter or vibration and for transmitting bending loads from the lower resilient section 40 into the hub 8.. Preferably the back portion 22 comprises the strengthening member 28. The back portion 22 is fixable to the hub 8 and may include one or more fixing points 34 for attaching the rigid portion 40 to the hub 8. The resilient portion 40 has a top edge 46 distal the ground and a bottom edge 48 proximal the ground and is connected to the upper rigid portion 20 by a connecting means 60. The lower edge 26 of the upper rigid portion 20 extends below the axis of rotation A. This is advantageous for supporting the lower resilient portion 40, allowing it to provide an effective barrier to lateral splash whilst allowing sufficient and controlled deformation when an obstacle is encountered. Extension of the upper rigid portion 20 towards the ground is carefully judged in order to ensure protection from splash whilst minimising contact with obstacles or an uneven road surface which would create additional drag that must be overcome. The connecting means 60 comprise one or more fixings 63. The connecting means 60 includes a means for transferring bending loads 61 from the resilient portion 40 into the rigid portion 20. The top edge 46 of the lower resilient portion 40 may overlap the lower edge 26 of the upper rigid portion 20. Preferably, the connecting means 60 comprises one or more upper fixings 62 proximal the top edge 46 of the resilient portion 40 and distal the lower edge 26 of the rigid portion 20 and one or more lower fixings 64 proximal the lower edge 26 of the rigid portion 20 and distal the top edge 46 of the resilient portion 40. The lower fixings 64 are below and vertically separated or displaced relative to the upper fixings 62. The separation of the upper fixings 62 and lower fixings 64 providing the means for transferring bending loads 61 between the lower resilient portion 40 and the upper rigid portion 20. It will be understood that other means for transferring bending moments 62 could be used within the scope of the current invention such as one or more single fixings 63 with the addition of a large contact area such as may be provided by a washer, by a more complexly shaped rigid portion 40 including for example a slot for receiving the resilient portion 40 in the bottom edge 48, or by any other suitable means. The means for transferring bending loads 61 is required due to the resilient nature of the resilient lower portion 40 and to support loads created by any ribs 70 included in the resilient portion. The connecting means 60 may include the means for transferring bending loads 61 forward of the axis of rotation A or along the full length of the connecting means 60. Preferably, at least the section of the connecting means 60 forward of the axis of rotation A includes the means for transferring bending loads 61. In some arrangements it may be preferable that only the section of the connecting means 60 forward of the axis of rotation A includes the means for transferring bending loads 61. In the preferred embodiment said connecting means 60 comprises one or more overload failure fixings 66 capable of disconnecting in the event of high load being applied, for example if the lower resilient portion 40 was to become ensnared in a road obstacle or the wheel 6. This prevents high loads passing through the splash guard and other components not designed to receive them. Thereby, preventing damage to the quadracycle 1, its cargo or user or the splash guard. A preferred overload failure fixing 66 is snap rivets, in particular plastic snap rivets, however, hook and loop or mushroom hook fasteners or any other overload failure fixing 66 suitable for transferring bending loads from the lower resilient portion 40 to the upper rigid portion 20 may be used. Many overload failure fixings 66 also have the advantage of being reusable, allowing reattachment of the detached portion. Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the lower resilient portion 40, has an inboard face 42 facing away from the wheel 8, an outboard face 44 facing toward the wheel 6, a top edge 46 and a bottom edge 48. A longitudinally extending portion 50 for catching lateral spray is fixed to the back portion 22 of the upperrigid portion 10 and a laterally extending portion 52 is fixed to the fender portion 24. Preferably, the lower resilient portion 40 is a single piece as it is thus water tight, for providing protection from splash. However, the lower resilient portion 40 may consist of discrete longitudinally extending and laterally extending portions 50, 52 so connected as to be water tight and perform the same function. The lower resilient portion 40 is made from a resilient material. In the preferred embodiment the lower resilient portion 40 is made of a waterproof woven material, in particular a woven polyester fabric coated in PVC. Other materials, such as rubber, polyurethane, or other woven fabric materials, will be equally suited for this function. Woven polyester coated in PVC is durable and resilient and is thus suitable for use in the resilient lower portion, and is advantageously pliant whilst of limited extensibility. Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the outboard face 44 of the lower resilient portion 40 comprises a plurality of strengthening ribs 70 extending from the top edge 46 towards the bottom edge 48. The ribs 70 preferably extend to proximal the bottom edge 48 and most preferably as shown in the figures to the bottom edge 48. Preferably, the strengthening ribs are discrete strengthening ribs 70. In a preferred embodiment the discrete strengthening ribs 70 are parallel or close to and separated by a substantial section of the longitudinally extending section 50, for example separated by 25% of the length of the rib 70. The ribs 70 extending downwards or toward the ground when installed on a quadracycle preferably the ribs extend vertically downwards or close thereto and a maximum angle of 20 degrees forward of vertical and 45 degrees behind vertical. The strengthening ribs 70 include a base 72 and extend to a free end 73. The strengthening ribs 70 are joined to the outboard face 44 of the lower resilient portion 40 and extend therefrom. Preferably, the strengthening ribs 70 are joined to the outboard face 44 along their full length. Preferably, the ribs 70 extend substantially perpendicular to the outboard face 44.. The strengthening ribs 70 are located on the longitudinal section 50 and preferably only on the longitudinal section 50. It will be understood that whilst the strengthening ribs are shown in the preferable embodiment extending from the outboard face 44 they may be located on the inboard face 42. The ribs 70 In the preferred embodiment the resilient portion 40 including the strengthening ribs 70 is made from the same material. Most preferably the resilient portion 40 is formed from a single piece of woven material. The strengthening ribs 70 are formed from said single piece of fabric and comprise pleats 74 of said fabric sewn at the base 72. it will be understood that said ribs 70 make take other forms. It will also be understood that said pleats 74 may be sewn at the base 72 but that other methods of joining the pleats may be used. Woven material has the benefit of being flexible and thus able to deflect in shear whilst having low extensibility. The strengthening ribs 70 are for providing unidirectional support in the lateral direction to the lower resilient portion 40. The ribs 70 increase resistance to bending laterally but allow deformation vertically and longitudinally on contact with an obstacle This provides an effective barrier to lateral splash and prevents the resilient portion interfering with the movement of the wheel 6 when deflected by an obstacle. When discrete strengthening ribs 70 are used and separated by a substantial intermediate section 51 of the longitudinally extending section 50 the ribs 70 provide support in the lateral direction whilst allowing the ribs 70 and the resilient portion 40 as a whole to defect in the longitudinal direction. This deflection is facilitated by the unsupported intermediate sections 51 of the longitudinal section 50 between the ribs which flex and pucker allowing these . Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the lower resilient portion 40 includes a leading edge 45 set back from the front edge of the splash guard and the front of the wheel, extending from the top edge 46 toward and preferably to the bottom edge 48. The leading edge 45 comprises a bidirectional strengthening member 75. The bidirectional strengthening member increases the stiffness of the leading edge 75 in the longitudinal and lateral directions, providing greater rigidity and durability to the leading edge. This maintains the form of the lower resilient portion 40 when exposed to the air flow created by the motion of the quadracycle which might otherwise cause the resilient portion 40 to deflect in normal use. Said bidirectional strengthening member 75 may also comprise the first of the plurality of strengthening ribs 70. The strengthening ribs 70 and the bidirectional strengthening member 75 are both for increasing the stiffness of the resilient portion 40. Each increases stiffness predominantly in the direction or directions noted above to support the resilient portion 40 and control deformation of the resilient portion 40. Whilst these members 70, 75 increase stiffness of the resilient portion 40, and in particular the longitudinally extending portion 50 thereof, all off the resilient portion 50 may deflect. The resilient portion 40 has a substantially lower stiffness than the rigid upper portion 20. Figure 6 shows in dotted line an example of one deflection mode of the resilient portion 40 on contact with an obstacle, for example a kerb. The resilient portion 50 has deflected up and longitudinally to the rear. The strengthening ribs 70 and leading edge 75 can be seen deflecting in a curve in the longitudinal direction whilst maintaining support in the lateral direction. The intermediate sections 51 of the longitudinal portion 50 are deflecting in shear through puckering and flexing. It will be understood that this is one example of deflection under load and in other loads a different deflection profile may occur, for example the ribs may deflect in an S profile if loaded in a pure vertical direction. Figure 8 shows an inboard lateral view of wheel 6c equipped with splash guard 10. The bottom edge 48 of the resilient portion 40 includes a mid-section 54 located below the axis A when the wheel 6c is in the first straight ahead position 6s. The lower resilient section 40 extends at least R - 30mm below the Axis A at the mid-section 54 and most preferably extends at least R-20mm below the axis A at the mid-section 54. In the preferred embodiment the bottom edge 48 of the mid-section 54 is also within a distance D of the ground G on which the wheel sits. D is at most 30 mm, and most preferably 20 mm whilst the quadracycle 1 is in use with the wheels 6 in the first straight ahead position 6s. With some beneficial steering geometries it will be understood that when in use and occupying a second turned position 6tthe mid-section 54 may no longer be below the axis A and radius R may no longer represent the distance to the ground from the centre of the wheel 6 due to the geometry of the steering mechanism. In the preferred embodiment the bottom edge 48 of the lower resilient portion 40 has a front section 53 forward of the mid-section 54 and a rear section 55 rearward of the mid-section 54, where the front section 53 and the rear section 55 are inclined upwards from the mid-section 54 for maintaining clearance to the ground when the wheel 6c is turned from a first straight ahead position 6s to a second turned position 6t. With a favourable steering geometry, the front section 53 will move closer to the ground when the wheel 6c is steered toward the middle of the quadracycle and the rear section 55 will move toward the ground when the wheel 6c is steered away from the middle of the quadracycle. A favourable steering geometry may include a kingpin inclination angle and / or caster angle greater than zero. Preferably the front section 53 and the rear section 55 are inclined at an angle p of between 10 and 20 degrees to the ground when the wheel 6c is in the straight ahead position 6s depending on the steering geometry. Most preferably p is 15 degrees. Figure 9 shows a view of the front left wheel 6a of the quadracycle 1 of figure 1 from below. Referring to Figure 9, in a preferred embodiment the splash guard 10 includes a plane P perpendicular to the axis of rotation A. The lower edge 26 of the back portion 22 includes a front portion 30 and a rear portion 32. The front portion 32 extends towards the front end 2 of the quadracycle 1 and inboard away from the wheel 6 at an acute angle a to the plane P. Angle a is small, certainly less than 45 degrees and is preferably between 5 and 30 degrees and most preferably 15 degrees. The angle of the front portion provides further structure and stiffness to the lower resilient portion 40, and pre-disposes the resilient portion to deform inboard, away from the wheel 6 on contact with an obstruction moving in the prevailing direction of travel of the quadracycle 1 rather than outboard towards the wheel 6. In use the splash guard 10 is fitted to the quadracycle 1 preferably such that it maintains a constant spatial relationship to the wheel 6. In a preferable arrangement the rigid portion 20 is connected to the hub 8. When the quadracycle 1 is moving on a wetted surface splash is created. Splash moves upwards and inboard or outboard from the contact patch C. Spray is also created which is created by water held by the wheel 6 being released due to centripetal force in a direction tangential to the outside of the wheel 6. Both splash and spray are caught by the splash guard 10. The lower resilient portion 40 captures splash and prevents it from reaching the rider and the drive train 9. The lower resilient portion 40 is sufficiently stiff to maintain form when subjected to the airflow caused by the movement of the quadracycle and the impact of splash. In particular the lower resilient portion 40 is stiffer in the lateral direction than in the longitudinal direction. On contact with an obstacle such as a kerb or pot hole the lower resilient portion 40 deforms vertically and longitudinally on contact with the obstacle. The strengthening ribs 70 and leading edge 75 deflect in a controlled fashion with the intermediate section 51 of the resilient portion between the ribs 70 puckering or flexing in bending in order to accommodate the deflection. This minimises reduction in load at the contact patch and thus control of the quadracycle 1, as well as preventing damage to the splash guard 10 and / or the quadracycle 1. Due to the defined deflection characteristics provided by the splash guard 10 of the current invention the guard 10 does not interfere with the rider or the wheel 6. Once the obstacle has passed the resilient portion 40 returns to its original shape without making contact with the wheel 6. If the quadracycle 1 has advanced steering geometry, when the quadracycle 1 is moving in an arc and the wheels 6c are in the second turned position 6t the mid-section 54 may no longer be the closest part of the resilient portion to the ground and may no longer be located under the axis A. In the second turned position 6t, the splash guard’s 10 relationship with the ground G is maintained by the inclination of the front section 53 and rear section 55 of the lower edge 48 of the resilient portion 40 in order to continue to capture splash whilst not interfering with the ground G in normal conditions. Any system feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure. 5 Any feature in one aspect may be applied to other aspects, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to system aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and / or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and / or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination. 10 It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects can be implemented and / or supplied and / or used independently.

Claims

1. A splash guard (10) for protecting the drivetrain and user of a quadracycle (1), the quadracycle (1) having a front end (2), a rear end (4), and a plurality wheels (6) each rotatably mounted to a hub (8) and having a radius R, an axis of rotation A, a first straight ahead position and optionally a second turned position;the splash guard (10) having an inboard side (12) facing away from the wheel (6) and an outboard side (14) facing toward the wheel (6), comprising an upper rigid portion (20) and a lower resilient portion (40) fixed to the upper rigid portion (20) by a connecting means (60);the upper rigid portion (20) fixable to the hub (8) and including a radially extending back portion (22), an axially and circumferentially extending fender portion (24) and a lower edge (26) comprising both the back portion (22) and the fender portion (24);the lower resilient portion (40) extending below the ridged upper portion (20) and having, an inboard face (42) facing away from the wheel (6), an outboard face (44) facing toward the wheel (6), a top edge (46) and a bottom edge (48), a longitudinally extending portion (50) for catching lateral splash fixed to the back portion (22) of the upper rigid portion (10) and a laterally extending portion (52) fixed to the fender portion (24); whereinthe inboard face (42) and / or outboard face (44) of at least the longitudinally extending portion (50) of the lower resilient portion (40) comprises a plurality of strengthening ribs (70), extending from the top edge (46) toward the bottom edge (48) for providing unidirectional support to the lower resilient portion (40).

2. The splash guard (10) of claim 1 wherein the bottom edge (48) of the resilient portion (40) includes a mid-section (54) located below the axis A with the wheel (6) in the first straight ahead position, and the lower resilient section (40) extends at least R - Z below the axis A and is located a distance Y from the (edge of the) tyre and Z <0.7 Y.

3. The splash guard (10) of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lower resilient section (40) extends at least R - 30mm below the Axis A at the mid-section (54) and preferably extends at least R-20mm below the axis A at the mid-section (54).

4. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the mid-section (54), in use, is within a distance D of the ground G on which the wheel (8) sits; wherein distance D is 30mm.

5. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the strengthening ribs (70) are discrete strengthening ribs (70).

6. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the strengthening ribs (16) are located only on the longitudinal section (50).

7. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the unidirectional support provided by the strengthening ribs (70) is in the lateral direction.

8. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the longitudinally extending portion (50) and laterally extending portion (52) are connected and water tight continuously between the top edge (46) and the bottom edge (48).

9. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the longitudinally extending portion (50) and the laterally extending portion (52) of the resilient portion (40) are a single piece.

10. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the resilient portion (40) is made of a resilient material, said materiel comprising rubber, polyurethane or a woven fabric material, preferably a polyester coated with polyvinylchloride.

11. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the strengthening ribs (70) comprise the same material as the remainder of the resilient portion (40)12. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the resilient portion (40) is made from a single sheet of woven fabric material, the ribs have a base (72) proximal the inboard face (42) and or outboard face (44) and the reinforcing ribs (70) comprise pleats (74) of said fabric joined at the base (72).

13. The splash guard (10) of claim 12 wherein the pleats forming the ribs (70) are sewn at the base (72) and optionally sewn at a point distal the base (72).

14. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the resilient portion has a leading edge (45) extending between the top edge (46) and the bottom edge (48), wherein the leading edge includes a bidirectional strengthening member (75) for increasing the stiffness of the leading edge (75) in the longitudinal and lateral directions.

15. The splash guard (10) of claim 11 wherein the resilient portion comprises a woven fabric and the bidirectional strengthening member 75 comprises a pleat 74 of the fabric to form a first of the plurality of strengthening ribs 70 and a return (76) of said fabric extending along the longitudinally extending portion (50).

16. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim where in the lower edge (26) of the upper rigid portion (20) extends below the axis of rotation A.

17. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the connecting means (60) includes a means for transferring bending loads (61) from the lower resilient portion (40) into the upper rigid portion (20) at least forward of the axel A.

18. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the top edge (46) of the lower resilient portion (40) overlaps the lower edge (26) of the upper rigid portion (20) and the connecting means (60) comprises one or more upper fixings (62) proximal the top edge (46) of the lower resilient portion (40) and a plurality of lower fixings (64) proximal the lower edge (26) of the rigid portion (20) and the lower fixings (64) and upper fixings (62) are vertically displaced from one another.

19. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim and the lower edge (46) of the resilient portion (40) having a front section (53) forward of the mid-section (54) and a rear section (55) rearward of the mid-section; wherein the front section (53) and the rear section (55) are inclined upwards from the mid-section (54).

20. The splash guard (10) of claim 19 wherein the forward section (53) and rear section (55) of the bottom edge (48) are inclined at an angle p of between 10 and 20 degrees to the horizontal and preferably 15 degrees.

21. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the back portion (22) of the rigid portion (20) includes a strengthening member (28) for preventing chatter and transmitting bending loads from the lower resilient section (40) into the hub (8).

22. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim wherein the connecting means (60) comprises an overload failure fixing (66).

23. The splash guard (10) of any preceding claim further including a plane P perpendicular to the axis of rotation A, wherein the lower edge (26) of the back portion (22) includes a front portion (30) and a rear portion (32), wherein the front portion (32) extends inboard away from the wheel (6) at an acute angle a to the plane P, preferably a is 5 between 5 and 25 degrees and most preferably 15 degrees.

24. A quadracycle (1) having one or more of the splash guard as claimed in claims 1 to23.10

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