Patent Application
20060027297
N/A
The present invention pertains to the occurrences of flat tires, and provides a means by which a vehicle can quickly become roadworthy without the use of a spare tire. Additionally, the present invention can double as a traction apparatus to assist vehicles in snowy, icy, or other inclement conditions. Throughout an exhaustive search, we have found nothing similar to the present invention. There have been some efforts that are used as preventive measures for flat tires, such as run-flat devices, but if not pre-installed, such a device is pointless in a post-blowout event. The present invention solves the problem and hassle of wheel replacement, without having to incur the extra expense of having countermeasures, such as a run-flat device, affixed to every wheel. This device is only used on an “as-needed” basis, and accordingly, will offer an attractive solution as a flat tire and traction assistance device to motorists.
Ever since the inception and broad use of the pneumatic automotive tire, a flat is an experience that every motorist dreads. One must loosen the lug nuts, use a jack-type of device to lift the vehicle, haul the spare tire from its storage position, remove the disabled or damaged tire and wheel, replace it with the spare tire, tighten all the lug nuts to torque specs, and then one must physically place the defective tire and wheel back in the vehicle. This process includes much physical work because the entire wheel is being replaced.
The present invention provides a means by which the disabled corner of the vehicle can become operational without having to jack the vehicle up, and without having to replace the wheel rim with an undamaged tire. Furthermore, by incorporating a traction assist mechanism to the present invention, we have a device which makes itself useful for many different circumstances aside from the flat tire or blowout scenario.
The current invention assists in making a vehicle driveable after the unfortunate event of a flat-tire, or worse yet, a complete blowout. These aims are accomplished by having several connected panels, treaded on both sides, made of a flexible material, such as rubber or an elasticized plastic, configured to form a lattice or ladder shaped network which when wrapped around and secured to a wheel rim (with or without a tire present) acts together to mimic the characteristics of a conventional tire. There are three primary objectives for the panels.
The first objective is to have an alternative tread surface, so the device can provide sufficient road surface traction, just as a tire. When properly installed, a vehicle will be able to stay in motion, despite a disabled tire.
The second objective is to provide adequate ground clearance for the vehicle. Since the device acts as a cushion, the device performs a double-duty by both restoring a vehicle to a standard ride height, and also, the cushioning prevents wheel rim damage.
The third objective is to use the opposite side of the panel to incorporate traction assist elements for inclement weather. By incorporating chain, cable, studs, or other traction elements to one side of the support member (tread panel), the present invention is capable of assisting a vehicle through ice, snow, or a variety of other adverse conditions which warrant the use of such aftermarket devices.
When considering the unpredictability of a tire's behavior when stressed from heat, cold, under-inflation, over-inflation, extreme driving maneuvers, or perhaps a puncture or other type of stress from road debris, there is no way of knowing whether such behavior will cause a mere flat, which will still leave a tire in a salvageable state, or a complete blowout, in which a tire has completely separated from the wheel rim.
In the case of a flat tire or blowout, the present invention can either be used to envelope a disabled tire, or if a tire has been tom apart from the rim, then the present invention can be installed directly to the wheel rim. As a traction assist device, the present invention can be installed onto a fully inflated wheeutire combination. Since support members (tread panels) can be added or removed, the device can be scaled for most any application.
It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the specific showing in the drawings but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.
It is the object of the invention to provide an apparatus which wraps around a wheel rim 9 to provide a substitute tread 3 in the event of a flat tire or blowout. The present invention consists of several support members 3, treaded on both sides, made of rubber or elasticized plastic, forming a network, which when distributed and secured over the surface area of a tire or wheel rim 9, acts a substitute tire, thereby making the disabled vehicle operable again. Along the longitudinal edges of each support member 3 (tread panel), there are passage apertures 2 which will provide a means for securing the device to the wheel rim 9. Each support member 3 covers a portion of the tire or wheel rim, while longitudinally overlapping onto the sidewalls, where the passage apertures 3 can assist in securing the device. When the retaining member 1 is properly threaded through the passage apertures 2, and is adequately secured by means of a closure device, the network will provide an efficient means to make a vehicle roadworthy.
A variety of materials can be used to retain the device through the aforementioned apertures 2, including, but not limited to, chain, cable, bungee, or rope. Then, in order to secure the device, another assortment of materials can be used, including, but not limited to, hooks, caribiner, or latch.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus that will assist in restoring ride height to a vehicle that has experienced a flat tire or blowout. Since the present invention cushions the wheel rim 9, ride height can be restored to a reasonable level, and furthermore, the cushioning of the support members 3 will protect the wheel rim from being damaged.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an apparatus that will assist vehicular motion through adverse conditions by enhancing traction characteristics. This is accomplished by incorporating traction assist elements 5, such as chain, cable, or studs to the reverse side of the support member 3, between the wheel rim edges.
In order to install the device, one must either lay the support network down on the ground, and then drive over the device, or one can drape the device over a wheel, then move the car slightly to fully cover the surface area. Once the device is entirely covering the wheel, the ends of the retaining members 1 must be brought together, and the device must then be secured as mentioned above before driving.
As an alternative design, spacers 4 can be placed between the support members to provide a fixed distance between panels, and to prevent lateral movement of tread panels.
Another design feature incorporates the use of two-half panels 6 at opposite sides of the device, which when brought around the tire, the hollowed portions can allign, and a retaining pin 7 can be inserted to secure the two half-panels. Furthermore, the retaining pin 7 shall have eyelets at both ends 8, thereby facilitating the passage of the retaining member 1 through the eyelets 8, along with the other passage apertures 2 of the other support members 3. To further secure the device, an aftermarket tightening device 10 can be fastened to the apparatus.
