System for connecting a portion of chain to the inner ring of an anti-skid device wiht limited bulk

Abstract

A system (5, 60) is described for connecting portions of chain (10) to the inner ring (3) of an anti-skid device (2). The portions of chain (10) comprise chains with twisted links (11).

Description

Further characteristics of the invention will be made clearer by the detailed description that follows, referring to a purely exemplifying and therefore non-limiting embodiment thereof, illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a snow chain fitted on a tyre of a wheel shown from the side facing towards the inside of the vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 1, illustrating two connecting systems according to the invention for joining portions of chain to the inner ring of snow chains;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the connecting system of the inner ring of snow chains according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connecting system of FIG. 3 assembled;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing an end link of the portions of chain for connection to the inner ring; and

FIG. 6 is a side view taken from the direction of the arrow A of FIG. 5.

Claims

1. A system (5, 60) for connecting portions of chain (10) to the inner ring (3) of an anti-skid device, characterized in that: said portions of chain (10) comprise chains with twisted links (11) andsaid connecting system (5, 60) comprises: a U-bolt element (50) constrained to the inner ring (3), andan end link (60) of the portion of chain (10) having a twisted portion (61) connected to a twisted link (11) of the portion of chain (10) and a flat and straight portion (62) connected to said U-bolt element (50).

2. A connecting system (5, 60) according to claim 1, characterized in that said U-bolt element (50) is articulated to the end link (60) of at least one respective portion of chain (10) with twisted links, said U-bolt element (50) consisting of a plate bent into a U-shape around the core (31) of said inner ring (3), so as to be able to rotate around said core (31).

3. A connecting system (5, 60) according to claim 2, characterized in that said articulated joint is obtained by means of a pivot or pin (55) mounted in said U-bolt element (50) in a transverse direction with respect to the axis of rotation thereof and in which the flat and straight portion (62) of said end link (60) of the portion of chain is mounted rotatably around said transverse pin (55) of the U-bolt element.

4. A connecting system (5, 60) according to claim 1, characterized in that the twisted portion (61) of said end link (60) of the portion of chain is situated on an plane inclined by about 45° with respect to the plane on which said flat and straight portion (62) of the end link lies.

5. A connecting system (5, 60) according to claim 2, characterized in that said U-bolt element (50) comprises a semi-cylindrical portion (51) designed to be disposed rotatably around the core (31) of the inner ring and two flat portions (52) parallel and spaced apart from each other so as to leave a gap to receive said flat and straight portion (62) of the end link (60) of the portion of chain (10).

6. A connecting system (5, 60) according to claim 1, characterized in that said twisted-link portion of chain comprises a plurality of twisted links (11), each consisting of a substantially elliptical annular element which is twisted by bending the end parts thereof by 45° in one direction and in the opposite direction around the major axis thereof, so as to give rise to two portions disposed on two planes at 90° to one another.