Patent Application
20060144493
This patent relates to a tire chain assembly for use on tires in bad weather. More particularly, this invention relates to a chain that can be easily installed on and removed from a tire without using a jack.
Tire traction enhancing devices are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,046,272 discloses a device that can be attached to and detached from a tire and comprising a flexible mat and hooks for securing the mat to a wheel tread. U.S. Pat. No. 1,596,796 discloses an antiskid device comprising interlocked plates having outwardly projecting tongue portions that can be strapped to a tire with belts. U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,353 discloses an anti-slipping device comprising a series of U-shaped friction members formed of a synthetic resin and strapped to a tire via wires.
It is an object of the present invention to provide another type of traction enhancing apparatus that can be easily installed on and removed from a tire.
Another object of the invention is to provide a traction enhancing apparatus that can be installed without moving the car or using a jack.
Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.
The present invention is a tire chain assembly for enhancing tire traction in bad weather. The assembly does not require the car to be moved or placed on a jack to be installed.
The tire chain assembly comprises at least one strap extending around the perimeter (tread surface) of the tire, a plurality of cross-straps attached to the at least one perimeter strap, and a chain, strap or other securing means affixed to a first end of each of the cross straps and having a fixed end secured to a first end of the first cross strap by a first engagement means (preferably a mushroom shaped cleat) and a free end with a clip or other attachment means connected thereto.
The cross straps have first and second opposing ends and traction enhancing means such as rivets or spikes mounted on pads interposed between the first and second opposing ends. The assembly further comprises second engagement means, preferably mushroom shaped cleats, located at the second end of each cross strap.
Wrapping the free end of the chain around the first engagement means, extending the free end across the tire tread and wrapping it around the second engagement means of the first cross strap and of the other cross straps, and fastening the free end to the tire chain assembly secures the tire chain assembly to the tire.
Preferably the chain is secured to each cross strap except the first by a chain guide. Each chain guide comprises a hollow cylindrical portion having a bore that allows the chain to slide through.
Preferably the perimeter straps and the cross straps are made from nylon.
The scope of the invention also includes a method of enhancing the traction of a tire comprising the steps of:
(1) providing a tire chain assembly having at least one perimeter strap, a plurality of cross-straps attached to the at least one perimeter strap, said cross straps having first and second opposing ends and traction enhancing means interposed between the first and second opposing ends, said plurality of cross-straps including a first cross strap disposed at one end of the at least one perimeter strap and a last cross strap disposed at the other end of the at least one perimeter strap, means for securing the assembly to the tire, said securing means affixed to a first end of each of the cross straps and having a fixed end secured to a first end of the first cross strap by a first engagement means and a free end with attachment means connected thereto, and second engagement means located at the second end of each cross strap;
(2) draping the tire chain assembly over the tire so that the first and last cross straps hang down around the tire with the traction enhancing means extending away from the tire;
(3) wrapping the free end of the securing means around the first engagement means;
(4) bringing the free end across the tire tread and wrapping it around the second engagement means of the first cross strap;
(5) wrapping the free end around the other cross straps; and
(6) fastening the free end to the tire chain assembly.
The invention is a tire chain assembly for increasing tire traction in bad weather. The tire chain assembly does not require the car to be moved or placed on a jack to be installed.
Turning to the drawings and, in particular,
Six cross straps, designated 14a-f for convenience, are shown in the figures, although any suitable number of cross-straps 14 may be used. When the assembly 10 is installed on a tire the cross straps 14 extend laterally across the tire tread. A metal chain 20 or other securing means is permanently connected to a first cross strap 14a located at one end of the perimeter straps 12 by a first engagement means, such as a mushroom shaped cleat 26a′ (
Engagement means such as cleats 26a-f are located at the opposite, second end of each cross strap 14 and are used to secure the tire chain assembly 10 as explained below. The cleats 26 can be any type of cleat having a wide head and narrow body for securing a chain, such as the mushroom type cleats shown in the drawing, boat type cleats, or any other suitable cleat.
Each chain guide 22 is made from a rectangular piece of metal that has been rolled at one end top form a hollow cylindrical body having a bore that allows the chain 20 to slide through easily. The flat portion of each chain guide is mounted to the cross straps 14b-f near their first, inner end by rivets.
To install and secure the tire chain assembly 10, the assembly 10 is draped over the tire 28 of a parked car so that the first and last cross straps 14a, 14f of the assembly 10 hang down around the tire 28. The chain 20 should be located on the inner side of the tire (toward the car; see
To remove the tire chain assembly 10, the clip 24 is unfastened from the chain 20 on the outer side of the tire (
The tire chain assembly 10 may be made available in different sizes to accommodate different sized tires, including passenger car tires and light truck and sport utility vehicle tires. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the tire chain assembly 10 can be modified by adding or removing segments to accommodate tires of different diameters.
The tire chain assembly 10 can also be used as a traction mat without attaching the assembly 10 to a tire. To use the tire chain assembly 10 as a traction mat the assembly 10 is simply placed on the ground adjacent the tire so that the tire will roll over the assembly 10 when the car is first moved.
Other modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention are contemplated which do not depart from the scope of the invention as defined by the foregoing teachings and appended claims. It is intended that the claims cover all such modifications that fall within their scope.
