Patent Application
20070017616
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a traction aid for wheeled vehicles for use in snow and ice conditions, the traction aid cooperable with and positioned in the circumferential grooves of the respective tires mounted on the respective drive wheels of the vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Obtaining traction for a wheeled vehicle in snow and ice conditions has been a problem since the early development of the automobile. One solution to the problem was to change out the road tires on the drive wheels as winter approached and replace those tires with what are commonly referred to as snow tires, these tires having a significant tread difference than the normal road tires in order to provide better traction in snow and ice conditions. In some instances, and in some climates, snow tires in and of themselves were insufficient to provide the necessary traction and grip.
A supplementary solution to the snow tire solution was the development of tire chains, which consisted of a chain mesh wrapped around the circumferential surface of the tires and held in place by a tensioning force (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,536,491; 4,799,522; and 4,922,982). This solution proved satisfactory when the climatic conditions required this extreme measure. However, in the absence of snow and ice on the road surface, the chains proved noisy and because of the higher speeds on the road surface, absent snow or ice, the chains were likely to become disengaged and become a flying object doing damage to the underside of the vehicle in which they were mounted, or a trailing vehicle. Because of this danger, the tire chains would have to be removed as soon as the roadways were clear.
Another development which attempted to address the solution of added traction and grip in snow and icy climatic conditions was the development of the studded snow tire. This was essentially a snow tire having a significant tread differentiation from that of the normal road tire, but in which was embedded tungsten studs which protruded radially outwardly from the circumferential peripheral surface and which were designed to penetrate packed snow or ice as the wheel and tire revolved in order to provide traction. These worked in certain instances, but it soon became evident that when no snow or icy climatic conditions were prevalent on the paved roadways, the tungsten studs damaged the roadway and prematurely degraded the surface of the roadway, hence, studded snow tires with the outwardly extending tungsten studs were outlawed in many jurisdictions.
Applicant's invention is directed to improving the traction and grip of a wheeled vehicle in snow and icy climatic conditions, which is easily installed and cooperable with the circumferential periphery of the tire of the wheeled vehicle, provides necessary traction and grip, does not damage the roadway surface, and does not have to be removed during short intervals of non-snow or non-ice climatic conditions.
An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel traction device for a wheeled vehicle which improves traction in snow and icy climatic conditions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel traction device for a wheeled vehicle which is cooperable with and removably embedded in the circumferential peripheral grooves of the tire.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel traction device for snow and icy climatic conditions in which a cable having beads formed therein is embedded in the circumferential grooves of the tire such that the beads secured on the cable extend above the outermost level of the tread of the tire.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel traction device for a wheeled vehicle in which the ends of each respective cable are easily secured with a tensioning device.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel traction device for a wheeled vehicle in which the beads positioned on the cable are dimensioned so as to not inflict unwanted wear and tear or damage to a clear road surface.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel traction device for a wheeled vehicle in which the traction device can remain mounted on the tire during intervals of non-snowy and icy climatic conditions.
A traction aid for wheeled vehicles cooperable with the circumferential peripheral grooves of a tire of the wheeled vehicle, the traction aid comprising a cable securable at both ends, forming a loop, fixedly secured to the cable, there being a plurality of beads such that when installed, the cable lies completely recessed within a respective circumferential peripheral groove of the tire and the respective beads extend outwardly and above the upper surface of the tread of the tire thereby providing additional traction and grip in cooperation with the cross grooves of the tire in snowy and icy climatic conditions.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:
Tire 10 is a standard pneumatic inflatable tire mountable on a rim (not shown) and mounted on the hub of a vehicle. Tire 10 is composed of opposing side walls 12 and 14 and a circumferential tread surface 16. Tread surface 16 comprises a plurality of circumferential grooves 18 with a plurality of cross grooves 20 either in perpendicular or angular relationship with the circumferential grooves, circumferential grooves and cross grooves thereby defining the tread surface of the tire 10.
Applicant's traction aid is cooperable with the circumferential grooves 18 about tire 10. Applicant's traction aid comprises a flexible cable 22 dimensioned to span the circumference of the tire 10 within circumferential groove 18. The diameter of flexible cable 22 is such that it is fully recessed within the circumferential groove 18 of tire 10. As discussed in more detail hereafter, the ends of the flexible cable 22 are secured together by a suitable fastening means to maintain the flexible cable 22 within a circumferential groove of tire 10.
Fixedly positioned onto flexible cable 22 are a plurality of bead members 24. Bead members 24 are formed with a cable receiving bore 25 and are dimensioned to fit snugly within the circumferential groove 18 of tire 10. They are fixed in position on flexible cable 22 which passes through bore 25 such that they do not slide and they are dimensioned such that their upper surface extends above the tread surface of circumferential surface 16 of tire 10.
In an alternative manner, a wedge 31 is slid into receiving bore 25 to frictionally secure the bead position on the flexible cable 22 as illustrated in
Flexible cable member 22 would preferably be constructed of steel and may be coated. The bead members 24 would preferably be formed of steel and fixedly secured to flexible cable 22 at desired intervals. Bead members 24 may further have their lower surface 28 textured 29 to increase the grip of the bead member within the circumferential groove 18 of the tire 10.
The traction aid would preferably be installed on tire 10 when tire 10 is deflated or partially deflated. The securing means would secure the two ends of the cable and then the tire would be inflated which would create the firm and rigid mounting of the traction aid to the tire 10 within circumferential groove 18.
While the present invention has been described with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications or changes can be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore it is manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims and the equivalence thereof.
