Abstract: Tire protective or traction chain comprising a network of wearing plates 14 substantially perpendicular to the surface of a tire and connectors 12 substantially parallel to the surface of the tire interconnecting the wearing plates. Each wearing plate on the tread portion of tire comprises an assembly of multiple plates 16 that are relatively thin and that together form a wearing plate assembly of the required thickness. Alternate plates of an assembly may be of different heights or have sloping ground engaging edges arranged opposite to one another for increased traction.

Abstract: A tire having a layer of uncured rubber in its tread portion is fitted to a hub and an annular protective chain is placed over the uncured rubber. The tire is inflated and the protective chain is tensioned by chains connected to the lateral edges of the chain and extending radially inwardly to the axis of and axially away from the central plane of the tire by means of a telescopic jack aligned with the axis of the tire. The tire is vulcanised by sealably enclosing it in a cover, venting the space between the cover and tire, and curing the rubber in an autoclave in which the tire is a loose fit.