Abstract: An anti-skid chain for a vehicle tire comprises an inner and outer harness. The outer side harness comprises a closed loop harness line with elastic expansion members acting as a damping elements. A locking device is attached at one end of the harness line and a tensioning chain at the other end passes through the locking device, which permits movement of the tensioning chain for tensioning and prevents movement in the opposite direction. The inner side harness comprises a ring-shaped resilient stirrup which can be elastically spread apart for slipping across the tire tread. Closure members on the free ends of the stirrup lock the stirrup closed on release of the stirrup.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous snow chain comprising three cords or chains disposed in zig-zag patterns and connected to each other in a network of cords or chains of a finite length including two parallel rows of substantially diamond-shaped openings. One cord or chain constituting one boundary of the network of cords or chains is slidably connected to a first retaining cord at each of the zig-zag points constituting the one boundary of the network of cords or chains, which first retaining cord includes means for connecting two extremities thereof to one another. The other cord or chain constituting the other boundary of the network of cords or chains is slidably connected to a second retaining cord at each of the zig-zag points constituting the other boundary of the network of cords or chains, which second retaining cord includes means for connecting two extremities thereof to one another.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire chain device for automobiles travelling on snow-covered terrain and, in particular, to one having two steel hoops connected by a plurality short lengths of chains, a plurality of plastic tubes enclosing the steel hoops, two packings located between every two of the plastic tubes, a plurality of guide rings disposed between adjacent packings of one of the steel hoops, a ring member disposed at each end of the steel hoops and a binding chain connected to one ring member of one of the steel hoops. During use of the device the plurality of short lengths of chains are held tightly across the outside of the tire, disposed to be substantially parallel to the axis of tire rotation to enhance traction.

Abstract: A fastening member provided at the end of a spring-elastic mounting strap of a tire chain. The fastening member has an introduction passage and an attachment passage for a cooperating fastening member that is secured to the other end of the mounting strap. A guide passage interconnects the introduction passage and the attachment passage. This guide passage, at the level of a hook arm portion that partially separates the introduction passage from the attachment passage, extends at an angle of greater than 90.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the attachment passage. In this way, the cooperating fastening member can be easily hooked in the fastening member. The inclined course of the guide passage relative to the longitudinal axis of the attachment passage assures a high degree of protection against accidental unhooking.

Abstract: A vehicle tire chain has an openable and closable inner and outer support engaging, in a mounted state of the chain, respective inner and outer sides of a vehicle tire, a plurality of runner chains each secured to the inner and outer supports and straddling, in the mounted state of the chain, a running face of the tire. The outer support has a first part supporting the runner chains jointly with the inner support and a deflecting member secured to an end of the first part. The outer support further has a second part including a closing linkage for closing the first part under tension. The closing linkage has a first end secured to another end of the first part, a second end passed through the deflecting member and a hook secured to said second end of the closing linkage and releasably attached to the first part of the outer support in the mounted state of the chain. The closing linkage is deflected by more than 90.degree. by the deflecting member.

Abstract: A chain winch 10 having a sprocket wheel 14 of polygonal cross-section with flat faces 32 dimensioned in dependence on the dimensions of a link chain to be used therewith and having pin formations 36 for engaging between or in chain links. The winch includes a self latching pawl 48 engageable with the chain links and a braking mechanism 16 for controlled unwinding when required in use. The winch is simple and inexpensive and the sprocket tolerant of chain dimensions so that it can be used with uncalibrated chain. This winch, amongst other things, has application for permanent fitting to a tire chain for tensioning it on to a tire.

Abstract: A device for tightening chains, cables or ropes is disclosed. Previously, turnbuckles or load binders, the latter operating on the principle of the lever, have been used to tighten two ends of a chain or cable around an object, or the ends of two chains which have been secured at their other ends. Such devices are hand-operated and accordingly can only apply limited tension to the chain or cable. The present invention provides a device whereby an air-gun or pneumatic wrench or other power tool can be used to tighten the chain or cable to much greater tension. The device utilizes a threaded bolt which is secured to one end of the chain and which, by the rotation of a threaded socket, is drawn through a sleeve to which the other end of the chain is secured, thereby tightening the chain.

Abstract: A non-skid device for motor vehicle tires comprises at least two strands of cable joined at their ends and having adjustably threaded thereon a plurality of pairs of half-brackets separated from one another by cross pieces in contact with the tread of the tire. The half-brackets are symmetrically disposed and have two branches, a first branch of each half-bracket resting against the tire tread. The second branch of one of the half-brackets in each pair rests against one of the flanks of the tire, and the second branch of the remaining half-bracket rests against the other flank of the tire.

Abstract: An antiskid device and its fittings for a tire including a side chain, a cross chain, a connector, an end link, a hook and a stopper. The side chain includes a side link formed as a two-piece link having two links, one a long link and the other a short link, which are integral with each other. The stopper is angled in transverse cross section and formed with a transverse web of a width large enough to contact a lower portion of the end link and a groove of a width large enough to receive the hook. The cross chain is formed as a cross link of bar material, and the connector is in the form of a link on either end and in the form of a rod in its intermediate portion so that the connector is connected at one end to the cross link and at the other end to the side link.

Abstract: A tensioning device for chains such as tensioning chains, sling chains, tire chains and the like with a tensioning unit having at least one tensioning spindle which is connected with a tensioning nut and having at least one damping spring. The damping spring is a cup spring package and the cup spring package is installed in the tensioning unit. A multiplicity of the cup springs of the spring package can have a single layer and the remaining cup springs can have multilayer arrangement. More than half of the spring path, preferably approximately 80% of the entire spring path of the spring package is preloaded with a half force which is at least smaller by approximately one half than the preloading force of the remaining spring path. A control device has an indicator connected with a tensioning spindle and this indicator such as a bolt is movable, preferably is journalled longitudinally shiftable in a housing opening.

Abstract: A traction device comprises a traction means such as, for example, a chain mounted on a wheel tire, and a connecting means to connect both end portions of the chain when mounted on. Said connecting means comprises a long extension having a first hook portion at one end, and a short extension having a second hook portion at one end corresponding to said first hook portion, the extension being pivoted to said long extension. Said first and second hook portions are respectively hooked to the end portions of the chain, and by rotating said long extension in a predetermined direction, both end portions of the chain are pulled to approach together so as to perform the connection.

Abstract: In tire chains, closures are required to lock tension-chain lines (10) in the tensioned position. A proposed closure is provided with a pull-through orifice (2) for the tension-chain line (10) and with a locking slot (3) adjacent to the pull-through orifice (2). To prevent the particular chain link (9) suspended in the locking slot (3) from working loose, the pull-through orifice (2) is equipped with an elastic insert (11) which forms at least one engagement cam projecting into the locking slot (3).

Abstract: In an anti-skid chain with an inner retaining device (1) formed by a resilient steel hoop, a tensioning strand (6) bridging end parts (4, 5) of the steel hoop is used for tensioning and is guided over the tread of the tire to the outer retaining device (3). The deflection device (13), which deflects the tensioning strand (6) out of the region of the inner retaining device (1) to the tread, is held at a distance from the end parts (4, 5) of the inner retaining device (1) by movable connecting elements, especially chain links.

Abstract: An anti-skid tire chain is improved by having a resilient strap at one end, the strap being adapted to be secured on the inside wall of a mounted tire having its tread on a road surface. On both of the side wall links of the chain, there are plates having a plurality of sharply pointed hooks or barbs adapted to be pressed into the side walls of the tire when the chain is initially being secured to the tire. In order to have the barbs securely engage the tire so as to hold the chain thereon during the rotation of the wheel and tire, the resilient strap is extended transversely on the chain from adjacent one of the plates to the other and the plates are secured to the tire by pressing them against the side walls with the barbs extending toward the tire wall and toward the tread. At the same time the strap is stretched so that when it is released, the barbs will be additionally pulled into the tire by the resilient retraction of the strap.

Abstract: A novel and improved traction device comprises a cable-type chain adapted to be mounted on radial tires for emergency use wherein a pair of lateral cables are adapted to extend cicumferentially along opposite sidewalls of the tire. A plurality of cross-members are arranged at spaced intervals transversely of and between lateral cables to which opposite ends of each of the cross members are connected. Each of the cross members is in the form of an elongated flexible member composed of a wire or wire-like material with an outer plastic coating in surrounding relation to the elongated flexible member. At least one sleeve member is slidably disposed in outer surrounding relation to each of the cross members, the sleeve members being composed of a high impact-resistant material in the form of a plurality of extruded tubular sections of limited length disposed in end-to-end relation to one another for extension along the length of each cross member.

Abstract: A skid-resisting chain adapted to be attached to and removed from the tires of a vehicle with a minimum of effort to provide improved traction in snow, ice, mud or other slippery road conditions. The attachment-detachment means comprises a flexible metal cable adapted to tie the tire chain around the tire and wheel and a biased cam gripping means adapted to frictionally-engage the end of the cable in a manner which provides increased locking action when a withdrawal force is applied to the cable and yet permits easy release when a tightening force or a detachment force is applied to the cable.

Abstract: In a tire protection chain with plate-shaped components (1) which cover the tread of the tire to be protected, and with at least one chain network (4) located on one side of the tire, the chain network is provided with overload safeguards (7, 8, 9, 14, 18, 22) which form a parting position when the chain network is subjected to extremely high loadings. The overload safeguards are here designed in such a way that no parts can be released and thrown off when the chain network is overloaded.

Abstract: An anti-skid tire guard has three main components. The first component is a pair of spaced strips of material, each of the strips comprising three slats connected end to end by hinge pins. The strips are maintained in spaced relation by a plurality of metal or plastic tread members having studs projecting from one surface thereof. The ends of both of the strips are provided with female connectors. A plurality of blanks comprise each tread member and are connected by wires which are attached to the hinges by adjacent slats forming the strips. The second component comprises two slats attached end to end by a hinge, the free ends of each of these slats comprising male connector members designed to securely fit within the female members. A tread member similar to those used in the first component is provided, which is attached to the hinged portion between the two slats at one end and which has a hook at its other end.

Abstract: A wire rope traction device or cable tire chain includes lateral cables and a plurality of cross cables for extending between the lateral cables across the sole of a tire. Flat metal members secured to the lateral cables and ends of the cross cables form low profile articulated connections therebetween substantially adjacent the sole of the tire and radially outwardly from the tire sidewall flexing point for enabling a tighter grip on the tire by the tire chain. A belt attachment is employed in securing the traction device to a tire and is provided with a hook which is readily released for removal of the traction device.

Abstract: A tire chain assembly is provided with a quick connecting male and female fastener for easily securing together the inner circumferential chain on the inner side of the tire without the need for elevating the tire. The outer circumferential chain on the outer side of the tire is provided with a toggle type fastener for securing together the ends of the outer circumferential chain and tightening the outer circumferential chain abut the tire.

Abstract: A wire rope traction device for tires, and particularly radial tires, includes lateral cables and a plurality of cross cables for extending between the lateral cables across the sole of a tire. Flat metal members secured to the lateral cables and ends of the cross cables form low profile articulated connections therebetween substantially adjacent the sole of the tire and radially outwardly from the tire sidewall flexing point for enabling a tighter grip on the tire by the traction device.

Abstract: A tire protector chain comprises plate-shaped components (1) which cover the tread of the tire and further comprises on at least one side of the tire a chain net connected to said components (1) by means of connection devices (4;15;24;28;34). The connection devices (4;15;24;28;34) being in the form of overload protection means which under the action of critical external forces free the chain net, or parts thereof, before the breaking strength of the chain links (14) is reached, in such a manner that no fragments of chain links (14) or of the connection devices (4;15;24;28;34) are released.

Abstract: The side connector in a nonskid tire chain of this invention improves the invention of the herein identified copending application by providing spaced apart transverse bars, one carried by a bar-receiving member having an opening therein and the other by a bar-shaped member of substantial length slidable in the slot. Such construction provides supports for detachable elastic means extending between the transverse bars and relatively yieldingly urging the bar-receiving and bar-shaped members toward retracted position. One of the spaced bars extends between the walls of the bar-receiving member and the other projects on both sides of the bar-shaped member. The detachable elastic has a longitudinal slot so that an end portion can span each of the projections of the bar carried by the bar-shaped member and the other end portion can span the bar carried by the bar-receiving member.

Abstract: A tightener for securing tire chains about industrial tires. The tightener includes a pair of block members that are threadably engaged by a draw bolt. The draw bolt includes a tool engaging surface that facilitates attachment of a tool to turn the draw bolt about its central axis and correspondingly move the block members axially toward or away from one another. A pair of non-extensible lengths of chain are connected to each block and extend outwardly to free ends that are adapted for connection to the side rail chain of an industrial tire chain. Therefore, the tightener may be mounted with the length of chain connected to the side rail chain and the blocks and draw bolt substantially centered on the tire axis. The draw bolt may then be rotated to bring the block members axially together, pulling inwardly on the side rail chains to tighten the tire chain about the tire periphery.

Abstract: A stretching device for stretching of a tire chain, particularly an anti-skid chain. The stretching device comprises a stretching spring, a stretching aggregate for stretching the spring and a stretching element for maintaining an associated tire chain in a stretched position when the spring is stretched. The stretching device eliminates the need for adjusting the tire chain to compensate for slack caused by revolution of the wheels carrying the tire chain.