Abstract: A tire pressurizing system is provided for automatically pressurizing a pneumatic tire. The system employs centrifugal force to actuate a pump which is attached to the interior of the tire. Centrifugal force causes a pump actuating member to follow a different orbital path around a rotating tire from the path of the pump housing, which is attached to the tire. The difference is due to the flexing of the tire in the load bearing "footprint" area. The result is reciprocation of the actuating member, which in turn operates a pump. Piston and diaphragm pump embodiments are disclosed. An automatic pressure regulator is also provided.

Abstract: In a tire chain, at least one junction point has a horizontal link having the form of a shackle with a main part and with outward-directed ends adjoining this. The hardness of the main part is greater than the hardness of the ends facing one another, these being joined to one another by means of a connecting part which is mushroom-shaped. The connecting part in turn has a hardened head and a hardened foot which are connected to one another via a soft shank.

Abstract: A traction mat is disclosed for use under a vehicle wheel to provide traction under conditions such as snow, ice, and the like. The mat includes a generally flat body having cleats which are movable relative to the body between inoperative condition substantially out of engagement with the ground and operative condition in engagement with the ground in response to the vehicle wheel moving over the mat. The cleats are disclosed as individual spike-like members reciprocally mounted within bores in respective elements of the body. The elements are formed in a series of generally parallel rows providing flexibility for the body. The spikes are axially movable relative to the body between inoperative positions and operative positions gripping the ground in response to the vehicle wheel moving over the spikes.

Abstract: Antiskid device for motor vehicle tires with an inner fastening or mounting engaging with the inside of the tire and with an inner fastening or mounting for chain strand portions extending over the tire tread, in which in the fitted state, the inner fastening has an approximately circular construction and has a central fastening section, to each of whose two ends is swivellably fixed a side part by means of a swivel joint and for fitting the inner fastening, the side parts can be opened outwards from the central fastening section and are in each case pretensioned by means of a spring device in the direction of a closed form of the inner fastening. In order to further facilitate fitting, particularly in the case of narrow or confined wheel cases, it is provided that the central fastening section comprises at least two portions, which are interconnected in a swivellable manner relative to one another and are also pretensioned in the direction of a closed form of the inner fastening.

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 reinforcement cable is formed of an assembly of strands. Each strand is formed of two wires wound around each other in the same direction, with a constant pitch whose length is less than 300 mm. The two wires have linear contact with each other in the form of a helix. These helices have the same direction and the same constant pitch length. The assembly is formed of two strands of the same length of pitch and wound in opposite directions and/or it is formed of two to four strands such that the assembly has the same length of pitch and wound in the same direction as one strand and, with respect to another strand, a different length of pitch and/or wound in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A wheel attachment to provide extra needed traction by a motor drawn vehicle when traveling on roadways covered with snow, ice or mud. It comprises a plurality of circularly spaced, flexible traction members overhanging the tread of a pair of wheels and control means operable from the driving position of the vehicle to selectively couple or uncouple the attachment relative to the wheels. The control means may comprise a driver's switch for operating an electromagnetically operated pin on the traction device cooperable with a hole in a disc rotatably mounted on a spindle at each wheel to selectively couple the device operatively to the hub at the respective wheel. Other alternative means are provided to control such coupling.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel having a one-piece wheel rim on which can be mounted a pneumatic tire. The tire has a tread strip, two sidewalls, a carcass, and two tire beads which are laterally spaced from one another and contain substantially inextensible bead cores. The wheel rim has two rim shoulders, which are laterally spaced from one another and extend outwardly into a respective rim edge or into a respective rim flange. The rim also has a radially recessed rim base. The wheel further includes an emergency operation support member which is disposed in the recessed rim base and has a supporting surface which is located radially outwardly of the rim flange. The emergency operation support member is provided with a radially inner surface which faces the rim shoulder and is disposed at a distance from the latter, this distance corresponding to at least the thickness of the tire bead. An annular chamber is provided which extends further radially inwardly to the recessed rim base, and is widened axially inwardly.

Abstract: A device for transferring an uncured tire carcass of cylindrical shape and comprising a cylindrical housing, a plurality of suction cups disposed in at least three circular bands around the housing, said bands being located one at each end portion and one in a mid-portion of the housing and each cup is connected to an actuator for radial movement and is also connectable to a vacuum source. Also, a plurality of tire bead retaining means are located in two circular bands at the desired axial bead locations, each band having at least three retaining means equiangularly spaced therein, each retaining means being connected to an actuator for radial movement for retention or release of the bead. The bead retaining means hold the bead, concentric with, and radially spaced from the outer surface of the carcass.

Abstract: Bead protectors fittable to an opposed pair of tire bead portions are made of a thermoplastic resin. Each bead protector comprises a tubular portion fittable in the bead portion and a flange portion extending from the tubular portion via a curved portion and fittable to the outer side surface of the bead portion. The bead protector is integrally molded in an L-shaped radial cross section. Each of fastening bands comprises a stretchable portion and hooked plate-like metal members. When fitted to the tire bead portions, the bead protectors are interconnected by the fastening bands and elastically pulled toward each other axially of the tire by the stretchable portions, with the hooks in engagement with projections on the flange portions.

Abstract: A cast, low density metal disk for anti-skid devices which has a periphery of sufficiently small width that when it contacts the wet side wall of a tire on a vehicle it spreads the film of water to each side and leaves an essentially dry area of contact between the disk and the tire instead of hydroplaning on it. The periphery preferably is covered with an anti-skid material, e.g., rubber. Chains are pre-turned or twisted in the same direction a tire tends to turn them when rolling over them to avoid further twisting with consequent shortening in use and they are given a non-circular, e.g., square cross section to increase their anti-skid properties. The chains are welded at one end to a steel ring which is removably fastened to the under surface of a disk by bolts.

Abstract: A spike tire for a vehicle and which includes a pin receptacle hole formed on the tread surface of the tire; a spike pin retractably protrudable from the pin receptacle hole; a biasing mechanism for continuously urging the spike pin to protrude from the pin receptacle hole; and an actuating member of a shape memory alloy capable of restoring a memorized shape when warmed to a predetermined temperature by the heat generated in the tire as a result of operation of the vehicle on a non-frozen or snow-free road surface, to thereby retract the spike pin into said tire against the action of the biasing mechanism. The spike pin is automatically protruded and retracted depending upon road conditions based on a temperature difference between a frozen or snowed road surface and a non-frozen snow-free road surface.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for detachably securing together the opposed ends of a lateral cable in a tire chain mounted on a tire. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced-apart anchor members mounted on one end of the lateral cable and a generally U-shaped clasp joined to the other end of the cable. The clasp includes a base, a first expanse which is joined to and extends outwardly from the base at a right angle, and a second expanse, forming part of the other end of the clasp, which is joined to and projects outwardly from the base, and is inclined away from the first expanse. The clasp further includes an elongate slot which extends longitudinally of the clasp, with opposite ends in the first and second expanses, and having in the second expanse in an enlarged portion which accommodates passage therethrough of an anchor member.

Abstract: A simple two-stage process is disclosed for economic mass production of premium-quality heavy-duty belted tubeless and tube-type radial truck tires of various sizes using standard 30-year-old semi-automatic tire building machines heretofore used in the manufacture of bias-ply tires by the flat-band process. The old automatic machines are modified at minimal cost to receive a unique rigid expansible drum which is radially expanded 35% or more during the first-stage tire building operation. The drum may be adjusted to make tires of various widths and diameters and has a series of closely spaced radially movable segments defining a rigid segmental open-ended externally cylindrical shell having an annular rubber cover on which a complete green tire carcass is built prior to application of the belts and the tread at the second-stage machine.The shell has rigid beveled shoulders at the ends of the drum which are inclined at an angle of from 40.degree. to 50.degree.

Abstract: A reinforcing cord for use in radial tires, conveyor belts, hoses or driving belts, includes at least one strand of metal wires twisted along the longitudinal axis of the strand. Each metal wire has a substantially rectangular cross-section defining two opposite broad sides. The wires in the strand engage one another along their broad sides and preferably are wrapped around by a wrapping wire.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a valve cap which indicates the pressure within a pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A lightweight retractable track-wheel for obtaining less soil compaction and improved traction efficiency of rubber tired vehicles. The track-wheel provides high-strength, thin-gauged spade-lugs, rotatably secured to a main frame for providing higher drawbar pull at higher rate of travel speed by utilizing stronger sub-surface layer of soil; and includes an actuator for extending and retracting the traction spade-lugs for expedient and effortless conversion of the track-wheel to allow travel on pavement.

Abstract: A vehicle tire with traction-improving devices, wherein the basic tire has a plurality of uniformly spaced apart cross grooves running essentially from sidewall to sidewall. Each groove is fitted with an inflatable bag or bladder which, when uninflated, retracts within the circle of the road-engaging surface of the tread. An annular manifold is affixed to at least one sidewall and is connected by conduits to the cross members. This manifold has a valved air inlet which may be used to pressurize the cross members via the manifold and thus to project the inflated members radially beyond the circle of the tread so that they engage the road surface. Depressurizing the manifold of course causes the members to retract. Each cross member is equipped with some form of traction-improving substance, structure or the like to enhance road grippability, especially in slippery road conditions.

Abstract: An anti-skid device for motor vehicle tires is provided including front and rear holding devices, which lie against the inside and outside of the tire when the chain is mounted, and between which chain strand sections extend over the running surface of the tire. One of the holding devices which usually is the rear holding device in the mounted state, is essentially circular and has a rigid middle section and two rigid side sections, one end of each of which is attached by pivotal connections to an end of the middle section in such a way that it can be pivoted. Pretensioned spring devices are provided at the pivot connections to bias the side sections toward each other in the mounted condition after the rear holding device is passed over the tire with the side sections pivoted outwardly. Locking devices for securing the two ends of the side sections together in the mounted position are also provided.

Abstract: A tubular tire for cycles comprising a tubular toroidal body including an inner airtight tube to be inflated, the tire body or carcass being equipped, on the outer surface mating the wheel rim, with a rubberized tape having projecting portions such as profiles or prominences adapted to ensure a better engagement between the tire and the rim.The carcass is built by longitudinally joining together the edges of a rubberized fabric, the junction being radially external with respect to the tire and below the tread. The edges are joined either by overlapping or by abutment of the edges. In this latter case a reinforcement strip is provided between the carcass and the tread. An additional narrow strip protecting the junction is provided between the carcass and the inner or air tube.According to an embodiment the tire has a tunnel shaped cross-section obtained by suitably shaping the rubberized tape and the tire body when vulcanizing the tire.