Patents by Inventor Karl Bula

Karl Bula has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4308906
    Abstract: The clamping means of the anti-slip device includes a pair of locking members for selectively clamping the overlapping wire ends of the wire in a manner so as to only permit movement in a sense of a shortening of the effective length of the wire. A pair of release members are actuated simultaneously by a frame so as to move the locking members from an inclined position in which the wires are clamped to an upright position in which the wires are free to move through the locking members. The clamping wire is secured within the helical spring forming the resilient pull element at a point diametrically opposite the clamping means. With the anti-slip device fitted onto a wheel and with the release members in a locking position, the locking members allow the clamping means to move relative to the wire ends only in the sense of a shortening of the effective length of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventors: Karl Bula, Bruno Schaffner
  • Patent number: 4193571
    Abstract: The suspension system is formed of a holder and a support member which is locked in the holder. The holder has a pair of shaped apertures which are disposed in opposed parallel relation which serve to receive constricted portions of the support member. The support member is fitted longitudinally into the apertures of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Karl Bula
  • Patent number: 4111251
    Abstract: A vehicle traction device for rubber tired vehicular wheels, comprising a traction unit in the form of, for instance, a wire netting or chain equipped with a tightening mechanism for the traction unit and effective at least at one side of the wheel in the circumferential direction in the mounted condition of the vehicle traction device. This tightening mechanism comprises a tensioning element extending in the circumferential direction of the wheel and elastically constructed at least over a part of its extent and a tightening or tensioning wire which likewise extends in the circumferential direction. One end of the tightening wire is fastened to a body member of a tightening lock of the tightening mechanism and the other end is guided through a blocking element arranged in the tightening lock. When the vehicle traction device is mounted, the blocking element allows displacement of the tightening lock relative to the tightening wire only in the sense of shortening the effective length of the tightening wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Ltd.
    Inventor: Karl Bula
  • Patent number: 3934633
    Abstract: An annular meshwork to cover the tread and part of the sidewalls of a tire includes a plurality of flexible, nonstretchable strands extending around the tire, each strand being connected to adjacent strands at spaced apart points to form an annular meshwork or network to improve traction and steering. The sides of the meshwork are defined by end rings, at least one of which is extensible, e.g., elastic, to allow mounting on the tire. The strands adjacent the end rings are fixedly attached to the end rings. The meshes are formed by the strands with a significantly longer dimension in the circular direction of the annular meshwork than in the transverse direction. The connections can be made using clamping devices of which specific embodiments are disclosed. The clamping devices can be provided with a protective layer on the tread-facing (inner) side. The outer side can be provided with projections in the nature of short spikes to enhance traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1976
    Inventor: Karl Bula