Anti-skid Devices Patents (Class 152/208)
  • Patent number: 11912062
    Abstract: An expanding tire rim comprises an inner hub in hydraulic communication with a plurality of arms having curved outer rim sections. When activated by a user the hydraulic system permits the diameter of the outer rim to expand. Each arm has a plurality of tire retaining spikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventors: Alex Suliman, Amjad Suliman, Moyed Suliman
  • Patent number: 11554614
    Abstract: Tyre for a wheel of a vehicle, with a profiled tread for supporting the vehicle on the ground, provided with an adjustment device for adjusting a tread pattern height of the profiled tread. Method for at least partly replacing a profiled tread of such a tyre.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: DRIVE TECHNOLOGY HOLLAND LTD.
    Inventors: Marinus Johannes Cornelis Van Tilburg, Henricus Josephus Maria Essens, Johannes Constant Maria De Wijs, Hubertus Hendrikes Adrianus Van Kasteren
  • Patent number: 11130370
    Abstract: Vehicle systems and components are set forth, which aim to reduce rolling friction caused in part by the contact between the vehicle's tires and the ground surface over which the vehicle is traversing. These systems and/or components thereof may increase the overall fuel efficiency of a vehicle. In the examples provided, the systems and/or components change the tread contact patch of one or more tires during movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Richard Bryan Wood
  • Patent number: 11021020
    Abstract: A method for arranging stud pins in a pneumatic tire is a method for arranging stud pins in a tread portion at intervals in a tire width direction so as to form a plurality of rows. This method includes specifying an inner region, an intermediate region, and an outer region by virtually partitioning the tread portion into equal three parts from a center line extending in a tire circumferential direction to a ground contact end in the tire width direction outward. The method also includes arranging the stud pins such that among numbers of stud pins per row in the inner region, the intermediate region, and the outer region, the number in the outer region is the largest, the number in the intermediate region is the second largest, the number in intermediate region is the smallest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshikazu Yasunaga
  • Patent number: 10759237
    Abstract: A tire cooling system can be installed in a vehicle to receive condensate from evaporator of the vehicle and use the condensate for cooling one or more tires of the vehicle. The system includes a drain line, a collection reservoir, a pump, at least one spray assembly configured for positioning proximate a vehicle tire, a valve, water level sensors, a tire temperature sensor, and a controller. The at least one spray assembly includes at least one nozzle attached to a manifold. A filter is disposed within the drain line for filtering condensate that is directed to the reservoir from the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: United Arab Emirates University
    Inventors: Mariam Abdulrazzaq Abdullah Alhammadi, Waleed Khalil Ahmed
  • Patent number: 10493804
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method provides a reciprocating bolt by a bolt assembly having a bolt assembly body, a cap affixed to the bolt assembly body, and a base affixed to the bolt assembly body opposite the cap. The method includes biasing a bolt carrier in the bolt assembly body in a retracted position relative to the bolt assembly, resulting in a center portion of a diaphragm disposed between the cap and the bolt assembly body being deflected toward the cap. The method also includes applying an actuation force to the bolt carrier so as to move the bolt carrier from the retracted position to an extended position relative to the bolt assembly by oppositely deflecting the center portion of the diaphragm toward the base, and discontinuing the applying of the actuation force while the bolt carrier is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ice Adaptive Tires, LLC
    Inventor: Norman S. Fink
  • Patent number: 10279632
    Abstract: This pneumatic radial tire for agricultural vehicles includes lugs arranged alternately, in the tread circumferential direction, in tread width direction halves, and at least one protrusion on a wall at a trailing edge side of each lug, protruding from the wall in an opposite direction from a designated tire rotation direction, connecting to the bottom of a lug groove, and including an upper face orthogonal to the tire radial direction. A line M connects a tread width direction innermost point P of the wall at the trailing edge side of a first lug and a point Q ? of a peripheral length of the wall away. The protrusion of a second lug positioned on the opposite tread width direction half from the first lug and adjacent to the first lug in the designated tire rotation direction is positioned on the tread width direction inner side of the line M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Kodama
  • Patent number: 10271609
    Abstract: A press on shoe cover includes a bottom layer and at least one bistable spring band. The bottom layer is sized to cover at least a bottom of a shoe. The at least one bistable spring band is attached to the bottom layer. The at least one bistable spring band having a stable planar position and a bias coiling position. The stable planar position is configured to hold the bottom layer flat. The bias coiling position is configured to wrap the bottom layer around at least the bottom of the shoe. When the shoe cover lays flat on a surface and the bottom of the shoe is pressed down on the shoe cover, the bistable spring band is configured to move to the bias coiling position thereby wrapping the bottom layer around at least the bottom of the shoe and securing the shoe cover on the bottom of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: STEP IN LLC
    Inventor: Joel Christopher Fersaci
  • Patent number: 9902122
    Abstract: A support for assembling a green tire includes a baseplate with symmetry of revolution and members fixed to the baseplate. Each of the members includes: external elements mounted to be movable relative to one another; and a flexible strip attached to the elements of the member, such that the elements of the member are attached to one another via the flexible strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventor: Cédric Astier
  • Patent number: 9873289
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire including: a cylindrical annular structure; a rubber layer, which will become a tread portion, provided along a circumferential direction of the annular structure on an outer side of the annular structure; a carcass portion provided on at least both sides in a width direction of the cylindrical structure including the annular structure and the rubber layer; and an extending portion that extends from both sides in the width direction of the annular structure farther outward in the width direction than a ground contact edge on the outer side in the width direction of the tread portion, and that is provided in plurality on both sides in the width direction along the circumferential direction of the annular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tanno, Noboru Takada, Yuji Sato, Jun Matsuda, Yuji Kodama, Susumu Imamiya
  • Patent number: 9764608
    Abstract: A tire chain includes a side member. An attachment bracket is secured at a first end region to the side member. The attachment bracket is formed at a second end region with a slot and with a channel. A crosslink member has an endless link at one end. The endless link defines an opening and is located in the slot so that the opening intersects the channel. A rod extends through the channel and the opening of the endless link and is secured against removal from the channel, whereby the crosslink member is secured to the attachment bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Inventor: J. Scott Hanson
  • Patent number: 9731553
    Abstract: A unit for rapid deployment and retraction of chain traction systems for vehicles includes a pneumatic cylinder having a cylindrical chamber enclosing a piston that is pneumatically-movable bidirectionally. A control rod coupled at one end to the piston passes through an end of the chamber and is coupled to a rack linearly movable within a sealed, grease-containing case. The rack is formed from a series of equally-spaced roller pins secured between parallel walls of a rack frame. The roller pins of the rack engage a sprocket affixed to a rotatable shaft to which is rigidly coupled an actuator arm of the rapidly-deployable vehicle ice and snow chain traction system. As the rack is moved back and forth, the actuator arm swings through an arc that—depending on the displacement of the control rod and the length of the rack, can be greater than 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventors: Shane Evan McKenna, John Horace Atkinson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9469170
    Abstract: A vehicle tire traction device including an attachment base having an upper surface, lower surface, a center portion, a first wing and a second wing. The first and second wing are continuously disposed on each of a respective right side and a left side. An adhesive layer is continuously disposed on a lower surface of each of the base, first wing and second wing. The base center portion attaches to tire tread surface. Each of the first and second wing is configured to removable attach to a respective inner and outer side wall. A biodegradable inner core is continuously disposed on an upper surface of the attachment base. An outer traction surface is continuously disposed on a top side of the inner core. The outer traction surface is configured to provide traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph Tyszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 9462849
    Abstract: Footwear used for high performance activities such as running can be adhesively attached to the plantar surface of feet rather than uppers or straps. The upper surface of the protective layer of the footwear can have adhesive regions that secure the foot to the footwear and other regions that are not adhesively coupled to the foot. The adhesive regions can be under the heel, along the lateral side of the foot, under the first through fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints and around the perimeter of the foot above the plantar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth B Trauner
  • Patent number: 9440493
    Abstract: A traction material dispensing apparatus including at least one of a traction material dispensing unit disposed within a wheel well of a vehicle, proximal both a front and a rear of a vehicle tire. Each traction material dispensing unit includes a storage cartridge, a mounting bracket assembly, and a solenoid housing. A solenoid, a knife, and a stopper are disposed within the solenoid housing. The stopper is in operational communication with the solenoid and is configured to block a pathway of the solenoid. A traction material is disposed within the storage cartridge. A transmitter sends a wireless activation signal to the receiver, which activates the solenoid, in turn actuating the stopper, which releases the traction material from within the storage cartridge onto a road proximal the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy J. Ahern, Ron Angstead
  • Patent number: 9290057
    Abstract: A vehicle tire includes a selectively actuated stud deployment system for increased traction. The studs are contained in cells in the surface of the tire and forced to deploy by pneumatic or fluid pressure. When the pressure is released, the studs retract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond B. Bushnell, Bradley K. S. Larson
  • Patent number: 9278584
    Abstract: An all-weather tire includes features that enhance safety and usability in a variety of driving conditions as well as some manufacturing processes that may be used during the production and provides an all-weather tire having selectively deployable and retractable studs for greater traction when needed. The tire includes a toroidal shell enclosing an air-filled chamber and a plurality of stud actuation chambers contained within the shell for selectively deploying studs to extend past the tire's outer radial surface for engaging a roadway or surface. The studs may be retracted when no longer needed. A mechanical pump assembly or plurality of such assemblies powered by compression of the tire engaging the roadway may be used as a power source for generating pneumatic pressure and an internal valve assembly or assemblies may be used to route the pneumatic pressure appropriately. The pump and valve assemblies may be controlled either mechanically or electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond B. Bushnell, Bradley K. S. Larson
  • Patent number: 9045011
    Abstract: A landing gear tire traction control system and methods are presented. An outer tire of an aircraft wheel is depressurized to a depressurized state in response to a non-optimal aircraft landing condition. An inner rotor of the aircraft wheel contacts the outer tire in response to the depressurized state, and a plurality of traction studs are deployed to protrude from the outer tire in response to the inner rotor contacting the outer tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Sergey Barmichev, Kelly L. Boren
  • Publication number: 20140083583
    Abstract: An anti-skid device for tires according to the present invention is configured of elementary units. Each elementary unit has a first main body including: a first U-shaped portion that straddles sidewall parts of a tire; an inside front extending portion; and an outside rear extending portion, and a second main body in the same form. The first main body and the second main body are connected with each other at the inside sidewall part side of the tire. The elementary unit has contact members each covering at least a part of a connector while being capable of contacting the sidewall part. These contact members are interposed between the connectors and the sidewall parts thereby to prevent troubles, such as vibration and noise caused from the connectors, and rubbing between the connectors and the tire or wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Kouichi Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20140069559
    Abstract: Annular tyre overlay (11) for drawing onto the rolling surface of tyres (40), which has a tread (17) on its outside and a gripping surface (15) on its inside, which tyre overlay (11) is so designed that contact between the rolling surface of the tyre (40) and the surfacing of the road is prevented by the tyre overlay (11) when the tyre overlay has been drawn onto a tyre. The said tyre overlay (11) is provided with a flange (21) which stops the tyre overlay (11) from shifting in the axial direction of the wheel. Advantageously, the tyre overlay is additionally stiffened by a flange (21) of planar form to keep the contact area on the surface below small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Louis H. Callard, Alexandre Hayot
  • Publication number: 20130312884
    Abstract: A chain link for antiskid chains of vehicle tires, which is provided in order to improve the grip properties, in particular on a smooth underlying surface, with one or more spike(s) which project on one of its sides. Each spike has, perpendicular to its longitudinal extent, a cross-section whose outer edge has a corrugated peripheral contour of successive troughs and peaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: PEWAG SCHNEEKETTEN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Karl Schmid, Ägyd Pengg
  • Publication number: 20130292015
    Abstract: Two or more anti-skid bodies with a U-shaped cross-section to be fitted therein with a tire of a car are connected by one or more connecting members to form a belt form. When being attached to the tire, the anti-skid bodies in the belt form are put on the upper part of the tire and fitted therein with the tire, the anti-skid bodies at both ends of the belt are suspended from both sides of the tire, and the pair of connecting components of the anti-skid bodies at both sides of the tire is connected thereby to form the anti-skid bodies in the belt form into a loop. When being detached from the tire, the pair of connecting components is disconnected from each other to form the anti-skid bodies into a belt form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Kouichi Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20130105050
    Abstract: A vehicle tire includes a selectively actuated stud deployment system for increased traction. The studs are contained in cells in the surface of the tire and forced to deploy by pneumatic or fluid pressure. When the pressure is released, the studs retract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Raymond B. Bushnell, Bradley K. S. Larson
  • Publication number: 20130048168
    Abstract: A steel-cleated, all terrain tire has cleats that dynamically engage with changing road conditions, across slick ice and bridges, and while turning, breaking and accelerating on steep terrain. The tire design can provide stability and an enormous safety benefit in dangerous conditions, on demand, without the driver's intervention. The tire design can be used for military vehicles and aircraft, commercial jets, turboprop aircraft, heavy equipment, commercial diesel trucks, helicopters, law enforcement vehicles, fire and rescue vehicles, school buses, government vehicles, sport cars, and the like. The tire design include spring loaded cleats that can are spaced about and extend outward from the tire's surface. The spring load may be strong enough to permit the cleat to penetrate ice and the like, while not damaging asphalt or concrete roadways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Henry J. Reedy
  • Publication number: 20130000807
    Abstract: An anti-skid stud for insertion into the tread of a vehicle tire is disclosed. The stud comprises a support body part extending in an axial direction and a pin body part, the support body part comprising a bottom portion, a middle portion, and a head portion having an upper surface, wherein the pin body part extends beyond the upper surface of the head portion, and wherein, when viewed in top view onto the head portion, (i) the location of the center of gravity of the head portion is laterally offset from the center of gravity of the bottom portion; or (ii) the location of the center of gravity of the pin body part is laterally offset from the center of gravity of the bottom portion; or (iii) the location of the center of gravity of the pin body part is laterally offset from the center of gravity of the head portion; or (iv) the location of the center of gravity of the middle portion is laterally offset from the center of gravity of the bottom portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Frederic Michel-Jean Pons, Sebastien Willy Fontaine, Jerome Marcel Germain Delu
  • Patent number: 8342216
    Abstract: An assembly adjusts functional characteristics of the assembly. The assembly includes a wheel for a vehicle, a pneumatic tire mounted on the wheel, a first electromagnetic structure attached to the pneumatic tire, and a second electromagnetic structure attached to the wheel. The assembly has a first condition characterized by the first and second electromagnetic structures being not energized and a second condition characterized by the first and second electromagnetic structures being energized. The first condition is characterized by a first footprint of the pneumatic tire with a shape different than a shape of a second footprint of the pneumatic tire in the second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Nicolas Claude Jean-Claude Froger, Laurent Rene Nicolas Haas, Pierre Bernard Raoul Brochet
  • Publication number: 20120305152
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire cover assembly comprising: a main tire body having a circular outer circumference; a tire cover configured to cover the main tire body; a cover support protruding from a side surface of the main tire body so as to support the tire cover in a radial direction of the main tire body, and disposed overall in a circular shape around a center of the main tire body; and a coupling medium configured to couple the tire cover to the cover support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Young-Il Son
  • Patent number: 8278385
    Abstract: The invention is to provide a rubber composite and tire using the rubber composite, which, when the rubber composite is used as the tread rubber of a tire, enables the tire to have high wear resistance and hence have a long life while presenting a low rolling resistance and enables an automobile that uses the tires to reduce fuel consumption during traveling. The rubber composite of the invention comprises 100 parts by weight of a rubber component composed of at least one kind of rubber, selected from a group of natural rubber, synthetic isoprene rubber and synthetic diene rubber and 10 to 100 parts by weight of a carbon black blended therein, the carbon black is specified to satisfy the relation X/Y?0.84, where X is the mercury intrusion specific surface area (m2/g), measured by mercury porosimetry and Y is the CTAB specific surface area (m2/g). The tire of the invention is one that uses the above rubber composite as its tread portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetada Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20120227880
    Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-skid stud for a tire having a supporting part (10) and an insert (20) which is secured thereto, wherein the supporting part (10) has a flange section (14) to which a securing section (15), into which a receptacle (19) is integrally formed, is connected, wherein the insert (20) is inserted into the receptacle (19) and projects with a head (22) out of the receptacle (19). In such anti-skid studs, particularly good grip is achieved which remains the same independently of the positional orientation in the tire by virtue of the fact that the head (22) of the insert (20) has a hexagonal cross section at least in certain areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Frédéric Michel Jean Pons, Sébastien Morin, Xavier Sébastien Benoit Fraipont, Stefan Roth
  • Publication number: 20120205018
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spike arrangement that comprises a holding element (12) introducible into an embedding opening of a running surface (10), in particular of a tire, which element forms a receptacle (14) for an anti-skid stud (16) projecting from the running surface (10) of the tire. According to the present invention, the holding element (12) is made at least in part of magnesium or a magnesium alloy. A method for manufacturing a spike arrangement of this kind is furthermore indicated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Stefan Roth, Rainer Krahl, Claus Totzki
  • Publication number: 20120132329
    Abstract: A tire chain includes a side member. An attachment bracket is secured at a first end region to the side member. The attachment bracket is formed at a second end region with a slot and with a channel. A crosslink member has an endless link at one end. The endless link defines an opening and is located in the slot so that the opening intersects the channel. A rod extends through the channel and the opening of the endless link and is secured against removal from the channel, whereby the crosslink member is secured to the attachment bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: PEWAG, INC.
    Inventor: J. Scott Hanson
  • Publication number: 20120125502
    Abstract: Provided is a tire mounted anti-skid apparatus, in which a fixing plate is attached to a tire wheel through adaptors, and a support plate has a plurality of anti-skid arms is fitted to the fixing plate and is fixed on a side of the tire by a locking plate. Each adaptor includes a fix clip having a clip and a cap, and first and second bolts. The clip is fitted around a wheel nut of a wheel of the tire and including six legs separated from one another, a nut hole in a rear thereof, and protrusions, each of which protrudes from a leading end of the leg in an outward direction, and the cap covers the clip, causes an inner circumference thereof to press the protrusions of the clip, and includes a cylindrical cap having a nut hole communicating with the nut hole of the clip in a rear thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: AUTOTRAX INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Jung Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20120018065
    Abstract: A woven textile web material having an upper fabric layer (O) and a lower fabric layer (U), comprising warp threads (K) and first and second weft threads, and including carrier filaments (FF) and enwinding filaments (UF) encompassing the same as second weft threads. The carrier filaments (FF) are integrated in the textile web material such that they appear at the surface of the upper fabric layer (O) in first width areas (I) substantially parallel to the warp thread direction, and do not appear at the surface of the upper fabric layer (O) in second width areas (II) substantially parallel to the warp thread direction (O).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: GLOBAL SAFETY TEXTILES GMBH
    Inventor: Jörge Ruschulte
  • Publication number: 20110290389
    Abstract: An anti-skid spike which may be applied to an embedded opening on a running surface of, for example, a tire, having an insert piece and a base body with a molded flange and a recess for housing the insert piece. According to this invention, material and shape combinations not previously applied or possible can be achieved, whereby a housing selection is formed on the base body, at least partly enclosed by at least one sleeve piece and, in an assembled state, the sleeve piece is arranged at least partly in the region around the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Sitek Spikes GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Krahl, Stefan Roth
  • Patent number: 7957879
    Abstract: A brake control device is provided to a wheel equipped with a tire, which has a function of applying a brake force to the wheel to put a brake thereon while adjusting the brake force. In the device, an acceleration sensor outputs acceleration data in a radial direction of the rotating tire, a predetermined detection range is set with respect to the acceleration data, a threshold value is set with respect to a corresponding part of the acceleration data falling within the detection range, the corresponding part of the acceleration data falling within the detection range is specified. Values of the specified acceleration data are compared with the threshold value, and a control signal for causing a braking device to adjust the brake force thereof is output in a case where some values of the acceleration data are larger than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kitazaki, Jun Matsuda, Naoshi Miyashita, Yoshiaki Hashimura
  • Publication number: 20110017372
    Abstract: The present is intended to provide a studless tire capable of enhancing ice performance without complicating the structure and the material. The studless tire 10 is configured such that the width 2W of a radially outwardly disposed belt ply 12 of belt plies constituting a belt 8 is 60%-70% of a maximum tire width MW.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryoichi Watabe, Tooru Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7845577
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inflatable cushion configured with a substantially flattened tubular shape such that in an inflated state the inflatable cushion is highly adaptable so as to readily conform to the terrain of the underlying surface on which it is deployed and to the footprint of the vehicle tire as the vehicle is driven across the device. During typical use the cushion is not fully inflated and operational inflation pressure is generally less than 10 PSI and preferably 5 PSI. For use the cushion is deployed such that the central axis of the tube is substantially parallel to the driving direction of the vehicle. The inflatable automotive traction recovery tool of the present invention simultaneously lifts the vehicle and provides a driving surface with sufficient pressure against the tire and underlying surface to allow the vehicle to drive on it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Pillwtrack Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan Hermann, Eyal Benjamin
  • Patent number: 7837778
    Abstract: This application is directed to a method of treating tires so that the tires will have better performance, especially when used for racing. The method disclosed herein is especially suited for use in go kart racing, although the method can be used for other applications in which the adhesion and hardness of tires, after their manufacture is to be altered. The method also includes cleaning steps and formulations. This method involves the selective use of various esters to alter tire characteristics as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Roland E. (Randy) Ransom
  • Publication number: 20090211676
    Abstract: Non-slipping wheel (1) comprising an elastomer layer (3) which covers at least the radially outer part of the wheel, characterized in that the elastomer layer has been provided with bubbles which are continuously torn open during use of the wheel thereby generating a suction effect. The bubbles can be provided by foaming the elastomer. The elastomer can be polyurethane, and the wheel can further comprise an inner core layer (2) of a different material which is elastic, e.g., rubber. The wheel is particularly useful for floor cleaning machines: due to their use on ground which is covered by a cleaning solution, the wheels face traction problems—on the other hand, the wheels should not leave additional residues or markings on the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Heinrich-Tito Mayer
  • Publication number: 20090071583
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a studded tyre includes producing an unvulcanized tyre, inserting studs for the tyre into seats in a curing mould, disposing the unvulcanized tyre in the mould, closing the mould, curing the tyre, and opening the mould to extract the cured tyre. The cured tyre includes a tread band including a plurality of metal studs partially projecting from a radially outer surface of the tread band. Inserting the studs for the tyre into the seats includes disposing a stud-holding device supporting a plurality of the studs inside the mould, and expelling the studs from the stud-holding device so as to dispose the studs in the seats. A stud-holding device includes a toroidal body including a plurality of through holes and an expulsion mechanism. The through holes are capable of accepting studs and the expulsion mechanism is capable of expelling the studs in a substantially radially outward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Fiorenzo Brivio, Stefano Cazzanti, Guiseppe Corno
  • Publication number: 20080190531
    Abstract: A snow and ice patch for tires that can be temporarily affixed to a vehicle tire by means of an adhesive. The patch includes flat and rectangular panel with a plurality of opposite surface layers disposed thereon. The first of the plurality of surface layers includes an adhesive that is protected by a removable thin plastic film and allows the patch to be instantly affixed to the surface of the tire. The second of the plurality of surface layers includes an abrasive gripping surface that provides extra traction in slippery conditions such as ice or snow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Mabra Holeyfield
  • Publication number: 20080087361
    Abstract: A method for adapting tires (14) of an, in particular, motor-driven means of locomotion to given travel situations, in particular of a passenger car, of a lorry or the like. The shape of at least one tire (14), preferably of a plurality of tires (14) or of all the tires (14), is changed selectively, and preferably automatically, during the journey as a function of the travel situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventor: Matthias Stommel
  • Patent number: 7259204
    Abstract: A tire having a tread, where the tread includes a vulcanized rubber and silica that has been surface-modified with polymer chemically attached to the silica surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Haiying Zhou, Mitch Barry
  • Patent number: 7066226
    Abstract: A tire for vehicles offering low rolling resistance wherein the ground-contact surface area is variable as a portion of the tread part can be retracted and/or extended using pneumatic, mechanical or hydraulic force to withdraw from, or come into contact with the road surface before, during or after operation permitting more efficient operation wherein the material used within the tread part that retains contact with the road may generally have a smaller internal friction loss than the material used in conventional tires and the rolling resistance is thereby reduced when the retractable portion of the tread is selectively withdrawn from contact with the road surface furthermore achieving a smaller ground-contact patch footprint. The achieved object of a tire with a lower rolling resistance yields improved fuel consumption efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Angelo Fiore
  • Patent number: 7013548
    Abstract: A device to be fitted on a vehicle wheel in order to increase the friction between the wheel and the road surface during winter conditions, comprises a belt that can encircle the tread of the wheel and be held in place by means of flexible inner and outer side portions. The inner side portion is tightened on the inner side of the wheel by means of an elastic member. The internal circumference of the belt is at least 4% larger, preferably 5–6% larger than the largest circumference of the wheel. The belt can be made substantially of a woven polyamide material. The outer side portion of the device can be fully covering or be provided with one or more openings, and may in addition be provided with radially extending straps in order to facilitate fitting the device to the vehicle wheel or removing it therefrom. A method for such fitting without lifting the wheel from the road surface is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Autosock AS
    Inventor: Bärd Løtveit
  • Patent number: 6918544
    Abstract: Traction devices for an automobile tire include an adherent elongate expanse and a studded layer sandwiched between the adherent layer and the surface of a tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventor: Clay Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20040250934
    Abstract: A tire with magnetic strips integrated into the therein. The magnetic strips allow the tire to better grip the road due to the magnetic attraction of the magnetic poles of the Earth The tires provide better traction, less skidding, and better control of the vehicle on wet, muddy, icy, and snow laden, as well as, dry roads. The magnetic strips are embedded into the tire tread. The strips are formed as circumferential bands around the tire, or as bars perpendicularly disposed around the circumference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Randy Hamdan
  • Patent number: 6802349
    Abstract: An anti-skid device for motor vehicle with pneumatic tires comprising at least two arms at an angle to each other next to the rim when in the installed state, a fastening device for attaching the arms to a wheel of a motor vehicle with an adapter part which can be attached to at least two lug bolts or lug nuts and with a coupler connected to the arms. The coupler can be connected to the adapter part and for this purpose has at least one locking part which can be inserted into at least one opening in the adapter part and fixed in place. The adapter part also has at least two mounting holes through which it can be attached by means of clamping heads to the lug bolts or lug nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Anton Kahlbacher
  • Publication number: 20040045648
    Abstract: A wheel chain has a running lattice structure which is tightened by a pressure cord (8). The pressure cord (8) is connected to a lateral lattice structure arranged on the outer side of the vehicle tires by connecting members (6). Each of the connecting members has a connecting loop (10) for a member of the lateral lattice structure, and a guiding ring (9) for the pressure cord (8). In order to preserve an excess length (7) of the pressure cord (8), the cross-section of the connecting loop (10) is sufficiently large so that the connecting loop (10) provides a pull-through conduit for the excess length (7) of the pressure cord (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Werner Deger, Erhard Weidler
  • Patent number: 6530406
    Abstract: Apparatus for tightening chains that are installed on a tire, as well as methods for using such apparatus is disclosed. The chain-tightening apparatus provides a mechanism for uniformly tightening the chains, as well as maintaining a constant uniform tension on the chains when the tire moves. The apparatus attaches to the chains quickly and easily, making the method of tightening such chains simple. The apparatus is quickly and easily removed and is easily and compactly stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Gentry