Abstract: A slip-preventing tire improves braking and handling properties on a frozen, icy, or snow-packed road. A tire for use especially in winter has a number of slip-preventing structures which are embedded in the tire tread. A number of cylindrical grooves in the tire tread extend inwardly to a predetermined depth. A slip-preventing structure, which includes a number of brush-like wire members, is fixed in each of the grooves. The wire members contact the road surface thus improving the grip of the tire. Additionally, when the tire is operated on a wet roadway, the grooves act to draw in water while the wire members hold the water in the groove. This allows the tread surface to more firmly contact the roadway. The tire therefore provides improved traction in all seasons.

Abstract: A rubber composition includes a rubber component and particulates of a crystalline syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene resin dispersed therein. The particulates have an average particle diameter of 1 to 500 .mu.m, and the melting point of the crystalline syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene resin is not less than 110.degree. C. The compounding ratio of the resin is 5 to 60 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the rubber component. The rubber composition is useful for tires, other rubber articles, etc. With respect to tires in particular, a pneumatic tire includes a rubber composition used for a tread, wherein the rubber composition includes a rubber component and particulates of crystalline syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene resin. The matrix portion of the tread rubber other than the above particulates is preferably a foamed rubber.

Abstract: A wearing surface for tires includes a rubber or rubber mix and an admixture of friction-improving materials. The admixture of friction-improving materials include a mixture of crystalline chrysolite (olivine) and a metal powder. The metal powder can be steel or an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: Adjustable studded tire system for operation while driving or parking. The system includes a hydraulic pump unit which by elastic tubes molded into the outer layer of the vehicle tire can move studs into and out of the vehicle tire without having any part of the stud system penetrate the tire casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-skid stud the operation of which is based on a larger than conventional diameter of the tip part (1) of the anti-skid stud and on its primarily annular contact with the road surface during normal driving, with a slight projection of the tip and with a small surface pressure, the projection increasing in situations in which it is needed, for example during braking, the external force P caused by the braking tilting the anti-skid stud in its position, whereupon the projected edge 5 of the tip part will penetrate over its entire width into the road surface. The stud includes a mantle surface which is made of a material harder than a central portion of the tip.

Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire has a carcass with reinforcing members and radially inwardly positioned beads and a tread strip with a tread positioned radially outwardly on the carcass. An additional layer is placed on the tread strip for reinforcing the tread. The additional layer is made of a rubber or thermoplastic material. The additional layer has a tensile modulus of elasticity that is greater than the tensile modulus of elasticity of the tread strip. The additional layer is provided with reinforcement elements.

Abstract: An improved all-weather vehicle tire having traction enhancing studs located in a position outside the normal tread area which allows a vehicle operator to selectively choose operation as a conventional tire on dry roads or as a studded tire on ice-coated roads by the simple expedient of reducing or increasing the air pressure within the tire. Specifically designed for areas which experience ice storms or freezing rain which remains on roadways for relatively short periods of time, the tire provides excellent traction on ice, yet may be quickly and conveniently returned to conventional tire operation with little effort by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A method for producing a slippage preventing tire. Hard fine members and adhesives are mixed, thereby attaching the adhesives to the hard fine members. The hard fine members include at least one member selected from the group consisting of sand, ceramic particles and fiber reinforced resin particles. A silicone resin is mixed with a rubber material. The hard fine members and the attached adhesives are mixed with the rubber material and silicone resin prior to curing the adhesives. At least a tread surface of a tire is formed from the mixed hard fine members, adhesives, silicone resin, and rubber material, thereby providing the tire with excellent slippage preventing capacity.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a tread composed of a matrix rubber, a low hardness rubber powder, hollow particulates, and short fibers, and optionally a liquid polymer, wherein the low hardness rubber powder has an average particle size of less than 1000 .mu.m, including or not including no more than 20 parts by weight of carbon per 100 parts by weight of the rubber component in the low hardness rubber powder, and is contained in an amount of 1 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the matrix rubber, the hollow particulates have an average particle size of 10 to 120 .mu.m and an average thickness of 0.1 to 15 .mu.m, and the short fibers have an aspect ratio (ratio of length/diameter) of 10 to 1000.

Abstract: In a method for detecting a hydroplaning risk for vehicle tires the sequential deformations of tread elements of the vehicle tire in the circumferential direction during contacting the road surface are measured. A sequence of corresponding signals is generated. The sequence of corresponding signals is processed to produce processed signals. The processed signals are compared to predetermined evaluation standards, and a warning signal for indicating the imminent danger of hydroplaning is sent as a function of the predetermined standards.

Abstract: A threadedly engageable tire stud includes an elongated steel housing having a hexagonal head section and a threaded section of enlarged pitch for securely engaging a tire thread wherein the head section has approximately the same diameter as a major diameter of the threaded section. A longitudinally extended aperture is provided in the hexagonal head section for receiving an elongated carbide pin. The carbide pin is brazed to the elongated steel housing and protrudes out of the head section of the housing for engaging the road surface to improve traction of the tire.

Abstract: A self-contained anti-skid device to be used with a pneumatic tire (32) for boosting traction against slippery roadways covered with ice and snow while all designated characteristics of the tire against other road conditions are fully preserved, comprising: a plurality of projectable and retractable anti-skid pins (20) to be positioned radially at a tread (34) of the tire (32) for being projected from the tread (34), as often as required, when a plurality of expandable pneumatic chambers (26) adjacent to the pins (20) are pressurized using merely a fraction of the actual pressurized air of the tire (32). To retract the pins (20), air from the expandable pneumatic chambers (26) is released and preferably recycled back into the tire (32) through an air recycling device (64) implanted within the tread (34) and actuated by rotation of the tire (32) on a roadway. An air valve directs a flow of air from the tire (32) to the expandable pneumatic chambers (26) and therefrom preferably to an air recycling device.

Abstract: A tire structure includes bag-like members capable of expansion and contraction and which are buried in anti-slip grooves in the tire surface, and an air supply coupled to the bag-like members for supplying air to inflate the bag-like members to cause them to expand and project outwardly of the tire surface. The air supply may include stems coupled to an air source in the wheel part of the tire structure. Normally, the tire structure can be run as a usual tire. When running on a frozen road or the like, the tire structure permits functions and effects like a tire with a chain coupled thereto to be obtained by a simple operation to inflate and expand the bag-like members to cause them to project outwardly of the tire surface, and without need of any cumbersome operation of mounting a chain to the tire.

Abstract: A traction device including a bit having a penetrating surface for penetrating a riding surface. The penetrating surface defines the cross sectional area of the bit and includes a plurality of facets wherein each facet intersects a common vertex. In a second embodiment, the penetrating surface defines an oval cross section transverse to the direction of penetration into a riding surface, wherein the circumference of the cross section increases as the distance from the tip increases.

Abstract: A stud for a tire to improve traction on a roadway which includes a hardened pin mounted in a steel jacket and extending therefrom to engage the roadway, wherein the stud is sized for insertion into openings in the tire tread. The pin is retractable into the jacket thereby removing the pin from contact with the road surface and providing non-studded as well as studded service from the same tire. A spring in the stud jacket is used to propel the pin out of the jacket into the extended position when the pin is released from the securing mechanism. The securing mechanism consists of a series of projections on the pin in interaction with a series of grooves in the interior of the stud jacket. The pin is released from the retracted position by manually pressing the pin further into the jacket until the securing mechanism releases it.

Abstract: There is disclosed tires for motor vehicles each having a tread provided with a plurality of large convex portions and small convex portions, the convex portions and the small convex portions being differentiated in heights and areas thereof, the small convex portions being disposed around the large convex portion for forming a plurality of normal pyramidal structures. The normal pyramidal structures are formed by disposing the large concave portion around the small concave portion. There is formed a reversed pyramidal structure by disposing the large convex portions around the small convex portion.

Abstract: The stud unit of the present invention is used for skid-proof tires of vehicles. On a snow- or ice-covered road, a force acts on a front end of a stud contacting the road when the vehicle is braked or accelerates and the tire treads consequently slip, so that the stud is kept projecting from a cylinder due to mutual engagement of the stud and the cylinder. On a dry road, the treads of the tire hold the road without slipping, so that no force acts on the stud to cause it to incline, and the stud can smoothly retract into the cylinder.

Abstract: Cylinders each having open end and an internal engagement section in the mid-portion thereof are fixed in holes bored on an outer circumferential face of a tire tread. In each cylinder, a stud passing through a through-hole of the engagement section and having an expanded section at the front end thereof is inserted with play. The stud is biased toward the front end of the cylinder by a spring provided between a lid closing the rear opening of the cylinder and the expanded section. When the tire slips on a snow- or ice-covered road, the stud inclines and a large-neck section of the front end of the stud engages the rim of the cylinder to maintain the stud in a projected state. The projected large-neck section bites the surface of the road to prevent slippage. On a dry road, the stud 32 is pushed into the cylinder by the weight of the vehicle against the elasticity of the spring.

Abstract: Disclosed are a brake pin for snow tire and a snow tire with such brake pins. The brake pin comprises(a) a metal flange formed with a plurality of holes in the peripheral portion thereof,(b) a plurality of metal pins inserted in the respective holes of the metal flange,(c) a metal cover covering the outer periphery of the metal flange, and(d) a rubber spacer stuffing a space defined by the pins.The snow tire is provided with a plurality of holes extending radially and arranged uniformly space apart along the road-engaging surface. The brake pins are fitted to the holes of the tire. Vehicle with the snow tire can run on ice or pressed snow-covered paved road without slipping and do not damage the pavement when it is driven on uncovered paved road such as asphalt-paved road.

Abstract: A device for improving the winter road holding properties of automobiles is disclosed, which includes anti-skid members arranged in grooves in tire treads so as to surround lugs of the tread. A long working life of the anti-skid members may be attained if means are provided for moving the anti-skid members between non-retracted settings and retracted positions in which the anti-skid members are in the grooves.

Abstract: A tire tread rubber composition including a diene rubber and at least one of silica and carbon black, the composition being characterized in that the amount of extract (E) defined below satisfies the equation (1) and that a hard filler 0.01 to 5 mm in mean particle size and at least 100kg/mm.sup.2 in Knoop hardness is used in an amount of 3 to 80 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the component rubber of the composition subjected to extraction with acetone/chloroform after the vulcanization of the composition, wherein said equation isE<0.4 (A-38)(1)wherein E and A are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprising a cellulosic material containing-processed powder product and rubber components and a studless tire having a tread portion that contains said rubber composition which is improved in the performance of travelling over snow and ice is disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having tread blocks provided in the side walls with grooves opened at the top of the block, the depth gW of each groove in the axial direction of the tire being in the range of 5 to 50% of the block width BW, the width gL of each groove in the circumferential direction being in the range of 5 to 25% of the block length BL, the height gH of each groove at the block side wall being in the range of 15 to 80% of the depth GH of a main groove dividing the block, whereby performances on the snowy and icy roads and noise generation and wear resistance on the normal roads are well improved in good balance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sleeve-mounted spike (10) fitted on a vehicle tire, comprising a rivet (11), a head (12), a tip (13) and a sleeve (14). The clearance (15) between the sleeve (14) and the rivet (11) increases in the direction towards the tip (13). The sleeve (14) has been shaped so that the hole in the sleeve (14) for the rivet (11) has been disposed to increase in diameter towards the tip (13).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a fixed spike or a sleeve-mounted spike, fitted on a vehicle tire. The flange (12) and the body (11) of the fixed spike or the sleeve-mounted spike (20) or the flange of the rivet and the sleeve, are shaped at least in the part of the flange (12) and of the body part (11) facing the flange (12) or in the part of the flange of the rivet and the sleeve facing the flange of the rivet, in such manner that the fixed spike (10) or the sleeve-mounted spike has no detrimental sharp discontinuities (11d,12d).

Abstract: The invention concerns a fixed spike or a sleeve-mounted spike, fitted on a vehicle tire. The fixed spike or sleeve-mounted spike (20) has been so shaped that when the spike is in its state at rest, its region (A) in contact with rubber (14) is substantially smaller than the total surface area of the respective region of the spike. Flow, caused by the visco-elastic properties of the rubber (14), of the rubber (14) around the fixed spike or the sleeve-mounted spike (20), is arranged to soften the first contact between the tip (23) of the fixed spike or rivet (21) of the sleeve-mounted spike (20) and the road surface.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a fixed spike, or a sleeve-mounted spike, fitted on a vehicle tire. The fixed spike or the sleeve-mounted spike, features an asymmetric region which is disposed to produce a force component (F.sub.2) turning the fixed spike, or the sleeve-mounted spike (20) so that the fixed spike, or the sleeve-mounted spike (20) is arranged, at initial contact with the road surface (17), to meet the road surface (17) substantially in vertical position.

Abstract: A studded tire apparatus for a wheel rotatably mounted on a vehicle, a tire being mounted on the wheel. The tire has a plurality of angularly spaced pairs of passages formed therein leading to the outer peripheral surface thereof, and a belt extends movably through each of the pairs of passages. A stud is fastened to each of the belts and is movable with the associated belt between projected and retracted positions. A gear train is mounted on the wheel and connected with the belts for moving the belts and the studs between the above positions, and an electric motor is connected to the gear train for operating the gear train.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sleeve-mounted spike (10) fitted on a vehicle tire, comprising a rivet (11), a head (12), a tip (13) and a sleeve (14). The part (11a) of the rivet towards the tip and the part (11b) towards the head subtend an angle (.alpha.) having a magnitude in the range from 150 to 179 degrees, whereby no rectilinear contact is established between the rivet (11) and the sleeve (14), as a result of which when the rivet (11) is urged against the sleeve (14) in vehicle acceleration, braking or sideslipping situations a greater force is required to push the rivet (11) into the tire rubber, however without arresting the movement of the rivet (11) within the sleeve (14).

Abstract: The tire (10) has asymmetric or inhomogeneous regions (14 g) which are disposed to produce a force component turning the fixed spike, respectively the sleeve-mounted spike (15) so that the fixed spike, respectively the sleeve-mounted spike (15), is arranged at first contact with the road surface (13) to meet the road surface (13) substantially in perpendicular position.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a sleeve-mounted spike. The sleeve (14) of the substantially symmetric sleeve-mounted spike (10) is provided with an oblique hole (15) for a rivet, the sleeve-mounted spike (10) being arranged, at first contact with the road surface (18), to meet the surface of the road (18) in a substantially upright position.

Abstract: An attachment for a lawn roller which includes an elongated sheet of flexible material for covering the outer cylindrical surface of the lawn roller that the ends of the sheet abut. The ends of the sheet are provided with complementary connectors to enable the sheet to be removably attached to the roller. The sheet is provided with a plurality of rigid pins which project from the outer face of the sheet when it is applied to the roller or penetrating the top soil of a lawn or garden as the roller is rolled along the surface of the soil.

Abstract: A stud for a tire to improve traction on a roadway which includes a hardened steel pin mounted in a plastic body and extending therefrom to engage the roadway, wherein the stud is sized for insertion into openings in a tire tread. The plastic body includes a portion that is collapsible so that the stud can self-adjust its position relative to the tread surface as it wears, whereby the steel pin is maintained in close relation to the tread surface throughout the life of the tire to provide the maximum road-engaging condition.

Abstract: A nonskid device for a tire, shoe sole or the like. The device comprises a stud that is embedded in a hole formed inwardly from the tread of the tire or shoe sole. The stud is a generally spherical or cylindrical body having an annular stud tip formed integrally therewith at one end thereof and is retained in the hole, either directly or via a cup, by an annular projection protruding inward from the wall of the hole. In normal slip-free travel, the stud tip does not project above the tread, and only the apex of the spherical or cylindrical body thereof is exposed at the plane of the tread. When the tread slips relative to the road surface, a force acts on the apex to cause the stud to rotate by a small angle. This causes the stud tip to rise beyond the plane of the tread and bite into the road surface.

Abstract: An anti-skid device for preventing slippage of a wheel is disclosed. The anti-skid device comprises a cylindrical expandable member disposed on a tread portion of a tire, and compressed fluid supplying means. The expandable member has anti-skid members implanted at a radially outer portion of the expandable member, and the expandable member is formed with a hole at a radially inner portion thereof. The compressed fluid supply means is connectable to the hole of the expandable member. The expandable member is expanded upon supply of compressed fluid into the hole, and is shrunk upon discharge of the compressed fluid therefrom.

Abstract: An improved support track assembly for both protecting and improving the flotation and mobility of the resilient wheels of a vehicle is disclosed herein that comprises both a manually operable retention assembly for fastening the track into an endless belt around the vehicle wheel, and a track storage reel that conveniently positions the track under the wheel and in alignment therewith prior to installation. The improved support track is formed from a plurality of track members that are pivotally interconnected by means of connector pins, and the retention assembly is formed from a retaining pin having a first end that is transversely insertable into a track member in a connector-pin capturing position, and a second pin formed from a resilient loop of spring steel. When the retaining pin is inserted into a pin-capturing position, the terminus of the loop is resiliently biased in a latching position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure of a pin for a spike tire to be mounted on a vehicle such as automobile when it runs on a road slippery with ice or snow. The pin is embedded in the tire tread, with the flat end thereof being exposed on the external surface of the tire so that it touches the ice or snow on the road to lower the freezing point thereof. The pin in accordance with the present invention is especially characterized in that the exposed end of the pin has two flat surfaces parallel to the tire side wall and two slightly convex surfaces which are vertical to the tire side wall, the cross-section of the body portion of the pin being substantially square and the outwardly spreading basal portion of the pin being oval-shaped, so that when the vehicle starts to move or is braked, said slightly convex vertical surfaces of the pin are selectively forced to project from the tire in accordance with the tire deformation.

Abstract: A golf cart having: a front wheel including a low pressure tire of which the tread is provided with a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves; and a rear wheel including a low pressure tire of which the tread is substantially smooth but provided with a plurality of spikes, and the low pressure tire is inflated to a low air pressure of 0.1 to 1.0 kg/cm.sup.2. The golf cart is characterized by the grooves extending substantially straight in the circumferential direction of the tire; the tire of the front wheel comprising a carcass of a bias construction; and the tire of the rear wheel comprising a carcass of a radial construction without a belt for stiff reinforcement beneath the tread.

Abstract: A safety wheel has on the surface thereof a tread design comprised of a relatively hard material which defines interstitial spaces, which spaces are filled with a relatively soft material. The overall surface of the resulting safety wheel is substantially smooth, while the softer material filling the interstitial spaces absorbs unevenness in a surface traversed by the wheel. In embodiments where the interstitial spaces are generally circular in nature, a suction force is created by interaction between the surface traversed, the soft material filling the interstitial spaces, and the hard material immediately defining the interstitial spaces. This suction force provides greater traction for the wheel on the traversed surface, thereby enhancing the safety of the wheel. Other non-circular interstitial space shapes are disclosed. The broader features of this invention (i.e.

Abstract: A vehicle slip protector including a frame to be fixed to a vehicle wheel for rotation therewith, spokes extending radially outward from the center axis of the frame which is aligned with the axle of the wheel, so as to be radially reciprocally slidably mounted to the frame, elastic shoes attached to the outer ends of the spokes, coils on the spokes urging the shoes radially outward to contact a road surface, and spikes embedded in the shoes for projecting outwardly of the shoes into contact with the road surface in response to a predetermined radial compression of the shoes applied by the coil springs while the elastic shoes are in contact with the road surface.

Abstract: An automobile tire having retractable tread studs for increasing traction of the tire on slippery surfaces which are actuated by air pressure that is controlled by the automobile driver from the driver's seat.

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 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: A rubber material having an excellent grip on ice comprising a mixture of an ordinary rubber and a powdered polymer, said powdered polymer having a maximum of tan .delta. at a temperature in the range of -5.degree. C. to +35.degree. C. when the tan .delta. is measured by a nonresonance, forced vibration apparatus at a frequency of 110 hertz and a heating rate of 2.degree. C./minute.

Abstract: A tire is provided with an element which cleans it during driving and is formed as a rigid substantially closed member fitted in a groove of the tire and movable radially outwardly during rotation of the tire to dislodge soil, snow etc. It may be provided with transverse portions and ground-engaging projections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to snow tire spikes for use with automobiles adapted to run on frozen road surfaces or on snow. The snow tire spike comprises a spike body formed by using a ceramic stock molded by pressing with dies and a flange made of plastics which coats at least the end part of the spike body which is attached to the tire. The anchoring part formed at the attaching end of the spike body has a larger diameter than the opposite end of the spike body, but has a diameter smaller than 1.5 times that of the latter. This larger diameter part is wholly coated with plastics, and is unified with the outer circumferential part of the spike body through a smoothly tapered or arc-shaped joining surface.

Abstract: An improved wheel-mounted traction device comprising a plurality of molded plastic traction elements held in place about the periphery of a wheel or tire by belts or cables that engage the individual traction elements. Metal studs, integral plastic projections and suction cavities are disclosed as additional means for aiding in achieving improved traction results.

Abstract: An automatic tire chain for driver operated vehicles includes a chain device that is moved to the road contact surface of a tire from a position adjacent thereto by means of a spring mechanism placed under tension when the chain is held away from the road contact surface of the tire. A pair of rings, one being fixed to the wheel and the other being slideably mounted thereon are provided with indexing slots. The slideable ring has a chain affixed thereon and is moved relative to the fixed ring by an operator activated engaging mechanism mounted on the vehicle. The engaging means engages the indexing slots and moves the slideable ring relative to the fixed ring while the vehicle moves along the road at a speed less than 10 miles per hour placing the chain adjacent to the road contact surface of the tire.

Abstract: Tire intended for winter travel, having a tread comprising relief elements provided with slits inclined with respect to the normal to the tread and which are close to each other and form strips between each other, is improved due to the fact that, when the tire is not under load, the slits are inclined with respect to said normal by an angle at most equal to 45.degree. in the direction of the tangential stresses on the tire exerted by the ground and due to the fact that these slits have a width which is other than zero.

Abstract: An antiskid device for mounting on pneumatic vehicle tires including a pair of annular elastomeric tubular sidewall elements interconnected by a plurality of spaced traction straps. Each traction strap is a laminated structure including a pair of spaced layers of woven nylon web having a layer of rubber interposed therebetween and bonded to each nylon layer. A body of rubber is bonded to one of said nylon layers and has traction nubs projecting therefrom. The tubular elements are each of natural rubber and each has an inside diameter of from about one-fourth inch to about one-half inch, and a wall thickness of from about one-eighth inch to about three-sixteenths inch.