Abstract: Described herein is a crossband device to be mounted on a vehicle tire to prevent tire slips on snowy roads. The crossband device including an inner ring detachably fixable to the outer side of a wheel of the vehicle, an outer ring rotatably supported on the inner ring, a plural number of elastically deformable leaf springs extended radially outward from the outer ring, anti-slip crossbands extended contiguously from the fore ends of the leaf springs crosswise of the tread surface of the tire, and an endless circumferential band interconnecting the crossbands. The crossbands are turnable to and from a position on the tread surface of the tire and a position away from the tread surface by elastic deformation of the respective leaf springs.

Abstract: Traction-enhancing tire chains with a lateral cable having a tension-applying connector for interconnecting the opposite ends of the lateral cable for attaching the tire chains to a tire. A clasp is attached to a pin slidably disposed in a cam slot defined in a tensioning lever attached to one end of the lateral cable. The clasp hooks about a selected anchor on the opposite end portion of the lateral cable and applies tension to the lateral cable as the lever is rotated to a tensioning position. The clasp slides along the cam slot and is pivotable with respect to the lever. A hook on the movable end of the lever extends over the lateral cable to hold the lever in the tensioning position. The lever and a hook which is also slidably disposed in the cam slot cooperatively hold excess cable against the side wall of the tire to keep it from flapping about during use of chains incorporating the fastener.

Abstract: An anti-skid traction device adapted to being mounted on a driving wheel tire of a vehicle for obtaining greater traction on ice, snow or mud. The device comprises a set of sturdy, rigid, hooks on the outer ends, which fit over and around a tire, across the tread, and are held in place by a ring chain attached to the shank members on the outside of the tire. The shank members are adapted on the inner ends to slideably engage shank members arranged in opposed relation.

Abstract: A traction cable is provided for use on a vehicle tire to increase traction in snow and ice. The traction cable comprises a pair of elongated flexible side members having first and second ends, a plurality of flexible cross members interconnecting the side members, a transverse connector mechanism for transversely connecting the ends of the cross members to the side members, and a releasable connector mechanism for releasably connecting the first and second ends of each of the side members. The cross members have ends and each of the cross members includes a cable having a plurality of traction elements slidably and rotatably mounted thereon. Each of the traction elements define a plurality of edges. The releasable connector mechanism includes first and second metal stampings which are preferably identical, a metal ring, and a flexible strap having first and second ends.

Abstract: A traction enhancing device for use with a tire on a vehicle to increase traction of the tire during inclement weather is provided. A first traction enhancing member has a predetermined length for mounting around a tire of a vehicle in a position offset from a central axis of the tire. A second traction enhancing member has a predetermined length for mounting around a tire of a vehicle in a position offset from a central axis of the tire and being spaced apart and substantially parallel to the first traction enhancing member. A first connecting member has a first end affixed to said first traction enhancing member and a second end affixed to said second traction enhancing member for securing said first and second traction enhancing members together. The first connecting member is substantially orthogonally positioned relative to the first and second traction enhancing members and is disposed on a first side of the tire.

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 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 tire chain device of the type which has a rigid structure positioned on the inner side of the wheel upon which it is installed, said rigid structure being comprised of an adjustable length horizontal strap and two rigid depending straps pivoted from either end thereof in a manner that restricts pivoting more than 90.degree., the two ends of the horizontal strap of said inner structure being connected by two short cross links to an adjustable length outer strap, and the lower end of each depending strap being removably connected by two long cross links to a plurality of posts having expanded ends spaced along the exposed side of the outer strap. In another mode of the invention the inner structure is comprised of five rigid straps including four of equal length and shape pivotally depending from one horizontal strap such that they form five sides of an octagon when pivoted to their maximum outward extent.

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: A tire chain device of the type which has a rigid structure positioned on the inner side of the wheel upon which it is installed, said rigid structure being comprised of an adjustable length horizontal strap and two rigid depending straps pivoted from either end thereof in a manner that restricts pivoting more than 90.degree., the two ends of the horizontal strap of said inner structure being connected by two short cross links to an adjustable length outer strap, and the lower end of each depending strap being removably connected by two long cross links to a plurality of posts having expanded ends spaced along the exposed side of the outer strap. The outer strap is slotted near one end for vertical support of the inner structure in the formation of a warning triangle.

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: A composite semirigid snow chain without rear hooking means, for motor vehicles, consisting of two parts to be independently applied onto a wheel and to be connected to one another at a sole side, that is at a sole side of the wheel, by means of an elastic device having a controllable clearance, each of said parts being provided with friction elements.

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: The invention relates to an anti-skid device for vehicle wheels, comprising a plurality of U-shaped elements radially mounted on the wheel tire, and two series of connecting levers pivoted on each arm of said U-shaped elements. In order to provide an automatic mounting operation of the device on a vehicle wheel by simply advancing the wheel on the device, each arm of each of the U-shaped elements carries retaining means for said levers, which removably retain the U-shaped elements and levers in a relative position wherein each of said U-shaped elements forms a pre-set angle with the levers adjacent to the same, said angle corresponding to that formed when the device is mounted on the tire.

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: In the case of an anti-slip chain, possessing an inner and outer holding device (4,5) which holds a chain-net, a tensioning chain-strand (7) runs from the inner holding device (4), over the tread of the tire, to the outer holding device (5). In order to guarantee that the tensioning chain-strand (7) is correctly guided in the region of the tread of the tire, the said strand is led through a sliding sleeve (9,11) which is located at the end of a track piece (3) and is comparatively long.

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: 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.

Abstract: A novel tire chain tightener for interconnecting opposed end links of a perimeter chain of a tire chain mounted on a tire includes an arcuate handle member including a free end and a lug end, the lug end being pivotally connected to an end link of the perimeter chain with the free end being insertable into an opposite end link of the perimeter chain and movable therethrough to draw up the perimeter chain into a locked position. The handle member is dimensioned for gripping by all of the fingers of an individual's hand and a catch is disposed adjacent the lug end for receiving and holding the opposite end link in a locked position. Additionally, the lug end is provided with an eyelet for pivotally receiving the end link with the catch including a notch having a circular portion configured for nesting the opposite end link in the locked position.

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: 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 protective tire chain having a running section and lateral sections which comprise at least one tensioning device for tensioning the tire chain. The tensioning device is by means of two link members linked to links of the tire chain. These two link members are continuously spring urged toward each other so that the tensioning device continuously tends to assume its shortest overall length and consequently to tighten the chain. The two link members are, however, also movable away from each other against the spring thrust into a position in which the tensioning device has its maximum overall length or at least a considerably greater length than its shortest possible length. The tensioning device is provided with an unlatchable locking device which is operable selectively to lock the tensioning device in its maximum or longer length position to facilitate the mounting of the tensioning device.

Abstract: A cable tire chain in which traction sleeves of the cross members are of the type in which a sleeve is formed by bending a generally rectangular metal strip into a generally cylindrical shape so that a pair of opposite edges of the strip are opposed in proximity and extend generally longitudinally of the sleeve. The opposed edges meet at a center region of the edges and are spaced elsewhere to provide exposed sharp corners for biting into ice. Each sleeve has a projecting tab at one end only for spacing that sleeve from an adjacent sleeve, the tab and other projections having sharp corners also.

Abstract: This connector comprises a bar shaped frame part and a U-shaped frame part that fits over and is slidable relatively one to another on the bar shaped parts. One frame part has in it a slot that extends lengthwise therein and has ratchet teeth that extend into the slot and the other part carries a pin that can engage with the teeth like a pawl to lock the two parts against relative movement in one direction. The two frame parts are connected with each other by elastic rubber tension members which yieldingly urge the frame parts toward a retracted position. Non-skid tire chains equipped with these connectors can be applied to tires without jacking up the wheels and the connectors will tighten the chains and hold them tight as soon as the wheel begins to move. Also, we disclose a non-skid assembly having traction pads of flat pliable material and provided on their outer surfaces with knobs and cups to resist skids.

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.

Abstract: A small chain for a vehicle tire has an inner chain member adapted to lie along a flank of the tire and of a circumference substantially equal to the circumference of the tire in the region at which this inner chain member lies, the ends of the inner chain member having a hook and an eye for mutual engagement.An outer chain is composed of two chain members which are interconnected by a hook and eye, the outer chain having a length in excess of the circumference of the tire in the region in which the outer chain lies thereagainst, the end of one member being formed with an eye and the end of the other member of the outer chain having an S-hook. The inner and outer chains are bridged by two sections of transverse chains linked to the inner and outer chains over the entire circumference of the tire.

Abstract: An automobile-tire snow chain comprises running chain sections connected between a closed outer annular maintaining chain and an open inner maintaining chain. A long chain section is connected at one end to a first ring on one end of the inner chain and is looped through a second ring on the other end of the inner chain and through the first ring, so that the inner chain can be closed by pulling on the long chain section to tighten the loop. This long chain section includes a running chain portion which passes over the tire and is secured to a buckle on the outer annular chain, the free end of the long chain section being threaded about the outer annular chain and secured by a tensioning spring and a buckle.

Abstract: A device for improving the traction of the wheels of a vehicle in the presence of snow and ice on a road surface, said device including a series of spikes arranged on the exterior periphery of the wheel in contact with the tread of the type with the spikes connected to the hub of the wheel.

Abstract: An anti-skid tire chain, especially for dual tires in which the chain has a tread part for engaging the tread of each tire and an intermediate part between and connected to the tread parts. Each part of the chain is formed of rings and chain links connecting the rings and clamping means is provided for clamping the chain in place on a set of dual tires.