Plate Or Bar Type Patents (Class 152/225R)
  • Patent number: 6053227
    Abstract: An emergency traction device is easily and securely fitted on vehicles having tires of different diameters and widths. A single winch sizes and secures the traction device for the proper tire diameter and then for the proper tire width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Palmer Edward Robeson
  • Patent number: 5865916
    Abstract: A traction enhanced wheeled irrigation system. The traction enhanced irrigation system includes at least one rotary powered tire and wheel upon which at least a portion of a traction enhanced irrigation system travels across the ground. A traction enhancer includes an arched body having a substantially concave interior surface establishing an interior space for accommodating a portion of the tire of the irrigation system and a substantially convex exterior surface that faces away from the tire of the irrigation system when installed thereupon. A paddle extends outwardly from the convex exterior surface for engaging the ground as the tire rotates thereacross for resisting slippage of the tire on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Walter L. Woolley
  • Patent number: 5735980
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns an emergency traction device which may be easily and securely fitted on vehicles having tires of different diameters and widths. A first winch sizes and secures the traction device for the proper tire diameter and a second winch sizes and secures the traction device for the proper tire width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Palmer Edward Robeson
  • Patent number: 5645659
    Abstract: A tire add-on traction apparatus includes a ring-shaped housing which includes a ring-shaped base wall which has a circular inner edge portion and a circular outer edge portion. A hoop-shaped inner wall is connected to the inner edge portion of the base wall, and a hoop-shaped outer wall is connected to the outer edge portion of the base wall. The inner wall includes a plurality of inner access apertures distributed circumferentially around the inner wall. The outer wall includes a plurality of outer access apertures distributed circumferentially around the outer wall. Each of the inner access apertures is in alignment with one of the outer access apertures. A plurality of traction elements are supported by the housing. Each traction element includes a tire-contacting portion and a radial adjustment portion which extends through one of the outer access apertures and one of the inner access apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventor: Vadnjal Ivan
  • Patent number: 5582662
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel anti-slip device which is removably mountable on a vehicle for adding traction in snow, ice, etc. The device includes a frame having a generally rigid polygonal shape, a plurality of ground engaging claws including a first leg portion locatable over the perimeter of the vehicle wheel and a second leg portion and at an angle to the first leg portion and locatable over the front side of the vehicle wheel. The device also includes a plurality of support brackets which are pivotally mounted on the frame, and the claws are each pivotally mounted to a respective one of the support brackets. In addition, a tension force device including a tension spring and chords connected to each of the support brackets biases the plurality of claws simultaneously generally towards the center axis of the tire so as to be pressed thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Yakov Pribysh
  • Patent number: 5513684
    Abstract: A traction enhancing device for automobile tires includes a support ring and a plurality of cleat assemblies which are mounted on the support ring. The cleat assemblies include cleat members which extend over the tread portion of a tire and which include projections to enhance traction. The cleat members are able to slide inwardly in the cleat assemblies to accomodate flexing of the tire and the cleat members are attached to the cleat assemblies by latches which facilitate rapid installation and removal of the device without a need for tools of any type or for jacking up of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Charles E. Laub
  • Patent number: 5454413
    Abstract: An automobile traction enhancement device including a detachable continuous track disposed circumferentially around an automobile road tire. The track comprises a strong, flexible, matlike material having a plurality of evenly spaced U-shaped cleats and bars attached across the underlying tire tread area. The automobile traction enhancement device configured as an elongated strip having the bars and a portion of the cleats facing a road surface is first positioned in a driving path of a driven road wheel and the automobile is driven thereon. The device is then wrapped around the tire tread portion and interjoined by a pin which is inserted through holes in the track ends thereby linking the ends for use. The cleat sides engage the road wheel sidewalls thereby precluding side slippage from the wheel. The bars and a portion of the cleats engage the roadway thereby providing traction in snow and ice surface conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Richard L. Morelli
  • Patent number: 5156695
    Abstract: A universal tire traction apparatus adapted to being mounted on the outer hub of the wheel of a vehicle generally comprising a plurality of cleat-like members extending transversely to the tread-wall portion of a tire while being supported by a brace assembly attached to an adapter plate mounted on the wheel. The cleat-like members are adapted to be slidably adjustable to fit a variety of wheel and tire sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Don Martin
  • Patent number: 5115851
    Abstract: A tire traction device includes a plate which extends across the tread of a tire. The ends of the plate are provided with fasteners for securing the plate on the tire so that the sharp edges of the plate provide traction to enable a vehicle to move away from a slippery surface, such as an ice coated street.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Claudio Chiavatti
  • Patent number: 5088534
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: Rudolf Engel
  • Patent number: 5076335
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventor: Masaki Koshi
  • Patent number: 5044415
    Abstract: A tire chain which has a plurality of anti-sliding members, each of which is attached to a base plate and a pivot pin. Wing-shaped members are hingeably attached to the bases and the pivot pins are connected by chain links to form an endless linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: Shigeru Ishihara
  • Patent number: 5022449
    Abstract: A detachable automobile tire nonskid device includes a plurality of members mounted on a metallic portion which would otherwise come in contact with a road surface. The plurality of members may include spaced rigid nonskid plate members and annular elastic bodies alternately disposed on the metallic portion, with the annular bodies having outer diameters greater than a thickness of the nonskid members. The annular elastic bodies also may be supported on flanged spool members alternately mounted on the metallic portion between the nonskid plate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: Masuo Koda
  • Patent number: 5012848
    Abstract: An antiskid device is provided for a vehicle wheel comprising a detachable antiskid rolling track on the periphery of the wheel, a central housing for holding radial linking elements or arms which are also attached to chain guides inserted in said rolling track, and a return member designed to automatically position the rolling track and hold it on the periphery of the wheel. The rolling track comprises resilient elements capable of eliminating the play between the peripheral surface of the tire and said antiskid rolling track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Autotyp S.A.
    Inventor: Michel Metraux
  • Patent number: 5004030
    Abstract: The invention provides a pneumatic tire for mounting on a wheel hub, the tire having a plurality of ground engaging pads disposed around the periphery of the tire. Each pad is capable of at least a limited degree of rotational displacement about a radial axis relative to the tire, so that the tire may turn through the limited rotation relative to any pad which is in ground contact. A means is provided for returning each pad to its undisplaced position when the pad has moved out of contact with the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: Hugh R. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 4974653
    Abstract: The device includes a flat rigid rectangular frame forming a pair of opposed parallel sleeves. Four traction elements, each having shank and U-shaped hook portions, are provided for telescoping movement of the shanks within the sleeves, to thereby position the hooks transversely across the tread of the tire. A cable and traveling block/threaded shaft arrangement is provided to simultaneously contract all four traction elements at substantially the same rate into gripping engagement with the tire treads. Crossbars, extending chordally on the inboard side of the tire connect the inner ends of the hooks and secure the device onto the tire. The shanks can rotate within the sleeves so that rotation of the tire can twist the hooks into a slanted condition whereby they more tightly grip the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Marjorie Ann Zelent
    Inventor: Leo Zelent
  • Patent number: 4966211
    Abstract: An improved tire chain consisting of two side ropes, a plurality of crosswise bent bars set properly spaced apart between the two side ropes, a connector, a metal chain to be added supplementarily to prolong the side ropes to suit to a larger tire, and auxiliary crosswise bent bars possible to be added together with the metal chain to supplement the anti-slippery force of the prolonged section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventor: Lu Tsai-Chuan
  • Patent number: 4872496
    Abstract: An anti-skid device for ready application to a vehicle wheel, that is entirely installable from the outer or hub side of the wheel. A primary embodiment of my device comprises at least three curved cleats, each having an inner surface and an outer surface, and each also having an integral attachment flange having a deliberate bend therein. Each cleat is configured and designed to curve in a cantilever manner around the tread of the tire, and in a primary embodiment, the cleats are interconnected by a number of elongate connection rods. The elongate assembly so formed can be placed around a tire, to encompass substantially more than half of the periphery of the wheel when the cleats are arrayed in an approximately equally spaced relation in contact with the tread of the tire, with the inner surface of each cleat normally disposed in a stand-away relation to the tread of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Fortner
  • Patent number: 4862936
    Abstract: A traction-enhancing device that is releasably attached to vehicle tires. A rigid base member having a central core and plural arms radiating therefrom is placed into overlying relation to the side of a tire. Plural flexible cords and rigid rod members in axial alignment therewith interconnect a like number of tread-overlying road-gripping members to a capstan mounted centrally of the base member. Rotation of the capstan draws the road-contacting members radially inwardly into tight-fitting engagement with the tire and effectively creates an enhanced tread. Counter rotation of the capstan enables the road-contacting members to be swung away from the tread so that the device can be removed from the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: John McDonough
  • Patent number: 4862937
    Abstract: An antiskid attachment for use with an automotive wheel having a tire includes a base plate adapted to be positioned on one side of the wheel. A plurality of spaced-apart ground-engaging band members are mounted peripherally around the base plate in cantilevered manner and are adapted to be positioned on the outer surface of the tire. Each of the band members has a transverse hole formed in the free end thereof. A fastening cord is passed through the holes of the band members for releasably tensioning the band members. Tying means is provided for releasably tying the fastening cord to the outside surface of the base plate with the band members tensioned by the fastening cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: Masahiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 4854357
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with an automotive wheel including a tire to provide additional traction includes a first and a second ring member fabricated of hard grooved metal material, each having a sufficient diameter and held in a spaced-apart parallel relation by a plurality of transversely oriented angled bar members rigidly connected at each end and equally spaced along the circumference of the rings to the rings so as to be adapted to receive therein and therebetween the tire. The angled bar members each have a convex portion member oriented towards the tire and a concave portion oriented away from the tire. At least one selectively adjustable strap is provided for connecting both of the ring members to the tire in a rotataionally fixed, but removable relation. The selectively adjustable strap has sufficient length to engage both the ring members and the tire in a compressive relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Inventor: Maher A. H. Mostafa Taha
  • Patent number: 4834158
    Abstract: A traction system for the tire of a wheel of a motor vehicle for use in snow and ice conditions. A pair of diametrically opposed supports are positioned over the rim of the tire and radially extend over the outer side of the wheel. Traction cables are connected to the pair of opposed supports at the rim of the tire. A resilient bag member is positioned at the axial area of the outer side of the wheel and is connected to the pair of supports. The bag member can be inflated or deflated. When deflated, the bag member draws the pair of supports into a mutal tensile relationship and a mounted gripping relationship with the tire and the wheel. When inflated the bag member eliminates the mutual tensile relationship between the pair of supports and thus degrips the pair of supports from the wheel and the tire. One, two, or more pairs of supports can be connected to the bag member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: Danny Katz
  • Patent number: 4825978
    Abstract: The invention relates to emergency braking of a tractor trailer or other automotive vehicle especially in a final panic situation prior to total loss of control. The present invention relates to a mechanical skid which is carried below the body of a tractor trailer just forward of the rear wheels. If the trailer wheels should lose traction or if the braking system should fail, the skid is dropped onto the roadway immediately in front of the rear wheels. The tractor's rear wheels roll onto the skid where they make contact with a vertical barrier which is part of the skid. The skid is then forced to slide along the road surface with the trailer's wheels on top of it until coming to a halt. The skid acts to provide a substantial increase in stopping power over that available through the brakes and tires alone. The bottom surface of the skid provides a much larger surface area in contact with the road than is provided by the tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventor: Frank Verano
  • Patent number: 4643251
    Abstract: A wheel attachment to provide extra needed traction by a motor drawn vehicle when traveling on roadways covered with snow, ice or mud. It comprises a plurality of circularly spaced, flexible traction members overhanging the tread of a pair of wheels and control means operable from the driving position of the vehicle to selectively couple or uncouple the attachment relative to the wheels. The control means may comprise a driver's switch for operating an electromagnetically operated pin on the traction device cooperable with a hole in a disc rotatably mounted on a spindle at each wheel to selectively couple the device operatively to the hub at the respective wheel. Other alternative means are provided to control such coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Inventors: Philip Ziccardi, John Ziccardi
  • Patent number: 4529023
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a traction device for mounting on a tire without having to remove the hub cap of a tire wheel on which the tire is mounted. The device comprises a plurality of radially extending arms which are pivotally connected at their inner ends to a common connector and a hook formed at the other end of each arm, the hook being shaped to embrace the tread surface and at least part of the side-walls of the tire. The hook is formed with a friction plate. The device is so constructed that when it is mounted on a tire, the common connector and the inner ends of the radial arms are spacedly and outwardly centrally aligned with respect to the hub of the tire wheel for easier mounting. Finally, the arms are tightened together so as to prevent slipping of the hooks over the tread surface when the tire rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: 121004 Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Francois Deland
  • Patent number: 4515198
    Abstract: Simplified means for connecting skidder rings to the tag chains that hold the skidder rings in spaced positions around a tractor wheel. Each skidder ring has four hooks spaced approximately 90.degree. apart, two at each side, of novel construction. Each hook is so shaped as to permit easy attachment thereto of the end link of a tag chain but which will positively preclude disconnection of the link from the hook when the parts are in operating position on the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Inventor: Emilien Labonville
  • Patent number: 4508150
    Abstract: A lightweight device for obtaining improved traction efficiency of rubber tired vehicles without adding ballast weight. The device has high-strength, thin-gauged traction intensifying means secured to a driving tire, providing higher drawbar pull at higher rate of travel speed by utilizing stronger sub-surface soil and extended tire life; and includes actuating means, for engaging and disengaging the traction enhancing means for convenient conversion to allow travel on pavement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: TG Strips, Inc.
    Inventor: Thorvald G. Granryd
  • Patent number: 4506933
    Abstract: A track for wheeled vehicles comprises a plurality of flexible track links connected together. The track links have cylindrical holes at the edges of the track links, which holes extend in the longitudinal direction of the track. Cylindrical fastening units are rotatably arranged in the holes and are connected between the track links by fastening devices so that the cylindrical fastening units can turn in relation to each other around shafts parallel to the axles of the vehicle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Gislaved Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Georg Wadell
  • Patent number: 4476907
    Abstract: An antiskid device and its fittings for a tire including a side chain, a cross chain, a connector, an end link, a hook and a stopper. The side chain includes a side link formed as a two-piece link having two links, one a long link and the other a short link, which are integral with each other. The stopper is angled in transverse cross section and formed with a transverse web of a width large enough to contact a lower portion of the end link and a groove of a width large enough to receive the hook. The cross chain is formed as a cross link of bar material, and the connector is in the form of a link on either end and in the form of a rod in its intermediate portion so that the connector is connected at one end to the cross link and at the other end to the side link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Inventor: Chuichiro Odawara
  • Patent number: 4402357
    Abstract: A lightweight device for obtaining improved traction efficiency of rubber tired vehicles without adding ballast weight. The device has resilient traction intensifying means secured to a driving tire, including auxiliary means for utilizing stronger sub-surface soil, providing higher drawbar pull at a higher rate of travel speed; and means for convenient attachment and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Inventor: Thorvald G. Granryd
  • Patent number: 4352382
    Abstract: In a tire protection chain with plate-shaped components (1) which cover the tread of the tire to be protected, and with at least one chain network (4) located on one side of the tire, the chain network is provided with overload safeguards (7, 8, 9, 14, 18, 22) which form a parting position when the chain network is subjected to extremely high loadings. The overload safeguards are here designed in such a way that no parts can be released and thrown off when the chain network is overloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: RUD-Kettenfabrik Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co.
    Inventor: Erhard A. Weidler
  • Patent number: 4306603
    Abstract: A vehicle tire with tractive elements for positive engagement with the ground surface is disclosed. The tire carcass has a tread including circumferentially spaced raised features. At least one flexible but substantially inextensible belt is positioned radially outwardly of the tread, and a respective plurality of retainer elements are positioned radially inwardly of the belt, the tractive elements being positioned radially outwardly of the belt and being releasably attached to the associated retainer elements for clamping the belt tightly therebetween. Inflation pressure within the carcass expands its crown region to maintain the belt in a taut condition, and at least one element of each set of associated tractive and retainer elements is positively mechanically linked to at least one of the raised features of the tread to limit circumferential displacement of the tractive elements relative to the tread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Uniroyal, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak V. Dighe, Earl F. Burton
  • Patent number: 4306604
    Abstract: A traction-increasing attachment for driven vehicle-wheels has at least one L-shaped rigid member for extending diametrically over the face of a disk-type wheel and has a cleat-like extension extending transversely over the tire tread of the wheel. A quickly and easily mountable and demountable support member diametrically spans the face of the wheel and has anchoring fingers receivable in conventional slots in the wheel adjacent its tire-receiving rim. The support member can be formed of two length-adjustable straps or it can be a slightly bowed single strap, which, when straightened by being assembled with the wheel, has its ends thereby extended to anchor in the wheel slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Inventor: Ted E. Snider
  • Patent number: 4304280
    Abstract: A snow chain for the automobile tires employing a single or a plurality of traction cords disposed circumferentially over the tread surface of the tire in a zig-zag pattern or diamond pattern, which traction cords are held in position by a pair of star-shaped tie cord assembly respectively disposed on each side of the tire, is disclosed. The outer points of each of said star-shaped tie cord assembly are connected to said traction cord in such a way that the tension on tie cords stretches the traction cord into a zig-zag or diamond pattern as said traction cord is being tightened over the tire tread surface. The inner points of each of said star-shaped tie cord assembly are slidably engaged by a retaining cord, which sliding relationship enables the retaining cord loop to expand and be slipped over the circumference of the tire, which arrangement ensures the easy installation and take off of said snow-chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Inventor: Hyok S. Lew
  • Patent number: 4303116
    Abstract: In a tire chain comprising a running network (3) with steel links between chain strand portions of the running network and the tread of the tire supporting members (4) provided with guide hollows (5) are disposed. By varying the state of at least one lateral retaining strand (1 or 2) of the running network (3) it is possible for the purpose of varying the operating behavior of the tire chain to vary the position of the supported chain strands transversely to the guide hollows (5) in a way that enables the chain strands to project more or less over the outer surfaces of the supporting members (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Inventor: Dietmar H. Holzwarth
  • Patent number: 4267871
    Abstract: A tire protector chain comprises plate-shaped components (1) which cover the tread of the tire and further comprises on at least one side of the tire a chain net connected to said components (1) by means of connection devices (4;15;24;28;34). The connection devices (4;15;24;28;34) being in the form of overload protection means which under the action of critical external forces free the chain net, or parts thereof, before the breaking strength of the chain links (14) is reached, in such a manner that no fragments of chain links (14) or of the connection devices (4;15;24;28;34) are released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Inventor: Erhard A. Weidler
  • Patent number: 4261404
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a snow chain for the automobile tires employing a traction cord disposed around the tread surface of the tire in a zig-zag pattern, which traction cord is retained in the position by a pair of star-shaped tie cords respectively disposed on each side of the tire and held in position by a pair of retaining cords, respectively. Said snow chain is constructed of one or more pieces of the continuous cords eliminating the need of the splicing of the traction cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Inventor: Hyok S. Lew
  • Patent number: 4243088
    Abstract: Means for improving the traction of wheeled equipment used in the logging industry comprising an improved skidder ring with clevises to which the connecting tag chains are fastened by a pin preferably secured in place by a spot of welding material. When a tag chain breaks and must be replaced, the pin is severed by a torch permitting the remaining two pin parts to be removed from the clevis. The end link of the replacement or repaired tag chain is secured by a new pin placed in the clevis. A spot of welding material is applied to the pin to hold it in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Inventor: Emilien Labonville
  • Patent number: 4234027
    Abstract: A tire-chain assembly for a vehicle-mounted wheel basically comprises annular inner and outer holders respectively engaging the inner and outer faces of the wheel. At least one traction chain crisscrosses over the road-engaging surface of the wheel between the two holders. The inner holder is provided with a flexible element that tightens the chain on the road-engaging surface. The outer end of the flexible element, which may be a chain, a rope or the like, is then secured to the holder on one of the surfaces of the wheel. There is provided a tightening mechanism so as to ensure self-locking of the tire-chain assembly on the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: Sesamat Anstalt
    Inventor: Tilo Riedel
  • Patent number: 4180115
    Abstract: The present invention is primarily for providing traction for the tires of automotive vehicles in particular on snow and ice surfaces. The tire generally comprises pairs of deep and shallow channels in close proximity with each other around said tire to extend transversely from the side walls thereof toward a tread portion, said pairs being uniformly spaced at intervals around the periphery of said tire. The tire of the invention includes traction units which are always recessed in the deep channels to provide no traction, and when the traction units are disposed in the shallow channels, they provide effective traction. In addition, the invention comprises a device for converting from one type of tire to another and also a mechanism having a pneumatic bumper for protecting a supporting unit and a shifting unit from breakage when a tire is punctured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Inventor: Kesao Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 4162697
    Abstract: Two parts are used each of which grips a respective, opposite wheel segment, much in the manner of a cowl. Each part includes a straight strip which lies against the outside of the wheel and a shorter straight strip which lies against the inside of the wheel. The adjacent ends of the inner and outer strips are connected by chains or by bands as are intermediate portions of the strips. The two outer strips are releasably connected on the outside of the wheel by diverse types of connections. In some embodiments, each part includes a bow lying against the outside of the wheel and connecting the ends of the outer strip of that part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1979
    Inventor: Peter Zinner
  • Patent number: 4159731
    Abstract: A traction device for vehicle wheels is provided comprising spaced traction plates having traction bars extending from both major surfaces thereof, the plates being interconnected by U-shaped tire side wall gripping elements, the device being expandable to span tires of different widths and including a spring biased shoe carried by the bight portion of one of the U-shaped gripping elements adapted to more tightly grip the tires as forces tending to pull the device from the tire are applied, but which shoe is easily manually released to remove the device from a tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Inventor: Gerald L. Dyrdahl
  • Patent number: 4154278
    Abstract: A nonskid structure applicable to pneumatic tires comprises a pair of metal rods of suitable length and elasticity, folded over so as to build rectangular frames, open on one of the longer sides. At the open ends the metal rods are bent downwardly in an orthogonal direction to the plane defined by the frames. The intermediate portion of the longer side is slightly curved. The shorter sides of the frames have the end portions bent at right angles in an orthogonal direction to the plane defined by the frames and terminate with a hook. Preferably, the shorter sides comprise an undulated portion and/or a strip of corrugated sheet for better grip on snow or ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Inventor: Dario Dal Monte Casoni
  • Patent number: 4146075
    Abstract: A tire-chain assembly for a vehicle-mounted wheel basically comprises annular inner and outer holders respectively engaging the inner and outer faces of the wheel. At least one traction chain crisscrosses over the road-engaging surface of the wheel between the two holders. The inner holder is of variable diameter, so that it can be fitted over the tire and then have its diameter decreased to allow the traction chain to be tightened on the wheel. Mechanism on this inner holder is connected via a flexible element that passes over the road-engaging surface of the wheel to the outer face of the wheel so that a pull on this mechanism will reduce the diameter of the inner holder and tighten the chain assembly on the wheel. The outer end of this flexible element, which may be a chain, is then secured to the holder on the outer surface of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Sesamat Anstalt
    Inventor: Tilo Riedel
  • Patent number: 4129161
    Abstract: To increase tire traction in snow, mud, etc., traction shoes are mounted so as to overlie the tread of a tire. The traction shoes are connected to a mounting bar which traverses the outside of a vehicle wheel and is held to the wheel by means of chain segments with hooks on the ends, the hooks engaging the back edges of the wheel rim support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Inventor: Roberto Quintana
  • Patent number: 4122881
    Abstract: An improved gripping member for gripping shoes used on vehicle wheels is disclosed. The cross sectional shape of the gripping member is formed as a U throughout its length whereby substantially improved traction and a substantially stronger gripping member are obtained. In a preferred embodiment, the side legs of the U-shaped gripping member are made wavy in the area which contacts the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: Elkem-Spigerverket A/S
    Inventor: Egil Hyggen
  • Patent number: 4105259
    Abstract: An endless track concept particularly adapted for a tracked vehicle toy having no track tensioning means and wherein the track is characterized by its simple and economical construction, as required for a toy. This endless track includes a plurality of simply interconnected links, with each link being made solely of a length of wire bent into a generally U-shape configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Inventor: Rosaire Boucher
  • Patent number: 4098314
    Abstract: Emergency traction apparatus for temporary attachment to a vehicle wheel comprises a multiplicity of diametrical arms forming a unitary arm assembly with a common central pivot. The arms are interconnected by flexible couplings so that the assembly may be spread from a collapsed condition to form a stable radiating arm array by turning two of the arms about the pivot and then interconnecting them. Opposite ends of the arms have radially movable J-rods that overlie the tire tread when the arm assembly is applied to the side of a vehicle wheel. The J-rods are simultaneously engaged with the tire by a central tightening mechanism that moves the rods radially inward against the bias of springs that normally urge the rods radially outward to provide clearance for the easy application of the apparatus to the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Inventor: Norman F. Welsh
  • Patent number: 4098313
    Abstract: A traction device for a vehicular tire mounted on a wheel with a gripper tread with a plurality of small protrusions on the inner surface thereof make limited penetration into the tire tread to prevent radial or circumferential slippage of the traction devices about the tire. Larger protrusions on the outer surface of the gripper tread provide improved traction in mud, snow or sand. A pair of side arms, attached to ends of the gripper tread in a spaced apart, opposed relationship and at substantially right angles to the surfaces of said gripper tread, secure the traction device transversely about the tire by resilient engagement with the sidewalls of the tires, hooking cooperation with clips secured between the wheel rim and tire bead, or wedging connection between the brake drum flange and wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Inventor: Philip E. Ingerson
  • Patent number: 4093013
    Abstract: A bike traction attachment comprised of two identical side bands, between the bands are cleats secured at equal intervals around the bands' circumferences. Two hook-eyelet assemblies are incorporated as well, whereby, the side bands' ends can be secured together. And thereby, the traction attachment can be secured onto a tire of a bike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Inventor: Nathanial H. Lewis