Abstract: A multi-tool includes a pair of plates having respective handle portions, joint portions, and head portions, and the plates pivotally connected to each other at the joint portions and having respective opposite edges extended along the handle portions. At least one of the plates is to be pivoted relative to the other of the plates to establish an open position and a closed position of the plates, and, in the closed position of the plates, the plates to overlap each other and the opposite edges of the handle portions of the plates to be substantially aligned.

Abstract: The tool includes an elongate rigid bar with fixed chain leaders extending from the bar near ends of the bar. A removable chain leader is provided between these two fixed chain leaders. In one form of the invention, the bar is hollow and a pin translates within this hollow core. A slot in the bar allows a proximal link of the removable chain leader to pass into the hollow core of the bar where the pin can removably capture this proximal link. Because the removable chain leader is provided on the bar, it can initially be captured to the bar for use along with the fixed chain leaders to position a tire chain onto a dual wheel pair. Then, the removable leader can be removed from the bar and act as a handle on a middle elongate section of the tire chain to assist in connection thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying chains to a tire comprises an elongate member having c-shaped opening at a first end thereof and a handle at a second end thereof. The apparatus further includes a slot therethrough adapted to support a key rotatable between a first position contained within the slot and a second position extending perpendicularly from the slot. A method of applying tire chains comprises comprising engaging a link of a tire chain within the c-shaped opening and drawing the link of the tire chain into engagement with a binder located at a distal end of the tire chain. The method further comprises locating the binder within the c-shaped opening, rotating the binder into a closed position with the elongate member, rotating a key out of the slot, engaging the key within a lock in the tire chain and locking the tire chain with the key.

Abstract: A tool for operating a vehicle tire chain tensioner and a method of using the same. The tool is a member having spaced apart first and second ends. The first end is configured to engage a first style of chain tensioner and the second end is configured to engage a second style of chain tensioner. The first end includes a leg extending outwardly at ninety degrees from the member in a first direction; and the second end includes spaced apart first and second arms that extend outwardly at ninety degrees from the member in a second direction. The member, leg, and first and second arms are all aligned in the same plane. The leg's free end is complementary to a recess defined in the first style of chain tensioner. A section of the second style of chain tensioner is received in a gap defined between the first and second arms.

Abstract: A tire chain installation ramp that may be easily assembled and disassembled without the use of tools. The tire chain installation ramp comprises a set of multiple lengthwise plates and a set of multiple crosswise plates. The lengthwise and crosswise plates are configured to interlock with each other to form a grid-style ramp suitable for supporting a tire off of the road surface as a tire chain is installed. After use, the lengthwise and crosswise plates may be disassembled, stacked face to face and conveniently stored in a space which is smaller in volume than the assembled ramp. An alternative embodiment is a tire chain installation kit comprising a ramp which can be assembled from lengthwise and crosswise plates as described above, plus a storage container. Another alternative embodiment is a method of installing or removing a tire chain. Including providing a tire chain installation ramp or tire chain installation kit as described above.

Abstract: A tool connected to a traction chain or another traction device serves as an extension/guide for leading and pulling the chain onto a tire. An elongated belt of the tool is placed around the tire tread and attached to the leading end of the chain. As the vehicle is moved a short distance, friction between the tire and belt (and capture of the belt between the tire and the ground/road) draw the belt and hence the tire traction chain around the circumference of the tire on which the belt is placed and/or onto adjacent tire(s). A stretcher/expander at another location(s) on the chain fully-expands the chain during installation. The preferred tool is easier to lift and manipulate than the chain and need not be positioned or manipulated in the space behind the tire (away from the user) or in the space between dual tires.

Abstract: A tractor-trailer tire chain installation tool that includes a rod having a handle portion, a midsection, and a flattened head section configured for wielding within the wheel well of a tractor-trailer, wherein a plurality of chain hooks disposed depending from the rod are spaced apart at a correct distance along the rod to span the width of each tire of a double tire of the tractor-trailer, whereby a tire chain is releasably attachable to each of said chain hooks and positional to correctly align the tire chain for expedient installation around the double tire during inclement weather.

Abstract: A tire chain installation ramp that may be easily assembled and disassembled without the use of tools. The tire chain installation ramp comprises a set of multiple lengthwise plates and a set of multiple crosswise plates. The lengthwise and crosswise plates are configured to interlock with each other to form a grid-style ramp suitable for supporting a tire off of the road surface as a tire chain is installed. After use, the lengthwise and crosswise plates may be disassembled, stacked face to face and conveniently stored in a space which is smaller in volume than the assembled ramp. An alternative embodiment is a tire chain installation kit comprising a ramp which can be assembled from lengthwise and crosswise plates as described above, plus a storage container. Another alternative embodiment is a method of installing or removing a tire chain. including providing a tire chain installation ramp or tire chain installation kit as described above.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a hand tool useful for gripping a chain or chain portion of a chain hoist. The tool comprises a shaft having a handle portion on one end and a body or ring portion on the other end which ring has an slot or cut-through therein through which a chain can be inserted into a central hole or opening of the ring; furthermore, an indention is provided in the ring wherein a link of a chain is captured in the indention thereby allowing the user to pull on the handle so as to move the chain a given distance. Thereafter, the chain is removed from the indention, repositioned in the center hole and the tool repositioned to a different link of the chain wherein the succeeding link is captured in the indention and the chain is again pulled another distance. By repeating this process, the chain can be pulled a great distance in a much easier manner than is currently available.

Abstract: A tire chain installation tool comprises an elongated member that is connectable to a traction chain or other traction device and that acts as an extension and guide for leading or pulling the traction chain onto a tire. The tool receives one end of the tire traction chain, and an elongated belt of the tool is placed around the tread surface of a vehicle tire. Upon rotation of the tire due to movement of the vehicle, friction between the tire and belt (and capture of the belt between the tire and the ground/road) cause the belt and hence the tire traction chain, to be drawn around the circumference of the vehicle tire. Thus, the traction chain is placed in good position to be fastened without the struggle and discomfort frequently associated with installing chains on a vehicle. The preferred belt is easier to lift and manipulate than the traction chain and does not need to be positioned or manipulated in the space behind the tire (away from the user) or in the space between dual tires.

Abstract: A tire chain installation tool comprises an elongated member that is connectable to a traction chain or other traction device and that acts as an extension and guide for leading or pulling the traction chain onto a tire. The tool receives one end of the tire traction chain, and an elongated belt of the tool is placed around the tread surface of a vehicle tire. Upon rotation of the tire due to movement of the vehicle, friction between the tire and belt (and capture of the belt between the tire and the ground/road) cause the belt and hence the tire traction chain, to be drawn around the circumference of the vehicle tire. Thus, the traction chain is placed in good position to be fastened without the struggle and discomfort frequently associated with installing chains on a vehicle. The preferred belt is easier to lift and manipulate than the traction chain and does not need to be positioned or manipulated in the space behind the tire (away from the user) or in the space between dual tires.

Abstract: A hand operated tool for extracting an embedded elongated object, includes: a) an elongated, movable first handle member with a first, upper end portion divided into two matching legs separated by an opening; b) a corresponding second handle member with a first jaw member and a first, upper end extending through the leg opening, the second handle member being pivotally attached to both legs; c) a floating head portion pivotally attached to the first and second legs, the floating head portion including a second jaw member and an adjacent, upper curved edge; and d) two matching lever bars facing one another from opposite sides of the tool, each being pivotally connected to the second handle member and to the floating head portion; and wherein the second jaw member is engaged against the first jaw member in a closed tool position, and disengaged from the first jaw member in an open tool position.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in securing a snow chain onto the wheel of a vehicle, including a bar, a pair of cables, each cable having an end secured to one end of the bar opposite another cable having one end secured to an opposite end of said bar, a chain hook attached to a free end of each cable, and a sliding hook slideably positionable on each said cable, an elastic band having one end secured to a location on said bar intermediate between ends of said bar and an anchor hook secured to another end of said elastic band enabling a user to lay said snow chain in front of said wheel, drive said vehicle onto the snow chain, drape said snow chain around and over a top of said wheel, attach each of said chain hooks to an end of a respective one of the side chains of the snow chain, hook each one of the sliding hooks onto the side chain, hook said anchor hook on the elastic band to the opposite end of the snow chain providing that the ends of the snow chain are drawn together and said snow chain is drawn around the whe

Abstract: A drive-on system for installing a tire chain (i.e., snow chain) on a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle wheel. The system includes a U-shaped installation tool whose arms releasably engage fastening elements (hooks or links) at one end of each side chain, and a installation tray or ramp in which the connected tire chain and tool are arranged, and may be stored, prior to installation, with the tire chain in a partially laid-out orientation and the tool preferably within a tool compartment in the tray. To install the tire chain, the vehicle is driven onto the tray and stopped, preferably in a predetermined optimum position in response to a signal initiated by a position-indicating switch on the tray. Then the tool, with one end of the tire chain connected to it and trailing it, is drawn upward and circumferentially around the tire.

Abstract: A device for installing a tire chain is a one-piece, rugged tool made of ?? or ½? steel stock. The tool has a total length of approximately 1 foot. At a first end, the tool has an arcuate shape that terminates in an open channel, which channel functions to grab a chain hook and to lever the hook into engagement with a chain link. The second end of the tool is L-shaped and terminates in an elliptical-shaped member dimensioned to fit a conventional cam-loc tightening device.

Abstract: A drive-on system for installing a tire chain (i.e., snow chain) on a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle wheel. The system includes a U-shaped installation tool whose arms releasably engage fastening elements (hooks or links) at one end of each side chain, and a installation tray or ramp in which the connected tire chain and tool are arranged, and may be stored, prior to installation, with the tire chain in a partially laid-out orientation and the tool preferably within a tool compartment in the tray. To install the tire chain, the vehicle is driven onto the tray and stopped, preferably in a predetermined optimum position in response to a signal initiated by a position-indicating switch on the tray. Then the tool, with one end of the tire chain connected to it and trailing it, is drawn upward and circumferentially around the tire.

Abstract: A drive-on system for installing a tire chain (i.e., snow chain) on a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle wheel. The system includes a U-shaped installation tool whose arms releasably engage fastening elements (hooks or links) at one end of each side chain, and a installation tray or ramp in which the connected tire chain and tool are arranged, and may be stored, prior to installation, with the tire chain in a partially laid-out orientation and the tool preferably within a tool compartment in the tray. To install the tire chain, the vehicle is driven onto the tray and stopped, preferably in a predetermined optimum position in response to a signal initiated by a position-indicating switch on the tray. Then the tool, with one end of the tire chain connected to it and trailing it, is drawn upward and circumferentially around the tire.

Abstract: A drive-on system for installing a twist-link tire chain (i.e., snow chain) on a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle wheel. The system includes a U-shaped installation tool whose arms releasably engage fastening elements (hooks or links) at one end of each side chain, and a installation tray or ramp in which the tire chain and the tool are arranged, and may be stored, in a partially laid-out orientation prior to installation. To install the tire chain, the vehicle is driven onto the tray and stopped in response to a signal initiated by a position-indicating switch on the tray. Then the tool, with one end of the tire chain connected to it and trailing it, is drawn upward and circumferentially around the tire. With the tool bridging the tread of the tire so that its arms extend along the opposite sidewalls, the tire chain is draped and tensioned substantially in the correct position on the tire.