Resilient tires and wheels – Tires – resilient – Anti-skid devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-09
2001-10-30
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3612)
Resilient tires and wheels
Tires, resilient
Anti-skid devices
C152S21300R, C152S172000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308757
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a traction device that is capable of being operatively linked to a wheel. More specifically, the present invention can be attached to tires of a motor vehicle to substantially increase traction thereof.
2. Description of the Background Art
Devices currently exist to increase traction for tires of motor vehicles during adverse driving conditions. Such devices included lug members or projections extending outwardly from a tire that penetrate through at least one of fluids, solids and fluid-solid mixtures adjacent to the tire. Grooves that exist between the lug members and/or projections become filled with the aforementioned fluids, solids, and fluid/solid mixtures and render such devices ineffective for increasing traction of the tire.
Other devices for increasing traction of the vehicle tire include snow chains which encapsulate the vehicle tire. While snow chains do provide for increased traction of a tire, they have the draw backs of being excessively noisy and being difficult to install around a vehicle tire. Further, local governments in various countries have enacted laws which forbid the use of snow chains due to their detrimental impact on paved surfaces. Snow chains penetrate into paved road surfaces causing costly premature erosion and wear of paved road surfaces. Additionally, snow chains substantially increase the vibrations experienced by a tire and therefore snow chains significantly degrade the riding performance of a motor vehicle.
Other conventional traction devices include planar tread segments which are not attached to the wheels of a vehicle and are placed under the wheels when a vehicle is stuck in either mud, snow, or ice. Such planar tread devices are frequently left behind by a user in order to reduce the risk of the vehicle becoming stuck in mud, snow, or ice which lies beyond the planar tread devices. Such use of the planar tread devices significantly adds to the cost of the devices as well as raising environmental issues with respect to improper disposal or pollution.
Accordingly, a need in the art exists for a method and apparatus for increasing traction of a wheel on a vehicle that provides for a rapid and simple installation while substantially reducing vibration experienced by a wheel of a vehicle. A further need in the art exists for a method and apparatus for increasing traction of a wheel of a vehicle that do not pollute the environment and do not prematurely erode paved road surfaces. Another need in the art exists for a method and apparatus for increasing traction of a wheel of a vehicle that provides for self cleaning chambers to maximize traction of a vehicle wheel while also providing for a self centering of the traction device disposed on a vehicle wheel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide both a method and apparatus for increasing traction of a wheel of a vehicle that is easily and rapidly installed on a vehicle.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for increasing a traction of a wheel of a vehicle that is durable yet nonabrasive to paved road surfaces.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a traction device that includes a chamber which is capable of dispersing at least one of fluids, solids, and fluid-solid mixtures present in a terrain adjacent to a motor vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a traction device and traction system that is self tensioning and self-centering on a wheel of a vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a traction device and traction system that is self cleaning when a vehicle tire transverses or penetrates through at least one of fluids, solids, and fluid-solid mixtures.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a traction device and traction system that generates a smoother ride with a tremendous gripping force while substantially reducing wear on a leading edge of each traction device.
These and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a traction device comprising: a polygonal member having a number of attachment regions; and a chamber with a predetermined number of sides being disposed within a central region of the polygonal member, the number of attachment regions being substantially equal to the predetermined number of the sides, the chamber being capable of dispersing at least one of fluids, solids, and fluid-solid mixtures.
Moreover, these and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by a traction system for a wheel comprising: a plurality of traction devices, each traction device including a chamber being capable of dispersing at least one of fluids, solids, and fluid-solid mixtures; and a plurality of attaching devices for operatively linking the plurality of tread devices to at least one wheel of a vehicle, the traction devices substantially increasing traction of the wheel moving through at least one of the fluids, solids, and fluid-solid mixtures.
Additionally, these and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by a method for increasing traction of a wheel of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: operatively linking a plurality of traction devices together; attaching the plurality of traction devices to the wheel of the vehicle; and dispersing at least one of fluids, solids, and fluid-solid mixtures adjacent to the wheel of the vehicle with chambers disposed in the traction devices.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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Advertisement showing cold-flexible and durable snow chains from PU protect both road and wheels; p. 15.
Flex-Trax, Inc.
Morano S. Joseph
Nguyen Long Bao
LandOfFree
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