Resilient tires and wheels – Tires – resilient – Armored
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-12
2001-12-04
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Resilient tires and wheels
Tires, resilient
Armored
C152S187000, C152S219000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325122
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a traction device for wheel drive vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wheel driven vehicles suffer major problems due to lack of traction from the drive wheels when snow, ice, and/or mud conditions are encountered. Even four wheel drive vehicles have difficulty handling slippery conditions, particularly with low profile treaded tires.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforementioned disadvantages in the prior art.
According to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a traction device comprising a body capable of being placed in intimate contact with an outer surface of a tire and being retained thereupon by retaining means.
The body may comprise a flexible strip having first and second ends.
The retaining means may be provided at or near the first and second ends so as to retain the ends in association with one another.
The retaining means may comprise at least one hinged hook retained at one of the ends. The/each hook may be engageable with at least one pin.
An inflatable bladder may b e carried on an inner surface of the body.
The bladder may be retained at or near one of the ends of the body.
An outer surface of the device may carry tread and/or studs.
The body may be substantially formed from an elastomer/rubber.
The body may be reinforced with textile threads and/or metal strips/wires.
The body may also provide longitudinal wall portion(s), which, in use, intimately contacts wall(s) of the tire.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a tire having a traction device according to the first aspect fitted thereto.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing additional traction to a tire of a vehicle comprising the steps of:
providing a traction device according to the first aspect;
positioning the traction device adjacent the wheel;
driving the vehicle onto the device;
retaining the device around the tire by means of the retaining means; and
optionally inflating the bladder (when provided).
A traction device may be so fitted to each tire of the vehicle.
Alternatively a traction device may be so fitted to each driven wheel of the vehicle.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a molded elastomer shroud or body that encapsulates a vehicle drive tire, providing a greatly enhanced gripping profile that will provide far superior traction in slippery driving conditions.
The shroud or body consist s of an elastomer m ember that is shaped to follow the approximate contour of the vehicle tire.
The two ends of the body over lap and are fastened together by way of hinged metal hooks.
The body is tightened by means of an inflatable bladder incorporated between the body and the tire.
The bladder is inflated by way of an air valve intergated in one of the hinge pins that support the metal lock hooks.
The bladder can be inflated by means of an air pump, air bottle, or a jumper hose that will permit air to be transferred from the vehicle's air inflated tire, as only a small volume is required for full inflation to be achieved.
The tread or traction rib can be molded in various shapes to give the most advantageous performance, i.e. ‘V’ shaped, square shaped, and can also include metal studs particularly for dealing with icy surfaces.
The inner surface of the body (ie. that coming into contact with the tire), may be provided with a ribbed, or rough surface to prevent slippage between the two surfaces.
The body can be made to fit any type or size of tire.
Installation of the body is accomplished by simply driving onto the body, position the incorporated bladder beneath the overlap, and fold down the locking books over the locking pin.
Inflating the bladder with pressurized air, puts the locking hooks in tension and fixes the body to the tire to provide a high traction surface.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2365279 (1944-12-01), Kraft
patent: 3797549 (1974-03-01), Lieberum
patent: 4508151 (1985-04-01), Sepheriades et al.
patent: 4733705 (1988-03-01), Dwiggins
patent: 5170827 (1992-12-01), Urleb et al.
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