Resilient tires and wheels – Tires – resilient – Anti-skid devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-28
2002-09-17
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Resilient tires and wheels
Tires, resilient
Anti-skid devices
C152S22500R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06450224
ABSTRACT:
I FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to devices which enable a vehicle to retain traction on muddy, icy, or snow-covered surfaces, providing an extra measure of safety. This invention enables any motorist, regardless of body strength, to install it without tools. It is lightweight, easily storable, and can be installed without moving the vehicle. Additionally, it may be easily transfered from one vehicle to another.
II BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 1,273,271 discloses a snap connection for tire chains. This invention is designed specifically for vehicles having spoked wheels.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,273,753 discloses an antiskid device comprising a plurality of cross members and chain segments. These parts must be installed then adjusted by means of tumbuckles.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,460,023 discloses an antiskid tire chain anchoring device. This invention depends upon a fixed attatchment to the vehicle's axle or wheel to secure any commercially available tire chains.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,494,850 discloses a nonskid device. This invention consists of up to six individually mounted segments, which can be used individually or in concert with other segments. Certain portions of this invention must be mounted on a vehicle's wheel by means of semi-permanent fasteners (screws), or permanent fasteners (rivets).
U.S. Pat. No. 2,733,748 discloses a cross chain attaching device. This invention is designed to be mounted permanently or semi-permanently to a vehicle's axle and brake drum. This invention comprises a plurality of cross chains and other mounting hardware.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,754,874 discloses an antiskid device. This invention is designed to be semi-permanently attached to a vehicle's wheels and may remain attached throughout the season. This invention can be remotely extended for use or retracted when not needed. When needed, it is actuated from the driver's seat (or other remote location) by means of flexible hydraulic connections routed to each wheel on which the device is mounted.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,986,190 discloses a traction device for automotive vehicles. This invention is comprised of a rigid disc that is mounted to the lug nuts of the vehicle. Gripping arms project radially from the hub of the disc. The distance they project can be manually adjusted to provide more or less gripping action on an icy surface. The gripping arms are detachable if not needed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,051,211 discloses a traction device designed for heavy trucks.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,095,919 discloses a traction device. This invention utilizes mounting rings that are semi-permanently mounted to the outer diameter of a vehicle's wheel rims. Removable traction devices are mounted to these rings when needed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,426,824 discloses a tire adapter assembly. This invention uses disc shaped plates mounted on both sides of a vehicle's wheels. Tire chains are draped transversely across the tire and connected to both plates.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,906 discloses a vehicle tire antiskid device. This invention depends upon two retaining rings pre-installed on the outer and inner surfaces of the wheel hub. A plurality of chain segments are disposed transversely across the tire and connected to the retaining rings.
III SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A. Objects of the Invention
One object of the present invention is to provide a means to increase available traction for a vehicle which needs to traverse a muddy, icy, or snow-covered surface.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a traction device which is light in weight.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a traction device which is simple to install.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a traction device which may be installed without having to move or jack up the vehicle in question.
Another object of the present invention is to provides a traction device which is sufficiently light to be easy to transport, affording easy storage and portability from one vehicle to another and use for any motorist, regardless of physical strength.
Another object of the present invention to provides a traction device which is simple in construction without requiring a permanent or semi-permanent installation.
B. Summary
In accordance with the present invention, the traction device
10
includes mounting plate assembly
30
, and cleats
40
. Mounting assembly
30
comprises plate
31
and center ring
35
. Plate
31
and center ring
35
are made of steel, aluminum alloy or other heavy-duty material capable of withstanding the stresses to be encountered during the application of the invention Tabs
32
are part of plate
30
. As an example they may be formed by bending and folding material up 90 degrees from the plate surface during the manufacturing process. Center ring
35
fits down over and is welded to tabs
32
such that after assembly, holes
37
in center ring
35
will match holes
38
in tabs
32
.
Each cleat
40
is a single piece of steel or another heavy-duty material capable of withstanding the stresses expected to be encountered during the application of the invention. Cleats
40
are manufactured such that a portion of each cleat
40
is bent and folded to form a gripping element
41
. Each cleat
40
is assembled to mounting plate
30
with bolt
42
, compression spring
48
, washer
47
, and nut
49
. Handles
45
are attached to cleats
40
by welded studs
53
. Bolts
42
, compression springs
48
, washers
47
, and nuts
49
are off-the-shelf items available at any hardware store or building supply house. Handles
45
can be made of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. They are commonly available items found in hardware stores or building supply houses, or manufactured especially for this application.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2767761 (1956-10-01), O'Higgins
patent: 2873783 (1959-02-01), O'Higgins
patent: 3115920 (1963-12-01), Sand, Sr.
patent: 3117612 (1964-01-01), Minutilla
patent: 4089359 (1978-05-01), Jones
patent: 4747438 (1988-05-01), Joung
patent: 4862936 (1989-09-01), McDonough
patent: 5033522 (1991-07-01), Metraux
patent: 5076335 (1991-12-01), Koshi
Cummings Henry W.
Morano S. Joseph
Nguyen Long Bao
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