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US 12,485,712 B2Granted
Automated tire chain tensioner
AssigneeMm3 LLC
InventorsKen Egli, Jason Gilbert, Christian Egli
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates generally to a system, device, and method for automated management of tension in tire chains and related traction improvement systems.
Claims19
A device for the management of a tire chain, the device comprising:
- a housing;
- a tension mechanism substantially contained in the housing and is comprised of:
- a ratcheting tension applicator, wherein the ratcheting tension applicator is comprised of a number of spools and the ratcheting tension applicator is configured with a plurality of settings wherein the plurality of settings are comprised of at least two engaged settings and a disengaged setting and each of the at least two engaged settings is configured to apply a different amount of tension, and the ratcheting tension applicator is at least partially contained in the housing except for an external interaction bolt wherein the interaction bolt turns the setting of the tension applicator when interacted with to the next higher engaged setting when rotated in a first direction and does nothing when rotated in a second direction, and the ratcheting tension applicator additionally is configured with a release which when activated sets the ratcheting tension applicator to the disengaged setting;
- a plurality of tension members wherein the plurality of tension members are comprised of a middle length, a first end, and a second end and further comprised of, wherein the first end is comprised of a spring that is coupled to one of the number of spools of the ratcheting tension applicator and the second end is comprised of a spring and a fastener removably couplable to the tire chains and wherein the tension mechanism is partially separable and is configured to be removably coupled from the tension members after switching to an engaged setting, leaving the tension members in place.
1 more element
A device of increasing tension on a tire chain, the device comprising:
- a central spool comprised of a one-way ratcheting mechanism comprised of a ratchet gear configured to spin in a first direction and a second direction and a pawl configured to permit the ratchet gear to rotate in the first direction and to prevent the ratchet gear from rotating in the second direction wherein the ratchet gear is connected to a central spool where the central spool is further coupled to a plurality of tension members that extend out radially from the central spool wherein each tension member is comprised of a length of material, a first end, and a second end, wherein the second end is comprised of a spring followed by a fastener;
- a tension release coupled to the ratcheting mechanism such that when actuated the tension release will release the ratcheting gear and allow it to spin in a second direction,
- and wherein the tension mechanism is partially separable and is configured to be removably coupled from the tension members after switching to an engaged setting, leaving the tension members in place.
A device for the management of a tire chain, the device comprising:
- a housing;
- a tension mechanism comprised of:
- a tension applicator, said tension applicator having a plurality of settings wherein the plurality of settings is comprised of at least one engaged setting and a disengaged setting and each of the at least one engaged settings is configured to apply a different amount of tension;
- a tension shifter configured to change the setting of the tension applicator wherein the tension shifter is at least partially contained in the housing except for an external interaction flange wherein an operation bolt alters the setting of the tension applicator when interacted with;
- one or more tension members wherein the one or more tension members are configured to apply a variable amount of tension to a tire chain based on the setting of the tension shifter, the one or more tension members further being comprised of a first end and a second end and further comprised of, wherein the first end is coupled to the tension applicator and the second end is comprised of a fastener removably couplable to the tire chains;
- wherein the tension applicator and tension shifter components of the tension mechanism are contained within the housing and wherein the tension mechanism is partially separable and is configured to be removably coupled from the tension members after switching to an engaged setting, leaving the tension members in place while the tension shifter and tension applicator are removed.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.