Self-adjusting wheel tie down

A method of securing a tire to a platform having first and second loops attached thereto, the method comprising:

• providing a self-adjusting tie down comprising:
• a first ring;
• a second ring spaced from the first ring;
• a tread engaging strap configured to engage a tread surface of the tire, the tread strap being attached to the first ring proximate a first end and positioned through the second ring, the first strap comprising:
• a length adjusting mechanism attached to a second end;
• and
• a first securing mechanism;
• first and second sidewall engaging straps configured to engage the left and right sidewalls of the tire, each of the first and second sidewall engaging straps attached to the second ring proximate a first end and positioned through the first ring, each of the first and second sidewall engaging straps comprising a second securing mechanism;
• positioning the tie down about the tire such that the tread engaging strap engages a tread surface of the tire and the first and second sidewall engaging straps are proximate left and right sidewalls of the tire;
• securing the first securing mechanism of the tread engaging strap to the first loop attached to the platform;
• securing each of the second securing mechanisms of the first and second sidewall engaging straps to the second loop attached to the platform;
• and
• manipulating the length adjusting mechanism such that an effective length of the tread engaging strap is shortened which raises the first ring and causes a length of a path from the second loop to the first ring to increase and causes the first and second sidewall straps to engage the left and right sidewalls as the tread engaging strap engages the tread surface of the tire.

A self-adjusting tie down for securing a tire on a wheel of a vehicle to a platform having first and second loops attached thereto, the tire having a tread surface and left and right sidewalls, the tie down comprising:

• a first ring;
• a second ring spaced from the first ring;
• a securing strap attached to the first ring and having a first securing mechanism configured to engage the second loop;
• a tread engaging strap configured to engage the tread surface of the tire, the tread engaging strap engaging the first and second rings;
• first and second sidewall engaging straps configured to engage the left and right sidewalls of the tire, each of the first and second sidewall engaging straps attached to the first ring or the second ring;
• and
• a length adjusting mechanism configured to be attached to the second loop with a second securing mechanism, the length adjusting mechanism configured to coil and uncoil the sidewall engaging strap;
• wherein when a wheel of a vehicle is positioned on the platform between the first and second loops, the tread engaging strap is positioned on the tread surface of the tire and the first and second sidewall engaging straps are positioned proximate the first and second sidewalls, the first securing mechanism engaging the first loop and the second securing mechanisms attached to the second loop, the length adjusting mechanism is manipulated to shorten an effective length of the first and second sidewall engaging straps which draws the second ring toward the length adjusting mechanism and raises the first ring and causes the first and second sidewall straps to engage the left and right sidewalls as the tread engaging strap engages the tread surface of the tire.

A self-adjusting tie down for securing a tire on a wheel of a vehicle to a platform having first and second loops attached thereto, the tire having a tread surface and left and right sidewalls, the tie down comprising:

• a first ring;
• a second ring spaced from the first ring;
• a securing strap attached to the first ring and having a first securing mechanism configured to engage the second loop;
• first and second sidewall engaging straps configured to engage the left and right sidewalls of the tire, each of the first and second sidewall engaging straps attached to the first ring or the second ring;
• a transverse tread engaging strap configured to engage the tread surface of the tire, the transverse tread engaging strap slidably engaging the first and second sidewall engaging straps;
• and
• a length adjusting mechanism configured to be attached to the second loop with a second securing mechanism, the length adjusting mechanism configured to coil and uncoil the sidewall engaging strap;
• wherein when a wheel of a vehicle is positioned on the platform between the first and second loops, the tread engaging strap is positioned on the tread surface of the tire and the first and second sidewall engaging straps are positioned proximate the first and second sidewalls, the first securing mechanism engaging the first loop and the second securing mechanisms attached to the second loop, the length adjusting mechanism is manipulated to shorten an effective length of the first and second sidewall engaging straps which draws the second ring toward the length adjusting mechanism and raises the first ring and causes the first and second sidewall straps to engage the left and right sidewalls as the transverse tread engaging strap engages the tread surface of the tire.