Linked tread apparatus for improved performance on loose surfaces
OwnerJacqueline Coffininventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tread link assembly is provided for improving the performance of a wheel on loose surfaces. The tread assembly includes a plurality of linked plates forming a circuit around the outer circumference of the wheel. The linked plates include first and second linking structures and releasable fasteners for linking adjacent plates together. The together the plates create a tread surface that is wider than the axial width of the wheel.
Claims20
A removable tread assembly adapted to be installed around an outer circumference of a wheel of a manually powered vehicle, the assembly comprising:
- a plurality of substantially identical tread links, the tread links including a tread plate having a smooth and curved first surface and a corresponding smooth and curved second surface, a first end and a second end, and the tread plate having a width greater than an axial width of the wheel, the tread links further including a first linking structure adjacent the first end of the tread plate and a second linking structure adjacent the second end of the tread plate, wherein the first linking structure of the tread link is adapted to engage and be secured to the second linking structure of another tread link;
- and
- a plurality of substantially identical link fasteners adapted to retractably engage the first and second linking structures of adjacent tread links to secure the adjacent tread links in an articulable manner such that the plurality of tread links may be linked end-to-end in a circuit around the outer circumference of the wheel such that the first surfaces of the linked tread links provide a smooth and curved surface for contacting the wheel and the second surfaces of the linked tread links provide a smooth and curved surface for contacting a ground surface.
A tread link for use in a tread assembly comprising a plurality of linked tread links, the tread link comprising:
- a tread plate having a smooth and curved first surface and a smooth and curved second surface;
- a first linking structure associated with a first end of the tread link and a second linking structure associated with a second end of the tread link;
- an inner side plate and an outer side plate depending from the second surface of the tread plate and extending between the first and second ends the tread link, the first and second side plates spaced apart an amount sufficient to receive a portion of an outer circumference of a wheel onto which the tread link is to be mounted;
- and
- a link fastener adapted to engage the first linking structure associated with the first end of the tread link and a second linking structure associated with a second end of another tread link such that when the plurality of tread links are linked in the tread assembly the first surfaces of the linked tread links provide a smooth and curved surface for contacting a wheel and the second surfaces of the linked tread links provide a smooth and curved surface for contacting a ground surface.
An apparatus for improving the performance of a wheel on loose surfaces, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of linked plates, the plates having a smooth and curved upper surface, a smooth and curved lower surface, a first end and a second end, an inner side and an outer side, the plates having a width greater than an axial width of the wheel;
- first link structures associated with the first ends of the plates, and second link structures associated with the second ends of the plates;
- link fasteners for securing the first link structures to the second link structures of adjacent plates such that the plates form a linked circuit around an outer circumference of the wheel such that the upper surfaces of the linked tread links provide a smooth and curved surface for contacting the wheel and the lower surfaces of the linked tread links provide a smooth and curved surface for contacting a ground surface;
- and
- a channel associated with the lower sides of the plates, the channel configured to receive a portion of the outer circumference of the wheel, preventing the plates form sliding laterally from the wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.