US 4,958,415 A · Connector for lateral cable of tire chains

Abstract

Traction-enhancing tire chains with a lateral cable having a tension-applying connector for interconnecting the opposite ends of the lateral cable for attaching the tire chains to a tire. A clasp is attached to a pin slidably disposed in a cam slot defined in a tensioning lever attached to one end of the lateral cable. The clasp hooks about a selected anchor on the opposite end portion of the lateral cable and applies tension to the lateral cable as the lever is rotated to a tensioning position. The clasp slides along the cam slot and is pivotable with respect to the lever. A hook on the movable end of the lever extends over the lateral cable to hold the lever in the tensioning position. The lever and a hook which is also slidably disposed in the cam slot cooperatively hold excess cable against the side wall of the tire to keep it from flapping about during use of chains incorporating the fastener.

Claims12

Dependent claims

Connecting apparatus for interconnecting the opposite ends of a lateral cable of a set of tire chains comprising:

(a) anchor means fixedly attached to said lateral cable proximate a tail end portion thereof;
(b) tensioning lever means pivotally interconnected with a head end portion of said lateral cable and free to rotate from a releasing position in which said lever means extends away from said head end portion of said lateral cable to a tensioning position in which said lever means extends generally alongside said head end portion of said lateral cable;
(c) means defining an arcuate cam associated with said tensioning lever means said cam including a cam slot;
and
(d) clasp means for engaging said anchor means, said clasp means being attached to said lever means in engagement with said cam slot and being free to follow said arcuate cam by movement along said cam slot in response to application of tension to said clasp means by said tail end portion of said lateral cable.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Connector for lateral cable of tire chains

Life of this patent

Connector for lateral cable of tire chains

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12