US 6,044,883 A · Retractable anti-skid tread for dual tire vehicles

Abstract

An anti-skid device. The device is installed between tire pairs in vehicles using dual tires in wheel assemblies. The device increases friction between the wheeled vehicle and a slippery surface therebelow. Each of the two or more dual tire type wheel assemblies has a wheel having a central axis of rotation, a first tire, and a second tire. The first and second tire are mounted to the wheel in a spaced apart relationship along the axis of rotation, to provide therebetween a centrally located mounting space which is located radially outward from the central axis of rotation. The anti-skid device is placed in the mounting space between the first tire and the second tire. The anti-skid device includes, in radially outward order, a retainer ring, a spacer ring, an inflation ring (preferably pneumaticaly inflatable), and an anti-skid tread ring. The anti-skid tread ring is displaceable outward by inflation of the inflation ring, so as to engage the slippery surface with tread lugs or studs. The device may be manually, remotely, or automatically activated to inflate and deflate the inflation ring for engagement to or disengagement from a slippery surface therebelow.

Claims37

Dependent claims

The combination of an anti-skid device and a wheeled vehicle, said combination for increasing friction between said wheeled vehicle and a slippery surface therebelow, said anti-skid device comprising:

(a) a wheeled vehicle, said vehicle comprising at least one wheel assembly, each of said at least one wheel assemblies comprising
(1) a wheel having a central axis of rotation,
(2) a first tire,
(3) a second tire,
(4) and wherein said first tire and said second tire are mounted to said wheel in a spaced apart relationship along said axis of rotation, to provide therebetween a centrally located mounting space which is located radially outward from said central axis of rotation,
(b) an anti-skid device, said anti-skid device located in said mounting space between said first tire and said second tire, said anti-skid device comprising, in radially outward order,
(1) a retainer ring,
(2) a spacer ring,
(3) an inflation ring, and
(4) an anti-skid tread ring.

7 more elements

A method of increasing the friction between a wheeled vehicle and a slippery surface therebelow, said wheeled vehicle of the type comprising two or more dual tire type wheel assemblies, said method comprising

(a) providing wheel assemblies comprising
(1) a wheel having a central axis of rotation,
(2) a first tire,
(3) a second tire,
(4) and wherein said first tire and said second tire are mounted to said wheel in a spaced apart relationship along said axis of rotation, to provide therebetween a centrally located mounting space which is located radially outward from said central axis of rotation, and
(b) providing an anti-skid device, said anti-skid device located in said mounting space between said first tire and said second tire, said anti-skid device comprising, in radially outward order,
(1) a retainer ring,
(2) a spacer ring,
(3) an inflation ring, pneumaticaly inflatable, and
(4) an anti-skid tread ring,
(c) adjusting said inflation ring between
(1) an uninflated position, wherein said anti-skid tread ring is inwardly radially withdrawn, with respect to said axis of rotation, disengaging said anti-skid tread ring from said slippery surface, and
(2) an inflated position, wherein said anti-skid tread ring is outwardly radially extended, with respect to said axis of rotation, positioning said anti-skid tread ring adjacent said slippery surface.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Retractable anti-skid tread for dual tire vehicles

Life of this patent

Retractable anti-skid tread for dual tire vehicles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37