US 6,681,657 B2 · System for installing chains on vehicle tires

Abstract

A drive-on system for installing a tire chain (i.e., snow chain) on a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle wheel. The system includes a U-shaped installation tool whose arms releasably engage fastening elements (hooks or links) at one end of each side chain, and a installation tray or ramp in which the connected tire chain and tool are arranged, and may be stored, prior to installation, with the tire chain in a partially laid-out orientation and the tool preferably within a tool compartment in the tray. To install the tire chain, the vehicle is driven onto the tray and stopped, preferably in a predetermined optimum position in response to a signal initiated by a position-indicating switch on the tray. Then the tool, with one end of the tire chain connected to it and trailing it, is drawn upward and circumferentially around the tire. With the tool bridging the tread of the tire so that its arms extend along the opposite sidewalls, the tire chain is draped and tensioned substantially in the correct position on the tire. The fastening element at the other, free end of each side chain is then removed from its place in the tray and connected to the mating fastening element. The connection on the inner sidewall is preferably made while the tool is still connected, which enables the arm of the tool on the inner sidewall to be used to guide the free element into contact and connection with the element connected to the tool.

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Drawings

Claims27

Dependent claims

A U-shaped tool for handling a tire chain and installing the tire chain on a tire mounted on a rim of a stationary vehicle wheel which does not rotate during the installation, the tire chain including a side chain having at its opposite ends fastening elements consisting of a fastening hook and a mating fastening element, each of the side chain fastening elements defining an interior space, and the tire having a tread joining an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, which tool is easily connectable to and removable from the tire chain and comprises

(a) a transverse handle;
(b) two spaced arms extending away from the handle and having a longitudinal axis;
and
(c) a clasp mechanism on at least one of the arms for engaging and connecting to a side chain fastening element, the clasp mechanism being non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the arm and comprising separate non-resilient coacting members which are easily and repeatedly movable, relative to each other, into and out of alternative configurations including a closed, confining configuration and an open, releasing configuration, the coacting members in combination comprising
(i) a passage which receives a portion of the fastening element;
and
(ii) a projection immediately adjacent the passage on the side of the passage away from the handle, which projection, in the closed configuration, penetrates into and occupies interior space within the fastening element disposed in the passage, and, in the open configuration, allows movement of the fastening element out of the passage and past the projection without substantial movement of the fastening element toward the handle;
whereby, when the clasp mechanism is connected to the fastening element with the coacting members in their closed configuration and the fastening element in the passage, the user by grasping the handle is able to pick up the tool and pull up on the tire chain with an unsupported portion of the tire chain suspended from the tool, to draw the tire chain circumferentially around the tire with the tire chain trailing the tool and sliding over the surface of the tire, and to tension the side chain with the tool loosely straddling the tire and with the arm and the side chain slideable on the sidewall, all without twisting the side chain, while the clasp mechanism positively and securely confines the fastening element in the passage and remains connected to the fastening element, notwithstanding forces pulling the clasp mechanism in a direction toward the trailing side chain and away from the handle;
and
whereby, when the coacting members are moved from their closed configuration to their open configuration, the fastening element is immediately, positively, cleanly, and completely released from the clasp mechanism.

7 more elements

A tool for handling a tire chain and installing the tire chain on a tire mounted on a rim of a stationary vehicle wheel which does not rotate during the installation, by drawing the tool circumferentially around the tire, with the tire chain connected to the tool, trailing the tool, and sliding over the surface of the tire, the tire chain including a side chain having mating fastening elements at its opposite ends, which tool is easily connectable to and removable from the tire chain and comprises

(a) a transverse member;
(b) two arms extending away from the transverse member and spaced from each other by a distance which permits the tool to straddle the tire;
(c) a clasp mechanism on at least one of the arms for engaging and connecting to a fastening element of the side chain;
and
(d) a longitudinal channel on the side of that arm opposite the transverse member, which channel is located between the transverse member and the clasp mechanism, extends a substantial distance alone the arm, and provides a concave surface along which the mating fastening element at the other end of the side chain may be slid and guided into contact with the side chain fastening element connected to the clasp mechanism.

2 more elements

A tool for handling a tire chain and installing the tire chain on a tire mounted on a rim of a stationary vehicle wheel which does not rotate during the installation, by drawing the tool circumferentially around the tire, with the tire chain connected to the tool, trailing the tool, and sliding over the surface of the tire, the tire chain including a side chain having mating fastening elements at its opposite ends, which tool is easily connectable to and removable from the tire chain and comprises

(a) a transverse member;
(b) two arms extending away from the transverse member and spaced from each other by a distance which permits the tool to straddle the tire;
(c) a clasp mechanism on at least one of the arms for engaging and connecting to a fastening element of the side chain, the clasp mechanism comprising two coacting members which are movable, relative to each other, into and out of alternative configurations including a closed, confining configuration and an open, releasing configuration;
(d) a locking device for locking the two coacting members in the closed configuration, so that the members, when connected to a fastening element of the side chain and so locked, cooperate in such a manner that they positively and securely engage and hold the fastening element and cannot be moved to the open configuration by a force pulling the fastening element away from the transverse member during storage, handling, or installation of the tire chain;
and
(e) an actuating surface remote from the clasp mechanism for unlocking the locking device, which surface, when actuated by the user, allows the coacting members to move from their closed configuration to their open configuration which will immediately, positively, cleanly, and completely release a fastening element held by the clasp mechanism.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description16,395 words

Summary1,840 words

#This invention pertains to the field of installing traction-enhancing chains on pneumatic tires of wheeled vehicles, for use on mud, snow, and ice surfaces.

#The advantages of tire chains have been known for many years. When needed, tire chains provide enhanced traction on mud, snow, and ice surfaces, both for moving and for stopping the vehicle. Also, tire chains are relatively inexpensive and do not affect vehicle ride, handling, fuel economy, or performance when they are not necessary, which is at least 99 percent of the time for 99 percent of the people in the United States.

#Also known are the disadvantages of tire chains, which, assuming well designed chains are properly selected for a given vehicle, tend to fall into three categories. The first category is installation. The disadvantages within this category include the considerable time required for installation and the physical difficulty and discomfort involved, often under adverse weather conditions, darkness, or stress. They may further include, depending upon whether a jack is employed, safety considerations or the need to re-adjust the chains after the vehicle has been driven. These disadvantages are described further in the patents identified below and in other patents in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office subclasses 152/213R and 81/15.8. The second category of disadvantages is operation of the vehicle after the chains have been installed. These disadvantages include chain wear and breakage, limitations on vehicle speed, vibration and accelerated wear of the vehicle, possible damage to the vehicle resulting from breakage of worn chains, and damage to the pavement. These disadvantages are greatly amplified by operation of the vehicle on bare pavement. The third category is removal of the chains from the tire.

Brief description of the drawings41 figures

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tool according to the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a left side view of the tool shown in FIG. 1, showing the inner arm in a closed, confining position.

#FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, with the claws in an open, releasing position.

Detailed description13,730 words

#The drawings show the tool and the tray approximately to scale. The actual distance between the inner and outer arms of the tool as shown is 8.25 in. The actual length of the tray as shown is 33.0 in.

#The following terms will be used throughout this application in accordance with these definitions, unless a different interpretation is required by the context.

#The term “tire” refers to an inflated tire mounted on a rim which is a component of a wheel on a vehicle. The tire has a tread which joins 2 sidewalls—an “inner” sidewall toward the shaft driving the wheel and an opposite, “outer” sidewall. The terms “inner” and “outer” will be used in a similar manner to refer to an arm of the tool intended to be used adjacent a sidewall. The “width” of the tread is the distance between its edges, in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. The “maximum width” or “section width” of the tire is its maximum width in a direction parallel to the wheel's axis of rotation and is conventionally the nominal width of the tire. The “radius” of the tire is the distance from the axis of rotation to the ground. The “footprint” of the tire is the portion of its tread which is in contact with the ground. The “bottom dead center” or “BDC” of the tire is the line where its bottom surface intersects a vertical plane including the axis of rotation; the BDC will be approximately at the center of the footprint when the tire is resting on a flat surface.

System for installing chains on vehicle tires

Life of this patent

System for installing chains on vehicle tires

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims27

Description16,395 words

Drawings

Classification7 codes

Life of this patent

Description16,395 words