AU2019100193A4

AU2019100193A4 - A vehicle recovery device

Info

Publication number: AU2019100193A4
Application number: AU2019100193A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bradley Mccarthy
Original assignee: Maxtrax Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Maxtrax Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-11
Filing date: 2019-02-21
Publication date: 2019-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-17
Also published as: AU2013206349A1; AU2013101781B4; AU2013101781A4; AU2019100193B4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle recovery device. The device includes a topside, in turn, defining traction formations for traction with a vehicle wheel. The device also includes a bottom side defining strengthening formations for strengthening the device. The preferred embodiment is both more lightweight and strong when compared with known vehicle recovery devices.

Description

A VEHICLE RECOVERY DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle recovery device. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles. This application claims the benefit of Australian Patent Application 2013101781 filed 117 June 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND [0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles invariably become stuck in sand and mud. Traditionally, shovels were used to dig and extricate stuck 4WD vehicles. Alternatively, timber could be jammed beneath tyres in an attempt to gain more wheel traction.

[0004] A known vehicle recovery ladder disclosed in AU 2010100831 provides improved traction when extricating vehicles. Advantageously, the ladder is light-weight being molded from plastic material. However, the Applicant has perceived that the ladder can deform and break in extreme circumstances.

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a lightweight and strong vehicle recovery device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle recovery device including:

a topside defining traction formations for traction with a vehicle wheel; and a bottom side defining strengthening formations for strengthening the device.

[0007] The bottom side may define a hollow with the strengthening formations located in the hollow. The strengthening formations may include a lattice. The strengthening formations may form an even or flat support for supporting a vehicle jack.

2019100193 21 Feb 2019

The strengthening formations may include internal lateral webs extending within longitudinal ribs.

[0008] The topside may define one or more protruding ribs from which the traction formations extend. The ribs may include or consist of an arcuate strengthening profile. The traction formations may include elongate lugs aligned in a multitude of orientations. The topside may define lateral interconnecting ribs for joining adjacent protruding ribs. The bottom side may define anchor pegs between the ribs.

[0009] The recovery device may be of comparable length with the wheel diameter. The recovery device may be less than or about 65 centimetres long and less than or about 35 centimeters wide. Advantageously, the shorter length of the recovery device, when compared with known devices, impedes bending. At least one end of the recovery device may define a wheel ramp.

[00010] The recovery device may define apertures along opposite sides. Each aperture may be located within an alcove. On each side, the apertures may include a pair of securing apertures between which a central hand aperture defining finger engagement formations is located.

[00011] Each traction formation includes a lug topping a platform. Each traction formation includes at least one fillet extending between the lug and platform.

[00012] Preferably, the recovery device is molded as a single piece from polymeric material. The recovery device is substantially stiff.

[00013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle recovery device including:

one or more arcuate ribs from which traction formations extend.

[00014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle recovery device including:

an elongate body of comparable length with a wheel of the vehicle.

2019100193 21 Feb 2019 [00015] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00016] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00017] Figure 1a is a plan view of a vehicle recovery device including a vehicle jack support in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00018] Figure 1 b is a side view of the recovery device of Figure 1 a;

[00019] Figure 1c is an end view of the recovery device of Figure 1a;

[00020] Figure 1d is an upper perspective view of the recovery device of Figure 1a;

[00021] Figure 1e is a lower perspective view of the recovery device of Figure 1a;

[00022] Figure 2a is a plan view of a vehicle recovery device for use in snow in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[00023] Figure 2b is a side view of the recovery device of Figure 2a;

[00024] Figure 2c is an end view of the recovery device of Figure 2a;

[00025] Figure 2d is an upper perspective view of the recovery device of Figure 2a;

[00026] Figure 2e is a lower perspective view of the recovery device of Figure 2a;

[00027] Figure 3a is a close-up perspective view showing a traction formation of the recovery devices of Figures 1 and 2; and [00028] Figure 3b is a side view of the traction formation shown in Figure 3a.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle recovery ladder or device 100 as shown in Figure 1. The device 100 includes a topside 102 (Fig. 1d) defining traction formations 104 for increased traction with a vehicle wheel. A hollow bottom side 106 (Fig. 1e) contains lattice strengthening formations 108 for strengthening the device to support a vehicle wheel jack when changing a wheel. As can best be seen in Figures 1b and 1c, the lattice strengthening formations 108 form an even or flat support surface 110 for supporting the vehicle jack.

[00030] The lightweight recovery device 100 is molded as a single piece from polymeric material and is substantially stiff. Advantageously, the recovery device 100 is stronger than other like known recovery devices which are instead prone to deform or break when used as a tire jack support.

[00031] As can best be seen in Figure 1b and 1 d, the topside 102 defines three protruding and longitudinal arcuate ribs 112a, 112b, 112c from which the traction formations 104 extend. The longitudinal arcuate profile of the ribs 112 greatly strengthens the hollow lightweight device 100 under the significant weight of the vehicle, and defines two wheel ramps at respective ends of the device 100. Turning to Figure 1b, the traction formations 104 include elongate lugs 114 topping a circular platform 116. The lugs 114 are aligned in a multitude of orientations to facilitate wheel traction (Figs. 1a and 1d). Turning to Figure 1d, the topside 102 defines lateral interconnecting ribs 118 for joining adjacent protruding ribs 112.

[00032] The recovery device 100 is of significantly shorter length and thereby stronger that known like recovery devices, being of comparable length with the vehicle wheel diameter. Advantageously, the shorter length of the recovery device 100, when compared with known devices, impedes bending. The recovery device is less than 65 centimetres long and less than 35 centimetres wide, in particular being 64 centimetres long and 34 centimetres wide.

[00033] Figure 1a shows that the recovery device 100 defines apertures 120a, 120b, 122 along opposite sides of the device 100. On each side, a pair of securing apertures 120a, 120b is provided, between which a central hand aperture 122 defining outer finger engagement formations is located. In use, a rope can be threaded through the

2019100193 21 Feb 2019 apertures 120a, 120b, 122 or pegs can extend though the apertures 120a, 120b, 122 to anchor the device 100. The apertures 120a, 120b, 122 are located within respective alcoves 124a, 124b, 126 (Fig. 1b).

[00034] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle recovery ladder or device 200 for use in snow as shown in Figure 2. The top side 202 of the device 200 is substantially the same as the top side 102 of the aforementioned device 100 and like numerals refer to like features previously described.

[00035] However, the bottom side 206 of the device 200 incorporates different features to the bottom side 106 of the afore-mentioned device 100. Turning to Figure 2e, the device 200 includes strengthening formations in the form of internal lateral webs 208 extending within and across the longitudinal ribs 112. Furthermore, the bottom side 206 defines downwardly extending star shaped anchor pegs 210 between the ribs 112 that engage in the snow.

[00036] A traction formation 104 of the recovery devices 100, 200 is shown in Figure

3. The traction formation 104 includes an elongate lug 114 topping a circular platform 116. A pair of opposed strengthening fillets 300 extends between each lug 114 and platform 116.

[00037] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00038] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[00039] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all

2019100193 21 Feb 2019 referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A vehicle recovery device including:

a topside defining traction formations for traction with a vehicle wheel; and a bottom side defining strengthening formations for strengthening the device.
2. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom side defines a hollow with the strengthening formations located in the hollow.
3. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the strengthening formations include a lattice.
4. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strengthening formations form an even or flat support for supporting a vehicle jack.
5. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strengthening formations include internal lateral webs extending within longitudinal ribs.
6. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the topside defines one or more protruding ribs from which the traction formations extend.
7. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ribs include or consist of an arcuate strengthening profile.
8. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the traction formations include elongate lugs aligned in more than one orientation.
9. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the topside defines lateral interconnecting ribs for joining adjacent protruding ribs.
10. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom side defines anchor pegs.

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11. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recovery device is of comparable length with the wheel diameter.
12. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recovery device is less than or about 65 centimetres long and less than or about 35 centimeters wide.
13. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one end of the recovery device defines a wheel ramp.
14. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recovery device defines apertures along opposite sides.
15. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in claim 14, wherein each aperture is located within an alcove.
16. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein on each side, the apertures include a pair of securing apertures between which a hand aperture is located.
17. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each traction formation includes a lug topping a platform.
18. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in claim 17, wherein each traction formation includes at least one fillet extending between the lug and platform.
19. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recovery device is molded as a single piece from polymeric material.
20. A vehicle recovery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recovery device is stiff.
21. A vehicle recovery device including:

one or more arcuate ribs from which traction formations extend.
22. A vehicle recovery device including:

2019100193 21 Feb 2019 an elongate body of comparable length with a wheel of the vehicle.