CA2033216C - U-shaped unitary spring clip and method for installing tire chains - Google Patents
U-shaped unitary spring clip and method for installing tire chainsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2033216C CA2033216C CA 2033216 CA2033216A CA2033216C CA 2033216 C CA2033216 C CA 2033216C CA 2033216 CA2033216 CA 2033216 CA 2033216 A CA2033216 A CA 2033216A CA 2033216 C CA2033216 C CA 2033216C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- chain
- tire
- clip
- rail
- outside
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Landscapes
- Hand Tools For Fitting Together And Separating, Or Other Hand Tools (AREA)
- Gripping Jigs, Holding Jigs, And Positioning Jigs (AREA)
- Chain Conveyers (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a tool for mounting tire chains upon large tires by means of a shaped resilient steel bar. The device comprises a U-shaped steel bar with a base and arms with inward curvatures from about the mid-point of each of the arms of the device and extend-ing to the ends of said arms. The arms are formed so as to avoid marking or cutting into the soft sidewall sections of the pneumatic tires upon which the device might be in-stalled. One end of a tire chain's hooks are inserted at the outer corners and upon the tool which is removably mounted upon the tire or dual-wheeled tire configurations frictionally grasping the outer sidewalls of said tire or tires and the chain.
Description
~e 2 0 3 3 2 1 6 U-SHAPED UNITARY SPRING CLIP AND
METHOD FOR INST~TTTNG TIRE CHAINS
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tool for mounting tire chains upon large tires by means of a shaped resilient steel bar.
Background of the Invention It is common for tire chains for use in snow or other slippery road conditions to be mounted by laying them upon the tread or circumference of the tire (or tires, in the case of dual-tired wheels), at the uppermost point, causing the chain-ends to drape around most of the said tire's perimeter, linking up at the base of said tire's perimeter, near the driving surface, until it is possible to latch both ends about the perimeter of said tire. For operators this is a time-consuming, labour-intensive operation.
Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a tool for mounting tire chains upon large tires by means of a U-shaped resilient steel bar. The device comprises a U-shaped steel bar having a base and two side arms having inward curvatures from about the mid-point of each of the arms of the device and extending to the ends of said arms.
The arms are formed so as to avoid marking or cutting into the soft sidewall sections of the pneumatic tires whereupon the device might be frictionally installed. One end of the tire chain is inserted between the tire and the tool along the lateral section of the tool which is removably mounted upon the tire or dual-wheeled tire configurations friction-ally grasping the outer sidewalls of said tire or tires.
As the driver advances the vehicle's tires over the chains, the one previously hooked chain end draws the said chain r203321 6 over the circumference of the tire such that the driver merely latches the remaining loose chain end-hooks at the previously hooked ends of the chain.
The invention is directed to a U-shaped clip for mounting over a chain on the tread of a pneumatic tire which comprises: (a) a longitudinally extending base formed of a strong resilient material; (b) an upwardly extending arm secured to one end of the base, the arm having a curved area therein; and (c) an upwardly extend-ing arm secured to the other end of the base, the arm having a curved area therein.
The curved areas can be formed in the areas of the two arms proximate to the free ends thereof and can be convex, the convex areas facing in the direction of one another. The base can be essentially linear. The clip can be formed of a flat elongated steel bar.
In Drawings Which Illustrate a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention Figure 1 is a side elevation of a typical vehicle for which an embodiment of the invention would be used;
Figure 2 is a side view of a large wheel mounted tire and the embodiment of the invention mounted for use upon a large wheel mounted tire; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a specific embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments of the Invention Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a typical cargo hauling vehicle with a ., , .
-. 2 0 3 3 2 1 ff _ - 3 -tractor 2 having front drive wheels 4 and rear drive wheels 5 and a trailer 6 with a set of rolling wheels 8 shown at the right. In heavy snow conditions or where road condi-tions are slippery, it is customary to secure a set of chains around the respective drive wheels 4 and 5, in order to provide better traction. These chains are readily available in the marketplace. Typically, the chains are draped over the drive wheels from the top, with the ends thereof at the bottoms of the drive wheels. The ends are then secured together at the outside and inside of each wheel, or wheel set, by chain end linking devices. This requires the driver to get down on his or her hands and knees, or even lie down in the snow or mud, in order to reach to the insides of the drive wheels to secure the end-to-end chain linkages. In some cases, the driver's legs will stick out onto the highway, which is dangerous for the driver, when there is traffic on the highway.
As can be seen in Figure 2, the clip 10 is mounted transversely and frictionally about the wheel-mounted tire 12 grasping the sidewall section of said tire 12.
Figure 2 also illustrates the chain 11 which is draped around the circumference of the tire 12, and the manner in which the chain holding clip 10 holds one end of the chain 11 against the tire 12. The depiction illus-trated in Figure 2 represents the situation after the driver has draped the chain 11 around the circumference of the tire 12, with each end of the chain 11 basically at the bottom area of the tire. The clip 10 is then secured over the forward end of the chain 11, and the vehicle is driven forward so that the tire and chain rotate about 120.
Normally, the driver would drive the vehicle forward so that the wheels 4 and 5 rotate about 160 to 200. This position places the chain ends more or less at the top of the tire for easy accessibility. In this position, the ~, 2 0 3 3 2 1 ô
clip 10 holds the end of the chain 11 against the tire 12.
Normally, the chain 11 would fall away from the tire onto the ground. It is an easy task for the driver to secure the ends of the chain together, without having to kneel or lie in the mud or snow. The exposure of the driver to hazardous oncoming traffic is also minimized.
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the chain holding clip 10. As indicated in Figure 3, the clip 10 has a general U-shape comprising a longitudinal base 14 joining a pair of vertically extending side arms 16 and 18 respectively. The arms 16 and 18 have respectively in the areas proximate to the ends thereof, a pair of inwardly projecting curvatures 20 and 22. These curved areas 20 and 22 are designed to grip the sidewalls of the tire 12.
Since the distance between the side arms 16 and 18 proxi-mate to the base 14 are wider than at the curved areas, these wider areas are adapted to enable the chain or chains to fit therein. The clip 10 depicted in Figure 3 can be shaped so that it will fit over single or dual tires, as required. Once the ends of the chain(s) are secured together, then the clip 10 is removed and the driver can drive the vehicle away with the chain(s) secured in place.
An advantage of the clip 10 is that it enables the end of the chain to be held taut, thereby making it easy for the driver to secure the two ends of the chain snugly together.
Although only a single embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the features of this embodi-ment, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope of the claims.
METHOD FOR INST~TTTNG TIRE CHAINS
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tool for mounting tire chains upon large tires by means of a shaped resilient steel bar.
Background of the Invention It is common for tire chains for use in snow or other slippery road conditions to be mounted by laying them upon the tread or circumference of the tire (or tires, in the case of dual-tired wheels), at the uppermost point, causing the chain-ends to drape around most of the said tire's perimeter, linking up at the base of said tire's perimeter, near the driving surface, until it is possible to latch both ends about the perimeter of said tire. For operators this is a time-consuming, labour-intensive operation.
Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a tool for mounting tire chains upon large tires by means of a U-shaped resilient steel bar. The device comprises a U-shaped steel bar having a base and two side arms having inward curvatures from about the mid-point of each of the arms of the device and extending to the ends of said arms.
The arms are formed so as to avoid marking or cutting into the soft sidewall sections of the pneumatic tires whereupon the device might be frictionally installed. One end of the tire chain is inserted between the tire and the tool along the lateral section of the tool which is removably mounted upon the tire or dual-wheeled tire configurations friction-ally grasping the outer sidewalls of said tire or tires.
As the driver advances the vehicle's tires over the chains, the one previously hooked chain end draws the said chain r203321 6 over the circumference of the tire such that the driver merely latches the remaining loose chain end-hooks at the previously hooked ends of the chain.
The invention is directed to a U-shaped clip for mounting over a chain on the tread of a pneumatic tire which comprises: (a) a longitudinally extending base formed of a strong resilient material; (b) an upwardly extending arm secured to one end of the base, the arm having a curved area therein; and (c) an upwardly extend-ing arm secured to the other end of the base, the arm having a curved area therein.
The curved areas can be formed in the areas of the two arms proximate to the free ends thereof and can be convex, the convex areas facing in the direction of one another. The base can be essentially linear. The clip can be formed of a flat elongated steel bar.
In Drawings Which Illustrate a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention Figure 1 is a side elevation of a typical vehicle for which an embodiment of the invention would be used;
Figure 2 is a side view of a large wheel mounted tire and the embodiment of the invention mounted for use upon a large wheel mounted tire; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a specific embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments of the Invention Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a typical cargo hauling vehicle with a ., , .
-. 2 0 3 3 2 1 ff _ - 3 -tractor 2 having front drive wheels 4 and rear drive wheels 5 and a trailer 6 with a set of rolling wheels 8 shown at the right. In heavy snow conditions or where road condi-tions are slippery, it is customary to secure a set of chains around the respective drive wheels 4 and 5, in order to provide better traction. These chains are readily available in the marketplace. Typically, the chains are draped over the drive wheels from the top, with the ends thereof at the bottoms of the drive wheels. The ends are then secured together at the outside and inside of each wheel, or wheel set, by chain end linking devices. This requires the driver to get down on his or her hands and knees, or even lie down in the snow or mud, in order to reach to the insides of the drive wheels to secure the end-to-end chain linkages. In some cases, the driver's legs will stick out onto the highway, which is dangerous for the driver, when there is traffic on the highway.
As can be seen in Figure 2, the clip 10 is mounted transversely and frictionally about the wheel-mounted tire 12 grasping the sidewall section of said tire 12.
Figure 2 also illustrates the chain 11 which is draped around the circumference of the tire 12, and the manner in which the chain holding clip 10 holds one end of the chain 11 against the tire 12. The depiction illus-trated in Figure 2 represents the situation after the driver has draped the chain 11 around the circumference of the tire 12, with each end of the chain 11 basically at the bottom area of the tire. The clip 10 is then secured over the forward end of the chain 11, and the vehicle is driven forward so that the tire and chain rotate about 120.
Normally, the driver would drive the vehicle forward so that the wheels 4 and 5 rotate about 160 to 200. This position places the chain ends more or less at the top of the tire for easy accessibility. In this position, the ~, 2 0 3 3 2 1 ô
clip 10 holds the end of the chain 11 against the tire 12.
Normally, the chain 11 would fall away from the tire onto the ground. It is an easy task for the driver to secure the ends of the chain together, without having to kneel or lie in the mud or snow. The exposure of the driver to hazardous oncoming traffic is also minimized.
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the chain holding clip 10. As indicated in Figure 3, the clip 10 has a general U-shape comprising a longitudinal base 14 joining a pair of vertically extending side arms 16 and 18 respectively. The arms 16 and 18 have respectively in the areas proximate to the ends thereof, a pair of inwardly projecting curvatures 20 and 22. These curved areas 20 and 22 are designed to grip the sidewalls of the tire 12.
Since the distance between the side arms 16 and 18 proxi-mate to the base 14 are wider than at the curved areas, these wider areas are adapted to enable the chain or chains to fit therein. The clip 10 depicted in Figure 3 can be shaped so that it will fit over single or dual tires, as required. Once the ends of the chain(s) are secured together, then the clip 10 is removed and the driver can drive the vehicle away with the chain(s) secured in place.
An advantage of the clip 10 is that it enables the end of the chain to be held taut, thereby making it easy for the driver to secure the two ends of the chain snugly together.
Although only a single embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the features of this embodi-ment, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope of the claims.
Claims (7)
1. A unitary U-shaped spring steel clip for removab-ly mounting over a traction chain and adjacent tire tread and side walls of a pneumatic tire or tires, adapted to hold the chain securely between the clip and the tire or tires, the unitary clip comprises:
a) a longitudinally extending linear base having a flat rectangular cross-section and a first end and a second end;
b) a first arm connected to and extending upwardly at right angles from the first end of the linear base, the first arm having a linear flat rectangular cross-sectional portion adjacent the first end of the base and a first connecting inwardly curved flat rectangular cross-sectional portion proxi-mate to a free end of the first arm; and c) a second arm connected to and extending upwardly at right angles from the second end of the linear base, the second arm having a linear flat rectangular cross-sectional portion adjacent the second end of the base and a second connecting inwardly curved flat rectangular cross-sectional portion proxi-mate to a free end of the second arm, the first curved portion and the second curved portion of the first and second arms being convex and facing one another, the first and second curved portions being adapted to removably grip the side walls of a pneumatic tire.
a) a longitudinally extending linear base having a flat rectangular cross-section and a first end and a second end;
b) a first arm connected to and extending upwardly at right angles from the first end of the linear base, the first arm having a linear flat rectangular cross-sectional portion adjacent the first end of the base and a first connecting inwardly curved flat rectangular cross-sectional portion proxi-mate to a free end of the first arm; and c) a second arm connected to and extending upwardly at right angles from the second end of the linear base, the second arm having a linear flat rectangular cross-sectional portion adjacent the second end of the base and a second connecting inwardly curved flat rectangular cross-sectional portion proxi-mate to a free end of the second arm, the first curved portion and the second curved portion of the first and second arms being convex and facing one another, the first and second curved portions being adapted to removably grip the side walls of a pneumatic tire.
2. A clip as defined in claim 1 wherein the curved areas are formed in the areas of the two arms proximate to the free ends thereof.
3. A clip as defined in claim 2 wherein the curved areas are convex, the convex areas facing in the direction of one another.
4. A clip as defined in claim 3 wherein the base is essentially linear.
5. A clip as defined in claim 4 wherein the clip is formed of a flat elongated steel bar.
6. A method of installing a latchable snow chain with two ends on the tread of a pneumatic tire, the chain having an inner and outer rail end at each end, said method comprising:
a) draping the snow chain over the tread of the topside of the pneumatic tire so that the two ends of the snow chain hang down the respective forward and rear tread sides of the tire;
b) placing a first arm of a removable chain retaining clip as claimed in claim 1 on an inside wall of the tire, over the chain near the inside chain rail end, and pulling a second arm of the clip over the chain near the outside chain rail end at an outside wall of the tire, thereby clipping a chain end to the tire by securing one of the hanging chain ends to the respective tread side of the tire and leaving the other end of the chain free;
c) rolling the tire in the direction of the clipped chain end so that the tire rotates between about 90° and 200°, the clipped chain end adhering to the tire tread and ultimately meeting with the free chain end;
d) latching the two inner chain rail ends together and then latching the two outer chain rail ends together so that the latched chain surrounds the tread perimeter of the tire; and e) removing the chain retaining clip.
a) draping the snow chain over the tread of the topside of the pneumatic tire so that the two ends of the snow chain hang down the respective forward and rear tread sides of the tire;
b) placing a first arm of a removable chain retaining clip as claimed in claim 1 on an inside wall of the tire, over the chain near the inside chain rail end, and pulling a second arm of the clip over the chain near the outside chain rail end at an outside wall of the tire, thereby clipping a chain end to the tire by securing one of the hanging chain ends to the respective tread side of the tire and leaving the other end of the chain free;
c) rolling the tire in the direction of the clipped chain end so that the tire rotates between about 90° and 200°, the clipped chain end adhering to the tire tread and ultimately meeting with the free chain end;
d) latching the two inner chain rail ends together and then latching the two outer chain rail ends together so that the latched chain surrounds the tread perimeter of the tire; and e) removing the chain retaining clip.
7. A method of installing a latchable snow chain on treads of two pneumatic tires in a dual drive-wheel assem-bly; said wheel assembly having an inside tire and an outside tire; said chain having a first end and a second end and three chain rails, namely an inner chain rail proximate to an inner side of the inside wheel, a central chain rail between the inside and outside tires, and an outer chain rail proximate to an outer side of the outside wheel, the method comprising:
a) untangling the chain and folding the chain onto itself lengthwise with the chain sur-faces that will contact a road facing each other;
b) draping the folded chain over the tread of the topside of the outside tire with the open edge facing outside so that the two ends of the chain hang down the respective forward and rear tread sides of the tire;
c) unfolding the chain so the chain surfaces that will contact the road face away from the tire treads and the chain drapes over both the outside tire and the inside tire;
d) placing a first arm of a removable chain retaining clip as claimed in claim 1 on an inner side wall of the inside tire, over the inner chain rail proximate to the first chain end and pulling a second arm of the clip over the outer chain rail on an outer side wall of the outside tire proximate to the first chain end;
e) securing the inner and outer chain rails between the clip arms and the respective side walls by positioning the chain rails snuggly in the gap formed between the clip arms and the tire and leaving the second chain end unclipped and free;
f) rolling the tires in the direction of the clipped first chain end so that the tires rotate between about 90° and 200°, the clipped chain ends adhering to the tire treads and ultimately meeting with the free chain ends;
g) latching the two ends of the chain together by joining the centre chain rail at the first chain end to the centre chain rail at the second chain end, then joining the inside chain rail at the first chain end to the inside chain rail at the second chain rail, and then joining the outside chain rail at the first chain end to the outside chain rail at the second chain end; and h) removing the clip and tightening the chain so that the chain is removably secured to the to the tire treads.
a) untangling the chain and folding the chain onto itself lengthwise with the chain sur-faces that will contact a road facing each other;
b) draping the folded chain over the tread of the topside of the outside tire with the open edge facing outside so that the two ends of the chain hang down the respective forward and rear tread sides of the tire;
c) unfolding the chain so the chain surfaces that will contact the road face away from the tire treads and the chain drapes over both the outside tire and the inside tire;
d) placing a first arm of a removable chain retaining clip as claimed in claim 1 on an inner side wall of the inside tire, over the inner chain rail proximate to the first chain end and pulling a second arm of the clip over the outer chain rail on an outer side wall of the outside tire proximate to the first chain end;
e) securing the inner and outer chain rails between the clip arms and the respective side walls by positioning the chain rails snuggly in the gap formed between the clip arms and the tire and leaving the second chain end unclipped and free;
f) rolling the tires in the direction of the clipped first chain end so that the tires rotate between about 90° and 200°, the clipped chain ends adhering to the tire treads and ultimately meeting with the free chain ends;
g) latching the two ends of the chain together by joining the centre chain rail at the first chain end to the centre chain rail at the second chain end, then joining the inside chain rail at the first chain end to the inside chain rail at the second chain rail, and then joining the outside chain rail at the first chain end to the outside chain rail at the second chain end; and h) removing the clip and tightening the chain so that the chain is removably secured to the to the tire treads.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2033216 CA2033216C (en) | 1990-12-27 | 1990-12-27 | U-shaped unitary spring clip and method for installing tire chains |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2033216 CA2033216C (en) | 1990-12-27 | 1990-12-27 | U-shaped unitary spring clip and method for installing tire chains |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2033216A1 CA2033216A1 (en) | 1992-06-28 |
| CA2033216C true CA2033216C (en) | 1997-08-12 |
Family
ID=4146725
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2033216 Expired - Fee Related CA2033216C (en) | 1990-12-27 | 1990-12-27 | U-shaped unitary spring clip and method for installing tire chains |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2033216C (en) |
-
1990
- 1990-12-27 CA CA 2033216 patent/CA2033216C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2033216A1 (en) | 1992-06-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |