CA2127223C - Traction device - Google Patents
Traction deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2127223C CA2127223C CA002127223A CA2127223A CA2127223C CA 2127223 C CA2127223 C CA 2127223C CA 002127223 A CA002127223 A CA 002127223A CA 2127223 A CA2127223 A CA 2127223A CA 2127223 C CA2127223 C CA 2127223C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- traction
- bars
- flexible means
- notches
- elongate flexible
- 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
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B39/00—Increasing wheel adhesion
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Tires In General (AREA)
- Handcart (AREA)
Abstract
A traction device for vehicles has a set of rectangular traction bars with an inverted V shaped cross section. Each bar has a contact surface on each side, opposite the vertex. The contact surfaces support the device on a supporting surface, while the vertices of the bars engage the treads of the vehicle's tires. Chains join the traction bars at spaced locations along the chains, allowing the traction device to be rolled up for transport or storage.
Description
''..' -1-TRACTION DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to portable traction devices used to provide traction on ice, snow, mud, or sand.
Many roads can become difficult to traverse due to snow, ice, mud, and sand. Vehicles attempting to navigate roads under these conditions can lose traction and become stuck. When this occurs the vehicle is usually freed by having any passengers get out and push the vehicle forward or backward until there is sufficient momentum and traction for the vehicle to move under its own power once again. If no one is available to push then the driver must seek assistance from passersby or arrange to have the vehicle towed by another vehicle both of which can be difficult and time consuming.
Attempts have been made to solve this problem using various devices such as winches which are expensive and require a fixed point to which a cable may be attached. Other traction devices are known but they are made of inflexible materials which makes them difficult to transport and store.
A traction device is required that is easy to transport and use by one person and which will provide traction on ice, snow, mud, sand, or other surfaces where it is advantageous to spread out the weight of the automobile over a greater area to prevent slippage or sinking while at the same time increasing traction by improving force transfer between the tire and the supporting surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a traction device designed to provide traction on ice, snow, mud, sand, or other surfaces where it is advantageous to spread out the weight of the automobile over a greater area to prevent slippage or sinking while at the same time increasing traction by improving force transfer ,,.,, ~ _2_ between the tire and the supporting surtace.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a traction device comprising; elongate flexible means, and a plurality of elongate traction bars each having two sides that meet at a vertex in an inverted V shaped cross section and each side having an edge opposite the vertex forming a contact surface, the traction bars being substantially parallel with respect to one another and connected to the elongate flexible means adjacent the respective vertices of the traction bars at spaced locations along the flexible means such that the elongate flexible means may be extended with the contact surfaces of the traction bars placed in contact with the ground, and such that the elongate flexible means and traction bars may be rolled up for transport or storage.
The traction device is placed between the tire and supporting surface for biting into both the tire and the surface. Each set of traction bars connected together by the flexible means forms a gang. The gangs are usually used in pairs, where one gang is placed in front of each tire on an automobile for which improved traction is required. Each gang is placed such that the first traction bar is just under the front of the tire. As the tire begins to turn the first traction bar will be mounted by the tire. A vertex of the traction bar presses into the adjacent surface of the tire while at the same time the weight of the automobile presses the edges of the traction bar into the supporting surface. The net result is improved traction.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a traction device comprising; elongate flexible means, and a plurality of elongate traction bars each having two sides that meet at a vertex in an inverted V shaped cross section and each side having an edge opposite the vertex forming a contact surface, the traction bars being substantially parallel with respect to one another and connected to the elongate flexible means at spaced locations along the flexible means such that the elongate flexible means may be extended with the contact surfaces of the traction bars placed in contact with the ground, and such that the elongate flexible " . -3- 2127223 means and traction bars may be rolled up for transport or storage wherein a plurality of notches are spaced apart along each contact surtace such that the surface is interrupted.
The notches may have various shapes including, U shape, square shape, V
shape, the V shaped notches may be spaced or side by side to provide a sawtooth configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
l0 Figure 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the traction device Figure 2 is a top view of another embodiment of the traction device.
Figure 3 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 showing a cross section of the traction bars.
Figure 4 illustrates a traction bar with uninterrupted contact surfaces.
Figure 5 illustrates a traction bar with U shaped notches in the contact surfaces.
Figure 6 illustrates a traction bar with spaced apart V shaped notched edges in the contact surfaces.
Figure 7 illustrates a traction bar with V shaped notched edges in the contact surfaces.
Figure 8 illustrates a traction bar with square shaped notched edges in the contact surfaces.
Figure 9 is a side view illustrating the interaction of the traction bars with the tire.
''", - 4 _ Referring to Figures 1 and 3 the traction device is shown comprising an elongate flexible means in the form of chains 7, and a plurality of elongate traction bars 1 each having two sides 2 and 3 that meet at a vertex 4 in an inverted V shaped cross section. The two sides 2 and 3 have free edges opposite the vertex 4 extending the length of the traction bar providing respective contact surfaces 5 and 6. The traction bars 1 are arranged parallel to one another. The traction bars are connected in sequence to alternate links in the chains 7, joining said traction bars into a gang. The chain links are welded to the bar vertices at points 8,9,10 and 11. The chains are spaced in from the end of the traction bar 12 and 13. The chains provide stability and prevent twisting of the traction bars when in use and allow the traction bars to be rolled up for transport or storage.
For vehicles with standard wheeled tires such as cars, vans, and light duty trucks two different sized traction bars are recommended. The first having traction bars of 3/4 x 3/4 x 1 /8 inch angle iron, 12 inches long, the second having traction bars of 1 x 1 x 1/8 inch angle iron, 12 inches long.
These two sizes are joined by 3116 x 11 /16 x 1 5/8 inch link chains spaced 2 1 /2 inches apart. The spacing is such that it will provide good force transfer and traction.
In Figure 2 a second embodiment of this invention is shown wherein a bolt 14 or other elongate member is placed through every fourth link 15 in each of the two chains and welded to the link. Each bolt is also welded into the V at the end of a respective one of the traction bars, thereby fixing the chains to the ends of the traction bars. For heavy duty use this embodiment is preferred. The traction bars are 1 1 /4 x 1 1 /4 x 3/16 inch angle iron, 12 inches long and spaced 3 inches apart. They are joined by 3/16 x 3/16 x 1 1 /8 link chains. The heavier chain and traction bars makes the traction device stronger.
The larger spacing provides better force transfer and therefore traction for larger tires.
Referring to Figures 4 to 8 the contact surfaces of the traction bars may be straight 25 or have notches spaced along their lengths to improve the ability of the traction bars to grip the supporting surface. Exemplary configurations are: an inverted U notch 26; an inverted V notch 27, with the notches spaced; an inverted V notch 28, with notches adjacent one another;
and a square notch 29.
Referring to Figure 9 the traction device is usually used in pairs of gangs, one gang is placed in front of each tire on a vehicle for which improved traction is required, usually the drive wheels. Each gang is placed such that the first traction bar is just under the front of the tire requiring traction. As the tire begins to turn the first traction bar will be mounted by the tire. The vertex of the traction bar 4 presses into the tire tread 31 while at the same time the weight of the automobile presses the contact surfaces 5 and 6 of the traction bar into the supporting surface. As the tire moves forward the weight of the vehicle is transferred from one traction bar to the next in sequence.
Because of the spacing of the traction bars the weight of the vehicle is distributed over a number of traction bars in a manner that provides continuous force transfer giving super for traction. The traction bars are spaced such that the traction device has three or more traction bars in contact with the tire at any time. The tire is shown riding on the traction bars positioned to give the maximum amount of traction. The tire 30 is shown leaving a trailing traction bar 32, thereby transferring most of the vehicle's weight to the next following bar 33. The trailing traction bar 32 is held in place during this process and supplies a limited amount of traction to the tire. Most of the weight of the vehicle acts on the second traction bar 33 for gripping and force transfer. The third traction bar 34 is also in contact with the tire. It is stablized ""°' - 6 -~12~22~3 in position by the tire and chains linking it to the second traction bar to accept the tire next for gripping and force transfer.
The traction bars being joined together and wider than a tire distribute the weight of the vehicle over a larger area reducing the localized ground pressure under an individual tire thereby helping to prevent the tire from slipping or sinking in. If the tire and traction device do begin to sink, additional traction bars are drawn onto the tire by the chains supplying additional traction for the vehicle and further distributing the weight of the vehicle helping to prevent further slipping or sinking.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to portable traction devices used to provide traction on ice, snow, mud, or sand.
Many roads can become difficult to traverse due to snow, ice, mud, and sand. Vehicles attempting to navigate roads under these conditions can lose traction and become stuck. When this occurs the vehicle is usually freed by having any passengers get out and push the vehicle forward or backward until there is sufficient momentum and traction for the vehicle to move under its own power once again. If no one is available to push then the driver must seek assistance from passersby or arrange to have the vehicle towed by another vehicle both of which can be difficult and time consuming.
Attempts have been made to solve this problem using various devices such as winches which are expensive and require a fixed point to which a cable may be attached. Other traction devices are known but they are made of inflexible materials which makes them difficult to transport and store.
A traction device is required that is easy to transport and use by one person and which will provide traction on ice, snow, mud, sand, or other surfaces where it is advantageous to spread out the weight of the automobile over a greater area to prevent slippage or sinking while at the same time increasing traction by improving force transfer between the tire and the supporting surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a traction device designed to provide traction on ice, snow, mud, sand, or other surfaces where it is advantageous to spread out the weight of the automobile over a greater area to prevent slippage or sinking while at the same time increasing traction by improving force transfer ,,.,, ~ _2_ between the tire and the supporting surtace.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a traction device comprising; elongate flexible means, and a plurality of elongate traction bars each having two sides that meet at a vertex in an inverted V shaped cross section and each side having an edge opposite the vertex forming a contact surface, the traction bars being substantially parallel with respect to one another and connected to the elongate flexible means adjacent the respective vertices of the traction bars at spaced locations along the flexible means such that the elongate flexible means may be extended with the contact surfaces of the traction bars placed in contact with the ground, and such that the elongate flexible means and traction bars may be rolled up for transport or storage.
The traction device is placed between the tire and supporting surface for biting into both the tire and the surface. Each set of traction bars connected together by the flexible means forms a gang. The gangs are usually used in pairs, where one gang is placed in front of each tire on an automobile for which improved traction is required. Each gang is placed such that the first traction bar is just under the front of the tire. As the tire begins to turn the first traction bar will be mounted by the tire. A vertex of the traction bar presses into the adjacent surface of the tire while at the same time the weight of the automobile presses the edges of the traction bar into the supporting surface. The net result is improved traction.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a traction device comprising; elongate flexible means, and a plurality of elongate traction bars each having two sides that meet at a vertex in an inverted V shaped cross section and each side having an edge opposite the vertex forming a contact surface, the traction bars being substantially parallel with respect to one another and connected to the elongate flexible means at spaced locations along the flexible means such that the elongate flexible means may be extended with the contact surfaces of the traction bars placed in contact with the ground, and such that the elongate flexible " . -3- 2127223 means and traction bars may be rolled up for transport or storage wherein a plurality of notches are spaced apart along each contact surtace such that the surface is interrupted.
The notches may have various shapes including, U shape, square shape, V
shape, the V shaped notches may be spaced or side by side to provide a sawtooth configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
l0 Figure 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the traction device Figure 2 is a top view of another embodiment of the traction device.
Figure 3 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 showing a cross section of the traction bars.
Figure 4 illustrates a traction bar with uninterrupted contact surfaces.
Figure 5 illustrates a traction bar with U shaped notches in the contact surfaces.
Figure 6 illustrates a traction bar with spaced apart V shaped notched edges in the contact surfaces.
Figure 7 illustrates a traction bar with V shaped notched edges in the contact surfaces.
Figure 8 illustrates a traction bar with square shaped notched edges in the contact surfaces.
Figure 9 is a side view illustrating the interaction of the traction bars with the tire.
''", - 4 _ Referring to Figures 1 and 3 the traction device is shown comprising an elongate flexible means in the form of chains 7, and a plurality of elongate traction bars 1 each having two sides 2 and 3 that meet at a vertex 4 in an inverted V shaped cross section. The two sides 2 and 3 have free edges opposite the vertex 4 extending the length of the traction bar providing respective contact surfaces 5 and 6. The traction bars 1 are arranged parallel to one another. The traction bars are connected in sequence to alternate links in the chains 7, joining said traction bars into a gang. The chain links are welded to the bar vertices at points 8,9,10 and 11. The chains are spaced in from the end of the traction bar 12 and 13. The chains provide stability and prevent twisting of the traction bars when in use and allow the traction bars to be rolled up for transport or storage.
For vehicles with standard wheeled tires such as cars, vans, and light duty trucks two different sized traction bars are recommended. The first having traction bars of 3/4 x 3/4 x 1 /8 inch angle iron, 12 inches long, the second having traction bars of 1 x 1 x 1/8 inch angle iron, 12 inches long.
These two sizes are joined by 3116 x 11 /16 x 1 5/8 inch link chains spaced 2 1 /2 inches apart. The spacing is such that it will provide good force transfer and traction.
In Figure 2 a second embodiment of this invention is shown wherein a bolt 14 or other elongate member is placed through every fourth link 15 in each of the two chains and welded to the link. Each bolt is also welded into the V at the end of a respective one of the traction bars, thereby fixing the chains to the ends of the traction bars. For heavy duty use this embodiment is preferred. The traction bars are 1 1 /4 x 1 1 /4 x 3/16 inch angle iron, 12 inches long and spaced 3 inches apart. They are joined by 3/16 x 3/16 x 1 1 /8 link chains. The heavier chain and traction bars makes the traction device stronger.
The larger spacing provides better force transfer and therefore traction for larger tires.
Referring to Figures 4 to 8 the contact surfaces of the traction bars may be straight 25 or have notches spaced along their lengths to improve the ability of the traction bars to grip the supporting surface. Exemplary configurations are: an inverted U notch 26; an inverted V notch 27, with the notches spaced; an inverted V notch 28, with notches adjacent one another;
and a square notch 29.
Referring to Figure 9 the traction device is usually used in pairs of gangs, one gang is placed in front of each tire on a vehicle for which improved traction is required, usually the drive wheels. Each gang is placed such that the first traction bar is just under the front of the tire requiring traction. As the tire begins to turn the first traction bar will be mounted by the tire. The vertex of the traction bar 4 presses into the tire tread 31 while at the same time the weight of the automobile presses the contact surfaces 5 and 6 of the traction bar into the supporting surface. As the tire moves forward the weight of the vehicle is transferred from one traction bar to the next in sequence.
Because of the spacing of the traction bars the weight of the vehicle is distributed over a number of traction bars in a manner that provides continuous force transfer giving super for traction. The traction bars are spaced such that the traction device has three or more traction bars in contact with the tire at any time. The tire is shown riding on the traction bars positioned to give the maximum amount of traction. The tire 30 is shown leaving a trailing traction bar 32, thereby transferring most of the vehicle's weight to the next following bar 33. The trailing traction bar 32 is held in place during this process and supplies a limited amount of traction to the tire. Most of the weight of the vehicle acts on the second traction bar 33 for gripping and force transfer. The third traction bar 34 is also in contact with the tire. It is stablized ""°' - 6 -~12~22~3 in position by the tire and chains linking it to the second traction bar to accept the tire next for gripping and force transfer.
The traction bars being joined together and wider than a tire distribute the weight of the vehicle over a larger area reducing the localized ground pressure under an individual tire thereby helping to prevent the tire from slipping or sinking in. If the tire and traction device do begin to sink, additional traction bars are drawn onto the tire by the chains supplying additional traction for the vehicle and further distributing the weight of the vehicle helping to prevent further slipping or sinking.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (7)
1. A traction device comprising; elongate flexible means, and a plurality of elongate traction bars each having two sides that meet at a vertex in an inverted V shaped cross section and each side having an edge opposite the vertex forming a contact surface, the traction bars being substantially parallel with respect to one another and connected to the elongate flexible means adjacent the respective vertices of the traction bars at spaced locations along the flexible means such that the elongate flexible means may be extended with the contact surfaces of the traction bars placed in contact with the ground, and such that the elongate flexible means and traction bars may be rolled up for transport or storage.
2. The elongate flexible means comprise two spaced apart link chains.
secured to the vertex of each traction bar.
secured to the vertex of each traction bar.
3. A traction device comprising; elongate flexible means, and a plurality of elongate traction bars each having two sides that meet at a vertex in an inverted V shaped cross section and each side having an edge opposite the vertex forming a contact surface, the traction bars being substantially parallel with respect to one another and connected to the elongate flexible means at spaced locations along the flexible means such that the elongate flexible means may be extended with the contact surfaces of the traction bars placed in contact with the ground, and such that the elongate flexible means and traction bars may be rolled up for transport or storage wherein a plurality of notches are spaced apart along each contact surface such that the surface is interrupted.
4. A traction device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the notches are of a V shape and where the notches are side by side to provide a sawtooth configuration.
5. A traction device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the notches are of a V shape and where the notches have been spaced apart.
6. A traction device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the notches are of a U shape.
7. A traction device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the notches are of a square shape.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002127223A CA2127223C (en) | 1994-06-30 | 1994-06-30 | Traction device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002127223A CA2127223C (en) | 1994-06-30 | 1994-06-30 | Traction device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2127223A1 CA2127223A1 (en) | 1995-12-31 |
| CA2127223C true CA2127223C (en) | 1999-11-16 |
Family
ID=4153937
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002127223A Expired - Fee Related CA2127223C (en) | 1994-06-30 | 1994-06-30 | Traction device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2127223C (en) |
-
1994
- 1994-06-30 CA CA002127223A patent/CA2127223C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2127223A1 (en) | 1995-12-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |