CA2190218A1 - Anti-skid device for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Anti-skid device for motor vehicles

Info

Publication number
CA2190218A1
CA2190218A1 CA 2190218 CA2190218A CA2190218A1 CA 2190218 A1 CA2190218 A1 CA 2190218A1 CA 2190218 CA2190218 CA 2190218 CA 2190218 A CA2190218 A CA 2190218A CA 2190218 A1 CA2190218 A1 CA 2190218A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
frame
arm
sun gear
claws
traction device
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2190218
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Simon Morissette
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2190218A1 publication Critical patent/CA2190218A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

The present invention provides a traction device to be removably mounted on a motor vehicle tire including a . peripheral tire tread. The traction device comprises a frame, a sun gear journalled centrally of the frame, crank means connected to the sun gear for provid-ing rotary movement to the sun gear and a plurality of claws mounted on the frame to engage the tire tread. At least one of the claws includes an arm slidable on the frame in a direction extending radially from the sun gear. A link member communicates with the sun gear and the arm to transmit linear radial movement to the arm in response to the crank means whereby the claws of the traction device can be adjusted to the circumference of the tire tread to securely engage the tire.

Description

... 1 ANTI-SKID DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

The present invention is directed to anti-skid devices for motor vehicles, but more particularly, to an adjustable anti-skid device adapted to fit any of a variety of automobile and truck tires.
Anti-skid devices and traction attachments for vehicle wheels are not uncommon today. Most of these devices are provided with various types of traction claws secured in one way or another to the vehicle's wheel to provide additional traction on roads covered with snow or mud. The main attraction of a claw-type device is that it is easier to install on a tire than chains.
However, the problem associated with most trac-tion-type or anti-skid devices is that they can only be mounted on one type of tire. In addition most claw-type traction devices require the use of tools or special equipment that must be carried with the vehicle. Although attempts have been made to facilitate the mounting of the anti-skid device to tires of different sizes, most devices remain complex and difficult to handle.
For example, US Patent 4,872,496 which issued to Fortner is directed to an anti-skid device which makes use of three cleats curved around the threaded part of the tire. The cleats are interconnected by a number of elongate connection rods.
Although simple to use, because of its design, the anti-skid device of Fortner is limited to a small range of tire sizes. The Fortner anti-skid device can also be difficult to secure and tighten to the tire since it makes use of a turn buckle to pull the cleats against the threaded portion of the tire. Since the turnbuckle is exposed to the elements, it will quickly corrode and may possibly be damaged during use.

US Patent 5,156,695 which issued to Martin dis-closes a~ universal tire traction apparatus. The appara-tus is provided with cleat members which are adapted to be slidably adjustable to fit a variety of wheel and tire sizes. However, the problem with Martin, is that each cleated arm has to be individually adjusted in order to fit to different size tire. This not only makes the installation difficult and awkward, but could also lead to improper weight distribution if the cleats are not equally positioned around the wheel.
A need therefore exists for a traction device which overcomes the problems associated with the prior art.
It is therefore an object of the present inven-tion to provide an anti-skid device adapted to be easily mounted on the wheel of a motor vehicle without the need of tools.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-skid traction device adapted to be mounted on the wheel of a motor vehicle, wherein the traction device can be adjusted to fit tires of varying diameters.
The present invention accomplishes its desired objectives by providing a traction device to be removably mounted on a motor vehicle tire including a peripheral tire tread, the traction device comprising a frame, a sun gear journalled centrally of the frame, crank means connected to the sun gear for providing rotary movement to the sun gear, a plurality of claws mounted on the frame to engage the tire tread, at least one of said claws including an arm slidable on said frame in a direc-tion extending radially from said sun gear, a link member communicating with the sun gear and the said arm to transmit linear radial movement to the arm in response to the crank means whereby the claws of the traction device ~ _ 3 _ 2 1 9 02 1 8 can be adjusted to the circumference of the tire tread to securely engage the tire.
In a more specific embodiment there are at least three claws spaced apart equally in a circle on the frame and each of the claws is mounted to a slidable arm.
In a still more specific embodiment the sun gear is a bevel gear and the link member is a threaded rod mounted for rotation on the frame and mounting a bevel gear at one end to operatively mesh with the bevel sun gear and the rod threadably engages the arm in order to provide linear sliding movement to the arm in response to the crank means.
In a still more specific embodiment of the pre-sent invention the claw is pivoted to the end of the arm for movement from a position at right angle to the arm where it can be secured against the tire tread and a position inwardly against the frame in a storage posi-tion, when the device has been released from the tire tread.
Thus, in an embodiment where there are three claws and all claws are mounted to slidable arms, each claw will extend radially outwardly or be retracted in unison in response to a manual operation of the crank means.
The invention will be better understood by an examination of the following description, together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the anti-skid traction device as would be mounted on the tire of a motor vehicle;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the anti-skid traction device in its closed position;
Fig. 3 is a front view of the anti-skid trac-tion device showing partially the adjustment mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a side view of a traction claw in the open position, and showing the closed position in dotted lines;
Fig. 5 is a top view taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 4 of the pivot and retaining pin arrangement secur-ing the traction claw to the adjustable retaining arm;
Fig. 6 is a partially sectioned front view of the anti-skid traction device showing in more detail the adjusting mechanism; and Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the adjusting mechanism taken along lines 7-7 of Fig. 6.
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the adjusting mechanism taken along lines 7-7 of Fig. 6.
Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a per-spective view of the anti-skid traction device as would be mounted on a tire of a motor vehicle. The traction device 10 is comprised of at least three claw plates 11 which are each pivotably mounted about a hinge 12 to an adjustable retaining arm 13. A series of cleats 14 on each traction claw 11 enables the anti-skid traction device 10 to be engaged with the tire tread of a pneu-matic tire for a motor vehicle. The tire 15 is shown generally in phantom lines in Fig. 1. An adjusting mecha-nism (not shown) is housed in a protective casing of frame 16, which when installed, will rest against the tire 15.
As shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 the traction claws 21 are shown provided with sections of chains 22 welded onto the traction plate or claw 21 to increase the trac-tion of the anti-skid traction device. Fig. 2 shows the anti-skid traction device in its closed position, wherein each traction claw 21 has been pivoted inwardly about its pivot pin 23. Fig. 4 shows the claw in its open and closed position. Each traction claw 21 is provided with a retaining flange 24 which enables the traction claw to be secured in the open position on retaining arm 25 by means _ _ 5 _ 2190218 of a eyelet pin 26. The eyelet pin 26 is inserted in pinholes 27 and 28 (see Fig. 2) of retaining arm 25 and retaining flange 25 respectively.
As shown in Fig. 3, each retaining arm is adjustable to enable the placement of the anti-skid trac-tion device on wheels of different diameters. Each adjustable retaining arm 34 includes a threaded plug 36 threadably engaged with a threaded rod 35 such that when rotated, threaded retaining plug 36 and arm 34 will slide on frame 16, in a linear radial direction to a desired position. As will be illustrated further below, each rod 35 mounts a planet bevel gear 68 disposed within triangu-lar casing 37 to permit the adjustment of all three retaining arms 25 simultaneously.
Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, there is shown a partially sectioned front view of the adjusting mecha-nism for use with the anti-skid traction device of the present invention. As indicated above, each adjustable retaining arm 64 is connected to a threaded shaft 65 by means of a threaded retaining plug 66. Threaded retaining plug 66 enables the extension and retraction of the adjusting arm 64 when beveled gear 68 is rotated. Bevel gear 68 is secured onto threaded shaft 65 by means of a screw 69. A bevel sun gear 70 positioned laterally of each beveled gear of the retaining arm to enable each retaining arm to be adjusted simultaneously. Sun gear 70 is rotated by means of a handle 71 to enable the operator of the motor vehicle to easily install and remove the anti-skid traction device from the tire. Handle 71 can either be fixed or removable depending on whether the anti-skid traction device is used temporarily or for longer periods of time.
As can be seen from Figs. 6 and 7, as the handle 71 is rotated, sun gear 70 engages all three bevel gears 68, thus enabling the simultaneous extension or retraction of each arm.
Sun gear 70 is secured onto a shaft 72 which extends from one side of gear casing 73 to the other. Sun gear 70 is secured onto shaft 72 by means of a screw 73.
A cover 74 and gasket 75 below handle 71 are provided to enable the user to access the beveled gears to add lubri-cation as may be required from time to time for proper operation of the anti-skid traction device. This may be especially important in situations where the motor vehi-cle is used where corrosion may occur.
When the anti-skid traction device is no longer used, the operator of the motor vehicle would rotate handle 71 to extend the retaining arms thus enabling the removal of the anti-skid traction device from the wheel of the vehicle. The operator can then remove the cutter and eyelet pins securing the traction claw to the retain-ing arm to enable the traction claw to be folded down onto the casing which houses the adjustment mechanism.
Z0 The device can then be stored in the vehicle for use when next required.
The anti-skid traction device can be made of a material suitable for the environment in which it is used. That is, in situations where a potential for corro-sion exists, the anti-skid traction device can be made of a stainless steel metal. Otherwise, for lighter use, the device can also be made of a high resistant polymer mate-rial suitable to provide enough wear resistant quality for this type of application.
Variations of the particular embodiment here-with described will be obvious to one skilled in the art, and accordingly the embodiment is to be taken as illus-trative rather than limiting.

Claims (8)

1. A traction device to be removably mounted on a motor vehicle tire including a peripheral tire tread, the traction device comprising:
a frame;
a sun gear journalled centrally of the frame;
crank means connected to the sun gear for providing rotary movement to the sun gear;
a plurality of claws mounted on the frame to engage the tire tread, at least one of said claws including an arm slidable on said frame in a direction extending radi-ally from said sun gear, a link member communicating with the sun gear and the said arm to transmit linear radial movement to the arm in response to the crank means whereby the claws of the traction device can be adjusted to the circumference of the tire tread to securely engage the tire.
2. A traction device as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of claws comprise at least three claws spaced apart equally in a circle on the frame and each of the claws is mounted to a slidable arm.
3. A traction device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sun gear is a bevel gear.
4. A traction device as defined in claim 3, wherein the link member is a threaded rod mounted for rotation on the frame with a bevel gear mounted at one end to operatively mesh with the bevel sun gear and the rod threadably engages the arm in order to provide linear sliding movement to the arm in response to the crank means.
5. A traction device as defined in claim 2, wherein each claw is pivoted to the end of the arm for movement from a position at right angle to the arm where it can be secured against the tire tread and a position inwardly against the frame in a storage position, when the device has been released from the tire tread.
6. A traction device to be removably mounted on a motor vehicle tire including a peripheral tire tread, the traction device comprising:
a frame;
a sun gear journalled centrally of the frame;
crank means connected to the sun gear for providing rotary movement to the sun gear;
a plurality of claws mounted on the frame to engage the tire tread, each of said claws including an arm slid-able on said frame in a direction extending radially from said sun gear, a threaded rod mounted for rotation on the frame with a gear mounted at one end to operatively mesh with the sun gear and the rod threadably engages the arm in order to provide linear sliding movement to the arm in response to the crank means whereby each claw will extend radially outwardly or be retracted in unison in response to a manual operation of the crank means such that the claws of the traction device can be adjusted to the cir-cumference of the tire tread to securely engage the tire.
7. A traction device as defined in claim 6, wherein said plurality of claws comprise at least three claws spaced apart equally in a circle on the frame and each of the claws is mounted to a slidable arm.
8. A traction device as defined in claim 1, wherein said gears are bevel gears.
CA 2190218 1995-11-13 1996-11-13 Anti-skid device for motor vehicles Abandoned CA2190218A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US55738895A 1995-11-13 1995-11-13
US08/557,388 1995-11-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2190218A1 true CA2190218A1 (en) 1997-05-14

Family

ID=24225184

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2190218 Abandoned CA2190218A1 (en) 1995-11-13 1996-11-13 Anti-skid device for motor vehicles

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2190218A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2429683A (en) * 2005-09-06 2007-03-07 John Tanat Williams Tyre traction aid
EP0987127B2 (en) 1998-09-15 2008-05-07 Confon AG Anti-skid device, especially for pneumatic vehicle wheels on surfaces covered with ice and snow
CN104015554A (en) * 2014-05-29 2014-09-03 南京航空航天大学 Sand tire web

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0987127B2 (en) 1998-09-15 2008-05-07 Confon AG Anti-skid device, especially for pneumatic vehicle wheels on surfaces covered with ice and snow
GB2429683A (en) * 2005-09-06 2007-03-07 John Tanat Williams Tyre traction aid
GB2429683B (en) * 2005-09-06 2009-07-22 John Tanat Williams Road wheel grip improver
CN104015554A (en) * 2014-05-29 2014-09-03 南京航空航天大学 Sand tire web

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Dead

Effective date: 19991115