GB2251789A

GB2251789A - Improvements relating to vehicle wheel support devices

Info

Publication number: GB2251789A
Application number: GB9101226A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reginald Charles Ellis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-01-19
Filing date: 1991-01-19
Publication date: 1992-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-19
Also published as: AU1165792A; CA2100763A1; GB2251789B; WO1992012865A1; GB9101226D0

Abstract

A mat comprises a membrane (1) which is moulded from a high-wear-resistant natural or synthetic rubber material, so as to form integrated projecting studs, two on each side. The studs are positioned in pairs directly above one another (as shown in figure 2) and each stud has a conical base part (3) and a projecting portion (4) of circular cross-section. When such a mat is laid on soft ground, the studs (2) on the lower side will grip into the ground whilst the studs on the upper side will provide a firm surface for the vehicle wheel. The gaps between the studs (2), on the upper surface, allow for the free flow of fluid material (mud, snow, sand, etc.) as the wheel presses down on the studs (2).

Description

"IMPROVEMENT RELATING TO VEHICLE WHEEL SUPPORT DEVICES" When vehicles travel over soft ground there is a tendency for the wheels to become bogged down in mud, snow, sand, etc., and there is then difficulty in extricating the vehicle. Mats, planks and other rigid panels are sometimes used to provide a surface on which the wheel is driven to grip and thus free itself but these are not wholely satisfactory and can create a storage problem when the vehicle is being driven normally.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle wheel support mat formed from a high-wearresistant natural or synthetic rubber material and having projecting studs distributed over the upper and lower surfaces of the mat such that the studs are aligned in pairs directly above one another on the two mat surfaces, each stud having an enlarged base leading to a free end portion of smaller cross-section.

Naturally, the studs will be positioned close enough to each other to ensure that the wheel can get a good grip onto the studs. The studs on the lower surface provide a degree of grip into the soft ground, whilst the upper studs provide the means for providing a grip for the vehicle wheel. The gaps between the studs allow the fluid material in which the wheel is trapped to be dispersed sideways. It is preferred that the studs should be spaced at between 250-l5OOmm, ideally about 500mm.

In the preferred arrangement, the studs are circular in cross-section and each project up from a conical base portion. This base portion should ideally be between 250mm and 500mm in diameter where it meets the mat membrane. The overall height of the studs is preferably between 125mm and 200mm.

The thickness of the membrane of the material will normally be between 30 and 60mm so that it has adequate strength without becoming too heavy and thus cumbersome to use for most purposes. A length of between metre and 3 metres should suffice. A desirable width is between 25cm and 75cm, for example, 40cm.

Advantageously, slots will be formed in the mat membrane to enable the mat to be hung onto hooks on the vehicle. These slots would generally number between 2 and 6 along one side and ideally will be formed on both side edges so that the mat can be hung either way up.

The mat can be provided with a loop or line on one end which will enable the mat to be pulled back over itself so that it can be readily released from the soft ground in which it may become embedded. The loop or line could be formed, for example, from cord, rope or chain and can have a hook fitted at the end of the line or in the middle of the loop.

The invention may be performed in various ways and a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which : Figure 1 is a plan view of the vehicle wheel support matof the invention; and Figure 2 is an end view of part of the mat shown in Figure 1.

The mat shown in the drawings comprises a membrane which is moulded from a high-wear-resistant natural or synthetic rubber material, (such as the type of compound conventionally used on caterpillar track vehicles). The material is moulded so as to form integrated projecting studs, two on each side. The studs are positioned in pairs directly between one another (as shown in Figure 2) and each stud has a conical base part 3 and a projecting portion 4 of circular cross-section. When such a mat is laid on soft ground, the studs 2 on the lower side will grip into the ground whilst the studs on the upper side will provide a firm surface for the vehicle wheel. The gaps between the studs 2, on the upper surface, allow for the free flow of fluid material (mud, snow, sand, etc.,) as the wheel presses down on the studs 2.

Slots 5, are formed near the edges of the mat to enable the mat to be hung on hooks on the vehicle. The mat is sufficiently flexible to enable it to be rolled up for storage or folded back on itself into a more compact form for mounting on the hooks.

A projecting rope loop 6, carries a hook 7. The hook 7 can be attached to the vehicle to pull the mat back over itself to enable it to be extracted from an embedded position.

Claims

1. A vehicle wheel support mat formed from a highwear-resistant natural or synthetic rubber material and having projecting studs distributed over the upper and lower surfaces of the mat such that the studs are aligned in pairs directly above one another on the two mat surfaces, each stud having an enlarged base leading to a free end portion of smaller cross-section.

2. A mat according to Claim 1, wherein the studs are spaced at between 250-1500mm, ideally about 500mm.

3. A mat according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the studs are circular in cross-section and each project up from a conical base portion.

4. A mat according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the base portion is between 250mm and 500mm in diameter where it meets the mat membrane.

5. A mat according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the overall height of the studs is between 125mm and 200mm.

6. A mat according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the thickness of the membrane of the material is between 30 and 60mm.

7. A mat according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, having a length of between 1 metre and 3 metres and ideally a width of between 25cm and 75cm, preferably, 40cm.

8. A mat according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein slots are formed in the mat membrane to enable the mat to be hung onto hooks on the vehicle, the slots preferably numbering between 2 and 6 along one side and ideally being formed on both side edges so that the mat can be hung either way up.

9. A mat according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, provided with a loop or line on one end and formed, for example, from cord, rope or chain with ideally a hook fitted at the end of the line or in the middle of the loop.

10. Any novel combination of features of a vehicle wheel support mat as described and illustrated herein.