GB2471310A

GB2471310A - A vehicle tyre traction device

Info

Publication number: GB2471310A
Application number: GB0910964A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugo Gordon Riggs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-25
Filing date: 2009-06-25
Publication date: 2010-12-29
Also published as: GB0910964D0

Abstract

A traction device for attaching to a vehicle tyre to improve the non-skid traction comprises one or more ribs / paddles 2 extending radially outwardly of the tyre (not shown), and an adjustable fastening means 3, 7 for securing the device to the wheel. Preferably the securing means comprises a strap / chain 3 which passes through a hole in the wheel of the tyre. The ribs / spades 2 may be adapted to have extension member 4 bolted on so as to increase grip. The traction device may further possess radially-extending positioning members 5 which abut against the tyre wall in use. The traction device may have only a single rib, or possibly multiple ribs / paddles 2 fastened to an arcuate plate-frame 1. The two separate anti-skid devices may be bolted together, and strapped together so as to define a triangular stand, which may be used to support the legs of a caravan (see figure 7).

Description

Vehicle traction device This invention relates to a device that enables a vehicle to be driven over challenging terrain such as wet grass, mud, snow, sand and ice.

Many people, particularly caravan users and builders need to drive over soft, wet and muddy ground. Unless they are in a vehicle that is designed for this purpose such as a four wheel drive vehicle fitted with winter tyres, it is often not possible to do so.

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a device that improves the traction of a vehicle's tyre upon the ground by temporarily attaching larger treads or paddles to the vehicle's tyres, by means of flexible and adjustable, straps, chains or wires that pass through the gaps between the spokes of a wheel or through any holes that a wheel normally has within its surface.

This device has many advantages over existing systems such as snow chains and their plastic or rubber alternatives which are designed mainly for prolonged road use. This device is intended for short term use and should be removed as soon as the vehicle is on a firm surface. It has the advantage of being easy to clean and easy to fit and remove, as the user does not need to lay on the ground. It has the advantage of fitting most wheel sizes and types. It will not slip round the wheel as with other devices that have no secure means of fixing to a specific point on the wheel's circumference.

There are two variations of the device, a multiple tread or paddle and a single tread or paddle version. Both devices work effectively and utilise only part of the wheel's circumference.

The attached drawings are as follows: Figure 1 is showing the side of the multiple tread or paddle device.

Figure 2 is showing the top of the multiple tread or paddle device.

Figure 3 is showing an extension paddle.

Figure 4 is showing the top of a single tread device.

Figure 5 is showing the side of a single tread device.

Figure 6 is showing both types of device attached to a vehicle's wheel. In this drawing the multiple tread or paddle device 9 is attached at the top of the wheel and the single tread or paddle device 10, is attached lower down on the wheel.

Figure 7 is showing a pair of devices bolted together and supporting the leg of a caravan.

The multiple paddle device Figure 1 & 2, consists of a frame that could be made for example of metal (1), that is shaped to follow the approximate circumference of the wheel and which supports the paddles or treads (2), that extend outwardly of the tyre. This frame is stiff enough to support the treads or paddles but is pliable enough so that it can be formed or pulled down by the attachments to conform to the radius of any given vehicle tyre. At each end of the frame there is space for the adjustable webbing, chain, or wire attachments (3) that hold the device securely onto the vehicle's wheel rims. The drawings show the use of cam buckles (7), used in conjunction with webbing as an attachment method. The user can also attach paddle extensions (4) for use in more extreme conditions, by bolting them onto the fixed paddles (2). The device can be positioned on either the left side or right hand side of the running surface of the vehicle's tyre as it has side location points (5) at the front and rear that protrude down the side of the tyre wall a short distance thus keeping the edge of the device in line with the chosen edge of the tyre, this is useful as it enables the user to avoid the device contacting vehicle's suspension or body parts should they be deemed too close to the device. The multiple paddle version is suitable for extremely soft and wet ground conditions and is attached to the vehicle's wheel by more than one attachment (3). The drawings show a device attached to a wheel by means of adjustable cam buckles with webbing straps. An extra feature of this device is that two units can be bolted together utilising the holes in the end paddles bolted to a four hole extension paddle (4), to create a triangular stand for the support of a caravan's stabilising legs, which cannot always reach the ground on sloping surfaces. The devices are attached to the shoe of the caravans support leg (12) and one to another at the ground level by means of the attachment straps (3). The strap attaching the leg at the top of the devise is not shown in the drawing for reasons of clarity.

The single tread device consists of one tread or paddle (11) that has a slot or D shaped loop (8) at either end to secure the wheel attachments (3). The tread or paddle (11) may be made, for example, of rubber that has metal spikes or studs (6) and D loops' (8) moulded into it. Or it may be constructed of sheet metal with the spikes or studs (6) and the D loops' or slots (8) being pressed into it, or it could be made of cast metal with the spikes or studs as part of the casting.

The single tread device is attached by only one attachment mechanism and the drawings show it attached to the wheel of the vehicle by means of a webbing strap that is adjusted by a cam buckle. The single tread device is more suited to snow and ice on a hard surface such as a road.

Both versions of the device work by the treads or paddles digging in or gripping the ground as the vehicle's drive wheels rotate and thus stopping the drive wheels spinning in the same position on the ground. The static position of the tread or paddle relative to the ground (whilst in the ground or gripping it), propels the vehicle forward as the wheel is rotated powered by the vehicle's engine.

Claims

Claims 1. A device that improves the traction of a vehicle's tyre upon the ground by temporarily attaching one or more ribs, or paddles extending outwardly of the tyre, and adjustable attachment means for securing the device to the wheel.
2 A device according to claim 1, wherein the wheel has openings therethrough and the attachment means are arranged to be securable through one more of said openings.
3 A device according to claim 2, wherein the attachment means comprise straps, chains or wire securable one to another or to the device it's self.
4 A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the ribs or paddles are adapted to receive extension members to increase the grip of the device.
A traction device according to claim 1, that has side location points that can position the device adjacent with either side wall of the tyre, thus avoiding contact with vehicle suspension or body parts that may be close to the tyre.
6 A traction device that can be bolted together, one to another, to create a triangular stand for the support of a caravan's height adjustable stabilising legs.