JP2003508295A - Adjustable mounting assembly for fast deployable ice chain system for wheeled vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] A chain traction that is easy to adjust, secures the function of adjusting traction parts around three axes without changing in the angular direction, and is relatively easy to be misaligned during use. There is a need for a new form of mounting system for the system. The device of the present invention is intended for use in a vehicle having a beam axle or live axle (101) and is mounted on a U-bolt shackle that secures the axle to a leaf spring set (112) or an airbag assembly. . The mounting system of the present invention has four threaded joint nuts 201 on each of the left and right sides of the vehicle, each of which is threadedly secured to a respective threaded end of each U-bolt shackle 113. Is done. These coupling nuts 201 are connected to each other by a cross plate 301 in which each pair in the lateral direction of the device has a pair of outer openings 302A, 302B and one central opening 303. One of the openings in each cross plate is formed in an elongated shape so that the cross plate can accommodate a certain distance between the U-bolt shackles. A bolt is used to attach the joint nut to the cross plate. The mounting device of the present invention has a mounting tube having a generally square cross section, the mounting tube having four openings aligned along its length. The first two openings are circular and are provided near one end of the tube. The other two openings are formed in an elongated shape so that the tube can be adjustably attached to the central openings of the two cross plates with bolts and nuts. A mounting plate having two sets of holes, two in each case, is provided. The first set of holes is circular and is used to mount chain traction components. The second set of holes is elongate in shape and is used to adjustably secure the mounting plate to the mounting tube. The mounting bracket of the traction system is adapted to be mounted on the mounting plate. It will be appreciated that the elongated opening in the mounting plate and mounting tube allows for significant adjustment of the mounting bracket in the XY plane. The adjustment function by vertical movement in the "Z" direction can be achieved by inserting spacers of various thicknesses between the joint nut and the cross plate. To mount the device so that its position does not shift after the components have been properly adjusted, move the components to their correct position using short welding beads where the various adjustable parts meet. It is also possible to fix it so that it does not.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle ice chain or snow chain traction system that can be rapidly deployed in a use position and can be retracted from the position quickly. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for mounting such a traction system on a vehicle.

[0002]

[Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

Rapidly deployable chain traction systems, which can be described characteristically as systems for throwing short chain or cable segments under the tire as a whole, have been known for some 90 years. Such a system is known as an anti-skid device (ANTISKIDDING DEVICE) from W.I. H. US Pat. No. 1,045,60 granted to Putnam
No. 9 and German Patent No. 266,487. For this device,
Various changes and improvements have been made by many inventors over the years. less than,
In addition to the above, the US patents listed above are listed as a few patents authorized in this technical field: Anti-skid traction device (TRACTION AND
U.S. Pat. No. 1,150 for ANTISKIDDING DEVICE)
, No. 148; Anti-skid device for vehicles (ANTISKIDDING DEVI
US Patent No. 1,223,070 regarding CE FOR VEHICLES)
No .; Anti-skid device for automobiles (ANTISKID DEVICE
US Patent No. 1,374,252 for FOR AUTOMOBILES)
No. SKID DEV for automobiles and other vehicles (NON-SKID DEV)
US Patent No. 1,381,001 for ICE FOR MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES; Anti-skid chain and its mounting / removing means (ANTISK)
ID CHAIN AND MEANS FOR APPLYING AN
D REMOVING SAME) U.S. Pat. No. 1,975,325
No .; Automobile emergency traction device (AUTOMATIC E
MERGENCY TRACTION DEVICE FOR AUT OM
U.S. Pat. No. 2,241,923 for OBILES; Anti-skid device for vehicles (ANTISKID DEVICE F)
US Patent No. 2,264,466 relating to OR VEHICLES; US relating to anti-skid device (ANTISKID DEVICE)
Patent No. 2,277,036; Automobile traction device (AUTOMOBILE TRACTIO
U.S. Pat. No. 2,283,948 relating to N DEVICE; to an anti-skid device (ANTISKID DEVICE)
U.S. Pat. No. 2,442,322; Anti-skid device for automobiles (ANTISKID DEVICE
US Patent No. 4,299 for FOR MOTOR VEHICLES)
, 310; Anti-skid device (ANTI-SKID DEVICE)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,992; Anti-skid chain device for vehicle tires (ANTI SKID)
CHAIN UNIT FOR VEHICLE TIRES) US Design Patent Des. 286,524.

In FIG. 1, which illustrates a prior art system, a modern rapid deployable chain traction system 100 is depicted as a rear elevational view in its deployed position. The illustrated chain traction system 100 is detachably fixed to a drive axle 101 in which a differential device 102 is incorporated. Inner and outer wheels (denoted by 103A and 103B, respectively) are attached to one half of the drive axle 101 shown. Each of these wheels (103A and 103B) had rubber tires (104A each).
And 104B) are attached. The chain system 100 has a friction drive disc 105 on which several chain segments 106A, 106A are provided.
B and 106C are attached. Chain segment 106A is on road 1
Although depicted as below 14, the road surface is typically covered with a layer of snow or ice when the chain system 100 is in the deployed position. The friction drive disk 105 is rotatably mounted on a spindle 107, and the spindle 107 is fixed to a support member 108 pivotally supported by a mounting bracket 109. On the other hand, the mounting bracket is bolted to a U-bolt shackle 113 that firmly fixes the suspension leaf spring 112 to the drive axle 101. The chain system 100 also has a pneumatic cylinder 110 bolted to a mounting bracket 109. The pneumatic cylinder 110 has a sliding piston 111, and the sliding piston 111 is the cylinder 1.
When the pressure in 08 is equal to the atmospheric pressure, the cylinder 110 is spring biased to the normal position.
It is kept in the retracted position. The outer end of the piston 111 is connected to the support member 108. In the deployed position, the outer peripheral surface of the friction drive disk 105 is pressed against the side wall of the tire 104A by the biasing force applied to the support member 108 by the piston 111. This biasing force is obtained by the air pressure in the pneumatic cylinder 110 that overcomes the spring bias and extends the piston 111. When the tire 104A rotates,
Accordingly, the friction drive disk 105 also rotates with the chain segments 106 extending substantially radially therefrom. As a result, each chain segment 10
6 are thrown into the lower side of the tread portion of the tire 104A one after another. In order to retract the system and disconnect the friction drive disk 105 from contact with the sidewalls of the tire 104A, the piston 111 is retracted into the cylinder 110 by shutting off the air pressure supplied to the pneumatic cylinder 110 to provide support members. 108, the friction drive disc 105 rotatably mounted thereto, and the chain segment 106 attached to this disc are lifted. In the retracted state, the chain segment 106 does not contact the road surface 114.

[0004] Usually, the mounting brackets used to mount such rapid deployable chain and traction system components to spring shackles differ from vehicle to vehicle in size, shackle shape and suspension geometry. , Must be customized to suit each vehicle. Ole Andersson and Renato Carlsson (Le, January 31, 1989)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,992 granted to Nnart Carlsson) discloses a unique mounting system for a rapidly deployable chain traction system. In that patent, a cylindrical tube is slidably and rotatably mounted within a pair of clamps mounted on spring shackle bolts. The supporting member for supporting the traction disc mounted on the spindle at one end thereof has the other end pivotally attached to the mounting plate welded to the one end of the cylindrical tube. This arrangement provides a considerably greater controllability. When installing the system,
The clamp is kept somewhat loose until the cylindrical tube is slid and rotated to achieve the operational alignment of the traction components. Once the alignment is achieved correctly, the clamp is tightened so that the cylindrical tube is held firmly in a fixed position. Although this system requires minimal customization of parts and greatly simplifies the installation of the system, it does have some disadvantages. The first disadvantage is that the cylindrical tube may rotate with use, even if initially tight. Second, the range of regulatory functions is not always sufficient. Positioning can be done without any change in the direction along the sliding axis, but without effective height adjustment. If the mounting plate is welded off the axis of the cylindrical tube, the height of the system can be adjusted by rotating the cylindrical tube. However, the eccentric mounting of the mounting plate increases the torque around the axis of the tube, which increases the propensity for the tube to rotate with use. In addition, adjusting the height of the system by rotating the tube causes a change in the angular orientation of the component.

Therefore, a new chain traction system that is easy to adjust, secures the adjustment function of the traction components around the three axes without change in the angular direction, and can be rapidly deployed so that the alignment is relatively stable during use. There is a need for various forms of mounting system.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The present invention resides in an improved mounting system for a chain traction system mountable on a wheeled vehicle. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The device of the present invention is intended to be installed and used in a vehicle having a beam axle or a live axle (that is, an axle incorporating a differential gear), and the axle is common to all leaf bolt sets or airbag assemblies for all bolts. It is attached to a U-bolt shackle that firmly fixes it. If the U-bolts are not on the axle, it is possible to install a new set of U-bolts on the axle and use those U-bolts to secure the system. In either case, the mounting system of the present invention is adapted for mounting directly on the exposed threaded end of a U-bolt shackle.

The mounting system of the present invention has four threaded joint nuts on each of the left and right sides of the vehicle, and each joint nut is screwed and fixed to each threaded end of each U-bolt shackle. To be done. The coupling nuts are connected to each other by a cross plate, each lateral pair of the device having a pair of outer openings and a central opening. Therefore, two cross plates are used on each of the left and right sides of the vehicle. One of the openings in each cross plate is formed in an elongated shape to accommodate the range of U-bolt shackles in a range. Bolts are used to attach the fitting nuts to the cross plate. The mounting device of the present invention comprises a mounting tube having a generally square cross section, the mounting tube having four openings aligned along its length. The first two openings are circular and are located near one end of the tube. The other two openings are formed in an elongated shape so that the tube can be adjustably attached to the central openings of the two cross plates with bolts and nuts. A mounting plate is provided having two sets of two holes each. The first set of holes are circular and are used to mount the chain traction components. The second set of holes are elongated in shape and are used to adjustably secure the mounting plate to the mounting tube.

The mounting bracket of the traction system of the present invention is the mounting bracket 1 of FIG.
It is adapted to be attached to the above-mentioned mounting plate corresponding to 09. It will be appreciated that the elongated shaped openings in the mounting plate and the mounting tube allow for significant adjustment of the mounting bracket in the XY plane. According to this adjustment function, movement adjustment in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction can be performed in order to achieve correct alignment of each part of the apparatus, and further adjustment by rotation around the axis to some extent is also possible. The adjustment function by vertical movement in the "Z" direction can be achieved by inserting spacers of various thicknesses such as ordinary flat washers with a central opening or rectangular spacers between the joint nut and the cross plate. It is possible. The use of spacers may require the use of longer bolts to secure the cross plate to the fitting nut.

In order to mount the device in such a way that the positional relationship of the parts is not adjusted after they have been adjusted correctly, the correct adjustment is made by using short welding beads between the parts where the various adjustable parts meet each other. It is also possible to fix it in place so that it does not move. When performing maintenance work at a later date, those welding beads may be removed by a grinder so that the parts can freely move with respect to each other.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improved mounting device for a chain traction system mountable on a wheeled vehicle. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting system specifically disclosed herein is for use in a vehicle having a beam axle or live axle (ie, an axle incorporating a differential) 101. On each side of the vehicle, the device of the present invention is attached to a U-bolt shackle that secures the axle to the leaf spring set 112 or airbag assembly (not shown) in common with all bolts. If the U-bolts are not on the axle, it is possible to install a new set of U-bolts on the axle and use those U-bolts to secure the system. In either case, the mounting system of the present invention is a set of two leaf springs (see 112 in FIG. 1).
It is designed to be attached directly to the threaded exposed end of a U-bolt shackle that is joined to. Each leaf spring set is coupled to a beam axle or axle housing (for live axles) with a pair of U bolt shackles 113, which U bolt shackles have four standard nuts 115 (underneath the axle or axle housing).
They are connected to each other by a flat tie plate 114 which is firmly fixed with two U bolts each. The mounting system of the present invention is adapted for direct mounting on the exposed threaded end of the U-bolt shackle 113.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the mounting system 200 of the present invention has four threaded joint nuts 201 on each of the left and right sides of the vehicle, each of which is The fitting nut is of sufficient length at each end to engage a threaded shaft or bolt shank. Each joint nut 201 corresponds to each U bolt shackle 113.
Are threadedly secured to each of the threaded ends. Further, the mounting system 200 has a pair of cross plates 301 on each side of the vehicle. Each cross plate 301
It has a pair of outer openings 302A and 302B for securely fixing the cross plate to the pair of joint nuts 201, and a circular central opening 303. One of the outer openings 302B is formed in an elongated shape so as to correspond to the distance between the U bolt shackles 113 in a certain range of the cross plate 301. The cross plate 301 is fixed to the free end side of the joint nut 201 attached to the U bolt shackle 113 using four coupler bolts 304. The tube 305, which is generally square in cross section, is provided with four openings along its length.
The first two openings 306A and 306B are circular and are formed near one end of the tube 305. The other two openings 307A and 307B are used for the tube 30.
5 is formed in an elongated shape so as to be adjustably attached to the circular central opening 303 of the cross plate 301. The tube 305 is attached to the cross plate 301 using the attachment bolt 308 and the attachment nut 309. The mounting plate 310 has two sets of holes 311A and 311B. The hole 311A used to mount the traction system is circular. A mounting bolt 312 and a mounting nut 313 are used for this mounting. The hole 311B used to adjustably and firmly secure the mounting plate 310 to the mounting tube 305 is formed in an elongated shape. The mounting plate 310 is firmly fixed to the mounting tube 305 using the tightening bolt 314 and the tightening nut 315. It will be appreciated that the spacer 316 may be used to adjust the tilt of the mounting tube 305.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the mounting bracket 601 of the traction system 600 corresponds to the mounting bracket 109 of FIG. 1 and is adapted to be mounted on the mounting plate 310. It will be appreciated that the elongated shaped openings in the mounting plate 310 and the mounting tube 305 allow for significant adjustment of the mounting bracket 601 in the XY plane. According to this adjustment function, movement adjustment in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction can be performed in order to achieve correct alignment of each part of the apparatus, and further adjustment by rotation around the axis to some extent is also possible. Spacers of varying thickness, such as ordinary flat washers with a central opening, can be inserted between the coupling nut 201 and the cross plate 301 in order to obtain an adjustment function by vertical movement in the "Z" direction. Is. If spacers are used, it may be necessary to use longer bolts 304.

7 and 8 more clearly illustrate the actual shapes of the mounting plate 310, the mounting tube 305 and the cross plate 301.

In order to mount the device in such a way that the positional relationship of the parts is not adjusted after they have been adjusted correctly, the correct adjustment is made by using short weld beads between the various adjustable parts where they meet each other. It is also possible to fix it in place so that it does not move. These weld beads serve exclusively the fixing function because the bolts and nuts are kept tightly tightened. When performing maintenance work at a later date, those welding beads may be removed by a grinder so that the parts can freely move with respect to each other.

Although the adjustable vehicle mounting device for the rapidly deployable chain traction system has been illustrated and described with respect to only one embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention based on the description in s It will be apparent that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of a typical modern rapid deployable chain traction system.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a quick deployable chain traction assembly mounted on an axle via a mounting assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting assembly for a chain traction system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the mounting assembly of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an exploded side elevational view of the mounting assembly of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a rapidly deployable chain traction system mounted on an axle via a mounting assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mounting assembly of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Beam Axle or Live Axle 109 mounting bracket 112 leaf spring set 113 U bolt shackle 114 Flat tie plate 115 standard nuts 200 mounting system 201 Threaded Joint Nut 301 cross plate 302A, 302B Outer opening 303 central opening 304 coupler bolt 305 tubes 306A, 306B, 307A, 307B opening 308 mounting bolt 309 mounting nut 310 Mounting plate 311A, 311B holes 312 mounting bolts 313 mounting nut 314 Tightening bolt 315 Tightening nut 316 spacer 600 traction system 601 mounting bracket

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), EA (AM, AZ , BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AL , AM, BA, BG, CA, CN, CZ, EE, FI, GE, HR, HU, IS, JP, KP, KR, LS, L T, LV, NO, PL, RO, SI, SK, TR, US , YU [Continued summary] Bolts are used to attach fitting nuts to the rate It The mounting device of the invention is generally mounted with a square cross section. Has a tube, and this mounting tube runs along its length. Have four openings aligned with each other. First two The two openings are circular and are located near one end of the tube. Be done. The other two openings allow the tube to Adjustable bolts and nuts in the central opening of the rate It is formed in an elongated shape so that it can be attached. 2 each A mounting plate having two sets of holes is provided. First The holes in the set are circular, and the chain and traction parts are mounted. Used to kick. The second set of holes are elongated in shape, Adjustable and secure mounting plate to mounting tube Used to Traction system mounting block The racket is attached to the above mounting plate There is. The elongated shape of the mounting plate and tube Due to the opening, the mounting bracket in the XY plane It should be understood that significant adjustment capabilities will be possible U For the adjustment function by moving up and down in the "Z" direction, Spacers of varying thickness with fitting nuts and cross plates Can be achieved by inserting between Place of parts Make sure the position does not shift after the positional relationship is adjusted correctly To mount the device, the various adjustable parts are Use a short weld bead to join those parts together where they meet Can be fixed so that it will not move to its correct position. Noh.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A tire (1) mounted on a wheel (103) mounted on an axle (101) connected to a vehicle by at least two U-bolts (113).
In a chain traction system for mounting below the vehicle in the vicinity of 04): At least four coupling nuts, each screwed onto each end of the U-bolt (113), the means for adjusting the Z-axis position of the system. A pair of cross plates (301) each connecting two coupling nuts (201) to each other; and a first set of at least two elongated shaped openings (307A &).
307B) and a separate first set of at least two openings (306A & 3).
06B) with a square cross-section tube member, each opening of which extends through a pair of opposing side walls of the member (305); each of the first set of square tube members ( At least two threaded fasteners connecting 305) to the cross plate (301) such that the first set of elongated shaped openings (307A & 307B) provide the X-axis alignment means of the system. Mounting plate having a threaded fastener (308/309); and a second set of at least two elongated openings (311B) and a separate second set of at least two openings (311A). And a mounting plate (310) in which the second set of elongated shaped openings provide a means for adjusting the Y-axis position of the system; A second set of at least two threaded fasteners (314/315) coupled to the second set of elongated openings; a mounting bracket (109); and the mounting bracket (109) to the second separate set. Set of openings (31
1A) a third set of at least two threaded fasteners (313/3)
12) ;; a support member (108) pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket (109); and a friction disc (105) rotatably mounted to the support member (108).
A plurality of chain segments (106) of equal length attached to the circumference of the friction disc; and the support member (10) fixed to the mounting bracket (109).
8) means for applying an urging force to move the supporting member (108) from the retracted position to a position where the peripheral surface of the friction disc (105) contacts the tire (104A). And, as a result, the friction disc rotates at high speed as the wheel (103A) rotates, and the attached chain segment (106) is thrown into the lower side of the tire. Chain traction system 2. The pneumatic cylinder (110) as said means for applying a biasing force.
The chain traction system according to claim 1, wherein 3. Chain traction system according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer (316) is also used in conjunction with the coupling nut (201) to enable rotational positioning of the system in the XZ plane. 4. Tire (1) mounted on a wheel (103) mounted on an axle (101) connected to the vehicle by at least two U-bolts (113).
04) In an adjustable mounting device for mounting a vehicle snow chain traction system on the vehicle in the vicinity of 04): at least four joints, each screwed to each end of the U-bolt (113). A nut that provides a means for adjusting the Z-axis position of the system with a nut; a pair of cross plates (301) each connecting two fitting nuts (201) together; at least two of the first set Two elongated openings (307A &
307B) and a separate first set of at least two openings (306A & 3).
06B) with a square cross-section tube member, each opening of which extends through a pair of opposing side walls of the member (305); each of the first set of square tube members ( At least two threaded fasteners connecting 305) to the cross plate (301) such that the first set of elongated shaped openings (307A & 307B) provide the X-axis alignment means of the system. Mounting plate having a threaded fastener (308/309); and a second set of at least two elongated openings (311B) and a separate second set of at least two openings (311A). And a mounting plate (310) in which the second set of elongated shaped openings provide a means for adjusting the Y-axis position of the system; A second set of at least two threaded fasteners (314/315) coupled to the second set of elongated openings; a mounting bracket (109); and the mounting bracket (109) to the second separate set. Set of openings (31
1A) with a third set of at least two threaded fasteners, wherein the mounting bracket (109) is pivotally mounted with a support member (108) on which the friction disc (105) is rotatable. A third set of at least two threaded fasteners (313/31) is attached to the friction disc such that a plurality of substantially equal length chain segments (106) are attached to the lower surface proximate its circumferential surface.
2) and; An adjustable mounting device comprising: 5. A pneumatic cylinder fixed to the mounting bracket is further provided, and the pneumatic cylinder makes the supporting member (108) retracted position and the peripheral surface of the friction disk (105) contact the tire of the vehicle. 5. Adjustable device according to claim 4, characterized in that a biasing force is applied to the support member (108) for reversible movement to and from the deployed position. 6. Tire (1) mounted on a wheel (103) mounted on an axle (101) which is connected to the vehicle by at least two U-bolts (113).
04) In an adjustable mounting device for mounting a vehicle snow chain traction system on the vehicle in the vicinity of 04): at least four joints, each screwed to each end of the U-bolt (113). A nut that provides a means for adjusting the Z-axis position of the system with a nut; a pair of cross plates (301) each connecting two fitting nuts (201) to each other; at least two of the first set Three elongated openings (307A & 3
07B) is a first member coupled to the pair of cross plates (301) to provide X-axis position adjusting means of the traction system (305).
And a second member coupled to the first member through at least two elongated shaped openings (311B) of the second set, and providing Y-axis position adjustment means for the traction system. An adjustable mounting device comprising: a second member (310) that provides a mounting location for a rapidly deployable snow chain traction system. 7. The vehicle snow chain traction system capable of rapid deployment includes: a mounting bracket (109) attachable to the second member (310).
A supporting member (108) pivotally attached to the mounting bracket (109); and a friction disc (105) rotatably mounted to the supporting member (108).
A plurality of chain segments (106) of equal length attached to the circumference of the friction disc; and the support member (10) fixed to the mounting bracket (109).
8) means for applying an urging force to move the supporting member (108) from the retracted position to a position where the peripheral surface of the friction disc (105) contacts the tire (104A). And, as a result, the friction disc rotates at high speed as the wheel (103A) rotates, and the attached chain segment (106) is thrown into the lower side of the tire. The adjustable mounting device according to claim 6. 8. Adjustable mounting device according to claim 5, characterized in that the use of spacers (316) with joint nuts (201) also enables rotational positioning of the system in the XZ plane.