JP2013237444A - Automatically-tightening type traction device having tension device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a tension device capable of being used for imparting traction force to a snow chain.SOLUTION: A suitable tension device 211 includes: a housing 212 having an upper part 212a including a set of housing teeth, a lower part 212b and at least one aperture; an actuator interconnected to the housing; a ratchet spool 300 within the housing, in which the ratchet spool 300 has a set of ratchet teeth 302 to mesh with the housing teeth and has a groove between an upper surface and a lower surface to accommodate a cord interconnected with the ratchet spool; a tension spring 110 that biases the ratchet spool toward a wind-up direction; and a wavy spring 112. The suitable tension device can be used for various usages not limited to an automatically-tightening type snow chain device.

Description

  The present invention generally relates to self-tensioning snow chains or self-tensioning traction devices and tensioning devices used in such traction devices or snow chain devices. Various embodiments relate to an automatic tensioning traction device or an automatic tensioning snow chain having a tensioning device including a winding device and a tensioning cord. The self-tightening snow chain extends from the winder when the tensioned mode when fixed for use on the wheel of a land vehicle and the tension cord interconnected to the winder is released, With a separate extended mode that facilitates engaging the snow chain with the wheel of the land vehicle prior to securing the snow chain to the wheel. In another embodiment, the automatic tensioning traction device automatically tightens multiple cords pulled by a single winding device. A method of using the preferred embodiment is also disclosed.

  Self-tensioning traction devices or self-tensioning snow chains can be used while driving on unusual surfaces where traction is expected to drop (i.e. surfaces covered with ice or snow, off-road or remote terrain) Used to provide improved traction for vehicles. Many states require the use of snow chains under certain weather conditions to mitigate potential hazards. Some types of snow chains require retightening after initial chain installation, in which case it is necessary to retighten all of the wheel chains after slowly moving the vehicle forward or backward. In order to achieve proper performance and increase durability, it is essential that the snow chain is properly fitted. Having to re-tighten the cable is a burden on the user, and if it is forgotten or neglected, it can be very damaging.

  Self-tightening snow chains have been developed because it is essential that the snow chains are properly fitted. One of these devices is disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,213,421 to Franklin. The Franklin patent discloses a clamp lock for a traction device. The lock has one clamp rope connected to a winding device in the housing. The winding device is pulled in advance in the winding direction. Teeth are provided on the sides around the winding device. An operating lever having the following three positions is attached to the housing. A first catch position that allows the clamp rope to move into or out of the housing, and a second winding that unlocks the rope so that the rope can move into the housing, thereby tightening the clamp rope. The position and the third locked position where the clamp rope is locked at the current position. This lever controls the pawl. Whether the clamp rope can be pulled into or out of the housing depends on whether the pawls are engaged with teeth on the winding device. An automatic tension type snow chain having this type of tension device is difficult to fix to the vehicle wheel with both hands. The user may be forced to release the cord to better grip the tensioning device or grab the corresponding hook on the snow chain. In order to prevent the cord from being pulled back into the housing, the user must lock the cord in either direction to hold the cord in the extended position. And in order to further extend the cord, it must be unlocked and it will again be necessary to release either the cord or the corresponding hook. Furthermore, an automatic tensioning snow chain tensioning device that can only tighten a single cord is not cost effective because each snow chain requires a number of automatic tensioning tensioning devices to tighten each cord. Of further concern, this type of self-tightening snow chain tensioning device is made by simply screwing together two housing parts with flat edges. Dirt, dust and moisture can easily enter this type of joint and damage the mechanism inside the housing. Furthermore, the use of the actuating lever creates a path through which dirt, dust and moisture can easily enter and damage the device. Also, tension cords typically have crimped or cast ends, one of these ends being passed through a grommet, which is then incorporated into a tensioning device during assembly. To accept the crimped or cast end, the grommet opening must be much larger than the diameter of the cord, and due to its size, dirt, debris and moisture can easily enter the device. This creates another area that provides a damaging path.

  Self-tensioning snow chain and traction cable devices are disclosed and claimed herein. Various embodiments include a self-tensioning snow chain for vehicle wheel mounting. The self-tensioning snow chain includes a snow chain and a tensioning device. An embodiment of the tensioning device includes a housing having an upper portion including a series of housing teeth, a lower portion, and at least one hole formed by the upper portion and the lower portion when the upper portion and the lower portion are joined, and It preferably includes an actuator engaged with the housing, at least one tension cord, and a ratchet spool having a series of ratchet teeth on the top surface. The ratchet teeth are preferably constructed and arranged to mesh with the housing teeth. The ratchet spool includes a lower surface and a groove between the upper surface and the lower surface provided with sufficient space to accommodate at least one tensile cord, and each tensile cord is interconnected to the ratchet spool. It is preferable that A preferred tensioning device includes a tension spring interconnected to the housing and the ratchet spool and constructed and arranged to bias the ratchet spool in a winding direction, the lower upper surface of the housing and the ratchet spool. A wave spring disposed between the lower surface and biasing the ratchet spool upwardly toward the housing teeth, the snow chain being interconnected to the tensioning device, and Since the tension cord can be connected to the snow chain, the tension device can fix the snow chain to a wheel. The snow chain may be a traction cable composed of a rope, a wire, a wire rope, a chain, or the like. The device described herein is an automatic tensioning traction device that includes an automatic tensioning snow chain. As described above, the snow chain may be a traction cable or the like. The device may include a known system for mounting wheels to achieve improved traction while the vehicle is traveling, and incorporating the disclosed tensioning device into such a system is novel to the art. is there.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic tensioning snow chain having a tensioning device that can be tightened more effectively and can be more easily installed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tensioning device capable of tightening a plurality of cords with a single winding device, preferably a ratchet spool. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a self-tightening snow chain having a tensioning device that is resistant to the entry of dirt, dirt and moisture into the housing.

  The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing a tensioning device having two modes of operation. First, the user can extend the tension cord or cords from the housing and let go of the cord (s) without having to wind the cord (s) into the housing This is an extended or extended mode. The ability to only allow movement in the unwinding direction occurs when the ratchet spool is in the lowered position, in which case the spool is biased in the winding direction but prevents rotation in the winding direction. Is done. In one embodiment where the actuator includes an actuating lever and a cam lever, to position the ratchet spool in the lowered position, the user raises the actuating lever until the actuating lever is perpendicular to the housing and the cam lever pushes down on the ratchet spool. In another embodiment, to place the ratchet spool in the lowered position, the user turns a key in the key slot of an actuator that includes a rotating disk that engages the cam disk so that the cam disk depresses the ratchet spool. Do it. When the ratchet spool is in the lowered position, the ratchet teeth disengage from the housing teeth, thereby allowing movement in either direction of rotation. However, movement in the winding direction is prevented by a plurality of fasteners on the lower surface of the ratchet spool. That is, the plurality of fasteners are pushed into the area of the stopper, and when the plurality of fasteners are present in this area, the stopper engages with one of them so that the ratchet spool is fully in the winding direction. Stop rotating (ie, rotating 360 degrees), half-turn, quarter-turn, or preferably more than one-sixth. If the user wishes to continue extending the cord (s), it is only necessary to pull the cord (s) further outward or in the unwinding direction.

  The second is an automatic tightening mode in which the tension cord (s) can normally move or rotate only in the winding direction. This mode is when the cord is engaged and in use and the user wishes to maintain a constant tension on the snow chain with the tension cord (s) unable to extend or unwind Suitable for To operate in this mode, the user positions the actuator so that the ratchet spool is in the raised position. In embodiments where the actuator includes a lever, the actuation lever is lowered until the actuation lever is in a position adjacent to the housing. In embodiments where the actuator includes a rotating disk and a cam disk, the rotating disk is rotated using a key until the cam disk disengages from the ratchet teeth. In each embodiment, when the actuating lever is lowered or the cam disk is raised, the ratchet spool is urged upward by a wave spring disposed under the ratchet spool to reach the raised position. Therefore, the housing teeth and the ratchet teeth are engaged to allow only movement in the winding direction. When the ratchet spool is in the raised position, the fastener is no longer in the area of the stopper and is therefore not blocked by the stopper, which prevents the non-small movement of the ratchet spool in the winding direction.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ratchet teeth and housing teeth may be overcut or undercut. In a preferred embodiment, each tooth is about 3 to about 30 degrees, preferably about 3 to about 90 degrees relative to a horizontal plane “b” perpendicular to the ratchet spool and the vertical axis “c” of the housing. Undercut at 5 to about 25 degrees larger angle. In the most preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9B, each tooth is about 20 degrees rather than an angle of 90 degrees relative to a horizontal plane “b” perpendicular to the ratchet spool and the longitudinal axis “c” of the housing. Undercut at a large angle. When the teeth are undercut, the device is in winding mode and the cord is pulled strongly outward, the more the cord is pulled outward, the deeper the ratchet teeth engage and the unwinding direction Resistant to cords that move significantly. This is particularly important in the normal state of the vehicle when a very significant amount of vibration occurs as a result of the interaction between the tire and the road surface.

  In another embodiment of the tensioning device disclosed herein, a plurality of cords all interconnected to the same winding device or ratchet spool can extend from different holes or openings in the housing. Although it is possible to extend more than three cords from a single tensioning device, such a device has limited space for the ratchet spool and applies an uneven force to each cord during use. If it is difficult to optimize because of the potential and need for a tension spring that can generate more winding force on the spool than can be needed to wind more cords There is.

  In addition, a lip-groove housing configuration may be utilized to help seal the housing against dirt, debris and moisture. For example, the lip may be provided along the opening at the top of the housing, and the groove may be provided along the opening at the bottom of the housing. When the two housing components are joined, the lip and groove engage and form a more secure seal than if the two flat surfaces were pressed together. Alternatively, the lip may be provided along the opening at the lower part of the housing, and the groove may be provided along the opening at the upper part of the housing.

  To further protect the internal components, a grommet with an opening that is only slightly larger than the diameter of the cord may be utilized. If the grommet is secured around the cord before securing the knobs at both ends of the cord, the grommet opening can be made smaller than the diameter of the knob so that dirt, debris and moisture can break through the housing (breach ) Can reduce the size of the passage in the grommet. The grommets are provided as part of a sub-assembly of the disclosed tensioning device. The subassembly preferably includes a cord with slidably engaged grommets and a stop or knob at each end of the cord or each cord. Because neither knob can pass through the grommet, the grommet minimizes dirt and debris that can pass through the grommet on the tension cord during use when the subassembly is incorporated into the tensioning device.

  It is envisaged that the tensioning device of the present invention may be used for articles not limited to snow chains.

In the drawings, corresponding reference characters and characters indicate corresponding parts of the various embodiments throughout the several views, and these various embodiments are generally only described and / or illustrated herein. Are different, otherwise the corresponding parts are included.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the self-tightening snow chain of the present invention having a tensioning device, wherein the self-tightening snow chain is attached to a wheel (partially shown) and is in use. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tensioning device housing of the present invention showing the appearance of the device shown in FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the tensioning device of the present invention showing the internal and external components shown in FIG. 4 is an exploded partial schematic view of certain components of the tensioning device of one embodiment of the tensioning device of the present invention showing the position of the ratchet spool, compression spring and stopper shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the stopper and the compression spring fitted in the lower part of the housing of the tensioning device of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the housing of the tensioning device of the present invention showing the joints of the lip / groove configuration of the housing shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the tension cord subunit of the tensioning device of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the tension cord subunit shown in FIG. 7A prior to full assembly. FIG. 8A is a partial schematic view of the tensioning device of FIG. 1 showing the internal components when the lever is in the lowered position and the ratchet spool is in the raised position in the housing shown in phantom, for clarity. The wave spring is not shown. FIG. 8B is a partial schematic view of the tensioning device shown in FIG. 1, similar to that shown in FIG. 8A, but showing the internal components when the lever is in the raised position and the ratchet spool is in the lowered position. FIG. 9A shows the ratchet and housing teeth enlarged at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane perpendicular to the ratchet spool and the longitudinal axis of the housing, as shown in the region 9a-9a of FIG. 8B. FIG. FIG. 9B is similar to that shown in FIG. 9A, except that the ratchet teeth and housing teeth are under about 20 degrees greater than an angle of 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane b perpendicular to the ratchet spool and the longitudinal axis c of the housing. FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial schematic view showing a cut preferred embodiment. FIG. 10A is a diagram of one embodiment of the tensioning device of the present invention showing preferred locations on the wheels of two one-cord tensioning devices similar to those shown in FIG. FIG. 10B shows a line of one embodiment of another tensioning device of the present invention showing the preferred location of one two-cord tensioning device that tightens the two tensioning cords against a snow cable (not shown) on the wheel. FIG. FIG. 10C is a line of one embodiment of another tensioning device of the present invention showing the preferred location of one multi-cord tensioning device that tightens three tension cords against a snow cable (not shown) on the wheel. FIG. FIG. 11A is a plan view of a two-cord tensioning device that is similar to the tensioning device shown in FIG. 1 but in which two cords are pulled in one tensioning device. FIG. 11B is a plan view of a three-cord tensioning device that is similar to the tensioning device shown in FIG. 1 but in which three cords are pulled in one tensioning device. FIG. 12A shows a ratchet spool similar to that shown in FIG. 3 for the two cord tensioning device of the present invention in which two tension cords are wrapped around one ratchet spool when the cord is fully wound. It is a perspective view of one Embodiment. FIG. 12B is a perspective view of one embodiment showing a ratchet spool for the three cord tensioning device of the present invention in which three tension cords are wrapped around one ratchet spool when the cord is fully wound. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tensioning device of the present invention in which buttons are used to change the mode of the device. FIG. 14 is an exploded view of another tensioning device shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram of one embodiment of another tensioning device of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 showing the pivot points and contacts of the pawl and top button. 16A is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 8A, but showing another tensioning device of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, with the top button in the lowered position and the ratchet spool in the raised position. (The wave spring is not shown for clarity). 16B is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 8B, but showing another tensioning device of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, with the top button in the lowered position and the ratchet spool in the lowered position. (The wave spring is not shown for clarity). FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another tensioning device having another actuation mechanism and a plurality of tension cords or cord subassemblies. 18 is an exploded view of the tensioning device shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged view of the rotating disk, the cam disk, and the upper part of the housing of the tension device shown in FIG. 20 is a partial plan view of the upper portion of the housing shown in FIG. FIG. 21A is a partial side view of the rotating disk and cam disk shown in FIG. 19 at the engaged position. For clarity, some elements of the tensioning device are omitted. FIG. 21B is a partial side view of the rotating disk and the cam disk shown in FIG. 19 at a separation position. For clarity, some elements of the tensioning device are omitted. FIG. 22 is a partial plan view of the tensioning device shown in FIG. 17 connected to the snow chain by a first attachment, a second attachment, and a cross chain attachment link. FIG. 23 is a partially exploded view of the second fixture.

  Various embodiments of the present invention are shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-tightening snow chain 10 of the present invention in use on a wheel 16 (partially shown). The self-tightening snow chain 10 includes a snow chain 14 and a tension device 11. Referring now also to FIGS. 2 and 3, the self-tightening snow chain 10 extends through the housing upper portion 12 a, the operating lever 26, the grommet 32, and the grommet 32, and is hooked to the hook 18 by the first connecting member 22. The housing 12 includes a cord 20 connected thereto. The hook 18 is connected to the chain 14 of the self-tightening snow chain 10 and applies tension to the chain 14. In the present embodiment, there are a second connection point 24 and a third connection point 30 where each part of the snow chain 14 is fixed to the housing 12. The rivet 28 is inserted into the rivet receiving opening, that is, the recess 29 to fix the housing upper portion 12a to the housing lower portion 12b. However, other fasteners such as screws, bolts / nuts, adhesive, double-sided tape, etc. are used. You can also. The housing upper portion 12a has a recess 34 to prevent distortion during injection molding, and the recess 34 can be further used as a place for a company identification name or the like if desired.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the housing 12 of the tensioning device 11 shown in FIG. The housing upper part 12a can be fixed to the housing lower part 12b by rivets or screws (not shown) that can be inserted into the holes 29. The housing upper portion 12 a and the housing lower portion 12 b form a hole 38 for fitting a grommet 32 that provides a passage for the tension cord 20. Further, an operating lever 26 including a cam 126 is rotatably connected to the housing upper portion 12a.

  FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the tensioning device 11 of the present invention. A wave spring 112 is placed inside the housing lower part 12b. The wave spring 112 is positioned so as to press the ratchet spool 100. Further, the tension spring 110 is stationary inside the ratchet spool 100, and has a fold portion (crimp) 122 that meshes with the notch portion 120 in the ratchet spool 100 and fixes the tension spring 110 to the ratchet spool 100. The tension spring 110 is also coupled to the column 213 of the housing lower portion 212b in order to apply tension to the ratchet spool 100. The ratchet spool 100 has a central groove 124 that extends circumferentially around its outer surface and has a width and depth sufficient to wind the cord 20 into the groove 124 around the ratchet spool 100. In the present embodiment, the lower surface 132 of the ratchet spool 100 has four fasteners 104. Since the same function can be obtained if there are 2 to 6 fasteners 104, it is not essential that there are four fasteners 104. It is possible to have more than six fasteners 104, but this is not recommended. As better shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the fastener 104 prevents the ratchet spool 100 from rotating in the winding direction when it is blocked by the stopper 108. The fastener 104 can be blocked by the stopper 108 only when the ratchet spool 100 is in the lowered position (the cam 126 is in the lowered position, i.e., the operating lever 26 is in the raised position). There are ratchet teeth 102 at the top of the ratchet spool 100. As can be seen from FIGS. 8A and 8B, the ratchet teeth 102 are engageable with the housing teeth 118 located in the housing upper portion 12a when the actuating lever 26 is in the lowered position. When the operating lever 26 is in the lowered position, the cam 126 extending from the operating lever 26 is parallel to the rotation surface of the ratchet spool 100. Accordingly, the wave spring 112 is not pressed, and the wave spring 112 pushes the ratchet spool 100 to move to the raised position, and the ratchet spool 100 can be engaged with the housing teeth 118. When the actuating lever 26 is in the raised position, i.e., the cam 126 is in the lowered position, pressing the upper pedestal 114 downward against the ratchet teeth 102, the ratchet teeth 102 are depressed, thereby causing the ratchet teeth 102 to move into the housing teeth 118. Deviate from. The top part 116 has a slot 117 for the cam lever 26 to rotate. The housing teeth 118 are integrally formed with the housing upper portion 12a.

  Here, reference is also made to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the arrangement of the fastener 104, the compression spring 106 and the stopper 108. FIG. The compression spring 106 is attached to the stopper 108, both of which are disposed on the housing lower portion 12b such that the compression spring 106 applies a force to the housing lower portion 12b. The compression spring 106 urges the stopper 108 so that the stopper 108 blocks the fastener 104 when the ratchet spool 100 rotates in the winding direction while the ratchet spool 100 is in the lowered position.

  Reference is now also made to FIG. 6 which shows the lip 40 / groove 42 configuration near the hole 38 formed by the housing 12. The lip 40 and the groove 42 mesh with each other to form a housing joint 44 that is resistant to dirt, dust and moisture.

  Reference is now also made to FIGS. 7A and 7B showing the tension cord subunit 134 after assembly. The cord 20 is passed through the grommet 32 and has a first knob 128a and a second knob 128b. These knobs 128 can be fitted to the cord 20 by crimping, melting, casting or the like. Since the cord 20 is threaded through the grommet 32 before fitting both of the knobs 128 to the cord 20, the diameter of the grommet 32 may be smaller than the diameter of the knob 128 so that the grommet 32 is more closely connected. The grommet can be fitted to the cord 20, and the size of the grommet can be made more suitable for restricting entry of dirt, dust, and moisture into the housing 12. The cord 20 is attached to a first connecting member 22 that is connected to a hook 18 (shown in phantom) that is used to fix the tensioning device 11 to each part of the snow chain 14. FIG. 7B shows how the second knob 128b fits into a recess 46 (partially shown) formed by the first part 22a and the second part 22b of the first connecting member 22. FIG. The first and second parts 22a and 22b are secured to each other around a second knob 128b that is firmly secured to the cord 20. A rivet 23 is inserted into the rivet receiving opening 25 to secure the first and second parts 22a and 22b together, but other fastenings such as screws, bolts / nuts, adhesives, double-sided tape, etc. Tools may be used.

  Referring now also to FIGS. 8A and 8B, FIG. 8A is a cross section showing the internal components when the actuating lever 26 is in the lowered position, thereby allowing the ratchet spool 100 to be in the raised position. FIG. When the ratchet spool 100 is in the raised position, the fastener 104 is away from the stopper 108, thereby allowing the ratchet spool 100 to freely wind and tighten the cord 20. In this mode, the ratchet spool 100 can rotate only in the winding direction. This is because the ratchet teeth 102 are completely engaged with the housing teeth 118, and the rotation can be limited when the cord 20 is extended, that is, when a winding output is applied.

  FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing the internal components when the actuating lever 26 is in the raised position, thereby forcing the ratchet spool 100 to the lowered position. While the ratchet spool 100 is in the lowered position, the ratchet teeth 102 are disengaged from the housing teeth 118. Thereby, the ratchet spool 100 can freely rotate in any direction. The fastener 104 stops the ratchet spool 100 from rotating completely in the winding direction. When the ratchet spool 100 begins to rotate in the winding direction, the stopper 108 prevents the next catch 104 from hitting, thereby preventing the ratchet spool 100 from further winding.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A-9A, the ratchet teeth 102 and housing teeth 118 are cut at an angle “a” of about 90 degrees relative to a horizontal plane perpendicular to the ratchet spool and the longitudinal axis of the housing. In other embodiments of the present invention, the ratchet teeth 102 and housing teeth 118 may be overcut or undercut. The teeth 102 and 118 are at an angle of about 3 to about 30 degrees, preferably about 10 to about 25 degrees greater than a 90 degree angle with respect to a ratchet spool and a horizontal plane "b" perpendicular to the longitudinal axis "c" of the housing. Undercutting is possible, so that when the tensioning device 11 is in the winding mode and the cord is strongly pulled outward, the ratchet teeth 102 engage more deeply and the cord 20 moves in the unwinding direction. Resist strongly. In the most preferred embodiment, the teeth 102 and 118 are about 20 degrees greater than a 90 degree angle relative to a horizontal plane “b” perpendicular to the ratchet spool and the longitudinal axis “c” of the housing, as shown in FIG. 9B. Undercut at angle “a ′”.

  Referring now also to FIG. 10A, FIG. 10A is a diagram of one embodiment of the present invention showing the preferred location of two single tensioning devices 11 attached to wheels 16. In this embodiment, these tensioning devices 11 are about 180 degrees apart from each other, and the respective cords 20 and hooks 18 extend in opposite directions.

  Referring now also to FIGS. 10B and 10C, FIG. 10B shows the preferred position of one tensioning device 11 ′ attached to the first cord 20 and the second cord 20a, each having a hook 18 individually. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention shown. In the present embodiment, the tensioning device 11 ′ is located at the center of the outer surface of the wheel 16 and applies equal tension to the first cord 20 a and the second cord 20 b that extend parallel to each other.

  FIG. 10C shows one preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a preferred position of one tensioning device 11 ″ attached to the first cord 20, the second cord 20b and the third cord 20c, each having a hook 18 individually. It is a diagram of an embodiment. The tensioning device 11 ″ is located at the center of the outer surface of the wheel 16 and applies equal tension to the first cord 20a, the second cord 20b and the third cord 20c extending about 120 degrees apart from each other.

  Referring now also to FIG. 11A, there is shown another embodiment of the tensioning device of the present invention in which the tensioning device 11 ′ pulls the first cord 20a and the second cord 20b. Referring also to FIG. 11B, there is shown another embodiment of the tensioning device 11 ′ of the present invention in which the tensioning device 11 ″ pulls the first cord 20a, the second cord 20b and the third cord 20c.

  Referring now also to FIG. 12A, FIG. 12A is a perspective view of one embodiment of another ratchet spool 100 ′ of the present invention, the first cord 20a attached to the ratchet spool 100 ′ and wound around the groove 124, and The structure of the ratchet spool 100 'having the second cord 20b is shown. In this embodiment, since there is little space available, there are only two fasteners 104 on the lower surface 132 of the ratchet spool 100 ′. The first cord 20a and the second cord 20b are dimensioned to fit snugly into the ratchet spool recess 130 to prevent the first cord 20a and the second cord 20b from being pulled out of the ratchet spool 100 ′. And a first knob 128a fitted to the end of each cord.

  Referring also to FIG. 12B, FIG. 12B shows an embodiment of the present invention showing the configuration of yet another ratchet spool 100 ″ having a first cord 20a, a second cord 20b, and a third cord 20c. A perspective view is shown.

  In embodiments having multiple cords to be pulled, some of these cords may be fixedly attached to the snow chain using known fixtures. Two such fixtures 600, 700 are shown in FIGS. 17 and 22-23. It will be appreciated that a variety of attachments may be used to secure and attach a single cord to the snow chain, and they are within the scope of the present invention.

  Referring now to FIGS. 13-16B, another tensioning device 11 ′ ″ having a housing 12 ′ ″ having a housing upper portion 12a ′ ″ and a housing lower portion 12b ′ ″ is illustrated. As with the other embodiments of the tensioning device, there is a hole 29 into which a rivet (not shown) is inserted for attaching the housing upper part 12a '' 'and the housing lower part 12b' ''. A top button 138 is installed on the housing upper part 12a ′ ″. Further, on the side of the housing 12 ′ ″, there are a first side button 136a and a second side button 136b (not shown) which is a mirror image thereof. Protruding from the housing 12 '' 'is a grommet 32 through which a cord 20 (not shown) can pass.

  FIG. 14 shows an exploded view of the tensioning device 11 ′ ″ shown in FIG. The wave spring 112 is placed inside the housing lower part 12b ′ ″ and is positioned so as to press the ratchet spool 100 ′ ″. A washer 156 is placed between the wave spring 112 and the ratchet spool 100 '' '. In addition, the tension spring 110 is stationary inside the ratchet spool 100 ′ ″, and a notch 120 (not shown) of the ratchet spool 100 ′ ″ is used to fix the tension spring 110 to the ratchet spool 100 ′ ″. A pleat 122 that can be inserted into the The ratchet spool 100 ′ ″ has a groove 124 extending in the center on the outer periphery of the ratchet spool 100 ′ ″, and has a width and a depth sufficient to wrap a cord 20 (not shown) therearound. There are ratchet teeth 102 at the top of the ratchet spool 100 '' '. Ratchet teeth 102 engage with housing teeth 118 (not shown). In addition, there is a pawl 152 connected to each of the side buttons 136 at a pivot point 150. The side button 136 is spring-loaded by a pawl spring 154. As can be seen from FIGS. 16A and 16B, when the top button 138 is in the raised position, the ratchet teeth 102 engage housing teeth 118 (not shown) located within the housing upper portion 12a ′ ″. When the top button 138 is in the raised position, the ratchet spool 100 '' 'can move only in the winding direction and tightens the cord 20 (not shown). In this mode, the side button 136 is pushed into the housing 12 '' '. When the top button 138 is in the lowered position, the ratchet spool 100 '' 'can move in either the winding or unwinding direction. In this mode, the side button 136 is pushed out of the housing 12 ′ ″ by the force of the spring 154.

  Here, FIG. 15 showing the positions of the top button 138 and the side buttons 136 when the top button 138 is in the raised position is also referred to. At this time, the side button 136 is pushed into the housing 12 '' '. The two button springs 154 are pressed against the inside of the housing top 12 '' 'and press to move the side buttons 136 out of the housing 12' '' '. However, since the pawl 152 is stopped by the top button 138, the side button 136 does not come out of the housing. When the top button 138 is depressed, the pawl 152 is no longer blocked and the side button 136 will pop out of the housing 12 '' '. When the housing teeth 118 are not in contact with the ratchet teeth 102 (not shown), the ratchet spool 100 '' '(not shown) can rotate freely.

  Referring now also to FIGS. 16A and 16B, FIG. 16A shows the placement of the side button 136, top button 138, ratchet teeth 102 and housing teeth 118 when the top button 138 is in the raised position. When the top button 152 is in the raised position, the pawl 152 engages the ratchet teeth 102 and the ratchet spool 100 ″ ′ can move only in the winding direction. In this figure, the wave spring 112 is not shown for the sake of clarity.

  Reference is also made to FIG. 16B showing the placement of the top button 152, ratchet teeth 102 and housing teeth 118 when the top button 152 is in the lowered position. When the top button 152 is pushed into the lowered position, the force generated by the button spring 154 (not shown) separates the pawl 152 from the ratchet teeth 118 and the ratchet spool 100 ′ ″ moves in the winding or unwinding direction. To get. To switch the mode and prevent the ratchet spool 100 ′ ″ from rotating in the unwinding direction, the user pushes the side button 136 back into the housing 12 ′ ″ to force the top button 138 up. , Allowing the pawl 152 to contact the ratchet teeth 118 again. In this figure, the wave spring 112 is not shown for the sake of clarity.

  FIGS. 17-22 show another self-tensioning snow chain 210 having another tensioning device 211. The tensioning device 211 is the same as the tensioning device 11, 11 ′, 11 ″ shown in FIGS. 1 to 16B, and the tensioning device 11, 11 ′, 11 ″ operates at least for many of the common parts. It works in the same way as you do. New and at some point preferred actuation systems have been developed with suitable functions in the commercial market where durability and strength are required. The tensioning device 211 includes a housing 212, which has a housing upper portion 212a, a housing lower portion 212b, and a ratchet spool 300 that is typically housed in the housing 212. The ratchet spool 300 of this preferred embodiment has two tension cords 320a, 320b. The tension cords 320a, 320b are fixed or clamped at their respective ends in the central groove 324 of the ratchet spool 300, preferably in different positions, and are about 180 degrees apart from each other and outward from the tensioning device 211. It extends. The tensioning device 211 further includes an actuator 400 that moves the ratchet spool 300 between a raised position and a lowered position. In this embodiment, the actuator 400 includes a cam disk 402 and a rotating disk (or key disk) 404 that inter-engage. The actuator can be operated using the key K. Similar to the embodiment described above, the housing lower portion 212b preferably includes a column 213 to which the tension spring 110 is fixed. In a preferred embodiment, the tension spring 110 has one end connected to the column 213 and the other end connected to the ratchet spool 300.

  In a preferred embodiment, the ratchet spool 300 further includes a fastener 304 that operates in a manner as further described in the above disclosure for the fastener 104. As shown in the above embodiment, if the housing 212 is appropriately deformed and further provided with holes (not shown) for accommodating the respective tension cords, one, three, four or more tensions are provided. The tensioning device 211 could be modified to include a cord (not shown). Although not preferred, the hole 238 can be modified to accommodate two or more tensile cords. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 18 including two tension cords 230a, 230b, the tensioning device 211 preferably includes two stoppers 108. In another embodiment not shown, one stopper may be sufficient, but two are preferred.

  As described above, the fastener 304 prevents the ratchet spool 300 from rotating in the winding direction when it is blocked by the stopper 108. The fastener 304 can be blocked by the stopper 108 only when the ratchet spool 300 is in the lowered position (when the housing teeth 318 are disengaged from the ratchet teeth 302). More preferably, the tensioning device 211 has at least two fasteners 304, preferably about 180 degrees apart. Alternatively, four fasteners (preferably 90 degrees apart), six fasteners (preferably 60 degrees apart), or more may be provided equally or unevenly spaced. .

  A cam disk 402 and a rotating disk (or key disk) 404 included in a suitable actuator 400 engage in cooperation with each other and engage the upper portion 212 a of the housing 212 near the opening 214. As shown in the exploded perspective views of FIGS. 18 and 19, the preferred actuator 400 includes one part from one side of the upper portion 212a of the housing 211 and the other part from the opposite side, near the opening 214. Assembled in. When the actuator 400 is assembled, the rotating disk 404 and cam disk 402 will engage each other and each will be at least partially within the opening 214.

  The rotating disc 404 preferably has a plurality of, preferably three, slots 414 in an uneven lower cam disc engaging surface 422. The uneven surface includes a plurality of inclined surfaces 416 adjacent to each of the deepest portions of each slot with respect to the shelf 418. The cam disc 402 preferably has a plurality of cam teeth 434 on an uneven upper rotating disc engaging surface 431.

  The respective disks 402 and 404 engage with each other in the opening 214, and when the key K is inserted into the key hole 410 of the rotating disk 404 and turned, the rotating disk 404 is rotated from the first position by about 60 degrees. Rotate to second position. When the rotating disk 404 is in the first position, the cam disk 402 is in the raised position and each cam tooth 434 is typically present in each slot 414. However, as the rotary disk 404 is rotated by the key, the inclined surface 416 of each slot 414 slides up the respective inclined surface 436 of each cam tooth 434, and eventually each cam tooth 434 rides on the shelf 418 and the shelf 418. Engage with. When the cam teeth 434 engage with the shelf 418 and the rotating disk 404 rotates approximately 60 degrees from the first position about the axis of the ratchet spool to the second position, the cam disk 402 is in the lowered position, The ratchet teeth 302 no longer engage the housing teeth 318 to push the upwardly biased ratchet spool 300 from its raised position to its lowered position. When the rotary disk 404 is rotated from the second position to the first position, the cam teeth 434 return to the slot 414, and the wave spring 112 biases the ratchet spool 300 upward, thereby causing the ratchet spool 300 and The cam disk 402 returns to the respective raised position. As a result, the ratchet teeth 302 can be engaged with the housing teeth 318.

  In the preferred embodiment of the tensioning device 211 shown in FIGS. 17-18, the housing upper portion 212a has an opening 214 and a rotating disk 404 disposed therein, usually in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, preferably about And a first recess 216 that can rotate 60 degrees. More preferably, the housing upper portion 212a includes stop surfaces 218 that limit rotational movement within the recess 216 of the rotating disk 404 (see FIG. 20). In a preferred embodiment, the housing top 212a includes four stop surfaces 218. Opposite the housing upper portion 212a, preferably in the vicinity of the housing teeth 318 surrounding the opening 214, the housing upper portion preferably includes a second recess 222 that surrounds the opening 214 and in which the cam disk 402 is disposed.

  The rotating disk 404 includes a body 406 having at least one protrusion 408 that extends from the body. Near the center of the main body 406, a key hole 410 to be a key insertion portion 410 is provided. By disposing the key K in the key insertion part 410, the rotary disk 404 can be rotated using the key K and the actuator 400 can be operated. In the present embodiment, the actuator 400 operates by inserting the key K into the keyhole 410 and rotating the key K to rotate the rotating disk 404. The rotating disk 404 rotates corresponding to the rotation of the key K unless the rotation by both the rotating disk 404 and the key K is restricted by each stop surface 218. A suitable rotating disk 404 further includes a stem 412 that is typically disposed within the opening 432 of the cam disk 402 by being inserted through the opening 214 of the housing top 212a. A plurality of slots 414, preferably three slots 414, are preferably disposed in the body 406 of the rotating disk 404, opposite the keyhole 410. As a result, when the rotating disk 404 moves from the second position to the first position and then returns to the second position, the cam teeth 434 of the cam disk 402 slide into and out of the slot 414. Can be. In a preferred embodiment, the slot 414 has an inclined surface 416 adjacent to the deepest portion of the slot 414 so that each time the rotating disk 404 rotates from the first position to the second position, Transition surfaces are provided for sliding the inclined surfaces 436 of the cam teeth 434. When the cam teeth 434 come out of the slot 414, engage with the shelf 418 and ride on the shelf 418, the cam disk 402 moves from the raised position to the lowered position, the wave spring 212 is compressed, and the ratchet spool 300 is raised. The ratchet teeth 302 are disengaged from the housing teeth 318. Preferably, the cam disk 402 is constrained to move only in the axial direction when the rotating disk 404 is rotated.

  A suitable cam disk 402 includes a body 430 having an opening 432, and a stem 412 of the rotating disk 404 is typically disposed within the opening 432 so that the rotating disk 404 can rotate relative to the cam disk 402. . In addition, a suitable cam disk 402 typically includes a plurality of teeth 434 that correspond to the slots 414 in the rotating disk 404. Preferably, the teeth 434 have an inclined surface 436 and are arranged and configured as follows. When the rotating disk 404 rotates from the state where the teeth 434 are engaged with the slots 414, the inclined surfaces 436 of the cam teeth 434 are engaged with the inclined surfaces 416 of the slots 414 while being slid. Therefore, the engaging portion 438 of the cam disk 402 is further separated from the rotating disk 404, and as a result, the engaging portion of the cam disk 402 presses the ratchet teeth 302 away from the housing teeth 318. When the cam teeth 434 are fully engaged with the slot 414, the ratchet spool 300 is in the raised position and the ratchet teeth 302 and housing teeth 318 are engaged. When the cam teeth 434 do not engage the slot 414, the ratchet spool 300 is in the lowered position. In order to hold the cam disk 402 within the housing 212, the second recess 222 of the housing is preferably dimensioned and configured so that the cam disk 402 cannot be removed from the housing 212. The rotating disk 404 is secured to the housing 212 by the bracket 500 when the preferred housing 211 is assembled and each part of the actuator 400 is at least partially engaged within the opening 214. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the bracket 500 includes a first part 502 with a window 503 and a second part 504 that can be secured with a fastener secured to the housing 211. . The components 502, 504 each include an outwardly extending flange 506 that is arranged and configured to be coupled to a cross chain attachment link 508 or the like. The cross chain attachment connector 508 can be fixed to the snow chain 14 as shown in FIG. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 to 21B is particularly preferable for a large truck that is frequently used and highly reliable. It will be appreciated that the rotating disk 404 is not as susceptible to potential damage as the lever 26 in previous embodiments, and that this new actuation mechanism is more appropriately housed within the housing and is less susceptible to breakage.

  In addition, the bracket 500 is designed to reinforce the device and protect the housing and other mechanical parts of the tensioning device from the impact of any object that strikes the device. It will be appreciated that the actuator 400 can be used to position a ratchet spool in embodiments that include many, not two, ie, one, three, four, or more cords. In another embodiment, the bracket may be a single piece structure.

  A suitable tensioning device 211 that tensions the snow chain 14 mounted on the vehicle wheel 16 to provide additional traction is provided in the at least one hole 238, a lower portion 212b having an upper surface, an opening 214 and a rear surface. And a housing 212 with an upper portion 212a having a series of housing teeth 318. The tension device 211 includes at least one tension cord 320a, 320b and a ratchet spool 300 including an upper surface and a lower surface. The ratchet spool 300 is provided with a series of ratchet teeth 302 on the top surface, and the ratchet teeth are constructed and arranged to mesh with the housing teeth 318. Tensile cords 320 a and 320 b are interconnected to the ratchet spool 300, and the tension spring 110 is interconnected to the ratchet spool and the housing 212. In a preferred embodiment of this tensioning device 211, the ratchet spool 300 includes a groove 324 provided with sufficient space between the upper and lower surfaces to accommodate at least one tension cord 320a, 320b. The tension spring 110 is configured and arranged to bias the ratchet spool 300 in the winding direction. The tensioning device 211 includes at least one wave spring disposed between the upper surface of the lower portion 212 b of the housing 212 and the lower surface of the ratchet spool 300 to urge the ratchet spool upward to engage the housing teeth 318. 112 is preferably included. The preferred tensioning device 211 further includes an actuator 400 that engages at least partially within the opening 214 and recess 216 in the upper portion 212 a of the housing 212. A suitable actuator 400 includes a rotating disk 404 and a cam disk 402. The cam disk 402 has a raised position (see FIG. 21A) and a lowered position (see FIG. 21B), and the rotating disk 404 has a first position and a second position. When the cam disk 402 is in the raised position, the wave spring 112 can push up the ratchet spool 300 so that the ratchet teeth 302 engage the housing teeth 318, and when the cam disk 402 is in the lowered position, the ratchet teeth 302 is disengaged from the housing teeth 318. Preferably, the rotating disk 404 can rotate within the recess 216 and the opening 214 to move from the first position to the second position, the rotating disk 404 being moved from the first position to the second position. When rotating the cam disk 402, the cam disk 402 is pushed down from the raised position to the lowered position. The tension device 211 is interconnected to the snow chain 14 so that the tension cords 320a and 320b can tension the snow chain 14 to fix the snow chain 14 to the wheel 16.

  In the preferred embodiment of this tensioning device 211, the opening 214 is surrounded by a series of housing teeth 318 provided on the back surface of the upper portion 212 a of the housing 212. In the preferred embodiment of this tensioning device 211, the cam disk 402 has an uneven upper rotating disk engaging surface 431 and a ratchet spool engaging surface 438, and the rotating disk 404 has an uneven upper rotating disk engaging surface 431. When the rotating disk 404 rotates, the uneven lower cam disk engaging surface 422 has a first position relative to the uneven upper rotating disk engaging surface 431 when the rotating disk 404 rotates. To the second position with respect to the uneven upper rotating disk engaging surface 431. As the rotating disk 404 rotates from the first position to the second position, the rotating disk 404 moves the cam disk 402 from the raised position to the lowered position, which causes the ratchet teeth 302 to disengage from the housing teeth 318 and pull. The tension cords 320 a and 320 b can be pulled out from the housing 212 against the biasing force applied by the spring 110 to the ratchet spool 300.

  22-23 illustrate a suitable self-tightening snow chain 210 that generally includes the tensioning device 211 of FIG. 17 secured to the snow chain 14. Preferably, the fixtures 600 and 700 are fixed to the respective ends of the tension cords 320a and 320b. It will be appreciated that the fixtures 600, 700 are exemplary only and are not intended to be limiting in any way. As shown in FIG. 1, hook 18 is another example of such a fixture. The fixtures 18, 500, and 600 are different from the cross chain attachment connector 508 that remains fixed to the snow chain 14, so that the self-tensioning snow chain 210 can be easily fixed to the wheel 16 from the snow chain 14. It is preferably removable. As best shown in FIG. 23, one suitable fixture 700 includes a stop plate 702 having a slot 706. The stop plate is fixed to the snow chain 14. At the end of each tension cord 320a, a stopper 712 having a knob 716 that is inserted into the slot 706 and can be detachably fixed in the slot 706 is provided.

  Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further variations of the invention disclosed herein will occur to those skilled in the art, and all such variations are within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It is thought that there is.

Claims (26)

A tensioning device that tensions a vehicle wheel-mounted snow chain to provide additional traction,
The tension device is:
A housing including at least one hole, a lower portion having an upper surface, and an upper portion having a series of housing teeth provided on the opening and the back surface;
A tension cord;
A ratchet spool including upper and lower surfaces and a series of ratchet teeth on the upper surface configured and arranged to mate with the housing teeth, the tension cords being interconnected;
A tension spring interconnected to the ratchet spool and the housing and configured and arranged to bias the ratchet spool in a winding direction;
A wave spring disposed between the upper surface of the lower portion of the housing and the lower surface of the ratchet spool to urge the ratchet spool upward to engage the housing teeth;
An actuator that includes a rotating disk having a first position and a second position; a cam disk having a raised position and a lowered position; and an actuator that at least partially engages within the opening in the upper portion of the housing;
When the cam disk is in the raised position, the wave spring can push up the ratchet spool so that the ratchet teeth engage the housing teeth, and when the cam disk is in the lowered position, The ratchet teeth are disengaged from the housing teeth;
The rotating disk can rotate within the opening to move from the first position to the second position;
When the rotating disk rotates from the first position to the second position, the cam disk is pushed down from the raised position to the lowered position,
The tensioning device is interconnected to the snow chain so that the tensioning cord applies tension to the snow chain so that the snow chain can be fixed to the wheel.   The tension device according to claim 1, further comprising a bracket for fixing the actuator to the housing.   The ratchet spool further includes a fastener on the lower surface of the ratchet spool, the tensioning device further includes a stopper having a raised position and a lowered position, and the ratchet spool is in the lowered position when the ratchet spool is in the lowered position. The stopper is biased to the raised position where the stopper blocks the fastener when the ratchet spool is in the lowered position so that it does not rotate more than 360 degrees in the winding direction. Item 2. A tensioning device according to item 1.   The tensioning device of claim 1, wherein the ratchet teeth and the housing teeth are undercut at an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane perpendicular to the ratchet spool and the vertical axis of the housing.   The tension device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating disk can be operated using a key.   The cam disk is arranged and configured such that when the actuator is operating, the cam disk can press the ratchet spool toward the lowered position, and when the ratchet spool is in the lowered position, the cam disk is The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the ratchet teeth are pressed away from the housing teeth.   The opening in the upper portion of the housing includes a recess in which the rotating disk is disposed, and the upper portion of the housing further includes at least one stop surface that limits rotational movement in the recess of the rotating disk. The tensioning device of claim 1, wherein the cam disk remains substantially perpendicular to the top of the housing when the rotating disk rotates.   The housing includes two holes, and the tensioning device includes two tension cords interconnected to the ratchet spool, each of the tension cords passing through one of the respective holes and out of the housing. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning device extends.   The tension device according to claim 1, wherein the ratchet spool includes a groove provided with a sufficient space for accommodating the tension cord between the upper surface and the lower surface.   The cam disk has an uneven upper rotation disc engaging surface and a ratchet spool engaging surface, and the rotating disk is connected to the uneven upper rotating disk engaging surface of the cam disk. Having an uneven lower cam disc engaging surface that engages, and when the rotating disk rotates, the uneven lower cam disk engaging surface engages the uneven upper rotating disk engagement surface. Moving from a first position relative to a surface to a second position relative to the irregular upper rotating disk engaging surface, moving the cam disk from the raised position to the lowered position, whereby the ratchet teeth The tension cord is pulled out of the housing against the biasing force applied to the ratchet spool by the tension spring coming off the housing teeth. It tensioner according to claim 1 which is made possible. A self-tensioning snow chain for vehicle wheel mounting to provide traction force,
The automatic tension type snow chain is
A snow chain fixed around the wheel of the vehicle;
A tensioning device,
The tension device is:
A housing including at least one hole, a lower portion having an upper surface, and an upper portion having a series of housing teeth provided on the opening and the back surface;
A tension cord;
A ratchet spool including upper and lower surfaces and a series of ratchet teeth on the upper surface configured and arranged to mate with the housing teeth, the tension cords being interconnected;
A tension spring interconnected to the ratchet spool and the housing and configured and arranged to bias the ratchet spool in a winding direction;
A wave spring disposed between the upper surface of the lower portion of the housing and the lower surface of the ratchet spool to urge the ratchet spool upward to engage the housing teeth;
An actuator that includes a rotating disk having a first position and a second position; a cam disk having a raised position and a lowered position; and an actuator that at least partially engages within the opening in the upper portion of the housing;
When the cam disk is in the raised position, the wave spring can push up the ratchet spool so that the ratchet teeth engage the housing teeth, and when the cam disk is in the lowered position, The ratchet teeth are disengaged from the housing teeth;
The rotating disk can rotate within the opening to move from the first position to the second position;
When the rotating disk rotates from the first position to the second position, the cam disk is pushed down from the raised position to the lowered position,
The tension device is connected to the snow chain so that the tension cord can apply tension to the snow chain to fix the snow chain to the wheel. chain.   The self-tensioning snow chain of claim 11, further comprising a bracket for fixing the actuator to the housing.   The ratchet spool further includes a fastener on the lower surface of the ratchet spool, the tensioning device further includes a stopper having a raised position and a lowered position, and the ratchet spool is in the lowered position when the ratchet spool is in the lowered position. The stopper is biased to the raised position where the stopper blocks the fastener when the ratchet spool is in the lowered position so that it does not rotate more than 360 degrees in the winding direction. Item 12. The self-tensioning snow chain according to Item 11.   The self-tensioning snow according to claim 11, wherein the ratchet teeth and the housing teeth are undercut at an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane perpendicular to the ratchet spool and the vertical axis of the housing. chain.   The self-tensioning snow chain of claim 11, wherein the rotating disk can be operated using a key.   The cam disk is arranged and configured such that when the actuator is operating, the cam disk can press the ratchet spool toward the lowered position, the rotating disk engages with the cam disk, and The self-tensioning snow chain according to claim 11, wherein the cam disk presses the ratchet teeth away from the housing teeth when the ratchet spool is pressed from the raised position to the lowered position.   The opening in the upper portion of the housing includes a recess in which the rotating disk is disposed, and the upper portion of the housing further includes at least one stop surface that limits rotational movement in the recess of the rotating disk. The self-tensioning snow chain of claim 11, wherein the cam disk remains substantially perpendicular to the top of the housing when the rotating disk rotates.   The housing includes two holes, and the tensioning device includes two tension cords interconnected to the ratchet spool, each of the tension cords passing through one of the respective holes and out of the housing. The self-tensioning snow chain of claim 11 extending to   The self-tensioning snow chain of claim 11, wherein the ratchet spool includes a groove provided with a sufficient space between the upper surface and the lower surface to accommodate the tensile cord.   The cam disk has an uneven upper rotation disc engaging surface and a ratchet spool engaging surface, and the rotating disk is connected to the uneven upper rotating disk engaging surface of the cam disk. Having an uneven lower cam disc engaging surface that engages, and when the rotating disk rotates, the uneven lower cam disk engaging surface engages the uneven upper rotating disk engagement surface. Moving from a first position relative to a surface to a second position relative to the irregular upper rotating disk engaging surface, moving the cam disk from the raised position to the lowered position, whereby the ratchet teeth The tension cord is pulled out of the housing against the biasing force applied to the ratchet spool by the tension spring coming off the housing teeth. That the automatic tensioning snow chain according to claim 11, becomes possible. A self-tensioning snow chain for vehicle wheel mounting, including a snow chain and a tensioning device,
The tension device is:
An upper portion having two holes, a series of housing teeth and a lower portion, and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion have respective outer surfaces;
A bracket including a cross chain attachment link fixed to the snow chain, the bracket being fixed to the respective outer surfaces of the upper portion and the lower portion of the housing to substantially protect the outer surface of the housing; ,
A ratchet spool having a series of ratchet teeth;
Two tension cords interconnected to the ratchet spool, each extending through one hole;
An actuator that engages the housing and is arranged and configured to selectively engage and disengage the ratchet teeth from the housing teeth;
Each of the tension cords engages with the snow chain, and the snow chain can be fixed to the wheel. The bracket includes a first component and a second component, the bracket fixes the actuator component to the housing, and the bracket includes an opening surrounding the actuator;
The actuator can be operated using a key,
The first part is generally fixed to the outer surface of the upper portion of the housing and the second part is generally fixed to the outer surface of the lower portion of the housing;
The self-tensioning snow chain according to claim 21, wherein the cross chain attachment connector is fixed to both the first part and the second part.   The tension device is disposed between a tension spring interconnected to the ratchet spool and configured and arranged to bias the ratchet spool in a winding direction, and an upper surface of the lower portion of the housing and the ratchet spool. The self-tensioning snow chain of claim 21, further comprising a wave spring that biases the ratchet spool toward the housing teeth.   The actuator includes a rotating disk and a cam disk, and the cam disk is arranged and configured such that when the actuator is operating, the cam disk can press the ratchet spool to a lowered position, and the ratchet spool 24. The self-tensioning snow chain of claim 23, wherein the cam disk presses the ratchet teeth away from the housing teeth when pressed from the raised position to the lowered position.   23. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a second tensioning device, wherein the two tensioning devices are about 180 degrees apart from each other with respect to the center of the wheel when the self-tensioning snow chain is secured to the wheel. Automatic tension snow chain.   The actuator of each tensioning device includes a rotating disk and a cam disk, the cam disk having an uneven upper rotation disc engaging surface and a ratchet spool engaging surface, An uneven lower cam disc engaging surface that engages with the uneven upper rotating disc engaging surface of the cam disc, and when the rotating disc rotates, the uneven lower side The cam disk engaging surface moves from a first position with respect to the uneven upper rotating disk engaging surface to a second position with respect to the uneven upper rotating disk engaging surface, and lowers the cam disk from the raised position. The ratchet teeth are disengaged from the housing teeth and the tension spring is applied to the ratchet spool. Against the biasing force that the automatic tensioning snow chain according to claim 20, said tension cord becomes possible to draw from the housing.

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