JP4185321B2 - chain - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a chain formed by connecting a plurality of torsion rings in which surface directions of a hook portion on one end side and a hook portion on the other end side are orthogonal to each other.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Tire chains attached to tires for safe traveling on snowy roads, icy roads, and the like have been developed in various shapes, and various improvements have been made so that each can be suitably run.
FIG. 6 shows a configuration of an example of a tire chain. In the tire chain 100 shown in FIG. 6, cross chains 104 are installed at regular intervals with respect to two guide chains 12 provided in parallel, and adjacent cross chains 104 are connected by a support chain 106. ing. Note that the support chain 106 is provided to reduce the skid of the tire, and is normally provided with one cross between the cross chains 104.
[0003]
The guide chain 12 is formed by alternately connecting elliptical O-shaped rings 18, and the cross chain 104 and the support chain 106 are formed by connecting a plurality of torsion rings 20.
As shown in FIG. 7, the twist ring 20 is provided so that the surface directions of the hook portion 20a on one end side and the hook portion 20b on the other end side are orthogonal to each other. For this reason, in the case of the twist ring 20, adjacent rings are connected in the same direction.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 6, the guide chain 12 and the cross chain 104 are connected by a connector 22 in which one end side of an oval O-shaped ring is bent in a hook shape. Further, the cross chain 104 and the support chain 106 are connected by connecting the torsion ring 20 constituting the cross chain 104 and the torsion ring 20 of the support chain 106 in a T shape at the hook portion.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the cross chain 104 and the support chain 106 are connected using the hook portion of the torsion ring 20 as described above, the cross chain engaged with the hook portion at the connecting portion of the cross chain 104 and the support chain 106. Since the torsion ring 20 on the 104 side and the torsion ring 20 of the support chain 106 are in a free state, there is a problem that the torsion ring 20 moves in the hook portion and comes into contact with each other.
As a result, when the tire chain 100 is attached to the tire and traveled, the torsion rings 20 of the connecting portion 110 collide with each other and give impacts, and the load concentrates on the connecting member 110, so that the torsion ring 20 of the connecting member 110 There was a problem in that the entire chain was shortened because it was consumed more rapidly than the other parts.
[0006]
Further, in the tire chain 100, since the support chains 106 are provided every other cross chain 104 between the adjacent cross chains 104, a portion where the support chain 106 is provided and a portion where the support chain 106 is not provided are the tires. This occurs every other in the circumferential direction, thereby generating vertical vibrations. However, if the support chain 106 for connecting the cross chain 104 is provided over the entire circumference of the tire, the chain must be connected in a cross shape by the connecting member 110, and the method of engaging with the hook portion of the chain as in the prior art. Then, the torsion rings 20 overlap with each other at the connecting portion, and it is almost impossible to accurately connect them in a cross shape.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve these problems, and the object of the present invention is to ensure that the torsion rings do not overlap each other even at the intersection of the chains formed by connecting the torsion rings. Another object of the present invention is to provide a chain that can be connected to each other easily and stably.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following configuration in order to achieve the above object.
That is, a plurality articulation and comprising a chain torsion ring surface direction of the hook portion at one end of the hook portion and the other end side is orthogonal, in a chain connected to the four sides so as to intersect through a coupling mechanism, wherein The connecting mechanism has four U-shaped members and a connecting plate having a thickness smaller than the distance between the two legs of the U-shaped member, and the four U-shaped members connect the two legs to the connecting plate. The U-shaped member is arranged with the connecting plate sandwiched from the four sides, and one of the U-shaped members facing each other has its two legs sandwiching the connecting plate from the front and back surfaces. And the two legs are welded in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate so that the surface including the U-shape is inclined with respect to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate, of the one pair of U-shaped members. The other U-shaped member of which the two legs sandwich the connecting plate from the front and back surfaces, and In order not to interfere with the two legs of the U-shaped member, the surface including the U-shape is inclined with respect to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate in the direction opposite to the one U-shaped member. Are welded in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate, and one U-shaped member of the other pair of U-shaped members facing each other has its two legs connected to the one pair of U-shaped members. The two legs are connected to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate so that the connecting plate is sandwiched from the front and back surfaces and the U-shaped surface is inclined with respect to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate. The other U-shaped member of the other pair of U-shaped members is welded in contact with the back surface so that the two legs sandwich the connecting plate from the front and back surfaces, and the one of the U-shaped members The two legs of the pair of U-shaped members and the two legs of one U-shaped member of the other pair of U-shaped members do not interfere with each other. The two legs are welded in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate so that the surface including the U-shape is inclined with respect to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate in the direction opposite to the one U-shaped member. By connecting the torsion ring to each of the four U-shaped members of the connection mechanism, a chain formed by connecting a plurality of the torsion rings is connected so as to intersect via the connection mechanism. characterized in that was.
[0009]
Further, in a chain in which a plurality of torsion rings in which the surface directions of the hook portion on one end side and the hook portion on the other end side are orthogonal to each other are connected to each other in three directions through a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism includes three U-shaped members and a connecting plate having a thickness smaller than the interval between the two legs of the U-shaped member, and the three U-shaped members each have two legs. A pair of U-shaped members are opposed to the connecting plate and the other U-shaped member is orthogonal to the pair of U-shaped members, and the connecting plate is arranged from three directions, One U-shaped member of the pair of U-shaped members facing each other has its two legs sandwiching the connecting plate from the front and back surfaces, and the surface including the U-shape is inclined with respect to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate The two legs are welded in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate, and the other of the pair of U-shaped members The U-shaped member is such that its two legs sandwich the connecting plate from the front and back surfaces and does not interfere with the two legs of the one U-shaped member. Two legs are welded in a state where they are in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate so as to incline in the opposite direction to the one U-shaped member with respect to the front and back surfaces, and the other U-shaped member is The two legs do not interfere with the two legs of the pair of U-shaped members so that the connecting plate is sandwiched from the front and back surfaces, and the surface including the U-shape is opposed to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate. The two legs are welded in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate, and the twist ring is connected to each of the three U-shaped members of the connecting mechanism. A chain formed by connecting a plurality of torsion rings is connected so as to intersect with each other via the connecting mechanism. And features.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the chain according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a tire chain 10 which is an embodiment of a chain according to the present invention. The tire chain 10 of the present embodiment is installed at regular intervals with respect to the longitudinal direction of the two guide chains 12 that are attached along both side surfaces of the tire at the time of mounting and the parallel guide chains 12, and the tire chain 10 is mounted at the time of mounting. A cross chain 14 attached in the width direction of the tread surface and a support chain 16 attached between the two guide chains 12 so as to cross the cross chain 14 in parallel with the guide chain 12 are provided.
[0011]
As in the conventional tire chain 100, the chain uses an O-type chain for the guide chain 12 and uses a twisted chain for the cross chain 14 and the support chain 16. The guide chain 12 and the cross chain 14 are connected by a connector 22 shown in FIG.
And in this embodiment, the cross chain 14 and the support chain 16 are connected by the following connection mechanisms in the crossing part.
[0012]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a coupling mechanism between the cross chain 14 and the support chain 16. FIG. 2A shows the assembled state of the connecting member, and FIG. 2B shows the connected state.
As shown in FIG. 2A, in this embodiment, a U-shaped member 28 formed in a U shape by dividing each torsion ring 20 at a midway position at a portion where the cross chain 14 and the support chain 16 intersect. The connecting plate 26 formed in a substantially square shape is arranged and assembled in the middle of the U-shaped members 28 arranged so that the open sides face each other. Then, the U-shaped member 28 disposed in four directions so as to surround the connecting plate 26, connecting the cross chain 14 and support chain 16 in a cross state to the connecting plate 26 so as to respectively sandwich the connecting plate 26 by a child welded can do.
[0013]
A procedure for attaching the U-shaped member 28 and the connecting plate 26 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the U-shaped member 28a is inserted from one side of the connecting plate 26 so that the two pins (foot portions) of the U-shaped member 28a sandwich the connecting plate 26 in the thickness direction. Weld each pin to the surface. Thereby, as shown in the side view, the U-shaped member 28a is attached in a state inclined with respect to the surface of the connecting plate 26 (FIG. 3A).
This attachment operation is performed with the U-shaped member 28a engaged with a chain made of a torsion ring, and the end face of the connecting plate 26 in a state where the U-shaped member 28a is connected to the connecting plate 26 and the U-shaped member 28a. Between the bent portions 29 is an empty space 30 in which the torsion ring 20 constituting the chain is accommodated.
[0014]
Next, the second U-shaped member 28b is attached so as to be inserted into the connecting plate 26 so as to face the U-shaped member 28a (FIG. 3B). The U-shaped member 28b is attached such that the arrangement of the pins of the U-shaped member 28b with respect to the connecting plate 26 is alternate with respect to the pin arrangement of the U-shaped member 28a. Thereby, as shown in the side view of FIG.3 (b), the surface direction of the U-shaped member 28a and the surface direction of the U-shaped member 28b cross | intersect. In the present embodiment, the thickness of the connecting plate 26 is set so that the difference in the inclination angle in the surface direction between the U-shaped member 28a and the U-shaped member 28b is about 90 degrees.
[0015]
Thereafter, the third U-shaped member 28 c is inserted from the side portion of the connecting plate 26. The pins of the U-shaped member 28c are inserted so that each pin is twisted with respect to the pins of the adjacent U-shaped member, and are welded and attached so as to sandwich the connecting plate 26 (FIG. 3C). ). The U-shaped member 28a and the U-shaped member 28b that are already welded and fixed to the connecting plate 26 have a space for inserting the pin of the U-shaped member 28c in the pin tip portion rather than the edge of the connecting plate 26. Since the U-shaped member 28c is attached, the U-shaped member 28c may be attached by inserting a pin into an empty portion between the edge of the connecting plate 26 and the tips of the pins of the U-shaped members 28a and 28b.
[0016]
Finally, a fourth U-shaped member 28d is attached at a position facing the U-shaped member 28c (FIG. 3 (d)). The U-shaped member 28d may be attached so that the U-shaped member 28c and the pin arrangement are alternately arranged and inserted into the connecting plate 26, similarly to the arrangement relationship of the U-shaped member 28a and the U-shaped member 28b.
[0017]
The connecting plate 26 to which the U-shaped member 28 (28a to 28d) is attached is formed so that one side has substantially the same length as the width interval of the U-shaped member 28. Thus, by making the width interval of the U-shaped member 28 and the length of the side of the connecting plate 26 substantially the same length, the chain is engaged between the U-shaped member 28 and the side edge portion of the connecting plate 26. Space can be secured and the most compact connection structure can be obtained.
[0018]
As described above, in the coupling mechanism of the present invention, the pins of the U-shaped member 28 are attached in such a manner that the coupling plates 26 are alternately sandwiched, so that the pins of the U-shaped member 28 do not interfere with each other and the coupling plate 26 Can be attached to the unit. As a result, the connecting portion of the chain can be provided with substantially the same thickness as the torsion ring 20, and even when the chain is mounted on the tire, the load does not concentrate on the connecting mechanism by hitting the tire flat.
[0019]
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the tire chain 10 having the coupling mechanism coupled as described above. As shown in the figure, the crossing portion between the cross chain 14 and the support chain 16 is connected by the connecting mechanism described above. By adopting the configuration of the coupling mechanism described above, the chain rings can be formed as they are as they are without crossing or interfering with the torsion rings 20 at the intersection. Since the cross chain 14 and the support chain 16 are connected to each other in a cross shape, the support chain 16 can be attached flatly along the tire tread surface over the entire circumference of the tire tread surface. The vertical vibration when traveling with the vehicle mounted can be reduced as compared with the prior art.
Further, in the present embodiment, the difference in the inclination angle of the U-shaped member 28 attached to the position where the connecting plate 26 faces is provided at about 90 degrees, so that the torsion ring 20 is provided continuously through the connecting mechanism. Even in such a case, the twist ring 20 can be continuously provided while being kept in a certain direction, and the appearance of the chain can be improved.
[0020]
In the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the case where the chain crosses the cross. For example, the twisted ring 20 is used for the guide chain 12 shown in FIG. 1, and the connection between the guide chain 12 and the cross chain 14 is performed as described above. It is also possible to connect to the T-shape by a mechanism. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3C, a U-shaped member 28 is welded and attached to the connecting plate 26 from three directions, and the chain body of the torsion ring 20 is locked to each of the three U-shaped members 28. Can be connected in a T-shape.
[0021]
Next, an example in which the above-described coupling mechanism is used for a detachable portion for detaching the chain from the tire will be described with reference to FIG. This detachable portion is not necessary when the support chain 106 is not formed over the entire circumference of the tread surface of the tire as in the conventional tire chain shown in FIG. 6, but as shown in the present embodiment, the support chain 106 is not required. This is necessary when the chain 16 is provided circumferentially.
FIG. 5A shows an assembled state in which the detachable portion is formed by the coupling mechanism, and FIG. 5B shows a state in which the detachable portion is assembled. As shown in the figure, this desorption mechanism is a modification of the coupling mechanism shown in FIG. That is, the U-shaped member 28 is attached to the connecting plate 26 by welding from three directions, and the demounting mechanism portion is provided in the remaining one direction.
[0022]
This detachable mechanism portion is attached by welding a pin 34 provided with a ring portion 36 to a side portion of the connecting plate 26 to which the U-shaped member 28 is not attached, and a bolt 38 is inserted into the ring portion 36 so that a nut 40 is inserted. It is provided so as to be fixed. Accordingly, the bolt 38 can be easily connected by locking and fixing the twist ring at the end of the chain.
As described above, since the U-shaped member and the pin 34 are alternately welded and fixed to the connecting plate 26 in the chain desorption mechanism, the desorption mechanism is also in a flat shape, facilitating the desorption operation and suppressing vibrations and the like. It is done.
[0023]
Note that the U-shaped member 28 used in the connection configuration is not limited to the case where the torsion ring 20 is used while being divided at an intermediate position, and a member formed simply in a U-shape may be used. . Also, the shape of the connecting plate is not particularly limited to a square shape, and may be a rectangular shape or a circular shape.
Moreover, the chain of the present invention is not limited to use for tire chains, but may be used for other purposes.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
In the chain according to the present invention, a chain formed by connecting a plurality of torsion rings is connected by the connecting mechanism so that the intersection is fixed. In addition, since the coupling mechanism can be formed flat with the same thickness as that of the torsion ring, when the chain is used as a tire chain, the tire can be fitted to the tire.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a tire chain which is an embodiment of a chain according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an assembled state and a connected state of a chain connecting mechanism.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an assembling procedure of a connecting mechanism according to the present invention.
4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the tire chain shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an assembled state of a connecting mechanism including a chain attaching / detaching mechanism and an assembled state of an attaching / detaching portion;
FIG. 6 is a partial view showing a configuration of a conventional tire chain.
FIG. 7 is a plan view, a front view, and a side view showing a configuration of a twist ring.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Tire chain 12 Guide chain 14 Cross chain 16 Support chain 20 Torsion ring 26 Connecting plate 28 U-shaped member

Claims (2)

A chain formed by connecting a plurality of torsion rings in which the hook portions on one end side and the hook portion on the other end side are orthogonal to each other is connected in four directions so as to intersect with each other via a connecting mechanism .
The coupling mechanism is
Having four U-shaped members and a connecting plate having a thickness smaller than the distance between the two legs of the U-shaped member;
Four U-shaped members are arranged with the two legs facing the connecting plate and sandwiching the connecting plate from all sides.
One U-shaped member of one pair of U-shaped members facing each other has its two legs sandwiching the connecting plate from the front and back surfaces, and the surface including the U-shape is opposite to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate. So that the two legs are in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate,
The other U-shaped member of the one pair of U-shaped members interferes with the two legs of the one U-shaped member so that the two legs sandwich the connecting plate from the front and back surfaces. The two feet are in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate so that the surface including the U-shape is inclined in the opposite direction to the one U-shaped member with respect to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate. Welded with
One U-shaped member of the other pair of U-shaped members facing each other is arranged so that the two legs do not interfere with the two legs of the one pair of U-shaped members. Two legs are welded in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate so that the surfaces including the U-shape are inclined with respect to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate so as to be sandwiched from the front and back surfaces,
The other U-shaped member of the other pair of U-shaped members has two legs sandwiching the connecting plate from the front and back surfaces, and each of the two U-shaped members of the one pair of U-shaped members. The one U-shaped member includes a U-shaped surface with respect to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate so as not to interfere with two legs of one U-shaped member of the leg and the other pair of U-shaped members. The two legs are welded with the two legs in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate so as to incline in the opposite direction.
By connecting the torsion ring to each of the four U-shaped members of the connection mechanism, a chain formed by connecting a plurality of the torsion rings is connected so as to intersect via the connection mechanism. A characteristic chain. A chain formed by connecting a plurality of torsion rings in which the surface directions of the hook portion on the one end side and the hook portion on the other end side are orthogonal to each other is connected through the connection mechanism so as to intersect in three directions .
The coupling mechanism is
Having three U-shaped members and a connecting plate having a thickness smaller than the distance between the two legs of the U-shaped member;
Three U-shaped members are arranged so that each of the two legs faces the connecting plate and the pair of U-shaped members are opposed to each other, and the other U-shaped member is orthogonal to the pair of U-shaped members. And sandwiching the connecting plate from three directions,
One U-shaped member of the pair of U-shaped members facing each other has its two legs sandwiching the connecting plate from the front and back surfaces, and the surface including the U-shape is opposite to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate. Two feet are welded in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate so as to incline,
The other U-shaped member of the pair of U-shaped members has its two legs sandwiching the connecting plate from the front and back surfaces and does not interfere with the two legs of the one U-shaped member. In addition, welding is performed with the two feet in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate so that the surface including the U-shape is inclined in the direction opposite to the one U-shaped member with respect to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate. And
The other U-shaped member includes a U-shape so that the two legs do not interfere with the two legs of the pair of U-shaped members so as to sandwich the connecting plate from the front and back surfaces. The two legs are welded in a state where they are in contact with the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate so that the surface is inclined with respect to the front and back surfaces of the connecting plate,
A chain formed by connecting a plurality of the torsion rings is connected to each of the three U-shaped members of the connection mechanism so as to intersect with each other through the connection mechanism. And chain.

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