WO2002087906A1 - A device for installing snow chains - Google Patents

A device for installing snow chains Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002087906A1
WO2002087906A1 PCT/FI2002/000321 FI0200321W WO02087906A1 WO 2002087906 A1 WO2002087906 A1 WO 2002087906A1 FI 0200321 W FI0200321 W FI 0200321W WO 02087906 A1 WO02087906 A1 WO 02087906A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
snow chain
vehicle
fitting
tyre
snow
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2002/000321
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Reijo Kankainen
Original Assignee
Reijo Kankainen
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Reijo Kankainen filed Critical Reijo Kankainen
Publication of WO2002087906A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002087906A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C27/00—Non-skid devices temporarily attachable to resilient tyres or resiliently-tyred wheels
    • B60C27/06—Non-skid devices temporarily attachable to resilient tyres or resiliently-tyred wheels extending over the complete circumference of the tread, e.g. made of chains or cables
    • B60C27/14—Non-skid devices temporarily attachable to resilient tyres or resiliently-tyred wheels extending over the complete circumference of the tread, e.g. made of chains or cables automatically attachable
    • B60C27/145—Non-skid devices temporarily attachable to resilient tyres or resiliently-tyred wheels extending over the complete circumference of the tread, e.g. made of chains or cables automatically attachable the anti-skid device being wound around the wheel by its rotation from a point connected to the body frame of the vehicle

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for fitting snow chains as defined in the preamble of claim 1, comprising a vertical cylinder, a rotating arm and a fixing bar.
  • Patent specification DE 90 525 004 describes an automatically operating device for improving the friction between a vehicle and the road surface.
  • the device described in the specification is composed of separate plates with spikes, which are mounted on the wheel rim of the vehicle and which, whenever necessary, move from the centre of the rim to the outer periphery of the tyre, onto the tread of the tyre.
  • This device may be considered to involve the drawback of a complex device and of requiring the use of special rims.
  • the use of the rim also requires a link between the rim and the chassis of the vehicle. What is more, the increased friction achieved with separate plates with spikes does not equal the increased friction achieved with conventional snow chains.
  • Patent specification EP 0 714 793 describes an automatically operating device for fitting a snow chain.
  • the automatically operating device for fitting a snow chain described in the specification comprises chain segments mounted radially around an elastic central part at the end of an arm mounted at the bottom of the vehicle. Under slippery weather conditions, the arm rotates in the vicinity of the tyres of the vehicle, so that the chain segments get in-between the tyres and the ground, thus improving friction.
  • This device may be considered to have the problem of the friction characteristics of the individual chains not equalling the friction characteristics of a conventional snow chain, and of the central portion made of an elastic material tending to wear under the abrasion of the tyres of the vehicle and the chain segments.
  • Patent specification EP 0 590 683 describes an automatically operating device for fiting snow chains.
  • the snow chain is located in a separate auxiliary sledge mounted underneath the vehicle.
  • the vehicle is dismantled, so that the snow chain is unwound from the auxiliary carriage and is wound around the tyre of the vehicle.
  • This device may be considered to involve the problem that the use of the fitting device requires the use of a separate auxiliary sledge. It will be necessary to fit the auxiliary sledge separately under the vehicle when slippery road conditions forecast the need of snow chains. Optionally, the auxiliary sledge will have to be trailed behind the vehicle constantly, and in that case it will harm driving.
  • the purpose of this invention is to provide a new automatically operating device for fitting a snow chain, which does not have the drawbacks mentioned above.
  • the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention is characterised by the snow chain being fitted with the following operations: lowering the vertical cylinder from resting position into lower position, turning the rotating arm towards the tyre of the vehicle, fixing the fixing bar to the tyre of the vehicle by means of the rotating arm and reversing the vehicle.
  • the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention is available at once when needed and it is simple to use. It comprises but few wearing components and it has a straightforward design.
  • the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention can be retrofitted in vehicles of many types, especially in lorries. It allows a conventional snow chain with good friction characteristics and resistance to be fitted around the tyre of a vehicle.
  • figure 1 is a lateral view of the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention without any snow chain to be fitted
  • figure 2 is a lateral view of the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention with a snow chain to be fitted
  • figure 3 is a top view of the mounting arm of the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention when fixed to the tyre of a vehicle
  • figure 4 is a top view of the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention.
  • figure 5 is a front view of the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention without the mounting arm.
  • the device for fitting a snow chain of the preferred embodiment of the invention can be used whenever needed, when it can be seen that the holding of the tyres of the vehicle is insufficient for driving uphill, for instance.
  • the device for fitting a snow chain is activated from within the vehicle, and the snow chain is automatically fitted on the tyres of the vehicle.
  • the device for fitting a snow chain is fitted on the chassis 5 of the vehicle by means of a slide rail 14 and a slide 15.
  • the device for fitting a snow chain is fitted so as to be located in front of the tyre 4 at a distance such that the rotating arm is rotated over a sufficient distance on the tyre.
  • the vertical cylinder 1 of the fitting device and the rotating arm 2 are in rest positions, with the vertical cylinder 1 in upper position and the rotating arm 2 in vertical position.
  • the vertical cylinder 1 is first lowered into lower position, and then the rotating arm 2 is turned towards the tyre 4 of the vehicle about the articulation 6.
  • the rotating arm 2 is rotated until the fixing arm 3 suspended from the suspension loop 8 of the suspension plate 12 at the end of the rotating arm settles against the tyre 4.
  • the grip springs 9 of the fixing bar settle on both sides of the twin tyres and into the gap between the tyres, while being pressed against the walls of the tyre 4.
  • the fixing bar will remain in engagement with the tyre.
  • the snow chain 7 to be fixed around the tyre 4 of the vehicle is fixed at one end to hooks 10 provided at the ends of the fixing bar 3 and at the other end to hooks 11 provided at the ends of the transverse cylinders 13 located in the horizontal portion of the rotating arm 2.
  • the portion between the ends of the snow chain 7 is folded so as to be suspended from the hooks 11 in transport position.
  • the rotating arm 2 When the fixing bar 3 has been fixed to the tyre 4 of the vehicle, the rotating arm 2 is turned away from the tyre 4 of the vehicle in order to ensure free rotation of the tyre.
  • the transverse cylinders 13 of the horizontal portion of the rotating arm 2 are extended in order to spread the snow chain over the tread of the tyre 4.
  • the vehicle is reversed in order to wind the snow chain around the tyre.
  • the vehicle When the snow chain 7 has been completely wound around the tyre 4, the vehicle is stopped and the ends of the snow chain are released from the suspension hooks 10 and 11.
  • the fixing bar 3 is released from the tyre 4 of the vehicle, and the ends of the snow chain 7 are joined.
  • the fixing bar 3 is returned by fixing it in position on the suspension plate 12 suspended from the suspension loop 8, and after this the vehicle is ready to go on travelling.
  • the ends of the snow chain 7 are disconnected from each other and the vehicle is shifted in any direction in order to unwind the snow chain from the tyre 4 of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle is stopped and the snow chain is put aside for suspension.
  • the suspension of the snow chain with a view to transport can be facilitated by sliding the fitting device of the snow chain on a slide rail 14 away from the vehicle chassis 5.
  • One end of the snow chain 7 is first fixed to suspension chains 10 provided at the end of the rotating arm. After this, the snow chain 7 is folded so as to be suspended from the suspension hooks 10, and finally the other end of the snow chain is fixed to suspension hooks 11 located at the ends of the fixing bar 3. After this, the device for fitting the snow chain is slided back towards the vehicle chassis 5.
  • the fitting device can be used not only in vehicles equipped with twin tyres but also in vehicles equipped with ordinary tyres.

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for fitting snow chains, comprising a vertical cylinder (1), a rotating arm (2) and a fixing bar(3). When road conditions become slippery and when additional holding is needed between the tyre of the vehicle and the road surface, the device for installing snow chains will automatically fit the snow chain (7) around the tyre (4) by means of the vertical cylinder (1), the rotating arm (2) and the fixing bar (3). During transport, the snow chain (7) is fixed to the hooks (10, 11), thus allowing immediate use of the device for fitting snow chains, if needed.

Description

Device for installing snow chains
The invention relates to a device for fitting snow chains as defined in the preamble of claim 1, comprising a vertical cylinder, a rotating arm and a fixing bar.
Vehicles equipped with tyres without studs frequently get problems due to inadequate road holding when road conditions suddenly become icy or slippery. It may be impossible for the vehicle to rise steeply uphill, for instance, or on a road inclined in any direction, the vehicle tends to slide off the roadway.
To improve the holding, efforts have been made to increase the friction between the vehicle and the road surface. Various known methods for increasing friction comprise dropping of the air pressure in the tyres of the vehicle and separate snow chains or corresponding means for increasing friction mounted on the tyres of the vehicle.
Reducing the air pressure of the tyres involves problems, because as the conditions improve again, it may be impossible to restore higher air pressure. When the air pressure of the tyres is appreciably lower than normal, the roadholding of the vehicle will suffer, resulting in uneconomical driving.
On the other hand, the fitting of snow chains is awkward, and especially in larger- sized vehicles such as lorries, the fitting is a tough operation. In addition, snow chains require a separate storage space in the vehicle.
Various means for facilitating the use and the mounting of snow chains and corresponding friction-increasing devices have been developed. Such automated or semi-automated devices are described i.a. in patent specifications DE 19 525 004, EP O 714 793 and EP O 590 683.
Patent specification DE 90 525 004 describes an automatically operating device for improving the friction between a vehicle and the road surface. The device described in the specification is composed of separate plates with spikes, which are mounted on the wheel rim of the vehicle and which, whenever necessary, move from the centre of the rim to the outer periphery of the tyre, onto the tread of the tyre. This device may be considered to involve the drawback of a complex device and of requiring the use of special rims. For the device to be controlled also from within the vehicle, the use of the rim also requires a link between the rim and the chassis of the vehicle. What is more, the increased friction achieved with separate plates with spikes does not equal the increased friction achieved with conventional snow chains.
Patent specification EP 0 714 793 describes an automatically operating device for fitting a snow chain. The automatically operating device for fitting a snow chain described in the specification comprises chain segments mounted radially around an elastic central part at the end of an arm mounted at the bottom of the vehicle. Under slippery weather conditions, the arm rotates in the vicinity of the tyres of the vehicle, so that the chain segments get in-between the tyres and the ground, thus improving friction.
This device may be considered to have the problem of the friction characteristics of the individual chains not equalling the friction characteristics of a conventional snow chain, and of the central portion made of an elastic material tending to wear under the abrasion of the tyres of the vehicle and the chain segments.
Patent specification EP 0 590 683 describes an automatically operating device for fiting snow chains. In the automatically operating device four fitting snow chains of the specification, the snow chain is located in a separate auxiliary sledge mounted underneath the vehicle. When the snow chains are needed, the vehicle is dismantled, so that the snow chain is unwound from the auxiliary carriage and is wound around the tyre of the vehicle.
This device may be considered to involve the problem that the use of the fitting device requires the use of a separate auxiliary sledge. It will be necessary to fit the auxiliary sledge separately under the vehicle when slippery road conditions forecast the need of snow chains. Optionally, the auxiliary sledge will have to be trailed behind the vehicle constantly, and in that case it will harm driving.
The purpose of this invention is to provide a new automatically operating device for fitting a snow chain, which does not have the drawbacks mentioned above.
To achieve this, the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention is characterised by the snow chain being fitted with the following operations: lowering the vertical cylinder from resting position into lower position, turning the rotating arm towards the tyre of the vehicle, fixing the fixing bar to the tyre of the vehicle by means of the rotating arm and reversing the vehicle.
The preferred embodiments of the invention are characterised by the features defined in the dependent claims.
The device for fitting a snow chain of the invention is available at once when needed and it is simple to use. It comprises but few wearing components and it has a straightforward design.
In addition, the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention can be retrofitted in vehicles of many types, especially in lorries. It allows a conventional snow chain with good friction characteristics and resistance to be fitted around the tyre of a vehicle.
The invention is described below with the aid of an example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
figure 1 is a lateral view of the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention without any snow chain to be fitted,
figure 2 is a lateral view of the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention with a snow chain to be fitted,
figure 3 is a top view of the mounting arm of the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention when fixed to the tyre of a vehicle,
figure 4 is a top view of the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention, and
figure 5 is a front view of the device for fitting a snow chain of the invention without the mounting arm.
The device for fitting a snow chain of the preferred embodiment of the invention can be used whenever needed, when it can be seen that the holding of the tyres of the vehicle is insufficient for driving uphill, for instance. The device for fitting a snow chain is activated from within the vehicle, and the snow chain is automatically fitted on the tyres of the vehicle. The device for fitting a snow chain is fitted on the chassis 5 of the vehicle by means of a slide rail 14 and a slide 15. The device for fitting a snow chain is fitted so as to be located in front of the tyre 4 at a distance such that the rotating arm is rotated over a sufficient distance on the tyre.
At the start of the fitting of the snow chain, the vertical cylinder 1 of the fitting device and the rotating arm 2 are in rest positions, with the vertical cylinder 1 in upper position and the rotating arm 2 in vertical position. As the driver activates the fitting of the snow chains, the vertical cylinder 1 is first lowered into lower position, and then the rotating arm 2 is turned towards the tyre 4 of the vehicle about the articulation 6.
The rotating arm 2 is rotated until the fixing arm 3 suspended from the suspension loop 8 of the suspension plate 12 at the end of the rotating arm settles against the tyre 4.
As the rotating arm 2 presses the fixing bar 3 against the tyre 4, the grip springs 9 of the fixing bar settle on both sides of the twin tyres and into the gap between the tyres, while being pressed against the walls of the tyre 4. As the vehicle is reversed and the fixing bar is released from the suspension plate, the fixing bar will remain in engagement with the tyre.
The snow chain 7 to be fixed around the tyre 4 of the vehicle is fixed at one end to hooks 10 provided at the ends of the fixing bar 3 and at the other end to hooks 11 provided at the ends of the transverse cylinders 13 located in the horizontal portion of the rotating arm 2. The portion between the ends of the snow chain 7 is folded so as to be suspended from the hooks 11 in transport position.
When the fixing bar 3 has been fixed to the tyre 4 of the vehicle, the rotating arm 2 is turned away from the tyre 4 of the vehicle in order to ensure free rotation of the tyre. For the snow chain 7 to fit well around the tyre 4, the transverse cylinders 13 of the horizontal portion of the rotating arm 2 are extended in order to spread the snow chain over the tread of the tyre 4. After this, the vehicle is reversed in order to wind the snow chain around the tyre.
When the snow chain 7 has been completely wound around the tyre 4, the vehicle is stopped and the ends of the snow chain are released from the suspension hooks 10 and 11. The fixing bar 3 is released from the tyre 4 of the vehicle, and the ends of the snow chain 7 are joined. The fixing bar 3 is returned by fixing it in position on the suspension plate 12 suspended from the suspension loop 8, and after this the vehicle is ready to go on travelling.
When the snow chains are no longer used, the ends of the snow chain 7 are disconnected from each other and the vehicle is shifted in any direction in order to unwind the snow chain from the tyre 4 of the vehicle. When the snow chain 7 has been unwound from the tyre, the vehicle is stopped and the snow chain is put aside for suspension.
The suspension of the snow chain with a view to transport can be facilitated by sliding the fitting device of the snow chain on a slide rail 14 away from the vehicle chassis 5. One end of the snow chain 7 is first fixed to suspension chains 10 provided at the end of the rotating arm. After this, the snow chain 7 is folded so as to be suspended from the suspension hooks 10, and finally the other end of the snow chain is fixed to suspension hooks 11 located at the ends of the fixing bar 3. After this, the device for fitting the snow chain is slided back towards the vehicle chassis 5.
It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to the description above, but may vary within the scope of the following claims. Thus, for instance, the fitting device can be used not only in vehicles equipped with twin tyres but also in vehicles equipped with ordinary tyres.

Claims

Claims
1. A device for fitting a snow chain comprising a vertical cylinder (1), a rotating arm (2) and a fixing bar (3), characterised in that the snow chain (7) is fitted by lowering the vertical cylinder (1) from rest position into lower position, by turning the rotating arm (2) towards the tyre (4) of the vehicle, by fixing the fixing bar (3) with the aid of the rotating arm (2) to the tyre (4) of the vehicle and by reversing the vehicle.
2. A device for fitting a snow chain as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the fixing bar (3) engages the tyre (4) of the vehicle by means of grip springs (9).
3. A device for fitting a snow chain as defined in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the snow chain (7) is fixed to suspension hooks (10, 11) of the fixing bar (3) and horizontal cylinders (13).
4. A device for fitting a snow chain as defined in claims 1-3, characterised in that the fixing bar (3) is released from the suspension plate (12) as the vehicle is being reversed.
5. A device for fitting a snow chain as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the horizontal cylinders (13) spread the snow chain (7) over the tread of the tyre (4).
6. A device for fitting a snow chain as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fitting device slides away from the vehicle chassis (5) on a slide rail (14) for attachment of the snow chain (7) in transport position.
7. A device for fitting a snow chain as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the snow chain (7) and the fixing bar (3) are fixed to the rotating arm (2) during transport.
PCT/FI2002/000321 2001-04-18 2002-04-17 A device for installing snow chains WO2002087906A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI20010794A FI116372B (en) 2001-04-18 2001-04-18 Snow chain mounting
FI20010794 2001-04-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002087906A1 true WO2002087906A1 (en) 2002-11-07

Family

ID=8561002

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FI2002/000321 WO2002087906A1 (en) 2001-04-18 2002-04-17 A device for installing snow chains

Country Status (2)

Country Link
FI (1) FI116372B (en)
WO (1) WO2002087906A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012123602A1 (en) * 2011-03-11 2012-09-20 Save-Dummy, S.L. Device incorporated permanently into a motor vehicle for automatic mounting of non-slip accessories
CN103671795A (en) * 2013-12-12 2014-03-26 陈瑜秋 Reeling and unreeling system of chain
CN111645464A (en) * 2020-05-24 2020-09-11 秦皇岛市大象轮胎有限公司 Automatic mounting device for tire anti-skid chains

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1376771A (en) * 1920-05-08 1921-05-03 Henry C Janzen Automatic antiskid-chain placer and remover
US1763906A (en) * 1926-11-13 1930-06-17 William D Thompson Tire-chain-applying device
US2033115A (en) * 1934-12-27 1936-03-10 George W Boettner Tire chain applier for vehicles
US2566396A (en) * 1949-05-26 1951-09-04 James D Andrews Skid chain applier and remover
EP0590683A1 (en) * 1992-10-01 1994-04-06 Konrad Reiber Method and device for attaching an anti-skid chain, especially to vehicle tyres

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1376771A (en) * 1920-05-08 1921-05-03 Henry C Janzen Automatic antiskid-chain placer and remover
US1763906A (en) * 1926-11-13 1930-06-17 William D Thompson Tire-chain-applying device
US2033115A (en) * 1934-12-27 1936-03-10 George W Boettner Tire chain applier for vehicles
US2566396A (en) * 1949-05-26 1951-09-04 James D Andrews Skid chain applier and remover
EP0590683A1 (en) * 1992-10-01 1994-04-06 Konrad Reiber Method and device for attaching an anti-skid chain, especially to vehicle tyres

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012123602A1 (en) * 2011-03-11 2012-09-20 Save-Dummy, S.L. Device incorporated permanently into a motor vehicle for automatic mounting of non-slip accessories
CN103671795A (en) * 2013-12-12 2014-03-26 陈瑜秋 Reeling and unreeling system of chain
CN103671795B (en) * 2013-12-12 2016-03-02 陈瑜秋 A kind of extension and retraction system of chain
CN111645464A (en) * 2020-05-24 2020-09-11 秦皇岛市大象轮胎有限公司 Automatic mounting device for tire anti-skid chains

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI20010794A0 (en) 2001-04-18
FI20010794A (en) 2002-10-19
FI116372B (en) 2005-11-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7232138B2 (en) Wheel-Dolly for vehicle towing and recovery
US4299310A (en) Anti-skid device for motor vehicles
CN107618322A (en) A kind of false wheel escape machine of automobile tire
CN205468291U (en) Car antiskid boots
AU2011312935B2 (en) An apparatus for preventing the skidding of a vehicle provided with wheels
KR100526439B1 (en) Preventing device of sliding for vehicle
WO2002087906A1 (en) A device for installing snow chains
CN212313707U (en) Ventral lifting anti-skid crawler device for wheeled motor vehicle
US5439076A (en) Emergency brake device for trucks and the like
CN107953734A (en) Antiskid chain
US4387930A (en) Vehicle traction device
US2767809A (en) Anti-skid device for automobiles
US20080236437A1 (en) Axle Suspension System For Trucks
CN1847037A (en) Double function motor vehicle with both tyre and crawler
CN209921280U (en) Antiskid and anti-collision device for passenger car
JP4753140B2 (en) Wheel equipment grounding condition control device
CN201304867Y (en) Antiskid device for motor vehicle
CN214397000U (en) Wheel is with adding hanging cross-country track system
US4246691A (en) Traction device
CN209920931U (en) Anti-slip device for tire of snowfield running vehicle
CN2647621Y (en) Vehicle antisliding device
CN211335409U (en) Antiskid tyre
US2622702A (en) Automobile traction device
CN217203819U (en) Snow pushing vehicle
CN2259312Y (en) Non-skid device for vehicle

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP