WO2007011090A1

WO2007011090A1 - A snow chain

Info

Publication number: WO2007011090A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002467
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yun Hyang Cho
Original assignee: Ci Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-07-22
Filing date: 2005-07-29
Publication date: 2007-01-25
Also published as: KR200398853Y1

Abstract

The present invention is to provide a snow chain in which comprises a chain fixing body (100); a chain main body (200) which includes an inner case (210) in which a plurality of sliding grooves is formed, an outer case (220) in which a seating member is formed at the portion, a plurality of sliding members (230) slidably mounted between the sliding groove and the groove cover member, a plurality of sliding prevention members (240) in which each end is rotatably combined on the sliding member and spikes are combined with a constant distance to the other end curved, and a sliding member driving member (250) for moving the sliding member forward and backward; a chain fixing member (300) which comprises a chain fixing plate (310) and the fixing state of the chain body is maintained or cancelled, a fixing plate control member (320) which is moved backward by an external force and forward by an elastic force of a spring.

Description

A SNOW CHAIN

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a snow chain and more particularly to a snow chain in which it can be jointed and disjointed easily, the noise during running a car is reduced, a sense of boarding is enhanced, a good compatibleness is provided, it can be applied to various sizes of tires, its appearance is good, and a driving ring and a connection bracket are combined more firmly, so that when mounting the snow chain, a car with the snow chain can run safely on a snowy road or an icy road. Background Art

[2] Generally, a snow chain is mounted to a car in winter season for traveling on a snowy road or an icy road. The snow chain includes two longitudinal members which is mounted to the distance corresponding to the width of tires of the car and has a length corresponding to the circumference of the tire and a connection member which is connected between the longitudinal members with a constant distance and has plural sliding preventive pieces such as a polygonal shape roller.

[3]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] And, the longitudinal member and the connection member are comprised of a wire or an iron chain. This snow chain manufactured by a wire or an iron chain generates a heavy friction sound when contacting with ground and therefore, the sense of boarding is deteriorated. Also, when mounting the snow chain, in case that the wire and iron chain are tangled, it is difficult to assemble the snow chain and the time of assembling is increased. Additionally, when assembling the snow chain, the skin such the palm of the hand may be damaged, therefore, an accident can be occurred.

[5] Accordingly, a conventional snow chain(Korean Utility Model Registration

No.20-0233307, October, 8, 2001) is disclosed: the snow chain is mounted at the side surface of the tire by means of a wheel bolt so that it can be assembled easily. However, there is a disadvantage that since other snow chains corresponding to the size of the tire must be provided, the snow chain is replaced when replacing the tire and a consumer's burden is increased.

[6] Additionally, the appearance of a snow chain with a wire or an iron chain is very poor and the appearance of the snow chain disclosed on the conventional snow chain as described above is also poor because the construction such a wheel nut and a connection member is exposed to the outside, thereby giving a sense of dislike to a consumer. Especially since the new generation is taking a serious view of the appearance of one's own car, the conventional snow chain can not be satisfied the new generation's wishes.

[7]

Technical Solution

[8] To achieve the above objects, there is provided a preferred embodiment of a snow chain which comprises a chain fixing body mounted detachably to a side of a tire and fixed to a wheel by the medium of a subsidiary fixing member fixed to a wheel bolt and including a chain supporting plate having a hooking jaw formed at the circumference of a center hole; a chain main body which includes an inner case in which a plurality of sliding grooves are formed with a constant angle at an edge portion of a plate shape member which is mounted to a position contacted with a side of the chain supporting plate and a hole is formed at the center portion thereof, an outer case in which a groove cover member has a shape, so that a space portion is formed between the groove cover member and the inner case when the groove cover member is combined with the inner case and the sliding groove is closed, a hole is punched at the center portion thereof, and a seating member is formed at the portion which is contacted with the hole, a plurality of sliding members slidably mounted between the sliding groove and the groove cover member, the sliding member which has a rectangular plate shape body in which a rotation guide hole is punched at the center portion thereof, a link combining member combined with a link and a pin is combined to the rear portion of the rectangular plate shape body and guide ribs are formed at the left and right sides of the rectangular plate shape body, a guide groove portion is formed at the edge of the sliding groove of the inner case corresponding to the guide rib so that the guide groove portion is contacted with the bottom surface and the side surface of the guide rib, a rib guiding portion is formed on the groove cover portion of the outer case corresponding to the guide rib so that the rib guide portion is contacted with the upper surface of the guide rib, and a direction control member has a circular plate shape body, is positioned on the rotation guide hole and rotationally combined with the rotation guide hole, the direction control member has a fixing portion inserting hole with a direct line shape which is formed eccentrically thereon so that a fixing portion of the sliding prevention member is inserted into the fixing portion inserting hole, a plurality of sliding prevention members in which each end is rotatably combined on the sliding member and spikes are combined with a constant distance to the other end curved, and a sliding member driving member for moving the sliding member forward and backward so that the sliding prevention member is moved forward and backward; a chain fixing member which comprises a chain fixing plate with a circular plate shape in which in an inside surface of the chain fixing plate, its edge portion of the inside surface is seated with the seating portion of the outer case, a hooking portion having a hooking jaw is protruded on the center portion of the inner surface so that the hooking jaw of the hooking portion is fixed to the hooking jaw of the chain supporting plate and then the chain body including the inner case and the outer case is fixed, and a fixing plate control member which controls the rotation of the chain fixing plate fixed on the chain supporting plate so that the fixing state of the chain body is maintained or cancelled, a fixing plate control member which comprises an operating member formed at the upper end thereof which is moved backward by an external force and forward by an elastic force of a spring so that the operating member is inserted or separated between the hooking jaw of the chain supporting plate, the snow chain further comprises: the sliding member driving member which includes a link in which its end is rotatably combined with the rear end of the sliding member, a connection bracket in which its end is rotatably combined with the other end of the link by a pin, their body is curved with nearly a crank shape and a combining hole is formed on the upper end surface of the body, a driving ring having a ring shape body which has fixing grooves which are formed with a constant angle at the outer circumference of the ring shape body so that the upper end of the connection bracket is inserted and fixed and one or more inserting holes is punched on the upper surface of the ring shape body so that the driving ring is rotatably seated to a seating portion of the outer case, a ring control member which comprises a spring which is inserted into a control pin inserted through the insertion hole of the driving ring and a stop ring fixed to a lower portion of the spring for generating an elastic force, a plurality of pin inserting holes which are formed with a constant distance to the seating portion of the outer case, so that when the driving ring is pivoted with a constant angle by an external force applied to the ring control member, the lower end portion of the control pin is selectively inserted into the pin inserting holes so that the forward or backward state of t he sliding prevention member is maintained by the connection bracket, the link and the sliding member which are linked with the driving ring, and the fixing groove which comprises an inserting groove portion with a 'D' shape side surface formed at the circumference of the driving ring so that an end of the connection bracket is inserted and a combining hole formed at the lower surface of the inserting groove portion so that an end of the connection bracket is inserted and combined by a screw, corresponding to the combining hole of the connection bracket by a screw, a circular arc shape hole which is extended from the upper inside surface of the inserting groove portion, formed at the upper portion of the driving ring and has a width which is wider than that between both sides of the inserting groove portion, and an inside space portion of the driving ring which is communicated with the opened inserting groove portion. [9] Preferably, a metal material is embedded with the inside of the connection bracket the inside of the sliding member, respectively, and the connection bracket body and the sliding member body are encapsulated and formed by a material such as an epoxy resin or a plastic material.

[10]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[11] FlG. 1 is an outlined exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a snow chain according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[12] FlG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a snow chain in detail according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[13] F1G.3 is a view illustrating a snow chain in which a cover member and an outer case are removed in order to explain an operation of the present invention.

[14] FlG. 4 a cross sectional view illustrating a snow chain according to the present invention.

[15] FlG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the bottom surface of a snow chain according to the present invention.

[16] FIGS 6 to 9 are partial enlarged views illustrating a snow chain according to the present invention.

[17] FlG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a snow chain according to the present invention in which only a chain fixing member is mounted.

[18] FlG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting process of a chain body in a snow chain according to the present invention.

[19] FlG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a snow chain according to the present invention in which it s mounting is completed.

[20] FlG. 13 is a cross sectional view with the line A-A of a connection bracket of FlG.

7.

[21] FlG. 14 is a cross sectional view with the line A-A of a sliding member of FlG 7.

[22]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[23] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings.

[24] FlG. 1 is an outlined exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a snow chain according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FlG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a snow chain in detail according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. F1G.3 is a view illustrating a snow chain in which a cover member and an outer case are removed in order to explain an operation of the present invention. FlG. 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating a snow chain according to the present invention. FlG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the bottom surface of a snow chain according to the present invention. FIGS 6 to 9 are partial enlarged views illustrating a snow chain according to the present invention. FlG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a snow chain according to the present invention in which only a chain fixing member is mounted. FlG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting process of a chain body in a snow chain ace ording to the present invention. FlG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a snow chain according to the present invention in which it s mounting is completed. FlG. 13 is a cross sectional view with the line A-A of a connection bracket of FlG. 7. FlG. 14 is a cross sectional view with the line A-A of a sliding member of FlG 7.

[25] Referring to FlG. 1, a snow chain according to the present invention comprises a chain fixing body 100 which is fixed to a wheel by the medium of a subsidiary fixing member 110 fixed to a wheel bolt 10 and has a chain supporting plate 120 having a hooking jaw 122, a chain main body 200 mounted on the chain supporting plate 120 of the chain fixing body 100 for performing a sliding prevention function, and a chain fixing member 300 mounted on an outer center portion of the chain main body 200, so that the chain main body is selectively mounted or demounted to/from the chain supporting plate 120.

[26] Additionally, the subsidiary fixing member 110 comprises a first connection bar

112 with a hexagonal shape which has a screw hole therein so that an end thereof is fixed to a screw portion 12 of the wheel bolt 10, a second connection bar 114 with a hexagonal shape in which a screw portion is protruded at an end thereof so that the screw portion is fixed to the other end of the first connection bar 112 and a screw hole is formed at the inside of the other end thereof, and a fixing bolt 116 which is inserted through a fixing hole 125 of the chain supporting plate 120 and is fixed to the screw hole of the second connection bar 114.

[27] The chain supporting plate 120 is almost a circular shape of plate and has a plurality of fixing holes 125 formed on the body thereof. A fixing bolt 116 of the subsidiary fixing member 110 which is fixed to the wheel bolt 10 mounted to a chassis is inserted into the fixing hole 120, since the mounting positions of the wheel bolt 10 differ according to the kinds of cars, as shown in FlG. 1, the fixing holes are punched at various positions so that they can be applied to various kinds of cars or a plurality of oblong shape holes 124 may be punched toward the circumference thereof.

[28] The chain main body 200, as shown in FIGS 1 and 2, comprises an inner case 210 in which a plurality of sliding grooves 212 are formed with a constant angle at an edge portion of a plate shape member which is mounted to a position contacted with a side of the chain supporting plate 120 and has nearly a petal shape, and a hole 214 is formed at the center portion thereof, an outer case 220 in which a groove cover member 222 has a shape, which is similar to that of the inner case 210, so that a space portion is formed between the groove cover and the inner case when the groove cover is combined with the inner case and the sliding groove 212 is closed, a hole 223 is punched at the center portion thereof, and a seating member 224 formed at the portion which is contacted with the hole 223, a plurality of sliding members 230 slidably mounted between the sliding groove 212 and the groove cover member 222, a plurality of sliding prevention members 240 in which each end is rotatably combined on the sliding member 230 and spikes 242 are combined with a constant distance to the other end curved, and a sliding member driving member 250 for moving the sliding member 230 forward and backward so that the sliding prevention member 240 is moved forward and backward.

[29] Additionally, a plurality of reinforce protrusion members 216 are formed radially and diagonally to the inside surface of the inner case 210, as shown in FlG 6, a plurality of fixing bosses 218 are formed with a constant distance to an edge portion of the inner case 210. The inner case 210 is combined with the outer case 220 by a fixing member(not shown) fixed to the fixing boss 218.

[30] Further, the sliding member 230, as shown in FIGS 6 to 9, has a rectangular plate shape body in which a rotation guide hole 232 is punched at the center portion thereof. A link combining member 234 combined with a link 252 and a pin 251 which will be described, is combined to the rear portion of the rectangular plate shape body and guide ribs 236 are formed at the left and right sides of the rectangular plate shape body. A guide groove portion 212a is formed at the edge of the sliding groove 212 of the inner case 210 corresponding to the guide rib 236 so that the guide groove portion is contacted with the bottom surface 236a and the side surface 236b of the guide rib 236. A rib guiding portion 222a is formed on the groove cover portion 222 of the outer case 220 corresponding to the guide rib 236 so that the rib guide portion 222a is contacted with the upper surface 236c of the guide rib 236. A direction control member 238 has a circular plate shape body, is positioned on the rotation guide hole 232 and rotationally combined with the rotation guide hole 232. Also, the direction control member 238 has a fixing portion inserting hole 238a with a direct line shape which is formed eccentrically thereon so that a fixing portion 244 of the sliding prevention member 240 is inserted into the fixing portion inserting hole 238a.

[31] The sliding prevention member 240, as shown in FlG 9, has nearly a " r shape body. The fixing portion 244 with a hook shape which is inserted into to the fixing portion inserting hole 238a of the direction control member 238 is integrally to an end of the " r" shape body. When the sliding prevention member 260 is mounted to the direction control member 238, the other end thereof is positioned on the upper surface of the tire and divided into two portions by a dividing portion 246. A reinforce protrusion member 248 is formed on the divided upper surface until a curved portion and plural spikes 242 are formed on the reinforce protrusion member 248 corresponding to the upper surface of the tire.

[32] The sliding member driving member 250, as shown in FIGS 2 and 3, includes a link 252 with a direct line shape in which its end is rotatably combined with the rear end of the sliding member, a connection bracket 254 in which its end is rotatably combined with the other end of the link 252 by a pin 251, their body is curved with nearly a crank shape and a combining hole 256 is formed on the upper end surface of the body. A driving ring 256 having a ring shape body has fixing grooves 256a which are formed with a constant angle at the outer circumference of the ring shape body so that the upper end of the connection bracket 254 is inserted and fixed and one or more inserting holes 256b is punched on the upper surface of the ring shape body so that the driving ring is rotatably seated to a seating portion 224 of the outer case 220. A ring control member 258 comprises a spring 258b which is inserted into a control pin 258a inserted through the insertion hole 256b of the driving ring 256 and a stop ring 258c fixed to a lower portion of the spring 258b for generating an elastic force. A plurality of pin inserting holes 259 are formed with a constant distance to the seating portion 254 of the outer case 220, so that when the driving ring 256 is pivoted with a constant angle by an external force applied to the ring control member 258, the lower end portion of the control pin 258a is selectively inserted into the pin inserting holes 259 so that the forward or backward state of the sliding prevention member 240 is maintained by the connection bracket 254, the link 252 and the sliding member 230 which are linked with the driving ring 256.

[33] The fixing groove 256a formed at the driving ring 256, as shown in FlG. 7, comprises an inserting groove portion 256d formed at the circumference of the driving ring so that an end of the connection bracket 254 is inserted and a combining hole 256c formed at the lower surface of the inserting groove portion 256d so that an end of the connection bracket 254 is inserted and combined by a screw, corresponding to the combining hole 256 of the connection bracket 254 by a screw. A reference numeral 256e denotes a circular arc shape hole and is extended from the upper inside surface of the inserting groove portion 256d, is formed at the upper portion of the driving ring 256 and has a width which is wider than that between both sides of the inserting groove portion. A reference numeral 256f denotes an inside space portion of the driving ring 256 which is communicated with the opened inserting groove portion 256d.

[34] On the other hand, as shown in FlG. 2, a pin 251 is mounted so that the link 252, the connection bracket 254 and the sliding member 230 are rotatably combined with each other. The pin 251 comprises a head portion 251a, a combining member 251b which is protruded from the head portion 251a and has an incised portion at its center portion so that a constant elastic force is generated, and a separating prevention guard 251c formed at the upper end thereof.

[35] Additionally, in the distance of the pin inserting holes 259 for insertion or separation of the lower end of the control pin 258a, as shown in FlG 2, since whenever the inserting position of the control pin 258a is moved, the sliding prevention member 240 is moved forward and backward toward a radial direction so that the inner diameter of the sliding prevention member contacted with the outside surface of the tire is changed, a first inserting hole a is formed on the basis of the minimum diameter of tire and then the diameters of other pin inserting holes b, c and d are increased according to the kinds of the tires having increased diameters.

[36] The chain fixing member 300, as shown in FlG 8, comprises a chain fixing plate

310 with a circular plate shape in which in an inside surface of the chain fixing plate 310, its edge portion of the inside surface is seated with the seating portion 224 of the outer case 220, a hooking portion 312 having a hooking jaw 312a is protruded on the center portion of the inner surface so that the hooking jaw 312a of the hooking portion 312 is fixed to the hooking jaw 122 of the chain supporting plate 120 and then the chain body 200 including the inner case 210 and the outer case 220 is fixed. A fixing plate control member 320 controls the rotation of the chain fixing plate 310 fixed on the chain supporting plate 120 so that the fixing state of the chain body 200 is maintained or cancelled. The fixing plate control member 320 comprises an operating member 324 formed at the upper end thereof which is moved backward by an external force and forward by an elastic force of a spring 326 so that the operating member 324 is inserted or separated between the hooking jaw 122 of the chain supporting plate 120.

[37] Additionally, the hooking portion 312 of the chain fixing plate 310 with a penetrating hole is protruded with a cylindrical shape and includes a moving groove 314 formed on the inside circumference thereof so that the fixing plate control member 320 is moved forward and backward, and first and second hooking grooves 316 and 317 formed at the front and rear surfaces of the moving groove 314 so that the distances of the forward and backward movements of the fixing plate control member 320 are controlled and simultaneously the separation of the fixing plate control member 320 is prevented. A protrusion portion 322a of a handle portion 322 is seated at the first hooking groove 316 and both ends of the operating member 324 are seated to the second hooking groove 317.

[38] Additionally, in the fixing plate control member 320, the handle portion 322 has a protrusion portion 322a formed at the outside of nearly a direct line shape rod member, an operating portion 324 is formed at the inside of the direct line shape rod member so that it is moved forward and backward between the hooking jaw 312a of the chain fixing plate 310, and a spring 326 is mounted between the rear surface of the operating portion 324 and the inside of the moving groove 314 so that an elastic force is generated toward the inside of the fixing plate control member 320.

[39] On the other hand, the snow chain, as shown in FlG. 2, includes a cover member

400 with nearly a circular plate shape in which plural elastic fixing pieces 410 with a constant distance are formed at the outer surface thereof. A fixing groove 126 for inserting and fixing the elastic pieces 410 of the cover member are formed at the outer circumference surface of the chain supporting plate 120 so that in the state that the chain main body 200 does not mounted, the surface of the supporting plate 120 fixed to the wheel bolt 10 is not exposed and is closed. The fixing groove 126 for inserting and fixing the elastic pieces 410 of the cover member are formed at the outer circumference surface of the chain supporting plate 120 so that in the state that the chain main body 200 is combined with the chain supporting plate 120, the driving ring 256 and the chain fixing plate 310 combined with the outer case 220 are not exposed and is closed.

[40] An operation of the present invention, as describe above, will be described with reference to FIGS 1 to 12.

[41] When winter comes, the snow chain according to the present invention, can be used at a snowy road or an icy road. As shown in FlG 5, a chain supporting plate 120 is mounted to a wheel bolt 10 of a side of a tire by using a subsidiary fixing member 110 usually, the chain main body 200 is separated and mounted, if necessary.

[42] At this time, since fixing holes 125 are punched on the surface of the chain supporting plate 120 and the subsidiary fixing member 110 is combined, the appearance of the chain supporting plate 120 is poor, the chain supporting plate is closed through the combination of a cover member 400, so that the problem due to the poor appearance can be solved. Additionally, when combining the cover member 400 with the chain supporting plate 120, a compressed force is applied to the inside at the state that an elastic fixing piece 410 of the cover member is coincided with a fixing groove 126 of the chain supporting plate 120 and then the elastic fixing piece 410 is elastically fixed to the fixing groove 126.

[43] After running a car with only the chain support plate 120 and the cover member

400, when the car meets with a snowy road or an icy road at real, as shown in FlG. 6, a cover member 400 is first separated from the chain supporting plate 120, a chain main body 200 in which the size of the sliding prevention member 240 corresponding to the size of the tire of one's own car is controlled and then positioned at the side of the tire. Thereafter, the chain main body 200 is fixed to the side of the tire by using the chain fixing member 300 and then the cover member 400 is fixed to the outer case 220, so that the snow chain mounting is completed as shown in FlG. 7. [44] On the other hand, at the state that the size of the sliding prevention member 240 is set to a specific size, in case that since the size of the tire is changed or the car is changed, a snow chain with other size is required, as shown in FIGS 2 and 3, at the state that the cover member 400 is removed, when both control pins 258a of the driving ring are drawn, since the lower end portion of the control pin 258a inserted to a specific pin inserting hole 259 (for example, the pin inserting hole of the position of the drawing number of "a") is separated from the pin inserting hole a by an elastic force of the spring 258b, the driving ring 256 is freely pivoted, at this state, when an external force is applied to the control pin 258a clockwise, the driving ring 256 is linked and then pivoted clockwise.

[45] When the driving ring 256 is pivoted clockwise, a connection bracket 254 combined with the fixing groove 256a formed at the outer surface of the driving ring is pivoted clockwise and therefore, the lower end of the link 252 combined by the medium of the pin 251 is pivoted counterclockwise, the sliding member 230 combined to the other end of the link 252 is advanced and therefore, the sliding prevention member 240 combined with the sliding member 230 is linked and then advanced.

[46] That is, when the driving ring 256 is rotated clockwise by the control pin 258a, the size of inner diameter(the inner diameter corresponding to "x" of FlG. 4) between the sliding prevention members 240 is increased, so that the snow chain having other size, for example, larger size, is formed. Likewise, in the state that the control pin 258a is rotated so that the inner diameter size of the sliding prevention member 240 corresponding to a specific tire is set, when a compressed force applied to the control pin is removed, the control pin 258a is moved downwardly by an elastic force of the spring 258b and the lower end of the control pin is inserted and fixed to a pin inserting hole(the pin inserting hole of the position of the drawing number of "c" and therefore the driving ring 256 is fixed at the seating portion 224 of the outer case 220 and so that the rotation of the driving ring 256 is impossible.

[47] Conversely, in case that the size of the tire on which the snow chain is to be mounted diminishes, when the control pin 258a is compressed counterclockwise on the contrary to the above described operation and the driving ring 256 is pivoted counterclockwise, since the sliding prevention member 240 is moved backward by the reverse operation of a connection bracket 254, a link 252 and a sliding member 230, the inner diameter of x of the sliding prevention member 240 contacted with the tire is diminished.

[48] Additionally, since the sliding prevention member 240 is combined with the direction control member 238 rotatably combined with the sliding member 230, when mounting the sliding prevention member to the tire, an angle of the sliding prevention member can be changed and then can be mounted easily. Also, since the fixing piece inserting hole 238a of the direction control member 238 is formed eccentrically, when the length of front and rear protrusions of the sliding prevention member 240 is controlled by using the direction control member, the inner diameter of x can be controlled. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, in the state that the direction of the direction control member 238 is positioned at the outside, that is, a position g that the length from the fixing piece inserting hole 238a to the outside circumference is long, when the fixing portion 244 of the sliding prevention member 240 is inserted, the protrusion length of the sliding prevention member 240 is diminished as much as the difference of length of a position f that the length from the fixing piece inserting hole 238a to the outside circumference is short, so that smaller size of tire can be mounted. Conversely, in the state that the direction of the direction control member 238 is rotated with 180 degree and the direction control member 238 is positioned at the outside, that is, the position f that the length from the fixing piece inserting hole 238a to the outside circumference is short, when the fixing portion 244 of the sliding prevention member 240 is inserted, the protrusion length of the sliding prevention member 240 is increased as much as the difference of length of the position g that the length from the fixing piece inserting hole 238a to the outside circumference is long, so that larger size of tire can be mounted.

[49] On the other hand, as described above, when the control of the length of the sliding prevention member 240 is completed so that the snow chain is met to a tire to be mounted, in the state that the chain main body 200 is positioned and mounted to the tire, the hooking jaw 312a of the chain fixing plate 310 is positioned at the space between the hooking portion 122 of the chain supporting plate 120 and then the fixing plate control member 320 is pulled out to the outside, so that the operation member 324 of the fixing plate control member positioned between the hooking portions 122 of the chain supporting plate 120 is moved inwardly. Simultaneously, when the chain fixing plate 310 is pushed and then rotated, the hooking jaw 312a of the chain fixing plate 310 is hooked to the hooking portion 122 of the chain supporting plate 120. At this state, when an external force applied to the fixing plate control member 320 is removed, the fixing plate control member 320 is moved inwardly by an elastic force of the spring 326 and the operation member 324 is inserted between the hooking portions 122 of the chin supporting plate 120, so that the rotation of the chain fixing plate 310 is interrupted and the chain main body 200 is firmly mounted to the chain supporting plate 120.

[50] When the chain main body 200 is combined with the chain supporting plate 120, as shown in FIG. 12, in the state that the elastic fixing piece 410 of the cover member 400 is positioned to the fixing groove 229 of the outer case 220, a compressed force is applied to the inside, the elastic fixing piece 410 is elastically combined with the fixing groove 229 and the cover member 400 is mounted to the outer case 220.

[51] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a metal material 257 is embedded with the inside of the connection bracket 254 and likewise, a metal material 233 is embedded with the inside of the sliding member 320. Metal material 257 and 233 are previously manufactured with shapes which are nearly similar to those of the connection bracket 254 and the sliding member 230 and thereafter, the connection bracket body and the sliding member body are formed by a material(epoxy resin or plastic material). As described above, since the metal material is embedded in the connection bracket 254 and the sliding member 230, the snow chain is firmly and entirely combined.

[52]

Industrial Applicability

[53] As apparent from the above description, the snow chain according to the present invention, there are several advantages as follows. The snow chain is integrally mounted to the side of the tire, not a type that is covered with the outside of the tire and is connected with an iron chain or a wire, so that the snow chain does not be loosed or stripped off. Also, when the snow chain is contacted with the ground, a noise does not occurred, a sense of boarding is enhanced, an assembling is very easy, an assembling time is shortened. A skin damage in the assembling process is prevented, a driving ring and a connection bracket are combined with each other more firmly. By the connection bracket and sliding member having an embedded metal material, the snow chain is combined more firmly.

[54] Additionally, since the inner diameter of the sliding prevention member seated on the running surface of the tire is changed with various sizes, the snow chain has a compatibility, that is, the snow chain can be mounted to various sizes of tires. Accordingly, when the dimension of the tire is changed or a car is changed, since it is unnecessary to purchase another snow chain, a consumer's burden is reduced and waste of resources is prevented.

[55] Further, in the state that the chain supporting plate is fixed to the wheel bolt, in cast that the chain main body does not mounted, since the fixing member is closed through the cover member, the poor appearance portion does not exposed to the outside and therefore, a sense of beauty is increased and a consumer can be satisfied.

[56] Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[57]

Claims

[1] A snow chain which comprises a chain fixing body mounted detachably to a side of a tire and fixed to a wheel by the medium of a subsidiary fixing member fixed to a wheel bolt and including a chain supporting plate having a hooking jaw formed at the circumference of a center hole; a chain main body which includes an inner case in which a plurality of sliding grooves are formed with a constant angle at an edge portion of a plate shape member which is mounted to a position contacted with a side of the chain supporting plate and a hole is formed at the center portion thereof, an outer case in which a groove cover member has a shape, so that a space portion is formed between the groove cover member and the inner case when the groove cover member is combined with the inner case and the sliding groove is closed, a hole is punched at the center portion thereof, and a seating member is formed at the portion which is contacted with the hole, a plurality of sliding members slidably mounted between the sliding groove and the groove cover member, the sliding member which has a rectangular plate shape body in which a rotation guide hole is punched at the center portion thereof, a link combining member combined with a link and a pin is combined to the rear portion of the rectangular plate shape body and guide ribs are formed at the left and right sides of the rectangular plate shape body, a guide groove portion is formed at the edge of the sliding groove of the inner case corresponding to the guide rib so that the guide groove portion is contacted with the bottom surface and the side surface of the guide rib, a rib guiding portion is formed on the groove cover portion of the outer case corresponding to the guide rib so that the rib guide portion is contacted with the upper surface of the guide rib, and a direction control member has a circular plate shape body, is positioned on the rotation guide hole and rotationally combined with the rotation guide hole, the direction control member has a fixing portion inserting hole with a direct line shape which is formed eccentrically thereon so that a fixing portion of the sliding prevention member is inserted into the fixing portion inserting hole, a plurality of sliding prevention members in which each end is rotatably combined on the sliding member and spikes are combined with a constant distance to the other end curved, and a sliding member driving member for moving the sliding member forward and backward so that the sliding prevention member is moved forward and backward; a chain fixing member which comprises a chain fixing plate with a circular plate shape in which in an inside surface of the chain fixing plate, its edge portion of the inside surface is seated with the seating portion of the outer case, a hooking portion having a hooking jaw is protruded on the center portion of the inner surface so that the hooking jaw of the hooking portion is fixed to the hooking jaw of the chain supporting plate and then the chain body including the inner case and the outer case is fixed, and a fixing plate control member which controls the rotation of the chain fixing plate fixed on the chain supporting plate so that the fixing state of the chain body is maintained or cancelled, a fixing plate control member which comprises an operating member formed at the upper end thereof which is moved backward by an external force and forward by an elastic force of a spring so that the operating member is inserted or separated between the hooking jaw of the chain supporting plate, the snow chain further comprising: the sliding member driving member which includes a link in which its end is rotatably combined with the rear end of the sliding member, a connection bracket in which its end is rotatably combined with the other end of the link by a pin, their body is curved with nearly a crank shape and a combining hole is formed on the upper end surface of the body, a driving ring having a ring shape body which has fixing grooves which are formed with a constant angle at the outer circumference of the ring shape body so that the upper end of the connection bracket is inserted and fixed and one or more inserting holes is punched on the upper surface of the ring shape body so that the driving ring is rotatably seated to a seating portion of the outer case, a ring control member which comprises a spring which is inserted into a control pin inserted through the insertion hole of the driving ring and a stop ring fixed to a lower portion of the spring for generating an elastic force, a plurality of pin inserting holes which are formed with a constant distance to the seating portion of the outer case, so that when the driving ring is pivoted with a constant angle by an external force applied to the ring control member, the lower end portion of the control pin is selectively inserted into the pin inserting holes so that the forward or backward state of the sliding prevention member is maintained by the connection bracket, the link and the sliding member which are linked with the driving ring, and the fixing groove which comprises an inserting groove portion with a "D" shape side surface formed at the circumference of the driving ring so that an end of the connection bracket is inserted and a combining hole formed at the lower surface of the inserting groove portion so that an end of the connection bracket is inserted and combined by a screw, corresponding to the combining hole of the connection bracket by a screw, a circular arc shape hole which is extended from the upper inside surface of the inserting groove portion, formed at the upper portion of the driving ring and has a width which is wider than that between both sides of the inserting groove portion, and an inside space portion of the driving ring which is com- municated with the opened inserting groove portion.

[2] The snow chain according to claim 1, wherein a metal material is embedded with the inside of the connection bracket the inside of the sliding member, respectively, and the connection bracket body and the sliding member body are encapsulated and formed by a material such as an epoxy resin or a plastic material.