WO2017042668A1

WO2017042668A1 - Detachable anti-skid mechanism for vehicle wheels

Info

Publication number: WO2017042668A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/055227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Humberto RODRIGUEZ DEL ROSARIO; Carlos Ramon PLAZAOLA ROMARIO; Orlando Melquisided MELGAR MARIN; Mario NG LUO; Eric Alberto SOLANO QUINTERO
Original assignee: Universidad Tecnológica De Panamá
Priority date: 2016-07-19
Filing date: 2016-09-01
Publication date: 2017-03-16

Abstract

A detachable anti-ski mechanism for vehicle wheels comprising a support removably mounted on wheel rim, a selector with recesses, protrusions, a first through hole for rotationally mounting it on the support, and a first locking element defined in first hole. Radial legs are mounted on the support and radially displaceable between a first position, in which the inner end of each leg is housed in the corresponding recess, and a second position in which the inner end is in contact with the corresponding protrusion. A foot, at the outer end of each leg, improves traction in the second position. A switch is provided to select between a first position and the second position, and comprises a rod. The switch allowing the manual rotation of the rod, to drag rotation of the selector and switch between activated and deactivated configurations.

Description

DETACHABLE ANTI-SKID MECHANISM FOR VEHICLE WHEELS

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention may be included within the technical field of transport, in particular transport wheeled vehicles. Within that field, the invention is more related to aspects such as wheel grip and how to enhance this grip.

More specifically, the object of the present invention relates to a detachable anti-skid mechanism to provide greater grip and therefore greater traction to prevent vehicle wheels from skidding on ground with sand, snow or ice, mud, humidity, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known that rubber tires that are part of the wheels of land vehicles slide on icy roads, streets with snow, on sandy ground, moist soil or muddy streets.

Current solutions include mechanisms such as mountable chains or capstans (e.g. winch type), which are complicated and difficult to secure. Some of those solutions relate to mechanisms with fixed radial elements, either welded or threaded; others use expansion elements which are very fragile and low-grip, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention describes a detachable anti-skid mechanism for vehicle wheels, which is intended to be mounted on each of the wheels of a wheeled vehicle, to provide the vehicle with traction, quickly and without lifting the vehicle.

As described below, the mechanism once mounted, can selectively adopt, at the user's will, depending on the circumstances, an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration. Thus, when the vehicle is driving on a roadway with reduced grip (snow, ice, sand, mud, moisture on the roadway), and therefore additional traction is required, the mechanism switches to the activated configuration. Subsequently, when additional traction is no longer needed, it switches back to the deactivated configuration, very quickly, and the mechanism remains installed, and therefore available but without interfering in the normal functioning of the wheels, that is, it does not stop or compromise the turning of the wheels.

In particular, the mechanism of the invention comprises a support which is detachably and coaxially mounted to the rim of each wheel of a vehicle. Mounted to the support are radial legs being radially displaceable between a first position corresponding to a deactivated configuration and a second position corresponding to an activated configuration. In order to move the legs radially, and switch between the first position and the second position, there is a selector provided with a lobulated contour, equipped with alveoli, in which alternating recesses and protrusions are defined. The selector further comprises a through hole for mounting the selector axially on the support, with free axial rotation relative to the support. A first locking element is also defined in the through hole, as detailed later.

The legs are mounted in correspondence with the recesses and protrusions, so that, in the first position, an inner end of each of the legs is housed in its corresponding recess, while in the second position, the inner end remains in contact the corresponding protrusion.

At one end, radially outermost, of each on, a foot is mounted, to provide additional traction in the second position. A switch allows rotation of the selector between the first position and the second position. The switch comprises a rod housed in the hole of the selector, and which in turn comprises a second locking element which, in cooperation with the first selector locking element, locks to cause an integral rotation between the switch and the selector.

The rod, at a first end, is configured to allow manual rotary actuation, e.g. using a hand tool such as a wrench, to in turn drag a rotation of the selector and switch between the activated and deactivated configurations. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description being made and in order to aid a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, attached as an integral part of said description, are a set of drawings wherein, by way of illustration and without limiting the scope of this invention, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a front view of the anti-skid mechanism of the invention, mounted on a wheel, in activated configuration.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the anti-skid mechanism.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged front view of the anti-skid mechanism of Figure 1 , yet in deactivated configuration.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged front view of the distribution of the legs.

Figure 5 shows a front view of the selector. Figure 6 shows a top view of the selector.

Figures 7 A and 7B.- show respective top view (Figure 7A) and front view (Figure 7B) of the locking mechanism. Figures 8A and 8B.- show respective front and rear views of the support.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Presented below, with the aid of the attached figures 1-8B referred to above, is a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a detachable anti-skid mechanism for vehicle wheels, object of the present invention.

The anti-skid mechanism of the invention is intended to be removably / detachably mounted, to the wheels of a vehicle, providing additional traction to a vehicle which is stuck due to the lack of friction with the road surface, for example because the surface has sand, gravel, ice, snow, mud, humidity, etc. In particular, the mechanism is designed to be mounted, even manually, to the outside of the rim (2) of each of the wheels of any wheeled land vehicle. As shown in Figures 1-3, the anti-skid mechanism, attachable to each of the wheels, comprises a support (1), for example circular plate or frame shaped, that is specifically the element which is coaxially mounted to the rim (2) by means of connecting elements (3), such as, usually, bolts, which in particular may be the same bolts used to fix the wheel to its corresponding wheel assembly.

Moreover, it further comprises a selector (4), mounted axially on the support (1), capable of free axial rotation with respect to the support (1), as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and in more detail in figure 5. The selector (4) comprises a lobulated contour defined by alternating recesses (12) and protrusions (13), and preferably distributed regularly. The selector (4) further comprises a first central through hole (14), to be coaxially mounted to the support (1) to the rim (2), and in which a first locking element (15) is defined, whose function is described in detail below. In the example shown in the figures, the first locking element (15) comprises a protuberance invading part of the first hole (14).

The non-skid mechanism further comprises a plurality of legs (5) mounted on the support (1), oriented radially, in correspondence with the recesses (12) and protrusions (13), and radially displaceable with respect to the support (1), alternatively between a first position defining a deactivated configuration (see figure 3) and a second position defining an activated configuration (see figure 1). The number of legs (5) depends on the number of recesses (12) and protrusions (13). In particular, the number of legs (5) is preferably equal to the number of recesses (12) and protrusions (13). In the first position, an inner end of each of the legs (5) is housed in its corresponding recess (12), while in the second position, the inner end remains in contact with the corresponding protrusion (13).

For the axial displacement of the legs (5), first restoring elements (6) can be furthermore available, which provide a restoring force to push the legs (6) towards the first position. In the example shown in the figures, the first restoring elements (6) comprise coil springs, for example axially mounted on the legs (5). At an outer end of each leg (5) there is a foot (11), removably mounted, to provide additional support and traction. In the first position, corresponding to the deactivated configuration, the feet (11) do not project radially relative to the outer perimeter of the wheel. However, in the second position, corresponding with the activated configuration, the feet (1 1) project outwardly, so they can provide the referred additional drive force. The feet (1 1) are preferably interchangeable, which allows the use of feet (1 1) adapted in geometry and material(s), to the particular conditions of the terrain (mud, sand, snow, ice, etc.)

The anti-skid mechanism further comprises a switch (7) serving to rotationally displace the selector (4) so that the legs (5) switch between the first position and the second position. The switch (7) comprises a rod (16) housed in the first hole (14) of the selector (4), and a second locking element (10), in cooperation with the first locking element (15) of the selector (4), to produce a locking action thus causing rotation in conjunction between the switch (7) and the selector (4). In the example shown in the figures, the second locking element (10) comprises a notch formed in the outer perimeter of the rod (16). The support (1) further includes a second central through hole (21), in correspondence with the first hole (14) of the selector (4) for housing the switch (7).

At a first, outermost, end of the rod (16), said rod (16) is configured to allow manual rotary actuation of the rod (16) to drag in turn a rotation of the selector (4) and switch between activated and deactivated configurations. For example, as shown in the figures, the first end of the rod (16) is configured to be rotationally actuatable, for example by means of a wrench, such as a hex wrench, particularly of those used to mount wheels, or a similar tool, to rotate the rod (16).

At the ends of the rod (16) there are respective stops (18, 19) to keep the rod (16) housed in the first hole (14) and in the second hole (21). In particular, at the first end of the rod (16) there is a first stop (18) and at a second end, opposite the first end and therefore innermost, is a second stop (19). According to a preferred embodiment, the first stop (18) is configured to allow the aforementioned rotary actuation. An exemplary embodiment is described below to change the position of the selector (4) between activated configuration and deactivated configuration. As described above, the switch (7) comprises the second locking element (10), in which the first locking element (15) of the selector (4) fits at all times to maintain the rotation of the switch (7) coupled with the rotation of the selector (4). Moreover, the switch (7) also comprises at least one pin (9), preferably several, for example two pins (9) projecting from the second stop (19). Moreover, the support (1) comprises two sets of housings (20), wherein generally each set of housings (20) has as many housings (20) as pins (9), and each set of housings (20) is in correspondence with the pins (9), to house said pins (9), in correspondence with each of the activated or deactivated configurations referred to above, maintaining selector and switch, on the one hand, rotationally linked with the support, on the other hand.

To switch between the activated and deactivated configuration, or vice versa as appropriate, it is sufficient to force an axial movement of the first end (18) of the switch (7) inwards, whereby the pins (9) are unlocked from the housings (20) corresponding to the activated configuration (or deactivated configuration, as appropriate), which allows the selector (4) and the switch (7) to rotate together, but independently of the support (1) until reaching the deactivated configuration (where appropriate, the activated configuration), and then forcing an axial displacement of the switch (7) outwards to fit the pins (9) into the housings (20) corresponding to the deactivated configuration (or, where appropriate the activated configuration).

Preferably, the axial inward displacement of the switch (7) can be done by simple manual pressure, or using a hand tool, while the axial outward displacement of the switch (7) is performed automatically by means of a second restoring element (8), for example, a second spring interposed between the support (1) and the first stop (18) or the second stop (19), of the switch (7), and which exerts a restoring force to maintain the pins (9) housed in the corresponding housings (20), for example, which tends to keep the switch (7) outwardly displaced with the pins (9) housed in the corresponding housings (20). The figures show an example wherein the spring (8) is housed between the support (1) and the second stop (19) of the switch (7).

As explained above, the selector (4) operates as a cam to switch the legs (5) between the first position (deactivated configuration) and the second position (activated configuration). When additional traction is not needed, the mechanism can be maintained in the first position. When additional traction is needed, the user can move the mechanism to the second position. Preferably, the first position and the second position are the only two positions allowed.

Claims

1. Detachable anti-skid mechanism for land vehicle wheels having wheel rims, the mechanism comprising:

- a support, coaxially and removably mounted to the rim of a wheel;

- a selector comprising:

- a lobulated contour defined by alternating recesses and protrusions;

- a first through hole, in correspondence with a second through hole of the support, to mount the selector axially on the support, with free axial rotation with respect to the support; and

- a first locking element defined in the first hole;

- a plurality of radial legs mounted on the support, in correspondence with the recesses and protrusions, and radially displaceable with respect to the support between a first position defining a deactivated configuration and a second position defining an activated configuration, wherein in the first position, an inner end of each leg is housed in its corresponding recess, while in the second position, the inner end remains in contact with the corresponding protrusion;

- a foot mounted on an outer end of each leg to provide additional traction in the second position;

- a switch to rotate the selector between the first position and the second position, the switch comprising a rod housed in the first hole of the selector, and which in turn comprises a second locking element in order to, in cooperation with the first locking element on the selector, produce the locking so that it ensures rotation in conjunction between the switch and the selector, wherein the rod at a first end, is configured to allow a manual rotary actuation, to in turn drag a rotation of the selector and switch between the activated and deactivated configurations.

2. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first locking element comprises a protuberance which invades part of the first hole, and the second locking element comprises a notch formed in the outer perimeter of the rod.

3. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the feet are interchangeable.

4. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 1 wherein the number of legs is equal to the number of recesses and of protrusions.

5. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising a first restoring element, to push the legs to the first position.

6. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 5, wherein the first restoring element comprises a coil spring.

7. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 6 wherein the coil spring is axially mounted on the legs.

8. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the support is circular plate or frame shaped.

9. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 1 wherein the rod includes a first stop at the first end to keep the rod housed in the first hole.

10. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 9 wherein the first stop is configured to allow manual rotary actuation.

11. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 9, wherein the rod further includes a second stop at a second end, opposite the first end and therefore innermost, to keep the rod housed in the first hole.

12. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 1 1 , further comprising:

- at least one pin protruding from the second stop of the switch;

- two sets of as many housings as pins, made in the support, in correspondence with the pin or pins, wherein each set of housings allows housing the pins selectively in the activated or deactivated configuration to rotationally link the selector and the switch with the support,

the switch being axially displaceable to pull the pins out of the housings, so that the joint rotation of the switch and the selector is unlinked from the rotation of the support, allowing switching between activated and deactivated configurations.

13. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 12 which further incorporates a second restoring element to keep the pins housed in the corresponding housings.

14. The anti-skid mechanism of claim 13 wherein the second restoring element is a spring housed between the support and the first stop or the second stop of the switch.