WO2017042687A1

WO2017042687A1 - Anti-skid device for vehicle wheels

Info

Publication number: WO2017042687A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/055315
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mario Miguel NG LUO; Carlos Ramón PLAZAOLA ROMARIO; Eric Alberto SOLANO QUINTERO; Orlando Melquiades MELGAR MARIN; Humberto Rodriguez
Original assignee: Universidad Tecnológica De Panamá
Priority date: 2016-07-05
Filing date: 2016-09-06
Publication date: 2017-03-16

Abstract

The invention comprises: a support frame, fastened to a vehicle wheel that is mounted on an axle; a central hole in the support frame, coaxial in relation to the axle; a central bolt with axial rotation housed in the central hole and with an outer end that is manually actuated, and a rod; a first gear mounted on the rod; and several longitudinal legs arranged radially, which comprise: a first leg body, fastened to the support frame without axial rotation; a second leg body, which moves axially with respect to the first leg body via threads, a second gear mounted on the free end of the second leg body, which engages with the first gear, and a base mounted on the free end of the first leg body, in order to make contact with the ground and increase friction. It provides additional traction to avoid skidding or to allow a vehicle that is stuck to be able to get out of its stuck position.

Description

ANTI-SKID DEVICE FOR VEHICLE WHEELS

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can be included in the technical field of transport, in particular, transport by means of wheels.

More specifically, the object of the invention relates to an anti-skid device to increase the adhesion of vehicle wheels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that wheels made with rubber on land vehicles can cause a high degree of skidding on icy or snow-covered roads, sandy terrain, wet ground or roads covered in mud.

Current solutions involve mechanisms such as tire chains or wheel winches, which are not easy to use and may be unsafe if not placed properly on the wheel. Some ideas for mechanisms related to auxiliary wheels or rims mounted on the body of the tyres have been presented, which comprise radial elements (legs) that are fixed, welded or bolted; others use expansion elements that are too fragile and offer little resistance. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a removable anti-skid device for wheels designed to be fastened and removed from the outer part of each vehicle wheel, where the wheels are mounted on their corresponding axles.

The anti-skid device of the invention comprises a support frame, designed to be fastened to one of the wheels. The support frame comprises a central hole, which is coaxial in relation to the axle of the corresponding wheel when the device is mounted.

A central bolt is housed in the central hole with free axial rotation. The central bolt, in turn, comprises an outer end that is allows manual actuation, and a rod, on which the first gear is mounted.

Additionally, the device comprises a plurality of longitudinal legs arranged radially, which in turn comprise:

- a first leg body, fastened to the support frame without axial rotation;

- a second leg body, which moves axially with respect to the first leg body via threads; - a second gear mounted on the free end of the second leg body, which engages with the first gear; and

- a base mounted on the free end of the first leg body, in order to make contact with the ground, increase friction and improve the traction of the vehicle.

The first gear and the second gear should preferably be bevel gears. To fasten the device in operating conditions, the outer end of the central bolt in said frame is actuated, which causes the two gears to engage and, therefore, a movement relative to the leg body in a radial direction, by which the length of the leg varies until reaching a proper value for the bases to be inserted into the ground in operating conditions. The degree to which they are inserted into the ground is adjustable and may be established by the user by means of the gears. The bases can be interchangeable and used on different types of terrains, such as snow, mud, sand, etc.

The proposed device is manually coupled to outer edge of the wheel rim on any land vehicle.

This device provides additional traction for wheeled vehicles in order to prevent the wheels from merely spinning when the vehicle is stuck, applying extra torque. This is a device with a configuration that allows it to easily obtain additional, quick and easy traction, without the need to lift the vehicle wheel from the ground. The device does not interfere with the regular functioning of the wheels once it is installed, as long as it is not in the operating position, which makes it very easy and comfortable to use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As a complement to the present description, and for the purpose of helping to make the characteristics of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represent the following:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the anti-skid device of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the anti-skid device of figure 1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With the help of the aforementioned figures 1-2, attached to this document, we now offer a detailed description of an example of a preferred embodiment of the antiskid device for vehicle wheels, which is the object of the present invention. The anti-skid device of the invention is designed to be fastened to an outer edge (also called a rim) of a vehicle wheel, where the wheel is mounted on its corresponding axle.

Figure 1 shows that the anti-skid device comprises a support frame (1), which is fastened to the vehicle wheel, for example by means of wheel bolts (8), normally by means of wheel bolts (8) that are commonly used to fasten the wheel to its corresponding axle. The support frame (1) comprises a central hole, intended to be coaxial in relation to the axle of the wheel.

The anti-skid device also comprises a central bolt (7), housed in the central hole, which is also axially rotatable and comprises: an outer end (9) which is configured to be actuated and features preferably by way of a head; and a rod (10), to which the first bevel gear (1 1) is coupled in an intermediate position.

The anti-skid device is also made up of a plurality of longitudinal legs arranged in a radial direction. Each leg comprises a first leg body (4) and a second leg body (3), which move axially with respect to each other via a thread, for example, an outer thread located on the second leg body (3) and an inner thread located in the first leg body (4). The first leg body (4) is attached to the support frame (1) without the possibility of axial rotation, for example by clamps (5).

On the free end of the second leg body (3) a second bevel gear (12) is mounted, which engages with the first bevel gear (1 1). In turn, a base (6) is interchangeably mounted on the free end of the first leg body (4), in order to make contact with the ground and increase friction so as to improve the traction of the vehicle. The varied configurations of the bases (6), along with their interchangeable nature, makes it possible to mount different bases (6) as a function of the characteristics of the terrain, for example, ground covered in snow, sand, mud, etc.

The anti-skid device can also comprise a cover (2) mounted coaxially on the central bolt (7), to hide and protect the gears (1 1 , 12), as well as to avoid axial movement of the leg bodies (3, 4), for example through guide-stops (13) located on the cover (2) and/or on the leg bodies (3, 4).

The legs can be manually actuated, in order to adjust their length as necessary, by actuating the threads of the leg bodies (3, 4). By varying the length of the legs one can insert the legs (6) into the ground to a lesser or greater degree, thereby adjusting their grip to the ground. When additional traction is not required, the legs can be contracted so that the bases (6) are retracted and do not make contact with the ground, making the device adopt a passive mode.

As previously described, the legs may be manually lengthened or shortened in a simple way by actuating the first end of the central bolt (7). Said manual actuation can be done, for example, by using a proper key, such as a lug wrench or a functionally equivalent element and which is compatible with the configuration of the first end of the central bolt (7).

Claims

1. An anti-skid device for vehicle wheels that comprises:

- a support frame, intended to be fastened to a vehicle wheel, said wheel in turn being mounted on its corresponding axle;

- a central hole, located in the support frame, intended to be coaxial with regard to the axle of the wheel;

- a central bolt, housed with axial rotation in the central hole and which, in turn, comprises an outer end that is configured to be manually actuated, and a rod;

- a first gear mounted on the rod; and

- a plurality of longitudinal legs arranged radially, which in turn comprise:

- a first leg body, fastened to the support frame without axial rotation;

- a second leg body, axially movable with respect to the first leg body via threads;

- a second gear mounted on the free end of the second leg body, which engages with the first gear; and

- a base mounted on the free end of the first leg body, in order to make contact with the ground and increase friction and improve the traction of the vehicle.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the bases are interchangeable.

3. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a cover mounted coaxially on the central bolt (7) to hide and protect the gears, as well as to avoid axial movement of the leg bodies.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising stop-guides located on the cover and/or on the leg bodies, in order to avoid axial movement of the leg bodies.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first gear and the second gear are bevel gears.