GB2193171A

GB2193171A - Vehicle wheel anti-skid device

Info

Publication number: GB2193171A
Application number: GB08618620A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lai Fu Chuang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-07-30
Filing date: 1986-07-30
Publication date: 1988-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2006-07-30
Also published as: GB8618620D0; GB2193171B; FR2615797A1

Abstract

An automobile tyre auxiliary device is in the general form of a chuck and comprises a plurality of gripper members 1, 2 and 3 locked by a sleeve 5 and a base. The members 1, 2 and 3 can be firmly clamped to the tread of a tyre so as to prevent the wheel concerned from sliding, by screwing in the threaded sleeve 5. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Automobile tyre auxiliary device Some grooves and sipes in the treads of tyres on the present market can increase the frictional resistance and prevent sliding when the wheels of a car move on normal terrain; but when moving on snow, sand or climbing slopes, the frictional resistance may be insufficient resulting in sliding or even failure to move ahead, threatening driving safety. Therefore, some auxiliary device capable of increasing the frictional resistance is desirably installed on the tread of the tyre so as to prevent the wheel concerned from sliding.

Nowadays, while driving a car on snow or a slippery road surface, in general a large chain is tied on to the tyre, as shown in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, to prevent the wheel from sliding. However, since this chain has no integral structure for clamping, it is very troublesome to fit and position, and it may cause jolting of the car hindering the movement thereof, so it is in practice unsatisfactory.

The inventor who has engaged in research of various devices for a number of years, in view of the conventional slide-proof chain for the wheels of car leaving much to be desired, has been continuously engrossed in related multi-lateral experiments and studies. As a result, he has developed an automobile tyre aux iiiary device with good slide-proof properties and practability which can easily be installed on the tyres of wheels of cars.

The primary object of the present invention is to offer a slide-proof automobile tyre auxiliary device with an integral structure capable of being easily installed on the tread of wheel.

A further object is to provide such a structure which is adjustable to fit automobile tyres of different sizes.

To this end the invention provides an automobile tyre auxiliary device in the form of an integral structure comprising a plurality of gripper members which can be installed on and clamped to the tyre of a car so as to increase its frictional resistance and prevent it sliding when the car is driven on snow, sand, swamp land or climbing slopes.

Preferably the gripper members are of adjustable length to enable the device to be used with different sizes of tyres. Each gripper member may have a toothed face with a central recess, with an adjustable block which is housed in a radial portion of the recess and which can project outwardly to increase the grip and slide-proof effect of the device.

The invention will now be further described with reference to Figs. 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an example of prior art; Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the illustrated embodiment; Fig. 3 is a perspective assembly view; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a gripper member of this embodiment illustrating adjustment thereof; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing installation on a tyre.

As shown in Fig. 2, the present invention consists of a plurality of radially disposed gripper members 1,2 and 3 (the number of which depends on the requirements) and leaf springs 4 retained in a base 41, a base cover 44 and a sleeve 5, wherein each gripper member 1,2 or 3 comprises an angled radially inner portion 11, 21 or 31 and a dog-eared radially outer portion 111, 211 or 311, respectively. Holes 71 are provided through the radial plate surface of each portion 11, 21 or 31, and toothed faces 8, raised blocks 9 and a recess 81 are provided on inner and outer surfaces of each portion 111, 211 or 311. A block 811 can be locked within each recess 81 or can project outwardly of each portion 111, 211 or 311 so as to increase the grip and friction of the gripper members 1, 2 and 3 in sand.The radially outer end of each portion 111, 211 or 311 is bent over to facilitate clamping on to the tyre, and there are a number of holes 10 on the radial plate surface thereof for selectively adjusting the locking position by varying the length of the gripper members. The base 41 has a plurality of base columns 42 defining a plurality of recesses, the outer peripherai edge of each base column 42 is provided with screw threads 6, the leaf springs 4 can be placed in the respective recesses, and an axial through hole 43 is provided. There are screw threads 53 on the inner wall of the sleeve 5, and a swivel bar 52 is provided at the top on the outer edge thereof.

To assemble the device, a bolt 12 is inserted in each of the aligned holes 71,10 and then locked with a nut 13 so as to lock the portion 11, 21 or 31 and the respective portion 111, 211 or 311 together. An axial surface of each portion 11, 21 or 31 is placed contacting that of the leaf spring 4 in the respective recess of the base column 42, and a bolt 45 is inserted through the hole 46, at the centre of the base cover 44, and the screw hole 43 to lock the sleeve 5 and the base cover 44 together, by mutually screwing down the threads 6 and 53, as shown in Fig.

3. Thus the assembly is completed.

When in use, depending on the size of tyre 14, the effective length of each portion 11, 21 or 31 and the associated portion 111, 211 or 311 as shown in Fig. 4 can bead- justed, then rotating the sleeve 5 to force the gripper members 1, 2 and 3 to move inwardly further compressing the leaf springs 4 so that the chuck jaws formed by the bent-over ends of the portions 111, 211 and 311 gradually and tightly clamp on to the tread of the tyre 14 as shown in Fig. 5. The outward push of springs 4 can prevent the sleeve 5 from com ing off. For convenient rotating and fixing, the axial plate surface of each portion 11, 21 or 31 is designed with a slight inclination in fa vour of rotating and locking the sleeve 5.

Therefore, a slide-proof auxiliary device for the outer edge of a tyre is provided.

In addition to the general advantages already referred to, the invention offers a cheap and practicable automobile tyre auxiliary device able to deal with an unexpected emergency, such as the wheel falling into a large pot hole.

In summary, the present invention is charac terized by convenience, practicability and novel structural design, with practical value since no similar product has been disclosed in publica tions or on the market.

Claims

1. An automobile tyre auxiliary device in the general form of a chuck comprising a sleeve, a plurality of gripper members and leaf springs, and a base with a corresponding plu rality of recesses and base columns; the effec tive length of the gripper members being ad justable and the sleeve being internally threaded and rotatable to control the size of chuck opening to clamp the gripper members firmly to the outer tyre tread of the wheel.

2. An automobile tyre auxiliary device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each gripper mem ber is composed of an angled radially inner portion and a dog-eared radially outer portion; an axial plate surface of the inner portion is inclined siightly inwardly and a radial plate sur face is provided with a number of holes; the outer face of an axial plate surface of the outer portion is provided with some toothed faces and the inner surface with some raised blocks, the radially outer end thereof is angled inward, and the radial plate surface thereof is provided with a number of holes.

3. An autbmobile tyre auxiliary device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base is pro vided with base columns and base column re cesses, and an axial screw hole, the circum ferential face of each base column is provided with threads, the base column recesses can each contain a leaf spring, and the sleeve and base cover are assembled together through mutually screwing down the threads on the base with those on the inner wall of sleeve and inserting a bolt through holes, at the centres of both base cover and base end sur face, for locking.

4. An automobile tyre auxiliary device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the middle of the radially outer edge of said outer portion of each gripper member is provided with a re cess for locking a block which can project outwardly from said outer portion to increase the grip and friction of that gripper member.

5. An automobile tyre auxiliary device con structed and arranged substantially as herein particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.