DEVICE FOR INCREASING TIRE TRACTION

Abstract

Provided is a device for increasing traction, and, in particular, to a device to be fitted on a tire or wheel for increasing, enhancing, or improving, the traction, or friction, between the tire or wheel and a surface that the tire or wheel is in contact with. The device includes two or more line structures configured for encircling along two sidewalls of the tire, respectively. The device further includes a plurality of cross members configured for contacting a tread portion of the tire, the cross members connecting the line structures together. At least one cross member includes a strap with one or more traction components which include a plurality of raised structures arranged on a surface side of the traction components. Some raised structures are fitted with stud while others not. A strap suitable for use in the device is also provided.

Claims

1. A device for increasing traction between a tire and a surface the tire is in contact with, comprising two or more line structures, at least two of which configured for encircling along two side walls of the tire, respectively; a plurality of cross members configured for contacting a tread portion of the tire, the cross members comprising mechanism for connecting the two or more line structures together; wherein at least one of the cross members comprises a strap, one or more traction components attached to at least a surface side of said strap; wherein said one or more traction components further comprise a plurality of raised structures arranged on a surface side of the traction components; wherein with respect to a traction component having a plurality of raised structures attached thereto, at least one of the plurality of raised structures is fitted with a stud and at least another one of the plurality of raised structures is not fitted with any stud.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein with respect to a traction component having the plurality of raised structures attached thereto, studded raised structures are focused in a part of the traction component corresponding to a middle section of the cross member.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said stud is made of a material comprising one or more of carbon, nickel-manganese alloy, boron, tungsten carbide, and titanium.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of raised structures are made of a material comprising one or more of rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, metal, alloy, plastic, sand, polystyrene, and textile.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of raised structures has a length of from 3 inches to 20 inches and a width of from 0.3 inches to 6 inches.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the strap is made of a material comprising textile.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the strap material comprises one or more of nylon, polyester, polypropylene, leather, and cotton.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said strap has a width of between approximately inch and approximately 6 inch.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein each strap is spaced from a neighboring strap by a distance ranging between 0 and approximately 30 inch.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of cross members form a pattern comprising a sequence of lines substantially parallel to each other.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of cross members form a pattern comprising a sequence of lines unparallel to each other.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein at least two lines in the sequence that are adjacent to each other meet at a common end to form a V form.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein an angle (A) between the two lines forming the V form is in a range of between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein the angle (A) is between approximately 50 degrees to approximately 60 degrees or between approximately 60 degrees and approximately 75 degrees.

15. The device according to claim 12, wherein the angle (A) is between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 50 degrees.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of raised structures are configured to project away from said surface side of the traction components when said device is fitted onto the tire.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two or more line structures is a cable, a chain, or a rope.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two or more line structures is made of a material that comprises any one or more of metal, alloy, plastic, thermoplastic polyurethane, rubber, and textile.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein among said one or more cross members, at least one pair of cross members which are immediately adjacent to each other are arranged to resemble two unparallel sides of a trapezoidal when said at least one pair of cross members connect the line structures of the device together.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein among said one or more cross members, each pair of cross members which are immediately adjacent to each other join each other at a common end which is an end of both cross members, the common end being in contact with one of said at least two line structures or the connecting mechanism connecting that line structure.

21. A strap suitable for use in the device according to claim 1, said strap for increasing traction between a tire and a surface the tire is in contact with, wherein the strap can be fitted onto the device to connect the two or more line structures of the device together, wherein the strap comprises one or more traction components attached to at least one side of said strap; wherein said one or more traction components further comprise a plurality of raised structures arranged on a surface side of the traction components; and wherein with respect to a traction component having a plurality of raised structures attached thereto, at least one of the plurality of raised structures is fitted with a stud and at least another one of the plurality of raised structures is not fitted with any stud.

22. The strap according to claim 21, wherein with respect to a traction component having the plurality of raised structures attached thereto, studded raised structures are focused in a part of the traction component corresponding to a middle section of the strap.

23. The strap according to claim 21, wherein said stud is made of a material comprising one or more of carbon, nickel-manganese alloy, boron, tungsten carbide, and titanium.

24. The strap according to claim 21, wherein said plurality of raised structures are made of a material comprising one or more of rubber, metal, alloy, plastic, thermoplastic polyurethane, sand, polystyrene, and textile.

25. The strap according to claim 21, wherein strap is made of a material comprising textile.

26. The strap according to claim 25, wherein the strap material comprises one or more of nylon, polyester, polypropylene, leather, and cotton.

27. The strap according to claim 21, wherein each of said plurality of raised structures has a length of from 3 inches to 20 inches and a width of from 0.3 inches to 6 inches.

28. The strap according to claim 21, wherein said strap has a width of between approximately inch and approximately 6 inch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] The present disclosure will be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description of the exemplifying embodiments schematically shown in the annexed drawings, wherein:

[0076] FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the device not fitted on a tire;

[0077] FIG. 1A shows a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention whereas the device is shown to be fitted on a tire;

[0078] FIG. 2 shows the second embodiment of the device not fitted on a tire;

[0079] FIG. 2A shows a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention whereas the device is shown to be fitted on a tire;

[0080] FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the strap according to the present invention;

[0081] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the strap according to the present invention;

[0082] FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the strap according to the present invention;

[0083] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0084] FIG. 6A shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention;

[0085] FIG. 7 shows yet a further embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0086] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a traction component used in the strap according to the present invention; and

[0087] FIG. 8A shows another embodiment of a traction component used in the strap according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0088] FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A illustrate a first embodiment of the device for increasing traction between a tire and a surface the tire is in contact with.

[0089] Specifically, in FIG. 1, only the device 10 is shown, while in FIG. 1A, the device 10 is shown to be fitted onto a tire 12, which is on a surface 13. The surface 13 may be a road surface, which may be covered with or without substance such as water, snow, ice, etc.

[0090] The device 10 comprises two or more line structures 14 and 14, although only one of them, 14, is shown in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 1A, the tire 12 comprises two sidewalls substantially opposite to each other; line structure 14 encircles one sidewall 15, whereas the other line structure 14 encircles the other sidewall (not shown in FIG. 1) in a similar fashion. The outer surface of the tire 12 comprises a tread surface, or a tread portion, denoted as 16 in FIG. 1. During driving or moving of a vehicle, the tread surface 16 of the tire 12 is the portion that touches the road surface 13.

[0091] The line structures 14 and 14 are configured for encircling along the two sidewalls of the tire 12, respectively. To be suitable for such purpose, the line structures 14 and 14 embody such dimension and material property/properties that enable them to be (conveniently) mounted onto the tire and to form a circle along the sidewalls of the tire 12. For example, the line structures 14 and 14 are of suitable length so that, when the device 10 is properly mounted on the tire 12 in order to perform its function in a normal way, the lines structures 14 and 14 abut the sidewalls wherein the contact is neither too tight nor too loose. From another perspective, the line structures 14 and 14 are made of a certain material exhibiting suitable strength, light-weight, and/or flexibility so that it is relatively easy for end-users to mount the device 10 onto the tire 12 as well as to dismount it.

[0092] As further shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A, the device 10 comprises a plurality of cross members 17. Although a plurality of cross members 17 are shown, it is possible that the device according to the present invention uses only one cross member 17.

[0093] Nevertheless, having a plurality of cross members 17 can achieve a better effect of increasing tire traction.

[0094] The at least one cross member 17 is configured for contacting the tread portion 16 of the tire 12. This is to say, when the device 10 is properly fitted/mounted on the tire 12 in order to perform its intended use in a normal way, the cross member 17 is substantially in contact with the tread portion 16 of the tire 12without having to be pressed on the tread portion 16 by any external force.

[0095] Further, as can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A, the cross member 17 is connected to the two line structures 14 and 14. Specifically, the cross member 17 may comprise certain connecting mechanism 18 for connecting, bridging, joining, or linking, the line structures 14 and 14 together. In principle, the connecting mechanism 18 should be properly designed so that, when the device 10 is fitted/mounted on the tire 12 to perform its intended use in a normal way, the cross member 17 is securely connected to the line structures 14 and 14 and is substantially in contact with the tread portion 16 of the tire 12without having to be pressed on the tread portion 16 by any external force. Connecting mechanism 18 shall be described in more details below.

[0096] As can be seen from FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A, at least one of the cross members 17 comprises a strap 19. Strap can also be termed as strapping, webbing, band, belt, and so on. Strap 19 is made of a material that comprises textile. One or more traction components 11 are attached to at least the surface side of the strap 19, to further increase the traction between the tire 12 and the surface 13. FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A show the traction component 11 in the form of a rectangle, but other regular or irregular forms can be used too, such forms including but are not limited to circle, oval, triangle, square, diamond, trapezoidal, star, any polygon, wave, or any irregular form. Further, more than one traction component in the same or different forms can be attached to each strap 19 of the device 10.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A, the traction components 11 are attached to the straps 19 on the surface side thereof. However, it is possible to have at least one traction component 11 also attached to another side of at least one particular strap 19.

[0098] FIG. 2 and FIG. 2A illustrate a second embodiment of the device for increasing traction between a tire and a surface the tire is in contact with. Specifically, in FIG. 2 only the device 20 is shown, while in FIG. 2A the device 20 is shown to be fitted onto a tire 22, which is on a surface 23.

[0099] The embodiment of FIGS. 1/1A and that of FIGS. 2/2A are similar except for that the latter further comprises a plurality of raised structures 25 provided on, or attached to, each traction component 21. Not shown in FIGS. 2/2A is a similar embodiment where only one or more but not all of the traction components 21 are provided with a plurality of raised structures 25. In fact, instead of a plurality of raised structures 25, a single raised structure 25 also works. With one or more raised structures 25, the device 20, when in use, can achieve stronger traction between the tire 22 and the surface 23 the tire 22 is in contact with.

[0100] The one or more raised structures 25, while comprised in the traction components 21, are formed and arranged to project away from the surface side of the strap 29 when the device 20 is fitted onto the tire 22 to perform its intended use in a normal way. As shown clearly in FIG. 2A, the raised structures 25 raise up to a certain height above the surface of the surface side of the strap 29. The raised structures 25 are preferably made of a material that comprises one or more of the following: thermoplastic polyurethane, metal, alloy, plastic, sand, polymer (such as polystyrene), and any type of textile.

[0101] Each of the one or more raised structures has a length of from 3 inches to 20 inches and a width of from 0.3 inches to 6 inches.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 8, with respect to a traction component 21/36/56 having a plurality of raised structures 25/38/58, 251, 252 attached thereto, at least one 251 of the plurality of raised structures is fitted with a stud 262 and at least (another) one 252 of the plurality of raised structures is not fitted with any stud.

[0103] Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, wherein with respect to a traction component 21/36/56 having the plurality of raised structures 25/38/58, 251, 252 attached thereto, studded raised structures (261, 262, 263, 264) are focused in a part of the traction component 21/36/56 corresponding to a middle section of the cross member 27 (not shown in this figure).

[0104] A stud (261, 262, 263, 264) may be made of metal, alloy, any other relatively hard material, or any combination of these materials. Preferably, a stud (261, 262, 263, 264) may comprise one or more of carbon, nickel-manganese alloy, boron, tungsten carbide, and titanium.

[0105] With respect to all the embodiments shown in FIG. 1/1A and FIG. 2/2A and FIG. 8/8A, the strap 19 and 29 is made of a material which comprises, or mainly comprises, textile; any textile can be used. Through tests, the Inventors have found that at least the following types of textile achieve satisfactory results in terms of light-weight and sufficient traction force without requiring a high manufacturing cost: Nylon, polyester, polypropylene, leather, and cotton. The material of the strap can also be a combination of any one or more of these particular materials.

[0106] With respect to all the embodiments shown in FIG. 1/1A and FIG. 2/2A and FIG. 8/8A, each cross member 17, 27 connects the line structures 14 with 14, and 24 with 24 together whereas the cross member 17, 27 comprises the strap 19, 29. The dimension in the direction along which the strap 19, 29 connects, or bridges, or joins or links the line structures 14 with 14 and 24 with 24 can be defined as the length of the strap 19, 29, while the other dimension, substantially perpendicular to the length, can be defined as the width of the strap 19, 29. Preferably, the width of the strap 19, 29 is between approximately of an inch and approximately 6 inch.

[0107] Where the device 10 or 20 comprises a plurality of cross members 17, 27, and each of which 17, 27 comprises a strap 19, 29, each strap 19, 29 may be spaced from its neighboring straps by a distance. The distance can be set to range between 0 and approximately 30 inch, in order to achieve satisfactory performance of the device 10, 20. In all the embodiments of the device shown in FIG. 1/1A and FIG. 2/2A and FIG. 8/8A, the distance is larger than 0.

[0108] With respect to all the embodiments shown in FIG. 1/1A and FIG. 2/2A and FIG. 8/8A, at least one of the line structures 14/14, 24/24 can be a cable (such as a rim cable used in many tire chains), a chain, or a rope. At least one of the line structures 14/14, 24/24 is made of metal, alloy, plastic, thermoplastic polyurethane, or any kind of textile. Any combination of one or more of such materials can also be used for making the line structure.

[0109] The present disclosure further provides a strap that is suitable for use in the device for increasing traction between a tire and a surface the tire is in contact with. The strap may be used as a replacement to an existing strap (for example, a worn-out or a defect strap) on the device or can be added onto the device in order to further increase the traction between the tire and the surface the tire is in contact with when the device is fitted on the tire to perform its intended use.

[0110] Embodiments of such a strap is illustrate in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5. The strap, denoted as 32, 42, and 52 in these figures, is made of a material comprising textile. The strap 32, 42, and 52 comprises a certain connecting mechanism 34, 44, and 54 to allow the strap 32, 42, and 52 to be fitted onto the device by connecting the two or more line structures of the device together. The strap 32, 42, and 52 has a substantially flat form and thus two sides; FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 respectively show the two sides of a strap 32, 42.

[0111] The strap 32 and 42 comprises two folded ends whereas the folding of each end forms a through hole for a line structure to pass through. Other examples of the connecting mechanism include eyelet(s), button(s), buckle(s), gluing, and sewing, to name a few.

[0112] More than one particular mechanism can be combined to achieve a more secure connection of the strap 32, 42, 52 to the line structures of the device.

[0113] With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the strap 32, 52 may further comprises one or more traction components 36, 56 attached to one side of the strap 32, 52. In some embodiments (not shown in the drawings), the at least one traction component 36, 56 may also be attached to another side of the strap 32, 52.

[0114] Assuming that the strap 32, 52 is fitted onto a device provided by the present invention and the device is fitted onto a tire to perform its intended use, one can call this particular side of the strap 32, 52 the surface side since this side will be in contact with the surface on which a tire is on or moving along. The other side of the strap could be named as the tread side of the strap.

[0115] Preferably, the material of the strap 32, 42, 52 may comprise one or more of nylon, polyester, polypropylene, leather, and cotton.

[0116] The strap 32, 42, 52 has a width, indicated as W in the FIGS. 3-5. Preferably, width W is between approximately inch and approximately 6 inch.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the strap 32 and 52 further comprises a plurality of raised structures 38, 58 provided on the traction component 36, 56, respectively. The raised structures 38, 58 are formed and arranged to project away from the traction component 36, 56 such that they raise up to a certain height above the surface side of the strap 32, 52.

[0118] Preferably, the raised structures 38, 58 are made of a material that comprises one or more of the following: thermoplastic polyurethane, metal, alloy, plastic, sand, polymer (such as polystyrene), and any type of textile.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 8, with respect to a traction component 21/36/56 having a plurality of raised structures 25/38/58, 251, 252 attached thereto, at least one 251 of the plurality of raised structures 25/38/58 is fitted with a stud 262 and at least another one 252 of the plurality of raised structures 25/38/58 is not fitted with any stud.

[0120] Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, wherein with respect to a traction component 21/36/56 having the plurality of raised structures 25/38/58, 251, 252 attached thereto, studded raised structures (261, 262, 263, 264) are focused in a part of the traction component 21/36/56 corresponding to a middle section of the strap 29/32/42/52.

[0121] A stud (261, 262, 263, 264) may be made of metal, alloy, any other relatively hard material, or any combination of these materials. Preferably, a stud (261, 262, 263, 264) may comprise one or more of carbon, nickel-manganese alloy, boron, tungsten carbide, and titanium.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6A and FIG. 7, which show yet three further embodiments of the device 60, 70 according to the present invention for increasing traction between a tire and a surface the tire is in contact with. Both devices 60 and 70 comprise a plurality of cross members 62, 72 which are arranged to form a certain pattern, a pattern comprising a sequence of V forms, to be specific. As already discussed above, many other patterns can be formed by the plurality of cross members of the device of the present invention.

[0123] Different patterns formed by the plurality of cross members can impact the performance as well as user convenience of the device. For example, more complex patterns may lead to a better result of tire traction; whereas simpler patterns may contribute to the light-weight of the device. Other factors of the device may also be influenced by the patterns of the plurality of cross members.

[0124] Through tests, the Inventors have found that the pattern comprising a sequence of V forms, such as figuratively shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 6A, and FIG. 7, can contribute to a highly satisfactory device (in terms of, inter alia, light-weight and sufficient traction force) while still keeping the manufacturing complexity and cost at a reasonable level.

[0125] Through tests, the Inventors have found that a pattern comprising a sequence of V forms gives the device a particularly satisfactory performance in terms of light-weight and sufficient tire traction, whereas the manufacturing complexity and the cost of the device can still be controlled at a reasonable level.

[0126] Between a pair of cross members that forms the V form, an angle A, which is shown in FIGS. 6, 6A, and 7, exists at the common end thereof. For satisfactory result of tire traction, the inter-relationship of the cross members 62, 72 of the device 60, 70 can be adjusted so that angle A is set between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees; for better result of tire traction, the angle A may be set between approximately 50 degrees and approximately 60 degrees or between approximately 60 degrees and approximately 75 degrees; and for even better result of tire traction the angle A may be set between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 50 degrees, as shown in FIG. 6A.

[0127] It will also be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exemplifying embodiments described above, but that it may be modified and varied by the skilled person within the scope of the appended claims.