SNOW CHAIN DEVICE FOR VEHICLE TIRE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel snow chain device for providing good traction to a vehicle tire on a snowy surface. The device is capable of being removably mounted on the tire with reduced physical effort and in multiple configurations. The device can be used in modular fashion and a range of patterns and configurations making it suitable for use on different tires as well as under varying driving conditions. Also it is possible to cover the entire surface of the tire as well as a partial surface. The device comprises of a plurality of link members and a plurality of base members. The base members can be affixed to the external tire surface and the link members can be removably secured to the base members.

Claims

1. A snow chain device for providing good traction to a vehicle tire, said device capable of being removably mounted on the tire with reduced effort and in multiple configurations, and said device comprising: (a) a plurality of link members, wherein a link member comprises: a chain member and, an arch member, characterized by a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of projections at predefined locations on the bottom surface of the arch member, wherein, the chain member is affixed on the top surface of the arch member, and, the arch member is shaped to conform substantially to the curvature of the tire; (b) a plurality of base members, wherein a base member comprises: a recessed top surface and a bottom surface; is capable of being affixed to an external tire surface, and is characterized by a plurality of holes at predefined locations; (c) a plurality of adhesive strips, corresponding in equal number to said plurality of base members, wherein an adhesive strip comprises: a peelable, adhesive front surface facing the bottom surface of the base member, and a peelable, adhesive back surface, facing the external tire surface; wherein, said base members being affixed on the external tire surface by means of said plurality of strips; and said plurality of link members being positioned vertically above the plurality of base members, such that said plurality of projections of the link members engage with the corresponding holes of the plurality of base members, to removably and firmly secure the plurality of link members with the plurality of base members and form a predefined configuration on the external surface of the tire.

2. A snow chain device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device covers an entire external surface of the tire.

3. A snow chain device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device covers a partial external surface of the tire.

4. A snow chain device as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, wherein multiple vertically stackable layers of base members and link members can be used.

5. A snow chain device as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, wherein the same device can be used for different sizes of tires.

6. A snow chain device as claimed in any of the claims 1-5, which is capable of providing a high coefficient of friction to avoid skidding of the vehicle without damaging the road surface.

7. A snow chain device as claimed in any of the claims 1-6, which allows multiple configurations depending on the condition of the ground surface.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 is an illustrative perspective view depicting a snow chain device, partly assembled, according to the present invention mounted on the tire of a vehicle.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a front view of a snow chain device, according to the present invention, mounted on the tire of a vehicle.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a side view of a snow chain device, according to the present invention, mounted on the tire of a vehicle.

[0045] FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c are illustrative diagrams depicting a link member.

[0046] FIGS. 5a and 5b are illustrative diagrams depicting base members mounted on the tire in two different configurations.

[0047] FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram depicting a base member and an adhesive strip.

[0048] FIG. 7 is an illustrative diagram depicting a base member and an adhesive strip prior to being affixed on an external surface of a tire.

[0049] FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c are illustrative diagrams depicting a base member in conjunction with a peelable top surface of an adhesive strip.

[0050] FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c are illustrative diagrams depicting a base member in conjunction with a peelable back surface of an adhesive strip.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERING

[0051] 10 labels a snow chain device in accordance with the present invention [0052] 20 labels a link member [0053] 21 labels a chain [0054] 22 labels an arch member [0055] 23 labels a projection [0056] 30 labels a base member [0057] 32 labels a recessed top surface [0058] 34 labels a hole [0059] 40 labels an adhesive strip [0060] 41 labels a peelable top surface of the adhesive strip [0061] 42 labels a peelable bottom surface of the adhesive strip [0062] 60 labels a tire

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of an invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, specific functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0064] The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of particular applications of the invention and their requirements.

[0065] The invention described herein thus comprises a novel, snow chain device for providing good traction to a vehicle tire. Said device is capable of being removably mounted on the tire with reduced effort and in multiple configurations as well as in a stackable format. The device comprising: [0066] (a) a plurality of link members, [0067] wherein a link member comprises: [0068] a chain member and, [0069] an arch member, characterized by a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of projections at predefined locations on the bottom surface of the arch member, wherein, [0070] the chain member is affixed on the top surface of the arch member, and, [0071] the arch member is shaped to conform substantially to the curvature of the tire; [0072] (b) a plurality of base members, [0073] wherein a base member comprises: a recessed top surface and a bottom surface; [0074] is capable of being affixed to an external tire surface, and [0075] is characterized by a plurality of holes at predefined locations; [0076] (c) a plurality of adhesive strips, corresponding in equal number to said plurality of base members, [0077] wherein an adhesive strip comprises: a peelable, adhesive front surface facing the bottom surface of the base member, and a peelable, adhesive back surface, facing the external tire surface;
wherein, said base members being affixed on the external tire surface by means of said plurality of strips; and said plurality of link members being positioned vertically above the plurality of base members, such that said plurality of projections of the link members engage with the corresponding holes of the plurality of base members, to removably and firmly secure the plurality of link members with the plurality of base members and form a predefined configuration on the external surface of the tire.

[0078] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a snow chain device 10 in accordance with the present invention, mounted on a tire 60. Link members 20, base members 30 and adhesive strips 40 are also shown. In this view, only a part of the link members have been positioned on base members.

[0079] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a snow chain device 10 in accordance with the present invention, mounted on a tire 60. Link members 20, base members 30 and adhesive strips 40 are also shown.

[0080] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a snow chain device 10 in accordance with the present invention, mounted on a tire 60.

[0081] FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c depict three alternate views of a link member 20. 21 is a chain affixed to an arch member 22. The arch member 22 is shaped to conform substantially to the curvature of the tire and has projections 23 on its bottom surface.

[0082] FIG. 5a represents an illustrative view depicting base members 30 having a recessed top surface 32 and a plurality of holes 34, affixed on adhesive strip 40, which is affixed on the tire 60, in a given configuration of the base members.

[0083] FIG. 5b is an illustrative diagram depicting a base member 30 having a recessed top surface 32 and a plurality of holes 34, affixed on adhesive strip 40, which is affixed on the tire 60, in an alternate configuration of the base members.

[0084] FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram depicting a base member 30 having a recessed top surface 32 and a plurality of holes 34, positioned above an adhesive strip 40.

[0085] FIG. 7 is an illustrative diagram depicting a base member 30 and an adhesive strip 40 prior to being affixed on an external surface of a tire 60.

[0086] FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c are illustrative diagrams depicting a base member 30 in conjunction with a peelable top surface 41 of an adhesive strip 40.

[0087] FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c are illustrative diagrams depicting a base member 30 in conjunction with a peelable back surface 42 of an adhesive strip 40.

[0088] In an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to cover an entire external surface of a tire using the present snow chain device.

[0089] In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the present snow chain device can be used to partly cover a specific surface area of a tire.

[0090] In one embodiment of the invention, it possible to vertically stack multiple layers of base members and chain members to create a device with greater thickness for higher traction. In such an embodiment, additional layers of adhesive strips are required between the layer of base members and the layer of link members.

[0091] In one embodiment of the invention, it is possible to arrange the base members and link members in any number of symmetric or unsymmetrical pattern as desired depending on the level of traction required. The link members can be in any possible size and design pattern.

[0092] The present invention is easy to mount or dismount since the link members can be removably secured to the base members. The base members are fastened on the external surface of a tire using adhesive layer having a peelable top surface and a peelable bottom surface. The adhesive layers may be made of 3M Command double side strip adhesive tape, for example. The adhesive strips are disposable and need to be disposed off after each use. The base members and the link members can be reused.

[0093] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

[0094] Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.