Patent ID: 6263554
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: B25B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of installing, on a tire mounted on a rim of a vehicle wheel, an untwisted tire chain consisting of elements which form side chains and cross chains extending between the side chains, the tire having a tread joining an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, and the elements comprising links and, at one end of each side chain, a fastening hook for connection with a mating element at the other end of that side chain, which method comprises the steps of:(a) providing an installation tray which comprises a base, walls, vehicle supports, longitudinal channels, transverse channels, and a well;(b) providing a separate U-shaped installation tool which comprises:(i) a transverse member forming the base of the ""U"";(ii) two arms extending away from opposite ends of the transverse member; and(iii) an engaging mechanism on each arm for connecting the arm to an element of a side chain, the engaging mechanisms including components which are relatively movable to both a first, confining configuration and a second, releasing configuration and which are shaped and dimensioned so that in the confining configuration the engaging mechanisms will confine elements of the side chains and so that in the releasing configuration the engaging mechanisms will release those elements;(c) providing the tire chain arranged in the tray and connected to the arms of the tool so that:(i) a portion of the tire chain is laid out with its side chains disposed in the longitudinal channels and with its cross chains disposed in the transverse channels;(ii) a portion of the tire chain is disposed in the well;(iii) at the end of the tire chain adjoining the portion disposed in the well, an element of each side chain is confined by an engaging mechanism in the confining configuration; and(iv) the tire chain is in an untwisted condition;(d) placing the tray in the path of the tire with the side chains parallel to the path;(e) driving the vehicle onto the tray;(f) stopping the vehicle when the tire is resting on the vehicle supports;(g) grasping and pulling up the transverse member of the tool with the tire chain connected to and trailing the tool;(h) drawing the tool and the trailing chain upward and circumferentially around the tire, so that at least cross chains slide over the tread and are guided along it in a circular arc, until the tool is past the top of the tire and the trailing chain is supported by the tire;(i) tensioning the trailing chain substantially in its desired position along the sidewalls of the tire, with the transverse member of the tool extending across the tread, and with one engaging mechanism adjacent the inner sidewall and the other engaging mechanism adjacent the outer sidewall;(j) moving the engaging mechanisms from the confining configuration to the releasing configuration, thereby releasing the side chain elements and disconnecting the side chains from the arms of the tool;(k) removing the tool; and(l) driving the vehicle off the tray.