Patent ID: 6681657
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: B25B,Y10T

Abstract:
A U-shaped tool for handling a tire chain and installing the tire chain on a tire mounted on a rim of a stationary vehicle wheel which does not rotate during the installation, the tire chain including a side chain having at its opposite ends fastening elements consisting of a fastening hook and a mating fastening element, each of the side chain fastening elements defining an interior space, and the tire having a tread joining an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, which tool is easily connectable to and removable from the tire chain and comprises(a) a transverse handle; (b) two spaced arms extending away from the handle and having a longitudinal axis; and (c) a clasp mechanism on at least one of the arms for engaging and connecting to a side chain fastening element, the clasp mechanism being non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the arm and comprising separate non-resilient coacting members which are easily and repeatedly movable, relative to each other, into and out of alternative configurations including a closed, confining configuration and an open, releasing configuration, the coacting members in combination comprising (i) a passage which receives a portion of the fastening element; and (ii) a projection immediately adjacent the passage on the side of the passage away from the handle, which projection, in the closed configuration, penetrates into and occupies interior space within the fastening element disposed in the passage, and, in the open configuration, allows movement of the fastening element out of the passage and past the projection without substantial movement of the fastening element toward the handle; whereby, when the clasp mechanism is connected to the fastening element with the coacting members in their closed configuration and the fastening element in the passage, the user by grasping the handle is able to pick up the tool and pull up on the tire chain with an unsupported portion of the tire chain suspended from the tool, to draw the tire chain circumferentially around the tire with the tire chain trailing the tool and sliding over the surface of the tire, and to tension the side chain with the tool loosely straddling the tire and with the arm and the side chain slideable on the sidewall, all without twisting the side chain, while the clasp mechanism positively and securely confines the fastening element in the passage and remains connected to the fastening element, notwithstanding forces pulling the clasp mechanism in a direction toward the trailing side chain and away from the handle; and whereby, when the coacting members are moved from their closed configuration to their open configuration, the fastening element is immediately, positively, cleanly, and completely released from the clasp mechanism.