Abstract:
The flexible link is a securing strap ( 2 ) which rests on the tire ( 5 ) and is tightened with respect to two fixed points on a carrying structure ( 7 ) by which the ends of the strap are retained with fixing pieces. The surface in contact with the running tread comprises successive groups ( 25 ) of a plurality of transversal support elements ( 26 ) in the form of rollers with a central rod and widened ringed tips ( 28 ) and ( 29 ) forming contiguous rail wheels by which the strap rests on the tire. This invention is applicable in the field of transport when the load consists of road vehicles.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Several types of straps exist for immobilizing the wheels of a vehicle on a transportation vehicle. 
     These consist primarily of conventional straps with locking structures attached directly to their lower surface. 
     These straps have fallen into disuse because they can damage the tread of the tire. 
     When the straps are tightened, they rub against the tire and damage it. 
     Another type of security strap is a strap with pads or slides. The strap rests on the tire using several anti-slip pads with lower surfaces that form blocking structures. The strap slides along the smooth upper surface of the pads when it is tightened. 
     During these movements, the pads remain immobile, thus eliminating the main disadvantage of the first type of strap described, which can damage the tire when the blocking structures are tightened and forcibly displaced. 
     However, the latter type of strap also has its disadvantages. In use, the presence of the pads makes the strap more difficult to position, requiring two hands. It is important for the pads to be correctly positioned, for if they are not, they may not function properly. 
     Furthermore, the force applied to the pads when tightening the strap causes the pad to become vertically embedded; in certain tires with a deep tread, this may damage the nearby projecting portions and give the tire an irregular shape. The tire damage can cause vibrations that are difficult or even impossible to eliminate. 
     In the case of tires on most new cars, and certain demonstration vehicles, these problems can erode consumer confidence in brand names. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The goal of the invention is to eliminate all of the disadvantages described above. 
     To achieve this, the invention proposes a flexible means for securing the connection of each tire to a transport vehicle, consisting of a strap with immobilizing devices that contact the tire tread, extended between two fixed points to contact the tire and force the immobilizing devices against the tire, characterized in that the immobilizing devices are transverse support elements which are supported by the strap and maintained parallel to one another, rotating freely on themselves; the extremities of the transverse support elements project transversely on either side of the strap, and the transversely projecting extremities on either side of the strap are in contact with the tire tread. 
     The principal advantages of the invention are as follows: 
     tire deterioration and deformation are eliminated because the elements rotate on themselves as they are placed in contact with the tire; 
     positioning the strap requires no particular skill. The positioning and tightening procedures are simple, rapid, and accomplished with one hand. 
     the contact elements have a simple shape, and the mechanical properties of the plastic base material provide the necessary support without causing any harm; 
     the support structures are removable, so the piece to be interchanged when worn or a different shape suitable for specialized tires or other purposes can be substituted; 
     bending the rod of the transverse support elements when pressure is exerted by the strap improves lateral maintenance; and 
     since the strap is formed of two bands, only the upper band is subjected to tension. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example, and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the strap in place, extended around a tire on a wheel; 
     FIG. 2 is a profile view showing the connection of a road vehicle wheel; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the strap unit with its attachments; 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are detailed, enlarged perspective views of a portion of the strap corresponding to a group of transverse support elements on the interior surface and the exterior surface of the strap, respectively; 
     FIG. 6 is a profile view of the enlarged portion corresponding to FIGS. 4 and 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a transverse schematic cross-section of the strap extended around a tire through a transverse support element. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Strap  1  according to the invention is a flexible connection  2 , for example, a strap  3  which is double or partially doubled, made of a textile material, designed to secure a vehicle wheel  4  using immobilizing contact on the tire  5  with tread  6  to assist in maintaining the vehicle on the carrying structure  7  of a transport vehicle. 
     By way of example, the carrying structure has a supporting surface or plate  8  made of perforated metal  9 , which is either flat or formed of undulating square or rectangular segments. Perforated metal surface  9  has on one or more of its supporting surfaces oblong perforations such as perforations  10  with flat or raised edges arranged in lines, which are used as anchoring points for the attachment of anchor elements of the strap extremities or for the intermediate return element. 
     Anchor elements  12 ,  13  on the strap extremities may form a metal hook, with each of its curved extremities  14  engaging a perforation  10  of supporting structure  7 , and the other extremity having a transverse portion  15  to which the strap extremity is pivotally attached with an end buckle at  16 ,  17 . 
     In one possible variation, either the first hook or both end hooks could be replaced by a retaining block  18  (FIG. 3) of the same shape as the perforations, but slightly smaller in size in order to engage within the opening of the perforation and, after a quarter rotation, to serve as an anchor. Retaining block  18  pivots around connecting stem  19  extending into triangular extremity  20 , forming a passageway for buckle  16  on the end of the strap. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this type of anchor would preferably be used for the first end of the strap located on the right side of the drawings. 
     On the end portion opposite the first extremity, the strap has a manual tightening device, for example, a catch  21  with a handle  22 . 
     This same terminal portion is pulled down against the tire using a return ring  23  anchored with a hook  24  in an adjacent perforation  10 . The strap slides along said ring so that the terminal portion near the second extremity forms a downward pointing, broken line configuration and passes close to the tire, allowing the strap to remain in contact with the tire along a longer portion of the surface (FIG.  2 ). 
     To improve tire immobilization, the strap according to the invention further comprises along its utility surface one or more groups  25 , each comprising a plurality of transverse support elements such as element  26 , maintained in parallel and connected to one another by the specialized strap design, as will be seen below. 
     The latter elements may be of various technical types and may be maintained by the strap in various ways. 
     The type shown in the drawings is the preferred variation. 
     It consists of rectilinear elements in the general shape of rollers with a rod-like central portion  27  terminating on either side in expanded, cylindrical tips  28 , 29  with one or more rings, for example, two or three rings  30 ,  31 ,  32 , of larger diameter than the central rod-shaped portion. 
     Thus, the transverse support elements generally resemble barbells. 
     The ringed structure provides a support zone on either side of the roller for a single or multiple contact at one or more parallel, longitudinal areas near each of the enlarged extremities  28 ,  29 . 
     This parallel succession of annular ridges formed by the roller extremities ensures better lateral support for the strap along the tire in relation to the lateral stress exerted upon the load being transported, for example, on turns. The rounded peripheral portions and the rounded section of each enlarged roller extremity  28 ,  29  exert pressure by rolling when the strap is tightened. Thus, they not only prevent damage to the tire and distortion of the tread, but also improve immobilization. 
     Rather than sliding along the tread surface or being forced against a single area on the tire, transverse support elements  26  act like pressure guide wheels, pressing progressively harder against the tire during the displacement-rolling caused by tightening the strap. 
     Thus, no further slipping or sliding occurs to cause tire deterioration. 
     Transverse support elements  26  may be arranged in several repetitive groups  25  spaced apart at constant intervals  33 , or they may be arranged in a regular line, spaced at constant intervals along the entire utility portion of the strap. 
     For specific requirements, it is possible to vary interval  33  between the transverse support elements, for example, a small interval in the central portion and a larger interval at the extremities of the utility portion of the strap. 
     Preferably, the strap consists of two superimposed bands, such as bands of textile material joined together and attached with a seam. These bands form upper tension band  34  and lower band  35  for holding transverse support elements  26 . 
     Lower maintenance band  35  may be continuous, i.e., the same length as upper tension band  34 , or it may be present only in the areas with transverse support elements  26 , or it may consist only of segments near each transverse support element. 
     A loop, such as loop  36 , formed of a portion of the lower band and partially surrounding rod  27  of each transverse support element  26 , is used for maintenance, with the other portion of rod  27  being covered by upper tightening band  34 . 
     To further maintain transverse support elements  26 , each loop  36  holding a transverse support element is defined by two parallel, transverse seams along the central portion of rod  27 , on either side thereof. 
     Thus, transverse support elements  26  are always located below upper tension band  34 , ensuring better maintenance and support for the upper band. 
     FIG. 7 shows how rod  27  of each transverse support element  26  flexes and how extremities  28 ,  29  separate slightly along the diagonal when these elements are subjected to pressure from a tightening of the strap. 
     Due to the plasticity of the material forming transverse support elements  26 , they deform in the manner shown in FIG.  7 . Flexing rod  27  exerts a supporting force against the tire through lower maintenance band  35 , causing the extremities  28 ,  29  to separate diagonally and tightening the hold on the unit. 
     The areas where rod  27  and the support element extremities are recessed increase contact surface against the tire, and thereby improve lateral maintenance.