Tire chain device for automobiles travelling on snow-covered terrain

This invention relates to a tire chain device for automobiles travelling on snow-covered terrain and, in particular, to one having two steel hoops connected by a plurality short lengths of chains, a plurality of plastic tubes enclosing the steel hoops, two packings located between every two of the plastic tubes, a plurality of guide rings disposed between adjacent packings of one of the steel hoops, a ring member disposed at each end of the steel hoops and a binding chain connected to one ring member of one of the steel hoops. During use of the device the plurality of short lengths of chains are held tightly across the outside of the tire, disposed to be substantially parallel to the axis of tire rotation to enhance traction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
It is known to use chain to fit round an automobile tire to enable the 
automobile to travel on snow-covered terrain. However, it is found that 
the chain fitted round the tire has an annoying tendency to loosen or 
become untied. Besides being annoying, such loosening can become dangerous 
when the automobile is travelling on snow. 
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a tire 
chain device which may obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tire chain device 
which is designed to enable an automobile to travel on snowy ground 
without slipping. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a tire chain 
device which utilizes two steel hoops connected by a plurality of short 
lengths of chains to fit round a tire so as to increase frictional force 
between the tire and the snow-covered surfaces. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tire chain 
device which is easy to use. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tire chain 
device which is simple in construction. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tire chain 
device which is easy to manufacture. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tire chain 
device which is inexpensive to produce. 
Other objects and merits and a fuller understanding of the present 
invention will be obtained by those having ordinary skill in the art when 
the following detailed description of the best mode contemplated for 
practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying 
drawings wherein like numerals refer to like or similar parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood 
that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of 
construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying 
drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that 
the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of 
description and not of limitation. 
With reference now to the drawings, the present invention comprises two 
steel hoops 1 and 2, a plurality of short lengths of chains 5, plastic 
tubes 3, packings 41 and 42, guide rings 7, retaining rings 81, 82, 91 and 
92 a binding chain 6 and a spring hook 9. The ends of each of the steel 
hoops 1 and 2 are respectively bent into two loops 11 and 21. However, it 
should be noted that other component parts should be mounted to the steel 
hoops 1 and 2 before the formation of the two loops 11 and 21. The steel 
hoops 1 and 2 are enclosed by a plurality of plastic tubes 3. Between 
every two adjacent tubes 3 there are two packings 41 and 42. 
Each chain 5 is formed with two ends 59 and 51. The former is connected 
between packings 41 and 42 of steel hoop 2 while the latter is 
correspondingly connected between packings 41 and 42 of the steel hoop 1. 
Consequently, the two ends 59 and 51 cannot move over the plastic tubes 3 
and this will enable the chains 5 to produce larger frictional force when 
held tightly across the outside surface of the tire and thereby put in 
contact with the snow on the ground. The steel hoop 2 further comprises a 
guide ring 7 between each packing 41 and 42. The two ends of steel hoop 1 
are respectively connected with retaining rings 81 and 82 while the two 
ends of steel hoop 2 are respectively connected with retaining rings 91 
and 92 such that the plastic tubes 3, packings 41 and 42, chains 5 and 
guide rings 7 are prevented from withdrawing therefrom. One of the 
retaining rings 81 and 82 is connected with a binding chain 6. 
When in use, the steel hoops 1 and 2 are first fitted round the inner 
surface and outer surface of a tire respectively, so that the short 
lengths of chains 5 located between the steel hoops 1 and 2 are disposed 
round the outer surface of the tire to be substantially parallel to the 
axis of rotation of the tire. 
Then, as best understood with reference to FIG. 5, the binding chain 6, 
attached to retaining ring 81 of steel hoop 1 is passed through the 
retaining ring 82 of steel hoop 1 and retaining rings 91 and 92 of the 
steel hoop 2, and then pulled tightly around the outside of the tire. 
Finally, the binding chain 6 is passed through the guide rings 7 and 
connected by spring hook 9 with a guide ring 7. Since the tire chain is 
tightly fitted round the tire, a large frictional force will be produced 
between the outer surface of the tire and the snow-covered terrain 
therebelow thereby enabling the tire to rotate thereon. 
The embodiment of the invention which has been described and illustrated 
herein is but an illustration of the invention. Other embodiments and 
modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. No attempts have 
been made to illustrate all possible embodiments of the invention, and it 
is intended to comprehend herein such modifications of the illustrated 
device and further applications as would normally occur to one skilled in 
the art to which the invention relates.