CABLE TYPE TIRE CHAINS

Abstract: A cable-type tire chain comprises side members (12, 14 or 12′) adapted to extend circumferentially around opposite side walls of a tire and cross members (18 or 16′) connected between the side members so as to extend over and across the tire tread, the cross members carrying traction means in the form of traction sleeves (20 or 18′). A low profile articulated connection is provided between each end of each cross member and one of the side members, the connection comprising one connector element (36 or 28′) crimped on the cross member and another connector element (34 or 32′) crimped on the side member. One connector element has a head (37 or 30′) and the other element has a bent-over tab (48 or 38′) and an opening (50 or 40′) through which the head is inserted. When the tab is flattened the head is trapped in the other connector element. The connection may allow for movement of a cross member to accommodate changes in profile of a tire. The invention also relates to a specific form of traction sleeve (20) and a construction of cross member using freely rotatable cable sheaths (30, 31, 32).

Description: CABLE-TYPE TIRE CHAINS SPECIFICATION Background of the Invention The invention relates to cable-type chains for use on vehicle tires, for improving traction, for example, in ice or snow conditions. In particular, the invention is concerned with cable-type chains which include a pair of elongate flexible side members adapted to extend circumferentially around opposite side walls of a tire, and cross members provided with traction means such as traction sleeves, the cross members being connected between the side members so as to extend over and across the tire tread. Chains of this general type are well known; see, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,155,389. It is desirable in the design of cable-type tire chains, to maximize traction, vehicle stability and chain life, consistent with minimizing wear both of the tire and of the chain itself. The present invention is directed, inter alia, toward aspects of cable-type tire chain design adapted to provide the tire chain with favorable characteristics in the above or other respects. For example, it may be desirable to provide attachment means between the ends of the cross members and the respective side members which are simple and economical to manufacture and apply, and which provide a relatively low profile connection between the cross members and side members, which is useful, for example, in vehicle wheel wells having limited clearance. It is further desirable, for such attachment means to provide a secure connection while facilitating cross member replacement, and preferably the attachment means should allow for a degree of movement (hinging movement being preferred), as between the cross member ends and the side members, in order to accommodate changes in tire profile and/or limited circumferential movement of the cross member. The present invention is directed, inter alia, towards providing a cable-type tire chain having attachment means adapted to fulfill the above criteria. Summary of the Invention The invention provides, in one aspect, a cabletype tire chain having a pair of elongate side members, cross members connected between the side members, the cross members being provided with traction means such as traction sleeves, and attachment means between the ends of the cross members and the respective side members, each attachment means comprising complementary connector elements secured to the cross member and side member respectively. One of the connector elements has a head and the other connector element has a plate with a bent-over tab and an opening through which the head is inserted. The configuration of the head and the opening is such that when the tab is flattened toward the body of the plate, the head is trapped between the plate and tab preventing its removal through the opening. The cooperative configurations of the head, tab, and opening are preferably such as to permit relative movement between the connector elements. Such movement may, for example, by hinging movement in directions both laterally and circumferentially of a tire. The head is preferably formed on the connector element secured to the cross member, and the plate and tab on the other connector element, but certain advantages are retained if the configuration is reversed. In one preferred form, the head may comprise a substantially flat, T-shaped plate having a cross bar extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the cross member. In another form the head may have a curved outer surface which permits rotation of the cross member about its longitudinal axis relative to the connector element in which it is received. In another of its aspects, the invention provides a novel type of traction sleeve for use on a cabletype tire chain, the sleeve comprising a body portion in the form of a right cylinder, and at least one end portion flared outwardly from the body portion, the end portion defining a notch providing sharp corners on one end of the sleeve. Preferably, both end portions of the sleeve are flared and notched as indicated, and conveniently, the sleeve may be formed by bending an initially flat metal strip into tubular form in a suitable die or the like. In still another of its aspects, the invention provides a cross member for a cable-type tire chain, the cross member being provided with traction means, preferably traction sleeves, and having at its opposite ends attachment means for connecting the cross member to side members of the chain, wherein the cross member comprises a cable covered over at least a part of its length with a sheath of wire wound helically around the cable, and with the sheath being free to rotate on the cable. Preferably the cross member construction is such as to provide elongate sheaths at least at opposite end portions of the cross member, with traction sleeves freely rotatably mounted on the end portions over the wire sheaths. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle tire equipped with a first form of tire chain constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view on line 2-2 -of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the tire chain shown in Figure 1, including a cross member and a connector element; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a traction sleeve; Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 3; Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view on line 6-6 of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a vehicle tire equipped with a second form of tire chain constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the tire chain shown in Figure 7, including a cross member and connector elements. Description of Preferred Embodiments As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle tire 10 is provided with a first form of cable-type tire chain in accordance with the invention comprising elongate flexible side members 12 and 14 (only one side member 12 is visible in Figure 1), which extend circumferentially around opposite side walls 16 of the tire, and cross members 18, carrying traction means in the form of traction sleeves 20, the cross members being connected between the side members and extending over and across the tire tread 22. The opposite ends of the respective side members 12 and 14 may be connected together, in known manner, by any suitable connector 24 (Figure 1), so that the cable chain securely embraces the tire. Side members 12 and 14 may, for example, comprise stranded metal cable or other suitable elongate flexible material. Each of the cross members 18, see particularly Figures 2 and 3, comprises a length of cable 26 (such as stranded-metal aircraft cable) divided, by bushings 28 crimped to the cable, into a central section A and outer sections B and C. A wire is helically wound around central section A so as to provide an elongate sheath 30 extending substantially the entire length of the central section. The diameter of the sheath is such that it can rotate freely on the cable 26. Outer sections B and C are likewise provided with freely rotatably helically wound elongate wire sheaths 32 and 31. Each end of the cross member has a connector element in the form of a further crimped-on bushing 36 with a part-spherical head 37. Each of the cable sections B and C carries a number of the traction sleeves 20, over the respective sheaths 32 and 34, the diameter of the sleeves 20 and the number of sleeves being such that they are freely rotatable. The traction sleeves (see Figure 4) each have a body portion 35 in the form of a right cylinder and outwardly flared end portions 38. The end portions define V-shaped notches 40 providing sharp corners 42 at the opposite ends of the sleeve for biting into ice, snow or the like. Bushings 28 have part-spherical heads 29, which may be received in the flared ends of the innermost sleeves and provide bearing surfaces which facilitate sleeve rotation. Conveniently, the sleeves may each be formed by bending (in a suitable die or the like) an initially flat strip of metal into tubular form with flared end portions and so that opposite edges 39, 41 of the strip are juxtaposed in the body portion of the sleeve in parallel to the sleeve axis. With this procedure, the flaring of the end portions in itself may form the V-shaped notches 40, which are defined between the end sections of edges 39 and 41. It will be noted that the lengths of sections A, B and C of the cross members are such that when the tire chain is fitted to a tire, the traction sleeves are located in the vicinity of the tread shoulders 22a and 22b, with the center of the tire tread being free of sleeves. This is preferred, but not essential, and, the sleeves could be continued across the entire tread. (In this case, bushings 28 could be omitted and a single wire sheath could be used for the entire length of each cross member.) Further, while in the illustrated embodiment, there are unequal numbers of traction sleeves on the respective end portions of the cross member, the actual number of sleeves used in practice may be varied to suit different applications. The ends of the cross members 18 are connected to the side members 12 and 14 by attachment means including the bushings 36 and complementary connector elements 34 shown particularly in Figures 2 and 3. Each connector element 34 is formed from a flat metal plate having one end 46 bent to form a tab by which the element 34 is crimped firmly to the relevant side member. The other end of the element 34 is bent to form a further tab 48 having a keyhole-like opening 50, adapted to receive, through its large end, the head 37 of one of the end bushings 36 of the cross member when tab 48 is lifted away from the body of the element. The bushing 36 can then be moved down opening 50 toward the end of element 34. When tab 48 is then flattened toward the body of the plate, head 37 becomes trapped in element 34 as shown in Figure 2, the narrow part of opening 50 being of insufficient width to permit withdrawal of head 37, and the flattening of tab 48 preventing head 37 from moving toward the large end of opening 50. The connector configuration, however, due, inter alia, to the part-spherical head 37, permits rotation of the cross member about its longitudinal axis. The cross member can be released by bending tab 48 to the position of Figure 3 (with the aid of a tool) and removing head 37 through the large end of opening 50. The ability of the cross member cables 26 to rotate relative to the connector elements 34, along with the free rotational mounting of the wire sheaths 30-32 and of the traction sleeves, contributes significantly to reducing or at least equalizing wear on the cable chain. Additionally, the specific design of the traction sleeves imparts good lateral traction to a tire, while resisting clogging by ice chips or the like. Further, the connector elements provide a rather low-profile connection between the cross members and the side members which is useful in vehicle wheel wells having limited clearance, and the connections may also permit a degree of lateral hinging as between the side members and the ends of the cross members useful in accommodating changes in tire profile. Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, a vehicle tire 10' is #provided with a second form of cable-type tire chain in accordance with the invention comprising flexible elongate side members 12', which again extend circumferentially around opposite side walls 14' of the tire and cross members 16', carrying traction means in the form of traction sleeves 18', the cross members being connected between the side members and extending over and across the tire tread 20'. Only one side member 12' is visible in the drawings, but it will be appreciated that a like side member is provided on the opposite side wall of the tire. The ends of the respective side members 12' may be connected together in known manner by any suitable connector 22' (Figure 7) so that the cable chain securely embraces the tire. The side members 12' may again comprise stranded metal cable or other suitable elongate flexible material. Each of the cross members 16', see particularly Figures 8 and 9, comprises a length of cable 24', such as stranded metal aircraft cable, covered by a sheath of wire 26' wound helically around cable 24'. The traction sleeves 18' are freely rotatably mounted over the wire sheath 26'. The design of the traction sleeves is not critical in the present embodiment, and the sleeves may, for example, be of the type shown in the aforementioned patent, or may alternatively be of the type shown in Figures 1 to 6. The opposite ends of each cross member are each provided with a connector element in the form of a metal bushing 28' crimped onto cable 24' and having a head in the form of a substantially flat, T-shaped plate 30'. The heads 30' form part of attachment means for connecting the ends of the cross members to the respective side members, the attachment means, in each case, further including a complementary connector element 32'. Connector elements 32' may each comprise a metal plate 34', having a bent-over tab 36' at one end, by which the element may be firmly crimped to one of the side cables, and a further bent-over tab 38' at the other end, tab 38' being formed with an elongate opening 40' extending lengthwise of the element and being tapered at one end as shown. The shape and configuration of opening 40' is such that when the tab 38' is lifted away from plate 34' (as in Figure 9), one of the heads 30' may be inserted through the opening by longitudinally orienting the crossbar 31' of the head 30' with the length of the opening. Then, when tab 38' is flattened toward the body of plate 34' (as in Figure 8), head 30' becomes trapped between the tab and the body of the plate, since the flattened tab prevents the crossbar 31' from being oriented into longitudinal alignment with the opening. In the flattened condition of tab 38', however, the relative configuration of the head, the opening, and the tab and plate body, is such that a degree of hinging may take place between the connector elements both in the plane of plate 34' and perpendicularly to the plane of plate 34'. These movements provide for a degree of hinging of the cross cable relative to the side cables circumferentially of a tire (as indicated, for example, by arrow A1 in Figure 7) and laterally of the tire (as indicated, for example, by arrow B1 in Figure 8). The circumferential hinging accommodates adjustment of the cross members circumferentially of the tire, while the lateral hinging accommodates changes in the tire profile. The cross members may be removed from connector elements 32', if required, simply by lifting the tabs 38' by means of a tool, and suitably orienting the crossbars 31' relative to openings 40'. It will be seen from the foregoing that the invention, at least in one aspect thereof, provides attachment means between the cross members and side members of a cable-type tire chain, which attachment means is relatively simple and economical to manufacture, which provides relatively low profile connection between the cross members and side members, and which may allow for movement such as hinging movement of a cross member relative to a side member both laterally and circumferentially of a tire. Further, the attachment means provide secure connections between the cross members and side members while allowing for simple disconnection therebetween for cross member replacement. While only preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein in detail, the invention is not limited thereby and modifications can be made within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A cable-type tire chain having a pair of elongate side members (12, 14 or 12'), a cross member (18 or 16') connected between the side members, the cross member being provided with traction means (20 or 18'), and attachment means between the ends of the cross member and the respective side members, each attachment means comprising complementary connector elements (36 or 28' and 34 or 32') secured to the cross member and side member respectively, characterized in that one of said elements (36 or 28') includes a head (37 or 30') and the other element (34 or 32') comprises a plate (34 or 34') having a bent-over tab (48 or 38') flattened toward the body of the plate and an opening (50 or 4 > 0') through which the head is inserted, the head being trapped between the tab and the body of the plate by the flattened tab, and the configuration of the connector elements permitting relative movement therebetween when the head is trapped as aforesaid. 2. A tire chain as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the connector element (36 or 28') having the head (37 or 30') is secured to the cross member (18 or 16'). 3. A tire chain as defined in either preceding claim, characterized in that the head (37 or 30') when trapped is adapted to permit hinging of the connector elements (34, 36 or 28', 32') laterally of a tire upon which the chain is used (arrow B1). 4. A tire chain as defined in any preceding claim, characterized in that the head (30'), when trapped, is adapted to permit hinging movement of the connector elements (28', 32') circumferentially of a tire upon which the chain is used (arrow A1). 5. A tire chain as defined in any preceding claim, characterized in that the head (30') comprises a substantially flat T-shaped member with a crossbar (31') extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the cross member (16'). 6. A tire chain as defined in claim 5, characterized in that the configuration of the head (30') and the opening (40') is such as to permit insertion of the head in the opening and removal of the head from the opening by mutual lengthwise orientation of the crossbar (31') and the opening when the tab is lifted away from the body of the plate. 7. A tire chain as defined in any preceding claim, characterized in that the cross member (18 or 16') is a cable (26 or 24'), and wherein the connector element (36 or 28') which is secured to the cross member comprises a bushing crimped onto the cable. 8. A tire chain as defined in any preceding claim, characterized in that the opening (50 or 40') extends into the tab (48 or 38'). 9. A tire chain as defined in any preceding claim, characterized in that the traction means (20 or 18') comprise traction sleeves on the cross member (18 or 16'). 10. A tire chain as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement of the connector elements (34 and 36) permits rotation of the cross member (18) about its longitudinal axis. 11. A tire chain as defined in claim 10, characterized in that the head (37) has a curved outer surface to permit said rotation. 12. A traction sleeve (20) for use in a tire chain, characterized in that the sleeve comprises a body portion (35) in the form of a right cylinder and at least one end portion (38) flared outwardly from the body portion, the end portion defining a notch (40) providing sharp corners (42) on one end of the sleeve. 13. A sleeve as defined in claim 12, characterized in that each end portion of the sleeve is flared outwardly and provided with a notch defining sharp corners on the opposite ends of the sleeve. 14. A sleeve as defined in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that it is formed from a strip of metal bent into tubular form, opposite edges (39, 41) of the strip being juxtaposed in said body portion (35) of the sleeve in parallel to the sleeve axis, and end sections of said edges defining the notch (40) in the flared end portion of the sleeve. 15. A cross member (18) for a cable-type tire chain, the cross member being provided with traction means (20) and having at its opposite ends attachment means (36, 37) for connecting the cross member to respective side members (12, 14) of the cable chain, characterized in that the cross member comprises a cable (26) covered over at least a part of its length with a sheath (30 or 31 or 32) comprising a wire wound helically around the cable, with the sheath being free to rotate on the cable. 16. A cross member as defined in claim 15, characterized in that cable (26) is a stranded metal cable. 17. A cross member as defined in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the traction means (20) comprise traction sleeves freely rotatable on said cross member. 18. A cross member as defined in claim 17, characterized in that the cable (26) has end portions each covered with a sheath (31 or 32) as specified, traction sleeves (20) freely rotatable on said sheaths, and a central portion free of traction sleeves. 19. A cross member as defined in claim 18, characterized in that the central portion is also covered with a sheath (30). 20. A cross member as defined in claim 18, characterized in that said portions of the cable are separated by bushings (28) fixed on the cable (26), said bushings each having a head (29) with a curved outer surface providing a bearing surface for one of the traction sleeves (20). -21. A cross member for a cable-type tire chain, the cross member (18 or 16') being provided with traction means (20 or-18') and having at its opposite ends attachment means (36 or 28') for connecting the cross member to side members (12, 14 or 12') of the cable chain, characterized in that the attachment means includes, in each case, a connector element (36 or 28') fixed to the end of the cross member and having a head (32 or 30') adapted to be received in a complementary connector element (34 or 32') attached to one of the side members in a manner permitting movement of the cross member relative to the side member. 22. A cross member as defined in claim 21, characterized in that each complementary connector element (34 or 32') comprises a plate having means (46 or 36') at one end for fixing the plate firmly to the side member and a bent-over tab (48 or 38') at the other end having an opening (50 or 40') through which the head is inserted, the tab when flattened toward the body of said plate trapping the head in the connector element. 23. A cross member as defined in claim 21, characterized in that the head (37 or 30') is adapted to be received in the complementary connector element (34 or 32') in a manner permitting relative hinging of the elements. 24. A cross member as defined in claim 21, characterized in that the head (37) is adapted to be received in the complementary connector element (34) in a manner permitting rotation of the cross member about its longitudinal axis.

Inventors: COUTTS, JAMES WALTER, MARTINELLI, RENE JOSEPH
Applicants: BURNS BROS., INC.
Application year: 1982
Main classification: B60C27
IPC codes: B60C27