A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE GRIPPING OF A WHEEL ON A SURFACE

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of facilitating the gripping of a vehicle wheel on a surface. The apparatus comprises a plurality of covering members (1) each having a curved inner surface (2) for engaging a section of a tread surface (3) of a tyre and an outer surface (4) provided with gripping means (5), the plurality of covering members being connectable by fastening means when positioned in use to surround a tread surface of a tyre to enable the entire tread surface of the tyre to be covered by the covering member.

Description: DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Title: "A method and apparatus for facilitating the gripping of a wheel on a surface" THIS INVENTION relates to a method and apparatus for facilitating the gripping of a wheel on a surface. Conventionally, in order to increase the gripping power of vehicle wheels on icy roads and so to prevent slipping and skidding, chains linked into a surface mesh are provided. However, such chains are difficult to fit to a vehicle tyre and, moreover, have a tendency to slip during use which decreases their effectiveness. " It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for and a method of facilitating the gripping of a vehicle wheel on a surface which overcomes or at least mitigates the problems of previously proposed such apparatus and method. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for facilitating the gripping of a vehicle wheel on a surface, which apparatus comprises a plurality of covering members each having a curved inner surface for engaging a section of a tread surface of a tyre and an outer surface provided with gripping means, the plurality of covering members being connect- able by fastening means when positioned in use to surround a tread surface of a tyre to engage and cover substantially the entire tread Surface of the tyre. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a covering member for use with one or more other such covering members for facilitating the gripping of a vehicle wheel on a surface, which covering member has a curved inner surface for engaging a section of a tread surface of a tyre and an outer surface provided with gripping means, the covering member being connectable by fastening means to other such covering means to enable the entire tread surface of a vehicle tyre to be engaged and covered by such covering members. <-& For α better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way o'f example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE I is a plan view of a vehicle tyre showing apparatus embodying the invention provided thereon; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a covering member of the apparatus shown in Figure I ; FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective view showing an adjustable connection between two covering members; FIGURE 3A illustrates in more detail parts of the adjustable coupling; FIGURE is a partial view illustrating a non-adjustable coupling between two covering members; FIGURE 4A is. a plan view illustrating in further detail a non-adjustable . coupling; and FIGURE 5 is a perspective view from the inside of part of a covering member. Referring now to the drawings, there is shown apparatus embodying the invention for facilitating the gripping of a vehicle tyre on a surface, parti¬ cularly an icy or slippery road surface. As shown most clearly in Figures I and 2, the apparatus comprises a plurality of covering members I each having a substantially part-cylindrical shape so that a substantially part-cylindrical inner surface 2 thereof can engage a tread surface of a tyre 3. An outer surface of each covering member is provided with gripping means for gripping the road surface. In the arrangement shown, the gripping means comprise substantially rectangular cross-section gripping barsfextending substantially parallel to the axis of the part-cylindrical covering member. It should, of course, be appreciated that any suitable gripp'ing means, for example spikes or the like, could be provided on the outer surface 4 of each covering member to facilitate the gripping thereof on an icy or slippery road surface. Each covering member has a respective flange 6 extending from each of the curved edges 7 thereof so that when the covering member is positioned on a tyre with the inner surface thereof in contact with the tread surface of the tyre, each flange thereof engages a respective side wall 3a of the tyre to prevent the covering member I slipping in a direction parallel to the axis of the tyre. Each flange is formed with a plurality of apertures 8 for enabling a tyre surface to be viewed through the flange to ensure that the tread surface is undamaged. A radially innermost edge 6a of each flange is provided with a band 9 having at one end 9a thereof a tongue 10 and at the other end 9b thereof a pocket or housing I I for receiving the tongue 10 of another covering member. Each free end l a and lb of each covering member is provided with a respective end portion arranged to engage with the corresponding end portion of another covering member and to receive a connection device to connect the two covering members together. As will be appreciated, the end portions ^ and connection devices may take any suitable form. However, in the arrangement shown, the end portions comprise a plurality of hollow cylindrical members 1 2 arranged spaced apart on the ends l a and I b_. As shown most clearly in Figure 2, the cylindrical members 12 at one end l of each covering member are positioned so as to be disposed opposite a space between the corresponding cylindrical members 12 on the other end l b of the covering member so that, in use of the apparatus, when the one end la of one covering member is brought into contact with the other end lb_ of a second covering member, the cylindrical members 12 are interdigitated to define a passage 13 for receiving a connection device in the form of a bolt 14 having a screw-threaded end 1 5 for receiving a nut 16. The connections provided between the passages 13 and bolts 14 can allow pivotal movement of connected covering members. However, such connections do not enable a spacing between adjacent end portions l a and l b_ of two covering members to be adjusted. Accordingly, in the arrangement shown in the drawings, at least two of the covering members I are provided with means to allow the same to be adjustably coupled together. Thus, as shown in Figure 3, an end l£ of one covering member I 1 has a receiving member 16 mounted thereon so as to extend substantially parallel to the axis of the part-cylindrical covering member. A further receiving member 16 is similarly mounted to the other end .l b of a second covering member I ". Each of the receiving members 16 is in the form of a substantially rectangular cross-section bar and so doubles as a gripping member. As shown most clearly in Figure 3A, each receiving member 16 is formed with a plurality, in the arrangement shown, two, of apertures 17. The apertures 17 in one receiving member 16 are arranged to be aligned with the apertures 17 in the other receiving member 16,when the two covering members I 1 and I " carrying the receiving members are connected together by inserting the respective tongues 10 into the pockets I I, to receive a respective bolt 18 having a screw-threaded end 19. As will be appreciated, the gap between the receiving members 16 and therefore the covering members I 1 and I " can be adjusted by adjusting the degree to which a respective nut 20 is tightened onto each bolt 19. The inner surface 2 of each covering member is provided with means for engaging the tread surface of a tyre. In the arrangement shown, the inner surface 2 of each covering member I is provided with an inner lining 21 of a resilient material, for example a lining of latex or other rubber or rubberised material. It should, however, be appreciated that the lining 21 could be replaced by alternative engaging means, for example projections extending from the inner surface to arrange to engage within the recesses of the tread, surface of a tyre. The covering members I may be formed of a metal or metal alloy or, alternatively, may be injection moulded from a plastics material. Also, although the number of covering members may be determined to suit manu¬ facturing and use conditions, in the arrangement shown, four covering members each subtending an angle of substantially 90° are provided for each vehicle tyre. In order to fit the apparatus onto a vehicle tyre, a first covering member I is first positioned on the tyre of a vehicle adjacent the point at which the tyre contacts the ground. The vehicle wheel is then rotated so that the wheel stands upon the covering member I and a further covering member I is fitted onto the tyre so that the inner surface thereof engages the tread surface of the tyre. The further covering member is then slid along the tyre to bring the tongues 10 and pockets I I of the two covering members I into engagement so ensuring that the cylindrical members 12 of the facing ends la and lb of the two covering members are aligned to form the passage 13 for receiving a bolt 14. A bolt 14 is then inserted into the passage 13 and secured in place by means of a nut 16. 5 The vehicle wheel is then rotated so that the wheel is standing on the second covering member and a further covering member I is slid onto the tyre in the manner described above. Again, the tongues 10 and pockets I I are brought into engagement and a bolt 14 is inserted through the passage 13 formed by the aligned cylindrical members 12. The bolt 14 is secured in place by means of a 10 nut 16. The vehicle wheel is again rotated so that the wheel stands on the new covering member and the final covering member is then positioned on the wheel and connected in the manner described above to the further covering member I . The wheel is then rotated so that the receiving members 16 carried by the first and fourth covering members are easily reachable and the bolts 18 are inserted I 5„ through the aligned apertures 17 in the receiving members 16. The fit of the apparatus on the tyre is then adjusted by tightening the nuts 20 to adjust a tolerance gap between the first and fourth covering members. The above-described procedure is then repeated for each of the vehicle's 0 tyres. It will, of course, be appreciated that the adjustable fastening means comprising the receiving members 16 and bolt 18 and nut 20 arrangement enable the provision of a tolerance gap around the apparatus to be fitted to 5 slightly different diameter wheels. However, of course, differently dimen¬ sioned covering members I may be provided to fit different diameter tyres. As described above, each covering member I is simply connected to an adjacent covering member by a nut and bolt arrangement and so the apparatus 0 can easily be fitted onto a tyre without undue force and furthermore without the need to jack the vehicle up or otherwise elevate the vehicle off the ground. In particular, the apparatus can be fitted easily on the open road when a driver encounters harsh and dangerous icy or slippery road conditions because the apparatus does not require fitting in a service garage but can be fitted by the 35 driver as required, the tightening of the five nut and bolt arrangements being effected by means of a standard spanner. Furthermore, the apparatus when disassembled and removed from a tyre can be packed away in its own convenient container and easily stowed within the boot of a vehicle for use whenever necessary. It will, of course, be appreciated that the apparatus may be used with any sort of motor vehicle, for example an articulated lorry, a car or even a solo motor cycle. Where the vehicle to which the apparatus is to be fitted is a heavy goods vehicle, then the covering members I should be formed from a heavy duty material such as hardened steel whereas when the vehicle is a relatively light vehicle, for example a family car or a motor cycle, then hardened plastics may be used to form the covering members 1. The apparatus when fitted to the tyres of a vehicle give a driver increased control on icy surfaces enabling vehicles to negotiate and drive on icy and slippery roads even at a gradient.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for facilitating the gripping of a vehicle wheel on a surface, which apparatus comprises a plurality of covering members each having a curved inner surface for engaging a section of a tread surface of a tyre and an outer surface provided with gripping means, the plurality of covering members being connectable by fastening means when positioned in use to surround a tread surface of a tyre to engage and cover substantially the entire tread surface of the tyre. 2. Apparatus according to Claim I , wherein at least two of the plurality of covering members are each provided with a respective flange for engaging a respective side wall of a vehicle tyre so that, when the plurality of covering members are positioned, in use of the apparatus, to surround a tread surface of a tyre and are connected by fastening means to engage and cover the tread surface, a respective flange engages each side wall of the tyre. 3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein each covering member is provided with two flanges for each engaging a respective side wall of a vehicle tyre. 4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein each covering member is elongate and has an inner surface shaped to conform to a section of a tread surface of a tyre, a respective flange extending from and along each elongate edge of the inner surface. 5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein each flange extends sub¬ stantially perpendicularly of the respective edge. 6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner surface of each covering member is provided with means for gripping the tread surface of a tyre. 7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the inner surface of each covering member is provided with a resi lient layer. 8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the resilient layer comprises a rubber material. 9. Apparatus according to Claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the inner surface of each covering member has projections extending therefrom for engaging in recesses of the tread surface of a vehicle tyre. 10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising fasten¬ ing means for connecting the plurality of covering members. 1 1. Apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the fastening means comprises a respective fastening device for fastening two covering members together. 12. Apparatus according to Claim I I , wherein at least one of the fastening devices is arranged to be adjustable to enable the apparatus to be fitted to a tyre. 13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein each non-adjustable fastening device comprises a hinge connection between two covering members. 14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein each hinge connection is releasable. 15. Apparatus according to Claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the non-adjustable fastening devices comprise connection devices for passing through aligned apertures of two covering members to fasten the same together. 1 6. Apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the apertures are provided in respective end portions at respective edges of the covering member , which edges are arranged to contact one another when two covering members are brought into contact, the apertures being arranged so that, when the said edges of two covering members abut one another, the apertures are aligned to form a passage for receiving a connection device. 17. Apparatus according to Claim 16, wherein the end portions comprise a plurality of cylindrical end portion members arranged spaced-apart along each said edge of each covering member, the cylindrical end portion members of an edge of one covering member being arranged to interleave with the corres¬ ponding cylindrical end portion members of another covering member to define the said passage. 18. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 17, wherein the or each adjustable fastening device comprises a connection device and respective receiving means provided adjacent edges of the covering members which, in use of the apparatus on a vehicle tyre, face one another, the connection device being adjustable so as to adjust a spacing between the said edges. 1 9. Apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein each receiving member comprises a bar extending substantially parallel to the said edge, each bar being provided with apertures for receiving a connection device. 20. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 15 to 1 9, wherein each connection device comprises a nut and bolt arrangement. 21 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner surface of each covering member is substantially part-cylindrical. 22. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer surface of each covering member is substantially parallel to the inner surface thereof. 23. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the gripping means comprise gripping bars spaced-apart along each covering member so as to extend substantially parallel to one another. 24. Apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein the gripping bars are positioned so that, in use of the apparatus on a vehicle tyre, the gripping bars extend transversely of the direction in which the tyre is rotatable. 25. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each covering member is moulded, preferably injection-moulded. 26. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each covering member is formed of a plastics material, a metal or a metal alloy. 27. Apparatus for facilitating the gripping of vehicle wheel on a surface, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference .to, and as Illustrated in, the accompanying drawings. 28. A covering member for use with one or more other such covering members for facilitating the gripping of a vehicle wheel on a surface, which covering member has a curved inner surface for engaging a section of a tread surface of a tyre and an outer surface provided with gripping means, the covering member being connectable by fastening means to other such covering means to enable the entire tread surface of a vehicle tyre to be engaged and covered by such covering members. 29. Apparatus according to Claim 28, wherein the covering member is provided with two flanges for each engaging a respective side wall of a vehicle tyre. 30. Apparatus according to Claim 29, wherein the covering member is elongate having an inner surface shaped to conform to a section of a tread * surface of a tyre and a respective flange extending from and along each elongate edge of the inner surface. 31. A covering member according to Claim 30, wherein each flange extends substantially perpendicularly of the respective edge. 32. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 28 to 32, wherein the inner surface of the covering member is provided with means for gripping the tread surface of a tyre. 33. A covering member according to Claim 32, wherein' the inner surface of the covering member is provided with a resilient layer. " 34. A covering member according to Claim 33, wherein the resilient layer comprises a rubber material. 35. A covering member according to Claim 32, 33 or 34, wherein the inner surface of the covering member has projections extending therefrom for engaging in recesses of the tread surface of a vehicle tyre. 36. A covering member according to any one of Claims 28 to 35, wherein the inner surface of the covering member is substantially part-cylindrical. 37. Apparatus according to Claim 36, wherein the outer surface of the covering member extends substantially paral lel to the inner surface. 38. A covering member according to Claim 36 or 37, wherein the gripping means comprise gripping bars arranged space-apart on the outer surface, each gripping bar extending substantially parallel to the axis of the part-cylindrical inner surface. 39. A covering member according to Claim 36, 37 or 38, wherein the covering member has respective edges extending substantially paral lel to the axis of the part-cylindrical inner surface, each said edge being arranged to face a corresponding edge of another such covering member during use of the covering member on a vehicle tyre and each said edge being connectable to a corresponding edge of another such covering member. 40. A covering member according to Claim 39, wherein each said edge carries a plurality of end portion members interleavable with corresponding end-portion members of another covering member to define a passage for receiving a connection device. 41 . A covering member substantially as hereinbefore described with refer- ence to, and as i llustrated in, the accompanying drawings. 42. A method of facilitating the gripping of a vehicle wheel on a surface whenever using apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims I to 27 or a covering member in accordance with any one of Claims 28 to 41 . 43. A method of facilitating the gripping of a vehicle wheel on τj surface using apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims I to 27 ? which method comprises positioning a first covering member on a vehicle tyre so that the inner surface thereof engages a section of the tread surface of the tyre, rotating the wheel of the vehicle carrying the tyre so that the covering member is positioned between the vehicle tyre and the surface on which the vehicle is standing, positioning further covering members on the tyre so that the inner surface thereof engages a section of the tread surface of the tyre and connecting adjacent covering members using fastening members, the vehicle wheel being rotated each time a covering member is applied to the tyre, until substantially the entire tread surface of the tyre is covered and the covering members are connected together, then adjusting the connection between at least two of the covering members to ensure that the inner surfaces of the covering members grip the tread surface of the tyre. 44. A method of facilitating the gripping of a vehicle wheel on a surface, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 45. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.

Inventors: O'ROURKE TERENCE JAMES, WATKINS FREDERICK, O'ROURKE, TERENCE, JAMES, WATKINS, FREDERICK
Applicants: ROURKE TERENCE JAMES O, WATKINS FREDERICK, O'ROURKE, TERENCE, JAMES, WATKINS, FREDERICK
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B60C27
IPC codes: B60C27