A SELF-CONTAINED ANTI-SKID DEVICE FOR PNEUMATIC TIRES

Abstract: A self-contained anti-skid device to be used with a pneumatic tire (32) for boosting traction against slippery roadways covered with ice and snow comprising a plurality of anti-skid pins (20) to be positioned radially at a tread of the tire for being projected from the tread (34) when a plurality of expandable pneumatic chambers (26) adjacent to the pins are pressurized using only a fraction of the actual pressurized air of the tire (32). Furthermore, such air then restored back to the tire through an air recycling device (48) actuated by way of rotation of the tire on a roadway. The anti-skid device of the present invention controlled either manually from the reach of the tire, or remotely from the reach of a driver, or automatically as tire rotates on frozen and non frozen road surfaces.

Description: Description A SELF-CONTAINED ANTI-SKID DEVICE FOR PNEUMATIC TIRES Technical Field This invention relates to anti-skid devices having anti-skid pins that project from a pneumatic tire trade, for boosting traction against slippery roadways covered with ice and snow. Background Art Several anti-skid devices for increasing traction of a pneumatic tire against slippery roadways covered with ice and snow has been proposed. Such devices generally comprising a plurality of anti-skid pins to be positioned radially at a tread of a pneumatic tire for being projected from the tread when a plurality of expandable pneumatic chambers adjacent to the pins pressurized, and retracted, when said expandable pneumatic chambers depressurized. Source of Pressurized air for pressurization of expandable pneumatic chambers in such devices, generally supplied by an air compressor powered by vehicle engine or electrically driven, or a compressed air or gas capsule located somewhere in a vehicle or its wheels and connected ;.o the tires. U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,289 to Cherng Yi Su for automobile tire having retractable tread studs issued Jun. 30, 1987 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,781,813 to Ferguson for a traction wheel construction, issued Feb. 19, 1957 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,513 to Kiyohiro Hirakawa for anti-skid device for preventing slippage of automobile tire issued Mar. 28, 1989 are among such anti-skid devices. The concept of circulating compressed air from an outside source to a rotational and highly vibrational tire, or attaching a pressurized air or gas capsule to a tire, although may work with certain degree of difficulty, but can't be so practical. Furthermore, considering the limited capacity of the expandable pneumatic chambers, a simple malfunction or carelessness of the user, can easily overflow and explode such pneumatic chambers and cause serious problems. Disclosure of Invention Accordingly I claim the followings as the object and advantages of my invention of a self-contained anti-skid device comprising a plurality of anti-skid pins to be positioned radially at a tread of a pneumatic tire, for being projected from the tread, when a plurality of expandable pneumatic chambers adjacent to the pins pressurized, and source of pressurized air is the actual pressurized air of the tire. Considering the accumulative capacity of the expandable pneumatic chambers, comparatively much smaller than the tire air capacity, Just a fraction of the tire pressurized air is adequate for pressuriziation of the expandable pneumatic chambers without perceivable decline in the tire air pressure. Furthermore, it is claimed that the released air from the tire to the expandable pneumatic chambers restored back to the tire through an air recycling device actuated by means of rotation of the tire on a roadway. Use of a tire pressurized air for pressurization of expandable pneumatic chambers, eliminates the need for any attached or detached pressurized air or gas source what so ever, terminate all troubles produced by such sources, and consequently delivers a better, safer, more practical, versatile and economical anti-skid device for pneumatic tires. A tire equipped with the self-contained anti-skid device of the present invention is very much maintenance free, good for all road conditions including ice and snow and a true all seasons tire. Such device is applicable to pneumatic tires of all kind, shape, size and purposes, it gives no excuse not to be used, and can save massive physical and financial damages caused by sliding and loosing control of vehicles on slippery roadways covered with ice and snow every year. Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective fragmentary plan view of a pneumatic tire equipped with an embodiment of the present invention that includes a plurality of anti-skid pins, a plurality of supports forming hollow cells, a plurality of depressurized expandable pneumatic chambers and a protective shield. Fig. 2 shows the expandable pneumatic chambers pressurized and the anti-skid pins projected. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention including an air storage chamber circumferentially molded within the tire and a temperature controlled device and an air pump implanted within the tire tread. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention in a plurality of individual units format. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of an individual unit. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional vie* of a tire and wheel assembly showing a protruding rod of an air recycling device, vacuuming air from the air storage chambers while on the top, and pumping air to the tire while contacting a surface, and also a manually controlled air valve placed on the wheel assembly. Fig. 7 shows an air recycling device powered by the difference in distance between a tire tread and wheel assembly as tire rotates on a surface where "A" is always larger than "B" and also a controlled air valve having a receiver and placed on the wheel assembly. Fig. 8 shows the air recycling device of fig. 6 pumping air from the atmosphere to the tire through an air pressure controlling device, also a temperature controlled device implanted within the tire tread and a controlled air valve placed on the wheel assembly. Fig. 9 shows pumping air from the atmosphere to the tire through an air pressure controlling device. Fig, 10 shows such air pressure controlling device blocking the air way as the tire air pressure reaches its proper level. Figs 11 and 12 show recycling air from an air storage chamber within the wheel assembly into the tire eliminates the need for an air pressure controlling device. Figs 13 and 14 show recycling air from an air storage chamber within the tire into the tire, also eliminates the need for an air pressure controlling device. Figs 15, 16 show an air recycling device having an air pressure controlling device that stops the pumping action when tire air pressure reaches its proper level. Figs 17 and 18 show an air recycling device actuated as in fig. 7 and pulling means of the rod is also an air passage means. Figs 19 and 20 show the air recycling device as in fig. 7, pumping air from the air storage chambers to the tire. Fig. 21 Shows Dry and Ice switch of a controller commands a transmitter to actuate the receiver of a controlled air valve. Fig. 22 shows a temperature controlled device implanted within a tire tread and connected to a controlled air valve. Fig. 23 shows a manually controlled air valve. Fig. 24 shows a 3 way air valve directing a flow of air from the tire to the expandable pneumatic chambers and from the expandable pneumatic chambers to either the air storage chamber, or the air recycling device, or the atmosphere. Figs 25-28 are the air circulation diagrams. Drawings Reference Numbers 20 anti-skid pins 22 Base of 20 24 support 26 expandable pneumatic chambers 28 shield 30 tread-holes for 20 32 pneumatic tire 34 tread of 32 36 pattern of 32 38 air storage chamber of 32 40 air storage chamber of 54 42 shield 43 support 44 expandable pneumatic chamber 46 air passage 48 air recycling device 50 protruding rod of 48 52 air passage from 38 to 48 54 wheel assembly of 32 56 air recycling device 58 protruding rod of 56 60 air passage from 38 to 56 62 pulling means of 58 64 air recycling device 66 protruding rod of 64 68 air pressure controlling device 70 air passage from 68 to 64 72 air passage from 40 to 64 74 air recycling device 76 piston of 74 78 spring of 74 80 pulling and air passage means of 76 82 air recycling device 84 protruding rod of 82 86 spring of 82 88 stop pumping means of 82 90 pulling means of 84 92 manually controlled air valve 94 knob of 92 96 controlled air valve 98 receiver for 96 100 Transmitter of 98 102 temperature controlled device 104 remote controller 106 dry switch of 104 108 ice switch of 104 Discription of The Preferred Embodiments Figs 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a self-contained anti-skid device according to the principles of the present invention and figs 4 and 5, show such embodiment in a plurality of individual units format. The self-contained anti-skid device of the present invention basically includes, a plurality of anti-skid pins 20 to be positioned radially at a tread 34 of a pneumatic tire 32 preferably within the tread-holes 30, a plurality of expandable pneumatic chambers 26 or 44 adjacent to the pins bases 22, a plurality of supports 24 or 43 and protective shields 28 or 42 to accommodate, protect and seal the pins and the expandable pneumatic chambers from the pressurized tire air, and referring to figs 6-8, 23 and 24, an air storage chamber 38 or 40 to store air released from the expandable pneumatic chambers 26 or 44, an air recycling device 48, 56, 64, 74 or 82 actuated by means of rotation of the tire 32 on a roadway to restore air released from the tire 32 to the expandable pneumatic chambers 26 or 44, an air pressure controlling device to control the tire air pressure and a controlled air valve 92 or 96, to direct a flow of air from the tire 32 to the expandable pneumatic chambers 26 or 44 and from the expandable pneumatic chambers to either the air storage chamber 38 or 40, or the air recycling device 48, 56, 64, or 74, or the atmosphere. The controlled air valve, controlled either manually 92 from the reach of the tire 32 and wheel assembly 54, or remotely 96 through a transmitter 100 preferably located within the reach of a driver, and a receiver 98 preferably attached to the controlled air valve 96, or automatically through a temperature controlled device 102 preferably implanted within the tire tread 34. For projection of the anti-skid pins 20 from the tire tread 34, the controlled air valve 92 or 96 discharge a flow of pressurized air from the tire 32 to the expandable pneumatic chambers 26 or 44. Said air provides a pushing force near equal to the tire air pressure against the pins bases 22 that force the pins 20 out of the tread 34. Pins 20 are positioned radially at the tread 34, at any specific time about 90% of the pins are not contacting the road surface and the only resisting force facing those pins from being projected, is the tension holding the pins 20 inside the tread-holes 30. The amount of such tension measured and adjusted to a desired level preferably by assigning appropriate tread-holes 30 for the pins 20. Such tension must be set below tire air pressure, for instance 20 psi (Pounds per Square Inch) or 1.5 kg/cm2 (Kilograms per Square Centimeter) for a 30 psi or 2.25 kg/cm2 tire air pressure. Then there would be 30 psi versus 20 psi or 2.25 kg/cm2 versus 1.5 kg/cm2 for projection of the pins 20. On the other hand, the required force to retract the pins 20 back inside the tread 34, must be more than the total amounts of pressure from the expandable pneumatic chambers on the pins bases 22 of 30 psi or 2.25 kg/cm2, plus the resistance level of the tread-holes 30 of 20 psi or 1.5 kg/cm2. In this example, with surface of each pin base 22 of 1 square Inch or 6.45 cm2, it would be 30 + 20 = 50 psi or 2.25 + 1.5 - 3.75 kg/cm2. In an average tire suitable for a 4,000 lb or 1,814 kg 4 wheel automobile, there is approximately 50 in2 (Square Inch) or 322 cm2 (Square centimeter) of contact between each tire tread and road surface, and that measure up to 20 lb/in2 or 1.41 kg/cm2. With one pin base 22 placed in every 2 in2 or 12.9 cm2 of the tire tread, there would be 40 lb or 18.14 kg of force on each base 22 which is 10 lb or 4.53 kg less than what it takes to retract the pins. By reducing the expandable pneumatic chambers air pressure, the force against the bases 22, will no longer be sufficient to hold the pins 20 in place and weight of the automobile is the force to assist the retraction step as the tire rotates on a roadway. For retraction of the pins 20, air from the expandable pneumatic chambers 26 or 44 must be released, and due to the construction, purpose and requirements of a tire, such air is released to either an air storage chamber, or an air recycling device, or the atmosphere. The advantages of releasing air from the expandable pneumatic chambers 26 or 44 to an air storage chamber 38 or 40 includes, instant retraction of the pins 20, circulation of the tire pressurized air within a closed pneumatic circuit that assures tire air pressure never exceed its previous level without a need for an air pressure controlling device 68 or 88. The disadvantages includes, need for an air storage chamber. The advantages of releasing air from the expandable pneumatic chambers 26 or 44 to an air recycling device actuated by means of rotation of the tire on a roadway include, circulation of the tire air within a closed pneumatic circuit that also assures the tire air pressure never exceed its previous level without a need for an air pressure controlling device 68 or 88, or an air storage chamber 38 or 40. The disadvantages include, slower retraction of the pins in accordance to the rotation of the tire on a roadway. The advantages of releasing air from the expandable pneumatic chambers 26 or 44 to the atmosphere. includes, instant retraction of the pins 20 and elimination of the air storage chambers 38 or 40. The disadvantage includes a need for an air pressure controlling device 68 or 88 to control the tire air pressure when the tire pressurized air is to be restored through an air recycling device. For tires not in constant contact with a surface, as in airplane tires, or tires holding comparatively higher PSI, or tires that restoration the air through rotation of the tire on a surface is not feasible, conventional means for restoration of the air may be implemented. While the above description contains many specifications, the user should not construe these as limitations on the scope of the invention, but merely as an example of preferred embodiment thereof. Those skilled in art and engineering design will envision many other possible variations are within its scope. Accordingly the reader requested to determine the scope of the invention by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the given examples.

Claims: Claims 1. A self-contained anti-skid device for use with a pneumatic tire to prevent slippage of the tire against a surface comprising: 5 (a) a plurality of anti-skid pins to be positioned at a tread of the tire; (b) a plurality of expandable pneumatic chambers adjacent to the anti-skid pins to project the anti-skid pins from the outer peripheral surface of the tread when 10 said expandable pneumatic chambers are pressurized by means of pressurized air from the tire; (c) a plurality of adequate supports of sufficient size and strength accommodating the anti-skid pins and the expandable pneumatic chambers and positioned to 15 store and seal the anti-skid pins and the expandable pneumatic chambers from the pressurized tire air; (d) an air storage chamber of sufficient size and strength to store air released from the expandable pneumatic chambers; 20 (e) an air recycling device actuated by means of rotation of the tire on a surface for pumping air from the air storage chamber into the tire; and (f) a controlled air valve to direct a flow of air from the tire to the expandable pneumatic chambers and 25 from expandable pneumatic chambers to the air storage chamber. 2. A self-contained anti-skid device for use with a pneumatic tire to prevent slippage of the tire against a surface comprising: 30 (a) a plurality of anti-skid pins to be positioned at a tread of the tire; (b) a plurality of expandable pneumatic chambers adjacent to the anti-skid pins to project the anti-skid pins from the outer peripheral surface of the tread when '35 said expandable pneumatic chambers are pressurized by means of pressurized air from the tire; (c) a plurality of adequate supports of sufficient size and strength accommodating the anti-skid pins and the expandable pneumatic chambers and positioned to 5 store and seal the anti-skid pins and the expandable pneumatic chambers from the pressurized tire air; (d) an air recycling device actuated by means of rotation of the tire on a surface for pumping air from the expandable pneumatic chambers into the tire; and 10 (e) a controlled air valve to direct a flow of air from the tire to the expandable pneumatic chambers and from the expandable pneumatic chambers to the air recycling device. 3. A self-contained anti-skid device for use with 15 a pneumatic tire to prevent slippage of the tire against a surface comprising: (a) a plurality of anti-skid pins to be positioned at a tread of the tire; (b) a plurality of expandable pneumatic chambers 20 adjacent to the anti-skid pins to project the anti-skid pins from the outer peripheral surface of the tread when said expandable pneumatic chambers are pressurized by means of pressurized air from the tire; (c) a plurality of adequate supports of sufficient 25 size and strength accommodating the anti-skid pins and the expandable pneumatic chambers and positioned to store and seal the anti-skid pins and the expandable pneumatic chambers from the pressurized tire air; (d) an air recycling device actuated by means of 30 rotation of the tire on a surface for pumping air from the atmosphere to the tire; (e) a controlled air valve to direct a flow of air from the tire to the expandable pneumatic chambers and from the expandable pneumatic chambers to the ' 35 atmosphere; and (f) an air pressure controlling device to control the tire air pressure. 4. A self-contained anti-skid device for use with a pneumatic tire to prevent slippage of the tire against a surface comprising: (a) a plurality of anti-skid pins to be positioned at a tread of the tire; (b) a plurality of expandable pneumatic chambers adjacent to the anti-skid pins to project the anti-skid pins from the outer peripheral surface of the tread when said expandable pneumatic chambers are pressurized by means of pressurized air from the tire; (c) a plurality of adequate supports of sufficient size and strength accommodating the anti-skid pins and the expandable pneumatic chambers and positioned to store and seal the anti-skid pins and the expandable pneumatic chambers from the pressurized tire air; and (d) a controlled air valve to direct a flow of air from the tire to the expandable pneumatic chambers and from the expandable pneumatic chambers to the atmosphere. 5. The anti-skid device of claims 1-4 wherein a controlled air valve controlled manually from the reach of the tire and wheel assembly. 6. The anti-skid device of claims 1-4 wherein a controlled air valve controlled remotely by means of a transmitter and a receiver. 7. The anti-skid device of claims 1-4 wherein a controlled air valve controlled automatically by means of a temperature controlled device implanted within the tire tread.

Inventors: YADEGAR IRAJ, YADEGAR, IRAJ
Applicants: YADEGAR IRAJ, YADEGAR, IRAJ
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B60C11
IPC codes: B60C11, B60C23, B60C27