Abstract:
Modular weight systems for improving tire traction of automobiles on road surfaces affected by inclement weather are disclosed. The modular weight systems include a plurality of tiles that are configured to releasably mate to one another, and to fit within the cargo space of a vehicle without significantly reducing utility or becoming dislodged during movement. The tiles generally weigh between twenty and two-hundred pounds each, and they may be filled or doped with heavy filler materials, such as sand, stone or shot.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/885,088, filed Jan. 16, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Due to their design and intended use, a number of vehicles contain a significant amount of empty space (e.g., pick-up trucks, cargo vans, minivans, trailers, 18-wheelers). This empty space creates a weight imbalance that tends to reduce a driver&#39;s control on snow and ice. In an attempt to increase traction, many owners of lightweight vehicles place cinder blocks, bricks, sand bags, logs or other heavy items in the cargo space of their vehicles. Not only does this practice reduce the useful area within the vehicle, it also creates a serious risk of injury or death if the items become flying projectiles during an accident or sudden stop. A somewhat safer weighting device is a large rectangular water bladder that may be filled with a garden hose and placed in a trunk of a car or bed of a pick-up truck. However, these bladders contain between 12.5 and 50 gallons of water and weigh between 100 and 400 pounds when full. A puncture of the bladder can therefore release large quantities of water within a trunk or car interior, and removal of an intact bladder may be difficult or impossible when the water within it is frozen. Further, these water bladders have convex top surfaces that are unsuitable for the stable transport of most items. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present instrumentalities overcome the problems outlined above by providing modular weight systems for automobiles. The modular weight systems disclosed herein include a plurality of tiles that may be placed in an automobile cargo space. The tiles are configured to be joined together in a releasably mateable fashion so that the weight systems do not obstruct the cargo space or become dislodged during movement. 
         [0004]    In an embodiment, a modular weight system for an automobile includes a first tile and a second tile, the first tile and the second tile configured to releasably mate to one another to form the modular weight system. The first tile and the second tile each have a surface area (in inches) to weight (in pounds) ratio of less than 30:1. 
         [0005]    In an embodiment, a modular weight system for an automobile includes a first tile and a second tile, the first tile and the second tile configured to releasably mate to one another to form the modular weight system. The first tile and the second tile each weigh at least twenty pounds and have a surface area (in inches) to weight (in pounds) ratio of less than 30:1. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment, a method of using a modular weight system to improve automobile traction includes providing a first tile and a second tile, the first tile and the second tile configured to releasably mate to one another to form the modular weight system. The first tile and the second tile each have a surface area (in inches) to weight (in pounds) ratio of less than 30:1. The modular weight system is placed in a cargo space of an automobile. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an exemplary modular weight system configured for placement in a bed of a pick-up truck. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of an exemplary modular weight system configured for placement in a square or rectangular cargo space of an automobile. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a tile having an internal cavity, according to an embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a tile having an internal cavity and a hinged lid, according to an embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a partial cutaway view of a tile having a doped inner material and an outer coating, according to an embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of a tile including a top portion and a bottom portion that are bonded together. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    As used herein, the term “automobile” refers to a device for the ground transportation of passengers or cargo, where the device may or may not be independently powered. For example, the term “automobile” may refer to various types of cars, buses, pick-up trucks, flatbed trucks, trailers, 18-wheelers, cargo vans, minivans, SUV&#39;s and the like. 
         [0014]    As used herein, “mating” of tiles may be accomplished when two or more tiles are sized and shaped to join or fit together in an interconnected and interlocking manner. Interlocking of mated tiles provides a substantially snug fit, such that motion of each tile is constrained relative to the tile(s) with which it is mated, and little or no space exists between the edges of mated tiles. For example, two or more tiles may be mated using interlocking or interdigitated tabs. 
         [0015]    Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, where like numbers represent similar elements in multiple figures. Numbering without parentheses is used to denote a genus (e.g., modular weight system  100 ), whereas numbering with parentheses denotes a species within a genus (e.g., modular weight system  100 ( 2 )). Multiple elements within a figure may not be labeled for the sake of clarity. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an exemplary modular weight system  100 ( 1 ) configured for placement in a bed of a pick-up truck (not shown). In operation, modular weight system  100 ( 1 ) is sized and shaped to fit snuggly within the bed of a particular model and brand of truck, thereby minimizing movement of system  100 ( 1 ) during driving. Modular weight system  100 ( 1 ) includes a plurality of individual tiles  102 ( 1 ) and  102 ( 2 ), which are releasably mated to one another at edges  104  of tiles  102  (e.g., by aligning edges  104  and setting them in place with a rubber mallet). Within system  100 ( 1 ), tiles  102 ( 1 ) are configured as corner pieces, and tiles  102 ( 2 ) are configured as center pieces having cutout portions  106  to accommodate wheel wells of a pick-up truck. 
         [0017]    In an alternate embodiment, when it is unnecessary to accommodate wheel wells of an automobile, tiles  102 ( 3 ) may be aligned with cutout portions  106 . In one example, tiles  102 ( 3 ) may contain interlocking tabs for mating of tiles  102 ( 3 ) with tiles  102 ( 2 ). Use of tiles  102 ( 3 ) converts system  100 ( 1 ) into a rectangular weight system similar to system  100 ( 2 ) of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0018]    Although  FIG. 1  shows six (or eight) tiles  102 , it will be appreciated that various layouts involving two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more tiles  102  may be used to create modular weight system  100 . Modular weight system  100  may form various regular or irregular shapes without departing from the spirit and scope of what is described herein. Further, tabs  202  ( FIG. 2 ), which are used to releasably mate edges  104  of tiles  102 , may be formed in various sizes and shapes. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of one exemplary modular weight system  100 ( 2 ) configured for placement in a square or rectangular cargo space of an automobile, such as a trunk or trailer. Length, L, and width, W, of system  100 ( 2 ) may be adjusted to accommodate cargo spaces of various sizes by the addition or subtraction of tiles  102 ( 4 ). As discussed above, tiles  102 ( 3 ) may be used to convert system  100 ( 1 ) into a rectangular system such as system  100 ( 2 ). In another embodiment, tiles  102 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 1  may be joined directly to form a square or rectangular system such as system  100 ( 2 ). 
         [0020]    In general, tiles  102  have substantially flat top and bottom surfaces, which provide for the stable transport of most items, and the tiles are generally fabricated from chemically inert and durable material(s). Tiles  102  may, for example, be fabricated from metal, rubber, plastic (e.g., polyurethane) or a combination thereof (e.g., silicon rubber coated metal). Rubber or plastic tiles  102  may be fabricated using well known extrusion and injection molding procedures, whereas metal tiles  102  may be created using known metal working or melt casting techniques. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, use of materials which are resistant to ultraviolet radiation (UV) may decrease a rate of decomposition of a modular weight system that experiences extended sun exposure (e.g., in an open pick-up truck). UV resistant material may be used to form a monolithic tile  102 , or it may be used as a coating disposed around tile  102 . 
         [0022]    In an embodiment, a tile  102  may be fabricated, at least in part, from a magnetic material, such as stainless steel, ceramic or iron oxide, Fe 3 O 4 . Magnetic attraction between the tile and body of the automobile may help to immobilize the tile(s) during automobile movement. For example, a surface of tile  102  intended to contact the automobile may be fabricated of stainless steel, and other surfaces, e.g., top and/or side surfaces, may be coated with a plastic, rubber or UV coating. In another embodiment, the magnetic field associated with a magnetic material may be sufficient to penetrate a coating that covers the entirety of tile  102 . 
         [0023]    The weight of each tile  102  is, for example, between 20-200 pounds, preferably between 40-100 pounds, and most preferably between 50-80 pounds. For personal vehicles, it is desirable that tiles  102  each weigh an amount that an average, healthy adult can lift without strain or injury. For commercial vehicles, heavier tiles may be used and, if necessary, the tiles may be placed in a cargo space using machinery (e.g., a fork lift). Modular weight systems  100  typically weigh between 40-2000 pounds, preferably between 100-1000 pounds, and most preferably between 200-800 pounds. 
         [0024]    Generally, each tile  102  has a width of about 24-75 inches, a length of about 24-75 inches, and a height or thickness of about 1-4 inches. Tiles  102  typically have a ratio of surface area (in inches) to weight (in pounds) that is less than 30:1, preferably between 2.5:1 to 25:1, more preferably between 3.5:1 to 15:1, and most preferably between 4.5:1 to 10:1. 
         [0025]    The weight of each tile  102  may be controlled by appropriate selection of the fabrication material(s). In an embodiment, tile  102  may be formed as a monolithic mass where the physical weight of the fabrication material may be sufficient to improve automobile traction. In another embodiment, tile  102  may be filled or doped with a heavy filler material, such as sand, stone or shot. When the filler material is stone or shot, for example, the material may have a diameter between 0.1 and 1 inch, preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 inches. Additionally, a coating may be disposed around a monolithic tile, a filled tile, or a doped tile to maintain integrity and/or increase durability of the tile. For example, tile  102  may comprise a monolithic steel plate coated with rubber. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a tile  102 ( 5 ) having an internal cavity  302  for receiving filler material  304 . Following insertion of filler material  304  into cavity  302 , a lid  306 ( 1 ) may be factory bonded or glued to a base  308 . Alternatively, cavity  302  may be filled by an end user and lid  306 ( 1 ) may securely, and optionally releasably, mate with base  308 . In an embodiment, a latching and/or locking mechanism may be used to secure lid  306 ( 1 ) to base  308 . In another embodiment, epoxy may be used to permanently mate lid  306 ( 1 ) and base  308 . As described above with respect to  FIG. 2 , tabs  202  may releasably mate edges of one tile  102 ( 5 ) with an adjacent tile  102 ( 5 ). 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a tile  102 ( 6 ) having an internal cavity  302  and hinged lid  306 ( 2 ). In addition to one or more hinges  402 , tile  102  may contain a latching and/or locking mechanism to secure filler material  304  within tile  102 ( 6 ). 
         [0028]    In another example, filler material  304  may be distributed throughout the fabrication material.  FIG. 5  is a partial cutaway view of one tile  102 ( 7 ) having a doped inner material  502  and an outer coating  504 . For example, inner material  502  may be rubber doped with a filler material  304  (e.g., steel shot), which is then encased within a coating  504  of silicone rubber. In another embodiment, inner material  502  and coating  504  may be formed of the same fabrication material (e.g., rubber) except that inner material  502  may be doped and coating  504  may not contain filler material. In yet another embodiment, inner material  502  may be doped with a fine grain filler material  304 , such as sand, and coating  504  may not be present. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of a tile  102 ( 8 ) having a top portion  602  and a bottom portion  604  that are permanently or semi-permanently bonded together. For example, top and bottom portions  602 ,  604  may be bonded together using epoxy, rubber cement, glue, caulk, welding material or another bonding material known in the art. Although  FIG. 6  shows tile  102 ( 8 ) containing only two portions  602  and  604 , it will be appreciated that tile  102 ( 8 ) may alternatively include three, four, five, ten, twenty or more portions. 
         [0030]    In an embodiment, top portion  602  and bottom portion  604  may be similarly shaped so that there are no overhanging parts when portions  602  and  604  are aligned and bonded. In another embodiment (shown in  FIG. 6 ), top portion  602  and bottom portion  604  have different shapes, and one or more overhanging parts  606  exist. It will be appreciated that a second tile  102 ( 8 )′ (not shown) that is configured to be joined with tile  102 ( 8 ) will have an arrangement of overhanging parts  606  that is complementary to that of tile  102 ( 8 ). Tiles  102 ( 8 ) and  102 ( 8 )′ may therefore be interdigitated or interlocked along a vertical axis defined by the thickness of a tile  102 . Interdigitation along the vertical axis, as well as along the lateral and longitudinal axes ( FIG. 2 , L and W) using tabs  202 , provides improved stability during vehicle movement. 
         [0031]    In one example, one or more overhanging parts  606  of tile  102 ( 8 ) may be bonded to one or more complementary overhanging parts  606 ′ of tile  102 ( 8 )′. Bonding of the overhanging parts  606 ,  606 ′ may be permanent, semi-permanent or temporary. For example, temporary bonding may be accomplished using Velcro®, magnets, reusable adhesives and/or other means known in the art. 
         [0032]    Changes may be made in the above systems and methods without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present systems and methods, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.