Abstract:
A tire chain and cable installation device to assist tire chains and cables installation on vehicles with tires or wheels. The tire chain and cable installation device is made of a resilient, flexible clamp portion having two gripping ends formed integrally with the clamp portion, and has a elongated indicator portion extending outwardly from the clamp portion.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   None 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a device and method for installation of snow and other type of tire chains and cables on automobiles or other wheeled vehicles more safely and efficiently. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Tire chains or snow chains are devices made of chains and/or cables which are temporarily affixed to the wheels of automobiles to provide superior traction when driving through snow and ice. Tire chains are usually attached to the drive wheels of a vehicle, e.g. the front wheels on a front-wheel drive car or the rear wheels on a rear-wheel drive car, though all four wheels may be chained to provide extra stability. 
   Traditionally, tire chains, whether they are made of chain or cable, are installed manually when they are required. One of the most common installation methods is to lay a tire chain flat either right in front of or behind the wheel and positioned such that the entire length of the tire chain is aligned with the orientation of the tire. Then the vehicle will be propelled slightly forward (chain in front) or backward (chain behind) such that the wheel is essentially directly on top of the tire chain. Afterwards, installer will reach down and take hold of the longest ends of the tire chain, drape them over the tire so that the long strands hang down evenly, one end along the inside (axle side) of the tire and the other end hanging along the outer rim of the tire. Then the two ends need to be fastened and secured to complete the process. Most tire chains feature a hook or a clip which holds the ends of the chains together. Most mechanisms fit through an open link on the other end of the same strand. Then they&#39;re closed shut to hold the strands fast. Usually, users should fasten the inside strand first then hook the outer strand. Then move to the other side of the car and repeat the process. Users often find it difficult to fasten the inside (axle side) strands especially when the connection position is too high up from the ground. 
   However, using the traditional method sometimes frustrates motorists and even imposes danger. Firstly, the driver does not have any visionary reference while trying to roll the vehicle&#39;s wheels on top of the tire chain. Consequently, it is not uncommon that either the vehicle is moved too far or not far enough to miss the chain or the wheel lands partially on top of the chain along its width or at an angle. Either way, users often and typically have to yank out the tire chain from beneath the wheels, re-position it and repeat the entire process until the wheel is perfectly aligned with the length of the tire chain. The misalignment situations are even more frequent when users try to install more than one tire chains at a time and/or the surface is inclined or bumpy, or covered with ice and snow. It is not uncommon, especially for drivers traveling alone, to have to get in and out of their vehicles several times to get the installation completed. And because of these frequent in-and-out trips of the vehicles, some users might skip or forget the safety procedure of setting the proper gear, whether it be a manual or automatic transmission, applying the parking brakes or even switching off the engine while trying to fasten the chains. As a result, crushed fingers and feet or even more severe injuries are not uncommon consequences of applying tire chains, also due to vehicles unexpectedly rolling a few inches at the wrong moment, etc. 
   There are currently various chain installation kits available in the market. They however usually include several mechanical parts and multiple and complicated procedures to allow installation of tire chains. 
     FIG. 1  is a representative schematic view showing the device and method of use of installation of tire chain  200  of the prior art. As shown in  FIG. 1 , tire chain  200  is laid flat behind tire  202 . In an embodiment, the entire length of the tire chain  200  is laid out along the orientation of the tire  202 . Then user  210  will move vehicle  204  slightly backward onto tire chain  200  such that tire  202  is on top of tire chain  200 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , user  210  has no visionary reference as how far tire  202  has rolled on top of tire chain  200 . 
   In one method of use, user  210  will reach down and take hold of one end of tire chain  200 , drape them over tire  202  so that the long strands hang down evenly, one strand adjacent the inside, axle side of tire  202  and the other strand hanging adjacent the outer rim of tire  202 . Then the two ends are fastened and secured to complete the process. Most tire chains  200  feature a hook or a clip mechanism which holds the ends of the chains together. Most mechanisms fit through an open link on the other end of the same strand. Then they are coupled to hold the strands together. Usually users  210  fasten the inside strand first then hook the outer strand. Then users  210  move to the other side of vehicle  204  and repeat the process. Users  210  often find it difficult to fasten the inside, axle side strands especially when the connection position is too high up from the ground  150  or directly behind the wheel. 
   ADVANTAGES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a device and method to enhance the efficiency and safety in the tire chain installation process. 
   One object of the present invention is to minimizes the possibility of misalignment of the tire and tire chain by securing one end of the chain on the tire throughout the entire application. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a visual indication that is visible to users while they are in the driver&#39;s seat so that users no longer need spotting assistance from other parties from the outside. A further object of the present invention is to avoid dependence on estimation or trial-and-errors while trying to best position the wheel on the tire chain on the ground for installation. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to inform the users exactly where the fastening or clip end is relative the tire so that users know exactly when the stop propelling the vehicles. This feature ensures an easy coupling of the two fastening ends. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an indicator for the most convenient and easy connection position of the two ends of the tire chain relative to the time, i.e., lower to the ground or higher up the tire, depending upon access provided by the vehicle design, environment or environs, etc. 
   The present invention provides a more efficient, effective and safer way to install either single or multiple tire chains at the same time. The present invention is a clamp-like device that helps secure one end of the tire chains adjacent both side walls of the tire while the vehicle is moving. Moreover, the present invention has a visual indicator that is visible to users while they are on the driving, i.e., in the driver&#39;s seat. 
   Further details, objects and advantages of the present invention will be come apparent through the following descriptions, and will be included and incorporated herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a representative schematic view showing the device and method of use of installation of tire chain  200  of the prior art. 
       FIG. 2A  is a representative isometric view of an embodiment of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2B  is a representative side view of an embodiment of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention attaching to tire  202  in the secured position. 
       FIG. 2C  is a representative side view of an alternative embodiment of hook device  104  of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention in the form of an alligator clip. 
       FIG. 2D  is a representative side view of an alternative embodiment of hook device  104  of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention in the form of a clip. 
       FIG. 3A  is a representative side view of an embodiment showing a method of securing a regular tire chain  200  to the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3B  an embodiment of a method of use of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3C  shows another embodiment of a method of use of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3D  shows yet another step in a method of use of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein. 
   It will be understood that in the event parts of different embodiments have similar functions or uses, they may have been given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way, or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are identical. 
     FIG. 2A  is a representative isometric view of an embodiment of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2A , in an embodiment the tire chain and cable installation device  100  consists of horse shoe clamp portion  102 , spring steel wire rod  108  and position flag or marker  110 . In an embodiment, horse shoe clamp portion  102  is a three-band construction consists of outer band  112 , middle band  114  and inner band  116  in a horse shoe or “C” shape. In an embodiment, outer band  112 , middle band  114  and inner band  116  should be made of flexible and elastic materials such as steel and plastic to allow elastic deformation during application and provide clamping strength to secure the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention to tire  202 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , outer band  112 , middle band  114  and inner band  116  are secured together by mechanical means such as rivets  118  clamps, screws, welds or adhesives. In an embodiment, horse shoe clamp portion  102  should be made strong enough to withstand partial weight of vehicle  204  without inelastic or permanent deformation during application. In an alternative embodiment, more layers of band structure can be added to horse shoe clamp portion  102  to attain a desirable degree of strength and flexibility. 
   As shown best in  FIG. 2A , middle band  114  is bent into a horse shoe or “C” shape, with two neck portions  106 . In an embodiment, the distance between two neck portions  106  should be slightly less than the thickness of tire  202  in order to achieve and maintain a firm grip on the tire  202 . In alternative embodiments, horse shoe clamp portion  102  can be manufactured in difference sizes to best fit tires  202  of different sizes. 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , outer band  112  is the shortest band in the horse shoe clamp portion  102 . In an embodiment, there is a hook device  104  at the tip of each end of the outer band  112 . The main function of hook devices  104  is to provide an anchor to secure the two vertical strands of tire chain  200  to horse shoe clamp portion  102 , during the rotation of the tire  202 . The hooks  104  can also be used as handles when applying the present invention  100  to a tire  202 . In an embodiment, hook devices  104  can be a simple hook design and/or other mechanical fastening devices such as spring clips, bulldog clips, alligator clips etc. as long as they keep tire chain  200  securely in place during application and allow easy removal. 
     FIG. 2C  is a representative side view of an alternative embodiment of hook device  104  of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention in the form of an alligator clip.  FIG. 2D  is a representative side view of an alternative embodiment of hook device  104  of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention in the form of a clip. As best shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D , in alternative embodiments hook devices  104  can also be in the form of a simple clip  130  and an alligator clip  132 . 
   It will be understood based on the foregoing that clips or hooks  104  can be spaced closer or farther from end tips or neck portions  106 , as desired. Furthermore, clip portions  104  can be hooks, loops, snaps, etc., and can be positioned facing in a fixed or movable direction or orientation. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2A , in an embodiment, one end of spring steel wire rod  108  is mechanically attached to horse shoe clamp portion  102  at location  118 . In an embodiment and as best shown in  FIGS. 3B ,  3 C and  3 D, spring steel wire rod  108  extends from horse shoe clamp portion  102  in a way that, when the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention is attached to tire  202 , the length of spring steel wire rod  108  extends approximately or essentially perpendicular to the orientation of tire  202 . In an embodiment, position flag or marker  110  is mechanically coupled to the end of spring steel wire rod  108 . In an embodiment, position flag or marker  110  can be in any shape and/or made of any durable material as long as it provides a clear visual reference to user  210 . Ideally, position flag or marker  110  should be in bright color such as safety orange or yellow. In an embodiment, the length of spring steel wire rod  108  should be about 1.5 ft or more or less, and long enough that users  210  have a good and clear view of position flag or marker  110  in the side mirrors  212 , whether tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention is applied to tires  202  on the driver&#39;s side or the passenger&#39;s side of the vehicle  204 . 
     FIG. 2B  is a representative side view of an embodiment of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention attaching to tire  202  in the secured position. In an embodiment, the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention can be secured to tire  202  perpendicularly and clamped onto the tire  202  at the two side walls of tire  202 . In an embodiment, the distance between two neck portions  106  should be slightly less than the width of tire  202 . In an embodiment, two neck portions  106  should grip tire  202  near the rim of tire  202 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , while tire chain and cable installation device  100  is secured to tire  202 , tire  202  is squeezed by neck portions  106  in direction F. In an embodiment, tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention is made of elastic material. As a result, mechanical grip is generated between neck portions  106  and the side walls of tire  202  which secures the locking position of tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. 
   It will be understood based on the foregoing that the tire chain installation device  100  of the present invention will grip the tire  202  more or less contiguously around the girth of the tire  202 , depending upon diameter and flexibility of arcuate portion  102 , size of tire  202 , etc. 
     FIG. 3A  is a representative side view of an embodiment showing a method of securing a regular tire chain  200  to the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3A , tire chain  200  is attached to tire chain and cable installation device  100  by fastening the two strands  220  and  222  to the two hooking devices  104  of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. In an embodiment, tire chain  200  should be fastened to the two hooking devices  104  of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  at the positions right behind the first cross link  302  of tire chain  200  on strands  220  and  222  respectively. 
     FIG. 3B  an embodiment of a method of use of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3B , once tire chain  200  is fastened to tire chain and cable installation device  100 , the entire embodiment is then clipped to the side of tire  202  that tire chain  200  is installed to. In an embodiment, tire chain and cable installation device  100  is attached to tire  202  such that spring steel wire rod  108  and position flag or marker  110  thereof are extended perpendicularly away from vehicle  204 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , position flag or marker  110  serves as position reference of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  on the tire  202 . In one method of use, the entire tire chain  200  is laid out flat on the ground  150  and along the orientation or tire track of tire  202 . In one method of use, tire chain and cable installation device  100  is attached to the rear half of tire  202  at position P 1  and tire chain  200  is laid behind tire  202 , and the vehicle  204  is propelled or moved forward for installation. 
   It will be understood that in the method shown in  FIG. 3B , the installation device  100  needs to grip strong enough to the tire  202  to keep it on place while dragging the entire weight and length of the tire chain  200 . In another method of the present invention, tire chain  200  can be placed more or less in a pile directly behind tire  202  rather than spread out in a long trail as shown in  FIG. 3B , thus reducing the dragging force on the installation device  100  and minimizing the risk of dislodging the device  100  from the tire  202  unintentionally. 
   In an alternative method of use, tire chain and cable installation device  100  is attached to the front half of tire  202  and tire chain  200  is laid in front of tire  202 , then the vehicle  204  is moved backward for installation. In an embodiment, P 1  can be anywhere along the rear half of tire  202  for forward rotation and the front half of tire  202  for backward rotation. However, attachment of tire chain and cable installation device  100  to tire  202  is generally easier if position P 1  is lower to the ground  150 . It will be understood that the methods of use described herein may be modified by the user, and preferences for driving forward on tire chain  200  or backward onto tire chain  200 , etc. can all be accommodated. 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 3B ,  3 C and  3 D, user  210  has a clear vision of position flag or marker  110  along visual path  214  at all time when vehicle  204  is propelled either forward or backward. In an embodiment, user  210  no longer requires outside assistance, experience and/or feeling to tell how much tire  202  has been rotated. 
     FIG. 3C  shows another embodiment of a method of use of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3C , in an embodiment, when vehicle  204  is moved forward, tire  202  is rotated in direction A. Subsequently, tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention with tire chain  200  will reach position P 2  and tire chain  200  wrap around tire  202  along the process. In an embodiment, user  210  has continuous and clear vision of position change of position flag or marker  110  and henceforth tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3D  shows yet another step in a method of use of the tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , while tire  202  is rotated forward, since tire chain  200  is fastened firmly on tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention at both strands  220 , tire chain  200  will be wrapped over tire  200  as intended. Subsequently, tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention with tire chain  200  will go under tire  202  while traveling from P 2  to P 3 . As shown in  FIG. 3D , since user  210  has a clear vision of position flag or marker  110  along visual path  214  at all time when vehicle  204  is re-located forward, the driver can determine when it is best to stop the vehicle  204  at finishing position P 3 . Finishing position P 3  can be anywhere as long as tire chain and cable installation device  100  of the present invention has gone under tire  202  at least once. However, in one method of use, finishing position P 3  is close to starting position P 1  and tire chain  200  would have wrapped around most of tire  202 . In another method of use, finishing position P 3  is low and close to ground  150  for easy closing and locking of tire chain  200  together, especially the strand  222  that is located in the inside/axle side of the tire  202 . 
   In an embodiment, once user  210  determines that ideal finishing position P 3  is attained, he or she should switch off the engine and applies parking brake for safety purposes to secure the position of vehicle  204 . In one method of use, user  210  can then secure the two ends  220  and  222  of tire chain  200  manually as recommended by tire chain  200  manufacturer. Then, user  210  can disengage tire chain  200  from tire chain and cable installation device  100 . Finally, tire chain and cable installation device  100  can be removed from tire  202 . 
   In an alternative embodiment, method of use shown in  FIGS. 3B ,  3 C and  3 D can be reversed by attaching tire chain and cable installation device  100  with tire chain  200  extending in front of tire  202  and reversing vehicle  204 . This method of use could be particularly useful if installing tire chains  200  on an upward slope. 
   Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications and patent documents referenced in the present invention are incorporated herein by reference. 
   While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and scope of the invention.