Automobile tires accessory

• US 5,407,255 A
• Filed: 01/10/1994
• Issued: 04/18/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rav-Car Industries Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Rav-Car Industries Limited Corporation of Israel
• Inventors: Feldman, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Stormer, Russell D.
• Application Number:
  US08/179,311
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 301/38.1, 301/39.1, 301/40.1, 301/40.2, 301/40.3, 301/40.4, 301/40.6, 301/41.1, 301/44.4
• US Class Current: 301/38.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 11/10 Emergency wheels collapsible tyres B60C3/08; tyres characterised by means enabling restricted operation in damaged or deflated condition B60C17/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 15/26 Auxiliary wheels or rings with traction-increasing surface attachable to the main wheel body
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/06 resilient
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 27/14 automatically attachable

Abstract

Instead of changing a flat tire, a device is provided which comprises a circular plate of a diameter substantially equal to that of the tire, provided with a rubber or the like rim allowing the driving of the automobile thereon in substitution of the flat tire. A segment portion of the plate is hinged thereto so that it is foldable away of the plane of the plate. The plate is mountable to the wheel rim, means being provided for securing the segment portion to the plate in the non-folded position thereof after driving the automobile by a short distance. A modified version of the device is applicable to snow or sand driving.

Claims

1. A device for restoring a flat tire of automobile wheels having a wheel rim, the device comprising:

a circular plate of a diameter substantially equal to that of the tire, provided with a rubber or the like rim allowing the driving of the automobile thereon in substitution of the flat tire,

a segment portion of the plate being displaceably connected thereto so that the segment portion is foldable out of the plane of the plate,

means for mounting the plate to the rim of the wheel, the means for mounting including a peripheral rim for engaging a recess portion of the wheel rim, the peripheral rim being shaped to snap into the recess portion when the plate is mounted to the rim of the wheel, and

means for securing the segment portion to said plate in the non-folded position thereof.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises an expansion mechanism.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the expansion mechanism includes a multi-section ring connected to the circular plate, and a central push plate, a linkage arm pivotably connecting each section of the ring to the central push plate, and means associated with the push plate for expanding and contracting the multi-section ring and wherein the peripheral rim is on the multi-section ring.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the segment portion is hinged to the plate.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said securing means comprises a slidable bolt.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 for snow driving wherein said rubber or the like rim is an annular tread configured to surround the automobile tire.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral rim has a protruding, flaring shape, and the recess portion of the wheel rim has a corresponding shape such that the peripheral rim engages the recess portion of the wheel rim.