Central tightening system for anti-skid devices and an anti-skid device having the same

• US 8,061,397 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emrah Bozkurt, Ender Bozkurt
• Original Assignee: Emrah Bozkurt, Ender Bozkurt
• Inventors: Bozkurt, Ender, Bozkurt, Emrah
• Primary Examiner(s): STORMER, RUSSELL D
• Application Number:
  US12/159,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20090151834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 152/217, 152/218, 152/219, 152/221, 152/222, 24/68.SK, 24/70.SK, 24/71.SK, 24/68.TT, 24/70.TT, 24/71.TT, 245/771, 24/69.ST, 24/70.ST, 24/71.T, 24/71.ST, 247/98
• US Class Current: 152/218
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 27/02 extending over restricted arcuate part of tread B60C27/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 27/10 having tensioning means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2149 Tire antiskid strap tightener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45031 for tire chain, strap, etc. [e.g., rotatable or sliding spring gate]

Abstract

A tightening system of straps for use in anti-skid and traction enhancement devices is disclosed. The tightening system comprises a central node which is located on the principle axis of the axle of a wheel and which has a plurality of extensions adapted to fasten a plurality of radially extending straps around its periphery. A plurality of radially extending flexible straps, which are attached to a surface contact member at their first 10 ends and to the central node at their second ends, are used to tighten the anti skid device. The flexible straps are passed through a buckle for tightening the surface contact members in the radial direction in order to eliminate outward bulging on the surface contact members as well as to avoid eccentricity in the strap system.

Claims

1. A tightening system for use in anti-skid and traction enhancement devices, comprising:

an anti-skid device comprising at least three, separate u-shaped contact members, each contact member having a pair of triangular shoulder portions situated on opposing surfaces of a vehicle wheel, the triangular shoulder portions being connected by a rectangular gripping portion abutting treads of the wheel;

a central node (111, 112, 113) which is located on a principle axis of an axle of the wheel, said central node having a plurality of arms integrally formed thereon and only extending away from an outer circumferential surface of the central node and a corresponding plurality of extensions extending from a free end of a corresponding arm adapted to fasten and tighten a plurality of radially extending straps around a periphery of said central node and being free of any connection to the wheel; and

a plurality of radially extending flexible straps, which are attached to tips of the triangular shoulder portions at their first ends and are directly attached to the extensions extending from the free ends of the arms of said central node (111, 112, 113) at their second ends, wherein said flexible straps are bent and passed through a corresponding buckle (32) for tightening said surface contact members in a radial direction,

wherein said straps are provided with ratchet teeth (30) along at least one of their surfaces, and

said buckle (32) has a driving thumb (36) which, when pulled in a first direction, adjusts a tightness of each strap and said each strap is prevented from reverse movement by a tooth (38) and a pawl (37) of said buckle (32).

2. A tightening system for use in anti-skid and traction enhancement devices as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of the straps has at least one hook and loop portion for securing said strap after tightening.

3. A tightening system as set forth in claim 1 wherein a center of said central node (111, 112, 113) is hollow and allows installation of a tightening system on hubs having outward projections (250).

4. A tightening system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said buckle (32) has a release thumb (35) which is pivoted around a joint (E) and which move together with said driving thumb (36) as the driving thumb (36) is pulled in the first direction.

5. A tightening system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said buckle (32) has a release thumb (35) which disengages the teeth (38) and pawl (37) from said each strap when pulled in a second direction.

6. An anti-skid or traction enhancement device comprising the tightening system of claim 1.

7. A tightening system for use in anti-skid and traction enhancement devices, comprising:

an anti-skid device comprising at least three, separate u-shaped contact members, each contact member having a pair of triangular shoulder portions situated on opposing surfaces of a vehicle wheel, the triangular shoulder portions being connected by a rectangular gripping portion abutting treads of the wheel;

a central node (111, 112, 113) which is located on a principle axis of an axle of the wheel, wherein said central node (111, 112, 113) has a plurality of arc shaped recesses (114) defined therein and adapted to fasten and tighten a plurality of radially extending straps around a periphery of said central node and being free of any connection to the wheel; and

a plurality of radially extending flexible straps, which are attached to tips of the triangular portions at their first ends and to said central node (111, 112, 113) at their second ends, wherein said flexible straps are bent and passed through a corresponding buckle (32) located in an arc shaped recess of the central node for tightening said surface contact members in a radial direction,

wherein said straps are provided with ratchet teeth (30) along at least one of their surfaces, and

said buckle (32) has a driving thumb (36) which, when pulled in a first direction, adjusts a tightness of each strap and said each strap is prevented from reverse movement by a tooth (38) and a pawl (37) of said buckle (32), wherein said arc shaped recesses provide limited angular movement of said straps or buckles (32) and allows said straps or buckles to match with their corresponding fastening members in cases of uneven distribution of surface contact members around a periphery of the tire.