Disabled vehicle movement device including a flexible tire liner and cover

Abstract

A disabled vehicle movement device configured to allow movement of a vehicle includes a sleeve made of a flexible material and configured to be mounted on a radially outer surface of a rotationally locked tire / wheel assembly of the vehicle. A cover is made of a flexible material and configured to be mounted on the sleeve and tire / wheel assembly of the vehicle. A lubricant is disposed between the sleeve and the cover. The cover is rotated relative to the sleeve and tire / wheel assembly to allow movement of the vehicle.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. The work of the presently named inventors, to the extent the described work is ascertainable, and the descriptions of aspects that were described in this section in connection with the application at the time of submission, do not constitute admissions that the work is prior art merely by virtue of its inclusion in this section.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to devices for moving disabled vehicles having one or more locked wheels, and more particularly to a disabled vehicle moving device including a flexible tire boot, a cover, and a lubricant disposed therebetween.

[0003] Disabled vehicles having one or more locked wheels can be difficult to move. For example, some vehicles are equipped with electronic transmission range selectors (ETRS). To allow the wheels of the vehicle to rotate, the vehicle can need to be turned on or operated. Other vehicles can include electronic parking brakes that require battery power to release. And still other vehicles can be inaccessible due to the absence of an owner or an inoperable keyless entry system. Moving a disabled vehicle having locked wheels is very difficult and can cause damage to the vehicle. SUMMARY

[0004] A disabled vehicle moving device configured to allow a vehicle to move includes a boot made of a flexible material and configured to be mounted on a radially outer surface of a rotationally locked tire / wheel assembly of the vehicle. A cover is made of a flexible material and configured to be mounted on the boot and tire / wheel assembly of the vehicle. A lubricant is disposed between the boot and the cover. The cover is rotated relative to the boot and tire / wheel assembly to allow the vehicle to move.

[0005] In other features, the boot includes a flexible material having an open cylindrical shape. The boot includes a flexible material having a rectangular shape and an attachment device to connect opposite ends of the boot around the radially outer surface of the tire / wheel assembly. The cover includes a flexible material having a rectangular shape. The cover includes a first end and a second end and a first side and a second side, and further includes a connecting device on at least one of the first end and the second end of the cover to connect the first end and the second end of the cover together around the tire / wheel assembly.

[0006] In other features, the connection device includes first and second mating connectors connected to first and second ends of the cover, respectively. The first and second mating connectors are selected from a group consisting of a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, and a clasp. The cover further includes a tightening device configured to tighten the cover around the tire / wheel assembly. The tightening device includes first and second collars positioned along sides of the cover and first and second strings disposed in the first and second collars, respectively. At least one of the bushing and the cover is made of a material selected from a group consisting of ethylene resin and plastic.

[0007] A method for moving a disabled vehicle including at least one locked wheel includes installing a bushing made of a flexible material on a radially outer surface of a rotationally locked tire / wheel assembly of the disabled vehicle; applying a lubricant to the bushing; disposing a cover made of a flexible material over the bushing and the tire / wheel assembly of the disabled vehicle; and moving the disabled vehicle. During the moving, the cover rotates relative to the bushing and the tire / wheel assembly.

[0008] In other features, the bushing includes the flexible material having an open cylindrical shape. The bushing includes the flexible material having a rectangular shape and further includes connecting opposite ends of the bushing around the radially outer surface of the tire / wheel assembly. The cover includes the flexible material having a rectangular shape.

[0009] In other features, the method includes connecting opposite ends of the cover together around the tire / wheel assembly. The method includes connecting opposite ends of the cover together around the tire / wheel assembly includes connecting first and second mating connectors attached to the opposite ends of the cover together. The first and second mating connectors are selected from a group consisting of a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, and a clasp. The method includes tightening the cover around the tire / wheel assembly. The cover includes first and second collars disposed along first and second sides thereof, respectively, and the tightening includes tying first and second strings disposed in the first and second collars, respectively, together. At least one of the bushing and the cover is made of a material selected from a group consisting of ethylene resin and plastic.

[0010] The present invention also includes the following technical solutions:

[0011] Solution 1. A disabled vehicle moving device configured to allow a vehicle to move, comprising:

[0012] a bushing made of a flexible material and configured to be installed on a radially outer surface of a rotationally locked tire / wheel assembly of the vehicle;

[0013] a cover made of a flexible material and configured to be mounted on the bushing and the tire / wheel assembly of the vehicle; and

[0014] a lubricant disposed between the bushing and the cover,

[0015] wherein the cover rotates relative to the bushing and the tire / wheel assembly to allow the vehicle to move.

[0016] Scheme 2. The disabled vehicle movement device of Scheme 1, wherein the bushing comprises a flexible material having an open cylindrical shape.

[0017] Scheme 3. The disabled vehicle movement device of Scheme 1, wherein the bushing comprises a flexible material having a rectangular shape and an attachment device to connect opposite ends of the bushing around a radially outer surface of the tire / wheel assembly.

[0018] Scheme 4. The disabled vehicle movement device of Scheme 1, wherein the cover comprises a flexible material having a rectangular shape.

[0019] Scheme 5. The disabled vehicle movement device of Scheme 4, wherein the cover comprises a first end and a second end and a first side and a second side, and further comprises a connecting device on at least one of the first end and the second end of the cover to connect the first end and the second end of the cover together around the tire / wheel assembly.

[0020] Scheme 6. The disabled vehicle movement device of Scheme 5, wherein the connecting device comprises a first mating connector and a second mating connector connected to the first end and the second end of the cover, respectively.

[0021] Scheme 7. The disabled vehicle movement device of Scheme 6, wherein the first mating connector and the second mating connector are selected from the group consisting of a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, and a clasp.

[0022] Scheme 8. The disabled vehicle movement device of Scheme 1, wherein the cover further comprises a tightening device configured to tighten the cover around the tire / wheel assembly.

[0023] Scheme 9. The disabled vehicle movement device of Scheme 8, wherein the tightening device comprises a first collar and a second collar positioned along a side of the cover and a first string and a second string disposed in the first collar and the second collar, respectively.

[0024] Scheme 10. The disabled vehicle mobility device of Scheme 1, wherein at least one of the sleeve and the cover is made of a material selected from the group consisting of ethylene resin and plastic.

[0025] Scheme 11. A method for enabling mobility of a disabled vehicle comprising at least one locked wheel, comprising:

[0026] installing a sleeve made of a flexible material on a radially outer surface of a rotationally locked tire / wheel assembly of the disabled vehicle;

[0027] applying a lubricant to the sleeve;

[0028] disposing a cover made of a flexible material over the sleeve and the tire / wheel assembly of the disabled vehicle; and

[0029] enabling mobility of the disabled vehicle,

[0030] wherein, during mobility, the cover rotates relative to the sleeve and the tire / wheel assembly.

[0031] Scheme 12. The method of Scheme 11, wherein the sleeve comprises a flexible material having an open cylindrical shape.

[0032] Scheme 13. The method of Scheme 11, wherein the sleeve comprises a flexible material having a rectangular shape, and further comprising connecting opposite ends of the sleeve around the radially outer surface of the tire / wheel assembly.

[0033] Scheme 14. The method of Scheme 11, wherein the cover comprises a flexible material having a rectangular shape.

[0034] Scheme 15. The method of Scheme 14, further comprising connecting opposite ends of the cover together around the tire / wheel assembly.

[0035] Scheme 16. The method of Scheme 15, wherein connecting opposite ends of the cover together around the tire / wheel assembly comprises connecting a first mating connector and a second mating connector attached to the opposite ends of the cover together.

[0036] Scheme 17. The method of Scheme 16, wherein the first mating connector and the second mating connector are selected from the group consisting of a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, and a clasp.

[0037] Scheme 18. The method of Scheme 11, further comprising tightening the cover around the tire / wheel assembly.

[0038] Scheme 19. The method according to Scheme 18, wherein the cover includes first and second collars arranged along first and second sides thereof, respectively, and wherein the tightening includes tying together first and second ropes arranged in the first and second collars, respectively.

[0039] Scheme 20. The method according to Scheme 11, wherein at least one of the bushing and the cover is made of a material selected from the group consisting of ethylene resin and plastic.

[0040] Further areas of applicability of this disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims and the drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] The disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042] Figure 1 is a side view of an example of a disabled vehicle including a disabled vehicle mobility device according to the present disclosure attached to one or more wheels of the disabled vehicle;

[0043] Figure 2A is a perspective view of an example of a bushing configured to be arranged adjacent a radially outer surface of a tire according to the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 2B is a plan view of another example of a bushing according to the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 3 is a plan view of an example of a cover to be arranged on a bushing and tire / wheel assembly according to the present disclosure; and

[0046] Figure 4 illustrates a method for attaching a disabled vehicle mobility device to one or more locked tire / wheel assemblies of a disabled vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0047] In the drawings, reference numbers can be reused to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] A disabled vehicle movement device according to the present disclosure allows a vehicle having one or more locked wheels to move over a relatively short distance without unlocking the wheels. The disabled vehicle movement device includes a sleeve arranged on a tire / wheel assembly of the vehicle. A cover is arranged on the sleeve. A lubricant is applied to the sleeve prior to enclosing the cover around the sleeve and tire / wheel assembly. The cover is enclosed and / or tightened to the tire / wheel assembly. Additional disabled vehicle movement devices can be attached to other locked tire / wheel assemblies of the vehicle. The disabled vehicle is then able to be pushed or moved with significantly reduced friction due to the lubricant between the cover (which rotates along the road surface) and the sleeve (which remains stationary with the corresponding tire / wheel assembly). After the vehicle is moved, the disabled vehicle movement device is removed from the tire / wheel assembly.

[0049] Reference is now made to the following drawings Figure 1 , a vehicle 10 includes one or more disabled vehicle movement devices 12 and 14 attached to one or more locked wheels of the disabled vehicle 10. The disabled vehicle 10 includes a tire 16 mounted on a wheel 15 (e.g., a tire / wheel assembly). The disabled vehicle movement device 12 includes a sleeve 18 arranged adjacent to a radially outer surface of the tire 16. A cover 20 is arranged on the sleeve 18 and tire 16. In some examples, the sleeve 18 and cover 20 are made of a flexible material such as vinyl, plastic, fabric, or other suitable material.

[0050] In some examples, the cover 20 includes a connecting device 24 that attaches opposite ends of the cover 20 together. In some examples, the connecting device 24 includes mating connectors 24A and 24B. Examples of mating connectors 24A and 24B include a zipper, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro, a plurality of snaps having male and female snap connectors, and / or other types of mating connectors. In some examples, the connecting device 24 includes one or more adhesive strips arranged on one or both ends of the cover 20 to attach the ends of the cover 20 together. In other examples, an adhesive can be used to attach the ends of the cover 20 together, and the cover 20 can be removed by cutting it off.

[0051] In some examples, the cover 20 includes a tightening device 27 to tighten the cover 20 around the outer circumference of the tire 16. In other examples, the tightening device 27 is omitted.

[0052] In some examples, collars 28 are formed on opposite side surfaces of cover 20, and cord 30 is disposed in collars 28 and extends from opposite ends of collars 28. After cover 20 is installed on sleeve 18 and tire 16, opposite sides of attachment device 24 are connected together, and opposite ends of cord 30 are pulled tight and tied together. In some examples, cover 20 is secured by pulling mating ends of a zipper together and tying ends of cord 30 together to avoid interference with vehicle knuckles and suspension members.

[0053] Disabled vehicle movement devices 12, 14 according to the present disclosure provide one or more non-intrusive, low-friction rolling surfaces to facilitate movement of disabled vehicle 10. Sleeve 18 and cover 20 are lubricated by lubricant 34 to reduce friction and allow vehicle movement. Sleeve 18 and cover 20 of disabled vehicle movement devices 12, 14 according to the present disclosure are easily installed and removed.

[0054] Referring now to Figure 2A and Figure 2B , examples of sleeve 18 of disabled vehicle movement devices 12, 14 are shown. In Figure 2A , sleeve 18 can include a continuous, flexible material having a cylindrical shape. After sleeve 18 is lifted or raised, sleeve 18 is disposed on a wheel.

[0055] In Figure 2B , sleeve 18 can include a flexible material having a rectangular shape that includes attachment device 50 to attach opposite ends of sleeve 18 together. This approach allows for accommodating variable tire diameters with the same sleeve 18. In some examples, attachment device 50 includes an adhesive strip, although other attachment devices can be used. In some examples, a double-sided adhesive tape is used with a removable cover layer (not shown).

[0056] In some examples, sleeve 18 is made of vinyl, plastic, fabric, or other suitable material. In some examples, sleeve 18 has a width that is about 1 inch wider than a tire tread and a length or circumference that is about equal to a circumference of an inflated tire. In some examples, sleeve 18 includes a sewn joint, an adhesive joint, or a fused joint.

[0057] Referring now to Figure 3FIG. 1 shows an example of a cover 20. In some examples, the cover 20 includes a flexible material in a rectangular shape. In some examples, the cover 20 includes a connecting device 24 and a tightening device 27 to tighten the cover 20 around the outer circumference of the tire 16. In some examples, a collar 28 is formed on a side surface of the cover 20. A cord 30 is disposed in and extends from opposite ends of the collar 28. After the cover 20 is installed on the bushing 18 and tire 16, the opposite ends of the cord 30 are tightened and tied together to secure the cover 20 during subsequent rotation.

[0058] In some examples, the cover 20 is made of vinyl, plastic, or another suitable material. In some examples, the bushing is about 4" x 2 (8") wider than the tire tread. In some examples, the length of the cover 20 is about equal to the circumference of the pneumatic tire plus about 2" to accommodate the bushing and tire / wheel assembly. In some examples, a zipper can be sewn on opposite ends of the cover 20. In some examples, the collar 28 can be made of fabric or other suitable material sewn to the edge of the cover 20. In some examples, the cord 30 is threaded through the collar 28 to facilitate securing the cover 20 around the wheel / tire assembly. In some examples, the cord 30 is made of polyolefin fiber (although other materials can be used), and is about equal in length to the circumference of the tire plus about 12". As used herein, about means + / - 10%.

[0059] Referring now to Figure 4 FIG. 1 shows a method 100 for attaching disabled vehicle mobility devices 12, 14 to a wheel of a disabled vehicle 10. At 110, one or more tires of the disabled vehicle 10 are raised off the ground. At 114, a bushing 18 is disposed on a radially outer surface of the tire 16. At 118, a cover 20 is partially disposed on the bushing 18 and tire / wheel assembly.

[0060] At 122, a lubricant 34 is applied to the outer surface of the bushing 18 before the cover 20 is connected together. In some examples, the lubricant includes a detergent / water solution or other lubricant applied to the outer surface of the bushing 18 before the cover 20 is closed. The lubricant 34 creates a reduced friction surface between the bushing 18 and the cover 10 so that the reduced vehicle can easily reposition over short distances due to the minimal rolling resistance between the bushing 18 and the cover 20. In other examples, the lubricant 34 can be omitted if the materials of the cover 20 and the bushing 18 are low friction.

[0061] At 126, the connecting device optionally connects the opposite sides of the cover 20 together. At 130, the tightening device of the cover 20 is optionally tightened. At 132, if there are additional tires that are locked and need to be attached with the disabled vehicle movement device, the method returns to 110. If 132 is false, at 134, the vehicle is ready to move. At 136, after the movement is completed, the disabled vehicle movement device(s) can be removed.

[0062] The disabled vehicle movement device according to the present disclosure is a low cost solution for moving a disabled vehicle 10 with one or more locked wheels to be moved without causing damage.

[0063] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, specification, and appended claims. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method can be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering the principles of the

[0064] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for example, between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including "connected," "engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "next to," "on top of," "above," "below," and "disposed." Unless specifically stated as "direct," when a relationship between first and second elements is described, that relationship can be a direct relationship in which no other intervening elements are present between the first and second elements, or an indirect relationship in which one or more intervening elements are present (either spatially or functionally) between the first and second elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using the non-exclusive logical OR (OR), and should not be construed to mean "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."

[0065] In the drawings, the direction of the arrows generally indicates the flow of information related to the description, such as data or instructions. For example, when elements A and B exchange a variety of information, but the information transmitted from element A to element B is relevant to the description, the arrow can point from element A to element B. This one-way arrow does not imply that other information cannot be transmitted from element B to element A. Further, for information sent from element A to element B, element B can send a request for information or a receipt confirmation of the information to element A.

Claims

1. A disabled vehicle movement device configured to allow vehicle movement, comprising: The bushing is made of a flexible material and is configured to be mounted on the radial outer surface of the rotationally locked tire / wheel assembly of the vehicle. A cover, made of a flexible material, configured to be mounted on the bushing and the vehicle's tire / wheel assembly; and A lubricant is disposed between the bushing and the cover. The cover rotates relative to the bushing and the tire / wheel assembly to allow the vehicle to move.

2. The disabled vehicle moving device according to claim 1, wherein, The bushing comprises a flexible material having an open cylindrical shape.

3. The disabled vehicle movement device according to claim 1, wherein, The bushing includes a flexible material having a rectangular shape and an attachment device for connecting opposite ends of the bushing around the radial outer surface of the tire / wheel assembly.

4. The disabled vehicle movement device according to claim 1, wherein, The covering comprises a rectangular flexible material.

5. The disabled vehicle movement device according to claim 4, wherein, The cover includes a first end and a second end, as well as a first side and a second side, and further includes a connecting device located on at least one of the first end and the second end of the cover to connect the first end and the second end of the cover together around the tire / wheel assembly.

6. The disabled vehicle movement device according to claim 5, wherein, The connecting device includes a first mating connector and a second mating connector respectively connected to a first end and a second end of the cover.

7. The disabled vehicle movement device according to claim 6, wherein, The first mating connector and the second mating connector are selected from the group consisting of zippers, hooks and ring fasteners and snaps.

8. The disabled vehicle moving device according to claim 1, wherein, The cover further includes a tightening device configured to tighten the cover around the tire / wheel assembly.

9. The disabled vehicle movement device according to claim 8, wherein, The tightening device includes a first collar and a second collar positioned along the side of the cover, and a first rope and a second rope respectively disposed in the first collar and the second collar.

10. The disabled vehicle movement device according to claim 1, wherein, At least one of the bushing and the cover is made of a material selected from the group consisting of ethylene resin and plastic.

11. A method for moving a disabled vehicle including at least one locked wheel, comprising: A bushing made of flexible material is installed on the radial outer surface of the rotationally locked tire / wheel assembly of the disabled vehicle. Apply lubricant to the bushing; A cover made of flexible material is applied to the bushing and the tire / wheel assembly of the disabled vehicle; as well as To move the disabled vehicle. During movement, the cover rotates relative to the bushing and the tire / wheel assembly.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The bushing comprises a flexible material having an open cylindrical shape.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The bushing comprises a flexible material having a rectangular shape, and further comprises connecting opposite ends of the bushing around the radial outer surface of the tire / wheel assembly.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The covering comprises a rectangular flexible material.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising connecting opposite ends of the cover together around the tire / wheel assembly.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, Connecting the opposite ends of the cover together around the tire / wheel assembly includes connecting a first mating connector and a second mating connector attached to the opposite ends of the cover together.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The first mating connector and the second mating connector are selected from the group consisting of zippers, hooks and ring fasteners and snaps.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising tightening the cover around the tire / wheel assembly.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The cover includes a first collar and a second collar arranged along a first side and a second side, respectively, and wherein tightening includes tying together a first rope and a second rope arranged in the first collar and the second collar, respectively.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein, At least one of the bushing and the cover is made of a material selected from the group consisting of ethylene resin and plastic.

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