RIM PROTECTOR

Abstract

Rim protector for snow chains, comprising at least two parts (1, 1') arranged to cover a link (2) of those in contact with the rim of a snow chain for a tire; wherein the parts (1, 1') comprise a rod (4, 4') which, in its operational mounting position, fits into the rod (4, 4') of the other part (1, 1'). Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: RIM PROTECTOR technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rim protector which is housed in snow chains among those used on vehicle wheels. Previous technique

[0002] At present, snow chains are widely known and are fitted to vehicle tires when road conditions are not optimal for driving, because weather conditions such as snow cause a loss of adhesion of the asphalt with the tire.

[0003] Snow chains are one of the most widely used solutions for overcoming these circumstances, but in most cases the chains are made of metal links which damage areas of the wheel with which they come into contact, such as the rims.

[0004] Regarding rim protectors, in the current state of the art, patent document EP2008838 describes a rim protector comprising two parts that are pressure-joined. One part has a housing, and the other has a tenon that is pressure-fastened into the housing of the first. The problem with this solution is that the tenon, which is in contact with the metal link of the snow chain, is a single piece and therefore not very resistant to stress and can bend or break with wear. The second drawback is the pressure-joining system: during use of the snow chain on the vehicle's tire, due to the movement of the snow chain links, it can easily come loose, as it has only one retention point.

[0005] In view of the disadvantages described with regard to currently existing solutions, it is evident that a solution is needed to allow the fitting of rim protectors on the links of snow chains for tires that are resistant to the movements produced by the snow chain links during use. Description of the invention

[0006] In order to achieve this objective and to resolve the technical problems mentioned so far, in addition to providing further advantages that can be obtained at a later stage, the present invention relates to a rim protector for snow chains, which comprises at least two parts arranged to cover one link among those in contact with the rim of a snow chain for a tire; characterized in that the parts comprise a rod which, in its position of Operational assembly, it fits together with the rod of the other part in such a way as to give a unique final rod configuration that is wear-resistant.

[0007] Preferably, according to the invention, the rod comprises at least two tenons arranged so as to fit together oppositely with the tenons of the rod of the other part.

[0008] Each tenon has a triangular cross-section forming a sector of 45° maximum, so that in its operational mounting position, the final rod, made up of the plurality of tenons of the rod of the first part and the rod of the second part, has the external shape of a cylinder.

[0009] Furthermore, preferably, the contact surface of the tenons with their counterpart, two sides of the triangle along the entire length of the tenon, is grooved so as to allow coupling, but ensuring their retention and preventing their disengagement in their operational position. This configuration allows for greater resistance to disengagement than in existing solutions, because the contact surface ensuring the retention of the two parts is much larger.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the head of the two parts is in the form of a spherical cross-section. This spherical cross-section of one of the parts is designed to come into contact with the rim, so as to prevent the snow chain from scratching the rim. The spherical cross-section of the other part is located outside the link of the snow chain and serves as a retaining device so that the protector does not come out of the link at the point where it is mounted.

[0011] Finally, the parts of the protector are characterized in that they are made of a flexible material, such as nylon or polypropylene, so as not to damage the rim, but resistant to wear and friction with the metal of the snow chain links, as well as flexible enough to allow coupling and subsequent use. Brief description of the drawings

[0012] Fig. 1 shows a protector in its operational mounting position.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of one of the parts

[0014] Figures 3 to 4 show perspective views of the protector coupling, coupling the two parts. Description of the implementation methods

[0015] The present invention refers to a rim protector for snow chains on which, taking into account the aforementioned figures, and according to the numbering adopted, one can observe an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which includes the parts and elements which are indicated and described in detail below.

[0016] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], the protector is in the form of two parts (1 and 1') which, in their operational mounting position, are housed in The opening of a link (2) of the snow chains among those in contact with the rim of the tire of the vehicle on which it is fitted. The outer part of the parts (1, 1') is in the form of a spherical section (3 and 3') where the spherical section (3) that is in contact with the rim prevents the chain links from rubbing against the rim and the spherical section (3') that is on the outside acts as a retaining device.

[0017] As can be seen in [Fig.2], each part (1 and 1') consists of the sphere section (3 and 3') from which emerges, perpendicularly to the flat surface of the sphere section (3 and 3'), a rod (4 and 4').

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the stem (4 and 4') is divided into two tenons (41 and 41') of triangular cross-section. As a result, when the two parts are joined, by placing them opposite the tenons (41 and 41') of the other part (1 or 1'), two of their faces (42 and 42') come into contact.

[0019] Furthermore, the outer face (43) of the tenon (41 and 41') is arc-shaped, so when the two parts (1 and 1') are joined for use, the two rods (4 and 4') behave as a single rod (5) with the external geometry of a cylinder. This is essential, because it is this rod that is in continuous contact and friction with the link (2) on which it is mounted.

[0020] The surface of the two faces (42 and 42') that come into contact during coupling has a groove, as can be seen in [Fig. 3], which allows movement in the coupling direction but retains the parts (1 and 1') so as to prevent uncoupling. This retention mechanism provides the assembly with high resistance to uncoupling, since the entire length of the tenons (41 and 41') ensures retention.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the material of parts (1 and 1') is a strong and elastic material, but one that does not damage the rim of the tire on which the snow chains are fitted, which is what is sought to be avoided. Preferably, it is nylon or polypropylene.

Claims

Demands

1. Rim protector for snow chains, which includes at least two parts (1, 1') arranged to cover a link (2) of those which are in contact with the rim of a snow chain for a tire; characterized in that the parts (1, 1') include a rod (4, 4') which, in its operational mounting position, fits together with the rod (4, 4') of the other part (1, 1').

2. Rim protector for snow chains according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod (4, 4') comprises at least two lugs (41, 41') arranged so as to fit oppositely with the lugs (41, 41') of the other rod (4, 4').

3. Rim protector for snow chains according to claim 2, characterized in that each stud (41, 41') has a triangular cross-section forming a sector of 45° maximum, so that in its operational mounting position, the final rod (5) made up of the plurality of studs has the shape of a cylinder.

4. Rim protector for snow chains according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that furthermore the contact surface (42) of the lugs (41, 41') is grooved so as to prevent disengagement.

5. Rim protector for snow chains according to claim 1, characterized in that a head of the parts (3, 3') is in the form of a sphere section.

6. Rim protector for snow chains according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the parts (1, 1') are made of a resistant and elastic material so as not to damage the rim.

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