Fastening means for tire anti-skid device

Abstract

To provide a fastening means for a tire anti-skid device, which allows one type of tire anti-skid device to be applied to tires of more sizes. [Solution] A fastening means 10 for a tire anti-skid device has a main body 12 placed between a pair of anti-skid bands and a pair of link parts that respectively connect the main body 12 and the pair of anti-skid bands, and reduces the gap between the pair of anti-skid bands by rotating the main body 12. The main body 12 is provided with an expansion / contraction part 24 that can expand and contract with the main body 12 as a base point, and one link part 34a of the pair of link parts is engaged with the main body 12, while the other link part 34b is engaged with the expansion / contraction part 24, and the expansion / contraction part 24 is equipped with a fixing means 22 for maintaining the expansion / contraction state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening means for a tire anti-skid device, and more particularly to a fastening means for a tire anti-skid device that is suitable for cases where it is desired to widen the adaptability of the tire anti-skid device to changes in tire size. [Background technology]

[0002] Anti-skid devices in which the anti-skid band that contacts the outer periphery of the tire is made of resin are lighter and easier to handle than those made of metal, and are therefore widely used as tire anti-skid devices for passenger cars. When a tire anti-skid device of this type is attached to the tire, the anti-skid band is pressed against the tire by a fastening means arranged on the outer surface of the tire, thereby stabilizing the attached state.

[0003] Various fastening means have been proposed, but a structure that can be fastened easily and quickly is known, such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 10 , the fastening means disclosed in Patent Document 1 divides an anti-slip band 52 that contacts the tread surface of a tire 60 into multiple pieces, places a locking member 2 between the anti-slip band segments 52, and connects the locking member 2 to the anti-slip bands 52 that are disposed on both sides of the locking member 2 with a metal link portion 3. In this fastening means 1, by rotating the locking member using a jig, the link portion is drawn toward the locking member, pressing the anti-slip band against the tire tread surface. Then, by fixing the link portion 3 with the locking member 2 while the anti-slip band is pressed against the tire tread surface, the tire anti-skid device 50 can be installed stably.

[0004] However, with a fastening means 1 having such a structure, the distance that the anti-skid band 52 can be pulled is determined by the distance from the center of rotation of the locking member 2 to the location where the link portion 3 is connected. Therefore, if the tire size to be mounted is smaller than the specified size, the fastening state may be loose, which may reduce the performance of the tire anti-skid device 50. Furthermore, if the tire size is larger than the specified size, the fastening operation may be too tight, which may make mounting difficult. Therefore, in order to provide a tire anti-skid device 50 that is compatible with many tire sizes, it becomes necessary to release tire anti-skid devices 50 in a variety of sizes, which makes it difficult for manufacturers to control manufacturing costs and complicates inventory management for retailers. Furthermore, from the user's perspective, it becomes necessary to purchase a new tire anti-skid device 50 every time a user switches to a vehicle with a different tire size. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5595198 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fastening means for a tire anti-skid device that allows one type of tire anti-skid device to be applied to a wider range of tire sizes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the fastening means of the tire anti-skid device of the present invention has a main body that is placed between a pair of adjacent anti-skid bands in a tire anti-skid device having multiple divided anti-skid bands, and a pair of link parts that respectively connect the main body and the pair of anti-skid bands, and the fastening means of the tire anti-skid device narrows the gap between the pair of anti-skid bands by rotating the main body, and the main body is provided with an expansion part that can expand and contract in the direction of positioning the anti-skid bands with the main body as a base point, one link part of the pair of link parts engages with the main body and the anti-skid bands that are arranged adjacent to the main body, and the other link part engages with the expansion part and the anti-skid bands that are arranged adjacent to the expansion part, and the expansion part is characterized in that it is equipped with a fixing means for maintaining the expansion part in an extended or contracted state with the main body as a base point.

[0008] In addition, the fastening means of a tire anti-skid device according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object has a main body arranged between a pair of adjacent anti-skid bands in a tire anti-skid device having multiple divided anti-skid bands, and a pair of link parts that respectively connect the main body and the pair of anti-skid bands, and the fastening means of the tire anti-skid device narrows the gap between the pair of anti-skid bands by rotating the main body, and the main body is provided with a pair of expansion parts that can expand and contract in the direction in which the anti-skid bands are arranged, with the main body as a base point, and the pair of link parts are each configured to engage with the expansion part that expands and contracts with the main body as a base point and the anti-skid bands that are arranged adjacent to the expansion parts, and the expansion parts may be characterized by being equipped with fixing means for maintaining the expansion state or contraction state with the main body as a base point.

[0009] In addition, in the tightening means of the tire anti-skid device having the above-mentioned characteristics, the expandable portion is provided with a biasing means that generates a biasing force in the expansion direction with the main body as a base point, and the fixing means is preferably a ratchet mechanism that allows the expandable portion to move freely in the expansion direction while restricting movement in the contraction direction. With such characteristics, the tire anti-skid device can be properly tightened simply by driving a vehicle equipped with the tire anti-skid device.

[0010] Furthermore, in the fastening means of the tire anti-skid device having the above-mentioned characteristics, it is desirable that a stopper against which the link portion abuts when fastened is provided on the surface of the main body, and that no protrusions other than the stopper are removed. With such a feature, there is no risk of interference even when the link portion passes near the surface of the main body when the main body is rotated. Therefore, the height of the link portion can be reduced, and the overall thickness of the fastening means can be reduced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the fastening means of the tire anti-skid device having the above-mentioned characteristics, it becomes possible to apply one type of tire anti-skid device to tires of a greater number of sizes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a fastening means according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of the fastening means when the link portion is extended. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of the fastening means when the link portions are pulled together. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the contracted state of the expansion / contraction section that constitutes the tightening means. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an expansion / contraction portion that constitutes the tightening means in an expanded state. [Figure 6]10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the difference in length between the contracted and extended states of the expansion / contraction section of the tightening means. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a tire anti-skid device is attached to a tire with a large diameter. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a tire anti-skid device is attached to a tire with a small diameter. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an example of a jig used to rotate the fastening means according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tire anti-skid device to which a conventional fastening means is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following describes in detail an embodiment of the fastening means of the tire anti-skid device of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment shown below is a part of the preferred form for carrying out the present invention, and even if a part of the configuration is changed, it can be considered as a part of the present invention as long as the effect is achieved.

[0014] [Configuration] First, the configuration of the fastening means of the tire anti-skid device according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as fastening means 10) will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the fastening means according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the fastening means with the link portions extended, and Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the fastening means with the link portions pulled in. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the stretchable portions that make up the fastening means when contracted, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the stretchable portions that make up the fastening means when extended.

[0015] The fastening means 10 according to this embodiment is a fastening mechanism applied to a tire anti-skid device 10 (see Figures 7, 8, etc.) having multiple divided anti-skid bands 52, and is used by being placed between adjacent anti-skid bands 52. The fastening means 10 according to this embodiment is basically composed of a main body 12, an expandable portion 24, and a link portion 34.

[0016] The main body 12 has at least a jig engagement hole 14, a link engagement hole 16, a biasing means arrangement portion 18, an expansion / contraction portion accommodating portion 20, and a ratchet mechanism 22. The jig engagement hole 14 is an element for engaging a jig 38 (details of which will be described later) for rotating the main body 12, and in this embodiment is composed of three through holes arranged in a straight line. The jig engagement hole 14 is located near the center of the main body, as this provides a good balance when applying rotation.

[0017] The link engagement hole 16 is an element for engaging one of the link portions 34 (one link portion 34a), which will be described in detail later, and is a through hole in this embodiment. The link engagement hole 16 is located near the end opposite to the end on the side where the opening of the expansion / contraction portion accommodating portion 20, which will be described in detail later, is located.

[0018] The biasing means arrangement portion 18 is a portion for arranging the biasing means 36 that applies a biasing force in the extension direction to the expandable portion 24, the details of which will be described later. Therefore, the form of the biasing means arrangement portion 18 depends on the type and form of the biasing means 36. In this embodiment, the biasing means 36 is a coil spring, and therefore the biasing means arrangement portion 18 is a tubular portion formed along the extension direction.

[0019] The expansion / contraction portion accommodating section 20 is a space capable of accommodating the expansion / contraction portion 24, the details of which will be described later. For this reason, the expansion / contraction portion accommodating section 20 may be a space in which the expansion / contraction portion 24 can slide in the expansion / contraction direction, and although the specific form is not limited, it is preferable to provide a stopper 20a as part of the configuration so as to prevent the expansion / contraction portion 24, once extended, from falling off from the main body 12. Naturally, the expansion / contraction portion accommodating section 20 is provided with an opening in the direction in which the expansion / contraction portion 24 protrudes (the extension direction), allowing the expansion / contraction portion 24 to protrude from the main body 12.

[0020] The ratchet mechanism 22 is a type of fixing mechanism that restricts the movement of the telescopic portion 24. The ratchet mechanism 22 according to this embodiment includes a first pawl 22a that allows the telescopic portion 24 to move freely in the extension direction while restricting its movement in the contraction direction; a second pawl 22b that allows the telescopic portion 24 to move freely in the contraction direction while restricting its movement in the extension direction; a rotation shaft 22c that is disposed between the first pawl 22a and the second pawl 22b and serves as a base point for switching between the first pawl 22a and the second pawl 22b; and a switching lever 22d for switching between the first pawl 22a and the second pawl 22b. While not shown in detail, the ratchet mechanism 22 may be provided with a biasing mechanism 22e that keeps one of the pawls (the first pawl 22a or the second pawl 22b) biased against the ratchet engagement teeth 28 of the telescopic portion 24. This configuration ensures reliable restriction of the movement of the telescopic portion 24.

[0021] The telescopic section 24 is accommodated in the telescopic section accommodation section 20 of the main body 12 and is an element for changing the overall length of the tightening means 10 by partially protruding from the main body 12. The telescopic section 24 according to the embodiment is provided with a link engagement hole 26, ratchet engagement teeth 28, and a jig engagement hole 30, and is provided with a biasing force transmission guide 32. The link engagement hole 26 is an element for engaging the other of the link sections 34 (the other link section 34b), which will be described in detail later, and is a through hole in this embodiment. The link engagement hole 26 is located near the extension side end. Furthermore, with respect to the link engagement hole 16 in the main body 12, it is slightly offset in a direction intersecting the telescopic direction, and the jig engagement hole 14, which serves as the rotation center of the main body 12, is interposed between the two link engagement holes 16, 26.

[0022] The ratchet engagement teeth 28 are elements with which the first pawl 22a and the second pawl 22b of the ratchet mechanism 22 described above engage. The engagement of each pawl with the ratchet engagement teeth 28 restricts movement in the extension direction or the contraction direction. The ratchet engagement teeth 28 are specifically configured with a concave-convex shape similar to a rack gear. The second pawl 22b contacts the inclined surface of the convex portion located on the leading end side of the telescopic portion 24 (the left side of the telescopic portion 24 shown in FIG. 4 ), restricting movement in the extension direction. The first pawl 22a contacts the inclined surface located on the trailing end side of the telescopic portion 24 (the right side of the telescopic portion 24 shown in FIG. 5 ), restricting movement in the contraction direction. The inclined surfaces and the pawls are configured to be in surface contact with each other, dispersing stress when restricting movement of the telescopic portion 24 and preventing cracking or chipping. Furthermore, by configuring the perpendicular line L dropped to the center of the inclined surface to be located between the center of the rotation shaft 22c of the ratchet mechanism 22 and the center line (a line passing through the centers of the multiple inclined surfaces) of the ratchet engagement teeth 28 that make up the telescopic portion 24, a wedge effect is exerted when the pawls (first pawl 22a and second pawl 22b) abut against the inclined surface, and the teeth can be formed into a trapezoidal shape, making it possible to maintain the strength of the teeth. Note that the jig engagement hole 30 is a through hole provided at a position that overlaps with the jig engagement hole 14 provided in the main body 12 when the telescopic portion 24 is accommodated in the telescopic portion accommodation portion 20.

[0023] The biasing force transmission guide 32 is an element that transmits the biasing force of the biasing means 36 arranged in the biasing means arrangement section 18 to the telescopic section 24, and that maintains the shape of the biasing means 36 exposed from the biasing means arrangement section 18. The biasing force transmission guide 32 has a guide main body 32a that engages with the telescopic section 24, a protrusion 32b that extends from the guide main body 32a and is receivable in the biasing means arrangement section 18, and a spring receiver 32c that receives the biasing force of the biasing means 36. Here, it is preferable that the protrusion 32b is configured so that a portion of it remains housed in the biasing means arrangement section 18 even when the telescopic section 24 is in the most extended state from the main body 12.

[0024] The link portion 34 (collectively referring to the one link portion 34a and the other link portion 34b) is an element that connects the main body 12 and the stretchable portion 24 that constitute the fastening means 10 with the anti-slip band 52. In the embodiment, the one link portion 34a and the other link portion 34b are engaged with the link engaging hole 16 and the link engaging hole 26, respectively, so as to be mutually identical in shape and arranged in point symmetry. The shape of each link portion (the one link portion 34a, the other link portion 34b) is formed so as to have extension portions 34a2, 34b2 that are provided at obtuse angles at both ends of the straight line portions 34a1, 34b1, respectively, with straight line portions 34a1, 34b1 at the center, forming a so-called bow shape. A hook is formed at the tip of each extension portion 34a2, 34b2, and by engaging this hook with the link engagement holes 16, 26 and the anti-slip band 52, the main body 12 and the stretchable portion 24 are connected to the anti-slip band 52.

[0025] The pair of link portions 34 are arranged so that the insides of their arcuate shapes face each other. The fastening device 10 according to the embodiment includes a stopper 12a against which the link portion 34 abuts when the main body 12 is rotated around the jig engagement hole 14. The stopper 12a is arranged so that when the pair of link portions 34 abut, the linear portions 34a1, 34b1 and the extended portions 34a2, 34b2 constituting the link portion 34 are parallel to each other. Furthermore, a portion of the stopper 12a according to the embodiment is located between the multiple holes constituting the jig engagement hole 14 at a height exceeding the height (thickness) of the link portion 34. By arranging the stopper 12a in this manner, when using a jig 38 (details of which will be described later), the insertion height of the engagement portion 40 constituting the jig 38 is limited. Therefore, when the main body 12 and the extendable portion 24 are rotated using the jig 38, interference between the jig 38 and the link portion 34 can be avoided.

[0026] Furthermore, in the fastening means 10 according to the embodiment, the only protrusion arranged on the surface of the main body 12 is the stopper 12a. Therefore, even if the link portion 34 passes near the surface of the main body 12 when the main body 12 (extendable portion 24) is rotated, there is no risk of the link portion 34 interfering with structural parts of the main body 12. In this way, by configuring the link portion 34 to pass near the surface of the main body 12, the link portion 34 can be brought close to the surface of the main body 12, and the fastening means 10 can be made thinner.

[0027] The jig 38 may have any configuration as long as it is capable of rotating the fastening means 10 according to the embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, it has an engagement portion 40 that can engage with the jig engagement hole 14 (30), and a grip portion 42. The grip portion 42 is configured as a handle that is wider than the arrangement width of the engagement portion 40 so that the force required to rotate the fastening means 10 can be reduced.

[0028] [Function] Next, the usage and function of the tightening means configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 7. Note that in the drawings, FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the differences in various lengths in the state where the telescopic portion in the tightening means according to the embodiment is contracted and the state where it is extended. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the state where the tire anti-slip device is mounted on a tire with a large diameter. Further, FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the state where the tire anti-slip device is mounted on a tire with a small diameter.

[0029] The tightening means 10 according to the present embodiment can engage the jig 38 with the jig engagement hole 14(30) and rotate it in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 2), so that the link portion 34 can be pulled in so as to be wound around the center side of the main body 12 (telescopic portion 24) as shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the gap between the anti-slip bands 52 arranged in a divided manner can be reduced, and the tire anti-slip device 50 can be pressed (brought into close contact) against the surface of the tire 60. And as shown in FIG. 6(A), in the state where the telescopic portion 24 is contracted, the total length including one link portion 34a and the other link portion 34b is L1, and the tightening distance is ΔL1 for the tightening means 10 according to the present embodiment. On the other hand, in the state where the telescopic portion 24 is extended, the total length is L2 and the tightening distance is ΔL2, and the relationship of L1 < L2 and ΔL1 < ΔL2 holds. Therefore, it becomes possible to change the tightening distance of the anti-slip band 52 with one tightening means 10 or apply it to the tightening of the anti-slip bands 52 having different arrangement intervals .

[0030] Therefore, even if the tire anti-skid device 50 is the same size, it can be applied to tires 60 with different outer diameters, to a degree that was previously difficult. For example, if the outer diameter of the tire 60 is larger than the specified size of the tire anti-skid device 50, it is advisable to apply the tightening means 10 with the expandable portion 24 contracted, as shown in Fig. 7, and tighten the tire with a short tightening distance. On the other hand, if the outer diameter of the tire 60 is smaller than the specified size of the tire anti-skid device 50, it is advisable to apply the tightening means 10 with the expandable portion 24 extended, as shown in Fig. 8, and tighten the tire with a longer tightening distance, thereby increasing the pressing force (degree of adhesion) of the tire anti-skid device 50 against the surface of the tire 60.

[0031] When the tire anti-skid device 50 is attached to the tire 60, as the vehicle travels, forces in the expanding and contracting directions are repeatedly applied to the gaps between the divided anti-skid bands 52, 52. This is caused by the difference between the outer diameter size of the tire 60 and the size of the tire anti-skid device 50, the frictional force between the tire 60 and the tire anti-skid device 50, the rotational force of the tire 60, and the like.

[0032] Specifically, when the tire 60 (drive wheel) is rotating in the direction of arrow B (see Figures 7 and 8), when the tire 60 transitions from a state in which the anti-slip bands 52 are in contact with the ground to a state in which the tire 60 is in direct contact with the ground, a force is applied between adjacent anti-slip bands 52 in a direction that narrows the gap between them (contraction load). On the other hand, when the tire 60 transitions from a state in which the anti-slip bands 52 are in contact with the ground to a state in which the anti-slip bands 52 are in contact with the ground, a force is applied between adjacent anti-slip bands 52 in a direction that separates them (extension load).

[0033] In the tire anti-skid device 50 in which such actions are repeatedly performed, the tightening means 10 according to this embodiment has a function of allowing the expandable portion 24 to move freely in the extension direction and restricting movement in the contraction direction when the first pawl 22a is engaged with the ratchet engagement teeth 28, as described above. Therefore, if the tightening means 10 is attached with the first pawl 22a engaged with the ratchet engagement teeth 28, the expandable portion 24 will expand when the above-mentioned contraction load is applied. Furthermore, when the first pawl 22a is engaged with the ratchet engagement teeth 28, movement of the expandable portion 24 in the contraction direction is restricted, so the tightened state of the tire anti-skid device 50 is maintained. Therefore, when a vehicle is driven with the tire anti-skid device 50 equipped with the tightening means 10 according to this embodiment attached, the tire anti-skid device 50 is automatically adjusted to an optimal tightened state.

[0034] [Effects] The fastening means 10 having the above-described characteristics allows one type of tire anti-skid device 50 to be applied to a wider range of tire 60 sizes. In addition, the amount of fastening can be automatically adjusted simply by driving with the tire anti-skid device 50 attached to the tire 60. [Industrial Applicability]

[0035] In the above embodiment, the expandable portion 24 is shown as expanding and contracting in only one direction with the main body 12 as the base point. However, it may be configured to expand and contract in both directions with the main body 12 as the base point. In such a configuration, it is preferable that the pair of link portions 34 are each arranged in an expandable portion located on the opposite side of the main body 12 as the base point. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 10....Tightening means, 12....Main body, 12a....Stopper, 14....Jig engagement hole, 16....Link engagement hole, 18....Using means arrangement section, 20....Extendable section accommodating section, 20a....Prevention device, 22....Ratchet mechanism, 22a....First claw, 22b....Second claw, 22c....Rotating shaft, 22d....Switching lever, 22e....Using means, 24....Extendable section, 26....Link engagement hole, 28....Ratchet engagement tooth, 30....Jig engagement hole, 32....Ultraviolet force transmission guide, 32a....Guide main body, 32b....Protrusion portion, 32c....Spring holder, 34....Link portion, 34a....One link portion, 34a1....Straight portion, 34a2....Extended portion, 34b....Other link portion, 34b1....Straight portion, 34b2....Extended portion, 36....Ultraviolet force means, 38....Jig, 40....Engaging portion, 42....Gripping portion, 50....Tire anti-skid device, 52....Anti-skid band, 60....Tire.

Claims

1. A tire anti-skid device has a tire anti-skid device having a plurality of divided anti-skid bands, and a main body arranged between a pair of adjacently arranged anti-skid bands, and a pair of link parts respectively connecting the main body and the pair of anti-skid bands, and a fastening means for the tire anti-skid device narrows the gap between the pair of anti-skid bands by rotating the main body, a stretchable section that can stretch in the direction in which the anti-slip band is positioned, one of the pair of link sections engages with the main body and the anti-slip band positioned adjacent to the main body, and the other link section engages with the stretchable section and the anti-slip band positioned adjacent to the stretchable section, and the stretchable section is equipped with a fixing means for maintaining the stretchable section in an extended or contracted state with the main body as a base point.

2. A fastening means for a tire anti-skid device having anti-skid bands divided into multiple segments, the fastening means having a main body arranged between a pair of adjacent anti-skid bands and a pair of link parts that respectively connect the main body to the pair of anti-skid bands, and narrowing the gap between the pair of anti-skid bands by rotating the main body, wherein the main body is provided with a pair of expansion parts that can expand and contract in the direction in which the anti-skid bands are arranged, with the main body as a base point, and the pair of link parts are each configured to engage with the expansion part that expands and contracts with the main body as a base point and the anti-skid bands that are arranged adjacent to the expansion parts, and the expansion parts are equipped with fixing means for maintaining the expansion parts in an extended or contracted state with the main body as a base point.

3. The tightening means of the tire anti-skid device described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the expansion / contraction section is provided with a biasing means that generates a biasing force in the expansion direction with the main body as a base point, and the fixing means is a ratchet mechanism that allows the expansion / contraction section to move freely in the expansion direction while restricting movement in the contraction direction.

4. The fastening means of the tire anti-skid device according to claim 3, characterized in that a stopper is protruding from the surface of the main body, against which the link portion abuts when fastened, and no protrusions other than the stopper are present.

Images