Chain link with tyre engagement element, insert element for a chain link, and chain mesh and tyre chain

Abstract

The invention relates to a chain link (1, 1a, 1b) for a chain mesh (72) for a tyre chain (10) to be mounted on a vehicle wheel (8), wherein the chain link has: at least one tyre contact surface (2) designed to rest on a tread of the vehicle wheel when the tyre chain (10) is in a mounted state (12) on the vehicle wheel (8), and at least one tyre engagement element (4) that protrudes from the tyre contact surface and is designed to engage with the tread (6) of the vehicle wheel (8) in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner when the tyre chain (10) is in a mounted state (12) on the vehicle wheel (8). The invention further relates to an insert element for such a chain link. The present invention further relates to a chain mesh having such chain links and to a tyre chain having such a chain mesh. A tyre chain having the proposed means can be flexibly adapted to different applications, is simple and cost-effective to produce and has low wear. In addition, spinning of the tyre in the tyre chain is prevented during operation.

Description

[0001] Chain link with tire engagement element, insert element for a chain link, as well as running net and tire chain

[0002] The invention relates to a chain link for a running net for a tire chain to be mounted on a vehicle wheel, and to an insert element for such a chain link. Furthermore, a running net with such chain links and a tire chain with such a running net are also the subject of the present invention.

[0003] Tire chains, such as traction chains or tire protection chains, serve to improve the traction of a vehicle wheel on slippery surfaces or to protect the vehicle's tire on sharp-edged surfaces. The track mesh of such a tire chain rests on the tread of the vehicle wheel. The tire rolls on it.

[0004] Existing tire chains have the disadvantage that they cannot be flexibly adapted to different applications, such as varying road surfaces. Furthermore, conventional tire chains are subject to considerable wear, which can lead to a reduction in their traction and protective functions. Finally, the effectiveness of existing tire chains is often compromised in operation because the vehicle wheel spins under the chain.

[0005] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing means for a tire chain that is flexibly adaptable to different applications, easy and inexpensive to manufacture, has low wear and tear, and prevents the tire from slipping in the tire chain during operation.

[0006] This problem is solved by a chain link for a running network for a tire chain to be mounted on a vehicle wheel, wherein the chain link has: at least one tire contact surface which is designed to rest on a running surface of the vehicle wheel in a state of mounting the tire chain on the vehicle wheel; and at least one tire engagement element projecting from the tire contact surface which is designed to engage with the tire surface of the vehicle wheel in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner in the state of mounting the tire chain on the vehicle wheel.

[0007] The tire contact surface ensures that the chain link, when mounted on the vehicle wheel, rests on the tread of the vehicle wheel. The at least one tire engagement element protruding from the tire contact surface rests against the tire-

[0008] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suhen surface, thereby connecting the chain link to the vehicle wheel in a positive-locking and / or friction-locking manner. This prevents the vehicle wheel from spinning under a tire chain that has a large number of such chain links. It also prevents the positions of the chain links on the vehicle wheel's tread from changing or even from the chain links detaching completely from the vehicle wheel. If the vehicle wheel's tire has a tread pattern such as lugs or grooves, especially transverse grooves, the tire engagement element can be designed to engage with the tire tread. If the vehicle wheel's tire is smooth, the tire engagement element can be designed to press into the tire surface.

[0009] If the chain link were used in a tire protection chain, this would result in a reduction of the protective effect of the vehicle tire; if used alternatively or cumulatively in a traction chain, it would result in a decrease in traction. The chain links therefore help to eliminate or at least mitigate the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0010] The above invention can be further improved by the following features, each of which is advantageous in itself and can be combined with each other as desired.

[0011] The at least one tire engagement element can be configured to engage the tire tread in a form-fit and / or friction-fit manner, in particular to be connected to the tire tread of the vehicle wheel. For a form-fit and / or friction-fit engagement, the at least one tire engagement element can, for example, project into the tread grooves of the tire tread. Friction can occur between the at least one tire engagement element and the bottom of the tread grooves and / or between the at least one tire engagement element and opposing, ground-adjacent flanks of the tread grooves, thereby at least reducing relative movement between the tire and the chain link.

[0012] In a particularly stable design, at least one tire engagement element can be designed as a rib or have a rib that protrudes from the tire contact surface.

[0013] To ensure particularly secure engagement of the tire engagement element in the tire tread, the width of the tire engagement element – ​​or, if the tire engagement element is designed as a rib, the width of the rib – can be greater than the width of the tire's tread grooves. The width can correspond to the distance between the opposing flanks of the tread grooves.

[0014] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh The chain link can be divided into a base body and at least one tire engagement element arranged on the base body.

[0015] The chain link, in particular its base body, can be a flat body, for example a plate, or a disc-shaped or plate-like structure, in a simple and material-saving design. The chain link can be horizontal.

[0016] The chain link can be designed as a protective link, which protects the vehicle wheel when the tire chain is mounted on the vehicle wheel or the road surface it is traveling on, and / or as a traction link, which improves the traction of the vehicle wheel when the tire chain is mounted on the vehicle wheel. The chain link can be designed as a traction chain and / or as a tire protection chain.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, the base of the chain link can be polygonal. Such a chain link can be joined with other chain links, particularly when used in the running network of a tire chain, to minimize the gaps between the chain links.

[0018] The base can be polygonal, for example triangular, quadrilateral, especially rhomboid, rectangular or parallelogram-shaped, or pentagonal. Of course, bases with more sides are also possible. The base can have the shape of a regular polygon.

[0019] The base surface of the tire chain, when mounted on the vehicle wheel, can extend substantially parallel or tangentially to the tread of the vehicle wheel. The base surface can run parallel to or within the tire contact patch. When using a plate-shaped chain link whose base surface extends parallel or tangentially to the tread of the vehicle wheel, the tire tread is well protected against punctures.

[0020] To ensure a particularly secure attachment of the chain link to the tire tread, at least one tire engagement element can be positioned at a corner of the chain link. The corners of the chain link can correspond to or define the corners of the chain link's base. A particularly secure connection can be achieved if, with multiple tire engagement elements, each of these elements is positioned at a corner, especially...

[0021] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh, which are arranged at different corners of the chain link. Of course, at least two tire engagement elements can also be arranged at a common corner.

[0022] The number of tire engagement elements can exactly correspond to the number of corners of the chain link.

[0023] To enable the at least one tire engagement element to automatically penetrate the tire tread, particularly a groove in the tire tread, the at least one tire engagement element can taper towards its free end pointing away from the tire contact patch. In particular, the at least one tire engagement element can be pointed. A conical, truncated cone, frustopyran, or pyramidal design of the tire engagement element, at least partially, preferably completely, can be advantageous here, allowing the tire engagement element to position itself centrally.

[0024] The chain link can be connected to other elements and thus used as part of a running network if the chain link has at least one opening in which at least one connecting bar, designed to connect at least two chain links, can be received, at least partially. Naturally, another chain link can also be received, at least partially, in the opening. Receiving several connecting bars and / or chain links in one opening is also possible in other embodiments. A connecting bar can be understood as an element that, when mounted on the vehicle wheel, connects at least two chain links. The at least one connecting bar can, when mounted on the vehicle wheel, rest on the tire's tread.

[0025] At least one opening spans a plane that can run parallel to the tire contact surface and, when the tire chain is mounted on the vehicle wheel, tangentially to the tread of the vehicle wheel.

[0026] The at least one opening can be a through-hole and / or eyelet. The opening can have a round, in particular circular or oval, cross-section.

[0027] A stable, material-saving chain link that is easy to connect with other elements is achieved according to a further embodiment in which the chain link has at least one bracket that is arranged at least partially next to the tire contact surface and which

[0028] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh surrounds at least one opening, at least partially. The chain link can be designed as this bracket in sections. The chain link can be divided into the base body and the brackets. The at least one bracket can span the plane of the opening surrounded at least partially by this bracket.

[0029] The at least one bracket can have a round, in particular circular or oval, cross-section. The diameter of the at least one bracket can be smaller than the height of the chain link or the height of the base body. The aforementioned heights can be measured along a radial direction of the vehicle wheel or perpendicular to the tread of the vehicle wheel when the chain link is mounted on the vehicle wheel. The heights can extend perpendicular to the tire contact surface and / or to the base of the chain link.

[0030] At least one tire engagement element can be located in an area of ​​the chain link where a bracket meets or transitions into the base body.

[0031] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a chain link provides sufficient space for attaching connecting links and / or other chain links if at least one bracket extends from one corner to another corner of the chain link. One end of the bracket can be located at one corner and the other end at the opposite corner of the chain link. The bracket can extend essentially along the sides of the polygonal chain link or along the polygonal base of the chain link.

[0032] The stirrup can extend between two adjacent corners along the polygonal circumference of the chain link. Multiple stirrups can be provided, each extending between adjacent corners of the chain link.

[0033] A chain link particularly well-suited for increasing the traction of a tire track can, according to one embodiment, have at least one traction projection extending from a rolling surface of the chain link opposite the tire contact area. When mounted on the vehicle wheel, the rolling surface can be designed to rest on the surface traversed by the vehicle. To facilitate the rolling of the vehicle wheel on the surface, the rolling surface can be rounded, at least in sections. In particular, the curvature of the rolling surface can correspond to the curvature of the tread of the vehicle wheel.

[0034] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh The at least one traction protrusion serves to increase traction by penetrating the ground. When mounted on the vehicle wheel, the traction protrusion can point away from the tread of the vehicle wheel.

[0035] The at least one traction projection can taper to a point in the direction away from the rolling surface and, in a particularly stable embodiment, can be conical or pyramidal, at least in some sections. The cross-section of the at least one traction projection can be, for example, circular, oval, angular, or teardrop-shaped.

[0036] At least one traction projection and at least one tire engagement element can be radially opposite each other with respect to the tire contact patch and / or the rolling surface of the chain link, i.e., in the mounted state. In this way, pressure exerted by the ground on the at least one traction projection when the tire chain is mounted on the vehicle wheel can be effectively transferred to the opposite tire engagement element, ensuring particularly secure engagement of this tire engagement element in the tire tread.

[0037] According to another aspect, the chain link can have at least one receptacle accessible from the tire contact surface and / or rolling surface, designed to accommodate at least one insert element, at least partially. Such a chain link can be flexibly adapted to the specific application by inserting different designed insert elements into the receptacle.

[0038] The mounting may be inaccessible to the tire contact surface and / or rolling surface for the insert element, but accessible to other elements such as connecting elements.

[0039] The insert element can be placed into the receptacle and / or secured within it. The receptacle of the chain link can be designed so that it can be screwed, pressed, glued, and / or welded to the insert element.

[0040] The receptacle can have a base against which the insert element can rest and / or be attached. The base can have at least one hole through which a fastener, such as a screw, rivet, or bolt, can be inserted into the receptacle. Naturally, the hole can also serve purposes other than fastening.

[0041] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh According to a further advantageous embodiment, the chain link can have an insert element inserted into the receptacle of the chain link, wherein the insert element comprises at least one material whose hardness and / or strength and / or stiffness and / or elasticity is greater than that of the chain link. The chain link of this design is therefore flexibly adaptable to various applications of the tire chain. For example, if the tire chain is used to increase traction, a robust, in particular hard, firm, or stiff insert element may be advantageous, while a tire chain used to protect the road surface may require an elastic insert element. Furthermore, the insert element(s) can be replaceable as wear parts, so that maintaining the functionality of the tire chain does not require replacing the entire chain link.This saves costs and maintenance.

[0042] In a particularly robust embodiment, the insert element is made at least partially, but preferably entirely, of a wear-resistant metal material, such as steel or wear-resistant plastic. For example, forged or cast steel can be used. The metal material, especially the steel, can be treated by heat treatment processes such as vacuum hardening, case hardening, induction hardening, flame hardening, or nitriding. In one embodiment, the surface of the insert element that comes into contact with the floor during operation can be hardened and / or coated. Examples of coatings used include TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, WC / C, or hard chrome. Of course, the insert element can also consist entirely of the aforementioned materials.

[0043] A rubber material is also conceivable if a flexible insert element is desired, for example, for at least partial use on roads. Of course, the insert element can also be made of other materials or comprise several different materials. For example, the insert element could have one section made of a wear-resistant plastic and another section made of wear-resistant steel.

[0044] The insert element can, for example, have an oval or diamond-shaped cross-section. In a state where the tire chain is mounted on the vehicle wheel, the cross-section can extend along, and in particular tangentially to, the tread of the vehicle wheel.

[0045] According to a further embodiment, the insert element can protrude from the chain link. In this way, primarily or exclusively the insert element can be located on the vehicle wheel.

[0046] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh rests on the substrate in its assembled state. This can, for example, increase traction, as the insert element in this configuration can penetrate the substrate particularly well.

[0047] In a cost-effective and easy-to-manufacture design, the chain link can be monolithic. It is particularly inexpensive when manufactured as a casting, for example, as an injection-molded part. In a very robust design, the chain link can be a forged part.

[0048] The problem is further solved by an insert element for insertion into a chain link. Such an insert element can help to flexibly adapt the chain link to different applications. Furthermore, maintenance is simplified and maintenance costs are reduced because the insert element can be replaced as a wear part. Possible designs of the insert element have already been described above.

[0049] The problem is also solved by a walking net with a multitude of chain links and a multitude of connecting bridges, wherein each of the chain links is connected to at least one other chain link and / or to at least one of the connecting bridges. Such a walking net is flexible in its application and is particularly well suited to establishing and maintaining the protective and / or traction-enhancing function during operation.

[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment, chain links arranged at the axial ends of the tire chain, which rests on the tread of the vehicle wheel when mounted, can have fewer corners than chain links arranged between the axial ends. This allows the chain links to complement each other, ensuring that, when mounted on the vehicle wheel, as large a proportion of the tread as possible is covered by a chain link. If the tire chain is used for tire protection, this improves tire protection. If the tire chain is used alternatively or cumulatively as an anti-slip chain, this also increases traction.

[0051] The chain links can be designed according to the configuration described above, regardless of the number of corners. There can be larger and smaller chain links, which may be geometrically similar to each other.

[0052] Chain links arranged in the area of ​​the tread of the vehicle wheel can have more corners than chain links arranged in the area of ​​the tire shoulder or tire sidewall of the vehicle wheel.

[0053] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh In a particularly well complementary embodiment, the chain links arranged at the axial ends can have three corners and the chain links arranged between the axial ends can have four, five, or six corners.

[0054] The axial ends of the running network can be opposite each other with respect to an axial direction of the vehicle wheel.

[0055] The chain links with fewer corners can protrude into gaps between the chain links with more corners. This allows the chain links to complement each other. When mounted on the vehicle wheel, for example, between 2 and 10 chain links can lie side by side in the axial direction. Each chain link can be connected to an immediately adjacent chain link by exactly one connecting bar.

[0056] To cover the running surface of the vehicle wheel as completely as possible in one embodiment, the chain links can be arranged such that the chain links arranged at the axial ends of the track mesh form an outer edge that axially closes off the track mesh and runs parallel to a circumferential direction of the vehicle wheel. The outer edge is preferably straight. The chain links arranged at the axial ends of the track mesh can be positioned such that at least one of their sides extends along, and in particular tangentially to, the circumferential direction of the vehicle wheel.

[0057] When mounted on the vehicle wheel, the running net can have a cylindrical shape, and when lying flat on the ground, the running net can have a rectangular shape.

[0058] The problem is further solved by a tire chain with a running network according to the design described above. Such a tire chain is flexibly adaptable to various applications, simple and inexpensive to manufacture, low-wear, and particularly effective in operation.

[0059] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying figures. Individual features present in the following exemplary embodiment may be omitted if, according to the embodiments described above, the technical effect associated with that feature is not important. Conversely, a feature described above but not present in a subsequent exemplary embodiment may be added to the exemplary embodiment if the technical effect associated with that feature is important for a particular application.

[0060] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh In the following, the same reference symbols are used for elements that correspond to each other in terms of structure and / or function.

[0061] They show:

[0062] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a chain link according to one possible embodiment;

[0063] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective side view of the traction element from Fig. 1;

[0064] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective top view of the traction element from Fig. 1;

[0065] Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the chain link from Fig. 1 with an insert element inserted into the chain link according to one possible embodiment;

[0066] Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective top view of the chain link with the inserted insert element from Fig. 4;

[0067] Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective side view of the chain link with the insert element from Fig. 4 inserted;

[0068] Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a chain link according to another possible embodiment;

[0069] Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective top view of the chain link from Fig. 7;

[0070] Fig. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a tire chain mounted on the vehicle wheel according to one possible embodiment; and

[0071] Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the tire chain from Fig. 9, viewed from one direction of travel.

[0072] The following is a purely exemplary description of a chain link according to one possible embodiment with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0073] The chain link 1 has a tire contact surface 2 and at least one tire engagement element 4 projecting from the tire contact surface 2. In the present embodiment, several tire engagement elements 4 are provided. The tire contact surface 2 is designed to rest on a tread 6 of a vehicle wheel 8 (see Figs. 9 and 10) when a tire chain is attached.

[0074] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh 10 is in a state 12 mounted on the vehicle wheel 8, while the tire engagement elements 4 are designed to engage with the tread 6 of the vehicle wheel 8 in this state 12 either positively or frictionally, for example by the tire engagement element 4 engaging in the grooves of the tire profile 14. If the tread 6 is smooth, as with a slick tire, then the tire engagement element 4 can press into the tread 6 when rolling over it. The chain link 1 does not have to have several tire engagement elements 4, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, but can also have only a single tire engagement element 4. Of course, in other embodiments, more or fewer tire engagement elements 4 can generally be provided than in the embodiment described here.

[0075] The base 16 of the chain link 1 can be polygonal, so that the chain link 1, as shown here, can have several vertices 18. As can be clearly seen in Fig. 3, the chain link 1 can, for example, have a rhombus-shaped base 16, or the chain link 1 itself can be rhombus-shaped. The rhombus shape of the base 16 is shown schematically in Fig. 3 by the dashed line. In other embodiments, the base 16 of the chain link 1, or the chain link 1 itself, can also have more or fewer vertices 18 than in the embodiment described here. For example, a triangular base 16, or a triangular chain link 1, or a hexagonal base 16, or a hexagonal chain link 1, are conceivable.

[0076] As can be seen in Fig. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, each tire engagement element 4 is arranged at a corner 18 of the chain link 1. Of course, it is not necessary for a tire engagement element 4 to be arranged at every corner 18; for example, only one corner 18 may be provided with a tire engagement element 4. However, it is also possible that at least one tire engagement element 4 is not arranged at a corner 18, but, for example, at a center 20 of the chain link 1.

[0077] The tire engagement elements 4 of the illustrated chain link 1 taper towards their free ends 22, which point away from the tire contact surface 2. In particular, the tire engagement elements 4 are designed here, for example, as ribs that can engage particularly well with the tire tread 14. Of course, the tire engagement elements 4 can also be designed differently and, for example, be conical or pyramidal. Naturally, the tire engagement elements 4 do not have to taper towards their free ends 22, but can also have a constant cross-section along their length or thicken towards their free ends 22.

[0078] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the chain link 1 can have at least one traction projection 24 that extends from a rolling surface 26 of the chain link 1. The rolling surface 26 can be opposite the tire contact surface 2, but need not extend parallel to the tire contact surface 2, as in the embodiment described here. For example, it is conceivable that the tire contact surface 2 extends at an acute or obtuse angle to the rolling surface 26 in at least one section.

[0079] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the chain link 1 has four traction projections 24, each of which is arranged, purely by way of example, at a corner 18 of the chain link 1 and projects from the rolling surface 26. In the present embodiment, a traction projection 24 and a tire engagement element 4 are each opposite each other relative to the tire contact surface 2 and to the rolling surface 26, respectively, so that longitudinal axes 28 of the traction projections 24 are aligned with longitudinal axes 30 of the tire engagement elements 4 opposite the traction projections 24.

[0080] In the described embodiment, all traction projections 24 extend perpendicularly from the rolling surface 26, and the tire engagement elements 4 extend perpendicularly from the tire contact surface 2. In other embodiments, however, at least one traction projection 24 can be inclined at an acute or obtuse angle relative to the rolling surface 26, and / or at least one tire engagement element 4 can be oriented at an acute or obtuse angle relative to the tire contact surface 2. Naturally, the traction projections 24 and tire engagement elements 4 do not have to be parallel to each other, as in the chain link 1 from Fig. 2, but can alternatively be inclined relative to each other.

[0081] The chain link 1 can have at least one opening 32 in which at least one connecting web 34 (first shown in Figs. 9 and 10) can be received, at least partially. The connecting web 34, such as a ring or a so-called C-lock, can be configured to connect at least two chain links 1 to each other, for example, to form a running net section. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings 32 are oval-shaped (purely by way of example), and the longitudinal axes 36 of the openings 32 extend essentially along sides 38 of the chain link 1 (see Fig. 3). In the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 3, the chain link 1 has several brackets 40 that surround the openings 32, at least partially. In particular, the brackets 40 can also extend along the sides 38 of the chain link 1. As can be seen in Fig.As is particularly evident in Figure 3, the brackets 40 can extend from one corner 18 of the chain link 1 to another, for example, an adjacent corner 18 of the chain link 1. Thus, one of the ends 42 of a bracket 40 can

[0082] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh is arranged at one corner 18, and another end 42 of the bracket 40 is arranged at another corner 18.

[0083] As can be clearly seen in Fig. 2, the brackets 40 can be spaced closer to the tire contact surface 2 than to the rolling surface 26. In another embodiment, at least one of the brackets 40 can also be spaced closer to the rolling surface 26 than to the tire contact surface 2, or extend centrally between the tire contact surface 2 and the rolling surface 26. Likewise, the longitudinal axes 44 of the brackets 40 need not extend parallel to the tire contact surface 2 and rolling surface 26, but can also be oriented at an acute or obtuse angle to the tire contact surface 2 and / or rolling surface 26. Naturally, the longitudinal axes 44 of at least two brackets 40 can also be inclined relative to each other.

[0084] As can be further seen from Figures 1 and 2, the brackets 40 can have a round cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter 46 of the brackets 40 is, purely by way of example, smaller than the height 50 of a base body 48 of the chain link 1. In particular, as shown here, the diameter 46 of the brackets 40 can be less than approximately 50% of the height 50 of the base body 48. Of course, other ratios of the diameter 46 of the brackets 40 to the height 50 of the base body 48 are also conceivable. In one embodiment, for example, the diameter 46 of the brackets 40 can be approximately or exactly equal to the height 50 of the base body 48.

[0085] The term "base body 48" of the chain link 1 can refer to that part of the chain link 1 which has no tire engagement elements 4, no traction projections 24, and no brackets 40. Thus, the chain link 1 can be divided into a base body 48 and tire engagement elements 4 and / or traction projections 24 and / or brackets 40 projecting from the base body 48. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the base body 48 is, purely by way of example, designed as a substantially cross-shaped flat body.

[0086] The chain link 1 can further comprise a receptacle 52 configured to receive at least one insert element 54, at least partially. Such an insert element 54 is not shown in Figures 1 to 3, but is described later with reference to Figures 4 to 6. The receptacle 52 can be accessible, particularly for the insert element 54, from the tire contact surface 2 and / or the rolling surface 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle 52 for the insert element 54 is accessible only via the rolling surface 26, since an end 56 of the receptacle 52 facing the tire contact surface 2 is closed by a base 58, at least for the insert element 54. When an insert element 54 is inserted into the receptacle 52 of the

[0087] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh When the insert element 54 is inserted into the chain link 1, it can rest on the base 58 and, if necessary, be fastened to the chain link 1 via the base. For this purpose, as in the illustrated embodiment, the base 58 can be provided with at least one through-opening 60 through which at least one connecting element, such as a screw, can be inserted into the receptacle 52 and fastened to the insert element 54. Of course, the at least one through-opening 60 can also serve purposes other than fastening the insert element 54.

[0088] As can be seen in Fig. 3, the receptacle 52 can also have a substantially polygonal base 62. In particular, both the base 16 of the chain link 1 and the base 62 of the receptacle 52 can be rhombus-shaped, so that the chain link 1 and the receptacle 52 each have four corners. Of course, it is also conceivable that the receptacle 52 does not have a polygonal base 62, but for example a circular base 62 or a polygonal base 62 with fewer or more corners than the base 16 of the chain link 1.

[0089] Figures 4 to 6 show the chain link 1 of the embodiment described above, in whose receptacle 52 the insert element 54 is inserted. Depending on the embodiment, the insert element 54 can be attached to the chain link 1 in various ways. For example, it is conceivable that the insert element 54 is screwed, pressed, glued, and / or welded to the chain link 1, in particular to the base 58 described above. Of course, it is also conceivable that the insert element 54 is held in the receptacle 52 of the chain link 1 without any separate fastening, for example, by friction.

[0090] The insert element 54 can have at least one material whose hardness, strength, stiffness, and / or elasticity is greater than that of the chain link 1.

[0091] The insert element 54 can have at least one traction projection 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the insert element 54 has four traction projections 64 extending parallel to one another, which, in the state of the insert element 54 being inserted in the receptacle 52, extend away from the chain link 1. In particular, the traction projections 64 of the insert element 54 can extend perpendicular to the tire contact surface 2 and / or rolling surface 26. Just as the longitudinal axes 28 of the traction projections 24 of the chain link 1 can be, so too can the longitudinal axes 65 of the traction projections 64 of the insert element 54 be at an acute or obtuse angle relative to the tire contact surface 2 and / or the rolling surface 26.

[0092] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh entiert. Of course, provided the insert element 54 has at least two traction projections 64, these traction projections 64 do not necessarily have to extend parallel to each other, but can also be inclined relative to each other.

[0093] As can be clearly seen in the side view of Fig. 6, the insert element 1, in particular the at least one traction projection 64 of the insert element 54, can project beyond the chain link 1 in a vertical direction 66. The vertical direction 66, along which the height 50 of the base body 48 is measured here, can correspond to a radial direction 68 of the vehicle wheel 8 (see Fig. 9) in the state 12 of the tire chain 10 mounted on the vehicle wheel 8, in which the tire contact surface 2 of the chain link 1 rests on the tread 6 of the vehicle wheel 8.

[0094] Figures 7 and 8 show a chain link 1 according to another possible embodiment. A key difference from the chain link 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is that the chain link 1 shown in Figures 7 and 8 has only three corners 18 and a substantially triangular base 16, which is shown schematically with a dashed line in Figure 8. Furthermore, the chain link 1 according to Figures 7 and 8 does not have a receptacle 52, so it cannot accommodate an insert element 54. Of course, the chain link 1 shown in Figures 7 and 8 could also be provided with a receptacle 52.

[0095] The chain link 1 shown in Figures 7 and 8 has only a single traction projection 24 extending from the rolling surface 26, which is located in one of the corners 18 of the chain link 1. In addition, two brackets 40 are present, which are opposite each other relative to the base body 48 of the chain link 1 and extend substantially along the sides 38 of the chain link 1. In this embodiment as well, the brackets 40 are arranged at least partially adjacent to the tire contact surface 2 of the chain link 1. Each of the two brackets 40 of the chain link 1 surrounds at least partially one of the two openings 32 of the chain link 1, which, in the embodiment shown here, are each arranged between one of the brackets 40 and the base body 48 of the chain link 1.

[0096] In the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, only one of the corners 18, 18a of the chain link 1 rests on the base body 48 of the chain link 1, while the other two corners 18, 18b are formed by the brackets 40. In particular, the two corners 18, 18b can each be arranged at a bend 70 of the bracket 40 or be formed at this bend 70 by the respective bracket 40.

[0097] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh The chain link 1 shown in Figures 7 and 8 also has a tire contact surface 2, from which at least one tire engagement element 4 protrudes. However, both the tire contact surface 2 and the at least one tire engagement element 4 are obscured and therefore not visible in the views of the chain link 1 shown in Figures 7 and 8. Nevertheless, the tire contact surface is indicated by the reference numeral 2 in Figure 7.

[0098] Finally, Figures 9 and 10 show a tire track 10 mounted on the vehicle track 8 in the state 12. The tire track 10 has the running network 72, which comprises a plurality of track links 1 of various configurations. The track links 1 are each fastened to one another via connecting webs 34. For this purpose, a connecting web 34 is hooked into each opening 32 of the track links 1, so that the connecting webs 34 engage the brackets 40 of the track links 1. Of course, configurations are also conceivable in which more than one connecting web 34, for example two or three connecting webs 34, are hooked into an opening 32 of a track link 1. Likewise, a track link 1 can be directly connected to another track link 1, for example, by a bracket 40 of one track link 1 engaging a bracket 40 of another track link 1.

[0099] The chain links 1 of the tire chain 10 rest with their tire contact surfaces 2 on the tread 6 of the vehicle wheel 8, and the tire engagement elements 4 of the chain links 1 engage in the tire tread 14 of the vehicle wheel 8. In this way, the chain links 1 are securely connected to the tire tread 14, thus preventing the vehicle wheel 8 from slipping under the tire chain 10 while driving. The tire contact surfaces 2 and tire engagement elements 4 of the chain links 1 are not visible in Figures 9 and 10, as they are located on the side of the chain links 1 facing away from the viewer.

[0100] In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, chain links 1, 1a arranged at the axial ends 74 of the running network 72 have fewer corners 18 than chain links 1, 1b arranged between the axial ends 74. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the chain links 1, 1b arranged between the axial ends 74 are rhomboid-shaped, i.e., they have four corners 18, while the chain links 1, 1a arranged at the axial ends 74 are triangular.

[0101] The chain links 1, which have fewer corners – here the triangular chain links 1, 1a – can project into gaps 76 arranged between the chain links 1, which have more corners 18 – here the square chain links 1, 1b. In this way,

[0102] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424 The chain links 1, 1a, 1b complement each other at the axial ends 74 of the track network 72. In particular, the triangular chain links 1, 1a arranged at the axial ends 74 – or more generally, the chain links 1 that have fewer corners 18 – can form an outer edge 78 that axially closes off the track network 72. The outer edge 78 can run parallel to a circumferential direction 80 of the vehicle wheel 8. The gaps 76 between the individual chain links 1, 1a, 1b can thus be kept small, especially at the axial ends 74 of the track network 72. The complementary arrangement of the chain links 1 therefore ensures that as large a proportion as possible of the running surface 6 of the vehicle wheel 8 is provided with a chain link 1. If the tire chain 10 is used for tire protection, this improves the protection of the tire.Should the tire chain 10 be used alternatively or cumulatively as a skid protection chain, this will increase traction.

[0103] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh Reference number

[0104] 1 chain link

[0105] 1a Chain link arranged at the axial ends of the running network

[0106] 1b chain link arranged between axial ends of the running net

[0107] 2 tire contact area

[0108] 4 tire engagement element

[0109] 6 Running surface

[0110] 8 vehicle wheel

[0111] 10 tire chain

[0112] 12. Mounted condition on the vehicle wheel

[0113] 14 Tire profile

[0114] 16 Base area of ​​the chain link

[0115] 18 Corner

[0116] 18a Corner on the base

[0117] 18b Corner on the hanger

[0118] 20 Center of the chain link

[0119] 22 free ending

[0120] 24 Traction advantage of the chain link

[0121] 26 Rolling area

[0122] 28 Longitudinal axis of the traction advantage

[0123] 30 Longitudinal axis of the tire engagement element

[0124] 32 Opening

[0125] 34 Connecting bridge

[0126] 36 longitudinal axes of the openings

[0127] 38 sides of the chain link

[0128] 40 hangers

[0129] 42 End of the hanger

[0130] 44 longitudinal axes of the stirrups

[0131] 46 Diameter of the brackets

[0132] 48 basic shapes

[0133] 50 Height of the base body

[0134] 52nd entry

[0135] 54 Deployment element

[0136] 56 End of the recording facing the tire contact surface

[0137] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh 58 Boden

[0138] 60 Passage opening in the floor

[0139] 62 Base area of ​​the recording

[0140] 64 Traction advantage of the insertion element 65 Longitudinal axes of the traction advantage of the insertion element

[0141] 66 Altitude

[0142] 68 Radial direction of the vehicle wheel

[0143] 70 bend of the hanger

[0144] 72 Running net 74 axial ends of the running net

[0145] 76 gaps

[0146] 78 outer edge

[0147] 80 Circumferential direction of the vehicle wheel

[0148] RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424sun

Claims

Claims 1. Chain link (1 , 1a, 1 b) for a running network (72) for a tire chain (10) to be mounted on a vehicle wheel (8), wherein the chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) has: at least one tire contact surface (2) which is configured to rest on a tread (6) of the vehicle wheel (8) in a state (12) of the tire chain (10) mounted on the vehicle wheel (8), and at least one tire engagement element (4) projecting from the tire contact surface (2) which is configured to engage with the tread (6) of the vehicle wheel (8) in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner in the state (12) of the tire chain (10) mounted on the vehicle wheel (8).

2. Chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) according to claim 1 , wherein a base surface (16) of the chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) is polygonal.

3. Chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one tire engagement element (4) is arranged at a corner (18) of the chain link (1 , 1a, 1b).

4. Chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one tire engagement element (4) tapers in the direction of its free end (22) pointing away from the tire contact surface (2).

5. Chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) has at least one opening (32) in which at least one connecting web (34) designed to connect at least two chain links (1 , 1 a, 1 b) can be received at least section by section.

6. Chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) according to claim 5, wherein the chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) has at least one bracket (40) which is arranged at least partially next to the tire contact surface (2) and which surrounds at least one opening (32) at least partially.

7. Chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) according to claim 6, RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh wherein at least one bracket (40) extends from one corner (18) to another corner (18) of the chain link (1 , 1a, 1 b).

8. Chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) according to one of claims 1 to 7, with at least one traction projection (24) which projects from a rolling surface (26) of the chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) opposite the tire contact surface (2).

9. Chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) according to one of claims 1 to 8, with at least one receptacle (52) accessible from the tire contact surface (2) and / or rolling surface (26), which is configured to receive at least one insert element (54) at least sectionally.

10. Chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) according to claim 9, with an insert element (54) inserted into the receptacle (52) of the chain link (1 , 1a, 1b), wherein the insert element (54) has at least one material whose hardness and / or strength and / or stiffness and / or elasticity is greater than that of the chain link (1 , 1a, 1b).

11. Chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) according to claim 10, wherein the insert element (54) projects from the chain link (1 , 1a, 1b).

12. Chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) is monolithically formed.

13. Insert element (54) for insertion into a chain link (1 , 1a, 1b) according to claim 9.

14. Running net (72) with a plurality of chain links (1 , 1a, 1 b) according to one of claims 1 to 12 and a plurality of connecting webs (34), wherein each of the chain links (1 , 1a, 1 b) is connected to at least one other of the chain links (1 , 1a, 1b) and / or to at least one of the connecting webs (34).

15. Running net (72) according to claim 14, RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh wherein chain links (1 , 1a) arranged at axial ends (74) of the running net (72) resting on the running surface (6) of the vehicle wheel (8) in the state (12) mounted on the vehicle wheel (8) have fewer corners (18) than chain links (1 , 1b) arranged between the axial ends (74).

16. Running net (72) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the chain links (1 , 1a, 1b) complement each other such that the chain links (1 , 1a) arranged at the axial ends (74) of the running net (72) form an outer edge (78) axially closing the running net (72) and running parallel to a circumferential direction (80) of the vehicle wheel (8).

17. Tire chain (10) with a running net (72) according to one of claims 14 to 16. RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG PCT150748-PE424suh

Images