Textile antiskid cover for vehicle tires

Abstract

A cover adapted to vehicle wheels, having a general arrangement in the form of a net of a textile nature, with an annular arrangement, and therefore a circumferential path resulting from said annular geometry, said net having the proportions and ability to cover and envelop an outer region of a vehicle wheel, and comprising a plurality of cords forming said net, wherein said cords are intertwined with one another to form the net, the intertwining between the cords is the result of knotting between said cords, and the net has a central area along its circumferential path and at least one side area adjacent to the central area following the same circumferential path, wherein the cords in the central area are stiffer than the cords in the at least one side area.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] COVER ADAPTED TO VEHICLE WHEELS

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The purpose of this invention application is to register a cover adapted to vehicle wheels, which incorporates notable innovations and advantages over the techniques used to date.

[0005] More specifically, the invention proposes the development of a cover adapted to vehicle wheels, which, due to its particular arrangement, allows for the covering of a vehicle's wheels during use and rolling, with much improved performance and advantages.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the current state of the art, the usual and frequent covers intended to cover the wheels of vehicles, such as cars or trucks, during their road traffic are known, mainly intended to prevent possible skidding of the wheels of such vehicles on the pavement of the roads.

[0008] Related to this, it is also very useful to prevent and ensure the correct position of such covers on the wheels of such vehicles during their use, since the continuous movements and rolling of the same wheels are likely to alter the correct position of the covers on the wheels, especially as a result of the rotational movement of the wheel itself during its use.

[0009] It is also very necessary in the use of such covers to ensure their correct adhesion to the rolling surface, as well as their general mechanical properties during use, where they are subjected to multiple mechanical stresses.

[0010] The present invention contributes to solving and resolving the present problem, as it allows for the covering of the wheels of a vehicle during its use and rolling, with much improved performance and advantages.

[0011] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been developed in order to provide a cover adapted to vehicle wheels, which has a general arrangement in the form of a textile net, of an annular arrangement and therefore with a circumferential path as a consequence of said annular geometry, said net having proportions and enabled to cover and wrap an outer region of a vehicle wheel; comprising a plurality of cords constituting said net and in which the same cords are mutually intertwined forming the same net, and in which said intertwining between the cords is resulting from knots between the same cords; in addition, the same net has a central zone along its circumferential path and at least one lateral zone adjacent to the central zone following the same circumferential path;in which the strings in the central zone have a greater density and / or rigidity than the strings in at least one lateral zone.;

[0012] Alternatively, in the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles, ropes are extended following the circumferential path of the same net, and wherein said ropes have a mutually substantially parallel arrangement and thus each rope is in a position adjacent to one another, wherein each rope along its path repeatedly contacts another rope adjacent to its position, and wherein each said contact is constituted by a mutual knotting between said ropes.

[0013] Preferably, in the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles, the ropes, along their extension in the circumferential path in the net, have a zigzag arrangement, in which each vertex of the zigzag arrangement corresponds to a contact and knotting with another rope.

[0014] Preferably, in the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles, the ropes are made totally or partially of polyamide or nylon, or dyneema.

[0015] Alternatively, in the cover adapted to vehicle wheels, the net is enabled to cover at least the tread and at least one side of a vehicle wheel in a total or partial manner.

[0016] Alternatively, in the cover adapted to vehicle wheels, the central area of ​​the net corresponds at least to the tire tread and at least one side area corresponds to at least one sidewall of the same wheel. Alternatively, in the cover adapted to vehicle wheels, the central area of ​​the net corresponds to the tire tread and also to part of at least one sidewall of the wheel.

[0017] Preferably, in the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles, there are at least two adjacent lateral zones, resulting on both sides of the central zone of the net at least one adjacent lateral zone, following the circumferential path of the annular geometry of the net.

[0018] Preferably, in the cover adapted to vehicle wheels, the central area of ​​the net corresponds at least to the tread of the wheel and at least one adjacent lateral area corresponds to each of the sides of the wheel.

[0019] Preferably, in the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles, the net has an adjacent lateral zone arranged on each side of the central zone following the circumferential path of the annular geometry of the net.

[0020] Alternatively, in the cover adapted to vehicle wheels, the side areas of the net have a symmetry in relation to the central area of ​​the same net.

[0021] Additionally, in the vehicle wheel cover, the net incorporates an elastic medium on at least one of its lateral edges following the circumferential path of the annular geometry of the net.

[0022] Additionally, in the vehicle wheel cover, the wheel incorporates a tire.

[0023] Method of manufacturing a cover for vehicle wheels, wherein the cords arranged in the central area of ​​the network comprise a central core and an outer section, wherein the central core comprises at least one inner filament, and wherein said central core is covered and surrounded by the outer section; wherein said filament of the central core has a lower melting temperature than said outer section; the manufacturing method comprising the steps of: a. heating said cords described arranged in the central area of ​​the network, and said heating resulting in the melting of said filament and its consequent extension and diffusion towards the outer section,

[0024] b. a cooling of the same strings.

[0025] Alternatively, in the method of manufacturing a cover for vehicle wheel covers, the filament is made of polyethylene.

[0026] Alternatively, in the method of manufacturing a cover for vehicle wheel covers, the outer section is made of polyamide or nylon.

[0027] Thanks to the present invention, a covering of the wheels of a vehicle is achieved during its use and rolling, with much improved performance and advantages.

[0028] Other features and advantages of the cover adapted to vehicle wheels will become evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1.- It is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2.- It is a schematic and explanatory view of the fabric constituting the network of a preferred embodiment of the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3.- It is a clarifying and explanatory schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the method of manufacturing a cover for the wheel cover of vehicles of the present invention.

[0033] DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0034] As shown schematically in Figure 1, the vehicle wheel cover of the proposed invention has a general net-like arrangement 1 of a textile nature with an annular configuration, and therefore a circumferential path resulting from said annular geometry. As can be seen in Figure 1, the annular arrangement of said net 1 has certain proportions and is designed to cover and enclose an outer region of a vehicle wheel 2.

[0035] The same cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of the invention comprises a plurality of ropes 11 or tension cables, which are constitutive of said network 1.

[0036] The same ropes 11 are intertwined with each other to form said network 1. Furthermore, said intertwining between the ropes 11 is the result of knots 12 between the same ropes 11.

[0037] In this preferred embodiment, the ropes 11 and therefore the knots 12 are made totally or partially of polyamide or nylon, or dyneema, as these are types of fiber with very good tensile strength and abrasion resistance properties.

[0038] In this preferred embodiment of the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of the invention represented in Figure 1, the cords 11 are extended and follow the same circumferential path of the same net 1 around the wheel 2. These cords 11 have an arrangement and path that are substantially parallel to each other, and therefore each cord 11 is in an adjacent position to the other.

[0039] In addition, the same ropes 11, along their length and circumferential path in the network 1, have a zigzag arrangement, in which each vertex of the zigzag arrangement corresponds to its contact and knotting 12 with another adjacent rope 11.

[0040] In Figure 2, which is schematically explained to aid in a proper understanding of the same arrangement shown in Figure 1, it is shown schematically how several strings 11a, 11b and 11c follow this zigzag path and are mutually parallel to each other, and how the contact between them at the vertices of the zigzag path corresponds to the knots 12 between them at those same vertices.

[0041] This arrangement of the ropes 11 and their knots 12 form and constitute the net 1. As a result, and as can be seen and deduced in figures 1 and 2, each rope 11, along its path, repeatedly contacts another rope 11 parallel and adjacent to its position, and this contact is constituted by a mutual knot 12 between said ropes 11.

[0042] Furthermore, as can also be seen in figure 1, the proportions and geometry of the net 1 are enabled to cover the tread 21 and the lateral sides 22 of the wheel 2 of a vehicle.

[0043] As can also be deduced from Figure 1, the same network 1 has a central zone 3 along its circumferential path and two lateral zones 4 adjacent to the central zone 3 following the same circumferential path, and the same two lateral zones 4 have a mutual symmetry between them in relation to the central zone 3 of the same network 1.

[0044] In the embodiment of the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of the invention represented in figure 1, the central zone 3 of the net 1 corresponds to the tread 21 of the wheel 2 and the lateral zones 4 of the same net 1 correspond to each of the sides 22 of the same wheel 2.

[0045] In some preferred embodiments of the cover adapted to the vehicle wheels of the invention, the central zone 3 of the net 1 could also extend its coverage over part of the sides 22 of the same wheel 2.

[0046] Furthermore, in the vehicle wheel cover of the invention, the net 1 can also incorporate an elastic means, such as elastic rubber 5, on its lateral edges following the circumferential path of the annular geometry of the net 1, in order to help and ensure proper adjustment and positioning of the net 1 covering the tread 21 and the sides 22 of the wheel 2.

[0047] The cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of the proposed invention also presents the particularity that the ropes 11 arranged in the central zone 3 of the net 1 have a greater density and / or rigidity than the ropes 11 arranged in the lateral zones 4.

[0048] This also means that the knots 12 between the ropes 11 that are arranged in the same central zone 3 of the net, also have a greater density and / or rigidity than the other knots 12 between the ropes 11 arranged in the lateral zones 4. For a better understanding of their differentiation, in figure 1 it can be seen how the color tone of the ropes 11 arranged in the central zone 3 of the net 1 is lighter than the color tone of the ropes 11 arranged in the lateral zones 4.

[0049] This described feature represents a very important technical advantage in the performance during the use of the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of the proposed invention, because when the net 1 of the invention is arranged covering the wheel 2 of a vehicle, as can also be seen in figure 1, the wheel 2 must roll and turn on itself as is known in the state of the art.

[0050] As a result, since the net 1 of the cover adapted to the wheels of the vehicles of the invention is positioned over and covering the same wheel 2, said net 1 undergoes the same rotary movement as the wheel 2. This implies an inertia and centrifugal force on the net 1 towards the outside of the wheel 2, with the consequent danger that the lateral areas 4 of the net 1 may end up coming out of their correct position on the sides 22 of the wheel 2, even overcoming the resistance of the elastic rubber 5 on the lateral edges of the net 1.

[0051] The particularity referred to, that the lateral zones 4 adjacent to the central zone 3 have a lower surface density value than the surface density value of the central zone 3 of the same network 1, implies therefore that the centrifugal force suffered by the adjacent lateral zones 4 is significantly less than the force suffered by the central zone 3 of the same network 1 by the same rotary movement of the wheel 2 and the network 1.

[0052] This precise technical detail in the lateral zones 4 of the net 1, therefore means that the same lateral zones 4 ensure much better their correct position on the flanks 22 of the wheel 2 without coming out or moving due to the centrifugal force caused by the rotary movement of the wheel 2 and transmitted to the net 1.

[0053] Ensuring the correct position of the cover adapted to the wheels of the invention on wheel 2 during use also prevents the net 1 from becoming entangled, rubbing, or other incident of the side areas 4 and of the net 1 itself on different internal elements of the vehicle itself when the rotary movement of wheel 2 occurs.

[0054] These advantages described above mean that a vehicle equipped with the cover adapted to the wheels of the invention can travel at higher speeds without the resulting higher rotation speed of its wheels 2 causing it to move out of its correct position to the side areas 4 and the net itself 1.

[0055] In the described arrangement of the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles, and as can be deduced from the observation of figure 1, the central zone 3 of the net 1 is where the contact of the net 1 with the ground occurs in the rolling of the wheel 2.

[0056] That is why it is especially useful in the use of the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of the proposed invention, that the ropes 11 and knots 12 arranged in the central area 3 of the net 1 have a greater rigidity and / or resistance suitable for this purpose, since in this way they will better withstand their contact and friction with the ground in the rolling of the wheel 2, as well as a better adhesion of the wheel 2 to the ground.

[0057] Accordingly, the existence of the knots 12 in the central zone 3 of the network 1 and their improved rigidity and / or strength properties can be very useful to ensure proper adhesion of the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of the invention to the ground during the rolling of the wheel 2, for example on surfaces more susceptible to possible slippage such as wet or snowy surfaces.

[0058] This allows for a significant improvement in the mechanical properties and traction performance of the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of the proposed invention, making it more resistant and / or durable under more demanding stresses during use.

[0059] The invention also includes a method of manufacturing or treating a cover for vehicle wheel covers.

[0060] In said manufacturing method also included in the invention, the net 1 is subjected to a specific treatment to give the ropes 11 and knots 12 of the net 1 that appear arranged in the central area 3 of the same net 1 particular properties of rigidity and / or resistance, as has already been referred to above.

[0061] To this end, as can be seen in figure 3, these strings 11 must first be constituted by a central core 111 formed by at least one inner filament, and the same central core 111 must be covered and surrounded in turn by an outer section 112. In addition, the condition must be met that said filament of the central core 111 has a lower melting temperature than said outer section 112.

[0062] Accordingly, in the aforementioned manufacturing method also included in the invention, said ropes 11 of the central zone 3 of the network 1 are subjected to heating, and as a result of said heating, a melting of the filament of the central core 111 and its consequent extension and diffusion towards the outer section 112. Subsequently, the same rope 11 undergoes cooling until it reaches its conditions of use.

[0063] The aforementioned extension and diffusion of the central core filament 111 towards the outer section 112 of the strings 11 of this treatment and manufacturing method explained, gives the same strings 11 better stiffness and / or strength properties and mechanical properties in general.

[0064] This rigidity or hardness conferred by heating and melting the central core 111 and its consequent extension and diffusion towards the outer section 112, gives the ropes 11 and therefore also their knots 12 and the net 1 in general a hardness and properties suitable to guarantee very good mechanical grip performance on difficult floors and in turn provides good traction in slippery conditions.

[0065] Likewise, the aforementioned subsequent cooling means that the ropes 11 in their entirety, both in their central core 111 and in their outer section 112, also become very hardened, as do their knots 12, which also guarantees very good mechanical traction and grip properties on ice or snow or other difficult surfaces or terrains.

[0066] In this preferred embodiment, and according to its suitable temperature properties among them, the central core filament 111 is made of polyethylene and the outer section 112 is made of polyamide or nylon.

[0067] In the lateral zones 4 of the same net 1, the other cords 11 of net 1 do not have this central core with its inner filament, and therefore are not affected by the treatment and manufacturing method explained above. This means that the cords 11 in the lateral zones 4 of the same net 1 are more pliable and easier to position, and with greater guarantees of their correct positioning on the sides 22 of the wheel 2 without moving from their position. As mentioned above, their movement and centrifugal force are less, giving greater assurance that the cover for the vehicle wheel does not move from its correct position.

[0068] The method of manufacturing or treating a cover for vehicle wheel covers included in this invention also provides the very notable advantage that it does not involve any type of textile manufacturing, since the extension and diffusion of the filament from the central core 111 to the outer section 112 of the cords 11 does not require any type of manufacturing.

[0069] The elimination of the need for textile construction provides greater safety in the use of the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of the same invention, also increasing its useful life.

[0070] The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements, as well as the materials used in the manufacture of the cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of the invention, may be conveniently replaced by others that are technically equivalent and do not depart from the essence of the invention or the scope defined by the claims included below.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A cover adapted to vehicle wheels, characterized in that it has a general net-like arrangement (1) of a textile nature, with an annular arrangement and therefore a circumferential path resulting from said annular geometry, said net (1) having proportions and being enabled to cover and wrap an outer region of a wheel (2) of a vehicle; comprising a plurality of cords (11) constituting said net (1) and wherein said cords (11) are mutually intertwined forming the same net (1), and wherein said intertwining between the cords (11) results from knots (12) between the same cords (11); wherein furthermore the same net (1) has a central zone (3) along its circumferential path and at least one lateral zone (4) adjacent to the central zone (3) following the same circumferential path;wherein the strings (11) in the central zone (3) have a greater rigidity than the strings (11) in at least one lateral zone (4).; 2. Cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the cords (11) are extended following the circumferential path of the same net (1), and wherein said cords (11) have a mutually substantially parallel arrangement and thus each cord (11) is in a position adjacent to one another, wherein each cord (11) along its path repeatedly contacts another cord (11) adjacent to its position, and wherein each said contact is constituted by a mutual knotting (12) between said cords (11).

3. Cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles according to claim 2, wherein the ropes (11), along their extension in the circumferential path in the net (1), have a zigzag arrangement, wherein each vertex of the zigzag arrangement corresponds to a contact and knotting (12) with another rope (11).

4. Cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles of any of the preceding claims, wherein the cords (11) are made totally or partially of polyamide or nylon, or dyneema.

5. Cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the net (1) is enabled to cover at least the tread (21) and at least one side (22) of the wheel (2) of a vehicle in a total or partial manner.

6. Cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles according to claim 5, wherein the central area (3) of the net (1) corresponds at least to the tread (21) of the wheel (2) and the at least one lateral area (4) corresponds to at least one side (22) of the same wheel (2).

7. Cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles according to claim 6, wherein the central area (3) of the net (1) corresponds to the tread (21) and also over part of at least one side (22) of the wheel (2).

8. Cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles according to any of the preceding claims, wherein there are at least two adjacent lateral zones (4), resulting on both sides of the central zone (3) of the net (1) in at least one adjacent lateral zone (4), following the circumferential path of the annular geometry of the net (1).

9. Cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 6 or 7, wherein the central zone (3) of the net (1) corresponds at least to the tread (21) of the wheel (2) and at least one adjacent lateral zone (4) corresponds to each of the sides (22) of the wheel (2).

10. Cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles according to claim 9, wherein the net (1) has an adjacent lateral zone (4) arranged on each side of the central zone (3) following the circumferential path of the annular geometry of the net (1).

11. Cover adapted to the wheels of vehicles according to any of claims 9 to 10 when they depend on claim 8, wherein the lateral areas (4) of the net (1) have a symmetry in relation to the central area (3) of the same net (1).

12. Cover for the wheel cover of vehicles according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the net (1) incorporates an elastic means in at least one of its lateral edges following the circumferential path of the annular geometry of the net (1).

13. Cover for the wheel cover of vehicles according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wheel (2) incorporates a tire.

14. Method of manufacturing a cover for vehicle wheel covers described in any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the cords (11) arranged in the central area (3) of the net (1) comprise a central core (111) and an outer section (112), wherein the central core (111) comprises in turn at least one inner filament, and wherein said central core (111) is covered and surrounded in turn by the outer section (112); wherein said filament of the central core (111) has a lower melting temperature than said outer section (112); the manufacturing method comprising the steps of: a. a heating of said strings (11) described arranged in the central zone (3) of the network (1), and resulting from said heating a melting of said filament and its consequent extension and diffusion towards the outer section (112), b. a cooling of the same strings (11).

15. Method of manufacturing a cover for vehicle wheel covers according to claim 14, wherein the filament is made of polyethylene.

16. Method of manufacturing a cover for vehicle wheel covers according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the outer section (112) is made of polyamide or nylon.

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