JPH023722B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is for holding a slip prevention chain of an automobile tire, and is applied with force by a spring to form a closed circular shape, and is expanded when installed. The present invention relates to a clasp used for a holding member of a chain configured as described above, which is comprised of two end members fixed to both ends of the holding member, respectively.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to facilitate installation of anti-slip chains for automobile tires, it has been known for some time that an annular holding member is provided for fixing the chain over the running surface of the tire. The holding member is made of stacked circular spring steel parts, or of arcuate steel parts joined by a joint to form an annular shape as a whole. To facilitate installation, the diameter of the circular or annular retaining member can be expanded by manual manipulation. In other words, grasp both sides of the holding member with your hands, curve the holding member away from each other to expand its diameter, pass the chain through the outside of the tire's circumference, place it over the tire, let go of your hands at the back of the tire, and close the chain on its own. Return to original position.

Many locking means are known for use in the holding members of such anti-slip chains. It can be said that the structure of the locking means is determined by the overall structure of the chain used or the structure of the holding member.
For example, tension locking means (tension chain locks) are known which can be operated from the front of the tire. With this locking means, there is no need to reach around the vehicle tire after the chain is attached to the closed end of the locking means. However, this locking means has the disadvantage that, after the initial installation and tightening, it is necessary to move the vehicle forward or backward (albeit only slightly) and then to tighten the locking means again.

Another known locking means is not intended for operation from the front of the tire and includes two end members.

The end members hook-likely engage each other when in the closed position. In this case, the locking edge provided on one end member acts as a stop for the clasp body attached to the other end member. In the simplest configuration, one end member is formed as a hook, the plane containing the shape of the hook being substantially parallel to the plane of attachment to the holding member. The other end member is formed as an opening shaped so that it can be hooked by hand. However, since there is a risk that the engagement of the hook thus hooked with the opening may become disengaged due to some inconvenience, in an improved configuration the radially aligned hooks are used for shielding the opening. A closure element is provided.

After hooking the hook, the opening is therefore closed by covering it with this closing element, thereby preventing the undesirable situation of the hook coming out of the opening.

〔Problems to be solved〕

However, the locking means of this improved design are relatively complex and, furthermore, have to be hooked on the back of the tire and the closure element then has to be manually placed over the opening. Very difficult to operate.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention has a simple structure and can be manufactured at low cost.
To provide a clasp as a locking means that is easy to handle despite its relatively simple shape.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by providing that the two end members together have both a locking edge and a hook-like curved portion, and that the respective locking edge and hook-like curved portion are symmetrical to each other on each of the end members. placed in
Each of the hook-shaped curved portions is bent from the mutually opposing ends of each of the end members in a direction opposite to the direction in which the holding member is closed, on the side away from the side surface of the tire. This is achieved by overlapping the mutually opposite end regions of both end members in a state in which the end members are in the same position as each other. In this case, 2
Preferably, the two end members are configured so that they assume a substantially symmetrical configuration with respect to each other in the installed state.

The present invention provides a locking means of a simple construction in which each end member can equally function as a "hook" and an "opening." With this configuration, after the holding member of the chain is fitted into the tire of the automobile, it is only necessary to press both ends of the holding member toward each other in a closing direction, so that mounting is extremely easy. When installing, the holding member is expanded to pass over the running surface of the tire, the chain is passed over the tire, and then released, and returned to the original closed position by the action of the spring. The hook-like curved parts are also pressed together. As a result, the hook-like curves come into contact with each other, causing one end member to shift slightly in the direction away from the tire, and then the hook-like curves sliding along the surface of one end member. The two end pieces slide one on top of the other until the locking position is reached. The clasp according to the invention, which consists of two end pieces, ensures a particularly fast and, as it were, "automatic" proper locking when the retaining part is closed, and the manufacturing and assembly of these end pieces is easy. is surprisingly easy and simple.

In an advantageous embodiment of the clasp according to the invention,
Each of the end members has a flattened portion, the flattened portion being curved in a hook-like manner at the end opposite the other end member, and having an opening in a region spaced apart from the hook-like curved portion; When in the closed position, a hook-like curved portion of the other end member engages this opening. This results in a particularly simple and particularly advantageous construction. A further improvement of such a clasp is the attachment of a permanent magnet in the region between the hook-like curved portion of the flat part of each end member and the opening. This permanent magnet is capable of maintaining sufficient abutment between both flat parts when the hook-shaped curved part of the end member is engaged.
In this case, the strength of the permanent magnets can be easily set so that the mutual attraction force by the permanent magnets does not become too large when the lock is released. It is further advantageous for a clasp of such a design according to the invention if the width of its flat part tapers in the region of the hook-like curved part towards the finished end. That is, the operation of inserting the hook-like curved portion of the other end member into the opening of the other end member becomes particularly easy.

In another preferred embodiment of the clasp according to the invention, each of the end pieces has a flattened section, which at its free end has a hook offset in the width direction and directed away from the side of the tire. The flattened portion is provided with a locking edge spaced apart from the hook-like curved portion and at the same widthwise position as the hook-like curved portion, so that when the clasp is closed, the hook-like curved portion of the end member is provided with a locking edge. The curved portion is adapted to hook onto this locking edge. In this case as well, two end members are used, as in the previously described example, and the retaining member can be locked automatically and very effectively. The two end pieces are symmetrical to each other, so (as in the previous example) which of the two end pieces is in front (looking at the tire from inside the car) and which one is in the rear? The desired closure and intended locking can be achieved reliably regardless of the location of the device. The curvature provided in the hook-like curved portion used here reliably prevents undesired loosening of the two lateral arcuate portions of the retaining member during travel after engagement.

In this example as well, in each end region of the flat part,
It is very advantageous to mount a permanent magnet in the area between the hook-like curved part and the locking edge; in such a configuration (because there is no opening, unlike the configuration of the previously described example) Magnets with larger surface areas can be used. Furthermore, the locking edge is preferably delimited in width by the longitudinal end of the flattened portion and the guide nose. As a result, when the other end member is hooked, a width direction guide portion for the hook-shaped curved portion of the end member is formed (here, “width direction” is perpendicular to the direction of movement). ). Moreover, this configuration of the end members provides a clasp that is easy to manufacture, uncomplicated in construction, moderate in cost, yet effective and reliable, simple to operate, and inexpensive. Reliability and good functionality are guaranteed.

In a further preferred embodiment of the clasp according to the invention, the hook-like curved portions are arranged on the respective end pieces in such a way that the radii of their mutually opposite curvatures collide with each other during the closing movement of the locking part. This makes it possible to obtain a smooth run-up during the closing movement, which is such that the hook-like curvature of one end piece can engage the locking edge of the other end piece without any problem. This is desirable in order to overlap the end members of each other.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the flat part is fastened to the end of the holding element by means of rivets. The fixing can also be achieved simply and very effectively by fixing the flat portion of each end member to the holding member by means of two side lugs. In this case, each side lug is bent so that it fits into a recess provided in the side edge of the holding member and abuts the surface of the holding member that contacts the side surface of the tire. Thereby, the flat portion can be securely and easily fixed to the end portion of the holding member, and installation does not take much time.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Reference is first made to FIGS. 7 and 8, which illustrate an example of a chain retention member for use with the clasp of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view seen from the side where the chain is attached to the tire, and FIG. 8 corresponds to the back side of FIG. 7. The holding element consists of a central part 1 and lateral arcuate parts 2, 3 connected to this central part 1 by universal joints 6, 7, respectively. The holding member that supports the chain 4 as shown in the figure is applied with a closing force to the universal joints 6 and 7 by an internal spring.
The holding member is spread out by hand as shown in FIG. 7, passed through the outside of the outer circumference of the tire 5, and closed at the back surface of the tire 5. Clasps as locking means are fixed at the free ends of the side arcs 2, 3 at the positions indicated by dotted lines.

Figure 1 shows the chain holding member for slip prevention located on the back of the tire when viewed from the mounting side.
A plan view of the tire as seen from the rear side is shown.
In FIG. 1, tires and chains are not shown for simplicity. The central arcuate portion 1 of the holding member is made of a bendable steel strip, and this central portion includes:
Two lateral arcuate sections 2, 3, also made of bendable steel strip, are pivotally connected by universal joints 6, 7. The side arcuate portions 2, 3 have handles 38, 39.
(preferably constructed of a suitable synthetic material) is attached. The above-mentioned handle not only serves to facilitate the installation operation of the anti-slip chain, but also the position and mass of the handle are determined by the free inertia of the holding member in the closed state (Fig. 1) during rotation about the center of rotation M. We have chosen to compensate for this. Since this kind of free inertia force is essentially induced by the mass of the universal joints 6, 7, the handles 38, 39
Regarding its position and mass, it must be arranged so as to essentially compensate for the mass of the universal joints 6, 7. Accordingly, in FIG. 1, the positions of the handles 38, 39 are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the opposing universal joints 6, 7, respectively, with respect to the center of rotation M.

Attached to the ends of the rigid lateral arcuate portions 2, 3 of the retaining member shown in FIG. 1 are flat end members 40, 41 which are an embodiment of the clasp of the invention.
Regarding the structure and function of this end member, please refer to the second section.
This will be explained in detail with reference to the figures and FIG.

FIG. 2 shows both end members 40 approaching each other just before reaching the closed position when closing the retaining member.
41 is shown enlarged (the direction of movement is indicated by an arrow),
FIG. 3 shows the closed state as shown in FIG.

Both end pieces 40, 41 are made of flat material, as is clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, and one end of each towards the lateral arcs 2, 3 is
It is slightly offset laterally with respect to a flat central part which is bent and provided with openings 44, 45, so that the central part extends in an extension of the ends of the lateral arcs 2, 3.

The end pieces 40, 41 are fixed to the corresponding ends of the lateral arcs 2 by rivets 48.

The free ends of the end members 40, 41 are bent into hook shapes, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
The hook-like curved portions 42, 43 are bent away from the side of the tire on which the holding member is mounted.
As is clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, the side edges 49 of the hook-shaped curved portions 42, 43 converge from the starting point to the end point of the curved portion, so that the width of the hook-shaped curved portions 42, 43 increases. B (Figures 2 and 3)
decreases continuously from the start point to the end point of the curved section.

An opening 44, 45 is provided in each of the flat central parts, i.e. between the points of attachment to the side arcs 2, 3 and the hook-like curved parts 42, 43. However, the openings 44, 45 are spaced apart from the hook-like curved portions beyond the range covered by the corresponding hook-like curved portions 42, 43. opening 4
Permanent magnets 46 and 47 are provided in the range between 4 and 45 and the hook-shaped curved parts 42 and 43, respectively, on the sides where the hook-shaped curved parts 42 and 43 are bent. The permanent magnets 46, 47 can be fixed in various ways, but are advantageously glued in the receiving openings of the end pieces 40, 41 with a suitable adhesive. In addition to the circular permanent magnets shown in FIG. 2, other suitable shapes of magnets can also be used.

When the lock is operated, the end members 40, 41 fixed to the ends of the side arcuate parts 2, 3 are brought closer together as shown in FIG.
The rounded end faces of the two abut against each other. When the hook-like curved portions 42, 43 abut each other, the end members 40,
One end member of 41 comes off in a direction away from the side of the tire, and the other end member continues,
As soon as the other end member (closer to the side of the tire) reaches the opening 44 or 45 of said one end member, the hook-like curved portion of the end member closer to the side of the tire Opening 44 or 45
, thus achieving a closed condition. Both end members 40 and 41 are sufficiently brought into contact with each other by the permanent magnet of the end member whose hook-shaped curved portion is locked in the opening, so that the hook-shaped curved portion that is locked is not deviated from the opening. This will definitely be prevented.
Even if a force is applied to the holding member to move it in the direction of disassociation when the tire rotates, the holding member is reliably prevented from disengaging due to the hook engagement which prevents mutual dissociation.

The construction and arrangement of the two end pieces 40, 41 in a mutually mirror-symmetrical relationship ensures that the closed condition ( final installation position) is achieved reliably. The strength of the permanent magnets used ensures that both end pieces 40, 41 are always in lateral abutment, but the operator does not apply excessive pulling force when removing the corresponding retaining element. You can choose not to need it.

As already mentioned, the width of the hook-like curved portions 42, 43 of the end pieces 40, 41 is tapered so that the hooks can easily engage the openings 44 or 45 of another end piece. .

FIG. 3 shows the holding member in the closed state. Of course, the hook-like curved portions 42 and 43 are not configured in the shape of a circular hook as shown in FIG. Therefore, the end member 4
It is also possible to configure the shape so that one of the numbers 0 and 41 is removed outward. However, the illustrated embodiment has the advantage that, when closed, either of the two hooks can be released outwardly (as viewed from the side of the tire) and either of the end pieces can perform the locking function. be.

4 and 5 show another embodiment of a clasp consisting of two end pieces. FIG. 4 shows the final closed state, and FIG. 5 shows the intermediate position just before reaching the final position.

4 and 5, one end of the flat end members 50, 51 is secured to the side arcs 2, 3 by rivets 48, respectively. In this case as well, as is clear from FIG.
The ends of the end members 50, 51 that are fixed to the end members 50, 51 are slightly offset laterally, so that
The central portion of 51 is on the extension of the corresponding side arcuate portions 2, 3.

The central portions of the end members 50, 51 are widened, and large permanent magnets 58, 59 are embedded in said central portions (on the side remote from the side surface of the tire). The free ends of the end members 50, 51 are provided with hook-like curved portions 52, 53 bent away from the side surface of the tire. However, in this case, the curved portion is not formed over the entire width of the end members 50, 51, but is formed to be offset laterally, that is, in the width direction, by a length Y with respect to the longitudinal axis of the holding member. (In Fig. 5, the longitudinal axis is indicated by a dashed line, and the deviation Y in the width direction is the deviation from the longitudinal axis in the radial direction when viewed from the rotation center M of the holding member (Fig. 1). ). Locking edges 54, 55 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis are provided at the same widthwise position as the hook-like curved portion with respect to the longitudinal axis. The locking edge includes a hook-like curved portion 52, as is clear from FIG.
It is offset by a distance X from the front edges of the end members 50, 51 forming the root portions of 53 in a direction opposite to the closing direction of the holding member. The locking edges 54, 55 are located on the side arcuate portions 2, 3 of the end members 50,
It is delimited by longitudinal end portions 51 and in the opposite direction by rearwardly projecting nose-shaped portions 56, 57, which provide guidance in the width direction.

When the holding member is closed, both end members 50, 51
are approaching each other as shown by the arrows in FIG. Also in this case, both end members 50 and 51 are
They are constructed in a mirror symmetrical relationship (Figure 5).
The rounded outer surfaces of both hook-like curved portions abut each other. By virtue of this outer surface, one of the end pieces 50, 51 is displaced away from the side of the tire as the closing movement progresses, while the other hook-like curved portion continues to advance until it reaches the locking edge 54 or 55.
As soon as it reaches , it is locked on the locking edge. A closed state as shown in FIG. 4 is thus obtained. The permanent magnet of the end member to which the hook-like curved portion is engaged ensures that the central portions of both permanent magnets 50, 51 are brought into contact. In this case, the nose-shaped portion 57 is the hook-shaped curved portion 5.
2, the curved portion 52 is
It is securely locked against the locking edge. The shape of the nose-shaped portions 56 and 57 is similar to that of the hook-shaped curved member 5.
2, 53 in the direction of the locking edge (FIGS. 4 and 5). Fourth
With the end piece shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a larger area is available for mounting the magnets 58, 59 than with the structure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This is because in the case of the end members 50, 51 of FIGS. 4 and 5, there is no need to provide an opening in the central portion.

FIG. 6 shows a fixing means for securely and easily attaching the end member to the side arc.

The upper part of Fig. 6 shows the shape of the fixed part of the end member 40 and the shape of the end of the side arcuate part, and the lower part of Fig. 6 shows the state after the fixing is completed (a sectional view of the fixed part is also shown). ).

In the fixed end region of the end piece associated with the lateral arc 2, two lateral lugs 60, 61 are provided. Said side lugs, in the unsecured state, extend beyond the side edges of the ends of the lateral arcuate portions 2.
Groove-like notches or recesses 62, 63 corresponding to the widths and positions of the side lugs 60, 61 are provided on the side edges of the ends of the side arc-shaped portions 2 (FIG. 6).
In the case of fixation, the end member 40 is placed on the outer surface of the end of the corresponding lateral arc portion facing away from the tire. Next, the side lugs 60 and 61 are recessed 6
2 and 63, bend it to the back surface of the side arcuate portion 2 through the recess and bring it into contact with the back surface. 6th
This state is shown at the bottom of the figure. In this way, the end member can be easily and reliably fixed to the side arcuate portion.
In this case, the side lugs 60, 61 and the recesses 62, 63
This form-locking connection reliably prevents the end piece 40 from becoming unintentionally removed from the side part 2. Furthermore, if the end member needs to be replaced, it can be easily replaced. This is because even in the fixed state, the end member 40 can be removed by bending the side lugs 60, 61 upward.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the holding member of the slip prevention chain to which the clasp according to the present invention is applied (a view of the closed state seen from the back side of the attachment side), and FIG.
The figure is a detailed view of the end member used for the side arc-shaped portion of the holding member in Figure 1 (during the closing operation, not yet closed), and Figures 3 and 4 are the ends of the side arc-shaped portion. 5 shows a detailed view of the end member of FIG. 4 during the closing operation (not yet closed); FIG. 6 shows the end member of FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of means for attaching the end member to the end of the side arc-shaped portion, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the chain and the holding member. 1... central portion of the holding member, 2, 3... lateral arcuate portion of the holding member, 4, 5, 54, 55... locking edge, 40, 41, 50, 51... end member,
42, 43, 52, 53... hook-shaped curved portion,
44, 45...Opening, 48...Rivet, 46,
47,58,59...Permanent magnet, 56,57...
Nose, 60, 61... Side lugs, 62, 63...
…dent.

[Claims]

1. An automobile tire slip prevention device having an inner mounting member that engages with the inside of an automobile tire, and a chain member that extends over the circumferential surface of the tire tread and engages with the inner mounting member, the inner mounting member has a substantially circular loop shape when installed, and its side portions are joined to both ends of the central attachment zone by rotating ring joints so that they can expand outward from the central attachment zone, and each side portion is capable of expanding outward from the central attachment zone. means prestressing the inner attachment member in the direction of loop closure, the central attachment zone being comprised of at least two sections, each pivotally connected to one another; An anti-slip device characterized in that a member is prestressed in the loop closing direction. 2. In the automobile tire anti-slip device according to claim 1, each of the above-mentioned parts has a rotating ring joint or a flexible structure at each end.

Claims (1)

A clasp that is characterized by overlapping each other. 2. The clasp according to claim 1, wherein the end members 40, 41; 50, 51 have mutually symmetrical shapes. 3. In the clasp according to claim 1 or 2, the two end members 40, 41
each has a flattened portion which transitions from the end opposite the mating end member to a hook-like curved portion 42, 43 and at a position spaced apart from the hook-shaped curved portion. A clasp characterized by having openings 44, 45 into which hook-like curved portions of the clasp are hung. 4. In the clasp according to claim 3, permanent magnets (46, 47 5. The clasp according to claim 4, characterized in that the width B of the hook-shaped curved portion of the flat portion is tapered. Clasp. 6. In the clasp according to claim 1 or 2, the two end members 50, 51
each has a flattened part, which flattened part has at its free end a hook-shaped curved part 5 which is offset in the width direction and faces away from the side surface of said tire.
2, 53, and locking edges 54, 55 spaced apart from the hook-shaped curved portion by a predetermined distance X in the longitudinal direction and at the same position in the width direction as the hook-shaped curved portion, 1. A clasp, characterized in that the hook-like curved portion of the mating end member is hooked onto the latching edge in the state of the clasp. 7. In the clasp according to claim 6, the flat portion of each of the end members 50, 51 includes a permanent magnet 58, between the hook-shaped curved portion thereof and the locking edge. 59 is attached to the clasp. 8. In the clasp according to claim 6 or 7, the locking edges 54, 55 are located at the longitudinal end portions of the flat portion and the nose-shaped portion 5.
6 and 57, the clasp is characterized in that the width thereof is determined by 6 and 57, and that the hook-like curved portion of the mating end member is guided in the width direction when the hook-like curved portion is hung. 9. In the clasp according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the hook-shaped curved portions are arranged such that the curved portions substantially abut each other;
A clasp disposed on the end member. 10. The clasp according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the flat portion is fixed to both ends of the holding member by rivets 48, respectively. . 11. In the clasp according to any one of claims 3 to 8, the flat portion has side lugs 60, 61 provided thereon, and a recess 62 formed at the end of the retaining member. , 63, and is fixed by bending the holding member onto the surface of the holding member that contacts the tire.