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Traction augmenting ribs are formed of a semi-rigid material particularly well-suited for placement around a vehicle tire or the like. Each rib is formed of a pair of side arms and an interconnecting central portion which are arranged in a generally U-shaped configuration to fit around the vehicle t

Traction augmenting ribs are formed of a semi-rigid material particularly well-suited for placement around a vehicle tire or the like. Each rib is formed of a pair of side arms and an interconnecting central portion which are arranged in a generally U-shaped configuration to fit around the vehicle tire. The side arms are formed of a bow-like spring arrangement which is flexible in response to application of forces at the ends thereof in a radially inward direction relative to the tire so that the side arm ends are positioned to displace the rigid interconnecting elements beyond the contour of the tire. Interconnecting linkages or cables are passed through the rib ends and are tightened in a circumferential direction so as to apply the radially inward force to the rib side arms. Reinforcing steel wires can be included throughout the length of each rib and reinforcing crossbars can be embedded within the central portion of each rib so as to facilitate accommodation of tires of varying tread widths. Inclusion of an easily attached cable take-up arrangement between the ends of the circumferential linkage permits attachment of the assembly to tires of differing circumferences. Studs can be embedded in the central portion of the ribs.

대표청구항 ▼

A traction augmenting rib removably attachable to a vehicle tire or the like which has a cross-section of a generally flat surface engaging portion and outwardly bulging sidewalls attachably cooperating with a mounting rim comprising an elongated member of semi-rigid flexible material having a centr

A traction augmenting rib removably attachable to a vehicle tire or the like which has a cross-section of a generally flat surface engaging portion and outwardly bulging sidewalls attachably cooperating with a mounting rim comprising an elongated member of semi-rigid flexible material having a central section at least as wide as the surface engaging portion of the tire and a pair of side arms each having one end thereof attached to a respective end of said central Section so as to form a generally U-shaped configuration, at least one rigid cross bar embedded within said central section so as to extend throughout the length of said central section, said central section having a generally smooth inner surface for flush interfacing with the surface engaging portion of the tire, said arms being arranged in an outwardly directed spring bow relative to the sidewalls of the tire when the inner surface of said central section is placed against the surface engaging portion of the tire, and means for applying forces to the other ends of said side arms in a direction radially inward relative to the axis of the tire and with sufficient magnitude to at least partially straighten said side arms, each said side arm having sufficient length for responding to said radially inward force so that the said other end thereof is positioned at least in proximity to the edge of the mounting rim, said side arms each being adapted to flexingly follow changes in contour of the tire during movement of the vehicle.