초록 ▼

A tire chain installation tool comprises an elongated member that is connectable to a traction chain or other traction device and that acts as an extension and guide for leading or pulling the traction chain onto a tire. The tool receives one end of the tire traction chain, and an elongated belt of

A tire chain installation tool comprises an elongated member that is connectable to a traction chain or other traction device and that acts as an extension and guide for leading or pulling the traction chain onto a tire. The tool receives one end of the tire traction chain, and an elongated belt of the tool is placed around the tread surface of a vehicle tire. Upon rotation of the tire due to movement of the vehicle, friction between the tire and belt (and capture of the belt between the tire and the ground/road) cause the belt and hence the tire traction chain, to be drawn around the circumference of the vehicle tire. Thus, the traction chain is placed in good position to be fastened without the struggle and discomfort frequently associated with installing chains on a vehicle. The preferred belt is easier to lift and manipulate than the traction chain and does not need to be positioned or manipulated in the space behind the tire (away from the user) or in the space between dual tires.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. An installation system for installing a traction device upon a vehicle tire, the system comprising: a traction device for being wrapped around a tire to increase traction between the tire and a road or the ground, the traction device having a longitudinal axis; an elongated tool compris

I claim: 1. An installation system for installing a traction device upon a vehicle tire, the system comprising: a traction device for being wrapped around a tire to increase traction between the tire and a road or the ground, the traction device having a longitudinal axis; an elongated tool comprising an extension detachably connected at one end to the traction device and extending out from the traction device, wherein the extension is flexible and has a length 60-80 percent of the length of the traction device so that it is adapted to wrap around at least 60-80 percent of the tire circumference onto which the traction device is being installed. 2. An installation system as in claim 1, wherein said extension is a strap of material having a continuous flat surface adapted to lay around said circumference. 3. An installation system as in claim 1, wherein said extension is a strip of rubber. 4. An installation system as in claim 1, wherein said extension is a strap of conveyor belt material. 5. An installation system as in claim 1, wherein said extension is a belt comprising a ribbed surface. 6. An installation system as in claim 1, wherein said extension comprises multiple transverse strips perpendicular to the length of the extension and linked together by connections that provide for pivoting of each of said transverse strip relative to adjacent of said strips. 7. An installation system as in claim 1, wherein said traction device is a traction chain having two runners, and said extension is connected at one end to the traction chain by means of two hooks extending out from the extension and hooking onto said runners. 8. An installation system as in claim 1, wherein said extension is 60-120 inches long. 9. An installation system as in claim 1, further comprising a second of said elongated tools, and said traction device is a triple runner chain, the system further comprising an adapter to connect said tool and said second tool into a combined tool unit so that they are side-by-side and parallel, and the combined tool unit is connected to all three of the runners of the triple runner chain. 10. An installation system as in claim 1, wherein said traction device is a tire chain. 11. An installation system as in claim 1, wherein the extension is connected at one end to the traction device by a connector having two hooks which receive side portions of the traction device. 12. An installation system as in claim 1, wherein the extension is connected at one end to the traction device by a connector adapted to keep side portions of the traction device spread-apart to the maximum width of said traction device. 13. An installation system as in claim 12, wherein the side portions abut against the connector to maintain the width of the traction device at least equal to the width of the extension. 14. An installation system as in claim 12, wherein the connector includes stops which prevent said side portions from moving towards each other to maintain the spread-apart configuration. 15. An installation system as in claim 14, wherein said connector is extendible outward to increase its width. 16. An installation system as in claim 14, wherein said connector is extendible to increase the distance between said stops. 17. A method of installing a traction device on a vehicle tire, the method comprising: providing a device comprising an elongated extension having a connector at a trailing end; attaching the extension to a traction device by means of the connector; laying the traction device on the ground behind a tire on a vehicle and wrapping the elongated extension around at least ¾ of the circumference of the tire and inserting a leading end of the extension between the ground and the tire; driving the vehicle forward so that the tire rotates with the extension wrapped around it to pull the traction device up onto and around the circumference of the tire as the tire continued to rotate; stopping the vehicle at a time when rotation of the tire has pulled the traction device substantially all the way around the tire, disconnecting the device from the traction device, and fastening the traction device to itself so that it will remain on the tire during driving of the vehicle. 18. A method of installing a traction device on a vehicle tire, the method comprising: providing a device comprising an elongated extension having a connector at a trailing end; attaching the extension to a traction device by means of the connector; laying the traction device on the ground in front of a tire on a vehicle and wrapping the elongated extension around at least ¾ of the circumference of the tire and inserting a leading end of the extension between the ground and the tire; driving the vehicle rearward so that the tire rotates with the extension wrapped around it to pull the traction device up onto and around the circumference of the tire as the tire continued to rotate; stopping the vehicle at a time when rotation of the tire has pulled the traction device substantially all the way around the tire, disconnecting the device from the traction device, and fastening the traction device to itself so that it will remain on the tire during further movement of the vehicle. 19. A method as in claim 17, wherein said elongated extension is a unitary belt having no surfaces features. 20. A method as in claim 17, wherein said elongated extension is a ribbed belt. 21. A method as in claim 17, wherein said elongated extension comprises a plurality of transverse strips pivotally connected to each other. 22. A method as in claim 17, wherein attaching the extension to a traction device by means of the connector further comprises spreading a leading end of the traction device to its maximum width. 23. A method as in claim 18, wherein said elongated extension is a unitary belt having no surfaces features. 24. A method as in claim 18, wherein said elongated extension is a ribbed belt. 25. A method as in claim 18, wherein said elongated extension comprises a plurality of transverse strips pivotally connected to each other. 26. A method as in claim 18, wherein attaching the extension to a traction device by means of the connector further comprises spreading a leading end of said traction device to its maximum width.