CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims an invention which was disclosed in a provisional application filed September 4, 2013, Serial No. 61 873,742, entitled "Tire Shield Attachment System". The benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) of the United States provisional application is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

[0002] This invention pertains generally to systems for attachment of a tire protection device or shield to a tire and/or wheel for use, primarily, with construction equipment. A tire protection device generally takes the form of a covering applied to the exterior surface of a tire and is used to prevent or mitigate damage to the tire used in vehicle operation. The types of damage that construction equipment tires are typically subjected to include, but are not limited to, cuts from rough terrain, sabotage, aberration and obstacles. Methodologies for sidewall and tread protection have been covered in numerous U.S. patents. Representative examples of these patents include: U.S. Patent No. 235,251 for "Sidewall Protector," issued March 6, 1 15; U.S. Patent No. 1,867,518 for "Mud Guard," issued April 10, 1928; U.S. Patent No. 1,905,674 for "Splash Protector," issued January 2, 1931 ; U.S. Patent No. 2,017,891 for "Skip Preventer," issued August 11, 1933; U.S. Patent No. 2,334,388 for "Ornamental Sidewall," issued November 12, 1941 ; U.S. Patent No. 3,187,797 for "Water Deflecting Sidewall," issued November 27, 1963; U.S. Patent No. 3,81 ,488 for 'Tread & Sidewall Protector," issued April 3, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,030,530 for "Removable Tread," issued September 26, 1991; U.S. Patent No. 4,111,250 for "Removable Tread," issued November 19, 1986; U.S. Patent No. 4,235,271 for "Sidewall Protector," issued July 13, 1979; and U.S. Patent No. 4,31 ,618 for "Sidewall Protector," issued April 28, 1980.

[0003] However, while all of the aforesaid prior devices and methods exist to protect certain aspects of the tire, all have disadvantages. First, the protection device(s) described that are compressed between the wheel flange and the tire bead may cause excessive wear on the lire bead. Second, the protection device(s) described with excessive or inaccessible hardware cannot be easily assembled or disassembled from the wheel/tire assembly. Third, in all cases, the protection device(s) described must be removed in order for the tire to be replaced.

[0004] The instant invention resolves and avoids most of these difficulties using novel attachment methodologies. However, all depend to some degree on the use of flexible connectors such as webbing, mesh, chains, cables, straps, combinations of the foregoing or the like that "bridge" the tire treads to apply tension and otlierwise hold the protective shield in position adjacent the sidewall of a tire. In the preferred schematic embodiments illustrated, straps are generally shown as "connectors" for ease of illustration; however, it should be understood that such straps, though advantageous and preferred for a variety of

9 uses, also schematically represent a variety of other possible connectors such as those listed above. Likewise, the straps/cables illustrated are generally shown passing through gaps between the treads of the tire being protected, but may a!so pass over the treads.

[0005] The foregoing innovations result in numerous advantages. First, these methods for attachment of a protection device to a wheel/tire assembly are more versatile and robust. Second, these attachment methods for a protection device are simplified and require less time to assemble and disassemble. Third, these attachment methods for a protection device are simplified and require fewer parts to affix the device to the wheel/tire assembly. Fourth, these attachment methods can be used on any type of road wheel including, but not limited to, single and multi-piece wheels. Fifth, the mode of attachment for the protection device can include isolation methods that can prevent or mitigate damage to the wheel/tire assembly from impact or other dynamic shocks experienced during vehicle operation. Sixth, these attachment methods allow for lateral and. radial tire and/or wheel flexing at various operating pressures. The numerous other advantages of our invention wi ll become more apparent in view of the more detailed description and claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 provides a perspective schematic exploded view illustrating a protection shield attachment system in the process of and/or as it would be, attached to a wheel/tire assembly by means of connectors in the form of tire wrapping straps. This embodiment of the invention includes and utilizes a solid inboard ring to which the tire wrapping connection straps are attached. [0007] FIG. 2 provides a perspective schematic exploded view illustrating an alternate embodiment of a protection shield attachment system in the process of and/or as it would be, attached to a wheel/tire assembly by means of connectors in the form of tire wrapping connection straps. This embodiment of the invention includes and utilizes a split inboard ring to which the tire wrapping connection straps are attached.

[0008] FIG. 3 provides a schematic perspective view illustrating how the connectors in the form connection straps can be nested between tire treads (or lugs) in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

[0009] FIG. 4 provides a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the protection shield attachment system of FIGS. 1 through 3 after attachment to a wheel/tire assembly by means of its connectors in the form of tire wrapping connection straps.

[00010] FIG. 5 provides a perspective schematic exploded view illustrating another alternate embodiment of a protection shield attachment system in the process of and/or as it would be, attached to a wheel/tire assembly by means of connectors in the form of tire wrapping connection straps. This embodiment of the invention includes and utilizes a flexible/strap based inboard "ring" to which the tire wrapping connection straps are attached.

[00011] FiG. 6 provides a perspective schematic view illustrating the protection shield attachment system of FIG. 5 from the inboard side after attachment to a wheel/tire assembly by means of its connectors in the form of tire wrapping connection straps.

[00012] FIG. 7 provides a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the protection shield attachment system wherei the connectors in the form of straps run outboard of the tire shield after attachment to a wheel/tire assembly by means of said tire wrapping connection straps,

[00013] FIG. 8 provides a schematic cross- sectional view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the protection shield attachment system wherein a tensioning element arrangement is used to tighten/tension the connectors/straps where they terminate and anchor to an outboard adapter ring of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6.

[00014] FIG. 9 provides a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the protection shield attachment system wherein the connectors/straps of the invention are anchored to the tire shield close to the outer diameter/edge thereof.

[00015] FIG. 10 provides a schematic perspective cross-sectional and somewhat exploded view illustrating the alternate embodiment of the protection shield attachment system of the invention shown in FIG. 10 and furthering illustrating the anchor points for the connectors in the form of straps.

[00016] FIGS. 11A and M B provide schematic perspective views illustrating how connectors in the form of straps or chains can also run across/over the tire treads (or lugs) in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

[00017] The first preferred embodiment of the inventive concept is illustrated in

FIG. I . As illustrated in FIG. 1, the protection shield attachment system of this embodiment (denoted generally by arrows ί ) is in the process of being, and/or as it would be used to. attach a tire protection shield (denoted generally by arrow 3) to a wheel/tire assembly (denoted generally by arrow 2) by means of tire wrapping connectors in the form of straps 10. The wheel/tire assembly 2 features a tire 20 having an outer sidewall 20a and treads 20b which is mounted on a rim 20c having flanges 20d. As will be noted from this embodiment, the primary elements of the invention are an outboard ring 5 (which is formed by the tire shield 3 itself in some embodiments) linked by connectors in the form of straps 10 (or other connecting webbing or linkage) across the treads 20b of tire 20 to an inboard ring 4 (which may also take a variety of forms). Rings 4, 5 for this embodiment can advantageously be formed from metal or rigid composite materials. As previously mentioned, the connectors 10 may take a variety of forms; thus, the term "strap" is intended to cover a variety of different connective structures including those comprised of high durabilit composite fiber materials, metals, composite webbing or wire materials and/or links/chains. However, all suitable materials and structures for straps 10 are characterized by flexibility and durability. Other preferred useful variations and alternate embodiments are explored in subsequent figures and accompanying discussion.

[00018] The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 includes and utilizes a solid inboard ring 4 as well as a solid outboard ring 5 to which the tire wrapping connectors 10 are attached to hold the tire shield 3 (which is connected to the outboard ring 5 via tlireaded connectors 3a) in position adjacent the sidewall 20a of wheel assembly 2, In contrast to this, FIG. 2 illustrates a first alternate embodiment of a protection shield 3 attachment system 1 in the process of and/or as it would be, attached to a wheel/tire assembly 2 by means of its tire wrapping connectors 10. This embodiment of the invention includes and utilizes a split inboard ring 4a to which the tire wrapping connectors in the form of connection straps 10 are attached. In the embodiment illustrated, split inboard ring 4a features two halves which may be opened to create a gap (as denoted generally b arrow 40) so as to allow placement around a wheei axle 70 and then fastened together again via suitable mechanical fasteners thereby allowing mounting of the system 1 without demounting the wheel 2. After split ring 4a is closed around the axle on the inboard side of wheel 2, straps 10 can be wrapped over the tire and tightened and secured to the outboard mounting ring 5. The tire shield 10 can then be attached to the outboard ring 5 via e.g.. screws 3 a as shown.

[00019] FIGS. 3 and. 4 provide further insight into the first two embodiments. FIG. 3 provides a perspective view illustrating schematically how the connectors/straps 10 of the protection shield attachment system 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are nested in the grooves 21 between tire tread "lugs ^' " (or elevated portions) 22 in accordance with the teachings of the invention, and thereby protected from direct ground contact and excessive wear and tear. FIG. 4 provides a schematic cross-sectional view of the aforesaid embodiments after attachment to the wheei/tire assembly 2. As will be noted, though the attachment system 1 is held in place primarily by means of its tire wrapping connection connectors/straps 10, it is also assisted in these embodiments (as in most others shown) in assuming and maintaining its position by the interaction between its rings 4, 5 and flanges 20d of rim 20c. The piloting function of rings 4, 5 is also enhanced by the inclusion of chamfer features 30 adjacent wheel flanges 20d as illustrated. [00020] FIGS. 5 and 6 introduce another embodiment of the system 1 in the process of, and/or as it would be, attached to a wheel/tire assembly 2 by means of tire wrapping connectors in the form of connection straps 10. This embodiment includes and utilizes a flexible/strap based inboard "ring" 4b to which the tire wrapping connection straps 10 are attached. However, as in the prior embodiment, ring 4b can be opened/closed vi a retastenable fastener 50 allowing system 1 to be placed on a wheel 2 without demounting the wheel 2. As will be noted, this embodiment also includes a spring actuated tensioning element 51 as part of ring 4b. (Alternately, ring 4b might be constructed of elastic materials in order to accomplish the same purpose)- Such tensioning and/or tightening elements and materials can. depending on position and utility, take a variet of forms well known in the mechanical arts, such as elastic materials, springs, lockable turnbuekles, ratchet mechanisms and the like. All such elements and devices aid in keeping the assembly 1 and its subparts snugly in position on wheel assembly 2.

[00021] FIGS. 7 through 11 illustrate other notable variations, and/or embodiments, of the invention. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which connectors/straps 10 run outboard of the tire shield 3. (It should also be noted that in this embodiment the outboard ring 5a is formed as part of the tire shield 3). FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment where a spring actuated tensioning element 52 is intermediate and engaging outboard ring 5 and cross strap 3 to tension and tighten the strap 3 of the invention and better hold the assembly 1 firmly in position on tire assembly 2. (Once again, as with rings 4, 5 and their variations, tension can also be provided by forming strap 3 from elastic materials). FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment where strap 10 connects to the top of the tire shield 3, and inboard ring 4b is positioned much closer to the outer diameter of tire 20. In this embodiment the fasteners 80 linking straps 10 and tire shield 3 are non-permanent clamps or other mechanical strap fasteners. This allows the straps 10 to be pulled tight before fastening as well as easy replacement of any or all of straps 10 due to wear or breakage. Finally. FIGS. 1 1 A and 1 IB illustrates embodiments where connectors in the form of straps 10a or chains 10a' can be routed across the tire tread lugs 22 rather than between tread lugs 22 as previously illustrated. (Similarly to a snow chain (and prior embodiments), the system of straps 10a and chains 10a' used in these embodiments are linked together on both inboard and outboard sides). Tiiese embodiments also illustrate the use of a flexible outboard rings 5b and 5b' to which the tire shield 3 may be fastened.

[00022] As previously noted, the material used for connector such as straps 10a and chains 10a' can be anything ranging from a flexible strap material to heavy-duty steel chains, cables and/or webbing. Likewise, connectors 10 normally intended for fastening betwee tire lugs may be unable to be fastened in this manner and should, therefore, be made of sturdy and durable material capable of sustaining heavy usage and direct contact between tire 20 and relevant supporting surfaces, such as gravel, asphalt and other typical roadway materials. Alternately, whether placement of connectors 10 over treads 22 is intended or unintended, a harder metal sleeve can be provided for the connectors 10 where they pass across treads 22 to provide additional durability and wear-.

[00023] The described advantages and features of the invention are advantageously provided through and using the preferred embodiments previously illustrated and discussed. However, numerous variations are possible without deviating from and/or exceeding the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various features and functions disclosed above, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined in ways other than those shown in the particular embodiments shown and discussed and into many other different systems or applications. Moreover, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.