US 12,065,002 B2
Linked tread apparatus for improved performance on loose surfaces
Jacqueline Coffin, Duncansville, PA (US)
Filed by Jacqueline Coffin, Duncansville, PA (US)
Filed on Mar. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/180,310.
Application 18/180,310 is a continuation of application No. 16/876,301, filed on May 18, 2020, granted, now 11,623,481.
Prior Publication US 2023/0219385 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B60C 27/20 (2006.01); B60C 27/06 (2006.01)
CPC B60C 27/20 (2013.01) [B60C 27/068 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A removable tread assembly adapted to be installed around an outer circumference of a wheel of a manually powered vehicle, the assembly comprising:
a plurality of substantially identical tread links, the tread links including a tread plate having a curved first surface and a corresponding curved second surface, a first end and a second end, and the tread plate having a width greater than an axial Width of the wheel, the tread links further including a first linking structure adjacent the first end of the tread plate and a second linking structure adjacent the second end of the tread plate, wherein the first linking structure of a the tread link is adapted to engage and be secured to the second linking structure of another tread link; and
a plurality of substantially identical link fasteners adapted to retractably engage the first and second linking structures of adjacent tread links to secure the adjacent tread links in an articulable manner such that the plurality of tread links may be linked end-to-end in a circuit around the outer circumference of the wheel such that the first surfaces of the linked tread links provide a surface for contacting the wheel and the second surfaces of the linked tread links provide a protrusion-free surface for contacting a ground surface,
wherein the tread links further comprise inner and outer side plates depending from the second surface of the tread plate, the inner and outer side plates defining a channel therebetween extending between the first and second ends of the tread plates,
wherein a portion of the inner and outer side plates extends beyond the first end of the tread plate, and wherein the inner and outer side plates line a recess formed in the second end of the tread plate, the inner and outer side plates being spaced apart from one another in a tapered manner such that the portions of the inner and outer side plates extending beyond the first end of the tread plate of the first tread link may be inserted into the recess formed in the second end of a second tread plate.