US 12,485,712 B2
Automated tire chain tensioner
Ken Egli, Kennewick, WA (US); Jason Gilbert, Kennewick, WA (US); and Christian Egli, Provo, UT (US)
Assigned to MM3 LLC, St. George, UT (US)
Filed by Ken Egli, Kennewick, WA (US); Jason Gilbert, Kennewick, WA (US); and Christian Egli, Provo, UT (US)
Filed on Mar. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/186,759.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/269,592, filed on Mar. 18, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0294462 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. B60C 27/00 (2006.01)
CPC B60C 27/003 (2013.01) 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for the management of a tire chain, the device comprising:
a housing;
a tension mechanism substantially contained in the housing and is comprised of:
a ratcheting tension applicator, wherein the ratcheting tension applicator is comprised of a number of spools and the ratcheting tension applicator is configured with a plurality of settings wherein the plurality of settings are comprised of at least two engaged settings and a disengaged setting and each of the at least two engaged settings is configured to apply a different amount of tension, and the ratcheting tension applicator is at least partially contained in the housing except for an external interaction bolt wherein the interaction bolt turns the setting of the tension applicator when interacted with to the next higher engaged setting when rotated in a first direction and does nothing when rotated in a second direction, and the ratcheting tension applicator additionally is configured with a release which when activated sets the ratcheting tension applicator to the disengaged setting;
a plurality of tension members wherein the plurality of tension members are comprised of a middle length, a first end, and a second end and further comprised of, wherein the first end is comprised of a spring that is coupled to one of the number of spools of the ratcheting tension applicator and the second end is comprised of a spring and a fastener removably couplable to the tire chains and wherein the tension mechanism is partially separable and is configured to be removably coupled from the tension members after switching to an engaged setting, leaving the tension members in place.