On this day in 1904, Harry D. Weed was granted the patent for Grip-Tread for Pneumatic Tires (the first tire chain). U.S. Patent No. 768,495.
This invention relates to improvements in treads for pneumatic tires, and is particularly applicable for use on the traction-wheels of automobiles to prevent the tire from slipping on slippery pavements.
The object of this invention is to provide a flexible and collapsing grip or tread composed entirely of chains linked together and applied to the sides and periphery of the tire and held in place solely by the inflation of the tire, and which is reversible so that either side may be applied to the periphery of the tire, this affording a double wearing surface. These grips or auxiliary treads are adapted to be applied to the traction or driving wheels of automobiles, and one of the important objects is to enable any one skilled or unskilled easily and quickly apply the auxiliary tread when needed by partially deflating the tire and then placing the grip thereon, and finally reinflating the tire to cause the transverse chains to partially embed themselves into the periphery of said tire, whereby the auxiliary tread or gripping device is firmly held in operative position against circumferential slipping on the tire.
