Patent ID: 7055567
Filing Date: 2006-06-06
Classification: B60C

Abstract:
1. A vehicle tire-traction apparatus for use with a vehicle tire having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall and a tread, the vehicle tire-traction apparatus comprising: a pair of tire-traction sections wherein each tire-traction section comprises: wherein the second end portion of each arm member extends from the corresponding channel and has a pin member that prevents the arm member from sliding out of the channel, a plurality of tire-tread contact members, each tire-tread contact member being attached to a single finger member and positioned with respect to that finger member such that the tire-tread contact member extends over a portion of the vehicle tire tread when the tire-traction apparatus is mounted to a vehicle tire, each tire-tread contact member having a plurality of protruding members to frictionally contact the vehicle tire tread, wherein the ability of each arm member to slide within its corresponding channel ensures that the tire tread contact member attached to the arm member contacts the vehicle tire tread as the vehicle tire rotates; and a tension-producing connection device configured to be connected to the engagement member of each arcuate member so as to connect both tire traction sections together and secure the tire traction sections to the vehicle tire, the tension-producing connection device comprising an elongate housing having an interior wall, a stationary member attached to the housing and configured to be attached to an engagement member of one of the arcuate members, a movable rod member having one portion positioned within the housing and another portion outside the housing and configured to be attached to the engagement member of the other arcuate member, the movable rod being movable with respect to the housing, the tension-producing connection device further comprising a spring member positioned within the housing, the spring member having one end attached to the interior wall of the housing and another end attached to the portion of the movable rod member that is within the housing, the spring member normally pulling the movable rod member inward into the housing so as to provide a tensional force when the tension-producing connection device is attached to the arcuate members wherein such tensional force pulls the tire traction sections toward to each other to secure the tire-traction sections to the vehicle tire.