Patent ID: 6336515
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: B60B,B60T

Abstract:
A land vehicle having at least two wheels, an unsprung portion connected to the wheels without the interposition of a shock damping system and a sprung portion connected to the wheels through a shock damping system connected to the wheels, the sprung portion comprising a chassis connected to the shock damping system on a side of the spring arrangement opposite to the wheels, the shock damping system enabling movement of the chassis relative to the wheels, and a traction enhancement system, wherein the traction enhancement system comprisesmeans for generating a vacuum; and means for applying the vacuum generated by the generating means to a surface on which the land vehicle travels, wherein said vacuum applying means comprises a structure associated with at least one of the wheels, said structure bearing at least partially on the unsprung portion of the land vehicle to bias the associated wheel into enhanced traction engagement with the surface on which the land vehicle travels, said structure being in constant contact with the unsprung portion, and said structure being attached to the vehicle at a point such that movement of said structure relative to said associated wheel is no greater than 75% of the movement of said chassis relative to said associated wheel.