Abstract:
A traction device for a tire having a hub for attachment to the tire&#39;s wheel. At least one arm extends outwardly from the hub, with the arm attached to a gripping section that is capable of contacting the tire. A reversible, rotatable cam attached to the arm and the gripping section controls the movement of the device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/899,351, filed on 5 Sep. 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to traction devices for vehicle tires and, more specifically, to traction devices that are attached to the outside of a tire without the need for chains. 
         [0003]    When driving in hazardous conditions, such as on snowy or muddy roads, or during rain or snow storms, control of the vehicle can be improved by adding traction to the vehicle. In hazardous driving situations, such as when avoiding a crash or accident on the road or when encountering an unexpected turn in the road, traction can be improved with electronic control systems (ECS), which generally are automatic systems that help balance the power between the wheels of the vehicle. While some vehicle systems are equipped with ESC technology, many vehicles would have further improved operation with additional traction devices. 
         [0004]    For instance, chains have been used as added traction for tires. However, chains usually are bulky and hard to attach over the tires, and are not necessarily the most useful devices when being applied to cars and smaller vehicles, as opposed to trucks and tractors. Likewise, storage of chains can be cumbersome. 
         [0005]    Other devices have been developed to replace chains that provide similar styles of traction. Generally, these devices consist of a central hub and a plurality of arms that extend outwardly from the hub. The length of the arms usually can be adjusted. The arms have cleats or other devices that are secured on the outside edge of the tires, thereby providing the extra traction. Examples of these types of devices are shown in Ward, U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,224, Pitts et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,778, Robeson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,635, and Ivan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,659. Though these devices can provide improved traction, they still leave room for improvement. 
         [0006]    Each of these devices has arms having adjustable lengths, with the individual arms being adjusted manually. Consequently, it is possible that the arms may not be properly adjusted to tightly grip a tire as needed, which would diminish the usefulness of the devices. It is also possible that the length of each of the arms may be improperly adjusted, or adjusted to lengths that are not a consistent length from one arm to another, which may lead to an unbalanced driving arrangement and require eventual balancing and alignment of the vehicle and tires. Likewise, manually adjusting the arms during inclement weather is not an enjoyable task. It would be beneficial to provide a new traction device for a tire that would be easy to attach and would provide a stable, evenly distributed gripping structure, independent of the drive system of the vehicle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a traction device for a vehicle tire that can be used with a wide array and variety of tires and vehicles. The device can be mounted and stored on a wheel of a tire when not in use, without interfering with the driving of the vehicle. The traction device incorporates a cam mechanism or mechanisms to allow the device to properly grip the tire, without manually needing to adjust the device. 
         [0008]    The device generally comprises a centrally located hub for attaching the traction device to the tire&#39;s wheel. The device has at least one arm, but preferably more arms, that extends outwardly from the hub. Each arm has a gripping section attached to a respective arm. The gripping section has a portion thereof capable of contacting the treaded surface of the tire. The device includes means for moving the gripping section from a stored position to a position making contact with the tire surface. One type of means is a reversible rotatable cam, which is attached to the arm and the gripping section. The cam or cams generally move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the central hub and rotate around and along a respective arm, which thereby causes the gripping section of the arm to move between an active, engaging position with the tire to a stored position. Other types of means include pulleys and similar arrangements. 
         [0009]    The device provides an improved traction device for a tire, which can be actuated remotely if necessary. These and other features of the device will become evident with the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a traction device according to the present invention mounted on a tire in an engaged position with the tire. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of the traction device of  FIG. 1  in a retracted position with the tire. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a further embodiment of a traction device in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a rear exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the traction device of  FIG. 3  shown in an extended position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the device shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a close-up cross-sectional side view of a cam member with the cam member being attached to an arm used in the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of an arm used in the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a front side elevation view of a gripping section used in connection with the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a rear side elevation view of the gripping section shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the gripping section shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11A  is a side elevation view of a traction device according to the present invention in a retracted or stored position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11B  is a front elevation view of the traction device of  FIG. 11A . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12A  is a side elevation view of the traction device shown in  FIG. 11A  in a partially extended position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12B  is a front elevation view of the traction device of  FIG. 12A . 
           [0025]      FIG. 13A  is a side elevation view of the traction device shown in  FIGS. 11A and 12A  in a further extended position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13B  is a front elevation view of the traction device of  FIG. 13A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 14A  is a side elevation view of the traction device shown in  FIGS. 11A-13B  making contact with a tire. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14B  is a front elevation view of the traction device shown in  FIG. 14A . 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a close-up side elevation view of the gripping section used in the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a traction device according to the present invention in a stored position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 16  in an extended position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 16  making contact with a tire. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0033]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tire  10  supporting a traction device  30  in accordance with the present invention. The device  30  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is generally shown for overall understanding of the concepts of the invention.  FIGS. 3-15  will provide a more detailed traction device encompassed by the present invention. The tire  10  comprises a pair of side walls  12  and an outer tread area  14 . The tread area  14  should be considered broadly as any outer circumferential area on the tire  10  that rests between the side walls  12 . A wheel  16  supports the tire  10 . Lug nuts  18  secure the wheel  16  to an axle (not shown). The tire  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is merely exemplary of any tire used in connection with the traction device  30 . Generally, any tire used on a motor vehicle, including cars, trucks, tractors, and other wheeled vehicles, will be able to use and support the traction device  30 . 
         [0035]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the traction device  30  comprises an adaptor  40  to rotatably connect the device  30  to the wheel  16 . The adaptor  40  is shown as a centrally located hub for the device  30 , but could take any shape or design that would not interfere with the regular movement of the tire  10 . Preferably, the adaptor  40  will be incorporated and designed to align with the lug nuts  18 , but any type of adaptor means that will sufficiently secure the device  30  to the wheel  16 , such as bolts, clamps, or other fasteners, should be considered as falling within the scope of the invention. A plurality of arms  44 , each having a proximal end  48  and a distal end  50 , extends outwardly from the adaptor  40 . The device  30  further comprises a plurality of cams  42 , which provides the necessary rotation and movement needed to actuate the various components of the traction device  30 . The arms  44  are coupled to the adaptor  40  at the proximal end  48  with connectors  46 . As previously noted, the connectors  46  preferably are designed to be aligned and mesh with the lug nuts  18 , but any design that will connect the arms  44  to the adaptor  40  will fall within the scope of the present invention. The cams  42  are slidably connected to the arms  44 , as will become evident with respect to the following drawings. The arms  44  are shown having a curvilinear symmetrical design, with the arms fanning out in a pinwheel type fashion. The design further assists in providing the necessary torque for a tight gripping arrangement when the traction device  30  eventually comes into contact with the tire  10 . However, any arm design that does not impede the rotating and gripping process of the traction device  30  will fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0036]    Referring further to  FIG. 1 , the distal ends  50  of the arms  44  are secured to an alignment ring  52  that provides further stability and support for the arms  44 . Each of the respective arms  44  is coupled to a respective cam member  42 . The cam member  42  is connected to a gripping section  54 , which comprises a linkage system. As will be shown and described in more detail with respect to the traction device shown in  FIGS. 3-15 , the gripping sections  54  are pivotally connected to the cam members  42  and will extend to eventually grip the tread area  14  of the tire  10 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  shows the traction device  30  in a retracted or stored position. As the adaptor  40  is rotated, the gripping sections  54  move outwardly to the engaged position of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the gripping sections  54  generally comprise a linkage system comprised of three sections, a first section  56 , a second section  58 , and a third section  60 . The three sections  56 ,  58 , and  60  preferably are pivotal with respect to one another. The first section  56  is mounted or attached to the respective cam member  42 . The second section  58  connects the first section  56  to the third section  60 , which has a contact surface  62  that comprises the portion of the gripping section that engages the tread area  14 . When the device  30  rotates, the cam members  42  slide outwardly along the respective arms  44 , thereby extending the gripping sections  54  further, eventually contacting and gripping the tire  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The traction device  30  grips the tire  10  in a more secure relationship than prior art devices, since the length of each of the individual arms does not need to be adjusted to evenly come into contact and grip the tire  10 . Further the traction device  30  provides a strong grip as well, as the rotating force allows added torque to tighten the device  30  against the tire  10 , which also occurs in an evenly distributed arrangement. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 1 and 2  provide the general principles and concepts of the present invention. That is,  FIGS. 1 and 2  provide a general arrangement of a traction device for a tire that can be used and stored on the wheel of the tire, in accordance with the present invention, even when the vehicle is in use.  FIGS. 3-15  provide a more detailed traction device  100  according to the present invention. As is shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 3A , the device  100  generally comprises an attachment ring  130  and a support ring  110 . An adaptor  140  (also shown in  FIGS. 11A ,  12 A, and  13 A) movably secures the attachment ring  130  and the support ring  110  to one another, as well as providing means for securing the device  100  to the tire. It should be understood that reference to a ring structure does not limit the present invention to any particular shape. As previously discussed lug nuts  18  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) could be used to secure the device  100  to the tire, possibly by insertion through the openings  141 . The support ring  110  has a hub  112  that has an outer section  114  and an inner section  116 . The inner section  116  extends outwardly from the outer section  114  and is arranged to mate with a central hub  132  located on the attachment ring  130  and also with the adaptor  140 . 
         [0039]    As stated above, the adaptor  140 , the attachment ring  130  and the support ring  110  are capable of moving relatively with respect to one another. Preferably, lateral movement is minimized with respect to the various sections. Generally, any arrangement that will provide rotatable interaction with the sections will suffice for the present invention. As an example, the adaptor hub  140  has a shaft  140   a  that will mate directly with the inner section  116  of the support ring  110 , preferably by mating with an aperture  116   a  located on the inner section  116 . The arrangement allows the attachment ring  130  to rotate with respect to the support ring  110 , which, as will be discussed further, below, allows for the necessary movement for the extension and retraction of the gripping sections of the device  100 . It should be noted that the use of the shaft  140   a  to provide the necessary movable and rotatable movement for the device  100  is one example that could be used. Other types of shafts, clamps, pins, or other devices that will allow for rotatable movement will fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0040]    Referring more particularly to the attachment ring  130 , a plurality of arms  144 , each having a proximal end  148  and a distal end  150 , is shown. It is understood that, unless otherwise noted, reference to an individual arm  144  describes the other arms  144 , as well. The proximal end  148  is secured to the central hub  132  and the distal end  150  is secured to the attachment ring  130 . The arms  144 , which preferably form a pinwheel design, will be described further with respect to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0041]    The support ring  110  is arranged to receive the attachment ring  130  and has substantially the same diameter as the support ring  110 . The support ring has a plurality of cutouts  118 , which are arranged to receive a respective gripping section  154  and cam member  142 . A plurality of struts  120  extend outwardly from the hub  112  to the cutouts  118 . Each pair of struts  120  forms a channel  122 . As will be described in further detail, the channel  122  houses a cam member  142  and the arm  144 , and provides the necessary support for the device  100 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  provides a perspective view of the device  100 . As shown, the cam member  142  is connected to the arm  144  and rides within the channel  122 . It is understood that each of the channels  122  can house such an arm and cam member arrangement. For clarity, only one such arrangement is shown. However, the device  100  would still operate with only one such arrangement. The attachment ring  130  and the support ring  110  are aligned with one another in a sliding fashion. As with the previously described device  30 , the device  100  sits upon or is supported by the wheel  16  of the tire  10  (not shown) even when not being used. The attachment ring  130  and the support ring  110  are centrally connected, with the inner section  116  of the hub  112  fitted within the central hub  132  to allow the necessary rotation of the device  100  to extend and retract the gripping sections  154 . That is, the attachment ring  130 , including the central hub  132 , along with the arms  144  are free to rotate within or relative to the support ring  110 . As will become more evident in  FIG. 11A-FIG .  15 , the relative rotation of the ring  130  with respect to the ring  110  allows the cam member  144  to slide along the arm  142  within the channel  122 , which forces the gripping section  154  upwardly or downwardly, depending on the direction of rotation. As such, it should be further understood that support ring  110  assists in connecting the arms  142  to the adaptor  140 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the device  100 . As is clearly shown, the channel  122  allows the cam member  142  and the gripping section  154  to slide smoothly and evenly along the arm  144 , moving upwardly and downwardly within the channel  122 . This provides for the necessary extension and retraction of the gripping section  154  from the tire  10  (see  FIGS. 11A-15 ). The device  100  is preferably automated and a control device or panel  102  (shown in phantom) provides the necessary energy or force so that the attachment ring  130  will rotate with respect to the support ring  110 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  provides a close-up detailed side view of the cam member  142  and the arm  144 . The arm  144  comprises a rail  170  which is arranged to slidingly engage an indent  172  located on the cam member  142 . The rail  170  runs the entire length of the arm  144  (see  FIG. 7 ) and slightly spirals along and around the length of the arm  144  to provide an over-center style securing arrangement for the cam member  142  when it moves up and down the arm  144 . The arm  144  is balanced within a cam and arm support  178  by the use of biasing means, such as springs  174 . The support  178  is connected to a brace  176 , which is connected to the gripping section  154  (see  FIG. 8 ) and, as will be shown in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 8-15 , assists in the movement of the gripping section  154  with respect to the tire  10 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the arm  144  supports the cam member  142 . The indent  172  of the cam member  142  sits upon the rail  170  and is arranged so that it will slidingly move along the rail  170 . As stated above, the rail  170  slightly spirals around the length of the arm  144 , thereby providing the necessary rotation for the cam member  142  to move the gripping section  154  (see  FIGS. 12-15 ). The springs  174  work together to keep the cam member  142  relatively centered on the arm  144  for smooth movement. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 8-10  refer to the gripping section  154 , which is shown in more detail. The gripping section  154  generally comprises a first section  156 , a second section  158  and a third section  160 . The first section  156  comprises a first support  179  and a second support  180 , which are arranged generally parallel to one another. The first section  156  is supported by the brace  176 , which connects the cam member  142  and the arm  144  to the gripping section  154  by way of the cam and arm support  178 . The first support  179  is pivotally connected to a first bar  158   a  of the second section  158 , and the second support  180  is pivotally connected to a second bar  158   b  of the second section  158 . As with the first and second supports  179 ,  180 , the first bar and second bar  158   a,    158   b  are also preferably arranged in a parallel relationship, but will also move independently of one another. The second section  158  is connected to the third section  160  by way of a pair of pivots  192  and  194 . The pivot  194  allows for the first bar  158   a  to be pivotally connected to the third section  160 , and the pivot  194  allows for the second bar  158   b  to be slidingly connected to the third section  160 . The pivot  194  is housed within a slot  190  located on the third section  160 . A stop member  196  located at the end of the slot  190  prevents the pivot  194  and the second bar  158   b  from separating away from the third section  160 . 
         [0047]    Still referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , the cam and arm support  178  comprises a first pulley  182 , and a second pulley  184  is located where the first support  179  is connected to the first bar  158   a.  A belt  186  runs around the pulleys  182 ,  184 . As the first pulley  182  rotates, the belt  186  turns, thereby causing the second pulley  184  to turn, which allows the various sections of the gripping section  154  to move. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 11A-15  depict the device  100  in various positions as it moves to contact the surface of the tire  10  and retract into a stored position.  FIGS. 11A and 11B  show the device  100  in a stored position. The cam member  142  is located near the proximal end  148  of the arm  144 . The third section  160  is in a retracted position, pulled inwardly along the first and second sections  156 ,  158 . The second bar  158   b  is extended along the slot  190 , with the pivot  194  being located near the stop member  196 . The cam member  142  is located within the channel  122 , located near the proximal end  148  of the arm  144 . 
         [0049]    The adaptor  140  is rotated in a first direction, preferably clockwise, which causes the cam member  142  to slide along the arm  144  from the proximal end  148  to the distal end  150 . As the device  100  rotates, the cam member  142  slides upwardly within the channel  122  ( FIGS. 12A and 12B ), causing the first pulley  182  to rotate, which in turn causes the belt  186  to rotate the second pulley  184 . The rotation of the pulley  182  is caused by cam member  142 , which slides along the rail  170  ( FIG. 7 ) of the arm  144 . The first bar  158   a  of the second section  158  begins to move upwardly, which in turn begins to raise the third section  160 . As the cam member  142  moves further upwardly in the channel  122  along the arm  144  and moves closer to the distal end  150  of the arm  144  ( FIGS. 13A and 13B ), the third section  160  begins to slide inwardly along the second bar  158   b  towards the tire  10 . The second bar  158   b  keeps the third section  160  spaced sufficiently away from the tire  10  so that it will not interfere with the sidewall  12 . 
         [0050]    Finally, as shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , the cam member  142  rides upwardly along the arm  144  and ending proximate the distal end  150  of the arm  144  within the channel  122  (see also  FIG. 5 ). The belt  186  has rotated the second pulley  184  sufficiently enough so that the third section  160  extends outwardly over the tread area  14  so that a contact surface  198  located on the third section  160  will come into contact with the tread area  14 . The contact surface  198  may be made of any desired material that will provide sufficient gripping engagement with the tire  10 . Preferably the contact surface  198  is a rubber material or similar material that will not damage the tread area  14 . The device  100  is in position to give added traction for the tire  10 . Once the device  100  is no longer needed for traction purposes, the rotation of the device  100  is reversed, thereby allowing the gripping section  154  to move to the stored position of  FIGS. 11A and 11B . That is, by moving the adaptor  140  in a second direction, preferably a counter-clockwise direction, the cam member  142  will slide down the arm  144  within the channel  122 , thereby allowing the gripping section  154  to retract from the tire  10 . 
         [0051]    As  FIGS. 11A-14B  show, the device  100  only requires movement of the cam member  142  generally in one direction. Because the cam member  142  is retained within the channel  122 , the translation of the rotational movement of the cam member  142  along the arm  144  to the gripping section  154  is done easily and smoothly. Competing forces in different directions are minimized as the device  100  operates, thereby allowing easy extension and retraction of the device  100 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 15  shows a close-up side view of the device  100 , with the gripping section  154  partially extended. The cam member  142  slides upwardly and downwardly along the arm  144 , positioned on the attachment ring. The channel  112  located in the support ring  110  further keeps the gripping section  154  and the cam member  142  properly aligned. The arrangement of the pulleys  182 ,  184  and the belt  186  allow for easy movement of the various section of the gripping section  154 . Thus, the upward and downward movement of the cam member  142 , in combination with the grooved arm  144 , provides the necessary sideways movement so that the device will work as a gripping device  100 , without burdensome attachment and securing means needed for coupling or joining the device onto or with the tire  10 . 
         [0053]    The gripping section  154  could be moved into and out of engagement in various fashions. It is understood that any arrangement that will allow extension and retraction of the gripping section  154  as discussed will fall within the scope of the present invention. For instance, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, or other linkage or pulley arrangements could be incorporated into the movement of the device  100 . 
         [0054]    As previously noted, the device  100  can be actuated by any various types of arrangement, such as pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, or mechanical means, or combinations thereof. Similarly, the cam and linkage system could be arranged differently and still fall within the system. For instance, it could be possible to use a system that incorporates gears rather than the pulley arrangement discussed above, or possibly a system that relies on pulleys and such rather than the cam arrangement. Also, the arms  144  could be of other designs than shown in the drawings and still fall within the scope of the invention. Provided that a traction device is provided that can be mounted on the wheel of a tire for an extended duration and is actuatable to engage the outside of the tire and, also, be reversed to disengage the tire, the device should fall within the scope of the invention. 
         [0055]    The device is preferably activated with a remote control system, and preferably activated while someone is within the vehicle. That is, the control box  102  (see  FIGS. 11A-14B ) will be activated remotely to provide the necessary movement for the support ring  110  and the attachment ring  130  with respect to one another. Thus, a person would mount the device  100  on the wheel of a tire and not have to remove it for an extended time, without deleterious effects on the drive system of the vehicle. The device  30  could be mounted on the wheel of the tire at the beginning of winter and left on until the end of winter. The control box  102  could also be directly connected to an electronic stability control system, wherein the device  30  could be automatically deployed if necessary. 
         [0056]      FIG. 16  provides a further embodiment  200  of a traction device according to the present invention. The traction device  200  comprises a support ring  210  having a plurality of arms  244  connected from the support ring  210  to a central hub  232 . The central hub  232  is connected to an adaptor  240 , which allows the device  200  to be rotatably attached to the wheel of the tire  10 . The adaptor  240  and the support ring  210  can be connected as previously described. The support ring  210  also supports a plurality of gripping sections  254  that will come into gripping contact with the tire  10 , as with the other embodiments of the traction device of the present invention. Similarly to the arms  144  of the previous embodiment, the support ring  210  and the arms  244  provide means for connecting the gripping sections to the central hub  232 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 17  shows the traction device  200  in a slightly extended position. As the adaptor  240  rotates, a pulley system  260  will turn around the adaptor  240 , thereby extending the gripping sections  254 , which are rotatably connected to the support ring  210 . The pulley system  260  will work similarly to the pulley arrangement described with respect to  FIGS. 8-10 . While one pulley system  260  is shown, it is understood that a pulley system would be used with each of the gripping sections. Rotating the adaptor  240  in the opposite direction will cause the gripping sections  254  to retract, just as with the previous embodiments. Each of the gripping sections  254  are capable of moving with a pulley system  260 , just as is demonstrated with the individual pulley system  260  shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 18  shows the gripping sections  254  extended outwardly to engage the tread area  14  with a contact surface  260 , as was described with the previous embodiments. Thus, the traction device  200  provides an alternate arrangement then what was is shown in the previous Figures, but still displays the features of the present invention. The reversible means for moving the gripping sections from a stored position to a contacting position have been demonstrated as being possibly different structures. Likewise, the gripping structures can be connected to the central hub and/or adaptor with different arrangements.  FIGS. 16-18  demonstrate a traction device that can move from a stored position to a position in contact with tire, without the device needing to be removed from the wheel of the tire, and without the device needing to be adjusted so that the gripping sections of the device properly engage the tire. 
         [0059]    The present invention could be sold as an after market device to be used on existing vehicle wheels or sold integral with the vehicle on its wheels, or sold with aftermarket wheels, with the device directly incorporated with wheels. Likewise, the present invention could be used in connection with an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, so that it is automatically deployed during necessary driving conditions. The dimensions of the traction device could be altered, as well, so that the device can be used on varying tire and axle arrangements. For example, the gripping sections of the device could be shortened so that the device could be used on the inner wheels and tires of parallel or dual tire arrangements, which are common on semis and other heavy duty vehicles. 
         [0060]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.