Patent ID: 8632138

Claim:
A traction assembly for use as a wheel replacement on a vehicle, the vehicle comprising at least one axle, the traction assembly comprising: a) a sprocket wheel configured to be mounted to the axle of the vehicle, the sprocket wheel comprising a sprocket wheel rotation axis; b) a longitudinally extending support frame defining a first end and a second end; c) at least one first idler wheel pivotally mounted at the first end of the support frame, the at least one first idler wheel comprising a first idler wheel rotation axis; d) at least one second idler wheel pivotally mounted at the second end of the support frame, the at least one second idler wheel comprising a second idler wheel rotation axis; e) a support arm defining a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally yet non-drivingly connected to the sprocket wheel, and the second end being pivotally connected to the support frame at a pivot point; f) a traction band disposed about the sprocket wheel, the at least one first idler wheel, and the at least one second idler wheel; wherein the support arm is pivotable between a first position and a second position; and wherein, in the first position, the sprocket wheel rotation axis is longitudinally located between the second idler wheel rotation axis and the pivot point, and in the second position, the sprocket wheel rotation axis is longitudinally located between the pivot point and the first idler wheel rotation axis.