Patent ID: 8061397

Claim:
A tightening system for use in anti-skid and traction enhancement devices, comprising: an anti-skid device comprising at least three, separate u-shaped contact members, each contact member having a pair of triangular shoulder portions situated on opposing surfaces of a vehicle wheel, the triangular shoulder portions being connected by a rectangular gripping portion abutting treads of the wheel; a central node ( 111 , 112 , 113 ) which is located on a principle axis of an axle of the wheel, said central node having a plurality of arms integrally formed thereon and only extending away from an outer circumferential surface of the central node and a corresponding plurality of extensions extending from a free end of a corresponding arm adapted to fasten and tighten a plurality of radially extending straps around a periphery of said central node and being free of any connection to the wheel; and a plurality of radially extending flexible straps, which are attached to tips of the triangular shoulder portions at their first ends and are directly attached to the extensions extending from the free ends of the arms of said central node ( 111 , 112 , 113 ) at their second ends, wherein said flexible straps are bent and passed through a corresponding buckle ( 32 ) for tightening said surface contact members in a radial direction, wherein said straps are provided with ratchet teeth ( 30 ) along at least one of their surfaces, and said buckle ( 32 ) has a driving thumb ( 36 ) which, when pulled in a first direction, adjusts a tightness of each strap and said each strap is prevented from reverse movement by a tooth ( 38 ) and a pawl ( 37 ) of said buckle ( 32 ).