Patent ID: 7850252

Claim:
A system for increasing traction of a wheeled vehicle in loose terrain, comprising: a traction-assist device having a proximal portion configured to abut a tire of a vehicle and one or more traction features presented on an outer surface of the traction-assist device between the proximal portion and a distal portion, the traction features presented on the outer surface having an effective diameter relative to an axis of the tire that is less than an overall diameter of the tire, the traction features retained at least partly by the proximal portion abutting the tire of the vehicle; and structure within an inner portion of the traction assist device adapted to enable releasable coupling of the traction-assist device to a wheel hub of the vehicle, wherein at least the one or more traction features are configured to engage with terrain during operation of the vehicle in loose terrain and to not engage with terrain during operation of the vehicle on normal terrain.