Patent ID: 8444227

Claim:
A loose terrain traction assist device for wheeled vehicles, comprising: a generally frusto-conical structure having: a proximal portion with a diameter smaller than an overall diameter of a tire of a vehicle; a distal portion that extends outwardly from the tire along the central axis of the device; an outer surface defined between the proximal portion and the distal portion; and an outboard cavity extending generally between a mounting portion of the frusto-conical structure and the distal portion, the cavity opening outward from the mounting portion to the distal portion; and attachment means for releasably coupling the mounting portion of the frusto-conical structure to a wheel assembly of the vehicle, wherein the mounting portion is positionable proximate the wheel assembly and at least part of the attachment means are accessible when the traction assist device is coupled to the vehicle, such that at least part of the frusto-conical structure is adapted 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.