Patent ID: 7506729

Claim:
A rapidly-deployable chain traction system comprising: a sealed housing having an input and output apertures; an electric drive motor, having reversible rotational output, secured to said housing and having an armature shaft extending through the input aperture; an intermediate drive shaft rotatably mounted within said sealed housing; a speed-reduction gear train interposed between said armature shaft and said spring-loaded clutch; a worm axially installed on said intermediate drive shaft; an output shaft rotatably mounted within said sealed housing and extending through said output aperture; a deployment arm coupled to a portion of said output shaft that is external to said sealed housing, said deployment arm having rotatably mounted thereto a friction drive disc, said friction drive disc having peripherally attached thereto a plurality of chain segments; a worm gear coupled to said output shaft, which meshes with the worm on said intermediate drive shaft, rotational movement of said worm imparting rotational movement to said output shaft; a shock damper coupled to said output shaft, which mitigates shock loads applied to the worm and worm gear, said shock loads associated with rotational moments of the deployment arm caused primarily by uneven road surfaces; and means for limiting torque applied to said output shaft by said electric motor.