Abstract: A traction device including a stationary plate mounted to a housing of an associated drive wheel of a vehicle, with a rotary member mounted rotatably relative to the stationary plate, with spike members mounted relative to the rotary portion extensible upon actuation of an arcuate actuator plate extensible to effect contact, with contact head portions of each spike to effect radial projection of each spike. A medially positioned guide plate includes right and left cam surfaces to effect positioning of each contact head of each spike relative to the actuator plate.

Abstract: The traction device of the invention is for use with a vehicle wheel supported by lugs and having a tire. The traction device has a base with openings for the reception of at least two but less than all, the lugs for supporting the base. A plurality of spaced radial arms are supported by the base with each having an end adapted to extend beyond the outer periphery of the tire and protrude into an icy surface. Each of said ends is adapted to lie in a vertical plane adjacent to the outer side wall of the tire. The end of each arm may advantageously be free to move in and out while being spring biased outwardly, be threadably attached to the arm for movement inwardly and outwardly, or be pivotally connected to the arm for movement into and out of an operative position. The said ends may extend different distances beyond the outer periphery of the tire. Preferably, the base is secured on less than all of the lugs and has a bearing recess accommodating a nut on a lug to which the base is not secured.

Abstract: A traction-enhancing device for use with a drive wheel of an automotive vehicle comprises an annular disc mounted on the drive wheel axle inboard of the wheel for rotation therewith, at least one traction element rockably mounted on the inboard face of the disc and normally biased to a rest position, and an actuator mounted on the underside of the vehicle and remotely controlled from the vehicle instrument panel to enable an abutment member connected therewith to be selectively protracted into or retracted from the nadir of the path of revolving movement of a cam portion of the traction element with the disc. When the vehicle is trapped on a slippery surface, such as mud, snow or ice, and the drive wheels can only spin helplessly, the abutment member may be temporarily protracted toward the rotating annular disc, so that once during each full revolution of the wheel the cam portion of the traction element comes into engagement with and is drawn past the abutment member.

Abstract: This invention relates to push rod apparatus for propelling wheel chairs. Several different embodiments of the invention are disclosed. All the embodiments include a plurality of push rod mechanisms that provide the occupant with a means to propel a wheel chair in a forward and reverse direction. In addition, the push rod mechanisms of the various embodiments all include means to move the push rods away from and toward the center of the rear wheels of the wheel chair to which the push rods have been added. The push rods are extended away from the rear wheels of the wheel chair when in their uppermost position to place the push rods in a better position to be engaged by the occupant of the wheel chair and retract toward the center of the rear wheels in their lowermost position so that the push rods will not contact the surface on which the wheel chair is moving.