Abstract: A system is provided for retractably deploying enhanced traction of a wheel having a tread and an axis of rotation. The system includes a set of grippers, each gripper having a cleat and a radially disposed strut. The system further includes a set of strut mounts, each strut mount coupled to one of the struts, the strut mount configured to support motion of its corresponding strut between a parked position and an engaged position, wherein, in the engaged position of such strut, the corresponding cleat is axially disposed and engaged against the tread of the wheel and, in the parked position of such strut, the corresponding cleat is disengaged from the tread of the wheel. The system further includes a cleat deployment mechanism, coupled to the struts, configured on actuation to cause automatic deployment of the struts into the engaged position.

Abstract: A snow chain system that attaches to the frame of a semi-truck and/or trailer, or a large commercial construction vehicle. The system includes a removable chain box, a chain barrel, a chain spreader, flashlight driver notification, a drag brake, a box swivel, and tire clamp. The snow chain is rolled out of the chain box directly onto a tire tightly with minimal human involvement. It provides for installed a tight snow chain onto the tire when rollout of the snow chain to the tire is completed. After snow chain use, it rolls up manually back into the chain box and is ready for immediate service should another need arise. All necessary equipment is organized, helping the driver with safety concerns.

Abstract: A unit for rapid deployment and retraction of chain traction systems for vehicles includes a pneumatic cylinder having a cylindrical chamber enclosing a piston that is pneumatically-movable bidirectionally. A control rod coupled at one end to the piston passes through an end of the chamber and is coupled to a rack linearly movable within a sealed, grease-containing case. The rack is formed from a series of equally-spaced roller pins secured between parallel walls of a rack frame. The roller pins of the rack engage a sprocket affixed to a rotatable shaft to which is rigidly coupled an actuator arm of the rapidly-deployable vehicle ice and snow chain traction system. As the rack is moved back and forth, the actuator arm swings through an arc that—depending on the displacement of the control rod and the length of the rack, can be greater than 180 degrees.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling a wheel of large mass from a storage position to enable its mounting onto the hub of a vehicle, wherein the method includes placing a tire in a handling device having two ends which are of substantially equal length, the length being longer than the perimeter of the wheel, between two ends of the handling device, bringing together the ends of the handling device so as to imprison the wheel within the handling device, and hooking the ends of the handling device into a handling and lifting device.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention provide an automatic tire chain system for driving the vehicle on snowy roads. The automatic tire chain system includes a first cog wheel, a main cogwheel, a small cog wheel, an arm cog wheel, an electromagnetic motor, a plurality of chains connected to the arm cog wheel and a button. A pressing operation of the button provides for transferring a circular force to the main cog wheel thereby the first cog wheel transfers the circular force from the tire to the main cog wheel. Further the main cog wheel transfers the circular force to the arm cog wheel and the small cog wheel which in turn causes the plurality of chains either to open or get accumulated automatically.

Abstract: In an anti-skid device having lengths of chain which can be thrown under a vehicle wheel by means of a rotary plate which is arranged at the end of a pivotable extension arm (5), a drive unit having a piston (16) which is arranged in a cylinder (11) and whose movements are transmitted by a thrust chain (22) which assumes the function of the piston rod, to a drive pinion (29) whose shaft bears the extension arm (5) is used to apply the pivoting movement to the extension arm (5).

Abstract: A tire chain installation tool comprises an elongated member that is connectable to a traction chain or other traction device and that acts as an extension and guide for leading or pulling the traction chain onto a tire. The tool receives one end of the tire traction chain, and an elongated belt of the tool is placed around the tread surface of a vehicle tire. Upon rotation of the tire due to movement of the vehicle, friction between the tire and belt (and capture of the belt between the tire and the ground/road) cause the belt and hence the tire traction chain, to be drawn around the circumference of the vehicle tire. Thus, the traction chain is placed in good position to be fastened without the struggle and discomfort frequently associated with installing chains on a vehicle. The preferred belt is easier to lift and manipulate than the traction chain and does not need to be positioned or manipulated in the space behind the tire (away from the user) or in the space between dual tires.

Abstract: A snow chain mechanism for easily applying snow chains to the wheels of a vehicle and dismounting the snow chains therefrom. The mechanism includes a chain assembly mounted with a plurality of chains rotated by a chain assembly driving unit mounted to an axle of a vehicle via a bracket. Also included is a control unit for controlling the chain assembly driving unit, thereby allowing the chains to be positioned between the wheels and road bed when the driver commands the snow chain mechanism to operate once the vehicle has been started.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing tire chains including a support and a spool rotatably mounted to the support for rotation about a rotational axis. The support is attached to a vehicle. A tire chain is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end is detachably secured to the spool. When the spool rotates in a first direction the tire chain is wound onto the spool. When the spool is rotated in a second direction tire chain is fed from the spool. The second end of the tire chain is secured to a tire. As the tire rotates, tire chain is drawn from the spool and wrapped around the tire.

Abstract: The invention concerns a clamping device for a nonskid tire chain with a housing and an actuation member, which has a lock-in position, in which a clamping cord which can be pulled into the housing through an opening in the housing, can be blocked counter to its clamping direction, as well as a release position, in which the blocking is canceled, and the clamping cord within the housing is connected to a winding roller preclamped in the winding-up direction, which [roller] is mounted so that it can rotate around its axis, whereby a ratchet wheel at the winding roller is provided with at least one spring-loaded safety catch assigned to it, and a second ratchet wheel is provided with a spring-loaded safety catch assigned to it, and the two ratchet wheels are joined with one another in a way that resists rotation, whereby the blocking directions of the ratchet wheels are opposite directions, and the spring-loaded safety catches of the first or the second ratchet wheel can be engaged reciprocally with t

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing tire chains including a support and a spool rotatably mounted to the support for rotation about a rotational axis. The support is attached to a vehicle. A tire chain is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end is detachably secured to the spool. When the spool rotates in a first direction the tire chain is wound onto the spool. When the spool is rotated in a second direction tire chain is fed from the spool. The second end of the tire chain is secured to a tire. As the tire rotates, tire chain is drawn from the spool and wrapped around the tire.

Abstract: In an anti-skid device for motor vehicles, having a plurality of chain strands (10) distributed over the periphery of a holder (4), which holder can be set into a rotational motion, the holder exhibits a hub (6) having a ring collar (11). The ring collar (11) is surrounded by the ring bar (ring web) (18) of a friction wheel (7). Two plates (14, 15) of a pair of clamping plates are pressed by screw connections (16) against the side faces of the ring collar (11) and of the ring bar. The lower plate (15) is provided with slots (18) through which the ends of end links (20) of the chain strands (10) protrude into chambers (19) disposed in the ring bar (8) of the friction wheel. The anchorage of the end 1 inks (20) in the chambers (19) is here served by bolts (21).

Abstract: A chain-carrying pulley (1) is journalled on a shaft (3) fastened to an arm (4) pivotally connected to another arm (5) which in turn is rigidly fastened to the rear axle casing (6) of a vehicle. An inflatable bellows (7) extends between the arms. When inflated, for instance by pressurized air, the bellows displaces the movable arm (4) from a folded position relative to arm (5) bringing the pulley (1) into contact with the wheel. The pulley is returned to a storage position by springs (10) joined to the arms when the bellows is deflated.

Abstract: Device and method utilizing a fixed assembly attachable to a vehicle wheel back support plate, and a journaled, rotatable assembly carrying a track which may be deployed to engage and rotate with the wheel, or retracted for stable storage. The track is supported by leading and trailing arms carried on the rotatable assembly of the device, which arms in turn are movable concentrically to the device journal to expand the track around the tire and move inwardly upon completion of the track expansion to encircle the tire. Tracks utilizing linkages and rigid traction bars, or resilient members may be employed. Deployment and retraction power may be manual or provided by springs preloadable utilizing the rotational energy of the wheel, by fluid means, i.e. hydraulic vacuum and pneumatic, or by electric power, with the deployment and retraction being powered by a common means, or with the two movements or portions thereof being powered by a combination of power means.

Abstract: Vehicular road traction apparatus feeds a traction portion of an endless chain between a tire and the road surface and a recirculating portion of the chain is picked up aft of the tire and fed into a conduit which conducts it back to a point fore of the tire where it is fed continuously under the tire as the traction portion. The conduit is supported in position by arms and pivot pins so that the conduit may be moved between the aforesaid feeding position to a non-feeding position where the chain is held away from the tire. A cable moves the conduit between the two positions. The conduit may be hinged midway in its length so as to move its feeding and pick-up ends farther apart to stretch the chain taut in the non-feeding position. The conduit may be located outside or inside the tire. When located inside the tire, a skid plate and guide bar assist the supporting means to locate the feeding end of the conduit in proper feeding position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing selectively engageable and disengageable traction surface, on the periphery of a vehicle wheel by means of an apparatus mounted to a fixed portion of a vehicle, selective positioning of a journalled outer portion of the apparatus to engage and rotate with the outer, or tire, portion of the wheel, or, alternatively, to retract to a stored inactive position. The apparatus further provides for positive deployment with spring-loaded extension pressure, accommodation of localized variations in diameter and resilient mounting of traction bars.

Abstract: An adjustable rear bumper mounted device for installing and removing tire chains from vehicles. The device is secured at one end to the rear bumper or similar portion of the car, and carries an elongated belt, webbing or the like wrapped and wound up on a take-up reel which is under spring bias tension. The outer end of the belt is fastened to the rear end of the tire chain, while the front end of the tire chain is fastened releasably to wheel clamps, so that as the car is moved forwardly, the tire chain is wound about the tire for being secured together at its ends when the rotation is completed. The wheel clamps may be either magnetic for holding the end of the tire chain to each side of the ferrous steel wheel, or "H" shaped to clamp onto spokes of "Mag" type wheels.