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US 10,106,000 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for increasing the traction of vehicle wheels
AssigneeEzas, LLC
InventorMichael D. Curry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tire traction device can include a strap configured to extend around at least a portion of a vehicle tire; and a traction plate. The traction plate can have a lower surface adapted to sit on a circumferential portion of the vehicle tire, an upper surface opposite to the lower surface, a channel configured to receive the strap, and one or more paddles extending upward from the upper surface. Other features, embodiments, and kits, and related methods are also described.
Claims25
A tire traction device, comprising:
- a strap configured to extend around at least a portion of a vehicle tire;
- a rigid traction plate having a lower surface adapted to sit on a circumferential portion of the vehicle tire, a flat upper surface opposite to the lower surface, a channel configured to receive the strap, and first and second paddles extending upward from the flat upper surface, the first and second paddles located on opposite sides of the flat upper surface and extending parallel with the channel;
- a first gusset extending from the flat upper surface to the first paddle;
- and a second gusset extending from the flat upper surface to the second paddle.
1 more element
A tire traction device, comprising:
- a strap configured to extend around at least a portion of a vehicle tire;
- and
- a traction plate having a lower surface adapted to sit on a circumferential portion of the vehicle tire, an upper surface opposite to the lower surface, a channel configured to receive the strap, and one or more paddles extending upward from the upper surface,
- wherein the one or more paddles comprise a first paddle and a second paddle, and-each of the first and second paddle has a generally triangular cross-section, and
- wherein the first paddle defines a cross-section that is different than the second paddle.
2 more elements
A tire traction device, comprising:
- a strap configured to extend around at least a portion of a vehicle tire;
- and
- a traction plate having a lower surface adapted to sit on a circumferential portion of the vehicle tire, an upper surface opposite to the lower surface, a channel configured to receive the strap, and one or more paddles extending upward from the upper surface,
- wherein the one or more paddles comprises a first paddle and a second paddle, and each of the first and second paddles has a generally triangular cross-section, and
- wherein the first paddle defines a first height substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the traction plate, the second paddle defines a second height substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the traction plate, and the second height is larger than the first height.
2 more elements
A tire traction device, comprising:
- a strap configured to extend around at least a portion of a vehicle tire;
- a traction plate having a lower surface adapted to sit on a circumferential portion of the vehicle tire, an upper surface opposite to the lower surface, a channel configured to receive the strap, and one or more paddles extending upward from the upper surface;
- first and second grooves extending substantially parallel to the channel;
- and
- an extension member including first and second tongues adapted to slidably engage the first and second grooves, respectively, and an upper surface having one or more paddles extending upward from the upper surface.
2 more elements
A tire traction device, comprising:
- a strap configured to extend around at least a portion of a vehicle tire;
- a traction plate having a lower surface adapted to sit on a circumferential portion of the vehicle tire, an upper surface opposite to the lower surface, a channel configured to receive the strap, and one or more paddles extending upward from the upper surface;
- first and second grooves extending substantially parallel to the channel;
- and
- a first slide insert having a slide tongue adapted to slidably engage the first groove.
2 more elements
A tire traction kit, comprising:
- a strap configured to extend around at least a portion of a vehicle tire;
- a traction plate having a lower surface adapted to sit on a circumferential portion of the vehicle tire, an upper surface opposite to the lower surface, a channel configured to receive the strap, and one or more paddles extending upward from the upper surface;
- a second traction plate having a second lower surface adapted to sit on the circumferential portion of the vehicle tire, a second upper surface opposite to the second lower surface, a second channel configured to receive the strap, and one or more paddles extending upward from the second upper surface;
- and
- an extension member adapted to couple the second traction plate to the traction plate.
2 more elements
A method of attaching a tire traction device to a vehicle tire, comprising:
- placing a strap through a channel in a traction plate;
- placing the traction plate on a circumferential portion of the vehicle tire;
- wrapping the strap around a portion of the vehicle tire and through a rim of the vehicle tire;
- and
- tightening the strap,
- wherein the traction plate has a first paddle and a second paddle, each of the first and second paddles has a generally triangular cross-section, and
- wherein the first paddle defines a first height substantially perpendicular to a lower surface of the traction plate, the second paddle defines a second height substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the traction plate, and the second height is larger than the first height.
4 more elements
A method of attaching a tire traction device to a vehicle tire, comprising:
- placing a strap through a channel in a traction plate;
- placing the traction plate on a circumferential portion of the vehicle tire;
- wrapping the strap around a portion of the vehicle tire and through a rim of the vehicle tire;
- tightening the strap;
- placing a second traction plate on the circumferential portion of the vehicle tire;
- coupling the second traction plate to the traction plate using an extension member;
- and
- placing the strap through a second channel in the second traction plate.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.