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.

A tire bar having an elongated body 11. A traction section 12 is disposed at a first end of the elongated body 11. The traction section 12 is configured to be mounted over a tire tread on a vehicle wheel. The traction section 12 has an inner surface 14 configured to contact the treads of a wheel and an outer traction surface 2 configured to contact a driving surface. The inner surface 14 opposes the outer traction surface 2. A lug contact section 16 has a lug connector 1 configured to contact at least one lug nut on a wheel. The lug contact section 16 is configured to be movable along a length of the elongated body 11 to vary a distance between the lug section 16 and the traction section 12. A locking structure 4 is configured to lock the lug contact section 16 at a position on the elongated body 11. A method of unsticking a vehicle by rotating a wheel having the tire bar connected to the wheel.

A wheel having a hub and a circular ring is provided. The circular ring has a central axis, an outer surface having a first outer edge and a second outer edge, and a plurality of holes disposed on the outer surface. Additionally, the wheel has a plurality of spokes each being adapted to attach to both the hub and the circular ring, and each of the plurality of spokes being concaved and arranged in an alternating pattern. A plurality of lugs is disposed on the outer surface of the circular ring, and each of plurality of lugs has a first leg and a second leg, each extending from a center rib and a lug plate adapted to connect the first leg to the center rib.

A wheel having a plurality of lugs mounted in side-by-side positions forms a circular ring where each of the lugs has laterally extending legs forming a V-shape aligned with a rotational axis of the wheel. The lugs may have an outfacing rib aligned with the rotational axis and a further outfacing rib orthogonal to the rotational axis. A circular tensioning cord or strip may join the plurality of lugs. The lugs may be mutually offset around the circular ring in a sinusoidal pattern.

An adaptable wheel has a central hub, radial segments connected to the central hub at a proximal end and extending radially from the central hub, each radial segment having a linear actuator configured to change a length of the radial segment; a shoe connected to a distal end of the radial segment for contacting a surface being traversed by the wheel; and a locking mechanism for selectively preventing linear motion of the linear actuator. A control system for an adaptable wheel includes a distance sensor on a vehicle for determining distance to a surface in the path of the vehicle and a computer for receiving distance information from the distance sensor and, responsive to the distance information, determine a desired length of a segment of an adaptable wheel for maintaining a hub of a wheel level, and provide control signals to a linear actuator of the segment.

An adaptable wheel has a central hub, radial segments connected to the central hub at a proximal end and extending radially from the central hub, each radial segment having a linear actuator configured to change a length of the radial segment; a shoe connected to a distal end of the radial segment for contacting a surface being traversed by the wheel; and a locking mechanism for selectively preventing linear motion of the linear actuator. A control system for an adaptable wheel includes a distance sensor on a vehicle for determining distance to a surface in the path of the vehicle and a computer for receiving distance information from the distance sensor and, responsive to the distance information, determine a desired length of a segment of an adaptable wheel for maintaining a hub of a wheel level, and provide control signals to a linear actuator of the segment.

An apparatus providing auxiliary traction to a riding lawnmower or similarly light off-road vehicle having a drive wheel with a hub anchored to a drive axle. The apparatus generally includes at least one traction bar having a pair of traction ends equally spaced beyond the outer circumference of the wheel. The traction bar anchored to a carrier mounted to the hub of the drive wheel. A traction bar of variable length may be achieved by having two traction arms, one telescopically received within the other, with a length-locking means such as retainer pins inserted through aligned bores extending through the overlapping traction arms and the carrier mounted to the hub.

An apparatus providing auxiliary traction to a riding lawnmower or similarly light off-road vehicle having a drive wheel with a hub anchored to a drive axle. The apparatus generally includes at least one traction bar having a pair of traction ends equally spaced beyond the outer circumference of the wheel. The traction bar anchored to a carrier mounted to the hub of the drive wheel. A traction bar of variable length may be achieved by having two traction arms, one telescopically received within the other, with a length-locking means such as retainer pins inserted through aligned bores extending through the overlapping traction arms and the carrier mounted to the hub.

An adaptable wheel has a central hub, radial segments connected to the central hub at a proximal end and extending radially from the central hub, each radial segment having a linear actuator configured to change a length of the radial segment; a shoe connected to a distal end of the radial segment for contacting a surface being traversed by the wheel; and a locking mechanism for selectively preventing linear motion of the linear actuator. A control system for an adaptable wheel includes a distance sensor on a vehicle for determining distance to a surface in the path of the vehicle and a computer for receiving distance information from the distance sensor and, responsive to the distance information, determine a desired length of a segment of an adaptable wheel for maintaining a hub of a wheel level, and provide control signals to a linear actuator of the segment.

An adaptable wheel has a central hub, radial segments connected to the central hub at a proximal end and extending radially from the central hub, each radial segment having a linear actuator configured to change a length of the radial segment; a shoe connected to a distal end of the radial segment for contacting a surface being traversed by the wheel; and a locking mechanism for selectively preventing linear motion of the linear actuator. A control system for an adaptable wheel includes a distance sensor on a vehicle for determining distance to a surface in the path of the vehicle and a computer for receiving distance information from the distance sensor and, responsive to the distance information, determine a desired length of a segment of an adaptable wheel for maintaining a hub of a wheel level, and provide control signals to a linear actuator of the segment.