Various implementations include a wheelchair traction attachment device. The device includes a frame having an arcuately-shaped longitudinal axis, an inner surface, an outer surface opposite and spaced apart from the inner surface. The frame has a first edge extending between the inner and outer surfaces, and a second edge spaced apart from the first edge. At least a portion of the inner surface defines a channel. The device includes at least one first wheel-clip extending radially inwardly from the first edge of the frame relative to the arcuately-shaped longitudinal axis. The device includes at least one second wheel-clip extending radially inwardly from the second edge of the frame relative to the arcuately-shaped longitudinal axis. The device includes a traction portion disposed along at least a portion of the outer surface, the traction portion extending radially outwardly from the outer surface relative to the arcuately-shaped longitudinal axis.

A vehicle track system to increase the contact patch of the tires on a vehicle for use in sand, snow, or soft soil is disclosed. The vehicle track system is a quickly installed vulcanized rubber sections draped over the tire and secured with very strong over-center latches. The over center latches are used for closing the wrapped rubber track with some fine threaded adjustment and an over center clamp. Steel pins are used to link the individual track to tread together. The over center clamp is adjustable in length, allowing for fine tuning of the fit of the track on the tire. The vehicle track system works for almost any size tire and provides more width for dual wheels. The vehicle track system is easily installable and provides a large footprint that enables a vehicle to cross terrain.

A tire traction and vehicle turning device attaches to a tire of a vehicle to dislodge the vehicle from unfavorable ground conditions, such as snow, ice, or sand. The tire traction and vehicle turning device includes a tire-mounting body, a plurality of gripping treads, and a tie-down. The tire-mounting body attaches to a tire of the vehicle. The plurality of gripping treads provides a separate surface for the vehicle to gain traction due to differing coefficients of friction between the plurality of gripping treads and the grounds surface compared to the tire and the ground surface. The tie-down is positioned through the rim of the wheel to secure the tire-mounting body to the tire. As the tire is rotated, the tire traction and vehicle turning device is positioned between the ground surface and the tire, lifting the vehicle and propelling the vehicle in the direction the rotating tire is pointing.

Wheel hub adaptor (11) attachable to vehicle wheel to attach vehicle accessory for rotation with vehicle wheel, has an inner mounting plate (15) with recesses or apertures (17) to match a vehicle wheel stud pattern, a body (19) extending from the plate (15) to an outer mounting plate (27) having a mount to which the vehicle accessory attaches. The mount has apertures (65) which align with studs (75) on a mating mount of the vehicle accessory. The inner mounting plate and the outer mounting plate mount to the vehicle wheel and vehicle accessory respectively, by rotating apertures (17 65) to stop portions (35 71), and is secured by a bolt passing through one of two circular apertures (43 45) or (67 69). Vehicle accessories can be provided like a paddle to self-propel the vehicle in sand, and a wheel to widen the vehicle track.

A system is provided for retractably deploying traction of a wheel. The system includes a set of grippers, each gripper having a cleat and a radially disposed strut. The system further includes a set of first poles, each first pole coupled to one of the struts, the first pole configured to support motion of its corresponding strut between a parked position and an engaged position, wherein, in the engaged position, the corresponding cleat is axially disposed and engaged against the tread of the wheel and, in the parked position, the corresponding cleat is disengaged from the tread of the wheel. The system includes a first faceplate configured to rotate with the wheel. The system further includes a cleat deployment mechanism having a second faceplate rotatably coupled to the first faceplate, and a set of second poles, each second pole coupled to one of the struts and to the second faceplate.

A vehicle traction system that is operably coupled to a vehicle and is deployable to assist in providing improved traction on surfaces such as but not limited to snow or ice. The present invention includes a housing that is annular in diameter and mounted intermediate inner and outer dual wheel flanges. Movably coupled with the housing are a plurality of connection members. The connection members have secured thereto tractions pads. The connection members are configured to extend outward to place the traction pads in position to engage a surface on which the vehicle is superposed. The connection members include an engagement plate distally mounted from the traction pads. The connection members are configured to extend outward to place the traction pads in position to engage a surface on which the vehicle is superposed. The connection members include an engagement plate distally mounted from the traction pads. An air bladder is adjacent the engagement plate and is operable to transition the connection member to its second position. A biasing member is operably coupled with the connection member and is configured to return the connection member to its first position.

A traction sleeve roller featuring an inner roller and a secured outer traction sleeve that may be rotatably powered when operable to a motor. The outer traction sleeve may be radially offset from the inner roller by a plurality of supporting members positioned between the outer traction sleeve and the inner roller. The plurality of supporting members may secure a plurality of traction members about the inner roller. The plurality of traction members may have a plurality of traction points. A plurality of outer passages pass between the plurality of traction members. A plurality of inner passages pass between an interior surface of the outer traction sleeve and a surface of the inner roller. A foulant may be directed through the plurality of outer passages into the plurality of inner passages when the traction sleeve roller is engaged with a surface having fouling conditions.

A system is provided for retractably deploying traction of a wheel. The system includes a set of grippers, each gripper having a cleat and a radially disposed strut. The system further includes a set of first poles, each first pole coupled to one of the struts, the first pole configured to support motion of its corresponding strut between a parked position and an engaged position, wherein, in the engaged position, the corresponding cleat is axially disposed and engaged against the tread of the wheel and, in the parked position, the corresponding cleat is disengaged from the tread of the wheel. The system includes a first faceplate configured to rotate with the wheel. The system further includes a cleat deployment mechanism having a second faceplate rotatably coupled to the first faceplate, and a set of second poles, each second pole coupled to one of the struts and to the second faceplate.

A rolling element such as a wheel and wheel attachment or caterpillar type rolling element for improving support. A rolling element includes: a first support surface formed as a loop configured to roll on a substrate such that a region of the first support surface alternately contacts and separates from the substrate, a first extension running about the loop and disposed about the first support surface, wherein where the rolling element is disposed on the substrate and a load is applied thereto: in a first region of the loop where the first support surface is separate from the substrate the first extension extends beyond the first support surface, and in a second region of the loop where the first support surface contacts the substrate the first extension is deformed so as to form a second support surface which contacts the substrate.

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.