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US3918638A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

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Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-08-12
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-08-12
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Abstract

Abstract My invention relates to a device for providing additional traction and grip for aiding an automobile which has been disabled by a rut or a slippery road surface or stuck in mud, sand or snow. The device provides a belt having a wedge-shaped appendage at one end so that, if the belt is pulled under the wheel, the spinning is reduced or stopped, and the wedge provides additional traction and lift to free the automobile.

Inventors

  • 👤 Charles M Nelson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 06:44
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F7/00; B66F7/24; B66F7/243; B60; B60B; B60B39/00; B60B39/02; B60B39/12

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 125 words
Traction-enhancing apparatus for providing improved traction between a vehicle drive wheel and a wheel rut in a ground surface, comprising: a belt, a first end of which may be inserted between said drive wheel and said ground surface, to provide additional traction between said wheel and said ground surface; and wedge shaped means attached to a second end of said belt to provide both additional traction between said ground surface and said drive wheel and elevation of said drive wheel to lift it from the ground surface to a height which is substantially greater than the thickness of said belt when said belt is drawn under said drive wheel due to relative slippage between the ground surface side of said belt and said ground surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 125 words
Traction-enhancing apparatus for providing improved traction between a vehicle drive wheel and a wheel rut in a ground surface, comprising: a belt, a first end of which may be inserted between said drive wheel and said ground surface, to provide additional traction between said wheel and said ground surface; and wedge shaped means attached to a second end of said belt to provide both additional traction between said ground surface and said drive wheel and elevation of said drive wheel to lift it from the ground surface to a height which is substantially greater than the thickness of said belt when said belt is drawn under said drive wheel due to relative slippage between the ground surface side of said belt and said ground surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
Apparatus of the class described in claim 1 wherein said means has a triangular cross-section which is drawn under said wheel by relative motion between said wheel and said traction-enhancing apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 33 words
Apparatus of the class described in claim 1 wherein said first end of said belt is tapered to provide a tongue for insertion under said wheel prior to use of said traction-enhancing apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 39 words
Apparatus of the class described in claim 1 wherein said means is a right-angle bracket connected to said second end of said belt and disposed for normal operation with the open end of said bracket facing said road surface.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 95 words
A device useful for providing traction for a vehicle disabled by lack of traction between a drive wheel and a ground surface, said device comprising: a flexible sheet of material; and a wedge attached to one end of said flexible sheet such that insertion of the other end of said flexible sheet under a vehicle wheel causes relative translation of said flexible sheet with respect to said wheel and draws the wedge under said wheel to lift and provide traction for the wheel to permit the vehicle to move forward relative to said ground surface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 95 words
A device useful for providing traction for a vehicle disabled by lack of traction between a drive wheel and a ground surface, said device comprising: a flexible sheet of material; and a wedge attached to one end of said flexible sheet such that insertion of the other end of said flexible sheet under a vehicle wheel causes relative translation of said flexible sheet with respect to said wheel and draws the wedge under said wheel to lift and provide traction for the wheel to permit the vehicle to move forward relative to said ground surface.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2746571A Cited
US2810459A Cited
US3289939A Cited
US3357639A Cited
US3512613A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1978-11-10 1979-05-12 1979-11-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1982-11-10 1983-05-12 1983-11-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1986-11-10 1987-05-12 1987-11-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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