Traction device for vehicles

Claim 1

An auxiliary traction device for a wheeled vehicle, comprising (a) a pair of parallel, spaced auxiliary axles rotatably connected with the vehicle and arranged between and parallel with the axles of the vehicle; (b) a plurality of spaced sprockets connected for rotation with each of said auxiliary axles; (c) a plurality of endless chains connected with corresponding pairs of sprockets between said pair of auxiliary axles, the plane containing the lower portion of said endless chains being vertically spaced above the plane containing the lowermost portion of the vehicle wheels; (d) a plurality of ground-engaging means extending transversely across and removably connected with said endless chains; (e) drive means connected with one of said auxiliary axles for rotating said axle to drive said chains, said drive means including (1) an auxiliary motor; and (2) drive chain means connected between said auxiliary motor and said one axle; and (f) adjustable bearing means connecting the other of said axles with said vehicle, said adjustable bearing means being operable to vary the spacing between said pair of auxiliary axles in order to control the tension of said plurality of endless chains, whereby when the wheels of the vehicle enter a rut and said ground engaging means engage the ground adjacent the rut, said auxiliary motor is actuated to drive said one axle, thereby driving said endless chains with said ground engaging means providing additional traction to the vehicle to propel it from the rut relative to the ground.