Tire traction enhancement system and method of use

Abstract

A tire traction enhancement system and method of use are provided. In one form, a tire traction enhancement system includes a standard vehicle tire including perforations along the standard vehicle tire tread. The tire traction enhancement system further includes a first annular inner tube running substantially the inner circumference of the standard vehicle tire and a second annular inner tube between the first annular inner tube and the outer circumference of the standard vehicle tire. The second annular inner tube further includes a plurality of studs fastened to the outer circumference of the second inner tube and fastened to the perforations along the standard vehicle tire tread.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a tire traction enhancement system in accordance with one aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of a tire traction enhancement system in accordance with one aspect of the invention.

Claims

1. A tire traction enhancement system comprising: a standard vehicle tire including an inner circumference, an outer circumference, standard vehicle tire side walls, standard vehicle tire tread, and perforations along the standard vehicle tire tread;a first annular inner tube running substantially along the inside inner circumference of the standard vehicle tire; anda stud extension and retraction system, operable to extend and retract a plurality of studs through the perorations along the standard vehicle tire tread.

2. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 1, wherein the stud extension and retraction system further comprises a second annular inner tube running substantially between the outer circumference of the first annular inner tube and the outer circumference of the standard vehicle tire.

3. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 1, wherein the stud extension and retraction system further comprises a plurality of studs fastened to the second annular inner tube and fastened to the perforations along the standard vehicle tire tread.

4. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 2, wherein the stud extension and retraction system further comprises a circular wire structure fastened to the second annular inner tube and operable to guide the studs through the perforations during an extension or retraction of the studs.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the tire traction enhancement system further includes the second annular inner tube deflated during normal use, operable to maintain the studs in a retracted position.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the tire traction enhancement system further includes the second annular inner tube inflated during normal use, operable to maintain the studs in an extended position.

7. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 2, wherein the stud extension and retraction system may be activated by manually inflating the second annular inner tube.

8. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 2, wherein the stud extension and retraction system may be activated by automatically inflating the second annular inner tube by activating a switch inside the vehicle.

9. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 2, wherein the stud extension and retraction system may be activated by automatically inflating the second annular inner tube in response to a sensor detecting wheel slippage.

10. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 2, wherein the stud extension and retraction system may extend the studs to a plurality of positions.

11. A tire traction enhancement system comprising: a standard vehicle tire including an inner circumference, an outer circumference, standard vehicle tire side walls, standard vehicle tire tread, and perforations along the standard vehicle tire tread;a first annular inner tube running substantially outside the inner circumference of the standard vehicle tire;a second annular inner tube running substantially outside the outer circumference of the first annular inner tube and inside the outer circumference of the standard vehicle tire; anda plurality of studs fastened to the outer circumference of the second annular inner tube and fastened to the perforations along the standard vehicle tire tread.

12. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 11, wherein the standard vehicle tire tread comprises a traction enhancing tire tread.

13. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 11, wherein the studs comprise a durable metal.

14. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 11, wherein the studs comprise a non-corrosive material.

15. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 11, wherein the studs can accept and retain coloring.

16. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 11, wherein the studs are stored in a manner to prevent puncture of the second annular inner tube when stored in a retracted position.

17. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 11, wherein the perforations further comprise a seal, operable to prevent liquids or solids from entering the tire while the studs are in a retracted or extended position.

18. A tire traction enhancement system comprising: a standard vehicle tire including an inner circumference, an outer circumference, an inner diameter, an outer diameter, an inner cavity, standard vehicle tire side walls, standard vehicle tire tread, and perforations along the standard vehicle tire tread;a first annular inner tube running substantially along the inside of the inner circumference of the standard vehicle tire;a second annular inner tube running substantially outside the outer circumference of the first inner tube and inside the outer circumference of the standard vehicle tire; anda plurality of studs fastened to the outer circumference of the second inner tube and fastened to the perforations along the standard vehicle tire tread.

19. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 18, wherein the second inner tube further includes a circular wire structure fastened to the second annular inner tube and plurality of studs, operable to enable the extension and retraction of the studs through the perforations along the standard vehicle tire tread.

20. The tire traction enhancement system of claim 18, wherein an inflation of the second annular inner tube is operable to provide an extension of the plurality of studs outside the surface of the standard vehicle tire tread, and a deflation of the second annular inner tube is operable to provide a retraction of the plurality of studs within the surface of the standard vehicle tire tread.