Rain, mud, snow, ice and sand.

These are the problems.

GoClaws.

They are the solution.

Many people may not be aware that roughly 80 percent of the United States is required to use some sort of a chain on tires during certain times of the year.

This applies mainly to emergency vehicles — but that’s a lot of tires.

“These people have to go out in bad weather. And it’s always snowing or raining or something someplace in the world,” said Tony Bright, chief executive officer, inventor and founder of FLEX-TRAX Advanced Traction Systems GoClaws.

Plus, there are deserts with lots of sand and dirt being drenched with lots of rain to make lots of mud. And all the people who live there need to get around in them and through them.

“I knew there was a large demand.”

What about regular folks who just want to feel safe while driving through rain, mud, snow and ice or even sand? Some of them feel or would feel safer using chains, but don’t like the hassle.

But chains don’t always work.

“I’ve overcome all the problems inherent with tire chains,” Bright said.

Bright, a mechanical engineer by trade, as well as an East Tennesee native son and a father of 12, thought of this ‘Bright’ idea during a trip to an auto parts store.

After almost 10 years, Bright developed what he has called a revolutionary product: GoClaws.

“GoClaws can be put on your tires in minutes without moving or jacking up the vehicle, even while stuck,” Bright said. “It’s the latest and best scientific approach to avoid being stuck in heavy snow, mud or sand, while providing for improved traction during hazardous driving conditions.

“The high-performance, patented product also features dual, zinc-coated corrosion-resistant fastener pins and carries a five-year limited warranty. This durable design has been test proven with many years of rigorous in-field testing and actual use by thousands of satisfied customers in North America.”

GoClaws are manufactured from tough, long-wearing thermoplastic polyurethane that was designed to treat a vehicle and its tires gingerly — plus, no rust problems. With 200 miles of on-road miles, over partially snow-covered roads carrying the weight of a 12,000-pound armored Hummer, they successfully passed whatever tests were asked of them.

However, they are also tough enough to drive on dry, hot pavement with little wear and tear. The unique diamond-shape design automatically exerts a side force onto the GoClaws to recenter them on the tire treads. In addition, GoClaws also do not damage the road, so they can be used where regular snow chains are illegal.

The self-cleaning chambers also deposit, pressurize and then release the load in conjunction with the centrifugal force caused by rotation of the tire, according to Bright.

“More importantly, GoClaws offers the user another even more important benefit,” Bright said. “It offers the user peace of mind.”

Bright still remembers when he sold his first load of GoClaws to the Chattanooga Police Department. Since then, he has gotten orders from across the globe.

In fact, his invention was so innovative, another company bought his six years ago — only a year after Bright started it.

As a parent, an inventor, an artist, it’s difficult to see your child, your creation, your vision leave home and go out into the world, he said. So, Bright kept a close eye on his creation.

In the six years he’s been watching his “baby,” Bright didn’t like what he saw.

Unfortunately, this same company that bought Bright out just wasn’t able to market GoClaws properly enough — at least as far as Bright was concerned.

“I couldn’t see my brainchild abused,” Bright said.

So, within the past month, Bright bought the company back and is now starting a brand new marketing campaign for his first model geared for use on big trucks — trucks as big as tandem tractor-trailers.

Organizations like police departments, fleet transportation companies, courier services, even companies like tree trimmers, are the perfect customers for his initial innovative product.

But Bright also is introducing a newer model made specifically for smaller vehicles, such as consumer cars, as well as for light trucks.

GoClaws is now available in three sizes of tires from consumer to commercial vehicles. One box contains eight traction (Trax) devices for fleet sizes and six Trax for smaller sizes. These boxed sets will provide traction for two drive wheels.

The newest model now available is even smaller and easier to use, specifically made for compact cars with a tight wheel clearance in September.

“The newer size fits all the front-wheel drive vehicles on the road,” he said.

He plans to sell as many of his products in the next year as the previous company sold in all six years they were selling GoClaws.

In fact, by this time next year, Bright plans on hiring a dozen more employees. In three to five years, 40 to 50 more employees.

And Bright has several more inventions in mind as well.

“We have a lot of plans for expansion,” he said. “I’m not a one-trick pony.”

For more information, check out the website www.flextrax.com or call 800-788-9912.