Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – Spoke
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-29
2001-03-06
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
Spoke
C301S079000, C301S095110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196638
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to bicycle wheels. More specifically, the present invention relates to unitary bicycle wheels that include a hub portion, a plurality of spoke portions and a rim portion.
2. Background Information
Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has also become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle. One particular component of bicycles that has been extensively redesigned over the past years is the bicycle wheel. Bicycle wheels are constantly being redesigned to be lightweight and more aerodynamic in design as well as to be simple to manufacture and assemble.
There are many different types of bicycle wheels, which are currently available on the market. The most basic bicycle wheels have a hub, a plurality of spokes and an annular rim. The hub is attached to a part of the frame of the bicycle for relative rotation. The spokes extend outwardly from the hub to the annular rim. The annular rim has a recess for supporting a pneumatic tire thereon. Typically, the spokes of the bicycle wheel were thin metal wire spokes. The ends of the hub are provided with a flange that is used to couple the spoke portions thereto. In particular, holes are provided in the hub flanges. The wire spokes are usually bent on their inner end and provided with a flange that is formed in the shape of a nail head. The inner end is supported in one of the holes in one of the hub flanges. The outer ends of the spokes typically are provided with threads for engaging spoke nipples that secure the outer ends of the wire spokes to the rim. In particular, the spoke nipples have flanges, which engage the interior surface of the rim.
With a spoke constructed in this manner, the nipple is installed in a nipple hole formed in the rim, the spoke is inserted through the hole of the hub flange with the flange of the inner end of the spoke engaging the hole of the hub flange. The male threads on the outer ends of the spokes are threaded into the female threads of the spoke nipples installed in the openings of the rim.
Recently, many new bicycle designs have been developed with increased strength, more aerodynamic designs or that are more lightweight. However, these prior art bicycle designs suffer many disadvantages. One major problem with these prior art designs is that most of these new designs are very expensive. Therefore, these expensive designs are limited to professional riders. Many of the newer bicycle wheels are unitary bicycle wheels. These unitary bicycle wheels have been designed to be are very durable. However, they can be very heavy. Moreover, many of these unitary designs are too rigid and do not provide a very comfortable ride. These unitary bicycle wheels are also typically very expensive. Accordingly, these prior art unitary bicycle wheels suffer from many disadvantages.
In view of the above, there exists a need for a bicycle wheel which overcomes the above mentioned problems in the prior art. This invention addresses this need in the prior art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wheel with a rim that has enhanced strength.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wheel with spokes that provide a shock absorbing function.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wheel with fewer spokes extending between the rim and the hub.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wheel, which is lightweight in design.
The foregoing objects can further be attained by providing a bicycle wheel, comprising a hub portion, a plurality of first spoke portions, a plurality of second spoke portions, an annular rim portion and a plurality of rib portions. The hub portion has an axial bore that is adapted to receive a hub assembly therein. The first spoke portions extend outwardly from the hub portion. Each of the first spoke portions has a first inner end coupled to the hub portion and a first outer end. The second spoke portions extend outwardly from the hub portion between the first spoke portions. Each of the second spoke portions has a second inner end coupled to the hub portion and a second outer end. The annular rim portion has an outer peripheral surface forming a recess adapted to receive a tire thereon and an inner peripheral surface coupled to the first and second outer ends of the first and second spoke portions. The first outer ends of the first spoke portions are circumferentially spaced by a first distance from an adjacent one of the second spoke portions located on one side and circumferentially spaced by a second distance from another adjacent one of the second spoke portions on the other side. The second distance is smaller than the first distance. The rib portions extend from the inner peripheral surface of the annular rim portion between at least some of adjacent pairs of the first and second spoke portions that are separated by the first distance. Each of the rib portions has a circumferential dimension extending between its ends and a radial dimension. The radial dimension of each of the rib portions increases in length as each of the rib portions extends from the ends to a middle rib section.
Also the foregoing objects can further be attained by providing a bicycle wheel, comprising a hub portion, a plurality of first spoke portions, a plurality of second spoke portions, an annular rim portion and a plurality of rib portions. A hub portion having an axial bore that is adapted to receive a hub assembly therein. The first spoke portions extend outwardly from the hub portion with each of the first spoke portions having a first inner end coupled to the hub portion, a first outer end, and a first middle section located between the first inner and first outer ends. The first middle section is configured with a first bent segment to decrease radial stiffness of the wheel and to allow the first spoke portions to bend in a circumference direction. The annular rim portion has an inner peripheral surface coupled to the outer ends of the first spoke portions and an outer peripheral surface adapted to receive a tire thereon. Also the foregoing objects can further be attained by providing a bicycle wheel, comprising a hub portion, a plurality of first spoke portions, a plurality of second spoke portions, an annular rim portion and a plurality of rib portions. The hub portion has an axial bore that is adapted to receive a hub assembly therein. The spoke portions extend outwardly from the hub portion with each of the spoke portions having an inner end coupled to the hub portion and an outer end. The annular rim portion has an outer peripheral surface forming a recess adapted to receive a tire thereon, first and second annular side surfaces coupled to the outer annular surface and an inner peripheral surface coupled to the outer ends of the spoke portions. The outer ends of the spoke portions are circumferentially spaced from adjacent the outer ends of the spoke portions. The rib portions extend from the inner peripheral surface of the annular rim portion between at least some of adjacent pairs of the spoke portions. Each of the rib portions has a circumferential dimension extending between its ends, a radial dimension and an axial thickness. The radial dimension of each of the rib portions increasing in length as each of the rib portions extend from the ends to a middle rib section.
Also the foregoing objects can further be attained by providing a bicycle wheel, comprising an outer annular surface, first and second annular side surfaces, an inner peripheral surface, a plurality of spoke attachment points and a plurality of rib portions. The outer annular sur
Mizuno Toshio
Shimizu Koji
Sugimoto Masanori
Bellinger Jason R.
Morano S. Joseph
Shimano Inc.
Shinjyu Global IP Counselors, LLP
LandOfFree
Bicycle wheel does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Bicycle wheel, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Bicycle wheel will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2466945