Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – Tension wheel; e.g. – spoke
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-05
2001-05-15
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
Tension wheel; e.g., spoke
C301S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231128
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a bicycle wheel with a hub adapted to be mounted to a bicycle frame, an annular rim and a plurality of spokes extending inwardly from the rim to the hub. More specifically, the present invention relates to the connection between the spokes and the rim of the bicycle wheel.
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 which 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 portion which is attached to apart of the frame of the bicycle for relative rotation, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub and an annular rim coupled to the outer ends of the spokes 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 coupled the spokes 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 end of the spokes typically are provided with threads for engaging spoke nipples which 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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wheel with a more aerodynamic design to reduce air resistance.
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 present invention can basically be obtained by a spoked rim assembly, comprising an annular rim having an outer annular surface adapted to receive a tire thereon, and a spoke attachment portion with a plurality of openings; and a plurality of inwardly extending spokes with each of the spokes having an outer end portion at least partially received within one of the openings, a center portion located radially inwardly of the outer end portion, and an inner end portion located radially inwardly of the center portion, the outer end portions of the spokes having first sections offset from second sections to retain the outer end portions within the openings of the spoke attachment portion of the rim.
The foregoing objects can further be attained by providing a bicycle wheel, comprising an annular rim having an outer annular surface adapted to receive a tire thereon, and a spoke attachment portion with a plurality of openings; and a plurality of inwardly extending spokes with each of the spokes having an outer end portion received within one of the openings, a center portion located radially inwardly of the outer end portion, and an inner end portion located radially inwardly of the center portion, the outer end portions of the spokes having first sections offset from second sections to retain the outer end portions within the openings of the spoke attachment portion of the rim; and a central hub having a plurality of spoke attachment parts with each of the spoke attachment parts being coupled to one of the inner end portions of the spokes.
The foregoing objects can further be attained by providing a bicycle spoke, comprising an outer end portion received within an opening of a rim; a center portion coupled to the outer end portion and located radially inwardly of the outer end portion; and an inner end portion coupled to the center portion and located radially inwardly of the center portion, the outer end portion having first section forming a free end, a second section coupled to the center portion and a bend section extending between the first and second sections such that the first section lies in a first plane which is offset from a second parallel plane of the second section, the first section having a first cross-section, the second section having a second cross-section and the bend section having a third cross-section, with the first cross-section of the first section being no larger in cross-section than the third cross-section of the bend section.
The foregoing objects can further be attained by providing a spoked rim assembly, comprising an annular rim having an outer annular surface adapted to receive a tire thereon, and first and second spoke attachment portions with a plurality of openings; a first set of inwardly extending spokes coupled along the first spoke attachment portion with each of the first set of spokes having a first outer end portion partially received within one of the openings, a first center portion located radially inwardly of the first outer end portion, and a first inner end portion located radially inwardly of the first center portion; and a second set of inwardly extending spokes coupled along the second spoke attachment portion with each of the second set of spokes having a second outer end portion received within one of the openings, a second center portion located radially inwardly of the second outer end portion, and a second inner end portion located radially inwardly of the second center portion, the first outer end portions of the first set of spokes being connected to the second outer end portions of the second set of spokes within the openings of the first and second spoke attachment portions of the rim.
The foregoing objects can further be attained by providing a bicycle spoke, comprising an outer end portion adapted to be received within an opening of a rim; first and second center portions coupled to opposite sides of the outer end portion and extending radially inwardly of the outer end portion; and first and second inner end portions coupled to the first and second center portions, respectively, the first and second inner end portions having hub connecting members.
The foregoing objects can further be attained by providing a bicycle rim, comprising an outer annular surface adapted to receive a tire thereon; first and second annular spoke attachment portions coupled to the outer annular surface and located radially inwardly thereof, the first and second annular spoke attachment portions face in opposite directions with a plurality of spoke openings formed therein; and an inner annular surface located radially inwardly of the first and second annular spoke attachment portions and coupling the first and second annular spoke attachment portions together, the outer annular surface, the first and second annular spoke attachment portions and the inner annular surface being integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member with an annular hollow area, each of the plurality of spoke openings being a substantially elongated, thin slot extending in a substantially circumferential direction along the first and second annular spoke attachment portions, the plurality of spoke openings being located at least five millimeters radially outwardly from the inner annular surface, an
Muraoka Tsutomu
Okajima Shinpei
Shimano Inc.
Shinjyu Global IP Counselors, LLP
Stormer Russell D.
LandOfFree
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