Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – Tension wheel; e.g. – spoke
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-13
2001-04-10
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
Tension wheel; e.g., spoke
C301S055000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213562
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a bicycle wheel having an annular rim with a plurality of spokes extending inwardly from the rim to a hub. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reinforced rim in which the outer end portions of the spokes are mounted to the side faces of the rim.
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, a plurality of spokes and an annular rim. The hub portion is attached to a part of the frame of the bicycle for relative rotation. The inner ends of the spokes are coupled to the hub and extend outwardly from the hub. The annular rim is coupled to the outer ends of the spokes and has an outer portion for supporting a pneumatic tire thereon. Typically, the spokes of the bicycle wheel are thin metal wire spokes. The ends of the hub are provided with a flange that is used to couple the spokes to the hub. 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, 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. Alternatively, the spokes may be reversed, with the outer end having the nail head and the inner end having the threads for engaging spoke nipples, which secure the inner ends of the wire spokes to the hub.
With a spoke constructed in this manner, the nipples are installed in nipple holes formed in either the rim or the hub. The spokes are inserted through holes in either the hub flange or the rim with the flanges of the spokes engaging the areas surrounding the holes in either the hub flange or the rim. The male threads on the ends of the spokes are threaded into the female threads of the spoke nipples installed in the openings of the hub flange or the rim. It is desirable in the bicycle industry to have as few spokes as possible. One problem with conventional spokes is the concentrated stress applied to the rim. Moreover, if fewer spokes are used, the stress on the rim becomes increasingly larger.
In view of the above, there exists a need for a bicycle rim that 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 rim for a bicycle wheel that is relatively durable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rim for a bicycle wheel, which is lightweight in design.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rim for a bicycle wheel that can withstand the stress of having a relatively small number of spokes extending between the rim and the hub.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wheel, which can be relatively easy to manufacture by conventional manufacturing techniques.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wheel, which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture in comparison to other performance bicycle wheels.
The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a bicycle rim, comprising an outer annular portion, first and second annular spoke attachment portions and an inner annular portion. The outer annular surface is adapted to receive a tire thereon. The first and second annular spoke attachment portions are coupled to the outer annular portion and located radially inwardly of the outer annular portion. The inner annular portion is located radially inwardly of the first and second annular spoke attachment portions for coupling the first and second annular spoke attachment portions together to form a hollow interior. Each of the first and second annular spoke attachment portions has an outer circumferential section, a middle circumferential section with a plurality of circumferentially arranged spoke openings formed therein and an inner circumferential section. At least parts of the middle circumferential sections of the first and second annular spoke attachment portions have a first predetermined wall thickness located above and below the spoke openings. The first predetermined wall thickness of the parts is greater than a second predetermined wall thickness of the inner circumferential sections of the first and second annular spoke attachment portions.
In a bicycle rim of the present invention, the parts of the middle circumferential sections with the first predetermined wall thickness can form a continuous annular ring along each of the first and second annular spoke attachment portions. Alternatively, the bicycle rim of the present invention can have the parts of the middle circumferential sections with the first predetermined wall thickness being discontinuous. In the case of discontinuous reinforced areas, each of the reinforced areas can encircle one of the spoke openings.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reinforced middle circumferential sections of the bicycle rim form annular rings having radial widths of approximately 4.0 millimeters to approximately 16.0 millimeters. Preferably, the annular rings are radially centered relative to the spoke openings.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first predetermined wall thickness of the parts of the rim is at least approximately 1.33 times greater than the second predetermined wall thickness of the inner circumferential sections of the first and second annular spoke attachment portions. Moreover, each of the outer circumferential sections preferably has a third predetermined wall thickness that is substantially equal to the second predetermined wall thicknesses of the inner circumferential sections of the first and second annular spoke attachment portions.
In a bicycle rim of the present invention, the reinforcing elements can extend continuously along the first and second annular spoke attachment portions or can be a plurality of discrete reinforcing elements that are formed on each of the first and second annular spoke attachment portions in a discontinuous pattern. Moreover, the reinforcing elements can be formed on either the interior or exterior surfaces of the first and second annular spoke attachment portions.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the reinforcing elements are ribs that are located radially and outwardly from the spoke openings. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the reinforcing elements are bends that have at least a portion or part located radially and outwardly from the spoke openings. The ribs or bends extend continuously along the first and second annular spoke attachment portions or can be a plurality of discrete reinforcing elements that are formed on each of the first and second annular spoke attachment portions in a discontinuous pattern.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the reinforcing elements are located within an area of approximately 8.0 millimeters from the spoke openings in a radially outward direction.
Also providin
Muraoka Tsutumo
Okajima Shinpei
Bellinger Jason R.
Morano S. Joseph
Shimano Inc.
Shinjyu Global IP Counselors, LLP
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