Lightweight motorcycle wheel

Details Lightweight motorcycle wheel Lightweight motorcycle wheel

2000-12-14

2001-10-16

Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)

Land vehicles: wheels and axles

Wheel

Compression wheel

C301S065000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06302493

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to motorcycle wheels.
BACKGROUND
Motorcycle wheels support the weight of a motorcycle. Bumps and potholes over which the motorcycle is ridden cause stress on the motorcycle wheels, and the wheels typically absorb a portion of such stress. If a wheel fails under such stress, the motorcycle may be rendered inoperable. It is therefore critical that the wheel be made sturdy enough to absorb the stresses encountered during the operation of a motorcycle.
In an effort to prevent wheel failure, prior art wheels are constructed to be relatively heavy. A benefit of a heavier wheel is the potential for better tolerance for stress. A disadvantage of such heavy construction is added weight, resulting in diminished handling and reduced fuel efficiency for the motorcycle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a motorcycle wheel of relatively light weight. The motorcycle wheel of the present invention comprises a rim portion, a joining portion, a hub portion, and an axle housing portion. The rim portion includes a tire-receiving portion that is adapted to receive a standard motorcycle tire.
The joining portion extends between the rim portion and the hub portion. In one aspect of the invention, the joining portion includes a first relatively thick sidewall, and a second relatively thin sidewall.
In another aspect of the invention, the wheel is cast as one piece, with each sidewall defining a smooth and continuous outwardly-facing concave surface. The curved shape of the sidewalls allows a structurally strong wheel to be manufactured with less material. The extra thickness of the first sidewall allows one-piece casting while avoiding a chill effect when the wheel is cast.
In another aspect of the invention, the first and second sidewalls contact each other between the rim portion and the hub portion at a merger portion, and diverge from one another toward the rim portion and the hub portion. The merger portion has a minimum thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the first sidewall. The merger of the sidewalls provides extra stability to the wheel while requiring less material and further reducing the weight of the wheel.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the first and second sidewalls define a radially outwardly-facing well adjacent the rim portion. The ratio of the maximum depth of the well to the maximum width of the well is relatively large compared to prior art wheels, further reducing the required material and weight of the wheel.
The hub portion includes spaced-apart generally cylindrical first and second hubs that are substantially centrally located or co-axial with respect to the rim portion. The first and second hubs define apertures to further reduce the weight of the wheel. The axle housing portion extends between the first and second hubs and defines a bore that is sized to house a motorcycle axle. The axle housing serves to protect the motorcycle axle from debris that passes through the apertures in the first and second hubs, and to stiffen the bearing supports for the axle bearings.


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