Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – Compression wheel
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-17
2003-12-23
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
Compression wheel
C301S104000, C301S110500, C301S058000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06666525
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wheels and, more particularly, to spoked wheels especially adapted for use on two-wheeled vehicles, such as motorcycles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Spoked wheels are well known in the art of two-wheeled vehicles. Of special interest are two-wheeled motorcycles known as “dirt trackers”. What makes a “dirt tracker” motorcycle unique is the fact that the direction in which they race is generally counter-clockwise. This type of racing wears out a tire (which is very important in racing) on one side before the other. This aspect of motorcycle racing has led to “reversible” wheels. More specifically, “reversible” wheels are wheels that can be flipped over to use the good side of the tire and still mount a sprocket or brake with the same orientation as before reversal. In this respect, it would be desirable if a spoked wheel apparatus were provided which is reversible.
The common wheel size for “dirt tracker” motorcycles is dictated by the selection of tires available for the sport. The most common tire is the Goodyear, 19 inch (in diameter) Dirt Track Tire. In addition, Dunlop, Pirelli, Continental, etc. also make suitable tires for the “dirt tracker”. The rims come in various widths to accommodate various tire widths, which are still 19 inch in diameter. The previous rim sizes were called WM6, WM5, and WM4.5, to mention a few. It is noted that for many years, the front wheels on most street bikes were 19 inch wheels. The “WM” numbers are “wheel manufacturers” numbers and relate to width of the rim, 3.50 inches, 3.00 inches, and 2.75 inches, respectively. These rims have been in production for the past 35 years. Sun Rims makes the WM6 and the WM4.5. Excel (in Japan) makes the WM5. In earlier years, an assortment of sizes were available from Akront, DID, Borrani, etc. Not all of the above-mentioned rims comply with the American Tire and Rim Association Motorcycle Tubeless specifications MT3.50, MT3.00, and MT2.75. In this respect, it would be desirable if a spoked wheel apparatus were provided which complies with the American Tire and Rim Association Motorcycle Tubeless specifications MT3.50, MT3.00, and MT2.75.
Throughout the years, many innovations in the art of spoked wheel apparatuses have been described. In this respect, special attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,592, incorporated herein by reference, which discloses a spoked wheel apparatus which is not symmetrical about a medial plane. To facilitate reversibility, it would be desirable if a spoked wheel apparatus were provided which is symmetrical about a medial plane.
Some spoked wheels employ spokes having threads at one end and dog-legged ends at the other end. For greater control in positioning and providing tension on the spokes, it would be desirable if a spoked wheel apparatus were provided which includes threads at both ends of the spokes.
Generally, spoked wheel apparatuses are used with tires and internal tubes. This is especially true with “dirt tracker” motorcycles. Simply stated, air-tight seals are not provided between the spokes and the rims. To lighten the overall weight of a “dirt tracker” motorcycle, it would be desirable if a spoked wheel apparatus were provided that can employ tubeless tires.
In a spoked wheel apparatus, a great deal of stress is exerted on the hub ends of the spokes and the spoke reception wells in the hub. Along with this stress, an accompanying risk of stripping the spoke reception wells occurs. To avoid stripping the spoke reception wells, it would be desirable if a spoked wheel apparatus were provided which included spoke well inserts that provide a strong, stress-resistant connection between threaded ends of spokes and spoke reception wells.
Still other features would be desirable in a spoked wheel apparatus. For example, spokes that are supported only at their respective ends, in the rim and the hub, do not have any intermediate support. To provide greater support to spokes that are supported at their respective hub and rim ends, it would be desirable if spokes had intermediate support between the hub and rim ends.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use spoked wheel apparatuses, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest a spoked wheel apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) is reversible; (2) complies with American Tire and Rim Association Motorcycle Tubeless specifications; (3) is symmetrical about a medial plane; (4) includes threads at both ends of the spokes; (5) can employ tubeless tires; (6) includes spoke well inserts that provide a strong, stress-resistant connection between threaded ends of spokes and spoke reception wells; and (7) provides intermediate support between the hub and rim ends. The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique spoked wheel apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention, briefly described, provides a spoked wheel apparatus which includes a wheel rim portion that includes a circular locus of spoke reception channels. A hub assembly includes a first hub side and a second hub side. The first hub side includes reception positions for outer, first-side spokes and reception positions for inner, first-side spokes. The reception positions for outer, first-side spokes are oriented in a first circular direction around the first hub side and are oriented toward the circular locus of spoke reception channels at an outside-hub-to-rim angle. The reception positions for inner, first-side spokes are oriented in a second circular direction around the first hub side and are oriented toward the circular locus of spoke reception channels at an inside-hub-to-rim angle.
The second hub side includes reception positions for outer, second-side spokes and reception positions for inner, second-side spokes. The reception positions for outer, second-side spokes are oriented in a first circular direction around the second hub side and are oriented toward the circular locus of spoke reception channels at the outside-hub-to-rim angle. The reception positions for inner, second-side spokes are oriented in a second circular direction around the second hub side and are oriented toward the circular locus of spoke reception channels at the inside-hub-to-rim angle.
The outside-hub-to-rim angle is greater than the inside-hub-to-rim angle. The reception positions in the first hub side for the first-side spokes are offset from respective reception positions in the second hub side for the second-side spokes by a hub-reception-position offset angle.
An overall set of spokes is interconnected between the wheel rim portion and the hub assembly. The overall set of spokes includes a subset of spokes connected between the hub reception positions for outer, first-side spokes and the circular locus of spoke reception channels. The overall set of spokes also includes a subset of spokes connected between the hub reception positions for inner, first-side spokes and the circular locus of spoke reception channels.
In addition, a subset of spokes is connected between the hub reception positions for outer, second-side spokes and the circular locus of spoke reception channels. Also, a subset of spokes is connected between the hub reception positions for inner, second-side spokes and the circular locus of spoke reception channels.
Because the outside-hub-to-rim angle is greater than inside-hub-to-rim angle, the outer, first-side spokes and the inner, first-side spokes engage in interference contacts at respective locations between the circular locus of spoke reception channels and the first hub side. Similarly, the outer, second-side spokes and the inner, second-side spokes engage in interference contacts at respective locations between the circular locus of
Morano S. Joseph
Nguyen Long Bao
LandOfFree
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