Abstract: A vehicle wheel, including: a peripheral rim with a radially outboard spoke bed and an apex region radially inboard from the spoke bed portion; a central hub with a hub flange; and a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub, with a first portion connected to the spoke bed and a second portion connected to the hub flange. The apex region includes a first apex portion and a second apex portion adjacent the first apex portion and a seam between the first apex portion and the second apex portion. Including a spanning element to span across said seam to retain said first apex portion to said second apex portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a rim such as a rim for a cycle. The rim includes a circularly extending hollow box-shaped element, in the form of a radial profile of revolution about a transverse axis, with two end surfaces of such element being joined end-to-end at a junction and affixed via a sleeve that is positioned within the hollow box-shaped element, on each side of the junction. The sleeve includes a pair of bearing portions, which exert an internal force inside and against the walls of the hollow box-shaped element, such force being generated by a relative spacing apart of the bearing portions via a spreading device, such as at least one spacing member. The spacing member can be a wedging member or a screw, configured and arranged in association with the bearing portions so as to direct the bearing forces along an essentially transverse direction toward the side walls of the rim. The invention is also directed to a wheel having such a rim, as well as to a method of manufacturing such rim and wheel.

Abstract: A bicycle rim constructed from a fiber reinforcement impregnated with a resinous material to provide stiffness, strength, is light in weight and presents minimal aerodynamic drag. The rim is constructed from two semi-circular rim sections that are each formed from glass, carbon, or boron fibers that are applied at distinctive crossing angles as layers or “plys”, receive an epoxy thermoset resin or a nylon thermoplastic resin, and are cured in a mold cavity. A pair of rim half sections are matched and are coupled together at their ends into a circle by telescoping aligned ends of each of the rim half sections over inner inserts that an epoxy structural adhesive has been applied to, and the joined rim section ends receive a gusset fitted and bonded along the rim half section end junctions, and with the finished rim drilled appropriately. to receive and mount spoke ends.

Abstract: A hub which is configured to have only one flange is able to evenly spread torque acting thereon through spokes securely received between the hub and a rim which is configured to have a plurality of holes defined therein for receiving ends the spokes.

Abstract: A method of flash/butt welding an aluminum bicycle wheel rim, in which an aluminum sleeve having a dielectric anodized hardcoat surface finish is inserted into the center of the rim in order to support the interior walls of the rim during the welding process, is disclosed. The walls of a wheel rim or other similar metal profile defines an inner space in a tubular section of the rim. The sleeve is partially inserted into a first end of the rim and partially inserted into a second end of the rim. During the welding process, an electric current flows across a small space or gap between the two ends. The electric current melts the ends, at which time the two ends are pressed together in order to forge them into a single piece. The metal sleeve supports the inner walls of the profile in order to prevent collapse of the wall during welding. Due to the dielectric coating, the sleeve does not affect the welding circuit.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim includes a circular structure having two end portions, Two holes are formed in each of the end portions, Two pins, each having two end portions engaged in the holes and two opposite helical threads. The helical threads engage into the holes when the pin rotates in one direction and when the end portions of the rim toward the pin.

Abstract: Improved pin-assembly connecting joint for interconnecting the ends of aluminum alloy wheel rim extrusions, characterized by pin members force fit into tubulations having a larger total cross sectional area than the pin members so as to form channels in a portion of the tubulation, and the channels are sealed with an adhesive to provide a barrier against liquid chemicals, as well as a joint of enhanced strength.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cured-in-place resin augmentation of the pin assembly of extruded, anodized, bicycle wheel rims and the like.