Abstract: A tube fitting for a tube end has a female member that cooperates with a male member. A tube gripping device in the form of a gripping ring or ferrule is retained with the female member. Upon a partial pull-up, the tube gripping device separates from the female member.

Abstract: A quick connector coupling assembly comprising a conductive connector body, a tubular male member with an upset, and a primary retainer. The primary retainer releasably secures the male member within the connector body. The primary retainer body includes a pair of spaced legs connected by a cross member. The retainer body includes a conductive insert with contact surfaces exposed at the retainer legs to contact the male member and at the cross member to contact the connector body.

Abstract: A bore seal for connecting and sealing oil and gas tubular members is disclosed which has a metal core manufactured from a high yield strength ferrous material and a protective overlay of corrosion and abrasion resistant stainless steel and/or nickel based alloy. The protective overlay is applied to the entire outer surface of the bore seal by a metal thermal spray process, such as plasma thermal spraying. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bore seal has a fishtail profile which facilitates the use of resilient seals to provide resistance to external pressures in addition to the traditional metal-to-metal seal between the bore seal and the tubular members. In an alternative embodiment, a pressure relief valve is disposed within the bore seal to verify the integrity of the metal-to-metal seal with respect to internal bore pressure.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for joining pipe elements end-to-end is disclosed. The pipe coupling is formed of segments attached to one another circumferentially straddling the pipe elements. The segments are formed from sub-sections connected to one another end-to-end. Each sub-section has a surface region disposed to engage the outer surfaces of the pipe elements. Each surface region has a different radius of curvature from a surface region on a neighboring sub-section. The radii are selected so that when the coupling segments are deformed around the pipe elements, portions of surface regions of selected sub-sections contact the pipe elements, while portions of surface regions of those sub-sections between the selected portions remain in spaced relation away from the pipe elements. A constant and minimal torque is required to bolt the segments together as a result.

Abstract: A universal coupling assembly is provided including a housing having an inner bore that extends along an axis through a fluid port and a flange formed integral with the housing and the inner bore. The flange extends radially outward from the axis and has a mating surface. A nipple extends from the flange along the axis toward the fluid port. The nipple has a mating interface at an end thereof, and the nipple has a junction portion extending at least partially about the nipple and located between the mating interface and the flange. The junction portion and the mating interface are configured to receive at least two different types of interchangeable fittings based on a type of mating joint, and the junction portion is matable with one of a flange fitting, a threaded union fitting, a sweat fitting, an NPT fitting, and a barb fitting.

Abstract: There is provided a two-piece fitting and gasket assembly for telescopically receiving a tube such as a pipe. The assembly has a tubular, preferably cylindrical, body portion; a gasket retaining space defined by a wall on the body portion; a gasket housed within the gasket retaining space; and a retainer adapted for mounting over the wall and for retaining the gasket within the gasket retaining space. The gasket includes an annular ring portion, a sleeve portion extending radially inwardly from the annular ring portion and a further annular seal portion extending from the top end of the annular ring portion. The retainer has an interior leg and an exterior engaging leg. A retainer assembly is provided on the annular wall and the exterior engaging leg opposite the gasket. When the tube or pipe is received in the assembly, such that when pressurized, the gasket is compressed at a compression zone causing the wall to move radially outward and thereby further locking the retainer in place.

Abstract: A pipe joint for coupling a first pipe member and a second pipe member has a pipe mounting portion, an elastic displacing portion and an engagement portion. The pipe mounting portion is configured to be attached to one of the first and second pipe members. The elastic displacing portion connects the pipe mounting portion and the engagement portion and allows the engagement portion to displace in a radial direction. The engagement portion has a first contact portion for contacting a first engaged part of the first pipe member and a second contact portion for contacting a second engaged part of the second pipe member.

Abstract: A fluid conduit system that employs fittings having ends with a structural portion and a seal portion. The ends of the fittings are inserted into a tube, which may be a hard, i.e., rigid, or soft, i.e., flexible, tube. The seal portion sealingly engages the inner diameter of the tube upon its insertion into the tube. The tube is deformed to prevent the fitting from being withdrawn from the tube; the portion of the tube in the immediate vicinity of each seal that forms the seal portion is not deformed. A method for forming a fluid conduit system is also provided.

Abstract: The inventions disclosed herein relate to a quick-connect fitting for connecting a burner tube to a barbecue grill. It is believed that the preferred quick-connect of the present invention reduces the time required to assemble a barbecue grill by providing for a simple two step assembly. The quick-connect generally comprises a female connector and a male connector wherein the female connector is preferably attached to the burner tube and the male connector is preferably connected upstream of the fuel supply. The female connector preferably has an inwardly directed protrusion while the male connector has a corresponding longitudinal entry portion and circumferential groove. In the first step of assembly, the female connector is mated with the male connector by aligning the protrusion with the entry portion and urging the connectors together.

Abstract: An adapter for pipe locking clamps, particularly but not exclusively useful for welding portions of plastic piping by polyfusion. The adapter has at least two bodies obtained from a metal plate, and arranged parallel to each other. The bodies have respective circular arc-like lateral rims that have a same radius of curvature. The centers of curvature of the circular arc-like lateral rims are all arranged on a same axis so as to form a partially cylindrical concave surface forming an open cradle which is adapted to lock the pipes in cooperation with a similar surface formed on a complementary and opposite reduction unit.

Abstract: A turbine installation includes a main group and an auxiliary group, wherein the main group has at least one first turbine and a generator connected for drive purposes to the first turbine. The auxiliary group includes at least one second turbine and is connectable to the main group via a coupling. The turbine installation furthermore includes a first braking device configured to apply a braking torque to the auxiliary group when the auxiliary group is decoupled from the main group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a regenerative energy system comprising a first energy producer and a second energy producer. The object of the invention is to improve the environmental compatibility of electrical island networks.

Abstract: The tethered wind turbine uses an aerodynamic, flow-concentrating shape and lighter-than-air construction utilizing a lifting gas and an electrically conductive tether fixed to ground to reap energy from the wind at low or high altitude. The design has no need for the large, expensive, bulky and unsightly tower structures, pivoting nacelles, or gearboxes presently used in conventional horizontal axis windmills. The tethered wind turbine of this invention easily and passively floats aloft downwind to a direction and position that is aligned with the wind. The invention uses sensors and control modules to fly gracefully at an optimal altitude in most wind regimes and also to ascend/descend when appropriate to seek shelter from extreme weather conditions. Ideally, the tethered wind turbine of this invention would utilize carbon nanotube materials in its tether for both structural and conductive purposes.

Abstract: A starter includes a magnetic switch, a motor, and a terminal. The terminal fixed to both the magnetic switch and the motor and has two end portions in the longitudinal direction of the terminal. An end portion of the terminal confronts a movable contact within the magnetic switch. The other end portion of the terminal is connected to an electric circuitry of the motor therewithin.

Abstract: A system according to the exemplary embodiment of this invention includes a bluff body coupled to a gyroscopic electrical generator. The bluff body interacts with the fluid stream and generates a series of oscillating pressure gradients trailing along the leeward side, known as the von Karman Vortex Street. Motion is induced upon the bluff body by these shedding vortices. The systems and methods of the invention take advantage of this fluid behavior and convert a portion of the fluid stream energy into oscillatory mechanical energy. An exemplary electric generation system embodiment based on a gyroscope performs complimentary with the oscillatory motion of the vortex induced oscillations by using rotational kinematics to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Because the exemplary bluff body embodiment does not require spinning blades, there is minimal affect on the environment and minimal chance of harming creatures, such as birds or fish, located in the medium.

Abstract: An electrical power generation system for providing electrical power to a load is provided. The system includes a plurality of microturbine units, each microturbine unit having a combustion microturbine engine coupled to an electrical generator. The electrical generator includes a means for converting the rotational movement of the turbine engine into electrical power. A single power module electrically is connected to the load and physically separated from the plurality of generators. The power module has a number of components including an enclosure and a plurality of batteries within said enclosure. A plurality of generator controls is located within the enclosure where each of the generator controls is coupled to one of the plurality of generators. The enclosure also includes a plurality of AC power converters with each AC power converters coupled to one of the electrical generators.

Abstract: An energy conversion device includes batteries and a DC motor. A rotary member is driven by a hydraulic pump, which acts through pistons engaging a eccentric U-shaped rod to impart torque to the rotary member. Bevel gears transfer the torque to the rotary member, which can be connected to a DC generator or a battery charger. The pistons include hollow piston head and piston rods, which reduce the amount of hydraulic fluid that must be pumped. This energy conversion device may be employed in a vehicle, which may also employ a windmill as an auxiliary power source. Air is outlet from this windmill through hollow rotating windmill arms and through a hollow central shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a support structure for a latch actuating lever and a lock actuating lever, which realizes a small and compact door lock apparatus for vehicles. The door lock apparatus includes a latch mechanism for maintaining a vehicle door in a closed state relative to a vehicle body, a latch actuating link coupled to the latch mechanism and actuating the latch mechanism to place the vehicle door in an openable state relative to the vehicle body, a lock actuating link for connecting or disconnecting the latch actuating link to or from the latch mechanism and thus making the latch mechanism operable or inoperable when the latch actuating link is actuated, and a base unit for supporting the latch actuating link and the lock actuating link. The base unit includes an annular support and a support shaft held in the annular support.

Abstract: A keybolt assembly has a body and a latching element. The body has a recess and a detent assembly. The recess is defined in the body and has an inner surface and a notch formed longitudinally in the inner surface of the recess. The detent assembly is mounted in the notch to position the latching element. The latching element is mounted rotatably in the recess of the body, is elongated and has multiple detents. The detents are formed in a side surface of the latching element along a major axis and a minor axis of the latching element to selectively engage with the detent assembly to keep the latching element in a lock position.

Abstract: A screw cap assembly for clamping a cover in an opening includes a threaded rod adapted to engage the cover and a clamp threadably connected to the threaded rod. A retainer is adapted to support the threaded rod and to limit the range of movement of the clamp along the threaded rod. Rotational movement of the threaded rod causes the clamp to rotate and travel toward the cover until it engages a first abutment of the retainer, which prevents further rotational movement of the clamp, such that only movement toward the cover in a direction parallel the threaded rod is permitted. Rotational movement of the threaded rod in an opposite direction causes the clamp to rotate and travel away from the cover until the clamp engages a second abutment of the retainer adapted to engage the clamp to prevent further movement of the clamp away from the cover.

Abstract: An extendible rail and bumper apparatus is mountable within the base frame lower rails of an automotive frame to provide an improved crash force absorbing bumper apparatus for deployment on either the front or rear bumpers of an automobile. The extendible rail member is mounted for telescopic movement through slidable guide members. A front plate is formed with wedge members positioned next to the extendible rail member. The actuation mechanism includes an electric motor that rotates a threaded rod having a conical member mounted thereon for translational movement thereon. The conical member engages a pair of outwardly projectable tabs that are driven outwardly into engagement with the wedge members when the extendible rail is fully extended. If required to absorb impact energy, the outwardly projected tabs push the wedge members into engagement with the front plate to transfer the energy into the base frame rail apparatus of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bumper beam for a vehicle includes an outer skin formed of a polymeric material and a core provided within the outer skin. At least a portion of the core comprises an expanded material. The bumper beam is configured for coupling to a vehicle and the outer skin and core are configured to resist deformation in a vehicle collision.

Abstract: The invention is a bag-scoop device to collect dog waste. The scoop part is a flat construct which readily folds and squeezes into a disposable scoop or shovel. The manufactured invention includes a bag that contains the scoop and attached frame. The frame holds the bag open to receive the feces. The frame automatically is placed in the opening of the bag as the scoop is removed. In a second option a scraper part is attached to the scoop.

Abstract: A seal assembly for mobile living quarters seals around a slide-out room, includes a pair of attaching members extending along the inside and outside surfaces of the main living area wall at an aperture through which the slide-out room moves, and further includes a connecting member extending between the attaching members and along the edge of the wall defining the aperture. A wiper seal extends from the connecting member to flex against the walls of the slide-out room, and the connecting member further includes an accordion pleat for adjusting the distance between the attaching members to thereby accommodate walls of different thicknesses.

Abstract: The present invention extends the truck bed, thus increasing cargo space by the length of the truck tailgate. One embodiment of the invention comprises rotatably attaching an end panel to the tailgate, with rotatable and storable support members. Another embodiment comprises right and left side panels rotatably attached to the end panel. When the assembly is stored, either the support members or the side panels are rotated inward to rest against the inner surface of the end panel and the end panel is rotated downwardly and secured against the upper surface of the tailgate. When the assembly is deployed, the end panel is unsecured from the tailgate and is rotated upwardly until approximately perpendicular with the tailgate and the cargo space bed. The support members or side panels are rotated outwardly and secured to complete deployment.

Abstract: A storage system for an automotive vehicle includes a storage module having opposing sidewalls and a primary storage compartment situated between the opposing sidewalls. A repositionable bin has a first position in which it is mounted at least partially within the primary storage compartment and at least one secondary position in which the repositionable bin is removably mounted to an interior surface of the vehicle, such as upon an exterior surface of the storage module.

Abstract: A storage compartment in a vehicle interior is accessible via an opening and includes a hook to make it possible to hang up different objects without disturbing the interior when the hanging device is not in use. The hook is moveable from a rest position into an accessible use position and is arranged in the region of the opening. In the folded-down rest position, the hook rests on the bottom of the storage compartment and can be pivoted into the use position.

Abstract: A air drag reduction apparatus includes left and right planar panels and top and bottom planar panels for mounting to the rear doors of a tractor trailer along the top, bottom and side edges thereof. Hinges are interposed between the panels and the doors so that the panels can pivot about the hinges between an extended drag-reducing position and a collapsed position generally adjacent the rear doors. Stop devices releasably secure the panels in the extended position, and biasing devices such as tensioning springs are operative to bias the panels outwards and rearwards to the extended position and are further operative to permit the panels to pivot between the extended position towards and to the collapsed position upon impact and contact from an external object occurring and then return to the extended position substantially immediately upon contact ceasing thereby significantly reducing the impact damage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floor structure of a four wheeled utility vehicle by which a passenger can quickly and simply keep a proper riding posture in the case of a swing and an inclination of the vehicle. A cabin housing an operating portion of a vehicle and a passenger seat is provided between front wheels and rear wheels, and a floor constituted by a floor plate is provided in a lower end portion of the cabin. The floor plate is provided with a foot pressing surface against which a passenger can press a back surface of passenger's foot. Preferably, the foot pressing surface is inclined to ascend forward.

Abstract: A tubular instrument panel support structure is provided. The structure includes a plurality of support tubes aligned substantially end-to-end and extending laterally to span the width of a vehicle body for the support of various instruments and devices within the panel. A plurality of brackets and braces are welded or attached to the support tubes and extend radially outward therefrom to define various areas within the instrument panel such as a driver-side, console-side, and passenger-side. The lateral support tubes are connected to and separated into segments by a plate or plates, and each tube segment having a different configuration or gauge thickness suitable to the unique forces born by each segment. The lateral support tubes are operatively connected to a vehicle hinge pillar to thereby provide substantially rigid lateral support to the instrument panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a truck hood including a metal hood skin including at least an upper portion and a sidewall portion; and a frame supporting at least a portion of the metal hood skin including polymer and aluminum reinforcements. The polymer reinforcements include a front hood stiffener member positioned at a front end portion of the metal hood skin, a rear hood stiffener member positioned at a rear end portion of the metal hood skin and hood corner longitudinal members connecting the front hood stiffener member to the rear hood stiffener member. The aluminum reinforcements include front and rear frame extruded members positioned along the sidewalls of the metal hood skin and an arch extruded reinforcement positioned at the wheel arch. In one aspect of the invention, the truck hood further includes a pair of fenders formed of a metal skin that may be reinforced by a polymer fender mat.

Abstract: A seat for a fishing or bass boat can be raised or lowered by an operator. The elevation mechanism preferably includes a power mechanism to operate a screw jack and the power mechanism may be battery powered, hydraulically powered, or operated by other power-assist means. The screw jack enables the seat to be raised to approximately twice its retracted height.

Abstract: A blocking mechanism or device (40) for preventing objects from sliding off from a cushion (24) of a seat when a vehicle experiences decelerations above a given level comprising: a blocking member (50, 60) configured to be movable from a storage position below a top surface (26) of the cushion to a blocking position above the top surface of the cushion to block any object on the cushion from moving therefrom.

Abstract: A vehicular seat trim cover attachment device having a plurality of female attachment portions interconnected to one another by at least one connecting portion. The attachment device is preferably flexible in at least two independent planes. Each female attachment portion has a receptacle portion and a base portion. Each base portion is connected to the connecting portion. Each base portion has a lateral dimension greater than a lateral dimension of the receptacle portion. At least a portion of the connecting portion is disposed in an exoplanar relationship with respect to a pair of female attachment portions that have substantially coplanar base portions. Preferably, the connecting portion extends below the bottom surfaces of the adjacent base portions.

Abstract: A chair type massager includes a seat part on which a person to be treated sits on, a backrest part with a reclining mechanism to perform a raising/tilting operation, and right and left armrest parts in which the arms are inserted. The massager further includes air bags provided at the armrest parts, the air bags holding the arms placed in the armrest part by being swelled by air supplied from an air supply pump; a control part for controlling the raising/tilting operation of the backrest part and the air supply to the air bags; and a manipulation part for giving instructions to the control part. When controlling the reclining mechanism to tilt the backrest part in response to the instructions from the manipulation part to perform the arm stretch, the control part controls the air supply pump to supply air into the air bags intermittently.

Abstract: A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail, an upper rail, and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a lock portion provided at the lower rail, a lock member which is engageable with and disengageable from the lock portion and a first biasing member for biasing the lock member in a direction to be engaged with the lock portion. The seat slide apparatus for a vehicle further includes a releasing lever for releasing the lock member from being engaged with the lock portion and a second biasing member for maintaining the releasing lever at a neutral position. According to the seat slide apparatus for the vehicle, the first biasing member and the second biasing member are integrally formed.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a coupling member 12 coupling a front end of a seat-cushion frame 2 to an upper rail 11, a rear link member 23 provided in a rear end of the seat-cushion frame 2, and a support member 24 provided on the side of a vehicle body to support the rear link member 23. The rear link member 23 includes a pivoted portion 26 pivotally supported by the upper rail 11, a coupled portion 28 coupled to the rear end of the seat-cushion frame 2, and an engaged portion engaged with the support member 24. The support member 24 includes a sliding drive portion (sliding groove 33) which slidably supports the engaged portion of the rear link member 23 to allow the rear link member 23 to be swingingly displaced in conjunction with a longitudinal movement of the seat-cushion frame 2, so as to move the coupled portion 28 in an upward/downward direction to drivingly lift and lower the rear end of the seat-cushion frame 2.

Abstract: A compact and lightweight round reclining apparatus having a neutral position return function of automatically returning and securing the backrest to the preset neutral position when the backrest that has been reclined forward is raised is provided. A memory plate in approximately disc form having a center shaft at its center and a spring member for pressing the memory plate so that the memory plate always rotates in one direction intervene between a base plate and a gear plate. A guide portion, which is a long hole in approximately arc form, for restricting the movement of the lock gear outward in the direction of the radius through contact with the protrusion of the above described lock gear is provided inside the disc of the memory plate, and at least one notch is provided in the outer periphery of the memory plate so that an engaging portion provided on the above described gear plate enters into the notch and the memory plate is rotatable relative to the gear plate within the range of the notch.

Abstract: The connector unit includes: a first holder to be attached to a first article; a first connector to be received in the first holder; a second holder to be attached to a second article; and a second connector to be received in the second holder to be coupled with the first connector, wherein the first holder includes a hold engaging part having an arm body and a projection which engages with the first connector, the connector unit further includes: an engagement-removing part which removes an engagement between the hold engaging part and the first connector when the first and second connectors are coupled with each other; and an entrance-permitting part provided on the second holder to allow the projection of the disengaged hold engaging part to enter therein after the first and second connectors move with respect to the first holder.

Abstract: An armrest/backrest support bracket characterised by comprising: a support (4) provided in its lateral surface with a slot (14) and in its end surface with a hole which communicates with said slot, a blade (6) one end of which is insertable into said slot, locking means inserted into said hole and interacting with said support and with that blade part (6) housed in the slot.

Abstract: A sitting device to support a thigh of a person, such as a driver of a motor vehicle or any other person desiring or requiring leg support, is described. The sitting device in one embodiment comprises a base section having an inside edge and an outside edge and a top surface between said edges, and a support section projecting from the top surface of the base section at the outside edge, whereby the support section and the base section form an obtuse angle. The support section has a base and a top edge, with the base joined to the top surface of the base section adjacent to its outside edge. The sitting device is preferably formed of a thermoplastic elastomer. The sitting device can have one or more cavities in the support section.

Abstract: An infant seat assembly includes a seat member and a retention member. The seat member includes a seat body having a front end and left and right sides, and a pair of side panels extending respectively from the left and right sides of the seat body. The retention member includes a main section and a pair of side sections attached respectively to opposite sides of the main section. The main section has a bottom end attached to the front end of the seat body, and the side sections are further attached to the side panels, respectively. The main section of the retention member is formed with a pair of spaced-apart leg openings through which legs of an infant seated on the seat member can pass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a height-adjustable deflection device for the upper holding point of a three-point belt with a holder which can be fixedly connected to a supporting member of a vehicle seat or to a framework of a vehicle, wherein in the holder a deflector is movably attached which has a reel with a spindle, over which the seat belt strap of a three-point belt can be guided, and a housing with an outlet slot for the seat belt strap, which is parallel to the spindle of the reel, wherein first connecting means are formed on the holder and second connecting means on the deflector which, in a locked position, engage with each other in form-locking manner and, in an adjustment position, do not engage with each other, with the result that the deflector can be rotated about the spindle. In addition the invention relates to a vehicle seat with a three-point belt which has a height-adjustable deflection device according to the invention.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an attack tool is disclosed which comprises a wear-resistant base suitable for attachment to a driving mechanism. The wear-resistant base has a shank. A cemented metal carbide segment is bonded to the base and the shank has a wear-resistant surface. The wear-resistant surface has a hardness greater than 60 HRc and/or is work hardened.

Abstract: A bristle structure including at least two stem wires spirally wound together to form a longitudinally extending core of the bristle structure and a plurality of bristles extending outwardly from the longitudinally extending core. Each of the bristles has a first end and an opposed second end, and each of the bristles is clamped between the stem wires such that the second end of each bristle extends a greater distance from the longitudinally extending core than the first end of the each bristle.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a brush of the paint brush type with a stick (3) and fibers (4), whereby the stick (3) is made of an actual stick (5) and a fiber holder (6) with a passage (7) to be provided on the latter, and whereby the method consists in picking at least one fiber bundle (8) from a supply (13) of fibers (4), in axially providing the picked-up fiber bundle (8) through the above-mentioned passage (7) of the fiber holder (6), in melting or gluing together the far ends (11) of the fibers (4) on one far end (21) of the fiber bundle (8), and in providing and fixing the fiber holder (6) together with the fibers (4) on the actual stick (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a spoke for a spoked wheel. The spoke has an elongated body and a separate attached end piece on at least one of its ends. The elongated body is tubular and its end is fitted in a recessed bore of the end piece. The end piece is assembled by gluing. In addition, a plug blocks each end of the tubular body to force the glue to creep back while the end piece is being fitted. The invention also relates to a wheel and to a method for manufacturing the spoke.

Abstract: A weight reduction means for a dual-wall rim includes a structural frame disposed in the rim, multiple through holes to receive insertion of respective spoke connectors being disposed at where the dual-wall frame is located relatively to the spoke connectors; and one or a plurality of through holes between any abutted existing through holes on the dual-wall frame being punched at the same time when those existing through holes are initially punched without affecting the structural strength of the entire dual-wall rim without changing locations and numbers of those spoke connecting holes disposed on the inner circumference of the rim while maintaining the structural strength of the rim for weight reduction and cost saving purposes.

Abstract: A bicycle rim assembling structure includes a plurality of through holes disposed equidistantly at a concave surface on an external side of a rim, and a corresponding number of eyelets are engaged into the through holes by a pressing machine. The eyelet is T-shaped with a distal edge of its broadened circular section at the top bent into an internal wall of a cannular hole, and the lowest section of its linear flat body section at the bottom bent into another cannular hole, and both upper and lower cannular holes have the same diameter, and the eyelets are engaged into the through holes. The space of the linear flat body section under the eyelet provides a function of adjusting the spokes, and the thickness of the eyelet provides sufficient strength to accept the pulling force applied to the eyelet after the spoke is installed to the rim to prevent accidents.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a one-piece, wheel that is modified to have the appearance of a multi-piece wheel. In certain embodiments, the interior surface of the wheel barrel may be modified such that it is substantially parallel with the wheels axis of rotation. In some embodiments, a plurality of fastening devices such as bolts may be placed through the wheel center. In various embodiments, a groove may be located on the interior surface of the wheel barrel to give the appearance that the barrel comprises multiple pieces.