Tensioned Spoke Type Wheel Making Patents (Class 29/894.33)
  • Patent number: 10328493
    Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In one aspect, a locking member may be provided to selectively engage with a frame and a tool carrier of a pipe machining apparatus to prevent movement of the tool carrier relative to the frame. In another aspect, a roller bearing assembly for a pipe machining apparatus may be provided and defines a lubricant cavity in a spindle of the roller bearing assembly. In a further aspect, a coupling member for coupling a pipe machining apparatus to either an exterior surface or an exterior surface of a pipe may be provided. In still another aspect, an adjustable pad is provided for coupling a pipe machining apparatus to a pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
  • Patent number: 10029511
    Abstract: A spoke for an at least partially muscle-powered bicycle and wheel including a spoke where the spoke comprises a spoke body with a hub-side, first end and a rim-side, second end and the first end and the second end are remote from one another. The spoke body is elongated and includes at least one first center region disposed closer to the first end than to the second end, and at least one second center region disposed closer to the second end than to the first end. The first center region and in the second center region of the spoke body each include flattened cross-sections substantially accommodated in a longitudinal plane. In the second center region the spoke body is configured more asymmetric than in the first center region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: DT SWISS INC.
    Inventors: Martin Walthert, Paul Schuler, Adrian Scheidegger, Jean-Paul Victor Ballard
  • Patent number: 9731546
    Abstract: A bicycle spoke has a spoke body having two remote ends, a rim end, and a hub end. The elongated body includes a longitudinally flattened cross-section. The body includes a first end portion thickness at the hub end transverse to a longitudinal plane. The body includes a second end portion thickness at the rim-side end transverse to the longitudinal plane. The body includes in a first center region disposed closer to the first end portion than to the second end portion, a first center region thickness transverse to the longitudinal plane that is less than the first end portion thickness. In a second center region disposed closer to the second end portion than to the first end portion, the body has the flattened cross-section wherein the second center region includes a second center region thickness transverse to the longitudinal plane that is less than the first center region thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: DT SWISS INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Martin Walthert
  • Publication number: 20130328382
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing self-locking nipples comprising the steps of providing a semi-finished nipple (10) with an enlarged head (5) in comparison with the shank (6), providing at least a first blind hole (11, 11a) in that head, injecting a fluid resin into the hole (11, 11a) and solidifying so as to obtain a corresponding insert (9, 9a), making a second axial hole (7) in the semi-finished product at least partly intersecting the said insert (9, 9a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: ALPINA RAGGI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Guido Cappellotto
  • Publication number: 20130285436
    Abstract: A spoke including a metallic core covered, at least in its central portion, with a sheath of composite material comprised of an assembly of fibers embedded in a matrix, the core including an end portion adapted to be attached to the rim or the hub of a wheel, and a main body whose cross-sectional surface area is between 30% and 50% or, in a particular embodiment, between 35% and 45%, of the cross-sectional surface area of the aforementioned end portion. Furthermore, in the area of the main body, the sheath has a cross section between 150% and 500% or, in a particular embodiment, between 150% and 350%, of the cross section of the metallic core in the same area. The metal core includes two mechanical anchoring zones, positioned in the vicinity of its ends, on both sides of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: MAVIC S.A.S.
    Inventors: Michel DAVOINE, Claude RIGHINI, Joseph NORMAND
  • Publication number: 20130169030
    Abstract: The invention includes a rim for a cycle wheel having a U-shaped radial cross section, with two lateral flanges located on opposite sides of a median plane of the rim and each demarcated by an outer surface facing away from the median plane, on the one hand, and a bridge connecting the flanges and comprising an outer surface facing toward the axis of rotation of the wheel, on the other hand. At least one median zone of the outer surface of the bridge, which has a transverse width measured perpendicular to the median plane and greater than 4 mm, is machined over the entire circumference of the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: MAVIC S.A.S.
    Inventor: Mavic S.A.S.
  • Publication number: 20130088075
    Abstract: Bicycle component and method for assembling a bicycle component comprising several units of which one unit is configured as a fixed unit and at least one unit, as a rotary unit. A fixed unit forms the hub axle and a rotary unit is configured as a hub body. The hub body is provided with a spoke socket for fastening spokes and is rotatably supported relative to the hub axle by means of at least one bearing. At least one separate sealing cap fastened at one of the several units is provided at which a sealed through opening for a unit is provided which unit is rotatable relative to the hub body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Martin Walthert
  • Publication number: 20120324730
    Abstract: A composite material wheel rim structure includes an inner rim surface and a rigid inner lining material encased by the inner rim surface to form an integrated composite structure capable of sustaining the drilling of spaced threaded holes of desired orientations and diameters for threaded engagement with corresponding attachment caps of wheel spokes so that the tightness of each spoke may be varied by the depth. The cap is threaded into the threaded hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Taiwan Hodaka Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih Hung LIN
  • Patent number: 8186766
    Abstract: A method is intended for manufacturing a bicycle spoked wheel. By inserting the nipples or barrels for the attachment of the spokes in the spoke attachment seats from the inside of the spoke attachment chamber instead of from the outside, after having inserted them in the chamber from a suitably sized opening, the rim of the bicycle wheel can be manufactured even without additional openings, still using conventional nipples or barrels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Campagnolo, S.p.l.
    Inventors: Mario Meggiolan, Maurizio Passarotto
  • Publication number: 20120126608
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bicycle wheel repair kit for joining a first segment of a spoke to a second segment of the spoke, the first segment extending radially outward from a wheel hub to terminate in a first free end and the second segment extending radially inward from a wheel rim to terminate in a second free end. The kit may include a coupler including a first engagement member and a second engagement member. The first engagement member is configured to engage the first free end. The second engagement member is generally opposite the first engagement member and configured to engage the second free end. The coupler is configured such that a distance between the first engagement member and the second engagement member can be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Charlie W. Chi
  • Patent number: 8176631
    Abstract: A method for making positioning structures of a bicycle hub comprises the steps of: A. bicycle hub clamping step; B. bicycle hub press forming step; and C. bicycle hub loading step. By such arrangements, the positioning structures of the bicycle hub can be obtained by the quick press forming without affecting the structure strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Bitex Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Te-Yao Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20110115280
    Abstract: A cycle wheel and methods of manufacture of such a wheel. The cycle wheel has tensioned spokes between a hub and a rim and is equipped with a wheel fairing attached to the rim. The rim is provided with two grooves for receiving two radially outer edges of the wheel fairing, and the rim exerts, in the area of the two grooves, a centripetal force that blocks the radially outer edges of the wheel fairing in the grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre MERCAT, Fabrice AUGRIS
  • Patent number: 7866045
    Abstract: A method intended for manufacturing a bicycle spoked wheel is described. By inserting the nipples or barrels for the attachment of the spokes in the spoke attachment seats from the inside of the spoke attachment chamber through a suitably sized opening, instead of from the outside, the rim of the bicycle wheel can be manufactured without additional openings, even when using conventional nipples or barrels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mario Meggiolan, Maurizio Passarotto
  • Patent number: 7748790
    Abstract: A spoked wheel for a bicycle includes a rim, a hub, a plurality of spokes tensioned between the rim and the hub, each provided with a spoke attachment element for attachment to the rim, a plurality of seats, such seats being openings formed in the rim, each for housing one of said spoke attachment elements. The shape and size of the spoke attachment elements and of the seats of the rim are such that: the spoke attachment element is suitable for taking up a first configuration in which its insertion through the seat is possible; and the spoke attachment element once inserted in the seat assumes a second configuration in which it is not possible to remove the spoke attachment element through the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
    Inventors: Mario Meggiolan, Maurizio Passarotto
  • Publication number: 20100156168
    Abstract: A wheel assembly kit for a Mecanum wheel is provided. The kit includes a convex hub having a central axis and a perimeter. The perimeter comprises a plurality of flat spoke faces extending therearound. A spoke is releasably couplable to each spoke face. The spoke is alignable on the spoke face in a first orientation for one of left-handed and right-handed drive. When the spoke is rotated ninety degrees about its respective spoke face, the spoke is alignable in a second orientation for the other of the left-handed and the right-handed drive. A method of assembling the wheel assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Jules Scogna, Andrew Adaman, Michael Crane
  • Patent number: 7658450
    Abstract: A wheel including a peripheral rim, a central hub, and spokes connecting extending and tensioned between the rim and the hub, as well as a method for manufacturing such a wheel. The method includes distributing the spokes in two groups, a first group of spokes lacking a tensioning device, and a second group of spokes having a tensioning device; assembling the spokes to the rim and to the hub, and then adjusting the tension of the spokes with tensioning devices of the second group of spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Fabrice Augris
  • Publication number: 20090322145
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for bicycles that includes a rim having a number of nipple supports attached thereto. A number of nipple supports are attached to a rim and extend in a radially inward direction relative to the rim. One or more openings are formed in each nipple support. The openings are shaped to cooperate with a respective spoke nipple. A cavity is formed between each nipple support and the rim such that the spoke nipples can be engaged with the supports from a circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Damon Rinard
  • Patent number: 7587825
    Abstract: A method of forming a wheel disc starts with a flat blank. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc, wherein each window has a respective outer edge proximate with a continuous outer band around a periphery of the wheel disc. The windows define a plurality of spokes between adjacent windows, and the angular size of each of the windows along the outer band is preferably greater than the angular size of each of the spokes. The outer band is partially closed toward a cylindrical shape by engaging a cam die against at least a portion of the outer band. The outer band is substantially fully closed into a cylindrical shape by axially wiping the outer band using a cylindrical die. The intermediate camming operation achieves the desired final shape after wiping without introducing stresses that would weaken or distort the wheel disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Coleman, Tom Czarniecki, Bill Fowler
  • Publication number: 20090189435
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a wire wheel of the type comprising a rim and a hub secured to each other by a plurality of spokes. Each spoke includes a stem at the opposed axial ends of which are arranged respective anchorage members capable of being secured respectively to the hub and to the rim. The member for anchorage to the rim is received in a seat fixed on the rim with the capability of limited axial displacement in the seat. The seat is provided integrally on the rim in the form of a substantially tubular appendage thereof and the anchorage member is received in a sealed manner with coupling of the cylinder/piston type in the tubular appendage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Guido Cappellotto, Fabio Alberio
  • Patent number: 7559145
    Abstract: A method of forming a wheel disc starts with a flat blank. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc, wherein each window has a respective outer edge proximate with a continuous outer band around a periphery of the wheel disc. The windows define a plurality of spokes between adjacent windows, and the angular size of each of the windows along the outer band is preferably greater than the angular size of each of the spokes. The outer band is partially closed toward a cylindrical shape by engaging a cam die against at least a portion of the outer band. The outer band is substantially fully closed into a cylindrical shape by axially wiping the outer band using a cylindrical die. The intermediate camming operation achieves the desired final shape after wiping without introducing stresses that would weaken or distort the wheel disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Utz Jäcke, Ramon J. Aquilué, Jordi Bosch
  • Patent number: 7555838
    Abstract: A method for producing a bicycle wheel rim is disclosed. The method involves extruding a thin-walled, hollow body having the cross-sectional shape of the rim and an integral external tab. The walls of the hollow body are sufficiently thin that a length of the hollow body without the external tab is subject to buckling when roll formed to produce a rim. The tab is so positioned and sized that the hollow body with the integral external tab is not subject to buckling when roll formed. A portion of the extrusion is then rolled to a circular shape; the circular portion is cut from the extrusion; the free ends are connected, and the external tab is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventor: William B. Shook
  • Publication number: 20090058179
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel having a number of larger than normal spokes constructed to support a rim about a hub. The hub includes a number of recesses that are constructed to receive an end of each spoke. The spoke and hub are constructed such that translation of the spoke in an axial direction relative to the hub engages an end of each spoke with a respective recess. Each spoke can be rotated about an axis of the spoke when the spoke is positioned in a respective recess such that the rim is generally concentrically supported about the hub by a limited number of spokes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Brad J. Addink
  • Publication number: 20090050276
    Abstract: A device for mounting a spoke (1) on a wheel rim or hub, includes a spoke (1) having a rod extending along an axis (X-X?) with one end (11) provided with an external thread (110). The threaded end is screwed inside the internal thread of a nut (2) mounted in an opening provided inside the rim or hub. At least part of the threaded end (11) of the spoke (1) screwed in the nut (2), is curved relative to the axis (X-X?), so as to increase the braking torque by direct friction of the nut (2) relative to the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lacombe
  • Publication number: 20090025225
    Abstract: A method of making a bicycle wheel rim comprises the steps of forming a ring-shaped wheel rim body having a rotational axis, and dipping the rim body in a coloring agent to form a colored surface so that a first color difference portion and a second color difference portion are formed on opposite sides of the rim body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Nishimura, Takashi Otsuji
  • Publication number: 20090008986
    Abstract: The rim, made from metal from a blank that is extruded, shaped into circular shape and closed upon itself through jointing between the ends of the blank, has a pair of wings connected by at least one bridge, and the axial distance between the wings at the jointing area is greater than the axial distance between the wings at the areas far from the jointing area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Amleto Granieri
  • Publication number: 20080277995
    Abstract: The rim has a pair of wings connected by at least one bridge, a pair of braking races each formed on an outer side of each of the wings, a plurality of spoke attachment areas alternating in the circumferential direction with a plurality of intermediate areas in the at least one bridge. The axial distance between the wings at the spoke attachment areas is different from the axial distance between the wings at the intermediate areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Amleto Granieri
  • Patent number: 7178239
    Abstract: A method intended for manufacturing a bicycle spoked wheel is described. By inserting the nipples or barrels for the attachment of the spokes in the spoke attachment seats from the inside of the spoke attachment chamber instead of from the outside, after having inserted them in the chamber from a suitably sized opening, the rim of the bicycle wheel can be manufactured even without additional openings, still using conventional nipples or barrels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mario Meggiolan, Maurizio Passarotto
  • Patent number: 6961999
    Abstract: A deep V-section aero rim for a tensioned spoke wheel and a method for producing it are disclosed. The rim is produced by extruding an alloy to produce a rim profile, rolling the extrusion, cutting the rolled extrusion to length, joining the free ends to produce a rim blank and mechanically reducing the thickness of the rim side walls a substantial amount. In one embodiment, each of the side walls, after extrusion, has a thickness that is sufficient to withstand buckling of the side walls during rolling. After rolling and cutting the extrusion to length, its ends are joined and each side wall, namely, the portion between the rim floor and the braking surface, is thinned, preferably by mechanical abrasion, until each side wall is so thin that an extrusion having side walls of that thickness could not be rolled without side wall buckling. In another embodiment, flanges on the outside of the side walls prevent buckling during rolling and the flanges are removed after rolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: William B Shook
  • Patent number: 6736462
    Abstract: A hollow bicycle rim a plurality of tubular reinforcement members coupled to the inner and outer openings. Each of the reinforcement members has an internal abutment surface within an internal passageway designed to engage an enlarged head of a spoke to couple spokes to the rim. The inner and outer ends of the reinforcement members are secured to the inner and outer openings to prevent inner and outward movement of the reinforcement members, respectively. Each reinforcement member preferably has a pre-formed retaining surface and one or more deformed retaining surface to prevent inner and outer movement. Optionally, each reinforcement member can include a threaded connection instead of one or more the deformed retaining surfaces. Seal members are optionally mounted in the reinforcement members so that a tubeless tire can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
  • Publication number: 20040035001
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rim and to a method for its production, in particular for bicycles, using a machining device for the working a welding burr of the rim. The machining device comprises a machining means working the outer contour of the rim and a another machining means working the inner contour of the rim, that has an outer diameter being less than the width of the rim well. The main steps of the method include movement of the first means along the outer contour of the rim to work the welding burr on the outer contour and movement of the second means along the inner contour of the rim to work the welding burr on the inner contour. During machining the inner contour the rim is pivoted around an axis by a predefined angular range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: DT Swiss AG Corporation
    Inventor: Gerrit Jager
  • Patent number: 6588853
    Abstract: A bicycle rim includes side portions with an outer portion extending between the side portions to form a pair of outer corners, and a spoke attachment portion. The outer portion includes a pair of ridges spaced from the outer corners. The ridges preferably divide a pair of inclined surfaces. The side portions preferably include a pair of ground braking surfaces with a pair of sloping surfaces extending from the braking surfaces to a pair of outer side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
  • Patent number: 6557946
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spoke nipple for bicycle wheels and similar contrivances comprising a body having a longitudinal axis in which a drill hole is disposed essentially concentrically to said longitudinal axis. A screw thread is provided extending at least over one longitudinal section of said drill hole which is provided for receiving a spoke having a corresponding thread. A quantity of glue is disposed on the spoke nipple and so structured that the glue is activated to function as an agent to secure the thread upon screwing said spoke nipple onto a spoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: Jager Gerrit, Maurizio d'Alberto
  • Patent number: 6216344
    Abstract: The invention relates to the method for manufacturing a rim for a spoke wheel, especially a cycle rim. At least one bridge of the rim is bored with a plurality of through holes with a flow drilling bit operating in the direction of the other bridge, so as to create a backflow chimney at the level of each opening of the upper bridge, whose length is greater than the thickness of the bridge. The rim is equipped with inserts provided to receive the spoke nipples. The inserts are either embedded in the chimney openings, or screwed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Mavic S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Alban Minville
  • Patent number: 6205664
    Abstract: A spoke nipple comprises a body of substantially undeformable material with a head and a shank which have an at least partially threaded axial hole for housing the thread of a spoke, and with a perforated insert of substantially deformable material fixed to the body with the holes in the body and in the insert arranged coaxially, the insert having an inside diameter such as to house the thread of the spoke with interference when it is screwed into the axial hole in the nipple body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Alpina Raggi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Guido Cappellotto