Spoke Patents (Class 301/104)
  • Patent number: 11504997
    Abstract: A wheel rim having a central axis and comprising a central hub configured to be fixed to a suspension of a vehicle; a peripheral ring, which is arranged around the hub with a predetermined radial distance from the hub itself and is configured to receive a tire of the vehicle on a radially outermost surface thereof; a plurality of spokes equally spaced angularly from one another around the axis and connecting the peripheral ring to the hub; and at least one projection protruding in a cantilever fashion towards the hub, starting from a radially innermost surface of the peripheral ring, opposite to the radially outermost surface, and defining an airfoil configured to generate, in use, during the forward travel of the vehicle, a channelling of the air towards the outside of the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: FERRARI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Biancalana, Michele Zanchini
  • Patent number: 11198323
    Abstract: The coefficient cycling aero foil system is designed to reduce drag and turbulence from a tire and spokes used to support a bicycle wheel. The system is integrated into a rim on a bicycle wheel which allows for increased forward momentum by cutting drag and reducing wheel turbulence that occurs during the rotation of a bicycle wheel. The foils may be strategically placed for optimum aerodynamic wind flow and are precisely angled to force wind past the foil creating increased forward momentum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: COEFFICIENT CYCLING LLC
    Inventor: Donald A. Sheff
  • Patent number: 11077706
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a carbon fiber spoke and a manufacturing method thereof. The carbon fiber spoke includes a spoke body made of carbon fiber, a screw bushing that is fit and connected with rim and a nut cap bushing that is fit and connected with the hub. Two end parts of the spoke body are provided with solid joints. The outside surface of the solid joint is provided with a first tapered section. The screw bushing and the nut cap bushing are provided with penetrable mounting holes. The hole wall surrounding the mounting hole is provided with a second tapered section. The mounting hole of the screw bushing and the mounting hole of the nut cap bushing are respectively fixed to the two solid joints; the second tapered section of the mounting hole and the first tapered section of the solid joint are fit and connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: XIAMEN HONGJI WEIYE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jingnan Wang, Hailin Huang, Feihu Wang, Kun Wang, Shuhui Liao, Renbao Lin
  • Patent number: 10967970
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a fuselage that supports breakaway components that are attached using magnets. One component is a battery pack which powers the vehicle. Another component is a rotor set including two identical pod pairs that each support a motor and a propeller. Each motor is attached to a hub assembly that includes a plurality of spokes captured in a motor hub and sandwiched by a rigid motor printed circuit board on top and a rigid hub plate. The hub assembly construction is rigid in plane and functions to keep the motor firmly stable during operation. The hub assembly is compliant and resilient when impacted parallel to the plane. Other features of the pod pairs encage the otherwise dangerous spinning propeller. This allows the vehicle to operate with a higher level of safety than conventional UAVs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: VANTAGE ROBOTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Johannes Becker Van Niekerk, Tobin Fisher, Craig Janik
  • Patent number: 10814671
    Abstract: A tensile element connection, comprising first and second bracing elements and a tensile element having a first portion connected to the first bracing element and a second portion opposed to the first portion and connected to the second bracing element, and an applied tensile load along the tensile element. The tensile element includes a preformed rod that is comprised of reinforcement fibers in a matrix. At a temporarily elevated temperature greater than the service temperature, a localized region of the matrix is in a softened state of increased deformability such that a localized region of the rod is deformed under pressure to include a laterally outwardly projecting engagement surface. The tensile element is comprised of said rod with the engagement surface formed therein and is connected to one of the first and second bracing elements by means of an overlie engagement at the engagement surface to restrain the tension load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
  • Patent number: 10780733
    Abstract: A wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength. The wheel includes a nipple within the rim that receives the high strength spoke and allows for flexibility in adapting the spoke to wheels having differing shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Inventor: Martin Connolly
  • Patent number: 10661598
    Abstract: An article includes having a braided fiber having a first end and a second end, and a rod having a first end and a second end, whereby the first end of the rod is threaded and wherein the second end of the rod is disposed inside the first end of the braided fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: BERD, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles S. Spanjers, Kyle D. Olson
  • Patent number: 10655724
    Abstract: Torsional vibration dampers (TVDs) having a plurality of spokes that are asymmetric by having a changing spoke thickness in the angular direction with the greatest thickness at the position where the belt torque and the dynamic torque of the TVD act in unison are disclosed. The spokes, which connect a central member to a peripheral rim, include an asymmetrical thickness in an angular direction, as evidenced by a cross-section view transverse to a radial length of each of the plurality of spokes. Engine systems having one of the disclosed TVDs mounted to a shaft are also disclosed, for example a TVD mounted to a crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Suhale Manzoor
  • Patent number: 10493796
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel spoke connection, including: a rim; a hub; a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub with a first portion connected to the rim, a second portion opposed to said first portion and connected to the hub, a span portion between the rim and the hub, and an applied tensile load along the span portion; a bracing element including the rim and/or hub. The spoke has a longitudinal axis and is composed of reinforcement fibers in a matrix. The external surface of the spoke includes a pre-formed configured surface comprising a multiplicity of laterally outwardly projecting engagement surfaces that are longitudinally spaced. The spoke is connected to the bracing element by a longitudinal engagement comprising a multiplicity of longitudinally spaced overlie engagements associated with the spoke engagement surfaces. The longitudinal engagement supports the tensile load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
  • Patent number: 10357993
    Abstract: A wheel for a motor vehicle comprises a rim having an outer radius and a wheel spider including a radially inner hub and a plurality of spokes extending from said hub towards said rim. At least one through-hole extends, with respect to the wheel axis, in a circumferential direction through at least one of said spokes. A radially outer edge of said through-hole or of an outermost of said through-holes is located at maximum at 75%, preferably at maximum at ?, of said outer radius of the rim measured at a wheel spider side of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: BBS MOTORSPORT GMBH
    Inventors: Roman Müller, Thorsten Welte
  • Patent number: 10293635
    Abstract: A rim for a bicycle wheel that includes a tire, hub and spokes. The bicycle rim generally includes a radially outer tire-engaging portion, a radially inner spoke-engaging portion, a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall. The first and second sidewalls extend between the tire engaging and spoke-engaging portions. The tire-engaging and spoke-engaging portions and first and second sidewalls form a toroid. The rim when attached to the tire forms a side profile and a transverse cross section that positions a center of pressure of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Poertner, Michael Hall
  • Patent number: 10252568
    Abstract: A bicycle disc or spider wheel including: a hub; a rim having a radially outer tire-coupling region, a first sidewall, a second sidewall; an axis of rotation; and a median plane. A pair of pretensioned disc or spider wheel-type structural elements are integral with the hub and with the rim. The first sidewall extends on a first side of the wheel, with respect to the median plane, on which a component of a motion transmission system or, when there is none, a disc of a disc brake is provided at the hub, and the second sidewall extends on the opposite side, with respect to the median plane. The first sidewall of the rim has a minimum distance from the median plane that is smaller than that of the second sidewall of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
  • Patent number: 10189301
    Abstract: A wheel includes a rim having a rim well and rim flanges, a hub, and at least three spoke elements. Each spoke element forms at least one spoke between the hub and the rim. The spoke elements are fastened to an inside of the rim in a form-closed manner or a form-closed and bonded manner. In the hub region, the spoke elements are supported on each other in a circumferential direction at abutting surfaces designed therefor. A method for producing the wheel is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP CARBON COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Werner, Christian Köhler, André Bartsch, Michael Dreßler, Sandro Mäke
  • Patent number: 10173461
    Abstract: A wheel with a rim as well as a wheel spider, where the wheel spider has a hub and spokes. The wheel includes spokes including one or more linearly stretched textile strands as reinforcement material of a fiber composite and each linearly stretched textile strand runs at least once from the rim to the hub and back without interruption and thus forms at least one spoke. The textile strands are connected in a positive-locking manner and/or in substance with the hub and the rim. A process is provided for the manufacture of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP CARBON COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Werner, Christian Köhler, André Bartsch, Sandro Mäke, Michael Dreßler, Martin Lepper, Werner Hufenbach
  • Patent number: 10150332
    Abstract: A spoke for use in connection with a wheel, the spoke having a braided fiber having a first end and a second end, a rod having a first end and a second end, whereby the first end of the rod is threaded and wherein the second end of the rod is disposed inside the first end of the braided fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: BERD L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles S. Spanjers, Kyle D. Olson
  • Patent number: 10131181
    Abstract: A wheel with flexible spokes, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: Martin Connolly
  • Patent number: 10065450
    Abstract: A cycle wheel having a rim adapted to receive a tire. The wheel is equipped with a fairing attached on the rim. The fairing is at least partially made from a material having a density less than 120 kg/m3 and a compression set at 25% compression of less than 14%. The material can be an expanded polypropylene foam, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: MAVIC S.A.S.
    Inventors: Claude Righini, Antoine Feliciano
  • Patent number: 10059146
    Abstract: A wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength. The wheel includes a nipple within the rim that receives the high strength spoke and allows for flexibility in adapting the spoke to wheels having differing shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Martin Connolly
  • Patent number: 9815321
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel including a rim, a hub, and a plurality of spokes extending with a span portion between the rim hub. The rim and/or hub constitutes a bracing element. A connecting element is connected to the bracing element and includes an external surface, an internal cavity. A spoke has a longitudinal axis and an external spoke surface that that overlaps the internal cavity in an overlap region, and a pre-formed lateral spoke surface. The connecting element is crimped to create a crimped joinder with the spoke such that the connector surface is pressed and plastically deformed to displace the internal cavity toward the spoke surface in the overlap region to cause a lateral connector surface to laterally overlap the lateral spoke surface to create an overlie engagement and/or to increase a lateral overlap between a lateral connector surface and the lateral spoke surface in an overlie engagement. The overlie engagement supports spoke tensile load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
  • Patent number: 9713939
    Abstract: Carbon fiber bicycle wheels are formed from parts cut from carbon fiber cloth and then joined together to form a rim, sidewalls, spokes, flanges and a center tunnel on which the flanges are mounted. The parts are then assembled, bonded together, and cured to form a wheel. During assembly, the spokes and the wheel are placed in tension by moving the flanges outwardly on the center tunnel after assembly and then bonding them in place to stiffen and strengthen the wheel. The spokes of the drive side of the rear wheel are specially shaped to accommodate torque transfer forces generated by pedaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Cayucos Cowboys, LLC
    Inventors: Max U. Kismarton, Eric Hjertberg, G. Kyle Lobisser
  • Patent number: 9636943
    Abstract: A wheel with flexible spokes, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Martin Connolly
  • Patent number: 9597925
    Abstract: A wheel with flexible spokes, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Martin Connolly
  • Patent number: 9539853
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: MAVIC S.A.S.
    Inventors: Michel Davoine, Claude Righini, Joseph Normand
  • Patent number: 9505261
    Abstract: A wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength. The wheel includes a nipple within the rim that receives the high strength spoke and allows for flexibility in adapting the spoke to wheels having differing shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Martin Connolly
  • Patent number: 9499673
    Abstract: Method for producing a nanocomposite material reinforced by unidirectionally oriented pre-dispersed alumina nanofibers. The process is suited for industrial-scale production of the nanocomposite materials. The nanocomposite production process involves, synthesis of unidirectionally oriented pre-dispersed alumina nanofibers, casting a mat of pre-dispersed nanofibers with a predetermined orientation in the atmosphere of air or other gas(es) by saturating the nanofibers with liquid polymer matrix. Polymer matrix may include thermosets or/and thermoplastics. The material forming the polymer matrix may be heated to its melting point temperature to transform it to liquid phase. After saturation, the polymer matrix is hardened by lowering its temperature or by means of exposing the polymer matrix to UV radiation, electron beam and/or chemical hardeners. The nanomaterial is composed of polymer composite with homogeneously dispersed uniformly oriented reinforcing nanofibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: ANF Technology Limited
    Inventor: Ilya Grodnensky
  • Patent number: 9481201
    Abstract: A spoke includes a spoke body that has two ends respectively forming a terminal section and the threaded section and includes a neck section arranged below the terminal section; a first flattened section set at a location below the neck section; and a second flattened section set at a location below the first flattened section in such a way that the second flattened section and the first flattened section are at different horizontal plane. In assembling the spoke body to a wheel hub and a wheel rim, the combination of the first flattened section and the second flattened section helps set the spoke body at a correct position and direction for assembly and force taking, whereby the first flattened section may absorb torsion and the second flattened section helps transfer tension and allows for change of the angle of bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SHA-DAR ACCESSORIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Hsuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8985709
    Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel, including a rim, a hub with a central axle and an outer flange, a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub and a connecting element connected to at least one of the spokes. The spoke is a generally slender element with a longitudinal axis with a span portion between the rim and hub and a tensile axis of applied tensile load along the span portion. At least one of said rim and hub constitutes a bracing element. The connecting element includes an external surface and an internal cavity with an internal surface adjacent said spoke. The connecting element is joined to the spoke by means of a crimped joinder such that said external surface is pressed inwardly to plastically deform said connecting element to displace the internal surface toward the spoke. The crimped joinder supports tensile load through an engagement interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
  • Patent number: 8985708
    Abstract: A wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength. The wheel includes a nipple within the rim that receives the high strength spoke and allows for flexibility in adapting the spoke to wheels having differing shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Connolly
  • Patent number: 8985707
    Abstract: A wheel with flexible spokes, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Connolly
  • Publication number: 20140361604
    Abstract: The method for the manufacture of a spoke for spoked wheels including a step of forming a head of the spoke at a longitudinal end of the shank thereof by equipment for the plastic deformation of the end of the shank, wherein the plastic deformation is obtained by maintaining the shank in relative rotation to the equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Guido Cappellotto
  • Patent number: 8888196
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Charlie W. Chi
  • Publication number: 20140265431
    Abstract: An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction means and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle wheel, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Garth L. Magee
  • Patent number: 8794714
    Abstract: A spoked wheel is described that uses flexible spokes having a termination on each end that couple with a rim using nipples. The flexible spokes are supported mid-span by a hub flange cradle that transfers torque from the hub to the rim via two sub-spokes. The hub flange cradle determines whether a sub-spoke is tangential or radial. A plurality of spokes may be used on each side of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Timothy Lubecki
  • Publication number: 20140210252
    Abstract: Spoke nipple structure for reducing rupture of spoke thread, which could maintain the straightness of the spoke thread by improving spoke and mated nipple; the spoke comprises: a spoke body as well as head and threaded portion set separately at both ends of the spoke body; the head is pulled or bent in practice to mate with the hub, and the threaded portion is provided with a threaded section of certain length; especially, a cyclic bulge is shaped on the spoke body adjacent to the threaded portion; the max. OD of the bulge is less than or equal to the ID of the nipple's large hole for tight coupling; the locking effect of cyclic bulge could maintain the straightness of the threaded portion and eliminate the bending point formed in the threaded portion of spoke arising from the transversal stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Wen Hsuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8733846
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mavic SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Julien Michaud, Olivier Mouzin
  • Patent number: 8720369
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of surface coatings to treated aluminum articles utilized on aircraft, and more particularly to a system for masking portions of aluminum aircraft wheel and brake components for application of surface coatings to reduce or prevent wear and/or corrosion to the aluminum article. The system may be utilized for new aluminum aircraft components as well as aircraft components that have been subjected to non-destructive testing. The masking components are constructed and arranged to cooperate with portions of the aluminum component in a sequential manner to allow for application of multiple layers of primer and/or topcoat without removal of prior masking components so that a coated component complies with the manufacturer's written requirements for that component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: The Lost Boy Group, LLC
    Inventors: Jason E. Rayman, Richard W. Brown
  • Patent number: 8657387
    Abstract: An improved connecting system for a vehicle wheel spoke, including a spoke having an end portion, a span portion and a cross-section thereof, a connecting element; a bracing element such as a rim or hub, a tensile axis of applied tensile load along the span portion, and a longitudinal axis along the spoke. The connecting element is made of hardened molding material and the spoke is overmolded by the connecting element during solidification of the hardened molding material. The connecting element is joined to the spoke at an overmolded interface and the connecting element is connected to the bracing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
  • Patent number: 8651583
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel spoke assembly includes a spoke and a spoke nut. The spoke has a rim attachment end and a hub attachment end. The spoke nut has a main body with a cylindrical shaped outer surface and a bore extending at least partially through the main body. The outer surface has at least one axially extending rib configured for engagement with a spoke aperture of a bicycle wheel hub. The bore of the main body of the spoke nut includes threads with the hub attachment end of the spoke being threadedly secured within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Masashi Goto, Seiji Mouri
  • Patent number: 8608252
    Abstract: A spoke of a bicycle rim has a spoke body having a connecting end and a threaded segment formed on the connecting end. The threaded segment has multiple first thread sections and at least one second thread section. The first thread sections have a major radius, a minor radius and a pitch. The at least one second thread section is formed between the first thread sections to form at least one loosen-proofing section between the first thread sections and has a major radius, a minor radius and a pitch. The major radius of the second thread section is smaller than the major radius of the first thread sections. The minor radius of the second thread section is larger than the minor radius of the first thread sections. The pitch of the second thread section is the same as that of the first thread sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Yi-Chuan Ling
  • 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: 20130069422
    Abstract: A wheel for a toy vehicle including a rim comprising at least one spoke radiating from a hub comprising a channel, and an insert configured to be disposed in the channel, wherein the insert is held within the channel such that the insert appears to be integral with the at least one spoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: JADA TOYS, INC.
    Inventor: Jack LI
  • Patent number: 8313154
    Abstract: A spoked wheel is described that uses flexible spokes having a termination on each end that couple with a rim using nipples. The flexible spokes are supported mid-span by a hub flange cradle that transfers torque from the hub to the rim via two sub-spokes. The hub flange cradle determines whether a sub-spoke is tangential or radial. A plurality of spokes may be used on each side of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy Lubecki
  • Publication number: 20120256471
    Abstract: The kit includes a hub having a central axis and a perimeter. The perimeter comprises a plurality of flat spoke faces extending therearound. A spoke assembly is releasably couplable to each spoke face. Each spoke assembly is aligned with an adjacent spoke assembly to form a spoke. A method of assembling the wheel assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Jules Scogna, Adam Schuman
  • Publication number: 20120242139
    Abstract: A wheel spoke includes a shaft, a head at an axial end of the shaft, and a head rear surface on the face of the head which faces towards the shaft; the head rear surface has a plurality of alternating raised portions and recesses which can define a discontinuous contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Guido Cappellotto
  • Patent number: 8251459
    Abstract: A Spoke Seal Protector that comprises a visually pleasing outer shape with an internal cavity, where the internal cavity has a lower portion shaped complimentary to the industry standard wheel adjusters on the wheel spokes of either motorcycles, bicycles, or other motor conveyances using spoked wheels. The Spoke Seal Protector is adhered onto the spoke adjustor and the internal cavity encases the spoke adjuster. Spring clips may be secured on the adjuster nut and frictionally bear against the spoke seal protector, or the spring clips may be secured on the spoke seal protector and frictionally bear against the adjuster nut. The spoke seal protector and adjustor nut may additionally have a knurled surface to provide additional fiction to secure the spoke seal protector to the adjustor nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Mason
  • Patent number: 8246119
    Abstract: A wheel, having a peripheral wheel rim, a central hub with a central axle and an outer flange, a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub, a connecting element connected to at least one of the spokes, and a bracing element connected to the connecting element. The spokes have a first portion connected to the rim and a second portion opposed to the first portion and connected to the hub and a span portion between the rim and hub. The spoke is a generally slender element with a longitudinal axis and also has a tensile axis of applied tensile load along the span portion. The bracing element includes at least a portion of at least one of the rim and hub. The connecting element includes a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion integrally joined to the second portion at a joining interface. This integral joinder of the first portion and second portion of the connecting element serves to at least one of retain and engage the spoke to the connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
  • Publication number: 20120200144
    Abstract: The invention comprises a wheel with improved cooling characteristics and method of making a wheel with a high efficient heat exchange capability. The edges of the wheel being modified to increase surface area while maintaining performance and aesthetics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Francisco J. Hodges
  • Patent number: 8215720
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spoke wheel that includes a peripheral rim, a central hub, and individual connecting spokes between the rim and the hub. In their free state, the spokes of the wheel are mounted without tension or compression between the rim and the hub, and each spoke can bear a compression load of at least 60 daN without bowing. Furthermore, the wheel includes a play-free connection or bilateral connection device for connecting at least one end of each spoke to the rim or the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Olivier Mouzin
  • Publication number: 20120161499
    Abstract: A spoke of a bicycle rim has a spoke body having a connecting end and a threaded segment formed on the connecting end. The threaded segment has multiple first thread sections and at least one second thread section. The first thread sections have a major radius, a minor radius and a pitch. The at least one second thread section is formed between the first thread sections to form at least one loosen-proofing section between the first thread sections and has a major radius, a minor radius and a pitch. The major radius of the second thread section is smaller than the major radius of the first thread sections. The minor radius of the second thread section is larger than the minor radius of the first thread sections. The pitch of the second thread section is the same as that of the first thread sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Yi-Chuan Ling
  • Patent number: 8182047
    Abstract: A spoke for a wire wheel of the type including a rim and a hub interconnected with one another by a plurality of spokes, each of which includes an end portion arranged to be retained at least in one direction in a seat associated with the rim. The spoke has a bush associated with the end portion for receiving same to define the seat. The bush is arranged to be inserted in a through-hole of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Alpina Raggi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Guido Cappellotto, Fabio Alberio