Hub And Spoke Connection Patents (Class 301/59)
  • Patent number: 11904630
    Abstract: A bicycle hub and spoke arrangement is provided. The bicycle hub and spoke arrangement includes a bicycle axle supported for rotation by a hub shaft. A plurality of flanges extend radially from the hub shaft. Each of the plurality of flanges has a plurality of apertures. A plurality of spokes, each having a first end, an opposing second end and a body extending therebetween. The second end of each of the plurality of spokes is connected to an outer rim. The first end of each of the plurality of spokes is connected to one of the plurality of circumferentially oriented apertures of the plurality of flanges in a manner such as to create three areas of contact between the first end of each of the plurality of spokes and the associated flange, thereby strengthening a J bend area of the spoke and address spoke failure and shimmy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Rolf Dietrich
  • Patent number: 11801709
    Abstract: A composite wheel includes a rim, a connecting ring, a plurality of spokes and a flange all connected in sequence from the outside to the inside. One end of each spoke is provided with a thread, and the other end of each spoke is provided with a first mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: CITIC DICASTAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weidong Liu, Minglei Li, Dexi Du
  • Patent number: 11571929
    Abstract: A wheel hub has a tubular body having a rotational axis and at least one spoke attachment part protruding radially outward from the tubular body. The spoke attachment part includes a cavity, a first spoke attachment hole, a first spoke head contact surface, a second spoke attachment hole, and a second spoke head contact surface. The cavity includes a spoke insertion opening that opens from the spoke attachment part in an axially outward direction parallel to the rotational axis. The first spoke attachment hole extends from the cavity in a first direction. The first spoke head contact surface is located adjacent the first spoke attachment hole. The second spoke attachment hole extends from the cavity in a second direction. The second spoke head contact surface is located adjacent the second spoke attachment hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tomonari Oka
  • Patent number: 11396206
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel contains a rim, multiple spokes, and multiple abutting faces. The rim includes multiple through orifices, a hub, and multiple threaded orifices. Two intersected spokes are connected with two adjacent through orifices and two threaded orifices corresponding to the two adjacent through orifices respectively. Each spokes includes a first screwing section and a second screwing section. The second screwing section is screwed with each of multiple nuts and each of multiple second screw bushings. The multiple abutting faces are connected with the multiple spokes respectively. Each spoke includes an axial line defined along a center thereof. An angle is defined between each abutting face of the rim and the axial line of each spoke and is 90 degrees. Two connection sections are formed on two ends of each abutting face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: SHENG 1 FIRST CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chin-Tsai Tsai
  • Patent number: 11305577
    Abstract: A lightweight wheel is provided, which includes a flange, a plurality of titanium alloy spokes and a carbon fiber rim, herein the flange is positioned at a middle part of the carbon fiber rim, the plurality of titanium alloy spokes are connected between the flange and the carbon fiber rim, and the plurality of titanium alloy spokes are uniformly distributed in pairs along the circumference; and one end of each of the titanium alloy spokes combined in pairs is fixed on the flange in a centralized mode, and another end is fixed separately at the carbon fiber rim, making the titanium alloy spokes combined in pairs a fan shape. An automobile is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: CITIC DICASTAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weidong Liu, Dexi Du, Shaoqian Wang, Minglei Li, Xiaomian Sun, Shiwen Xu
  • Patent number: 10828932
    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: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventor: Martin Connolly
  • Patent number: 10737529
    Abstract: A spoke attachment flange for a bicycle wheel hub is disclosed. The flange has a plurality of seats for housing enlarged spoke heads. Each spoke seat has an access hole that allows the insertion of the enlarged spoke head and an outlet opening that holds the enlarged spoke head when the spoke is tensioned. The access hole and the outlet opening are spaced circumferentially and connected through a connection channel so that an abutment surface abuts the enlarged head and prevents the enlarged head from exiting through the outlet opening. Methods for manufacturing the hub and mounting a spoke on the flange are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventors: Enrico Fidelfatti, Leonardo Antonio Demelio
  • Patent number: 10723171
    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: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventor: Martin Connolly
  • Patent number: 10214048
    Abstract: The bicycle wheel includes a rim, a hub, a driving device, a plurality of first side pulling spokes, a plurality of first side pushing spokes, and a plurality of second side spokes. The rim has a first side and a second side. The hub is located in a center of the rim. The driving device is connected to the hub which is located on the first side of the rim. Each of the first side pulling spokes and the first side pushing spokes is connected to the rim and the hub, and located on the first side of the rim, respectively. Each of the second side spokes is connected to the rim and the hub, and located on the second side of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GIANT MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: I-Teh Chen, Che-Wei Hsu, Hui-Yuan Su
  • Patent number: 10144245
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for an oval O-ring groove for aircraft wheels may generally comprise an inboard wheel portion and an inboard O-ring groove. The inboard wheel portion may include an inboard rim located opposite of an inboard tubewell. The inboard tubewell may have an inboard mating surface located on an axially outward edge of the inboard tubewell. The inboard O-ring groove may be formed as a partial oval-shaped recess located on an outer edge of the inboard mating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Stevenson
  • Patent number: 9821597
    Abstract: A force-distributing apparatus for a bicycle wheel spoke attachment element includes a force-distributing body having a free-end first surface and a second surface disposed at an opposite side of the first surface. The first surface is disposed on a first portion of the force-distributing body, the second surface is disposed on a second portion of the force-distributing body, and the first surface may have the shape of a truncated sphere. The force-distributing body includes a spoke-receiving opening that extends into the first portion to form a spoke-receiving axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Koshiyama, Hiroshi Fujita
  • Patent number: 9604495
    Abstract: A hub and wheel equipped with a hub body and an axle that rotatably receives the hub body. The hub body is provided with two circumferential hub flanges which accommodate and define an orientation of multiple spokes. Each of the spokes including a spoke body and a flattened spoke head. The hub flange is configured to fix the flattened spoke head to only one axial side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DT SWISS INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Thomas Gasser
  • Patent number: 9561685
    Abstract: A force-distributing apparatus for a bicycle wheel spoke includes a force-distributing body having a free-end first surface and a second surface disposed at an opposite side of the first surface. The force-distributing body has a spoke-receiving opening that extends through the first surface. In one embodiment, the first surface substantially has the shape of a truncated sphere. In another embodiment, the force distributing body has a generally cylindrical shape. In another embodiment, the spoke-receiving opening is formed eccentrically in the force-distributing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Koshiyama, Hiroshi Fujita
  • Patent number: 9056521
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Alpina Raggi, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Guido Cappellotto
  • 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: 20150015125
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel system includes a hub assembly having a body, a collet within the body; a first hub mating member; a second hub mating member; wherein each of the hub mating members have either a surface pattern or an engagement member; and torque transfer flanges at each end of the body. A first axle assembly includes a first axle; either a surface pattern or an engagement member; and a torque transfer flange. A second axle assembly includes a second axle; either a surface pattern or an engagement member; a gear collet; and a ratchet gear drive, with the ratchet gear drive having a torque transfer flange. The surface patterns and engagement members are arranged for selective locking engagement with one another to join the hub assembly, first axle assembly, and second axle assembly together. A locking release mechanism controls the engagement of the surface patterns and engagement members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: SLIPSTREAM BICYCLES, LLC
    Inventor: Walter H. Webber
  • 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
  • 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: 20140175859
    Abstract: A bicycle hub includes a hub shell body and a plurality of spoke mounting projections. The spoke mounting projections are disposed at one end portion of the hub shell body. Each of the spoke mounting projections includes a first circumferential side and a second circumferential side. The first circumferential side has a first spoke outlet for a first spoke and a second spoke outlet for a second spoke. The second circumferential side is opposite to the first circumferential side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuki KOSHIYAMA
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130342003
    Abstract: A bicycle disc wheel or spoked wheel (10) is disclosed, comprising a hub (12), a rim (14) and at least one disc or spoke-type structural element (60) integral with the hub (12) and the rim (14), wherein said at least one structural element (60) is pretensioned. A process for manufacturing thereof comprises the sequential steps of providing a hub (12) and a rim (14), applying a compression on the rim (14) towards the hub (12) elastically deforming it, rendering at least one disc or spoke-type structural element (60) integral with the hub (12) and the rim (14), and removing the compression onto the rim (14) applied in step a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
  • Publication number: 20130207448
    Abstract: A force-distributing apparatus for a bicycle wheel spoke includes a force-distributing body having a free-end first surface and a second surface disposed at an opposite side of the first surface. The first surface substantially has the shape of a truncated sphere, and the force-distributing body has a spoke-receiving opening that extends through the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventors: Kazuki Koshiyama, Hiroshi Fujita
  • Patent number: 8480182
    Abstract: A rear hub assembly for bicycle includes a ratchet wheel and a hub body assembled with the ratchet wheel. The hub body has a first hub plate disposed on one end thereof. The first hub plate has a plurality of protrusions formed on an outer lateral surface thereof. A dodging portion is formed between every two adjacent protrusions. A plurality of recesses are defined in an inner lateral surface of the first hub plate. A plane portion is formed between every two adjacent recesses. The first hub plate has a plurality of bores defined therein and located on each protrusion and dodging portion. A first and a second stepped level difference are respectively defined between every recess and plane portion; and between every protrusion and dodging portion. A plurality of spokes engaged with the bores respectively and buckled the first hub plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Fu Sheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20130033094
    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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy Lubecki
  • 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: 20120248854
    Abstract: A hub and wheel equipped therewith includes a hub body and an axle rotatably receiving the hub body, the hub body being provided with at least one circumferential hub flanges which serve for accommodation and defined orientation of a multitude of spokes. Each of the spokes has a spoke body and a flattened spoke head. The hub flange is configured to fix the flattened spoke head to only one axial side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Thomas Gasser
  • 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: 20120204639
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a novel apparatus and method for providing the magnetic impulse required to drive an electronic pickup used to indicate the speed of a bicycle. In a conventional spoked wheel, one of the spokes is fabricated from a magnetic material such that each time that particular spoke passes the pickup the requisite current impulse is transmitted to the handlebar mounted receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Chris Mogridge
  • Patent number: 8162407
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spoked wheel that includes a peripheral rim, a central hub, and individual connecting spokes between the rim and the hub, the spokes being taut. The wheel includes an arrangement for adjusting the tension of at least some of the spokes, and the spokes are taut with an initial tension Ti corresponding to a normal tension value Tn which is reduced by a value corresponding to a compression force R that can be supported by each spoke. For a rear wheel, the spokes supporting the compression forces are those arranged on the side opposite freewheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Olivier Mouzin
  • Publication number: 20110291466
    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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori KANEHISA, Masashi GOTO, Seiji MOURI
  • Patent number: 8038225
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly includes two end caps which are two collar-shaped member and an axle is connected between the two end caps. A casing is mounted to two respective outer peripheries of the two end caps and accommodates the axle therein. The two end caps and the casing form a smooth and curved outer shape. Two collars are connected to two distal ends of the two end caps and two ends of the casing. Two positioning bolts extend through the collars and are threadedly connected to the two ends of the axle. Multiple copper heads are connected to the two end caps and protrude outward from the casing at an angle so as to be connected to spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Joy Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pi-Yun Chiang
  • Publication number: 20110241412
    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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy Lubecki
  • Patent number: 7997664
    Abstract: A hub for off-road motorcycle includes a bearing having a first portion and a second portion respectively formed on two opposite ends thereof. Each of the first portion and the second portion has a connecting flange extended therefrom. A first annular element has a first through hole defined therein. The first annular element has a plurality of first spoke holes defined therein. A second annular element has a second through hole defined therein. The second annular element has a plurality of second spoke holes defined therein. When the hub adapts to be assembled with spokes, the first annular element and the second annular element are slightly pivotally rotated relative to the bearing for adapting to easily adjustably assemble the spokes with a rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Judy Wu
  • Publication number: 20110193403
    Abstract: A bicycle spoke and hub assembly comprises a hub and a connected device. The hub includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the hub has an installing portion. The installing portion has an opening distal from the second end of the hub. The connected device includes a seat and at least one spoke extended from the seat. The seat and the spoke are made of one piece. The seat of the connected device is installed to the installing portion. The spoke includes a first portion integrally formed on the seat and at least two second portions installed to a rim. The stress applied on the spoke will be dissipated on the seat because the first portion is integrally formed on an outer surface of the seat. Stress concentration will not be caused between the seat and the spoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Wu-Hui Chen
  • Patent number: 7988240
    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: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy Lubecki
  • Patent number: 7967392
    Abstract: A hub body for a bicycle wheel has a substantially tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis with a pair of opposite end portions, at least one of which has an annular front surface on which a plurality of housing seats for an end portion of respective spokes are formed. Advantageously, at least some of these seats comprise retention elements adapted to prevent said spokes from moving along a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis in all operating conditions. The spoke is thus prevented from moving away from the hub in the case of untightening or breaking of a spoke during a race, which would compromise the correct operation of the wheel and/or constitute a danger to the cyclists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
  • Patent number: 7950747
    Abstract: A tension-spoke wheel including a rim, spokes, and a central hub, the exterior of the rim having a tire-receiving channel that defines a median plane, and an interior of the rim having spoke fastening zones that define a median plane for fastening the spokes, the hub having a median plane and two flanges for fastening the spokes, one of the flanges being closer to the median plane of the hub than the other, and at least the spokes fastened to the flange that is closer to the median plane of the hub lacking individual tensioning mechanisms. The spokes fastened to the flange that is closer to the hub median plane are fastened to the rim on the side of the median plane of the tire-receiving channel that is opposite the closer flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Claude Righini, BenoƮt Saillet
  • Patent number: 7926885
    Abstract: A spoke for a tension wheel, the spoke being made of a composite material and including a tension body, the body having a median portion and two ends, the body being extended beyond each end by a fastening segment, the body and the fastening segments being connected by a transitional zone. The spoke has at least one portion with a cross-sectional surface reinforced relative to the cross section of the median portion, the reinforced cross-sectional portion extending through at least one transitional zone between the tension body and the embedded fastening segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Benoit Saillet, Philippe Renard, Claude Righini
  • Patent number: 7926884
    Abstract: A spoke, in particular for bicycles, having at least a spoke body and spoke ends provided at the spoke body which are provided to be attached to a rim or a hub body, wherein the spoke body consists of a fibrous composite material, the spoke body includes a plurality of fibers which can be spread out fan-like at least at one spoke end as exposed fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.
    Inventor: Joachim Heyse
  • Publication number: 20110084541
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel with a tri-flange hub includes a hub with a first flange, second flange, and a third flange. The rim of the bicycle wheel is connected to the first, second and third flanges by spokes. The third flange is located on the hub along a centerline which passes through the center of the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Reynolds Cycling LLC
    Inventor: Paul Eric Lew
  • Patent number: 7891745
    Abstract: A wheel includes a hub, a rim, and spokes. The hub includes inner attachment portions and is configured to support the wheel about a rotational axis. The spokes are attached to the hub and the rim and are together configured to radially support the rim with respect to the hub. In one embodiment, the spokes are attached to the hub with fasteners extending into threaded apertures in the hub, and the spokes are attached to the rim with fasteners extending in a direction parallel with the rotational axis. In another embodiment, respective ones of the spokes, which are attached to a common inner attachment portion of the hub, are not attached to adjacent outer attachment portions of the rim. Vehicles and methods of manufacturing a wheel are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Nagao, Kenji Tamura
  • Patent number: 7862128
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel, including an outer rim, a central hub with a central axle and an outer flange, a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub, a bracing element connected to one of the spokes, and a clamping element connected to the bracing element. The spokes have a span portion between the rim and hub. The spoke has a tensile axis of applied tensile load along the span portion, a sidewall surface, and a longitudinal axis along its length. The bracing element includes a portion of one of the rim and hub. The spoke is anchored to the clamping element in a clamped connection where the clamping element is clamped to one of the spokes by a clamping force. At least one of a first portion and a second portion of one of the spokes is joined to the clamping element by a deformed engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
  • Patent number: 7823981
    Abstract: A wheel hub is provided. The wheel hub includes an axle, a first spoke coupling member operably connected to the axle, a second spoke coupling member operably connected to the axle and an outer surface covering at least a portion of the axle. The outer surface is located between the first and second spoke coupling members and has a length and a thickness where the length is greater than the thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Zero Products, LLC
    Inventor: John Cobb
  • Patent number: 7735936
    Abstract: A spoke for a bicycle wheel has an elongated metallic material body that extends along a longitudinal axis X-X and has a first end portion for the attachment to a hub of a bicycle wheel, a second end portion for the attachment to a rim of a bicycle wheel and an intermediate portion having a portion which is flattened in a transversal direction Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X and extending along the longitudinal axis X-X up to the first end portion. The first end portion of the spoke is also flattened in the transversal direction Z and is gradually joined to the flattened portion of the intermediate portion along the longitudinal axis X-X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
    Inventors: Maurizio Passarotto, Mario Meggiolan
  • Patent number: 7673946
    Abstract: A hub apparatus for a bicycle wheel with improved aerodynamic mechanism is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a hub body having a parabolic shape. The hub body is disclosed approximately about a center plane of the bicycle wheel and has a plurality of retaining holes for retaining one end of bicycle spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hed Cycling Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Arthur Hed
  • Publication number: 20100052411
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel assembly having a number of spokes that extends between a hub and a rim. The wheel assembly includes a drive side that faces a chain and a non-drive side that is laterally spaced from the drive side. The spokes that extend between the hub and the rim on the drive side of the wheel assembly are oriented in a series of radial spokes and one-cross spoke pairs. Preferably, the drive side spokes are oriented in a repeating pattern. The non-drive side spokes are oriented in a repeating pattern wherein each spoke crosses more than one other non-drive side spoke. A wheel having such a spoke lacing pattern is lightweight and robust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Brad J. Addink
  • Patent number: 7665807
    Abstract: A spoked wheel for a bicycle is described, including a hub, a rim, and a plurality of spokes, which connect the hub to the rim. The spokes are arranged in groups set at an angular distance from one another. At least two spokes of each group, viewed in the direction of the axis of the wheel, cross over one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
    Inventors: Maurizio Passarotto, Mario Meggiolan
  • Patent number: 7658452
    Abstract: A hub and a wheel equipped with such a hub for bicycles, wherein the hub includes a fixed hub axle and a hub body rotatably mounted relative to fixed hub axle through two bearings. The hub body includes a hub sleeve and two separate hub flanges positioned on the hub sleeve at which spokes are disposed to connect the hub body with a rim. The hub flanges are fastened to the hub sleeve by connecting members positioned substantially perpendicular to the hub axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Martin Walthert, Andreas Reuteler