Having Annular Chamber Patents (Class 301/95.104)
  • Patent number: 11897285
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel includes: a casting process of manufacturing the wheel in a one-piece body having a forming end and a temporary flange protruding at inner and outer sides of the wheel, respectively, wherein the one-piece body further includes a resonance chamber forming groove; a primary shape machining process of forming a stepped part at an outer circumferential side of the resonance chamber forming groove; a flow forming process of bending the forming end to be seated on the stepped part; a friction stir welding process of integrally bonding a portion where the forming end and the stepped part are in close contact with each other; a fine machining process of removing the temporary flange; and a sound-absorbing hole machining process of forming a sound-absorbing hole for communicating between the resonance chamber and an interior space of a tire in the forming end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Sungwoo Casting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Min Lee, Young Chan Kim, Min Soo Kim, Young Rae Jo, Young Il Kim, Sang Bum Park, Chang Hak Yoo
  • Patent number: 11766893
    Abstract: A wheel component for sports and racing bicycles with an annular tire and a central tread surface, which in proper use in straight-ahead travel on a plane ground circumferentially makes contact with the surface of the ground, and which opens up a central longitudinal sectional plane. Planar aero elements are configured on the surface of the annular tire, laterally spaced apart from the longitudinal sectional plane. The aero elements are configured as depressions in the surface of the tire and are disposed on the side surfaces and define angular bands rotating on the side surfaces. The surface proportion of the aero elements to the surface of an angular band is larger than 5% and less than 25%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: DT SWISS INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Victor Ballard, Matthew Jayaraman, Simon Hugentobler, Martin Walthert
  • Patent number: 11557273
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle wheel with which manufacturing costs can be reduced. The vehicle wheel includes a sub air chamber member as a Helmholtz resonator on a well portion of a rim. The sub air chamber member includes a protrusion portion which protrudes toward the rim, and the rim has a hole portion into which the protrusion portion is inserted to engage with the sub air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youichi Kamiyama, Yuta Shimamura, Mikiharu Nakanishi, Takuro Hama
  • Patent number: 11472228
    Abstract: A strap center fixed type resonator may include a resonator body configured to be mounted on a rim portion of a wheel supporting a tire; a resonating portion formed on a surface of the resonator body; and a strap inserting portion formed on a bottom internal surface of the resonating portion inside the resonating portion to allow a strap to be inserted in the strap inserting portion, wherein the strap is inserted into the strap inserting portion to fix the resonator body to the rim portion of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sang-Min Shin
  • Patent number: 10875356
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide aerodynamic bicycle rims and wheels. Embodiments can include a bicycle rim that is wider than the width of the tire proximate to the outer edge of the rim and is shaped so that there is a tangent line tangent to the rim and the tire. The tangent line can be tangent to the rim on the sidewall or elsewhere on the rim. The widest part of the rim can be radially inward from the outer edge of the rim or elsewhere on the rim and the tangent line can be tangent at the widest part of the rim or elsewhere on the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: HED CYCLING PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Arthur Hed, Christopher Andrew Edin
  • Patent number: 10562346
    Abstract: The vehicle wheel (1) of the present invention is characterized by including: a main body (13) which forms a sub air chamber (SC) in a space surrounded by a top plate (25a), a bottom plate (25b) and a pair of side plates (25c, 25d); and edge portions (14a, 14b) which extend from the main body (13), and are respectively fitted into a pair of grooves (17a, 17b) formed in a well portion (11c) so as to attach the main body (13) to the well portion (11c). The edge portions (14a, 14b) respectively extend from the joints (25e, 25f) between the top plate (25a) and the side plates (25c, 25d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Kamiyama, Katsushi Ishii
  • Patent number: 9649878
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim having a circular base portion including a proximal surface and a distal surface, and a pair of integral sidewalls extending generally radially outward from an intersection region of the proximal surface and the distal surface. The distal surface of the rim has a central hump, a trough contiguous with the central hump extending axially outward from the hump, and a flat shelf immediately adjacent, contiguous with, and extending axially outward from the trough. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel including the embodied rim, a plurality a spokes engaged at respective ends thereof with the rim and a hub engaged with the plurality of spoke members at opposite ends thereof. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel assembly comprising the embodied wheel and a tube and/or tire mounted on the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: K.G. Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley F. Koziatek
  • Patent number: 9457618
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein improve airflow around bicycle wheels by providing for one or more of: (1) a optimum leading edge width of a rim for preventing early stall in cross winds, while still allowing for sufficient stability without undue drag, while not unnecessarily increasing the rotating wheel and drag on the frame; (2) a sidewall shape with a subtle camber angle at the leading, which defines a rate of radius change at the max width of the rim—which further defines the max width and placement along the chord length for optimizing the aerodynamic properties of the rim; (3) a continuous rate of change of curvature at a spoke face, which fundamentally improves the performance and stability by generating a side force at higher yaw angles; and (4) wheel sets with a wider front rim relative to a narrower rear wheel to assist in flow attachment in high crosswind areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ENVE COMPOSITES, LLC
    Inventor: Simon Smart
  • Patent number: 9162524
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim having a circular base portion including a proximal surface and a distal surface, and a pair of integral sidewalls extending generally radially outward from an intersection region of the proximal surface and the distal surface. The distal surface of the rim has a central hump, a trough contiguous with the central hump extending axially outward from the hump, and a flat shelf immediately adjacent, contiguous with, and extending axially outward from the trough. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel including the embodied rim, a plurality a spokes engaged at respective ends thereof with the rim and a hub engaged with the plurality of spoke members at opposite ends thereof. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel assembly comprising the embodied wheel and a tube and/or tire mounted on the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: K.G. Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley F. Koziatek
  • Patent number: 9108461
    Abstract: A wheel having a longitudinal plane normal to an axis of rotation. The wheel has a rim with side surfaces on opposite sides of the longitudinal plane. A hub is concentrically disposed relative to the rim. Two unitary side elements are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal plane and are coupled to the rim and to end portions of the hub. Each of the unitary side elements has an annular sidewall, a flange portion, and a plurality of spokes that do not cross the longitudinal plane and that integrally interconnect the annular sidewall and the flange portion. An end portion of each spoke of the one side element is tied to the end portion of an aligned spoke of the other side element adjacent to the sidewall to restrict the tied end portions from moving away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: CAYUCOS COWBOYS, LLC
    Inventors: Max U. Kismarton, Eric Hjertberg
  • Patent number: 9073388
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a notch centrally defined therein and two support portions respectively formed on two opposite edges of the notch, wherein each support portion complementally corresponds to lateral nipples. The bottom of the notch is divided into a first inclined face and a second inclined face. Each inclined face has a series of first through holes equally and vertically defined therein such that each first through hole has an axis forming an angle with a corresponding one of the diameters of the bicycle rim, wherein the first through holes in the first inclined face are interlaced to that in the second inclined face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: JALCO INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Han-Tsung Chen
  • Publication number: 20150102657
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide aerodynamic bicycle rims and wheels. Embodiments can include a bicycle rim that is wider than the width of the tire proximate to the outer edge of the rim and is shaped so that there is a tangent line tangent to the rim and the tire. The tangent line can be tangent to the rim on the sidewall or elsewhere on the rim. The widest part of the rim can be radially inward from the outer edge of the rim or elsewhere on the rim and the tangent line can be tangent at the widest part of the rim or elsewhere on the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Steven Arthur Hed, Christopher Andrew Edin
  • Patent number: 8978725
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim structure is provided with a rim, a cap and a tape. The rim includes a first annular side portion, a second annular side portion and an annular bridge portion extending between the first and second annular side portions. The bridge portion has at least one opening. The cap includes a base plate and a projection. The base plate overlies an outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion. The projection extends from the base plate into the at least one opening. The tape is attached to the outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion and overlying the base plate of the cap. The tape is dimensioned to cover an interface between a peripheral edge of the base plate of the cap and the outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Koshiyama, Hiroshi Fujita, Takashi Yaegashi
  • Patent number: 8967732
    Abstract: A rim for a bicycle having a rim body including a rim well and a rim base and rim flanks connecting the rim base and the rim well wherein the rim flanks and the rim base consist of a fibrous composite material. A minimum wall thickness of the rim flanks is thinner in one radial region than in another radial region. The rim body is bulbous in cross-section. A maximum height from the rim base to the rim well is less than 1.5 times and in particular less than 1.2 times the maximum width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Walthert, Martin Fischer, Andreas Tschanz
  • Publication number: 20150048669
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a rim having a noise suppression device. The rim includes an outer radial surface that is concentrically disposed about a central axis. A tire is mounted to the rim to define a tire cavity between the outer radial surface of the rim and an interior surface of the tire. The noise suppression device includes a device wall that defines at least one resonator chamber, and includes a plurality of apertures allowing fluid communication between the tire cavity and the resonator chamber, with each of the plurality of apertures defining an opening area between the range of 0.03 mm2 and 0.8 mm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jinshuo Zhu, Chong Wang, Christopher A. Stirlen, Alan V. Parrett
  • Patent number: 8888195
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide aerodynamic bicycle rims and wheels. Embodiments can include a bicycle rim that is wider than the width of the tire proximate to the outer edge of the rim and is shaped so that there is a tangent line tangent to the rim and the tire. The tangent line can be tangent to the rim on the sidewall or elsewhere on the rim. The widest part of the rim can be radially inward from the outer edge of the rim or elsewhere on the rim and the tangent line can be tangent at the widest part of the rim or elsewhere on the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hed Cycling Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Arthur Hed, Christopher Andrew Edin
  • Patent number: 8882207
    Abstract: A composite bicycle wheel is provided with a first circumferential side wall, a second circumferential side wall and an outer bridge. The first circumferential side wall has a radial inner end and a radial outer end. The second circumferential side wall has a radial inner end and a radial outer end. The outer bridge connects the radial outer ends of the first and second circumferential side walls. At least one of the outer bridge and the first and second circumferential side walls includes a vibration suppression layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Hisashi Matsui, Yoshitada Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140300177
    Abstract: A rim onto which a vehicle tire is pulled or can be pulled. The rim has a rim base with at least one device to absorb sound in the manner of a Helmholtz resonator, an air volume partly ring-shaped and at least one opening into the tire interior. The air volume of the Helmholtz resonator is formed by the rim base, by wall and/or web elements, which are arranged on the rim base at a distance from one another when seen in the axial direction of the rim, which are radially oriented, and which are at least partly circumferential, and by a covering element or by a covering element and transverse walls, which delimit the air volume in the circumferential direction. The covering element may be connected to the wall and/or web elements in a form-fitting manner or in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner and in an airtight manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Volker Rathje, Alina Hallbauer, Franz-Josef Ertelt, Martin Brause, Mark-Ulf Goebel, Hans-Walter Wodtke
  • Patent number: 8833863
    Abstract: A wheel assembly is configured for suspending the wheel of a motor vehicle on one side and includes a brake disc, which is part of a disc brake and which is fixed, when viewed in the radial direction, to a wheel disc on the outer circumference of the wheel assembly in close vicinity to a wheel rim. The brake caliper of the disc brake surrounds the brake disc over the inner circumference of the brake disc and is fixed to a wheel carrier that supports a stationary ring of a wheel bearing, which has a rotating ring that supports a wheel hub that in turn is connected to the wheel disc. The invention brake disc is fastened to the wheel disc in a floating manner and/or in an elastically flexible manner in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Roland Schmidt, Josef Boehm, Johann Dudkowiak
  • Patent number: 8820851
    Abstract: A tire for a cycle having a substantially toroidal shape, the tire including a tread adapted to be in contact with the ground, a base adapted to be fixed on the peripheral portion of a cycle rim, and two sides connecting the tread and the base, a lip having a height h greater than twice its thickness e and projecting from the upper portion of each of the two sides, in the vicinity of the tread. The height of the lip is greater than 15% of the width S of the tire in an inflated state. The lips can be constituted by the non-attached extension of the tread and, in particular, by a ply of material affixed to the top of the tire and whose edges are left free on a height greater than 15% of the width of the tire, or each lip can be arranged on an intermediate element adhered on the sides and/or the base of the tire, the intermediate element being capable of being a ring including an annular channel open towards its periphery and two lips projecting from each side of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mavic SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Olivier Mouzin
  • Publication number: 20140225423
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bicycle wheel rim (10), comprising a radially outer portion (12) configured to be coupled with a bicycle tire and a radially inner portion (14) comprising a plurality of attachment holes (16) for respective spokes. The radially inner portion (14) of the rim (10) comprises opposite side walls (14a, 14b) and a bottom wall (14c) in which said plurality of holes (16) is formed. Such a bottom wall (14c) is configured to house, at at least some of said holes (16), respective perforated inserts (18) for holding the head of said spokes. The radially inner portion (14) of the rim (10) also comprises a first discontinuity of curvature (14d, 14e) that separates at least one of said side walls (14a, 14b) from said bottom wall (14c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario MEGGIOLAN
  • Patent number: 8801108
    Abstract: A rim assembly includes a rim having a first connection bridge and a second connection bridge, and two walls extend from two sides of the first and second connection bridges. The first and second connection bridges each have multiple installation holes. A pad unit includes multiple pads and each pad has a through hole. The pads are located on a surface of the first connection bridge and the through holes are in alignment with the installation holes. Multiple connection members each have a passage, the connection members respectively extend through the installation holes and the through holes. The spokes are securely connected to the passages. The thickness of the rim is thin and the pads reinforce the connection positions where the spokes are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kunshan Henry Metal Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kee Ping Tho
  • Patent number: 8777328
    Abstract: A rim (1) for a bicycle wheel, having a body (5) with a substantially annular extension and a radially outer portion (6a) shaped for coupling with a tire is disclosed. The radially outer portion (6a) includes an annular bottom wall (12) provided with a hole for an inflation valve, and the annular bottom wall (12) defines a central annular recess (20) and two side annular portions (24) arranged on axially opposite sides with respect to the central annular recess (20). The recess (20) includes, on at least one side, and in at least one circumferentially distal area from the hole with reference to a cross section of the rim (1), a radially inner surface (26) and a radially outer surface (28). The radially outer surface (28) has a different bending radius than that of the radially inner surface (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
  • Patent number: 8757733
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein improve airflow around the bicycle wheels by providing for one or more of: (1) a optimum leading edge width of a rim for preventing early stall in cross winds, while still allowing for sufficient stability without undue drag, while not unnecessarily increasing the rotating wheel and drag on the frame; (2) a sidewall shape with a subtle camber angle at the leading, which defines a rate of radius change at the max width of the rim—which further defines the max width and placement along the chord length for optimizing the aerodynamic properties of the rim; (3) a continuous rate of change of curvature at a spoke face, which fundamentally improves the performance and stability by generating a side force at higher yaw angles; and (4) wheel sets with a wider front rim relative to a narrower rear wheel to assist in flow attachment in high crosswind areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: ENVE Composites, LLC
    Inventor: Simon Smart
  • Publication number: 20140152080
    Abstract: A bicycle rim includes a first annular side wall, a second annular side wall and an annular bridge extending between the first and second annular side walls. The annular bridge has an annular tire support surface extending between the first and second annular sidewalls. The annular tire support surface has a first projection. The first projection has at least one first portion and at least one second portion. The second portion has a different size from the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kazuki KOSHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140132060
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim adapted for mounting with a pair of tire rim portions of a tire includes a base portion and a pair of annular flanges. The base portion has an inner ring wall, and an outer ring wall surrounding the inner ring wall. Each annular flange has an inclined inner surface adapted for abutting against a corresponding one of the tire rim portions. The outer ring wall is disposed between the annular flanges, and includes a pair of connection sections, each of which is connected to a corresponding one of the annular flanges and has a retaining surface that cooperates with the inclined inner surface of the corresponding annular flange to form an included angle smaller than 90 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ALEX GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Chao-Ying CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140130953
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim for mounting with two tire rim portions of a tire includes an outer ring wall surrounding a rotation axis of the wheel rim, and two annular flanges. Each annular flange has an inclined inner surface for abutting against a respective one of the tire rim portions. The outer ring wall has two retaining surfaces, each extending from the corresponding one of the annular flanges toward the central radial plane of the wheel rim and being inclined radially and outwardly with respect to the rotation axis. Each retaining surface and a corresponding inclined inner surface cooperatively form therebetween an included angle smaller than 90 degrees, and clamp the respective one of the tire rim portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ALEX GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Wei-Chin CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140077585
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim having a circular base portion including a proximal surface and a distal surface, and a pair of integral sidewalls extending generally radially outward from an intersection region of the proximal surface and the distal surface. The distal surface of the rim has a central hump, a trough contiguous with the central hump extending axially outward from the hump, and a flat shelf immediately adjacent, contiguous with, and extending axially outward from the trough. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel including the embodied rim, a plurality a spokes engaged at respective ends thereof with the rim and a hub engaged with the plurality of spoke members at opposite ends thereof. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel assembly comprising the embodied wheel and a tube and/or tire mounted on the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: K.G. Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley F. KOZIATEK
  • Patent number: 8668278
    Abstract: A rim (5) for a bicycle wheel having a body (20) with a substantially annular extension with a radially outer portion (22) shaped for coupling with a tire is disclosed. The radially outer portion (22) has a hole (39) for an inflation valve. The radially outer portion (22) also includes, at the hole (39) and/or in an area proximal to the hole (39), at least one cross section having a different shape from that at an area distal from the hole, so as to form at least one second surface discontinuity (35) along the annular extension of the radially outer portion (22). The second discontinuity (35) makes it easier to assemble to wheel and allows an optimal coupling to be made between the rim (5), inflation valve, and tire, in the case of a tubeless wheel, and between rim (5), air chamber and tire, in the case of a wheel with an air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mario Meggiolan, Paolo Saccardo
  • Patent number: 8613485
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim having a circular base portion including a proximal surface and a distal surface, and a pair of integral sidewalls extending generally radially outward from an intersection region of the proximal surface and the distal surface. The distal surface of the rim has a central hump, a trough contiguous with the central hump extending axially outward from the hump, and a flat shelf immediately adjacent, contiguous with, and extending axially outward from the trough. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel including the embodied rim, a plurality a spokes engaged at respective ends thereof with the rim and a hub engaged with the plurality of spoke members at opposite ends thereof. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel assembly comprising the embodied wheel and a tube and/or tire mounted on the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: K.G. Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley F. Koziatek
  • Patent number: 8528991
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel, including a peripheral rim with a radially outboard spoke bed and an apex region radially inboard from the spoke bed portion; a central hub with a hub flange; a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub, with a first portion connected to the spoke bed and a second portion connected to the hub flange. The apex region includes a first apex portion and a second apex portion axially adjacent the first apex portion and a circumferential seam between the first apex portion and the second apex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
  • Publication number: 20130169029
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a notch centrally defined therein and two support portions respectively formed on two opposite edges of the notch, wherein each support portion complementally corresponds to lateral nipples. The bottom of the notch is divided into a first inclined face and a second inclined face. Each inclined face has a series of first through holes equally and vertically defined therein such that each first through hole has an axis forming an angle with a corresponding one of the diameters of the bicycle rim, wherein the first through holes in the first inclined face are interlaced to that in the second inclined face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: JALCO INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.
    Inventor: JALCO INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
  • 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: 20130167379
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for manufacturing a cycle wheel rim having, in radial cross section, two lateral flanges and a bridge, the rim having an outer surface facing outward of the rim and defined by the bridge and by at least a portion of the flanges. The manufacturing method includes the following: extruding a section; bending the section; assembling the ends of the hoop formed from the section by joining one to the another; drilling holes in the bridge for fastening the spokes; machining the entire outer surface in a radial plane and on at least a portion of the 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: 20130169031
    Abstract: The invention includes a rim for a cycle wheel, having a U-shaped radial cross section, with two lateral flanges and a bridge connecting the flanges and located so as to be opposite an axis rotation of the wheel. The flanges each define a planar braking surface, adapted to cooperate with a brake pad. The height of at least one braking surface, measured radially, is not constant over the circumference of the rim and has at least one variation in height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: MAVIC S.A.S.
    Inventor: Mavic S.A.S.
  • Patent number: 8449044
    Abstract: A bicycle rim is provided with an annular tire mounting part, an annular spoke mounting part and a pair of side walls. The annular tire mounting part includes an outer bridge. The annular spoke mounting part includes a plurality of spoke openings disposed at predetermined intervals along a circumferential direction of the annular spoke mounting part. The annular spoke mounting part further includes at least one recess disposed in an area between two adjacent ones of the spoke openings. The at least one recess extends less than half of a circumferential distance between the two adjacent ones of the spoke openings. The side walls extend radially from the annular spoke mounting and the outer bridge to define an annular interior space. The outer bridge includes a through hole that at least partially aligns with the at least one recess as viewed in a radial direction of the bicycle rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Components (Malaysia) SDN. BHD.
    Inventor: Yoke Seng Chan
  • Publication number: 20130099556
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim structure is provided with a rim, a cap and a tape. The rim includes a first annular side portion, a second annular side portion and an annular bridge portion extending between the first and second annular side portions. The bridge portion has at least one opening. The cap includes a base plate and a projection. The base plate overlies an outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion. The projection extends from the base plate into the at least one opening. The tape is attached to the outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion and overlying the base plate of the cap. The tape is dimensioned to cover an interface between a peripheral edge of the base plate of the cap and the outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazuki KOSHIYAMA, Hiroshi FUJITA, Takashi YAEGASHI
  • Publication number: 20130049441
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for one or more of: (1) airflow enhancement around a rim using cusps that create virtual surfaces of air with the bike in motion, which also encourage favorable air attachment around the rim; (2) wake reduction by streamlining the airfoil around the rim using trip edges at various points of rim surface transition, which cause a laminar flow to go turbulent for enhancing the streamline effect; (3) a double rim surface, which provides an air slot between the two rim surfaces at a distance that enhances flow attachment and adds energy of air flow around the rim by moving air between areas of high and low pressure; and (4) a tubeless tire rim kit capable of converting conventional rims into tubeless ones and also promoting the sealing of the tire to the rim with minimal air pressure necessary to create the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: SMART AERO TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Smart Aero Technology Limited
  • Patent number: 8297711
    Abstract: A circular bicycle rim is provided with a rim body, an annular tire engagement portion and first and second outer peripheral edges. The rim body includes a first annular side wall portion and a second annular side wall portion. The annular tire engagement portion extends between the first and second annular side wall portions to engage a tire thereon. The first and second outer peripheral edges are located between the rim body and the annular tire engagement portion. Each of the first and second outer peripheral edges has an uneven edge surface that repeatedly rises and falls with respect to a radial direction of the bicycle rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Koshiyama, Hisashi Matsui
  • Publication number: 20120200143
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel includes a disk and a rim having a well portion and fixed to the disk for supporting a tire, and an additional air chamber member secured to an outer circumferential surface of the well portion in a tire air chamber defined between the rim and the tire. The additional air chamber member includes an additional air chamber and a communication pipe with a communication through hole therein for communication between the additional air chamber and the tire air chamber, and the communication pipe protrudes from the peak in a direction substantially parallel to an axial direction of the wheel. The additional air chamber has a peak in a radial direction of the vehicle wheel. A radius of rotation of the wheel at the tip of the communication through hole is a radius of rotation of the wheel at the peak of the additional air chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youichi KAMIYAMA, Katsushi ISHII, Hisamitsu TAKAGI
  • 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: 20120062021
    Abstract: A wheel rim comprising a lip formed on the wheel rim, the lip running parallel to the circumference of the rim. A method of forming a lip on a wheel rim, the method comprising: forming fiber layers on an upper and lower portion of a mold; forming fiber layers on an upper and lower portion of a mold; curing the fiber layers; removing the cured rim from the upper and lower portions of the mold; in which the internal surface of the lower portion of the mold comprises an indention that, once the fiber layers are cured, creates a lip on the surface of the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: REYNOLDS CYCLING LLC
    Inventor: Paul Eric Lew
  • Publication number: 20120049609
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim having a circular base portion including a proximal surface and a distal surface, and a pair of integral sidewalls extending generally radially outward from an intersection region of the proximal surface and the distal surface. The distal surface of the rim has a central hump, a trough contiguous with the central hump extending axially outward from the hump, and a flat shelf immediately adjacent, contiguous with, and extending axially outward from the trough. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel including the embodied rim, a plurality a spokes engaged at respective ends thereof with the rim and a hub engaged with the plurality of spoke members at opposite ends thereof. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel assembly comprising the embodied wheel and a tube and/or tire mounted on the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: K.G. Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley F. Koziatek
  • Patent number: 8070235
    Abstract: A rim and a method of producing a rim for bicycles and the like includes a rim body and a rim base provided thereon and lateral rim flanks provided with rim flanges. The rim flanges include a fibrous composite material having at least one fiber layer. The rim flanges include inwardly overhanging bulges of squashed fiber layers between which a tire can be accommodated at the rim body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: DT Swiss, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas Reuteler
  • Publication number: 20110248552
    Abstract: A circular bicycle rim is provided with a rim body, an annular tire engagement portion and first and second outer peripheral edges. The rim body includes a first annular side wall portion and a second annular side wall portion. The annular tire engagement portion extends between the first and second annular side wall portions to engage a tire thereon. The first and second outer peripheral edges are located between the rim body and the annular tire engagement portion. Each of the first and second outer peripheral edges has an uneven edge surface that repeatedly rises and falls with respect to a radial direction of the bicycle rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazuki KOSHIYAMA, Hisashi MATSUI
  • Patent number: 8007052
    Abstract: A spoked bicycle wheel is presented having at least one intraspoke zone with a reduced average wall thickness to reduce or eliminate the dynamic imbalance of the wheel resulting from localized mass increases at the valve and at a possible joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Campagnolo, S.R.L.
    Inventors: Maurizio Passarotto, Davide Urbani
  • Patent number: 8007053
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim having a circular base portion including a proximal surface and a distal surface, and a pair of integral sidewalls extending generally radially outward from an intersection region of the proximal surface and the distal surface. The distal surface of the rim has a central hump, a trough contiguous with the central hump extending axially outward from the hump, and a flat shelf immediately adjacent, contiguous with, and extending axially outward from the trough. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel including the embodied rim, a plurality a spokes engaged at respective ends thereof with the rim and a hub engaged with the plurality of spoke members at opposite ends thereof. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bicycle wheel assembly comprising the embodied wheel and a tube and/or tire mounted on the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Stanley F. Koziatek
  • Patent number: 8002362
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic bicycle wheel rim is formed of six segments per side and formed in a section having precisely formed, machinable brake surfaces and preferably combining inner high modulus fiber reinforced plastic lamination as a main structural body and an outer lamination of improved frictional coefficient materials at the braking surfaces. The main structural body with overlapped individual sheets of unidirectional fiber reinforced plastic, having crossing fibers, in segments, and continuous unidirectional fiber bundles in areas of concentrated load, enables strong, light wheels for sew up or clincher tires to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventors: James Colegrove, David Guzik
  • Patent number: 7958636
    Abstract: An outer rim molded material is molded by forging or casting, a portion of the outer rim which extends from a hump to a bead seat is separated from part of a rim flange precursor 2a and is caused to fall in a sloping fashion inwards of a wheel width so as to form a bead seat precursor 12a, and the bead seat precursor 12a so formed is then joined to be welded to a top or side of a rim well rising portion precursor 5b. An external surface is cut to be finished to a proper shape, and an annular hollow portion 8 is formed underneath a lower surface of the bead seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Washi Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7909411
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a rim such as a rim for a cycle. The rim includes a circularly extending hollow box-shaped element, in the form of a radial profile of revolution about a transverse axis, with two end surfaces of such element being joined end-to-end at a junction and affixed via a sleeve that is positioned within the hollow box-shaped element, on each side of the junction. The sleeve includes a pair of bearing portions, which exert an internal force inside and against the walls of the hollow box-shaped element, such force being generated by a relative spacing apart of the bearing portions via a spreading device, such as at least one spacing member. The spacing member can be a wedging member or a screw, configured and arranged in association with the bearing portions so as to direct the bearing forces along an essentially transverse direction toward the side walls of the rim. The invention is also directed to a wheel having such a rim, as well as to a method of manufacturing such rim and wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Mercat