Wheel having multiple tube frame structure
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A wheel having a rim lying in a center plane and having outer and inner ends and a pair of sidewalls, wherein said rim is formed of at least a first hollow tube and a second hollow tube of composite material, wherein portions of said tubes are fused together along a common internal wall, and wherein other portions of said tubes form said outer and inner ends and sidewalls.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A structure for a bicycle wheel includes at least two tubes for improving the stiffness, strength, aerodynamics and aesthetics of the wheel. The wheel may be designed as a rim type with traditional spokes, or as one piece wheel with attached spoke legs. Preferably, the tubes are separated at various locations to form apertures.
114 Citations
40 Claims
- 1. A wheel having a rim lying in a center plane and having outer and inner ends and a pair of sidewalls, wherein said rim is formed of at least a first hollow tube and a second hollow tube of composite material, wherein portions of said tubes are fused together along a common internal wall, and wherein other portions of said tubes form said outer and inner ends and sidewalls.
- 16. A wheel having a rim and spokes, wherein at least a portion of said wheel comprises at least two hollow tubes of composite material which are fused together along a common internal wall.
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21. A wheel having a hub, a rim, and at least one tensile member;
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said rim lying in a center plane and having radially outer and inner ends and a pair of sidewalls;
wherein said rim is formed of at least a first hollow tube and a second hollow tube of composite material, which tubes are fused together along a common internal wall oriented perpendicular to said center plane;
wherein the remaining portions of said tubes form said outer and inner ends and sidewalls;
wherein said first and second tubes are separated from one another at specified locations to form ports oriented perpendicular to said center plane; and
wherein said tensile member has ends secured to said hub, and extends from said hub to said rim, through a first port to a second port, through said second port, and back to said hub.
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- 22. A wheel comprising a rim and spoke legs, wherein said rim is formed of at least one hollow composite material tube, wherein said spoke legs are each formed of at least two hollow tubes of composite material fused together along a common, interior wall, and wherein said rim and spoke legs are bonded together to form a unitary wheel.
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28. A method for forming a wheel having a rim and four spokes, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a tube of uncured composite material containing an internal inflatable bladder;
(b) providing a mold having a periphery for forming a rim, and an interior portion for forming four spokes extending from the rim;
(c) positioning a first length of said tube to extend across said mold for forming half of two spokes;
(d) positioning a second length of said tube to extend around a first quarter of said periphery;
(e) positioning a third length of said tube to extend across said mold in a direction perpendicular to said first length;
(f) positioning a fourth length of said tube to extend around a second quarter of said periphery;
(g) positioning a fifth length of said tube to extend across said mold, so as to be juxtaposed with said first length;
(h) positioning a sixth length of said tube to extend around a third quarter of said periphery;
(i) positioning a seventh length of said tube to extend across said mold, so as to be juxtaposed with said third length;
(j) positioning an eight length of said tube to extend around a fourth quarter of said periphery;
(k) closing said mold; and
(l) pressurizing said bladder while heating said mold so as to consolidate and cure said composite material. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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- 29. A wheel comprising a rim formed of a metal tube and a plurality of spoke legs, each having an outer end secured to said rim, wherein each spoke leg is formed of at least two composite material hollow tubes which are fused to one another along a common wall.
- 30. A wheel comprising a rim and spokes, wherein said spoke legs include a first portion formed of at least two composite material hollow tubes which are fused to one another along a common wall, and a second portion formed of a single tube, wherein said second tube includes an end bonded to said first portion.
- 33. A wheel comprising a rim and a plurality of spokes, wherein said spokes are formed of at least two hollow composite material tubes, portions of which are fused to one another along a common interior wall, and wherein said rim includes a first portion formed of at least two hollow tubes of composite material, portions of which are fused to one another along a common, interior wall, and a second portion formed of a single hollow tube.
- 37. A wheel comprising a rim and spokes, wherein said rim is formed of at least two hollow composite material tubes fused together along a common, interior wall, wherein said spokes are each formed of at least one hollow tube of composite material, and wherein said rim and spokes are bonded together to form a unitary wheel.
Specification