Wheel constructed with hybrid spoke assemblies
OwnerRichard V. Campbellinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of making a wheel assembly using hybrid spokes that combines a synthetic fiber cable with an outer rod segment connected to a rim and an inner rod segment connected to a hub. An anchor is used to connect each end of the fiber cable to a length of conventional rod, preferably through the use of a swaging operation. Each rod segment includes a standard end feature on its free end—such as a threaded shaft or J-bend. The hybrid assembly can preferably be retrofitted to applications that now use a conventional rod or wire. This allows synthetic fiber cables—with their unique mechanical properties—to be incorporated in existing designs.
Claims20
A method for making a wheel assembly, comprising:
- (a) providing a plurality of hybrid spokes, with each of said hybrid spokes being made by,
- (i) providing a synthetic cable, having an outer end and an inner end,
- (ii) providing an outer anchor and an inner anchor,
- (iii) creating a synthetic cable assembly by attaching said outer anchor to said outer end of said synthetic cable and attaching said inner anchor to said inner end of said synthetic cable,
- (iv) providing an inner rod segment having an outer end and an inner end,
- (v) providing an outer rod segment having an outer end and an inner end,
- (vi) after attaching said inner anchor to said synthetic cable, swaging said inner anchor to said outer end of said inner rod segment,
- (vii) after attaching said outer anchor to said synthetic cable, swaging said outer anchor to said inner end of said outer rod segment;
- (b) providing a hub;
- (c) providing a rim;
- and
- (d) lacing said plurality of hybrid spokes between said hub and said rim.
A method for making a wheel assembly, comprising:
- (a) providing a plurality of hybrid spokes, with each of said hybrid spokes being made by,
- (i) providing a synthetic cable, having an outer end and an inner end,
- (ii) providing an outer anchor and an inner anchor,
- (iii) creating a synthetic cable assembly by attaching said outer anchor to said outer end of said synthetic cable and attaching said inner anchor to said inner end of said synthetic cable,
- (iv) providing an inner rod segment having an outer end and an inner end,
- (v) providing an outer rod segment having an outer end and an inner end,
- (vi) after attaching said inner anchor to said synthetic cable, creating an inner swaged connection between said inner anchor and said outer end of said inner rod segment,
- (vi) after attaching said outer anchor to said synthetic cable, creating an outer swaged connection between said outer anchor and said inner end of said outer rod segment;
- (b) providing a hub;
- (c) providing a rim;
- and
- (d) lacing said plurality of hybrid spokes between said hub and said rim.
A method for making a wheel assembly, comprising:
- (a) providing a plurality of hybrid spokes, with each of said hybrid spokes being made by,
- (i) providing a synthetic cable, having an outer end and an inner end,
- (ii) providing an outer anchor and an inner anchor,
- (iii) creating a synthetic cable assembly by attaching said outer anchor to said outer end of said synthetic cable and attaching said inner anchor to said inner end of said synthetic cable,
- (iv) bedding said synthetic cable assembly in order to create a stable synthetic cable assembly length,
- (v) providing an inner rod segment having an outer end and an inner end,
- (vi) providing an outer rod segment having an outer end and an inner end,
- (vii) after attaching said inner anchor to said synthetic cable, attaching said inner anchor to said outer end of said inner rod segment,
- (viii) after attaching said outer anchor to said synthetic cable, attaching said outer anchor to said inner end of said outer rod segment,
- (ix) wherein said stable synthetic cable assembly length, said attachment between said inner anchor and said inner rod segment, and said attachment between said outer anchor and said outer rod segment are used to create a desired overall length for said hybrid spoke;
- (b) providing a hub;
- (c) providing a rim;
- and
- (d) lacing said plurality of hybrid spokes between said hub and said rim.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.