Rim for a wheel

A wheel comprising:

• center member;
• and
• a rim, the rim comprising:
• a barrel;
• a first flange and a second flange, each extending radially outward from opposing edges of the barrel;
• a first bead seat and a second bead seat, each arranged axially inwardly, respectively, of the first and second flanges;
• a primary structural component configured to extend through at least the first flange and the barrel, and being capable of bearing a majority of at least one load borne by the rim during normal usage selected from the group consisting of:
• radial load, lateral load, and combinations thereof;
• and
• at least one of:
• (a) a protective insert configured to be disposed between an outer face of the first flange and the primary structural component and:
• (b) at least a portion of the first bead seat is spaced apart from the primary structural component;
• and
• the primary structural component and the bead seats are bound by a polymer matrix.

A method for making a non-metallic rim for a wheel, the method comprising:

• assembling a primary structural component with a first bead seat, a second bead seat and, optionally, a protective insert;
• and
• binding the primary structural component, bead seats and, if present, a protective insert together in a polymer matrix to form a rim comprising a barrel, a first flange and a second flange, each flange extending radially outward from opposing edges of the barrel, wherein the first bead seat and the second bead seat are each arranged axially inwardly, respectively, of the first and second flanges;
• wherein the primary structural component extends through at least the first flange and the barrel, and being capable of bearing a majority of at least one load borne by the rim during normal usage selected from the group consisting of:
• radial load, lateral load, and combinations thereof;
• and at least one of:
• the protective insert is disposed between an outer face of the first flange and the primary structural component;
• and
• at least a portion of the first bead seat is spaced apart from the primary structural component.