# US 2018/0022152 A1 · Wheels having multiple-piece composite structures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0022152 A1 - Document ID: US20180022152A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/720,173 - Filed: 2017-09-29 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-17 - Assignees: Swift Engineering, Inc. - Applicants: Swift Engineering, Inc. - Inventors: Kai Anderson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180022152A1 ## CPC - B60B 23/06: by screws, bolts, pins, or clips - B60B 1/06: Wheels with compression spokes (wheels of high resiliency B60B9/00) - B60B 1/12: with tubular spokes (B60B1/08 takes precedence) - B60B 1/14: Attaching spokes to rim or hub - B60B 3/04: with a single disc body not integral with rim {, i.e. disc body and rim being manufactured independently and then permanently attached to each other in a second step, e.g. by welding} - B60B 3/045: {characterised by the attachment portions} - B60B 25/002: {Rims split in circumferential direction} - B60B 5/02: made of synthetic material - B60B 2360/10: Metallic materials - B60B 2360/341: with fibres - B60B 2900/111: Weight - B60B 2900/112: Costs - B60B 2900/311: Rigidity or stiffness - B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION ## Abstract A wheel includes a first hoop attached to a second hoop about a circumferential interface. The first and second hoops form at least part of an enclosed box structure positioned circumferentially around the wheel and adjacent to an outboard side of the wheel. The box structure may be formed at least in part by circumferential projections of the first hoop and the second hoop. The wheel may also include a central hub that optionally includes spokes. In some embodiments, the central hub may form part of the enclosed box structure. In some embodiments, a first hoop portion and a second hoop portion may be integral or unitary, with a box structure integrally formed between the hoop portions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wheel comprising: a hub portion; a first hoop comprising a first circumferential projection, the first hoop further comprising a second circumferential projection extending radially inwardly along at least part of the hub portion; and a second hoop comprising a third circumferential projection; wherein the first circumferential projection and the third circumferential projection form at least part of an enclosed box structure about a circumference of the wheel; and wherein the hub portion is attached to at least one of the second circumferential projection or the third circumferential projection. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wheel of claim 1 wherein the hub portion comprises a plurality of hollow spokes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The wheel of claim 2 wherein a first space within the box structure is connected to a second space within at least one of the hollow spokes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wheel of claim 1 wherein the first circumferential projection extends inwardly from an outboard region of the wheel and has a circumferential bend towards a center region of the wheel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The wheel of claim 1 wherein at least one of first hoop, the second hoop, and the hub portion comprises a composite material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wheel of claim 1 wherein the hub portion is attached to the second circumferential projection and the second circumferential projection is attached to the third circumferential projection. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wheel of claim 1 wherein the hub portion is integral with the first hoop. ### Claim 8 A wheel comprising: a first hoop having a first circumferential projection; a second hoop attached to the first hoop, the second hoop having a second circumferential projection; and a plurality of spokes attached to the first hoop and the second circumferential projection; wherein the first circumferential projection, the second circumferential projection, and at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of spokes form at least part of a box structure positioned adjacent to a radially outward portion of the wheel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The wheel of claim 8 wherein at least one spoke of the plurality of spokes is integral with the first hoop. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The wheel of claim 8 wherein at least one spoke of the plurality of spokes is hollow, and wherein a space in the at least one spoke is connected to a space within the box structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The wheel of claim 8 wherein the first hoop is attached to the second hoop at an interface positioned in a drop region of the wheel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The wheel of claim 8 wherein at least one of the first hoop and the second hoop comprises a composite material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The wheel of claim 12 wherein the composite material comprises carbon fiber. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The wheel of claim 8 wherein the first circumferential projection extends inwardly from an outboard region of the wheel and has a circumferential bend towards a center region of the wheel to form at least part of a drop region of the wheel. ### Claim 15 A wheel comprising: a first hoop; a second hoop; a first circumferential projection extending from the first hoop and forming a radially outward surface of the wheel, the first circumferential projection being attached to the second hoop at an interface; and a second circumferential projection extending from the second hoop, the second circumferential projection being positioned radially inwardly relative to the first circumferential projection; wherein the first circumferential projection and the second circumferential projection together form a first part of an enclosed structure; and wherein an outboard portion of the first hoop positioned adjacent to the first circumferential projection and positioned at a distance from the interface forms a second part of the enclosed structure. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The wheel of claim 15, further comprising a hub portion attached to the first hoop and the second circumferential projection. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The wheel of claim 15, further comprising a hub portion attached to an outboard side of the outboard portion of the first hoop. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The wheel of claim 15 wherein the first hoop comprises a plurality of spokes. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The wheel of claim 15 wherein the first hoop and the second hoop comprise carbon fiber composite material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The wheel of claim 15 wherein the interface is positioned in a drop region of the wheel.