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US 2024/0375431 A1Published application
Rim for a wheel
AssigneeDymag Group Limited
InventorsEric Wakeman, Thomas De Lange, Michael Wilson
Life of this patent
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AssigneeDymag Group Limited
InventorsEric Wakeman, Thomas De Lange, Michael Wilson
Estimating the term…
Herein is disclosed a rim for a wheel. the rim comprising a barrel having first and second flanges extending radially outward from opposing edges of the barrel. and the barrel comprising a first bead seat and a second bead seat arranged axially inwardly. respectively. of the first and second flanges, wherein the barrel, and first and second flanges. comprise layers of structural fibres bound in a polymer matrix, wherein a pre-form insert is disposed between layers of the structural fibres. wherein the insert comprises a material which acts to absorb and/or deflect and/or dissipate energy from a load or impact applied axially and/or radially to a rim and/or acts to increase the hoop stiffness of the wheel and wherein the insert has, when viewed in cross-section (with the axis of the rim being parallel to the plane of the cross-section). two elongate portions. with a first elongate portion of the insert extending into one of the first or second flanges. and a second elongate portion of the insert extending underneath the first or second bead seat, respectively, such that first and second portions together form an approximate ‘L’ shape in cross-section.
A rim for a wheel, the rim comprising
A rim for a wheel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-formed insert comprises or consists of a material selected from a compressible material, an elastomeric material and a cellular material.
A rim for a wheel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rim is for a wheel for a four-wheeled vehicle, with the first flange being an outboard flange, when fitted to a vehicle, and the first elongate portion of the insert extending into one of the first flange, and the second elongate portion of the insert extending underneath the first bead seat.
A rim for a wheel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first elongate portion of the insert extends into one of the first flange, and the second elongate portion of the insert extending underneath the first bead seat, and a first safety bead is located axially inwardly of the first bead seat, and the insert approximately follows the outer contour of the first bead seat and first safety bead.
A rim for a wheel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rim comprises a third flange that extends from the barrel radially inwardly and to which wheel attachments, e.g. spokes, may be fitted, wherein the third flange is formed by further layers of structural fibres that follow the contours of the third flange and extend along a radially inner side of a barrel on both sides of the third flange, optionally such that it extends along an axially outer edge of a flange, which may be the first flange if the third flange is located on the same side of the barrel as the first flange.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.