Bicycle rim and wheel
OwnerSteven A. Hed, Robert B. Hauginventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved bicycle rim and wheel having good aerodynamic properties and good crosswind stability is provided. In one embodiment, a toroidal rim is utilized to reduce the drag component normally associated with a conventional spoked wheel. The toroidal rim has a streamlined inner rim surface and a tire mounting surface. In other embodiments, drag reducing spoke systems are used in conjunction with a toroidal rim to lower wheel drag. In the preferred embodiments, the toroidal rim and wheel attached thereto form a transverse cross section which is substantially elliptical and has a high aspect ratio. The maximum rim width can be wider than the tire to achieve good aerodynamic efficiency.
Claims36
An aerodynamic bicycle wheel rim adapted for mounting a tire thereto comprising a circumferential tire mounting surface and a streamlined toroidal inner rim surface extending from a first edge of said tire mounting surface to a second edge of said tire mounting surface, the ratio of maximum width of said rim to the intended tire diameter being in the range of from 1.05 to 1.5.
An aerodynamic toroidal bicycle wheel rim for mounting a tire thereto comprising a circumferential tire mounting surface and a streamlined inner rim surface, said streamlined surface extending from a first edge of said tire mounting surface to a second edge of said tire mounting surface, the transverse cross section formed by said rim and a tire mounted thereto having a substantially elliptical shape, said rim having a rim width greater than the maximum width of the tire mounted thereto.
An aerodynamic bicycle wheel for mounting a tire thereto comprising:
- a rim comprising a circumferential tire mounting surface and a streamlined toroidal inner rim surface, said inner rim surface extending from a first edge of said tire mounting surface to a second edge of said tire mounting surface, said rim having an aspect ratio in the range of from about 2 to 5 and having a rim width greater than the maximum width of the tire mounted thereto;
- and
- a spoke system comprising a plurality of spokes, said spokes radiating from a hub at the center of said wheel toward said rim, said spokes being secured to said rim.
An aerodynamic bicycle wheel for mounting a tire thereto comprising:
- a rim comprising a circumferential tire mounting surface and a streamlined toroidal inner rim surface, said inner rim surface extending from a first edge of said tire mounting surface to a second edge of said tire mounting surface, said toroidal rim and tire mounted thereto being substantially elliptical in transverse cross section, the elliptical cross section formed by said tire and rim cross section further having an aspect ratio between 2.5 and 6, said streamlined inner rim surface further comprising a plurality of first apertures each allowing a spoke to be disposed therein, said rim further having a rim width greater than the maximum width of the tire mounted thereto;
- and
- an aerodynamic spoke system comprising between 3 and 24 spokes, said spokes radiating from a hub at the center of said wheel toward said rim, said spokes comprising a fastenable end portion at the spoke end nearer the rim, each of said spokes passing through a different one of said first apertures, each of said spokes internally secured to said rim by spoke securing means, said spoke-securing means being adjustable on said fastenable end portions within said rim such that said spokes can be secured to said rim.
An aerodynamic bicycle wheel rim and tire combination comprising:
- a tire;
- a circumferential tire mounting surface, having the tire mounted thereon, and a streamlined toroidal inner rim surface extending from a first edge of said tire mounting surface to a second edge of said tire mounting surface, the ratio of maximum width of said rim to the intended tire diameter being in the range of from 1.05 to 1.5.
An aerodynamic toroidal bicycle wheel rim and tire combination comprising:
- a tire;
- a circumferential tire mounting surface, having the tire mounted thereon, and a streamlined inner rim surface, said streamlined surface extending from a first edge of said tire mounting surface to a second edge of said tire mounting surface, the transverse cross section formed by said rim and the tire mounted thereto having a substantially elliptical shape, said rim having a rim width greater than the maximum width of the tire mounted thereon.
An aerodynamic bicycle wheel for mounting a tire thereto comprising:
- a tire;
- a rim comprising a circumferential tire mounting surface, having the tire mounted thereon, and a streamlined toroidal inner rim surface, said inner rim surface extending from a first edge of said tire mounting surface to a second edge of said tire mounting surface, said rim having an aspect ration in the range of from about 2 to 5 and having a rim width greater than the maximum width of the tire mounted thereon;
- and
- a spoke system comprising a plurality of spokes, said spokes radiating from a hub at the center of said wheel toward said rim, said spokes being secured to said rim.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.