High modulus multifilament spokes and method
OwnerHarold M. Johnsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high modulus multifilament non-rigid and rigid wheel spoke including a fiber mid-portion between a first and second end having attachment members affixed thereto. Also disclosed are methods of supporting a hub within a wheel rim by means of a plurality of spokes or by means of continuous lengths of spokes.
Claims43
A non-rigid spoke comprising:
- (a) a flexible mid-portion extending between first and second ends said flexible mid-portion comprising a non-rigid spoke material;
- (b) a first attachment means affixed adjacent said spoke first end;
- and
- (c) a second attachment means affixed adjacent said spoke second end wherein said spoke has a tensile strength of at least about 0.2.times.10.sup.6 psi, said non-rigid spoke material flexes without mechanical failure and is load supporting only in tension.
The non-rigid wheel spoke of 2 wherein said spoke material comprises a non-rigid material, said material selected from the group metallic materials, nonmetallic materials, and mixtures thereof.
A vehicle wheel comprising:
- (a) a wheel hub;
- (b) a wheel rim;
- and
- (c) a plurality of non-rigid wheel spokes each comprising a flexible mid-portion, said flexible mid-portion comprising a non-rigid spoke material, a first attachment means affixed adjacent said spoke first end, and a second attachment means affixed adjacent said second end, wherein said spokes traverse between said hub and said rim, said spokes connectably supporting said hub within the circumference of said rim wherein said spoke has a tensile strength of at least about 0.2.times.10.sup.6 psi, said non-rigid spoke material flexes without mechanical failure and is load supporting only in tension.
A vehicle comprising wheels, each of said wheels comprising:
- (a) a wheel hub;
- (b) a wheel rim;
- and
- (c) a plurality of non-rigid wheel spokes each comprising a flexible mid-portion, said flexible mid-portion comprising a non-rigid spoke material and having a tensile strength of at least about 0.2.times.10.sup.6 psi, a first attachment means affixed adjacent said spoke first end, and a second attachment means affixed adjacent said second end, wherein said spokes traverse between said hub and said rim, said spokes connectably supporting said hub within the circumference of said rim wherein said non-rigid spoke material flexes without mechanical failure and is load supporting only in tension.
A method of using a non-rigid spoke comprising a first end and a second end having a flexible mid-portion therebetween, said flexible mid-portion comprising a non-rigid spoke material and having a tensile strength of at least about 0.2.times.10.sup.6 psi, a first attachment means affixed adjacent said spoke first end, and a second attachment means affixed adjacent said spoke second end, said method comprising the step of respectively affixing said first and second ends of said non-rigid wheel spoke to said wheel hub and rim wherein the hub is in tension support within the circumference of the rim when said spoke is tightened wherein said non-rigid spoke material flexes without mechanical failure and is load supporting only in tension.
A non-rigid continuous spoke comprising:
- (a) a flexible mid-portion extending between a first and second end;
- (b) a first attachment means affixed adjacent said spoke first end said flexible mid-portion comprising a non-rigid spoke material;
- and
- (c) a second attachment means affixed adjacent said spoke second end, said spoke mid-portion being of a length suitable for forming a continuous network between the hub and rim of a wheel wherein said spoke has a tensile strength of at least about 0.2.times.10.sup.6 psi, said non-rigid spoke material flexes without mechanical failure and is load supporting only in tension.
A wheel comprising:
- (a) a wheel rim;
- (b) a wheel hub;
- and
- (c) the non-rigid continuous spoke comprising a flexible mid-portion extending between a first and second end, said flexible mid-portion comprising a non-rigid spoke material, a first attachment means affixed adjacent said spoke first end, and a second attachment means affixed adjacent said spoke second end, wherein said spoke has a tensile strength of at least about 0.2.times.10.sup.6 psi, said non-rigid spoke material flexes without mechanical failure and is load supporting only in tension and said non-rigid continuous spoke forms a continuous or semicontinuous network between said rim and said hub and spokes connectably supporting said hub within the circumference of said rim.
A vehicle comprising the wheels, each of said wheels comprising:
- (a) a wheel rim;
- (b) a wheel hub;
- and
- (c) at least one non-rigid continuous spoke comprising a flexible mid-portion extending between a first and second end, said flexible mid-portion comprising a non-rigid spoke material and having a tensile strength of at least about 0.2.times.10.sup.6 psi, a first attachment means affixed adjacent said spoke first end, and a second attachment means affixed adjacent said spoke second end, wherein said non-rigid continuous spoke forms a continuous or semicontinuous network between said rim and said hub and spokes connectably supporting said hub within the circumference of said rim wherein said non-rigid spoke material flexes without mechanical failure and is load supporting only in tension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.