# US 5,348,379 A · Expanding and contracting bicycle rim

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- Number: US 5,348,379 A
- Document ID: US5348379A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/101,015
- Filed: 1993-08-03
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1993-08-03
- Inventors: John E. Renko
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348379A

## CPC

- B60C 25/142: {Devices for tightening or expanding the felly, devices for spreading the tyres}
- B60B 21/00: Rims (non-metallic B60B5/00; of high resiliency B60B9/00; capable of carrying more than one tyre B60B11/04; multiple rims on a single wheel body B60B11/06; of multi-part type B60B25/00; metal tyres B60C)
- B60B 25/02: Segmented rims, e.g. with segments arranged in sections; Connecting equipment, e.g. hinges; Insertable flange rings therefor
- B60C 25/00: Apparatus or tools adapted for mounting, removing or inspecting tyres (testing of tyres G01M17/02)
- B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
- 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

An improved wheel for a bicycle or similar vehicle has a segment in the rim of the wheel which is selectively removable from the usual circular path of the rim, creating a gap in the rim. The rim is then contracted to form a smaller circle. With the smaller diameter, a tire, with or without a tube, can be placed on, or removed from, the rim without the necessity to stretch or otherwise deform the tire or tube. The spokes are held with respect to the rim during contraction of the rim, so the spokes bow during contraction. A band extends around the rim to hold the spoke ends, and one end of the band spans the gap to maintain alignment of the rim so the rim is always circular.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In a wheel comprising a rim extending through a first circular path, a hub centrally of said rim, a plurality of flexible spokes connecting said rim to said hub, and a tire mountable on said rim, the improvement comprising a segment of said rim selectively removable from said first circular path for defining a gap in said rim, means for urging said rim without said segment into a second circular path that is smaller than said first circular path, and a tongue extending across said gap for maintaining alignment of said rim adjacent to said gap.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

In a wheel as claimed in claim 1, the further improvement comprising means for securing the outer ends of said flexible spokes to said rim so that said spokes are forced to bow as said rim moves into said second circular path.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

In a wheel as claimed in claim 1, the improvement wherein said means for securing the outer ends of said flexible spokes to said rim comprises a band substantially circumferentially of said rim and covering said outer ends of said spokes.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

In a wheel as claimed in claim 2, the further improvement wherein said tongue consists of one end of said band.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

In a wheel as claimed in claim 1, the improvement wherein said means for urging said rim without said segment into a second circular path comprises a tool including a lever having one end pivoted to said rim on one side of said gap, a clip having one end pivoted to said rim on the opposite side of said gap, the opposite end of said clip being pivoted to said lever.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

In a wheel as claimed in claim 5, the further improvement wherein said segment is pivoted to said rim and movable with said lever.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

In a wheel as claimed in claim 6, the improvement comprising means for selectively fixing the other end of said lever to said rim.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

In a wheel as claimed in claim 7, the improvement wherein said tire is substantially non-stretchable.