Bicycle wheel rims
AssigneeKlein Bicycle Corporation
InventorsGary G. Klein, Darrell Voss
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention disclosed herein is a light weight, mountain bicycle competition wheel rim. The invention provides improved fatigue and impact resistance compared to prior art designs. The invention makes maximum use of advanced, high strength aluminum alloy materials, improving its stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios. The superior structural performance of the invention is provided by a unique truss type section geometry that efficiently utilizes the material to maximize bending and torsional stiffness and strength while minimizing weight.
Claims17
In a bicycle wheel having a hub, an annular rim having a spoke connection area, spokes connecting said rim to said hub and extending from said hub to spoke connecting area on said rim, improvements in said rim wherein:
- said annular rim having:
- a pair of circumferential flanges, each said circumferential flange having inner and outer surfaces and, in radial directions, inside and outside ends, said circumferential flanges being joined at their inner ends by at least one torque tube, said inner surfaces of said pair of flanges diverging away from each other a first predetermined amount and having tire retaining beads formed at their outside ends, respectively, said outer surfaces diverging outwardly from each other towards said outer ends a second predetermined amount to improve tire stability in cornering and side skid maneuvers,
- a substantially flat tension web forming (1) an upper wall of one of said at least one torque tubes and (2) an inner air pressure reacting member, and
- annular rib means juxtaposed adjacent said spoke connecting area to provide strength for said rim, support for spoke nipples on the sides and prevent lateral cracks from forming in said area.
A lightweight bicycle rim formed of an extruded metal alloy and having a pair of circumferential flanges and a plurality of integrally formed and symmetrical annular torque tubes for improved torsional rigidity including a central torque tube and means forming an annular spoke connection area on said central torque tube, said spoke connection area being "V" shaped and having one or more annular surface ribs in said spoke connection area.
A bicycle rim made of an extruded lightweight metal alloy, said rim having a pair of circumferential flanges, each said circumferential flange having inner and outer surfaces and, in radial directions, inside and outside ends, said circumferential flanges being joined at their inner ends by one or more torque tubes, said inner surfaces of said pair of flanges diverging away from each other a first predetermined amount and having tire retaining beads formed at their outside ends, respectively, said outer surfaces diverging outwardly from each other towards said outer ends a second predetermined amount to improve tire stability in cornering and side skid maneuvers,
- a substantially flat tension web forming (1) an upper wall of said one or more torque tubes and (2) an inner air pressure reacting member, and
- annular rib means juxtaposed adjacent said spoke connecting area to provide strength for said rim, support for spoke nipples on the sides and prevent lateral cracks from forming in said area.
An aluminum/Lithium alloy bicycle rim extrusion having a metal cross-sectional area
- a pair of circumferential flanges, each said circumferential flange having inner and outer surfaces and, in radial directions, inside and outside ends, said circumferential flanges being joined at their inner ends by at least one torque tube, said inner surfaces of said pair of flanges diverging away from each other a first predetermined amount and having tire retaining beads formed at their outside ends, respectively, said outer surfaces diverging outwardly from each other towards said outer ends a second predetermined amount to improve tire stability in cornering and side skid maneuvers,
- a substantially flat tension web forming (1) an upper wall of one of said at least one torque tubes and (2) an inner air pressure reacting member, and
- annular rib means juxtaposed adjacent said spoke connecting area to provide strength for said rim, support for spoke nipples on the sides and prevent lateral cracks from forming in said area.
An aluminum/Lithium alloy bicycle rim extrusion having a metal cross-sectional area
- a pair of circumferential flanges, each said circumferential flange having inner and outer surfaces and, in radial directions, inside and outside ends, three integral torque tubes, two of said torque tubes being symmetrically disposed to the sides of said rim such that said circumferential flanges merge smoothly thereunto and a third torque tube including a flat tension web as a wall portion thereof and further including spoke connecting areas said circumferential flanges being joined at their inner ends by at least one torque tube, said inner surfaces of said pair of flanges diverging away from each other a first predetermined amount and having tire retaining beads formed at their outside ends, respectively, said outer surfaces diverging outwardly from each other towards said outer ends a second predetermined amount to improve tire stability in cornering and side skid maneuvers,
- a substantially flat tension web forming (1) an upper wall of one of said at least one torque tubes and (2) an inner air pressure reacting member, and
- annular rib means juxtaposed adjacent said spoke connecting area to provide strength for said rim, support for spoke nipples on the sides and prevent lateral cracks from forming in said area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.