Back to results
US 7,357,460 B2Granted
Connecting system for tensile elements
OwnerRaphael Schlangerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved connecting system for tensile elements, including a longitudinal tensile element having an end portion and a cross-section thereof, a deformable connecting element; a bracing element, and a tensile axis of applied tensile load along said longitudinal tensile element. The deformable connecting element surrounds the cross section of the longitudinal tensile element and the deformable connecting element is joined to the longitudinal tensile element by means of plastic deformation of said deformable connecting element. The deformable connecting element is connected to the bracing element.
Claims49
A tensile connector assembly comprising:
- a longitudinal tensile element having an end portion and a cross-section thereof, wherein said longitudinal tensile element is at least a portion of a vehicle wheel spoke and wherein said spoke has a first end connected to a hub and a second end connected to an outer rim;
- an overmolded connecting element;
- an additional element, which is one of said rim and said hub that anchors said longitudinal tensile element;
- a tensile axis of applied tensile load along said longitudinal tensile element;
- wherein said overmolded connecting element surrounds the cross-section of said longitudinal tensile element, with an overlapping engagement therewith;
- wherein said overmolded connecting element is joined to said longitudinal tensile element by means of an overmolded connection;
- wherein said overmolded connecting element comprises hardened molding material with a conformable and softened state and a solidified and hardened state;
- wherein said longitudinal tensile element is integrally fixed to said hardened molding material;
- including a second tensile element joined to said longitudinal tensile element, wherein said overmolded connecting element serves as a coupling element to join said second tensile element to said longitudinal tensile element;
- wherein said overmolded connecting element contacts both said longitudinal tensile element and said second tensile element;
- including an overlap region, wherein said longitudinal tensile element overlaps said second tensile element along said tensile axis at said overlap region;
- and
- wherein at least one of said longitudinal tensile element and said second tensile element includes a lateral offset portion, wherein said lateral offset portion is laterally offset from said tensile axis.
10 more elements
A tensile connector assembly comprising:
- a longitudinal tensile element having an end portion and a cross-section thereof, wherein said longitudinal tensile element is at least a portion of a vehicle wheel spoke and wherein said spoke has a first end connected to a hub and a second end connected to an outer rim;
- an overmolded connecting element;
- an additional element, which is one of said rim and said hub that anchors said longitudinal tensile element;
- a tensile axis of applied tensile load along said longitudinal tensile element;
- wherein said overmolded connecting element surrounds the cross-section of said longitudinal tensile element, with an overlapping engagement therewith;
- wherein said overmolded connecting element is joined to said longitudinal tensile element by means of an overmolded connection;
- wherein said overmolded connecting element comprises hardened molding material with a conformable and softened state and a solidified and hardened state;
- wherein said longitudinal tensile element is integrally fixed to said hardened molding material;
- including a second tensile element joined to said longitudinal tensile element, wherein said overmolded connecting element serves as a coupling element to join said second tensile element to said longitudinal tensile element;
- wherein said overmolded connecting element contacts both said longitudinal tensile element and said second tensile element;
- including an overlap region, wherein said longitudinal tensile element overlaps said second tensile element along said tensile axis at said overlap region;
- and
- wherein said longitudinal tensile element includes a scoop-shaped geometry with a longitudinal opening and wherein said scoop-shaped geometry partially surrounds the cross section of said second tensile element to overlap said second tensile element in said overlap region.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.