# US 7,744,165 B2 · Spoked wheel for tires > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,744,165 B2 - Document ID: US7744165B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/582,724 - Filed: 2004-12-17 - Published: 2007-03-15 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2003-12-18 - Assignees: Alpina Raggi S.p.A. - Inventors: Guido Cappellotto - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744165B2 ## CPC - B60B 21/062: {for bicycles} - B60B 1/0284: {the spoke being threaded at both ends} - B60B 1/041: {of bicycle wheels (bicycle rims characterised by means for attaching spokes B60B21/062)} - B60B 1/042: {Attaching spokes to hub} - B60B 1/047: {the nipple comprising sealing means} - B60B 21/068: {the spoke seat comprising sealing means, e.g. for tubeless racing bike tyres} - B60Y 2200/12: Motorcycles, Trikes; Quads; Scooters - 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 - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract A spoked wheel includes a rim with a plurality of holes for a respective plurality of nipples and an equal plurality of spokes secured to the rim by these nipples. The nipples are arranged to be fitted so as to be substantially gastight in the respective holes in the rim for the purpose of fitting tubeless tires to the rim. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spoked wheel for use with a tire comprising: a rim having a plurality of holes; a respective plurality of nipples; an axial bidirectional locking means formed on a portion of each of said respective plurality of nipples, said axial bidirectional locking means comprising a shoulder at one end of the shank of the nipple and also an external thread on the shank of the nipple which engages with a female thread disposed in a nut adjacent an outside portion of the rim to hold said nipple on the rim with said shoulder abutting against said rim; a resilient seal fitted onto the shank of the nipple close to said shoulder; a seating coaxial with the hole and adapted for fitting said seal is formed as a counter bore in the hole in the rim, said seating having a substantially cylindrical wall and forming an abutment for said shoulder; and an equal plurality of spokes secured to said rim by means of said respective plurality of nipples, wherein each nipple is disposed in the respective hole in the rim and retained in said hole by a respective one of said axial bidirectional locking means so as to be substantially gastight in the rim. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A wheel according to claim 1 in which said nut is screwed onto the shank of the nipple to grip said rim between said nut and said shoulder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A wheel according to claim 1, wherein said rim is adapted such that the plurality of nipples face into an inflation chamber of the tire. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A wheel according to claim 1 in which said seal comprises an O-ring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A wheel according to claim 1 in which the shoulder and the nut are provided at opposite sides of the rim so as to form said axial bidirectional locking means. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A wheel according to claim 1, wherein said rim is adapted such that the plurality of nipples face into an inflation chamber of the tire. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A wheel according to claim 1 in which said spoke has a light alloy stem. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A wheel according to claim 7 in which the spoke is held abutted against the nipple as an extension of it. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A wheel according to claim 1 in which the nipple has a blind axial hole running through it. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A wheel according to claim 1 in which said nipple has a head shaped to provide a key feature for driving the nipple. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A wheel according to claim 1 in which said counter bore in each of said plurality of holes formed in the rim has a first diameter disposed adjacent an outside portion of the rim and a second diameter greater than said first diameter disposed adjacent an inside portion of the rim. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A wheel according to claim 1 in which said shoulder has a beveled portion adapted to mate with an inside portion of the rim. ### Claim 13 A spoked wheel for use with a tire comprising: a rim having a plurality of holes; a respective plurality of nipples, said nipples comprising a threaded stem screwed into and retained in a respective threaded hole made in the end of the spoke facing them; an axial bidirectional locking means formed on a portion of each of said respective plurality of nipples, said axial bidirectional locking means comprising a shoulder at one end of the shank of the nipple and also a thread on the shank of the nipple which engages with a corresponding thread disposed adjacent an outside portion of the rim to hold said nipple on the rim with said shoulder abutting against said rim; a seal fitted onto the shank of the nipple close to said shoulder; a seating coaxial with the hole and adapted for fitting said seal is formed as a counter bore in the hole in the rim, said seating having a substantially cylindrical wall and forming an abutment for said shoulder; and an equal plurality of spokes secured to said rim by means of said respective plurality of nipples, wherein each nipple is disposed in the respective hole in the rim and retained in said hole by a respective one of said axial bidirectional locking means so as to be substantially gastight in the rim, and wherein said nipples comprise a threaded stem screwed into and retained in a respective threaded hole made in the end of the spoke facing them. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A wheel according to claim 13 in which said counter bore in each of said plurality of holes formed in the rim has a first diameter disposed adjacent an outside portion of the rim and a second diameter greater than said first diameter disposed adjacent an inside portion of the rim.