Advanced composite rim having molded in spoke holes
AssigneeEdge Composites, LLC
InventorJason Schiers
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention comprise a composite rim used in spoked wheels, such as bicycle wheels, having molded-in spoke holes along with a method of fabricating the composite rim. Advantageously, the present invention dramatically improves the bearing and loading strength of prior art composite rims, which drill the spoke holes therein after fabrication of the rim hoop.
Claims13
A rim for a wheeled vehicle, the rim being substantially comprised of a composite material including a polymer matrix with at least one layer of reinforcement fibers of a predefined orientation substantially extending from one edge of the layer to an opposing edge and having a plurality of spoke holes formed in situ during a molding operation, wherein the reinforcement fibers immediately adjacent to and surrounding the plurality of spoke holes curve around the periphery of the spoke holes to remain continuous in the circumferential direction of the rim.
A bicycle rim for use in a spoked bicycle wheel, the rim being substantially comprised of a composite material including an epoxy polymer matrix and at least one layer of reinforcement carbon fibers of a predefined orientation substantially extending from one edge of the layer to an opposing edge wherein, the rim further comprising:
- (i) a plurality spoke holes formed in situ during a molding operation wherein (a) the carbon fibers immediately adjacent to and surrounding each spoke hole curve around the periphery of the spoke holes to remain continuous in the circumferential direction of the rim and (b) a portion of an interior surface of the rim immediately surrounding each spoke hole are generally concave;
- and (ii) a raised braking surface on each of the left and right sides of the rim, the braking surfaces being parallel to each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.