Wheel with high strength flexible spokes

#The present invention is directed to vehicular wheels having high-strength and light-weight spokes, particularly bicycle, motorcycle, and wheelchair wheels.

#The most common construction for bicycle wheels includes spokes made of stainless steel or other metal. While stainless steel is strong, it is also heavy. Therefore, the spokes must be made as thin as possible to make them as light as possible. However, the thinner the spoke, the less strength it has. The thicker the spoke, the stronger it is. Therefore, in making spokes of steel, there is a tradeoff between making the spokes strong and making them lightweight. Thus, there is a need for a wheel with spokes that can be both lightweight and strong without having to deal with this tradeoff between the two. Another problem with steel spokes is that, if they are bent, they weaken and ultimately fail such that they must be replaced if bent.

#One solution to this problem was presented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,190 which issued to Harold Johnson on May 5, 1992, for an invention entitled “High Modulus Multifilament Spokes And Method” (hereinafter the “'190 patent”). The '190 patent is fully incorporated herein by this reference. The '190 patent discloses a high modulus multifilament non-rigid and rigid wheel spoke that includes a fiber mid-portion between a first and second end having attachment members affixed thereto. The '190 patent also discloses methods of supporting a hub within a wheel rim by means of a plurality of spokes or by means of continuous lengths of spokes.

#The aforementioned and other advantages of the wheel with flexible spokes of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon making a thorough review and study of the following detailed description of the invention when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings in which like references numerals refer to like parts, and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a side view of a first preferred embodiment of the wheel with flexible spokes of the present invention, showing the rim, hub, spokes between rim and hub, tubes attaching each spoke to the rim, and anchors attaching each spoke to the hub;

#FIG. 2 is a rear detail view of the first preferred embodiment of the wheel with flexible spokes of the present invention, showing the hub, the angle between spokes on the left side of the wheel and spokes on the right side of the wheel, and the angle of the hub surface at the point of attachment of each spoke to the hub;

#Referring to FIG. 1, a side view of a first preferred embodiment of the wheel with flexible spokes of the present invention is shown and generally designated 100. In FIG. 1, the side of wheel 100 facing the viewer can be referred to as the right side of the wheel 100. The side of wheel 100 opposite the right side can be referred to as the left side of the wheel 100. The wheel 100 has a wheel axis 104, and a rim 110 which has an inner perimeter 112 and an outer perimeter 114.

#Still referring to FIG. 1, with reference to FIG. 3, distributed symmetrically along inner perimeter 112 are spoke holes 120. Each spoke hole 120 has a spoke hole width 122. Along the outer perimeter 114 are nipple access holes 124 (not visible in FIG. 1), one nipple access hole 124 adjacent each spoke hole 120. Wheel 100 further includes a hub 130 having a right flange 132 and a left flange 134 (not visible, behind right flange 132). Each flange 132 and 134 has an inner surface 136 and an outer surface 138. In each flange 132 and 134 are flange holes 140, each flange hole 140 corresponding to a unique spoke hole 120. Each flange hole 140 has an inner opening 142 in the corresponding inner surface 136, and an outer opening 144 in the corresponding outer surface 138. Hub 130 also has a barrel 148 which receives an axle of a bicycle.

#Wheel 100 further includes non-rigid spoke members, or spokes 150. Each spoke 150 has non-rigid fibers 152 (not visible this Figure) covered by a jacket 154 having an inner diameter 156 (not visible) and an outer diameter 158 which is also the width 158 of spoke 150. Each spoke 150 has a length 160. Fibers 152 are substantially continuous along the length 160 of spoke 150. Alternatively, one or more of fibers 152 may be less than continuous along the length of spoke 150.