Abstract:
The present invention provides a bicycle rim assembly adapted to be coupled to a hub to create a bicycle wheel. The rim assembly includes a rim and a cover coupled to the rim. The rim defines a central plane and comprises an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall cooperating with the inner wall to define a cavity. The rim further includes annular projections spaced laterally relative to the central plane and extending substantially radially outwardly from the outer annular wall. The cover includes sidewalls disposed on lateral sides of the rim adjacent the projections, each sidewall including a lateral inner portion having a lateral thickness. The cover further includes an annular ring portion interconnecting the sidewalls, the annular ring portion including a radial thickness less than the lateral thickness of the lateral inner portion of the sidewalls. Preferably, the rim comprises a metallic material and the cover comprises a non-metallic material. For example, the rim can comprise aluminum or an epoxy matrix composite, and the cover can comprises a polymeric material, such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. In addition, a radial thickness of the entire cover is preferably substantially less than a radial thickness of the entire rim.In one embodiment, the projections include a laterally inwardly facing surface, a laterally outwardly facing surface, and a radially outwardly facing surface. In this embodiment, the cover engages at least a portion of each of the laterally inwardly facing surface, the laterally outwardly facing surface, and the radially outwardly facing surface. Preferably, each annular projection has a smoothly radiused radially outwardly facing surface, and each laterally outwardly facing surface that lies in a radial plane substantially parallel to the central plane.
Abstract:
A bicycle wheel including a hub and a rim coupled to the hub. The wheel also includes a cover that is coupled to rim and that defines a bead seat engageable by a tire. The rim can have a first annular feature and the cover can have a second annular feature that is complementary to the first annular feature to attach the cover to the rim.
Abstract:
A tire for a cycle having a substantially toroidal shape, the tire including a tread adapted to be in contact with the ground, a base adapted to be fixed on the peripheral portion of a cycle rim, and two sides connecting the tread and the base, a lip having a height h greater than twice its thickness e and projecting from the upper portion of each of the two sides, in the vicinity of the tread. The height of the lip is greater than 15% of the width S of the tire in an inflated state. The lips can be constituted by the non-attached extension of the tread and, in particular, by a ply of material affixed to the top of the tire and whose edges are left free on a height greater than 15% of the width of the tire, or each lip can be arranged on an intermediate element adhered on the sides and/or the base of the tire, the intermediate element being capable of being a ring including an annular channel open towards its periphery and two lips projecting from each side of the channel.
Abstract:
The energy efficient wheel product substantially reduces energy loss due to tire flex and energy loss from a conventional automotive drive train. The wheel product includes an axis, a hub, two sidewalls, a low pressure inner chamber with shock absorbing hub protector, an outer ring with at least one high pressure pneumatic chamber with tread, and at least one restraint band radially restraining the outer ring to the hub. The hub can include an electric hub motor which rotates the hub, propelling the vehicle. The restraint band, sidewalls and pressurized chambers enable the wheel to simulate an energy efficient high pressure pneumatic wheel, experiencing little deformation when under smooth road conditions. When road conditions are rough, the band, sidewalls and outer chamber can temporarily buckle in response to the increased road forces, simulating a low pressure conventional tire having ample space for deformation. The low pressure chamber and hub protector provide built in suspension and shock absorption capability. The outer ring chamber can be filled with high pressure closed cell foam to prevent flats.
Abstract:
A wheel and tire assembly for recreational vehicles, such as mountainboards, motorized carts and pedaled carts is provided. The tire comprises a tire made of substantially inelastic material that will not stretch under a load. Thus, the tire will flatten under a load to provide a high level of traction on soft and irregular surfaces, as well as on hard and flat surfaces. The tire includes protrusions on its inner diameter surface for securely engaging the wheel. The wheel includes a rim that supports the tire and includes protrusions for engaging the protrusions of the tire in an interdigitating manner. The interdigitating engagement of the protrusions on the tire with the protrusions on the wheel prevents slippage and rotation of the tire relative to the wheel. The wheel also includes support flanges that extend radially inward from the rim in order to protect the tire from damage as the tire deforms under a load.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed at a tire design, which allows for proper operational characteristics in all operating conditions, and is not dependent on pneumatic pressurization. The tire is mounted in a wheel rim, and comprises an integral homogeneous toroidal body having a pair of spaced-apart radially extending sidewalls and a cross member. Each sidewall has a first and a second end and an internal face and an external face, with the second end of each of the sidewalls integrally merging into the cross member. A set of rim-engaging surfaces at the first end of each of the sidewalls allows effective mounting to conventional tire rims. An annular chamber is defined by the internal faces of the sidewalls and an internal top wall on the cross member opposite the at least one road engaging surface. The set of rim-engaging surfaces includes a lobe-like portion at the first end of each of the sidewalls, the respective lobe-like projections may be separable when the tire is not mounted on the rim, but being compressed into engagement when the tire is mounted in the rim, thereby closing the annular chamber, or integral with one another to form the enclosed chamber.
Abstract:
A semi-pneumatic tire having a radially inner wall, first and second side walls, a radially outer wall coupled between the side walls, and a pair of rib members extending radially inwardly from outer wall for generally rigidifying said outer wall under operating loads. The side walls include a radially outer portion and a radially inner portion, the inner portion being thicker and more rigid than the outer portion such that the radially outer wall abuts against the inner portion of the side walls when the outer wall shifts radially inwardly under operating loads.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a tubular-tire for bicycles and its assembly on a mounting-rim of the channel type--that is normally used in combination with the usual tires having a beaded edge.The tubular-tire of the invention has a tunnel-shaped carcass profile, in the plane of the cross-section, provided with a supporting-base which is substantially concave in the center and flat at the sides and with also having two sidewalls that join together in a substantially semicircular vault.The radially inner portion of the sidewalls is joined, at the supporting base, at an angle of less than 90.degree. and it is reinforced with a pair of reinforcing elements--one textile and the other either a textile fabric, or an elastomeric liner.The radially innermost portion of the tubular-tire can be inserted into the channel of a flanged-rim--with thus constituting with said rim, after tire inflation, a stable and inseparable assembly--that proves to be both suitable and efficacious--and with also guaranteeing a qualitatively high road-behavior for the tire.