Abstract:
An improved vehicle wheel, including an outer rim, a central hub with a central axle and an outer flange and a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub. The spokes have a first portion connected to the rim and a second portion opposed to the first portion and connected to said hub. The outer rim includes a spoke bed wall with a spoke hole therethrough for connection with the first end of the spoke. The spoke bed wall has a radially outboard surface, which is a convex outboard surface including a radially outboard apex and a radially inboard portion relative to the apex and adjacent the apex.
Abstract:
An improved bicycle crankshaft assembly, including a crank axle with an axial axle axis, a first axle end, and a second axle end axially opposed to the first axle end; a first crank arm connected to the crank axle at a first crank arm interface adjacent the first axle end; a second crank arm connected to the crank axle at a second crank arm interface axially spaced from the first crank arm interface; a first bearing surrounding said crank axle adjacent said first axle end for rotation of said crank axle about said axial axis; a second bearing surrounding the crank axle and axially spaced from the first bearing. The crank axle includes reinforcement fibers for structural reinforcement of the crank axle and the crank axle is an integral crank axle that simultaneously contacts both the first bearing and the second bearing.
Abstract:
The vehicle wheel includes an outer rim hoop with means for holding a tire, a plurality of spoke portions, and a central hub assembly. The central hub assembly includes an axle assembly and a hub shell that is rotatable about the axle. The hub shell includes at least two axially spaced outer flanges for attachment with the spokes. The spokes are connected at their outer ends to the rim hoop and at their inner ends to their respective outer flange. Firm attachment between the spoke and the outer flange is achieved by engaging of a portion of the spoke with a cavity formed within at least one of the rim and the outer flange. Also disclosed are attachment arrangements that include an intermediate connection member to facilitate attachment between the spoke and the cavity.
Abstract:
A device for forming a connection between connectable elements includes a first connectable member for facilitating the connection and a second connectable member for facilitating the connection. The second connectable member is adapted to engage the first connectable member. The first connectable member includes an opening for receiving the second connectable member. A tapered element is also provided for one of compressing the first connectable member into locking engagement with the second connectable member and expanding the second connectable member into locking engagement with the first connectable member while the second connectable member is positioned in the opening for receiving.
Abstract:
The bicycle crankshaft assembly includes two crank arms having end portions thereof, a crank axle having two end portions thereof, with one of the crank arms attached to one of the axle end portions and another of the crank arms attached to the other of the axle end portions, and a crank arm insert affixed to at least one of the axle end portions and affixed to one of the crank arms end portions for connection of the crank arm to the crank axle.
Abstract:
The wheel includes an annular rim, a central hub and a plurality of spoke portions running between the rim and hub, with each spoke having a width to thickness ratio of at least 2:1, with the spoke portions having an inside portion in fixed relationship to the hub and an outside portion in fixed relationship to the rim with the spoke portions extending radially outwardly between the hub and rim. An encircling member is provided affixed to at least one of the inside and outside spoke portions defining an enclosed, continuous hollow annulus and including fasteners within the hollow annulus for affixing the spoke portions to said circular member.
Abstract:
The wheel includes an annular rim, a central hub, a plurality of spoke portions running between the rim and hub, and two wheel portions integrally joined to each other and including the spoke portions.