Abstract:
A noise inhibiting wheel cover for a wheel assembly having a wheel includes a substrate adapted to engage the wheel of the wheel assembly. The noise inhibiting wheel cover also includes a layer of noise inhibiting material located at contact sites between the substrate and the wheel of the wheel assembly to reduce noise caused by mechanical actions therebetween.
Abstract:
In a multi-piece wheel rim assembly for a large industrial vehicle, the side rings (40 and 42) are each coated with a layer of carbon steel (60, 69) to form a convex L-shaped bearing surface (56, 66), and the surfaces of the rim base (20) and bead seat (34) which face the side rings are likewise coated with layers of carbon steel (62, 68) to form a concave L-shaped bearing surface (58 and 68), with the sizes and shapes of the bearing surfaces corresponding to each other. The side rings (40, 42) are able to move circumferentially with respect to the rim base and bead seat with reduced fretting and other deterioration of the facing parts.
Abstract:
A bicycle rim is provided with a wear indicator. The bicycle rim has an outer annular portion, an annular spoke attachment portion and a pair of oppositely facing annular braking surfaces. The outer annular portion is adapted to receive a tire and the annular spoke attachment portion is coupled to the outer annular portion. The annular spoke attachment portion is adapted to be coupled to a plurality of spokes. At least one of the annular braking surfaces has a wear indicator.
Abstract:
A bicycle wheel rim includes spaced left and right annular tire retaining walls adapted for retaining a bicycle tire therebetween. Each of the tire retaining walls has a central axis, a radial inner edge proximate to the central axis, a radial outer edge distal to the central axis, and a brake pad contacting surface opposite to the other one of the tire retaining walls. An annular spoke mounting wall interconnects the radial inner edges of the tire retaining walls. The brake pad contacting surface of at least one of the tire retaining walls is formed with a plurality of radial grooves which are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction relative to the central axis and which extend along radial directions of the tire retaining walls from the radial inner edge to the radial outer edge. Each of the radial grooves has at least two opposite open ends formed respectively through the radial inner and radial outer edges.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for allowing visual access to the interior of a tire wheel assembly under dynamic conditions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wheel rim having a window or access area such that the interior of a tire mounted on the wheel rim may be viewed under dynamic conditions such as those provided by a dynamometer test machine. A method is also presented in which a camera and strobe light are used with the wheel rim having at least one window to record the reaction of flowable materials inserted into the pressure chamber of a tire wheel assembly at the tire footprint under loaded dynamic conditions. An alternate embodiment includes the camera and the light attached to the wheel.
Abstract:
A bicycle wheel rim can be worn down by rim brakes, leading to serious accidents. The present invention relates to a novel bicycle rim that provides direct and clear indication to a rider when a braking surface on the rim has been worn off. The novel bicycle rim comprises a base portion, two lateral flanks forming an outer braking surface, and a longitudinal hole. The braking surface has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the braking surface has a thickness that is designed to be worn off down to the longitudinal hole so as to form a visible slit, while the second portion, situated radially outwards with respect to the first portion, has a thickness such as to prevent deformations of the second portion when the first portion is worn off down to the longitudinal hole.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a wheel rim having at least one window such that the interior of a tire mounted on the wheel rim may be viewed under dynamic conditions such as those provided by a dynamometer test machine. A method is also presented in which a camera and strobe light are used with the wheel rim having at least one window to record the reaction of flowable materials inserted into the pressure chamber of a tire wheel assembly at the tire footprint under loaded dynamic conditions.
Abstract:
A composite bicycle tire rim constructed from layers or plys of a fiber reinforcement, preferably fiber glass, to provide a rim that has a weight that is comparable to an aluminum rim and as is strong as a steel rim. The composite rim is continuous, is formed as a hooked bead type rim to have inwardly pointing side wall hook ends that are for fitting into grooves formed in a tire side walls, mounting the tire thereto. The rim is formed on a circular mandrel by laying up groups of plys thereon, with four (4) plys of fiber glass laid up for each group. In which laying up, a first ply of the four plys is fitted onto the mandrel to where its fiber angle is parallel to the mold mandrel circumference, with a following ply laid thereon at a selected positive angle to a vertical axis, and a next ply is laid thereon at a negative angle to the vertical axis, and with a final ply of each group laid thereon to have its fibers perpendicular to a tangent to the mold circumference. Which fiber placement, for each group, creates a balanced laminate, without residual stress, that is not subject to dimensional deformity. The mandrel with the groups of fiber glass plys thereon, is placed in a mold cavity, wherein the laminate is subjected to heat and pressure to cure it into the composite rim that is removed from the mold and the mandrel cross section is reduced to allow it to be removed from between the rim hook ends. Which hook ends are machined to a desired length from the rim side walls inner surfaces, and the rim is coated with a urethane polymer to enhance the overall rim strength and provide an attractive surface finish.
Abstract:
A bicycle wheel rim includes a plurality of connectors each having a spoke engaging hole for connecting with a spoke, and two protrusions extend from two ends of each connector. A plurality of holes are defined through each protrusion and a plurality of loops extend through the holes of the connectors which are arranged as a circle. Each protrusion has a recess defined in an inside thereof so as to be engaged with a tire. The loops and the connectors are made by carbon fiber or compound material.
Abstract:
A bicycle wheel rim includes an annular rim body having left and right annular tire retaining walls with inner edges connected to left and right edges of an annular spoke mounting wall. Each of a pair of annular corner reinforcing members is formed integrally with the rim body at a junction of a corresponding one of the left and right edges of the spoke mounting wall with the inner edge of a respective one of the tire retaining walls. Each of the corner reinforcing members extends laterally outward relative to the respective one of the tire retaining walls, and further extends radially inward relative to the spoke mounting wall.