FR2917667A1 - Wheel rim for a bicycle has sidewalls that are connected by connecting wall to form tire retaining groove with base wall having spaced apart spoke fastening holes and opposite lateral edges supporting hollow segment with annular hole - Google Patents

Abstract

An annular rim body (20) has a horizontal rim axis and an annular base wall (4) and a pair of sidewalls (6) connected by a connecting wall (5). The side walls and connecting walls form a tire retaining groove (50). The base wall has spaced apart spoke fastening holes (41) and two opposite lateral edges (42). The side walls extend respectively from lateral edges of the base wall. Each side wall has a hollow segment (62) that forms an annular hole (65) with an interior wall surface. The hollow segment has wall portions that are respectively placed at inner and outer sides of the annular hole.

Description

The present invention relates to a rim, more particularly a rim

  having annular sidewalls with hollow segments. A conventional rim for retaining a plurality of spokes comprises a pair of annular sidewalls, an annular base wall which interconnects the annular sidewalls and which is formed with a plurality of spaced apart positioning holes, and a connecting wall. annular which interconnects the annular side walls and which surrounds the annular base wall. Each of the annular sidewalls comprises a connecting portion connected to the annular base wall and an end portion extending from the connecting portion in a direction away from the annular base wall. The end portions of the annular sidewalls cooperate with the annular connecting wall to define a tire retaining groove. However, when a lateral stress is applied to the end portion of a respective wall of the annular sidewalls, the lateral stress is mainly supported by a portion of the conventional rim where the annular sidewall is connected to the wall of the wall. annular connection, and is likely to result in cracks. While the disadvantage can be eliminated by increasing the thickness of the annular sidewalls, the weight of the conventional rim is increased. In addition, by adding a pair of oblique walls, each of which extends obliquely from the annular connecting wall to connect to a respective wall of the annular sidewalls, the resistance of the conventional rim is not effectively improved. and its weight is also increased in an inappropriate way.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a rim which has a robust and lightweight construction, and which can effectively dissipate the heat generated during a wheel braking action. Accordingly, a rim of the present invention comprises an annular rim body having a rim axis disposed horizontally.

  The rim body includes an annular base wall and a pair of opposing annular sidewalls. The annular base wall is formed with a plurality of radius attachment holes spaced from each other, and has two opposite side edges. The annular sidewalls extend radially outwardly and respectively from the side edges of the annular base wall. Each of the annular sidewalls comprises a hollow segment which defines an annular hole. The hollow segment has an inner wall portion disposed at an inner side of the annular hole and facing the other wall of the annular side walls, and an outer wall portion connected to the inner wall portion and disposed at the inner wall portion. an outer side of the annular hole opposite to the inner side of the annular hole.

  Preferably, each of said annular sidewalls further comprises an inner wall surface which faces said annular hole in said hollow segment thereof, and which has a radially outer end distal to said annular base wall and an end radial inner opposed to said radial outer end, said radial outer ends of said inner wall surfaces of said annular sidewalls being disposed on an imaginary first cylindrical plane, said radial inner ends of said inner wall surfaces of said annular sidewalls being disposed on a second plane; cylindrical imaginary; and said rim body further comprises an annular connecting wall which interconnects said annular side walls, which surrounds said annular base wall and which cooperates with said annular side walls to define an annular tire retaining groove, said annular connecting wall having a radial outer surface which faces said annular tire retaining groove, and which has a pair of connecting edges respectively connected to said annular sidewalls between the imaginary first and second cylindrical planes. Advantageously, said rim body further comprises an annular connecting wall which connects said annular side walls and which surrounds said annular base wall; each of said annular sidewalls further comprises a connecting segment interconnecting said hollow segment thereof and said annular base wall; said inner wall portion of each of said hollow segments of said annular sidewalls extends radially and outwardly from said connecting segment of a respective one of said annular sidewalls and is connected to said annular connecting wall; and said outer wall portion of each of said hollow segments of said annular sidewalls comprises a radially extending portion having a radial outer edge distal from said annular base wall, and a connecting end portion extending from said radial outer edge of said radially extending portion (642) for connection to said inner wall portion. According to a feature of the invention, said hollow segment of each of said annular sidewalls has an inner wall surface defining said annular hole and having a radial cross section elongated with respect to the rim axis. According to yet another feature of the invention, said outer wall portion of said hollow segment is formed with a plurality of ventilation holes spaced from each other and in spatial communication with said annular hole. Advantageously, said outer wall portion of said hollow segment comprises a radially extending portion which has a radial outer edge distal to said annular base wall and a connecting end portion extending from said outer edge. radial portion of said radially extending portion for connecting to said inner wall portion, said vent holes being formed in said connecting end portion. According to a feature of the invention, said outer wall portion of said hollow segment comprises a radially extending portion which has a radial outer edge distal to said annular base wall, and a connecting end portion extending from said radial outer edge of said radially extending portion to connect to said inner wall portion, said vent holes being formed in said radially extending portion.

  According to yet another feature of the invention, said radially extending portion further has a brake pad contact surface disposed outside said annular hole. Advantageously, each of said ventilation holes is an elongate hole.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, said rim body further comprises an annular connecting wall which interconnects said annular side walls and which surrounds said annular base wall; each of said annular sidewalls further comprises a connecting segment interconnecting said hollow segment thereof and said annular base wall; said inner wall portion of each of said hollow segments of said annular side walls comprises a connecting portion extending in a direction parallel to the rim axis and having a first edge connected to said annular connecting wall and a second edge opposed to said first edge and a radial portion extending radially and outwardly from said first edge of said connecting portion with respect to the rim axis; and said outer wall portion of each of said hollow segments of said annular sidewalls comprises a radially extending portion which extends radially outwardly from said second edge of said connecting portion with respect to rim axis and having a radial outer edge distal to said annular base wall and a connecting end portion extending from said radial outer edge of said radially extending portion to connect to said radial portion of said inner wall portion. According to yet another feature of the invention, each of said annular sidewalls comprises an inner wall surface which faces said annular hole in said hollow segment thereof, and which has a radial outer end distal to said wall of said annular wall. an annular base and a radially inner end opposite said radial outer end, said radial outer ends of said inner wall surfaces of said annular sidewalls being disposed on a first imaginary cylindrical plane, said radial inner ends of said inner wall surfaces of said annular sidewalls being disposed on an imaginary second cylindrical plane; and said rim body further comprises a pair of hole defining walls, each of which has a first end connected to said annular base wall, a second end which is opposed to said first end and which is connected to a wall adjacent one of said annular side walls and an outer wall surface facing the other wall of said annular side walls and having a connecting edge connected to the adjacent wall of said annular side walls between the imaginary first and second cylindrical planes. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a fragmented perspective view of a first embodiment preferred embodiment of a rim according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmented sectional view of a first preferred embodiment; Figure 3 is a schematic view partially in section of the first preferred embodiment; Figure 4 is a fragmented perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a rim according to the invention; Fig. 5 is a fragmented sectional view of the second preferred embodiment; Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of a rim according to the invention; and Figure 7 is a fragmented sectional view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a rim according to the invention. Before describing the present invention in more detail, it should be noted that the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the description. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first preferred embodiment of a rim according to the present invention for retaining a tire (not shown) and a plurality of spoke attachment components 32 is disposed between a pair of platelets. brake 8 and comprises an annular rim body 20 having a rim axis (L) disposed horizontally. The rim body 20 comprises an annular base wall 4, an annular connecting wall 5, and a pair of opposed annular side walls 6. The annular base wall 4 is formed with a plurality of spaced-apart radius attachment holes 41 and two opposite side edges 42. The annular side walls 6 extend radially outwardly and respectively from lateral edges 42 of the annular base wall 4. Each of the annular sidewalls 6 comprises a hollow segment 62 which defines an annular hole 65. The hollow segment 62 has an inner wall portion 63 disposed at an inner side annular hole 65 and facing each other annular side walls 6, and an outer wall portion 64 connected to the inner wall portion 63 and disposed at an outer side of the annular hole 65 opposite the inner side of the Annular hole 65. Each of the annular sidewalls 6 further comprises an inner wall surface 66 which faces and defines the annular hole 65 in the hollow segment 62 thereof, and which has a radial cross section elongated with respect to the rim axis (L). The annular connecting wall 5 interconnects the annular side walls 6, surrounds the annular base wall 4 and cooperates with the annular side walls 6 to define an annular tire retaining groove 50. The inner wall portion 63 of the hollow segment 62 of each of the annular sidewalls 6 comprises a first surface 631 facing the annular tire retaining groove 50, and a second surface 632 opposite the first surface 631 and facing the annular hole 65. Each of the annular sidewalls 6 comprises in addition to a connecting segment 61 interconnecting its hollow segment 62 and the annular base wall 4. In this embodiment, the inner wall portion 63 of each of the hollow segments 62 of the annular side walls 6 extends radially and towards the outside from the connecting segment 61 of a respective wall of the annular side walls 6, and is connected to the wall The outer wall portion 64 of each of the hollow segments 62 of the annular side walls 6 comprises an oblique portion 641 which extends obliquely and outwardly from the connecting segment 61 of the corresponding wall. annular sidewalls 6, a radially extending portion 642 extending from the oblique portion 641 in radially outward directions relative to the rim axis (L) and having an edge external radial 6421 distal to the annular base wall 4, and a connecting end portion 643 extending from the radial outer edge 6421 of the radially extending portion 642 to connect to the In this embodiment, the connecting end portion 643 of the outer wall portion 64 of each of the hollow segments 62 is formed with a plurality of elongate air holes 640 spaced apart from each other. The air holes 640 in the connecting end portions 643 of the two hollow segments 62 are preferably staggered relative to one another. The radially extending portion 642 of the outer wall portion 64 of each of the hollow segments 62 further comprises a third surface 644 facing the annular hole 65, and a brake pad contact surface 645 opposite the third surface 644 and disposed outside the annular hole 65. The second surface 632 of the inner wall portion 633 of a respective wall of the annular side walls 6 and the third surface 644 of the outer wall portion 64 of the same wall. annular side 6 form the corresponding inner wall surface 66.

  The inner wall surface 66 of each of the annular sidewalls 6 has a radial outer end 661 distal to the annular base wall 4 and a radial inner end 662 opposite to the radial outer end 661. The radial outer ends 661 of inner wall surfaces 66 of the annular sidewalls 6 are disposed on a first imaginary cylindrical plane (H1). The radial inner ends 662 of the inner wall surfaces 66 of the annular sidewalls 6 are disposed on an imaginary second cylindrical plane (H2). The annular connecting wall 5 has a radial outer surface 51 which faces the annular tire retaining groove 50, and which has a pair of connecting edges 52 respectively connected to the annular sidewalls 6 between the first and second imaginary cylindrical planes. (H1), (H2). The inner wall surface 66 of the hollow segment 62 of each of the annular sidewalls 6 can distribute lateral stresses, so that the lateral stresses are not directly applied to the inner wall portion 63 and concentrated at the connecting edge 52 , thus avoiding the occurrence of cracks. The hollow segments 62 of the annular sidewalls 6 can also minimize the degradation of the inserted tire and other rim body components due to the heat that is generated by the friction between the brake pads 8 and the wafer contact surface. brake 645 of the outer wall portion 64 of each of the annular side walls 6 during a braking action of wheels. In particular, since the vent holes 640 in the outer wall portion 64 of each of the annular sidewalls 6 are in spatial communication with the annular holes 65 in the hollow segments 62, when the rim rotates, the air at the interior of the hollow segments 62 is prompted to flow rapidly outward, thus resulting in a flow of air to dissipate heat. In this embodiment, the vent holes 640 are formed in the connecting end portion 643 of the outer wall portion 64 of each of the annular side walls 6 in centrifugal directions with respect to the rim axis ( L) to enhance air circulation.

  Preferably, the total thickness of the inner wall portion 63 of each of the annular sidewalls 6 and the connected portion of the outer wall portions 64, i.e., the sum of the distance (W1) (see FIG. 2) between the first surface 631 of the inner wall portion 63 and the corresponding second surface 632, and the distance (W2) (see Fig. 2) between the third surface 644 of the outer wall portion 64 and the contact surface of corresponding brake pad 645, is almost identical to the wall thickness of the annular side walls of the conventional rim mentioned above. Therefore, this embodiment of the invention has the same weight as the conventional rim, and moreover has a greater resistance than that of the conventional rim. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second preferred embodiment of the rim according to the present invention has a similar structure to that of the first embodiment. The main difference between this embodiment and the previous preferred embodiment lies in the configuration of the annular sidewalls 6. In this embodiment, the inner wall portion 63 of the hollow segment 62 of each of the annular sidewalls 6 includes a connecting portion 633 which extends in a direction parallel to the rim axis (not shown) and which has a first edge 6331 connected to the annular connecting wall 5 and a second edge 6332 opposite to the first edge 6331, and a radial portion 634 extending radially and outwardly from the first edge 6331 of the connecting portion 633 with respect to the rim axis. The outer wall portion 64 of the hollow segments 62 of each of the annular sidewalls 6 includes a radially extending portion 642 which extends radially outwardly from the second edge 6332 of the connecting portion 633 by to the rim axis and having a radial outer edge 6421 distal to the annular base wall 4, and a connecting end portion 643 extending from the radial outer edge 6421 of the portion s' extending radially 642 to connect to the radial portion 634 of the inner wall portion 63. In this embodiment, each of the vent holes 640 formed in the connecting end portion 643 of the outer wall portion. 64 of each of the annular side walls 6 is a round hole. The second preferred embodiment has the same advantages as those of the first preferred embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the third preferred embodiment of the rim according to the present invention has a structure similar to that of the first embodiment. The main difference between this embodiment and the first preferred embodiment lies in the position of the vent holes 640. In this embodiment, the vent holes 640 are formed in the radially extending portion 642. of the outer wall portion 64 of each of the annular sidewalls 6 and are in spatial communication with the corresponding annular hole 65. As shown in FIG. 7, the fourth preferred embodiment of the rim according to the present invention comprises a wall of annular base (4) 4, a pair of annular sidewalls 6, and a pair of hole defining walls 7. The configurations of the annular base wall 4 and the annular sidewalls 6 are similar to those of the first embodiment. prefer. Each of the hole defining walls 7 has a first end 72 which is connected to the annular base wall 4, a second end 73 which is opposite the first end 72 and which is connected to an adjacent wall of the annular side walls 6, and an outer wall surface 71 which faces the other wall of the annular sidewalls 6 and which has a connecting edge 710 connected to the adjacent wall of the annular sidewalls 6 between the first and second imaginary cylindrical planes (H1), (H2). The vent holes 640 are formed in the radially extending portion 642 of the outer wall portion 64 of each of the annular sidewalls 6 and are in spatial communication with the corresponding annular hole 65. The fourth preferred embodiment has the same advantages as those of the first preferred embodiment.

Claims (11)

  A rim comprising an annular rim body (20) having a horizontally disposed rim axis (L), said rim body (20) including an annular base wall (4) which is formed with a plurality of rim holes (20). spaced-apart spoke attachment (41) having two opposite side edges (42), characterized in that said rim body (20) further comprises a pair of opposing annular side walls (6) extending radially, outwardly and respectively from said side edges (42) of said annular base wall (4), each of said annular sidewalls (6) comprising a hollow segment (62) which defines an annular hole (65), said hollow segment (62) having an inner wall portion (63) which is disposed at an inner side of said annular hole (65) and which faces the other wall of said annular side walls (6) and a portion outer wall (64) which is connected to said portion an inner wall (63) and disposed at an outer side of said annular hole (65) opposite said inner side of said annular hole (65).   A rim according to claim 1, further characterized in that: each of said annular sidewalls (6) further comprises an inner wall surface (66) facing said annular hole (65) in said hollow segment (62) thereof, and having a radial outer end (661) distal to said annular base wall (4) and a radial inner end (662) opposite said radial outer end (661), said radial outer ends (661); 661) said inner wall surfaces (66) of said annular sidewalls (6) being disposed on a first imaginary cylindrical plane (H1), said radial inner ends (662) of said inner wall faces (66) of said annular sidewalls (6); ) being disposed on an imaginary second cylindrical plane (H2); and said rim body (20) further comprises an annular connecting wall (5) which interconnects said annular side walls (6), which surrounds said annular base wall (4) and which cooperates with said annular side walls (6) for defining an annular tire retaining groove (50), said annular connecting wall (5) having a radial outer surface (51) facing said annular tire retaining groove (50), and having a pair of edges connecting means (52) respectively connected to said annular side walls (6) between the first and second imaginary cylindrical planes (H1, H2).   A rim according to claim 1, further characterized in that: said rim body (20) further comprises an annular connecting wall (5) which connects said annular side walls (6) and which surrounds said annular base wall (4); each of said annular sidewalls (6) further comprises a connecting segment (61) interconnecting said hollow segment (62) thereof and said annular base wall (4); said inner wall portion (63) of each of said hollow segments (62) of said annular side walls (6) extends radially and outwardly from said connecting segment (61) of a respective one of said side walls annular (6) and is connected to said annular connecting wall (5); and said outer wall portion (64) of each of said hollow segments (62) of said annular sidewalls (6) comprises a radially extending portion (642) having a radial outer edge (6421) distal to said an annular base wall (4), and a connecting end portion (643) extending from said radial outer edge (6421) of said radially extending portion (642) for connection to said portion of inner wall (63).   The rim of claim 1, further characterized in that said hollow segment (62) of each of said annular sidewalls (6) has an inner wall surface (66) defining said annular hole (65) and having a cross-section radial elongated with respect to the rim axis (L).   A rim according to claim 1, further characterized in that said outer wall portion (64) of said hollow segment (62) is formed with a plurality of spaced apart ventilation holes (640) in spatial communication with said annular hole (65). 35   The wheel of claim 5, further characterized in that said outer wall portion (64) of said hollow segment (62) comprises a radially extending portion (642) which has a radial outer edge (6421). distal to said annular base wall (4) and a connecting end portion (643) extending from said radial outer edge (6421) of said radially extending portion (642) for connection at said inner wall portion (63), said vent holes (640) being formed in said connecting end portion (643).   The rim of claim 5, further characterized in that said outer wall portion (64) of said hollow segment (62) comprises a radially extending portion (642) which has a distal radial outer edge (6421) with respect to said annular base wall (4), and a connecting end portion (643) extending from said radial outer edge (6421) of said radially extending portion (642) for connection said inner wall portion (63), said vent holes (640) being formed in said radially extending portion (642).   Rim according to claim 7, further characterized in that said radially extending portion (642) further has a brake pad contact surface (645) disposed outside said annular hole (65). .   The rim of claim 5, further characterized in that each of said vent holes (640) is an elongated hole.   A rim according to claim 1, further characterized in that: said rim body (20) further comprises an annular connecting wall (5) which interconnects said annular side walls (6) and which surrounds said annular base wall (4); each of said annular sidewalls (6) further comprises a connecting segment (61) interconnecting said hollow segment (62) thereof and said annular base wall (4); said inner wall portion (63) of each of said hollow segments (62) of said annular sidewalls (6) comprises a connecting portion (633) which extends in a direction parallel to the rim axis (L) and which a first edge (6331) connected to said annular connecting wall (5) and a second edge (6332) opposite said first edge (6331), and a side wall (634) extending radially outwardly to starting from said first edge (6331) of said connecting portion (633) with respect to the rim axis (L); and said outer wall portion (64) of each of said hollow segments (62) of said annular sidewalls (6) comprises a radially extending portion (642) which extends radially outwardly from said second edge (6332) of said connecting portion (633) with respect to the rim axis (L) and having a radial outer edge (6421) distal to said annular base wall (4), and a connecting end portion (643) extending from said radial outer edge (6421) of said radially extending portion (642) for connection to said radial portion (634) of said inner wall portion ( 63).   A rim according to claim 1, further characterized in that: each of said annular sidewalls (6) comprises an inner wall surface (66) facing said annular hole (65) in said hollow segment (62) of that and having a radial outer end (661) distal to said annular base wall (4) and a radial inner end (662) opposite said radial outer end (661), said radial outer ends (661). said inner wall surfaces (66) of said annular sidewalls (6) being disposed on a first imaginary cylindrical plane (H1), said radial inner ends (662) of said inner wall surfaces (66) of said annular sidewalls (6) being arranged on an imaginary second cylindrical plane (H2); and said rim body (20) further comprises a pair of hole defining walls (7), each having a first end (72) which is connected to said annular base wall (4), a second end (73), ) which is opposed to said first end (72) and which is connected to an adjacent wall of said annular side walls (6) and an outer wall surface (71) facing the other wall of said annular side walls (6) and which has a connecting edge (52) connected to the adjacent wall of said annular side walls (6) between the imaginary first and second cylindrical planes (H1, H2).