GB2479870A

GB2479870A - Wheel rim eyelet

Info

Publication number: GB2479870A
Application number: GB1006888A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Thulbon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-26
Filing date: 2010-04-26
Publication date: 2011-11-02
Also published as: GB201102536D0; GB2479958A; GB201006888D0

Abstract

A spoke eyelet for a bicycle wheel that is located between the spoke nipple and the rim. The eyelet has slots cut across its upper section, allowing the outer shoulder of the eyelet to be deformed inwards. The deformed eyelet is able to pass through the spoke hole in the rim. Once inside the rim cavity, the eyelet can return to its original shape. The eyelet outer shoulder sits against the internal surface of the rim, spreading the load over a large area, reducing the stress in the rim. The eyelet is positively locked into position using the head of the spoke nipple. This leaves the outer diameter of the rim intact, and suitable for use with tubeless tyres.

Description

Wheel Rim Eyelet.

Background

The present invention relates to the attachment of spokes to a rim, which is particularly suited for use on bicycle wheels. The urge for an increase in bicycle performance has resulted in technologically advanced, lighter weight components. Bicycle components are constantly being redesigned to make the most of current materials and technologies. A bicycle wheel typically consists of a central hub, connected to an annular rim via a plurality of spokes. A plurality of spoke nipples, typically at the rim end of the spoke, allows the wheel to be trued and tensioned. The spoke nipple is typically assembled through the rim, with the nipple body passing through a hole in the rim towards the hub, and the head of the nipple sitting against the interior surface of the rim. The rim supports a tyre and tube which typically covers the head of the spoke nipple.

There are high loads at the junction between the rim and spoke nipple, and lightweight rims are prone to cracks propagating from this hole. With the advances in tubeless tyres being used on bicycles, it is not always possible to assemble the spoke nipple from the tyre side of the rim. There is a need for a wheel which overcomes the above mentioned problems in the prior art. This invention addresses this need as well as other needs, which will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a spoke nipple eyelet that can be assembled from the inner diameter of the rim of a bicycle wheel.

According to the present invention, there is provided a retaining device for attaching a spoke to a rim, comprising: a rim; a spoke; a spoke nipple; preferably a nipple washer; and an eyelet that clips into the rim from the inner diameter and is locked in position when assembled.

With this design, the spoke, spoke nipple and eyelet sub-assembly can be presented to the rim from its inner diameter. Thus the outer wall of the nm does not need to be perforated and is therefore suitable for use with tubeless tyre systems. The eyelet is pushed through the hole in the rim by means of the eyelet sides displacing inwards thus reducing its maximum outside diameter.

Once through the hole the eyelet springs back to its original shape. The head of the spoke nipple can then be pulled back into the inner diameter of the eyelet, locking the eyelet in position by resisting the sides of the eyelet from being displaced inwards. Preferably, a spoke nipple washer or cup could be used to maintain the positive lock of the eyelet within the rim, allowing the spoke nipple to rotate freely and aid wheel truing/adjustment.

This design also reduces stresses on the rim by increasing the contact area between the eyelet and the rim, compared with a standard spoke nipple. A further way of reducing the stresses on the rim could be possible by enabling the eyelet to bear on thicker areas of the rim wall. This could be achieved by introducing a central vertical web within the rim section, and allowing the eyelet to bear on the area at the junction of this internal web and the inner diameter of the rim, If the spoke loads are directed into such a web within the rim it is advantageous for both the weight and stiffness of the rim.

In addition, to reduce bending on the spoke end, the hole and shoulder of the eyelet through which the spoke nipple passes, can be angled to specific amounts to match individual wheel builds.

The eyelet material can be chosen to avoid undesirable contact between some similar materials which may cause those components to bind.

A variation of this design could see the spokes rotated and the eyelet could be used at the hub instead of at the rim. A further variation could see the head of a straight pull spoke assembled inside the eyelet.

Introduction to drawings

FIG. I Wheel Assembly.

FIG. 2 Section view of the eyelet locked in a rim with a spoke, nipple and washer (Assembly step 4).

FIG. 3 Exploded view of Spoke, Nipple, Washer and Eyelet.

FIG. 4 Spoke on hub and washer, eyelet and nipple attached (Assembly step 1).

FIG. 5 Eyelet going into rim (Assembly step 2).

FIG. 6 Eyelet in rim (Assembly step 3).

FIG. 7 Isometric view of eyelet.

FIG. 8 Rim with central web section view.

FIG. 9 Rim with central web isometric view.

FIG.lO Angled eyelet and spoke.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

An embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a bicycle wheel 1 comprising a central hub 2, spokes 3 and a rim 4. Figure 2 shows a section though the rim 4, showing how the spokes 3 are attached. A spoke nipple 5 is threaded onto the end of the spoke 3.

The spoke nipple 5 sits against a washer 6 which in turn sits against the eyelet 7. The eyelet 7 is located in a hole 41 in the inner wall 42 of the rim 4, and the shoulder 71 of the eyelet 7 mates with the internal surface 43 of the inner wall 42 of the rim 4. The increased diameter of the eyelet shoulder 71 in comparison to the spoke nipple head 51 reduces the stress on the rim 4 and helps to reduce the risk of cracking around the spoke holes 41 in the rim 4.

The wheel I is assembled by first lacing the spoke 3 onto the hub 2 as shown in figure 3 and the sliding the eyelet 7 and washer 6 over the spoke 3 before screwing the spoke nipple 5 onto the end of the spoke 3. Figures 4, 5, 6 & 2 then show the steps taken to secure this sub assembly into the rim 4. Figure 4 shows the spoke nipple 5 and washer 6 positioned through the hole 41 and deep into the cavity 44 of the rim 4. With the head 51 of the spoke nipple 5 and the washer 6 deep into the rim 4, figure 5 shows the eyelet 7 is free to deform inwards to allow it to pass through the hole 41 in the rim 4. Figure 6 shows the eyelet 7, with its base 72 positioned in the rim hole 41 and the eyelet shoulder 71 reformed into its original shape inside the rim cavity 44. The assembly is completed, as shown in Figure 2, when the spoke nipple 5 is tightened and the washer 6 is pulled down into the eyelet 7, locking the eyelet shoulder 71 inside the rim cavity 44. With the entire assembly achieved from the inner side of the rim 4, the integrity of the outer wall 45 can be maintained such that tubeless tyres can be used.

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the eyelet 7 and shows the following features. A base section 72 with an outside diameter of suitable size to locate inside the mating spoke hole 41 in the rim 4. The tapered upper section 73 needs to be deformed to fit through the mating spoke hole 41 in the rim 4. Slots 74 across the eyelet 7 enable the upper section 73 to be deformed. An external shoulder 71 between the base 72 and upper section 73 reacts the spoke loads against the inner surface of the rim 4. The internal profile of the eyelet 7 has an upper bore diameter 75 suitable to locate the outside diameter of the spoke nipple head 51 and the washer 6, such that the eyelet is prevented from deforming inwards and is therefore locked in position. The internal profile lower bore diameter 76 is suitable to locate the shaft of the spoke nipple 5, and the internal shoulder 77 reacts the spoke load from and head of a spoke nipple 51 and washer 6.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 8 & 9. Figure 8 shows a rim 8 with a central web 81 that splits the rim cross section and results in two, more circular, cavities 82. The shape of these cavities 82 are more efficient at carrying torsion and therefore result in a stiffer, lighter rim.

The eyelet 7 is also shaped such that the base of the slots 78 in the eyelet, mate with the junction 83 between the inner wall 84 and the central web 81 of the rim. The load from the spoke passes through the eyelet 7 into the central web 81 of the rim via the contact between the base of the eyelet slot 78 and the base 83 of the rim central web 81. The spoke load is in a similar direction to the central web 81, so a more direct load path is provided, resulting in additional stiffness in the wheel assembly. The location of the spoke holes 85 in the rim 8 occurs at the junction 83 between the central web 81 and the inner waIl 84. This junction 83 is naturally an area where there is additional material due to the radius/chamfer between the central web 81 and the inner wall 84. Therefore the rim 8 is less prone to cracks propagating from the spoke hole 85 due to this additional material. The central web 81 also prevents the eyelet 7 from rotating when assembled.

Figure 9 shows cutaway isometric views of the above embodiment.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 10. Many bicycle wheels are dished due to the space on the hub required for a drive cassette or disc brake. Figure 10 shows how the eyelet 9 has an inner profile 93 that is produced at different angles to the outer shoulder 91 and base 92 of the eyelet. This angle can then be matched to the varying spoke angles of different wheel builds. The nm 8 and spoke hole 85 can remain on the rim centre line, enabling a more cost effective rim that can be matched to different wheel builds. The stress and fatigue in the spoke 3 and rim 8 is greatly reduced, as bending of the spoke 3 to match the angle of the spoke hole 85 in the rim is minimised.

Although conventional spokes are shown in the drawings, the present invention could be used with most spoke designs including, but not limited to, metallic or composite spokes, solid or hollow spokes and straight pull or angled head spokes. The material of the eyelet is not defined, but can be chosen to compliment the spoke nipple and rim material.

Although the above embodiments have been described in connection with a bicycle wheel, the present invention can be used with any spoked wheel.

All of the features mentioned in this patent specification may be combined in any combination (except where any features are mutually exclusive).

Each feature discussed in this patent specification may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. The invention is not restricted to the preferred embodiments discussed above.

The invention extends to any novel feature or combination of features

mentioned in this patent specification.

Claims

Claims 1. A spoke eyelet comprising: a base section with an outside diameter of suitable size to locate inside the predetermined mating hole, an upper section with a maximum width greater than that of the outer diameter of the base section and greater than the bore of the predetermined mating hole, an external shoulder between the base and upper section, slots across the eyelet enabling the upper section to be deformed to fit through the predetermined diameter of the mating hole, an internal profile with an upper bore diameter suitable to locate the outside diameter of the head of a spoke or spoke nipple such that the eyelet is held in its un-deformed shape and, an internal profile with a lower bore diameter and shoulder suitable to locate the shaft and head of a spoke or spoke nipple.
2. The spoke eyelet according to claim 1, wherein the outer profile of the said upper section is tapered from the shoulder towards the top of the upper section resulting in a maximum diameter less than the predetermined diameter of the mating hole.
3. The spoke eyelet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the said internal profile upper bore diameter is suitable to locate the outside diameter of a spoke nipple washer such that the eyelet is held in its un-deformed shape.
4. The spoke eyelet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the said internal profile is angled to match the spoke angle of the assembled wheel.
5. The spoke eyelet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the said internal profile upper bore has a section of reduced diameter at the uppermost end such that the head of the spoke nipple can snap past the reduced diameter and such that the reduced diameter retains the spoke nipple in position.
6. The spoke eyelet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said base of the eyelet has at least a first pair of parallel flat surfaces along all or part of its length.
7. The spoke eyelet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said base of the eyelet has at least one feature such that the spoke eyelet can be rotated and held in it's rotational position using a suitable tool.
8. A spoked wheel assembly, particularly for a bicycle, comprising: a hub; a plurality of spokes; a rim and; a plurality of spoke eyelets according to at least one of claims 1 to 7 connecting said spokes to said rim through mating holes in said rim.
9. A spoked wheel assembly, particularly for a bicycle, comprising: a rim; a plurality of spokes; a hub and; a plurality of spoke eyelets according to at least one of claims 1 to 7 connecting said spokes to said hub through mating holes in said hub.
1O.A spoked wheel assembly according to at least one of claims 8 and 9 wherein the rim profile is suitable for mounting tubeless tyres.
11. The spoke eyelet and rim according to claim 8, wherein the said rim has a section which includes a central vertical web and the profile of the said slot in the eyelet is profiled to mate with the central web of said rim.