GB2479958A

GB2479958A - Wheel rim and spoke attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2479958A
Application number: GB201102536A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Thulbon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-26
Filing date: 2011-02-14
Publication date: 2011-11-02
Also published as: GB2479870A; GB201102536D0; GB201006888D0

Abstract

A wheel for a bicycle that has a rim with an internal radial web. The spokes, spoke nipples, washers / eyelets attach directly to the internal radial web of the rim. The eyelet outer profile mates with the internal radial web of the rim, transferring the load directly from the spoke to the internal radial web, reducing the stress in the rim. A split eyelet can be used and is profiled such that it can be manipulated through a spoke hole in the inner wall of the rim. The eyelet is positively locked into position using the head of the spoke nipple. This can leave the outer diameter of the rim intact, and suitable for use with tubeless tyres.

Description

Wheel nm and spoke attachment.

Backgrnund 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.

Summaiy of the In vent ion The present invention is directed to a wheel rim with an internal radial web, and a spoke nipple eyelet that hangs from said internal web of the wheel rim.

According to the present invention, there is provided a retaining device for attaching a spoke to an internal web of a rim, comprising: a rim with an internal radial web; a spoke; a spoke nipple; preferably a nipple washer; and an eyelet that mates with the internal web of the rim and is locked in position when assembled.

This design reduces stresses on the rim by enabling the eyelet to bear on a thicker area at the base of the rim central web and transmit the load directly into the central web. If the spoke loads are directed into such a web within the rim, the load path is predominantly in line with the load which is advantageous for both the weight and stiffness of the rim. Cracking around the spoke hole is unlikely as the load from the spoke does not have to travel from a vertical spoke, across the spoke hole into the horizontal inner wall of the rim.

In addition, to reduce bending on the end of the spoke, 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 materials which may cause those components to bind or corrode.

This design can also be used with a two piece, split or deformable eyelet. This allows the spoke, spoke nipple and eyelet sub-assembly to be presented to the rim from its inner diameter. Thus the outer wall of the rim does not need to be perforated and is therefore suitable for use with tubeless tyre systems. The eyelet is assembled in the spoke hole of the rim with the spoke and spoke nipple pushed fully into the hole. Once the eyelet is in position, the head of the spoke nipple can 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 could be used to maintain the positive lock of the eyelet within the nm, allowing the spoke nipple to rotate more freely and aid wheel truing/adjustment.

Introduction to drawings

FIG. I Wheel assembly.

FIG. 2 Section view showing cross section of the rim.

FIG. 3 Section view of the rim, spoke, nipple and eyelet assembly.

FIG. 4 Section view of the spoke, nipple, washer, split eyelet and tubeless rim.

FIG. 5 Exploded view of spoke, nipple, washer and split eyelet.

FIG. 6 Isometric view of split eyelet.

FIG. 7 Spoke on hub, washer and nipple attached (Assembly step 1).

FIG. 8 Eyelet going into rim (Assembly step 2).

FIG. 9 Eyelet in rim (Assembly step 3).

FIG.1O Eyelet locked in position (Assembly step 4).

FIG. 11 Angled eyelet and spoke.

FIG.12 Isometric view of one piece eyelet.

FIG.13 Assembly of one piece eyelet.

Detailed description of the prefen-ed embodiments

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

Figure 1 shows a bicycle wheel I comprising a rim 2, spokes 3 and a central hub 4. Figure 2 is a cross section of the rim 2, showing the internal radial web 21. Figure 3 shows a section though the rim 2, showing how the spokes 3 are attached. A spoke nipple 5 and washer 6 is threaded onto the end of the spoke 3. The washer 6 mates with the base of the internal radial web 21 of the rim 2.

Advantages of the invention are shown in figures 2 & 3. Figure 2 shows the rim 2 with an internal radial web 21. The presence of the radial web results in a rim cross section with two cavities 22. The circular shape of these cavities 22 are more efficient at carrying torsion and therefore result in a stiffer, lighter rim. The load path across the rim is greatly improved due to the internal radial web 21 following the direction of the load transmitted into the rim by the spokes 3. Figure 3 shows the load bearing area 23 of the spoke hole at the junction 24 between the inner wall 25 and the radial web 21 of the rim. This junction 24 is naturally an area where there is additional material due to the radius/chamfer between the central web 21 and the inner wall 25 of the nm. The more direct load path and increased bearing area reduces the stress around the spoke hole, reducing the probability of cracks propagating from the spoke hole.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 4, 5 and 6. Figure 4 is a section through the rim showing a spoke hole 26 that does not pierce the outer wall 27 of the rim enabling the use of tubeless tyres. The profile of the spoke hole 26 is produced using a suitable tool entering the rim through the inner wall 25. The split eyelet 7, spoke nipple 5, washer 6 and spoke 3 are shown assembled in the rim cavity. The eyelet 7 is locked in position by the presence of the spoke nipple 5 and preferably a spoke nipple washer 6.

The eyelet transmits the spoke load from and head of a spoke nipple 51 and washer 6 into the internal radial web 21 of the rim. Figure 5 shows the hub 4, spoke 3, nipple 5, washer 6 and eyelet 7 assembly before it is assembled to the rim. Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the eyelet showing the following features. A base section 71 with an outside diameter of suitable size to locate inside the spoke hole in the inner wall of the rim.

The tapered upper section 72 mates with the profile of the internal radial web of the rim. The internal profile lower bore diameter 73 is suitable to locate the shaft of the spoke nipple. The internal profile of the eyelet has an

S

upper section 74 suitable to locate the spoke nipple head and washer, such that the eyelet is locked in position. The sides of the upper external profile are cut away 75 such that the eyelet can fit through the mating spoke hole in the nm. Chamfers 76 across the eyelet also enable the eyelet to fit through the rim spoke hole. The slot 77 at the top of the external profile of the eyelet, straddles the internal radial web in the rim to prevent the eyelet from rotating while the wheel is being assembled.

The wheel is assembled by first lacing the spoke 3 onto the hub 4 as shown in figure 5 and sliding the washer 6 over the spoke 3 before screwing the spoke nipple 5 onto the end of the spoke 3. Figures 7, 8, 9 & 10 then show the steps taken to secure this sub assembly into the rim 2. Figure 7 shows the spoke nipple 5 and washer 6 positioned deep into the spoke hole 26 of the rim 2. Figure 8 shows that with the head 51 of the spoke nipple and the washer 6 deep into the rim 2, the eyelet sections 7 are free to manoeuvre through the hole 26 in the rim. Figure 9 shows the eyelet sections 7 positioned in the nm hole 26 with the eyelet shoulder 72 mating with the internal radial web profile of the spoke hole 26. The assembly is completed, as shown in Figure 10, when the spoke nipple 5 is tightened and the washer 6 is pulled down into the eyelet 7, locking the eyelet 7 to the rim internal radial web 21. With the entire assembly achieved from the inner side of the rim 2, the integrity of the outer wall 27 can be maintained such that tubeless tyres can be used.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 11. Many bicycle wheels are dished due to the space on the hub required for a drive cassette or disc brake. Figure 11 shows how the eyelet 7 has an inner profile 73 & 74 that is produced at different angles to the outer profile 71 & 72 of the eyelet. This angle can then be matched to the varying spoke angles of different wheel builds. The rim 2 and mating surface on the internal radial web 21 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 2 is greatly reduced, as bending of the spoke 3 to match the angle of the spoke hole 26 in the rim is minimised.

The preferred embodiments of the eyelet as previously described shows the eyelet split into two sections. However, the eyelet may be split into more or fewer sections. An example of this is shown in figures 12 & 13 where the eyelet 7 is one piece that can be deformed to allow it to pass through the spoke hole in the rim 26. The eyelet has a thin section 78 to allow it to be folded/deformed. Once in the nm, the operation of the eyelet is as previously discussed, passing the spoke load directly into the internal radial web 21 of the rim.

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 wheel nm comprising: an internal radial web running through the rim section, a spoke hole with a profile that allows the spoke nipple, washer or eyelet to mate with said internal radial web.
2. a spoke eyelet that transmits the spoke load directly into the internal radial web of the nm.
3. a wheel rim according to any of the proceeding claims, where the apertures through the inner wall of the nm to accept the spokes do not pierce the outer wall of the rim enabling the use of tubeless tyres.
4. a spoke eyelet according to any of the proceeding claims, that is split into two or more sections to enable the spoke eyelet to be manipulated through the spoke hole in the inner wall of the rim.
5. a spoke eyelet profile according to any of the proceeding claims, that enables the spoke eyelet to be locked in its assembled position by the presence of the spoke nipple or washer once the wheel is assembled.
6. A spoke eyelet according to claim 2, wherein the eyelet is one piece and can be deformed such that it can pass through the spoke hole in the inner wall of the rim and then locked in positioned by the presence of the spoke nipple.
7. 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.