US20010000420A1 - Lightweight motorcycle wheel - Google Patents
Lightweight motorcycle wheel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010000420A1 US20010000420A1 US09/736,870 US73687000A US2001000420A1 US 20010000420 A1 US20010000420 A1 US 20010000420A1 US 73687000 A US73687000 A US 73687000A US 2001000420 A1 US2001000420 A1 US 2001000420A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- hub
- motorcycle
- sidewall
- motorcycle wheel
- merger
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 3
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003292 diminished effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002828 fuel tank Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B3/00—Disc wheels, i.e. wheels with load-supporting disc body
- B60B3/002—Disc wheels, i.e. wheels with load-supporting disc body characterised by the shape of the disc
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B3/00—Disc wheels, i.e. wheels with load-supporting disc body
- B60B3/06—Disc wheels, i.e. wheels with load-supporting disc body formed by casting
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B3/00—Disc wheels, i.e. wheels with load-supporting disc body
- B60B3/08—Disc wheels, i.e. wheels with load-supporting disc body with disc body formed by two or more axially spaced discs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B3/00—Disc wheels, i.e. wheels with load-supporting disc body
- B60B3/08—Disc wheels, i.e. wheels with load-supporting disc body with disc body formed by two or more axially spaced discs
- B60B3/082—Disc wheels, i.e. wheels with load-supporting disc body with disc body formed by two or more axially spaced discs especially for light-weight wheels
Definitions
- the invention relates to motorcycle wheels.
- motorcycle wheels support the weight of a motorcycle. Bumps and potholes over which the motorcycle is ridden cause stress on the motorcycle wheels, and the wheels typically absorb a portion of such stress. If a wheel fails under such stress, the motorcycle may be rendered inoperable. It is therefore critical that the wheel be made sturdy enough to absorb the stresses encountered during the operation of a motorcycle.
- prior art wheels are constructed to be relatively heavy. A benefit of a heavier wheel is the potential for better tolerance for stress. A disadvantage of such heavy construction is added weight, resulting in diminished handling and reduced fuel efficiency for the motorcycle.
- the present invention provides a motorcycle wheel of relatively light weight.
- the motorcycle wheel of the present invention comprises a rim portion, a joining portion, a hub portion, and an axle housing portion.
- the rim portion includes a tire-receiving portion that is adapted to receive a standard motorcycle tire.
- the joining portion extends between the rim portion and the hub portion.
- the joining portion includes a first relatively thick sidewall, and a second relatively thin sidewall.
- the wheel is cast as one piece, with each sidewall defining a smooth and continuous outwardly-facing concave surface.
- the curved shape of the sidewalls allows a structurally strong wheel to be manufactured with less material.
- the extra thickness of the first sidewall allows one-piece casting while avoiding a chill effect when the wheel is cast.
- the first and second sidewalls contact each other between the rim portion and the hub portion at a merger portion, and diverge from one another toward the rim portion and the hub portion.
- the merger portion has a minimum thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the first sidewall. The merger of the sidewalls provides extra stability to the wheel while requiring less material and further reducing the weight of the wheel.
- the first and second sidewalls define a radially outwardly-facing well adjacent the rim portion.
- the ratio of the maximum depth of the well to the maximum width of the well is relatively large compared to prior art wheels, further reducing the required material and weight of the wheel.
- the hub portion includes spaced-apart generally cylindrical first and second hubs that are substantially centrally located or co-axial with respect to the rim portion.
- the first and second hubs define apertures to further reduce the weight of the wheel.
- the axle housing portion extends between the first and second hubs and defines a bore that is sized to house a motorcycle axle.
- the axle housing serves to protect the motorcycle axle from debris that passes through the apertures in the first and second hubs, and to stiffen the bearing supports for the axle bearings.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motorcycle incorporating a motorcycle wheel embodying the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wheel of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the wheel of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 4 is a section view of the wheel taken along line 4 — 4 in FIG. 3.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a motorcycle 10 having front and rear wheels 14 , 18 .
- Mounted on each of the front and rear wheels 14 , 18 is a tire 22 .
- a front suspension 26 and a rear suspension 30 are respectively attached to the front and rear wheels 14 , 18 .
- the front and rear suspensions 26 , 30 support a motorcycle frame 34 on which are mounted an engine 38 , a transmission 42 , a seat 46 , and a fuel tank 50 .
- the wheel 18 includes a rim portion 54 , a joining portion 58 , a hub portion 62 , and an axle housing portion 66 .
- the wheel 18 defines a central axis 70 (FIG. 4) about which the wheel 18 rotates during normal operation.
- the rim portion 54 is adapted to receive a standard motorcycle tire, and is generally co-axial with the central axis 70 .
- the rim portion 54 includes two separate tire-receiving portions 74 .
- the joining portion 58 includes a first sidewall 78 and a second sidewall 82 (FIG. 4).
- the first and second sidewalls 78 , 82 each define a generally smooth, concave, and continuous or unbroken outwardly-facing surface, except for a valve stem aperture 86 in the second side wall 82 , joining the rim portion 54 to the hub portion 62 .
- the continuous concave surfaces provide superior distribution of stress, and allows the first and second sidewalls 78 , 82 to be made relatively thin.
- the radius of curvature 90 for each of the concave surfaces is at least 30 mm, preferably at least 40 mm, and most preferably at least 50 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the radius of curvature is about 52 mm.
- the concave surface for each of the first and second sidewalls 78 , 82 defines an arc length 92 .
- the arc length 92 of the illustrated embodiment is about 1240, but could be about as low as 1100 or 900.
- the first and second sidewalls 78 , 82 contact each other at a merger portion 94 to form a single wall.
- the merger portion 94 is generally hourglass shaped, having a central merger point 98 disposed approximately halfway between the rim portion 54 and the hub portion 62 .
- the illustrated merger portion 94 has a thickness ranging from about 18 mm at the top and bottom, to about 5 mm at the merger point 98 .
- the sidewalls 78 , 82 diverge from each other from the merger portion 94 toward the rim portion 54 and toward the hub portion 62 .
- the first and second sidewalls 78 , 82 have approximately the same minimum thickness (about 4 mm in the illustrated embodiment) between the merger portion 94 and the rim portion 54 . Between the merger portion 94 and the hub portion 62 , however, the minimum thickness of the first sidewall 78 is thicker than the minimum thickness of the second sidewall 82 (the illustrated first sidewall 78 having a minimum thickness of about 7 mm and the illustrated second sidewall 82 having a minimum thickness of about 5 mm). The first sidewall 78 is relatively thick between the merger portion 94 and the hub portion 62 to facilitate casting the wheel 18 as one piece. Molten metal that is poured or injected into a mold cools as it fills the cavities of the mold.
- the illustrated wheel 18 is cast by pouring or injecting molten metal into a mold from the side of the wheel 18 having the first sidewall 78 .
- the slightly thicker cavity in the mold corresponding to the portion of the first sidewall 78 extending between the merger portion 94 and the hub portion 62 allows some of the molten iron to solidify in the mold without blocking the metal flowing into the cavities in the mold corresponding to the rest of the wheel 18 .
- the first and second sidewalls 78 , 82 and the rim portion 54 collectively define a radially outwardly-facing well 102 adjacent the rim portion 54 of the wheel 18 .
- the illustrated well 102 includes a depth 106 of about 74 mm and a width 110 of about 140 mm.
- the depth 106 is at least 40 mm and the width 110 is at least about 100 mm.
- the depth-to-width ratio is at least about 0.3, and is preferably at least about 0.4, and ideally at least about 0.5. This relatively large depth-to-width ratio further lightens the wheel 18 because it removes material that exists adjacent the rim portion 54 in prior art wheels.
- the hub portion 62 includes a first side hub 114 and a second side hub 118 .
- the first and second side hubs 114 , 118 are generally cylindrical in shape, and have longitudinal axes that are substantially co-axial with the central axis 70 .
- the first side hub 114 is adapted to support a drive sprocket (not shown) for the motorcycle 10 , and is therefore made thicker.
- the illustrated first side hub 114 is about 26 mm thick while the illustrated second side hub 118 is about 22 mm thick.
- the first and second side hubs 114 , 118 include bearing supports 122 for receiving and supporting wheel bearings (not shown).
- Each of the first and second side hubs 114 , 118 define apertures 126 therethrough to reduce the weight of the wheel 18 .
- each hub 114 , 118 further defines five threaded orifices 130 that are evenly spaced from and around the central axis 70 to facilitate mounting a drive sprocket (not shown) or brake rotor (not shown).
- the first sidewall 78 , second sidewall 82 , first hub 114 , and second hub 118 define a cavity 134 therebetween.
- the cavity 134 is in fluid flow communication with the atmosphere through the apertures 126 .
- the axle housing portion 66 extends between the first and second hubs 114 , 118 within the cavity 134 , and defines a bore therethrough that is sized to house a motorcycle axle (not shown).
- the axle housing portion 66 is substantially continuous around the axle and between the first and second hubs 114 , 118 , and serves to protect the motorcycle axle from debris that passes through the apertures 126 in the first and second side hubs 114 , 118 .
- the bore is therefore not in direct fluid flow communication with the cavity 134 , and the axle housing portion 66 is disposed between the axle and the cavity 134 .
- the axle housing portion 66 also serves as a brace between the side hubs 114 , 118 to stiffen the bearing supports 122 . The stiffness of the axle housing portion 66 maintains the bearing supports 122 and axle in the proper orientation with respect to each other for optimal bearing performance and longevity.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
- Molds, Cores, And Manufacturing Methods Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
A motorcycle wheel includes a rim portion, a hub portion, a joining portion extending between the hub portion and the rim portion, and an axle housing portion. The joining portion includes first and second sidewalls defining outwardly-facing continuous concave surfaces. The first and second sidewalls define a well adjacent the rim portion. The first and second sidewalls contact each other at a merger portion intermediate the hub portion and the rim portion. The first sidewall is slightly thicker than said second sidewall to facilitate casting the wheel as one piece. A merger point in the merger portion has a thickness that is less than the minimum thicknesses of a portion of the first and second walls between the hub portion and the merger portion. The hub portion includes apertures to reduce the weight of the wheel. The axle housing portion protects a motorcycle axle from debris passing through the apertures in the hub portion, and stiffens the axle bearing supports.
Description
- 1. This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/178,995 filed on Oct. 26, 1998, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 2. The invention relates to motorcycle wheels.
- 3. Motorcycle wheels support the weight of a motorcycle. Bumps and potholes over which the motorcycle is ridden cause stress on the motorcycle wheels, and the wheels typically absorb a portion of such stress. If a wheel fails under such stress, the motorcycle may be rendered inoperable. It is therefore critical that the wheel be made sturdy enough to absorb the stresses encountered during the operation of a motorcycle.
- 4. In an effort to prevent wheel failure, prior art wheels are constructed to be relatively heavy. A benefit of a heavier wheel is the potential for better tolerance for stress. A disadvantage of such heavy construction is added weight, resulting in diminished handling and reduced fuel efficiency for the motorcycle.
- 5. The present invention provides a motorcycle wheel of relatively light weight. The motorcycle wheel of the present invention comprises a rim portion, a joining portion, a hub portion, and an axle housing portion. The rim portion includes a tire-receiving portion that is adapted to receive a standard motorcycle tire.
- 6. The joining portion extends between the rim portion and the hub portion. In one aspect of the invention, the joining portion includes a first relatively thick sidewall, and a second relatively thin sidewall.
- 7. In another aspect of the invention, the wheel is cast as one piece, with each sidewall defining a smooth and continuous outwardly-facing concave surface. The curved shape of the sidewalls allows a structurally strong wheel to be manufactured with less material. The extra thickness of the first sidewall allows one-piece casting while avoiding a chill effect when the wheel is cast.
- 8. In another aspect of the invention, the first and second sidewalls contact each other between the rim portion and the hub portion at a merger portion, and diverge from one another toward the rim portion and the hub portion. The merger portion has a minimum thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the first sidewall. The merger of the sidewalls provides extra stability to the wheel while requiring less material and further reducing the weight of the wheel.
- 9. In yet another aspect of the invention, the first and second sidewalls define a radially outwardly-facing well adjacent the rim portion. The ratio of the maximum depth of the well to the maximum width of the well is relatively large compared to prior art wheels, further reducing the required material and weight of the wheel.
- 10. The hub portion includes spaced-apart generally cylindrical first and second hubs that are substantially centrally located or co-axial with respect to the rim portion. The first and second hubs define apertures to further reduce the weight of the wheel. The axle housing portion extends between the first and second hubs and defines a bore that is sized to house a motorcycle axle. The axle housing serves to protect the motorcycle axle from debris that passes through the apertures in the first and second hubs, and to stiffen the bearing supports for the axle bearings.
- 11.FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motorcycle incorporating a motorcycle wheel embodying the present invention.
- 12.FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wheel of FIG. 1.
- 13.FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the wheel of FIG. 1.
- 14.FIG. 4 is a section view of the wheel taken along
line 4—4 in FIG. 3. - 15.FIG. 1 illustrates a motorcycle 10 having front and
rear wheels 14, 18. Mounted on each of the front andrear wheels 14, 18 is atire 22. Afront suspension 26 and arear suspension 30 are respectively attached to the front andrear wheels 14, 18. The front andrear suspensions motorcycle frame 34 on which are mounted anengine 38, atransmission 42, aseat 46, and afuel tank 50. - 16. Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, in which the
rear wheel 18 is shown, thewheel 18 includes arim portion 54, a joiningportion 58, ahub portion 62, and an axle housing portion 66. Thewheel 18 defines a central axis 70 (FIG. 4) about which thewheel 18 rotates during normal operation. - 17. The
rim portion 54 is adapted to receive a standard motorcycle tire, and is generally co-axial with thecentral axis 70. In the illustrated embodiment, therim portion 54 includes two separate tire-receivingportions 74. - 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the joining
portion 58 includes afirst sidewall 78 and a second sidewall 82 (FIG. 4). The first andsecond sidewalls 78, 82 each define a generally smooth, concave, and continuous or unbroken outwardly-facing surface, except for a valve stem aperture 86 in the second side wall 82, joining therim portion 54 to thehub portion 62. The continuous concave surfaces provide superior distribution of stress, and allows the first andsecond sidewalls 78, 82 to be made relatively thin. The radius ofcurvature 90 for each of the concave surfaces is at least 30 mm, preferably at least 40 mm, and most preferably at least 50 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the radius of curvature is about 52 mm. The concave surface for each of the first andsecond sidewalls 78, 82 defines anarc length 92. Thearc length 92 of the illustrated embodiment is about 1240, but could be about as low as 1100 or 900. - 19. The first and
second sidewalls 78, 82 contact each other at a merger portion 94 to form a single wall. The merger portion 94 is generally hourglass shaped, having acentral merger point 98 disposed approximately halfway between therim portion 54 and thehub portion 62. The illustrated merger portion 94 has a thickness ranging from about 18 mm at the top and bottom, to about 5 mm at themerger point 98. Thesidewalls 78, 82 diverge from each other from the merger portion 94 toward therim portion 54 and toward thehub portion 62. - 20. The first and
second sidewalls 78, 82 have approximately the same minimum thickness (about 4 mm in the illustrated embodiment) between the merger portion 94 and therim portion 54. Between the merger portion 94 and thehub portion 62, however, the minimum thickness of thefirst sidewall 78 is thicker than the minimum thickness of the second sidewall 82 (the illustratedfirst sidewall 78 having a minimum thickness of about 7 mm and the illustrated second sidewall 82 having a minimum thickness of about 5 mm). Thefirst sidewall 78 is relatively thick between the merger portion 94 and thehub portion 62 to facilitate casting thewheel 18 as one piece. Molten metal that is poured or injected into a mold cools as it fills the cavities of the mold. This is commonly referred to as “chill.” The illustratedwheel 18 is cast by pouring or injecting molten metal into a mold from the side of thewheel 18 having thefirst sidewall 78. The slightly thicker cavity in the mold corresponding to the portion of thefirst sidewall 78 extending between the merger portion 94 and thehub portion 62 allows some of the molten iron to solidify in the mold without blocking the metal flowing into the cavities in the mold corresponding to the rest of thewheel 18. - 21. The first and
second sidewalls 78, 82 and therim portion 54 collectively define a radially outwardly-facing well 102 adjacent therim portion 54 of thewheel 18. The illustrated well 102 includes adepth 106 of about 74 mm and awidth 110 of about 140 mm. Preferably, thedepth 106 is at least 40 mm and thewidth 110 is at least about 100 mm. The depth-to-width ratio is at least about 0.3, and is preferably at least about 0.4, and ideally at least about 0.5. This relatively large depth-to-width ratio further lightens thewheel 18 because it removes material that exists adjacent therim portion 54 in prior art wheels. - 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the
hub portion 62 includes afirst side hub 114 and a second side hub 118. The first andsecond side hubs 114, 118 are generally cylindrical in shape, and have longitudinal axes that are substantially co-axial with thecentral axis 70. Thefirst side hub 114 is adapted to support a drive sprocket (not shown) for the motorcycle 10, and is therefore made thicker. The illustratedfirst side hub 114 is about 26 mm thick while the illustrated second side hub 118 is about 22 mm thick. The first andsecond side hubs 114, 118 include bearing supports 122 for receiving and supporting wheel bearings (not shown). - 23. Each of the first and
second side hubs 114, 118 defineapertures 126 therethrough to reduce the weight of thewheel 18. In the illustrated embodiment, eachhub 114, 118 further defines five threadedorifices 130 that are evenly spaced from and around thecentral axis 70 to facilitate mounting a drive sprocket (not shown) or brake rotor (not shown). Thefirst sidewall 78, second sidewall 82,first hub 114, and second hub 118 define acavity 134 therebetween. Thecavity 134 is in fluid flow communication with the atmosphere through theapertures 126. - 24. The axle housing portion 66 extends between the first and
second hubs 114, 118 within thecavity 134, and defines a bore therethrough that is sized to house a motorcycle axle (not shown). The axle housing portion 66 is substantially continuous around the axle and between the first andsecond hubs 114, 118, and serves to protect the motorcycle axle from debris that passes through theapertures 126 in the first andsecond side hubs 114, 118. The bore is therefore not in direct fluid flow communication with thecavity 134, and the axle housing portion 66 is disposed between the axle and thecavity 134. The axle housing portion 66 also serves as a brace between theside hubs 114, 118 to stiffen the bearing supports 122. The stiffness of the axle housing portion 66 maintains the bearing supports 122 and axle in the proper orientation with respect to each other for optimal bearing performance and longevity. - 25. Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, other alternative embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the intended scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
Claims (19)
1. A motorcycle wheel comprising:
a rim portion adapted to receive a motorcycle tire;
a hub portion adapted to receive and support a motorcycle axle; and
a joining portion extending between said rim portion and said hub portion, said joining portion including at least one sidewall defining an outwardly-facing concave surface that is substantially smooth and that has a substantially constant and continuous radius of curvature between said rim portion and said hub portion, which radius of curvature continues for at least 90°.
2. The motorcycle wheel of , wherein said at least one sidewall includes first and second sidewalls defining first and second oppositely-facing concave surfaces.
claim 1
3. The motorcycle wheel of , wherein said outwardly-facing smooth concave surface includes a curved portion having a radius of curvature of at least about 30 mm.
claim 1
4. The motorcycle wheel of , wherein said curved portion radius is at least about 40 mm.
claim 3
5. The motorcycle wheel of , wherein said curved portion radius continues for at least 110°.
claim 3
6. The motorcycle wheel of , wherein said at least one sidewall includes first and second sidewalls, and wherein said first and second sidewalls merge to form a single wall at a merger portion between said rim portion and said hub portion, said first and second sidewalls diverging from said merger portion toward said rim portion and toward said hub portion.
claim 1
7. The motorcycle wheel of , wherein said merger portion includes a merger point positioned approximately halfway between said rim portion and said hub portion.
claim 6
8. The motorcycle wheel of , further comprising a central axis, said hub portion defining at least one aperture that is spaced from said central axis.
claim 1
9. A motorcycle wheel comprising:
a first side hub;
a second side hub;
a joining portion extending radially from said first side hub and said second side hub to provide support to said first and second side hubs; and
a generally tubular axle housing integrally formed with said first and second side hubs and extending between said first and second side hubs, said axle housing being adapted to house a motorcycle axle.
10. The motorcycle wheel of , wherein said axle housing is substantially continuous between said first and second side hubs and around the axle.
claim 9
11. The motorcycle wheel of , further comprising a rim portion integrally formed with said joining portion, wherein said rim portion is adapted to receive a motorcycle tire.
claim 9
12. The motorcycle wheel of , wherein said joining portion includes a first sidewall extending from said first side hub and a second sidewall extending from said second side hub.
claim 11
13. The motorcycle wheel of , wherein said first and second sidewalls merge at a merger portion to form a single wall disposed intermediate said rim portion and said first and second side hubs.
claim 12
14. A motorcycle wheel comprising a rim portion, a hub portion, and a joining portion extending between said rim portion and said hub portion, said joining portion including a first sidewall and a second sidewall, wherein a portion of said first sidewall adjacent said hub portion is thicker than a portion of said second sidewall adjacent said hub portion.
15. The motorcycle wheel of , wherein said portion of said first sidewall adjacent said hub portion has a thickness of about 7 mm, and wherein said portion of said second sidewall adjacent said hub portion has a thickness of about 5 mm.
claim 14
16. The motorcycle wheel of , wherein said hub portion includes a first side hub spaced from a second side hub.
claim 14
17. The motorcycle wheel of , further comprising a generally tubular axle housing integrally formed with said first and second side hubs and extending between said first and second side hubs, said axle housing being adapted to house a motorcycle axle.
claim 16
18. A one-piece cast motorcycle wheel comprising:
a rim portion;
a hub portion including first and second spaced side hubs; and
a joining portion extending between said rim portion and said hub portion, said joining portion including a first sidewall extending from said first side hub and a second sidewall extending from said second side hub, said first and second sidewalls merging at a merger portion to form a single wall disposed intermediate said rim portion and said hub portion, the minimum thickness of said single wall at said merger portion being less than the minimum thickness of a portion of each of said first and second sidewalls between said merger portion and said hub portion.
19. The motorcycle wheel of claim 20, wherein said first and second sidewalls diverge from said merger portion to said rim portion.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/736,870 US6302493B2 (en) | 1998-10-26 | 2000-12-14 | Lightweight motorcycle wheel |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17899598A | 1998-10-26 | 1998-10-26 | |
US09/736,870 US6302493B2 (en) | 1998-10-26 | 2000-12-14 | Lightweight motorcycle wheel |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17899598A Continuation | 1998-10-26 | 1998-10-26 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010000420A1 true US20010000420A1 (en) | 2001-04-26 |
US6302493B2 US6302493B2 (en) | 2001-10-16 |
Family
ID=22654793
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/736,870 Expired - Fee Related US6302493B2 (en) | 1998-10-26 | 2000-12-14 | Lightweight motorcycle wheel |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US6302493B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104085249A (en) * | 2014-06-27 | 2014-10-08 | 陈晓曦 | Automobile hub |
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US7270382B2 (en) * | 2003-10-21 | 2007-09-18 | Hodges Frank J | Wheel with increased interior lip depth |
US7040640B2 (en) * | 2004-02-03 | 2006-05-09 | Honda Motor Company, Ltd. | Wheel assembly for a vehicle |
US20070163850A1 (en) * | 2006-01-18 | 2007-07-19 | Addink Brad J | Aerodynamic Bicycle Disc Wheel Assembly |
US8919890B2 (en) | 2009-11-02 | 2014-12-30 | Segiu Anca | Wheel with increased interior lip depth |
US8336910B1 (en) * | 2011-10-03 | 2012-12-25 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Active bolster with integrated tear seam |
CN106274264A (en) * | 2016-08-29 | 2017-01-04 | 开平市中铝实业有限公司 | There is the automotive hub of M shape structure |
CN106274262A (en) * | 2016-08-29 | 2017-01-04 | 开平市中铝实业有限公司 | Double-decker wheel hub |
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US10184A (en) * | 1853-11-01 | Car-wheel | ||
US6021A (en) * | 1849-01-09 | Cast-iron cab-wheel | ||
US7658A (en) * | 1850-09-17 | Cast-ibon bailboad cab-wheels | ||
US8106A (en) * | 1851-05-20 | Cast-iron cab-wheel | ||
US85745A (en) * | 1869-01-12 | Improved cast-iron car-wheel | ||
US6415A (en) * | 1849-05-01 | Cast-irow cab-wheel | ||
US7710A (en) * | 1850-10-08 | Cast-ikon cab-wheel | ||
US1365637A (en) * | 1919-11-14 | 1921-01-11 | Dunlop Rubber Co | Vehicle-wheel |
US1468085A (en) * | 1921-01-17 | 1923-09-18 | Bethlehem Steel Corp | Metal wheel |
US1492416A (en) | 1922-08-09 | 1924-04-29 | Beeman Lyle | Pressed metal wheel |
US1728641A (en) * | 1928-12-06 | 1929-09-17 | Pullman Car & Mfg Corp | Car wheel |
US2187777A (en) | 1934-10-15 | 1940-01-23 | Wellington Machine Company | Wheel |
US2110126A (en) | 1934-10-15 | 1938-03-08 | Wellington Machine Company | Wheel |
US2367825A (en) | 1941-10-21 | 1945-01-23 | Firestone Tire & Rubber Co | Wheel construction |
US2427430A (en) | 1946-04-04 | 1947-09-16 | Shuler Company | Vehicle wheel |
US2643917A (en) | 1950-09-13 | 1953-06-30 | Murray Ohio Mfg Co | Wheel |
US2692801A (en) | 1951-12-29 | 1954-10-26 | Reo Motors Inc | Wheel and ball bearing mounting therefor |
US2818302A (en) | 1955-02-14 | 1957-12-31 | Pemco Wheel Co | Wheel and bearing assembly |
US4580846A (en) | 1981-07-24 | 1986-04-08 | Hoosier Stamping & Mfg. Corp. | Wheel-cased bearing |
US4822111A (en) | 1988-03-11 | 1989-04-18 | Emhart Industries, Inc. | Wheel assembly and method of forming such assembly |
-
2000
- 2000-12-14 US US09/736,870 patent/US6302493B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104085249A (en) * | 2014-06-27 | 2014-10-08 | 陈晓曦 | Automobile hub |
Also Published As
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US6302493B2 (en) | 2001-10-16 |
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