WO2006070415A1

WO2006070415A1 - Wheel for mounting tires of the tubeless type

Info

Publication number: WO2006070415A1
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000737
Authority: WO
Inventors: Moreno Fioravanti
Original assignee: Alpina Raggi S.P.A.
Priority date: 2004-12-30
Filing date: 2004-12-30
Publication date: 2006-07-06
Also published as: EP1846257A1; TW200621535A; TWI350797B

Abstract

A wheel for mounting tires of the tubeless type, comprising a hub and - a rim (2), which are mutually connected by a distribution of spokes (3), the rim forming two circumferential edges (5) for providing airtightness along the respective beads of the tire and being affected, substantially along the centerline, by a plurality of substantially mutually equidistant openings (8) for connection to the respective nipples (9) for fixing the spokes (3), characterized in that it comprises, for each one of the openings (8), at least one plug (10), which is provided with elements (11) for rigid coupling to the rim (2) at the opening (8) and is suitable to retain a respective nipple (9).

Description

WHEEL FOR MOUNTING TIRES OF THE TUBELESS TYPE Technical field

The present invention relates to a wheel for mounting tires of the tubeless type. Background art

Various kinds of wheel, particularly for bicycles, motorcycles and the like, are widely used which are suitable for mounting tires of the tubeless type, which, as is known, have considerable advantages both in terms of the costs and assembly times of such wheel and in terms of its total weight. However, it is also known that providing a wheel for mounting a tire of the tubeless type requires careful consideration of airtightness problems: in relation to this, the points where the spokes connect to the rim are particularly critical.

Various constructive solutions have been devised in order to solve these problems; for example, wheels have been provided which have rims that form two chambers that are mutually separated by hermetic plugs arranged at the nipples for connecting the spokes to the rims. However, these solutions and other substantially similar ones have been found to be definitely disadvantageous as regards production costs and times and assembly times, and also in relation to wheel maintenance operations. Disclosure of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks, by providing a wheel for mounting tires of the tubeless type that allows to minimize production and assembly times and costs, at the same time ensuring optimum efficiency of the wheel during use, particularly as regards the containment of the pressurized air inside the tire.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a wheel for mounting tires of the tubeless type that allows to perform maintenance quickly and effectively with a small number of simple operations. Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure that is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and has a relatively low cost.

This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by the present wheel for mounting tires of the tubeless type, which comprises a hub and a rim, which are mutually connected by a distribution of spokes, said rim forming two circumferential edges for providing airtightness along the respective beads of the tire and being affected, substantially along the centerline, by a plurality of substantially mutually equidistant openings for connection to the respective spoke fixing nipples, characterized in that it comprises, for each one of said openings, at least one plug, which is provided with means for rigid coupling to the rim at said opening and is suitable to retain a respective nipple.

Advantageously, the wheel further comprises, for each plug, a complementary plug that is associated with it and is suitable to ensure containment of the pressurized air inside the tire. Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a wheel for mounting tires of the tubeless type according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a detail sectional view, taken along a substantially diametrical plane, of a first embodiment of the wheel according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a detail plan view of one of the openings provided in the rim of the wheel of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the external plug of the wheel of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a detail sectional view, taken along a substantially diametrical plane, of a second embodiment of the wheel according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view, taken along a substantially diametrical plane, of a third embodiment of the wheel according to the invention; Figure 6 is a detail plan view of one of the openings provided in the rim of the wheel of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the plug of the wheel of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a detail sectional view, taken along a substantially diametrical plane, of a fourth embodiment of the wheel according to the invention;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view, taken along a substantially diametrical plane, of a fifth embodiment of the wheel according to the invention;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view, taken along a substantially diametrical plane, of a sixth embodiment of the wheel according to the invention. Ways of carrying out the invention

In the embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other embodiments.

Moreover, it is noted that everything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

With reference to Figure 1, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a wheel for mounting tires of the tubeless type in a first embodiment according to the invention.

The wheel shown in Figure 1 is particularly suitable for bicycles or motorcycles; however, it is noted that the inventive concept described hereinafter can be applied effectively to wheels of any type without any exception. The wheel 1, shown in Figure 1 in a substantially diametrical detail sectional view, comprises a hub (not shown for the sake of simplicity in the figures, but entirely known) and a rim, generally designated by the reference numeral 2, which are mutually connected by a distribution of spokes 3, which run along the sides of said wheel.

The rim 2 forms a substantially flat central portion 4 and two circumferential edges 5 for airtightness along the respective beads of the tire, which is not shown for the sake of simplicity in the figures but is of the fully known tubeless type. The rim 2 further forms an external surface 6 and an internal surface 7.

The central portion 4 of the rim 2 is affected, substantially along the centerline, by a plurality of mutually equidistant openings 8, which are suitable for connection to respective nipples 9 for fixing the spokes 3.

According to the invention, the wheel advantageously comprises, for each of the openings 8, at least one plug 10, which is provided with means 11 for rigid coupling to the rim 2 at the opening 8 and is suitable to retain the respective nipple 9.

Each plug 10 conveniently forms at least one receptacle 12 and at least one through hole 13 connected to the receptacle, while each nipple 9 conveniently forms a sort of end expansion 14, which is accommodated in the receptacle 12 and is suitable to abut against the internal rim of the through hole 13, so as to rigidly couple to the plug 10 by being trapped in the receptacle 12.

The wheel further conveniently comprises at least one complementary plug 15, which is associated with each plug 10 and is suitable to ensure containment of the pressurized air inside the tire.

Each one of the openings 8 has a threaded inner edge 16 (Figure 2); advantageously, the rigid coupling means 11 comprise at least one external thread 17, which is provided along the lateral surface of each plug 10 and is suitable to engage the threaded internal rim 16 of the respective opening 8. Each plug 10 further conveniently forms an external annular abutment 18, which is suitable to engage on the external surface 6 of the rim 2. The external annular abutment 18 preferably has a hexagonal external contour, so as to facilitate the grip of a wrench (Figure 3). Each complementary plug 15 is affected by an internal female thread

19, which screws onto the external thread 17 and forms an internal annular abutment 20 suitable to engage the internal surface 7 of the rim 2.

A sealing gasket 21 , preferably of the annular type, is associated with the internal annular abutment 20 of the complementary plug 15 and is for example accommodated in a respective annular slot.

It is noted that the through hole 13 has an axis that is inclined, with respect to the axis of symmetry of the plug 10, by a preset angle that is substantially equal to the angle of inclination of the respective spoke 3.

In practical use, the wheel is assembled by first inserting each nipple 9 in the through hole 13 of the plug 10 and then connecting it to the spoke

3; the plug 10 is then screwed, by means of the external thread 17, into the threaded internal rim 16 of the respective opening 8, until the external annular abutment 18 abuts against the external surface 6 of the rim 2. Then the complementary plug 15 is screwed onto the external thread 17 of the plug 10 until the gasket 21 adheres against the internal surface 7 of the rim

2, ensuring that excellent airtightness is provided.

It has thus been shown that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.

The wheel according to the invention provides optimum fixing of the nipples to the rim, which features perfect airtightness and at the same time extreme simplicity in construction, assembly and maintenance.

Further, production costs and times are limited considerably, since it is no longer necessary to provide openings in the rim by means of extremely precise machining; with this solution, the openings can in fact be provided with lower degrees of precision and therefore more quickly and cheaply. A second embodiment of the wheel according to the invention is shown in Figure 4. This example provides for a sealing gasket 21, which is associated with the external annular abutment 18 of the plug 10, and an additional internal gasket 22, which is comprised between the top of the plug 10 and the complementary plug 15, thus offering even greater assurances of airtightness.

In a third embodiment of the wheel according to the invention (Figure 5), each one of the openings 8 has a substantially smooth internal rim 16 and forms at least two substantially parallel straight portions 23 (Figure 6), with which two respective faces 24 provided in the lateral surface of the plug 10 (Figure 7) are suitable to mate, so as to provide a rotation- preventing coupling of the plug 10 with respect to the rim 2. The external annular abutment 18 of the plug 10 has a substantially circular contour, since it is not necessary to use a wrench for assembly. The rigid coupling means 11 are constituted here by the complementary plug 15, which actively helps to keep the plug 10 fixed to the rim 2 by engagement of the external thread 17 in the internal female thread 19; the complementary plug 15 is associated with a respective annular sealing gasket 21. Further, the rigid coupling means 11 advantageously comprise a ring 25 for locking the plug 10 to the rim 2, which is screwed along the external thread 17 and abuts against the internal surface 7 of said rim around the opening 8. An auxiliary sealing gasket 26 of the annular type is associated with the ring 25 in a lower region and abuts against the internal surface 7 of the rim 2. This embodiment is faster and more reliable in assembly and highly effective in terms of tightness.

In practical use, the embodiment described here is particularly advantageous, since it is not necessary to screw the plug 10 into the opening 8; it is sufficient to insert it therein, making the faces 24 mate with the straight portions 23. The ring 25 and the complementary plug 15 are then screwed onto the external thread 17 of the plug 10, making the gaskets 21 and 26 adhere perfectly respectively on the upper rim of the ring 25 and on the internal surface 7 of the rim 2.

A fourth embodiment of the wheel according to the invention is shown in Figure 8. In this particular embodiment, the rigid coupling means 11 comprise at least one external thread 17, which is provided along the lateral surface of the plug 10 and is screwed onto the threaded internal rim 16 of the opening 8, and an annular abutment surface 27, which is suitable to abut against the internal surface 7 of the rim 2 around the opening 8. The abutment surface 27 is associated with a respective annular sealing gasket 21. The receptacle 12 is provided substantially coaxially with respect to the plug 10, while the complementary plug 15 for providing airtightness is provided with a threaded external surface 28 suitable to engage in a respective internal thread 29 provided in the receptacle 12. The complementary plug 15 is further affected by a recess 30 for the insertion of a maneuvering wrench. This embodiment is particularly advantageous because of its simple, quick and reliable assembly, since the plug 10 is inserted in the respective opening 8 from the inside of the rim.

Figure 9 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the wheel according to the invention. This embodiment substantially duplicates the characteristics of the example of Figure 8, and is provided with the receptacle 12 with an axis of symmetry that is inclined, with respect to the axis of the plug 10, by a preset angle that is equal to the angle of inclination of the respective spoke 3. The internal thread 29 for the complementary plug 15 is likewise inclined. This embodiment allows to achieve a more balanced distribution of the traction stresses of the spoke 3 on the rim 2.

A sixth embodiment is shown in Figure 10. This example, in addition to the characteristics already described in the example of Figure 9, is provided with means 11 for rigid coupling to the rim 2, which are constituted by an external thread 17 provided along the plug 10 and by an external ring 31, which is screwed to said external thread 17 and abuts against the external surface 6 of the rim 2 around the respective opening 8. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in the case of highly stressed wheels (for example for motorcycles), since it has an extremely rigid and firm fixing of the spoke 3 to the rim 2. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and the dimensions, may be any according to requirements without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wheel for mounting tires of the tubeless type, comprising a hub and a rim (2), which are mutually connected by a distribution of spokes (3), said rim forming two circumferential edges (5) for providing airtightness along the respective beads of the tire and being affected, substantially along the centerline, by a plurality of substantially mutually equidistant openings (8) for connection to the respective nipples (9) for fixing the spokes (3), characterized in that it comprises, for each one of said openings (8), at least one plug (10), which is provided with means (11) for rigid coupling to said rim (2) at said opening (8) and is suitable to retain a respective nipple (9).

2. The wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that said plug (10) forms at least one receptacle (12) and at least one through hole (13) that is connected to said receptacle (12), said nipple (9) forming a sort of end expansion (14), which is accommodated in said receptacle (12) and is suitable to abut against the internal rim of said through hole (13) so as to be firmly coupled to said plug (10).

3. The wheel according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one complementary plug (15), which is associated with said plug (10) and is suitable to ensure containment of the pressurized air inside the tire.

4. The wheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said openings (8) has a respective threaded internal rim (16).

5. The wheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rigid coupling means (11) comprise at least one external thread (17), which is provided along the lateral surface of said plug (10) and is suitable to screw into said internal threaded rim (16) of said opening (8).

6. The wheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said complementary plug (15) is affected by an internal female thread (19), which is suitable to screw onto said external thread (18) of said plug (10).

7. The wheel according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each one of said openings (8) has a substantially smooth internal rim (16).

8. The wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that said rigid coupling means (11) comprise at least one external thread (17), which is provided along the lateral surface of said plug (10) and is suitable to engage in a respective internal female thread (19) provided in said complementary plug (15), said plug and said complementary plug forming an external annular abutment (18) and an internal annular abutment (20), which are suitable to engage respectively the external surface (6) and the internal surface (7) of said rim (2) around said opening (8).

9. The wheel according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a ring (25) for locking said plug (10) to said rim (2), which is screwed along said external thread (17) and abuts against the internal surface (7) of said rim (2) around said opening (8).

10. The wheel according to claim 4, characterized in that said rigid coupling means (11) comprise at least one external thread (17), which is provided along the lateral surface of said plug (10) and is suitable to screw into said internal threaded rim (16) of said opening (8), and an internal abutment surface (27), which is suitable to engage the internal surface (7) of said rim around said opening (8).

11. The wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that said rigid coupling means (11) comprise at least one external thread (17), which is provided along the lateral surface of said plug (10), an annular abutment surface (27), which is suitable to abut against the internal surface (7) of said rim (2) around said opening (8), and an external ring (31), which is screwed along said external thread (17) and abuts against the external surface (6) of said rim (2) around said opening (8).

12. The wheel according to one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that said complementary plug (15) has a threaded external surface (18), which is suitable to engage in a respective internal thread (29) provided in said receptacle (12) of said plug (10).

13. The wheel according to claim 12, characterized in that said complementary plug (15) is affected by a recess (30) for the insertion of an actuation wrench.

14. The wheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one sealing gasket (21), which is associated with said internal annular abutment (20) of said complementary plug (15).

15. The wheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one sealing gasket (21), which is associated with said external annular abutment (18) of said plug (10).

16. The wheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one sealing gasket (21), which is associated with said annular abutment surface (27) of said plug (10).

17. The wheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one internal sealing gasket (22), which is comprised between the top of said plug (10) and said complementary plug (15).

18. The wheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one auxiliary sealing gasket (26), which is associated with said ring (25).

19. The wheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sealing gaskets (21, 22, 26) are of the annular type.

20. The wheel according to one or more of claims 7, 8 and 11, characterized in that said internal rim (16) of said opening (8) forms at least two substantially parallel straight portions (23), with which two respective faces (24) provided in the lateral surface of said plug (10) are suitable to mate, so as to provide a rotation-preventing coupling of said plug (10) with respect to said rim (2).

21. The wheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said through hole (13) has an axis that is inclined, with respect to the axis of symmetry of said plug (10), by a preset angle that is equal to the inclination angle of the respective spoke (3).

22. The wheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said receptacle (12) is substantially coaxial to said plug (10).

23. The wheel according to one or more of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that said receptacle (12) has an axis that is inclined, with respect to the axis of symmetry of said plug (10), by a preset angle that is equal to the inclination angle of the respective spoke (3).