Description:FIELD OF INVENTION :

The invention relates to classic wired spoked wheels using sealing washers at the wheel rim.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART :

The present invention relates to wire-spoked wheels, particularly wheels for motorcycles fitted with a tubeless tire, although the disclosure is also suitable to use on other types of wheel application. More specifically the invention relates to the rim and nipple design suitable for manufacture from steel or aluminium forming methods with a sealing device enclosing the end of the spoke interface at the rim.

A motorcycle wheel consists of a bearing carrying hub, where spokes connect the hub to the rim which provides a channel to mount a pneumatic tire. Cast or forged methods can be used to manufacture wheels with integrated spokes between the hub and rim, generally with this method the number of spokes is relatively low. Wire spoked wheels have a significantly greater number of spokes which typically have a head formed on one end and an external tread formed on the other, further, nipples with internal threads are used to generate tension in the spokes between hub and rim. Different hub and rim designs use many alternate patterns of spoke arrangement and cater for spokes to be assembled with the thread and nipple portion either at the inner hub interface or at the outer rim attachment.

Traditionally rim designs have radial apertures in the well of the rim profile arranged around the circumference, often within dimple forms in the rim to cater for the angled attachment of spokes with the nipple adjuster device located at the rim. These designs are initially assembled without a tire fitted to the rim and offer simple assembly and truing procedures with plentiful access to the nipple for tension adjustment. Typically this construction uses an inner tube to inflate the tire or some solutions exist to provide alternative rim sealing methods to realise the benefits of tubeless tires.

Wheel designs with closed rim profiles for tubeless tires are available which connect the spokes to; formed features in the rim, flange(s) or through the outer edge of the rim. These rims are generally manufactured from aluminium extrusions or forgings and as such are unsuitable for the economic requirements of a mass market cost sensitive product, particularly for regions with limited aluminium availability and processing capacity. Spoke arrangements necessary on such rim attachments, particularly to the outer edge of the rim, are not suitable for narrower wheel designs or for fitment to small capacity motorcycles with narrow suspension and brake hardware package relationships.

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OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the invention is to provide a durable motorcycle rim that is suitable for tubeless inflatable tires on a classically styled motorcycle with narrow spoke arrangement approaching the rim close to its center plane, which is possible to manufacture using steel or aluminum rim forms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION :

A wheel design for a wire-spoked wheel to receive an inflatable tubeless tire is provided with axially engaged sealing using sealing washers clamped between the rim and domed nuts threaded on to top hat type fixings enclosing the spoke head. The spoke head is located but free to rotate within the sealing device at the rim, the wheel is formed with conventional nipples threaded onto the spokes and retained at the hub to create spoke tension.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS OF THE INVENTION :

Figure 1 - A wheel design according to the invention; wherein the rim and hub are connected with numerous spokes with sealing washers clamped across the rim.

Figure 2 - Section through a spoke interface according to the invention; wherein the head of the spoke is located in a top hat which is clamped across the rim with a sealing washer between.

Figure 3 - Area section through a spoke interface according to the invention; wherein the head of the spoke is located in a top hat which is clamped across the rim with a sealing washer between.

Figure 4 - Area section through a spoke interface according to the invention; showing specific features of the sealing interface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION :

The present invention provides a wire-spoke wheel solution to the previously described issues relating to the use of tubeless tires using sealing washers and specially designed fixings clamped across the rim to locate the spoke and close leak paths producing a similar design appearance to traditional wheels where the spokes are laced directing towards the center of the rim.

The disclosed motorcycle wheel design comprises bearings (8) located in a central hub (1) and tire receiving rim (4) connected with numerous wire spokes (2). The inner end of each spoke has an external threaded portion to connect with nipples (3) which have internal threads located through holes within the hub (1); spoke tension and wheel form are generated by tightening the nipples (3). The proposed rim (4) has radially extending dimples protruding inwardly towards the hub which are distributed circumferentially, the root of each dimple has a local flat region (4a). The spokes (2) extend from the hub in a general radial direction through holes in the dimple forms, then the ends expand at an inclination angle to a head form of larger diameter (2a). These spoke heads are anchored within a top hat type fixing (5) which is counterbored (5a) at the narrower end to receive the spoke head and located through the holes in the rim dimple forms and shouldered against the flat region (4a) from the inner side. The top hat (5) has an external thread on which a dome type nut (6) is tightened, clamping a sealing washer (7) positioned over the top hat against the outer surface of the rim (4) in the interface. Thus the spoke head (2a) is retained, free to rotate and within an enclosure sealed to what becomes the tyre cavity.

The top hat (5) element has features such as a hexagonal form or parallel flats to enable it to be held whilst a tightening torque is applied to the head of the dome nut (6).

Described above the sealing device is presented as an over moulded type sealing washer (7), this may take another suitable form or as alternative to the above the present invention may integrate the sealing washer (7) and dome nut (6) parts into a single assembly item rather than 2 separate parts. The flat region (4a) is necessary as described with a conventional sealing washer (7); the invention relates also to sealing with a flexible or specially designed seal interface to utilize a curved or cupped interface surface across the rim.

Hence in one aspect the invention is for a design for a wire-spoked wheel to receive an inflatable tubeless tire where sealing devices are engaged in an axial direction across the rim surface.

In another aspect the invention is for a rim design wherein the rim has dimples protruding inwardly from the annular profile in a general radial direction.

In another aspect of invention it is for a rim design wherein the dimple surface has a flat region for the sealing interface.

In another aspect of invention it is for a sealing interface design wherein the head of the spoke is located in a counterbored top hat clamped at the rim.

In another aspect of invention it is for a sealing interface design wherein the top hat is clamped across a flat surface with a dome nut to retain and engage a sealing element.

In another aspect of invention it is for a sealing interface design where the sealing element is a sealing washer.

In another aspect of invention it is for a sealing interface design where the sealing element is integrated as part of the dome nut.

In another aspect of invention it is for a sealing interface design wherein the clamped surface is curved or cupped and the sealing element size and shape are complementary to the cavity.

In another aspect of invention it is for a sealing device wherein the sealing device form is of a simple O-ring type, circular in section.

Accordingly the invention has achieved a design of a motorcycle wheel having a central hub and a rim with a plurality of radially extending dimples from the rim inwardly towards the hub and arranged distributally, circumferentially and providing a flat surface at root of each dimple.

Each hole which is within a recessed dimple form end in the radial direction inwardly from the well of the rim profile provides a flat surface for the seal interface. A plurality of wire spokes is connected to hub along the circumference through holes in dimples and the spoke ends expand at an inclination angle to a head form of larger diameter and thus anchor within a top hat type fastener onto holes counter bored and distributed around the circumference of the rim and shouldered against flat surface from its inner side.

Each of the spokes have an external threaded portion on their inner end. Also a plurality of nipples corresponding to the plurality of dimples are arranged correspondingly, and each nipple has internal threads which correspond and fasten onto the external threads at the inner end of the spokes, through the holes within the hub and holes arranged circumferentially around and within the hub.

The said top hat has external threads, and a dome type nut is fastened onto the external threads of the top hat, thereby clamping a sealing washer arrangement over the top hat against the outer surface of the rim.

The said arrangement is novel for the reason that the spoke head is retained but adapted to rotate freely within a sealed type cavity enclosure.

Further as per this invention uses a conventional sealing washer often called a dowty washer and frequently used in hydraulic systems. These are typically a steel washer with an over moulded rubber element to form the seal. There is potential that the dome nut and sealing washer could be integrated by directly over molding the dome nut or by using an o-ring type seal seated within a grove in the dome nut.

Novel features of the invention

One of the novel features is enabling tubeless tire fitment offering its own benefits relating to puncture occurrence and management and providing a greater choice with increased availability of tubeless products from tire manufacturers and distributors.

The other benefit is the visual appearance of a classically styled spokes wheel but with the benefits of tubeless tyres is a major advantage.

Further the manufacturing and assembly procedures are broadly similar to existing wheel designs and can be implemented with minimal impact on existing facilities.

Further the central hub, the rim, spokes, nipples with threads are all conventional with no specific novel aspect, but are essential to be included as part of specification and claims to put forth proper and complete description of the proposed novel wheel disclosed herein.

It is submitted all variants as known in skilled person are within the scope of the invention.
, Claims:WE CLAIM :

1. A motorcycle wheel having :

a. a central hub,
b. a rim,
c. a plurality of radially extending dimples from the rim inwardly towards the hub and arranged distributally, circumferentially and providing a flat surface at root of each dimple,
d. each hole which is within a recessed dimple form end in the radial direction inwardly from the well of the rim profile, providing a flat surface for the seal interface,
e. a plurality of wire spokes connected to the rim along the circumference through holes in dimples and the spoke ends expand at an inclination angle to a head form of larger diameter and thus anchor within a top hat type fastener onto holes counter bored and distributed around the circumference of the rim and shouldered against flat surface from its inner side,
f. each spoke has external threaded portion on its inner end,
g. a plurality of nipples corresponding to plurality of dimples is arranged correspondingly,
h. each nipple has internal threads which correspondingly fastens onto external thread at inner end of spoke, through the holes within the hub and holes arranged circumferentially around and within the hub,
i. the said top hat has external threads, and
j. a dome type nut is fastened onto the external threads of the top hat, thereby clamping a sealing washer arrangement over the top hat against the outer surface of the rim,

wherein the said arrangement is characterized such that the spoke head is retained but adapted to rotate freely within a sealed type cavity enclosure.