Patent ID: 9688097
Date: 2017-06-27
CPC Classifications: B29C,B29L,B60B

Claim:
1. A method for making a bicycle rim comprising the steps of: a) providing a mold shaped for forming the bicycle rim, at least one first element for forming walls that define at least one radially inner circumferential chamber and at least one second element for forming walls that include tire coupling wings; b) providing at least one reinforcement element including unidirectional structural fibers; c) arranging a composite material having structural fibers incorporated in a polymeric material in the mold about the at least one first element and partially about the at least one second element; d) arranging the at least one reinforcement element circumferentially in a space defined at an intersection of the walls, such that the unidirectional structural fibers extend substantially parallel to a circumferential direction of the bicycle rim; e) subjecting the mold, the at least one first element and the at least one second element to a pressure and temperature sufficient to cause curing of the polymeric material, formation of the at least one reinforcement element to complement the space defined at the intersection of the walls, and formation of a molded bicycle rim within the mold; f) removing the molded bicycle rim from the mold; and g) removing the at least one second element from the molded bicycle rim.