Patent ID: 7651654
Filing Date: 2010-01-26
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,B60B

Abstract:
1. A method of producing a bicycle wheel rim, comprising: a. providing a mold having an inner element, an outer element, and a core element, and defining a molding cavity shaped as the rim having an inner peripheral wall, an outer peripheral wall, two lateral walls joining the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall, and circumferential tire anchoring wings; b. arranging a predetermined number of layers of structural fiber fabric incorporated in a thermosetting plastic material over the inner element; c. arranging an inflatable bag over the selected number of layers; d. designating a portion of the predetermined number of layers of structural fibers as an inner portion and another portion of the predetermined number of layers of structural fibers as an outer portion and folding the inner portion of the predetermined number of layers over the inflatable bag; e. arranging the core element over the inner portion of the selected number of layers; f. folding the outer portion of the selected number of layers over the core element; g. placing the outer element over the folded outer portion of the predetermined number of layers; h. heating the mold to a curing temperature of the thermosetting plastic material to form a rigid composite rim structure while inflating the inflatable bag; i. removing the rim structure from the mold; j. forming a plurality of spoke attachment holes in the inner peripheral wall; and k. removing the inflatable bag through a spoke attachment hole while preserving the respective spoke attachment hole.