Bicycle wheel

A bicycle wheel includes a rim, a tire and a tire retainer. The rim has an annular bridge and a pair of annular flanges with tire retaining ridges. The annular flanges extend outward from the annular bridge to define an annular space. The tire has a pair of annular bead portions that are engaged with the tire retaining ridges of the rim, respectively. The tire retainer is disposed within the annular space. The tire retainer has a support body that is disposed between the bead portions of the bicycle tire. The support body has an axial width that is dimensioned such that the bead portions of the bicycle tire are prevented from disengaging from the tire retaining ridges of the wheel rim, respectively, while the bicycle tire is disposed in the annular space.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a bicycle wheel. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle wheel having a tire retainer for preventing a clincher tire from disengaging from a rim, even if the tire is punctured.

2. Background Information

There are many different types of bicycle wheels, which are currently available on the market. Most bicycle wheels have a hub, a plurality of spokes and an annular rim. The hub is attached to a part of the frame of the bicycle for relative rotation. The inner ends of the spokes are coupled to the hub and extend outwardly from the hub. The annular rim is coupled to the outer ends of the spokes and has an outer portion for supporting a pneumatic tire thereon. Typically, the spokes of the bicycle wheel are thin metal wire spokes.

Generally speaking, there are two main types of bicycle rims. The first main type of a bicycle rim is called a clincher type rim in that the rim has flanges that define annular grooves such that a wire or aramid (Kevlar) fiber bead of a tire interlocks with flanges in the rim. The above types of wheels have been, designed for use with tube tires or tubeless tires. Typically, tubeless tire wheels have an annular seal arranged to seal the spoke attachment openings of the rim. The second main type of a bicycle rim is called a tubular or sew-up rim. In tubular or sew-up rims, a tubular tire with a torus shaped is attached to the rim with adhesive. The tire engagement area of the rim is often provided with a shallow concave cross section in which the tire lies instead of flanges on which tire beads seat.

SUMMARY

Generally, the present disclosure is directed to various features of a tire retainer for preventing a clincher tire from disengaging from a rim, even if the tire is punctured.

In view of the state of the known technology, a bicycle wheel is provided that basically comprises a wheel rim, a bicycle tire and a tire retainer. The rim has an annular bridge and a pair of annular flanges with tire retaining ridges. The annular flanges extend outward from the annular bridge to define an annular space. The tire has a pair of annular bead portions that are engaged with the tire retaining ridges of the rim, respectively. The tire retainer is disposed within the annular space. The tire retainer has a support body that is disposed between the bead portions of the bicycle tire. The support body has an axial width that is dimensioned such that the bead portions of the bicycle tire are prevented from disengaging from the tire retaining ridges of the wheel rim, respectively, while the bicycle tire is disposed in the annular space.

Other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed a bicycle wheel will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the bicycle wheel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Thus, this invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Also like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Referring initially toFIG. 1, a tensioned spoke bicycle wheel10is illustrated in accordance with a first illustrated embodiment. The bicycle wheel10basically includes a center hub12, a wheel rim14, a plurality of spokes16and a pneumatic clincher tire18. A tire retainer20is installed in the bicycle wheel10for preventing the clincher tire from disengaging from a rim, even if the tire is punctured. The hub12is connected to the rim14by the spokes16, which are placed under tension. The clincher tire18is attached to the outer periphery of the rim14. Thus, the bicycle wheel10rotates about a center rotational axis A of the hub12. The hub12, the rim14, the spokes16and the tire18are conventional parts, and thus, the hub12, the spokes16and the tire18will only be briefly explained herein. The bicycle wheel10is a clincher tire wheel in which that an air tight chamber is formed between the outer surface of the rim14and the pneumatic tire118. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the rim14can be adapted to a tubeless tire wheel as needed and/or desired.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spokes16are radial tension spokes that connect the hub12to the rim14. For example, eight of the spokes16extend to one side of the hub12, while the other eight spokes16extend to the other side of the hub12, as explained below. In the illustrated embodiment, the hub12is a front hub (i.e. the hub12does not include one or more sprockets) that utilizes sixteen radial spokes16coupled to the rim14at equally spaced circumferential locations as seen inFIG. 1. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the rim14could use be modified to accommodate different spoking arrangements (e.g. all tangential spokes, some tangential spokes and some radial spokes, etc.) without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the rim14could use be modified to accommodate fewer or more sixteen spokes if needed and/or desired. In any case, the spokes16are preferably coupled to the annular rim14in a circumferentially spaced arrangement.

As seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, the rim14is an annular member that is designed for rotation about a center rotational axis A. The rim14is typically a metal extrusion that is butted into its self to form a hoop. However, the rim14can be constructed of a wide variety of substantially rigid material, such as those materials that are well known in the art. For example, the rim14can be constructed of any suitable metallic material, such as plated steel, stainless steel, aluminum, magnesium or titanium, as well as other non-metallic materials, such as a carbon fiber composite. Preferably, the rim14is constructed of an aluminum alloy. However, the rim14can also be a composite structure in which an aerodynamic carbon hoop bonded to an aluminum rim.

The construction of the clincher rim14will now be discussed in more detail. Referring toFIGS. 1 to 5, the rim14is substantially circular as seen in side elevation (FIG. 1). The rim14basically includes an annular bridge22and a pair of annular flanges24extending outward from the annular bridge22to define an annular tire receiving space S. Each of the annular flanges24has a tire retaining ridge26for retaining the tire18. The annular flanges24and the tire retaining ridges26are configured and arranged to engage and retain the tire18thereto in an airtight manner. The tire retaining ridges26are located at the free ends of the annular flanges24, and extend axially towards each other to form a pair of annular retaining abutments26a. The annular bridge22is free of any openings communicating with the interior space, except for an air filler valve opening32(seeFIG. 4) and a tire retainer access hole34. The tire retainer access hole34allows a person to insert a tool into the rim14to move the tire retainer20outward in a radial direction during a tire removal process. The tire retainer access hole34is sealed with a plug36to prevent air from the tire18escaping therethrough. An air filler valve38is mounted in the air filler valve opening32for filling the tire18with air in a conventional manner.

As seen inFIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the rim14further includes a spoke attachment part28that includes a plurality of threaded holes28afor attaching the spokes16in a conventional manner. The spoke attachment part28also has a hole28bthat is aligned with the air filler valve opening32for receiving the air filler valve38. Moreover, the spoke attachment part28also has a hole28cthat is aligned with the tire retainer access hole34for inserting a tool into the rim14to move the tire retainer20outward in a radial direction during a tire removal process. The annular bridge22, the annular flanges24and the spoke attachment part28define a one-piece, unitary rim body of the rim14with a hollow interior space. Of course, the tire retainer20can be used with other types of clincher rims as needed and/or desired. For example, the tire retainer20can be used with carbon fiber clincher rims.

The tire18includes a pair of annular bead portions40, a pair of sidewall portions42and a tread portion44. The bead portions40are shaped to form an annular abutment40athat fits under the corresponding one of the retaining abutments26a. Preferably, each of the bead portions40includes a wire or Kevlar fiber cord46such that the bead portions40interlock with the annular flanges24. The bead portions40are engaged with the tire retaining ridges26of the rim14, respectively, when the tire18is properly installed on the rim14and inflated. The tire18is a conventional clincher tire in which the bead portions40mate with the annular flanges24and the tire retaining ridges26to retain and seal the tire18to the rim14. Each of the bead portions40has an axial thickness T.

As seen inFIGS. 2 to 6, the tire retainer20is a one-piece, unitary member that includes a support body50and a pair of outer protrusions52that defines an outer flange of the tire retainer20. The tire retainer20is a non-annular member that preferably has a uniform transverse cross section. In this first embodiment, the tire retainer20has a generally T-shaped transverse cross section. The outer protrusions52extend along a radial outer part of the support body50of the tire retainer20, and projects in opposite axially directions with respect to the support body50. The outer protrusions52are radially outwardly disposed with respect to an outer periphery of the rim14, while the support body50is at least partially disposed in the annular space S of the rim14. The tire retainer20is a non-annular member that preferably has a uniform transverse cross section. Preferably, the tire retainer20has a generally C-shape, and is made of a resilient material such as a rigid elastomeric material that retains its shape. Preferably, the material of the tire retainer20is slightly compressible or substantially incompressible, but resiliently deformable such that the tire retainer20can be bent to be installed inside the rim14and the tire18, and then removed and reinstalled several times. For example, the tire retainer20is manufactured of a resiliently deformable, elastomeric material, such as a polyurethane material, having a hardness in the range of about a 60 Shore A durometer hardness (e.g., Automotive tire tread) to about a 90 Shore A durometer hardness e.g., skateboard wheels). Of course, the hardness of the tire retainer20can outside of this range if needed and/or desired.

The support body50has an outer axial width W1, while the outer flange defined by the outer protrusions52has an outer axial width W2. The axial width W2of the outer flange defined by the outer protrusions52is larger than the axial width W1of the support body50. Also the axial width W2of the outer flange defined by the outer protrusions52is larger than an inner axial distance D1between the bead portions40of the tire18, while the bead portions40of the tire18are disposed within the annular space S and engaged with the tire retaining ridges26. Moreover, the axial width W2of the outer flange defined by the outer protrusions52is preferably equal to or larger than an inner axial distance D2between the tire retaining ridges26of the rim14, while the bead portions40of the tire18are disposed within the annular space S and engaged with the tire retaining ridges26.

As seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, the relative dimensions of the annular flanges24, the bead portions40and the support body50are preferably configured such that opposite sides50aof the support body50either contact or are slightly spaced from the bead portions40.FIG. 2illustrates the situation in which the opposite side faces50aof the support body50of the tire retainer20contacts the bead portions40of the tire18, respectively, while the tire retaining ridges26of the rim14and the bead portions40of the tire18are fully engaged with each other.FIG. 3illustrates the situation in which the opposite side faces50aof the support body50of the tire retainer20are slightly spaced from the bead portions40of the tire18by a gap G, respectively, while the tire retaining ridges26of the rim14and the bead portions40of the tire18are fully engaged with each other. Of course, the support body50of the tire retainer20may be shifted axially such that only one of the side faces50ais axially spaced apart from corresponding one of the bead portions40of the tire18, while the tire retaining ridges26of the rim14and the bead portions40of the tire18are fully engaged with each other.

In any case, the support body50has the outer axial width W1with respect to an inner axial distance D1between the bead portions40and an inner axial distance D2between the tire retaining ridges26such that the bead portions40of the tire18cannot squeeze between the tire retaining ridges26and the support body50. In other words, the axial width W1of the support body50is dimensioned relative to the axial distance D1between the head portions40of the tire18and the axial distance D2between the tire retaining ridges26of the rim14such that the bead portions40of the tire18are prevented from disengaging from the tire retaining ridges26of the rim14, respectively, while the tire18is disposed in the annular space S. Thus, the sum of the axial thicknesses T of the bead portions40is greater than a difference between the axial distance D2between the tire retaining ridges26and the axial width of the support body50(i.e., 2T>D2−W1).

In the situation ofFIG. 3where the side faces50aare slightly spaced from the bead portions40by the gaps G, the tire retainer20could shift axially such that one of the side faces50acontacts one the bead portions40and the other of the side faces50ais spaced from the other of the bead portions40. The sum of the axial dimensions of the gaps G defines an axial spacing between the side faces50aof the support body50of the tire retainer20and the bead portion of the tire18. In other words, the term “axial spacing” as used with respect to the gaps G refers to a total amount clearance between the support body50and the bead portions40. The axial spacing (e.g., total clearance−sum of the axial dimensions of the gaps G) has an axial width that is smaller than an axial width of one of annular retaining interfaces R formed between of the retaining abutments26aof the tire retaining ridges26and the annular abutments40aof the bead portions40, respectively, while the tire retaining ridges26and the bead portions40are fully engaged with each other. Preferably, the axial width of the axial spacing (e.g., total clearance) between the side faces50aand the bead portions40is smaller than a half of the axial dimension of the retaining interfaces between the annular abutments40aof tire retaining ridges26of the rim14and the retaining abutments26aof the bead portions40(i.e., 2G<½ R).

In its rest (unstressed) state as seen inFIG. 6, the tire retainer20has an inner diameter that is preferably substantially equal to the outer diameter of the annular bridge22. The tire retainer20is dimensioned to be disposed within the annular space S of the rim14between the tire retaining ridges26while the bead portions40of the tire18are disposed within the annular space S and engaged with the tire retaining ridges26. In the situation ofFIG. 2where the side faces50acontact the bead portions40, friction between the side faces50aof the support body50and the bead portions40will prevent circumferential movement of the tire retainer20with respect to the rim14, while air pressure will prevent radial movement of the tire retainer20with respect to the rim14. Thus, the inner diameter of the tire retainer20in the rest (unstressed) state can be slightly smaller or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the annular bridge22. In the situation ofFIG. 3where the side faces50aare slightly spaced from the bead portions40, it is preferably it is preferably for the inner diameter of the tire retainer20in the rest (unstressed) state to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the annular bridge22.

Referring now toFIG. 7, one possible installation procedure of installing the tire18and the tire retainer20on the rim14is diagrammatically illustrated. First, the tire retainer20is flexed to a greater diameter and disposed inside of the tire18. Next, one of the bead portions40is inserted into the annular space S and moved to engage one of the tire retaining ridges26, while maintaining the tire retainer20inside of the tire18. Then, the other of the bead portions40is inserted into the annular space S and moved to engage the other of the tire retaining ridges26, while maintaining the tire retainer20inside of the tire18. Now, the resiliency of the tire retainer20will cause the support body50of the tire retainer20to move into the annular space S between the bead portions40of the tire18. Finally, the tire18is inflated with air via the air filler valve38.

Referring now toFIG. 8, a situation in which the tire18is punctured or loss air such that the tread portion44of the tire18is pressed against the outer protrusions52of the tire retainer20. With the tire retainer20located in the annular space S between the bead portions40of the tire18, the bead portions40of the tire18cannot be pulled out of the rim14. Moreover, the tire retainer20will partially support the sidewall portions42of the tire18. If the material of the tire retainer20is slightly compressible, then the tire retainer20may radially compress such that the outer protrusions52of the tire retainer20may contact the bead portions40of the tire18.

When it is time to replace the tire18or otherwise remove the tire18from the rim14, the tire retainer20must be moved radially outward from the annular space S. To aid in tire removal, the tire retainer access hole34is provided in the rim14to allow a person to insert a tool into the rim14for moving the tire retainer20outward in a radial direction. Once the tire retainer20has been moved out of the annular space5, the tire18can removed in a conventional manner.

Referring now toFIG. 9, a bicycle wheel110will now be explained. The bicycle wheel110is identical to the bicycle wheel10, discussed above, except that the rim14and the tire retainer20have been replaced with an alternate rim114and an alternate tire retainer120and conventional spokes116are attached to the rim114. The rim114basically includes an annular bridge122and a pair of annular flanges124extending outward from the annular bridge122to define the annular tire receiving space S similar to the first embodiment. Each of the annular flanges124includes an annular ridge126. The only difference between the rim114and the rim14is that in the rim114, the spokes116are directly attached to the annular bridge122and the radially dimension of the annular flanges124has been increased. An annular seal130is provided over the spoke attachment openings in the annular bridge122to seal the annular bridge122. The tire retainer120is a one-piece, unitary member that includes a support body150, a pair of outer protrusions152defining an outer flange and a pair of inner protrusions154defining an inner flange. The only difference between the tire retainer120and the tire retainer20is that the inner protrusions154have been added to the support body150in the tire retainer120.

In this second embodiment, the tire retainer120has a generally I-shaped transverse cross section. The outer protrusions152extend along a radial outer part of the support body150of the tire retainer120, and projects in opposite axially directions with respect to the support body150. The inner protrusions154are radially inwardly disposed with respect to the outer periphery of the rim114, while the support body150is at least partially disposed in the annular space S of the rim114. The inner protrusions154of the tire retainer120are radially engaged with an inner periphery of the bead portions40of the tire18. The inner flange defined by the inner protrusions154of the tire retainer120has an axial width W3that is larger than the axial width W1of the support body150of the tire retainer120. The axial width W3of the inner flange defined by the inner protrusions154of the tire retainer120is larger than the inner axial distance D1between the bead portions40of the tire18, while the bead portions40of the tire18are disposed within the annular space S and engaged with the tire retaining ridges126. The inner flange defined by the inner protrusions154of the tire retainer20is radially engaged with an inner periphery of the bead portions40of the tire18.

Referring now toFIG. 10, a bicycle wheel210will now be explained. The bicycle wheel210uses a modified rim214and the tire retainer20of the first embodiment. The rim214basically includes an annular bridge222and a pair of annular flanges224extending outward from the annular bridge222similar to the first embodiment. Each of the annular flanges224includes an annular ridge226. However, here, an inflatable inner tube260is disposed within the tire18. The enclosed space formed between the rim214and the tire18does not need to be air tight.