Abstract:
A vehicle wheel spoke termination assembly includes an outer rim with means for holding a tire, a central hub assembly and a plurality of spoke portions. The central hub assembly includes an axle assembly and a hub shell that is rotatable about the axle. The spokes are connected at their outer ends to the outer rim hoop and at their inner ends to the hub flange. A connecting element is blindly attached to at least one of the outer rim and the hub flange for a firm connection between the connecting element and the spoke.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application 60/365,349, filed Mar. 18, 2002, and entitled “Vehicle Wheel Spoke Termination”. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   (1) Field of the Invention 
   This invention is related to the means of attachment between the spoke and the rim of a vehicle wheel and between the spoke and hub of a vehicle wheel. This invention is particularly related to the connection of a spoke with a rim structure having a “double-wall” construction. 
   (2) Description of the Related Art 
   Bicycle wheel rims have historically been constructed to accept pneumatic tires that are designed to work in conjunction with an inner tube. This is the standard of the industry and is the arrangement that we are all familiar with. In this prior art configuration, the rim&#39;s tire bed includes a through-hole that is drilled through for passage of the spoke nipple. In a rim of “single-wall” construction, the spoke nipple bears directly against the rim&#39;s tire bed. In a rim of “double-wall” rim construction, the rim has two lateral walls, a tire bed and a spoke bed, with a cavity in between. The rim is drilled through both walls, piercing both the tire bed and the spoke bed, with the spoke bed recessed below the tire bed to accept the spoke nipples. Generally, the spoke is presented through the spoke bed from the inside diameter of the rim and the spoke nipple is presented for attachment to the spoke through the tire bed and from the outside diameter of the rim. With single-wall or double-wall rim constructions, a rim strip is utilized to protect the inner tube from the sharp edges associated with the holes and/or the spoke nipples. With rims of double-wall construction, the rim strip also serves to prevent the inner tube from extruding through the openings in the tire bed. 
   With the advent of tubeless tire technology, where the conventional inner tube is eliminated and the tires beads are sealed directly against the rim, it is desirable that the tire well be sealed and airtight to prevent air leakage from the tire cavity. This typically involves a rim of double-wall construction where the tire bed is sealed while the spoke bed is then adapted to accept the spokes. One method for sealing the tire bed is to eliminate the spoke holes in the tire bed. If the tire bed is not pierced for the spokes, then the only hole through the tire bed will be for the tire inflation valve, which may be constructed of rubber and is relatively easy to seal against the tire bed. An example of such a tubeless arrangement is outlined by Lacombe et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,533, where the tire bed remains unpierced and the spoke bed includes extruded spoke holes that are directly threaded with internal threads to accept special externally threaded spoke nipples. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention utilizes an expandable connecting element or ferrule that is blindly inserted through a hole in the rim. The connecting element is deformed to engage the concealed edge and/or surface at the far end of the hole. The spoke or an element connected to the spoke is engaged to the connecting element to create a firm connection between the spoke and the spoke bed of the rim. Such connection might also be used at a hub. 
   One aspect of the invention involves a method for assembling a wheel. For each of a number of spoke holes in the wheel rim, a head either of an associated spoke or of a nipple associated with the associated spoke is inserted radially outward through the spoke hole. A ferrule is inserted radially outward through the spoke hole. The ferrule has a first surface for cooperating with an outboard surface of the spoke bed and a second surface for cooperating with the associated head. 
   In various implementations, the nipple and ferrule may be inserted as an assembly. The head may be biased against the ferrule to laterally expand the ferrule. The biasing may flare an outboard end portion of the ferrule. The biasing may bulge an intermediate portion of the ferrule. The biasing may cause one part of the ferrule to elastically expand another. 
   Another aspect of the invention involves a wheel. The wheel has a rim with a spoke bed having spoke holes and a tire bed radially outboard of the spoke bed and lacking holes aligned with the spoke holes. The rim includes a pair of lateral walls extending radially outward from opposite sides of the tire bed to cooperate with the tire bed to bound a tire well for receiving a tire. Spokes couple the rim to the hub with ferrules coupling the spokes to the rim. Each ferrule has a first portion extending within an associated spoke hole. A central hole of each ferrule accommodates either an associated spoke or an optional nipple coupled to the associated spoke. The ferrule has a second portion radially outboard of the spoke bed and cooperating with an outboard surface of the spoke bed to prevent radial inward movement of the associated spoke and permit tension in the spoke to be transferred to the rim. In various implementations, the ferrule may consist essentially of a single piece. Each ferrule may further have a third portion radially inboard of the spoke bed and larger than the associated spoke hole. The third portion may prevent the ferrule from passing further radially outward through the spoke hole. The nipples may each have a head cooperating with a radially outboard portion of the associated ferrule to prevent radial inward movement of the nipple relative to the ferrule. The nipples may each have a stem accommodated within the central hole of the ferrule and engaging the associated spoke such as by respective internal and external threads. 
   Another aspect of the invention involves a rim and spoke combination. The rim has a spoke bed with a number of spoke holes. A number of ferrules each have a first portion within an associated one of the spoke holes. There may be a number of nipples each having a head smaller than the associated spoke hole and cooperating with a radially outboard portion of the associated ferrule to prevent radial inward movement of the nipple relative to the ferrule such that in the absence of the ferrule the head would be able to pass through the spoke hole with clearance. Each nipple has a stem accommodated within a central hole of the associated ferrule and engaging an associated spoke. Alternatively, in the absence of such nipples each spoke may have such a head smaller than the associated spoke hole and so cooperating with the ferrule to prevent radial inward movement of the spoke relative to the ferrule. 
   Another aspect of the invention involves a wheel rim. The rim has a spoke bed with a number of essentially unthreaded spoke holes. A tire bed is radially outboard of the spoke bed and lacks holes aligned with the spoke holes. Lateral walls extend radially outward from opposite sides of the tire bed and cooperate with the tire bed to form a tire well. The spoke bed may lack bosses extending from the spoke holes. The rim may be substantially unitarily formed from a light alloy (e.g., aluminum alloy) or a fiber composite. A clincher tire may be mounted in the tire well advantageously in the absence of a separate tube. A valve may be sealingly mounted in a valve hole in the tire bed and extending through a valve hole in the spoke bed for inflating the tire. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1   a  is a partial radial cross-sectional view of a prior art single-wall rim; 
       FIG. 1   b  is a partial radial cross-sectional view of a prior art double-wall rim; 
       FIG. 2   a  is a partial exploded cutaway view of the rim and nipple assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in combination with an assembly pin; 
       FIGS. 2   b–e  are partial radial cutaway views of the assembly of  FIG. 2   a  in successive stages of assembly; 
       FIG. 2   f  is a partial radial cutaway view of a wheel including the assembly of  FIG. 2   a;    
       FIGS. 3   a–b  are partial radial cutaway views of the embodiment of  FIGS. 2   a–f  in successive stages of assembly, in combination with a breakaway assembly pin; 
       FIGS. 4   a–b  are partial radial cutaway views of the rim and nipple assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in successive stages of assembly; 
       FIGS. 5   a–c  are partial radial cutaway views of the rim and nipple assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in successive stages of assembly; 
       FIGS. 6   a–b  are partial radial cutaway views of the rim and nipple assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in successive stages of assembly in combination with an ultrasonic welding horn; 
       FIGS. 7   a–b  are partial radial cutaway views of the rim and nipple assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in successive stages of assembly; 
       FIG. 8   a  is a partial exploded perspective view of the rim and nipple assembly of an embodiment of the present invention, including a radial cutaway view of the rim and the parts associated with a single spoke connection prior to assembly; 
       FIGS. 8   b–c  are partial radial cutaway views of the rim and nipple assembly of  FIG. 8   a  in successive stages of assembly; 
       FIGS. 9   a–d  are partial radial cutaway views of the rim and nipple assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in successive stages of assembly, in combination with an internally threaded ferrule; 
       FIG. 10  is a partial radial cutaway view of the hub and nipple connection of an embodiment of the present invention, in combination with spoke attachment at the hub. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1   a  shows prior art single-wall rim  8  with a single lower web or spoke bed wall  11 . Rim  8  includes two hooked flanges  6   a  and  6   b  for capturing the bead of a tire (not shown). Tire well  4  is a circumferential channel bounded by spoke bed  11  and flanges  6   a  and  6   b . Spoke bed  11  also serves as a tire bed and includes opening  13  to accept a spoke  60  and spoke nipple  32 . Spoke  60  includes threaded end  63  for threadable engagement with spoke nipple  32 . Rim  8  may be produced as an aluminum extrusion that also includes cavities  18   a  and  18   b  to accept pins (not shown) that serve to join the butted ends of the extruded profile to create a continuous rim hoop. During assembly, the threaded end  63  of spoke  60  is first positioned to extend through the inside diameter end of opening  13 . Next, the nipple  32  may be threadably assembled to the threaded end  63  of the spoke  60  through the outside diameter end of opening  13 . With all of the spokes  60  of the wheel assembled to the rim in this way, a completed wheel assembly is achieved. 
     FIG. 1   b  shows a rim  10  of double-wall configuration with an upper web or tire bed  14  and a lower web or spoke bed  12 . Rim  10  includes two hooked flanges  6   a  and  6   b  for capturing the bead of a tire (not shown). Tire well  4  is a circumferential channel bounded by tire bed  14  and flanges  6   a  and  6   b . Spoke bed  12  includes opening  13  and tire bed  14  includes concentric opening  15 , which serve to accept a spoke  60  and spoke nipple  32 . Spoke  60  includes threaded end  63  for threadable engagement with spoke nipple  32 . Rim  10  is produced as an aluminum extrusion that also includes an internal cavity  20  bounded by the spoke bed  12 , the tire bed  14  and sides  21 . It may be seen that, during assembly, the threaded end  63  of spoke  60  is first positioned to extend through the inside diameter end of opening  13 . Next, the nipple  32  is threadably assembled to the threaded end  63  of the spoke first through opening  15  and then through opening  13 . With all of the spokes  60  of the wheel assembled to the rim in this manner, a completed wheel assembly is achieved. It may be seen that, with the nipple  32  bearing against the spoke bed  12 , opening  15  remains exposed as a passageway between the tire well  4  and the cavity  20 . 
     FIGS. 2   a–f  show stages in an exemplary assembly progression of a wheel  1 . The components shown in  FIG. 2   a  are in exploded view, prior to their assembly. Rim  22  is of “double-wall” construction and includes an enclosed cavity  27  bounded by the sidewalls  28 , the upper web or tire bed  24  and the lower web or spoke bed  26 . Tire well  4  is a circumferential channel bounded by tire bed  24  and flanges  6   a  and  6   b . Rim  22  also includes ridges  25   a  and  25   b  in its tire bed  24  to facilitate bead-sealing and mounting of a tubeless tire (not shown). A hole  30  is drilled in the spoke bed  26  and is sized to accept the head  34  of nipple  32  and the collar  42  of ferrule  38 . The exemplary hole is drilled substantially radially (e.g., its axis is radial or off radial to correspond to the axis of the main span of the spoke). Typically this will be much closer to radial than axial or circumferential (e.g., within 30 degrees of radial). The exemplary hole  30  remains unthreaded. The exemplary the spoke bed lacks unitarily-formed bosses extending from the radially inboard and/or outboard surfaces of the spoke bed surrounding the holes (e.g., from the outboard surface as are utilized in U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,533). Nipple  32  may be of the conventional type and includes an enlarged head  34  and a stem  33 , with a generally conically shaped transition surface  36  on the underside of the head  34 . A threaded hole  35  extends through the center of the nipple  32  to accept the threaded portion of the spoke  60  when the complete wheel is assembled (as shown in  FIG. 2   f ). The stem  33  also includes flats  37  to mate with a spoke nipple wrench (not shown) so that the nipple  32  may be manually turned in the conventional manner to adjust its threaded assembly with the spoke  60 . The ferrule  38  includes a flange  40  and a cylindrical collar  42  with a central hole  43  that is sized to fit over the stem  33  of the nipple  32 . The hole  43  of the collar  42  includes a chamfer  44  at its end and the outside diameter of the collar  42  is sized to roughly correspond with the outside diameter of the head  34  of nipple  32 . The assembly pin  46  is very similar in configuration to the spoke  60  and includes external threads  48  that mate with threaded hole  35  of the nipple  32 . 
     FIG. 2   b  shows the assembly pin  46 , the ferrule  38 , and the nipple  32  pre-assembled together prior to their assembly with the rim  22 . Assembly pin  46  is threaded into the nipple  32  and the stem  33  is fitted within hole  43  such that chamfer  44  bears against the transition surface  36 . This pre-assembly  47  is then fitted within hole  30  of the rim  22  in the direction  49  such that the underside of the flange  40  bears against the external surface of the spoke bed  26  and the collar  42  protrudes past the spoke bed  26  and into cavity  27  as shown in  FIG. 2   c . This flange  40  may be used to provide a depth-stop to prevent the ferrule from penetrating too deeply into its mating hole  30  in the rim  22 . 
   Next, the external surface of the flange  40  is temporarily supported on a support tool  41  as shown in  FIG. 2   d  and the ferrule  38  is then deformed by simultaneously pulling on the assembly pin  46  in the direction of arrow  52 . Flange  40  may also serve to provide additional bearing surface for this temporary support tool  41 . 
   This action forces the transition surface  36  to bear against the chamfer  44  of collar  42 , causing the collar  42  to flare and deform to create the flared portion  54  as shown in  FIG. 2   d . This deforming action is similar to the assembly process associated with blind rivets that is well known in industry. In fact, a conventional blind rivet installation tool may be used to create the flared portion  54  by gripping and pulling the assembly pin  46  while simultaneously supporting flange  40  in the conventional manner. 
   The flared portion  54  now has an overlie engagement with the hole  30  that serves to retain the ferrule  38  within the hole  30  and thereby capture the nipple  32  within the rim  22 . The assembly pin  46  is then unthreaded from the nipple  32  as indicated in the direction  56  in  FIG. 2   e . It is also desirable that the clearance  58  between the top of the head  34  and the underside of the tire bed  24  be sized to prevent the nipple  32  from inadvertently withdrawing from the ferrule  38  and falling elsewhere within the cavity  27  of the rim  22 . Flats  37  of the stem  33  are now exposed and protruding past the flange  40  of the ferrule  38 , allowing the nipple  32  to be accessed and twisted by a spoke nipple wrench (not shown) in the conventional manner. This entire process is repeated several times corresponding to the desired number of nipple locations in the rim  22 . The rim  22 , with its nipples  32  retained in place, may now be assembled with the spokes  60  and hub  62  as shown in  FIG. 2   f . The transition surface  36  of the nipple  32  bears against the flared portion  54  of the ferrule  38  to prevent the nipple  32  from pulling out of the rim  22  when tension is applied to the spokes  60 . A blind connected assembly between the nipple  32  and the rim  22  is thus achieved. 
   While the assembly may be constructed such that the nipple  32  may be jammed and locked to the ferrule  38  by this deformation, it may be desirable that the nipple  32  be free to spin within the ferrule  38  so that it may be rotated in the conventional manner to threadably engage with a fixed spoke  60 . The central hole  43  may be sized to provide additional clearance between the hole  43  and the stem  33 . This clearance will allow the nipple  32  to swivel somewhat within the ferrule  38 , permitting the nipple  32  to be more closely aligned with the spoke  60  span between the hub  62  and the rim  22  as shown in  FIG. 2   f.    
     FIG. 2   f  shows tire  74  mounted to rim  22 . Tire  74  may be of tubeless construction with tire beads  76   a  and  76   b  sealed against their corresponding ridges  25   a  and  25   b  and flanges  6   a  and  6   b . The sealed cavity  78  enclosed by the tire  74  and the tire well  4  may be filled with pressurized air to support the tire. Alternatively, the tire  74  may be utilized in conjunction with an inner tube or the tire may be of non-pneumatic construction. 
   With conventional bicycle rim technology, deformed eyelets are often employed with a similar function to the deformed ferrule of the present invention. However, these eyelets are not blindly installed and require that the tire bed  24  of the rim  22  be pierced for access to deform the eyelets and for assembly of the nipple. With the advent of tubeless tire technology, it is desirable that the tire bed  24  remains solid and non-perforated to provide proper air pressure sealing. Thus, it may be seen that the present invention provides particular advantage in tubeless tire configurations, since the sealed tire bed  24  is not required to be pierced and may now be used as a sealing air barrier. 
   An alternative arrangement could combine the nipple  32  and assembly pin  46  components, creating a nipple with an elongated stem that protrudes from the ferrule  38 . In such a case, assembly pin  46  is unnecessary and the exposed portion of the elongated stem may instead be gripped and pulled directly by the installation tool to form the flared portion  54 . 
   The assembly pin  46  may be utilized to provide a convenience to allow for a pre-assembled connection between the nipple  32  and the rim  22 . As an alternative, the assembly pin  46  may be eliminated and the spoke  60  itself may instead be employed to serve the same function as an assembly pin. 
   The nipple  32  serves as a mandrel to deform the ferrule  38  as shown in the exemplary sequence of  FIGS. 2   a–f . As an alternative, the nipple  32  component and the assembly pin  46  component may be eliminated from this assembly in favor of a headed spoke (not shown). In that case, the headed spoke could include a transition surface directly formed under its head, with this transition surface functioning to deform the ferrule  38 . The headed spoke would then extend from this connection to span to its connection with the hub. 
     FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show an alternate configuration of the assembly pin  46  of  FIGS. 2   a–e . Assembly pin  98  includes a necked region  100  to create a weakened site on the assembly pin  98  as shown in  FIG. 3   a . The cross-section of this necked region  100  is sized to calibrate its break-away load. During installation, the assembly pin  98  is gripped in the grip region  97  located beyond the necked region  100 . When the ferrule  38  is deformed as shown in  FIG. 2   d  and shown in  FIG. 3   b , the assembly pin  98  will break at the weakened necked region  100  at the predetermined tension load  102  corresponding to the load required for deformed expansion of the ferrule  38 .  FIG. 3   b  shows the ferrule  38  after deformation and the corresponding broken assembly pin  98  with the separated grip region  97 . The cross sectional area and hardness of this necked region  100  may be closely controlled so that the assembly force, indicated by arrow  102  is very repeatable, resulting in a controlled level of deformed expansion of ferrule  38 . Conventional blind rivets often utilize a similar necked region for controlled deformation of the rivet. 
     FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show an embodiment that utilizes a ferrule  110  that has a different crush zone than the ferrule  38  of  FIGS. 2   a–f . The ferrule  110  may be similar in most respects to the ferrule  38  of  FIG. 2   c . Ferrule  110  includes collar  114  and flange  118 . Ferrule  110  also includes a thinned region  112  of collar  114 . Thinned region  112  creates a weakened site for deformation of the collar  114  on installation. Flange  118  is then supported by support tool  41  as shown in  FIG. 4   b  and the assembly pin  46  is utilized to draw nipple  32  in the direction  52  to deform the ferrule  10 , with a method similar to that shown in  FIG. 2   d . This causes ferrule  110  to deform, creating a bulge  116  in the thinned region  112 . The ferrule  110  is now deformed to capture the spoke bed  26  of rim  22 . Nipple  32  may be of the conventional type as shown in  FIGS. 2   a–f  and may be rotated independently of ferrule  110 . With a portion of its stem  33  now protruding from flange  118 , the nipple  32  may be manipulated for assembly with the spoke (not shown). In comparison with the embodiment of  FIGS. 2   a–f , where the end of ferrule  38  is flared, the ferrule  110  of  FIGS. 4   a–b  employs a bulged crush zone at a location that is offset from its end. This type of deformed expansion is well known in industry and is utilized in the Rivnut® brand of blind rivet nuts. 
     FIGS. 5   a–c  show an embodiment that utilizes a ferrule  38  and nipple  32  similar to that shown in  FIGS. 2   a–f . However, the installation process shown in  FIGS. 5   a–c  is somewhat different.  FIG. 5   a  corresponds roughly to  FIG. 2   c  and shows the ferrule  38  and the nipple  32  located within hole  30  of rim  22 . An assembly pin may not be required in this embodiment. The top of the head  34  of nipple  32  is positioned to bear against the interior surface of the tire bed  24 . This limits the depth of installation of the ferrule  38  so that there is a gap  72  between the flange  40  and the spoke bed  26  of the rim  22 . Installation and deformed expansion of the collar  42  of the ferrule  38  is achieved by using an arbor press or other tool to apply a load  80  to the outer surface of the flange  40 . With the nipple  32  stopped against the tire bed  24  of the rim, installation load  80  bears against the flange  40  of the ferrule  38 , forcing the collar  42  to press and flare against the transition surface  36  of the nipple  32 , creating flared portion  82  as shown in  FIG. 5   b . Thus, instead of the nipple  32  being pressed against the collar  38  to create a flared portion  54 , as previously shown in  FIGS. 2   a–f , the ferrule  38  of  FIGS. 5   a–c  is shown here to be pressed against the nipple  32  to create the flared portion  82 . The result is similar and the nipple  32  is now captured and retained with the rim  22  by the flared portion  82 . With the assembly procedure of  FIGS. 5   a–c , it may be more difficult to flare the ferrule  38  so that the flared portion  82  is up against the internal surface of the spoke bed  26 . Therefore, when the nipple  32  is assembled to the spoke  60 , the spoke tension  84  will likely draw the ferrule  38  down slightly until the flared portion  82  contacts the internal surface of the spoke bed  26 , creating a small clearance  86  between the underside of flange  40  and the external surface of the spoke bed  26 . 
   The ferrule shown in these figures is preferably made from a relatively soft metal, such as aluminum or brass that will easily deform plastically at room temperature and also withstand the compressive loads associated with the spoke tension of a bicycle wheel. Polymeric materials may also be substituted as the ferrule material, however it may be desirable to locally heat the polymer ferrule to facilitate deformed expansion. 
   One method for creating such a localized plastic deformation in a thermoplastic polymer ferrule is to employ mechanical energy to create localized heating to facilitate such deformation. One such example is shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , which show an embodiment that is similar to  FIGS. 5   a–b , however the ferrule  38  shown here may be of thermoplastic polymer material. The ferrule  38 , nipple  32  and rim  22  are assembled as shown in  FIG. 6   a . An energized ultrasonic horn  90  is then pressed against the flange  40  in the direction  89 , causing the end of the collar  42  to bear against the transition surface  36 . The ultrasonic energy imparted by the horn heats the collar  42 , causing it to soften and deform to create flared portion  82  as shown in  FIG. 6   b . The result is a deformed ferrule  38  that serves to capture and retain the nipple  32  within the rim  22 . As an alternative to ultrasonic energy, the ferrule  38  may be spun relative to the nipple  32  to create frictional heat at the interface between the collar  42  and the transition surface  36  to facilitate the deformation to create flared portion  82 . Such a method may be similar to spin-welding. While these methods are ideally suited to the heating and deformation of a ferrule  38  made of thermoplastic polymer, this type of procedure may also be applied to some metals to promote plastic deformation of the ferrule to provide similar effect. 
     FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show yet another arrangement where the nipple  32  may be retained in the rim  22 . This embodiment employs a two-part ferrule, including a ferrule  120  component and an expander  130  component. Ferrule  120  includes flange  122  and collar  126  that includes a tapered conical surface  124 . Expander  130  includes cylindrical sidewall  132  with radially inward-facing edge  134  at one end. Nipple  32 , ferrule  120 , expander  130 , assembly pin  46  and rim  22  are loosely assembled through hole  30  as shown in  FIG. 7   a . Flange  122  is then supported by support tool  41  and assembly pin  46  is drawn in the direction  136 , as shown in  FIG. 7   b . This forces the transition surface  36  of the nipple  32  to bear against the expander  130 , causing the expander  130  to move relative to the ferrule  120  and thereby causing the sidewall  132  to be flared against the tapered surface  124  of collar  126 . The expander  130  is drawn in the direction  136  to overlap the collar  126  until radially inward-facing edge  134  contacts the interior surface of the spoke bed  26  of the rim  22 , as shown in  FIG. 7   b . The expander  130  thereby serves to retain the nipple  32  with the rim  22 , permitting the nipple  32  to function in the conventional manner as previously shown. Thus, when the nipple  32  is subsequently assembled to the spoke, the spoke tension, which also acts in the direction  136 , forces the expanded edge  134  to bear against the internal surface of the spoke bed  26 , resisting pull-out of the nipple  32 . 
   While the expander  130  may be retained with the ferrule  120  and become part of the rim and spoke connection assembly, the expander  130  may alternatively be a removable component that serves as a removable mandrel. In such an arrangement, the expander  130  may be first pressed against the ferrule  120  to expand the ferrule  120  and then removed prior to connecting the spoke to the nipple  32 . 
   Exemplary embodiments may utilize plastic deformation of the ferrule to retain the nipple with the rim. Elastic deformation of the ferrule may additionally or alternatively be utilized.  FIGS. 8   a–c  show ferrule  140 , including spring fingers  142  and flange  144 . The ferrule  140  may be formed of polymeric material. Spring fingers  142  each include overhang  146  and ramp  148 . Ferrule  140  is first pre-assembled with nipple  32  ( FIG. 8   a ) and then ferrule  140 —nipple  32  pre-assembly is assembled to hole  30  of rim  22  ( FIG. 8   b ). As ferrule  140  is assembled to hole  30  by pushing flange  144  in the direction  147 , ramp  148  surfaces contact the near edge  66  of the hole  30 , causing the spring fingers  142  to flex inward, allowing the spring fingers  142  to pass through hole  30  as shown in  FIG. 8   b . Near edge  66  of hole  30  may be chamfered to guide ramp  148  surfaces and facilitate assembly. On full installation of the ferrule  140 , the overhang  146  is forced past the far edge  68  of hole  30  of the spoke bed  26 , allowing the spring fingers  142  to elastically snap back into their relaxed position. Overhangs  146  of spring fingers  142  now create an overlie engagement with the spoke bed  26  of rim  22 . The ferrule  140  is now retained within hole  30  by means of overhangs  146  as shown in  FIG. 8   c . The spoke  60  may now be assembled to nipple  32  as shown in  FIG. 8   c . As spoke tension is increased, the transition surface  36  of the nipple  32  may bear against spring fingers  142  and may wedge them outwardly against the sidewall of hole  30 , thus reinforcing the overlie engagement between the overhangs  146  and the rim  22 . Nipple  32  is now retained to the rim  22  by the ferrule  140  to resist spoke tension forces commonly associated with the fully assembled bicycle wheel. 
   In the conventional arrangement, the spoke nipple may include internal threads to mate with external threads of the spoke and rotational slippage between the nipple and the ferrule. The spoke nipple may be turned with a spoke nipple wrench, adjusting this threaded engagement to effectively shorten the spoke and thereby adjust the tension of the spoke. 
   Alternatively, the nipple may include external threads to engage with the ferrule and instead employ rotational slippage with respect to the spoke. Such an alternative arrangement is shown in  FIGS. 9   a–d  where the nipple  180  includes external threads  182  to mate with the internal threads  184  of the ferrule  186 . 
     FIG. 9   a  shows the installation parts prior to assembly, including rim  22 , ferrule  186 , and assembly pin  194 . Rim  22  includes hole  30  for assembly with the ferrule  186 . Ferrule  186  is of a configuration that is deformed in a manner similar to ferrule  110  of  FIGS. 4   a–b . Ferrule  186  includes internal threads  184  to mate with external threads  182  of nipple  180 . Similar ferrules  186  are readily available in industry and are marketed under the Rivnut® brand. Assembly pin  194  includes external threads  196  that may be threadably assembled with the internal threads  184  of the ferrule  186 .  FIG. 9   a  shows the rim  22 , the ferrule  186 , and the assembly pin  194  prior to assembly. The ferrule  186  may be located within hole  30  and the assembly pin  194  may be threadably assembled to the ferrule  186 . With the flange  198  supported in place by support tool  41 , the assembly pin  194  is drawn in the direction  200 . The ferrule  186  may then be deformed to create bulge deformation  202 , similar to deformation  116  of  FIG. 4   b . Bulge deformation  202  serves to capture and retain ferrule  186  with rim  22 . The assembly pin  194  is then unthreaded from the ferrule  186  and removed from the assembly. Ferrule  186  is now ready to accept nipple  180 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 9   c  and  9   d , nipple  180  includes a through hole  188  along its length that is sized to accept the spoke  190 . Nipple  180  also includes external threads  182  and may include flats  192  for mating with a spoke nipple wrench (not shown). Spoke  190  includes an enlarged head  204 . As shown in  FIG. 9   c , the spoke  190  is first pre-assembled to the nipple  180 . The nipple  180  is then assembled to the ferrule  186  with its external threads  182  threadably engaged to the mating internal threads  184  of the ferrule  186  as shown in  FIG. 9   d . When spoke tension is applied to spoke  190 , the underside of head  204  is drawn down against the nipple  180  and bears against the end of hole  188 . The head  204  of the spoke  190  is thus anchored to the rim  22  through nipple  180  and ferrule  186 . The threaded connection between the nipple  180  and the ferrule  186  may then be adjusted by engaging the spoke nipple wrench (not shown) with flats  192  to rotate the nipple  180  with respect to ferrule  186  to adjust the length of the threaded engagement and thereby adjust the tension of the spoke  190 . 
   The assembly sequence shown in  FIGS. 9   a–d  show a nipple  180  component that is separate from the spoke  190 . The nipple  180  may be eliminated in favor of a threaded spoke (not shown) that is directly threaded at its end for threadable engagement directly with the internal threads  184  of the ferrule  186 . In such a case, the threaded spoke may be rotated about its axis to thread into the ferrule  186 . Alternatively, the ferrule  186  may be rotated independently of the rim  22  to thread over the threaded spoke. 
     FIG. 10  is an exemplary embodiment that shows how a deformed ferrule may be utilized to create a connection between the inboard end of the spoke and the hub of the wheel. Hub assembly  210  includes a hub shell  212  with an enclosed hub flange  214  that is rotatable about the axle  216  via the bearing  218 . Hub flange  214  creates a hollow annulus surrounding the hub shell  212 , including cavity  222 . Radial holes  224  are drilled through the outer periphery wall of the hub flange  214  to provide assembly sites for ferrule  38  which, in this example, is be identical to the ferrule  38  of  FIGS. 2   a–f . The outside diameter of bearing  218  is pressed into bearing bore  220  of hub shell  212  and the axle  216  is assembled through the inside diameter of the bearing  218 . Locknut  223  is assembled to axle  216  to capture the inner race of bearing  218 . Radial hole  224  corresponds roughly to hole  30  of  FIG. 2   a  to provide openings for blind assembly of ferrule  38  and nipple  32  as shown in detail in  FIGS. 2   a–f . It may be seen that ferrule  38  is deformed in the manner shown  FIGS. 2   a–e  to create a flared portion  54  and to create an overlie engagement with the hub flange  214  and to capture nipple  32  within hub flange  214 . Threaded end  64  of spoke  60  may be threadably assembled to nipple  32  to firmly anchor the spoke to the hub flange  214 . The spoke  60  extends from its connection at the hub flange  214  to its connection at the rim (not shown). 
   While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of embodiments thereof. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts and details of operation. For example: 
   While these figures show how an expanded or otherwise deformed ferrule may be utilized to facilitate a spoke connection with the rim, such a connection may easily be achieved between the spoke and the hub shell portion of the hub. 
   While these figures show a blind assembly through a pre-existing hole in the rim, such a hole may be pierced during the assembly process. For example, the assembly pin of  FIGS. 9   a–b  may include a pointed tip that extends through the ferrule. Spinning the assembly pin and forcing the pointed tip against the spoke bed of the rim may generate sufficient frictional heat to allow the pointed end to pierce the spoke bed. 
   While it is shown in these figures that the nipple is generally aligned with the vertical centerline of the rim, the rim and/or hole geometry may be arranged such that the ferrule may be installed offset or at an angle to this vertical centerline. This offset or angle of the ferrule would permit the nipple to be aligned to extend in the direction of the spoke span between its anchor points at the rim and the hub flange. Alternatively, there may be sufficient clearance between the stem of the nipple and the central hole of the ferrule to allow the nipple to swivel within the ferrule, permitting the nipple to be aligned to extend in the direction of the spoke span. 
   While most of these embodiments show the ferrule to be formed as a separate component from the nipple, these two components may alternatively be formed as a single contiguous part. This configuration would eliminate the intermediate spoke nipple component. Thus the spoke may be directly connected to the ferrule, by means of some method of engagement, such as a threaded engagement. 
   The spoke nipple may be regarded as an intermediate component in the connection between the spoke and the ferrule. In other words, the spoke connects to the nipple, the nipple connects to the ferrule, and the ferrule connects to the rim. There may be additional intermediate components inserted in this chain of connection. 
   These figures show the ferrule component to include a flange located externally to the hole to which the ferrule is assembled. Such a flange may be useful in creating an external overlie engagement with the rim to prevent the ferrule from withdrawing into the cavity of the rim. However, it should be recognized that the primary engagement of the present invention is the engagement to resist spoke tension, which is in the opposite direction to the overlie engagement of the flange. Therefore, the flange may provide a desirable convenience to aid in the assembly and/or retention of the ferrule and may not be a requirement for proper function of some or all of the embodiments described herein. The present invention may still be functional without an external flange in the ferrule. 
   The ferrule component may remain stationary with respect to the rim, while the nipple may be rotated about the axis of the spoke. The ferrule component may be permitted to rotate independently of the rim. If desired, this would allow the ferrule to rotate with the nipple and slip at its interface with the rim. 
   While the nipple is shown here to include female threads to mate with the male threads of the spoke, this is merely the conventional arrangement and the nipple may alternatively include male threads to mate with female threads of the spoke, or with female threads of an intermediate component that is connected to the spoke. A further alternative arrangement could dictate that the spoke and the nipple be contiguous, or otherwise rotatably locked together, with the threaded connection (if any) located at the opposite end of the spoke. 
   These embodiments show a blind connection with a blind hole through which the ferrule is connected. However the present invention may prove to be advantageous to achieve such a blind connection even in arrangements where the hole itself is not a blind hole and there is access to the opposite end of that hole. 
   Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but is instead intended to encompass all such modifications that are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.