Abstract:
A wheel assembly includes a hub assembly having first connecting units; spokes selectively and pivotally connected to the first connecting units of the hub assembly; at least one holding member on a peripheral surface of the hub assembly and capable of selectively securing the spokes; and a rim composed of frames and removably connected to the spokes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention is related to a wheel assembly, and more particular to a bicycle wheel which is assembled by parts and capable of taking apart to be portable. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In recent years, the concept of environmental protection is progressively promoted in our lives. For example, the public is enthusiastically advised to use a bicycle instead of a car for transportation, because the bicycle works without any energy and occupies small space. The largest benefit of the bike is zero-emission, which helps to reduce the pollution to the air and to prevent the earth from global warming. 
         [0005]    However, according to the design purpose of bikes, the bike is classified into on-road (in the city), off-road (on the mountain), racing . . . etc., to meet the riders&#39; needs. Actually, the bike is still too bulky to be carried around by users, even though there is a mechanism to fold the bike frame. This is because the wheels take a lot of space and are usually the largest component of a bike when carried. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a sectioned wheel assembly which is capable of being disassembled into parts in order to reduce the wheel size. 
         [0007]    In order to accomplish the aforementioned purpose, the wheel assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a hub assembly having first connecting units; spokes selectively and pivotally connected to the first connecting units of the hub assembly; at least one holding member on peripheral surface of the hub assembly and capable of selectively securing the spokes; and a rim composed of frames and removably connected to the spokes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The invention, as well as its many advantages, may be further understood by the following detailed description and drawings in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of the wheel assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the hub constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic cross sectional view showing that one spoke is inserted into one of the frames via a quick release coupling; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic cross sectional view showing that the spoke is positioned in place in the frame; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3C  is a schematic cross sectional view showing that the spoke is able to be pulled out from the frame after the switch is pressed inward the quick release coupling; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, perspective view of the spoke connected to the frame constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the assembled wheel constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged, perspective view of the hub constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the re-oriented spokes of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the re-oriented spoke from another angle different from that of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing all the spokes are re-oriented for portability or storage; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a view showing that the spokes are re-oriented in a same direction, such as those perpendicular or parallel to the axial direction of the hub, for portability or storage; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged, perspective view of the hub constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12A  is an enlarged view showing the wheel assembly constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 12B  is an enlarged view showing the notch of the hub constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     First Embodiment 
       [0024]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a first wheel assembly  1  constructed in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes two first hubs  10 , first spokes  20  and first frames  301 . It is noted that the two first hubs  10  may be formed into one by methods well known in the art. 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , each of the first hubs  10  includes a first sleeve  101 , a first ring  102  movably, rotatable to be precise, mounted around an outer peripheral surface of the first sleeve  101  and a first disk  103  securely formed on an outer surface of the first sleeve  101 . The first sleeve  101  has a centrally defined hole to receive a bearing  11  and an axel  12  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). With the provision of another bearing (not shown) between the first sleeve  101  and the first ring  102 , the first ring  102  is able to be smoothly rotated relative to the first sleeve  101 . Because the rotatable movement of the first ring  102  relative to the first sleeve  101  is conventional in the art, detailed description thereof is omitted for brevity. The first ring  102  has a plurality of blocking elements  1021  securely formed on the peripheral outer surface thereof and each blocking element  1021  has two parallel legs  10212  with a distance therebetween to accommodate a portion of the first disk  103  and a protrusion  10211  vertically extending outward from the two legs  10212  of the blocking element  1021  and in a direction along with a circumferential edge of the first disk  103 . The protrusion  10211  further has a first bump  102111  formed on a side thereof. The first disk  103  has first perforations  1031  defined to penetrate the first disk  103 . The two legs  10212  of each of the blocking elements  1021  is formed as an “n” shape so that the first disk  103  is able to move through a space defined by the two legs  10212  of the blocking element  1021 . 
         [0026]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , each of the first spokes  20  is used to support the first frames  301 . A distal end of each of the first spokes  20  is formed with a hook, such that after each hook extends into a corresponding first perforation  1031  in the first disk  103 , every first spoke  20  is securely connected to the first disk  103 . 
         [0027]    Even though the first spokes  20  are securely connected to the first disk  103  due to the provision of the two legs  10212  as well as the first bumps  102111 , spinning the first ring  102  may force the first spokes  20  to pass over the limitation set forth by the first bump  102111 . After the first spokes  20  are free from the limitation of the blocking elements  1021 , each first spoke  20  is re-orientable as the hook of each of the first spokes  20  still remains in the corresponding first perforation  1031 . Under such a situation, the user may divide the first spokes  20  into categories, preferably two as shown in  FIG. 10 , to reduce space once storage is necessary. 
         [0028]    In the first preferred embodiment, the material for the first spokes  20  is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum and carbon. 
         [0029]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , each of the first frames  301  has a cushion  302  such as rubber affixed on a side face thereof and holes  3011  defined in a side face thereof to correspond to and receive therein the other distal ends of the first spokes  20 . 
         [0030]    In the first preferred embodiment, the cushion  302  is a solid resilient structure or an inflatable hollow structure. Furthermore the surface of the cushion  302  has grooves (not shown) to provide friction. 
         [0031]    In the first preferred embodiment, the distal end of each of the first spokes  20  and the inner wall of each of the holes  3011  are threaded (not shown), such that the first spokes  20  are able to be threaded into the corresponding holes  3011 . 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIG. 3A-3C , each of the holes  3011  is able to be replaced by a connector  3012  that is partially embedded in the frame  301 . The connector  3012  is somewhat like a quick release coupling  3012  having a housing  30121 , a passage  30122  defined in the housing  30121  for receiving the first spoke  20 , a block assembly  30123  formed on an inner wall defining the passage  30122  of the housing  30121 , paddles  30124  deformably formed on the inner wall of the housing  30121  and next to the block assembly  30123  and a sliding element  30125  slidably movable inside the passage  30122  so as to selectively connect to the paddles  30124 . The block assembly  30123  is resilient to tightly hold the first spoke  20  once a distal end of the first spoke  20  is inserted into the passage  30122 . If the first spokes  20  are to be removed for the purpose of storage, the user may push he sliding element  30125  inward the passage  30122 . After the sliding element  30125  is pushed deep inside the passage  30122 , the paddle  30124  is then forced by the movement of the sliding element  30125  to deform. It is noted that when the paddle  30124  is deformed, the deformation of the paddle  30124  will then force the block assembly  30123  to deform in a direction directed to the inner sidewall defining the passage  30122 . While the block assembly  30123  is deformed, the tight-fit relationship of the block assembly  30123  with an outer periphery of the first spoke  20  is then released. Consequently, the other distal end of the first spoke  20  is able to be pulled out of the passage  30122  for storage purpose. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , two mated notches  3013  are individually defined on both distal ends of each of the first frames  301 , such that the first frames  301  are connected together through the connection of the notches  3013  mated with each other and without conflicting the cushions  302 , because one distal end of the cushion  302  is extending to correspond to a distal end of the first frame  301  and another distal end of the cushion  302  is extending to another distal end of the first frame  301  without covering the notch  3013 . The connection where two notches  3013  mated together further defines therethrough a channel  3014  to receive therein the distal end of one first spoke  20  to prevent the connected first frames  301  from being separated. The material of the first frame  301  is selected from a group consisting of aluminum alloy and steel. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the first wheel assembly  1  is assembled after the first spokes  20  are correspondingly and securely inserted into the holes  3011  of the first frames  30  and the notches  3013  of the first frames  30  are mated with each other to construct a rim. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , to disassemble the first spokes  20  from the rim, it is necessary to first rotate the first ring  102  to enable the first spoke  20  to pass over the first bump  102111  so as to define a pivotal path for each of the first spokes  20 , and then the first spokes  20  become pivotable. 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIGS. 7-9 , after the first spokes  20  are away from the blocking elements  1021  and the distal ends of all the first spokes  20  are also away from connection with the first frames  301 , the first spokes  20  are able to be re-oriented to the same direction to reduce the original occupied space of the first wheel assembly  1 . 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , which shows another application that the first spokes  20  are able to be re-oriented in another direction for portability. 
         [0038]    In the first preferred embodiment, each of the first spokes  20  is constructed by a telescopic structure (not shown) which provides an adjustable ability to the length of each of the first spokes  20  capable of being shorten into smaller size. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0039]    With reference to  FIGS. 11-12B , a wheel assembly  2  constructed in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention includes two second hubs  40 , second spokes  50  and second frames (not shown). 
         [0040]    It is to be noted that the two second hubs  40  may be formed as one hub assembly via a method known in the art. As a result of this, the following explanation is only for explanatory purpose and should not be construed as a limitation to the scope sought for protection. Each of the second hubs  40  includes a second sleeve  401 , a second ring  402  movably, rotatably to be precise, mounted around an outer peripheral surface of the second sleeve  401 . The second sleeve  401  has a centrally defined hole (not numbered) to receive a bearing  41  and an axel  42  (as shown in  FIG. 11 ). With the provision of another bearing (not shown) between the second sleeve  401  and the second ring  402 , the second ring  402  is able to be smoothly rotated relative to the second sleeve  401 . Due to the rotatable movement of the second ring  402  relative to the second sleeve  401  is conventional in the art, detailed description thereof is omitted for brevity. The second ring  402  has cutouts  4021  defined on a round edge of the second ring  402 , where each of the cutouts  4021  is constructed into a letter “L”. The second ring  402  further has second bumps  40211  respectively formed on an inner surface defining the L-shaped cutout  4021  showing in  FIG. 12B . 
         [0041]    The second hub  40  further includes a second disk  403  provided around a circumferential edge of the second sleeve  401  and having a centrally defined hole to expose the bearing  41  and the axel  42 . The second disk  403  has second perforations  4031  defined to penetrate the second disk  403 . 
         [0042]    The second spokes  50 , the same structure with the first spoke  20  described in the first preferred embodiment of the invention, has a hook formed on a distal end thereof, such that after each hook extends into a corresponding second perforation  4031  in the second disk  403 , every second spoke  50  is pivotally connected to the second disk  403 . 
         [0043]    Due to the second frames are the same structure as the first frame  301  and the same connection to the spokes described in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof is omitted for brevity. 
         [0044]    Same as the aforementioned first preferred embodiment, the second spokes  50  have two modes provided by rotating the second ring  402 . In the first mode, each of the second spokes  50  is un-pivotal while each of the L-shaped cutouts  4021  is moved to receive therein each of the second spokes  50 . In the second mode, each of the second spokes  50  is pivotable while each of the L-shaped cutouts  4021  is moved to receive therein each of the second spokes  50  in the L-shaped cutouts  4021 , such that each of the second spokes  50  is able to be re-oriented along the cutouts  4021  to depart from the second ring  402 . 
         [0045]    It is noted that the bumped L-shape lock contour  4021  on  FIGS. 12A and 12B  of the second ring  402  is designed to enforce the secured holding of the spokes when the wheel is moving forward and when the tangential force on the spoke is higher. The arrowhead on the  FIG. 12A  indicate the direction of the ground force on the rim which, in turn, push the spoke against the lock for self-secured locking In addition, the bump  40211  provides sufficient holding force to secure the spoke when the bike is rotating backward at a much slower speed whilst facilitates the spoke to get out of the lock for folding purpose. 
         [0046]    In the second preferred embodiment, the distal end of each of the second spokes  50  are able to be threaded (not shown) to be screwed into the corresponding threaded holes of the second frame (not shown). 
         [0047]    In the second preferred embodiment, the material for each of the second spokes  50  is selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum and carbon. 
         [0048]    In conclusion, the aforementioned preferred embodiments of the present invention provides the wheel assemblies  1 , 2  whose spokes  20 ,  50  are pivotally connected to the hub  10 ,  40 , and the frames  301  are removably connected to the spokes  20 ,  50 , such that the wheel assemblies  1 ,  2  are capable of being divided into parts to reduce the space occupied to be carried around by users. 
         [0049]    Many changes and modifications in the above described embodiment of the invention are able to, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.