Attachment system for the spokes of a bicycle wheel

Abstract

An element for the attachment of a spoke in a bicycle wheel at a seat hole has a body, an axial hole, and can engage a tool. The body is of greater transverse size than a seat hole, and abuts the seat hole at a first end of the body. The axial hole extends from the first end in the body and engages a spoke. The element engages a tool at a second end of the body opposite the first end. Finally, the maximum transverse size of said body is defined by side surface portions of said body other than the area of the second end that engages the tool.

1 . An element for the attachment of a spoke in a bicycle wheel at a seat hole, the element comprising: 
 a body of greater transverse size than that of the seat hole for abutment about the seat hole at a first end of the body,    an axial hole extending from the first end in said body and having a longitudinal axis therethrough, and having means for engagement with a spoke,    surface tool engagement means at a second end of said body opposite said first end,    wherein the maximum transverse size of said body is defined by side surface portions of said body other than tool engagement surfaces;    wherein the size of the body along the longitudinal axis is greater than the body's transverse size.    
   
   
       2 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 1  wherein said tool engagement means comprises a seat, at least partially recessed in the surface of said second end.  
   
   
       3 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 1  wherein said tool engagement means extends in a portion of the body axially distinct from a portion of the body comprising said axial hole.  
   
   
       4 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 1  wherein said tool engagement means comprises a recessed hexagonal seat.  
   
   
       5 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 1  wherein said tool engagement means comprises recesses located along a periphery of said second end surface of the body.  
   
   
       6 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 1  wherein said tool engagement means comprises at least one diametric notch for engagement with a screwdriver on the surface of the second end of the body.  
   
   
       7 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 1  wherein said tool engagement means comprises at least one protrusion projecting from the surface of said second end of the body.  
   
   
       8 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 7  wherein said tool engagement means comprises a single central projecting protrusion.  
   
   
       9 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 7  wherein said tool engagement means comprises an ordered peripheral arrangement of protrusions.  
   
   
       10 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 1  wherein said axial hole has a transverse size of between 4 and 6 mm.  
   
   
       11 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 1  wherein said axial hole has a transverse size of between 2 and 3 mm.  
   
   
       12 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 1  wherein said axial hole has an undercut region for bayonet engagement of a projecting head of the spoke.  
   
   
       13 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 1  wherein said axial hole has an inner threading extending for at least one axial portion thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 13  wherein said axial hole is a through hole.  
   
   
       15 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 13  wherein said axial hole is blind.  
   
   
       16 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 13  further comprising an undercut annular seat in said axial hole of the body.  
   
   
       17 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 16  wherein said undercut annular seat is in an axially intermediate position of the body.  
   
   
       18 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 17  wherein said undercut annular seat is in an axially intermediate position between said tool engagement means and said axial hole.  
   
   
       19 . The spoke attachment element of  claim 17  wherein said undercut annular seat is in an intermediate position of the threading of the axial hole.  
   
   
       20 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A bicycle wheel rim intended for co-operation with a plurality of spoke attachment elements of  claim 1  comprising: 
 a radially inner circumferential spoke attachment chamber,    a radially outer circumferential tire coupling channel,    said chamber and said channel being separated by an upper bridge,    said chamber having a plurality of seat holes each for the attachment of a first end of a spoke through a respective spoke attachment element,    said upper bridge having a plurality of access openings, each at one of said seat holes,    wherein the transverse size of said access openings is slightly greater than a maximum transverse size of the body of the spoke attachment elements.    
   
   
       25 . The rim of  claim 24  wherein at each of said seat holes, the wall of said chamber is in the form of a spherical cap with the concavity facing towards the tire coupling channel.  
   
   
       26 . A bicycle wheel comprising: 
 a plurality of spokes,    a rim provided with seat holes for the attachment of a first end of each of said plurality of spokes,    a central hub provided with seat holes for attachment of a second end of each of said plurality of spokes,    a plurality of spoke attachment elements, each located at a seat hole selected from the seat holes of said rim and the seat holes of said hub, each spoke attachment element comprising:    a body of greater transverse size than that of the seat hole for abutment about the seat hole at a first end of the body,    an axial hole extending from the first end in said body and having a longitudinal axis therethrough, and having means for engagement with a spoke,    surface tool engagement means at a second end of said body opposite said first end,    wherein the maximum transverse size of said body is defined by side surface portions of said body other than tool engagement surfaces;    wherein the size of the body along the longitudinal axis is greater than the body's transverse size.    
   
   
       27 . The bicycle wheel of  claim 26  wherein said rim comprises: 
 a radially inner circumferential spoke attachment chamber,    a radially outer circumferential tire coupling channel,    said chamber and said channel being separated by an upper bridge,    said chamber having said plurality of seat holes,    said upper bridge having a plurality of access openings, each at one of said seat holes,    wherein the transverse size of said access openings is slightly greater than a maximum transverse size of the body of the spoke attachment elements, and the spoke attachment elements are each located at a seat hole of said rim.    
   
   
       28 . The bicycle wheel of  claim 26  wherein said spokes are made of aluminum.  
   
   
       29 . The bicycle wheel of  claim 26  wherein said spokes are made of steel.  
   
   
       30 - 37 . (canceled)  
   
   
       38 . An element for attaching a spoke to a wheel rim having an upper bridge that defines a first aperture, a lower bridge that defines a second smaller aperture in line with the first aperture and side walls that connect the upper and lower bridges together in a spaced apart relationship, the device comprising: 
 a body with a longitudinal axis and having a first end and a second end that are spaced apart by a distance less than a distance between the upper and lower bridges,    wherein the first end has a maximum transverse size that is greater than that of the second smaller aperture in the lower bridge and is adapted to engage with an end of a spoke, and    wherein the second end has a maximum transverse size that is not greater than a maximum transverse size of the first aperture and defines a tool receiving area that is entirely within the maximum transverse size of the second end;    wherein the size of the body along the longitudinal axis is greater than the body's transverse size.    
   
   
       39 . The element of  claim 38  wherein said tool receiving area comprises a seat at least partially recessed in a surface of said second end.  
   
   
       40 . The element of  claim 38  wherein said tool receiving area comprises a recessed hexagonal seat.  
   
   
       41 . The element of  claim 38  wherein said tool receiving area comprises recesses located along a periphery of a surface of said second end.  
   
   
       42 . The element of  claim 38  wherein said tool receiving area comprises at least one diametric notch for engagement with a screwdriver on the surface of the second end of the body.  
   
   
       43 . The element of  claim 38  wherein said tool receiving area comprises at least one protrusion projecting from a surface of said second end of the body.  
   
   
       44 . The element of  claim 43  wherein said tool receiving area comprises a single central projecting protrusion.  
   
   
       45 . The element of  claim 43  wherein said tool receiving area comprises an equally spaced apart peripheral arrangement of protrusions.  
   
   
       46 . The element of  claim 38  further comprising an axial hole extending from the first end toward the second end and having a transverse size of between 4 and 6 mm.  
   
   
       47 . The element of  claim 38  further comprising an axial hole extending from the first end toward the second end and having a transverse size of between 2 and 3 mm.  
   
   
       48 . The element of  claim 38  further comprising an axial hole extending from the first end toward the second end, said axial hole having an undercut region for bayonet engagement of a projecting head of the spoke.  
   
   
       49 . The element of  claim 38  further comprising an axial hole extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein said axial hole has an inner threading extending along at least a portion thereof.  
   
   
       50 . The element of  claim 49  wherein said axial hole is a through hole.  
   
   
       51 . The element of  claim 49  wherein said axial hole is blind.  
   
   
       52 . The element of  claim 49  further comprising an undercut annular seat in said axial hole.  
   
   
       53 . The element of  claim 52  wherein said undercut annular seat is in an axially intermediate position of the body.  
   
   
       54 . The element of  claim 53  wherein said undercut annular seat is in an axially intermediate position between said tool receiving area and said axial hole.  
   
   
       55 . The element of  claim 53  wherein said undercut annular seat is in an intermediate position of said internal threading.  
   
   
       56 . The element of  claim 52 , further comprising a plastically deformable annular element housed in the undercut annular seat.  
   
   
       57 . The element of  claim 56  wherein said plastically deformable annular element comprises an inner threading contiguous and identical to said internal threading extending along at least a portion of the axial hole.  
   
   
       58 . The element of  claim 38  further comprising a brass for abutment about the seat hole, removably associated with the first end of the body.  
   
   
       59 . The element of  claim 58  wherein the abutment brass is shaped like a bored spherical cap.  
   
   
       60 . An element for the attachment of a spoke to a wheel, the element comprising: 
 a body comprising a first end having an axial hole with a spoke engagement zone;    a tool-engagement zone located at a second end of said body opposite said first end; and    an abutment brass removably associated with the first end and configured to engage a rim of a wheel.    
   
   
       61 . An element for the attachment of a spoke to a wheel, the element comprising: 
 a first end with a transverse width greater than that of a seat hole in the bicycle wheel, the first end having an axial hole configured to engage a spoke of a bicycle; and    a second end having means for engaging a tool; and    a deformable element located between the first and second ends and engageable with a spoke of a bicycle.    
   
   
       62 . An element for the attachment of a spoke in a bicycle wheel at a seat hole, the element comprising: 
 a body of greater transverse size than that of the seat hole for abutment about the seat hole at a first end of the body,    an axial through hole extending from the first end in said body, wherein said axial hole has an inner threading extending for at least one axial portion thereof for engaging a spoke, and    a recessed hexagonal seat at a second end of said body opposite said first end.    
   
   
       63 . An element for the attachment of a spoke in a bicycle wheel at a seat hole, the element comprising: 
 a body of greater transverse size than that of the seat hole for abutment about the seat hole at a first end of the body,    an axial hole extending from the first end in said body, wherein said axial hole has an inner threading extending for at least one axial portion thereof for engaging a spoke, and    at least one diametric notch for engagement with a screwdriver on the surface of the second end of the body opposite said first end.    
   
   
       64 . An element for the attachment of a spoke in a bicycle wheel at a seat hole, the element comprising: 
 a body of greater transverse size than that of the seat hole for abutment about the seat hole at a first end of the body,    an axial hole extending from the first end in said body, wherein said axial hole has an inner threading extending for at least one axial portion thereof for engaging a spoke, and    a single central protrusion projecting from the surface of the second end of the body opposite said first end,    wherein the maximum transverse size of said body is defined by side surface portions of said body other than the single central projecting protrusion.    
   
   
       65 . An element for the attachment of a spoke in a bicycle wheel at a seat hole, the element comprising: 
 a body of greater transverse size than that of the seat hole for_abutment about the seat hole at a first end of the body,    an axial blind hole extending from the first end in said body, wherein said axial hole has an inner threading extending for at least one axial portion thereof for engaging a spoke, and    an ordered peripheral arrangement of recesses on the surface of the second end of the body opposite said first end.    
   
   
       66 - 69 . (canceled)