Spoked bicycle wheel, components thereof and relative manufacturing methods

Abstract

A spoked bicycle wheel is presented where the masses of a set of spoke connections for connection of a hub and a rim as a whole are imbalanced with respect to the rotational axis. In such a way the dynamic imbalance of the wheel due to localized mass increases at the valve and at a possible joint is reduced or eliminated.

1 . A spoked bicycle wheel comprising a hub, a rim and a set of spoke connections connecting the hub and the rim, wherein the masses of the set of spoke connections as a whole are imbalanced with respect to the wheel's axis of rotation. 
   
   
       2 . The wheel of  claim 1 , wherein the imbalance with respect to the wheel's axis of rotation of the set of spoke connections compensates for an imbalance due to at least one localized mass increase of the wheel. 
   
   
       3 . The wheel of  claim 1 , wherein said set comprises at least one spoke connection of different mass at least than the remaining spoke connections in a sub-set of spoke connections regular with respect to the wheel's axis of rotation. 
   
   
       4 . The wheel of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one spoke connection of different mass is a single spoke connection. 
   
   
       5 . The wheel of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one spoke connection of different mass are two spoke connections. 
   
   
       6 . A spoked bicycle wheel comprising a hub, a rim and a set of spoke connections connecting the hub and the rim, said set comprises at least one spoke connection of different mass at least than the remaining spoke connections in a sub-set of spoke connections regular with respect to the wheel's axis of rotation, each spoke connection comprises a spoke and a removable connection element at a first end of said spoke for removable connection with the rim or with the hub, the removable connection element of at least one spoke connection having a different mass than the removable element of the remaining spoke connections, wherein the masses of the set of spoke connections as a whole are imbalanced with respect to the wheel's axis of rotation. 
   
   
       7 . The wheel of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one removable connection element of different mass connects to the rim. 
   
   
       8 . The wheel of  claim 6 , wherein each removable connection element comprises an internally threaded element coupled with an outer threading of an end of a spoke, and wherein the internally threaded element of at least one spoke connection has a different mass than the internally threaded element of the remaining spoke connections. 
   
   
       9 . The wheel of  claim 6 , wherein each removable connection element comprises an internally threaded element couplable with an outer threading of an end of a spoke and an abutment plate, and wherein the abutment plate of at least one spoke connection has a different mass than the abutment plate of the remaining spoke connections. 
   
   
       10 . The wheel of  claim 6 , wherein each removable connection element comprises an internally threaded element couplable with an outer threading of an end of a spoke, and wherein the removable connection element of at least one spoke connection comprises an additional abutment plate with respect to the remaining spoke connections. 
   
   
       11 . The wheel of  claim 3 , wherein at least one spoke connection is made from a material having a different specific density than the remaining spoke connections. 
   
   
       12 . The wheel of  claim 11 , wherein said materials of different specific densities comprise aluminum on the one hand and steel or brass on the other hand. 
   
   
       13 . The wheel of  claim 3 , wherein said wheel comprises a first localized mass increase at a first position, and said set comprises at least one spoke connection of reduced mass arranged in a half of the rim centered about said first position. 
   
   
       14 . The wheel of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one spoke connection of reduced mass is arranged adjacent to the first position. 
   
   
       15 . The wheel of  claim 3 , wherein said wheel comprises a first localized mass increase at a first position and said set comprises at least one spoke connection of increased mass arranged in a half of the rim opposite the half of the rim centered about said first position. 
   
   
       16 . The wheel of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one spoke connection of increased mass is arranged substantially diametrically opposite said first position. 
   
   
       17 . The wheel of  claim 13 , wherein said wheel comprises a second localized mass increase, less than the first localized mass increase. 
   
   
       18 . The wheel of  claim 17 , wherein said second localized mass increase is in an intraspoke zone substantially diametrically opposite the first localized mass increase. 
   
   
       19 . The wheel of  claim 15 , wherein said wheel comprises a second localized mass increase, less than the first localized mass increase. 
   
   
       20 . The wheel of  claim 19 , wherein said second localized mass increase is in an intraspoke zone substantially diametrically opposite the first localized mass increase. 
   
   
       21 . The wheel of  claim 13 , wherein said wheel further comprises a second localized mass increase, less than said first localized mass increase, at a second position, and said set further comprises at least one spoke connection of reduced mass arranged in a half of the rim centered about said second position. 
   
   
       22 . The wheel of  claim 21 , wherein said at least one spoke connection of reduced mass is arranged adjacent to said first position. 
   
   
       23 . The wheel of  claim 15 , wherein said wheel further comprises a second localized mass increase, less than said first localized mass increase, at a second position, and said set further comprises at least one spoke connection of reduced mass arranged in a half of the rim centered about said second position. 
   
   
       24 . The wheel of  claim 23 , wherein said at least one spoke connection of reduced mass is arranged substantially adjacent said second position. 
   
   
       25 . The wheel of  claim 13 , wherein said wheel further comprises a second localized mass increase, less than said first localized mass increase, at a second position, and said set further comprises at least one spoke connection of increased mass arranged in a half of the rim opposite the half of the rim centered about said second position. 
   
   
       26 . The wheel of  claim 25 , wherein said at least one spoke connection of increased mass is arranged substantially diametrically opposite said second position. 
   
   
       27 . The wheel of  claim 15 , wherein said wheel further comprises a second localized mass increase, less than said first localized mass increase, at a second position, and said set further comprises at least one spoke connection of increased mass arranged in a half of the rim opposite the half of the rim centered about said second position. 
   
   
       28 . The wheel of  claim 27 , wherein said at least one spoke connection of increased mass is arranged substantially diametrically opposite said second position. 
   
   
       29 . The wheel of  claim 1 , wherein the positions of the spoke connections of said set are irregularly arranged about the rotation axis of the wheel. 
   
   
       30 . The wheel of  claim 29 , wherein said set comprises a sub-set of spoke connections balanced with respect to the rotation axis and at least one additional spoke connection. 
   
   
       31 . The wheel of  claim 30 , wherein said balanced sub-set of spoke connections comprises groups of closer spoke connections, said groups being regularly arranged about the rim. 
   
   
       32 . The wheel of  claim 30 , wherein said at least one additional spoke connection is/are not tensioned. 
   
   
       33 . The wheel of  claim 30 , wherein said at least one additional spoke connection is/are equal to at least some of the spoke connections of the balanced sub-set. 
   
   
       34 . The wheel of  claim 30 , wherein said at least one additional spoke connection has/have a different mass than at least some of the spoke connections of the balanced sub-set. 
   
   
       35 . The wheel of  claim 34 , wherein at least part of said at least one additional spoke connection is/are made of a material with different specific density than said at least some of the spoke connections of the balanced sub-set. 
   
   
       36 . The wheel of  claim 35 , wherein said at least one additional spoke connection is/are at least partly made of plastic. 
   
   
       37 . The wheel of  claim 30 , wherein said at least one additional spoke connection comprises a single additional spoke connection. 
   
   
       38 . The wheel of  claim 30 , wherein said at least one additional spoke connection comprises only two additional spoke connections. 
   
   
       39 . The wheel of  claim 30 , wherein said wheel comprises a first localized mass increase at a first position and said at least one additional spoke connection is arranged in the half of the rim opposite the half of the rim centered about said first position. 
   
   
       40 . The wheel of  claim 39 , wherein said at least one additional spoke connection is arranged substantially diametrically opposite said first position. 
   
   
       41 . The wheel of  claim 39 , wherein said wheel comprises a second localized mass increase, less than the first localized mass increase. 
   
   
       42 . The wheel of  claim 41 , wherein said second localized mass increase is in an intraspoke zone substantially diametrically opposite the first localized mass increase. 
   
   
       43 . The wheel of  claim 39 , wherein said wheel further comprises a second localized mass increase, less than said first localized mass increase, at a second position, and at least one additional spoke connection is further arranged in the half of the rim opposite the half of the rim centered about said second position. 
   
   
       44 . The wheel of  claim 43 , wherein said at least one additional spoke connection is arranged substantially diametrically opposite said second position. 
   
   
       45 . A set of spoke connections for connecting a hub and a rim of a spoked bicycle wheel, wherein the masses of the set of spoke connections as a whole are imbalanced with respect to the wheel's axis of rotation. 
   
   
       46 . A method of manufacturing a spoked bicycle wheel, comprising the steps of providing a hub, providing a rim and connecting the rim and the hub through a set spoke connections, wherein the masses of the set of spoke connections as a whole are imbalanced with respect to the wheel's axis of rotation. 
   
   
       47 . The method according to  claim 46 , wherein said spoke connections are so arranged as to compensate for an imbalance due to at least one localized mass increase of the wheel. 
   
   
       48 . A spoke for the wheel of  claim 1 , comprising first and second end portions; and an intermediate portion of greater cross-sectional area than its end portions. 
   
   
       49 . The spoke of  claim 48 , wherein the intermediate portion is flattened. 
   
   
       50 . The spoke of  claim 48 , wherein the intermediate portion is central with respect to its end portions. 
   
   
       51 . The spoke of  claim 53 , wherein the intermediate portion is closer to an end portion of the spoke towards the rim. 
   
   
       52 . A method of manufacturing a spoke for the wheel of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 i) providing a metal cylindrical wire having a first diameter (d 1 ),   ii) reducing the diameter of a predetermined length of wire to a second diameter (d 2 ) along a first and second end portion of said predetermined length of wire,   iii) cutting said predetermined length of said wire,   iv) forming hub attachment means at said first end portion, and   v) forming rim attachment means along at least part of said second end portion.   
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising the step of
 vi) flattening the portion of wire between said first and said second end portions.   
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising the step of
 vii) bending said first end portion.   
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said step ii) is carried out by drawing or hammering. 
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said first diameter (d 1 ) is 2.3 millimeters and said second diameter (d 2 ) is 2 millimeters. 
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said rim attachment means comprise an outer threading. 
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said hub attachment means comprise a head. 
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said step iv) is carried out by upsetting. 
   
   
       60 . A spoked bicycle wheel comprising a hub, a rim comprising a joint zone, a plurality of spoke connections that connect the hub and the rim, and a valve fitted to the rim essentially diametrically opposite the joint zone, a mass of the valve being less than a mass of the joint zone, wherein the spoke connections comprise one spoke connection of increased mass with respect to the remaining spoke connections, arranged adjacent to the valve. 
   
   
       61 . A spoked bicycle wheel comprising a hub, a rim comprising a joint zone, a plurality of spoke connections that connect the hub and the rim, and a valve fitted to the rim not diametrically opposite the joint zone, a mass of the valve being less than a mass of the joint zone, wherein the spoke connections comprise at least one spoke connection of increased mass with respect to the remaining spoke connections, arranged on the other side of a diameter passing through the joint zone than the valve. 
   
   
       62 . A spoked bicycle wheel comprising a hub, a composite rim, a plurality of spoke connections that connect the hub and the rim, and a valve fitted to the rim, wherein the spoke connections comprise at least one spoke connection of increased mass with respect to the remaining spoke connections, arranged essentially diametrically opposite the valve. 
   
   
       63 . A spoked bicycle wheel comprising a hub, a rim comprising a joint zone, a plurality of spoke connections that connect the hub and the rim, and a valve fitted to the rim essentially diametrically opposite the joint zone, a mass of the valve being less than a mass of the joint zone, wherein the spoke connections comprise at least one spoke connection of reduced mass with respect to the remaining spoke connections, arranged adjacent the joint zone. 
   
   
       64 . A spoked bicycle wheel comprising a hub, a rim and a plurality of spoke connections that connect the hub and the rim, wherein the spoke connections are arranged to counteract an imbalance with respect to a wheel's axis of rotation, said imbalance being the result of at least one localized mass variation of the wheel. 
   
   
       65 . A spoked bicycle wheel comprising a hub, a rim and a plurality of spoke connections that connect the hub and the rim, wherein at least one of said spoke connections has a different mass than the remaining spoke connections arranged to counteract an imbalance with respect to a wheel's axis of rotation, said imbalance being the result of at least one localized mass increase of the wheel. 
   
   
       66 . A spoked bicycle wheel comprising a hub, a rim and a plurality of spoke connections that connect the hub and the rim, wherein the spoke of at least one spoke connection has a different mass than the spokes of other spoke connections and is arranged to counteract an imbalance with respect to a wheel's axis of rotation, said imbalance being the result of at least one localized mass increase of the rim. 
   
   
       67 . A spoked bicycle wheel comprising a hub, a rim and a plurality of spoke connections that connect the hub and the rim, wherein the spoke connections are arranged to counteract an imbalance with respect to a wheel's axis of rotation, said imbalance being the result of at least a first localized mass increase at a first position of the rim, and wherein said plurality of spoke connections comprises at least one spoke connection of reduced mass arranged in a half of the rim centered about said first position. 
   
   
       68 . A spoked bicycle wheel comprising a hub, a rim and a plurality of spoke connections that connect the hub and the rim, wherein the spoke connections are arranged to counteract an imbalance with respect to a wheel's axis of rotation, said imbalance being the result of at least a first localized mass increase at a first position of the rim and wherein said plurality of spoke connections comprises at least one spoke connection of increased mass arranged in the half of the rim opposite a half of the rim centered about said first position. 
   
   
       69 . A spoked bicycle wheel comprising a hub, a rim and a plurality of spoke connections that connect the hub and the rim, wherein the spoke connections are arranged to counteract an imbalance with respect to a wheel's axis of rotation, said imbalance being the result of at least a first localized mass increase at a first position of the rim and wherein said plurality of spoke connections comprises at least one spoke connection of increased mass arranged substantially diametrically opposite said first position. 
   
   
       70 . A dynamically balanced bicycle wheel comprising:
 a hub;   a rim; and,   a plurality of spoke connections connecting the hub and the rim, wherein at least one of the plurality of spoke connections has a selected mass and location that renders the bicycle wheel dynamically balanced with respect to an axis of rotation extending through the hub.   
   
   
       71 . A dynamically balanced bicycle wheel comprising:
 a hub;   a rim;   a valve;   a plurality of spokes connecting the hub and the rim; and,   a balancing element having a mass and location that renders the bicycle wheel dynamically balanced with respect to an axis of rotation extending through the hub.   
   
   
       72 . The wheel of  claim 71  wherein the balancing element is one of the plurality of spokes. 
   
   
       73 . The wheel of  claim 72  wherein the balancing spoke is of a different geometric configuration than the remainder of the plurality of spokes. 
   
   
       74 . The wheel of  claim 71  wherein the balancing element is comprised of at least two spokes of the plurality of spokes. 
   
   
       75 . The wheel of  claim 74  wherein the at least two balancing spokes of the plurality of spokes are generally adjacent the valve. 
   
   
       76 . The wheel of  claim 74  wherein the at least two balancing spokes of the plurality of spokes are of a geometric shape that is different than the remainder of the plurality of spokes. 
   
   
       77 . The wheel of  claim 71  wherein the balancing element is at least one additional spoke. 
   
   
       78 . The wheel of  claim 77  wherein the at least one additional spoke is not tensioned. 
   
   
       79 . The wheel of  claim 77  wherein the at least one additional spoke has substantially the same mass as the remainder of the plurality of spokes. 
   
   
       80 . A dynamically balanced bicycle wheel comprising:
 a hub;   a rim;   a valve;   a plurality of spokes extending between the hub and the rim;   a plurality of connectors that connect the spokes to the rim; and,   a balancing element having a mass and location that renders the bicycle wheel dynamically balanced with respect to an axis of rotation extending through the hub.   
   
   
       81 . The wheel of  claim 80  wherein the balancing element is one of the plurality of connectors. 
   
   
       82 . The wheel of  claim 80  wherein the balancing element is comprised of at least two of the plurality of connectors. 
   
   
       83 . The wheel of  claim 82  wherein the at least two balancing connectors of the plurality of connectors are located generally adjacent the valve.