U.S. patent application number 14/737548 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-17 for tubeless bicycle wheel bead lock.
The applicant listed for this patent is Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.. Invention is credited to Chuck Teixeira.
Application Number | 20150360511 14/737548 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53396347 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150360511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Teixeira; Chuck |
December 17, 2015 |
TUBELESS BICYCLE WHEEL BEAD LOCK
Abstract
A vehicle wheel comprises a wheel rim having first and second
sidewalls defining a rim trough, a tire having a tire bead
positioned in the rim trough in engagement with the first sidewall,
and a bead lock positioned in the rim trough adjacent the tire
bead. The bead lock is movable between a locked position and an
unlocked position. The bead lock includes an actuator positioned in
the opening and including an exposed portion accessible from
outside the wheel. The bead lock can further include a band
positioned in the rim trough and including two free ends movable
relative to each other. The bead lock can further include a
tightening mechanism secured to the two free ends. For example, the
tightening mechanism can include a winch and a cable wrapped around
the winch and secured to one of the free ends.
Inventors: |
Teixeira; Chuck; (Bonny
Doon, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. |
Morgan Hill |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53396347 |
Appl. No.: |
14/737548 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62011384 |
Jun 12, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
152/544 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60B 2900/523 20130101;
B60B 21/125 20130101; B60C 29/02 20130101; B60Y 2200/13 20130101;
B60C 15/0213 20130101; B60C 2200/12 20130101; B60C 15/028
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60B 21/12 20060101
B60B021/12; B60C 29/02 20060101 B60C029/02 |
Claims
1. A vehicle wheel comprising: a wheel rim having first and second
sidewalls defining a rim trough and an opening extending through a
portion of the wheel rim; a tire having a tire bead positioned in
the rim trough in engagement with the first sidewall; and a bead
lock positioned in the rim trough adjacent the tire bead, wherein
the bead lock is movable between a locked position in which the
bead lock substantially inhibits movement of the tire bead away
from the first sidewall and an unlocked position in which the bead
lock permits movement of the tire bead away from the first
sidewall, and wherein the bead lock includes an actuator positioned
in the opening and including a portion accessible from outside the
rim.
2. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tire includes
two beads and the bead lock further includes two bands positioned
in the rim trough and spaced from each other, each band including
two free ends movable relative to each other and each band being
positioned to substantially inhibit movement one of the tire beads
away from one of the sidewalls.
3. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bead lock
further includes a band positioned in the rim trough and including
two free ends movable relative to each other.
4. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the band includes
a side edge engaged with the tire bead, wherein the side edge
include a cut out that creates a recessed edge that is not engaged
with the tire bead.
5. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bead lock
further comprises a tightening mechanism secured to the two free
ends.
6. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tightening
mechanism includes a winch and a cable wrapped around the winch and
secured to one of the free ends.
7. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the winch is
coupled for rotation with the actuator.
8. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is
mounted for rotation relative to the rim, and wherein the wheel
further includes a seal between the actuator and the rim to inhibit
the passage of gas between the actuator and the rim.
9. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator
comprises: a tubular member having a hollow interior; and a valve
mechanism positioned in the hollow interior to control the passage
of gas into and out of an interior volume defined by the tire and
the rim.
10. A vehicle wheel adapted to receive a tire having a tire bead,
the vehicle wheel comprising: a wheel rim having first and second
sidewalls defining a rim trough and an opening extending through a
portion of the wheel rim; and a bead lock positioned in the rim
trough adjacent but spaced from the tire bead, wherein the bead
lock is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position,
and wherein the bead lock includes an actuator capable for moving
the bead lock from the unlocked position to the locked position,
wherein the actuator is at least partially positioned in the
opening and includes a portion accessible from outside the rim.
11. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bead lock
further includes two bands positioned in the rim trough and spaced
from each other, each band including two free ends movable relative
to each other.
12. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bead lock
further includes a band positioned in the rim trough and including
two free ends movable relative to each other.
13. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 12, wherein the band
includes a side edge having a cut out that creates a recessed
edge.
14. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 12, wherein the bead lock
further comprises a tightening mechanism secured to the two free
ends.
15. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 14, wherein the tightening
mechanism includes a winch and a cable wrapped around the winch and
secured to one of the free ends.
16. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 15, wherein the winch is
coupled for rotation with the actuator.
17. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 10, wherein the actuator is
mounted for rotation relative to the rim, and wherein the wheel
further includes a seal between the actuator and the rim to inhibit
the passage of gas between the actuator and the rim.
18. A vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 10, wherein the actuator
comprises: a tubular member having a hollow interior; and a valve
mechanism positioned in the hollow interior to control the passage
of gas through the tubular member.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates generally to bicycle wheels,
and particularly to a system for locking a tire bead into
engagement with a bicycle rim.
[0002] Pneumatic bicycle wheels commonly include a hub, spokes
extending radially from the hub, a rim secured to the outer ends of
the spokes, and a tire mounted on the rim. While many bicycle
wheels include an inner tube between the tire and rim for holding
pressurized air, some bicycle rims eliminate the inner tube and
instead create a sealed chamber between the tire and the rim. In
order to create such a "tubeless" wheel, it is important to have an
airtight seal between the tire bead and the sidewalls of the rim.
In tubeless wheels, the internal air pressure presses and holds the
tire bead in engagement with the rim.
[0003] In order to create a proper seal in a tubeless wheel, a
precise fit is desired between the tire bead and the rim. Some rims
use a small lip to keep the tire in place. The standard fit between
a tubeless tire and a rim works well under easy riding with medium
to high tire pressures. This system, however, will not work well
under extreme cornering loads or when tire pressures are low. High
cornering loads can cause the tire bead to stretch and lift off of
the rim's bead seat and cause air to escape, or completely jump off
the rim in extreme conditions. Low tire pressures are often
desirable on bicycles for maximum traction and smoother riding
experiences. However, such low-pressure tires have been known to
lose pressure when the tire bead separates from the rim because
there is insufficient air pressure holding the tire bead in
place.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention provides a vehicle wheel comprising a
wheel rim having first and second sidewalls defining a rim trough
and an opening extending through a portion of the wheel rim, a tire
having a tire bead positioned in the rim trough in engagement with
the first sidewall, and a bead lock positioned in the rim trough
adjacent the tire bead. The bead lock is movable between a locked
position in which the bead lock substantially inhibits movement of
the tire bead away from the first sidewall and an unlocked position
in which the bead lock permits movement of the tire bead away from
the first sidewall. The bead lock includes an actuator positioned
in the opening and including an exposed portion accessible from
outside the rim.
[0005] In one embodiment, the bead lock further includes a band
positioned in the rim trough and including two free ends movable
relative to each other. The band can include a side edge engageable
with the tire bead, and the side edge can include a cut out that
creates a recessed edge that is not engageable with the tire bead.
For a wider rim, the bead lock can include two bands positioned in
the rim trough and spaced from each other, each band being
positioned to substantially inhibit movement of a tire bead away
from one of the sidewalls.
[0006] The bead lock can further include a tightening mechanism
secured to the two free ends. For example, the tightening mechanism
can include a winch and a cable wrapped around the winch and
secured to one of the free ends. Preferably, the winch is coupled
for rotation with the actuator. In order to inhibit loss of
pressurized gas, the wheel can further include a seal between the
actuator and the rim. In order to facilitate insertion of
pressurized gas into the wheel, the actuator can comprise a tubular
member having a hollow interior and a valve mechanism positioned in
the hollow interior to control the passage of gas into and out of
an interior volume defined by the tire and the rim. This
arrangement avoids the need for a separate tire inflation
valve.
[0007] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a bicycle having wheels embodying the
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rim and tire of one of
the wheels from FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rim and tire of FIG. 2
with the tire exploded off the rim.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the tire and rim of FIG.
3.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross section of the wheel taken along line 5-5
in FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross section of the wheel taken along line 6-6
in FIG. 2 with a locking mechanism in a locked position.
[0014] FIG. 7 is the cross section of FIG. 6 in perspective with
the locking mechanism in an unlocked position.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross section similar to FIG. 5 and showing an
alternative recessed arrangement for the locking mechanism.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates a rim and tire that is a third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a cross section taken along line 11-11 of FIG.
10.
[0019] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the upper part of FIG.
11.
[0020] FIG. 13 is an enlarged of the lower part of FIG. 11.
[0021] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a bicycle 10 that includes a front wheel 15, a
rear wheel 20, and a frame 25. The frame 25 has a head tube 30, a
front fork 35 rotationally supported by the head tube 30, a top
tube 40 connected to and extending rearward from the head tube 30,
and a down tube 45 connected to the head tube 30 below the top tube
40 and extending generally downward toward a bottom bracket (not
shown) of the frame 25. A seat tube 50 extends upward from the
bottom bracket and is connected to the top tube 40, and a seat 55
is supported by the seat tube 50. The bicycle 10 also includes a
handlebar 60 for turning the front wheel 15 via the fork 35, and a
rear frame triangle 65 that supports the rear wheel 20. Each wheel
15, 20 includes a hub 70, a rim 75 supported by the hub 70 via
spokes 80 (or other reinforcement members), and a tire 85 that is
attached to the rim 75.
[0023] FIGS. 2-7 illustrate the rim 75 and tire 85 of the front and
rear wheel in more detail. Specifically, the illustrated rim 75
includes first and second sidewalls 90,92 defining a rim trough 94
and an opening 96 extending through a portion of the wheel rim 75.
The tire 85 has first and second tire beads 100,102 positioned in
the rim trough 94 in engagement with the first and second sidewalls
90,92, respectively (see, e.g., FIGS. 6 and 7).
[0024] The illustrated wheel further includes a bead lock 104
positioned in the rim trough 94 adjacent the tire beads 100,102.
The illustrated bead lock 104 includes an open-ended band 106
positioned in the trough 94 and including two free ends 108. The
illustrated band 106 is made from a springy material that has
memory (e.g., plastic, reinforced plastic, composite, spring steel,
etc.) and is movable between a locked position (with the free ends
108 pulled close together) and an unlocked position (with the free
ends 108 permitted to spring further apart). The band 106 is
configured to have a static (unstressed) shape that is larger in
diameter than the diameter of the rim trough 94 so that the band
106 will be biased from the locked position toward the unlock
position. In the locked position, the band 106 is nestled into the
rim trough 94 and substantially inhibits movement of the tire beads
100,102 away from the sidewalls 90,92. In the unlocked position,
the band 106 springs out of the rim trough 94 and permits movement
of the tire beads 100,102 away from the sidewalls 90,92. For
example, in the illustrated embodiment, the band 106 includes first
and second side edges 112,114 that are engageable with the first
and second tire beads 100,102, respectively, when the band 106 is
in the locked position (FIG. 6). The first and second side edges
112,114 are disengageable with the first and second tire beads
100,102 when the band 106 is in the unlocked position (FIG. 7).
[0025] The bead lock 104 further includes a tightening mechanism
configured to selectively move the free ends 108 toward each other.
The illustrated tightening mechanism includes a winch 118 and two
cables 120 wrapped around the winch 118. One end of each cable 120
is secured to one of the free ends 108 of the band 106. The winch
118 is secured to an actuator 122 that is mounted for rotation in
the opening 96 of the rim 75. An exposed portion 124 of the
actuator 122 extends through the rim 75, has flat sides 121, and is
accessible from outside the rim. That is, the flats 121 of the
actuator 122 can be engaged (e.g., by a wrench or other appropriate
tool) from outside an interior volume 126 defined by the rim 75 and
tire 85. Two seals 127 between the actuator 122 and the rim 75
inhibit the passage of gas between the actuator 122 and the rim 75.
A nut 129 secures the actuator 122 to the rim 75.
[0026] By virtue of this arrangement, the winch 118 can be rotated
to tightened the cables 120 and move the band 106 to the locked
position to hold the tire beads 100,102 in engagement with the
sidewalls 90,92. When it is desired to remove the tire 85 from the
rim 75, the winch 118 can be rotated in the opposite direction to
loosen the cables 120, which allows the band 106 to spring from the
locked position to the unlocked position. This arrangement
facilitates movement of the band 106 into the tire when the cables
120 are released, thereby making tire installation and removal
easier.
[0027] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the exposed
portion of the actuator 123 could be recessed within the rim yet
still be accessible. For example, the exposed portion could include
a shaft with a hex socket 125 designed to receive an allen wrench
for rotating the actuator. In this alternative embodiment, the
actuator 123 can be hollow (e.g., to reduce weight and to
facilitate insertion of air into the tire), but also require some
means for preventing loss of air from the tire, such as a valve
mechanism.
[0028] The illustrated actuator 122 is made from a tubular member
having a hollow interior 128. A valve mechanism 130 is positioned
in the hollow interior to control the passage of gas into and out
of an interior volume 126. By virtue of this construction, the
actuator 122 can be used as a passage for inserting air into the
wheel, and the valve mechanism 130 will inhibit escape of
pressurized air from the wheel unless manually released.
[0029] A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG.
8 and includes a band 140 having side edges 142 with cut outs that
create a recessed edge 144 that is spaced from the tire bead when
the band 140 is in the locked position. These recessed edges 144
create portions of the tire beads 100,102 that are not covered by
the band 140. These uncovered portions of the tire bead are
therefore subjected to air pressure from the pressurized air in the
tire, which presses the tire bead against the rim 146. The recessed
edges 144 also provide a convenient place to insert tire tools when
changing a tire. That is, the recessed edges 144 allow the tire
tool to be used to push on the tire 85 from the outside into a
recessed edge and lift the tire 85 off the rim 146.
[0030] A third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated
in FIGS. 9-13. This embodiment is particularly useful on wide rims.
The third embodiment includes two bands 150 positioned in the rim
trough 152 and spaced from each other. As with the
previously-described bands, each band 150 includes two free ends
movable relative to each other, and each band 150 is positioned to
substantially inhibit movement one of the tire beads 154 away from
one of the sidewalls 156 of the rim 158. Each band 150 includes a
corresponding tightening mechanism 160 for moving the band 150
between the locked and unlocked positions. Preferably, the two
tightening mechanisms 160 are positioned on opposing parts of the
wheel so that the rim 158 stays balanced.
[0031] Various features and advantages of the invention are set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *