The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 06, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 29, 1998
Shimano Inc., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A bicycle wheel basically has a hub, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub and an annular rim coupled to the outer ends of the spokes for supporting a tire. The annular rim has a spoke attachment portion with a plurality of openings for receiving the outer ends of the spokes therein. In the most preferred embodiment, the bicycle wheel is a one-piece, unitary wheel. Preferably, the one-piece, unitary bicycle wheel of the present invention is produced by die-casting. The preferred material for bicycle wheel of the present invention is magnesium (Mg). A centrally located rib portion is located between adjacent spoke portions and to reinforce the rim portion between spokes. Rib portions extend radially inwardly from the inner peripheral surface of rim portion. Preferably, the middle segment of each of the rib portions has a radial height that is approximately equal to the base rim height plus more than half of the base rim height. The shapes of spoke portions are designed to absorb the vibrations from the ground as it is being used in the bicycle. This shock absorbing function is enhanced by the use of magnesium for the wheel.