Spoke positioning and placing apparatus and method of positioning and placing one or more spokes relative to rim of bicycle wheel

Abstract

A spoke positioning and placing apparatus and a method of positioning and placing one or more spokes relative to a rim of a bicycle wheel. The spoke positioning and placing apparatus comprises rim manipulating means for manipulating a rim of a bicycle wheel and spoke manipulating means for manipulating spokes, the rim manipulating means and the spoke manipulating means being arranged to: perform a coordinated operation of positioning one or more spokes relative to the rim, wherein the spoke manipulation device is arranged to engage and bend spokes attached on a first side to an upper flange or a lower flange of a hub of a bicycle wheel; and then positioning the end portion of the spoke opposite the first side of the upper or lower flange attached to the hub of the bicycle wheel in front of a selected spoke hole in the rim; and releasing the spokes and positioning said end portions of the spokes into selected spoke holes of the rim wherein the apparatus is arranged to hold the rim in a horizontal plane and the apparatus comprises a vertically movable hub support that supports the hub at a desired height relative to the rim.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a spoke positioning and placement device, which includes a rim manipulation device for manipulating the rim of a bicycle wheel and a spoke manipulation device for manipulating the spokes, the rim manipulation device and the spoke manipulation device being arranged to: perform coordinated operations for positioning one or more spokes relative to the rim, wherein the spoke manipulation device is arranged to engage and bend a spoke, which is attached to an upper flange or a lower flange of a hub of a bicycle wheel on a first side; and subsequently position an end portion of the spoke opposite to the first side attached to the upper flange or the lower flange of the hub of the bicycle wheel in front of a selected spoke hole in the rim; and relax the spoke and position the end portion of the spoke into the selected spoke hole of the rim. Background Art

[0002] WO 2007 / 040386 discloses such a spoke positioning and placement device. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a spoke positioning and placement device that can completely, automatically and accurately assemble one spoke or a plurality of spokes at a time to the rim of a bicycle wheel.

[0004] A disadvantage of the known device is that it is only capable of placing a single spoke at a time and although the document mentions several spoke clamps, no working disclosure is provided on how these multiple spoke clamps can be operated to enable the placement of several spokes at a time.

[0005] Basically, the object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which the assembly of a spoked wheel can be carried out easily, quickly and reliably.

[0006] According to the present invention, a spoke positioning and placement device is proposed, which has the features of one or more of the various aspects of the present application.

[0007] In the device of the invention, the device is arranged to hold the rim in a horizontal plane and comprises a vertically movable hub support for supporting the hub at a desired height relative to the rim. This provides the possibility to optimally position the hub during the spoke placement process and hand the spokes to the spoke handling device so that the device can handle the spokes at an optimal angle for placing them in selected spoke holes of the rim.

[0008] It has been found to be advantageous if the vertically movable hub support is arranged to move the hub to a height which depends on whether the spokes manipulated by the spoke manipulation device are connected to the upper flange or to the lower flange of the hub.

[0009] Preferably, the vertically movable hub support is arranged to keep the spokes manipulated by the spoke manipulation device and connected to the upper flange of the hub or to the lower flange of the hub substantially below the rim (through the horizontal plane of the rim).

[0010] In particular, it is preferred that the vertically movable hub support is arranged to operate the hub to a height where the upper flange is located below the rim when the spoke operating device operates the spokes connected to the upper flange of the hub. Conversely, it is preferred that the vertically movable hub support is arranged to operate the hub to a height where the upper flange is located above the rim when the spoke operating device operates the spokes connected to the lower flange of the hub.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the spoke handling device is equipped with a sensor, said spoke handling device also being equipped with a spoke gripper to engage the spoke, wherein, during use, the spoke gripper is actuated based on a signal received from the sensor. The sensor may be implemented in a foot pedal that is actuated by the operator when the spoke is in the correct position. However, preferably, the sensor is used to detect the spoke without human intervention, so that full automation can be achieved, thereby avoiding all human assistance during the operation of the device. This can be achieved, for example, by using a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) that receives the signal from the sensor and converts it into a drive signal for the spoke gripper.

[0012] Suitably, at least a part of the spoke handling device, preferably the spoke clamp, is movable for bending the spoke clamped by the spoke clamp. There are actually several options to automatically bend the spoke, one of which is to move the complete spoke handling device, but more clever and enabling faster operation is to only need to move the spoke clamp that has engaged the spoke. It is clear to the skilled person that the movement of the spoke handling device or the spoke clamp can be achieved in very different embodiments, noting by using, for example, electric actuators or hydraulic actuators or pneumatic actuators.

[0013] It is further preferred that the spoke handling device is mounted on a carriage that can move along the guide. This enables the position / orientation of the spoke handling device to be switched to accommodate different spokes that are respectively connected to opposite flanges of the hub.

[0014] Further suitably, at least a portion of the spoke handling device, preferably the spoke clamp, is moveable for moving the end portion of the bent spoke in front of and in line with a selected spoke hole of the rim.

[0015] It is further preferred that the spoke handling device, preferably the spoke clamp, is movable for relaxing the bent spoke and moving said end portion of the relaxed spoke into and through a selected spoke hole of the rim.

[0016] Advantageously, the device of the invention comprises at least one screwdriver for screwing the nipple onto a selected spoke placed into and through a selected spoke hole of the rim in order to fasten the spoke to the rim.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of spoke manipulation devices and corresponding a plurality of screwdrivers for placing the joints on the spokes. Since the apparatus of the present invention excludes the involvement of an operator, this opens the way for further increasing the operating speed by utilizing a plurality of spoke manipulation devices and corresponding screwdrivers.

[0018] As already mentioned, the present invention is also embodied in a method for positioning and placing a spoke or spokes relative to the rim of a bicycle wheel. In the method of the present invention, the following steps are performed:

[0019] - Position the rim horizontally,

[0020] - engaging and bending a spoke, the spoke being attached on a first side to an upper flange or a lower flange of a hub of a bicycle wheel,

[0021] - with the spokes connected to the upper flange of the hub, positioning the hub at a height where the upper flange of the hub is below the rim, or,

[0022] - with the spokes connected to the lower flange of the hub, positioning the hub at a height where the upper flange of the hub is above the rim,

[0023] - positioning an end portion of the spoke opposite the first side of the spoke attached to the hub of the bicycle wheel in front of a selected spoke hole in the rim,

[0024] - Unwinding the spokes and positioning said end portions of the spokes into and through selected spoke holes of the rim.

[0025] The spokes are then appropriately positioned so that the operation can be completed by threading the nipples onto the spokes placed in and through the selected spoke holes of the rim. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, and illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and are used to explain the principles of the present invention together with the description. The accompanying drawings are only used to illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the present invention.

[0027] In the attached picture:

[0028] - Figures 1A to 1C The apparatus of the invention is shown in isometric, plan and side views respectively, when operating on a spoke connected to the upper flange of the hub of a spoked wheel;

[0029] - FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C The apparatus of the invention is shown in isometric, plan and side views respectively, when operating on a spoke connected to the lower flange of the hub of a spoked wheel;

[0030] - Figure 3A The operating steps of the apparatus of the present invention are shown in side view, wherein the gripper engages the detected spoke;

[0031] - Figure 3B The operating step of the apparatus of the invention is shown in side view, wherein the gripper is in an intermediate stage of bending the engaged spokes;

[0032] - Figure 3C The clamp is shown in side view having inserted and passed the engaged spoke through the spoke hole in the rim of the bicycle wheel, and the screwdriver is screwing the nipple onto the spoke inserted and placed through the spoke hole in the rim of the bicycle wheel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Whenever the same reference numbers are used in the drawings, they refer to the same parts.

[0034] Reference Figures 1A to 1C and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C , which shows a spoke positioning and placement device 1 comprising a rim manipulation device 2 arranged for manipulating a rim 3 of a bicycle wheel 4. The embodiment shown in the figure is provided with two spoke manipulation devices 5, each of which is equipped for manipulating a spoke 6. It is also possible for only a single spoke manipulation device 5 or for more than two spoke manipulation devices 5 to be present.

[0035] Figures 1A to 1C and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C It is also shown that the device 1 includes two screwdrivers 10 to match the number of spoke handling devices 5. It is also possible to have only a single screwdriver 10, which is used to connect the connector 11 (see Figure 3C) is screwed onto a selected spoke 6 placed in and through a selected spoke hole 9 of the rim 3 so as to fasten the spoke 6 to the rim 3. As mentioned: In the embodiment shown, the apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of spoke manipulation devices 5 and a corresponding plurality of screwdrivers 10 for placing the nipples on the spokes 6.

[0036] Figures 1A to 1C and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C The difference between Figures 1A to 1C In the embodiment, the spoke 6 to be manipulated is connected to the upper flange 15 of the hub 4, and in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C In the embodiment of the present invention, the spoke 6 to be manipulated is connected to the lower flange 16 of the hub 4. In this connection, the device 1 is provided with the feature of a vertically movable hub support 17 for supporting the hub 4 at a desired height relative to the rim 3.

[0037] Figures 1A to 1C and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C A comparison of the figures clearly shows that the vertically movable hub support 17 is arranged to move the hub 4 to a height depending on whether the spokes 6 manipulated by the spoke manipulation device 5 are connected to the upper flange 15 of the hub 4 or to the lower flange 16 of the hub 4. However, in all cases, the vertically movable hub support 17 is arranged to substantially keep the spokes 6 manipulated by the spoke manipulation device 5 and connected to the upper flange 15 of the hub 4 or to the lower flange 16 of the hub 4 below the rim 3.

[0038] Figures 1A to 1C It is shown that the vertically movable hub support 17 is arranged to operate the hub 4 to a height where the upper flange 15 is located below the rim 3 when the spoke manipulation device 5 manipulates the spokes 6 connected to the upper flange 15 of the hub 4 - see the relative position of the movable hub support 17 relative to the reference line 18.

[0039] on the contrary, FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C The vertically movable hub support 17 is shown arranged to operate the hub 4 to a height where the upper flange 15 is located above the rim 3 when the spoke manipulation device 5 manipulates the spokes 6 connected to the lower flange 16 of the hub 4 - again comparing the position of the movable hub support 17 with the reference line 18.

[0040] Figures 1A to 1C and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C The spoke handling device 5 is also shown mounted on a carriage 13 movable along the guide 12. This arrangement is used to switch the position / orientation of the spoke handling device 5 to accommodate different spokes 6 connected to opposite flanges 15, 16 of the hub 4, respectively. Figure 1C The spoke handling device 5 is shown engaged with the spoke 6 attached to the upper flange 15 of the hub 4, while Figure 2CThe spoke handling device 5 is shown engaged with the spoke 6 attached to the lower flange 16 of the hub 4 .

[0041] The rim handling device 2 and each spoke handling device 5 are arranged to perform coordinated operations for positioning the spoke or spokes 6 relative to the rim 3 as described in detail below.

[0042] The spoke handling device 5 is arranged to engage the spoke 6, such as Figure 3A The spokes 6 are attached to the hub 4 of the bicycle wheel at a first side, which is also necessary to be able to perform bending operations on the spokes 6 .

[0043] Figure 3A as well as Figures 1A to 1C and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C It is also depicted that the spoke operating device 5 is equipped with a sensor 7. Figure 1A and Figure 2A As shown in FIG. 1 , the sensor 7 is implemented in the spoke catcher 14 for automatic detection of the spokes, but the sensor may also be implemented in other ways, such as in a foot pedal that can be actuated by the operator. Figures 1A to 1C and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C It is also shown that the spoke handling device 5 is equipped with a spoke clamp 8 for engaging the spoke 6 , and wherein during use the spoke clamp 8 is actuated based on a signal received from the sensor 7 .

[0044] Figure 3B It is depicted that at least a portion of the spoke handling device 5, preferably the spoke clamp 8, is movable to bend the spoke 6 after the spoke 6 is clamped by the spoke clamp 8. This is accomplished by Figure 3A (no bend) with Figure 3B (Bend in the middle) is used for comparison to illustrate.

[0045] After the spoke clamp 8 has engaged and bent the spoke 6, the next action is to position the end portion 6' of the spoke 6 opposite the first side attached to the hub 4 of the bicycle wheel (in this case: the upper flange 15 of the hub 4) in front of the selected spoke hole 9 in the rim 3, as shown in FIG. Figure 3C as shown in .

[0046] After the end portion 6' of the spoke 6 is positioned in front of the selected spoke hole 9 in the rim 3, the spoke 6 can be loosened to position the end portion 6' of the spoke 6 into and through the selected spoke hole 9 of the rim 3. Therefore, at least a portion of the spoke handling device 5, preferably the spoke clamp 8, is movable not only for moving the end portion 6' of the bent spoke 6 in front of and in line with the selected spoke hole 9 of the rim 3, but also for loosening the bent spoke 6 and moving the end portion 6' of the loosened spoke 6 into and through the selected spoke hole 9 of the rim 3, as shown in FIG. Figure 3C As shown in the figure.

[0047] Figure 3C Finally, the operation of the screwdriver 10 is shown, which screws the nipple 11 onto the spoke 6 placed in and through the selected spoke hole 9 of the rim 3 .

[0048] Embodiments of the present invention may include every combination of features disclosed herein independently of one another. Although the present invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this particular embodiment, which may be varied in many ways without departing from the present invention. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments discussed should not be used to strictly interpret the appended claims accordingly. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended only to interpret the wording of the appended claims, and are not intended to limit the claims to the exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted only in accordance with the appended claims, wherein the exemplary embodiments should be used to resolve possible ambiguities in the wording of the claims.

[0049] Variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents in the appended claims. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are incorporated herein by reference. Unless specifically stated as "essential" above, the various components or the interrelationships of the various components are not essential for the operation of the present invention. On the contrary, the desired results can be achieved by replacing the various components and / or reconfiguring the relationships between the various components.

[0050] Optionally, embodiments of the present invention may include a general-purpose computer or a special-purpose computer or a distributed system programmed with computer software that implements the above method steps, and the computer software may use any appropriate computer language, including but not limited to C++, FORTRAN, ALGOL, BASIC, Java, Python, Linux, assembly language, microcode, distributed programming language, etc. The device may also include multiple such computers / distributed systems (e.g., connected via the Internet and / or one or more intranets) in various hardware implementations.

Claims

1. A spoke positioning and placement device (1), comprising a rim manipulation device (2) for manipulating a rim (3) of a bicycle wheel (4) and a spoke manipulation device (5) for manipulating spokes (6), the rim manipulation device (2) and the spoke manipulation device (5) being arranged to perform coordinated operations for positioning a spoke (6) or a plurality of spokes relative to the rim (3), wherein: The spoke handling device (5) is arranged to engage and bend a spoke (6) which is attached on a first side to an upper flange (15) or a lower flange (16) of a hub (4) of the bicycle wheel; and subsequently position an end portion (6') of the spoke (6) opposite to the first side attached to the upper flange (15) or the lower flange (16) of the hub of the bicycle wheel in front of a selected spoke hole (9) in the rim (3); and relax the spoke (6) and position the end portion (6') of the spoke (6) into the selected spoke hole (9) of the rim (3), characterized in that the apparatus (1) is arranged to maintain the rim (3) in a horizontal plane and comprises a vertically movable hub support (17) for supporting the hub (4) at a desired height relative to the rim (3).

2. The spoke positioning and placement device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vertically movable hub support (17) is arranged to move the hub (4) to a height depending on whether the spokes (6) manipulated by the spoke manipulation device (5) are connected to the upper flange (15) or the lower flange (16) of the hub (4).

3. The spoke positioning and placement device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The vertically movable hub support (17) is arranged to keep the spokes (6) manipulated by the spoke manipulation device (5) and connected to the upper flange (15) of the hub (4) or to the lower flange (16) of the hub (4) substantially below the horizontal plane passing through the rim (3).

4. The spoke positioning and placement device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The vertically movable hub support (17) is arranged to operate the hub (4) to a height where the upper flange (15) is located below the rim (3) when the spoke operating device (5) operates the spokes (6) connected to the upper flange (15) of the hub (4).

5. The spoke positioning and placement device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The vertically movable hub support (17) is arranged to operate the hub (4) to a height where the upper flange (15) is located above the rim (3) when the spoke operating device (5) operates the spokes (6) connected to the lower flange (16) of the hub (4).

6. The spoke positioning and placement device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The spoke handling device (5) is provided with a sensor (7), the spoke handling device (5) is also provided with a spoke clamp (8) to engage the spoke (6), wherein during use, the spoke clamp (8) is actuated based on a signal received from the sensor (7).

7. The spoke positioning and placement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that At least a portion of the spoke handling device (5), preferably the spoke clamp (8), is movable for bending the spoke (6) clamped by the spoke clamp (8).

8. The spoke positioning and placement device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that At least a portion of the spoke handling device (5), preferably the spoke clamp (8), is movable for moving the end portion (6') of the bent spoke (6) in front of and in line with a selected spoke hole (9) of the rim (3).

9. The spoke positioning and placement device according to claim 8, characterized in that The spoke handling device (5), preferably the spoke clamp (8), is movable for relaxing the bent spoke (6) and moving the end portion (6') of the relaxed spoke (6) into and through the selected spoke hole (9) of the rim (3).

10. The spoke positioning and placement device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The spoke manipulating device (5) is mounted on a carriage (13) which is movable along a guide member (12).

11. A spoke positioning and placing device according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The device (1) comprises at least one screwdriver (10) for screwing a connector (11) onto a selected spoke (6) placed in and through the selected spoke hole (9) of the rim (3) so as to fasten the spoke (6) to the rim (3).

12. The spoke positioning and placement device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The device (1) comprises a plurality of spoke handling devices (5) and correspondingly a plurality of screwdrivers (10) for placing joints (11) on spokes (6).

13. A method for positioning and placing a spoke (6) or a plurality of spokes relative to a rim (3) of a bicycle wheel (4), characterized by the following steps: - horizontally positioning the rim (3), - engaging and bending a spoke (6) which is attached on a first side to an upper flange (15) or a lower flange (16) of a hub (4) of the bicycle wheel, - with the spokes (6) connected to the upper flange (15) of the hub (4), positioning the hub (4) at a height where the upper flange (15) of the hub (4) is located below the rim (3), or, - positioning the hub (4) at a height where the upper flange (15) of the hub (4) is located above the rim (3) with the spokes (6) connected to the lower flange (16) of the hub (4), - positioning the end portion (6') of the spoke (6) opposite the first side of the spoke (6) attached to the hub (4) of the bicycle wheel in front of a selected spoke hole (9) in the rim (3), - Unwinding the spoke (6) and positioning the end portion (6') of the spoke (6) into and through the selected spoke hole (9) of the rim (3).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The nipple (11) is screwed onto the spoke (6) placed in and through the selected spoke hole (9) of the rim (3).

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