Force distribution device for a bicycle wheel spoke

Abstract

A force distribution device (54) for a bicycle wheel spoke (50) having a spoke head (50b), the device (54) comprising: a force distribution body (58) having a first surface (62) located at a free end and a second surface (66) disposed on an opposite side to the first surface (62); wherein the first surface (62) has the shape of a truncated sphere and is designed to transmit the force to be distributed; and wherein the force distribution body (58) has a spoke receiving opening (70) extending through the first surface (62), characterized in that a contact surface (50c) of the spoke head (50b) and the second surface (66) form a ball joint when the spoke (50) is mounted.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to bicycle wheels, and in particular to a force distribution device for a bicycle wheel spoke.

[0002] A typical bicycle wheel includes a hub rotatably mounted about a hub axle, an annular rim structured to support a tire, and a plurality of spokes connecting the hub to the rim. The hub typically includes a pair of spaced-apart hub flanges, each hub flange having a plurality of circumferentially arranged openings. The wheel rim also includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged openings. Each spoke typically has an enlarged head at one end and a threaded shank at the other end. The spoke extends through a corresponding opening in one of the hub flanges and through a corresponding opening in the wheel rim until the head abuts the hub flange.The spoke is attached to the wheel rim by means of a threaded nut that is screwed onto the threaded shaft and rests against the wheel rim.

[0003] Efforts in the development of spoke-connected wheel hubs and rims are aimed at reducing stress peaks, often through force distribution devices. Examples of known force distribution devices are described in DE 203 13 846 U1, DE 196 21 121 A1, DE 601 01 980 T2, WO 2006 / 070 415 A1, EP 1 209 006 A1, and WO 00 / 06 319 A1.

[0004] The invention relates to various features of a force distribution device for a bicycle wheel spoke. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a force distribution device that can provide improved force distribution at a connection point between a spoke and a hub flange. This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject matter of the subclaims.

[0005] Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a specific embodiment of a bicycle wheel hub, with a spoke and a force distribution device mounted on a hub flange in the rest position; Fig. Figure 2 is a more detailed perspective view showing the relationship of the hub flange, spoke, and force distribution device; Fig. 3A is a front perspective view of the force distribution device; Fig. 3B is a rear perspective view of the force distribution device; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a force distribution device; Fig. 5 is a view along line 5-5 in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a side view showing a plurality of spokes mounted on a hub flange of the wheel hub of a bicycle using the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 illustrated alternative force distribution device; Fig. 7A is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a force distribution device; Fig. 7B is a rear perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a force distribution device; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view, similar Fig. 5, another alternative embodiment of a force distribution device; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a force distribution device; Fig. 10 is a view along line 10-10 in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a side view showing a plurality of spokes mounted on a hub flange of the wheel hub of a bicycle using the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 illustrated alternative force distribution device; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a force distribution device; Fig. 13 is a view along line 13-13 in Fig. 12; and Fig. 14 is a side view showing a plurality of spokes mounted on a hub flange of the wheel hub of a bicycle using the Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 shown alternative force distribution device.

[0006] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle wheel hub 10 including a hollow hub body 14, a first hub flange assembly 18, a second hub flange assembly 22, and a brake rotor mounting assembly 26. The first hub flange assembly 18 includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged and radially extending hub flanges 18a, each of which includes a first spoke mounting opening 30 and a second spoke mounting opening 34. Each first spoke mounting opening 30 includes a clockwise contact surface 30a, and each second spoke mounting opening 34 includes a counterclockwise contact surface 34a. Similarly, the second hub flange unit 22 includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged and radially extending hub flanges 22a, each of which has a first spoke mounting opening 38 and a second spoke mounting opening 42.Each first spoke mounting opening 38 includes a counterclockwise contact surface 38a, and each second spoke mounting opening 42 includes a clockwise contact surface 42a. The brake rotor mounting unit 26 includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged spline teeth 46 used to mount a conventional disc brake rotor.

[0007] Fig. 1 shows a spoke 50 mounted on a hub flange 22 in a rest position. As in Fig. 2, a spoke 50 includes an elongated spoke body 50a and a spoke head 50b, with a spoke body 50a extending through a first opening 38 in the hub flange 22a. In this embodiment, a spoke head 50b includes a contact surface 50c in the shape of a truncated hemisphere. A force distribution device in the form of a force distribution element 54 is disposed between the contact surface 38a of the hub flange 22a and the contact surface 50c of the spoke 50.

[0008] As in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, a force distribution element 54 includes a force distribution body 58 having the shape of a truncated sphere. As used herein, the term "truncated sphere shape" has the meaning of "having substantially the shape of a truncated sphere," such as substantially the shape of a hemisphere, such as substantially the shape of a frustum of a sphere, such as substantially the shape of a frustum of a hemisphere, such as substantially the shape of a frustum of a hollow hemisphere, and optionally, a true frustum of a hollow hemisphere. The word "sphere," when applied to a hollow or solid, convex or concave object, has the usual definition of a three-dimensional surface in which all points are substantially equidistant from a fixed point.The word "truncated" in the context of a geometric object usually means that the vertex is truncated, preferably, but not necessarily, by a plane cut.

[0009] The force transfer body 58 has a convex, free-ended first surface 62, a concave second surface 66 located on a side opposite the first surface 62, and a centrally located spoke-receiving opening 70 extending through a first surface 62 and a second surface 66. A circular leading edge 74 is formed at the junction of the first surface 62 and the spoke-receiving opening 70, and an annular, flat trailing edge 78 is formed at the rear of the force distribution body 58. A cylindrical inner transition surface 82 is formed between the leading edge 74 and the second surface 66, and a cylindrical outer transition surface 86 is formed between the first surface 62 and the trailing edge 78.As a result of the previously described structures, the first surface 62 and the second surface 66 each have a substantially truncated sphere shape, such as a substantially hemisphere shape, such as a substantially frustum of a sphere, such as a substantially frustum of a hemisphere shape, and optionally a true frustum of a hemisphere.

[0010] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a first surface 62 of a force distribution element 54 is structured to engage a contact surface 38a of a first spoke mounting opening 38 in the hub flange 22a, and the second surface 66 of the force distribution element 54 is structured to engage a contact surface 50c of spoke head 50b. The same applies when spokes 50 are mounted in openings 30 and 34 in the hub flanges 18a and in the further openings 38 and 42 in the hub flanges 22a.The portion of each contact surface 30a, 34a, 38a and 42a that engages a first surface 62 of a corresponding force distribution element 54 has a substantially truncated sphere shape, such as a substantially hemisphere shape, such as a substantially frustum of a sphere, such as a substantially frustum of a hemisphere shape, and optionally a true frustum of a hemisphere.

[0011] When spoke 50 is mounted on the hub flange 22a in the rest position, as shown in Fig. 1, spoke 50 defines a longitudinal rest position axis L that is aligned with a flange opening axis F. The contact surface 38a of a first spoke mounting opening 38 and the first surface 62 of the force distribution member 54 form a ball and socket joint when spoke 50 is mounted to the hub flange 22a. As a result, spoke 50 can be mounted at any angle relative to the hub flange 22a. In addition, spoke 50 can orbit or otherwise move in any direction relative to axes F and L, as indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, contact surface 50c of spoke head 50a and the second surface 66 of the force distribution element 54 also form a ball and socket joint when spoke 50 is mounted to hub flange 22a, allowing spoke 50 to orbit or otherwise move in any direction relative to axes F and L. The same is true when spokes 50 are mounted in openings 30 and 34 in hub flanges 18a and in the other openings 38 and 42 in hub flanges 22a. As a result, hub flanges 18a and 22a can accommodate any movement of spokes 50 due to lateral forces applied to the wheel rim, thereby avoiding undesirable stresses on spokes 50 during operation of the bicycle.

[0012] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a force distribution device in the form of a force distribution element 90, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Fig. 4. In this embodiment, the force distribution element 90 has a force distribution body 94 that includes a first portion 98 and a second portion 102. A convex first surface 106 is disposed on a first portion 98, a second surface 110 is disposed on a second portion 102, and a spoke receiving opening 114 extends through a first portion 98 and a second portion 102 to form a spoke receiving axis S ( Fig. 5). An annular planar leading edge 118 is formed at the front of force distribution body 94, and an annular planar rear edge 122 is formed at the rear of force distribution body 94. A substantially cylindrical outer transition surface 126 is formed between the first surface 106 and the second surface 110, and an annular beveled surface 128 is formed between the second surface 110 and the rear edge 122. The second surface 110 is tapered with respect to the spoke receiving axis S such that a radius R1 of the second surface 110 at the outer transition surface 126 is greater than a radius R2 of a second surface 110 at the beveled surface 128.In this embodiment, the first surface 106 has a substantially truncated sphere shape, such as a substantially hemisphere shape, such as a substantially frustum of a sphere, such as a substantially frustum of a hemisphere, and optionally a true frustum of a hemisphere. The second surface 110 has a substantially conical shape, such as a substantially truncated cone shape, such as a substantially frustum of a cone, and optionally a true frustum of a cone.

[0013] Fig. 6 is a side view showing a plurality of modified spokes 50' mounted to a hub flange 22a, for example, using a force distribution element 90. Each spoke 50' has a modified spoke head 50e in the shape of a hemisphere, with a flat annular surface 50f that contacts a rear edge 122 of a corresponding force distribution element 90 when spoke 50' is mounted to the flange 22a.

[0014] Hub flanges 18a and 22a have the same structure as in the first embodiment. Thus, as shown in Fig. 6, as in the first embodiment, the first surface 106 of each force distribution element 90 is structured to engage a corresponding contact surface (e.g., contact surface 42a) of a spoke mounting opening (e.g., the second spoke mounting opening 42). The first surface 106 of a force distribution element 90 and the contact surface 42a of a second spoke mounting opening 42 form a ball and socket joint when spoke 50' is mounted to the hub flange 22a. As a result, as in the first embodiment, spoke 50' can be mounted at any angle relative to the hub flange 22a, and spoke 50' can orbit or otherwise move in any direction relative to axes F or L in response to lateral forces applied to the bicycle wheel.

[0015] While various embodiments of features of the invention have been described above, further modifications may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the inner transition surface 82 was smooth in the first embodiment, but Fig. 7A illustrates an embodiment in which an inner transition surface 82' of a force distribution body 58' of a force distribution element 54' at least partially defines a threaded inner peripheral surface 132 to form a threaded opening 70' such that a threaded end of a spoke can be directly screwed into a force distribution body 58'. It may, if desired, be formed as in Fig. 7B, a modified second surface 66' may partially or completely close the rear of spoke receiving opening 70. Fig. Figure 7B shows a second surface 66' which completely closes the back of spoke receiving opening 70, so that spoke receiving opening 70 is a blind hole, preferably with the threaded inner transition surface 82' which in Fig. 7A is shown.

[0016] Although the spoke receiving opening 114 in the second embodiment extended through both the front edge 118 and the rear edge 122 of force distribution body 54, as in Fig. 5, however, shows Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a force distribution body 94' in which a rear wall 136 partially or completely closes the rear side of a spoke receiving opening 114'. Fig. 8 shows a rear wall 136 that completely closes the rear side of spoke receiving opening 114', so that spoke receiving opening 114' is a blind hole. A threaded inner peripheral surface 140 is formed at least partially around spoke receiving opening 114', so that a threaded end of a spoke can be screwed directly into force distribution body 94'.

[0017] Although the spoke receiving opening was formed concentrically in the force distribution element in each of the preceding embodiments, additional advantages can be achieved by forming the spoke receiving opening eccentrically in the force distribution element. For example, Fig. 9 to 10 show a further embodiment of a force distribution element 90", similar to the force distribution element 90 in Fig. 4 to 5. The parts of force distribution element 90" which are the same as in force distribution element 90 are provided with the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, a spoke receiving opening 114" is formed eccentrically in a force distribution body 94" of force distribution element 90".

[0018] More specific is how in Fig. 10, a non-threaded spoke receiving opening 114" is formed by an inner peripheral surface 94a of force distribution body 94" and defines a spoke receiving axis S which is offset from, but parallel to, an axis B of the force distribution body which is concentric with the force distribution body 94".As a result, a thickness T1 of the upper portion of the force distribution body 94" at the leading edge 118 is less than a thickness T2 of the lower portion of the force distribution body 94" at the leading edge 118, a thickness T3 of the upper portion of the force distribution body 94" at the outer transition surface 126 is less than a thickness T4 of the lower portion of the force distribution body 94" at the outer transition surface 126, and a thickness T5 of the upper portion of the force distribution body 94" at the rear edge 122 is less than a thickness T6 of the lower portion of the force distribution body 94" at the rear edge 122. The second surface 110 tapers with respect to an axis B of the force distribution body such that a radius R1 of the second surface 110 at the outer transition surface 126 is greater than a radius R2 of a second surface 110 at the beveled surface 128.Thus, when the force distribution element 90" is mounted on a hub flange 22a with a spoke 50', as in . Fig. 11, a spoke 50' bears against an inner circumferential surface 42b of a spoke mounting flange 22, and the rest position axis L of spoke 50' is offset from the flange opening axis F. As a result, the lower portion of the force distribution body 94" presses against the contact surface 42a of spoke mounting opening 42, thereby creating a frictional force that prevents the force distribution member 90" from rotating relative to the contact surface 42a and prevents unscrewing of spoke 50' from the nut on the wheel rim.

[0019] Fig. 12 to 13 illustrate another embodiment of a force distribution element 150. The force distribution element 150 essentially comprises a cylindrically shaped force distribution body 154, an annular flat front edge 158 with a beveled edge 162, an annular flat rear edge 166, and a non-threaded spoke receiving opening 170 formed eccentrically in the force distribution body 154.

[0020] As in Fig. 13, the spoke receiving opening 170 is formed by an inner peripheral surface 154a of the force distribution body 154 and defines a spoke receiving axis S, which is offset from, but parallel to, an axis B of the force distribution body, which is concentric with the force distribution body 154. As a result, a thickness T1 of the upper portion of the force distribution body 154 at the front edge 158 is less than a thickness T2 of the lower portion of the force distribution body 154 at the front edge 158, and a thickness T3 of the upper portion of the force distribution body 154 at the outer peripheral surface 154b of the force distribution body 154 is less than a thickness T4 of the lower portion of the force distribution body 154 at the outer peripheral surface 154b. Thus, as shown in Fig.14, when the force distribution element 150 is mounted with a spoke 50' in a cylindrical bore 42a' of a modified spoke mounting opening 42' of a modified hub flange 22a', spoke 50' abuts an inner peripheral surface 42b of spoke mounting flange 22a', and the rest position axis L of spoke 50' is offset from the flange opening axis F. As a result, the lower portion of force distribution body 154 presses against an inner peripheral surface 42c of the cylindrical bore 42a', thereby generating a frictional force that prevents force distribution element 154 from rotating relative to the inner peripheral surface 42c and prevents spoke 50' from unscrewing from the nut on the wheel rim.

Claims

[1] Force distribution device (54) for a bicycle wheel spoke (50) with a spoke head (50b), the device (54) comprising: a force distribution body (58) having a first surface (62) located at a free end and a second surface (66) disposed on an opposite side to the first surface (62); wherein the first surface (62) has the shape of a truncated sphere and is designed to transmit the force to be distributed; and wherein the force distribution body (58) has a spoke receiving opening (70) extending through the first surface (62), characterized by , that a contact surface (50c) of the spoke head (50b) and the second surface (66) form a ball joint when the spoke (50) is mounted. [2] Device (54) according to claim 1, wherein the force distribution body (58) has the shape of a truncated sphere. [3] The device (54) of claim 2, wherein the first surface (62) has the shape of a truncated sphere. [4] Device (54) according to claim 2, wherein the force distribution body (58) has the shape of a truncated sphere. [5] The device (54) of claim 2, wherein the second surface (66) has a concave shape. [6] The device (54) of claim 5, wherein the second surface (66) has the shape of a truncated sphere. [7] A force distribution device (54, 90, 90") for a bicycle wheel spoke (50), wherein the spoke (50) is structured to be mounted on a hub flange (18a, 22a) of a bicycle wheel hub (10), wherein the hub flange (18a, 22a) includes an opening (30, 38) with a flange opening axis, and wherein the device (54, 90, 90") comprises: a force distribution body (58, 94, 94"), comprising: a first surface (62, 106) located at a free end; a second surface (66, 110) disposed on an opposite side to the first surface (62, 106); and a spoke receiving opening (70, 114, 114'); wherein the first surface (62, 106) is structured to engage the hub flange (18a, 22a) and transmit the force to be distributed to the hub flange (18a, 22a) when the spoke (50) is mounted to the hub flange (18a, 22a); wherein the first surface (62, 106) is shaped to allow the spoke (50) to move in any lateral direction relative to the flange opening axis when the spoke (50) is mounted on the hub flange (18a, 22a) and wherein the second surface (66, 110) is shaped to allow the spoke (50) to move in any lateral direction relative to the flange opening axis when the spoke (50) is mounted on the hub flange (18a, 22a), characterized by , that the first surface (62, 106) and the hub flange (18a, 22a) of the bicycle wheel hub (10) form a ball joint when the first surface (62, 106) engages the hub flange (18a, 22a). [8] The device (54, 90, 90") of claim 7, wherein the first surface (62, 106) has the shape of a truncated sphere. [9] Device (54, 90, 90") according to claim 7, wherein the force distribution body (58, 94, 94") has the shape of a truncated sphere. [10] The device (54) of claim 7, wherein the second surface (66) has a concave shape. [11] The device (54) of claim 10, wherein the second surface (66) has the shape of a truncated sphere. [12] The device (90, 90") of claim 7, wherein the first surface (106) is disposed on a first portion of the force distribution body (94, 94'), wherein the second surface (110) is disposed on a second portion of the force distribution body (94, 94'), and wherein the spoke receiving opening (114, 114') extends through the first portion and through the second portion to form a spoke receiving axis (S). [13] Device (90, 90") according to claim 12, wherein the second surface (110) tapers with respect to the spoke receiving axis (S). [14] The device (90, 90") of claim 13, wherein the second surface (110) has a conical shape. [15] The device (90, 90") of claim 14, wherein the second surface (110) has a truncated cone shape. [16] The device (90, 90") of claim 15, wherein the first surface (106) has the shape of a truncated sphere. [17] Device (90") according to claim 7, wherein the spoke receiving opening (114") is formed eccentrically in the force distribution body (94"). [18] A force distribution device (54, 54', 90, 90', 90") for a bicycle wheel spoke (50), the spoke (50) being structured to be mounted on a hub flange (18a, 22a) of a bicycle wheel hub (10), the device (54, 54', 90, 90', 90") comprising: a force distribution body (58, 58', 94, 94', 94") having a first surface (62, 106) located at a free end and a second surface (66, 110) located on an opposite side to the first surface (62, 106); wherein the first surface (62, 106) has the shape of a truncated sphere and is designed to transmit the force to be distributed to the hub flange (18a, 22a); and wherein the force distribution body (58, 58', 94, 94', 94") has a spoke receiving opening (70, 70', 114, 114', 114') extending through the first surface (62, 106), characterized by , that the first surface (62, 106) and the hub flange (18a, 22a) of the bicycle wheel hub (10) form a ball joint when the first surface (62, 106) engages the hub flange (18a, 22a). [19] The device (54, 54', 90, 90', 90") of claim 18, wherein the first surface (62, 106) has the shape of a truncated sphere. [20] Device (54, 54') according to claim 18, wherein the force distribution body (58, 58') has the shape of a truncated sphere. [21] The device (54, 54') of claim 18, wherein the second surface (66, 66') has a concave shape. [22] The device (54, 54') of claim 21, wherein the second surface (66, 66') has the shape of a truncated sphere. [23] The device (90, 90") of claim 18, wherein the first surface (106) is disposed on a first portion of the force distribution body (94, 94'), wherein the second surface (110) is disposed on a second portion of the force distribution body (94, 94'), and wherein the spoke receiving opening (114, 114") extends through the first portion and through the second portion to form a spoke receiving axis (S). [24] Device (90, 90") according to claim 23, wherein the second surface (110) tapers with respect to the spoke receiving axis (S). [25] The device (90, 90") of claim 24, wherein the second surface (110) has a conical shape. [26] The device (90, 90") of claim 25, wherein the second surface (110) has a truncated cone shape. [27] The device (90, 90") of claim 26, wherein the first surface (106) has the shape of a truncated sphere. [28] Device (90") according to claim 18, wherein the spoke receiving opening (114") is formed eccentrically in the force distribution body (94"). [29] A force distribution device (90", 150) for a bicycle wheel spoke, the device (90", 150) comprising: a force distribution body (94", 154) having a first surface (106, 158) located at a free end, a second surface (110, 166) located on an opposite side to the first surface (106, 158), and an axis (B) of the force distribution body (94", 154) concentric with the force distribution body (94", 154); wherein the first surface (106, 158) is configured to transmit the force to be distributed; wherein the force distribution body (94", 154) has a spoke receiving opening (114", 170), which extends through the first surface (106,158); and wherein the spoke receiving opening (114", 170) defines a spoke receiving axis (S) which is offset from the axis (B) of the force distribution body (94", 154) and arranged parallel to the axis (B) of the force distribution body (94", 154). [30] Device (90", 150) according to claim 29, wherein the spoke receiving opening (114", 170) has no thread. [31] The device (150) of any of claims 29 or 30, wherein one of the first surface (158) or the second surface (166) comprises a planar surface. [32] The device (150) of claim 31, wherein the other of the first surface (158) or the second surface (166) comprises a planar surface. [33] The device (150) of claim 32, wherein the force distribution body (154) has a substantially cylindrical shape. [34] The device (90") of any one of claims 29 or 30, wherein the first surface (106) has the shape of a truncated sphere. [35] The device (90") of claim 34, wherein the first surface (106) is disposed on a first portion of the force distribution body (94"), wherein the second surface (110) is disposed on a second portion of the force distribution body (94"), and wherein the second surface (110) tapers relative to the spoke receiving axis (S). [36] The device (90") of claim 35, wherein the second surface (110) has a conical shape. [37] The device (90") of claim 36, wherein the second surface (110) has a truncated cone shape. [38] The device (90") of claim 37, wherein the second portion has a planar rear surface (122).

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