Spoke positioning and placement device and method for positioning and placing a spoke in a rim of a bicycle wheel

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spoke positioning and placement apparatus, comprising a rim handling device for handling a rim of a bicycle wheel, and a spoke handling device for handling a spoke, which rim handling device and spoke handling device are arranged to execute a concerted operation for positioning a spoke or spokes with reference to the rim, wherein the spoke handling device is arranged to engage and bent a spoke which is on a first side attached to an upper flange or a bottom flange of a hub of the bicycle wheel, and to subsequently position an end portion of the spoke opposite to the first side which is attached to the upper flange or the bottom flange of the hub of the bicycle wheel, in front of a selected spoke hole in the rim, and to relax the spoke and position said end portion of the spoke into the selected spoke hole of the rim.

[0002] WO2007 / 040386 discloses such a spoke positioning and placement apparatus.

[0003] US 5,193,599 discloses an apparatus for mounting spokes between a hub and rim of a spoke wheel, wherein the apparatus holds the rim in a horizontal plane and comprises a hub support for rotatably supporting the hub. The hub support is vertically movable for supporting the hub at a desired height with reference to the rim.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a spoke positioning and placement apparatus which enables a complete and automatic yet accurate assembly of a spoke, or multiple spokes at a time, to a rim of a bicycle wheel.

[0005] The apparatus known from WO2007 / 040386 is disadvantageous in that it merely enables to place a single spoke at a time, although the document mentions that there are several spoke grippers, however without providing an enabling disclosure how these multiple spoke grippers may operate to make the placement of several spokes at a time possible.

[0006] Primarily it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus in which the assembly of a spoked wheel can be realized easily, quickly and reliably.

[0007] According to the invention a spoke positioning and placement apparatus is proposed having the features of one or more of the appended claims.

[0008] In the apparatus of the invention the vertically movable hub support is arranged to move the hub to a height that depends on whether the spoke that is handled by the spoke handling device connects to the upper flange or to the bottom flange of the hub. This provides the possibility to optimally position the hub during the spoke placement procedure and present the spokes to the spoke handling device so that this device may handle the spoke at an optimal angle for placement in a selected spoke hole of the rim.

[0009] Preferably the vertically movable hub support is arranged to keep the spoke that is handled by the spoke handling device and that connects to the upper flange or to the bottom flange of the hub, essentially below (the horizontal plane through) the rim.

[0010] In particular it is preferable that the vertically movable hub support is arranged to maneuver the hub to a height in which the upper flange is below the rim in case the spoke handling device handles a spoke which is connected to the upper flange of the hub. Conversely it is preferable that the vertically movable hub support is arranged to maneuver the hub to a height in which the upper flange is above the rim in case the spoke handling device handles a spoke which is connected to the bottom flange of the hub.

[0011] In a preferable embodiment the spoke handling device is equipped with a sensor, said spoke handling device further being equipped with a spoke gripper to engage the spoke, wherein during use the spoke gripper is actuated based on signals received from the sensor. The sensor can be embodied in a foot pedal that is actuated by an operator when the spoke is in the correct position. Preferably however the sensor serves to detect the spoke without human intervention, so as to enable a complete automation avoiding all human assistance during the operation of the apparatus. The manner in which this can be implemented is for instance by using a PLC (programmable logic controller) that receives the signals from the sensor and converts the signals into driving signals for the spoke gripper.

[0012] Suitably at least a part of the spoke handling device, preferably the spoke gripper, is movable for bending the spoke that is gripped by the spoke gripper. There are indeed several options to automatically bend the spoke, one of which is to move the complete spoke handling device, but it is more elegant and enables a quicker operation to only have to move the spoke gripper which has engaged the spoke. It is clear for the skilled person that the movement of the spoke handling device, or the spoke gripper, can be realized in very differing embodiments, to note by using for instance electrical actuators or hydraulic actuators or pneumatic actuators.

[0013] It is further preferable that the spoke handling device is mounted on a carriage which is movable along a guide. This enables switching the position / orientation of the spoke handling device to accommodate to different spokes, respectively connected to opposite flanges of the hub.

[0014] Suitably further at least a part of the spoke handling device, preferably the spoke gripper, is movable for moving an end portion of a bended 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 gripper, is movable for relaxing the bended spoke and moving said end portion of the spoke being relaxed into and through the selected spoke hole of the rim.

[0016] Beneficially the apparatus of the invention comprises at least one screwdriver for screwing a nipple onto a selected spoke placed into and through the selected spoke hole of the rim so as to fasten the spoke to the rim.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment the apparatus of the invention comprises multiple spoke handling devices and correspondingly multiple screwdrivers for placement of nipples on spokes. Since the involvement of an operator is excluded with the apparatus of the invention, this opens the way to a further increased speed of operation utilizing multiple spoke handling devices and corresponding screwdrivers.

[0018] As already mentioned the invention is also embodied in a method to position and place a spoke or spokes with reference to a rim of a bicycle wheel. In the method of the invention, the following steps are carried out: positioning the rim horizontally, engaging and bending a spoke which spoke is on a first side attached to an upper flange or a bottom flange of a hub of the bicycle wheel, positioning the hub at a height wherein the upper flange of the hub is below the rim in case the spoke is connected to the upper flange of the hub, or positioning the hub at a height wherein the upper flange of the hub is above the rim in case the spoke is connected to the bottom flange of the hub, positioning an end portion of the spoke opposite to the first side of the spoke that is attached to the hub of the bicycle wheel, in front of a selected spoke hole in the rim, relaxing the spoke and positioning said end portion of the spoke into and through the selected spoke hole of the rim.

[0019] The spoke is then suitably placed in position enabling a completing operation by screwing a nipple on the spoke which is placed into and through the selected spoke hole of the rim.

[0020] The accompanying drawing, which is incorporated into and forms a part of the specification, illustrates one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention. The drawing is only for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention.

[0021] In the drawing: - figures 1a-1cshow an apparatus of the invention in an isometric view, plan view and side view, respectively, when operating on a spoke that is connected to an upper flange of a hub of a spoke wheel; - figures 2a-2cshow the apparatus of the invention in an isometric view, plan view and side view, respectively, when operating on a spoke that is connected to a bottom flange of a hub of a spoke wheel; - figure 3ashows in a side view an operational step of the apparatus of the invention, in which a gripper engages a detected spoke; - figures 3bshows in a side view an operational step of the apparatus of the invention, in which the gripper is in an intermediate phase of bending the engaged spoke; - figures 3cshows in a side view that the gripper has inserted the engaged spoke into and through a spoke hole in the rim of a bicycle wheel, and a screwdriver screws a nipple onto the spoke which is inserted and placed through the spoke hole in the rim of a bicycle wheel.

[0022] Whenever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.

[0023] Referring to figures 1a-1c and figures 2a-2c, it shows a spoke positioning and placement apparatus 1, comprising a rim handling device 2 arranged for handling a rim 3 of a bicycle wheel 4. The embodiment that is shown in the figures is provided with two spoke handling devices 5, each spoke handling device 5 being equipped for handling a spoke 6. It is also possible that there is only a single spoke handling device 5, or more than two spoke handling devices 5.

[0024] Figures 1a-1c and 2a-2c further show that the apparatus 1 comprises two screwdrivers 10 to match the number of spoke handling devices 5. It is also possible to have only a single screwdriver 10 for screwing a nipple 11 (see figure 3c) onto a selected spoke 6 placed into 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 shown embodiment the apparatus 1 comprises multiple spoke handling devices 5 and correspondingly multiple screwdrivers 10 for placement of nipples on spokes 6.

[0025] The difference between figures 1a-1c and figures 2a-2c is that in figures 1a-1c the spoke 6 to be handled is connected to the upper flange 15 of the hub 4, whereas in figures 2a-2c the spoke 6 to be handled is connected to the bottom flange 16 of the hub 4. In connection therewith the apparatus 1 is provided with the feature of a vertically movable hub support 17 for supporting the hub 4 at a desired height with reference to the rim 3.

[0026] A comparison of figures 1a-1c with figures 2a-2c makes clear that the vertically movable hub support 17 is arranged to move the hub 4 to a height that depends on whether the spoke 6 that is handled by the spoke handling device 5 connects to the upper flange 15 or to the bottom flange 16 of the hub 4. In all situations however the vertically movable hub support 17 is arranged to keep the spoke 6 that is handled by the spoke handling device 5 and that connects to the upper flange 15 or to the bottom flange 16 of the hub 4, essentially below the rim 3.

[0027] Figures 1a-1c show that the vertically movable hub support 17 is arranged to maneuver the hub 4 to a height in which the upper flange 15 is below the rim 3 in case the spoke handling device 5 handles a spoke 6 which is connected to the upper flange 15 of the hub 4 - see the relative position of the movable hub support 17 vis-a-vis reference line 18.

[0028] Conversely figures 2a-2c show that the vertically movable hub support 17 is arranged to maneuver the hub 4 to a height in which the upper flange 15 is above the rim 3 in case the spoke handling device 5 handles a spoke 6 which is connected to the bottom flange 16 of the hub 4 - compare again the position of the movable hub support 17 with reference line 18.

[0029] Figures 1a-1c and 2a-2c further show that the spoke handling device 5 is mounted on a carriage 13 which is movable along a guide 12. This arrangement serves to switch the position / orientation of the spoke handling device 5 to accommodate to different spokes 6, respectively connected to the opposite flanges 15, 16 of the hub 4. Figure 1c shows that the spoke handling device 5 engages the spoke 6 that attaches to the upper flange 15 of the hub 4, whilst figure 2c shows that the spoke handling device 5 engages the spoke 6 that attaches to the lower flange 16 of the hub 4.

[0030] The rim handling device 2 and each spoke handling device 5 are arranged to execute a concerted operation as detailed hereinafter for positioning a spoke or spokes 6 with reference to the rim 3.

[0031] The spoke handling device 5 is arranged to engage a spoke 6 as depicted in figure 3a. The spoke 6 is at a first side attached to a hub 4 of the bicycle wheel, which is also necessary to make a bending operation on the spoke 6 possible.

[0032] Figure 3a but also figures 1a-1c and 2a-2c depict further that the spoke handling device 5 is equipped with a sensor 7. As shown in figures 1a and 2a the sensor 7 is embodied within a spoke catcher 14 so as to automatically detect the spoke, but the sensor could also be embodied in other ways, for instance in a foot pedal which can be actuated by an operator. Figures 1a-1c and 2a-2c further show that the spoke handling device 5 is equipped with a spoke gripper 8 which serves to engage the spoke 6, and wherein during use the spoke gripper 8 is actuated based on signals received from the sensor 7.

[0033] Figure 3b depicts that at least a part of the spoke handling device 5, preferably the spoke gripper 8, is movable for bending the spoke 6 after it is gripped by the spoke gripper 8. This is illustrated by comparing figures 3a (no bending) with figure 3b (intermediate bending).

[0034] After the spoke gripper 8 has engaged and bent the spoke 6, the next action is to position an end portion 6' of the spoke 6 which is opposite to the first side that is attached to (in this case: the upper flange 15 of) the hub 4 of the bicycle wheel, in front of a selected spoke-hole 9 in the rim 3, as shown in figure 3c.

[0035] After the end portion 6' of the spoke 6 is positioned in front of a selected spoke hole 9 in the rim 3, the spoke 6 can be relaxed to position said end portion 6' of the spoke 6 into and through the selected spoke hole 9 of the rim 3. Accordingly at least a part of the spoke handling device 5, preferably the spoke gripper 8, is movable both for moving the end portion 6' of the bended spoke 6 in front of and in-line with a selected spoke hole 9 of the rim 3, and for relaxing the bended spoke 6 and moving said end portion 6' of the spoke 6 being relaxed into and through the selected spoke hole 9 of the rim 3, as is illustrated in figure 3c.

[0036] Figure 3c finally shows the operation of the screwdriver 10 which screws a nipple 11 on the spoke 6 which is placed into and through the selected spoke hole 9 of the rim 3.

[0037] Although the invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the invention is not restricted to this particular embodiment which can be varied in many ways. The discussed exemplary embodiment shall therefore not be used to construe the appended claims strictly in accordance therewith. On the contrary the embodiment is merely intended to explain the wording of the appended claims without intent to limit the claims to this exemplary embodiment. The scope of protection of the invention shall therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims only, wherein a possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims shall be resolved using this exemplary embodiment.

[0038] Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications. Unless specifically stated as being "essential" above, none of the various components or the interrelationship thereof are essential to the operation of the invention.

[0039] Optionally, embodiments of the present invention can include a general or specific purpose computer or distributed system programmed with computer software implementing method steps described above, which computer software may be in any appropriate computer language, including but not limited to C++, FORTRAN, ALGOL, BASIC, Java, Python, Linux, assembly language, microcode, distributed programming languages, etc. The apparatus may also include a plurality of such computers / distributed systems (e.g., connected over the Internet and / or one or more intranets) in a variety of hardware implementations.

Claims

1. A spoke positioning and placement apparatus (1), comprising a rim handling device (2) for handling a rim (3) of a bicycle wheel (4), and a spoke handling device (5) for handling a spoke (6), which rim handling device (2) and spoke handling device (5) are arranged to execute a concerted operation for positioning a spoke (6) or spokes with reference to the rim (3), wherein the spoke handling device (5) is arranged to engage and bent a spoke (6) which is on a first side attached to an upper flange (15) or a bottom flange (16) of a hub (4) of the bicycle wheel, and to subsequently position an end portion (6') of the spoke (6) opposite to the first side which is attached to the upper flange (15) or the bottom flange (16) of the hub of the bicycle wheel, in front of a selected spoke hole (9) in the rim (3), and to relax the spoke (6) and position said 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 hold the rim (3) in a horizontal plane, and the apparatus comprises a vertically movable hub support (17) for supporting the hub (4) at a desired height with reference to the rim (3), wherein the vertically movable hub support (17) is arranged tc move the hub (4) to a height that depends on whether the spoke (6) that is handled by the spoke handling device (5) connects to the upper flange (15) or to the bottom flange (16) of the hub (4).

2. The spoke positioning and placement apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertically movable hub support (17) is arranged to keep the spoke (6) that is handled by the spoke handling device (5) and that connects to the upper flange (15) or to the bottom flange (16) of the hub (4), essentially below the horizontal plane through the rim (3).

3. The spoke positioning and placement apparatus according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that the vertically movable hub support (17) is arranged to maneuver the hub (4) to a height in which the upper flange (15) is below the rim (3) in case the spoke handling device (5) handles a spoke (6) which is connected to the upper flange (15) of the hub (4).

4. The spoke positioning and placement apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the vertically movable hub support (17) is arranged to maneuver the hub (4) to a height in which the upper flange (15) is above the rim (3) in case the spoke handling device (5) handles a spoke (6) which is connected to the bottom flange (16) of the hub (4).

5. The spoke positioning and placement apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the spoke handling device (5) is equipped with a sensor (7), said spoke handling device (5) further being equipped with a spoke gripper (8) to engage the spoke (6), wherein during use the spoke gripper (8) is actuated based on signals received from the sensor (7).

6. The spoke positioning and placement apparatus of any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that at least a part of the spoke handling device (5), preferably the spoke gripper (8), is movable for bending the spoke (6) that is gripped by the spoke gripper (8).

7. The spoke positioning and placement apparatus of any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that at least a part of the spoke handling device (5), preferably the spoke gripper (8), is movable for moving an end portion (6') of a bended spoke (6) in front of and in-line with a selected spoke hole (9) of the rim (3).

8. The spoke positioning and placement apparatus of claim 7, characterized in that the spoke handling device (5), preferably the spoke gripper (8), is movable for relaxing the bended spoke (6) and moving said end portion (6') of the spoke (6) being relaxed into and through the selected spoke hole (9) of the rim (3).

9. The spoke positioning and placement apparatus of any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the spoke handling device (5) is mounted on a carriage (13) which is movable along a guide (12).

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

11. The spoke positioning and placement apparatus according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises multiple spoke handling devices (5) and correspondingly multiple screwdrivers (10) for placement of nipples (11) on spokes (6).

12. Method to position and place a spoke (6) or spokes with reference to a rim (3) of a bicycle wheel (4), characterized by the steps of - positioning the rim (3) horizontally, - engaging and bending a spoke (6) which spoke is on a first side attached to an upper flange (15) or a bottom flange (16) of a hub (4) of the bicycle wheel, - positioning the hub (4) at a height wherein the upper flange (15) of the hub (4) is below the rim (3) in case the spoke (6) is connected to the upper flange (15) of the hub (4), or - positioning the hub (4) at a height wherein the upper flange (15) of the hub (4) is above the rim (3) in case the spoke (6) is connected to the bottom flange (16) of the hub (4), - positioning an end portion (6') of the spoke (6) opposite to the first side of the spoke (6) that is attached to the hub (4) of the bicycle wheel, in front of a selected spoke hole (9) in the rim (3), - relaxing the spoke (6) and positioning said end portion (6') of the spoke (6) into and through the selected spoke hole (9) of the rim (3).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized by screwing a nipple (11) on the spoke (6) which is placed into and through the selected spoke hole (9) of the rim (3).