Lightweight Wheel with High Strength Flexible Spokes

Abstract

A lightweight wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, includes a rim and hub, and a plurality of lightweight, flexible and resilient spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The wheel includes a nipple within the rim that receives the high strength spoke and allows for flexibility in adapting the spoke to wheels having differing shapes and sizes.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A light weight wheel comprising:
 a rim;   a hub;   a plurality of spoke assemblies connected between said rim and said hub, wherein said spoke assembly comprises
 a spoke having a central axis between a first end and a second end and is capable of off-axis tensioning with respect to said central axis without decrease in strength, 
 an anchor configured to secure to said hub attached to said first end of said spoke, 
 a tube attached to said second end of said spoke, and 
 a nipple configured to secure said tube to said rim. 
   
     
     
         2 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 1 , wherein said spoke further comprises liquid crystal polymer fibers. 
     
     
         3 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 2 , wherein said liquid crystal polymer fibers are covered in a polyamide jacket. 
     
     
         4 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 2 , wherein said liquid crystal polymer fibers are PBO fibers. 
     
     
         5 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 4 , wherein said PBO fibers are covered in a polyamide jacket. 
     
     
         6 . A lightweight wheel comprising:
 a rim;   a hub;   a plurality of spoke assemblies connected between said rim and said hub, wherein said spoke assembly comprises a liquid crystal polymer spoke having a central axis between a first end and a second end and is capable of off-axis tensioning with respect to said central axis without decrease in strength.   
     
     
         7 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 6 , wherein said spoke assembly further comprises:
 an anchor configured to secure to said hub attached to said first end of said spoke;   a tube attached to said second end of said spoke; and   a nipple configured to secure said tube to said rim.   
     
     
         8 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 7 , wherein said liquid crystal polymer spoke further comprises liquid crystal polymer fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 8 , wherein said liquid crystal polymer fibers are covered in a polyamide jacket. 
     
     
         10 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 8 , wherein said liquid crystal polymer fibers are PBO fibers. 
     
     
         11 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 10 , wherein said PBO fibers are covered in a polyamide jacket. 
     
     
         12 . A lightweight wheel comprising:
 a rim having a plurality of spoke holes;   a hub having a plurality of anchor holes;   a plurality of spoke assemblies connected between said rim and said hub, wherein said spoke assembly comprises
 a liquid crystal polymer spoke having a central axis between a first end and a second end and is capable of off-axis tensioning with respect to said central axis without decrease in strength, 
 an anchor attached to said first end of said spoke and is configured to secure to one of said plurality of said anchor holes of said hub, 
 a tube attached to said second end of said spoke, and 
 a nipple configured to secure said tube to one of said plurality of said spoke holes of said rim. 
   
     
     
         13 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 12 , wherein said first end of said liquid crystal polymer spoke is formed as a first end wedge. 
     
     
         14 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 13 , wherein said anchor is formed with a tapered bore to receive said first end wedge. 
     
     
         15 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 14 , wherein said second end of said liquid crystal polymer spoke is formed as a second end wedge. 
     
     
         16 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 15 , wherein said tube is formed with a tapered bore to receive said second end wedge. 
     
     
         17 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 16 , wherein said tube if formed with a threaded exterior. 
     
     
         18 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 17 , wherein said nipple is formed with a threaded bore to threadably receive said threaded exterior of said tube. 
     
     
         19 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 18 , wherein said spoke holes of said hub are distributed between a left flange and a right flange of said hub. 
     
     
         20 . The lightweight wheel of  claim 19 , wherein said hub further comprises a disc brake mounting surface configured for the attachment of a disc brake assembly.