A cast wheel having an alloy substrate includes a primary surface and a secondary surface. A first polymeric coating is applied to the primary surface and to the secondary surface sealing the cast alloy wheel within the first polymeric coating. An intermediate polymeric coating is applied over the first polymeric coating. The intermediate polymeric coating is coated with metal using physical vapor deposition with the metal being aesthetically distinguishable from the first polymeric coating. A third polymeric coating is applied over the metal. The third polymeric coating, the intermediate coating and the metal from the primary surface of the cast alloy wheel are removed aesthetically distinguishing the primary surface from the secondary surface. A fourth polymeric coating is applied over the primary surface and the secondary surface.

A bicycle wheel comprises a rim and a valve assembly. The rim includes a radially inner wall having an inner opening and a radially outer wall having an outer opening. A first portion of the rim includes a first securing feature (e.g., inner threads). The valve assembly is positioned in the inner opening and outer opening and includes a second securing feature (e.g., outer threads) engaging the first securing feature. The rim can include a plate that defines the first engaging feature. The valve assembly preferably includes a valve stem and a resilient bumper coupled to the valve stem and aligned with a second portion of the rim. The valve assembly can further include a seal member compressed between the valve stem and the rim. Preferably, the seal member is positioned in an annular groove in an underside of an enlarged head of the valve stem.

A wheel of a motor vehicle includes a hub portion, spokes extending radially outwards from the hub portion, a rim which is supported on the spokes, and a spoke area cover which is delimited by the rim. A respective cover is provided on both sides of the spokes, i.e. facing the interior side of the spokes and facing the exterior side of the spokes. The interior-side cover, which is annular when seen in a projection in the direction of the wheel rotational axis, is adhered to the edge of the hub portion and to an annular region of the rim and/or the interior side of the spokes. The exterior-side cover is designed in an annular manner either over its entire surface or when seen in a projection in the direction of the wheel rotational axis and can be interchangeably inserted into a groove in an annular rim region and/or in an annular region of the rim and the hub portion with an intermediately positioned seal element.

A wheel of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, has a rim, a hub portion, and at least two spokes connecting the hub portion to the rim. At least one free space between the spokes is covered at least in part by a substantially planar covering element. The covering element is produced from two different material layers.

A caster with an elastic member that absorbs impact forces during use. The elastic member can be placed between first and second portions pivotable with respect to each other about a pin. The elastic member can absorb impact forces between the first and second portions when in use. The elastic member can further include grooves that allow portions of the elastic member adjacent the grooves to flow into the grooves during impact, further absorbing impact forces.

A bicycle component comprises a base member and a first alumite layer. The base member is made of an aluminum alloy. The first alumite layer is provided on the base member. The first alumite layer has a thickness that is equal to or larger than 1.0 m.

A bicycle rim basically includes a first annular side surface portion, a second annular side surface portion, an annular connecting portion and an outermost layer. The first annular side surface portion includes a first braking surface. The second annular side surface portion includes a second braking surface. The epoxy resin layer is an example of a nonmetallic layer. The annular connecting portion connects the first and second annular side surface portions. The soft additive granules are disposed in at least one of the first and second annular side surface portions. The epoxy resin layer is disposed in at least one of the first and second annular side surface portions. The soft additive granules are at least partially embedded in the epoxy resin layer. The outermost layer covers the epoxy resin layer and the soft additive granules.

A materials handling equipment has blades of a lifting fork wherein each of the blades engages a blade wheel that moves between a retracted position when the blade is lowered and an extended position when the blade is raised to lift and support a load. The blade wheels have a plurality of tires linearly aligned on a common axis, the tires each having a circular circumference and a sinusoidally varying peripheral surface. The sinusoidally varying peripheral surfaces have relative peaks and valleys uniformly spaced around the circular circumference wherein the peaks and valleys are mutually nested.

A number of variations may include a product including a substrate comprising a metal comprising an etched region and a first layer comprising a clear coat overlying the etched region wherein the etched region is constructed and arranged to improve filiform corrosion resistance on the substrate.

A non-pneumatic wheel possessing spokes having a compliant shear block providing spoke tension.