A vehicle wheel including a rim, a hub, and a plurality of spokes extending with a span portion between the rim hub. The rim and/or hub constitutes a bracing element. A connecting element is connected to the bracing element and includes an external surface, an internal cavity. A spoke has a longitudinal axis and an external spoke surface that that overlaps the internal cavity in an overlap region, and a pre-formed lateral spoke surface. The connecting element is crimped to create a crimped joinder with the spoke such that the connector surface is pressed and plastically deformed to displace the internal cavity toward the spoke surface in the overlap region to cause a lateral connector surface to laterally overlap the lateral spoke surface to create an overlie engagement and/or to increase a lateral overlap between a lateral connector surface and the lateral spoke surface in an overlie engagement. The overlie engagement supports spoke tensile load.

A bicycle hub comprises a tubular body and a spoke attachment part. The tubular body has a rotational axis. The spoke attachment part includes an attachment opening through which a spoke is to extend. The attachment opening includes a first end opening through which the spoke is to extend, and a second end opening through which the spoke is to extend. The second end opening is provided outward of the first end opening in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotational axis. The second end opening has a first maximum length and a second maximum length. The first maximum length is defined in a circumferential direction defined about the rotational axis. The second maximum length is defined in an axial direction parallel to the rotational axis. The first maximum length is larger than the second maximum length.

A wind-diverting apparatus for minimally shielding only the faster-moving drag-sensitive uppermost wheel surfaces from headwinds reduces overall vehicle drag. The apparatus includes various upper wheel fairings of FIGS. 1-6. Each fairing shields a primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surface from headwinds otherwise impinging directly thereon.

A streamlined tailfin pivotably attached to a shaft-shaped member disposed on a vehicle provides for reduced drag in winds varying in direction impinging thereon.

An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction means and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle wheel, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced. The drag reduction means includes: a streamlined wheel cover positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; a streamlined wind-deflecting fairing positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; an engine exhaust pipe disposed on a vehicle whereby exhaust gases deflect headwinds to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces of an automotive wheel; an automotive spoked wheel having streamlined oval-shaped wheel spokes arranged in one or more rows for greater axial strength; a streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a wheel spoke, which thereby may pivot about the spoke in response to varying crosswinds; and a tire having streamlined tread blocks arranged in an aerodynamic pattern.

A wheel rim assembly includes a hub with a case and two flanges are formed on two ends of the case. Multiple spoke units are connected between the two flanges of the hub and the inner periphery of the rim. Each spoke unit includes a first connection member and the first end of an X-shaped spoke extends from the first connection member. Each first connection member includes a first recessed area and a second recessed area respectively defined in the outside and the inside thereof. The second recessed area is matched with the flange corresponding thereto. Each first connection member includes an engaging recess and a protrusion. The protrusion of one first connection member is engaged with the engaging recess of the next first connection member. Two covers are respectively connected two ends of the hub. The second end of each spoke is inserted into reception recess of the rim.

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.

A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in a grid framework structure having first and second sets of parallel rails or tracks. The load handling device includes a body mounted on first and second sets of wheels arranged to engage with the tracks. The wheels have spokes connecting a rim to a hub, and wherein the wheel is at least partially resiliently deformable, wherein the wheel rim and wheel hub are made from a rigid material relative to the spoke material, and wherein the wheel includes two or more layers.

A grid framework structure includes a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending substantially perpendicularly to the first set of rails or tracks in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern. The grid is supported by a set of uprights to form a plurality of vertical storage locations beneath the grid for containers to be stacked between and be guided by the uprights in a vertical direction. A load handling device includes a body mounted on a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels arranged to engage with the tracks. A gripper assembly is provided for latching to a storage container via a deformable flexure mechanism movable between a locked configuration and a release configuration.

A lightweight wheel is provided, which includes a flange, a plurality of titanium alloy spokes and a carbon fiber rim, herein the flange is positioned at a middle part of the carbon fiber rim, the plurality of titanium alloy spokes are connected between the flange and the carbon fiber rim, and the plurality of titanium alloy spokes are uniformly distributed in pairs along the circumference; and one end of each of the titanium alloy spokes combined in pairs is fixed on the flange in a centralized mode, and another end is fixed separately at the carbon fiber rim, making the titanium alloy spokes combined in pairs a fan shape. An automobile is also provided.