A spoke attachment assembly configured to couple a rim to the spokes of a spoked bicycle wheel. The spoke attachment assembly comprises a nipple having an enlarged head and a stem provided with a coupling portion for coupling with a spoke, at least one shaped washer associated with the nipple and configured to abut on one side with the enlarged head of the nipple and, on the opposite side, with the rim and holding means configured to hold said at least one shaped washer associated with the nipple. The invention also relates to a spoked bicycle wheel and to a process for manufacturing such a wheel.

A vehicular wheel assembly defines an axis of rotation and includes a wheel having an inner hub, an outer rim, and a plurality of hollow spokes. The outer rim defines an outer circumference. Each hollow spoke of the plurality of hollow spokes extends between the inner hub and the outer rim and includes a wall that at least partially defines a hollow chamber. The outer rim defines a plurality of openings that are each in fluid communication with one of the hollow chambers and each of the openings includes a tuning member.

A human-powered vehicle wheel unit adapted to be attached to a human-powered vehicle hub. The wheel unit includes an accommodation portion and a first engagement portion. The accommodation portion is configured to accommodate at least part of the human-powered vehicle hub. The first engagement portion is provided on the accommodation portion. The first engagement portion is configured to transmit rotation of the human-powered vehicle hub to the accommodation portion through engagement with a second engagement portion provided on a flange projecting from an outer circumferential portion of a hub shell of the human-powered vehicle hub.

A tensile element connection, comprising first and second bracing elements and a tensile element having a first portion connected to the first bracing element and a second portion opposed to the first portion and connected to the second bracing element, and an applied tensile load along the tensile element. The tensile element includes a preformed rod that is comprised of reinforcement fibers in a matrix. At a temporarily elevated temperature greater than the service temperature, a localized region of the matrix is in a softened state of increased deformability such that a localized region of the rod is deformed under pressure to include a laterally outwardly projecting engagement surface. The tensile element is comprised of said rod with the engagement surface formed therein and is connected to one of the first and second bracing elements by means of an overlie engagement at the engagement surface to restrain the tension load.

A low-speed vehicle wheel assembly includes a rim, at least three spokes, connectors, a central bearing seat, and bearings. Outer ends of the spokes are fixedly connected to an inner side wall of the rim through the connectors, respectively. Inner ends of the spokes are fixedly connected to an outer wall of the central bearing seat. The bearings are fitted in bearing holes of the central bearing seat, respectively. Because the rim and the central bearing seat are independent components, each component can be made with an independent mold and assembled according to the diameter of the wheel. The cost of the mold is lower, and the components are more versatile.

A nipple for spokes of spoked wheels includes a rod with an axial development, a threaded hole which is formed axially in the rod, the thread of the hole defining a root diameter and a crest diameter, a head which is widened with respect to the rod and a deformable insert which is inserted in a seat which is axially aligned with the hole and which is constructed in an axially intermediate position thereof. The insert, at least when it is inserted in the seat, has a passage for a threaded spoke end, the internal diameter of which is less than the root diameter of the thread of the hole so as to interfere with the thread of the spoke when it is screwed into the threaded hole.

A nonpneumatic tire includes a tread portion, an upper ring, and a plurality of spokes extending radially downward from the upper ring. Each spoke is configured to carry a load while in tension and while in compression. The upper ring and the plurality of spokes are part of a unitary component constructed of a single material. Each spoke terminates at a lower end having a spoke mount with an opening configured to engage a corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under substantially no tension when the tread portion is not in contact with a ground surface and when each spoke mount is disengaged from its corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under tension when the tread portion is not in contact with the ground surface and when each spoke mount is engaged with its corresponding hub mount.

A nonpneumatic tire includes a tread portion, an upper ring, and a plurality of spokes extending radially downward from the upper ring. Each spoke is configured to carry a load while in tension and while in compression. The upper ring and the plurality of spokes are part of a unitary component constructed of a single material. Each spoke terminates at a lower end having a spoke mount with an opening configured to engage a corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under substantially no tension when the tread portion is not in contact with a ground surface and when each spoke mount is disengaged from its corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under tension when the tread portion is not in contact with the ground surface and when each spoke mount is engaged with its corresponding hub mount.

A wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, including a rim and hub, and 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 spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength. 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 bicycle real wheel hub includes pulling spokes and static spokes connected to the disks thereof. The hub includes a tubular portion with two disks respectively connected to two ends of the tubular portion. Multiple protrusions protrude from the inner side of each disk. The head of each pulling spoke is secured to the protrusion corresponding thereto. The head of each static spoke is secured to the disks. The heads of the pulling spokes are located closer to the middle point of the tubular portion than the heads of the static spokes. When the hub rotates, the static spokes provide strength in the axial direction of the hub, and the pulling spokes have strong tension so that the hub bears higher torque.