A rim for a bicycle wheel includes a radially outer tire-engaging portion, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall. The first and second sidewalls may extend radially inward of the radially outer tire-engaging portion. The rim includes a radially inner portion having at least one asymmetric protrusion.

A rim (5) for a bicycle wheel having a body (20) with a substantially annular extension with a radially outer portion (22) shaped for coupling with a tire is disclosed. The radially outer portion (22) has a hole (39) for an inflation valve. The radially outer portion (22) also includes, at the hole (39) and/or in an area proximal to the hole (39), at least one cross section having a different shape from that at an area distal from the hole, so as to form at least one second surface discontinuity (35) along the annular extension of the radially outer portion (22). The second discontinuity (35) makes it easier to assemble to wheel and allows an optimal coupling to be made between the rim (5), inflation valve, and tire, in the case of a tubeless wheel, and between rim (5), air chamber and tire, in the case of a wheel with an air chamber.

A rim (5) for a bicycle wheel having a body (20) with a substantially annular extension with a radially outer portion (22) shaped for coupling with a tire is disclosed. The radially outer portion (22) has a hole (39) for an inflation valve. The radially outer portion (22) also includes, at the hole (39) and/or in an area proximal to the hole (39), at least one cross section having a different shape from that at an area distal from the hole, so as to form at least one second surface discontinuity (35) along the annular extension of the radially outer portion (22). The second discontinuity (35) makes it easier to assemble to wheel and allows an optimal coupling to be made between the rim (5), inflation valve, and tire, in the case of a tubeless wheel, and between rim (5), air chamber and tire, in the case of a wheel with an air chamber.

A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly including a wheel having a first and second bead ring, a non-pneumatic tire having a shear band and tread forming a tread band, and a first and second sidewall region; wherein the first and second sidewall regions each extend from the tread band and terminate into a first and second respective bead area, wherein the first and second bead area are each mounted on the first and second bead ring, respectively; wherein each bead area is located axially outward of the crown region of the non-pneumatic tire when mounted on the wheel, and wherein the first and second sidewall each have an upper sidewall region that is uncoupled from the outer lateral ends of the tread band.

A wheel rim including a flange profile on a tire side of an open end flange of the wheel rim, the flange profile defined by the equation: $y_1=(a\mathrm{Theta}1+\frac{1}{{\left(1+\mathrm{Exp}\left(a\mathrm{Theta}3+a\mathrm{Theta}4.Math.X_1\right)\right)}^{\mathrm{aTheta}5}}$

A rim portion of a composite wheel comprises a shaped annulus formed about a central axis of rotation of the composite wheel and having a circumferential axis extending circumferentially about the central axis and around the rim portion, said rim portion having a fibre layup comprising a stacked laminate formed from alternating layers of: a hoop tow layer comprising elongate fibre tow in which the fibres are substantially aligned with the circumferential axis of the rim portion, the hoop tow layer being formed from at least one annularly wound elongate fibre tow; and a bias ply layer comprising at least one fibre ply in which the fibres are substantially orientated at an angle of +Θ or −Θ to the circumferential axis of the rim portion, wherein Θ is from 26° to 40°.

A rim portion of a composite wheel comprises a shaped annulus formed about a central axis of rotation of the composite wheel and having a circumferential axis extending circumferentially about the central axis and around the rim portion, said rim portion having a fibre layup comprising a stacked laminate formed from alternating layers of: a hoop tow layer comprising elongate fibre tow in which the fibres are substantially aligned with the circumferential axis of the rim portion, the hoop tow layer being formed from at least one annularly wound elongate fibre tow; and a bias ply layer comprising at least one fibre ply in which the fibres are substantially orientated at an angle of +Θ or −Θ to the circumferential axis of the rim portion, wherein Θ is from 26° to 40°.

A wheel construction including a rim, the rim including: an inner flange (16) and an outer flange (18), a central well (20) positioned between the flanges, a pair of bead seats (22, 24), one being positioned adjacent each flange, each bead seat being connected to the respective flange by a flange connection portion, and being connected to one of a pair of side parts (30, 32), each connected to the central well by a well connecting portion (34, 36), wherein at least one of the side parts includes a convex portion (40, 42) including a convex surface that extends radially beyond the axially inner end of the bead and a curved portion (50, 52), and wherein at least one of the inner flange and the outer flange includes an extended portion (17, 19) which extends radially inwardly to a free end.

Presented are hybrid metal and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite wheels for vehicle wheel assemblies, methods for making/using such wheels, and motor vehicles equipped with such wheels. A wheel for a motor vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel face with multiple spokes that are circumferentially spaced about and project radially outward from a central hub. The central hub rotatably attaches to the vehicle's body, e.g., via a corner module. The wheel face is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from an FRP material. A wheel barrel, which circumscribes the wheel face, includes an annular rim that mounts thereon an inflatable tire. The wheel barrel is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from a metallic material. Multiple overmold through holes and/or inset tabs are circumferentially spaced about the annular rim. The FRP material extends through and/or surrounds the overmold through holes/inset tabs and thereby mounts the wheel face to the wheel barrel.

Presented are hybrid metal and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite wheels for vehicle wheel assemblies, methods for making/using such wheels, and motor vehicles equipped with such wheels. A wheel for a motor vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel face with multiple spokes that are circumferentially spaced about and project radially outward from a central hub. The central hub rotatably attaches to the vehicle's body, e.g., via a corner module. The wheel face is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from an FRP material. A wheel barrel, which circumscribes the wheel face, includes an annular rim that mounts thereon an inflatable tire. The wheel barrel is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from a metallic material. Multiple overmold through holes and/or inset tabs are circumferentially spaced about the annular rim. The FRP material extends through and/or surrounds the overmold through holes/inset tabs and thereby mounts the wheel face to the wheel barrel.