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.

A bicycle rim assembly includes a rim defining a central plane and comprising annular inner and outer walls. The outer wall includes first and second bead seats separated by a center well. First and second annular projections are spaced laterally from each other relative to the central plane and extend substantially radially outwardly from the outer wall. Each of the annular projections includes a radially outer face and a laterally inner face. Right and left covers are spaced from each other and are preferably coupled to the rim to cover at least a portion of the laterally inner face and the radially outer face of the first and second annular projections, respectively, and also the first and second bead seats, respectively. One or both of the right and left covers can be fiber reinforced. First and second pieces of tape can be overlapped and used to secure the covers to the rim.

A wheel assembly may comprise a wheel including a rim defining a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The wheel may comprise a radial protrusion and an aperture. The radial protrusion may extend radially outward from the radial outer surface. The aperture may extend radially through the radial protrusion to the radially inner surface. A fuse plug may be disposed in the aperture.

A wheel assembly may comprise a wheel including a rim defining a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The wheel may comprise a radial protrusion and an aperture. The radial protrusion may extend radially outward from the radial outer surface. The aperture may extend radially through the radial protrusion to the radially inner surface. A fuse plug may be disposed in the aperture.

A rim assembly for a bicycle wheel is disclosed. The rim assembly comprises: a rim configured to receive a rim component in an external surface thereof, and; a rim component located in the external surface of the rim, wherein the rim component forms part of the external surface of the rim, and wherein; the rim component has a lower density than the rim. A rim, insertable rim component and methods of manufacturing such a rim assembly are also disclosed.

A non-pneumatic tire is described herein having a spoke loop structure forming an annular ring, and further including a ground contacting tread portion and a shear band. The spoke loop structure has a plurality of flexible loops extending inward from the shear band, wherein each loop is formed from a strip of elastomeric material, and wherein each loop is connected to a wheel. The wheel has at least two circumferential partition, wherein each spoke loop is received in a compartment formed between two adjacent partition, wherein the compartment prevents axial movement of the spoke loop.

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 + or to the circumferential axis of the rim portion, wherein 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 + or to the circumferential axis of the rim portion, wherein is from 26 to 40.

A bicycle rim for carrying a tire. The rim includes a circumferential tire bed including first and second opposing edge regions a circumferential spoke face, and first and second side walls extending from the spoke face to the first and second edge regions, respectively. The first and second side walls include first and second side wall extensions radially extending from the first and second opposing side regions and terminating at first and second outer radial edges, respectively. Each of the first and second outer radial edges defining a maximum width that is at least 3.8 mm. The thickness of the first and second side wall extensions varies with respect to a central radial axis. The thickness of the first and second side wall extensions is greater at the first and second outer radial edges than at a location radially spaced from the first and second outer radial edges and adjacent to the first and second opposing end regions, respectively.