A method for fabricating thermoplastic bicycle spokes that securely couple to an end fitting, at one or both ends thereof, via a non-threaded, mechanical interlocking geometry. A spoke body is fabricated from thermoplastic resin, and then thermoplastic material is added, in situ (using the internal geometry of the end fitting as a form). This increases the effective diameter of the spoke at at least one end thereof to create an engagement feature that is adapted to interlock with the internal configuration of the end fitting. Additionally, by virtue of the method, the end of the spoke has a desirable fiber alignment, wherein the fibers substantially align with in-use loads.

A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension. The tire can comprise a generally annular inner ring, a generally annular outer ring, and a web having a plurality of web elements. The tire can further comprise a layer or layers fabric material acting as a bonding agent to bond tire components together.

A steering knuckle comprising a bearing connection point for connecting a bearing to the knuckle and comprising a further connection point for connecting the knuckle to a further component. The bearing connection point is formed by a first insert and the further connection point is formed by a second insert, which are joined by a composite body comprising a fiber-reinforced material that is overmolded to the first and second inserts. The bearing connection point and the further connection point are additionally joined by one or more continuous fiber tows that are wound around part of a radially outer surface of the first insert and of the second insert.

The present invention relates to a wheel rim extender device (1) removably mountable on a wheel (3) having a tire retaining rim (27) for engaging an outer surface of a tire (5). The device (1) has an annular member (11) for location adjacent a sidewall (7) of a tire (5) mounted on the wheel (3). The annular member (11) comprises an edge portion (33a, 33b) which defines an outer circumference of the annular member (11) and a support portion (35a, 35b), disposed radially inward of the edge portion (33a, 33b), for mounting on the wheel (3), wherein the edge portion (33a, 33b) has a greater flexibility than the support portion (35a, 35b). The invention also relates to the combination of a wheel rim extender device (1) and a wheel (3).

Herein is described a non-metallic rim for a wheel, the rim comprising: a barrel having first and second flanges extending radially outward from opposing edges of the barrel, and the barrel comprising a first bead seat and a second bead seat arranged axially inwardly, respectively, of the first and second flanges, wherein a primary structural component extends at least through the first flange and the barrel, the primary structural component being capable of bearing the majority of the radial and/or lateral load that, in use, would be borne by the rim a protective insert is disposed between an outer face of the first flange and the primary structural component and/or at least a portion of the first bead seat is spaced apart from the primary structural component and the primary structural component, bead seat and, if present, the protective insert are bound by a polymer matrix.

A manufacturing method and structure of a carbon fiber rim is revealed. A metal strip is formed by heating a metal substrate to a moldable temperature and then extruded molding. The metal strip comprises two side walls, a connecting wall and an inner rim wall to form a space surrounded by the side walls, the connecting wall, and the inner rim wall. Next, two terminals of the strip are connected to form a circle as a rim frame's embryo. The two side walls, or the two side walls and the inner rim wall of the rim frame's embryo are milled to form plural through holes and become a rim frame. Afterwards, the surface of the rim frame is roughened and covered with a trimmed carbon fiber cloth having a predetermined shape. After heatsetting and surface treating, a carbon fiber rim having a light weight and a strong structure is obtained.

A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.

A wheel assembly is composed of multiple wheels, each featuring a hub with spokes and a main axle bore, and cross-roller sub-assemblies that include symmetrical axles and solid bushings, as well as peripheral rollers. The cross-roller sub-assemblies are overmolded with the wheel hub to form a peripheral axle ring. A method of assembling the wheel assembly involves creating the cross-roller sub-assemblies by overmolding the solid bushings with peripheral rollers, and then placing these sub-assemblies in a mold to form the peripheral axle ring. Alternatively, the pre-roller assemblies may be overmolded directly with the wheel hub to form the peripheral axle ring.