Forming features in the surface of a bicycle component involves depositing a substance onto a substrate in a geometric pattern to form a transfer medium. Forming features may also involve positioning the transfer medium relative to an unformed bicycle component, and forming a negative of the geometric pattern in the bicycle component through the application of heat and/or pressure to the transfer medium and the unformed bicycle component. The transfer medium may be configured for use in the molding of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (“CFRP”) bicycle components and may include a substrate formed of a flexible material, and a geometric pattern formed of a hard material, the hard material different than the flexible material.

A wheel assembly for a model vehicle is provided. The wheel assembly may include a wheel base configured for mounting an R/C vehicle tire and a colored trim piece provided on a facing surface of the wheel base. In addition, the wheel assembly may include a wheel face configured to allow portions of the colored trim piece to be visible when the wheel face is attached to the wheel base. The wheel assembly may also include a hub cap assembly that comprises a hub cap and a retainer. Wherein the hub cap assembly is removably secured against the wheel base via the retainer.

A lubricant supported electric motor includes a stator extending along an axis, and a rotor rotatably disposed around the stator in radially surrounding and spaced relationship to define at least one support chamber. A lubricant is disposed in the support chamber for supporting the rotor around the stator. A wheel rim is fixedly attached to the rotor and is disposed in surrounding relationship with the rotor and the stator. Thus, in a first aspect, rotation of the rotor is directly transferred to the wheel rim such that the wheel rim rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotor. In accordance with another aspect, the rotor is rotatably disposed within the stator, and a planetary gear reduction mechanism is operably interconnected to the rotor, the stator, and the wheel rim and configured to rotate the wheel rim in response to rotation of the rotor within the stator.

A wheel cover assembly for a vehicle wheel may include a wheel rib that is attachable to a rim inner surface of a wheel rim of the vehicle wheel, a cover body having a cover body outer surface, a cover body inner surface, and a cover body outer edge having an outer diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the wheel rib and less than an inner diameter of an open end flange of the wheel rim. A cover mounting mechanism operatively connected to the cover body has a cover locking position wherein the cover mounting mechanism engages the wheel rib to retain the wheel rib between the cover mounting mechanism and the cover body and secure the wheel cover assembly to the vehicle wheel when the wheel rib is attached to the rim inner surface.

Forming features in the surface of a bicycle component involves depositing a substance onto a substrate in a geometric pattern to form a transfer medium. Forming features may also involve positioning the transfer medium relative to an unformed bicycle component, and forming a negative of the geometric pattern in the bicycle component through the application of heat and/or pressure to the transfer medium and the unformed bicycle component. The transfer medium may be configured for use in the molding of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (“CFRP”) bicycle components and may include a substrate formed of a flexible material, and a geometric pattern formed of a hard material, the hard material different than the flexible material.

The present invention relates to a rim or hub shield for protecting a rim of a tire from harmful tire cleaning solutions. The rim shield features a round body having a slightly concave contour, an exterior surface and a concave interior surface, and a pair of oval cut-outs around the center of the shield allowing a user to grip the device. The shield includes a pair of pockets for storing cleaning supplies and other accessories. The shield can be placed against the rim using one hand while cleaning can be performed using the other hand. Alternatively, the shield can be securely placed around the rim by securing a protrusion along the periphery of the shield around the rim of the tire.

A heat shield for a wheel is disclosed. A torque bar may be used to mount the heat shield to the wheel, and includes a connector in the form of a stem and a head. A stiffening or reinforcement plate is mounted to the heat shield with a torque bar mounting aperture extending through the reinforcement plate being disposed about at least part of a torque bar mounting aperture extending through the heat shield. The torque bar mounting aperture of the reinforcement plate is disposed/configured such that the head of the torque bar may be disposed in overlying relation to portions of an outer surface of the heat shield that are on opposite sides of the torque bar mounting aperture through the heat shield that are exposed by the torque bar mounting aperture through the reinforcement plate.

A wheel cover includes: a cover body having an engagement hole and configured to cover a design face of a wheel; and a cover fastener that is inserted through the engagement hole. A primary attachment member of the cover fastener includes: a supporter that supports a periphery of the engagement hole; a cylindrical portion that is inserted in a hub hole formed in the wheel; a coupler that couples the supporter and the cylindrical portion; and a hook extending from the cylindrical portion to an outer circumferential side of the cylindrical portion, the hook being contactable with an inner circumferential portion of the hub hole at a position spaced apart from an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. A secondary attachment member of the cover fastener has an insertion portion that is inserted in a space formed between the hook and the outer circumferential surface.

Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for streamlining wheels. In one implementation, a wheel streamlining device includes a cover assembly having a flexible connection extending around a periphery of a ring configured to contact a tapered portion of a wheel. A hook is configured to removably engage the cover assembly, and a bale is configured to releasably engage an inner surface of an opening in a face of the wheel. A springy portion extends between the bale and the hook and is configured to apply a tension force between the ring and the tapered portion of the wheel.

A wheel assembly includes a rim element having an annular configuration defining an axis, and a spider defining a central element circumscribing the axis with a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly between the central element and the rim element. Adjacent of the spokes define an opening therebetween and are interconnected by a web circumscribing the opening. A cover defines a connector that is disposed over the spider concealing a portion of the spider and opening circumscribed by the web. The web defines a receptor configured to engage the connector thereby retaining the cover to the spider.