A vehicle wheel has spokes, on which cover elements are provided for a space between the spokes. The cover elements deform according to the temperature in such a way that, at higher temperatures, a passage of air through a region of the space between the spokes is possible, which is covered by the cover element at lower temperatures. In this way, the cover elements do not entirely cover the respective spaces between the spokes, and a rigid cap element is provided per intermediate space in addition to a cover element deforming according to the temperature. Alternatively, two cover elements are provided in each space between the spokes, next to one another in the circumferential direction of the wheel, wherein in the deformed state, one of the cover elements is curved outwards and the other cover element is curved inwards towards the vehicle.

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 lightweight wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, includes a rim and hub, and a plurality of lightweight, flexible and resilient 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 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.

The invention is directed to a method for producing a rim (2) comprising at least one three-dimensionally shaped layer of reinforcing fibers (26). In a first step a forming tool (25) is provided which comprises a three-dimensionally shaped outer contour. In a subsequent step a band of reinforcing fibers (26) is wound onto the forming tool (25) such that the reinforcing fibers follow the outer contour of the forming tool (25) and are arranged in at least one of reinforcing fibers. A draping device (27) is provided by which the band of reinforcing fibers (26) is preformed before the band of reinforcing fibers (26) is wound onto the forming tool (25).

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.

A non-metallic rim for a wheel which may be used for motorised vehicles. The rim has a barrel, a first flange, a second flange, a first bead seat, a second beat seat and a primary structural component. The primary structural component extends into at least the first flange and the barrel, and the primary structural component is capable of bearing the majority of the radial and/or lateral load that is borne by the rim during usage. Additionally, the rim has at least a portion of the first bead seat spaced apart from the primary structural component and/or has a protective insert in between the outer face of the first flange and the primary structural component.

Wheel comprising a rim and a wheel center wherein the wheel center comprises several spokes extending in a longitudinal direction from a wheel hub to the rim. At least one spoke comprises an outer wall surrounding a cavity extending in the longitudinal direction of the at least one spoke. The cavity is delimited from the outer wall by an inner surface. The at least one spoke further comprises a reinforcing member extending along the inner surface.

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 sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of sprockets and a first support element. The plurality of sprockets is arranged coaxially about a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket assembly. The plurality of sprockets includes a first sprocket. The first sprocket includes a first toothed ring and a first sprocket body at least partly disposed radially inwardly of the first toothed ring with respect to the rotational center axis. The first toothed ring is made of a first material. The first sprocket body is made of a second material that is different from the first material. The first support element extends from the first sprocket to a second sprocket adjacent to the first sprocket in an axial direction with respect to the rotational center axis. The first support element is made of a first additional material that is different from the second material.

A track widening system for motor vehicles, having at least one track widening disc and at least one centering ring which is inserted into a central opening of the track widening disc. The centering ring has at least one first catch device which is arranged at the free end of a resilient arm and the track widening disc has a corresponding second catch. The centering ring may include plastic, and may be fiber-reinforced. One or more centering rings may have different colors. One or more protrusions may extend from a hub centering position of a centering ring.