The present invention provides a bicycle rim assembly adapted to be coupled to a hub to create a bicycle wheel. The rim assembly includes a rim and a cover coupled to the rim. The rim defines a central plane and comprises an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall cooperating with the inner wall to define a cavity. The rim further includes annular projections spaced laterally relative to the central plane and extending substantially radially outwardly from the outer annular wall. The cover includes sidewalls disposed on lateral sides of the rim adjacent the projections, each sidewall including a lateral inner portion having a lateral thickness. The cover further includes an annular ring portion interconnecting the sidewalls, the annular ring portion including a radial thickness less than the lateral thickness of the lateral inner portion of the sidewalls. Preferably, the rim comprises a metallic material and the cover comprises a non-metallic material. For example, the rim can comprise aluminum or an epoxy matrix composite, and the cover can comprises a polymeric material, such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. In addition, a radial thickness of the entire cover is preferably substantially less than a radial thickness of the entire rim. In one embodiment, the projections include a laterally inwardly facing surface, a laterally outwardly facing surface, and a radially outwardly facing surface. In this embodiment, the cover engages at least a portion of each of the laterally inwardly facing surface, the laterally outwardly facing surface, and the radially outwardly facing surface. Preferably, each annular projection has a smoothly radiused radially outwardly facing surface, and each laterally outwardly facing surface that lies in a radial plane substantially parallel to the central plane.

A wheel end assembly for a tire inflation system includes a sealing ring disposed on an axle housing. The sealing ring includes a conduit formed therethrough in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a hub. The hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing adjacent the sealing ring. An inner rotary seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. An outer rotary seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The hub conduit is in fluid communication with the sealing ring conduit via an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The bearing seal is disposed outboard of the outer rotary seal. The inner rotary seal, the outer rotary seal, and the bearing seal are each in sealing contact with the sealing ring.

A bolt together wheel assembly with deflation system includes an inner wheel half, an outer wheel half, a bolt cover ring, and a removable valve stem. Clamping bolts and clamping nuts secure the outer wheel half to the inner wheel half. Venting port plugs secure the bolt cover ring to the outer wheel half over the clamping bolts. Loosening one or more of the venting port plugs to access the clamping bolts opens a seal to a vent port within the inner wheel half and releases pressurized air from a tire on the wheel, ensuring that the tire is deflated before the wheel can be disassembled.

The present invention provides a bicycle rim assembly adapted to be coupled to a hub to create a bicycle wheel. The rim assembly includes a rim and a cover coupled to the rim. The rim defines a central plane and comprises an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall cooperating with the inner wall to define a cavity. The rim further includes annular projections spaced laterally relative to the central plane and extending substantially radially outwardly from the outer annular wall. The cover includes sidewalls disposed on lateral sides of the rim adjacent the projections, each sidewall including a lateral inner portion having a lateral thickness. The cover further includes an annular ring portion interconnecting the sidewalls, the annular ring portion including a radial thickness less than the lateral thickness of the lateral inner portion of the sidewalls. Preferably, the rim comprises a metallic material and the cover comprises a non-metallic material. For example, the rim can comprise aluminum or an epoxy matrix composite, and the cover can comprises a polymeric material, such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. In addition, a radial thickness of the entire cover is preferably substantially less than a radial thickness of the entire rim.

In one embodiment, the projections include a laterally inwardly facing surface, a laterally outwardly facing surface, and a radially outwardly facing surface. In this embodiment, the cover engages at least a portion of each of the laterally inwardly facing surface, the laterally outwardly facing surface, and the radially outwardly facing surface. Preferably, each annular projection has a smoothly radiused radially outwardly facing surface, and each laterally outwardly facing surface that lies in a radial plane substantially parallel to the central plane.

A wheel assembly having two cylindrical bodies, each with a diameter approximately the same as the interior diameter of a tire. On the front body, are found an outer edge on one side and bolt receiving means on the opposite site and alignment holes. On the back body is found an outer edge, bolt receiving means that run across the entire length of the back body, are located on the interior of the body and are placed equidistant around the body. Each bolt receiving means aligns with a complementary bolt receiving means on the front body. The back body also has alignment pegs that fit into the alignment holes of the front body for proper alignment of the front and hack bodies. Holes on the hub, located on the front body permit placement of the tire and wheel assembly onto an axle of an automobile or other wheeled device.

The invention relates to an aircraft wheel comprising a rim and a tire (20) received on the rim, the rim comprising two parts (1; 2) assembled with one another by means of assembly bolts (5), one of the parts comprising a recess (3) in which is arranged a seal (4) which is interposed between the two parts, the wheel being characterized in that at least one of the parts comprises at least one duct (6) extending beneath the seal so as to establish a leakage path between on one hand a volume of gas delimited by the rim and the tire, and on the other hand a space between the parts, the path being nominally closed by the seal when the bolts are tightened correctly but allowing gas to leak from said volume when the bolt associated with said opening is not tightened correctly or is absent.

A bicycle wheel including a hub and a rim coupled to the hub. The wheel also includes a cover that is coupled to rim and that defines a bead seat engageable by a tire. The rim can have a first annular feature and the cover can have a second annular feature that is complementary to the first annular feature to attach the cover to the rim.

A bicycle wheel including a hub and a rim coupled to the hub. The wheel also includes a cover that is coupled to rim and that defines a bead seat engageable by a tire. The rim can have a first annular feature and the cover can have a second annular feature that is complementary to the first annular feature to attach the cover to the rim.

A hermetically sealed wheel assembly which has been welding autogenously is provided, along with a method and system for welding the wheel assembly. The wheel assembly is made up of at least two components which are laser welded to each other without the use of filler material to create a hermetically sealed wheel assembly.

A driver key is provided for coupling a rim base and a bead seat band of a wheel rim assembly together. The driver key includes a body having a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface. The first and second engagement surfaces are each oriented at an angle of less than ninety degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the body.