WHEEL WITH DETACHABLE SPOKE MADE OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL
The invention relates to a wheel including a rim, a hub, at least one spoke connecting the rim to the hub, the spoke being made of composite material. Each spoke of the wheel includes a device enabling a reversible connection with the hub of the wheel, the connection device being at least partially incorporated within the spoke by co-molding therewith.
1 . A wheel comprising:
a rim;
a hub;
at least one spoke connecting the rim to the hub, the spoke being made of composite material;
each spoke including a connection device enabling a reversible connection with the hub;
said connection device being at least partially incorporated with the spoke by having been co-molded with the spoke.
2 . A wheel according to claim 1 , wherein:
the connection device is positioned and maintained between two longitudinal outer surfaces of the spoke.
3 . A wheel according to claim 1 , wherein:
the connection device is a plate positioned between composite layers of the spoke.
4 . A wheel according to claim 3 , wherein:
the connection device comprises two superimposed composite layers on one surface of the plate.
5 . A wheel according to claim 3 , wherein:
the plate comprises a longitudinal groove for housing at least one composite layer of the spoke.
6 . A wheel according to claim 4 , wherein;
the two superimposed composite layers are housed in a first, deeper groove of the plate, a third composite layer being housed in a second, shallower groove.
7 . A wheel according to claim 3 , wherein:
the composite layers in the vicinity of the plate are surrounded by a tightening strap to prevent the layers from delaminating.
8 . A wheel according to claim 3 , wherein:
a transitional zone is positioned between the plate and the composite layers.
9 . A wheel according to claim 3 , wherein:
the plate is either planar or comprises two portions, one of said two portions being inclined by a determinate angle with respect to a second of said two portions.
10 . A wheel according to claim 3 , wherein:
the plate has an elliptical shape and comprises a projection ensuring connection with the hub.
11 . A wheel according to claim 1 , wherein;
the connection device is a shouldered pin.
12 . A wheel according to claim 1 , wherein:
the connection device is a threaded tube
13 . A wheel according to claim 10 , wherein:
the fibers of the composite material surround the connection device on both of opposed sides.
14 . A wheel according to claim 1 , wherein:
the connection device has a roughened surface obtained by blasting for improving adhesion between the device and the spoke.
15 . A wheel according to claim 1 , wherein:
the reversible connection is obtained by positioning a connection device in abutment with an associated portion of the wheel.
16 . A spoke for a wheel according to claim 1 .
17 . A spoke according to claim 16 , wherein:
the spoke is a double spoke.
18 . A spoke according to claim 16 , wherein:
the spoke is a double spoke extending substantially across a diameter of the wheel.