Multi-piece extrusion spokes for wheels
A wheel assembly is provided that includes spokes having one or more triangular prisms positioned between inner and outer surfaces of the spokes that impart additional strength.
1 . A wheel assembly, comprising:
a circular rim;
a center hub positioned at an axis of rotation of the circular rim; and
a plurality of spokes radiating outwardly from the center hub to the circular rim,
wherein each spoke of the plurality of spokes is removably connected to the circular rim,
wherein each spoke of the plurality of spokes comprises a generally triangular prism formed by first and second surfaces of the respective spoke and a support member extending transversely between the first and second surfaces,
wherein a first spoke of the plurality of spokes comprises a first center hub section, wherein a second spoke of the plurality of spokes comprises a second center hub section, and wherein the second center hub section comprises a central channel to which the first center hub section engages to position the first and second center hub sections in an overlapping relationship.
2 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support member is part of the center hub.
3 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the center hub is at least partially formed by the interconnected first and second center hub sections of the first and second spokes.
4 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the generally triangular prism includes an irregularity forming a stress riser having a lower breaking point than a breaking point of other surfaces defining the generally triangular prism.
5 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein one or more surfaces of the generally triangular prism comprise a surface treatment selected from a group consisting essentially of a coating, a paint, anodizing, electropolishing or shot peening and laser peening, and wherein the plurality of spokes attach to the center hub by a form press/fit scheme.
6 . A wheel assembly, comprising:
a circular rim;
a center hub positioned at an axis of rotation of the circular rim; and
a plurality of spokes radiating outwardly from the center hub to the circular rim,
wherein each spoke of the plurality of spokes is removably connected to the circular rim,
wherein each spoke of the plurality of spokes comprises a space located interiorly of first and second surfaces of the respective spoke and a support member extending transversely between the first and second surfaces, the interior space having a generally triangular cross section along a length of the respective spoke, and
wherein a selected spoke of the plurality of spokes comprises:
a first section connecting to the circular rim;
a second section; and
a third section connecting to a first adjacent spoke of the plurality of spokes,
wherein the second section is positioned between the first and third sections, wherein the second section connects to a second adjacent spoke of the plurality of spokes, and wherein the second section comprises a slot to receive a third section of the second adjacent spoke.
7 . The wheel assembly of claim 6 , wherein the support member is part of the center hub.
8 . The wheel assembly of claim 6 , and wherein the center hub is at least partially formed by the interconnection between the third section of the selected spoke and the first adjacent spoke and by the interconnection between the second section of the selected spoke and the second adjacent spoke.
9 . The wheel assembly of claim 6 , wherein the interior space includes an irregularity forming a stress riser having a lower breaking point than a breaking point of other surfaces defining the interior space.
10 . The wheel assembly of claim 6 , wherein one or more surfaces of the interior space comprises a surface treatment selected from a group consisting essentially of a coating, a paint, anodizing, electropolishing or shot peening and laser peening, and wherein the plurality of spokes attach to the center hub by a form press/fit scheme.
11 . A wheel assembly, comprising:
a circular rim; and
a plurality of spokes radiating outwardly from an axis of rotation of the wheel assembly,
wherein each spoke of the plurality of spokes is removably connected to the circular rim and to adjacent spokes to form hub,
wherein each spoke of the plurality of spokes comprises a space located interiorly of first and second surfaces of the respective spoke and a support member extending transversely between the first and second surfaces, the interior space having a generally triangular cross section along a length of the respective spoke, and
wherein a selected spoke of the plurality of spokes comprises:
a first section connecting to the circular rim;
a second section; and
a third section connecting to a first adjacent spoke of the plurality of spokes,
wherein the second section is positioned between the first and third sections, wherein the second section connects to a second adjacent spoke of the plurality of spokes, and wherein the second section comprises a slot to receive a third section of the second adjacent spoke.
12 . The wheel assembly of claim 11 , wherein an adhesive is applied to adjacent spokes of the plurality of spokes which reduces relative motion and fretting corrosion between the adjacent spokes of the plurality of spokes.
13 . The wheel assembly of claim 11 , wherein the interior space includes an irregularity forming a stress riser having a lower breaking point than a breaking point of other surfaces defining the interior space.