The present invention relates to a spoked wheel for vehicles, in particular for motor-cycles.

More specifically, the invention relates to a tubeless-type, spoked wheel, that is, a wheel that is intended for the fitting of a tubeless tyre, the wheel comprising a rim and a hub between which a plurality of spokes are connected, wherein the rim has a radially recessed, cylindrical outer surface with a channel-shaped cross-section and is provided with a plurality of drilled seats each intended for the attachment of a respective nipple for the connection of a spoke, and wherein annular sealing means are provided between each nipple and the corresponding drilled seat of the rim.

A tubeless-type, spoked wheel is described and illustrated, for example, in European patent application EP-I 209 003 -A.

A further tubeless-type, spoked wheel is described in the Applicant's International patent application WO 2007/034426. In the wheel described and illustrated in this latter document, the rim comprises a first, inner rim portion and a second, outer rim portion which are separate from one another; the radially outer rim portion forms the base wall of the rim, and the second, radially inner rim portion has the drilled seats for the spoke connection nipples. The rim portions are joined together, preferably releasably, for example, by means of threaded connection members. A respective annular sealing element in the form of an O-ring is provided between each nipple and the corresponding drilled seat of the rim. Moreover, further sealing O-rings extend circumferentially between the first and second rim portions.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a tubeless-type, spoked wheel which has a simplified structure, is highly reliable in operation, and enables any repair operations to be performed easily.

This and other objectives are achieved, according to the invention, by a wheel of the type specified above, characterized in that it further comprises a circumferential, band-like seal which is made of resilient material, is fitted onto the rim, and extends over the recessed, cylindrical surface of the rim in a circumferentially stretched condition so as sealingly to cover all of the above-mentioned drilled seats.

According to a further characteristic, each of the annular sealing means that are provided between each nipple and the corresponding drilled seat of the rim preferably comprises a sleeve which is made of elastomer material and is fitted on the portion of the nipple that extends through the hole of the corresponding seat of the rim, and which has an axial length equal to or greater than the length of the said hole.

The sealing sleeves are preferably fitted onto the corresponding nipples after the sleeves have been heated so that, in the assembled condition, the sealing sleeves extend around the nipples in a circumferentially stretched condition.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description which is given purely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wheel according to the present invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the rim of the wheel of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a view sectioned on the line III-III of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a view sectioned on the line IV-IV of Figure 2,

Figure 5 shows a detail indicated V in Figure 4, on an enlarged scale, and

Figures 6 and 7 are two different perspective views of a nipple for a wheel according to the invention.

A tubeless-type, spoked wheel for vehicles, in particular for motor-cycles, is generally indicated 1 in Figure 1.

The wheel 1 comprises a rim 2 and a hub 3 between which a plurality of spokes 4 are connected.

The spokes 4 are connected at their inner ends to a pair of flanges of the hub 3 and at their outer ends are connected to the rim 2 by means of nipples 5.

The rim 2 has, in known manner, a radially recessed, cylindrical outer surface of substantially channel-shaped cross-section with a base wall 2a and a pair of sides or side walls 2b (see Figures 3 and 4 in particular).

In any case, the surfaces and the outside dimensions of the rim 2 are suitable for housing a tubeless tyre in accordance with the international standards that are in force, whereas the inside dimensions may vary according to aesthetic/stylistic considerations and/or other requirements.

In the embodiment shown by way of example, between the sides or side walls 2b and the base wall 2a, the rim 2 forms two annular shoulder walls 2c which, on one side, directly adjoin the adjacent sides 2b and, on the other side, adjoin the base wall 2a via respective humps 2d (Figure 3).

For improved coupling with the tubeless tyre, the sides 2b of the rim 2 are preferably formed with an increased thickness.

With reference to Figures 2 and 5 in particular, a plurality of drilled seats 6 are provided in the base wall 2a of the rim 2 for the attachment of respective nipples 5. Each drilled seat 6 is formed in a respective boss or flared seat 7 of the rim 2, which boss or flared seat 7 protrudes towards the hub 3.

In general, the seats for the nipples may also be provided in parts of the rim 2 other than the base wall 2a. Moreover, the seats may be formed in portions of the rim which do not have bosses but nevertheless have a suitable thickness.

Each seat 6 comprises a substantially cylindrical through-hole 6a which extends through the base wall 2a of the rim 2 in the region of a respective boss 7 (Figure 5).

With reference to Figures 6 and 7, each nipple 5 comprises a head 8 which is integral with a substantially tubular stem 9.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6, an axial blind hole 10 is formed in the stem 9 of each nipple 5, starting from the distal end, and is provided, in known manner, with a thread 11 for connection to the corresponding spoke.

The head 8 of each nipple 5 has a rounded profile in section and is advantageously shaped and processed so as to be free of burrs and/or sharp edges.

As can be seen in Figures 5 and 7, a recess or seat 12 is advantageously formed in the head 8 for the engagement of a manual or automatic screwing device, and/or of a device for checking the tightening torque. In the embodiment illustrated, the seat 12 is of the so-called "Torx" (registered trade mark) type.

The distal end 9a of the shaft or stem 9 of each nipple is advantageously shaped, for example, by means of substantially polygonal faceting, to facilitate gripping.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the proximal end 9b of each shaft or stem of the nipples 5 advantageously has a smaller diameter than the adjacent intermediate portion 9c thereof.

An annular sealing member, indicated 13 in Figure 5, is operatively interposed between the proximal portion 9b of the stem of each nipple 5 and the wall of the corresponding through-hole 6a of the seat 6 of the rim 2.

The annular sealing member 13 is advantageously formed as a sleeve which is made of elastomer material and, after being heated, is fitted onto the portion 9b of the nipple stem. The sealing sleeve 13 preferably has an axial length which is equal to or greater than the length of the through-hole 6a of the corresponding seat 6.

The sealing sleeve 13 is pre-fitted on the nipple and the nipple is then interference fitted in the through-hole 6a of the corresponding seat 6 of the rim. The head 8 of each nipple is then housed mainly in the recess of the boss 7 in which the corresponding seat 6 of the rim 2 is formed (see Figure 5).

With reference to Figures 1 and 3 to 5, according to the invention, a circumferential band- like seal 14, for example made of elastomer material, is fitted around the rim 2. The seal 14 is fitted onto the rim 2 after the mounting of the nipples 5 and it is preferably stretched circumferentially in the fitted condition. The seal advantageously covers at least the outer surface of the base wall 2a of the rim 2 and, preferably, the entire outer surface of the rim except for the sides or side walls 2b which are intended to cooperate with the tubeless tyre (see Figure 3 in particular).

The band-like seal 14 helps to prevent leakages between the region that is operatively inside the tyre and the surrounding atmosphere.

However, the seal performs another important function: in the event of the breakage of a spoke, the seal 14 prevents the corresponding nipple 5 from coming out of its seat in the rim, thus avoiding the danger that the nipple might damage the tyre, so that the wheel nevertheless remains fully functional.

The seal 14 is "custom made" for the specific rim on which it is to be fitted.

The fitting of the seal 14 on the rim 2 does not require the use of conventional fixing means such as screws, glues, sealants, etc. The seal can also be removed easily, for example, for the replacement of one or more damaged nipples or for repair or touching-up operations of other types (such as repainting or re-chroming operations, etc.). When these operations have been completed, the seal can easily be refitted in accordance with the initial fitting method.

In the event of tearing or damage, the seal 14 can easily be removed and replaced.

The nipples 5 are advantageously made, for example, of "high speed" lead steel which material has good toughness and optimal workability with machine tools. A surface galvanizing treatment may advantageously be provided for to protect the nipples from corrosion.

Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the forms of embodiment and details of construction may be varied widely with respect to those described and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.