Patent Application
20120256383
The present invention relates to a wheel for wheelbarrows and/or carts and, more specifically, to a wheel with spokes that is sealed against infiltration of debris and water.
Wheel assemblies for wheelbarrows include a wheel and a tire. Due to the work environments experienced by such wheel assemblies, the wheel must be very robust. Presently, wheelbarrow wheels are typically made from metal configured substantially as a disk having a central hub opening, a rim, and a solid body therebetween. A common alternative is to have two disk-like bodies that are joined together. The bodies may be convex, or have convex portions, whereby, when the bodies are joined, the wheel forms an enclosed space. That is, the disk-like bodies are joined at the outer surface, i.e. about the rim, and about the hub opening. This configuration creates a substantially sealed, enclosed space. The sealing of the hub enclosed space is important as a cause of wheel and/or tire failure is the infiltration of debris and water into the enclosed space. While such wheel assemblies serve their purpose, the full disk-like body, which is typically made from metal, are both heavy and expensive, and are not generally considered to be aesthetically pleasing.
The disclosed and claimed concept provides for a wheel for a wheelbarrow wherein the wheel body forms wide spokes. The spokes are formed by openings between the hub and the rim in the bodies that form the wheel. While such spokes are known, the openings that create the spokes provide additional points of entry for debris and water into the enclosed space. Thus, the disclosed and claimed concept further provides for a sealed, fragmented seam on the wheel bodies. That is, the seam is the gap between the wheel bodies. This seam is fragmented as it is divided into a plurality of openings. When the seam is sealed, there is no, or no substantial, entry point into the wheel enclosed space. The seam is, preferably, sealed by a hemmed-over inwardly extending rib that extends about each opening. Alternatively, the rib may be an axially, inwardly extending rib that abuts a similar rib on the opposing body or contacts the opposing body. Another alternative is a grommet that extends about each opening. In any of these configurations, the openings are substantially sealed, thereby substantially resisting the infiltration of debris and water.
A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
As used herein, “coupled” means a link between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a link occurs.
As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other.
As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. The fixed components may, or may not, be directly coupled.
As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body.
As used herein, a “rim” is a body shaped substantially as a torus and having one or more fellies.
As used herein, and in reference to the ribs disposed at each window, “inwardly” means that the rib extends into the space defining the window.
As used herein, and in reference to the ribs disposed at each window, “axially, inwardly” means that the rib extends into the enclosed space between two wheel bodies.
As used herein, “associated” means that the identified components are related to another component and/or interact with each other. For example, a body that has a plurality of spokes includes a space between adjacent spokes, thus the two adjacent spokes are “associated” with the space therebetween. A component may be independently “associated” with more than one other component. For example, a first spoke is “associated” with the spaces and adjacent spokes located both clockwise and counterclockwise thereto. This does not mean, however, that the two other spokes are “associated” with each other; rather the first spoke is independently “associated” with each space and adjacent spoke.
As used herein, and with reference to a rib, the “height” of a rib means the distance from the base, or proximal end, of the rib to another point on the rib.
As shown in
As shown in
The wheel first and second bodies 40, 42 each include a hub 50, 51, as shown in
The spokes 52, 53 extend between the associated hub 50, 51 and the associated rim 54, 55. Each spoke 52, 53, preferably, has a convex cross-section. Thus, when the wheel first and second bodies 40, 42, are coupled to each other, each spoke 52, 53 defines part of the enclosed space 48. Between each spoke 52, 53 and an adjacent spoke 52, 53 (on the same wheel body 40, 42) there is a space. The space between adjacent spokes 52, 53 and bounded by the portion of the rim 54, 55 between the adjacent spokes 52, 53 define a window 60, 61.
Each window 60, 61 has a rib 62, 63. That is, each side of a spoke 52, 53 has a rib 62, 63 which continues over the portion of the rim 54, 55 between the spokes 52, 53. As this space is defined as a window 60, 61, the following description shall identify the rib 62, 63 as being associated with the window 60, 61. Each first wheel body window 60 has a first rib 62 and each second wheel body window 61 has a second rib 63. Each rib 62, 63 extends substantially about, i.e. completely around, the associated window 60, 61. It is understood that each window 60, 61 and associated rib 62, 63 on each wheel body 40, 42 are substantially similar. Thus, the following description shall address a single pair of windows 60, 61 but it is further understood that the description applies to all windows 60, 61.
When the wheel bodies 40, 42 are coupled, the mirror image spokes 52, 53 are aligned with each other. Thus, the windows 60, 61 between adjacent spokes 52, 53 are aligned as well. When the wheel bodies 40, 42 are coupled, there is a seam or narrow gap/interface between the two bodies 40, 42 at each window 60, 61. Each seam is a path for debris and/or water into the enclosed space 48. Hereafter, the group of seams created at the windows 60, 61 shall be identified collectively as a “fragmented seam” 58. To prevent the infiltration of debris, water or any other contaminant; the fragmented seam 58 is sealed.
In a first embodiment, Shown in
In a first variation (
More specifically, the first body first rib 62 has three portions, a proximal portion 70, a transition portion 72, and a distal portion 74. The first body first rib proximal portion 70 has a height, as defined above, substantially equal to the height of the second body second rib 63. The first body first rib transition portion 72 has a height substantially equal to the thickness of the second body second rib 63. The first body first rib distal portion 74 has a height that is, preferably, less than the height of the second body second rib 63 and, more preferably, about half the height of the second body second rib 63. In this configuration, the first body first rib 62 may be folded over the second body second rib 63 and, more specifically, the folded over distal portion 74 extends over about half of the second body second rib 63. That is, the folded over distal portion 74 preferably extends from the distal end of the second body second rib 63 to about a mid-point of the second body second rib 63.
During assembly, the wheel first and second bodies 40, 42 are placed adjacent to each other with the inner sides 46, 47 facing each other. Preferably, the two ribs 62, 63 are immediately adjacent each other and/or in contact with each other. The first body first rib 62 is then folded over the second body second rib 63, bending at the interface between the first body first rib proximal portion 70 and the first body first rib transition portion 72. Once the first body first rib proximal portion 70 and the first body first rib transition portion 72 are at about a right angle to each other, the bending at the interface between the first body first rib proximal portion 70 and the first body first rib transition portion 72 is stopped. The first body first rib 62 is then bent at the interface between the first body first rib transition portion 72 and the first body first rib distal portion 74. The bending at the interface between the first body first rib transition portion 72 and the first body first rib distal portion 74 continues until the first body first rib distal portion 74 sealingly engages the second body second rib 63 and/or the two ribs 62, 63 sealingly engage each other at the interface of their inner sides.
It is noted that, because the windows 60, 61 have a curved perimeter, the first body first rib distal portion 74 may be swaged at any corner. That is, the material forming the first body first rib distal portion 74 may be thinned so as to cover the radial portions of the window 60, 61 perimeter. Alternatively, the first body first rib distal portion 74 may be split at the radial portions of the window 60, 61 perimeter so long as the split does not extend to the first body first rib transition portion 72.
In this configuration, the hemming, or coupling by bending, of the first body first rib 62 accomplishes two tasks: first the two ribs 62, 63 couple the wheel first and second bodies 40, 42 together. Second, because the two ribs 62, 63 sealingly engage each other, either at the interface of the first body first rib distal portion 74 and the second body second rib 63 and/or at the interface of the inner side of the two ribs 62, 63, the hemming further seals access at the windows to the enclosed space 48. While typically not required, a sealing agent, or gasket, may be disposed between the two ribs 62, 63 at either the interface of the first body first rib distal portion 74 and the second body second rib 63 and/or at the interface of the inner side of the two ribs 62, 63, so as to ensure a complete seal.
In the variation described above, the two wheel bodies 40, 42 are different in that the first body first rib 62 has a different height than the second body second rib 63. In another variation, the two wheel bodies 40, 42 may be identical to each other. In this variation the longer rib 62 is split between the two wheel bodies 40, 42. That is, as shown in
When these two windows 60, 61 are aligned and the wheel first and second bodies 40, 42 are placed adjacent to each other with the inner sides 46, 47 facing each other, the first body first rib extended portion 62A is aligned with the second body second rib shortened portion 63B, and vice-versa. In this configuration, each extended portion 62A, 63A may be hemmed over the aligned shortened portion 62B, 63B. Because the extended portion 62A, 63A is split, this variation preferably includes a gasket or sealing material (not shown).
In a second variation, the first body first rib 62 and the second body second rib 63 have substantially the same height. In this variation, however, the two ribs 62, 63 are not generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel 34. Instead, the two ribs 62, 63 are angled toward each other, i.e. each rib 62, 63 is angled toward the inner side 46, 47 of the associated wheel body 40, 42. As before, during assembly, the wheel first and second bodies 40, 42 are placed adjacent to each other with the inner sides 46, 47 facing each other. When wheel first and second bodies 40, 42 are coupled, e.g. by welding the continuous seam 56 at the interface of the wheel first and second body rims 54, 55, the two ribs 62, 63 are in sealing contact with each other. As before, a sealing agent, or gasket, may be disposed between the two ribs 62, 63 at the interface of the inner side of the two ribs 62, 63, so as to ensure a complete seal.
In another embodiment, shown in
The grommet 80, when viewed in cross-section as in
In another embodiment, shown in
The ribs 62, 63 may be configured complimentary to each other. That is, as used herein “complimentary to each other” means that the two ribs 62, 63 together extend about the entire perimeter of the aligned pair of windows 60, 61. For example, the wheel first body 40 may include an axially inwardly extending rib 62 along both spokes 52 associated with a window 60. While the wheel second body 42 has the second body second rib 63 extending about the portion of the rim associated with the window 61. When the wheel first and second bodies 40, 42 are placed adjacent to each other with the inner sides 46, 47 facing each other, the complimentary ribs 62, 63 form a seal about the aligned windows 60, 61. It is noted that the ends of each rib 62, 63 may be shaped, e.g. cut at a 45 degree angle, to engage each other.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
