Having Axially Spaced Sets Of Belt-engaging Surfaces Patents (Class 474/164)
  • Patent number: 11958727
    Abstract: One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure may include a snatch ring pulley assembly including a pulley wheel body and a deformable retention feature affixed to the pulley wheel body. The pulley wheel body includes a rope saddle portion, a first outer wheel portion, and a second outer wheel portion substantially parallel to the first outer wheel portion. The deformable retention feature is affixed to the first outer wheel portion and extends toward the second outer wheel portion. The deformable retention feature extends uniformly around a circumference of the first outer wheel portion and extends substantially perpendicular to the first outer wheel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: WARN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Douglas Costa
  • Patent number: 11353102
    Abstract: An individual chain wheel for a bicycle front crank arrangement for engaging in a drive chain includes a plurality of teeth formed on a circumference of the chain wheel and having a first and a second group of teeth. The teeth of the second group of teeth are arranged in an alternating manner between the teeth of the first group of teeth. Each tooth has a load flank via which force is transmitted between an adjacent roller of the drive chain and the respective tooth. Each tooth of the first group may also have at least one profile with an opening in the vicinity of the flank, in which a portion of an inner link plate of the drive chain, which portion protrudes beyond the roller, engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Reiter, Joachim Hanke, Bryn Johnson, Andreas Vonend, Martin Kehrer, Henrik Braedt, Pedro Miguel Nunes Dos Santos, Luis Figueiredo, Rodrigo Antunes
  • Patent number: 11110991
    Abstract: A bicycle chainring for engagement with a drive chain includes a plurality of teeth extending from a periphery of the chainring wherein roots of the plurality of teeth are disposed adjacent the periphery of the chainring. The plurality of teeth include a first group of teeth and a second group of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Reiter, Raymond Florczyk, Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 10912278
    Abstract: A device for translating a scraper of droppings covering a corridor of a livestock building. The device includes a chain secured to the scraper, a first sprocket secured to a first end of the chain and a second sprocket secured to a second end of the chain. The first sprocket is rotated by a first motor and the second sprocket is rotated by a second motor in the opposite direction of the first sprocket. A controller controls power supply to the motors and takes states including: a driving state of the scraper in a first direction, wherein the first motor is supplied with power and the power supply of the second motor is cut off; and a driving state of the scraper in a direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the second motor is supplied with power and the power supply of the first motor is cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventor: Vincent Marie
  • Patent number: 10800487
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body, a plurality of sprocket teeth, and at least one upshifting facilitation area. The plurality of sprocket teeth extends radially outwardly from the sprocket body with respect to the rotational center axis. The plurality of sprocket teeth includes at least one axially recessed upshifting initiation tooth. The at least one axially recessed upshifting initiation tooth includes a driving surface, a non-driving surface and a tooth tip portion. The non-driving surface includes a non-driving surface protrusion disposed radially inwardly from a non-driving surface side tooth tip end with respect to a rotational center axis. The non-driving surface protrusion has a protrusion tip disposed closer to the second axially-facing surface than the non-driving-surface-side tooth tip end in the axial direction so that a guiding slope extends from the protrusion tip toward the first axially-facing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Yasufumi Fukunaga, Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 10654533
    Abstract: A debris ejector attached to the hub-facing surface of the rim of a tracked work vehicle. The debris ejector has a leading face that is shaped so to slope from a base adjacent the hub-facing surface towards a ridge of the debris ejector and also slant from an inner end of the debris ejector adjacent the inner edge of the rim to an outer end adjacent the outer edge of the rim such that the shape of the leading face redirects debris so that the debris moves away from the hub-facing surface and away from the disk as the wheel rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Alan D. Gustafson, Derek Hruska
  • Patent number: 10107377
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket has a rotational center axis. The bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body, a plurality of sprocket teeth, and at least one chain-supporting portion. The plurality of sprocket teeth are circumferentially arranged on an outer periphery of the sprocket body. The at least one chain-supporting portion is configured to contact one of inner link plates of a bicycle chain without engaging with the bicycle chain at inner link spaces each defined between a pair of inner link plates that face each other in an axial direction parallel to the rotational center axis. The at least one chain-supporting portion is offset from the sprocket teeth in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Patent number: 9861037
    Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting a produce with a stem/core planted in a field includes a chassis, and a cutting device and a transport assembly connected to the chassis. The cutting device is configured to cut the stem/core of the produce. The transport assembly is configured to transport the produce using a movable first belt with a first set of produce grippers and a movable second belt with a second set of produce grippers. When the produce is held between the first set and second set of produce grippers, a portion of the first set of produce grippers opposes a portion of the second set of produce grippers. The opposing produce grippers are configured to compress and exert a force on the produce to hold the produce between the movable first and second belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jens, Serafin Albarran, Richard Bascou, Dennis J. Castillo, Frank Edward Davis, Ignacio Rodriguez Figueroa, Raul Machuca, Kevin Nash, Jose Roman
  • Patent number: 9512913
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pocket-type chain wheel (1) for link chains (22), in particular round or profile steel chains. A circumferential surface (2) of said pocket-type chain wheel is provided with pockets (3, 4) having alternately different shapes in the circumferential direction (U) and extending radially into the pocket-type chain wheel. In order to diminish noise generation in operation, reduce vibrations generated during operation and simultaneously cut production costs, the present invention discloses that the pocket-type chain wheel (1) is produced in one piece from a fiber-reinforced plastic by means of an injection molding process. Preferably, a main fiber direction (30) extends in a central area between the pockets (3, 4) and a hub (8) in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Rud Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH U. Co. K.G.
    Inventors: Heribert Herzog, Achim Frick, Timo Dolde, Ralph Straberger
  • Patent number: 9376165
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket is provided with a sprocket body and a plurality of sprocket teeth. The sprocket teeth extend radially outward from a root circle of the sprocket body with the sprocket teeth being circumferentially spaced around the outer periphery of the sprocket body. The sprocket teeth include at least one shift assist tooth that assists in a shifting operation from the bicycle sprocket to a smaller sprocket. The shift assist tooth has a maximum radial height as measured from the root circle of the sprocket body. The maximum radial height of the shift assist tooth is larger than a maximum radial height of a majority of remaining ones of the sprocket teeth as measured from the root circle of the sprocket body. The shift assist tooth has a radially inclined surface sloping toward the smaller sprocket as the radially inclined surface approaches radially toward the center rotational axis A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Toshinari Oishi
  • Patent number: 9316302
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide wheel for a rear derailleur in a bicycle gear system for guiding a chain, including an annular wheel body with a central opening for rotatable bearing about a rotational axis of the guide wheel. The guide wheel includes a plurality of radially projecting teeth that are arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the wheel body. A tooth gap is arranged between each adjacent pair of teeth, individual teeth in the area of a root circle of the gear teeth having a predetermined tooth width matched to the chain. For improving the guiding properties, it is provided that the guide wheel has on at least some of the tooth gaps in the area near a tooth gap base and/or on at least some of the teeth at least one guide segment with a greater width than the tooth width of at least one of the adjacent teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Henrik Braedt, Robert Boehm, Thorsten Hamisch
  • Patent number: 9297450
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket is basically provided with a sprocket body and a chain engagement structure. The sprocket body has a center rotational axis, a first side surface and a second side surface. The first and second side surfaces face oppositely with respect to an axial direction of the bicycle rear sprocket. The first side surface is a smaller sprocket facing side of the sprocket body. The chain engagement structure includes a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outward from an outer periphery of the sprocket body. The sprocket teeth include a first shift tooth and a second shift tooth. The second shift tooth is positioned at a third tooth position in a downstream direction of a rotational driving direction of the bicycle rear sprocket with respect to the first shift tooth. The first shift tooth and the second shift tooth function as a shift tooth when a bicycle chain moves from a smaller bicycle rear sprocket to the bicycle rear sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Numata, Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 9291250
    Abstract: A solitary chainring of a bicycle front crankset for engaging a drive chain, including a plurality of teeth formed about a periphery of the chainring, the plurality of teeth consisting of an even number. The plurality of teeth includes a first group of teeth and a second group of teeth arranged alternatingly between the first group of teeth. The first group of teeth and the second group of teeth are equal in number. Each of the first and second group of teeth include an outboard side and an inboard side opposite the outboard side and each tooth of the first group of teeth includes at least a first protrusion on the outboard side thereof and each tooth of the second group of teeth are free of the first protrusions on the outboard side and the inboard side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Reiter, Raymond Florczyk, Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 9278728
    Abstract: A bicycle shifting control apparatus comprises a transmission controller configured to control a guide actuator of a derailleur to move a chain guide of the derailleur between a plurality of shift positions in response to an input shifting signal. The transmission controller is configured to control, in a shifting operation of the chain guide between adjacent two shift positions of the plurality of shift positions, the guide actuator to temporarily decelerate the chain guide at a deceleration position defined between the adjacent two shift positions so that the bicycle chain engages with and/or disengages from one of the sprockets having a shift assist structure prior to completion of the shifting operation of the chain guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Taketoshi Sato, Hiroshi Tachibana, Kazuhiro Fujii, Mao Kuroda, Toshinari Ooishi, Naohiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 9182027
    Abstract: A solitary chainring of a bicycle front crankset for engaging a drive chain, including a plurality of teeth formed about a periphery of the chainring, the plurality of teeth consisting of an even number. The plurality of teeth includes a first group of teeth and a second group of teeth arranged alternatingly between the first group of teeth. The first group of teeth and the second group of teeth are equal in number. Each of the first and second group of teeth include an outboard side and an inboard side opposite the outboard side and each tooth of the first group of teeth includes at least a first protrusion on the outboard side thereof and each tooth of the second group of teeth are free of the first protrusions on the outboard side and the inboard side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Reiter, Raymond Florczyk, Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 9086138
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket basically includes a sprocket main body, a plurality of teeth and at least one projecting member. The teeth are disposed along a circumferential direction on a radially outer side of the sprocket main body. The teeth include at least one first tooth and at least one second tooth. The at least one projecting member protrudes from an axial surface of the at least one first tooth. The at least one projecting member is a different material from the teeth. The at least one projecting member and the at least one first tooth define a first chain engaging tooth width for engaging with an outer link of a bicycle chain. The at least one second tooth defines a second chain engaging tooth width for engaging with an inner link of the bicycle chain. The first chain engaging tooth width is greater than the second chain engaging tooth width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 9062758
    Abstract: A solitary chainring of a bicycle front crankset for engaging a bicycle drive chain, including a plurality of teeth formed about a periphery of the chainring. One or more clearance chamfer surfaces are formed on the chainring body, each of the chamfer surfaces substantially centered between adjacent pairs of the plurality of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Markus Reiter
  • Patent number: 8840127
    Abstract: A pedal drive system for a bicycle includes a front spiral cone pulley and a rear pulley. The front spiral cone pulley is attached to a crank arm, and the rear pulley is attached to a rear wheel on a bicycle in some embodiments. A power cable, or tension linkage, extends between the front spiral cone pulley and the rear pulley. The front spiral cone pulley is angularly moveable relative to the first crank arm such that the radial position of the point of engagement between the power cable and the front spiral cone pulley may be selectively manipulated for controlling the gear ratio between the front spiral cone pulley and the rear pulley. In some embodiments, the rear pulley is also a spiral cone pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Musgrove
  • Publication number: 20130267362
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to bicycle drive trains, as well as methods and systems for changing gear ratios within the bicycle drive trains. A bicycle drive train includes a crank assembly, where the crank assembly is configured to rotate about an axis. The crank assembly defines a plane generally transverse to the axis. The crank assembly includes at least one driving gear in the plane that is of a first gear size. The crank assembly is also configured to selectively vary the size of the driving gear in the plane, so that the driving gear changes size while remaining positioned within the plane. The crank assembly may also be configured to include hinged gear segments that, when moved about their hinge, allow gear shifts along the same linear plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Liviu Augustine Gheciu, Gerry F. O'melia, Benjamin L. Wilson, Michael E. Campenella, Eric B. Morrison
  • Patent number: 8517874
    Abstract: A bicycle chainwheel assembly that includes at least one smaller chainwheel and at least one larger chainwheel, the chainwheels engageable by a chain. The larger chainwheel includes a first tooth and a second tooth disposed adjacent the first tooth opposite a drive rotation direction. The first tooth and the second tooth have a configuration that improves the shifting of a chain from a smaller chainwheel to the larger chainwheel. The first tooth has a lateral recess and the second tooth has a deflection chamfer. The second tooth may also have a recess. The first and second teeth have a configuration that prevents the first and second teeth from capturing the chain. An inner link plate of the chain includes a chamfer disposed on an outer side surface in a central region of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Reiter
  • Patent number: 8435146
    Abstract: The invention provides a chain wheel part comprising a center about which the part is adapted to rotate in use, and a plurality of chain link receiving pockets. Each pocket is shaped such that a first end of a chain link received in the pocket in use is nearer the center of the wheel than a second end of the chain link. The invention also provides a chain wheel including two such chain wheel parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Vetus NV
    Inventor: Hsien-Juey Chiu
  • Publication number: 20130109520
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sprocket for chain drives, with an axis of rotation and with two groups, arranged next to and offset with respect to one another on the circumference of the sprocket, of pockets for chain links passing the sprocket in an oblique position. Each pocket is delimited laterally by a side wall and an opposite wall and, in the circumferential direction, by webs. In order that a sprocket for chain links running in obliquely can be produced more simply and to provide a better distribution of forces, according to the invention the side wall and the opposite wall of a pocket form for the chain links bearing surfaces which run obliquely with respect to the axis of rotation and which extend as far as a bottom of the pockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH
  • Patent number: 8398512
    Abstract: The invention describes a belt pulley (1) for a wet belt application, with a pulley body (2) comprising toothing (5) incorporating teeth (6) on an end face (4) for a toothed belt, and a tooth gap (7) with a tooth gap base (12) is disposed between every two teeth (6), and optionally with at least one flange (3), which is disposed—in the axial direction—on the side of the pulley body (2) and extends beyond the toothing (5) in the radial direction. Grooves (9) are provided in the region of the tooth gap base (12) and/or on an inner surface (8) of the flange (3) facing the toothing (5) for feeding away a lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Miba Sinter Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Dickinger, Herbert Schmid, Wolfgang Siessl
  • Patent number: 8360911
    Abstract: A multiple sprocket assembly receives a chain and transfers torque therefrom to a rear wheel hub of a bicycle. The multiple sprocket assembly includes a plurality of different-sized multiple-toothed sprockets arranged coaxially about the rear wheel hub. A plurality of annular support elements extend between the sprockets and have a plurality of openings disposed circumferentially on the annular support element. The openings are aligned with tooth gaps of an adjoining smaller sprocket. The sprockets and the annular support elements are configured to transmit torque from the smaller sprocket to a larger sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 8342994
    Abstract: A multiple sprocket assembly receives a chain and transferring torque therefrom to a rear wheel hub of a bicycle. The multiple sprocket assembly includes a plurality of different-sized, multiple-toothed sprockets arranged coaxially about the rear wheel hub. Each sprocket has a tooth front face facing an adjoining smaller sprocket. A plurality of annular support elements extend between the sprockets, each annular support element including an annular disc having a disc front face facing the adjoining smaller sprocket. The tooth front face of the sprocket has an offset relative to the disc front face of the annular disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Publication number: 20120295749
    Abstract: A drive transmission system for activating a cogged flexible transmission organ includes a support pulley borne idle on a drive shaft which contacts tops of the organ cogs at a calibrated circumference thereof which defines a predetermined winding radius of the flexible transmission organ. A cogged drawing pulley is mounted on the drive shaft and has cogs for enmeshing with recesses in the cogged flexible transmission organ for advancing the flexible transmission organ. The drawing pulley has cogs sized for enmeshing with the recesses of the cogged flexible transmission organ, such that tops of the drawing pulley cogs are displaced from bottoms of the drawing pulley recesses. The drawing pulley therefore cannot drag on the flexible transmission organ when the support pulley is not subject to drive torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Marchesini Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe MONTI
  • Patent number: 8298104
    Abstract: In a timing chain drive, a hybrid driving sprocket, having roller-engaging teeth and side sprocket teeth, cooperates with a hybrid chain having rollers that mesh with the roller-engaging teeth and toothed link plates that mesh with the side sprocket teeth. A driven sprocket from which the chain travels toward the driving sprocket has a cyclically varying tooth pitch that compensates for tension variations due to cyclic variations in the rotational speed of the driving sprocket or to cyclic variations in the load applied to the driven sprocket. The driven sprocket can be a roller sprocket or a hybrid sprocket having roller-engaging teeth and side sprocket teeth for engagement with the teeth on the link plates of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shunji Sakura
  • Patent number: 8235850
    Abstract: A multiple sprocket assembly for a bicycle includes a larger diametrical sprocket and a smaller diametrical sprocket. The larger diametrical sprocket includes at least one auxiliary guiding portion for facilitating a bicycle chain to shift from the smaller diametrical sprocket to the larger diametrical sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tien Hsin Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Diing-Jiun Lin
  • Patent number: 8226511
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body having a first side surface and a second side surface, a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outwardly from a root portion of the sprocket body, and a shift assist recess formed in the root portion below a first sprocket tooth at the first side surface of the sprocket body. A radially outermost surface of a second sprocket tooth defines a reference tooth radius, and a radially outermost surface of a third sprocket tooth defines a shift assist tooth radius. The radially outermost surface of the third sprocket tooth has a convex shape, and the shift assist tooth radius is greater than the reference tooth radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 8221275
    Abstract: In a chain transmission using a hybrid chain having inner and outer links with bushings, or with bushings and rollers, the rollers mesh with a central sprocket, and the link plates have teeth that function as a silent chain, meshing with side sprockets fixed to the central sprocket. The teeth of the link plates of the inner links have a shape different from that of the teeth of the link plates of the outer links. The outer flanks of the teeth can all have the same shape, and the shape difference can be in the shapes of the inner flanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Shunji Sakura, Masatoshi Sonoda
  • Patent number: 8157246
    Abstract: A deflecting roller for link chains, for example, round link chains or profiled steel chains, presents, on the periphery, chain pockets for lying chain links. Furthermore, chain pockets for standing chain links are provided. The chain pockets for the standing chain links are separated from each other by teeth. The tooth flank surfaces of the teeth, against which a standing chain link bears under the action of a load, are dimensioned and profiled in a specific way. The dimensioning is carried out so that, up to a certain chain loading, the standing chain link does not bear with its nose against the tooth flank. A contact between the tooth flank surface and the nose of the standing chain link concerned occurs only starting at a certain chain loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Konecranes Plc
    Inventor: Jurgen Weingartner
  • Patent number: 8100795
    Abstract: A riveted sprocket assembly that includes a sprocket carrier having a plurality of carrier arms and a plurality of sprockets attached to the carrier arms by rivets. First and second rivet heads of the rivets are countersunk into the carrier arms on one face and into the sprocket on the other face. The second rivet head is formed on the sprocket on the front face of the sprocket carrier. To prevent the riveting tool from damaging the sprocket during the riveting process, the rivet holes of the sprockets include a clearance portion around the second rivet head. This results in the sprocket having three-stepped rivet holes: a small diameter for the rivet shaft, an intermediate diameter for the rivet head and a larger diameter for the riveting tool. To minimize weight, the carrier arms narrow in a central region between radially inner and radially outer rivet holes on the carrier arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Reiter
  • Patent number: 8096908
    Abstract: A sprocket comprises a sprocket body and a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outwardly from a root portion of the sprocket body. The sprocket body has a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein a root portion side surface of the root portion defines a root portion plane at the first side surface of the sprocket body. A shift assist recess is formed in the root portion below a first sprocket tooth at the first side surface of the sprocket body, and a second sprocket tooth has a projecting portion that extends laterally outwardly from the root portion plane at the first side surface of the sprocket body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshinari Oishi, Kenji Kamada, Shingo Numata
  • Patent number: 8096528
    Abstract: A chain sprocket for link chains, for example, round link chains or profiled steel chains, has chain pockets for horizontal chain links. Chain pockets for vertical chain links are also provided. The chain pockets for the vertical chain links are separated from one another by teeth. The tooth flank surface of the tooth that a vertical chain link contacts under the effect of a load is dimensioned and profiled in a special manner. The dimensioning is such that up to a defined chain load the vertical chain link does not contact the tooth flank with its nose. A contact between the tooth flank surface and the nose of the respective chain link occurs only above a defined chain load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Konecranes Plc
    Inventors: Jurgen Weingartner, Manfred Finzel, Volker Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20110319209
    Abstract: An improved bicycle chainring assembly. The improved assembly includes at least two integrally formed chainrings configured to be attached to a bicycle crankarm via mounting apertures formed in the assembly. The chainrings of the assembly may be joined with discrete, continuous, or semi-continuous connection structures to achieve any desired degree of stiffness and weight savings. In some cases, the mounting apertures may be formed near the periphery of one of the chainrings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: TWDT Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Yi Huang, Chin Tai Chuang
  • Patent number: 8057338
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket apparatus comprises a sprocket support, a first sprocket coupled to the sprocket support at a plurality of circumferentially spaced first sprocket mounting locations, a second sprocket coupled to the sprocket support at a plurality of circumferentially spaced second sprocket mounting locations, and a reinforcement member other than the sprocket support. The reinforcement member is disposed between the first sprocket and the second sprocket between a pair of the first sprocket mounting locations and between a pair of the second sprocket mounting locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 7998007
    Abstract: A method for reducing NVH in a vehicle having the steps of providing at least one repeating event, replicating at least one component, and delaying at least one equivalent part. The repeating event is a complete cycle, such that the repeating event ends when the cycle begins to repeat itself. The component is replicated at least one time so that at least one equivalent part is formed. The equivalent part is delayed with respect to the component by angularly positioning the equivalent part with respect to the component in a predetermined way, such that at least one harmonic in the NVH-spectra is reduced during the component's repeating event and the equivalent part's repeating event in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Yogesh Mehta, Sue Stroope
  • Patent number: 7959529
    Abstract: A bicycle multi-gear cassette mountable to a wheel hub that generally includes a truncated conical shell and a plurality of toothed sprockets having different numbers of teeth. The shell includes a plurality of coaxial annular cylinders of variable diameter extending along an axis of the shell and a plurality of coaxial annular discs of variable diameter extending radially of the axis. The cylinders and discs are alternatingly arranged in a stepped sequence. The toothed sprockets are disposed on the shell and extend radially of the shell axis. At least one of the toothed sprockets includes a recess on a side facing an adjacent toothed sprocket having a smaller number of teeth. The recess includes a first region having a first depth and a second region having a second depth. The first depth is greater than the second depth. The shell and the plurality of toothed sprockets embody a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 7871347
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly has a sprocket carrier, a first sprocket, a second sprocket and a third sprocket. The first and second sprockets are attached to opposite axial sides of the outer end portion of the attachment member of the sprocket carrier using a common fastener that extends through the first and second attachment portions and the outer end portion of the attachment member. The third sprocket is disposed on adjacent the second sprocket. The second sprocket has a free edge spaced radially inwardly from the common fastener by a distance at least as large as one-half of a maximum transverse dimension of the fastener measured in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. At least one space maintaining projection extends axially toward an adjacent one of the second and third sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 7846047
    Abstract: A sprocket comprises a sprocket body; a plurality of teeth extending radially outwardly from the sprocket body and dimensioned to engage a bicycle chain; and a spline extending radially inwardly from the sprocket body, wherein the spline includes a radially outer surface facing radially outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakano, Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 7789781
    Abstract: The timing belt and a coupling structure of the same are disclosed, in which a stress focused at a corner portion decreases by forming an optimum shaped groove at a corner portion of a timing belt, so that it is possible to largely increase a fatigue life span of a timing belt and a durability of a timing belt. In addition, noises and vibrations can be minimized by forming a through hole at a threaded surface of a timing belt or a threaded portion of a sprocket. In the timing belt, which has threads at a belt body, there is provided an improved timing belt comprising a groove formed at a corner portion in which the threads and the belt body contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Young Doo Kwon, Hyun Wook Kwon, Weon Kook Choi, Hyok Chun Kwon
  • Publication number: 20090305829
    Abstract: In a pocket-type chain wheel comprising two groups of pockets (3) for chain links (10) of a chain strand which pass through the wheel at an angle ? relative to the wheel axis (8), said groups of pockets (3) being disposed next to and offset from each other, the angle ? is determined exclusively by the material diameter d and the internal width bi of the chain links (10) at a given number of teeth of the wheel in that it is ensured that the contact between the chain links (10) and the pockets (3) is limited to the area of the flanks of the teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Rolf Sinz, Heribert Herzog
  • Patent number: 7591746
    Abstract: A transmission that is rotatable and connectable to the gravity mass increases the speed of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Inventors: Mikhail Tarnopolsky, Galina Tarnopolsky
  • Patent number: 7585240
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly has two or more sprockets in which a chain is shifted between adjacent pairs of the sprockets. Each sprocket includes a chain engaging portion with a plurality of teeth and an attachment portion. At least one of the larger sprockets has a plurality of space maintaining projections extending axially towards an adjacent one of the sprockets. In a preferred embodiment, a predetermined axial space exists between a free end of each of the space maintaining projections and the adjacent one of the sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Kamada
  • Publication number: 20090069135
    Abstract: A sprocket wheel of a bicycle comprises a large sprocket having a plurality of teeth; a small sprocket having a plurality of teeth; and a chain. For each tooth of the large sprocket and small sprocket, a first lateral side of the tooth has a first edge line at a top end thereof; the first lateral side is cut inwards from to form as a notch; the notch is a cambered surface and a lower side of the notch is confined by a second edge line. In assembly, the first lateral side of the large sprocket is placed to be adjacent to a small sprocket so as to reduce interferences and noises in driving. The topside of the tooth has the first edge line and a third edge line; and the topside of the tooth is an inclined to a wheel surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Douglas CHIANG
  • Patent number: 6848757
    Abstract: An elastic crawler traveling apparatus having an elastic crawler in a shape of an endless belt, a sprocket for a crawler belt arranged to be brought into contact with an inner face of the elastic crawler, a driven wheel, and a rolling wheel, the elastic crawler including a belt main body, a plurality of projections formed to project at intervals along a peripheral direction on an inner face of the belt main body, and a tension member embedded at an inner portion of the belt main body for restricting elongation of the belt main body, in which the sprocket has a contact portion to contact the belt main body and a contact width of the contact portion in a belt width direction of the elastic crawler is wider than a root width of the projection in the belt width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Ueno
  • Patent number: 6796919
    Abstract: A pulley tire (10) and rim (12), the rim (12) comprising two rim halves (14, 16) adapted to be mounted to a hub (18) and to clampingly engage the pulley tire (10), the pulley tire (10) having provided thereon one or more upstanding members (46), wherein the rim halves (14, 16) are adapted to receive the upstanding members (46) when engaging the pulley tire (10) so as to minimize relative movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: JLV Industries PTY Ltd.
    Inventor: William Johnson
  • Patent number: 6719127
    Abstract: A sprocket drive system for a modular conveyor belt that compensates for drive-shaft twist under load. The drive system includes a plurality of belt drive surfaces spaced apart across the width of the underside of each row of a modular conveyor belt. A drive shaft supports a group of sprockets at spaced-apart locations. Sprocket drive surfaces are spaced apart circumferentially around the peripheries of the sprockets and arranged in rows across the sprocket to engage corresponding belt drive surfaces in the belt rows. The belt is wrapped around the sprockets on the drive shaft. The engagement of the sprocket drive surfaces with the belt drive surfaces drives the belt. Either the sprocket drive surfaces or the belt drive surfaces, or both, in each row are arranged in an out-of-phase relationship with each other when the conveyor belt is at no load. Once the conveyor belt is operating at load and the shaft twists, the drive surfaces assume an in-phase relationship for improved belt driving and tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Depaso, John C. Hawkins, Jr., R. Scott Dailey, Richard M. Klein, Paul L. Horton
  • Patent number: 6612424
    Abstract: A drive shaft (5) with at least one chain wheel (7) for the drive of chain scraper conveyors, especially for underground mining operations, with a full-width drive shaft (5) mounted on both ends in bearings (4) on the machine frame (1), which has outer gearing teeth (6) for the positive rotational engagement with single part chain wheels (7), which can be pulled off the drive shaft (5), whereby the drive shaft (5) has outer teeth (6) along its longitudinal region, in which a through central gearing (6) reaches to the reduced diameters (17) of the drive shaft (5) in the proximity of the bearing housings (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: DBT GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Merten, Adam Klabisch
  • Publication number: 20030148840
    Abstract: A cog belt pulley system includes cog belt pulleys (10a to 10c) each with at least one flange (15 to 17) protruding in the radial direction beyond the toothed circumferential surface (11) and extending in the circumferential direction to limit slipping of the belt (20, 30, 40) at right angles to the circumferential direction of the pulleys (10a to 10c). Said flange is provided only as a segment over a limited part of the circumferential surface in the circumferential direction of the pulleys. A belt is mounted on two pulleys by the pulleys being rotated into a position in which the particular flange segments face each other. In this position the belt can be pushed onto the pulleys without colliding with the flange segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Ralf Linck, Alois Wagner, Norbert Beck, Markus Sperl