Patents Assigned to Praxis Works LLC
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Patent number: 11661145Abstract: A control device for controlling a transmission ratio between a traction means and a sprocket set rotatable about an axle may include at least two sprockets alternatively wrapped around by the traction means. At least one of the sprockets may include several independently adjustable rim segments. Adjustment of the rim segments in relation to a fixed plane may be effected by a control device in a direction substantially transverse to the plane. The control device includes at least one electrically actuatable control element, e.g., a servomotor. The at least one control element is configured to rotate with the sprockets.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Praxis Works LLCInventor: Gregor Schuster
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Patent number: 11572131Abstract: A gearbox may include a drive spindle and several interconnected gear clusters arranged in a housing. A first of the gear clusters is coaxially fastened to the spindle, and has an outboard gear and an inboard gear. The first gear cluster drives a belt to operate one or more of the other gear clusters, and the inboard gear is physically divided into a plurality of segments. A shifting system for the gearbox includes an actuator configured to urge the segments of the inboard gear of the first gear cluster into and out of the plane of the belt, such that a gear ratio of the gearbox is changeable without displacing the belt out of the plane.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Praxis Works LLCInventors: David Allen, David M. Earle, Kyle Bennett, William A. Hilgenberg, Rainer Pokorny, Ryan Kent Miller
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Patent number: 11572135Abstract: A gearbox may include a drive spindle and several interconnected gear clusters arranged in a housing. A first of the gear clusters is coaxially fastened to the spindle, and has an outboard gear and an inboard gear. The first gear cluster drives a belt or chain to operate one or more of the other gear clusters, and the inboard gear is physically divided into a plurality of segments. A shifting system for the gearbox includes an actuator configured to urge the segments of the inboard gear of the first gear cluster into and out of the plane of the belt or chain via a toggle and slider mechanism, such that a gear ratio of the gearbox is changeable without displacing the belt or chain out of the plane.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Praxis Works LLCInventors: David M. Earle, William A. Hilgenberg, David Allen, Kyle Bennett, Ryan Kent Miller
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Patent number: 11541963Abstract: The present disclosure describes a gearshift mechanism for adjusting a gear ratio between a traction means, such as a chain, and a multi-sprocket gear set which can be rotated around an axle. The gearshift mechanism is configured to move the traction means in relation to the sprockets, such that an adjustment element is moved into the rolling motion of the traction means, thereby causing movement off of one sprocket and movement onto another sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Praxis Works LLCInventor: Gregor Schuster
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Patent number: 10988207Abstract: A gearbox may include a drive spindle and several interconnected gear clusters arranged in a housing. A first of the gear clusters is coaxially fastened to the spindle, and has an outboard gear and an inboard gear. The first gear cluster drives a belt or chain to operate one or more of the other gear clusters, and the inboard gear is physically divided into a plurality of segments. A shifting system for the gearbox includes an actuator configured to urge the segments of the inboard gear of the first gear cluster into and out of the plane of the belt or chain via a toggle and slider mechanism, such that a gear ratio of the gearbox is changeable without displacing the belt or chain out of the plane.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2021Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Praxis Works LLCInventors: David M. Earle, William A. Hilgenberg, David Allen, Kyle Bennett, Ryan Kent Miller
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Patent number: 10989281Abstract: A gearbox may include a drive spindle and several interconnected gear clusters arranged in a housing. A first of the gear clusters is coaxially fastened to the spindle, and has an outboard gear and an inboard gear. The first gear cluster drives a chain to operate one or more of the other gear clusters, and the inboard gear is physically divided into a plurality of segments. A shifting system for the gearbox includes an actuator configured to urge the segments of the inboard gear of the first gear cluster into and out of the plane of the chain, such that a gear ratio of the gearbox is changeable without displacing the chain out of the plane.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2020Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Praxis Works LLCInventors: David Allen, David M. Earle, Kyle Bennett, William A. Hilgenberg, Rainer Pokorny
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Publication number: 20200377174Abstract: A gearbox may include a drive spindle and several interconnected gear clusters arranged in a housing. A first of the gear clusters is coaxially fastened to the spindle, and has an outboard gear and an inboard gear. The first gear cluster drives a belt to operate one or more of the other gear clusters, and the inboard gear is physically divided into a plurality of segments. A shifting system for the gearbox includes an actuator configured to urge the segments of the inboard gear of the first gear cluster into and out of the plane of the belt, such that a gear ratio of the gearbox is changeable without displacing the belt out of the plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: Praxis Works LLCInventors: David ALLEN, David M. EARLE, Kyle BENNETT, William A. HILGENBERG, Rainer POKORNY, Ryan Kent MILLER
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Publication number: 20200331557Abstract: The present disclosure describes a gearshift mechanism for adjusting a gear ratio between a traction means, such as a chain, and a multi-sprocket gear set which can be rotated around an axle. The gearshift mechanism is configured to move the traction means in relation to the sprockets, such that an adjustment element is moved into the rolling motion of the traction means, thereby causing movement off of one sprocket and movement onto another sprocket.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Praxis Works LLCInventor: Gregor SCHUSTER
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Publication number: 20200263767Abstract: A gearbox may include a drive spindle and several interconnected gear clusters arranged in a housing. A first of the gear clusters is coaxially fastened to the spindle, and has an outboard gear and an inboard gear. The first gear cluster drives a chain to operate one or more of the other gear clusters, and the inboard gear is physically divided into a plurality of segments. A shifting system for the gearbox includes an actuator configured to urge the segments of the inboard gear of the first gear cluster into and out of the plane of the chain, such that a gear ratio of the gearbox is changeable without displacing the chain out of the plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: Praxis Works LLCInventors: David ALLEN, David M. EARLE, Kyle BENNETT, William A. HILGENBERG, Rainer POKORNY
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Patent number: 10703443Abstract: The present disclosure describes a gearshift mechanism for adjusting a gear ratio between a traction means, such as a chain, and a multi-sprocket gear set which can be rotated around an axle. The gearshift mechanism is configured to move the traction means in relation to the sprockets, such that an adjustment element is moved into the rolling motion of the traction means, thereby causing movement off of one sprocket and movement onto another sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Praxis Works LLCInventor: Gregor Schuster
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Publication number: 20190308692Abstract: The present disclosure describes a gearshift mechanism for adjusting a gear ratio between a traction means, such as a chain, and a multi-sprocket gear set which can be rotated around an axle. The gearshift mechanism is configured to move the traction means in relation to the sprockets, such that an adjustment element is moved into the rolling motion of the traction means, thereby causing movement off of one sprocket and movement onto another sprocket.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: October 10, 2019Applicant: Praxis Works LLCInventor: Gregor SCHUSTER
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Patent number: 10259532Abstract: The control device is for controlling a transmission ratio between a traction means and a wheel set rotatable about a wheel axle and including at least two wheel blades alternatively wrapped around by the traction means. At least one of the wheel blades is composed of several independently adjustable wheel rim segments. The adjustment of the wheel rim segments in relation to a fixed plane (“plane of alignment”) in which the traction means wraps around the wheel set is effected by the control device in a direction substantially transverse to the plane of alignment. The control device includes at least one electrically actuatable control element, in particular a servomotor, provided that the at least one control element is arranged to rotate with the at least two wheel blades.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Praxis Works LLCInventor: Gregor Schuster
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Patent number: 10160030Abstract: A cassette for a bicycle may include a plurality of sprocket portions joined together into a single unit. The cassette may include a cavity formed in the large end of the cassette. A related manufacturing method may include joining a first generally planar sprocket portion having a plurality of connector portions extending transverse to the plane of the first sprocket portion, to a second generally planar sprocket portion, e.g., by fusing at least one of the connector portions to the second sprocket portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Praxis Works LLCInventors: David M. Earle, Ding-Jiun Lin
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Patent number: 10006483Abstract: A bottom bracket for a bicycle may include a left bearing cup and a right bearing cup, the two bearing cups configured to be threaded together within a bottom bracket shell. Threading the bearing cups together may result in an axial force being applied to a resilient ring disposed on one of the bearing cups. This axial force may cause an outer diameter of the resilient ring to expand against an inner surface of the bottom bracket shell, thereby effectively locking the bottom bracket into the shell.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Praxis Works LLCInventor: William A. Hilgenberg
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Publication number: 20170328401Abstract: A bottom bracket for a bicycle may include a left bearing cup and a right bearing cup, the two bearing cups configured to be threaded together within a bottom bracket shell. Threading the bearing cups together may result in an axial force being applied to a resilient ring disposed on one of the bearing cups. This axial force may cause an outer diameter of the resilient ring to expand against an inner surface of the bottom bracket shell, thereby effectively locking the bottom bracket into the shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: Praxis Works LLCInventor: William A. Hilgenberg
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Publication number: 20170066501Abstract: A derailleur may include an electric motor configured to drive a gear assembly to pivot a rigid case around the B knuckle of the derailleur. A chain tensioner-supporting P knuckle of the derailleur may be pivotably connected to the rigid case. The P knuckle may be held substantially parallel to an associated bicycle frame by a belt that is fixed to the B knuckle shaft and passes around the P knuckle shaft. A belt tensioner may be provided between the B knuckle and P knuckle shafts.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: Praxis Works LLCInventor: William A. Hilgenberg
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Publication number: 20170056955Abstract: A cassette for a bicycle may include a plurality of sprocket portions joined together into a single unit. The cassette may include a cavity formed in the large end of the cassette. A related manufacturing method may include joining a first generally planar sprocket portion having a plurality of connector portions extending transverse to the plane of the first sprocket portion, to a second generally planar sprocket portion, e.g., by fusing at least one of the connector portions to the second sprocket portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: Praxis Works LLCInventors: David M. Earle, Ding-Jiun Lin
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Patent number: 9580143Abstract: An apparatus for driving a drive chain, such as on a bicycle, may include a chainring having teeth arranged around a circumference of the chainring, and one or more magnetic portions disposed adjacent to the teeth of the chainring. The one or more magnetic portions may be disposed on the chainring and/or on a frame to which the chainring is rotatably coupled.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Praxis Works LLCInventors: David M. Earle, Jordan Andrew Kestler
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Publication number: 20160272002Abstract: A bicycle wheel assembly may include a cassette having a plurality of sprocket portions, the cassette being configured such that a cavity or recess is formed in a large end of the cassette. A wheel hub coupled to the cassette may include a spoke connection flange that is disposed at least partially within the cavity of the cassette, facilitating a more acute spoke angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2015Publication date: September 22, 2016Applicant: PRAXIS WORKS LLCInventors: David M. Earle, Ding-Jiun Lin
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Publication number: 20150307156Abstract: An apparatus for driving a drive chain, such as on a bicycle, may include a chainring having teeth arranged around a circumference of the chainring, and one or more magnetic portions disposed adjacent to the teeth of the chainring. The one or more magnetic portions may be disposed on the chainring and/or on a frame to which the chainring is rotatably coupled.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Praxis Works LLCInventors: David M. Earle, Jordan Andrew Kestler