Abstract: A rear derailleur assembly for mounting to a bicycle, wherein the bicycle includes a frame, includes an upper body for operationally engaging the rear derailleur assembly to the frame. The rear derailleur assembly also include a chain cage for engaging a chain of the bicycle; a controller pivotally connected to the upper body; and a lower body operationally connected to the chain cage, pivotally connected to the controller, and pivotally connected to the chain cage. The lower body includes a damper assembly configured to provide rotational resistance as the chain cage rotates in a first direction about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A rear derailleur assembly for mounting to a bicycle, wherein the bicycle includes a frame, includes an upper body for operationally engaging the rear derailleur assembly to the frame. The rear derailleur assembly also include a chain cage for engaging a chain of the bicycle; a controller pivotally connected to the upper body; and a lower body operationally connected to the chain cage, pivotally connected to the controller, and pivotally connected to the chain cage. The lower body includes a damper assembly for providing rotational resistance as the chain cage rotates in a first direction about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A rear derailleur assembly for mounting to a bicycle having a frame. The rear derailleur assembly includes an upper body portion configured to operationally engage the rear derailleur assembly to the frame, a controller portion pivotally connected to the upper body, a lower body portion pivotally connected to the upper body and pivotally connected to the controller portion, and a chain cage assembly. The chain cage assembly includes at least two pulleys configured to engage a chain of the bicycle, and a one-piece chain cage configured to retain each pulley at a particular fixed position. Each pulley is rotatable relative to the one-piece chain cage at the particular fixed position of the pulley. The lower body portion is operationally connected to the one-piece chain cage and configured to allow the one-piece chain cage to pivot relative to the lower body portion.

Abstract: A rear derailleur assembly for mounting to a bicycle, wherein the bicycle includes a frame, includes an upper body for operationally engaging the rear derailleur assembly to the frame. The rear derailleur assembly also include a chain cage for engaging a chain of the bicycle; a controller pivotally connected to the upper body; and a lower body operationally connected to the chain cage, pivotally connected to the controller, and pivotally connected to the chain cage. The lower body includes a damper assembly for providing rotational resistance as the chain cage rotates in a first direction about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A rear derailleur is provided for mounting to a bicycle. An upper body operationally engages the rear derailleur to the bicycle, and a lower body operationally engages a chain cage engaging a chain of the bicycle. Upper and lower link arms are pivotally connected to the upper and lower bodies. The upper link arm includes an actuating arm extending downwardly from the upper link arm through an aperture of the lower link arm. A cable for actuating the derailleur operationally engages the actuating arm for moving the chain cage relative to the bicycle.

Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur has a mounting base, a moveable base, and a friction assembly. The moveable base has an axle. The friction assembly is mounted in the moveable base and has a driving disk, a driven disk, multiple rotating members, and a friction member. The driving disk is connected with the axle in a non-rotatable manner. The driven disk is rotatably and axially moveably mounted in the moveable base. Each disk has multiple curved rotating member guiding recesses. Each rotating member guiding recess of the driving disk has a depth decreased along a first rotating direction. Each rotating member guiding recess of the driven disk has a depth decreased along a second rotating direction. The rotating members are mounted respectively in the rotating member guiding recesses. The friction member is mounted in the moveable base in a non-rotatable manner and abuts the driven disk.

Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur has a mounting base, a moveable base, and a friction assembly. The moveable base has an axle. The friction assembly is mounted in the moveable base and has a driving disk, a driven disk, multiple rotating members, and a friction member. The driving disk is connected with the axle in a non-rotatable manner. The driven disk is rotatably and axially moveably mounted in the moveable base. Each disk has multiple curved rotating member guiding recesses. Each rotating member guiding recess of the driving disk has a depth decreased along a first rotating direction. Each rotating member guiding recess of the driven disk has a depth decreased along a second rotating direction. The rotating members are mounted respectively in the rotating member guiding recesses. The friction member is mounted in the moveable base in a non-rotatable manner and abuts the driven disk.

Abstract: A cylinder assembly includes a housing defining first and second outer cylindrical surfaces having a longitudinal axis and a shim having a retaining ring fitted over the first outer cylindrical surface. The shim includes a plurality of connector spokes extending from the retaining ring, and a corresponding plurality of shim elements configured at the ends of the plurality of connector spokes. The connector spokes extend radially from the retaining ring relative to the longitudinal axis when the shim is in a pre-installation configuration. The connector spokes are bendable such that the shim elements extend longitudinally and are positioned next to the second outer cylindrical surface when the shim is in an installation configuration. Shims, methods of assembly, bicycles and other components are also provided.

Abstract: A cylinder assembly includes a housing defining first and second outer cylindrical surfaces having a longitudinal axis and a shim having a retaining ring fitted over the first outer cylindrical surface. The shim includes a plurality of connector spokes extending from the retaining ring, and a corresponding plurality of shim elements configured at the ends of the plurality of connector spokes. The connector spokes extend radially from the retaining ring relative to the longitudinal axis when the shim is in a pre-installation configuration. The connector spokes are bendable such that the shim elements extend longitudinally and are positioned next to the second outer cylindrical surface when the shim is in an installation configuration. Shims, methods of assembly, bicycles and other components are also provided.

Abstract: A steering bearing assembly includes a cap and a bearing element that define an axial force transmission path therethrough. A compression ring is moveably coupled to the cap and is disposed radially inwardly of the bearing assembly outside of the axial force transmission path. The compression ring includes an inner annular surface adapted to transmit a radial compressive force from the cap to a steerer element. A steering assembly, and method for assembling the steering assembly, also are provided.

Abstract: A quickly dissolving carrier granule made up of wood fibers, mineral filler, and starch-based or dextrin-based adhesive binder. The wood fibers in these granules are preferably wood fibers ranging from about 10 microns to about 2 mm in length. Typically, at least about 35 weight- % of the fibers are retained on a 50-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen. The wood fibers in this invention are derived from sources that are substantially free of resins such as urea-formaldehyde resin and of diphenylmethane diisocyanate resin. Typical binders are soluble dextrin binders or a viscous corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, tapioca starch, potato starch, or sago starch binders. The granules have a Resistance to Attrition of at least 90%. Also disclosed is a method of making such granules.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing carrier granules. The method forms a mixture comprising fibers, mineral filler, and binder. The mixture contains 32-48 weight-% wood fibers having a bulk density of less than 20 pounds per cubic foot, at least 35 weight-% of which fibers are retained on a 50-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen. The fibers have a moisture content of less than 15 weight-%. The mixture also contains 52-65 weight-% mineral filler having a moisture content of less than 12 weight-%. In addition, the mixture contains 3-7 weight-% binder. The mixture is agglomerated by conditioning and agglomerating it in a pin mixer to form small particles followed by agglomerating it in a disc or pan pelletizer to form substantially spherical granules. The method then dries the granules to a moisture content of less than about 5 weight-%, and screens the granules to select granules that pass through a 10-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen but are retained on a 40-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen.

Abstract: Animal litter composed of plural discrete particles, each particle containing both mineral and organic matter. An absorbent artificial granule is made up of absorbent fiber, minerals, and chemicals. The highly absorptive and lightweight litter of this invention substantially reduces litter box malodors, extends usage duration of a given cat litter volume unit, eliminates dust, and increases consumer convenience by substantially reducing the weight of the product in conventionally sized packaging. In one embodiment, an animal litter granule is made up of:: 20-50 weight-% fine absorbent fibers, preferably 25-45 weight-% fine absorbent cellulose fibers; 10-30 weight-% zeolite, preferably 12-30 weight-% zeolite; 10-70 weight-% mineral filler, preferably 16-61 weight-% mineral filler selected from kaolin, titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof; and 0.5-10 weight-% binder, preferably 0.5-3 weight-% acrylic binder.

Abstract: Animal litter composed of plural discrete particles that are dual component granules. Each of the absorbent granules of this invention is made up of an inner core and an external coating complex. The inner core of the granule may be made with natural or artificial fibers, mineral filler, and binder. The coating of the granule may be made with an agglomerating agent and with natural or artificial materials that reduce odors and/or prevent the formation of malodors. The external coating layer may consists essentially of bentonite, zeolite and/or boric acid, and, optionally, fine cellulose fibers. The granules of this invention agglomerate into clumps when wetted. The highly absorptive and lightweight litter of this invention substantially reduces litter box malodors, extends usage duration of a given cat litter volume unit, and increases consumer convenience by substantially reducing the weight of the product in conventionally sized packaging.