Abstract: A shifting mechanism for a bicycle or other wheeled cycle has at least two gear wheels, of which at least one is segmented. The segments are movable into and out of a driving position. Motion of the segments occurs at a circumferential location out of the driving zone, at a location where the driving band, typically a chain, is not contacting the segment. The shifting mechanism can be provided at the front chain ring, or at the rear, gear sprocket. For a front chain wheel, the free zone is generally the rearward half of the chain ring, while for the rear gear sprocket, the free zone is generally the forward half. The moving segments can be toothed gates which flip perpendicularly to the plane in which the chain resides. The gates may be actuated by a moving mechanism powered by an actuator, such as a D.C. motor, under control of a signal processor, such as a microprocessor.

Abstract: A shifting mechanism for a bicycle or other wheeled cycle has at least two gear wheels, of which at least one is segmented. The segments are movable into and out of a driving position. Motion of the segments occurs at a circumferential location out of the driving zone, at a location where the driving band, typically a chain, is not contacting the segment. The shifting mechanism can be provided at the front chain ring, or at the rear, gear sprocket. For a front chain wheel, the free zone is generally the rearward half of the chain ring, while for the rear gear sprocket, the free zone is generally the forward half. The moving segments can be toothed gates which flip perpendicularly to the plane in which the chain resides. The gates may be actuated by a moving mechanism powered by an actuator, such as a D.C. motor, under control of a signal processor, such as a microprocessor.

Abstract: A book having a binding wherein the pages thereof are bound together by two or more transverse segments of adhesive spaced apart by one or more segments devoid of adhesive or other means for restraining movement. The cover of the book is formed by a unitary sheet of flexible material having a spine section intermediate and intergral with the front and back cover sections. The front section of the cover is secured to the first page of the book block while the back section of the cover is secured to the last page of the book block thereby leaving the spine section of the cover unattached from the book block and spaced apart therefrom. Upon opening the book to a page, the spine of the book block bends in a concave manner and the segments along the spinal edge of the opened page which are devoid of adhesive, bow or wedge outward over the opposite page preventing the pages from turning and maintaining the book in a flat position.