Patents by Inventor Karlheinz Nicolai
Karlheinz Nicolai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20250237272Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch device for selective transmission of a torque from a first shaft or hub to a second shaft or hub, in particular for a gear-shifting system for a bicycle. The clutch device has first and second clutch halves, an opening device adapted to generate, from an operating torque with which the first clutch half is supplied, in particular by means of the operation of the bicycle with the gear-shifting system, an opening force by means of which the clutch device is opened, as well as an actuating device for controlling the opening device. According to the invention, the opening device is arranged spatially separated from the torque transmission region of the clutch device, i.e., from that spatial region at which, when the clutch device is closed, a torque transmission from the first to the second clutch half may take place. Utilizing the operating torque to generate the opening force for the clutch device facilitates opening the clutch device and thus shifting under load.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2025Publication date: July 24, 2025Inventor: Karlheinz NICOLAI
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Publication number: 20250050971Abstract: A data processing device and a computer-implemented method for controlling a gear change in a bicycle gearbox for a bicycle with or without an auxiliary motor, in particular a bottom bracket gearshift device or a hub gear, from one gear directly into another gear by automatic actuation of a first and a second clutch actuator. A bicycle gearbox with such a data processing device as well as to a method of executing a gear change. The data processing device is configured to receive at least one switching parameter representative of a state of the bicycle gearbox, and to output an actuation signal for actuating the first and the second clutch actuator depending on the at least one switching parameter and a gear change signal representing a command for a gear change.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2024Publication date: February 13, 2025Inventor: Karlheinz NICOLAI
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Publication number: 20220234683Abstract: Presented herein is a bottom bracket gearshift (1) of an electric bicycle (64) with an auxiliary drive (22), in particular in the form of a central motor. The bottom bracket gearshift (1) has a shift gearbox (4). In order to make the shift gearbox as small and light as possible, an input stage (14) is arranged at the transmission input (10) of the shift gearbox (4). The input stage (14) may be arranged between a bottom bracket shaft (6) and/or the auxiliary drive (22) and is configured as a transmission into high-speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventor: Karlheinz NICOLAI
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Patent number: 9435382Abstract: A shaft/hub connection for vehicles or for use in drive systems with a cylinder-shaped shaft component, containing elevations or depressions on the lateral surface and a hub component having a bore, including inside the bore also elevations or depressions, whereby the shaft component can be mounted inside the bore of the hub component. It is further distinguished in that inside the bore of the hub component at least 2 surfaces are arranged such that an elastic deformation of these surfaces in the radial direction is possible and inside the bore of the hub component at least 2 surfaces are arranged such that an elastic deformation of these surfaces in the radial direction is less possible. In addition, the shaft/hub connection is characterized in that the elastically deformable surfaces are connected in a materially bonding manner with the elastically less deformable surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Gates CorporationInventor: Karlheinz Nicolai
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Publication number: 20150016880Abstract: A shaft/hub connection for vehicles or for use in drive systems with a cylinder-shaped shaft component, containing elevations or depressions on the lateral surface and a hub component having a bore, including inside the bore also elevations or depressions, whereby the shaft component can be mounted inside the bore of the hub component. It is further distinguished in that inside the bore of the hub component at least 2 surfaces are arranged such that an elastic deformation of these surfaces in the radial direction is possible and inside the bore of the hub component at least 2 surfaces are arranged such that an elastic deformation of these surfaces in the radial direction is less possible. In addition, the shaft/hub connection is characterized in that the elastically deformable surfaces are connected in a materially bonding manner with the elastically less deformable surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventor: Karlheinz Nicolai
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Patent number: 8308589Abstract: A belt and chain drive for vehicles or for use in drive technology with an input shaft and an output shaft supported on a frame, the input shaft and the output shaft project out of the frame, with the following features: a) gear transmissions with gear wheels, which are embodied as belt and chain drives, are located between the input shaft and the output shaft, b) all of the gear wheels are constantly in rotation during operation, c) the gear transmissions located between the input shaft and the output shaft are embodied as belt and chain drives with toothed belts as traction mechanisms and with pulleys as gear wheels, d) the traction mechanism are reinforced with aramide, Kevlar, carbon fibers or other fibrous materials, is characterized in that e) the traction mechanism is pressed into a kidney-like shape onto the pulleys by at least one component during no-load rotation, and that under the effect of load this component does not touch the traction mechanism, and f) the kidney-like shape of the traction mechType: GrantFiled: March 20, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: The Gates CorporationInventors: Karlheinz Nicolai, Arthur Jack Clarke
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Patent number: 8043185Abstract: A multiple gear transmission with magnetic control for vehicles or for use in drive technology includes an input shaft supported on a frame and an output shaft. The input shaft protrudes from the frame at least one end and the output shaft protrudes from the frame at one end. Transmission gear ratios with transmission wheels are embodied as gear trains or belt and chain drives and are located between the input shaft and the output shaft. Transmission wheels are supported in a rotatable manner on the input shaft or on the output shaft. The transmission wheels are connected to the input shaft or the output shaft in a torsionally fixed manner by a clutch mechanism. The transmission wheels are constantly in rotation during operation. A state of the clutch mechanism changes through the change of an additional magnetic field inside or in a direct vicinity of the clutch mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Inventor: Karlheinz Nicolai
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Publication number: 20100130319Abstract: A belt and chain drive for vehicles or for use in drive technology with an input shaft and an output shaft supported on a frame, the input shaft and the output shaft project out of the frame, with the following features: a) gear transmissions with gear wheels, which are embodied as belt and chain drives, are located between the input shaft and the output shaft, b) all of the gear wheels are constantly in rotation during operation, c) the gear transmissions located between the input shaft and the output shaft are embodied as belt and chain drives with toothed belts as traction mechanisms and with pulleys as gear wheels, d) the traction mechanism are reinforced with aramide, Kevlar, carbon fibers or other fibrous materials, is characterized in that e) the traction mechanism is pressed into a kidney-like shape onto the pulleys by at least one component during no-load rotation, and that under the effect of load this component does not touch the traction mechanism, and f) the kidney-like shape of the traction mechType: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Karlheinz Nicolai, Arthur J. Clarke
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Patent number: 7644944Abstract: A multiple gear transmission for a bicycle with an input shaft and an output shaft supported in a transmission housing, whereby the input shaft is embodied to receive pedal cranks and both ends of the input shaft protrude from the transmission housing. One of the ends of the output shaft protrudes from the transmission housing and the output shaft is embodied at this end to receive a drive sprocket. At least one intermediate shaft is supported in the transmission housing parallel between the input shaft and the output shaft. Respectively, at least two gear wheels are arranged on the input shaft, the at least one intermediate shaft and the output shaft. The gear wheels arranged on at least two of the shafts can be connected in a torque-proof manner to the respective shaft via clutch mechanism. All the gear wheels are permanently meshed with another gear wheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Inventor: Karlheinz Nicolai
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Publication number: 20080234090Abstract: A multiple gear transmission with magnetic control for vehicles or for use in drive technology includes an input shaft supported on a frame and an output shaft. The input shaft protrudes from the frame at least one end and the output shaft protrudes from the frame at one end. Transmission gear ratios with transmission wheels are embodied as gear trains or belt and chain drives and are located between the input shaft and the output shaft. Transmission wheels are supported in a rotatable manner on the input shaft or on the output shaft. The transmission wheels are connected to the input shaft or the output shaft in a torsionally fixed manner by a clutch mechanism. The transmission wheels are constantly in rotation during operation. At least one component is supported in a rotatable or displaceable manner relative to a toothing within the clutch mechanism. At t least one component adopts a positive position in the toothing within the clutch mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2008Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventor: Karlheinz NICOLAI
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Patent number: 7338058Abstract: A bicycle frame with a seat tube (1), a headset tube (3), a pedal-bearing housing (5), and a gear housing (6) is characterized by the fact that the pedal-bearing housing (5) and the gear housing (6) are directly connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Inventor: Karlheinz Nicolai
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Publication number: 20070210552Abstract: A multiple gear transmission for a bicycle with an input shaft and an output shaft supported in a transmission housing, whereby the input shaft is embodied to receive pedal cranks and both ends of the input shaft protrude from the transmission housing. One of the ends of the output shaft protrudes from the transmission housing and the output shaft is embodied at this end to receive a drive sprocket. At least one intermediate shaft is supported in the transmission housing parallel between the input shaft and the output shaft. Respectively, at least two gear wheels are arranged on the input shaft, the at least one intermediate shaft and the output shaft. The gear wheels arranged on at least two of the shafts can be connected in a torque-proof manner to the respective shaft via clutch mechanism. All the gear wheels are permanently meshed with another gear wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2005Publication date: September 13, 2007Inventor: Karlheinz Nicolai
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Publication number: 20060158022Abstract: A rear wheel and a rear wheel hub for bicycles, the rear wheel being mounted between two components of the bicycle frame, which are generally referred to as dropouts, and is mounted removably, and the rear wheel hub of the rear wheel being configured indirectly or directly to accommodate brake components and drive elements, comprising the following features: a) at least one coupling component is arranged on at least one dropout, b) a hub body is arranged on at least one coupling component in a manner such that it can be separated on the coupling side, c) a brake component is arranged permanently and indirectly or directly on at least one coupling component, d) a drive element is arranged permanently and indirectly or directly on at least one coupling component, e) there is a releasable connection to a single-or multi-part connecting component at least within one dropout, at least within one coupling component and within the hub body, f) on at least one coupling component there is a ball, roller or needle bearType: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2005Publication date: July 20, 2006Inventor: Karlheinz Nicolai
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Publication number: 20050062254Abstract: A bicycle frame with a seat tube (1), a headset tube (3), a pedal-bearing housing (5), and a gear housing (6) is characterized by the fact that the pedal-bearing housing (5) and the gear housing (6) are directly connected to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2004Publication date: March 24, 2005Inventor: Karlheinz Nicolai