Abstract: A bicycle transmission includes a hub axle, a drive member rotatably mounted around the hub axle, a hub body rotatably mounted around the hub axle, and a planetary gear mechanism coupled between the drive member and the hub body for communicating rotational force from the drive member to the hub body through multiple rotational force transmission paths. The planetary gear mechanism includes a planet gear supported by a planet gear rack for rotation around the hub axle, and a ring gear engaging the planet gear. The ring gear includes a transmission pawl that can be displaced between a first position for transmitting rotational motion between the ring gear and the hub body and a second position for inhibiting the transmission of rotational motion between the ring gear and the hub body.

Abstract: A hub transmission with a coaster brake unit includes a hub axle, a drive member rotatably mounted around the hub axle, a hub body rotatably mounted around the hub axle, and a planetary gear mechanism coupled between the drive member and the hub body for communicating rotational force from the drive member to the hub body through multiple rotational force transmission paths. The planetary gear mechanism includes a planet gear supported by a planet gear rack for rotation around the hub axle, and a ring gear engaging the planet gear. The gear rack includes a depression formed in a peripheral direction thereof, and the ring gear includes a serration formed in a peripheral direction thereof. A clutch having an engagement component is movable in a direction of an axis of the axle between a first position, a standby position and a second position.

Abstract: A bicycle hub brake wherein a rotating member rotates with a bicycle wheel, and a brake actuating mechanism causes a brake member to apply a braking force to a braking surface. An intermediate member is disposed between the brake actuating mechanism and the rotating member for moving relative to one of the brake actuating mechanism and the rotating member when a braking force less than a selected value is applied to the braking surface and for moving relative to the other one of the brake actuating mechanism and rotating member when a braking force greater than the selected value is applied to the braking surface.

Abstract: A hub brake apparatus for use on an axle fixed to a frame of a bicycle. The apparatus includes a hub rotatable in a first direction about the axle when the bicycle moves forward, a brake drum rotatable with the hub, brake shoes arranged around the axle and radially inwardly of the brake drum to be movable between a first position for frictionally engaging the brake drum and a second position retracted from the brake drum, a ring spring for biasing the brake shoes toward the second position, and a cam mechanism disposed radially inwardly of the brake shoes for moving the brake shoes from the second position to the first position. The cam mechanism includes intermediate members having radially outward portions for contacting the brake shoes, and a cam disposed radially inwardly of the intermediate members and having peripheral portions for contacting the intermediate members. The peripheral portions of the cam define inclined surfaces opposed to the intermediate members.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for use on a hub shaft (11) supporting a hub (2) of a bicycle has a brake ring (13), and a coupling device for coupling the brake ring and the hub to be rotatable together. The coupling device includes outer splines (13a) formed on the brake ring (13) and inner splines (2d) formed in the hub (2) to allow relative axial movement between the brake ring (13) and hub (2) while preventing relative rotation therebetween. The brake apparatus includes brake shoes (6) disposed inside the brake ring (13) to be movable into contact with the brake ring (13). A restrictor is provided for restricting axial movement of the brake shoes (6) relative to the brake ring (13). The restrictor includes stoppers (27a) projecting radially outwardly from peripheral positions of an annular shoe presser spring (27) fitted circumferentially of the brake shoes (6), and grooves (13b) formed in an inner peripheral wall of the brake ring ( 13).

Abstract: A gear transmission control device for a multiple-speed hub for a bicycle, in which an actuating arm is mounted to one end of a controller for the gear transmission of the hub, which arm is pivoted to a fixed member of the hub through a pivot and a control arm is pivoted to the pivot in the relation of being shiftable with respect to the actuating arm. An energy-storage spring is provided between both the arms, so that the control arm is shifted with respect to the actuating arm to energize the spring when the controller is subjected to a resistance in excess of a prescribed value. When the resistance is released the stored energy in the spring allows the actuating arm to swing, thereby changing the bicycle speed to a desirable speed-change stage.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for use on a hub shaft (11) supporting a hub (2) of a bicycle has a brake ring (13), and a coupling device for coupling the brake ring and the hub to rotatable together. The coupling device includes outer splines (13a) formed on the brake ring (13) and inner splines (2d) formed in the hub (2) to allow relative axial movement between the brake ring (13) and hub (2) while preventing relative rotation therebetween. The brake apparatus includes brake shoes (6) disposed inside the brake ring (13) to be movable into contact with the brake ring (13). A restrictor is provided far restricting axial movement of the brake shoes (6) relative to the brake ring (13). The restrictor includes stoppers (27a) projecting radially outwardly from peripheral positions of an annular shoe presser spring (27) fitted circumferentially of the brake shoes (6), and grooves (13b) formed in an inner peripheral wall of the brake ring (13).