Coaxial Surface Is Belt-engaging Surface On Positive Drive Pulley Of Different Circumference Patents (Class 474/160)
  • Patent number: 11655003
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of sprockets and a sprocket carrier. The sprocket carrier includes at least ten internal spline teeth and a circumferentially extending non-splined portion. The at least ten internal spline teeth extend in an axial direction with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle rear sprocket assembly. The at least ten internal spline teeth includes a plurality of internal-spline driving surfaces. The plurality of internal-spline driving surfaces each includes a radially outermost edge, a radially innermost edge, and a radial length. The total of the radial lengths ranges from 11 mm to 14 mm. The circumferentially extending non-splined portion is disposed to be adjacent to the at least ten internal spline teeth in the axial direction and recessed from the at least ten internal spline teeth in a radial direction with respect to the rotational center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Hiroshi Fujita, Fumiaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11642913
    Abstract: A sprocket support body comprises an external spline configured to be engaged with an internal spline of a bicycle sprocket arrangement. The external spline includes a plurality of external-spline driving surfaces configured to transmit a rotational driving force between the sprocket support body and the bicycle sprocket arrangement in a circumferential direction. The plurality of external-spline driving surfaces includes at least four first external-spline driving surfaces and at least one second external-spline driving surface. The at least four first external-spline driving surfaces are respectively arranged on at least four of nine first external-spline driving positions equally arranged in the circumferential direction about a rotational center axis at a first external-spline pitch angle which is equal to 40 degrees. The at least one second external-spline driving surface is offset from the nine first external-spline driving positions in the circumferential direction about the rotational center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Tomonari Oka
  • Patent number: 11643167
    Abstract: A multi-sprocket arrangement for a bicycle includes a larger sprocket having a passage recess on an outer link plate passage tooth on an outboard side of the larger sprocket facing a smaller sprocket. The recess is on a side of the larger sprocket facing the smaller sprocket. The passage recess extends from a radially outer tooth tip of the outer link plate passage tooth to a non-load tooth flank of the outer link plate passage tooth or a tooth base directly adjacent to the outer link plate passage tooth such that during a gear shifting of a chain from a larger sprocket to a directly adjacent smaller sprocket, the chain passes the outer link plate passage tooth on the outboard side of the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Philipp Hoelle
  • Patent number: 11578761
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket arrangement comprises an internal spline configured to be engaged with an external spline of a sprocket support body of a bicycle hub assembly. The internal spline includes a plurality of internal-spline driving surfaces configured to transmit a rotational driving force between the bicycle sprocket arrangement and the bicycle hub assembly in a circumferential direction. The plurality of internal-spline driving surfaces includes at least four first internal-spline driving surfaces and at least one second internal-spline driving surface. The at least four first internal-spline driving surfaces are respectively arranged on at least four of nine first internal-spline driving positions equally arranged in the circumferential direction about a rotational center axis at a first internal-spline pitch angle which is equal to 40 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Tomonari Oka
  • Patent number: 11548592
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission device for connecting to a freehub body on a rear wheel, which has convex keys arranged radially on the periphery. The bicycle transmission device includes a connecting member, a fastener, and a cogset assembly. The connecting member includes a cylindrical body portion, connection keys protruding from a periphery of the body portion, a cut groove passing through the body portion, and first and second connecting seats located on two sides of the cut groove. The inner wall of the body portion has concave grooves corresponding to the convex keys. The fastener is adapted to be connected to the connecting seats and to pull them together. The cogset assembly includes a cogset seat and sprockets. The cogset seat has a first socket hole fitting around the connecting member and connection grooves corresponding to and adapted to be connected to the connection keys. The sprockets with different numbers of chain teeth are adapted to be connected to the cogset seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Tien Hsin Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Vince Tsai
  • Patent number: 11529827
    Abstract: A transmission assembly installed on a freehub body of a bicycle is provided. The freehub body rotates about a rotation axis and is provided with a torque transmission portion on a radial outer side. The transmission assembly includes a first adapter having a main body portion connected to the torque transmission portion, a second adapter having a second connecting portion and a pressing portion connected to the second connecting portion, and a friction member. The main body portion is sleeved on the freehub body and includes a first connecting portion having a first thread portion. The second connecting portion has a second thread portion adapted to be screwed to the first thread portion of the first connecting portion. The friction member is disposed in an accommodation space formed by the pressing portion, the radial outer side of the freehub body and one side of the first connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TIEN HSIN INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shang-Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 11518474
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket arrangement comprises a smaller sprocket and a larger sprocket. The larger sprocket has at least one upshifting facilitation area configured to facilitate an upshifting operation in which a bicycle chain is shifted from the larger sprocket toward the smaller sprocket. The at least one upshifting facilitation area includes an upstream tooth, an intermediate tooth, and a downstream tooth. The upstream tooth has a first recessed portion. The intermediate tooth has a second recessed portion. The downstream tooth has at least one of a third recessed portion and a chamfered portion. The at least one of the third recessed portion and the chamfered portion are separated from the second recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Fukunaga, Shota Suyama
  • Patent number: 11492077
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket has a plurality of teeth arranged one after the other along a circumferential direction and a plurality of spaces each of which being arranged between two of said teeth. Said plurality of teeth includes at least one first gearshifting tooth and at least one second tooth arranged immediately downstream of said at least one first gearshifting tooth with reference to a rotation direction (R) of the sprocket during pedaling. Said plurality of spaces includes at least one first space defined between said at least one first gearshifting tooth and said at least one second tooth and having a predetermined circumferential extension and at least one second space arranged downstream of said at least one second tooth with reference to said rotation direction (R) and having a circumferential extension greater than that of said at least one first space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Mirco Civiero, Marco Marchi, Armando Lagomarsini
  • Patent number: 11492076
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket having a rotational center axis, the bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body, a chain engagement structure, and a shifting facilitation projection. The chain engagement structure is arranged on a radially outer periphery of the sprocket body. The chain engagement structure includes a plurality of chain-driving teeth to engage with a bicycle chain to transmit a rotational driving force to the bicycle chain. The shifting facilitation projection is to facilitate an upshifting operation of the bicycle chain and to facilitate a downshifting operation of the bicycle chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Akinobu Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 11485449
    Abstract: A bicycle cassette comprises two segments that are attached together thereby forming a composite cassette that can be attached to a rear bicycle hub driver body. The bicycle cassette allows for the use of a smaller sprocket on one segment of the cassette because the smaller sprockets can overhang the hub driver body. Specifically, the cassette allows a small 9 or 10 tooth sprocket to overhang the cassette driver body on the bicycle hub by attaching a small sprocket assembly to a larger sprocket assembly using a locking, bayonet style attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Hive Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Thrash, Joel Peters
  • Patent number: 11460099
    Abstract: A bicycle chain ring, including an inner edge fully circumscribing both an opening and an axis of rotation; an inner surface extending between the inner edge and an outer edge where a plurality of chain ring teeth emanate; and a plurality of ramps disposed about the inner surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of ramps has a lifting surface configured to concurrently engage at least one link of a bicycle chain at two or more distinct pivot points along the length of the chain link to initiate stable lift of the bicycle chain without assistance from any of the plurality of chain ring teeth; wherein the lifting surface has a first end proximate the inner edge and a second end proximate the outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: WICKWERKS LLC
    Inventor: Christopher A. Wickliffe
  • Patent number: 11414157
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a bicycle rear sprocket assembly that can reduce shock in a gear shifting operation and can reduce changing of gear ratio during the gear shifting operation. A bicycle rear sprocket assembly includes a plurality of sprockets. A total tooth number of at least one of the plurality of sprockets is an even number. The plurality of sprockets have at least two coaxially arranged sprockets. At least one of the at least two coaxially arranged sprockets has an upshifting facilitation area and a downshifting facilitation area. Each of the at least two coaxially arranged sprockets has a total tooth number that is equal to or larger than eighteen. The tooth number difference is equal to or smaller than seven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Azusa Yamazaki, Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 11401005
    Abstract: A cogset having a plurality of axially adjacent sprockets between a first sprocket with a minimum primitive circumference and a last sprocket with a maximum primitive circumference and the primitive circumferences are expressed as an integer dimensionless value equal to the ratio between the primitive circumference itself and a fixed length equal to a chain pitch. The difference in value between the primitive circumference of the sprocket next to a predetermined sprocket and the primitive circumference of the predetermined sprocket is defined as the jump associated with the predetermined sprocket. A first sprocket subset comprises the first sprocket and at least the next three sprockets and a second sprocket subset comprises at least three adjacent sprockets that do not include the first sprocket. The jump associated with all of the sprockets of the first subset is equal to 1, whereas the jump associated with the sprockets of the second subset increases by 1 from one sprocket to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mirco Civiero
  • Patent number: 11378171
    Abstract: A single sprocket for mounting on a pedal crank of a bicycle is provided. The sprocket h is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation of a bicycle, and for engaging in a bicycle chain with chain inner link plate pairs and chain outer link plate pairs. The sprocket includes an axial outer side, an axial inner side, a hub region, a tooth region and a connecting region. A tooth center plane of the sprocket is offset inwards in the axial direction with respect to a hub center plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Hanke
  • Patent number: 11364971
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of sprockets comprising at least twelve sprockets having different numbers of teeth. The at least twelve sprockets are coaxially arranged along a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket assembly. An entire gear range of the plurality of sprockets is equal to or larger than 360%. An average percentage gear stage step of the plurality of sprockets being equal to or larger than 10%. The average percentage gear stage step of the plurality of sprockets is smaller than 15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 11345190
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a freewheel hub for a bicycle, comprising a freewheel device which optionally allows relative rotation between a hub sleeve and a driver or couples the hub sleeve and the driver in a torque-transmitting manner. The freewheel device has at least one first clutch ring and at least one second clutch ring, wherein the first clutch ring is coupled or coupleable to the hub sleeve in a torque-transmitting manner, and wherein the second clutch ring is coupleable or coupled to the driver in a torque-transmitting manner, and wherein the first and the second clutch ring are displaceable axially relative to the hub axle between an engaged position and a freewheel position. Provision is made here for at least one magnet arrangement accommodated in apertures in the first clutch ring to keep the clutch rings in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Henrik Braedt, Joachim Göbel, Vasco Correia, David Boughton
  • Patent number: 11305837
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises at least one sprocket and an internal cavity. The at least one sprocket includes at least ten internal spline teeth configured to engage with a bicycle hub assembly. The at least ten internal spline teeth have an internal-spline major diameter. The internal cavity has a maximum outer diameter larger than the internal-spline major diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi Komatsu, Koji Yuasa, Takehiko Nakajima
  • Patent number: 11292555
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body, a plurality of sprocket teeth, a mounting member, at least one fastening member, and a cover member. The sprocket body has at least one first threaded portion. The mounting member has at least one fastening hole configured to be aligned with the at least one first threaded portion in the assembled state. The at least one fastening member has a fastening shaft portion, a fastening head portion, and a second threaded portion. The second threaded portion is configured to threadedly engage with the at least one first threaded portion of the sprocket body in the assembled state. The cover member is configured to at least cover the fastening shaft portion of the at least one fastening member when viewed from an axial direction with respect to the rotational center axis in the assembled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kenichi Akanishi, Atsuhiro Emura, Shingo Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 11199252
    Abstract: A mounting body and a cassette suitable for mounting on a bicycle rear wheel hub in combination with the body. The body has an inner radial portion for coupling with rear wheel hub and an outer radial portion for mounting the cassette and a portion with a plurality of attachment areas for attachment to a cassette. The cassette has an axial centering opening for centering on the mounting body and a plurality of cassette attachment areas that align with the mounting body attachment areas to unite the mounting body and cassette for transmission of pedaling torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mirco Civiero
  • Patent number: 11192606
    Abstract: A bicycle multi-gear cassette mountable to a wheel hub driver mechanism that includes truncated conical shell having a first opening proximate a small shell base and a second opening proximate a large shell base. The openings are coaxial with an axis of the shell. A plurality of toothed sprockets having different numbers of teeth are disposed on the shell and extend radially of the central axis. A torque load transmitting profile is configured on the shell proximate one of the small and large shell bases. A radial load transmitting profile is configured on the shell proximate one of the small and large shell bases. The shell, sprockets, and the load transmitting profiles embody a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 11078987
    Abstract: A bicycle chain comprises a first inner link plate and a second inner link plate. The first inner link plate comprises a first inner-link end portion, a second inner-link end portion, and a first inner-link intermediate portion. The second inner link plate comprises a third inner-link end portion, a fourth inner-link end portion, and a second inner-link intermediate portion. A first inner-link end edge has a first chamfer extending about the first inner-link center axis such that a part of the first chamfer is disposed in a first circumferential area defined from a first inner-link longitudinal centerline to a first reference line when viewed in an axial direction of the first inner-link center axis. The first circumferential area is smaller than 14 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fukumori, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 11028916
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket includes a base body, a first sprocket tooth and a shifting initiation tooth. The first sprocket tooth includes a drive surface including a drive surface side tooth tip end portion, a non-drive surface including a non-drive surface side tooth tip end portion and a tooth tip portion connecting the drive surface side tooth tip end portion and the non-drive surface side tooth tip end portion. The non-drive surface extends circumferentially with respect to the rotational center axis from the non-drive surface side tooth tip end portion toward a first surface. The tooth tip portion extends circumferentially in a first direction between the drive surface side tooth tip end portion and the non-drive surface side tooth tip end portion. The non-drive surface extends circumferentially from the non-drive surface side tooth tip end portion in a second direction that is inclined with respect to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Fukunaga, Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 11015695
    Abstract: A sprocket assembly component with at least one first toothed wheel configured to have the most teeth of the sprocket assembly. The first toothed wheel has an axially inner surface and a supporting assembly that extends in the axial direction up to a free end arranged axially more internally with respect to the axially inner surface of the first toothed wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Filippo Bisarello
  • Patent number: 10994804
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises sprocket teeth. The sprocket teeth include at least one first tooth and at least one second tooth. The at least one first tooth has a first radial-tooth height. The at least one first tooth has an axial center plane in an axial direction parallel to the rotational center axis. The at least one second tooth is adjacent to the first tooth and disposed on a downstream side in a rotational driving direction of the bicycle sprocket. The at least one second tooth has a second radial-tooth height. The first radial-tooth height is greater than the second radial-tooth height. The at least one first tooth includes a tooth tip having an axial center plane in the axial direction. The axial center plane of the tooth tip is offset from the axial center plane of the first tooth in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Akinobu Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 10994803
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket has a rotational center axis. The bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body and sprocket teeth. The sprocket teeth include at least one first tooth and at least one second tooth. The at least one first has a first radial-tooth height. The at least one second tooth is adjacent to the first tooth and disposed on a downstream side in a rotational driving direction of the bicycle sprocket. The at least one second tooth has a second radial-tooth height. The first radial-tooth height is greater than the second radial-tooth height. The at least one first tooth includes a tooth tip having an axial center plane in an axial direction. The axial center plane of the tooth tip is offset from the axial center plane of the sprocket body in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Akinobu Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 10946931
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly is configured to be mounted to a sprocket support body of a bicycle rear hub assembly. The bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of bicycle sprockets. The plurality of bicycle sprockets comprises a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first sprocket includes a first opening having a first minimum diameter that is smaller than a minimum outer diameter of the sprocket support body of the bicycle rear hub assembly. The second sprocket includes a second opening and at least ten internal spline teeth. The second opening has a second minimum diameter that is equal to or larger than the minimum outer diameter of the sprocket support body of the bicycle rear hub assembly. The at least ten internal spline teeth are configured to engage with the sprocket support body of the bicycle rear hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Fujita
  • Patent number: 10940916
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket comprises a sprocket body and a plurality of sprocket teeth. The plurality of sprocket teeth includes a plurality of first teeth. Each tooth of the plurality of first teeth has a driving surface and a non-driving surface provided on a reverse side of the driving surface in a circumferential direction with respect to the rotational center axis. Each tooth of the plurality of first teeth has an axial maximum tooth-width and an axial driving-surface tooth-width. The axial maximum tooth-width is defined in an axial direction of the rotational center axis as a maximum width in each tooth of the plurality of first teeth. The axial driving-surface tooth-width is smaller than the axial maximum tooth-width. The plurality of first teeth accounts for at least 25% of the plurality of sprocket teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 10926836
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises a sprocket support and a first sprocket. The sprocket support includes a hub engagement part configured to engage with a bicycle hub assembly. The sprocket support includes a plurality of sprocket attachment members extending radially outwardly from the hub engagement part with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle rear sprocket assembly. The first sprocket is attached to the plurality of sprocket attachment members. The first sprocket includes a first sprocket body and a plurality of first sprocket teeth which extends radially outwardly from the first sprocket body with respect to the rotational center axis and a total number of which is equal to or larger than thirty-four. The first sprocket has a plurality of shifting facilitation areas. A total number of the plurality of shifting facilitation areas is a divisor of a total number of the plurality of sprocket attachment members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Atsuhiro Emura, Yasufumi Fukunaga, Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 10919339
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly comprises a hub axle, a hub body, a sprocket support structure, and a brake-rotor support structure. The sprocket support structure includes a first torque-transmitting profile and a first externally-threaded portion. The first torque-transmitting profile is configured to transmit a rotational force between the sprocket support structure and a bicycle sprocket assembly. The first externally-threaded portion is configured to threadedly engage with a first internally-threaded portion of a first lock member. The brake-rotor support structure includes a radially external surface, a radially internal surface, and a second torque-transmitting profile configured to transmit a rotational force between the brake-rotor support structure and a brake rotor. The second torque-transmitting profile is provided on the radially external surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Koji Yuasa, Takafumi Nishino, Takehiko Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10919604
    Abstract: A multiple sprocket arrangement for rotatable mounting on a rear wheel axle may include a sprocket carrier. The sprocket carrier has a substantially uniform material thickness. The multiple sprocket arrangement includes smaller sprockets and larger sprockets. The sprocket carrier is formed so that at least three larger sprockets can be fastened to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Sebastian Reineke
  • Patent number: 10899550
    Abstract: The invention relates to a positive drive spiral conveyor which includes, a drive tower rotatable about a vertical axis and a plurality of drive members extending in length from a bottom to a top of the drive tower. The drive members are spaced radially around the drive tower, with each drive member having a projecting driving ridge extending in length along at least a section of each drive member with a projecting shaft positioned on each drive member proximate an end of the driving ridge thereby defining an engagement zone. The projecting shaft defines a guiding surface around the shaft, such that in use a positive drive protrusion of a conveyor belt engages the guiding surface of the projecting shaft and is guided towards a leading side of the driving ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: DALE HOLDINGS (PTY) LTD
    Inventor: Christopher Dale
  • Patent number: 10889353
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of sprockets and a sprocket carrier configured to support at least one of the plurality of sprockets. The sprocket carrier includes at least ten internal spline teeth and a circumferentially extending non-splined portion. The at least ten internal spline teeth are configured to engage with the sprocket support body of the bicycle rear hub assembly. The at least ten internal spline teeth extend in an axial direction with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle rear sprocket assembly and are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction with respect to the rotational center axis. The circumferentially extending non-splined portion is disposed to be adjacent to the at least ten internal spline teeth in the axial direction and recessed from the at least ten internal spline teeth in a radial direction with respect to the rotational center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Hiroshi Fujita, Fumiaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10864964
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly 28 comprises a sprocket carrier 31, at least one metallic support 33, and at least one rear sprocket 28a-28h. The sprocket carrier 31 is made of a non-metallic material. The at least one metallic support 33 is attached to at least one of a first circumferentially facing surface 41 and a second circumferentially facing surface 43 of at least one mounting arm 39 of the sprocket carrier 31. The at least one rear sprocket 28a-28h is made of a metallic material. A sprocket body 51 of the at least one rear sprocket 28a-28h is attached to the at least one metallic support 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventors: Toru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10859149
    Abstract: A bicycle crankset annular body with a toothed crown that extends about a rotation axis and has axially inner and outer surfaces and a reference plane (R) on which the rotation axis (O) and a longitudinal axis of a right crank arm lies. The annular body's maximum axial thickness, defined at a first angular portion, is between two parallel planes that are orthogonal to the reference plane (R). The angular portion has a lightening recess formed on the axially outer surface between two delimiting planes that pass through the rotation axis (O) and are inclined with respect to the reference plane (R) by first and second angles which are measured on axially outer surface moving angularly in the clockwise direction from the reference plane (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mirco Civiero
  • Patent number: 10780944
    Abstract: The present application describes a transmission system, including a certain tooth profile of toothed wheel and its use. This transmission system enables an improved guidance of the chain by using a non-normative tooth profile, to avoid that when the vehicle is exposed to extreme situations disengagements of the chain may occur. This transmission system applies to vehicles, preferably bicycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: MIRANDA & IRMAO, LDA.
    Inventor: Joao Filipe Tavares Miranda
  • Patent number: 10773772
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly is basically provided that includes a sprocket support member, a first sprocket, a second sprocket that is a separate member from the first sprocket, and a third sprocket that is a separate member from the first and second sprockets. The sprocket support member is configured to support at least one of the first, second and third sprockets. The sprocket support member includes a plurality of sprocket support portions extending radially outwardly from a central cylindrical portion. A first reinforcement member is attached to at least one of the first and second sprockets, and extends between the first and second sprockets. A second reinforcement member is attached to at least one of the second and third sprockets, and extends between the second and third sprockets. Each of the first and second reinforcement members is disposed between an adjacent pair of the plurality of sprocket support portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fukumori, Hiroshi Fujita
  • Patent number: 10752320
    Abstract: A bicycle rear hub assembly comprises a hub axle, a hub body, and a sprocket support body. The hub axle includes an axle through-bore that has a minimum inner diameter equal to or larger than 13 mm. The hub body is rotatably mounted on the hub axle about a rotational center axis of the bicycle rear hub assembly. The sprocket support body is rotatably mounted on the hub axle about the rotational center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Tomonari Oka
  • Patent number: 10717495
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body, a plurality of sprocket teeth, an axially outward protuberance, and an axially inward protuberance. The axially outward protuberance is disposed on an outward facing side of the sprocket body to overlap at least partly with a bicycle chain engaging with a neighboring bicycle sprocket when viewed along a rotational center axis. The axially inward protuberance is disposed on an inward facing side of the sprocket body to overlap at least partly with the axially outward protuberance when viewed along the rotational center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Fukunaga, Hiroshi Fujita, Tsuyoshi Fukumori, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 10703441
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for a bicycle may include a plurality of sprockets arranged at a rear wheel of the bicycle. The sprockets may be particularly arranged to have a spacing that facilitates the configuration of an increasing number of sprockets in the plurality of sprockets. A singular front sprocket or chain ring may be used to drive the rear plurality of sprockets. The singular front chain ring may include first and second groups of teeth, the first group of teeth being wider than the second group of teeth. The drive arrangement may also include a rear derailleur. A chain having inner link plates with recesses may also be include in the drive arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Pedro Miguel Nunes Dos Santos, Markus Reiter, Joachim Hanke, Bryn Johnson, Andreas Vonend, Martin Kehrer, Henrik Braedt, Luis Figueiredo, Rodrigo Antunes, Bruno Miguel Ferreira Da Silva Ribeiro
  • Patent number: 10703439
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body and a plurality of sprocket teeth provided on an outer periphery of the sprocket body and including at least one first tooth and at least one second tooth. The at least one first tooth has a driving surface side and a non-driving surface side. The at least one first tooth has a bevel cut shape in the non-driving surface side. The bevel cut shape is configured to avoid initially engaging with a bicycle chain in a shifting operation where the bicycle chain shifts from an adjacent smaller bicycle sprocket to the bicycle sprocket. The at least one second tooth is configured to initially engage with the bicycle chain in the shifting operation. The at least one second tooth is disposed adjacent to the at least one first tooth in a circumferential direction with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 10689067
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first sprocket includes a first sprocket body, first sprocket teeth, and a first pitch circle. The first pitch circle has a first diameter. The second sprocket includes a second sprocket body, second sprocket teeth, and a second pitch circle. The first sprocket teeth include a large-sprocket downshifting tooth and an additional large-sprocket downshifting tooth. The second sprocket teeth include a first small-sprocket downshifting tooth, a second small-sprocket downshifting tooth, a first adjacent tooth, and a second adjacent tooth. A circumferential area is defined from a driving surface of the first adjacent tooth to a non-driving surface of the second adjacent tooth in a driving rotational direction about a rotational center axis when viewed in an axial direction. The large-sprocket downshifting tooth is disposed in the circumferential area when viewed in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 10677338
    Abstract: A bicycle chain ring, including an inner edge fully circumscribing both an opening and an axis of rotation; an inner surface extending between the inner edge and an outer edge where a plurality of chain ring teeth emanate; and a plurality of ramps disposed about the inner surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of ramps has a lifting surface configured to concurrently engage at least one link of a bicycle chain at two or more distinct pivot points along the length of the chain link to initiate stable lift of the bicycle chain without assistance from any of the plurality of chain ring teeth; wherein the lifting surface has a first end proximate the inner edge and a second end proximate the outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: WICK WERKS, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher A. Wickliffe
  • Patent number: 10668980
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket, a second sprocket, and a sprocket support. The first sprocket includes a first sprocket body and a plurality of first sprocket teeth. The first sprocket body has at least one first recess. The second sprocket includes a second sprocket body and a plurality of second sprocket teeth. The sprocket support is configured to engage with a bicycle hub assembly. The sprocket support includes a sprocket attachment part. The first sprocket and the second sprocket are attached to the sprocket attachment part. The sprocket attachment part is at least partly provided in the at least one first recess to transmit a rotational force between the first sprocket and the sprocket support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 10625820
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of sprockets and a sprocket carrier. The plurality of sprockets includes a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first sprocket has at least one circumferential coupling point. The first sprocket is coupled to a radially extending surface of at least one of a plurality of sprocket mounting portions at the at least one circumferential coupling point. The second sprocket has at least one additional circumferential coupling point. The second sprocket is coupled, at the at least one additional circumferential coupling point, to at least one of the sprocket carrier and one of the plurality of sprockets. A total number of the at least one circumferential coupling point is different from a total number of the at least one additional circumferential coupling point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Hiroshi Fujita, Fumiaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10611431
    Abstract: A bicycle multi-gear cassette mountable to a wheel hub driver mechanism that includes truncated conical shell having a first opening proximate a small shell base and a second opening proximate a large shell base. The openings are coaxial with an axis of the shell. A plurality of toothed sprockets having different numbers of teeth are disposed on the shell and extend radially of the central axis. A torque load transmitting profile is configured on the shell proximate one of the small and large shell bases. A radial load transmitting profile is configured on the shell proximate one of the small and large shell bases. The shell, sprockets, and the load transmitting profiles embody a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 10584786
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a sprocket support member and a reinforcement member. The sprocket support member is configured to support a sprocket. The sprocket support member includes a central cylindrical portion and at least one sprocket support portion extending radially outwardly from the central cylindrical portion with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket assembly. The sprocket support member is made of a non-metallic material. The reinforcement member is provided in the central cylindrical portion to reinforce the central cylindrical portion in a circumferential direction about the rotational center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10577051
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a plurality of sprocket teeth including at least one first tooth and at least one second tooth. The at least one first tooth has a first non-driving surface including a first non-driving surface portion and a second non-driving surface portion so that a first ridge is formed between the first non-driving surface portion and the second non-driving surface portion. The at least one second tooth is configured to initially engage with the bicycle chain in a shifting operation. The at least one second tooth is disposed adjacent to the at least one first tooth. The at least one second tooth has a second non-driving surface including a third non-driving surface portion and a fourth non-driving surface portion so that a second ridge is formed between the third non-driving surface portion and the fourth non-driving surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Fukunaga, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 10562587
    Abstract: A cycle crankset, comprising independent cranks articulated around a crank axis and each having a pedal axis, a cam pivotably mounted about the crank axis, and a chainring assembly pivotably mounted about the cam about an axis parallel to the crank axis, the cranks being connected to the chainring assembly via connecting rods, the articulation point between each of the cranks and one of the connecting rods being located on the portion of the crank opposite the pedal axis relative to the crank axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: C3B
    Inventor: Jacques Cerdan
  • Patent number: 10562589
    Abstract: A multiple bicycle rear sprocket assembly includes first and second sprockets. The first sprocket includes a plurality of first sprocket teeth. The first sprocket teeth include at least one first tooth having a first maximum axial width for engaging with an outer link plate of the chain, and at least one second tooth having a second maximum axial width for engaging with an inner link plate of the chain. The first maximum axial width is larger than the second maximum axial width. The second sprocket includes a plurality of second sprocket teeth. The second sprocket is smaller than the first sprocket. The second sprocket teeth have additional second teeth only. The additional second teeth are configured for engaging with the inner link plate of the chain. The first maximum axial width is larger than a maximum axial width of each of the additional second teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akinobu Sugimoto, Yuki Hirose
  • Patent number: 10507690
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly comprises a hub axle, a hub body, and a sprocket support body. The hub body includes a first spoke-mounting portion, a second spoke-mounting portion, and a first axial length. The first axial length is defined between a first axially outermost part of the first spoke-mounting portion and a second axially outermost part of the second spoke-mounting portion in an axial direction and is equal to or larger than 55 mm. The sprocket support body includes a plurality of external spline teeth. The plurality of external spline teeth includes a plurality of external-spline driving surfaces. The plurality of external-spline driving surfaces each includes a radial length defined from a radially outermost edge to a radially innermost edge. A total of the radial lengths of the plurality of external-spline driving surfaces is equal to or larger than 7 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Kazuki Koshiyama, Takashi Nakanishi