Coaxial Surface Is Belt-engaging Surface On Positive Drive Pulley Of Different Circumference Patents (Class 474/160)
  • Patent number: 7871347
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly has a sprocket carrier, a first sprocket, a second sprocket and a third sprocket. The first and second sprockets are attached to opposite axial sides of the outer end portion of the attachment member of the sprocket carrier using a common fastener that extends through the first and second attachment portions and the outer end portion of the attachment member. The third sprocket is disposed on adjacent the second sprocket. The second sprocket has a free edge spaced radially inwardly from the common fastener by a distance at least as large as one-half of a maximum transverse dimension of the fastener measured in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. At least one space maintaining projection extends axially toward an adjacent one of the second and third sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 7854673
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly includes a first sprocket, a second sprocket and at least one reinforcement member. The first sprocket includes a first main body and a first chain engagement portion. The second sprocket includes a second main body and a second chain engagement portion. The reinforcement member is coupled between the sprockets. Preferably, the reinforcement member is disposed in first and second apertures of the first and second sprockets at a radial location spaced radially outwardly of first and second inner end portions of the first and second sprockets. Preferably, a spacer is disposed between the first and second sprockets radially inwardly of the reinforcement member. The reinforcement member is preferably installable in the first and second apertures by a sliding movement generally perpendicular to a rotation axis of the first and second sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinya Oseto, Kentaro Hiratani
  • Publication number: 20100317479
    Abstract: Bicycle chainset comprising: two cranks (4,5) each comprising, at one end, means (7) for fastening a pedal, a main axle, of axis x-x?, coupled in rotation to the two cranks (4, 5) and intended to be fitted into a bottom bracket (3) of a bicycle frame (2), and at least one toothed chainring (8) rotated by the cranks (4,5). The chainset comprises, furthermore, universal adaptor means (15) for the chainring (8) that are rotated by the cranks (4,5) and that enable the chainring (8) to be positioned and removed by interlocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Jean-Yves Delale
  • Patent number: 7846047
    Abstract: A sprocket comprises a sprocket body; a plurality of teeth extending radially outwardly from the sprocket body and dimensioned to engage a bicycle chain; and a spline extending radially inwardly from the sprocket body, wherein the spline includes a radially outer surface facing radially outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakano, Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 7846048
    Abstract: A multi-speed sprocket assembly is suggested, including at least a larger sprocket and at least a smaller sprocket. The smaller sprocket has a trailing tooth which is last to engage the chain before moving onto the larger sprocket. The larger sprocket has a leading tooth which either is the first to engage between a first outer link plate pair of the chain or is located adjacent to a first inner link plate pair of the chain. At least the larger sprocket has an upshift transitional region which has a double spacewidth created by omitting a tooth and is immediately followed by the leading tooth. In the region of the double spacewidth, the larger sprocket is embodied in such a way that a crossing chain link comes into contact with the larger sprocket only in the region of the leading tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Reiter, Frank Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20100279807
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a one-piece, metal multiple wheel (2) for a traction mechanism comprising at least two adjacently disposed single wheels (3, 4), each comprising a wheel body (5, 6) having an outer circumference (7, 8), wherein teeth (9, 10) for engaging the traction mechanism are arranged in a distributed manner over the outer circumference (7, 8), and wherein at least one of the two single wheels (3, 4) is configured as a sprocket, gear or toothed belt wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: MIBA SINTER AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Schmid, Wolfgang Siessl, Karl Dickinger
  • Patent number: 7824287
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket is provided that has a sprocket ring part, a synthetic resin fastening part and at least one attachment part. The synthetic resin fastening part is non-movably coupled to the sprocket ring part at a location radially inwardly of the sprocket teeth relative to the rotation axis. The least one attachment part is at least partially embedded within the synthetic resin fastening part. The attachment part includes a connecting portion and a radial projecting portion extending outwardly from the connecting portion to space the connecting portion radially inward of the sprocket ring part. The attachment part is formed as a separate member from the sprocket ring part and the synthetic resin fastening part. The synthetic resin fastening part facilitates weight saving, while the attachment part prevents the reduction of fastening power (strength) due to deterioration or deformation of the synthetic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsu Nonoshita, Hideya Inoue, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 7753815
    Abstract: A bicycle chain wheel assembly is provided with a chain wheel and a chain wheel cover. The chain wheel has a central mounting portion and an outer gear with a plurality of outer gear teeth. The chain wheel cover is disposed on an exteriorly facing side of the chain wheel. The chain wheel cover has a mounting portion coupled to the chain wheel and an outer peripheral portion with a chain drop prevention protrusion projecting outwardly from the outer peripheral portion at a location that is radially inward of the outer gear teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Components (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
    Inventors: Muhd Àdi Saifuddin, Noor Adian Bin Mohsin, Masahiro Hanatani
  • Patent number: 7744498
    Abstract: To achieve downsizing and weight reduction of a derailleur shaft and the mounting structure thereof and to improve the rigidity of the derailleur shaft without increasing the thickness thereof more than necessary. A transmission case is divided into left and right halves, and the left and right halves are provided with bosses therein having holes opposing each other. The bosses are brought into abutment with each other and united by fitting tightening bolts to the holes of the bosses and tightening the same. A sleeve-shaped derailleur shaft is fitted on the outer periphery of the bosses to support and mount the derailleur shaft. The derailleur shaft includes a hole at the shaft end thereof. A mounting position of the derailleur shaft is achieved by a pin inserted into the hole and a hole provided on one of the cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Matsumoto, Kazunari Iguchi
  • Publication number: 20100137086
    Abstract: A multiple sprocket assembly for a bicycle includes a larger diametrical sprocket and a smaller diametrical sprocket and the larger diametrical sprocket includes at least one auxiliary guiding portion for facilitating a bicycle chain to shift from the smaller diametrical sprocket to the larger diametrical sprocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Diing-Jiun Lin
  • Publication number: 20100099530
    Abstract: A cogset, which is adapted to connect to a rotatable hub of a bicycle, includes first, second and third cog assemblies. Each cog assembly has at least one cog with which a chain on the bicycle selectively engages in response to bicycle speed changes. Additionally, the first and third cog assemblies have structural contacts with the connected hub of the bicycle, whereas the second cog assembly does not have any structural contact with the connected hub, but the second cog assembly is retained between the first and third cog assemblies in order to connect it to the hub and enable it rotate with the hub stably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas Chiang, Chia-Wei Liao
  • Patent number: 7691020
    Abstract: In a roller or bushing chain transmission a standard roller or bushing chain having a uniform chain pitch meshes with a sprocket having at least two different tooth form pitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Shunji Sakura, Akira Hirai, Masatoshi Sonoda
  • Publication number: 20100081531
    Abstract: A multi-speed sprocket assembly configured to receive a bicycle chain including a plurality of pairs of inner link plates, a plurality of pairs of outer link plates and plurality of rollers connecting the pairs of inner and outer link plates. The multi-speed sprocket assembly generally includes a smaller diameter sprocket and a larger diameter sprocket rotated about a rotation axis in a driving direction. The smaller and larger diameter sprockets include first and second pluralities of teeth spaced about their peripheries, respectively. The larger diameter sprocket has an inboard side including first and second projections axially extending therefrom. The second projection is disposed circumferentially aft, opposite the driving direction, and radially outwardly of the first projection. The first and second projections simultaneously support one outer link plate as the bicycle chain shifts from the smaller diameter sprocket to the larger diameter sprocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Esquibel
  • Publication number: 20100075791
    Abstract: A multiple sprocket assembly configured to be mounted to a wheel hub. The multiple sprocket assembly includes a 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 a central axis. A plurality of tooth sprockets having different numbers of chain-engaging teeth is disposed on the shell and extends radially of the central axis. A radial load transmitting profile is configured on the shell proximate one of the small and large shell bases. A torque load transmitting profile is configured on the shell proximate the large shell base. The shell, sprockets and the radial and torque load transmitting profiles embody a single piece. A load transfer element is connected to the large shell base to radially support the shell. The load transfer element has a greater number of chain-engaging teeth disposed on an outer periphery thereof and having a larger diameter than a largest sprocket on the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 7654925
    Abstract: A sprocket is provided having a plurality of teeth around its circumference. Adjacent teeth are separated by roots each having a root radius defined as the distance between the center of the sprocket and a point along the root closest to the sprocket center in a radial direction. In one aspect of the invention, the sprocket comprises at least two different root radii arranged in a pattern effective to redistribute tensions imparted to a chain by the sprocket at one or more predetermined sprocket orders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Todd
  • Publication number: 20100009794
    Abstract: A sprocket assembly includes a first sprocket set having multiple first bores defined therein. A second sprocket has multiple second bores defined therein. A supporter has multiple first fastening bores defined therein and multiple second fastening bores defined therein. The first sprocket and the second sprocket are respectively fixed on two opposite sides of the supporter. Each of the first protrusions is fixed on a corresponding one of the first fastening bores. Each of the second protrusions is fixed on a corresponding one of the second fastening bores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Douglas Chiang
  • Publication number: 20100004081
    Abstract: A multiple sprocket assembly for receiving a chain and transferring torque therefrom to a bicycle rear wheel hub rotatable about a hub axis. The chain has alternating pairs of inner and outer link plates connected by chain rollers. The multiple sprocket assembly includes a plurality of different-sized sprockets arranged coaxially about the rear wheel hub. The sprockets have a plurality of teeth and tooth roots spaced around a periphery of the sprockets for engaging the chain. The tooth roots forming a dedendum circle. The sprockets have a maximum sprocket width near the dedendum circle, substantially bridging a gap between paired inner link plates sandwiching the chain roller therebetween, substantially minimizing axial play between a guide area on the sprocket and an overhang of the inner link plates overlapping the guide area when the chain is engaged with the sprockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Publication number: 20090279984
    Abstract: A bicycle drive unit includes a crank having multiple branched radially extending from one end thereof. Each branch has a through hole defined therein. A chain wheel set is laterally mounted to the branches of the crank. The chain wheel set has multiple threaded holes defined therein and each threaded hole co-axially aligning with a corresponding one of the multiple through holes in the crank. A fastener is screwed into a corresponding one of the threaded holes in the chain wheel set after extending through a corresponding one of the multiple through holes in the crank for assembling the crank and the chain wheel set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Yung-Chi Wu
  • Publication number: 20090258740
    Abstract: A toothed wheel for a chain transmission system for a bicycle, intended to be coupled with at least one other toothed wheel in a group of crowns or of sprockets rotating as a unit has a plurality of teeth that follow one another on the radially outer periphery of the toothed wheel, alternating with grooves. Each tooth has a thickness, a width and a height and has an idle flank, passive in the exchange of torque with a bicycle chain, and a pressure flank, active in the exchange of torque with the same chain. The toothed wheel has at least one gearshifting helping tooth the height of which, measured from the bottom of an adjacent groove, decreases in the direction of the pressure flank, in any case being greater than or equal to 90% of the radius of the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: CAPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Maurizio Valle
  • Patent number: 7591746
    Abstract: A transmission that is rotatable and connectable to the gravity mass increases the speed of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Inventors: Mikhail Tarnopolsky, Galina Tarnopolsky
  • Patent number: 7585240
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly has two or more sprockets in which a chain is shifted between adjacent pairs of the sprockets. Each sprocket includes a chain engaging portion with a plurality of teeth and an attachment portion. At least one of the larger sprockets has a plurality of space maintaining projections extending axially towards an adjacent one of the sprockets. In a preferred embodiment, a predetermined axial space exists between a free end of each of the space maintaining projections and the adjacent one of the sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Kamada
  • Publication number: 20090220319
    Abstract: The present invention according to certain embodiments relates to chain guides with captive fasteners. A chain guide of the current invention in certain embodiments is designed to preserve resources through use of stamped parts. A chain guide of the current invention in certain embodiments is designed to preserve resources by facilitating its assembly onto a bicycle in a less labor-intensive manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: David Weagle
  • Publication number: 20090215565
    Abstract: A multiple sprocket assembly receives a chain and transferring torque therefrom to a rear wheel hub of a bicycle. The multiple sprocket assembly includes a plurality of different-sized, multiple-toothed sprockets arranged coaxially about the rear wheel hub. Each sprocket has a tooth front face facing an adjoining smaller sprocket. A plurality of annular support elements extend between the sprockets, each annular support element including an annular disc having a disc front face facing the adjoining smaller sprocket. The tooth front face of the sprocket has an offset relative to the disc front face of the annular disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Publication number: 20090215566
    Abstract: A multiple sprocket assembly receives a chain and transfers torque therefrom to a rear wheel hub of a bicycle. The multiple sprocket assembly includes a plurality of different-sized multiple-toothed sprockets arranged coaxially about the rear wheel hub. A plurality of annular support elements extend between the sprockets and have a plurality of openings disposed circumferentially on the annular support element. The openings are aligned with tooth gaps of an adjoining smaller sprocket. The sprockets and the annular support elements are configured to transmit torque from the smaller sprocket to a larger sprocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 7544139
    Abstract: An improved multifunctional pedaling motion bicycle, particularly to a transmission mechanism of bicycle includes a clutch member that is manually controlled to move between and selectively engage primary and secondary control blocks to perform different modes of operation of the bicycle, including regular pedaling, independent pedaling of cranks, same-direction upward/downward movements of the cranks. The transmission mechanism has a simple and light-weighted structure and thus low cost and low failure risk with extended service life. Further, a variety of different operation modes can be performed without dedicated rear hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventor: Marn Taek Seol
  • Publication number: 20090118046
    Abstract: An improvement of a multi-speed bicycle sprocket, in which the number of teeth of a tenth sprocket of a rear sprocket assembly is increased to obtain a more laborsaving effect without significantly changing a multi-speed bicycle chain and a rear derailleur. The number of teeth of the tenth sprocket with the maximum outer diameter is increased from 27 teeth to 28 or more than 28 teeth. Preferably, the tenth sprocket has 32 teeth. Therefore, the speed ratio of the tenth sprocket of the rear sprocket assembly to a front sprocket assembly approximates to 1:1 so that a rider or a player may ride the bicycle and/or ride the bicycle uphill in a more laborsaving manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Sen-Biao Lai
  • Publication number: 20090098966
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly has a sprocket carrier, a first sprocket, a second sprocket and a third sprocket. The first and second sprockets are attached to opposite axial sides of the outer end portion of the attachment member of the sprocket carrier using a common fastener that extends through the first and second attachment portions and the outer end portion of the attachment member. The third sprocket is disposed on adjacent the second sprocket. The second sprocket has a free edge spaced radially inwardly from the common fastener by a distance at least as large as one-half of a maximum transverse dimension of the fastener measured in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. At least one space maintaining projection extends axially toward an adjacent one of the second and third sprockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kenji KAMADA
  • Publication number: 20090082147
    Abstract: A multi-speed sprocket assembly is provided for engaging a bicycle chain displaceable by a derailleur. The multi-speed sprocket assembly generally includes at least one smaller sprocket and at least one larger sprocket. The larger sprocket includes first and second transitional segments for alternatively receiving a shifting chain segment of the bicycle chain shifting from the smaller sprocket to the larger sprocket. The first transitional segment includes a first run-on ramp configured to receive an outer link plate of the shifting chain segment. The first run-on ramp has a first support point configured to bend the transferring bicycle chain at a first angle to position a first chain roller against a no-load tooth flank of the larger sprocket while a second chain roller rests against a load tooth flank of the smaller sprocket. The second transitional segment includes a second run-on ramp configured to receive the outer link plate of the shifting chain segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 7503864
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket basically has a metallic sprocket ring part and a synthetic resin fastening part that is configured to ensure that weight can be reduced and that loss of fastening force resulting from deterioration or deformation of the synthetic resin can be prevented. The metallic sprocket ring part includes a ring element with a plurality of sprocket teeth located on an outer periphery of the ring element, a plurality of connecting elements located on an inner periphery of the ring element and a plurality of internal fastening elements located on radial inner ends of the connecting elements, respectively. The synthetic resin fastening part is non-movably formed on both axial faces of the sprocket ring part at a location radially inwardly of the sprocket teeth so as to cover at least a portion of the inner periphery of the ring element, the connecting elements, and the internal fastening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsu Nonoshita, Hideya Inoue
  • Patent number: 7491143
    Abstract: A sprocket of a chain transmission for a bicycle is described, intended to be coupled with a further sprocket with a smaller diameter in a group of sprockets integral in rotation. The sprocket comprises a plurality of teeth which follow each other on the sprocket separated by spaces according to a direction of rotation of the sprocket, in which each tooth has a thickness, a width and a height and has a lead side, a following side, a front side and a rear side. The sprocket has a front bevel on at least one tooth of first disengagement of the plurality of teeth and a rear bevel on at least one tooth of last engagement of said plurality of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Maurizio Valle
  • Publication number: 20090042681
    Abstract: A set of sprockets has a first sprocket with a greater diameter, at least one second sprocket with a smaller diameter and one or more spacer elements operatively arranged between, and in abutment with the sprockets. At least one of the aforementioned sprockets and spacer elements has engagement portions with a freewheel body of a hub of a bicycle rear wheel, the engagement portions defining an ideal circumference for coupling with the freewheel body. The first sprocket rests against the second sprocket, through at least one of the one or more spacer elements, at at least one first contact point arranged at a first radial distance with respect to a longitudinal rotation axis, and at least one second contact point arranged at a second radial distance from the longitudinal rotation axis. The radial distance between the first contact point and the second contact point is at least equal to ? of the radial extension between the circumference and a radially outer end of the second sprocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Dal Pra', Leopoldo Lazzarin
  • Publication number: 20090042680
    Abstract: A sprocket assembly mounted to a hub has at least eleven sprockets. The hub is able to rotate about a rotation axis and has a plurality of spoke attachment seats and a fastening portion to a frame of the bicycle. On the hub a predetermined axial distance is defined between a plane, substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, comprising the points of the spoke attachment seats closest to the freewheel body and a plane, substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis and defined in the fastening portion to the frame, comprising the attachment points to the frame closest to the freewheel body. All of the sprockets of the sprocket assembly, when associated with the freewheel body, have an overall axial width that is lower than or equal to the predetermined axial distance. The chain has a maximum thickness between 4.6 mm and 5.8 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Maurizio Valle
  • Publication number: 20090042682
    Abstract: A sprocket module for a bicycle has at least two sprockets fixedly coupled one another. At least one first sprocket of the at least two sprockets comprises engagement portion to a freewheel body of a hub for a bicycle rear wheel. A second sprocket of the module lacks the engagement portion and is supported on the freewheel body through the aforementioned at least one first sprocket. The module allows strong and low-weight sprocket assemblies to be made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Dal Pra', Leopoldo Lazzarin
  • Publication number: 20090042679
    Abstract: An assembly of toothed wheels of a bicycle has at least two toothed wheels of different diameter and at least one support member of at least one toothed wheel of the at least two toothed wheels on a component of a bicycle, like for example a free body of a hub for a rear bicycle wheel. The at least one support member is at least partially housed in at least one cavity of at least one other toothed wheel of the at least two toothed wheels. In this way, the distance between the toothed wheels is lower than the thickness of the support member of the toothed wheels themselves. The support member can thus maintain a strong resistant section at the attachment area to the respective toothed wheel. At the same time, it is possible to mount a greater number of sprockets on a free body of standard size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Maurizio Valle
  • Publication number: 20080312017
    Abstract: An inverted tooth chain drive system includes an inverted tooth chain structured for inside flank engagement. The chain includes link rows each including leading inside flanks that project outwardly relative to trailing outside flanks of a preceding link row. The system further includes a sprocket with which said inverted tooth chain is drivingly engaged. The sprocket includes a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about an axis of rotation, each tooth comprising an engaging flank and a disengaging flank. Some of the teeth are defined with a first tooth form in which said engaging flank thereof is defined with a first pressure angle and others of said teeth are defined with a second tooth form in which the engaging flank thereof is defined with a second pressure angle that is different from the first pressure angle in order to stagger or modulate the initial meshing impacts between the leading inside flanks of the chain and engaging flanks of the sprocket teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: James D. Young, Darren J. Stewart, John E. Minden
  • Patent number: 7462120
    Abstract: A chain ring gear set adapted for attaching to spider arms. The spider arms are attached to and extend outwardly from a bicycle gear crank. The ring gear set is adapted for receiving a bicycle chain thereon. The chain is transferred on the ring gear set using a chain derailer. The ring gear set includes a first ring gear disposed next to an adjacent second ring gear in a spaced relationship. A portion of the first ring gear is warped toward the second ring gear for periodically reducing the distance between a perimeter of the first ring gear to a perimeter of the second ring gear. Also, a portion of the second ring gear can be warped toward the first ring gear for sharing or combining the amount of warpage in each gear for reduced chain wear. By indexing the warped portion of the first ring gear with the warped portion of the second ring gear the overall distance periodically is reduced for ease in a smooth chain transfer between the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventor: Scott C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7442139
    Abstract: In a slat conveyor, slats for supporting conveyed articles and personnel extend between two side-by-side, spaced, endless roller chains engaged with driving sprockets at one end of the conveying path and driven sprockets at the other end. At a location radially outward from the pitch circle, the distance between the front surface of the sprocket teeth to the tooth center line is at least as great as the distance from the centerline to the front surface at the pitch circle. The tooth faces merge smoothly with the tooth gap bottom, and the root diameter is smaller than the root diameter according to ISO standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Aizoh Kubo, Hiroki Ishida, Masatoshi Sonoda
  • Publication number: 20080207369
    Abstract: The bicycle crankset includes a bottom bracket axle, two cranks and a chainring carrier bearing first and second different toothed chainrings. The chainring carrier has the shape of a star, of which each arm is provided with a mounting hole aligned with a mounting hole in the first and second chainrings respectively. These holes accommodate elements for fastening chainrings to the chainring carrier, and they are arranged on a first circle with a predetermined diameter. Each arm of the chainring carrier is provided with a second mounting hole arranged on a second circle with a diameter that has been reduced relative to the first circle to match the chainring carrier to two other toothed circular chainrings with a size that is respectively reduced relative to the first and second chainrings and of which the mounting holes are located on the second circle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: LOOK CYCLE INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Julien BOUCHEZ
  • Publication number: 20080202284
    Abstract: A right crank arm assembly for a bicycle, comprises a right crank arm and at least one front sprocket coupled with the crank arm at at least one coupling portion of the crank arm. The front sprocket has an inner side adapted, in use, to face towards the frame of the bicycle and an outer side opposite the inner side. The assembly comprises at least one first crank arm element which acts in contact with the front sprocket on one of said sides and at least one second crank arm element which acts in contact with the front sprocket on the other of said sides. The contact action of the crank arm elements on the two opposite sides of the front sprocket prevents the twisting deformation of the front sprocket during pedaling. Such a deformation would cause a reduction in the transmission efficiency of the right crank arm assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Maurizio VALLE, Paolo PASQUA
  • Publication number: 20080188336
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket apparatus comprises a sprocket mounting member, a first sprocket, and a second sprocket. The sprocket mounting member includes a hub mounting portion and a sprocket mounting portion, wherein the hub mounting portion is structured to be mounted to a rotating hub that rotates around a rotational axis. The sprocket mounting portion includes a first sprocket mounting surface that faces in a first direction and a second sprocket mounting surface that faces in an opposite second direction. The first sprocket is disposed at the first sprocket mounting surface, and the second sprocket is disposed at the second sprocket mounting surface. A fastener fastens the first sprocket to the first sprocket mounting surface, and a chain supporting structure extends from the fastener in the first direction and projects in the first direction away from a side surface of the first sprocket that faces in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: KOJI TOKUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20080176691
    Abstract: A bicycle chain wheel assembly is provided with a chain wheel and a chain wheel cover. The chain wheel has a central mounting portion and an outer gear with a plurality of outer gear teeth. The chain wheel cover is disposed on an exteriorly facing side of the chain wheel. The chain wheel cover has a mounting portion coupled to the chain wheel and an outer peripheral portion with a chain drop prevention protrusion projecting outwardly from the outer peripheral portion at a location that is radially inward of the outer gear teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano COMPONENTS (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
    Inventors: Muhd Adi Saifuddin, Noor Adian Bin Mohsin, Masahiro Hanatani
  • Publication number: 20080161146
    Abstract: A bicycle chain wheel assembly is provided with a chainring mounting structure, at least one chainring, a plurality of fasteners and a plurality of fastener covering structures. The chainring mounting structure has an exterior facing side and an interior facing side with a plurality of chainring mounting openings on the exterior facing side. The chainring overlies one of the exterior and interior facing sides of the chainring mounting structure. The fasteners secure the chainring to the chainring mounting structure via the chainring mounting openings. The fastener covering structures overlie exterior portions of the fasteners to conceal the fasteners from view when viewed from the exterior facing side of the chainring mounting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Shiraishi, Masahiro Yamanaka, Yusuke Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 7351171
    Abstract: A rear hub has a hub shaft and a hub outer that is configured to be mounted in a freely rotatable manner to the hub shaft. The hub outer has an outer main body and an adapter. The outer main body is arranged on the radially inward side of a sprocket, and has a first rotation preventing section that engages with an engaging section 64 of the sprocket in such a manner that the outer main body cannot rotate relative to the sprocket. The adapter is mounted in a freely rotatable manner on an adapter mounting section of the outer main body. The adapter includes a second rotation preventing section that engages with the engaging section of the sprocket in such a manner that the adapter cannot rotate relative to the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Takuji Tatsumi, Kozo Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 7344463
    Abstract: A sprocket assembly that includes at least three sprockets and a sprocket carrier having a plurality of radially extending carrier arms. The carrier arms include a first receiving surface and a second receiving surface opposite the first receiving surface. A first sprocket mounted to the first receiving surface and a second sprocket mounted to the second receiving surface. A third sprocket arranged between the first and second sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventor: Markus Reiter
  • Publication number: 20080058144
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly includes a first sprocket, a second sprocket and at least one reinforcement member. The first sprocket includes a first main body and a first chain engagement portion. The second sprocket includes a second main body and a second chain engagement portion. The reinforcement member is coupled between the sprockets. Preferably, the reinforcement member is disposed in first and second apertures of the first and second sprockets at a radial location spaced radially outwardly of first and second inner end portions of the first and second sprockets. Preferably, a spacer is disposed between the first and second sprockets radially inwardly of the reinforcement member. The reinforcement member is preferably installable in the first and second apertures by a sliding movement generally perpendicular to a rotation axis of the first and second sprockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinya Oseto, Kentaro Hiratani
  • Publication number: 20080004143
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly includes first, second and third sprockets. A first mounting portion of the first sprocket is directly connected to a second mounting portion of the second sprocket by first fasteners at circumferentially spaced apart locations. The first sprocket is supported on the second sprocket by the first fasteners and axially spaced from the second sprocket by the first fasteners. A second mounting portion of the second sprocket is directly connected to a third mounting portion of the third sprocket by second fasteners. The second sprocket is supported on the third sprocket by the second fasteners and axially spaced from the third sprocket by the second fasteners. First and second radially innermost ends of the first and second sprockets are radially spaced from and free from contact with a freewheel when the bicycle sprocket assembly is mounted to the freewheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Yoshiaki Ando, Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 7294076
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus for a bicycle is capable of performing a transmission operation even while operating or running by the inertia of the bicycle. The transmission apparatus T for a bicycle includes a driving sprocket member rotationally driven by a crankshaft; a multi-stage driven sprocket member drivingly connected to the output shaft cooperatively engaged and rotated with the rear wheel; a chain applied over the driving sprocket member and the driven sprocket member; and a transmission changing-over mechanism M2 for positioning the chain among a plurality of transmission sprockets. The driven sprocket member is integrally arranged to always be rotated, and the one-way clutch for transmitting a rotation of the crankshaft to the driving sprocket member while in its normal rotating direction is arranged in the power transmitting path extending from the crankshaft to the driving sprocket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Matsumoto, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takeshi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20070254758
    Abstract: A hub assembly for a bicycle includes a hub body provided with a mounting portion, a freewheel slidably mounted on the mounting portion of the hub body, and at least one retainer mounted on the mounting portion of the hub body and rested on the freewheel to retain the freewheel on the mounting portion of the hub body to prevent the freewheel from being detached from the mounting portion of the hub body. Thus, the freewheel is slidable on the mounting portion of the hub body to change the position of the freewheel relative to the chainwheel, so that the freewheel is in line with the chainwheel, and the chain is perpendicular to the hub body constantly without incurring deflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: Chosen Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Shu Chen
  • Publication number: 20070213155
    Abstract: A multi-speed sprocket assembly is suggested, including at least two sprockets, with both sprockets having at least one common upshift transitional region in which, when the chain is displaced from the smaller sprocket to the larger sprocket for the purpose of shifting gears, the chain leaves the smaller sprocket, with a trailing tooth of the smaller sprocket being the last to engage between a trailing link plate pair of the chain, and moves onto the larger sprocket, with a leading tooth of the larger sprocket either being the first to engage between a first outer link plate pair or being located adjacent to a first inner link plate pair, and with at least the larger sprocket having in its upshift transitional region a double spacewidth created by omitting a tooth, which is immediately followed by the leading tooth. Only one chain link crossing from the smaller sprocket to the larger sprocket is located between the trailing chain link and the leading chain link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Reiter, Frank Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20070197327
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a combine head includes a hub and a bearing received over a portion of the hub. The bearing defines a rotational axis of the hub. A plane passes radially through the bearing relative to the axis. A sprocket is coupled to the hub and is coaxial with the bearing. The sprocket has a plurality of teeth located around a perimeter of the sprocket, the plurality of teeth being located so that the plane passes radially through the plurality of teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Matthew David Arnold, Steven Timothy Rieck, Eric Hans Stone, Michael Bennet Downey, Troy Allen Kost, Joseph Albert Teijido