Abstract: A derailer for derailing a drive chain from one sprocket to an adjacent sprocket of a multi-stage sprocket assembly wherein operation of the derailer thereof is automatically controlled by centrifugal force so that the driving chain is automatically shifted to higher gears as the speed of the bicycle increases.

Abstract: A bicycle power train assembly includes a crank axle, a primary driving sprocket cluster mounted on one end of the crank axle, a rear wheel axle, a primary driven sprocket cluster mounted on one end of the rear wheel axle, a primary drive chain trained between the primary driving and driven sprocket clusters, a secondary driving sprocket mounted on the other end of the crank axle and rotating with the crank axle, a secondary driven sprocket mounted on the other end of the rear wheel axle, a secondary drive chain trained between the secondary driving and driven sprockets, an idle sprocket rotatably mounted on the rear wheel axle, and a ratchet clutch disposed between the rear wheel axle and the secondary driven sprocket to disengage the secondary driven sprocket from the rear wheel axle when the primary drive chain is trained between the primary driving and driven sprocket clusters and to engage the secondary driven sprocket and the rear wheel axle so as to drive rotatably the rear wheel axle when the primary

Abstract: An automated bicycle transmission (10) comprises an actuator (17) for movement into predetermined positions of a sprocket change mechanism member (18) moving to engage a chain (19) for transmission of motion opposite a predetermined sprocket among a plurality of coaxial sprockets of different diameter (20). The actuator is controlled by an electronic control device (11) to which is connected a plurality of sensors including a sensor (1) for detection of bicycle speed, a sensor (13) for longitudinal slope or inclination of the bicycle and optionally a sensor (15) of stress transmitted by the cyclist to the pedals. The electronic device (11) compares values detected by the sensors with ranges of preset values corresponding to the various sprockets and controls engagement of the chain with the sprocket having a range of values including said detected values. There can also be provided a sensor (14) of movement of the pedals enabling operation of the actuator (17) only if the cyclist is pedalling.

Abstract: A method and system for computer-controlled shifting of a bicycle is provided. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a computer system that detects speed, hub speed, and crank speed, determines the optimum bicycle gear selection to maintain a desired cadence, and shifts the bicycle to the optimum bicycle gear. The computer also inputs a shift up and shift down signals from the cyclist to override the computer-selected gear. When the cyclist indicates a shift up or down, the computer adjusts the desired cadence. The computer determines the gear selection to ensure a uniform transition from the current gear to the next gear. The computer ensures that when shifting from the current gear to the next gear, the bicycle does not transition through a gear that is not between the current and next gears.

Abstract: The gears associated with a bicycle pedal crank are mounted by means of a splined coupling on a hub fixed rigidly to the body of the pedal crank.

Abstract: A torque transmission system for effecting a driving connection between laterally spaced driving and driven shafts. A first wheel is mounted on the driving shaft, and a second wheel is mounted on the driven shaft. Each of the wheels have substantially identical pitch diameters. An endless, flexible torque transmitter operatively connects the first and second wheels. A traveling insert band circumscribes and operatively engages one of the wheels at a time, and when the traveling insert band engages one of the wheels, the insert band is located radially inwardly of the endless flexible torque transmitter. The traveling insert band has leading and trailing ends located in substantially circumferentially opposed juxtaposition when the traveling insert band operatively engages one of the wheels.

Abstract: A torque transmission system for effecting a driving connection between laterally spaced driving and driven shafts. A first drive member is mounted on the driving shaft, and a second drive member is mounted on the driven shaft. Each of the drive members has substantially identical pitch diameters. An endless flexible torque transmitter operatively connects the first and second drive member. A traveling insert band circumscribes and operatively engages one of the drive members at a time, and when the traveling insert band engages one of the drive members, the insert band is located radially inwardly of the endless flexible torque transmitters. The traveling insert band has leading and trailing ends located in substantially circumferentially opposed juxtaposition when the traveling insert band operatively engages one of the drive members. A mechanism is also provided selectively to derail the leading end of the traveling insert band from that drive member operatively engaged thereby.

Abstract: A derailer for derailing a drive chain from one sprocket to an adjacent sprocket of a multi-stage sprocket assembly wherein operation of the derailer thereof is automatically controlled by centrifugal force so that the driving chain is automatically shifted to higher gears as the speed of the bicycle increases.

Abstract: A low effort shifter for multispeed bicycles and the like having cable operated derailleurs is provided, comprising a circular spool rotatably mounted in a housing. The derailleur control cable is operatively anchored to the spool so that when the spool is rotated, the derailleur changes position. A force cancellation spring is anchored to the spool so as to counteract and oppose the moment imposed upon the spool by the derailleur bias spring. The force cancellation spring is routed in a circular path around said spool and extends to a linear path into a straight portion of the housing, where the spring is coupled to a preload adjustment screw. The spool has a gear thereon which is engaged with a second gear, the second gean being coupled to a shift knob outside the housing. The shift knob may be selectively operated by the rider using substantially negligible force to effectuate drive ratio changes.

Abstract: A multistep sprocket wheel device for a bicycle according to the present invention has at least one large sprocket wheel (1) and one small sprocket wheel (2) disposed adjacent each other. The two sprocket wheels (1, 2) are assembled such that a distance between a first pitch center (01) of one of the teeth on the large sprocket wheel (1) and a second pitch center (02) on the small sprocket wheel (2) adjacent a tangential line of the small sprocket wheel (2) extending rearwardly from the first pitch center (01) with respect to a direction of rotation of the sprocket wheels (1, 2) is substantially a product of a pitch of a chain (3) multiplied by an integer.

Abstract: An automatic derailleur shifter system for example for a bicycle includes a hub to which is attached a chain wheel set and a derailleur system for moving the chain associated therewith from chain wheel to chain wheel for a gear changing system. Within the hub associated with the chain wheels is provided an automatic changing system including a member coupled to the chain wheel set which carries a helical screw cooperating with a sleeve slidable axially within the hub and cooperating with the screw so that rotation of the screw relative to the sleeve causes the sleeve to move axially. Axial movement of the sleeve is inhibited by a spring and rotational movement of the sleeve is prevented by engagement with the hub. Thus variations in the torque applied from the chain set to the hub through the screw in the sleeve cause axial movement of the sleeve which actuates change of the gears by moving to the derailleur set. The spring can be internal to the hub or can be provided outside of the hub.

Abstract: A dual driven cycle and a kit for converting conventional, single driven cycles into dual driven cycles are disclosed. The invention is suitable for accommodating bicycles, motorcyles, dirt bikes, and other conventional cycles. These cycles have the known elements of a pedal-gear-chain driven first wheel and a non-driven second wheel. The kit comprises four general elements. First, a sprocket is connectable in fixed relation to the non-driven second wheel for conjoint movement with that wheel. Second, to receive power from the conventional drive train, a drive gear is mounted on either the pedal gear or chain of the cycle. Third, a cable gear is provided for mounting with respect to the cycle's frame and meshing with the sprocket. This cable gear drives the sprocket and, of necessity, the cycle's previously non-driven second wheel. The final general element of the kit is a rotatable cable which connects the cable gear to the drive gear and transfers the rotational motion of the drive gear to the second wheel.

Abstract: A dual driven cycle and a kit for converting conventional, single driven cycles into dual driven cycles are disclosed. The invention is suitable for accommodating bicycles, motorcycles, dirt bikes, and other conventional cycles. These cycles have the known elements of a pedal-gear-chain driven first wheel and a non-driven second wheel. The kit comprises four general elements. First, a sprocket is connectable in fixed relation to the non-driven second wheel for conjoint movement with that wheel. Second, to receive power from the conventional drive train, a drive gear is mounted on either the pedal gear or chain of the cycle. Third, a cable gear is provided for mounting with respect to the cycle's frame and meshing with the sprocket. This cable gear drives the sprocket and, of necessity, the cycle's previously non-driven second wheel.

Abstract: A control unit for a chain shifter using a reversible electric selector motor to position a cam selector within a pawl guide housing so that a traveling pawl will be directed as necessary for chain shifting.

Abstract: A gear shift control for bicycles, of the "derailleur" type which has guig members for a chain that can be moved crosswiss between at least two separate positions by a cable from a remotely located shifter, which includes a mobile element that receives the movement of the cable, a mobile toothed element connected to the guiding members of the chain, a memory element carried by the mobile element and working with the teeth of the mobile toothed element; and swinging members acting on the memory element so that, for a movement of the cable with a small amplitude, followed by a release, the toothed element is moved in a first direction along a path corresponding to the interval between two teeth, and for a movement of the cable of a greater amplitude, followed by a release, the toothed element is moved in a second direction also along a path corresponding to the interval between two teeth.

Abstract: In a rear derailer for bicycle gears, of the type including a support member intended to be fixed to the bicycle frame and a chain transmission member connected to the support member and movable relative thereto, the transmission member is mounted for rectilinear sliding on a guide pin carried by the support member.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a pulley sub assembly and a shift sub assembly. The pulley sub assembly includes a plurality of pulleys, each pulley includes a plurality of sections, and at least one section of each pulley is axially moveable. The shift sub assembly has a disengaged position to maintain the pulleys in normal positions, and an engaged position. With one embodiment, when the shift sub-assembly is in the engaged position, it slides a section of a first pulley from the plane thereof, into the plane of a second pulley, and then back into the plane of the first pulley. With an alternate embodiment, when the first sub-assembly is in the engaged position, it slides all of the sections of a pulley, one at a time, into the plane of another pulley.

Abstract: A front derailleur for a bicycle which includes a linkage mechanism which is formed of a fixing member, a chain guide and a pair of linkage members. Four pivot shafts connect the linkage members with the fixing member and the chain guide and have axes which are slanted forwardly from a perpendicular plane through a center line between the guide plates the fore ends of the pivot shafts are positioned farther than their rear ends from the chain guide. When the linkage mechanism is deformed, the chain guide is moved axially of the multistage front gears and obliguely longitudinally of the bicycle, thereby improving the speed change characteristics and speed control efficiency of the derailleur.

Abstract: A derailleur includes a linkage mechanism including a fixing member, a chain guide having an inner guide plate and an outer guide plate generally parallel to one another, and a linkage device supported to the fixing member and movable axially relative to the front chain gear assembly. The inner guide plate includes an elongate urging portion on its inner side surface closest to the outer guide plate. The urging portion is swollen in a direction toward the outer guide plate and is provided to contact the driving chain to urge it when the chain guide is moved to shift the driving chain. The inner guide plate has a first mounting device positioned above the urging portion and another mounting device positioned below the urging portion. The linkage device is connected to the inner guide plate at both the mounting devices.

Abstract: A bicycle derailleur which includes a linkage mechanism formed of a base member, an inner linkage member, an outer linkage member, and a movable member carrying a chain guide. The derailleur also includes a connecting assembly formed of a pair of connecting pins for respectively pivotably supporting one end of each of the inner and outer linkage members to the base member and a pair of connecting pins for respectively pivotably supporting the movable member to the other end of each of the inner and outer linkage members. The connecting pins are oriented obliquely with respect to a predetermined plane perpendicular to the axis of the sprocket assembly. The chain guide, responsive to deformation of the linkage mechanism, moves axially and radially of the sprocket assembly.

Abstract: The device is provided with a positioning mechanism having a positioning member, a switching mechanism for switching the positioning mechanism from an operating mode thereof to a non-operating mode and a friction mechanism for applying a resistance to rotation of the lever body when the positioning mechanism is switched to the non-operating mode. Gaps are provided between the positioning member and the lever body, whereby the positioning member is adapted to follow the rotation of the lever body with a predetermined delay when the positioning member is in the operating mode. When the positioning mechanism is switched to the non-operating mode, the positioning member follows the rotation of the lever body without delay because the rotational idling of the positioning member caused by the gaps is eliminated.

Abstract: A front derailleur for a bicycle includes a chain guide and a moving member for moving the chain guide axially of a multistage front chain gear assembly so that a control wire is operated to switch a driving chain guided by the chain guide from one front chain gear to another. A swinging member has one end which includes a support for supporting the control wire or an outer sheath therefor. The swinging member is pivoted at an intermediate portion thereof to the moving device. An adjusting mechanism is located between the other end of the swinging member and the moving member to adjust the position of the swinging member with respect to the moving member and to adjust the position of the chain guide with respect to each front chain gear.

Abstract: A derailleur for a bicycle, which is operated by a control wire. Between a base member and a movable member a stiff swingable member is positioned and is pivoted to both the members through first and second shafts. A regulator controls the rotation of the movable member with respect to the swingable member so that the movable member is made movable by the swingable member with respect to the base member while the shafts are kept in parallel to each other. The movable member is divided to fixedly sandwich the control wire between the divided segments, thereby ensuring fixing of the wire.

Abstract: A two speed sprocket and chain shift assembly with one sprocket having a small pivoted sprocket segment and means for shifting the chain from one sprocket to another upon pivoting of the sprocket segment and with the chain being entrained on one sprocket when an operating means is activated and entrained on the other sprocket when the operating means is released.

Abstract: A front derailleur for a bicycle having a chain guide with inner and outer plates for shifting a driving chain from one to another of at least two front chain gears. The inner plate has a swollen portion extending toward the outer plate, which urges the chain toward a larger diameter front chain gear and which is disposed between a first chain traversing position where the chain, when in the process of being shifted from a smaller diameter front chain gear to the larger diameter one, traverses the chain guide at an initial stage wherein the chain is raised by contact with the larger diameter chain gear and a second chain traversing position where the chain traverses the chain guide at the final stage wherein the chain is raised by contact with the larger diameter gear before completion of the chain shift operation.

Abstract: A speed control device for a bicycle, comprising a speed control lever and a derailleur having a positioning mechanism, the speed control lever being constructed to return a movable member at the derailleur when operated in overshift, and the derailleur is constructed to move the movable member toward a sprocket to engage with a driving chain by means of a driving force acting therein when operated in undershifting.

Abstract: A control device for shifting gears on a cycle wherein a hand lever is operational coupled by a semi-rigid control tie which is coupled to the transmission assembly at the hub. The transmission assembly with a link mechanism which is angularly pivoted by the control tie thereby moving a rack having two at least partly superposed pawls which engage notches in a rack which is coupled to a pin. The pin is slidable mounted so that the pawls can position the pin as required for shifting the chain guide. The extreme notches of the rack are partially obturated to prevent shifting above and below the proper sprocket prevent damage to the device.

Abstract: The invention provides a mechanism which is simpler in construction, cheaper and easier to assemble. The derailleur mechanism is of the type comprising a movable device for guiding or shifting the chain connected to a support in such manner as to be displaced in translation with respect to the support by means of an actuating device. The movable device is connected to the support, on one hand, by a link and, on the other hand, by a pin-and-slot connection. The slot has the shape of an arc of a circle whose radius is equal to the distance between the two pivot pins of the link.

Abstract: An easy to operate control means for shifting gears on dual shift bicycles is described. The control means is constructed so that the front and rear derailleurs of a dual shift bicycle are controlled together to shift to any selected gear from any engaged gear with a single operator action. The design permits the operator to preselect the new gear to be used while continuously pedaling in the present gear, with the actual gear change being made at the operator's discretion. The design also facilitates a rapid series of up shifts or down shifts without requiring intervening gear selections.

Abstract: A speed-changing device for a bicycle, having a pantograph mechanism which comprises four members, a supporting member, two linkage members, and movable member, is pivoted through a horizontal spindle swingably to a bracket fixed to a fork end of the bicycle. A wire holder for securing one end of a control wire is provided at one of the two linkage members and movable member, and a wire guide for guiding the control wire is disposed at a position outward with respect to the common axis of a multi-stage sprocket and beyond a phantom straight line connecting the axes of the wire holder and horizontal spindle.