US 20060270499A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2006/0270499 A1 Kilshaw (43) Pub. Date: NOV. 30, 2006

(54) SET F16H 61/00 (2006.01) (52) US. Cl...... 474/78; 474/80 (76) Inventor: Richard J. KilshaW, Lake OsWego, OR (US) (57) ABSTRACT Correspondence Address: A bicycle gear assembly has ?rst and second sets of cog TIMOTHY E SIEGEL Wheels, each having at least three cog Wheels of various 1868 KN APPS ALLEY siZes including a largest cogWheel and a smallest cogWheel. SUITE 206 These tWo sets are oriented so that the largest cogWheel of WEST LINN.J OR 97068 (Us) the ?rst set is aligned With the smallest cogWheel of the second set and the smallest cogWheel of the ?rst set is (21) Appl_ No; 10/908,881 aligned With the largest cogWheel of the second set, the ?rst and the second sets of cogWheels de?ne at least a ?rst, (22) Filed; May 31, 2005 second and third pair of substantially aligned cogWheels. Additionally, a chain is mounted about a ?rst pair of the Publication Classi?cation aligned cogWheels and a gear shift assembly is adapted to move the chain from the ?rst pair of cogWheels to the second (51) Int. Cl. pair of cogWheels and from the second pair of cogWheels to F16H 59/00 (2006.01) the third pair of cogWheels. Patent Application Publication Nov. 30, 2006 Sheet 1 0f 4 US 2006/0270499 A1

N

mp

H£©@ 9 few

V0

OO0D

0000000 0O0D

00©8 Patent Application Publication Nov. 30, 2006 Sheet 2 0f 4 US 2006/0270499 A1 Patent Application Publication Nov. 30, 2006 Sheet 3 0f 4 US 2006/0270499 A1 Patent Application Publication Nov. 30, 2006 Sheet 4 0f 4 US 2006/0270499 A1 US 2006/0270499 A1 Nov. 30, 2006

BICYCLE GEAR SET cogWheels and a co-joumalled set of driven cogWheels. Also, a circular chain links a drive cogWheel to a driven BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION cogWheel. Finally, a chain tensioning assembly includes a polymeric roller that de?nes a channel on its outer rim and [0001] Since the advent of , there has is rotationally mounted on a tensioned arm that pushes this been a perceived need for a bicycle gearing system that both polymeric roller into the chain. This assembly is positioned is resistant to being derailed by debris that is accidentally so that the chain resides in the roller rim channel. kicked up into the gear set by a bicycle rider and yet offers a Wide range of gearing. Toward this goal gearing systems [0007] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodi have appeared in the literature, in Which the are ments described above, further aspects and embodiments encased in a protective housing. Will become apparent by reference to the draWings and by study of the folloWing detailed descriptions. [0002] In these neW systems a may be co joumalled With a driven set of gears and, in turn, drive a BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS cogWheel on the bicycle’s rear Wheel. Unfortunately, these systems do not have as Wide a range of gearing options as [0008] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in refer some mountain biking enthusiasts might desire. Moreover, enced ?gures of the draWings. It is intended that the embodi the inner Workings of some gear box designs are fairly ments and ?gures disclosed herein are to be considered complicated, resulting in a gear box that is heavier and more illustrative rather than restrictive. prone to larger frictional losses and rapid Wear than is [0009] FIG. 1 is a partial side vieW of a bicycle, including desirable. a gear box as in the present invention.

SUMMARY [0010] FIG. 2 is a doWnWardly looking sectional vieW taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1. [0003] The folloWing embodiments and aspects thereof [0011] FIG. 3 is a sectional side vieW taken along line 3-3 are described and illustrated in conjunction With systems, of FIG. 2. tools and methods Which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, [0012] FIG. 4 is a detail sectional side vieW, taken along one or more of the above-described problems have been line 4-4 of FIG. 2. reduced or eliminated, While other embodiments are directed [0013] FIG. 5 is a detail sectional side vieW, taken along to other improvements. line 5-5 of FIG. 2. [0004] In a ?rst separate aspect, the present invention is a [0014] FIG. 6 is a sectional side vieW, taken along line 6-6 bicycle gear assembly that comprises ?rst and second sets of of FIG. 2. at least three co-journalled cogWheels, each having co joumalled cogWheels of various siZes including a largest DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE cogWheel and a smallest cogWheel. These tWo sets are PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) oriented so that the largest cogWheel of the ?rst set is substantially aligned With the smallest cog Wheel of the [0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a bicycle 10 includes a pre second set and vice versa. Accordingly, the ?rst and the ferred embodiment of a bicycle gear assembly 11. Turning second sets of cogWheels de?ne at least a ?rst, second and to FIG. 2, assembly 11 includes a co-joumalled drive cog third pair of substantially aligned cog Wheels. Additionally, Wheel set 12, a co-journalled driven cogWheel set 14 and a a chain is mounted about a ?rst pair of the aligned cogWheels chain 16 linking a cogWheel on set 12 With a cogWheel on and a gear shift assembly is adapted to move the chain from set 14. Drive set 12 is driven by a pair of pedals 18 (FIG. the ?rst pair of substantially aligned cogWheels to the second 1) and driven set 14 is driven by Way of chain 16, from set pair of substantially aligned cogWheels and from the second 12. Referring again to FIG. 1, the driven set 14, is co pair of substantially aligned cogWheels to the third pair of joumalled to a stand alone drive cogWheel 20 that poWers a substantially aligned cogWheels. chain 22 that, in turn, poWers a bicycle rear Wheel 24 by Way of a rear Wheel cogWheel 26. [0005] In a second separate aspect, the present invention is a bicycle that includes a gear assembly that has ?rst and [0016] A tension roller 30, preferably made of durable second sets of co-joumalled cogWheels, each having at least polymer and having an outer rim that de?nes a channel or three cogWheels of various siZes including a largest cog groove for accepting the chain 16, is mounted on a roller arm Wheel and a smallest cogWheel, oriented so that the largest 32 that is spring loaded to press roller 30 inWardly into chain cogWheel of the ?rst set is aligned With the smallest cog 16. This causes a greater engagement of chain 16 With the Wheel of the second set and vice versa. Accordingly, the ?rst teeth of the cogWheels about Which it is mounted. The more and the second sets of cogWheels de?ne at least a ?rst, teeth are engaged With chain 16, the more force may be second and third pair of substantially aligned cogWheels. transmitted from cogWheel set 12 to set 14. Also, the tension Additionally, a chain is mounted about a ?rst pair of aligned roller 30 serves the purpose of taking up the extra chain cogWheels and a gear shift assembly is adapted to move the length that is necessary to alloW the chain to successfully chain from the ?rst pair of substantially aligned cogWheels transit from one cogWheel to the next cog Wheel and that to the second pair of substantially aligned cogWheels and accommodates the small changes in chain slack as the gears from the second pair of substantially aligned cogWheels to are changed in steps, as described beloW. the third pair of substantially aligned cogWheels. [0017] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, to effect a shifting [0006] In a third separate aspect, the present invention is of gears, a cable 34 is pulled so that it rotates a guide bar 36. a gear assembly, comprising a co-journalled set of drive A set of chain shift channels 38 and a driven cog set shift US 2006/0270499 A1 Nov. 30, 2006

channel 39, move a chain shift guide bar follower 40 and 180 degrees relative to each other, these sets need not be driven cog set shift guide bar follower 42, Which move the identical. In one preferred embodiment, each substantially chain 16 and the driven cogWheel set 14 respectively in aligned pair of cogWheels (one cogWheel from set 12 and the response to the rotation of guide bar 36. A pair of slide rods other from set 14) collectively has the same number of teeth 41 prevent follower 40 from rotating about guide bar 36. as all the other substantially aligned cogWheel pairs. Skilled persons Will recognize that a bearing/ must Although in other preferred embodiments this is not the be used to join folloWer 42 and the largest of cogWheels 14 case, there is an advantage for the case in Which each aligned so that as folloWer 42 operatively presses against this cogWheel pair collectively has a number of teeth that is not cogWheel 14 it does not impede its rotation by Way of very different from the other, similar, aligned cogWheel frictional resistance. The bearing/coupling also makes it pairs. The advantage is that a single tension roller 30, Which possible for folloWer 42 to move cogWheel set 14 by pulling provides more chain Wrap on both cogs, is possible since in on it transversely. Bearing/coupling devices are Well knoWn this embodiment the change in chain slack over the gearing in the art. range is small. [0018] To facilitate their movement, a pair of ball bearing [0023] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodi sets 44 are mounted in folloWers 40 and 42 and set into guide ments have been discussed above, those skilled in the art bar channels 38 and 39, respectively, to facilitate movement Will recogniZe that it Would be possible to make certain of folloWers 40 and 42. The chain shift guide bar folloWer 40 modi?cations, permutations, additions and sub-combina includes an upper chain cage 46 (FIG. 6) and a loWer chain tions thereof. It is therefore intended that the folloWing cage 48 (FIG. 6). Cage 46 surrounds the upper (loaded) run appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are inter of chain 16 Whereas cage 48 surrounds the loWer (non preted to include all such modi?cations, permutations, addi loaded) run of chain 16. Cages 46 and 48 provide the tions and sub-combinations as are Within their true spirit and sideWays loading on the chain 16 necessary to force gear scope. changes on both cog gear sets. 1. A bicycle gear assembly, comprising: [0019] Facing in the direction of FIG. 3, a counterclock Wise rotation of guide bar 36, causes the chain 16 to be (a) ?rst and second sets of co-joumalled cog Wheels, each moved into the paper. As the gear set 11 is shifted from the having at least three cogWheels of various siZes includ highest gearing, Which is shoWn in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, to the ing a largest cog Wheel and a smallest cogWheel, loWest gearing (not shoWn), chain 16 is shifted in alternating oriented so that said largest cogWheel of said ?rst set is step types. In a ?rst step type the chain is shifted from a aligned With said smallest cogWheel of said second set smaller driven cogWheel 14 to a larger driven cogWheel 14, and said smallest cogWheel of said ?rst set is aligned Whereas in a second step type the chain is shifted from a With said largest cogWheel of said second set, said ?rst larger drive cogWheel 12 to a smaller drive cogWheel 12. and said second sets of cogWheels de?ning at least a [0020] In greater detail in the ?rst step type, as dictated by ?rst, second, and third pair of aligned cogWheels; driven set channel 39, the driven cogWheel set 14, folloWing (b) a chain mounted about one of said pairs of aligned the back and forth pattern of channel 39 moves in the “out cogWheels; of the paper” (of FIG. 3) direction While chain 16 is kept stationary in the transverse dimension as guide bar channels (c) a gear changing assembly adapted to move said chain 38 are straight in this interval. As noted previously, in this from said ?rst pair of aligned cogWheels to said second ?rst step type chain 16 moves from a smaller driven cog pair of aligned cog Wheels, and from said second pair Wheel 14 to a larger driven cog Wheel 14. In the second step of aligned cogWheels to said third pair of aligned type, the driven Wheel set 14, noW reversed in direction due cogWhccls. 2. The gear assembly of claim 1 further comprising a to the back and forth pattern of channel 39, is moved in tandem With the chain shift guide bar folloWer 40 and chain housing protecting said chain and said cogWheels. 16. This is because the portions of the chain shift channels 3. The gear assembly of claim 1, said assembly being 38 and the driven set channel 39 that run in the same helical mounted on a bicycle and Wherein a drive gear is co joumalled to said second gear set, said drive gear being ?tted pattern are noW being used to move folloWers 40 and 42, respectively. As a result, upper cage 46 pushes the chain 16 With a chain to drive a cogWheel co-joumalled to a Wheel of to move from a larger drive cogWheel 12 to a smaller drive said bicycle. cogWheel 12. By repeating the ?rst step and the second step 4. The gear assembly of claim 1, Wherein each of said sets type the chain 16 can be moved in steps and may be changed of cogWheels is identical. from the tWo highest gearing cogWheels of sets 12 and 14 to 5. The gear assembly of claim 4, Wherein each of said sets the tWo loWest gearing cogWheels of sets 12 and 14. The of cogWheels have cogWheels arranged linearly, in order of reverse process takes place When shifting from loWest gear increasing siZe. 6. The gear assembly of claim 1, Wherein chain de?nes a to highest gear. closed form de?ning an outside region and an inside region [0021] A spline 50 permits cogWheel 14 to be moved and said gear change assembly includes a chain tensioning transversely back and forth and yet drive an axle 52, Which roller located in said outside region, adapted to press against is journalled to and drives drive cogWheel 20 (FIG. 1). Aone said chain pushing said chain toWard said inside region, to Way clutch 54 permits the rotation of drive cogWheel set 12 place tension on said chain. While the pedals 18 are stationary. A sturdy housing 60 of 7. The gear assembly of claim 6, Wherein said chain metal (steel or aluminum, for example) or a robust polymer tensioning roller presses on said chain toWard said inside protects gear box 11 from an intrusion of debris. region at a location betWeen said cogWheel sets, thereby [0022] Skilled persons Will appreciate that although cog causing a greater engagement of said chain With said cog Wheel sets 12 and 14 are shoWn as being identical but rotated Wheels. US 2006/0270499 A1 Nov. 30, 2006

8. The gear assembly of claim 1 wherein said gear change 14. The bicycle of claim 11 Wherein each of said sets of assembly moves said chain from a ?rst pair of aligned cogWheels is identical. cogWheels to a second pair of aligned cogWheels by ?rst 15. The bicycle of claim 11 Wherein each of said sets of moving said chain to a ?rst one of said second pair of aligned cogWheels have cogWheels arranged linearly, in order of cogWheels and then moving the chain to a second one of said increasing siZe. second pair of aligned cogWheels. 16. The bicycle of claim 11 Wherein said gear change 9. The gear assembly of claim 8 Wherein said gear assembly includes a chain tensioning roller, adapted to press assembly may be used to transmit torque betWeen said tWo inWardly against said chain, to place tension on said chain. sets of cogWheels, Without causing a further gear shift after 17. The bicycle of claim 11 Wherein said gear change said chain has been moved to said ?rst one of said second assembly moves said chain from a ?rst pair of aligned pair of aligned cogWheels and before said chain has been cogWheels to a second pair of aligned cogWheels by ?rst moved to said second one of said second pair of aligned moving said chain to a ?rst one of said second pair of aligned cogWheels. cogWheels and then moving the chain to a second one of said 10. The gear assembly of claim 1 Wherein said cogWheel pair of aligned cogWheels. sets are moved transversely relative to one another to e?cect 18. The gear assembly of claim 17 Wherein said gear cogWheel alignment at every gearing. assembly may be used after said chain has been moved to 11. A bicycle, comprising: said ?rst one of said second pair of aligned cogWheels but (a) a gear assembly, having: before said chain has been moved to said second one of said pair of aligned cogWheels. (i) ?rst, and second sets of co-joumalled cogWheels, 19. The gear assembly of claim 11 Wherein said cogWheel each having cogWheels of various siZes including a sets are moved transversely relative to one another to e?cect largest cog Wheel and a smallest cogWheel, oriented cogWheel alignment at every gearing. so that said largest cog Wheel of said ?rst set is 20. A gear assembly, comprising: aligned With said smallest cogWheel of said second set and vice versa, said ?rst and said second sets of (a) a co-joumalled set of drive cogWheels; cogWheels de?ning at least a ?rst, second and third pair of aligned cogWheels; (b) a co-journalled set of driven cogWheels; (ii) a chain mounted about a ?rst pair of aligned (c) a circular chain linking a drive cogWheel to a driven cogWheels; cogWheel; and (iii) a gear changing assembly adapted to move said (d) a chain tensioning assembly comprising a polymeric chain from said ?rst pair of aligned cogWheels to roller de?ning a channel on its outer rim, and rotation said second pair of aligned cogWheels and from said ally mounted on a tensioned arm that pushes said second pair of aligned cogWheels to said third pair of polymeric roller into said chain and positioned so that aligned cog Wheels. said chain resides in said channel. 12. The bicycle of claim 11 further comprising a housing 21. The gear assembly of claim 10, Wherein each said protecting said chain and said cog Wheels. cogWheel set de?nes a cogWheel-to-cogWheel spacing and 13. The bicycle of claim 11 Wherein a drive gear is said relative movement of said cogWheel sets is limited to co-joumalled to said second gear set, said drive gear being one cogWheel-to-cogWheel spacing. ?tted With a chain to drive a cogWheel co-joumalled to a Wheel of said bicycle. * * * * *