BICYCLE SPROCKET SUPPORTING MEMBER AND BICYCLE SPROCKET ASSEMBLY

• US 20180022415A1
• Filed: 07/21/2016
• Published: 01/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: OISHI, Toshinari
• Granted Patent: US 10,112,681 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/10 involving different-sized wheels, e.g. rear sprocket chain wheels selectively engaged by the chain, belt, or the like bicycle hubs rotatably arranged on axle B60B27/023
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/12 the chain, belt, or the like being laterally shiftable , e.g. using a rear derailleur
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/10 Quick-acting couplings in which the parts are connected by simply bringing them together axially
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2001/103 the torque is transmitted via splined connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 55/30 Chain-wheels

Abstract

A bicycle sprocket assembly is basically provided with a bicycle sprocket supporting member and at least one sprocket. The bicycle sprocket supporting member includes an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface. The outer peripheral surface includes at least one sprocket engaging spline. The inner peripheral surface includes at least one hub engaging spline. The at least one sprocket is configured to be axially movable on the outer peripheral surface of the sprocket supporting member before the bicycle sprocket assembly becomes an assembled state.

Claims

1. A bicycle sprocket supporting member comprising:

an outer peripheral surface including at least one sprocket engaging spline; and

an inner peripheral surface including at least one huh engaging spline.

2. A bicycle sprocket assembly comprising the sprocket supporting member according to claim 1, and further comprising

at least one sprocket configured to be axially movable on the outer peripheral surface of the sprocket supporting member before the bicycle sprocket assembly becomes an assembled state.

3. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 2, further comprising

a first sprocket carrier including at least one first spline engaged with at least one sprocket engaging spline of the sprocket supporting member, the first sprocket carrier supporting the at least one sprocket.

4. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 3, wherein

the at least one sprocket includes a first sprocket and a second sprocket, and

the first sprocket carrier supports the first sprocket and the second sprocket.

5. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 3, further comprising

at least one additional sprocket;

and

a second sprocket carrier supporting the at least one additional sprocket.

6. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 5, wherein

the at least one additional sprocket includes a third sprocket and a fourth sprocket, and

the second sprocket carrier supports the third sprocket and the fourth sprocket.

7. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 5, wherein

the second sprocket carrier axially contacts one end of the sprocket supporting member.

8. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 5, further comprising

a fastening member connecting the first sprocket carrier and the second sprocket carrier.

9. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 3, wherein

the at least one sprocket engaging spline of the sprocket supporting member includes a first positioning spline, the at least one first spline of the first sprocket carrier includes a second positioning spline, the first positioning spline being engaged with the second positioning spline, and

the at least one hub engaging spline of the sprocket supporting member includes a third positioning spline, the third positioning spline configured to engage with a fourth positioning spline of a bicycle hub assembly.

10. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 4, further comprising

at least one additional sprocket;

and

a second sprocket carrier supporting the at least one additional sprocket.

11. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 10, wherein

the at least one additional sprocket includes a third sprocket and a fourth sprocket, and

the second sprocket carrier supports the third sprocket and the fourth sprocket.

12. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 11, wherein

the second sprocket carrier axially contacts one end of the sprocket supporting member.

13. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 12, further comprising

at least one fastening member connecting the first sprocket carrier and the second sprocket carrier.

14. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 13, wherein

the at least one sprocket engaging spline of the sprocket supporting member includes a first positioning spline, the at least one first spline of the first sprocket carrier includes a second positioning spline, the first positioning spline being engaged with the second positioning spline, and

the at least one hub engaging spline of the sprocket supporting member includes a third positioning spline, the third positioning spline configured to engage with a fourth positioning spline of a bicycle huh assembly.

15. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 13, wherein

the first sprocket including a plurality of first sprocket teeth,

the second sprocket including a plurality of second sprocket teeth that is greater than a total number of the plurality of first sprocket teeth,

the third sprocket including a plurality of third sprocket teeth that is greater than a total number of the plurality of second sprocket teeth, and

the fourth sprocket including a plurality of fourth sprocket teeth that is greater than a total number of the plurality of third sprocket teeth.

16. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 15, wherein

the at least one fastening member connects the first sprocket and the second sprocket to the first sprocket carrier.

17. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 13, wherein

the first sprocket including a plurality of first sprocket teeth,

the second sprocket including a plurality of second sprocket teeth that is fewer than a total number of the plurality of first sprocket teeth,

the third sprocket including a plurality of third sprocket teeth that is fewer than a total number of the plurality of second sprocket teeth, and

the fourth sprocket including a plurality of fourth sprocket teeth that is fewer than a total number of the plurality of third sprocket teeth.

18. The bicycle sprocket assembly according to claim 17, wherein

the at least one fastening member connects the third sprocket and the fourth sprocket to the second sprocket carrier.