Automatic transmission for multi-speed bicycle
First Claim
1. An automatic transmission for a linked chain driven wheel having an axis of rotation and an axle extending along said axis of rotation, where the ratio of the linear speed of the chain to the angular speed of the wheel about said axis of rotation is automatically and incrementally adjusted, said automatic transmission comprising:
- (1) a plurality of chain-engaging sprockets disposed coaxially with and spaced apart along said axis of rotation of said wheel, each of said sprockets having a predetermined diameter, each of said sprockets having a diameter different from the diameter of each of the other sprockets of said plurality of chain-engaging sprockets;
(2) drive means for drivingly connecting said plurality of chain-engaging sprockets to said wheel;
(3) chain guide means, axially movable relative to said plurality of chain-engaging sprockets so as to be individually alignable with each of said sprockets in a respective plane, substantially transverse to said axis, containing a respective sprocket, for engaging said chain and guiding said chain into engagement with said respective aligned sprocket;
(4) chain guide actuating means operatively connected to said chain guide means, for varying the axial position of said chain guide means automatically in response to the angular speed of said wheel;
whereby on angular rotation of said wheel said chain guide means is axially moved by said chain guide actuating means to automatically guide said chain into engagement with a sprocket of a diameter in relation to the angular speed of said wheel.
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Abstract
An automatic transmission for a linked chain driven wheel includes a plurality of chain-engaging sprockets disposed coaxially with and spaced apart along the axis of rotation of the wheel. Each of the sprockets has a predetermined diameter which differs from that of the other sprockets. The sprockets are drivingly connected to the wheel. A chain guide, which is axially movable relative to the sprockets, is provided. The chain guide, when aligned with a given sprocket, will guide the drive chain into engagement with that given sprocket. A chain guide actuator is operatively connected to the chain guide for varying the axial position of the chain guide automatically in response to the angular speed of the wheel.
56 Citations
39 Claims
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1. An automatic transmission for a linked chain driven wheel having an axis of rotation and an axle extending along said axis of rotation, where the ratio of the linear speed of the chain to the angular speed of the wheel about said axis of rotation is automatically and incrementally adjusted, said automatic transmission comprising:
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(1) a plurality of chain-engaging sprockets disposed coaxially with and spaced apart along said axis of rotation of said wheel, each of said sprockets having a predetermined diameter, each of said sprockets having a diameter different from the diameter of each of the other sprockets of said plurality of chain-engaging sprockets; (2) drive means for drivingly connecting said plurality of chain-engaging sprockets to said wheel; (3) chain guide means, axially movable relative to said plurality of chain-engaging sprockets so as to be individually alignable with each of said sprockets in a respective plane, substantially transverse to said axis, containing a respective sprocket, for engaging said chain and guiding said chain into engagement with said respective aligned sprocket; (4) chain guide actuating means operatively connected to said chain guide means, for varying the axial position of said chain guide means automatically in response to the angular speed of said wheel; whereby on angular rotation of said wheel said chain guide means is axially moved by said chain guide actuating means to automatically guide said chain into engagement with a sprocket of a diameter in relation to the angular speed of said wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. In a bicycle comprising a supporting frame, a front ground engaging wheel rotatably mounted on an axle which is mounted on said supporting frame, a rear ground engaging wheel drivingly mounted on a first shaft, having an axis, which is journally mounted on said supporting frame, a transmission means for applying rotational force to said rear ground engaging wheel, a second shaft journally mounted on said supporting frame at substantially the fore and aft center of the frame between said front and rear wheels, foot driven pedals mounted on opposite ends of said second shaft, a drive sprocket fixedly mounted on said second shaft, said drive sprocket located adjacent said frame and inwardly of said pedal on that end of said second shaft, an endless chain loop engaging said drive sprocket and cooperating with said transmission means to transmit force on said pedals to said rear ground engaging wheel as rotational force, wherein said transmission means comprises:
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(1) a plurality of chain-engaging sprockets disposed coaxially with and spaced apart along said axis of said first shaft, each of said sprockets having a predetermined diameter, each of said sprockets having a diameter different from the diameter of each of the other sprockets of said plurality of chain-engaging sprockets; (2) drive means for drivingly connecting said plurality of chain-engaging sprockets to said rear gound engaging wheel; (3) chain guide means, axially movable relative to said plurality of chain-engaging sprockets so as to be individually alignable with each of said sprockets in a respective plane, substantially transverse to said axis, containing a respective sprocket, for engaging said chain and guiding said chain into engagement with said respective aligned sprocket; (4) chain guide actuating means, operatively connected to said chain guide means, for varying the axial position of said chain guide means automatically in response to the angular speed of said wheel; whereby on angular rotation of said rear ground engaging wheel said chain guide means is axially moved by said chain guide actuating means to automatically guide said chain into engagement with a sprocket of a diameter in relation to the angular speed of said wheel.
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39. In combination a spoked bicycle wheel, having an axis of rotation, and coaxially connected thereto a transmission means, engageable of a drive chain, for applying rotational force to said wheel, wherein said transmission means comprises:
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(1) a plurality of chain-engaging sprockets disposed coaxially with and spaced apart along said axis of rotation of said wheel, each of said sprockets having a predetermined diameter, each of said sprockets having a diameter different from the diameter of each of the other sprockets of said plurality of chain-engaging sprockets; (2) drive means for drivingly connecting said plurality of chain-engaging sprockets to said wheel; (3) chain guide means, axially movable relative to said plurality of chain-engaging sprockets so as to be individually alignable with each of said sprockets in a respective plane, substantially transverse to said axis, containing a respective sprocket, for engaging said chain and guiding said chain into engagement with said respective aligned sprocket; (4) chain guide actuating means, operatively connected to said chain guide means, for varying the axial position of said chain guide means automatically in response to the angular speed of said wheel; whereby on angular rotation of said wheel said chain guide means is axially moved by said chain guide actuating means to automatically guide said chain into engagement with a sprocket of a diameter in relation to the angular speed of said wheel.
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Specification