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US 11,697,136 B2Granted
Automated link chain cleaning and lubricating system
AssigneeBblink, LLC
InventorsRobert Buck, John Thomas Benton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A link chain cleaning and lubricating device, and lubricants for use therein.
Claims18
A device for cleaning and lubricating a bicycle link chain, the device comprising:
- a frame not mounted to a bicycle;
- a cleaning module having a housing defining a chain passage and mounted to the frame, the cleaning module configured to be supported by the frame in a fixed position relative to the chain path of the bicycle;
- a chain drive system for engaging the bicycle link chain and joined to the housing to define a chain path extending in a machine direction from a chain input end to a chain output end, configured to receive a bicycle link chain in a loop on a bicycle and advance the chain through the housing of the cleaning module;
- a cleaning fluid nozzle joined to the housing of the cleaning module and directed toward the chain path;
- a lubricating module connected to the frame and spaced from the cleaning module along the chain path and having a lubricant dispensing station positioned along the chain path to apply lubricant to the chain to thereby lubricate the chain.
2 more elements
A device for cleaning a bicycle link chain defining a loop and mounted on a bicycle, the device comprising:
- a frame not mounted on the bicycle;
- a housing mounted to the frame and having a housing lower portion, and a housing upper position joined to the housing lower portion and movable on guides so the housing upper portion can be spaced vertically from the housing lower portion to open a chain path extending from an inlet of the housing to an outlet of the housing spaced in a machine direction from the inlet;
- at least one spray nozzle connected to the housing upper portion and connected to a source of cleaning fluid and operable to spray cleaning fluid downwardly on a chain traveling along the chain path;
- a least one spray nozzle connected to the housing lower portion and connected to the source of cleaning fluid, and operable to spray cleaning fluid upwardly on a chain traveling along the chain path;
- an actuator connected to the upper portion to move the upper portion, the lower portion or both, for opening the chain path for insertion of a looped bicycle chain;
- at least one cog mounted to the housing lower portion along the chain path;
- and
- a chain drive mounted to drive the at least one cog and operable to engage a chain extending along the chain path and to advance the chain through the housing.
5 more elements
An automated device for cleaning a bicycle link chain defining a loop and mounted on a bicycle, the device comprising:
- a frame not supported on the bicycle;
- a housing mounted to the frame, the housing having an inlet and an outlet spaced in a machine direction from the inlet, wherein a chain path is defined between the inlet and the outlet;
- a plurality of spray nozzles mounted within the housing and connected to a supply of cleaning fluid and a supply of compressed air;
- at least one cog mounted to the housing along the chain path;
- a chain drive mounted to drive the at least one cog and operable to engage a chain extending along the chain path and to advance the chain through the housing;
- and
- an automated programmable controller that controls the driver to intermittently advance the chain within the housing to thereby index the chain to position the cleaning nozzle to a selected part of the chain and to operate the plurality of spray nozzles to discharge cleaning fluid at a selected location for an extended period, before advancing the chain past said plurality of spray nozzles.
4 more elements
A device for lubricating bicycle link chain mounted to a bicycle, the device comprising:
- a lubricating module with an inlet and an outlet defining a chain path fixed in relationship with a chain loop path of the bicycle link chain, wherein the module is mounted to a frame not mounted on the bicycle;
- a drive mechanism separate from the bicycle and positioned to engage the bicycle link chain on the bicycle and operable to advance the bicycle link chain along the chain path;
- a heater disposed along the chain path and directed to heat the bicycle link chain as it moves along the chain path;
- and
- a device containing solid wax lubricant mounted to the frame and positioned along the chain path and to dispense the solid wax lubricant on the heated chain as it moves along the chain path.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.