Crank assembly for a bicycle
OwnerLance A Heitzinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A crank assembly for a bicycle includes a crank axle rotatably mounted to a frame of the bicycle, and a carrier shaft slidably mounted on the crank axle and configured to slide in a direction substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the crank axle and relative to the crank axle. The crank assembly also includes an elliptical sprocket mounted on the carrier shaft. The elliptical sprocket rotates to move the bicycle in response to a rotation of the crank axle. A start time of a power stroke of the elliptical sprocket is changed by sliding the carrier shaft relative to the crank axle.
Claims20
A crank assembly for a bicycle, the crank assembly comprising:
- a crank axle rotatably mounted to a frame of the bicycle;
- a carrier shaft slidably mounted on the crank axle and configured to slide in a direction substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the crank axle and relative to the crank axle;
- and
- an elliptical sprocket mounted on the carrier shaft, wherein the elliptical sprocket rotates to move the bicycle in response to a rotation of the crank axle,
- wherein a start time of a power stroke of the elliptical sprocket is changed by sliding the carrier shaft relative to the crank axle.
A bicycle, comprising:
- a frame;
- a front wheel and a rear wheel supported on the frame;
- a crank axle rotatably mounted to the frame;
- a carrier shaft slidably mounted on the crank axle and configured to slide in a direction substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the crank axle and relative to the crank axle;
- and
- an elliptical sprocket mounted on the carrier shaft, wherein the elliptical sprocket rotates to rotate the rear wheel in response to a rotation of the crank axle,
- wherein a start time of a power stroke of the elliptical sprocket is changed by sliding the carrier shaft relative to the crank axle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.