# US 12,179,882 B2 · Rear sprocket assembly and lock device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,179,882 B2 - Document ID: US12179882B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/510,642 - Filed: 2023-11-16 - Published: 2024-03-21 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2021-04-29 - Assignees: Shimano Inc. - Applicants: Shimano Inc. - Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita; Atsuhiro Emura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179882B2 ## CPC - 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)} - B62M: RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR {SINGLE-TRACK} CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of transmissions in vehicles in general B60K; transmission elements per se F16) ## Abstract A lock device comprises a first lock member and a second lock member. The first lock member includes a first axial end, a second axial end, and a first surface. The first axial end is configured to be detachably attached to a sprocket support body of the rear hub assembly in a mounting state where the plurality of rear sprockets is mounted to the rear hub assembly. The second lock member includes a third axial end, a fourth axial end, and a second surface. The third axial end is configured to be attached to the second axial end of the first lock member in an assembled state where a smallest sprocket and the lock device are assembled as one unit. The lock device is configured so that the smallest sprocket is slidable relative to the lock device in the axial direction in the assembled state and before the mounting state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lock device for mounting a plurality of rear sprockets to a rear hub assembly for a human-powered vehicle, the lock device comprising: a first lock member including: a first axial end configured to be detachably attached to a sprocket support body of the rear hub assembly in a mounting state where the plurality of rear sprockets is mounted to the rear hub assembly; a second axial end opposite to the first axial end in an axial direction with respect to a rotational center axis of the plurality of rear sprockets; and a first surface radially outwardly facing in a radial direction with respect to the rotational center axis; a second lock member including: a third axial end configured to be attached to the second axial end of the first lock member in an assembled state where a smallest sprocket and the lock device are assembled as one unit; a fourth axial end opposite to the third axial end in the axial direction and having at least one radial projection; and a second surface radially outwardly facing in the radial direction, the second surface being adjacent to the at least one radial projection in the axial direction; the at least one radial projection of the second lock member extending radially outwardly from the second surface in the radial direction and being configured to abut against the smallest sprocket of the plurality of rear sprockets in the axial direction in the mounting state; and the lock device being configured so that the smallest sprocket is slidable relative to the lock device in the axial direction in the assembled state and before the mounting state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lock device according to claim 1, wherein the first axial end of the first lock member has first threads configured to threadedly engage with threads provided to the sprocket support body of the rear hub assembly in the mounting state. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The lock device according to claim 1, wherein the second axial end of the first lock member has second threads, and the third axial end of the second lock member has third threads configured to threadedly engage with the second threads of the first lock member in the assembled state. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The lock device according to claim 1, wherein the first surface being disposed radially outwardly from the second surface in the radial direction in the assembled state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The lock device according to claim 1, wherein the first axial end of the first lock member has first threads configured to threadedly engage with threads provided to the sprocket support body of the rear hub assembly in the mounting state, the second axial end of the first lock member has second threads, the third axial end of the second lock member has third threads configured to threadedly engage with the second threads of the first lock member in the assembled state, the first surface is adjacent to the first threads, and the second surface is adjacent to the third threads. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The lock device according to claim 5, wherein the second surface is disposed between the third threads and the at least one radial projection. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The lock device according to claim 1, wherein the first axial end of the first lock member includes a first tool engagement profile, and the fourth axial end of the second lock member includes a second tool engagement profile. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The lock device according to claim 1, wherein the third axial end of the second lock member is configured to be detachably attached to the second axial end of the first lock member in the assembled state. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The lock device according to claim 2, wherein the lock device is configured to dispose the smallest sprocket between the first threads of the first lock member and the at least one radial projection of the second lock member in the axial direction in the assembled state. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The lock device according to claim 1, wherein the lock device is configured so that the smallest sprocket is slidable above the first surface and the second surface relative to the lock device in the axial direction in the assembled state and before the mounting state.