# US 2008/0188336 A1 · Bicycle sprocket apparatus with a chain support structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0188336 A1 - Document ID: US20080188336A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/851,677 - Filed: 2007-09-07 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-07 - Assignees: Shimano Inc. - Inventors: KOJI TOKUYAMA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080188336A1 ## 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 bicycle sprocket apparatus comprises a sprocket mounting member, a first sprocket, and a second sprocket. The sprocket mounting member includes a hub mounting portion and a sprocket mounting portion, wherein the hub mounting portion is structured to be mounted to a rotating hub that rotates around a rotational axis. The sprocket mounting portion includes a first sprocket mounting surface that faces in a first direction and a second sprocket mounting surface that faces in an opposite second direction. The first sprocket is disposed at the first sprocket mounting surface, and the second sprocket is disposed at the second sprocket mounting surface. A fastener fastens the first sprocket to the first sprocket mounting surface, and a chain supporting structure extends from the fastener in the first direction and projects in the first direction away from a side surface of the first sprocket that faces in the first direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bicycle sprocket apparatus comprising: a sprocket mounting member including: a hub mounting portion structured to be mounted to a rotating hub that rotates around a rotational axis; and a sprocket mounting portion extending from the hub mounting portion, wherein the sprocket mounting portion includes a first sprocket mounting surface that faces in a first direction and a second sprocket mounting surface that faces in an opposite second direction; a first sprocket disposed at the first sprocket mounting surface, wherein the first sprocket has a plurality of first chain-engaging teeth; a second sprocket disposed at the second sprocket mounting surface, wherein the second sprocket has a plurality of second chain-engaging teeth; a first fastener that fastens the first sprocket to the first sprocket mounting surface; and a chain supporting structure extending from the first fastener in the first direction and projecting in the first direction away from a side surface of the first sprocket that faces in the first direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the number of first chain-engaging teeth is greater than the number of second chain-engaging teeth. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first fastener extends through the first sprocket, through the sprocket mounting member, and into the second sprocket to fasten the second sprocket to the second sprocket mounting surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first fastener extends through the first sprocket and into the sprocket mounting member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first fastener comprises a pin. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a width of the chain supporting structure is greater that a width of a portion of the pin that extends into the sprocket mounting member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a width of the chain supporting structure is greater that a width of a portion of the pin that extends through the first sprocket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the sprocket mounting portion includes a third sprocket mounting surface, and further comprising: a third sprocket disposed at the third sprocket mounting surface, wherein the third sprocket has a plurality of third chain-engaging teeth; and a second fastener that fastens the third sprocket to the third sprocket mounting surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the second fastener extends into the first sprocket. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the third sprocket mounting surface is disposed radially inwardly from the second sprocket mounting surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the number of first chain-engaging teeth is greater than the number of second chain-engaging teeth, and wherein the number of second chain-engaging teeth is greater than the number of third chain-engaging teeth. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first fastener forms the chain supporting structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a cap member disposed on the chain supporting structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the cap member comprises a tubular member. ### Claim 15 A bicycle sprocket apparatus comprising: a sprocket mounting member including: a hub mounting portion structured to be mounted to a rotating hub that rotates around a rotational axis; and a sprocket mounting portion extending from the hub mounting portion, wherein the sprocket mounting portion includes a first sprocket mounting surface that faces in a first direction and a second sprocket mounting surface that faces in an opposite second direction; a first sprocket mounted to the first sprocket mounting surface, wherein the first sprocket has a plurality of first chain-engaging teeth; and a second sprocket mounted to the second sprocket mounting surface, wherein the second sprocket has a plurality of second chain-engaging teeth; wherein the sprocket mounting member forms a chain support member that projects in the first direction away from a side surface of the first sprocket that faces in the first direction. ### Claim 16 A bicycle sprocket apparatus comprising: a sprocket mounting member including: a hub mounting portion having an inner peripheral surface structured to be mounted to a rotating hub that rotates around a rotational axis; and a sprocket mounting portion extending from the hub mounting portion, wherein the sprocket mounting portion includes a first sprocket mounting surface that faces in a first direction and a second sprocket mounting surface that faces in an opposite second direction; a first sprocket mounted to the first sprocket mounting surface, wherein the first sprocket has a plurality of first chain-engaging teeth; a second sprocket mounted to the second sprocket mounting surface, wherein the second sprocket has a plurality of second chain-engaging teeth; wherein the first sprocket forms a chain support member that projects in the first direction away from a side surface of the first sprocket that faces in the first direction; and wherein an innermost peripheral surface of the first sprocket is disposed radially outwardly from the inner peripheral surface of the hub mounting portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the first sprocket is fastened to the first sprocket mounting surface by a fastener disposed at the chain support member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the fastener is disposed in the chain support member. ### Claim 19 A bicycle sprocket apparatus comprising: a sprocket mounting member including: a hub mounting portion structured to be mounted to a rotating hub that rotates around a rotational axis; and a sprocket mounting portion extending from the hub mounting portion, wherein the sprocket mounting portion includes a first sprocket mounting surface that faces in a first direction and a second sprocket mounting surface that faces in an opposite second direction; a first sprocket mounted to the first sprocket mounting surface, wherein the first sprocket has a plurality of first chain-engaging teeth; a second sprocket mounted to the second sprocket mounting surface, wherein the second sprocket has a plurality of second chain-engaging teeth; and a chain supporting structure extending from the second sprocket in the first direction and projecting in the first direction away from a side surface of the first sprocket that faces in the first direction.