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US 2011/0256971 A1Published application
Chain Tensioner
OwnerRichard J. Kilshawinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A roller-chain tensioning assembly includes a resilient bow-shaped structure to which are mounted first, second and third guide wheels. These guide wheels are mounted in such manner that a roller chain can be threaded around said first guide wheel on side facing away from said bow, around said second guide wheel on side facing said bow, and around said third guide wheel on side facing away from said bow.
Claims21
A roller-chain tensioning assembly,
- (a) a resilient bow-shaped structure;
- (b) first, second and third guide wheels, mounted on said structure, such that a roller chain can be threaded around said first guide wheel on side facing away from said bow, around said second guide wheel on side facing said bow, and around said third guide wheel on side facing away from said bow.
A gear set, comprising:
- (a) two sprocket sets, defining a longitudinal dimension along which said sprocket sets are aligned and a transverse dimension, along which sprockets of each set are spaced, said sprocket sets controlled to move transversely relative to each other over a range of transverse displacement;
- (b) a roller-chain tensioner, having a chain-entrance guide wheel and a chain-exit guide wheel;
- (c) a roller-chain, arranged in a loop, and adapted to move, about a sprocket of each of said sprocket sets and said roller-chain tensioner guide wheels;
- and
- (d) wherein said roller-chain tensioner has flexibility in said transverse dimension, to permit said chain-exit guide wheel to be transversely displaced from said chain-entrance guide wheel by said range of transverse displacement.
2 more elements
A gear set, comprising:
- (a) two sprocket sets, defining a longitudinal dimension along which said sprocket sets are aligned, and a transverse dimension, along which additional sprockets of at least one of said sets are spaced;
- (b) a roller-chain tensioner, including a resilient bow-shaped structure rotatably supporting a chain-entrance guide wheel and a chain-exit guide wheel;
- (c) a roller-chain, arranged in a loop about a sprocket from each said sprocket set and said roller-chain tensioner guide wheels;
- and
- (d) wherein said roller-chain tensioner is moved transversely to effect a change of gears.
2 more elements
A gear set, comprising:
- (a) a driving sprocket set and a driven sprocket set, defining a longitudinal dimension along which said sprocket sets are aligned, and a transverse dimension, along which sprockets of each set are spaced;
- (b) a chain cage mounted midway between said two sprocket sets;
- (c) a roller-chain, arranged in a loop about a sprocket from each said sprocket set, defining a drive portion of chain which is placed in tension by said driving sprocket set and pulling said driven sprocket set, said drive portion being threaded through said chain cage;
- (d) said chain cage being moved transversely to effect a gear change;
- (e) said chain cage also being moved inwardly toward said driving sprocket set during a gear change to a lower gear, so that said chain cage can be positioned close to said driving sprocket, for each gear.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.