# US 2014/0155206 A1 · Gear transmission and derailleur system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155206 A1 - Document ID: US20140155206A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/058,983 - Filed: 2013-10-21 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-01-28 - Assignees: Paha Designs, LLC - Applicants: Paha Designs, LLC - Inventors: Lee Johnson; Benjamin Meager - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155206A1 ## CPC - B62K 23/04: Twist grips - B62K 23/06: Levers - B62M 9/124: Mechanisms for shifting laterally - B62M 9/1242: characterised by the linkage mechanisms - B62M 25/04: hand actuated - B62M 2009/12413: {Rear derailleur comprising telescoping mechanisms} - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE - 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 transmission system for vehicles, including bicycles, is disclosed. The system aligns a chain or other drive means to a center of each of a plurality of provided sprockets, allows for a smaller, lighter and more durable shifter/controller, and reduces various complications associated with cable slack and shifting. A derailleur is provided with linear actuated features to directly translate drive means from one position to another along a desired path. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gear centering device for use in connection with shifting gears of a bicycle transmission system, the gear centering device comprising: a derailleur attach component comprising a first attach point configured to be connected to a moveable derailleur; a main body comprising a second attach point configured to be connected to move relative to the first attach point; a pair of threaded components including a first threaded component and a second threaded component, the pair of threaded components being configured to translate rotational motion received at the first threaded component into a lateral displacement of the pair of threaded components, wherein lateral displacement of the pair of threaded components further translates to lateral movement of the first attach point relative to the second attach point; and a rotary gear climb in mechanical communication with the first threaded component, wherein rotation of the rotary gear climb imparts rotational motion to the first threaded component, and wherein the rotary gear climb comprises a plurality of peaks and valleys that limit the lateral displacement of the pair of threaded components to discrete distances. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the rotary gear climb is actuated by an actuator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the actuator comprises an electromechanical motor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the actuator comprises a pulley attach configured to be rotated by movement of a cable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the cable is configured in an endless loop. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising: a plunger assembly having a bearing that is biased against the rotary gear climb such that the bearing is forced into valleys of the rotary gear climb. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first threaded component comprises a male screw that is included in a male lead screw and shaft assembly and wherein the second threaded component comprises a female lead screw adapted to receive the male lead screw. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the male lead screw and shaft assembly further comprises a gasket configured to seal an interior of the main body in which the rotary gear climb is contained from external debris. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein an outer diameter of the gasket is at least equal to an outer diameter of the male screw. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of gears that interface the rotary gear climb to the first threaded component. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of peaks and valleys are provided on an outer diameter surface of the rotary gear climb. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first attach point and second attach point are limited to lateral displacements of discrete distances based on a sizing of the plurality of peaks and valleys. ### Claim 13 A bicycle transmission system, comprising: a front sprocket; a plurality of rear sprockets, each of the plurality of sprockets comprising different diameters; a chain coupling the front sprocket to a selected one of the plurality of rear sprockets; a derailleur configured to move the chain between the plurality of rear sprockets based on an input received at a shifter; and a gear centering device configured to index the derailleur at discrete locations, the gear centering device comprising: a derailleur attach component comprising a first attach point configured to be connected to the derailleur; a main body comprising a second attach point configured to be connected to move relative to the first attach point; a pair of threaded components including a first threaded component and a second threaded component, the pair of threaded components being configured to translate rotational motion received at the first threaded component into a lateral displacement of the pair of threaded components, wherein lateral displacement of the pair of threaded components further translates to lateral movement of the first attach point relative to the second attach point; and a rotary gear climb in mechanical communication with the first threaded component, wherein rotation of the rotary gear climb imparts rotational motion to the first threaded component, and wherein the rotary gear climb comprises a plurality of peaks and valleys that limit the lateral displacement of the pair of threaded components to discrete distances. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The transmission system of claim 13, wherein the rotary gear climb is actuated by an actuator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The transmission system of claim 14, wherein the actuator comprises an electrically-powered servomotor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The transmission system of claim 14, wherein the actuator is in wireless communications with the shifter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The transmission system of claim 14, wherein the actuator comprises only mechanical components. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The transmission system of claim 13, wherein the gear centering device further comprises a plunger assembly having a bearing that is biased against the rotary gear climb such that the bearing is forced into valleys of the rotary gear climb. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The transmission system of claim 13, wherein the first threaded component comprises a male screw that is included in a male lead screw and shaft assembly, wherein the second threaded component comprises a female lead screw adapted to receive the male lead screw, wherein the male lead screw and shaft assembly further comprises a gasket configured to seal an interior of the main body in which the rotary gear climb is contained from external debris, and wherein an outer diameter of the gasket is at least equal to an outer diameter of the male screw. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The transmission system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of peaks and valleys are provided on an outer diameter surface of the rotary gear climb.