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US 2022/0178435 A1Published application
Alternating Tooth Chain Ring
AssigneeEko Sport, Inc.
InventorsDarek C. Barefoot, Scott S. Winans, Timothy A. Fry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a chain ring having teeth positioned in one of three lateral positions. At least one tooth may be placed in each lateral position. At least half the teeth may be positioned in a middle lateral position. The teeth in the first and third lateral positions may apply opposing lateral forces to a bicycle drive chain.
Claims17
A drive system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a drive chain having a plurality of inner links, a plurality of outer links, and a centerline;
- wherein each link comprises a first plate and a second plate;
- and
- a chain ring having a plurality of teeth joined to one another and serially arranged;
- wherein each of the plurality of teeth has a thickness, the thickness of each of the plurality of teeth at its respective thickest point being substantially identical;
- wherein the plurality of teeth comprises a first set of teeth and a second set of teeth;
- wherein each tooth of the second set of teeth is configured to fit within one of the outer links of the drive chain in operative position;
- wherein an average tooth position of the second set of teeth is offset from the chain centerline when in operative position;
- wherein each tooth in the second set of teeth has a cross section taken on a plane extending laterally across the tooth;
- and
- wherein the cross section is substantially hat shaped, the cross section having a circumferentially longer portion and a circumferentially shorter portion;
- wherein the circumferentially shorter portion is closer to one of the plates of the outer link than to the drive chain centerline when in operative position.
9 more elements
A ring for driving a drive chain for a bicycle, comprising:
- a plurality of teeth that are connected to one another and serially arranged;
- wherein each of the plurality of teeth has a thickness and the thickness of each of the plurality of teeth at its respective thickest point is substantially identical;
- wherein a first subset of the plurality of teeth is configured to have a first cross-sectional shape at a respective base;
- and
- wherein a second subset of the plurality of teeth is configured to have a second cross-sectional shape at a respective base that is different from the first cross-sectional shape;
- wherein at least one of the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape is substantially a hat shape, the at least one cross sectional shape having a circumferentially longer portion and a circumferentially shorter portion;
- wherein the circumferentially shorter portion is closer to one of the plates of the outer link than to the drive chain centerline when in operative position.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.