Multi-speed transmission

A three speed transmission comprising:

• a first drive sprocket having external teeth;
• a second drive sprocket comprising a pair of ring members axially movable with respect to and surrounding said first drive sprocket and each having internal and external teeth, the internal teeth meshing with external teeth of the first drive sprocket;
• a third drive sprocket comprising a pair of ring members axially movable with respect to and surrounding said second drive sprocket and each having internal and external teeth, the internal teeth meshing with external teeth of the second drive sprocket;
• each of said ring members of said second and third drive sprockets having generally radial angled surfaces facing one another;
• a first driven sprocket having external teeth;
• a second driven sprocket comprising a pair of ring members axially movable with respect to and surrounding said first driven sprocket and each having internal and external teeth, the internal teeth meshing with the external teeth of the first driven sprocket;
• a third driven sprocket comprising a pair of ring members axially movable with respect to each other and surrounding said second driven sprocket and each having internal and external teeth, the internal teeth meshing with the external teeth of the second driven sprocket;
• each of said ring members of said second and third driven sprockets having generally radially angled surfaces facing one another;
• and
• means comprising a chain meshing with external teeth of one of said drive sprockets and one of said driven sprockets providing a drive therebetween.

In a multi-speed transmission:

• a drive sprocket assembly comprising a first drive sprocket having external teeth;
• at least one additional drive sprocket comprising a pair of ring members axially movable with respect to and surrounding said first drive sprocket and having internal and external teeth, and at least one additional drive sprocket being rotatably connected to said first drive sprocket by meshing teeth;
• a driven sprocket assembly comprising a first driven sprocket having external teeth;
• at least one additional driven sprocket comprising a pair of ring members axially movable with respect to and surrounding said first driven sprocket and having internal and external teeth, said at least one additional driven sprocket being rotatably connected to said first driven sprocket by meshing teeth;
• chain means meshing with external teeth on said drive sprocket and external teeth on said driven sprocket;
• and
• means to vary the drive ratio between the drive and driven sprocket assemblies.