Multiple sprocket assembly for a bicycle
AssigneeShimano Inc.
InventorYasushi Nakamura
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plurality of sprockets are coaxially mounted together, wherein a spacing between each pair of adjacent sprockets is less than a thickness of at least one of the plurality of sprockets. In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of sprockets are coaxially mounted together, wherein a spacing between each pair of adjacent sprockets is less than or equal to approximately 2.0 millimeters. In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, at least ten sprockets are coaxially mounted together to form a first free side sprocket surface facing laterally outwardly and a second free side sprocket surface facing laterally inwardly. A spacing between the first free side sprocket surface and the second free side sprocket surface is less than or equal to approximately 50 millimeters.
Claims14
A multiple sprocket assembly for a bicycle comprising:
- a mounting member having a radial extension;
- a first sprocket formed as one piece with the mounting member and disposed at a radially outward end of the radial extension;
- a plurality of second sprockets mounted to the radial extension coaxially with the first sprocket;
- and
- wherein a spacing between each pair of adjacent second sprockets is less than or equal to a thickness of at least one of the plurality of second sprockets.
A bicycle hub and sprocket apparatus comprising:
- a hub including first and second spoke-mounting hub flanges spaced apart from each other;
- a sprocket cluster coaxially mounted to the hub in close proximity to the first spoke-mounting hub flange, including:
- a mounting member having a radial extension;
- a plurality of sprockets mounted to the radial extension;
- wherein at least one of the plurality of sprockets is positioned laterally inwardly of an outer side surface of the first spoke-mounting hub flange so that the at least one of the plurality of sprockets is located between laterally outer surfaces of the first and second spoke-mounting hub flanges.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.