Bicycle transmission apparatus including a one-way clutch and a slide mechanism, and bicycle incorporating same

A bicycle, including a frame and a transmission mechanism operatively attached to the frame, said transmission mechanism comprising:

• a crankshaft coupled to a one-way clutch,
• the one way clutch having a clutch outer body coupled to an clutch inner body, the clutch inner body integrally rotatable with the crankshaft, and a clutch element interposed between the clutch inner body and the clutch outer body,
• a slide mechanism having an outer slide member coupled to an inner slide member so as to be integrally rotatable with the inner slide member and movable in an axial direction with respect to the inner slide member which is integrally rotatable with the clutch outer body,
• whereby the one-way clutch only transmits torque, when the crankshaft rotates positively, to a second rotation member through the slide mechanism, and
• a guide groove for guiding the outer slide member to be movable in the axial direction, the guide groove being formed parallel to an axial direction on an outer peripheral surface of the inner slide member, the guide groove being formed to open to the axial direction at both ends in the axial direction,
• the clutch outer body and the inner slide member being composed of members separate from each other, the clutch outer body and the inner slide member being operatively joined with each other by a coupling pin, the clutch outer body having a clutch-side overlapping portion and the inner slide member having a slide-side overlapping portion,
• the clutch-side overlapping portion and the slide-side overlapping portion being overlapping on each other in the axial direction and configured such that a gap is formed therebetween in the area of the groove,
• the clutch outer body and the inner slide member being coupled to each other to be integrally rotatable with each other in the clutch-side overlapping portion and the slide-side overlapping portion, and
• the clutch-side overlapping portion being overlapping on the guide groove in the axial direction, and restricting the outer slide member from moving in the axial direction beyond a predetermined range of movement with respect to the inner slide member.

A transmission mechanism for a bicycle having a manually operated crankshaft, said transmission mechanism comprising:

• a clutch inner body integrally rotatable with the crankshaft;
• a clutch outer body rotatable with said clutch inner body;
• a clutch element interposed between the clutch inner body and the clutch outer body;
• an inner slide member formed separately from the clutch outer body, said inner slide member having an open-ended guide groove formed therein extending parallel to an axial direction of the crankshaft;
• an outer slide member coupled to the inner slide member, and integrally rotatable therewith;
• said outer slide member being movable in an axial direction with respect to the inner slide member in said guide groove of the inner slide member;
• and
• a coupling pin for operatively connecting the clutch outer body and the inner slide member with each other;
• wherein:
• the clutch outer body comprises a clutch-side overlapping portion, and the inner slide member comprises a slide-side overlapping portion, wherein the clutch-side overlapping portion and the slide-side overlapping portion overlap each other in the axial direction, and
• wherein the clutch-side overlapping portion of the clutch outer body overlaps the guide groove in the axial direction, and restricts axial movement of the outer slide member beyond a predetermined movement range.