Driver for mounting a multiple sprocket arrangement to a bicycle rear axle arrangement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9771127-B2
Application number	US-201213549197-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 13, 2012
Priority date	Jul 13, 2011
Publication date	Sep 26, 2017
Grant date	Sep 26, 2017

Abstract

A driver for mounting a multiple sprocket arrangement to a bicycle rear axle arrangement. The multiple sprocket arrangement includes a sprocket assembly having a plurality of sprockets with different numbers of teeth and an adapter. The rear axle arrangement includes a hub. The driver includes an input torque transmitting profile for transmitting torque from between the sprocket assembly and the driver. A positioning section positions the sprocket assembly in the radial direction. External thread threadably receives the adapter and is disposed between the input torque transmitting profile and the positioning section. An output torque transmitting arrangement transmits torque between the driver and the hub.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A driver for mounting a multiple sprocket arrangement to a bicycle rear axle arrangement, the multiple sprocket arrangement including a sprocket assembly having a plurality of sprockets with different numbers of teeth and an adapter, the rear axle arrangement including a hub, the driver comprising:
an input torque transmitting profile for transmitting torque between the sprocket assembly and the driver;
a positioning section positioning and supporting the sprocket assembly in the radial direction in a non-torque transmitting manner;
external thread for threadably receiving the adapter, the external thread disposed between the input torque transmitting profile and the positioning section; and
an output torque transmitting arrangement for transmitting torque between the driver and the hub.

2. The driver according to claim 1 , further comprising a guide section arranged between the input torque transmitting profile and the positioning section.

3. The driver according to claim 1 , further comprising an axial stop axially positioning the sprocket assembly on the rear axle arrangement, the axial stop disposed adjacent the input torque transmitting profile.

4. The driver according to claim 3 , wherein the input torque transmitting profile extends only over a partial section of the axial length of the driver between the axial stop and a free end of the positioning section.

5. The driver according to claim 4 , wherein the partial section is smaller than one of a quarter and a fifth of the axial length of the driver.

6. The driver according to claim 4 , wherein the length of the input torque transmitting profile corresponds to the length of a corresponding torque transmitting profile on the sprocket assembly.

7. The driver according to claim 1 , wherein the external thread are directly adjacent the input torque transmitting profile.

8. The driver according to claim 2 , wherein the guide section includes a cylindrical outer surface.

9. The driver according to claim 2 , wherein the guide section has a smaller maximum outer diameter than the maximum outer diameter of the input torque transmitting profile or the external thread.

10. The driver according to claim 2 , further comprising a distal end distant from the input torque transmitting profile, the positioning section disposed on the distal end of the driver, the positioning section has a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the guide section.

11. The driver according to claim 1 , further comprising a distal end distant from the input torque transmitting profile, the distal end accommodating a bearing.

12. The driver according to claim 11 , wherein the distal end has an inner diameter section for accommodating a bearing.

13. The driver according to claim 11 , wherein the positioning section forms part of the outer circumference of the bearing projecting axially out of the driver.

14. The driver according to claim 11 , further comprising a proximal end near the input torque transmitting profile having an inner diameter section for accommodating a bearing.

15. The driver according to claim 1 , further comprising a proximal end near the input torque transmitting profile, the output torque transmitting arrangement disposed on the proximal end of the driver to transmit torque between the driver and the hub.

16. A multiple sprocket arrangement mountable to a rear axle arrangement of a bicycle comprising:
a sprocket assembly having a plurality of sprockets with different numbers of teeth;
a driver mountable to the rear axle arrangement, the driver coupled to the sprocket assembly in a torque-transmitting manner, and configured to transmit torque from the sprocket assembly to the rear axle arrangement; and
an adapter including a first coupling section coupled to the driver, the adapter surrounding the driver in an axial region of at least two sprockets of the plurality of sprockets, wherein the adapter is a separate and distinct component from the at least two sprockets.

17. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the sprocket assembly includes at least one sprocket having a smaller inner diameter than an outer diameter of the driver, the adapter coupling the at least one small-diameter sprocket to the driver.

18. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the sprocket assembly is preassembled before coupling the sprocket assembly to the driver, the adapter including a second coupling section for coupling to the sprocket assembly.

19. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the adapter is a stepped tubular sleeve and includes a second coupling section, the first coupling section having a first outer diameter and the second coupling section having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter.

20. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the first coupling section has internal thread for engaging external thread on the driver.

21. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the driver and the adapter each have a mating surface that abut to define a predetermined relative position between the driver and the adapter.

22. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the adapter includes a second coupling section including external thread for fixing the sprocket assembly to the adapter.

23. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the adapter includes a second coupling section including at least one retaining projection for engaging a corresponding retaining recess on the sprocket assembly.

24. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 23 , wherein the retaining projection is disposed on an axial end of the adapter, the axial end having a plurality of axial slots defining a plurality of latch tabs.

25. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 24 , wherein the latch tabs include lead-in chamfers in order to snap into the retaining recess on the sprocket assembly.

26. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the adapter includes a torque-transmitting tool interface.

27. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 26 , wherein the torque-transmitting tool interface is disposed directly on the adapter.

28. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 26 , wherein the torque-transmitting tool interface is disposed on a mounting ring coupled to the adapter.

29. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 28 , wherein the adapter includes a plurality of axial slots defining a plurality of latch tabs, the mounting ring including radial projections engaging the axial slots between the latch tabs for transmitting torque.

30. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 28 , wherein the mounting ring includes mating surfaces for radially and/or axially positioning the sprocket assembly relative to the driver.

31. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the sprocket assembly includes a support ring coupled to the driver in torque-transmitting manner for transmitting torque between the sprocket assembly and the driver.

32. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the sprocket assembly includes a tubular element providing an axial stop between the support ring of the sprocket assembly and the adapter.

33. The multiple sprocket arrangement of claim 16 , wherein

Assignees

• Braedt Henrik
• Sram Llc

Inventors

• Braedt Henrik

Classifications

• F16D1/108

  having retaining means rotating with the coupling and acting by interengaging parts, i.e. positive coupling · CPC title

• B62M9/10 Primary

  involving different-sized wheels, {e.g. rear sprocket chain wheels} selectively engaged by the chain, belt, or the like {(bicycle hubs rotatably arranged on axle B60B27/023)} · CPC title

• F16D2001/103

  the torque is transmitted via splined connections · CPC title

• Y10T403/56

  Cross-Sectional Technologies · mapped topic