Bicycle sprocket

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9829085-B2
Application number	US-201314140848-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 26, 2013
Priority date	May 7, 2013
Publication date	Nov 28, 2017
Grant date	Nov 28, 2017

Abstract

A bicycle sprocket includes a sprocket body, and a plurality of sprocket teeth. At least one of the sprocket teeth includes a first layered member, a second layered member and a third layered member. The first layered member has a first axial surface and a second axial surface. The second layered member is attached to the first axial surface such that the first and second layered members overlap each other in an axial direction as viewed parallel to a rotational axis of the sprocket body. The third layered member is attached to the second axial surface such that the first and third layered members overlap each other in the axial direction as viewed parallel to the rotational axis of the sprocket body. The first layered member has a specific gravity that is less than those of the second layered member and the third layered member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bicycle sprocket comprising:
a sprocket body having a rotational axis; and
a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outwardly from an outer periphery of the sprocket body,
at least one of the sprocket teeth including a first layered member, a second layered member and a third layered member,
the first layered member having a first axial surface and a second axial surface opposite to the first axial surface,
the second layered member being attached to the first axial surface of the first layered member such that the first and second layered members overlap each other in an axial direction as viewed parallel to the rotational axis,
the third layered member being attached to the second axial surface of the first layered member such that the first and third layered members overlap each other in the axial direction as viewed parallel to the rotational axis, at least one of the second and third layered members including a textured portion that contacts a corresponding one of the first and second axial surfaces of the first layered member, the first layered member extending into the textured portion by an integral molding process to attach the first layered member to the textured portion that includes at least one dimple,
the first layered member having a specific gravity that is less than those of the second layered member and the third layered member.

2. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
each of the first, second and third layered members has an axial thickness more than or equal to 0.1 mm.

3. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
the first and second layered members do not overlap each other in a radial direction as viewed perpendicularly to the rotational axis, and
the first and third layered members do not overlap each other in the radial direction as viewed perpendicularly to the rotational axis.

4. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
the sprocket body includes the first layered member, the second layered member and the third layered member.

5. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
the first layered member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, magnesium and beryllium.

6. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 5 , wherein
the second and third layered members are made of iron.

7. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 6 , wherein
the second and third layered members are made of stainless steel.

8. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 5 , wherein
the first layered member is made of quenched aluminum.

9. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
the first layered member is made of non-metallic material.

10. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 9 , wherein
the non-metallic material of the first layered member includes resin.

11. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 10 , wherein
the non-metallic material of the first layered member is fiber-reinforced material.

12. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 10 , wherein
the first layered member and the second layered member are attached to each other by an integral molding process, and
the first layered member and the third layered member are attached to each other by an integral molding process.

13. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 9 , wherein
the second and third layered members are made of iron.

14. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 13 , wherein
the second and third layered members are made of stainless steel.

15. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
the second and third layered members are made of iron.

16. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 15 , wherein
the second and third layered members are made of stainless steel.

17. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 16 , wherein
the second and third layered members have Vickers hardness larger than or equal to 400 (HV), respectively.

18. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
the first layered member and the second layered member are attached to each other by diffusion bonding, and
the first layered member and the third layered member are attached to each other by diffusion bonding.

19. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
the first layered member and the second layered member are attached to each other with an adhesive, and
the first layered member and the third layered member are attached to each other with an adhesive.

20. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of sprocket teeth includes the first layered member, the second layered member and the third layered member.

21. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
the second layered member has a specific gravity that is equal to that of the third layered member.

22. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
the at least one of the sprocket teeth further includes a coating layer formed on a radially end surface of the first layered member.

23. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 22 , wherein
the coating layer is an intermetallic compound layer.

24. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 23 , wherein
the intermetallic compound layer is made of aluminum, and one of nickel and iron.

25. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 22 , wherein
the coating layer is a plated layer.

26. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 25 , wherein
the coating layer is a nickel-plated layer.

27. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
the first layered member extends radially inwardly from an inner periphery of the sprocket body, and
the first layered member has an axially projecting portion and an axially recessed portion, the axially projecting portion and the axially recessed portion being positioned radially inwardly from the inner periphery of the sprocket body.

28. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 27 , wherein
the first layered member has a bicycle hub engaging profile at a location of a radially inner end of the first layered member.

29. A multiple sprocket assembly comprising:
a plurality of the bicycle sprockets according to claim 27 ,
the axially projecting portion of one of the bicycle sprockets mating with the axially recessed portion of an adjacent one of the bicycle sprockets adjacent to the one of the bicycle sprockets while the bicycle sprockets are attached to each other.

30. The bicycle sprocket according to claim 1 , wherein
the sprocket body has an axially projecting portion and an axially recessed portion, the axially projecting portion and the axially recessed portion being positioned at the sprocket body.

31. A multiple sprocket assembly comprising:
a plurality of the bicycle sprockets according to claim 30 ,
the axially projecting portion of one of the bicycle sprockets mating with the axially recessed portion of an adjacent one of the bicycle sprockets adjacent to the one of the bicycle sprockets while the bicycle sprockets are attached to each other.

32. A multiple sprocket assembly comprising:
a plurality of the bicycle sprockets according to claim 1 ; and
a sprocket support member to which the bicycle sprockets are mounted.

33. The multiple sprocket assembly according to claim 32 , wherein
the sprocket support member has

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Iwai Toru
• Souwa Makoto
• Nonoshita Tetsu
• Yoshida Toyoshi

Classifications

• F16H55/303 Primary

  for round linked chains, i.e. hoisting chains with identical links · 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