AU2022283643B2 - Cleaning device for a drive chain - Google Patents

Abstract

5 The invention relates to a cleaning device 1 for a drive chain, in particular a bicycle chain, comprising at least one housing 2 with at least one cleaning brush. To permit a reliable cleaning of a bicycle chain and moreover avoid soiling of the surrounding area, in particular the bottom area, according to the invention, the at least one cleaning brush is coupled with a sprocket wheel which can be driven by 10 a moving drive chain. The bicycle chain indicated by way of example here passes through a housing in which the gear wheels and cleaning brushes are arranged, so that no soiling reaches the outside. Fig 1 1/10 CN CDo 00 U-)|

Description

1/10

CN

CDo 00

U-)|

Cleaning device for a drive chain

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a cleaning device for a drive chain, in particular a bicycle chain, comprising at least one housing with at least one cleaning brush.

BACKGROUND ART

Cleaning devices for drive chains are required every time a very severe soiling of the drive chains occurs. Especially with a bicycle chain, there is a risk that the exposed bicycle chain is affected when the bicycle is intensively used. This can be, for example, dirt build-ups which can adhere to the bicycle chain in rainy weather. This soiling is distributed via the different gear wheels, so that an existing gear change will become heavy, or a stronger wear of the bicycle chain occurs. Bicycle chains consist of a large number of moving parts and therefore involve a lot of possibilities for dirt built-ups. Riding with a soiled chain requires a much greater amount of force during pedaling and moreover, coarse-grained soiling can cause an early wear at the relatively expensive gear wheel assemblies and chain rings. If a repair of the bicycle becomes necessary, for example if the rear wheel is removed, the adhering soiling including existing grease residues is additionally distributed to other bicycle components. Furthermore, the repair of a bicycle is not only difficult, but also involves a lot of soiling, for example also of the hands. Apart from dirt build-ups, metal parts or abraded metal particles can adhere to a bicycle chain because the bicycle chains are usually provided with a grease film.

To avoid an early wear, a regular maintenance of the chain is therefore of great importance for each cyclist. The maintenance of a bicycle chain includes, apart from cleaning, also the degreasing of the chain and the regular application of a suitable lubricant. By degreasing, the old lubricant and the accumulations of dirt, gravel, and optional metal chips are removed. If such cleaning is not performed and a soiled chain is provided with further lubricants, dirt and gravel will only be pressed further into the chain components, and wear is accelerated.

As a bicycle chain consists of a plurality of individual links, it should be taken care here that the lateral region of the chain links and the space between the individual chain links are thoroughly cleaned.

Here, wear typically occurs on the interior side of the chain link at the interface between a bolt and a provided bushing which is to ensure the mobility of the bicycle chain. Thus, for example, the manual application of degreasers on the exterior side and the swiping off of the exterior side with a piece of cloth is not effective because with this cleaning method, the dirt is pressed into the pins and bushings and into the openings and gaps of the bicycle chain, whereby the dirt particles adhere to them and thereby, an early wear of the bicycle chain can also occur. In particular in electric bicycles, bicycle chains are subjected to very high stresses because a high power transmission is accomplished by the electric motor and thus, the bicycle chain is of great importance in an electric bicycle. Moreover, the employed bicycle chain grease can be extremely persistent, and manual cleaning is a particularly dirty work which optionally also involves a soiling of the surrounding area, in particular the soil. Moreover, the manual cleaning of the chain requires a considerable amount of time because in most cases, the chain is removed and cleaned separately. The removal of the bicycle chain and the later reinstallation involves a considerable amount of time, moreover, not every cyclist is able to reinstall, for example, the rear wheel such that a safe function and longevity of the present components are given.

Upon the cleaning of the bicycle chain, the chain needs another lubrication to reduce friction and thus wear. In this case, the parts of the interface between the pin and bushings to be lubricated are relevant again.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device that permits a reliable cleaning of a bicycle chain and moreover prevents a soiling of the surrounding area, in particular the bottom region, or at least provides the public with a useful choice.

To solve the technical problem, the at least one cleaning brush is, according to the invention, coupled with a sprocket wheel that can be driven by a moving drive chain.

Further advantages and non-limiting embodiments of the invention can be found in the following summary of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention there is provided a cleaning device for a drive chain, wherein at least one cleaning brush is, according to the invention, coupled with a sprocket wheel that can be driven by a moving drive chain.

A particular advantage of the present cleaning device is that a sprocket wheel is used which can be driven via the moving drive chain. This can be accomplished, for example, by the cleaning device being placed onto the bicycle chain and the bicycle chain being moved. To this end, the rear wheel can be lifted or the bicycle suspended, for example, so that a free-wheeling of the bicycle chain without bottom contact of the wheels is possible. After the bicycle chain has passed through the cleaning device multiple times, the dirt is removed from the bicycle chain, wherein possibly degreasing means or cleaning agents can also be employed to remove existing residues of a former greasing before the chain is greased again. To this end, the sprocket wheel is coupled with a cleaning brush, so that during a movement of the sprocket wheel, the cleaning brush is also caused to rotate. The at least one cleaning brush thus rotatably slides along the bicycle chain to perform an optimal cleaning. The bristles such a cleaning brush includes can here not only cover the lateral region of the bicycle chain, but also the central region, that means, the bristles penetrate between the individual segments of a link chain and can remove all adhering soiling. With particularly persistently soiled bicycle chains, a multiple passing of the bicycle chain through the cleaning device is required, so that all adhering dirt particles are safely removed. The coupling between the sprocket wheel and the cleaning brush results in the particular advantage that no external drive has to be used to move the bicycle chain. After the lifting of the rear wheel or the suspension of the bicycle, it is sufficient to manually move a pedal whereby the bicycle chain can be pulled through the cleaning device multiple times. The sprocket wheel is here caused to rotate and transmits this rotation to the cleaning brush, so that the existing bristles of the cleaning brush reach every surface of the bicycle chain.

If at least one cleaning brush is assumed, it is possible to drive a plurality of cleaning brushes by the sprocket wheel which are all coupled with the sprocket wheel, so that both a lateral cleaning and a cleaning between the individual chain links can be accomplished.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sprocket wheel is coupled with at least one further gear wheel which is provided for driving at least one cleaning brush. In a first embodiment, it is sufficient for the sprocket wheel to be coupled with at least one further gear wheel, preferably also with a plurality of further gear wheels, which are used for driving the cleaning brush. It is furthermore possible that the at least one gear wheel is coupled with further gear wheels which are also provided for driving at least one further cleaning brush, so that a multi-stage cleaning method can be performed by means of the cleaning brushes.

It is alternatively possible for the sprocket wheel and the at least one cleaning brush, optionally a plurality of cleaning brushes, to be arranged on a shaft whereby a direct drive of the cleaning brushes is accomplished. It is additionally possible that the driven gear wheels and cleaning brushes are also arranged on a common shaft, so that not only the gear wheels, but simultaneously also the cleaning brushes are driven via the sprocket wheel.

To achieve a flat cleaning device which optionally also includes cleaning brushes in a multi-stage arrangement, the cleaning brushes are optionally designed as a gear wheel with a cylindrical gearing, wherein the cylindrical gearing meshes with a gearing of the sprocket wheel.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the sprocket wheel has a double gearing, one for the drive chain and one for at least one coupled gear wheel, or the sprocket wheel and at least one gear wheel are arranged on a common shaft. If the shaft does not only support the sprocket wheel but also a gear wheel, a cylindrical gearing is also preferably used to transmit the force generated by the bicycle chain via the sprocket wheel to further gear wheels. It is alternatively again possible that the sprocket wheel and at least one further gear wheel are arranged on a common shaft. In this case, all gearwheels preferably obtain a cylindrical gearing to permit a flat unit of the cleaning device. The cleaning device is here received in a housing in which the individual gear wheels and the sprocket wheel are rotatably mounted and have a fixed association with respect to each other, wherein the sprocket wheel permits a direct coupling with a further gear wheel, but also an additionally indirect coupling from one gear wheel to a next gear wheel.

The bicycle chain must be guided through the housing for cleaning. For this reason, the housing is provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening through which the bicycle chain passes into the housing. To place the housing onto the bicycle chain, it preferably has a horizontal partition line, so that there are two housing halves. The partition line here also passes through the inlet opening and the outlet opening, so that a lower half of the housing can be placed against the bicycle chain, and the second, upper half of the housing is placed onto the first housing part, the bicycle chain coming to lie between both housing halves thereby. The cleaning operation is here only started after the two housing halves have been connected to each other. To ensure a secure retention of the two housing halves, it is furthermore provided for the housing to include a pressure clamp for connecting the two housing halves. Such a pressure clamp can be attached laterally at the housing in a swiveling manner and is rotationally movably mounted at a housing half, while the pressure clamp tightly holds the second housing half with a bent free end and thereby provides sufficient tension, so that the two housing halves are held together.

To facilitate the handling of the cleaning device, it is furthermore provided to use a grip, and the housing includes a recess for an insertable grip. In the most simple case, the grip can have an integrally formed, for example rectangular front face which engages with a recess of the two housing halves the size of which is adapted, so that by means of the grip, the housing can be manually held in a fixed position with respect to the bicycle chain.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing includes an opening for supplying a cleaning agent and/or a lubricant. Such an opening is advantageously arranged in the upper edge region of the housing, so that after a first rough cleaning, for example, a limited amount of the cleaning agent can be added which is collected by the housing. Upon further cleaning, the cleaning agent, including the dirt particles, thus collects in the lower region of the housing and can be disposed of at a later time. Upon the cleaning of the bicycle chain, it is possible to supply a lubricant, for example grease, through the same opening to uniformly grease the chain before the housing is disassembled into two halves again by opening the pressure clamp to, on the one hand, clean the housing halves, but also to permit the removal of the housing from the bicycle chain.

The housing can here be equipped with a single- to three-stage arrangement of the cleaning brushes to permit an intense cleaning of the bicycle chain.

A particular advantage of the present invention is that by means of the cleaning device, a bicycle chain can be optimally cleaned from coarse and fine soiling and, for example, a degreasing of the chain can be accomplished, and after all dirt particles and grease residues have been removed, the bicycle chain can subsequently be greased again. Existing dirt particles and greases can be collected within the housing, so that there is no environmental pollution, and moreover, the cleaning device permits an operator to clean the bicycle chain without his or her hands being soiled. The cleaning device here permits, in a simple design, the use of a cleaning brush in a single-stage arrangement, but also a multi-stage arrangement with two or three cleaning stages which are all together coupled with a chain wheel, so that the movement of the chain through the housing leads to a rotational movement of all cleaning brushes. Only by the rotational movement, the bicycle chain is optimally cleaned in the lateral region and also between the individual links.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cleaning device with a separate handle in a perspective view,

Fig. 2 shows a further view of the cleaning device according to Figure 1 in a perspective view,

Fig. 3 shows the cleaning device according to Figure 1 with an inserted handle and a placed bicycle chain in a perspective view,

Fig. 4 shows the opened cleaning device in a perspective view,

Fig. 5 shows again the assembled cleaning device according to Figure 1 in three side views and one perspective view,

Fig. 6 shows a further variant of the embodiment of the cleaning device with a separate pressure clamp in a perspective view,

Fig. 7 shows an opened view of the cleaning device according to Figure 6 in a perspective view,

Fig. 8 shows the cleaning device according to Figure 6 in a perspective exploration view,

Fig. 9 shows the cleaning device according to Figure 6 with an inserted bicycle chain in a perspective view, and

Fig. 10 shows the cleaning device according to Figure 6 in several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a cleaning device 1 for a drive chain, for example a bicycle chain, in a perspective rear view. The cleaning device includes a housing 2 which has the outer shape of an eight and consists of two housing halves 2a and 2b. The partition line 3 of the two housing halves 2a, 2b extends along the largest housing dimension. The two housing halves 2a and 2b can be joined together via guiding elements, so that these are lying flush one upon the other. The guiding elements can be seen, for example, in Figure 4. By means of a pressure clamp 4, the two housing halves 2a, 2b are held together, the pressure clamp 4 being held in the lower housing half 2b in a mounting 5 so as to be movable in a pivoting manner and having dimensions corresponding with the two housing halves 2a, 2b, so that the upper part of the pressure clamp 4 grips around the upper housing half 2a with a bulge. Here, the pressure clamp 4 consists of two wire elements that extend in parallel and are spaced apart, and which are stable enough for the two housing halves 2a, 2b to be safely pressed against each other. At the upper end of the pressure clamp 4, there is a roller 7 which facilitates the movement of the pressure clamp 4 over the upper housing half 2a by rolling off on the housing surface to ensure the required tension to hold together the two housing halves 2a, 2b. Between the two wires of the pressure clamp 4, a trough-shaped opening 8 is arranged in the upper region which, for example, permits to add a cleaning agent or an agent for greasing the chain. If the addition of a cleaning agent is effected, this is done up to a liquid level 9, so that the cleaning brushes can be wetted by the provided cleaning liquid. The two housing halves 2a, 2b furthermore have an inlet opening 10 and an outlet opening 11 which is not visible in this view and which permits to pass a bicycle chain through. To place the cleaning device 1 onto a bicycle chain, the pressure clamp 4 is removed from the housing 2, so that the two housing halves 2a, 2b can be pulled apart. After the bicycle chain has been inserted, the upper housing part 2a can be placed onto the lower housing part 2b, and subsequently, the pressure clamp 4 can be moved over the upper housing part 2a with the support of the roller 7 and the force effect, so that the two housing halves 2a and 2b are pressed against each other.

The cleaning device 1 is held via a grip 12 which is inserted into a corresponding recess of the housing 2 with a plate-like shaping 13. The insertion is here effected before the bicycle chain is placed, so that after the joining of the two housing halves 2a, 2b, the grip 12 is tightly connected to the housing 2. Via a latching nose

14, the grip 12 engages with a provided groove of the lower housing part 2b, so that a secure retention is ensured and, at the latest after the upper housing part 2a has been put on, the grip 12 is firmly fastened. The shape of the grip 12 is also similar to an elongated eight with an upper rounding 15 and a lower rounding 16.

Figure 2 shows the cleaning device 1 in a further perspective view, this time from the front. The cleaning device 1 includes the housing 2 with the two housing parts 2a and 2b, a pressure clamp 4, and an inlet opening 10 and an outlet opening 11 for the bicycle chain which is not visible in this view. The two housing halves 2a, 2b are divided along the partition line 3 and, after the pressure clamp 4 has been removed, permit to pull the two housing parts 2a, 2b apart, so that the bicycle chain can be inserted. After the two housing halves 2a, 2b have been joined again, the pressure clamp 4 can be guided over the upper housing part 2 by means of the roller 7 and be braced, so that there is a secure retention. Before such bracing, the grip 12 is inserted into a bead-shaped elevation 17 with an opening 18. The grip 12 engages with a latching nose 14 with a provided recess 19, so that it is on the one hand held in the lower housing half 2b, and, after the upper housing half 2a has been placed, thus permits a tight connection with the housing part 2a.

The functioning is such that with the insertion of the bicycle chain or the placing of the cleaning device 1 against the bicycle chain, the bicycle chain is subsequently manually passed through the housing 2 by a movement of the pedals without any external drive and can be cleaned with brushes not visible in this view.

Figure 3 shows again the cleaning device 1 in a perspective view, in this case with an inserted bicycle chain 20 and a grip 12 lying within the provided recess 18.

Figure 4 shows the cleaning device 1 in the perspective view opened to such an extent that the upper housing half 2a is lifted from the lower housing half 2b, after the pressure clamp 4 has been removed from the upper housing half and thus there now only is a connection with the lower housing half 2b so as to be movable in a pivoting manner.

For better joining the two housing parts 2a and 2b in the rear region, the lower housing half 2b is fitted with webs 21 pointing upwards which engage with corresponding indentations of the upper housing half 2a. In the region of the inlet opening 10 or the outlet opening 11, respectively, in the shown embodiment, a sprocket wheel 30 is provided which meshes with the inserted bicycle chain or is moved when the bicycle chain is pulled through, respectively. The sprocket wheel 30 is located on a shaft which supports a further gear wheel 31. As an alternative, it is also possible for the sprocket wheel 30 and the gear wheel 31 to be integrally manufactured and rotatably mounted in the lower housing half 2b via a shaft. The gear wheel 31 meshes with two further gear wheels 32, 33. By the two gear wheels 32, 33 being clearly larger with respect to the gear wheel 31, a reduction ratio is thus provided. The gear wheels 32, 33 are mounted on a non-visible shaft and coupled with cleaning brushes 34, 35. Coupling is effected such that the cleaning brushes 34, 35 run synchronously with the gear wheels 32, 33.

While the bicycle chain 20 is pulled through, via the sprocket wheel 30 and the gear wheel 31, the rotational movement is thus transmitted to the larger gear wheels 32, 33, and thereby, the cleaning brushes 34, 35 are caused to move. The cleaning brushes 34, 35 are arranged on the common shaft each in pairs, so that the lateral region of the two sides of the bicycle chain and also the intermediate region can be cleaned. It is alternatively also possible for the gear wheels 32, 33 to be directly fitted with cleaning bristles.

The exemplified embodiment thus includes two cleaning stages which can optionally be supplemented by further cleaning stages. This supplement could be effected, for example, in such a form that the gear wheels 32, 33 mesh with further gear wheels which in turn are synchronously coupled with cleaning brushes.

The particular advantage of the cleaning device 1 is that a flat housing shape is provided which offers the possibility of guiding a bicycle chain through the housing 2 and wherein a sprocket wheel 30 is simultaneously driven by means of the bicycle chain, the sprocket wheel being in turn coupled with further gear wheels 32, 33 to realize a drive for the cleaning brushes 34, 35. While the bicycle chain thus glides through the housing 2, the lateral region and the intermediate region of the bicycle chain 20 are cleaned by means of the cleaning brushes 34, 35, wherein in case of very severe soiling, cleaning liquid can be supplied via the recess 8 in the upper housing half 2a. Upon cleaning, a greasing agent can also be supplied via the recess 8 to grease the bicycle chain. The particular advantage of the cleaning device 1 is here that soiling towards the outside, that means to the bottom region, are avoided, moreover, the hands of the operator of the cleaning device 1 are not soiled, so that the whole cleaning operation can be considered as being very clean. After the bicycle chain has been cleaned, the upper housing part 2a can be removed after the pressure clamp 4 has been released, and subsequently, the lower housing part 2b can also be removed from the chain. The provided cleaning liquid in the lower housing part 2b can be poured out to be able to put aside the cleaning device 1 for further use.

Figure 5 shows again the cleaning device 1 in an assembled form with the housing 2, respectively the two housing parts 2a and 2b, the grip 12 and the pressure clamp 4 and the inlet opening 10 and the outlet opening 11 for the bicycle chain in three side views and one perspective view.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a cleaning device 40 with a housing 41 which also consists of two housing halves 41a and 41b in a perspective view. The two housing halves 41a and 41b have a partition line 42. The housing 41 has a nearly square structural shape with two housing halves 41a, 41b, wherein the upper housing half 41a includes a filling hole 43 for a cleaning agent or a lubricant. In the lateral front face 44, there is an opening 45 which is also provided on the opposite side to guide a chain, in particular a bicycle chain, therethrough. A pressure clamp 46 has a U-shaped design and grips around the two housing halves 41a, 41b, as can be seen in Figure 9. By means of the pressure clamp 46, a compressive stress is built up which holds together the two housing halves 41a, 41b during the cleaning process. To ensure a secure retention of the pressure clamp 46, it is equipped with latching indentations 47 which receive the outer edges 48, 49 of the housing 41 in a latching manner.

Figure 7 shows the cleaning device 40 with an upper housing half 41a and a lower housing half 41b in a perspective opened view. The opening 45 is divided by the partition line 42, so that the upper housing half 41a and the lower housing half 41b each include a portion of the opening 45 in the form of a U-shaped cutout. In the housing 41, there is a sprocket wheel 50 which is designed as a double gear wheel and on the one hand meshes with the chain represented in Figure 9, and on the other hand has a cylindrical gearing which meshes with at least one gear wheel 51, 52. The two gear wheels 51, 52 are each connected with an axis of rotation 53, 56 or shaft, respectively, in a torque-proof manner, wherein a cleaning brush 54, 55 is additionally located on the axis of rotation 53, 56. The drive of the two gear wheels 51, 52 is effected by the sprocket wheel 50, so that with a rotation of the gear wheels 51, 52, the cleaning brushes 54, 55 are simultaneously caused to rotatably move, and during the passing of the bicycle chain, the latter is cleaned from the top as well as from the bottom. To this end, the gear wheel 51 is arranged at an elevated position above the bicycle chain, and the gear wheel 52 is arranged at a lower position underneath the bicycle chain.

Figure 8 shows the cleaning device 40 with removed gear wheels 51, 52 which are both arranged on an axis of rotation 53, 56, in a perspective view. Furthermore, a cleaning brush 54, 56 is located on the axis of rotation 53, 56, so that the bicycle chain can be cleaned from the top and from the bottom and in the lateral region. The axes of rotation 53, 56 are arrested in the housing 40 in mountings 57 to permit a rotational movement during the running of the bicycle chain over the sprocket wheel 50. In this case, it is a smaller compact cleaning device 40 with a two-stage cleaning.

Figure 9 shows the cleaning device 40 with a bicycle chain 58 in a perspective view. The bicycle chain 58 is inserted into the opened housing 41 after the pressure clamp 46 has been removed and the two housing halves 41a and 41b have been separated. After the bicycle chain 58 has been inserted, the two housing parts 41a and 41b are joined together again, and by means of the pressure clamp 46, a locking of the two housing halves 41a and 41b is effected. The pressure clamp 46 is simultaneously designed as a holding grip in such a form that the base 59 of the U-shaped pressure clamp 46 is arranged in a lifted position with respect to the housing 41, so that a palm of a hand can be moved behind the pressure clamp 46. The bicycle chain 58 can be moved through the cleaning device 40 in a usual way by means of the pedals when, for example, the bicycle is suspended or the rear tire does not have any bottom contact.

Figure 10 shows again the cleaning device 40 in an assembled form in altogether six views, i. e. two perspective views and four side views.

Wherein the aforegoing reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the principles taught herein.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent for those skilled in the art after considering the principles in particular form as discussed and illustrated. Thus, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described or illustrated, but is intended to cover all alterations or modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims.

List of reference numerals:

1 cleaning device 2 housing 2a housing half 2b housing half 3 partition line 4 pressure clamp 5 mounting 6 bulge 7 roller 8 opening 9 liquid level 10 inlet opening 11 outlet opening 12 grip 13 shaping 14 latching nose 15 upper rounding 16 lower rounding 17 elevation 18 recess 19 cutout 20 bicycle chain 21 web 30 sprocket wheel 31 gear wheel 32 gear wheel 33 gear wheel 34 cleaning brush

35 cleaning brush 40 cleaning device 41 housing 41a housing half 41b housing half 42 partition line 43 filling hole 44 front face 45 opening 46 pressure clamp 47 latching indentation 48 outer edge 49 outer edge 50 sprocket wheel 51 gear wheel 52 gear wheel 53 axis of rotation 54 cleaning brush 55 cleaning brush 56 axis of rotation 57 mounting 58 bicycle chain 59 base

Claims (14)

CLAIMS:

1. A cleaning device for a drive chain, in particular a bicycle chain (20,58), comprising at least one housing (2,41) with at least one cleaning brush (34,35,54,55), and the at least one cleaning brush (34,35,54,55) is coupled with a sprocket wheel (30,50) which can be driven by a moving drive chain, wherein the sprocket wheel (30,50) is coupled with a further gear wheel (31) on a shaft, wherein the further gear wheel is provided for driving two gear wheels (32,33), which are each coupled synchronously with the at least one cleaning brush (34,35,54,55).

2. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the further gear wheel (31) is coupled with one further gear wheel (32,33) which is provided for driving at least one further cleaning brush.

3. A cleaning device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sprocket wheel (30,50) and the at least one cleaning brush (34, 35,54,55) are arranged on a shaft.

4. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gear wheels (32,33) and the cleaning brushes (34,35,54,55) are arranged on a common shaft.

5. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one cleaning brush (34,35,54,55) is embodied as a gearwheel (32,33,51,52) with a cylindrical gearing.

6. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sprocket wheel (30,50) includes a double gearing, one for the bicycle chain (20,58) and one for at least one coupled gear wheel (32,33,51,52), or that the sprocket wheel (30,50) and at least one gear wheel (31,51,52) are arranged on a common shaft.

7. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gearwheels (31,32,33) include a cylindrical gearing.

8. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing (2,41) includes an inlet opening (10) and an outlet opening (11) for the drive chain.

9. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the housing (2,41) has a horizontal partition line (3,42).

10. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the housing (2,41) consists of two housing halves (2a,2b,41a,41b) which can be placed onto a tensioned drive chain and can be connected to each other.

11. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the housing (2,41) includes a pressure clamp (4,46) for connecting the two housing halves (2a,2b,41a,41b).

12. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the housing (2,41) includes a recess for an insertable grip (12).

13. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the housing (2,41) includes an opening (8,45) for supplying a cleaning agent and/or a lubricant.

14. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the housing (2,41) includes a two-stage or three-stage arrangement of the cleaning brushes (34,35,54,55).

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