TWI796814B - Bicycle sprocket - Google Patents

Abstract

A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body and a plurality of sprocket teeth including at least one first tooth to initially disengage with the bicycle chain in a shifting operation where the bicycle chain shifts from the bicycle sprocket to an adjacent smaller bicycle sprocket. At least one second tooth is disposed adjacent to the at least one first tooth at an upstream side of the at least one first tooth in a driving rotational direction of the bicycle sprocket. The at least one second tooth has a first tooth height. At least one third tooth is disposed adjacent to the at least one second tooth at the upstream side of the at least one second tooth. The at least one third tooth has a second tooth height longer than the first tooth height.

Description

bicycle sprocket

This invention relates to bicycle sprockets.

Cycling is becoming an increasingly popular form of recreation and mode of transportation. Furthermore, cycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is continually improving the various components of the bicycle. One bicycle component that has been extensively redesigned is the bicycle sprocket.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a bicycle sprocket includes a sprocket body and a plurality of sprocket teeth. A plurality of sprocket teeth are provided on the outer periphery of the sprocket body. The plurality of sprocket teeth includes at least one first tooth, at least one second tooth, and at least one third tooth. At least one first tooth is provided for disengaging from the bicycle chain during a shifting operation of the bicycle chain from the bicycle sprocket to an adjacent smaller bicycle sprocket. The at least one second tooth is arranged without any teeth between the at least one first tooth and the at least one second tooth in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotation center axis of the bicycle sprocket so that the at least one first tooth is located between the bicycle sprocket The at least one first tooth is adjacent to the upstream side in the drive rotation direction of the sprocket. At least one second tooth has a first tooth height. The at least one third tooth is arranged adjacent to the at least one second tooth at an upstream side of the at least one second tooth without any tooth in the circumferential direction between the at least one second tooth and the at least one third tooth . At least one third tooth has a second tooth height that is longer than the first tooth height.

With the bicycle sprocket according to the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the at least one second tooth interfering with the outward displacement movement of the bicycle chain when the at least one first tooth is disengaged from the bicycle chain. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the shift-out operation.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the bicycle sprocket according to the first aspect is constructed such that the first tooth height is at least 1.0 mm shorter than the second tooth height.

With the bicycle sprocket according to the second aspect, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of the at least one second tooth interfering with the outward displacement movement of the bicycle chain when the at least one first tooth is disengaged from the bicycle chain. Therefore, it is possible to further facilitate the shift-out operation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the bicycle sprocket according to the second aspect is constructed such that the first tooth height is 1.1 mm to 1.6 mm shorter than the second tooth height.

With the bicycle sprocket according to the third aspect, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of the at least one second tooth interfering with the outward displacement movement of the bicycle chain when the at least one first tooth is disengaged from the bicycle chain. Therefore, it is possible to further facilitate the shift-out operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the bicycle sprocket according to any one of the first to third aspects is constructed such that the plurality of sprocket teeth further includes at least one additional tooth for shifting the bicycle chain from the bicycle sprocket to The adjacent smaller bicycle sprocket disengages from the bicycle chain first during the shifting operation. The at least one additional tooth is arranged adjacent to the at least one on the downstream side of the at least one first tooth in the driving rotation direction without having any teeth in the circumferential direction between the at least one first tooth and the at least one additional tooth. first tooth.

With the bicycle sprocket according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to facilitate the outward shift operation even in the case where the total number of teeth of the bicycle sprocket is an odd number.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the bicycle sprocket according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is constructed such that at least one second tooth has a driving surface, a non-driving surface opposite to the driving surface in the circumferential direction, and The tip of the tooth connecting the driving surface and the non-driving surface. The tooth tips have a length shorter than or equal to 1.5 mm in the circumferential direction.

With the bicycle sprocket according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of the at least one second tooth interfering with the outward displacement movement of the bicycle chain when the at least one first tooth is disengaged from the bicycle chain. Therefore, it is possible to further facilitate the shift-out operation.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a bicycle sprocket includes a sprocket body and a plurality of sprocket teeth. A plurality of sprocket teeth are provided on the outer periphery of the sprocket body. The plurality of sprocket teeth includes at least one first tooth and at least one second tooth. The at least one first tooth is configured to first disengage from the bicycle chain during a shifting operation of the bicycle chain from the bicycle sprocket to the adjacent smaller bicycle sprocket. The at least one second tooth is arranged without any teeth between the at least one first tooth and the at least one second tooth in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotation center axis of the bicycle sprocket so that the at least one first tooth is located between the bicycle sprocket The at least one first tooth is adjacent to the upstream side in the drive rotation direction of the sprocket. The at least one second tooth has a drive surface, and a non-drive surface circumferentially opposite the drive surface. At least one second tooth has a first rim height at the drive surface and a second rim height at the non-drive surface. The first tooth rim height is at least 0.5 mm longer than the second tooth rim height.

With the bicycle sprocket according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the at least one second tooth interferes with the outward displacement movement of the bicycle chain when the at least one first tooth is disengaged from the bicycle chain. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the shift-out operation.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the bicycle sprocket according to the sixth aspect is constructed such that at least one second tooth has a tooth tip connecting the driving surface and the non-driving surface. The tooth tips have a length shorter than or equal to 1.5 mm in the circumferential direction.

With the bicycle sprocket according to the seventh aspect, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of the at least one second tooth interfering with the outward displacement movement of the bicycle chain when the at least one first tooth is disengaged from the bicycle chain. Therefore, it is possible to further facilitate the shift-out operation.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the bicycle sprocket according to the sixth or seventh aspect is constructed such that at least one first tooth has an additional driving surface facing the non-driving surface in the circumferential direction. The at least one first tooth has a third rim height at the additional drive surface that is longer than the first rim height.

With the bicycle sprocket according to the eighth aspect, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of the at least one second tooth interfering with the outward displacement movement of the bicycle chain when the at least one first tooth is disengaged from the bicycle chain. Therefore, it is possible to further facilitate the shift-out operation.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the bicycle sprocket according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects is constructed such that the plurality of sprocket teeth further includes at least one additional tooth for shifting the bicycle chain from the bicycle sprocket to the The adjacent smaller bicycle sprocket disengages from the bicycle chain first during the shifting operation. The at least one additional tooth is arranged adjacent to the at least one on the downstream side of the at least one first tooth in the driving rotation direction without having any teeth in the circumferential direction between the at least one first tooth and the at least one additional tooth. first tooth.

With the bicycle sprocket according to the ninth aspect, it is possible to facilitate the outward shift operation even in the case where the total number of teeth of the bicycle sprocket is an odd number.

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or equivalent elements throughout the various drawings. first embodiment

Referring first to FIG. 1 , a bicycle multi-sprocket assembly 1 including a bicycle sprocket 10 according to a first embodiment is shown. The bicycle multi-sprocket assembly 1 is configured to engage with a bicycle chain C. In this embodiment, the bicycle multi-sprocket assembly 1 includes twelve bicycle sprockets S1 to S12. The bicycle multi-sprocket assembly 1 has a rotation center axis A1. The bicycle multi-sprocket assembly 1 is rotatable in a driving rotation direction D11 around a rotation center axis A1 during pedaling. The driving rotation direction D11 is defined along the circumferential direction D1 of the bicycle multi-sprocket assembly 1 with respect to the rotation center axis A1 .

As seen in FIG. 1 , the bicycle multi-sprocket assembly 1 also includes a hub engaging structure 2 configured to engage a bicycle hub assembly 4 (see FIG. 2 ). Although the bicycle multiple sprocket assembly 1 is a bicycle rear sprocket assembly in the illustrated embodiment, the structure of the bicycle multiple sprocket assembly 1 can be applied to a front sprocket assembly if needed and/or desired. become. Each of the bicycle sprockets S1 to S12 is a bicycle rear sprocket in this embodiment, and the structure of the bicycle sprockets S1 to S12 can be applied to a bicycle front sprocket.

In this application, the following directional terms "front", "rear", "forward", "backward", "left", "right", "transverse", "upward" and "downward", and Any other similar directional terms refer to those directions determined based on a user (eg, rider) sitting on the saddle (not shown) of the bicycle and facing the handlebars (not shown). Accordingly, the terms employed to describe the bicycle multiple sprocket assembly 1 should be interpreted relative to a bicycle (not shown) equipped with the bicycle multiple sprocket assembly 1 used in an upright riding position on a horizontal surface.

As seen in FIG. 2 , the bicycle sprockets S1 to S12 are arranged in an axial direction D2 parallel to the rotation center axis A1 . The bicycle sprockets S1 to S12 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction D2. The bicycle multi-sprocket assembly 1 includes spacers SP1 to SP11. Each of the spacers SP1 to SP11 is disposed between adjacent two of the bicycle sprockets S1 to S12 . Inside such a spacer, a sprocket support 6 to which a plurality of bicycle sprockets are mounted is used. However, the sprocket support 6 can be omitted. In such a case, all sprockets S1 to S12 can be constructed to engage directly with the bicycle hub assembly 4 .

The bicycle sprocket S1 has the largest outer diameter among the bicycle sprockets S1 to S12. The bicycle sprocket S12 has the smallest outer diameter among the bicycle sprockets S1 to S12. The bicycle sprocket S1 is closer to the bicycle center plane CP of the bicycle frame (not shown) than the bicycle sprocket S12 when the bicycle multi-sprocket assembly 1 is mounted on the bicycle hub assembly 4 . Outward shifting occurs, for example, when a bicycle chain C is shifted in an outward shifting direction D31 from a larger sprocket to an adjacent smaller sprocket by the rear derailleur RD. Inward shifting occurs when the bicycle chain C is shifted in an inward shifting direction D32 from a smaller sprocket to an adjacent larger sprocket by the rear derailleur RD. In this application, the shift-out operation and the shift-in operation can be collectively referred to as a shift operation.

The bicycle sprocket S1 will be described in detail below as the bicycle sprocket 10 . The bicycle sprockets S2 to S12 have substantially the same structure as that of the bicycle sprocket 10 . Therefore, for the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

As seen in FIG. 2 , the bicycle sprocket 10 includes an outward facing side OFS and an inward facing side IFS. The outward facing side OFS faces an axial direction D2 parallel to the rotation center axis A1. The inward facing side IFS faces the axial direction D2. The inwardly facing side IFS is opposite to the outwardly facing side OFS in the axial direction D2. More precisely, the outward facing side OFS faces in the outward direction D21. The inward facing side IFS faces inward direction D22. The inward direction D22 is towards the bicycle center plane CP. The outward direction D21 is the opposite direction of the inward direction D22. The axial direction D2 is a bidirectional direction including an outward direction D21 and an inward direction D22.

FIG. 3 illustrates the outward facing side OFS of the bicycle sprocket 10 . FIG. 4 illustrates the inwardly facing side IFS of the bicycle sprocket 10 . As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the bicycle sprocket 10 includes a sprocket body 12 and a plurality of sprocket teeth 14 . The sprocket body 12 includes an outer circumference 16 disposed about the rotation center axis A1 of the bicycle sprocket 10 . The outer circumference 16 is the base circle of the bicycle sprocket 10 . A plurality of sprocket teeth 14 are disposed on an outer periphery 16 of the sprocket body 12 . A plurality of sprocket teeth 14 is configured to engage with a bicycle chain C. As shown in FIG. The sprocket body 12 is constructed to be rotatable about the rotation center axis A1. A plurality of sprocket teeth 14 extend radially outward from an outer periphery 16 of the sprocket body 12 . The bicycle sprocket 10 can also include an attachment portion 18 to which the sprocket support 6 is attached. The bicycle sprocket 10 can be mounted to the bicycle hub assembly 4 via the sprocket support 6 . However, the bicycle sprocket 10 can include a hub engaging structure 2 that directly engages with the bicycle hub assembly 4 instead of the attachment portion 18 .

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the plurality of sprocket teeth 14 includes at least one first tooth 20 and at least one second tooth 22 . The at least one first tooth 20 is intended to be disengaged from the bicycle chain C during a shifting operation of the bicycle chain C from the bicycle sprocket 10 to the adjacent smaller bicycle sprocket. In the case where bicycle sprocket 10 is bicycle sprocket S1, the adjacent smaller bicycle sprocket is bicycle sprocket S2. The at least one second tooth 22 is arranged without any tooth between the at least one first tooth 20 and the at least one second tooth 22 in the circumferential direction D1 with respect to the rotation center axis A1 of the bicycle sprocket 10 at least One first tooth 20 is adjacent to at least one first tooth 20 at the upstream side in the driving rotation direction D11 of the bicycle sprocket 10 . The plurality of sprocket teeth 14 includes at least one third tooth 24 provided without any teeth in the circumferential direction D1 between the at least one second tooth 22 and the at least one third tooth 24 adjacent to the at least one second tooth 22 at the upstream side of the at least one second tooth 22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of sprocket teeth 14 also includes at least one additional tooth 26 to first engage the bicycle chain C during the shifting operation of the bicycle chain C from the bicycle sprocket 10 to the adjacent smaller bicycle sprocket. Chain C disengages. The at least one additional tooth 26 is arranged downstream of the at least one first tooth 20 in the direction of drive rotation D11 without any teeth in the circumferential direction D1 between the at least one first tooth 20 and the at least one additional tooth 26 The side is adjacent to at least one first tooth 20 . However, the at least one additional tooth 26 can be omitted, or the at least one additional tooth 26 can have substantially the same characteristics as the at least one third tooth 24 .

5-7 are enlarged views showing at least one first tooth 20 , at least one second tooth 22 , at least one third tooth 24 , and at least one additional tooth 26 . 5 to 7, at least one second tooth 22 has a driving surface 28, a non-driving surface 30 opposite to the driving surface 28 in the circumferential direction D1, and a tooth tip 32 connecting the driving surface 28 and the non-driving surface 30 . The drive surface 28 faces a counter-rotational direction D12 opposite the drive-rotational direction D11 . The non-driving surface 30 faces the driving rotation direction D11. Preferably, the tooth tip 32 has a length L shorter than or equal to 1.5 mm in the circumferential direction D1. However, the range of the length L is not limited to this embodiment. The length L can be longer than 1.5 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the prongs 32 are tip surfaces having a length L. As shown in FIG. However, the prongs 32 could be edges connecting the drive surface 28 and the non-drive surface 30 . That is, the length L can be zero.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 , at least one second tooth 22 has a first tooth height H1 . The first tooth height H1 is the radial length between the tooth tips 32 and the base circle 16 of the bicycle sprocket 10 relative to the rotational center axis A1 .

Similarly, the at least one third tooth 24 has a drive surface 34 , a non-drive surface 36 opposite to the drive surface 34 in the circumferential direction D1 , and a tooth tip 38 connecting the drive surface 34 and the non-drive surface 36 . The drive surface 34 faces the counter-rotational direction D12. The non-driving surface 36 faces the driving rotation direction D11. In the illustrated embodiment, the prongs 38 are the top end surfaces. However, the prongs 38 could be edges connecting the drive surface 34 and the non-drive surface 36 . At least one third tooth 24 has a second tooth height H2. The second tooth height H2 is the radial length between the tooth tips 38 and the base circle 16 of the bicycle sprocket 10 relative to the rotational center axis A1 . In this embodiment, the second tooth height H2 is longer than the first tooth height H1. Preferably, the first tooth height H1 is at least 1.0 mm longer than the second tooth height H2. More preferably, the first tooth height H1 is 1.1 mm to 1.6 mm longer than the second tooth height H2. However, the difference between the first tooth height H1 and the second tooth height H2 is not limited to this embodiment.

Furthermore, at least one first tooth 20 has a driving surface 40 , a non-driving surface 42 opposite to the driving surface 40 in the circumferential direction D1 , and a tooth tip 44 connecting the driving surface 40 and the non-driving surface 42 . The drive surface 40 faces the counter-rotational direction D12. The non-driving surface 42 faces the driving rotation direction D11. In the illustrated embodiment, the prongs 44 are the top end surfaces. However, the prongs 44 could be edges connecting the drive surface 40 and the non-drive surface 42 . At least one first tooth 20 has a third tooth height H3. The third tooth height H3 is the radial length between the tooth tips 44 and the base circle 16 of the bicycle sprocket 10 with respect to the rotational center axis A1 . In this embodiment, preferably, the third tooth height H3 is longer than the first tooth height H1. In the illustrated embodiment, the third tooth height H3 is substantially equal to the second tooth height H2. However, the difference between the third tooth height H3 and the second tooth height H2 is not limited to this embodiment.

Furthermore, at least one additional tooth 26 has a driving surface 46 , a non-driving surface 48 opposite the driving surface 46 in the circumferential direction D1 , and a tooth tip 50 connecting the driving surface 46 and the non-driving surface 48 . The drive surface 46 faces the counter-rotational direction D12. The non-driving surface 48 faces the driving rotation direction D11. In the illustrated embodiment, the prongs 50 are the tip surfaces. However, the prongs 50 could be edges connecting the drive surface 46 and the non-drive surface 48 . At least one additional tooth 26 has a fourth tooth height H4. The fourth tooth height H4 is the radial length between the tooth tips 50 and the base circle 16 of the bicycle sprocket 10 with respect to the rotation center axis A1 . In this embodiment, preferably, the fourth tooth height H4 is longer than the first tooth height H1. In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth tooth height H4 is substantially equal to the second tooth height H2. However, the difference between the fourth tooth height H4 and the second tooth height H2 is not limited to this embodiment.

As seen in FIGS. 5 , 7 and 8 , at least one first tooth 20 includes a first axially outward recess 52 disposed on the outwardly facing side OFS facing the axial direction D2 to facilitate outward displacement. operate. As seen in FIGS. 5 , 7 and 9 , at least one first tooth 20 includes a second axially outward recess 54 disposed on the outwardly facing side OFS facing the axial direction D2 to facilitate outward displacement. operate. The second axially outward recess 54 is provided on the first axially outward recess 52 at the upstream side of the first axially outward recess 52 in the driving rotation direction D11. As seen in FIGS. 5 , 7 and 10 , the second axially outward recess 54 extends from the at least one first tooth 20 to the at least one second tooth 22 and the sprocket body 12 . Furthermore, as seen in FIGS. 5 , 7 and 8 , the at least one first tooth 20 includes a first outward chamfer 56 disposed close to the tooth tip 44 of the at least one first tooth 20 on the outwardly facing side OFS. , to facilitate the outward shift operation.

As seen in FIGS. 5 , 7 and 11 , the at least one additional tooth 26 comprises a third axially outward recess 58 arranged on the outwardly facing side OFS facing the axial direction D2 to facilitate the outwardly shifting operation . As seen in FIGS. 6 , 7 and 11 , the at least one additional tooth 26 comprises a first axially inwardly recessed portion 60 provided on the inwardly facing side IFS facing the axial direction D2 to facilitate the outwardly shifting operation . The third axially outward recess 58 and the first axially inward recess 60 are disposed proximate to the tooth tip 50 of the at least one additional tooth 26 . Furthermore, as seen in FIGS. 5 , 7 and 10 , the at least one second tooth 22 includes a second outward chamfer 62 additional to the second axially outward recess 54 . A second outward chamfer 62 is provided on the outward facing side OFS facing the axial direction D2 to facilitate the outward displacement operation. The second outward chamfer 62 is provided proximate to the tooth tip 32 of the at least one second tooth 22 .

With the bicycle sprocket 10, the at least one second tooth 22 has a first tooth height H1 which is shorter than the second tooth height H2. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the at least one second tooth 22 interferes with the outward displacement movement of the bicycle chain C when the at least one first tooth 20 (or at least one additional tooth 26 ) is disengaged from the bicycle chain C. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the shift-out operation. second embodiment

A bicycle sprocket 110 provided according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14 . The bicycle sprocket 110 has substantially the same features as those of the bicycle sprocket 10 , except for the shape of the at least one second tooth 22 . Therefore, elements having substantially the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be numbered the same here, and will not be described and/or shown again in detail for the sake of brevity. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the drive surface 40 of the at least one first tooth 20 can be referred to as an additional drive surface 40 .

As seen in FIGS. 12-14 , the bicycle sprocket 110 includes at least one second tooth 122 . As seen in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the at least one second tooth 122 has a first rim height H11 at the drive surface 28 and a second rim height H12 at the non-drive surface 30 . The first tooth rim height H11 is the radial length between the uppermost edge P of the drive surface 28 and the base circle 16 of the bicycle sprocket 10 with respect to the rotation center axis A1 . The second tooth rim height H12 is the radial length between the uppermost edge Q of the non-driving surface 30 and the base circle 16 of the bicycle sprocket 10 with respect to the rotation center axis A1 . In the first embodiment, the first tooth edge height H11 is substantially equal to the second tooth edge height H12 , and the first tooth edge height H11 and the second tooth edge height H12 are substantially equal to the first tooth edge height H1 . In the second embodiment, the first tooth rim height H11 is at least 0.5 mm longer than the second tooth rim height H12 . Although at least one second tooth 122 has such a shape as seen in FIGS. 12 to 14 , the tooth tip 32 has a length L shorter than or equal to 1.5 mm.

As seen in FIGS. 12 and 13 , at least one first tooth 20 has an additional drive surface 40 facing the non-drive surface 30 in the circumferential direction D1 . The at least one first tooth 20 has a third tooth rim height H13 at the additional drive surface 40 which is longer than the first tooth rim height H11 . The third tooth rim height H13 is the radial length between the uppermost edge R of the additional drive surface 40 and the base circle 16 of the bicycle sprocket 10 with respect to the rotation center axis A1 . That is, the third tooth height H13 is substantially equal to the third tooth height H3 described in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the first tooth edge height H11 is shorter than the second tooth height H2. In other words, as in the first embodiment, the second tooth height H2 is longer than the first tooth height H1 in the second embodiment. Similarly, the first tooth rim height H11 is shorter than each of the third tooth height H3 and the fourth tooth height H4 described in the first embodiment. However, at least one of the third tooth rim height H13 , the second tooth height H2 , the third tooth height H3 , and the fourth tooth height H4 can be shorter than or substantially equal to the first tooth rim height H11 . In this case, each of the third tooth rim height H13 , the second tooth height H2 , the third tooth height H3 , and the fourth tooth height H4 is preferably longer than the second tooth rim height H12 .

With the bicycle sprocket 110, the first rim height H11 is at least 0.5 mm longer than the second rim height H12. Therefore, it is possible to provide substantially the same advantageous effects as those of the bicycle sprocket 10 . That is, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the at least one second tooth 122 interferes with the outward displacement movement of the bicycle chain C when the at least one first tooth 20 (or at least one additional tooth 26 ) is disengaged from the bicycle chain C. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the shift-out operation.

The term "comprising" and its derivatives used herein are intended to be open-ended terms defining the occurrence of stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but not excluding other unstated features, The occurrence of elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps. This concept also applies to words with similar meanings, such as the terms "having", "comprising" and their derivatives.

The terms "member", "section", "part", "part", "element", "body" and "structure" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or plural parts.

Ordinal terms such as “first” and “second” described in this application are merely distinguishing terms, but do not have any other meaning such as a specific order. Also, for example, the term "first element" does not in itself imply the presence of a "second element", and the term "second element" does not in itself imply the presence of a "first element".

The term "a pair" used herein can cover configurations in which the pair of elements have the same shape or structure as well as configurations in which the pair of elements have different shapes or structures from each other.

Finally, terms of degree "substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of variation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

1: Bicycle multi-sprocket assembly 2: hub joint structure 4: Bicycle hub assembly 6: Sprocket support 10: Bicycle sprockets 12: sprocket body 14: sprocket teeth 16: Outer circumference, base circle 18: Attachment 20: First tooth 22: second tooth 24: Third tooth 26: extra teeth 28: Drive surface 30: Non-driving surface 32: tooth tip 34: drive surface 36: Non-drive surface 38:Tip 40: drive surface, additional drive surface 42: Non-drive surface 44:Tip 46: drive surface 48: Non-drive surface 50:Tip 52: First axially outward recess 54: second axially outward recess 56: First outward chamfer 58: The third axial outward recess 60: first axially inward recess 62: Second outward chamfer 110: Bicycle sprocket 122: second tooth A1: Rotation center axis C: bicycle chain CP: Bicycle Center Plane D1: Circumferential direction D11: Drive rotation direction D12: reverse direction of rotation D2: axial direction D21: Outward direction D22: Inward direction D31: Outward shift direction D32: Inward Shift Direction H1: first tooth height H11: Height of the first tooth edge H12: second tooth edge height H13: Height of the third tooth edge H2: second tooth height H3: third tooth height H4: fourth tooth height IFS: inward facing sideways L: Length OFS: Outward facing side P: top edge Q: The top edge R: top edge RD: rear derailleur S1: Bicycle sprocket S2: Bicycle sprocket S3: Bicycle sprocket S4: Bicycle sprocket S5: Bicycle sprockets S6: Bicycle sprockets S7: Bicycle sprockets S8: Bicycle sprockets S9: Bicycle sprockets S10: Bicycle sprockets S11: Bicycle sprocket S12: Bicycle sprocket SP1: spacer SP2: Spacer SP3: Spacer SP4: Spacer SP5: Spacer SP6: Spacer SP7: Spacer SP8: Spacer SP9: Spacer SP10: Spacer SP11: Spacer VIII: Hatching IX: Hatching X: hatching XI: hatching

A fuller appreciation of the invention and its many attendant advantages will become better understood as it becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. easily available.

[ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective view of a bicycle multi-sprocket assembly including a bicycle sprocket according to a first embodiment.

[Fig. 2] is a front view of the bicycle multi-sprocket assembly.

[ Fig. 3 ] is a side view of a bicycle sprocket of the bicycle multi-sprocket assembly shown in Fig. 1 .

[ Fig. 4 ] is another side view of the bicycle sprocket of the bicycle multi-sprocket assembly shown in Fig. 1 .

[ Fig. 5 ] is a partial side view of a bicycle sprocket of the bicycle multi-sprocket assembly shown in Fig. 1 .

[ Fig. 6 ] is another partial side view of the bicycle sprocket of the bicycle multi-sprocket assembly shown in Fig. 1 .

[ Fig. 7 ] is a partial plan view of a bicycle sprocket of the bicycle multi-sprocket assembly shown in Fig. 1 .

[ FIG. 8 ] is a sectional view of the bicycle sprocket shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 viewed along the section line VIII-VIII in FIGS. 5 to 7 .

[ FIG. 9 ] is a sectional view of the bicycle sprocket shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 viewed along the section line IX-IX in FIGS. 5 to 7 .

[ FIG. 10 ] is a sectional view of the bicycle sprocket shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 viewed along the section line X-X in FIGS. 5 to 7 .

[ FIG. 11 ] is a sectional view of the bicycle sprocket shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 viewed along the section line XI-XI in FIGS. 5 to 7 .

[ Fig. 12 ] is a partial side view of a bicycle sprocket according to a second embodiment.

[ Fig. 13 ] is another partial side view of the bicycle sprocket shown in Fig. 12 .

[ Fig. 14 ] is a partial plan view of the bicycle sprocket shown in Fig. 12 .

12: sprocket body

14: sprocket teeth

16: Outer circumference, base circle

20: First tooth

22: second tooth

24: Third tooth

26: extra teeth

28: Drive surface

30: Non-driving surface

32: tooth tip

34: drive surface

36: Non-drive surface

38:Tip

40: drive surface, additional drive surface

42: Non-drive surface

44:Tip

46: drive surface

48: Non-drive surface

50:Tip

52: First axially outward recess

54: second axially outward recess

56: First outward chamfer

58: The third axial outward recess

62: Second outward chamfer

D1: Circumferential direction

D11: Drive rotation direction

D12: reverse direction of rotation

D2: axial direction

D21: Outward direction

D22: Inward direction

H1: first tooth height

H2: second tooth height

H3: third tooth height

H4: fourth tooth height

L: Length

OFS: Outward facing side

VIII: Hatching

IX: Hatching

X: hatching

XI: hatching

Claims (4)

A bicycle sprocket comprising: sprocket body; and A plurality of sprocket teeth, which are arranged on the outer periphery of the sprocket body, the plurality of sprocket teeth include: at least one first tooth configured to first disengage from the bicycle chain during a shifting operation of the bicycle chain from the bicycle sprocket to an adjacent smaller bicycle sprocket; and At least one second tooth, which is provided between the at least one first tooth and the at least one second tooth without any teeth in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotation center axis of the bicycle sprocket, is arranged between the at least one second tooth and the at least one second tooth. A first tooth is adjacent to the at least one first tooth at an upstream side in the driving rotation direction of the bicycle sprocket, the at least one second tooth has a driving surface, and a non-rotating tooth opposite to the driving surface in the circumferential direction. a drive surface, the at least one second tooth has a first rim height at the drive surface and a second rim height at the non-drive surface, the first rim height being at least at least longer than the second rim height 0.5 mm. The bicycle sprocket as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one second tooth has a tooth tip connecting the drive surface and the non-drive surface, and The tooth tip has a length shorter than or equal to 1.5 mm in the circumferential direction. The bicycle sprocket as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one first tooth has an additional drive surface facing the non-drive surface in the circumferential direction, and The at least one first tooth has a third rim height at the additional drive surface that is longer than the first rim height. The bicycle sprocket as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sprocket teeth also includes at least one additional tooth to first disengage the bicycle chain during the shifting operation of the bicycle chain from the bicycle sprocket to the adjacent smaller bicycle sprocket, and The at least one additional tooth is arranged downstream of the at least one first tooth in the direction of drive rotation without any teeth in the circumferential direction between the at least one first tooth and the at least one additional tooth The side is adjacent to the at least one first tooth.

Images