Endless belt power transmission systems or components – Means for adjusting belt tension or for shifting belt,... – Guide roll mounted for movement of its axis along arcuate...
Patent
1999-03-18
2000-12-26
Bucci, David A.
Endless belt power transmission systems or components
Means for adjusting belt tension or for shifting belt,...
Guide roll mounted for movement of its axis along arcuate...
474165, F16H 712, F16H 720
Patent
active
061650927
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a guide assembly to guide and assist in maintaining a chain over a chain ring. The guide assembly will be described with reference to its use on bicycles but it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the same.
BACKGROUND ART
Bicycles have front and rear chain rings about which a bicycle chain passes. The rear chain ring can be a single ring or a number of axially spaced rings of different diameters, thereby allowing various speed ratios to be obtained. The front chain ring is attached to a crank with the crank being attached to pedals. Rotation of the crank causes the chain ring to rotate.
With certain bicycles, and especially mountain bikes, there is a possibility that the chain becomes dislodged from the front chain ring, especially when rough riding. Rough riding causes the chain to rattle and move and there is an increased possibility that the chain can become suddenly dislodged from the chain ring. This can result in injury to the rider, and requires the chain to be re-positioned before further riding can take place.
Guides to guide and assist in maintaining the chain in engagement with the front chain ring are known. Typically, the guides consist of a first upper guide which is adjacent where the chain initially engages the chain ring, and a second bottom guide which is positioned adjacent where the chain disengages from the chain ring. While these guides are already known, the principle disadvantage with them is that they are attached directly to the bicycle frame. The guides need to be precisely positioned to work properly, and therefore there is a high skill required in attaching the guides to the bicycle frame.
This becomes difficult with the hundreds of different frame designs and dimensions. It is found that certain frame designs cannot easily provide a support for the guides. It is also found that a great number of adjustments are required to position the guides effectively. It is also found that modification of existing guides is required to position the guides effectively.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a guide assembly which, rather than being attached to a frame, is attached relative to the chain ring.
It is an object of the invention to provide a guide assembly which may overcome the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.
In one form, the invention resides in a guide assembly to guide a chain over a rotatable chain ring, the guide assembly comprising a first guide member adjacent an initial chain engaging position on the chain ring, a second guide member adjacent a chain disengaging position on the chain ring, a brace to which the guides are connected, the brace being rotatably connected relative to the chain ring and adapted to stay substantially in place as the chain ring rotates.
In another form, the invention resides in a guide assembly to guide a chain over a rotatable chain ring, the guide assembly comprising a first guide member attachment point adjacent an initial chain engaging position on the chain ring, a second guide member attachment point adjacent a chain disengaging position on the chain ring, a brace containing the guide attachment points, the brace being rotatably connected relative to the chain ring and adapted to stay substantially in place as the chain ring rotates.
In this manner, by having the guides mounted or mountable to a brace rather than directly to the frame, the dimensions and style of the frame can vary.
If the assembly is used on bicycles, the rotatable chain ring is typically the forward chain ring which is rotated by the bicycle pedals.
The first guide member may be of a known type and/or may comprise a pair of opposed plates between which the chain can pass, the plates being inter-connected by sheaves, pulleys or wheels.
The second guide member may be of a conventional type and/or may comprise a pulley or sheave over which the chain may pass.
Typically, the first guide member is positioned immediately a
REFERENCES:
patent: 4141245 (1979-02-01), Brandstetter
patent: 4479660 (1984-10-01), Pattison
patent: 5221236 (1993-06-01), Raymer et al.
patent: 5613918 (1997-03-01), Fleischman
patent: 5725450 (1998-03-01), Huskey
Bramham Benjamin
Morana Antony
Bucci David A.
Kaness Matthew A.
LandOfFree
Guide assembly for a bicycle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Guide assembly for a bicycle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Guide assembly for a bicycle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-989491