Fichtel & Sachs Ag

Eduard Bergles

Werner Steuer

Wolf Waschkuhn

Kai-Uwe Rude

Edouard Dumas

A multi-speed bicycle hub is combined with an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism is fastened to a hub shaft. In the operating mechanism there is provided a linearly movable operating slide. This operating slide is provided with control tracks. The control tracks act on pivot levers. The pivot levers act on a control rod and a surrounding control tube provided within a hub shaft bore. The control rod and the control tube are in connection with a gear box within the hub sleeve. The control rod and the control tube are secured against being lost, when the hub is not yet combined with the operating mechanism.

Multi-speed bicycle hub and an operating mechanism thereof

In a chain driving mechanism a chain runs around a wheel-side sprocket of a set of sprockets and around a pedal crank-side sprocket. The engaged sprocket is located between a sprocket of larger diameter and a sprocket of smaller diameter. The chain is in axial direction adjacent said neighbouring sprocket of larger diameter and projects in opposite direction beyond the neighbouring sprocket of smaller diameter.

Chain driving mechanism for a bicycle or the like

The invention relates to a drive hub for six speeds, with an integral back-pedal brake device (28, 31) for bicycles or the like. The gear system comprises two separate planetary gear units (5b, 6a, 7b and 16, 26, 27 respectively), each of which comprises one stage and of which a primary gear unit (5b, 6a, 7b) is incorporated in the drive member (5), while a secondary gear unit (16, 26, 27) is disposed in the hub sleeve (1). The coupling elements (2, 3, 23 29) of the drive hub are constructed in such a manner that lost motion positions are avoided both during driving and during braking. During braking the torque flow is always guided through the secondary gear unit (16, 26, 27) in the hill speed position by means of separate detents (23) which come into operation only during the backward rotation of the drive member (5), so that the back-pedal brake is operated with a stepped-up brake force.

Multispeed drive hub with more than three speeds

A multispeed bicycle hub is controlled by two speed change rods extending within a bore of the hub shaft towards one end of this bore. An operating mechanism is fixed on the respective end of the hub shaft. This operating mechanism comprises two cam discs acting onto the speed change rods. The cam discs are rotated by a transmission cable from a speed change switch. The cam discs are rotatable about a common cam disc axis by the transmission cable. The cam discs are provided with respective cam tracks which are located adjacent each other in the axial direction of the cam pivot axis. The circumferential extension of the cam tracks is substantially coextensive about the cam pivot axis. The cam tracks act upon respective intermediate levers which intermediate levers are in engagement with the speed change rods.

Operating mechanism for a multispeed bicycle hub

The invention relates to a multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like having a gear shift system for more than three gears, wherein the hub transmission comprises a single planetary transmission with axially fixed planet carriers with stepped planet gears and with two different sun wheels, control of the hub transmission taking place coaxially through the hub shaft, there being for the gear shift elements in the hub a single control system which has to be operated from only one side of the hub shaft, the hub further comprising an arrangement of concentric separate sleeve-like components which are in functional sequence subject to the action of a shift head guided in the hub shaft and subject to spring tension. Such a construction provides a multi-speed hub which has an unusually large number of selectable gear stages, all of which can be operated from one axial side of the hub and by a single shift device and in functional sequence, actuation of this multi-speed hub being simple and functionally reliable. Furthermore, such a multi-speed hub with more than three gear stages also comprises a back-pedalling brake device.

Multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like

The bicycle gear hub constructed particularly as a five-speed hub with a back-pedalling brake comprises a single planetary transmission (27), of which the internal gear (55) and the planet carrier (29) can be coupled through ratchet locking mechanism (83, 89) alternately with a drive sleeve (81) which is axially displaceable upon shifting of the gears of the gear hub and which is intended to be coupled to a drive sleeve (81) coupled to a driver (11). The internal gear (55) comprises a control shoulder (93) for alternate controlling of the two ratchet locking mechanisms (83, 89). A further ratchet locking mechanism (71) which connects the internal gear (55) to the hub sleeve (7) is controlled by the axial movement of the internal gear (55). The planet carrier (29) is coupled to the hub sleeve (7) through a constantly engaged ratchet locking mechanism (67). The ratchet locking mechanisms (83, 85) provided on the drive sleeve (81) comprise both detents for transmitting the forwards torque and also of the back-pedalling torque. The planetary transmission (27) is constructed as a stepped gearing and comprises two sun wheels (57, 59) adapted to be coupled alternately to the hub shaft (1) and which mesh with correspondingly stepped planet wheels (49). Despite the large number of gears and the integrated back-pedalling brake, the gear hub is of compact construction.

Multi-speed gear hub for a bicycle

The multi-ratio drive hub with at least three gears comprises a hub spindle (1) on which a driver (5) and a hub sleeve (13) are rotatably mounted. The driver (5) can be coupled with the hub sleeve (13) through at least three different drive torque paths with different step-up and/or step-down ratios. For the controlling of the torque transmission paths controllable coupling elements are provided which are all formed as controllable pawl ratchets (37, 63) and are controlled by an axial relative movement of their pawl carriers and a lift-out ramp. Such three-speed hubs have relatively small axial dimensions.

Multi-ratio drive hub for bicycles with at least three different drive

A linkage system is provided on a bicycle for displacing a bicycle chain between chain wheels mounted on a common axis. The linkage system includes a first linkage head fixed to a support attached to the bicycle frame and a movably positionable second linkage head connected to a device for moving the chain. An articulated lever and a guide member are connected together by a pivot joint intermediate their ends with the ends of the lever and guide member being pivotally connected to the two linkage heads. The joints connecting the lever to the linkage heads permit the lever to effect a sliding movement not available to the guide member. A mechanism for deforming the linkage system is connected to the pivot which mounts the guide member on the first linkage head.

Mechanism for adjusting the position of a bicycle chain

The supporting structure of a rear wheel derailleur mechanism for the rear wheel of a bicycle or like vehicle is connected to the carrier element for a chain guiding sprocket by an elongated link and an elongated guide. First and second pivots connect respective first longitudinal end portions of the link and guide to the supporting structure, and third and fourth pivots connect the second longitudinal end portions of the link and guide to the carrier element. A fifth pivot connects respective intersecting central portions of the link and guide. The axes of the several pivots are at least approximately parallel. The three pivots associated with the link practically prevent shifting of their pivot axes relative to the link and the connected devices, whereas the pivots at the end portions of the guide permit translatory movement of their pivot axes. A chain wheel is mounted on the carrier element for rotation in a plane transverse to the axis of rotation of the associated rear wheel, and the link and guide may be pivoted manually relative to each other about the axis of the fifth pivot.

Derailleur mechanism

In a chain-shifting device for a bicycle or the like a fixed support member is to be attached to the frame of the bicycle. A movable support member is mounted on said fixed support member by guide means so as to be movable with respect to said fixed support member by said guide means along a path of movement. A chain mover unit is mounted on said movable support member. First spring means are provided for biasing said movable support member towards one end of said path of movement. An adjusting switch is provided which is also to be attached to a part of the bicycle. This adjusting switch is capable of a plurality of switch positions. One terminal of said switch positions corresponds to said one end of said path of movement and is defined by switch stop means. Transmission means extend between said adjusting switch and said movable support member for positioning said movable support member along said path of movement against the action of said first spring means. The transmission means comprise an automatic compensating means for compensating for a change of the effective length of said transmission means so as to readjust in operation a predetermined position of said mover unit when said adjusting switch is in said terminal position even when a change of the effective length of the transmission means has occurred. The compensating means are such to continuously compensate for changes of the effective length of the transmission means. In view of this the compensating means comprise first and second compensating members which are a part of the transmission means and are interconnected by a clamp roller free-wheel unit. One of said compensating members engages an abutment member when a change of the effective length of the transmission means has occurred so that said compensating members are moved with respect to each other in a direction of movement permitted by said free-wheel unit so as to effect the compensation of the change of effective length of the transmission means.

Bicycle chain-shifting device

In a chain-shifting device for a bicycle or the like a switch unit is to be attached to the bicycle frame. The switch unit comprises a switch frame, a switch member and an operating member. Both the switch member and the operating member are swingable about a swinging axis with respect to the switch frame. Transmission means extend between the operating member and a movable chain mover unit. In view of facilitating the shifting of the chain between different sprockets associated thereto it is desired to temporarily move the chain mover unit beyond the desired position adjusted to the respective sprocket and to return it hereupon into said desired position. For automatically obtaining such go and back movement of the chain mover unit when being brought to a desired position corresponding to a respective sprocket it is proposed that releasable locking means are operationally provided between the switch member and the switch frame, said releasable locking means being releasable by a releasing torque acting onto said switch member; abutment means are provided in part on said operating member and in part on said switch member for defining two angularly offset terminal positions of said operating member with respect to said switch member. The operating member is biased by a biasing torque towards a rest position with respect to said switch member; said biasing torque resists against deflection of said operating member from said rest position towards at least one of said terminal positions. The biasing torque is smaller than the releasing torque.

A derailler system for a bicycle including a sprocket system having a plurality of drive sprockets and a chain for driving a wheel of the bicycle at different speeds is shifted by actuation of a movable carrier member having an idler sprocket rotatably mounted thereon for selectively shifting the chain into engagement individually with the drive sprockets. A guide system for guiding movement of the carrier member along a path essentially parallel with the axis of the driven wheel to urge the chain between individual sprockets is provided, with the guide system including a first and a second part thereof movable relative to each other. A shifting mechanism including a shift lever enables shifting of the movable carrier to a plurality of shifting positions corresponding with the drive sprockets. A cam is fixedly mounted on the first part of the guide system and a cam follower member including a cam follower is rotatably mounted on the second part of said guide system. The cam member and the cam follower member are moved relative to each other by operation of the shift lever and an additional guide element is provided for maintaining the cam follower in contact with the cam member during relative movement therebetween thereby to effect movement of the movable carrier member during this relative movement.

Derailler system for a bicycle

In a device for shifting the drive chain on a multi-speed bicycle, a unit having a plurality of concentrically arranged different diameter chain wheels is secured on the axle of the bicycle's driven wheel. A chain trained over one of the chain wheels, passes over a chain guide wheel, and is rotatably supported on a movable support member. By displacing the chain guide wheel, the chain can be moved onto a selected chain wheel. A linkage arrangement is connected to the movable support member and to an adjusting switch for selecting one of the chain wheels. The linkage arrangement includes a first linkage part connected to the movable support member and a second linkage part articulated to the first linkage part so that the two parts are movable relative to one another. A cam disc is mounted on the second linkage part and a cam disc follower is mounted on the first linkage part. A readjustment spring forms a part of the guide device and acts on the first linkage part for maintaining the follower in contact with the cam disc.

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Graz, Austria

Eduard Bergles