Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Martin Yale Industries, Inc.

Amalgamated Enterprises

Victor S Lerman

David M Otten

Harry H Lerman

A shifting mechanism for a bicycle or other wheeled cycle has at least two gear wheels, of which at least one is segmented. The segments are movable into and out of a driving position. Motion of the segments occurs at a circumferential location out of the driving zone, at a location where the driving band, typically a chain, is not contacting the segment. The shifting mechanism can be provided at the front chain ring, or at the rear, gear sprocket. For a front chain wheel, the free zone is generally the rearward half of the chain ring, while for the rear gear sprocket, the free zone is generally the forward half. The moving segments can be toothed gates which flip perpendicularly to the plane in which the chain resides. The gates may be actuated by a moving mechanism powered by an actuator, such as a D.C. motor, under control of a signal processor, such as a microprocessor. The signal processor also takes as an input a speed signal based on the rotational speed of the cycle wheels, or the cadence of the pedal or a combination thereof.

Automatic transmission for a cycle, such as a bicycle, and a cycle having such as transmission

A target type scoring device which includes a target formed of a resilient material such as a net supported by elastic members and a frame, there being a trigger positioned behind the target and reciprocally movable toward and away therefrom. A cam and cam follower arrangement interconnect the trigger and an indicia or score indicating display causing the display to rotate upon actuation of the trigger by an object thrown against the target in a scoring area.

Target with score indicator

An improved bubble generator. A bubble ring supported centrally in an air tube is wet by a bubble forming liquid flowing from the hollow interior of the ring through holes of approximately 0.031 inches in diameter. Mounting means attach the bubble generator to a bicycle, motion of which provides an air flow through an air tube which generates the bubbles. The generation of bubbles is controlled by movement of a priming pad into and out of engagement with the bubble ring. The movement of the pad is effected by an arm, on one end of which the pad is mounted and the other end of which is attached to a pivot. A rigid lever means actuates the movement of the arm about the pivot. The pivot comprises a plate attached to the under side of the air tube and having an arcuate identation, a yoke which fits over the pivot plate and an axle which is fixed across the yoke and rotates in the arcuate indentation. A bias means such as a rubber band holds the yoke and axle in place and returns and holds the priming pad against the ring when the actuating lever is released, thereby terminating the bubble generation.

Growing community of inventors

Malden, MA, United States of America

Victor S Lerman