US3798986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pre-selector gear shift for bicycle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-26
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1993-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A pre-selector gear shift for a bicycle, utilizing dual pedal driven sprockets coupled by chains to dual derailleur type gear units at the rear wheel. In the pedal supporting hub is a clutch mechanisms, with an actuating lever for coupling either sprocket selectively to the pedals, so that only one derailleur unit is driven at a time. The actuating lever also operates gear shift means with cable connections to the derailleur units, allowing the non-operating unit to be shifted to a pre-selected drive ratio while the other unit is in drive operation. A simple positive motion of the lever then engages the pre-selected drive coupling.
Inventors
- 👤 M Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:52
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M25/00; B62M25/02; B62M25/04; B62M25/045; B62K; B62K23/00; B62K23/02; B62K23/06; B62M9/00; B62M9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A pre-selecter gear shift mechanism for a bicycle having a frame with a pedal supporting housing, pedals mounted on the housing, and a driven rear wheel, the mechanism comprising: a pair of multiple sprocket gear units mounted on opposite sides of said wheel, each including actuating means for shifting a drive chain to selective sprockets; a pair of drive sprockets mounted on said housing; drive chains connecting each of said sprockets to one of said gear units; a pedal shaft journalled in said housing; clutch means in said housing for engaging said pedal shaft with said drive sprockets; a shift lever connected to said clutch means for selective engagement thereof; gear selecting means connected to said shift lever; said gear selecting means being coupled to said actuating means for selective operation of the drive chain on the gear unit not in clutched engagement with said pedal shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A pre-selecter gear shift mechanism for a bicycle having a frame with a pedal supporting housing, pedals mounted on the housing, and a driven rear wheel, the mechanism comprising: a pair of multiple sprocket gear units mounted on opposite sides of said wheel, each including actuating means for shifting a drive chain to selective sprockets; a pair of drive sprockets mounted on said housing; drive chains connecting each of said sprockets to one of said gear units; a pedal shaft journalled in said housing; clutch means in said housing for engaging said pedal shaft with said drive sprockets; a shift lever connected to said clutch means for selective engagement thereof; gear selecting means connected to said shift lever; said gear selecting means being coupled to said actuating means for selective operation of the drive chain on the gear unit not in clutched engagement with said pedal shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A pre-selector gear shift mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said shift lever is pivotally mounted on said housing for movement from side to side; said gear selecting means including a pair of toothed racks mounted on said frame for longitudinal sliding motion on opposite sides of said shift lever; and a pinion rotatably mounted on said shift lever for selective engagement with said racks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A pre-selector gear shift mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said acutating means comprises cable connected betweEn said racks and said gear unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A pre-selector gear mechanism according to claim 3, and including guide tubes in which said racks are slidable, said guide tubes being fixed to said frame; and guide bars secured betwen said tubes on opposite sides of said shift lever to guide the side to side motion of the lever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A pre-selector gear shift mechanism according to claim 3, wherein each of said drive sprockets has a hub journalled in said housing, said pedal shaft being journalled in said hubs; said clutch means interconnecting said shaft and said hubs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A pre-selector gear mechanism according to claim 5, wherein said clutch means includes a clutch disc fixed on each of said hubs, and a pair of ratchet discs axially slidable and non-rotatably mounted on said shaft; said shift lever being coupled to said ratchet discs for selective engagement thereof with the clutch discs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A pre-selector gear mechanism according to claim 6, and including a shft collar axially slidable on said shaft between said ratchet discs, said shift lever being pivotally connected to said collar; and spring biasing means between said collar and each of said ratchet discs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A pre-selector gear mechanism according to claim 7, and including separator springs between each ratchet disc and the associated clutch disc; said biasing means comprising load springs having greater effective spring pressure than said separator springs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A pre-selector gear mechanism according to claim 8, and including over-center biasing means connected to said shift collar for holding the shift lever in each selected position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |