ROBERT L BENFORD
Engineering in Madison, NH
License number
Massachusetts 2316
Issued Date
Jan 10, 1947
Expiration Date
Jun 30, 1998
Type
Mechanical Engineer
Address
Address
Madison, NH 03875
Professional information
Multiple Speed Bicycle Having Single Drive Sprocket
US Patent:
5967938, Oct 19, 1999
Filed:
Jun 11, 1998
Appl. No.:
9/095742
Inventors:
James R. Benford - St. Petersburg FL
Robert L. Benford - Silver Lake NH
Robert L. Benford - Silver Lake NH
International Classification:
F16H 344
US Classification:
475297
Abstract:
A multiple speed bicycle of the coaster brake type has a single drive sprocket and a drive chain in longitudinal alignment with one another. A sun gear is keyed to the main drive axle of the bicycle and rotates with the main drive axle. The sun gear engages a drive gear mounted on a planet gear axle and a planet gear is mounted on the same planet gear axle. Driving and driven satellite gears are mounted on satellite gear axles that are pivotally mounted on a nonrotatable ring concentric with the main drive axle. The satellite gears have differing diameters and differing numbers of teeth, one for each GEAR of the bicycle, and are positioned radially outwardly of the planet gear, in circumferentially spaced relation to one another. The planet gear orbits the main drive axle in incremental degrees of angular rotation when the bicycle operator manipulates a remote control member on the handlebar of the bicycle to change from one preselected gear to another preselected gear. Each gear change causes the planet gear to engage a different driving satellite gear and drive its companion driven satellite gear into meshing engagement with a rotatably mounted ring gear that is connected to the drive sprocket.