Patent ID: 6010425
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: B62M

Abstract:
A bicycle hub transmission comprising:a hub axle;a driver rotatably mounted to the hub axle;a slave rotatably mounted to the hub axle;a power transmitting mechanism disposed between the driver and the slave for changing a rotational speed of the driver and for communicating rotational power from the driver to the slave;a clutch mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the slave and the driver, wherein the clutch mechanism includes:a tooth disposed on one of the driver and the slave;a pawl disposed in a transmission path between the driver and the slave for swinging between an engaging position for engaging the tooth and a disengaging position for disengaging the tooth; anda pawl biasing mechanism for biasing the pawl toward the engaging position; anda clutch switching mechanism including:an elongated weight member having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end pivots radially outwardly around the first end in response to centrifuigal force created by rotation of the weight member around the hub axle;a control member operatively coupled to the clutch mechanism and rotatable about the hub axle between an engaging position for causing the clutch to engage the driver and the slave and a disengaging position for contacting the pawl and thereby disengaging the driver and the slave; andan interlocking member coupled to the weight member in a position spaced apart from the first end of the weight member toward the second end of the weight member and coupled to the control member for rotating the control member in response to radially outward movement of the second end of the weight member.