Patent ID: 7011592
Filing Date: 2006-03-14
Classification: B62M

Abstract:
1. A stand-alone transition sprocket structured to have further sprockets attached on opposite sides to form a bicycle sprocket cluster that is mounted to an outer tubular member that rotates relative to an inner tubular member through a bearing assembly disposed between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member, wherein the outer tubular member has a coupling structure formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof for nonrotatably engaging the inner peripheral surfaces of a plurality of sprockets, wherein the outer tubular member does not form a part of the further sprockets attached on the opposite sides of the transition sprocket, wherein the transition sprocket comprises: a sprocket portion having a plurality of radially extending sprocket teeth dimensioned and circumferentially spaced to engage a bicycle drive chain; a first coupling portion extending from a first side of the sprocket portion and having a first coupling structure disposed on an inner peripheral surface thereof and dimensioned to freely but nonrotatably couple to and uncouple from the coupling structure formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer tubular member during normal assembly of the sprocket cluster; and a second coupling portion extending from an opposite second side of the sprocket portion and having a second coupling structure disposed on an outer peripheral surface thereof to freely but nonrotatably couple to and uncouple from a coupling structure formed on an inner peripheral surface of a second sprocket so that the second sprocket is detachably coupled to the outer tubular member through the transition sprocket during normal assembly of the sprocket cluster; wherein the sprocket portion, the plurality of radially extending teeth, the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion form a continuous one-piece structure.