Patent ID: 8357064
Filing Date: 2013-01-22
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. A drive-train sprocket for engaging a chain having a plurality of links joined by a corresponding plurality of pinned connections spaced longitudinally of each other along the chain, each of the pinned connections having a respective pivot axis and joining at least a first link and a second link, each of the at least first link and second link being substantially identical to each other and having a clevis-like portion and an arcuate segment defining a drive-surface with a characteristic outer diameter, wherein the arcuate segment of the first link pivotally engages the clevis-like portion of the second link to form the pinned connection, and wherein the arcuate segment of the first link extends circumferentially about only a portion of the pivot axis by an angle such that the drive-surface extends circumferentially between two terminal edges, the drive-train sprocket comprising: a body having a root diameter and a corresponding root circumference; and a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about the root circumference and extending radially outwardly from the body, each tooth defining a tooth drive-surface contoured to substantially rollingly-engage a drive-surface of the chain, wherein each tooth drive-surface joins the base at a respective tooth-base juncture on the root circumference; wherein, the root diameter geometrically corresponds to at least the number of the plurality of teeth, the characteristic outer diameter of the drive surface and the angle by which each arcuate segment extends circumferentially about the corresponding pivot axis, such that the root diameter is configured to concentrically locate a plurality of adjacent pivot axes on a pitch circle of the sprocket with at least two of the arcuate segments associated with the plurality of adjacent pivot axes engaged with the sprocket such that, for each of the at least two arcuate segments, one of the terminal edges of the drive-surface is in contact with a tooth-base juncture of the sprocket.