Patent ID: 6134980
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B62M,Y10T

Abstract:
An internal hub transmission for a bicycle comprising:a hub axle having an axle axis and a dropout attachment location for retaining the transmission to a dropout of a bicycle frame;a driver rotatably supported relative to the hub axle;an output member rotatably supported relative to the hub axle;a power transmission mechanism disposed between the driver and the output member for communicating rotational force of the driver to the output member through a plurality of transmission paths;an operation mechanism disposed in the hub axle for movement in the direction of the axle axis to select among the plurality of transmission paths;wherein the operation mechanism includes an elongated control rod having at least a portion that is completely surrounded by the hub axle;wherein the control rod terminates at an end face before a free end of the hub axle;an actuating mechanism mounted on the hub axle inboard of a free end of the hub axle between the dropout attachment location and the driver for moving the operation mechanism in the direction of the axle axis; andwherein the actuating mechanism extends through a radially outer surface of the hub axle at a location outside the output member and presses against the end face of the control rod in the direction of the axle axis.