Abstract:
A device that will allow a go kart to smoothly accelerate and decelerate particularly during racing the go cart. This device once assembled will allow the gradual absorption of shock on the drive chain as it rotates around thereby, rotating the axle of the go kart.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     This device relates to a sprocket carrier that may be applied to drive chain and sprocket assemblies to absorb tension on the drive chain. 
     B. Prior Art 
     This is a device that will be used within the go kart industry and among other industries that utilize drive chain and sprocket assemblies. Go karts are often devices that are powered by a gasoline engine. The engine itself will drive a sprocket with a set of gear teeth. A drive chain will be used to connect the gasoline engine with the back right tire of the go cart. It is important to be able to accelerate consistently around curves to increase performance. 
     Professional go kart racing is typically done on an oval track and the winner of a particular race is usually determined by the time that it takes for the driver to move around the track. This is a device that will prevent or eliminate the rapid shock or jerk on the drive chain when the go kart is rapidly accelerated or decelerated, which often occurs in this type of racing. In the past, the chain is loosened in order to accommodate the shock or jerk on the drive chain. Without being compromised. If the chain breaks, the go kart stops. However, because the drive chain is loosened, thereby allowing slack on the chain, there is a small period of time between when the accelerator is pressed and the go kart&#39;s wheels begin to rotate. Accordingly, during this period of time the slack in the drive chain is taken up. The chain eventually becomes tight enough to rotate the sprocket which is attached to the axle that rotates the back wheels. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently claimed device is described to be used on go kart applications. However, it may also be used in snowmobile applications and in particular any applications that require a drive chain and sprocket assembly. One of the purposes of the device is to prevent damage to the drive chain which links the engine to the sprocket which is attached to the vehicle&#39;s axle and ensures a smooth transition while the driver or the operator of the vehicle accelerates. It will be comprised of two primary pieces and a variety of components including a first flange, a second flange, as well as a plurality of springs which are encapsulated into openings in the sprocket. 
     As the drive chain is rapidly accelerated, the sprocket carrier will in turn rotate causing a compression of the springs as they move within the recess portions. This allows for acceleration without causing any undue jerks or shocks to the drive chain. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded top view of the device. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom exploded view of the device. 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmented view of the device with the first flange in place. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the assembled device. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the assembled device. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the device showing internal components. 
     
    
    
     NUMBERING REFERENCE 
     
         
           5  Device 
           10  Sprocket 
           12  Teeth 
           15  First flange 
           20  Second flange 
           25  Recess 
           30  Spring 
           35  Bolt 
           36  Socket 
           40  Elliptical opening 
           50  Keyway for axle 
           51  Protrusion 
           60  Sprocket holder 
           65  Rectangular opening 
           70  Circular opening 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     This device  5  is described as being used within a go kart, but could be applied in many other vehicles, such as but not limited to a snowmobile, motorcycle or dirt bike. The device  5  is comprised of the following: a first flange  15 , a second flange  20 , a plurality of shock absorbers, such as a spring  30 ; a plurality of bolts  35 , and a sprocket holder  60 . 
     The sprocket holder  60  is further comprised of a first side, a second side, a plurality of elliptical openings  40 , a plurality of rectangular openings  65 , and a circular opening  70 . The sprocket holder  60  bolts to the sprocket  10  with a plurality of bolts and nuts which can be seen in  FIG. 1 . The rectangular openings  65  accommodate the springs  30 . 
     The first flange  15  is further comprised of a plurality of recesses  25 , a plurality of sockets  36  that provide internal threads, and keyway a  50 . The keyway  50  provides an internal notch to lock on to the rear axle of the go kart, which can be seen in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  also shows that the outside surface of the keyway is cylindrical. The second flange  20  is further comprised of a plurality of recesses  25 , a plurality of threaded bolts  35 , and a circular opening  70 . 
     The sprocket  10 , sprocket holder  60 , first flange  15 , second flange  20  all mount together with the bolts  35  and encapsulate the plurality of springs  30 . It can be seen how the above pieces of the device  5  mount together in  FIG. 2 , FIG.  3 , and  FIG. 6 . A method of attaching the pieces together first begins with placing a plurality of springs  30  into each rectangular opening  65 . Then placing each socket  36  of the first flange  15  through the each elliptical opening  40  of the sprocket holder  60  and placing each recess  25  of the first flange  15  over each spring  30 . The first flange  15  meets with the first side of the sprocket holder  60 . The third step is placing the second flange  20  over the second side of the sprocket holder  60  so that each bolt  35  of the second flange  20  thread into each socket  36  and each recess  25  of the second flange  20  cover each spring  30 . When the device  5  is bolted together, the protrusion  51  extends through the circular opening  70  of the sprocket holder  60  and the circular opening  70  of the second flange  20 . 
     The axle of the go kart will be inserted through the first flange  15 , second flange  20 , sprocket holder  60  and will be secured to the device using a key (not depicted through the keyway member) that fits the keyway  50 . 
     When the drive chain of the go kart is rapidly accelerated, it will force a rotation of the sprocket  10  and sprocket holder  60  against each spring  30 . Depending on the type of spring  30 , the sockets  36  may or may not travel along the full distance of the elliptical opening  40 . The springs will absorb the jerking force on the drive chain and on the teeth  12  of the sprocket  10  prior to the drive chain forcing the first flange  15  and thus the axle to rotate. On first flange  15  thereby causing the sockets  36  to move within the elliptical openings  40  and therefore causing compression of the springs  30  to the recessed numbers  25 . 
     Although four springs  30  and four sockets  36  are depicted and described, the device may also be comprised of one spring  30  and one socket  36 . There may also be a different number of sockets  36  or springs  30 . Additionally, the type of spring may be changed depending on the characteristics of the rider or the characteristics of the vehicle that the device is installed on. Furthermore, foam, rubber, or other material with shock absorbing properties may be provided as an alternative to the spring. 
     Furthermore, while the presented invention is described to be used with a sprocket  10  and drive chain, it is anticipated that the device may be modified to accommodate a drive belt. Certain other modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.