Patent ID: 7004867

Claim:
A top sprocket for a rear sprocket assembly of a bicycle, said top sprocket comprising: a sprocket body having a tooth attachment portion with first and second sides with a center plane arranged therebetween such that said first side faces in a first axial direction and said second side faces in a second axial direction; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth extending radially outwardly from an outer periphery of said tooth attachment portion between said first and second sides to form a plurality of circumferentially spaced roots arranged in an alternating arrangement between said teeth, a first tooth of said teeth including a tip portion having a first side surface facing in said first axial direction, a second side surface facing in said second axial direction and an end surface extending between said first and second side surfaces, and a recessed side surface extending in a peripheral direction and facing in said first axial direction, said recessed side surface being located radially inwardly of said first side surface of said tip portion, said recessed side surface and said tip portion being configured such that said first side surface of said tip portion is located at least partially axially further away from said center plane of said top sprocket than said recessed side surface, said recessed side surface being further arranged and configured to be at least partially axially closer to said second side along a rearward portion of said recessed side surface than a forward portion of said recessed side surface.