Patent ID: 8911314

Claim:
A multiple sprocket assembly mountable to a wheel hub, the multiple sprocket assembly comprising: a truncated conical shell having a first opening proximate a small shell base and a second opening proximate a large shell base thereof, the first and second openings coaxial with a central axis of the truncated conical shell; a plurality of toothed sprockets having different numbers of chain-engaging teeth disposed on the truncated conical shell and extending radially of the central axis and radially from the truncated conical shell; a radial load transmitting profile configured on the shell proximate one of the small and large shell bases, a torque load transmitting profile configured on the truncated conical shell proximate the large shell base, a single-piece element including the truncated conical shell, the toothed sprockets and the radial and torque load transmitting profiles; and a load transfer element connected to the large shell base to radially support the truncated conical shell, the load transfer element having a greater number of chain-engaging teeth disposed on an outer periphery thereof and having a larger diameter than a largest adjoining sprocket on the shell, the large shell base disposed between the largest adjoining sprocket and the load transfer element, whereby torque from the plurality of toothed sprockets disposed on the truncated conical shell is transferred to the torque load transmitting profile through the truncated conical shell.