US-12623751-B2 - Bicycle drivetrain and bicycle including the same

Abstract

A bicycle drivetrain includes a front crankset having an axle, a main rider, a glider, an outer mesh plate coupled to the main rider, an inner mesh plate coupled to the glider that is configured to move toward and away from the outer mesh plate, and a spring configured to bias the inner mesh plate toward the outer mesh plate. The bicycle drivetrain also includes a rear cog and a hybrid chain connecting the front crankset and the rear cog. The hybrid chain is configured to mesh with the outer mesh plate and the inner mesh plate.

Inventors

• Ryan Black-Macken

Assignees

• Ryan Black-Macken

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20230113

Claims (18)

1. 1 . A bicycle drivetrain comprising: a front crankset comprising: an axle; a main rider on the axle; a glider on the axle; an outer mesh plate coupled to the main rider; an inner mesh plate coupled to the glider, the inner mesh plate being configured to move toward and away from the outer mesh plate; and a spring configured to bias the inner mesh plate toward the outer mesh plate; a rear cog; a hybrid chain connecting the front crankset and the rear cog, wherein the hybrid chain is configured to mesh with a pattern on each of the outer mesh plate and the inner mesh plate; and an index shifter coupled to the glider with a cable, wherein movement of the index shifter to select a lower gear causes the cable to pull the glider and the inner mesh plate away from the main rider and the outer mesh plate and compress the spring.
2. 2 . The bicycle drivetrain of claim 1 , wherein the pattern on each the inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate comprises a stepped concave pattern.
3. 3 . The bicycle drivetrain of claim 1 , wherein the pattern on each of the inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate comprises a stepped convex pattern.
4. 4 . The bicycle drivetrain of claim 1 , further comprising roller weights coupled to the glider.
5. 5 . The bicycle drivetrain of claim 1 , wherein the inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate are cambered away from each other.
6. 6 . The bicycle drivetrain of claim 5 , wherein an outer surface of the inner mesh plate facing the outer mesh plate and an inner surface of the outer mesh plate facing the inner mesh plate are each angled at an angle in a range from approximately 2 degrees to approximately 10 degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to an axis of the axle.
7. 7 . The bicycle drivetrain of claim 1 , wherein lateral sides of the hybrid chain facing the inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate comprise a chain pattern configured to engage the pattern of the inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate.
8. 8 . The bicycle drivetrain of claim 7 , wherein the chain pattern a plurality of grooves each having a triangular cross-sectional shape.
9. 9 . The bicycle drivetrain of claim 7 , wherein the chain pattern is tapered at an angle.
10. 10 . The bicycle drivetrain of claim 9 , wherein the angle is approximately 2.5 degrees.
11. 11 . The bicycle drivetrain of claim 1 , further comprising: a tension idler sprocket; and a fixed idler sprocket.
12. 12 . The bicycle drivetrain of claim 1 , wherein the rear cog comprises a pair of mesh plates.
13. 13 . A bicycle drivetrain comprising: a front crankset comprising: an axle; a main rider on the axle; a glider on the axle; an outer mesh plate coupled to the main rider; an inner mesh plate coupled to the glider, the inner mesh plate being configured to move toward and away from the outer mesh plate; and a spring configured to bias the inner mesh plate toward the outer mesh plate; a rear cog; and a hybrid chain connecting the front crankset and the rear cog, wherein the hybrid chain is configured to mesh with a pattern on each the outer mesh plate and the inner mesh plate, wherein the pattern on each the inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate comprises a stepped concave pattern, and wherein the stepped concave pattern comprises a plurality of depressions arranged in a plurality of concentric rings.
14. 14 . A bicycle drivetrain comprising: a front crankset comprising: an axle; a main rider on the axle; a glider on the axle; an outer mesh plate coupled to the main rider; an inner mesh plate coupled to the glider, the inner mesh plate being configured to move toward and away from the outer mesh plate; and a spring configured to bias the inner mesh plate toward the outer mesh plate; a rear cog; and a hybrid chain connecting the front crankset and the rear cog, wherein the hybrid chain is configured to mesh with a pattern on each the outer mesh plate and the inner mesh plate, wherein the pattern on each of the inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate comprises a stepped convex pattern, and wherein the stepped convex pattern comprises a plurality of protrusions arranged in a plurality of concentric rings.
15. 15 . A bicycle drivetrain comprising: a front crankset comprising: an axle; a main rider on the axle; a glider on the axle; an outer mesh plate coupled to the main rider: an inner mesh plate coupled to the glider, the inner mesh plate being configured to move toward and away from the outer mesh plate; and a spring configured to bias the inner mesh plate toward the outer mesh plate; a rear cog; and a hybrid chain connecting the front crankset and the rear cog, wherein the hybrid chain is configured to mesh with a pattern on each the outer mesh plate and the inner mesh plate, wherein lateral sides of the hybrid chain facing the inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate comprise a chain pattern configured to engage the pattern of the inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate, and wherein the chain pattern comprises a plurality of projections each having a triangular cross-sectional shape or a plurality of grooves each having a triangular cross-sectional shape.
16. 16 . A bicycle comprising: a frame; a front wheel rotatably coupled to the frame; a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the frame; handlebars coupled to the frame; and the bicycle drivetrain of claim 1 coupled to the frame.
17. 17 . The bicycle of claim 16 , wherein the bicycle is a hardtail bicycle.
18. 18 . The bicycle of claim 16 , wherein the bicycle is a full suspension bicycle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) This application is a U.S. National Phase Patent Application of International Patent Application Number PCT/US2023/10830, filed on Jan. 13, 2023, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/299,351, filed Jan. 13, 2022, the entire content of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND 1. Field Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a bicycle drivetrain and a bicycle including the bicycle drivetrain. 2. Description of the Related Art Bicycles were developed well over a hundred years ago and have been in common use for at least the past century. Modern bicycles include pedals that are moved by a rider. The pedals move a chain, and the chain turns a sprocket that is fixed to a rear wheel to turn (e.g., rotate) the rear wheel and propel the bicycle and rider forward. Initially, bicycles were limited to a single gear (e.g., a single gearing or a single speed). In the early 20th century, a variable-ratio bicycle drivetrain was developed that used a derailleur to move the chain between different sized sprockets. Modernly, bicycles include front and rear sprockets, with the front sprocket being connected to the pedals and the rear sprocket being connected to the rear wheel. Derailleurs are often used on both the front and rear sprockets, allowing for different combinations of gear ratios during use. In use, the rider uses handlebar mounted controls to select different front and rear sprockets, and the derailleurs move the chain to the desired sprocket(s). Bicycle drivetrains featuring sprockets and derailleurs, however, suffer drawbacks including that the rider must be actively pedaling to change gears and that the chain may get stuck between sprockets or may fall off the sprockets altogether. Further, to provide a meaningful number of available gear ratios, a rear derailleur and corresponding rear sprocket set should be included, increasing the weight and complexity of the bicycle drivetrain, including the sprung weight on the rear wheel. SUMMARY The present disclosure relates to various embodiments of a bicycle drivetrain. In one embodiment, the bicycle drivetrain includes a front crankset having an axle, a main rider, a glider, an outer mesh plate coupled to the main rider, an inner mesh plate coupled to the glider, that is configured to move toward and away from the outer mesh plate, and a spring configured to bias the inner mesh plate toward the outer mesh plate. The bicycle drivetrain also includes a rear cog and a hybrid chain connecting the front crankset and the rear cog. The hybrid chain is configured to mesh with the outer mesh plate and the inner mesh plate. The pattern on each the inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate may include a stepped concave pattern (such as a number of depressions arranged in a number of concentric rings) or a stepped convex pattern (such as a number of protrusions arranged in a number of concentric rings). The bicycle drivetrain may also include roller weights or an index shifter coupled to the glider to adjust a gear ratio of the bicycle drivetrain. The inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate may be cambered away from each other. For example, an outer surface of the inner mesh plate facing the outer mesh plate and an inner surface of the outer mesh plate facing the inner mesh plate may each be angled at an angle in a range from approximately 2 degrees to approximately 10 degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to an axis of the axle. Lateral sides of the hybrid chain facing the inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate may include a chain pattern configured to engage the pattern of the inner mesh plate and the outer mesh plate. The chain pattern may include a number of projections or grooves each having a triangular cross-sectional shape. The chain pattern may be tapered at an angle, such as approximately 2.5 degrees. The bicycle drivetrain may also include a tension idler sprocket and a fixed idler sprocket. The rear cog may include a pair of mesh plates. The present disclosure also relates to various embodiments of a bicycle including the bicycle drivetrain. In one or more embodiments, the bicycle includes a frame, a front wheel rotatably coupled to the frame, a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the frame, handlebars coupled to the frame, and bicycle drivetrain coupled to the frame. The bicycle may be a hardtail bicycle (including only a front suspension) or a full suspension bicycle (including both a front suspension and a rear suspension). This summary is provided to introduce a selection of features and concepts of embodiments of the present disclosure that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. One or more of the described features may be combined wi