A chain (200, fig 2A), for a bicycle, comprises a plurality of interleaved link elements (200a-200c), each link element (200a-200c) is pivotably attached to at least one other link element (200a-200c) and comprises at least two teeth 214b-216b, wherein a flank 218b of each tooth 214b-216b is adapted to engage with a flank (220a, 220b) of a sprocket tooth. A recess 228b receives a sprocket tooth and enables the sprocket tooth to engage with a flank of at least one of the first 214b and second teeth 216b. An end of each tooth is formed so as to fit in the recess 228b. The chain may engage with sprockets having fewer than 13 teeth and each link element (200a-200c) may have a width of less than 4.5mm. Teeth adapted to engage with sprocket teeth can provide increased efficiency and quieter operation due to the lower contact velocities. Having straight tooth flanks on the chain teeth and/or the sprocket teeth provides a larger, therefore more hard-wearing. Reference is also made to a chainring, a crankset, a chain drive system and a bicycle.
Toothed chain for a bicycle
2021-10-20
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch