Multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like having a gear shift system for more than three gears, wherein the hub transmission comprises a single planetary transmission with axially fixed planet carriers with stepped plant gears and with two different sun wheels, control of the hub transmission taking place coaxially through the hub shaft, there being for the gear shift elements in the hub a single control system which has to be operated from only one side of the hub shaft, the hub further comprising an arrangement of concentric separate sleeve-like components which are in functional sequence subject to the action of a shift head guided in the hub shaft and subject to spring tension. Such a construction provides a multi-speed hub which has an unusually large number of selectable gear stages, all of which can be operated from one axial side of the hub and by a single shift device and in functional sequence, actuation of this multi-speed hub being simple and functionally reliable. Furthermore, such a multispeed hub with more than three gear stages also comprises a back-pedalling brake device.

Description

The invention relates to a multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like, with a gear shift system for more than three gears where the hub transmission system includes a single planetary system with stepped planet gears on an axially fixed planet carrier and with two different sun wheels wherein control of the hub transmission takes place coaxially through the hub shaft.

Already known is a 5-speed bicycle hub in which the planetary transmission comprises a system of stepped plant wheels and two sun wheels which can be locked alternately on the hub shaft. For controlling this hub transmission, shift means are provided on each side of the hollow-bored hub shaft. This arrangement is expensive and requires two separate shift means for actuation by the bicycle user. Such a mode of operation for a bicycle multi-speed gear change system is cumbersome and requires quite a lot of skill on the part of the bicycle user in order quickly and correctly to adjust the gear stage necessary at the time in order to be able to ride within a certain range of road speeds. In the last analysis, the unfavourable operation makes such a hub gear shift system with two shift members undesirable.

Another factor which makes such a multi-speed hub intolerable is its technical nature, namely the fact that between the individual gear shift stages, shift positions are possible in which the propulsion means or driver is capable of being turned ineffectually, i.e. the pedals can be turned in the drive direction without effect.

Such an operating condition can be extremely disturbing for the user of the bicycle and cannot be tolerated in terms of operational reliability of the bicycle.

The object of the present invention is, inter alia, and while avoiding the aforedescribed unacceptable factors, to provide a hub which has more than three speeds and which is intended for bicycles or the like. The aim which it is intended to achieve is not only to provide a maximum of operating safety and facility but also to provide a back-pedalling brake device accommodated within the hub and constantly ready to brake the machine.

A particularly advantageous solution to this problem is the use of a single control system for the gear shift elements in the hubs. The control system is actuated from only one side of the hub shaft, and includes an arrangement of concentric separate sleeve-like component elements on which in functioning sequence a gear shift head guided in the hub shift and subject to spring tension can act. With such an embodiment, a bicycle hub having more than three gears is provided and all can be selected by a single shift means and from one axial side of the hub, actuation of this multi-speed hub according to the invention being simple and involving no particular complication. Furthermore, the embodiment according to the invention makes it possible to dispose in the hub sleeve not only a transmission for more than three gears but also a back-pedalling brake device offering braking capability at all times.

The invention will be explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference to an example of embodiment of a hub having more than three speeds and illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, which shows a hub with five speeds and with an integrated back-pedalling brakeing device.

For further details of the invention, reference is made to the other drawings, which show in individual and diagrammatic form various solution possibilities in respect to individual details of design.

In detail, the drawings show in:

FIG. 1 a multi-speed hub which can be shifted from one side of the axle and provided with five speeds and a back-pedalling brake device, the drawing being shown in half-longitudinal section;

FIGS. 2a and 2a' or 2b and 2b' show arrangements wherein sun wheels are mounted for axial displacement on the hub shaft which is fitted with coupling teeth;

FIGS. 3, 3a and 4, 4a each show arrangements of axially displaceable sun wheels mounted on the hub shaft which has two sets of coupling teeth;

FIGS. 5, 5a and 6, 6a each show arrangements of axially fixed sun wheels on the hub shaft, a coupling element being axially displaceable in the hub shaft;

FIGS. 7, 7a and 8, 8a each show an arrangement of axially fixed sun wheels on the hub shaft, two displaceable coupling element being provided in the hub shaft;

FIGS. 9 and 9a show an arrangement of axially fixed sun wheels, a sliding sleeve being provided on the hub shaft and comprising coupling elements;

FIGS. 10 and 11 each show an arrangement of axially fixed sun wheels which can be alternately coupled by means of a sliding sleeve which is rotationally rigid on the hub shaft;

FIGS. 12 and 13 show examples of gear selection systems for the sun wheels where inoperative shift positions are avoided;

FIGS. 14 and 15 each show a way in which one of the sun wheels which is to be rotationally rigidly coupled to the hub shaft can be axially locked by ratchet means;

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 show gear shift systems in which the sun wheels are in themselves axially fixed, each being capable of being axially locked by ratchet means via a sliding sleeve which is rotationally rigid with the hub shaft but which can be displaced axially for coupling the sun wheels;

FIGS. 19 and 20 show alternative forms of the embodiments according to FIGS. 16 to 18 in which now for gear shifting of the sun wheels which are mounted for axial displacement on the hub shaft, an auxiliary sleeve is used which is in turn capable of being locked by ratchet means on the hub shaft or planet carrier;

FIG. 21 shows an arrangement in which with axially displaceable sun wheels the thrust block engages the hub shaft itself in order to establish the functionally correct gear shift paths;

FIGS. 22 to 23 each show a gear shift system which, with axially displaceable sun wheels, needs to be shifted in only one direction;

FIG. 24 shows a construction for gear shift actuation in only one direction and with axially fixed sun wheels;

FIG. 24a shows an alternative to the construction in FIG. 24;

FIGS. 25 and 26 show a construction for a gear shift system for axially displaceable sun wheels, reversal of movement of a special control sleeve being achieved in a different way;

FIG. 27 shows an example of embodiment of a 5-speed hub with two gear shift actuating elements;

FIG. 28 shows an example of embodiment of a 5-speed hub with only one gear shift actuating element;

FIG. 29 shows a structural modification of FIG. 1 in a partial and diagrammatic view, and

FIG. 30 shows a view of FIG. 29 in the direction of the arrow XXX in FIG. 29.

In the case of the multi-speed hub with more than three gears and a back-pedalling brake device as shown, for example, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the hub sleeve which is mounted for rotation on a lever cone 26 and a driver 3 through ball races 21 and 22. The driver 3 which carries in driver grooves 3a a chain sprocket 3' is in turn mounted via a ball race 23 to be rotatable on a fixed cone 4 which is bolted to the hub shaft 5.

A planet carrier 6 is mounted for rotation on the hub shaft 5 but is axially fixed, being located inside the hub sleeve 1. This planet carrier 6 has, mounted on arbors 7, planet wheels 8 which are constructed as stepped planet wheels 8a and 8b, which mesh both with a concentric internal gear 11 and also with sun wheels 9 and 10 disposed on the hub shaft 5.

The sun wheels 9, 10 can be controlled by means of a thrust block 12 which, against a tension of a thrust spring 28, slides in a slot 5b of the hub shaft 5, being actuated from the outside via a draw rod 12a through a chain 12b with a connector 12c. Constantly acting on the sun wheel 9 which is on the left-hand side axially is a coaxial thrust spring 30, the tension of which is transmitted to the sun wheel 10 by virtue of its being applied against the sun wheel 9. The means of actuating the draw rod 12a with chain 12b and connector 12c for controlling the thrust block 12 is not shown here. The sun wheels 9,10 have different numbers of teeth and can be alternately and rotationally rigidly coupled, the sun wheel 9 being capable of being coupled through axial coupling dogs 9a by axial displacement, with corresponding dogs 13a on a sliding sleeve 13 which is itself disposed on the hub shaft 5 so as to be rotationally rigid by means of dogs 5a, while being at the same time axially displaceable. In the gear shift position of the multi-speed hub which is shown in FIG. 1, the sun wheel 10 which has the greater number of teeth is by means of coupling elements 10a rigidly engaged with the sliding sleeve 13 which coaxially accommodates the sun wheel 10 but is itself axially displaceable. The sun wheel 10 meshes thereby with the stepped planet gear 8b which has a lesser number of teeth while the sun wheel 9 which is loosely rotatable on the hub shaft 5 meshes with the planet stepped wheel 8a which has the larger number of teeth. The thrust spring 30 acts axially from the left on both sun wheels 9 and 10.

As will be described hereinafter, a coupling bush 14 is mounted on the hub shaft 5 coaxially with the sliding sleeve 13 and is rotatable and axially displaceable against spring tension. On its outer periphery, the coupling bush 14 is provided with axially separate tooth systems 14a and 14b, the tooth system 14a which is on the left-hand side axially is additionally arranged for the rotationally rigid accommodation of a laterally disposed driving plate 15. The axially right-hand set of teeth 14b on the coupling bush 14 constantly engages the axially long interally cut teeth 3b on the driver 3.

By axial displacement of the coupling bush 14, it is possible to couple either the driver plate 15 with axial dogs 6b on the planet carrier 6 or to couple the externally cut teeth 14a with corresponding internally cut teeth 11b on the internal gear 11, in a manner which will be described in detail hereinafter. Axially to the left of the coupling bush 14 there is fixed on the dogs 6b of the planet carrier 6 a plate 16, the function of which will be mentioned later.

On the axially outermost left-hand shank part of the planet carrier 6 there is, axially displaceable on a positioning screwthread 6a, a brake cone 17 which is constructed at the saem time as a carrier for a set of drive detents 18 which, subject to the tension of an annular spring, constantly engage an internal locking mechanism 1b in the hub sleeve 1, as shown for example in FIG. 1, or which can also be disengaged by means of a cone face 1c in the hub sleeve 1.

The aforementioned brake cone 17, subject to the action of a friction spring 20, is in a manner as yet to be described, moved axially leftwardly on the positioning screwthread of the planet carrier shank upon reverse rotation of the driver 3, so spreading apart a brake casing 24/25 which is for its part mounted in rotationally rigid fashion on a lever cone agsintsnconductive conducive to favourable functioning if the coupling bush 14 which is on the one hand axially in constant engagement with the internally cut teeth 3b of the driver 3 is substantially helical on its corresponding teeth 14b, in which case also the internally cut teeth 3b in the driver 3 will be correspondingly helical in construction.

FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic view of the construction of sun wheels 109 and 110 together with the coupling means which serve to lock in each case one of the sun wheels 109 and 110 in rotationally rigid fashion on the hub shaft 105. A construction as is shown in FIG. 29 could be used in the construction according to FIG. 1.

Also with the embodiment shown in FIG. 29, actuation from the right using a single operating cable 112a is illustrated. The development of planetary transmission and the optional connection of the coupling bush 14 to the planet carrier and the internal gear occur exactly as shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 29, the sun wheels 109 and 110 bear axially on each other and are initially tensioned rightwardly by the thurst spring 130 which is softer than the thrust spring 128. FIG. 29 corresponds to the position appropriate to 5th gear (high speed gear) and to that extent it corresponds to FIG. 1. FIG. 29, the sun wheel 110 has its internally cut teeth 110a in engagement with the straight dogs 113b of the sliding sleeve 113, while the sliding sleeve 113 is rotationally rigidly locked on the hub shaft 105 by the coupling dogs 105a. The sun wheel 109 is freely rotatable on the hub shaft 105. When changing from the 5th gear (high speed gear) shown in FIG. 29 to 4th gear (next-to-top gear), then by means of the cable 112a, the thrust block 112 and with it the intermediate sleeve 129 are displaced rightwards against the action of the stronger coil thrust spring 128 so that under the action of the coil thrust spring 130 the two sun wheels 109 and 110 can move rightwards following the intermediate sleeve 129 until the sun wheel 110 comes to bear on the plate 116. As this happens, the internally cut teeth 110a become disengaged from the coupling dogs 113b and the coupling teeth 109a engage the coupling dogs 113b. As a result, now, the sun wheel 109 is non-rotatably locked on the hub shaft 105 via the sliding sleeve 113 while the sun wheel 110 is freely rotatable in relation to the sliding sleeve 113. If by reason of some maladjustment, a situation should arise where the sun wheel 110 is not displaced until it abuts the stop 116 and therefore the coupling teeth 109a cannot engage the coupling dogs 113b, then the internally cut teeth 110a will now engage the oblique faces 113ba of the coupling dogs 113b; in consequence, now, the sun wheel 110, as it performs its rotary motion, will by reason of the planetary transmission rotating, be displaced rightwards by the alternate action of the internally cut teeth 110a with the oblique faces 113ba against the action of the coil thrust spring 128, approximately as far as abutment with the plate 116. Then, however, under the action of the coil thrust spring 130, the sun wheel 109 is able to follow the sun wheel 110 and now reliably connect with the sliding sleeve 113 in that the internally cut teeth 109a engage the axially extending partial faces of the coupling dogs 113b. Thus, with this embodiment as well, it is ensured that under any circumstances one of the sun wheels 109, 110 is rotationally rigid on the sliding sleeve 113 and thus rotationally rigid on the hub shaft 105.

When in order to change back from the 4th gear position to the 5th gear position shown in FIG. 29 the actuating cable 112a is released leftwards so that the sun wheel 110 is not displaced leftwards by the intermediate sleeve 129 as far as the proper position, then once again a situation can arise where the internally cut teeth 110a do not axially coincide sufficiently with the straight portions of the coupling dogs 113b. If, then, in course of time, deformation creates a situation where the sun wheel 110 is no longer rotationally rigidly fixed on the coupling dogs 113b, then the internally cut teeth 110a again come into engagement with the sloping faces 113ba. As a result, the sun wheel 110 is again displaced rightwards and now the internally cut teeth 109a on the sun wheel 109 again engage the coupling dogs 113b. Thus, in this situation, too, it is again guaranteed that at any time one of the sun wheels 109, 110 will be rotationally rigidly locked and thus becomes an effective reaction link in the planetary transmission.

It should be noted that in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 9 and 29 the displacement of one sun wheel or coupling dog which is brought about by the sloping surfaces must always occur in such a direction that the tension on the actuating cable is relieved so that it is not over-stressed. Alternatively, it might be conceivable to incorporate into the actuating cable an elastic compensating member which is stressed by displacement of the sun wheel or coupling dog.

In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 29, the sloping faces 113ba can also fulfil their protective function when the gear are changed from 2nd gear to 1st gear (see description of FIG. 1). The sun wheels 109 and 110 then bear on the plate 116 and the sun wheel 109 is coupled with the sliding sleeve 113. If, now, the sliding sleeve 113 is pulled farther rightwards as the result of a gear change, then the coupling dogs 113b again engage the internally cut teeth 110a on the sun wheel 110. If the displacement of the sliding sleeve 113 rightwards is not sufficient to produce a proper engagement of the coupling dog 113b with the internally cut teeth 110a, then the internally cut teeth 110a engage the oblique faces 113ba and the sun wheel 110 is displaced farther rightwards. This further displacement of the sun wheel 110 rightwards is made possible in that the plate 116 is biased by a coil thrust spring 152 and can yield rightwards to the necessary degree. Then once again the internally cut teeth 109a of the sun wheel 109 engage the straight portions of the coupling dogs 113b so that then the sun wheel 109 can again fulfil the function of a sun wheel within the framework of the planetary transmission .

Claims

1. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like comprising:

a hub shaft (5) having an axis,

a driver (3) rotatably mounted on aid said hub shaft (5), said driver (3) being provided with at least one chain sprocket (3'),

a hub sleeve (1) rotatably mounted on said hub shaft (5),

planetary gear means within said hub sleeve (1), said planetary gear means including

planet carrier (6) rotatably mounted about said hub shaft (5), at least one planet gear member (8) rotatably mounted on said planet carrier (6), said planet gear member (8) being provided with a large planet gear (8a) and with a small gear (8b),

a small sun wheel (9) for meshing engagement with said large planet gear (8a) and a large sun wheel (10) for meshing engagement with said small planet gear (8b), said sun wheels (9, 10) being selectively lockable against rotation about said hub shaft (5), an internal gear (11) rotatably mounted about said hub shaft (5), said internal gear (11) being in meshing engagement with one of said planet gears (8a, 8b),

and further comprising

a torque transmission member (14) in continuous engagement with said driver (3) and selectively engageable with one of said planet carrier (6) and said internal gear (11) for selective common rotation therewith about said hub shart (5),

first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) between said internal gear (11) and said hub sleeve (1),

second one-way coupling means (18, 1a) between said planet carrier (6) and said hub sleeve (1),

one single speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12a) introduced from one-single end of said hub shaft (5) into a respective bore (5c) of said hub shaft (5), said speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12a) being adapted for selectively coupling said torque transmission member (14) with respective ones of said planet carrier (6) and said internal gear (11) and for inactivating said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b),

said speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12c) being connected to at least one thrust block (12) slidably mounted within a slot (5b) of said hub shaft (5) and being movable through a plurality of axially spaced positions in response to operation of said speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12a),

in a fifth axial position of said thrust block (12), which position is at maximum spaced from said one single end of said hub shaft (5), said small sun wheel (9) being free for rotation about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) being locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) being in torque transmitting engagement with said planet carrier (6), said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) being active,

in a fourth axial position of said control member thrust block (12), which is nearer to said one single end of said hub shaft (5), said small sun wheel (9) being locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) being freely rotatable about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) being still in torque transmitting engagement with said planet carrier (6), said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) being still active,

in a third axial position of said thrust block (12), which is still nearer to said one single end of said hub shaft (5), said small sun wheel (9) being locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) being freely rotatable about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) being in torque transmitting engagement with said internal gear (11), said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) being still active,

in a second axial position of said thrust block (12), which is still nearer to said one single end of said hub shaft (5), said small sun wheel (9) being locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) being freely rotatable about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) being in torque transmitting engagement with said internal gear (11), said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) being inactivated,

in a first axial position of said thrust block (12), which is nearest to said one single end of said hub shaft (5), said small sun wheel (9) being freely rotatable about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) being locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) being in torque transmission engagement with said internal gear (11), said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) being inactivated.

2. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1, said thrust block (12) acting onto said torque transmission member (14) and onto a sliding sleeve (13) being responsible for locking and unlocking said sun wheels (9, 10) against rotation about said hub shaft (5) in dependency of the axial position of said sliding sleeve (13), said sliding sleeve (13) being secured against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said thrust block (12) being connected by lost-motion connecting means with said sliding sleeve (13) for common axial movement therewith through a portion of the range of axial movement of said thrust block (12).

3. A multi-speed hub as forth in claim 2, said sliding sleeve (13) being provided with a longitudinal slot (13c), said thrust block (12) being slidingly movable within said longitudinal slot (13c) of said sliding sleeve (13) and acting onto a closed end of said longitudinal slot (13c) for axially moving said sliding sleeve (13) in axial direction through said portion of the range of axial movement of said thrust block (12).

4. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 3, said sliding sleeve (13) having a first group of dogs (13a) for locking said small sun wheel (9) and a second group of dogs (13b) for locking said large sun wheel (10).

5. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 4, said first group of dogs (13a) being axially extending dogs and said second group of dogs (13b) being radially extending dogs, both with respect to said sliding sleeve (13).

6. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 2, said small and said large sun wheels (9, 10) being axially movable along said hub shaft (5), said sliding sleeve (13) being in substantially equal axial positions in said fifth through second axial positions of said thrust block (12),

in said fifth axial position said large sun wheel (10) being axially positioned by said thrust block (12), said small sun wheel (9) being axially positioned by said large sun wheel (10), small sun wheel spring means (30) acting in axial direction onto said small sun wheel (9) and through said small sun wheel (9) onto said large sun wheel (10),

in said fourth axial position said large sun wheel (10) being axially shifted to a position defined by one of said planet carrier (6) and said internal gear (11) by the action of said small sun wheel spring means (30) through said small sun wheel (9), and said small sun wheel (9) being also axially shifted and positioned in axial direction by said large sun wheel (10),

in said third through first axial positions of said thrust block (12) the axial positions of said large sun wheel (10) and said small sun wheel (9) with respect to said sliding sleeve remaining substantially unchanged,

in said first axial position of said thrust block (12) said sliding sleeve (13) being axially shifted with respect to said substantially equal axial positions thereof.

7. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 6, said sliding sleeve (13) being axially loaded by sliding sleeve thrust spring means (34) biasing said sliding sleeve (13) towards said substantially equal axial position positions.

8. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1, said thrust block (12) being spring-loaded by thrust block spring means (28), said thrust block spring means (28) biasing said thrust block (12) towards said first position, said speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12a) being pulling control means.

9. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1, said internal gear (11) being axially movable in response to axial movement of said torque transmission member (14), in activation of asid first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) being responsive to axial movement of said internal gear (11).

10. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 9, said internal gear (11) being supported by said driver (3) through internal gear support spring means (36), said torque transmission member (14) acting onto said internal gear (11) through internal gear-shifting spring means (36), said internal gear-shifting means (36) being weaker than said internal gear support spring means (36).

11. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1, said torque transmission member (14) being connected with said thrust block (12) by lost-motion connecting means for common axial movement of said torque transmission member (14) through a portion of axial movement of said thrust block (12).

12. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 11, said lost-motion connecting means comprising lost-motion thrust spring means (32).

13. Multi-speed hub according to claim 1; characterised in that the sun wheels (9, 10) are mounted independently of each other one directly and the other indirectly on the hub shaft (5) and are rotatable and axially slidable, each comprising coupling elements in the form of one of an axially directed system of teeth (9a) and a radially directed internally cut teeth (10a) which serve for alternate cooperation with a sliding sleeve (13, 13', 13a, 13b) which is rotationally rigid on the hub shaft (5, 5a).

14. Multi-speed hub according to claim 1, characterised in that the internal gear (11) which belongs to the planetary gear means is in itself axially displaceable being thereby at one end subject to the tension of a coaxial thrust spring (36) biased on the driver (3) and at the other end serving as a support for a thrust spring (35) acting on the axially displaceable coupling bush (14).

15. Multi-speed hub according to claim 1, characterised in that the sun wheels (9, 10) associated with the planetary gear means equipped with stepped said large and small planet gears are rotatable on the hub shaft (5) and are axially displaceable for alternate rotationally rigid mounting.

16. Multi-speed hub according to claim 1, characterised in that the sun wheels (9, 10) rotatably mounted on the hub shaft (5), while in the hub there are elements for axial fixing against spring tension.

17. Multi-speed hub according to claim 16, characterised in that the sun wheels (9, 10) have in each case for locking purposes a coupling profile in the bearing bore.

18. Multi-speed hub according to claim 17, characterised in that the coupling profile is for rotationally rigid supporting of the sun wheels (9, 10) constructed as an axial projection of the wheel body.

19. Multi-speed hub according to claim 18, characterised in that the coupling profile is in each case provided with surfaces oblique to the direction of engagement, for positive control of at least one axially movable component.

20. Multi-speed hub according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one of the first and second coupling means comprise a sliding sleeve (13) which in itself is rotationally rigid but axially displaceable on the hub shaft (5) having axially directed coupling teeth (13a) with parallel flanks for rotationally rigid coupling of rotatable component parts (e.g. sun wheels (9, 10).

21. Multi-speed hub according to claim 20, characterised in that the sliding sleeve (13) has axially and radially directed coupling teeth (13a, 13b).

22. Multi-speed hub according to claim 20, characterised in that for coupling rotatable components the sliding sleeve is provided with coupling means which are fixed on the sliding sleeve in the form of a separate component part.

23. Multi-speed hub according to claim 20, characterised in that the sliding sleeve is provided with integrated coupling means for coupling the rotatable components.

24. Multi-speed hub according to claim 23, characterised in that the coupling means are located in the region axially between the sun wheels (9, 10) for alternate coupling engagements with in each case one of the sun wheels (9 or 10).

25. Multi-speed hub according to claim 23, characterised in that the coupling means are disposed in the region axially on either side of the sun wheels (9, 10) for alternate coupling engagement into whichever of the neighbouring sun wheels (9 or 10) has to be coupled.

26. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1, said speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12a) being combined with an auxiliary sleeve for indirect shifting of the sun wheels (9, 10), said auxiliary sleeve being rotatable and axially displaceable on the hub shaft (5).

27. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1, a tilting lever (K) being provided which is subject to the action of said speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12a), said tilting lever (K) being adapted to secure in different axial positions of said thrust block selectively said large sun wheel (10) and said small sun wheel (9) against rotation about said hub shaft (5).

28. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1, said speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12a) comprising a control sleeve (S), said control sleeve (S) having a rising tooth arrangement (T), unidirectional movement of the thrust block (12) being transformed through a rotary movement into subsequent oppositely directed movements of a securing system securing respective ones of said sun wheels (9, 10).

29. Multi-speed hub according to claim 1, characterised in that the first and second coupling means are provided with oblique faces for positive control of hub transmission elements which are axially movable in relation to the coupling means.

30. Multi-speed hub according to claim 29, characterised in that the hub transmission elements are themselves provided with oblique faces for positive control by the coupling means which are axially movable in relation to the hub transmission elements.

31. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like comprising

a hub shaft (5) having an axis,

a driver (3) rotatably mounted on said hub shaft (5), said driver (3) being provided with at least one chain sprocket (3'),

a hub sleeve (1) rotatably mounted on said hub shaft (5),

planetary gear means within said hub sleeve (1), said planetary gear means including

a planet carrier (6) rotatably mounted about said hub shaft (5), at least one planet gear member (8) rotatably mounted on said planet carrier (6), said planet gear member (8) being provided with a large planet gear (8a) and with a small planet gear (8b),

a small sun wheel (9) for meshing engagement with said large planet gear (8a) and a large sun wheel (10) for meshing engagement with said small planet gear (8b), said sun wheels (9, 10) being selectively lockable against rotation about said hub shaft (5),

an internal gear (11) rotatably mounted about said hub shaft (5), said internal gear (11) being in meshing engagement with one of said planet gears (8a, 8b),

and further comprising

a torque transmission member (14) in continuous engagement with said driver (3) and selectively engageable with one of said planet carrier (6) and said internal gear (11) for selective common rotation therewith about said hub shaft (5),

first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) between said internal gear (11) and said hub sleeve (1),

second one-way coupling means (18, 1a) between said planet carrier (6) and said hub sleeve (1),

one single speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12a) introduced from one single end of said hub shaft (5) into a respective bore (5c) of said hub shaft (5), said speedchange control means (12c, 12b, 12a) being adapted for selectively locking one of said sun wheels (9, 10), for selectively coupling said torque transmission member (14) with respective ones of said planet carrier (6) and said internal gear (11) and for inactivating said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b),

said speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12a) being connected to at least one thrust block (12) slidably mounted within a slot (5b) of said hub shaft (5) and being movable through a plurality of axially spaced positions in response to operation of said speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12a),

said thrust block (12) acting onto said torque transmission member (14) and onto a sliding sleeve (13) surrounding said hub shaft (5), said sliding sleeve (13) being responsible for locking and unlocking said sun wheels (9, 10) against rotation about said hub shaft (5) in dependency of the axial position of said sliding sleeve (13), said sliding sleeve (13) being secured against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said thrust block (12) being connected by lost-motion connecting means with said sliding sleeve (13) for common axial movement therewith through a portion of the range of axial movement of said thrust block (12).

32. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 31, said sliding sleeve (13) being spring-loaded by sliding sleeve thrust spring means (34).

33. Multi-speed hub according to claim 32, characterised in that the coupling teeth provided on the sliding sleeve (13) are so constructed that actuation of a gear shift operation takes place in only an axial direction, the functioning sequence requiring first that the large sun wheel (10) which has the greater number of teeth, then the smaller sun wheel (9) and finally once again the large sun wheel (10) be rotationally rigidly connected to the sliding sleeve (13).

34. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 31, said sliding sleeve (13) being provided with axially directed dogs (13a) and radially directed dogs (13b) for engagement with respective counter-dogs of the small sun wheel (9) and the large sun wheel (10).

35. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 31, said sliding sleeve (13) being provided with oblique engagement faces for engagement with at least one of said sun wheels (9, 10).

36. Multi-speed hub according to claim 35, characterised in that the sliding sleeve (13) is constructed as a concentric mounting for axially displaceable in themselves rotatable and respectively couplable component parts.

37. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 31, said sliding sleeve (13) having an outer shape adapted for locking engagement with one of the sun wheels (9, 10).

38. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 31, said sliding sleeve having an outer shape for locking engagement with the planet carrier (6), said planet carrier (6) being axially fixed.

39. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 31, said sliding sleeve having an inner bore adapted for being locked with respect to the hub shaft (5).

40. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 31, said sliding sleeve being lockable on said hub shaft.

41. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 31, said sliding sleeve (13) being provided with coupling teeth (13a), said coupling teeth (13a) having back-tapered flanks for engagement with correspondingly shaped rotatable components.

42. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1, or claim 31, said torque transmission member (14) being a coupling bush (14) having coupling teeth (14a, 14b) at both ends thereof, one set of coupling teeth (14a) being engageable with said internal gear (11), another set of coupling teeth (14b) being engageable with said driver (3), said one set of coupling teeth (14a) bearing a projection (15) engageable with said planet carrier (6).

43. Multi-speed hub according to claim 42, characterised in that the coupling bush (14) has an integrated thrust spring (32).

44. Multi-speed hub according to claim 42, characterised in that the torque transmission member (14) with the coupling teeth (14b) which are towards the driver (3) serves for constant engagement in the internally cut teeth (3b) of the driver while the coupling teeth (14a) provided on the axially opposite side, with the drive plate (15) mounted thereon serves for engagement with axial dogs (6b) provided on the planet carrier (6) or alternately the coupling teeth (14a) themselves serve for engagement with coupling teeth (11b) provided on the internal gear (11).

45. Multi-speed hub according to claim 42, characterised in that the coupling teeth provided on the hub shaft (5) are so constructed that actuation of a gear shift operation takes place in only an axial direction, and in that in the functioning sequence it is first the large sun wheel (10) then the small sun wheel (9) and finally once again the large sun wheel (10) which has the greater number of teeth which is rotationally rigid connected to the hub shaft.

46. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, another thrust block (16) engaging an intermediate sleeve (29) for common axial movement with said at least one thrust block (12), said intermediate sleeve (29) acting as an abutment sleeve for said large sun wheel (10).

47. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, an intermediate plate (16) being mounted on the planet carrier (6), said planet carrier (6) being axially fixed within said hub sleeve (1), said intermediate plate (16) acting as an axial abutment for the large sun wheel (10) and for the torque transmission member (14).

48. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, said planet carrier (6) being provided with axially directed dogs (6b) for engagement with said torque transmission member (14), said axially directed dogs (6b) of said planet carrier (6) having roof-shaped sloping surfaces (6c).

49. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, said hub shaft (5) being provided with radial dogs (5a) for securing said sliding sleeve (13) against rotation about said hub shaft (5).

50. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, said sliding sleeve (13) being provided with a first group of dogs (13a) for engagement with said small sun wheel (9) and a second group of dogs (13b) for engagement with said large sun wheel (10), at least one of said dogs being provided with oblique engagement faces for engaging respective counter-dots counter-dogs (9a, 10a) of said small sun wheel (9) and said large sun wheel (10).

51. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) between said internal gear (11) and said hub sleeve (1) comprising at least one pawl (19) on said internal gear (11) engaging a ratchet (1b) on said hub sleeve (1), said pawl (19) being adapted for limited displacement with respect to said internal gear (11) in a peripheral direction about said hub shaft (5).

52. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, a brake device being located inside the hub sleeve (1) and adapted to be operated by reverse rotation of the driver (3).

53. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1, or claim 31, said sliding sleeve (13) being secured against rotation about said hub shaft (5) by at least one coupling tooth (5a) integral with the hub shaft (5).

54. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 31, said sliding sleeve (13) being secured against rotation about said hub shaft (5) by a separate securing element fixed to the hub shaft (5).

55. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, a securing element for both said sun wheels (9, 10) being located axially between the sun wheels (9, 10) on the hub shaft (5).

56. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, a securing element for securing said sun wheels (9, 10) against rotation being provided on each of the sides of the sun wheels (9, 10) remote from each other.

57. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1, or claim 31, at least one axially movable coupling element being provided for selectively securing one of said sun wheels (9, 10) against rotation about said hub shaft (5).

58. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, securing means being provided for securing a selective one of said sun wheels (9, 10), said securing means being axially movable and being lockable in the respective axial position by ratchet means.

59. Multi-speed hub according to claim 58, characterised in that provided as the shift means is a shift rod which is guided in the hub shaft, in respect of which it can be locked in place by catch means.

60. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, said speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12a) comprising a reversing lever system, said reversing lever system being lockable by catch means.

61. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, at least one of the sun wheels (9, 10) being provided with a special profile in a cenral central bore thereof for being lockable with respect to rotation about the hub shaft (5).

62. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1, at least one of the sun wheels (9, 10) being provided with a special external profile for locking engagement with the planet carrier (6), said planet carrier (6) being axially fixed.

63. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, said speed-change control means (12c, 12b, 12a) being combined with an auxiliary sleeve which is lockable with the planet carrier, said planet carrier being axially fixed.

64. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, a spring element being provided which serves for locking at least one of a thrust block and sliding sleeve.

65. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, coupling means being provided for locking at least one of the sun wheels (9, 10) with respect to the hub shaft (5), said coupling means being provided with back-tapered coupling faces to cooperate with correspondingly shaped coupling faces on the respective sun wheels (9, 10).

66. A multi-speed hub as set forth in claim 1 or claim 31, said torque transmission member (14) being a coupling bush (14) having at least one set of teeth (14b) for engagement with the driver (3), said at least one set of teeth being helical in construction and being in engagement with correspondingly shaped internal teeth (3b) of the driver (3).

67. A 5-speed-hub for bicycles or the like comprising a hub shaft (5) having an axis,

a driver (3) rotatably mounted on said hub shaft (5), said driver (3) being provided with at least one chain sprocket,

a hub sleeve (1) rotatably mounted on said hub shaft (5), planetary gear means within said hub sleeve (1), said planetary gear means including

a planet carrier rotatably mounted about said hub shaft (5), at least one planet gear member (8) rotatably mounted on said planet carrier, said planet gear member (8) being provided with a large planet gear and with a small planet gear,

a small sun wheel (9) for meshing engagement with said large planet gear and a large sun wheel (10) for meshing engagement with said small planet gear, said sun wheels (9, 10) being selectively lockable against rotation about said hub shaft (5), an internal gear (11) rotatably mounted about said hub shaft (5), said internal gear (11) being in meshing engagement with one of said planet gears,

and further comprising

a torque transmission member (14) in continuous engagement with said driver (3) and selectively engageable with one of said planet carrier and said internal gear (11) for selective common rotation therewith about said hub shaft (5),

first one-way coupling means (19) between said internal gear (11) and said hub sleeve (1),

second one-way coupling means (18) between said planet carrier and said hub sleeve (1),

speed-change control means (12b, 12b') introduced into the interior space of said hub sleeve through said hub shaft (5), said speed-change control means (12b, 12b') being adapted for selectively locking one of said sun wheels (9, 10) for selectively coupling said torque transmission member (14) with respective ones of said planet carrier and said internal gear (11) and for inactivating said first one-way coupling means (19),

wherein

in a fifth-speed condition said small sun wheel (9) is free for rotation about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) is locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) is in torque transmitting engagement with said planet carrier, said first one-way coupling means (19) are active,

in a fourth-speed condition said small sun wheel (9) is locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel is freely rotatable about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) is still in torque transmitting engagement with said planet carrier, said first one-way coupling means (19) are still active,

in a third-speed condition said small sun wheel (9) is locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) is freely rotatable about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) is in torque transmitting engagement with said internal gear (11), said first one-way coupling means (19) are still active,

in a second-speed condition said small sun wheel (9) is locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) is freely rotatable about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) is in torque transmitting engagement with said internal gear (11), said first one-way coupling means (19) are inactivated,

in a first speed condition said small sun wheel (9) is freely rotatable about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) is locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) is in torque transmitting engagement with said internal gear (11), said first one-way coupling means (19) are inactivated,

said sun wheels (9, 10) being axially shiftable by said speed-change control means (12b') through a thrust block such as to selectively lock said small sun wheel (9) and said large sun wheel (10) by engagement with clutch means (5a) stationary with respect to said hub shaft (5),

said driver (3) and said torque transmission member (14) being nearer to a first end of said hub shaft (5) and said sun wheels (9, 10) being nearer to a second end of said hub shaft (5), said thrust block engaging the larger sun wheel (10) which is nearer to said first end of said hub shaft on the side thereof nearer to said first end of said hub shaft, one single stationary clutch member (5a) being provided for both sun wheels (9, 10), said smaller sun wheel (9) which is nearer to said second end of said hub shaft (5) being biased by associated spring means (30) towards the first end of said hub shaft (5) for engagement with said one single stationary clutch element (5a), said larger sun wheel (10) being engageable with said smaller sun wheel (9) by axial abutment means (53), said larger sun wheel (10) being axially shiftable towards said second end of said hub shaft for engagement with said one single stationary clutch element (5a) by approaching said thrust block towards said second end of said hub shaft (5), said smaller sun wheel (9) being removable from the engagement with said one single stationary clutch element (5a) against the action of said associated spring means (30) by said axial shifting of said larger sun wheel (10) through said abutment means (53).

68. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as claimed in claim 67,

back pedalling brake means (R) being provided within said hub sleeve (1). 69. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 68, said back pedalling brake means (R) comprising a brake cone (17), a spreadable brake casing (24), said brake casing (24) being non-rotatable with respect to said hub shaft (5), said brake cone (17) being mounted on said planet carrier (6) by thread means (6a) and being braked against rotation by friction spring means (20), backward rotation of said planet carrier (6) causing axial movement of said brake cone (17) through said thread means (6a), said axial movement of said brake cone (17) spreading said brake casing (24) into braking engagement with said hub sleeve (1). 70. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 68, said hub sleeve having a first axial section of larger diameter and a second axial section of smaller diameter, said first axial section receiving said planetary gear means and said second axial section receiving said back pedalling brake means (R). 71. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like comprising

a hub shaft (5) having an axis,

a driver (3) rotatably mounted on said hub shaft (5), said driver (3) being adapted for being provided with at least one chain sprocket,

a hub sleeve (1) rotatably mounted on said hub shaft (5), planetary gear means within said hub sleeve (1) said planetary gear means including

a planet carrier (6) rotatably mounted about said hub shaft (5), at least one planet gear member (8) rotatably mounted on said planet carrier (6), said planet gear member (8) being provided with a large planet gear (8a) and with a small planet gear (8b),

a small sun wheel (9) for meshing engagement with said large planet gear (8a) and a large sun wheel (10) for meshing engagement with said small planet gear (8b), said sun wheels (9, 10) being selectively lockable against rotation about said hub shaft (5), an internal gear (11) rotatably mounted about said hub shaft (5), said internal gear (11) being in meshing engagement with one of said planet gears (8a, 8b),

and further comprising

a torque transmission member (14) in continuous engagement with said driver (3) and selectively engageable with one of said planet carrier (6) and said internal gear (11) for selective common rotation therewith about said hub shaft (5),

first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) between said internal gear (11) and said hub sleeve (1),

second one-way coupling means (18, 1a) between said planet carrier (6) and said hub sleeve (1),

speed-change control means introduced from at least one end of said hub shaft (5) into a respective bore (5c) of said hub shaft (5), said speed-change control means being adapted for selectively coupling said torque transmission member (14) with respective ones of said planet carrier (6) and said internal gear (11) for inactivating said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) and for selectively locking said sun wheels (9, 10) against rotation about said hub shaft (5),

said speed-change control means being connected to at least one thrust block slidably mounted within a slot of said hub shaft (5), said speed-change control means being switchable into a plurality of switch conditions, namely

in a fifth switch condition in which said small sun wheel (9) is free for rotation about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) is locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) is in torque transmitting engagement with said planet carrier (6) and said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) is active,

in a fourth switch condition in which said small sun wheel (9) is locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) is freely rotatable about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) is still in torque transmitting engagement with said planet carrier (6) and said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) is still active,

in a third switch condition in which said small sun wheel (9) is locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) is freely rotatable about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) is in torque transmitting engagement with said internal gear (11) and said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) is still active,

in a second switch condition in which said small sun wheel (9) is locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) is freely rotatable about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) is in torque transmitting engagement with said internal gear (11) and said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) is inactivated, and in a first switch condition in which said small sun wheel (9) is freely rotatable about said hub shaft (5), said large sun wheel (10) is locked against rotation about said hub shaft (5), said torque transmission member (14) is in torque transmitting engagement with said internal gear (11) and said first one-way coupling means (19, 1b) is inactivated,

each of said sun wheel (9, 10) being lockable against rotation about said hub shaft (5) by at least one tooth-recess combination (5a, 9a; 5a, 10a) with a tooth (5a) non-rotatably provided at said hub shaft (5) and a recess (9a, 10a) provided at the respective sun wheel (9, 10), locking and unlocking of the respective sun wheel (9, 10) being effected by axial relative movement of the respective tooth (5a) and the respective recess (9a, 10a) such as to enter or remove the respective tooth (5a) into and from, respectively, the respective recess (9a, 10a), each the tooth (5a) and the recess (9a, 10a) of the tooth-recess combination (5a, 9a; 5a, 10a) of each sun wheel (9, 10) comprising a pair of positive engagement flanks, at least one of the tooth (5a) and recess (9a) of the tooth-recess combination (5a, 9a) of at least one sun wheel (9) comprising an alignment flank (9b) axially adjacent a respective positive engagement flank, said alignment flank (9b) being inclined with respect to an axial line parallel to said axis and passing through a circumferential center of the respective tooth (5a) or recess (9a), relative rotation of the tooth (5a) and recess (9a) of said tooth-recess combination (5a, 9a) of said one sun wheel (9), when the alignment flank (9b) of said one (9a) of the tooth (5a) and recess (9a) is circumferentially opposed to the other (5a) of said tooth (5a) and recess (9a), causing axial relative shifting of the tooth (5a) and recess (9a) of the tooth-recess combination (5a, 9a) of said one sun wheel (9) towards disengagement of said tooth (5a) and recess (9a), said axial relative shifting causing an axial relative follow-shifting of the tooth (5a) and recess (10a) of the tooth-recess combination (5a, 10a) of the other sun wheel (10) towards engagement of the positive engagement flanks of said tooth (5a) and recess (10a) of said tooth-recess combination (5a, 10a) of said other sun wheel (10). 72. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claims 67 or 71, said speed-change control means comprising two control members (12b, 12b') introduced into respective bores of said hub shaft (5) from both ends thereof, a first one (12b) of said control members being provided for selectively connecting said torque trnasmission member (14) with said planet carrier (6) and said internal gear (11) and for inactivating said first one-way coupling (19, 1b), a second control member (12b') being provided for selectively locking said sun wheels (9, 10) against rotation about said hub shaft (5). 73. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 71, back pedalling brake means (R) being provided within said hub sleeve (1). 74. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 71,

at least one of the tooth (5a) and recess (9a) of the tooth-recess combination (5a, 9a) of at least one sun wheel (9) comprising a pair of alignment flanks (9b) axially adjacent the respective pair of positive engagement flanks, said alignment flanks (9b) of said pair of alignment flanks being oppositely inclined with respect to an axial line parallel to said axis and passing through a circumferential center of the respective tooth (5a) or recess (9a), relative rotation of the tooth (5a) and recess (9a) of said tooth-recess combination (5a, 9a) of said one sun wheel (9), when the alignment flanks (9b) of said one (9a) of the tooth (5a) and recess (9a) are circumferentially opposed to the other (5a) of said tooth (5a) and recess (9a), causing axial relative shifting of the tooth (5a) and recess (9a) of the tooth-recess combination (5a, 9a) of said one sun wheel (9) towards disengagement of said tooth (5a) and recess (9a), said axial relative shifting causing an axial relative follow-shifting of the tooth (5a) and recess (10a) of the tooth-recess combination (5a, 10a) of the other sun wheel (10) towards engagement of the positive engagement flanks of said tooth (5a) and recess (10a) of said tooth-recess combination of said other sun wheel (10). 75. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 74, said axial relative shifting of the tooth (5a) and recess (9a) of said tooth-recess combination (5a, 9a) of said one sun wheel (9) being resisted by first spring means (30), said axial relative follow-shifting of the tooth (5a) and recess (10a) of said tooth-recess combination (5a, 10a) of the other sun wheel (10) being effected by second spring means (50). 76. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 74, said tooth-recess combination (5a, 9a) of a first sun wheel (9) comprising a first tooth (5a) and a firsts reces (9a) for said first sun wheel (9) and said tooth-recess combination (5a', 10a) of a second sun wheel (10) comprising a second tooth (5a') and a second recess (10a) for said second sun wheel (10). 77. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 76, a separating spring means (51) being provided between the sun wheels (9, 10), said sun wheels (9, 10) being axially movable with respect to said hub shaft (5), said teeth (5a, 5a') of said tooth-recess-combinations (5a, 9a; 5a', 10a) being axially fixed with respect to said hub shaft (5). 78. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 74, said tooth-recess combination (5a, 9a) of a first one (9) of said sun wheels (9, 10) and the tooth-recess combination (5a, 10a) of a second one (10) of said sun wheels (9, 10) comprising a common tooth (5a) for each combination and a recess (9a, 10a) for each of said sun wheels (9, 10).

79. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 78, said common tooth (5a) being axially fixed with respect to said hub shaft (5), said sun wheels (9, 10) being axially movable with respect to said hub shaft (5). 80. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 78, said common tooth (5a') being axially movable with respect to said hub shaft (5), said sun wheels (9, 10) being axially fixed with respect to said hub shaft (5). 81. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 74, said alignment flanks (9b) being parts of the respective recess (9a).

82. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 74, said alignment flanks (5b) being parts of the respective tooth (5a). 83. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 74, the tooth (5a) of at least one of said tooth-recess combinations (5a, 9a) being integral with said hub shaft (5). 84. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 74, the tooth (5a') of at least one of said tooth-recess-combinations (5a', 9a) being part of said at least one thrust block. 85. A multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like as set forth in claim 74, said tooth (13a) of at least one of said tooth-recess combinations (13a, 9a; 13a, 10a) being provided on a sleeve member (13) axially movably and non-rotatably mounted on said hub shaft (5).