Chain ring protector

Abstract

A chain ring protector having a substantially planar mounting bracket operably secured to the bottom bracket sleeve of a vehicle with a durable semi-circumferential guard extending therefrom is disclosed. The durable guard has a substantially arcuate outer edge sized to approximate the outer diameter of a chain ring, and it is operably secured to the planar mounting bracket such that the outer edge extends slightly beyond the outer diameter of the portion of the chain ring extending below the bottom bracket sleeve.

Description

54 size, without necessarily requiring different guards 62 to protect different sized chain rings 54.

The guard 62 and mounting bracket 60 are constructed of durable, impact resistant materials. One known preferred guard material is Ultra-High Molecular Weight polyethylene or plastic, which is commonly known in the materials industry as “UHMW.” One known acceptable mounting bracket material is aluminum, and more preferably a type of aluminum known as “6061 Aluminum.”

As shown in FIG. 3, the chain ring protector 10 of the present invention can be used concurrently with a conventional chain ring-mounted protector 106. In such case, the chain ring protector 10 remains fixed to the lower bracket sleeve 12 to protect the chain ring 54 from impacts arising from contact with objects positioned toward the inside surface of the chain ring 54.

It can be appreciated that a plurality of chain rings 54a-c (FIG. 3) can be positioned on the lower bracket spindle shaft 28. In such case, the guard 62 is preferably positioned to extend beyond the outer radius 102 of the largest chain ring 54c (FIG. 3) on the shaft 28 as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 2, if desired, an anti-rotation mount 110 can be secured to the guard mounting holes 70d-i on the mounting bracket 60. The anti-rotation mount 110 extends from the mounting bracket 60 toward the frame 16 and is preferably wedged adjacent to one or two frame members 112 extending from the lower bracket sleeve 12. Preferably, the anti-rotation mount 110 includes a notched recess 114 sized to operably engage the frame members 112. The large number of guard mounting holes 70c-i along the substantially circular outer edge 76 allow the anti-rotation mount 110 to be effectively installed on a wide variety of frame styles and sizes. An installer mounts the anti-rotation mount 110 with bolts 111 extending through one or more of the mounting holes 70c-i on the mounting bracket 60. The installer simply selects the particular mounting holes 70c-i (FIG. 2 shows mounting holes 70f and 70g being used) that best fit that particular frame.

When the chain ring protector 10 is installed on the bicycle 14, the chain ring 54 is protected from inadvertent impacts with an object 11. The mounting bracket also assists with preventing the chain from inadvertently falling off the chain ring. Moreover, the chain ring protector 10 is operably secured directly to the lower bracket sleeve 12, one of the strongest elements of the frame 16. In addition, no portion of the chain ring protector 10 contacts or otherwise engages the chain ring 54 so it will not likely also damage the chain ring 54 in the process of protecting it. Accordingly, should the chain ring protector 10 become damaged during use, it can be easily replaced without removing the mounting bracket 60 from the lower bracket sleeve 12. Since the chain ring protector is secured primarily in place on the lower bracket sleeve using a conventional lower bracket spindle, which is already needed to enable operation of the bicycle, the need for additional mounting hardware beyond the mounting bracket is greatly reduced over the structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,930 to Morales.

In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the principles of the invention can be applied, it should be apparent that the detailed embodiments are illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. For example, and as best shown in FIGS. 5A & 5B, two chain rings protectors 10, 10′ can be installed on a lower bracket sleeve 12. One chain ring protector 10 is positioned between the lower bracket sleeve 12 and chain ring 54 as previously described. The other chain ring protector 10′ is operably secured to the opposite end of the lower bracket sleeve 12 as shown. Preferably, the opposite end of the lower bracket sleeve 12 includes a threaded portion 120 with a mating threaded mount (not shown) having a lip (not shown) for engaging the mounting bracket 60 of the second chain ring protector 10′. If desired and as shown in FIG. 5B, the anti-rotation mount 110 can extend between the two mounting brackets, thereby securing them in place on the bicycle 14.

Accordingly, the claimed invention includes all such modifications as may come within the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A chain ring protector for a vehicle having a frame with a lower bracket sleeve thereon and a lower bracket spindle operably secured thereto, the spindle pivotally securing a chain ring to the frame, the chain ring defining an outer radius with a portion of the chain ring extending below the lower bracket sleeve, said chain ring protector comprising:

a substantially planar mounting bracket portion secured to the lower bracket sleeve such that the substantially planar mounting bracket remains fixed with respect to the frame while the chain ring pivots; and,

a semi-circumferential guard portion extending from the substantially planar mount bracket portion adjacent to the chain ring and aligned with the portion of the chain ring extending below the lower bracket sleeve, an outer edge of said guard portion extending past the outer radius the chain ring so as to protect the portion of the chain ring extending below the lower bracket sleeve from inadvertent impacts.

2. The chain ring protector of claim 1, wherein the spindle includes a threaded end with a lip, and said lower bracket sleeve has mating threads for operably engaging the threaded end of the spindle, and wherein said substantially planar mounting bracket includes an opening for receiving the spindle therethrough such that tightening the spindle on said lower bracket urges the lip to engage the mounting bracket, thereby securing the mounting bracket to the lower bracket sleeve.

3. The chain ring protector of claim 1, wherein said guard portion is detachably secured to said substantially planar mounting bracket.

4. The chain ring protector of claim 3, wherein said guard includes a plurality of parallelly aligned slots thereon and said guard is secured to said mounting bracket through fasteners extending through said slots.

5. The chain ring protector of claim 4, wherein said guard has an substantially arcuate outer edge and the position of said arcuate outer edge with respect to an outer radius of said chain ring is adjustable by sliding said guard along said slots.

6. The chain right protector of claim 1, further including an anti-rotation mount extending from said chain ring protector to the frame.

7. The chain ring protector of claim 6, wherein said anti-rotation mount includes a recess for operably engaging a frame member of the frame.

8. The chain ring protector of claim 1, further including a second chain ring detector, said second chain ring detector operably secured to an opposite end of said lower bracket sleeve and aligned substantially parallel with said chain ring detector.

9. The chain ring protector of claim 1, further including a protective disk operably secured to said chain ring and having an outer radius larger than an outer radius of the chain ring.

10. A bicycle comprising:

a frame having a lower bracket sleeve thereon,

forward and aft wheels operably secured to said frame,

handle bars operably engaging said forward wheel and operably secured to said frame;

a lower bracket spindle having a pivoting shaft therein, said spindle detachably received though said lower bracket sleeve, said shaft having first and second ends;

a left crank secured to said first end of said shaft;

a right crank secured to said second end of said shaft;

a substantially planar sprocket operably secured to said shaft, for driving said aft wheel by rotation of said sprocket, a portion of said sprocket extending below said lower bracket sleeve by a defined distance;

a substantially planar mounting bracket portion secured to the lower bracket sleeve such that the substantially planar mounting bracket remains fixed with respect to the frame while the sprocket rotates about said shaft; and,

a semi-circumferential guard portion extending from the substantially planar mount bracket portion adjacent to the chain ring by a length greater than said defined distance, said semi-circumferential guard portion substantially aligned with said portion of said sprocket extending below said lower bracket sleeve.

11. The bicycle of claim 10, wherein the spindle includes a threaded end with a lip, and said lower bracket sleeve has mating threads for operably engaging the threaded end of the spindle, and wherein said substantially planar mounting bracket includes an opening for receiving the spindle therethrough such that tightening the spindle on said lower bracket urges the lip to engage the mounting bracket, thereby securing the mounting bracket to the lower bracket sleeve.

12. The bicycle of claim 10, wherein said guard portion is detachably secured to said substantially planar mounting bracket.

13. The bicycle of claim 12, wherein said guard includes a plurality of parallelly aligned slots thereon and said guard is secured to said mounting bracket through fasteners extending through said slots.

14. The bicycle of claim 13, wherein said guard has an substantially arcuate outer edge and the position of said arcuate outer edge with respect to an outer radius of said sprocket is adjustable by sliding said guard along said slots.

15. The bicycle of claim 10, further including an anti-rotation mount, extending from said mounting bracket to the frame.

16. The bicycle of claim 10, further including a protective disk operably secured to said sprocket and having an outer radius larger than an outer radius of the chain ring.

17. The bicycle of claim 10, further Including a plurality of sprockets operably secured to said shaft, with each sprocket of said plurality of sprockets having a different outer radius.

18. The chain ring protector of claim 1, further including adjustment means for adjusting the position of said semi-circumferential guard portion relative to said substantially planar mounting bracket portion so as to allow said outer edge of said guard portion to be adjusted without removing said substantially planar mounting bracket from said lower bracket sleeve.

19. The chain ring protector of claim 1, further including means for detachably securing said semi-circumferential guard portion to said substantially planer mounting bracket portion so as to allow said semi-circumferential guard portion to be replaced without removing said planar mounting bracket portion from said lower bracket sleeve.

20. The chain ring protector of claim 1, wherein said chain ring defines a plane, and said chain ring protector is aligned parallel to the plane without intersecting said plane.

21. A chain ring protector comprising:

a guard positioned in operable position entirely between a chain ring, having an outer radius, and a plane bisecting a bicycle frame into two lateral sides;

a mounting bracket positioned in operable position entirely between the chain ring and the plane bisecting the bicycle frame into two lateral sides, the mounting bracket adapted to be removably secured in operable position non-rotatably adjacent a lower bracket sleeve of a bicycle frame;

at least one connector detachably securing the guard to the mounting bracket adjacent the chain ring so as to allow the guard to be replaced without removing the mounting bracket from adjacent the lower bracket sleeve and without removing any drivetrain component; and

the guard having a semi-circumferential portion aligned with a portion of the chain ring that extends below the lower bracket sleeve, an outer edge of said guard portion extending past the outer radius of the chain ring so as to protect a portion of the chain ring extending below the lower bracket sleeve from inadvertent impacts.

22. A bicycle for off-road use having a plurality of tubes including a lower bracket sleeve, and at least one chain ring, an outermost chain ring defining an outer radius, the bicycle comprising:

a chain ring protector comprising a guard and a mounting bracket positioned in operable position entirely between the chain ring and a plane bisecting a bicycle frame into two lateral sides, the mounting bracket removably secured in operable position non-rotatably adjacent the lower bracket sleeve

at least one connector detachably securing the guard to the mounting bracket so as to allow the guard to be replaced without removing the mounting bracket from adjacent the lower bracket sleeve and without removing any drivetrain component; and

the guard having a semi-circumferential portion aligned with a portion of the chain ring that extends below the lower bracket sleeve, an outer edge of said guard portion extending past the outer radius of the chain ring so as to protect a portion of the chain ring extending below the lower bracket sleeve from inadvertent impacts.

23. The bicycle of claim 22, wherein the protector mounting bracket defines an aperture sized to pass at least a portion of a lower bracket spindle shaft therethrough, whereby the mounting bracket contacts no drive-train component.

24. The bicycle of claim 23, wherein the mounting bracket is mounted in operable position between the lower bracket sleeve and a spindle lip.

25. The bicycle of claim 22, wherein the protector mounting bracket defines a plurality of bolt mounting holes.

26. The bicycle of claim 25, wherein the protector further comprises a mount adapted to engage at least one bicycle frame tube.

27. The bicycle of claim 26, wherein the mount is notched to wedge between two frame tubes.

28. The bicycle of claim 22, wherein said mounting bracket has a substantially arcuate upper edge that is spaced from, and extends substantially to, an outer radius of an innermost chain ring in operable position, and wherein said substantially arcuate upper edge is inboard of the innermost chain ring in operable position.

29. A chain ring protector comprising:

a guard portion disposed in operative position adjacent a chain ring having an outer radius and positioned in operable position entirely between the chain ring and a plane bisecting a bicycle frame into two lateral sides; and a mounting bracket portion, the mounting bracket portion adapted to be secured in operable position non-rotatably adjacent a lower bracket sleeve of a bicycle frame;

at least one connector detachably securing the guard to the mounting bracket so as to allow the guard to be replaced without removing a drivetrain component from the bicycle;

wherein in the operable position said chain ring defines a plane, and said chain ring protector is aligned parallel to the plane without intersecting said plane; and

the guard having a semi-circumferential portion aligned with a portion of the chain ring that extends below the lower bracket sleeve, an outer edge of said guard portion extending past the outer radius of the chain ring so as to protect a portion of the chain ring extending below the lower bracket sleeve from inadvertent impacts.

30. A chain ring protector comprising:

a guard portion disposed in operable position adjacent at least one chain ring having an outer radius and positioned in operable position entirely between the chain ring and a plane bisecting a bicycle frame into two lateral sides;

a mounting bracket portion, the mounting bracket portion adapted to be secured in operable position non-rotatably adjacent a lower bracket sleeve of a bicycle frame without attaching to a bicycle frame tube;

at least one connector detachably securing the guard to the mounting bracket so as to allow the guard to be replaced without removing a drivetrain component from the bicycle; and

the guard having a semi-circumferential portion aligned with a portion of the chain ring that extends below the lower bracket sleeve, an outer edge of said guard portion extending past the outer radius of the chain ring so as to protect a portion of the chain ring extending below the lower bracket sleeve from inadvertent impacts.