US 12,326,175 B2
Individually phased pawl drive mechanism
Michael Macfarland Dulken, Asheville, NC (US); and Clint John Spiegel, Asheville, NC (US)
Assigned to Industry Nine Componenty Inc., Asheville, NC (US)
Filed by Industry Nine Componentry Inc., Asheville, NC (US)
Filed on Jan. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/568,460.
Application 17/568,460 is a continuation of application No. 16/252,028, filed on Jan. 18, 2019, granted, now 11,293,500.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/618,702, filed on Jan. 18, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0128105 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16D 41/30 (2006.01); B60B 27/02 (2006.01); B60B 27/04 (2006.01)
CPC F16D 41/30 (2013.01) [B60B 27/023 (2013.01); B60B 27/047 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An individually phased pawl drive mechanism for a freewheel of a bicycle wheel hub, the individually phased pawl drive mechanism comprising:
a plurality of pawls, each pawl of the plurality of pawls having a rounded head end and an elongate body, the elongate body having a width narrower than a diameter of the rounded head end and having a distal end, the distal end having an angled face, the angled face having a plurality of slots;
a pawl carrier member with a plurality of nests corresponding to the plurality of pawls, a nest of the plurality of nests having a circular section and an opening, the circular section being larger than the diameter of the rounded head end, the opening being narrower than the diameter of the rounded head end, wherein each pawl of the plurality of pawls is received in a corresponding one of the plurality of nests and can rotate through a limited angle; and
a drive ring carrier member having an inner facing surface, the inner facing surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth, each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth being shaped and dimensioned for engagement with a slot in a pawl of the plurality of pawls;
wherein the angled face is oriented toward the inner facing surface;
wherein a first pawl of the plurality of pawls to be brought into engagement defines a primary pawl and a remainder of the plurality of pawls defines a plurality of secondary pawls;
wherein rotation of the pawl carrier member in a first direction relative to the drive ring carrier member causes the plurality of pawls to collectively slide over the plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth and the drive ring carrier member freewheels with respect to the pawl carrier member;
wherein rotation of the pawl carrier member in a second direction relative to the drive ring carrier member causes a first one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth to engage a first slot in the first pawl of the plurality of pawls; and
wherein continued rotation of the pawl carrier member in the second direction relative to the drive ring carrier member is permitted if a drive force is sufficient to cause deflection of the pawl carrier member relative to the drive ring carrier member, thereby causing one or more subsequent ones of the plurality of secondary pawls each to be brought into engagement in succession with a corresponding one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth.