The power transmission mechanism includes a non-contact power transmission mechanism and a mechanical power transmission mechanism, both of which are provided in parallel on a power unit side or a rear wheel side. The mechanical power transmission mechanism has a crown gear and a pinion that are meshed at the time of low-speed rotation of the engine and are separated at the time of medium-high speed rotation thereof.

The power transmission mechanism includes a non-contact power transmission mechanism and a mechanical power transmission mechanism, both of which are provided in parallel on a power unit side or a rear wheel side. The mechanical power transmission mechanism has a crown gear and a pinion that are meshed at the time of low-speed rotation of the engine and are separated at the time of medium-high speed rotation thereof.

A gear mechanism is provided, having a gear arrangement, and a spindle arrangement to support the gear arrangement, the spindle arrangement having first, second, third and fourth spindles. The gear arrangement, of concentric gears only, that includes a first gear set mounted on the first and fourth spindles and arranged to be driven via a first pedal, a second gear set mounted on the second and fourth spindles and arranged to be driven via a second pedal, and a third gear set mounted on the third and fourth spindles, wherein, for each of the first and second gear sets, the gear set is configured to be alternately driven, via the corresponding pedal being rotated through less than 180°, in a power stroke to drive the third gear set, and, advanced, via the corresponding pedal being rotated through more than 180°, in a return stroke to commence a subsequent power stroke.

A gear mechanism is provided, having a gear arrangement, and a spindle arrangement to support the gear arrangement, the spindle arrangement having first, second, third and fourth spindles. The gear arrangement, of concentric gears only, that includes a first gear set mounted on the first and fourth spindles and arranged to be driven via a first pedal, a second gear set mounted on the second and fourth spindles and arranged to be driven via a second pedal, and a third gear set mounted on the third and fourth spindles, wherein, for each of the first and second gear sets, the gear set is configured to be alternately driven, via the corresponding pedal being rotated through less than 180°, in a power stroke to drive the third gear set, and, advanced, via the corresponding pedal being rotated through more than 180°, in a return stroke to commence a subsequent power stroke.

A system and method for a bicycle transmission. Specifically, a bicycle transmission having a housing with a first shaft passing therethrough; a set of two conical gear assemblies in opposing parallel alignment disposed within the housing, each having a plurality of different sized gears arranged in a progressive order. A first conical gear assembly is engaged about the first shaft. A second conical gear assembly engaged about a second shaft parallel to the first shaft, the second shaft structured and arranged to have at least a proximate position and a distal position relative to the first shaft. A drive belt is disposed generally normally about one of the two conical gear assemblies and passing therebetween, the drive belt engaging a gear from the first conical gear assembly with a gear from the second conical gear assembly when the second conical gear assembly is in the proximal position. At least one drive belt mover structured and arranged to move the drive belt along progressive order of gears when the second conical gear assembly is in the distal position. A transfer gear joined to an end of the second shaft. A method of use is provided as well.

A system and method for a bicycle transmission. Specifically, a bicycle transmission having a housing with a first shaft passing therethrough; a set of two conical gear assemblies in opposing parallel alignment disposed within the housing, each having a plurality of different sized gears arranged in a progressive order. A first conical gear assembly is engaged about the first shaft. A second conical gear assembly engaged about a second shaft parallel to the first shaft, the second shaft structured and arranged to have at least a proximate position and a distal position relative to the first shaft. A drive belt is disposed generally normally about one of the two conical gear assemblies and passing therebetween, the drive belt engaging a gear from the first conical gear assembly with a gear from the second conical gear assembly when the second conical gear assembly is in the proximal position. At least one drive belt mover structured and arranged to move the drive belt along progressive order of gears when the second conical gear assembly is in the distal position. A transfer gear joined to an end of the second shaft. A method of use is provided as well.

Bicycle belt or chain drive tensioning systems and IGH-thru-axle conversion systems are described that includes first and second anti-rotation keys, a bushing, and first and second fasteners configured to center the IGH laterally within first and second dropouts of the bicycle. The belt or chain tensioning device includes a mounting clamp, a swing arm assembly with a stepped pivot shaft, a swing arm, a first pulley rotatably supported by the pivoted shaft, and a second pulley rotatably attached to the swing arm, the first pulley and the swing arm rotating about a longitudinal axis of the stepped pivot shaft. Methods for assembly and operation of such systems are also disclosed.

Bicycle belt or chain drive tensioning systems and IGH-thru-axle conversion systems are described that includes first and second anti-rotation keys, a bushing, and first and second fasteners configured to center the IGH laterally within first and second dropouts of the bicycle. The belt or chain tensioning device includes a mounting clamp, a swing arm assembly with a stepped pivot shaft, a swing arm, a first pulley rotatably supported by the pivoted shaft, and a second pulley rotatably attached to the swing arm, the first pulley and the swing arm rotating about a longitudinal axis of the stepped pivot shaft. Methods for assembly and operation of such systems are also disclosed.

A bicycle having a frame with a saddle, and rear and front wheels. A large gear is rotated integrally with the rear wheel and is concentric with an axle thereof and includes a diameter smaller than the rear wheel. A small gear circumscribes the large gear above the rear wheel axle, a small gear supporting bracket swings about the rear wheel axle and rotatably supports the small gear. A load receiving surface, a load transmission unit movably supported to the frame and movable longitudinally on the load receiving surface are provided. A first sprocket is concentric with the small gear, a second sprocket is rotatably provided rear of the first sprocket and lower than the rotation center thereof, a chain is wound between the first and second sprockets, and a first rachet which mounted on the small gear restricts rearward rotation of the rear wheel via the large gear.

A bicycle having a frame with a saddle, and rear and front wheels. A large gear is rotated integrally with the rear wheel and is concentric with an axle thereof and includes a diameter smaller than the rear wheel. A small gear circumscribes the large gear above the rear wheel axle, a small gear supporting bracket swings about the rear wheel axle and rotatably supports the small gear. A load receiving surface, a load transmission unit movably supported to the frame and movable longitudinally on the load receiving surface are provided. A first sprocket is concentric with the small gear, a second sprocket is rotatably provided rear of the first sprocket and lower than the rotation center thereof, a chain is wound between the first and second sprockets, and a first rachet which mounted on the small gear restricts rearward rotation of the rear wheel via the large gear.