Patent attributes
A method for shifting a segmented gear may include rotating a gear cluster including a first gear and a coaxial second gear using a power transfer mechanism (e.g., a belt or a chain). The power transfer mechanism defines a plane and is wrapped partially around the first gear. and wherein the first gear has a plurality of gear segments independently movable (e.g., pivotable or translatable) into and out of the plane. A plurality of radially transitionable sliders are rotated in tandem with the first gear, and each of the sliders is operatively coupled to a corresponding one of the gear segments of the first gear. In sequence, each segment of the first gear is moved out of the plane of the power transfer mechanism by urging the slider in a radial direction using a segment actuator, such that the power transfer mechanism wraps at least partially around the second gear.