Cushion ring sprocket assembly and method

1. A chain drive assembly comprising:

a sprocket assembly comprising:

(a) a sprocket body comprising a hub and an annular toothed portion connected to said hub, said toothed portion comprising opposite first and second axial faces and comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart teeth that project radially outwardly from said hub;

(b) first and second flanges connected to said hub on opposite sides of said annular toothed portion, said first and second flanges each defining a non-circular periphery;

(c) a first cushion ring loosely received on said hub between said first flange and said first axial face of said annular toothed member; and,

(d) a second cushion ring loosely received on said hub between said second flange and said second axial face of said annular toothed member;

said chain drive assembly further comprising a chain engaging said sprocket body teeth.

2. The chain drive assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said chain drive assembly comprises an engine timing system.

3. The chain drive assembly as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said engine timing system is for use in an automobile.

4. The chain drive assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said bore extends along a central axis of rotation of said sprocket body.

5. The chain drive assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:

said first and second flanges each define a major diameter and a minor diameter that is smaller than said major diameter;

said first cushion ring defines an inner diameter that is larger than said minor diameter of said first flange and smaller than said major diameter of said first flange; and,

said second cushion ring defines an inner diameter that is larger than said minor diameter of said second flange and smaller than said major diameter of said second flange.

6. The chain drive assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:

said sprocket rotates about an axis of rotation;

a first interference is defined between a portion of said first flange that radially overlaps a portion of said first cushion ring when said first cushion ring is centered relative to said axis of rotation; and,

a second interference is defined between a portion of said second flange that radially overlaps a portion of said second cushion ring when said second cushion ring is centered relative to said axis of rotation.

7. The chain drive assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:

said first and second cushion rings define circular inside diameters;

said first cushion ring is selectively deformable to define a first non-circular inside diameter that accommodates movement of said first flange therethrough when said first flange is registered with said first non-circular inside diameter; and,

said second cushion ring is selectively deformable to define a second non-circular inside diameter that accommodates movement of said second flange therethrough when said second flange is registered with said second non-circular inside diameter.

8. The chain drive assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said first and second cushion rings are defined from steel.

9. The chain drive assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said hub and said annular toothed portion of said sprocket body are defined as a one-piece construction.

10. The chain drive assembly as set forth in claim 9 , wherein said hub, said annular toothed portion and said first and second flanges of said sprocket body are defined as a one-piece construction.

11. The chain drive assembly as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said sprocket body is defined from compacted powdered metal.

12. The chain drive assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said first and second flanges each define an elliptical periphery.

13. The chain drive assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said first and second cushion rings eccentrically float on said hub of said sprocket body.

14. A chain drive assembly comprising:

a sprocket assembly comprising:

(a) a sprocket body comprising a hub and an annular toothed portion connected to said hub, said toothed portion comprising opposite first and second axial faces and comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart teeth that project radially outwardly away from said hub;

(b) a first flange connected to said hub and cooperating with said first axial face of said toothed portion to define a first groove, said first flange defining a non-circular periphery;

(c) a first cushion ring loosely received on said hub in said first groove;

said chain drive assembly further comprising a chain engaging said sprocket body teeth.

15. A method of constructing a cushion ring sprocket body, said method comprising:

providing a sprocket body blank, said blank comprising a hub portion, an annular portion projecting from said hub portion;

defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart teeth that project radially outwardly from said hub portion; and

attaching first and second flanges to said hub portion on opposite sides of said annular toothed portion, said first and second flanges each defining a non-circular periphery.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 , wherein said sprocket body blank is formed by a process comprising at least one of casting, machining, or powdered metal forming techniques.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16 , wherein said first and second flanges each define an oval periphery.

18. A method of constructing a cushion ring sprocket body, said method comprising:

providing a sprocket body blank, said blank comprising first and second hub portions;

removing material from said first hub portion to define a first circular groove in said first hub portion and a first non-circular flange; and

removing material from said second hub portion to define a second circular groove in said second hub portion and a second non-circular flange.