Patents Assigned to Shimano, Inc.
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Patent number: 11713801Abstract: A bicycle sprocket is basically provided with a sprocket body and a plurality of chain-driving teeth. The sprocket body includes a central portion, an annular portion and an intermediate portion. The central portion has a central opening through which the rotational center axis passes and a plurality of internal splines for engaging external splines of a crank arm. The annular portion is disposed radially outward from the central portion with respect to the rotational center axis. The intermediate portion extends between the central portion and the annular portion in a radial direction about the rotational center axis. The plurality of chain-driving teeth extends radially outward from the annular portion of the sprocket body to engage with a bicycle chain. The sprocket body and the plurality of chain-driving teeth are formed as a one-piece, unitary member.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Kenichi Akanishi
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Patent number: 11702169Abstract: A hydraulic operating device is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The hydraulic operating device basically includes a base, an operating member and a handlebar mounting structure. The base includes a cylinder bore defining a cylinder axis. The operating member is pivotally coupled to the base about a pivot axis between a rest position and an operated position. The handlebar mounting structure is coupled to the base. The handlebar mounting structure defines a handlebar mounting axis that extends linearly along a handlebar in a mounted state. The cylinder axis is inclined towards the handlebar mounting axis as the cylinder bore extends away from the pivot axis as viewed in a pivot axis direction parallel to the pivot axis. The pivot axis is located in an area between the cylinder axis and the handlebar mounting axis as viewed in the pivot axis direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Kentaro Kosaka, Yusuke Nishikawa
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Patent number: 11702167Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device controls the transmission to initiate a shifting operation based on a set of prescribed conditions that changes the transmission ratio of a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller that switches between a first control state for controlling the transmission to change the transmission ratio in accordance with a first prescribed set of conditions, and a second control state for controlling the transmission to prevent the change of the transmission ratio as compared with if the electronic controller is in the first control state. The electronic controller switches between the first control state and the second control state in accordance with a detection of at least one of a steering state of the human-powered vehicle, a surface condition of a travel path on which the human-powered vehicle travels, and a pedaling preparation state related to the pedals of the human-powered vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Nobukatsu Hara, Hitoshi Takayama
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Patent number: 11697474Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member, a chain guide, a motor unit, and a linkage structure. The base member has at least one first link-pin-receiving opening. The motor unit has at least one second link-pin-receiving opening. The linkage structure comprises at least one link member and at least one link pin. The at least one link member is configured to movably couple the chain guide to the base member. The at least one link member has at least one third link-pin-receiving opening. The at least one link pin is configured to pivotally couple the at least one link member to the base member about at least one link pivot axis. One of the at least one link pin is configured to extend through the at least one first link-pin-receiving opening, the at least one second link-pin-receiving opening, and the at least one third link-pin-receiving opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2020Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Naoki Fujimoto
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Patent number: 11697473Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member, a linkage structure, a movable member, a first pulley assembly, and a second pulley assembly. The first pulley assembly includes a first pulley support and a first toothed pulley. The first pulley support is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a first pivot axis. The first toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the first pulley support about a first pulley axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis. The second pulley assembly includes a second pulley support, a second toothed pulley, and a third toothed pulley. The second pulley support is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a second pivot axis. The second toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the second pulley support about a second pulley axis. The third toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the second pulley support about a third pulley axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
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Patent number: 11697467Abstract: A rider-posture changing device is for a human-powered vehicle. The rider-posture changing device includes a first member, a second member, a positioning structure and an electric actuator. The second member is configured to be movable relative to the first member. The positioning structure is configured to adjustably position the first member relative to the second member. The electric actuator is configured to actuate the positioning structure. The electric actuator includes a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector. The first electrical connector is configured to be detachably and reattachably connected to a first power supply. The second electrical connector is configured to be detachably and reattachably connected to a second power supply.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Toyoto Shirai, Nicholas C Murdick
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Patent number: 11691693Abstract: A front sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The second sprocket includes a second sprocket body and a plurality of second sprocket teeth. At least one tooth of the plurality of second sprocket teeth includes a less chain-interference recess provided to the second axially inwardly facing surface. The less chain-interference recess is configured to reduce interference between the at least one tooth of the plurality of second sprocket teeth and a chain in an upshifting operation in which the chain is shifted from the first sprocket toward the second sprocket. The less chain-interference recess has a radially innermost end positioned radially inwardly from a tooth bottom circle of the plurality of second sprocket teeth. A radial distance radially defined from the tooth bottom circle to the radially innermost end with respect to a rotational center axis is equal to or larger than 1.0 mm.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Kohei Ohyabu, Tomohiro Noma, Hiroyuki Torii
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Patent number: 11685466Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device includes a controller configured to control a motor that assists propulsion of a human-powered vehicle including a movable member that is extensible and retractable. The controller controls the motor in accordance with actuation of the movable member during an extending or retracting action of the movable member.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Hitoshi Takayama
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Patent number: 11685470Abstract: A bicycle component controller is basically provided with a data storage device and a processor. The data storage device contains sprocket assembly information of at least one sprocket assembly. The processor is configured to perform a gear shift control based on the sprocket assembly information. The sprocket assembly information of the at least one sprocket assembly at least includes a total sprocket number and shifting gate information. The single shifting distance of the sprocket assembly information corresponds to an axial spacing between adjacent sprockets of the at least one sprocket assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Mitsuhiko Kawasaki, Shota Suyama
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Patent number: 11685469Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a circuit board, an electrical user interface, a motor housing, and a motor unit. The electrical user interface includes a user accessing portion configured to receive a user input. The motor housing includes a motor accommodating space. The motor unit is provided in the motor accommodating space and configured to generate rotational force and configured to be electrically connected to the circuit board. A first direction is defined from the circuit board toward the electrical user interface or from the electrical user interface toward the circuit board. The plurality of second directions is defined to be perpendicular to the first direction. The motor unit is at least partly provided between the user accessing portion of the electrical user interface and the circuit board when viewed in at least one of the plurality of second directions.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Shunsuke Yamamoto, Akihiro Hasegawa
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Patent number: 11685471Abstract: A shifting system for a human-powered vehicle comprises a controller. The controller is configured to receive a driving torque and a cadence of the human-powered vehicle from at least one sensor. The controller is configured to determine a permitted shift timing based on the driving torque and the cadence. The controller is further configured to control a shift mechanism to perform a gear shift during the permitted shift timing in accordance with a permitted cadence range and a first threshold of the driving torque.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Naoki Fujimoto, Takeshi Ueda, Tsuyoshi Fukumori
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Patent number: 11672241Abstract: An adaptor for securing an equipment to a fishing reel is disclosed. The adaptor includes a plate having a first opening configured to receive a male fastener of a fastening assembly to be mounted onto the fishing reel, and a second opening configured to receive the equipment.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignees: Shimano Components (Malaysia) SDN. BHD., Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Chun Wee Chew, Kenji Yoshida
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Publication number: 20230174191Abstract: A brake caliper for a bicycle includes a housing configured to be installed on the bicycle, the bicycle including a disc attached to a wheel of the bicycle. A brake pad is installed within the housing and is configured to move between a braking position and a non-braking position. The braking position is a location within the housing where the brake pad contacts the disc when the housing is installed on the bicycle. The non-braking position is a location within the housing where the brake pad is further from the disc than in the braking position. The caliper also includes a biasing member configured to bias the brake pad in a downstream direction within the housing with the brake pad is in the non-braking position, the downstream direction being parallel to a direction of rotation of the disc when a wheel of the bicycle is rotating to move the bicycle forward.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2021Publication date: June 8, 2023Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Nobuyoshi FUJII, Kazuya KUWAYAMA, Kazuki KOSHIYAMA, Toyoto SHIRAI, Yusuke HOSOMI
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Publication number: 20230175562Abstract: A brake pad for a bicycle includes a friction member and a support plate. The friction member configured to contact a disc in a state in which the brake pad is installed in a caliper on the bicycle. The support plate supports the friction member and includes a mounting hole. The mounting hole has a first dimension in a first direction parallel to a radial direction of the disc in a state in which the brake pad is installed in the caliper on the bicycle. The mounting hole has a second dimension in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the second dimension is larger than the first dimension.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2021Publication date: June 8, 2023Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Kazuki Koshiyama, Yusuke Hosomi
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Publication number: 20230166813Abstract: A bracket apparatus for mounting a derailleur to a frame of a human-powered vehicle comprises a frame attachment portion, a derailleur attachment portion spaced apart from the frame attachment portion, and a component attachment portion spaced apart from the frame attachment portion and the derailleur attachment portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2021Publication date: June 1, 2023Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Hiroshi FUJITA, Atsuhiro EMURA, Shota SUYAMA, Dai YOKOZAWA, Yusuke ODA
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Publication number: 20230166814Abstract: A bracket apparatus for mounting a derailleur to a frame of a human-powered vehicle comprises a bracket body. The bracket body includes a frame attachment portion configured to be attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle, a derailleur attachment portion to which the derailleur is to be attached, and a cable groove in which a cable is to be at least partly provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2021Publication date: June 1, 2023Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Hiroshi FUJITA, Atsuhiro EMURA, Yuki SAKAGAWA, Dai YOKOZAWA
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Publication number: 20230166812Abstract: A bracket apparatus for mounting a derailleur to a frame of a human-powered vehicle comprises a bracket body and one of a restriction member and a restriction opening. The bracket body includes a frame attachment portion configured to be attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle and a derailleur attachment portion to which the derailleur is to be attached. The restriction member is configured to be at least partly provided in the restriction opening to restrict a rotation of the bracket body relative to the frame of the human-powered vehicle in a bracket mounting state where the bracket apparatus is mounted to the frame of the human-powered vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2021Publication date: June 1, 2023Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Hiroshi FUJITA, Atsuhiro EMURA, Shota SUYAMA, Yusuke ODA
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Patent number: 11661138Abstract: A drive train for a human-powered vehicle comprises a drive unit, a sprocket arrangement, and a total gear range quotient. The drive unit includes a motor configured to impart propulsion to the human-powered vehicle. The sprocket arrangement is operatively coupled to the drive unit. The sprocket arrangement comprises a plurality of rear sprockets and a plurality of gear ratios respectively corresponding to the plurality of rear sprockets. The plurality of gear ratios includes a largest gear ratio and a smallest gear ratio. The total gear range quotient is obtained by dividing the largest gear ratio by the smallest gear ratio. The total gear range quotient is larger than 5.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
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Patent number: 11661141Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member, a linkage structure, a pulley assembly, and a rotational force control structure configured to control rotational force of the pulley assembly relative to the movable member. The pulley assembly is pivotally movable relative to the movable member about a pivot axis in first and second directions. The pulley assembly is configured to move in the first direction upon moving from a second pivotal position toward a first pivotal position. The rotational force control structure includes a cam member having a first cam surface, an abutment member configured to abut the first cam surface, and a biasing member configured to bias the abutment member. The abutment member is configured to abut the first cam surface by the biasing member to apply first additional force to the pulley assembly in the first direction while the pulley assembly is in the first pivotal position.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Naoki Fujimoto, Tsuyoshi Fukumori
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Patent number: D990616Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Miho Suzuki, Akira Nago