Patents Assigned to Shimano, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11618528
    Abstract: A piston assembly is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The piston assembly includes a main body and a primary seal. The main body is configured to be movable from a rest position to an actuated position along an actuation direction in a cylinder bore. The primary seal includes a primary seal body arranged on the main body. The primary seal body is made of a resin material. The primary seal body has a primary lip portion configured to be in contact with the cylinder bore in an arranged state where the piston assembly is arranged in the cylinder bore. The primary seal further includes a biasing part configured to be in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the main body to outwardly bias the primary lip portion of the primary seal body in the arranged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kohei Obuchi, Yasuyuki Komada, Nobuyoshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 11618530
    Abstract: A cleat adapter system is provided for a cycling shoe. The cleat adapter system comprises a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, an actuator, a communicator and a controller. The first connecting portion is configured to be connected to a cleat. The second connecting portion is connected to the first connecting portion. The actuator operatively is coupled to one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The second connecting portion is configured to adjust a relative position between the first connecting portion and the second connection portion. The communicator is configured to receive at least one of bicycle information and user information. The controller operatively couples the actuator and the communicator. The controller is configured to control the actuator to adjust the relative position based on at least one of the bicycle information and the user information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Aoki, Kaoru Ouchi, Kadunori Iuchi, Shota Nishijima
  • Publication number: 20230101950
    Abstract: A waterproof structure is provided on a spinning reel including a reel main body, a cylindrical member disposed on an outer periphery of a spool shaft and a rotor disposed at a front of the cylindrical member in the reel main body. The waterproof structure includes a seal member which waterproofs the entire circumference in the area between the cylindrical member and the rotor. The seal member includes a main lip that is in liquid-tight contact at a contact portion in the axial direction of the spool shaft. An annular wall portion is disposed on at least one of the rotor or the cylindrical member. The annular wall portion covers the contact portion at the entire circumference of an outer peripheral side of the contact portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Koji OCHIAI
  • Patent number: 11612156
    Abstract: A torque limiting device for a fishing reel for limiting torque between first and second rotating members, the torque limiting device includes an engagement recess, an engagement member and a biasing member. The engagement recess is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the second rotating member. The engagement member has a head portion that engages the engagement recess and is disposed on the first rotating member so as to be capable of advancing toward or retreating from the second rotating member. The biasing member biases the engagement member toward the second rotating member. The head portion of the engagement member has a straight part at a distal end that extends linearly in a direction of the axis of rotation of the first rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Seishu Mori, Hitoshi Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 11612154
    Abstract: A fishing rod includes a rod blank which is configured to be attached to a fishing reel on a lower side. The rod blank includes a main portion and a rear grip portion which is continuous to a rod end side of the main portion. An end surface of the rod blank on the rod end side is inclined such that the lower side extends farther in a direction of the rod end side than the upper side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Osoreda, Hironori Takahashi, Takahiro Yamanaka
  • Publication number: 20230093210
    Abstract: An electrical switch device includes an electrical switch unit, a wireless communicator, a power source, an electrical cable, and a connecting part. The electrical switch unit is at least partly disposed outside of a handlebar. The wireless communicator is inserted to an internal space of the handlebar. The power source and the wireless communicator are separated away from the electrical switch unit and arranged at different positions from the electrical switch unit. The electrical cable is configured to electrically connect the electrical switch unit to the wireless communicator and the power supply. The connecting part is electrically connected to the electrical cable. The connecting part is configured to electrically and detachably connect the electrical switch unit to the wireless communicator and the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Akihiko SYOUGE, Takuma SAKAI, Kazuma MORI, Yasuyuki KOMADA, Takehiko NAKAJIMA, Noor Ashyikkin BINTI MOHD NOOR
  • Publication number: 20230090059
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a unit mounting portion, a battery mounting portion, a wireless communicator, an electrical connector, and a battery. The wireless communicator is detachably disposed at the unit mounting portion. The electrical connector receiving portion is configured to receive a connector. The battery is configured to be disposed at the battery mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tadashi ICHIDA, Toshio TETSUKA, Hiroshi MATSUMOTO, Naoshi FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20230085765
    Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle includes a base member and an operating member. The base member includes a first end portion, a second end portion, a base body, and an accommodating structure. The first end portion is configured to be coupled to a handlebar. The second end portion is opposite to the first end portion. The base body is configured to accommodate at least one of a hydraulic unit. The accommodating structure is configured to accommodate at least one of circuitry accommodating part and a power-supply accommodating part. The operating member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a pivot axis. The accommodating structure is a separate member from the base body. The accommodating structure is detachably attached to the base body at the second end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki KOMADA, Takaya MASUDA, Takuma SAKAI, Yuichiro HIDAKA, Shun KAKEHASHI
  • Publication number: 20230086185
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member, a motor unit, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the motor unit to rotate an output shaft of the motor unit at a first maximum voltage during a first shifting operation of the chain in a first shifting direction. The controller is configured to control the motor unit to rotate the output shaft of the motor unit at a second maximum voltage during a second shifting operation of the chain in a second shifting direction. The first maximum voltage is different from the second maximum voltage. The bicycle derailleur is configured to receive electricity from an electric power source configured to supply electricity to an assist driving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Naoki FUJIMOTO, Katsuhiro TACHIBANA, Yutaro YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20230089903
    Abstract: An electrical device for a system of a human-powered vehicle comprises a controller. The controller is configured to selectively act, based on reference information relating to the system, as each of a master controller and a slave controller. The master controller is configured to transmit a first control signal to a different slave controller of a different electrical device of the system. The different slave controller is configured to be operated in response to the first control signal. The slave controller is configured to be operated in response to a second control signal transmitted from a different master controller of a different electrical device of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yuki SAKAGAWA, Toyoto SHIRAI, Noor Ashyikkin BINTI MOHD NOOR, Akihiro NOZAKI, Satoshi SHAHANA, Hitoshi TAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 11608139
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base member including a mounting portion configured to be attached to a bicycle frame, the mounting portion having a mounting opening through which a central axis of a hub axle passes in a mounting state of the bicycle rear derailleur. The mounting portion includes a single joint or is free of any joint. Also included is a movable member movably coupled relative to the base member and a linkage structure operatively connecting the movable member to the base member. Also included is at least one of a motor, a first wireless communication unit, and an electrical connector. The at least one of the motor, the first wireless communication unit, and the electrical connector are disposed on at least one of the base member, the movable member, and the linkage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Komatsu, Satoshi Idogaki
  • Patent number: 11607907
    Abstract: A bicycle rim printing apparatus comprises a non-contact printer to print a non-contact printed deposit to an annular rim body, a rim holder to hold the annular rim body, and a rotational actuator to rotate the rim holder relative to the non-contact printer about a rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Dai Yokozawa, Wataru Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20230080156
    Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base structure, a first switch unit, and a second switch unit. The base structure defines a mounting axis. The first switch unit comprises a first switch base member, a first switch, and a first point. The first point is closest to the mounting axis along a first direction parallel to a first pivot axis. The second switch unit comprises a second switch base member, a second switch, and a second point. The second point is closest to the mounting axis along a second direction parallel to a second pivot axis. A second minimum distance is longer than a first minimum distance. A third minimum distance is longer than a fourth minimum distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kentaro KOSAKA
  • Publication number: 20230078660
    Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base structure, a first switch unit, and a first coupling structure. The first switch unit comprises a first switch base member, a first switch, and a first movable member. The first switch is configured to be activated in response to a first user input. The first switch is mounted to the first switch base member. The first movable member is pivotally coupled to the first switch base member about a first pivot axis such that the first movable member activates the first switch in response to the first user input. The first coupling structure is configured to couple the first switch base member to the base structure such that a position of the first switch base member is adjustable relative to the base structure about the first pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kentaro KOSAKA
  • Patent number: 11603166
    Abstract: A rear sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket, a second sprocket, and at least one tooth-position maintaining member. The at least one tooth-position maintaining member is configured to maintain a relative position between a plurality of first sprocket teeth and a plurality of second sprocket teeth in a circumferential direction with respect to a rotational center axis. The at least one tooth-position maintaining member includes a fixed portion and at least one guide portion. The fixed portion is configured to be fixed to one of the first sprocket and the second sprocket. The at least one guide portion is configured to engage with the other of the first sprocket and the second sprocket such that the other of the first sprocket and the second sprocket is slidable relative to the one of the first sprocket and the second sprocket in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Publication number: 20230071854
    Abstract: A drag washer for a fishing reel has a sliding surface slidable relative to a plate washer. The drag washer includes a felt material formed by entwining a first fiber and a second fiber. The first fiber extends in a first direction along a thickness of the drag washer. The second fiber extends in a second direction along the sliding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira NIITSUMA, Shu KUSUDA, Atsushi YAGARA, Takuji TAKAMATSU
  • Patent number: 11597471
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device for a human-powered vehicle includes an electronic controller configured to control a motor, which applies a propulsion force to a human-powered vehicle, in correspondence with a human driving force input to the human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to control the motor so as to increase an assist force produced by the motor for when an output of the motor is maximal upon determining a parameter related to at least one of a vehicle speed of the human-powered vehicle, an inclination angle of the human-powered vehicle, and a travel resistance of the human-powered vehicle has increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 11597466
    Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base member, an operating member, an accommodating structure, and a second electric power source. The operating member is movably coupled to the base member. The accommodating structure is configured to accommodate a first electric power source. The second electric power source is electrically connected so as to supply electricity to a wireless communicator. The second electric power source is separate from the first electric power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takaya Masuda, Fumihide Numata, Yoshiyuki Kasai, Tomohiro Takimoto, Nobuhiro Kure, Katsuhiro Tachibana, Hiroshi Tsuda, Yasuyuki Komada, Shun Kakehashi, Yuichiro Hidaka
  • Patent number: 11597470
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle component includes an input device, to which first information related to at least one of a human-powered vehicle, a rider of the human-powered vehicle, and environment of the human-powered vehicle is input. The human-powered vehicle component further comprises an electric actuator and an artificial intelligence processor configured to generate second information for controlling the electric actuator in accordance with the first information input to the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20230061422
    Abstract: A collar member is used for a spinning reel. The spinning reel has a reel body, a spool shaft that moves in a front-back direction with respect to the reel body, a pinion gear that rotates around the spool shaft, a rotor nut that rotates integrally with the pinion gear, and a bearing that is disposed between the spool shaft and the rotor nut in a radial direction and rotatably supports the rotor nut. The collar member is disposed between the spool shaft and the bearing in the radial direction. The collar member is formed by a resin material that has a linear expansion coefficient of 10×10-6 (1/°C) or more and 50×10-6 (1/°C) or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Koji OCHIAI, Kei SAITO, Akira NIITSUMA, Satoshi IKEBUKURO, Atsushi KAWAMATA