Patents by Inventor Kazutaka Fukao

Kazutaka Fukao has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9637195
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a first movable member, an operating structure, and a changing structure. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle part. The first movable member is movable relative to the base member. The operating structure is configured to operate a bicycle component in response to movement of the first movable member. The changing structure includes a second movable member configured to be movable relative to the first movable member. The changing structure is configured to change an amount of movement of the first movable member relative to the base member in accordance with movement of the second movable member relative to the first movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Yasuhisa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9598139
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a mounting clamp and an adapter member. The mounting clamp is configured to be mounted to a bicycle tube member and comprises a first radius portion, a second radius portion, and a clamp opening. The first radius portion defines a first inner radius. The second radius portion defines a second inner radius different from the first inner radius. The bicycle tube member is to extend through the clamp opening. The clamp opening is defined by the first radius portion and the second radius portion. The adapter member is configured to be provided between the second radius portion and the bicycle tube member in a state where the mounting clamp is mounted to the bicycle tube member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Yasuhisa Watanabe, Kazutaka Fukao, Toshihiko Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9592879
    Abstract: A shift positioning mechanism includes a take-up member movably arranged with respect to a fixed member in first and second directions. A stopping pawl has a stopping tooth and is rotatably mounted on a first rotational axis so as to move between a non-stop position and a stop position. A positioning pawl has a positioning tooth and is rotatably mounted on the first rotational axis so as to move between a non-holding position and a holding position. A releasing member is movably arranged between a non-releasing position and a releasing position so as to rotate the stopping pawl and the positioning pawl. The releasing member rotates the stopping pawl and the positioning pawl such that the stopping tooth moves from the non-stop position to the stop position prior to the positioning tooth moving from the holding position to the non-holding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Yoshimitsu Miki
  • Publication number: 20170037894
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a cable control body, an operating member, a supporting structure, and an adjusting structure. The cable control body is configured to be pivotably mounted to the base member about a pivot axis to control a control cable. The operating member is configured to be movably mounted to the base member from a rest position to an operated position to move the cable control body. The supporting structure is configured to pivotably support the cable control body relative to the base member. The supporting structure is provided to the base member so as to at least partly intersect with the pivot axis. The adjusting structure is configured to adjustably position the supporting structure relative to the base member such that the rest position of the operating member is adjusted relative to the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro MIYAZAKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Yasuhisa WATANABE
  • Patent number: 9511815
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device mounting assembly is basically provided with a handlebar mounting clamp and an adapter member. The handlebar mounting clamp has a clamp opening that defines a first diameter. The adapter member includes a connecting portion and a projecting portion. The connecting portion is detachably disposed within the clamp opening. The projecting portion projects from the clamp opening. The connecting portion has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The connecting portion is configured to clamp a handlebar as the handlebar mounting clamp is tightened in a state that the connecting portion is disposed within the clamp opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinya Hirotomi, Kentaro Kosaka, Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao, Takaaki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20160327070
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a hydraulic cylinder, a piston, and an operating unit. The hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder bore. The piston is provided in the cylinder bore and is movable relative to the hydraulic cylinder. The piston is configured to receive a pulling force to generate a hydraulic pressure to a bicycle hydraulic component. The operating unit is configured to actuate at least one bicycle component different from the bicycle hydraulic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takaaki FUJIWARA, Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Publication number: 20160327067
    Abstract: A bar-end type bicycle hydraulic operating device is basically provided with a base member and a hydraulic unit. The base member is configured to be mounted on a handlebar. The base member has an abutment that is configured to contact an end of the handlebar. The hydraulic unit is provided on the base member. The hydraulic unit includes a hydraulic cylinder that has a cylinder bore, a piston movably disposed in the cylinder bore, and a reservoir fluidly communicating with the cylinder bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Takaaki FUJIWARA, Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Patent number: 9487268
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission apparatus comprises a controller configured to control at least one transmission device in accordance with a transmission route in response to a shift signal. The controller is configured to adjust the transmission route based on bicycle information relating to a running condition of a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Souta Yamaguchi, Yoshimitsu Miki, Hideki Ikemoto, Masahiko Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20160297501
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is provided for operating a bicycle component. The bicycle control device includes a base member, an operating member, a take-up member and a pulling member. The operating member moves relative to the base member in opposite directions from a rest position to first and second operated positions. The take-up member moves relative to the base member in a take-up direction for pulling a control cable and a releasing direction for releasing the control cable. The pulling member is disposed on the operating member to move the take-up member in the take-up direction in response to an operation of the operating member toward the first operated position. The take-up member moves in the releasing direction in response to an operation of the operating member toward the second operated position. The pulling member contacts the take-up member while the operating member is in the rest position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Kazutaka FUKAO, Yoshimitsu MIKI
  • Patent number: 9440703
    Abstract: A clamp assembly is provided for fixing a handlebar grip to a handlebar. The clamp assembly has a fixing member that is configured to be mounted on the handlebar. The fixing member has at least one mating grip locking structure and a component attachment structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao, Kentaro Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20160229481
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, and a movable member. The movable member is configured to move an operation cable in a pulling direction to operate a bicycle component in response to a first movement of the operating member. The movable member is configured such that the operation cable is movable in a releasing direction in response to a release of the operating member from a first operated position. The movable member is configured to move the operation cable in the pulling direction to operate the bicycle component in response to a second movement of the operating member. The movable member is configured such that the operation cable is movable in the releasing direction in response to a release of the operating member from a second operated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Toyoto SHIRAI, Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Publication number: 20160221632
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is basically provided with a main support body, an external handlebar fixing structure and an operating unit. The main support body has an abutment that is configured to contact an end of a handlebar in a state where the bicycle operating device is mounted to the handlebar. The external handlebar fixing structure is disposed on the main support body. The external handlebar fixing structure is configured to contact an external surface of the handlebar in a state where the bicycle operating device is mounted to the handlebar. The operating unit is mounted to the main support body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Takaaki FUJIWARA, Tatsuya MATSUSHITA, Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Patent number: 9381975
    Abstract: A bicycle shift operating device is basically provided with a base member, a shift unit, a first operating lever, a second operating lever, a first biasing element and a second biasing element. The first operating lever operates the shift unit by pivoting about a first pivot axis between a rest position and a shifting position. The second operating lever operates the shift unit by pivoting about a second pivot axis on the first operating lever between a rest position and a shifting position. The first biasing element biases the first operating lever towards the first rest position to keep the first operating member at the first rest position. The second biasing element biases the first operating lever towards its rest position in response to independent movement of the second operating lever from its rest position to its shifting position while the first operating lever remains at its rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Kazunori Ookubo
  • Publication number: 20160167738
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission apparatus comprises a controller configured to control at least one transmission device in accordance with a transmission route in response to a shift signal. The controller is configured to adjust the transmission route based on bicycle information relating to a running condition of a bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazutaka FUKAO, Souta YAMAGUCHI, Yoshimitsu MIKI, Hideki IKEMOTO, Masahiko FUKUDA
  • Publication number: 20160121960
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided with a bracket and an operating unit. The bracket is configured to be coupled to a handlebar. The operating unit is configured to be pivotally mounted to the bracket around a first axis. The operating unit includes a shift unit, a first operating member and a pivot axle structure. The shift unit is configured to operate a wire. The first operating member is configured to operate the shift unit. The pivot axle structure is configured to pivotally mount the operating unit to the bracket around the first axis. The pivot axle structure defines a wire receiving passageway for the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Yasuhisa WATANABE, Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Patent number: 9327793
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is provided with a position maintaining arrangement that selectively maintains a movable member in any one of a plurality of holding positions relative to a fixed member. The moving arrangement selectively moves the movable member in a first moving direction from a current holding position to another one of the plurality of holding positions. The first operating member moves in a first operating direction from a rest position to a first end position, and moves in a second operating direction from the rest position to a second end position. The movable member is moved by a different number of the holding positions in the first moving direction when the first operating member moves from the rest position to the first end position as compared to when the first operating member moves from the rest position to the second end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Etsuyoshi Watarai, Kentaro Kosaka
  • Patent number: 9321501
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided with a bracket and an operating unit. The bracket is configured to be coupled to a handlebar. The operating unit is configured to be pivotally mounted to the bracket around a first axis. The operating unit includes a shift unit, a first operating member and a pivot axle structure. The shift unit is configured to operate a wire. The first operating member is configured to operate the shift unit. The pivot axle structure is configured to pivotally mount the operating unit to the bracket around the first axis. The pivot axle structure defines a wire receiving passageway for the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Yasuhisa Watanabe, Kazutaka Fukao
  • Publication number: 20160059933
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided for operating a bicycle component. The bicycle control device includes a mounting member, a take-up member, a position maintaining member, a release member and a pulling member. The take-up member moves with respect to the mounting member in a take-up direction for pulling a control cable and a releasing direction for releasing the control cable. The position maintaining member moves with respect to the mounting member to move between a holding position that holds the take-up member in one of a plurality of predetermined positions and a releasing position that releases the take-up member for pivotal movement. The release member pivots with respect to the mounting member to move the position maintaining member between the holding position and the releasing position. The pulling member moves with respect to the mounting member to selectively move the take-up member and the release member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Publication number: 20160059925
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided for operating a first bicycle component and a second bicycle component. The bicycle control device comprises a mounting member, a first actuating unit, a second actuating unit, an operating member and a changing member. The mounting member is configured to be mounted to the bicycle. The first actuating unit is configured to be connected to the first bicycle component. The second actuating unit is configured to be connected to the second bicycle component. The operating member is movably coupled to the mounting member and operatively coupled to the first and second actuating units to selectively operate the first and second actuating units. The changing member is movably coupled to the mounting member to selectively switch between the first and second actuating units being operated in response to movement of the operating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Publication number: 20160052587
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided with a bracket, a shift unit, a hydraulic cylinder unit and a first operating member. The bracket includes a coupling portion that is configured to be coupled to a handlebar. The shift unit is mounted to the bracket. The hydraulic cylinder unit is mounted to the bracket in a location that is closer to the coupling portion than the shift unit. The first operating member is pivotally mounted relative to the bracket around a first pivot axis to operate the hydraulic cylinder unit. The first pivot axis is disposed between the shift unit and the coupling portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Kazutaka FUKAO, Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kentaro KOSAKA, Takaaki FUJIWARA