Patents by Inventor Kentaro KOSAKA
Kentaro KOSAKA 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).
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Publication number: 20220169338Abstract: An operating device is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The operating device basically includes a base, a first operating member, a first electric switch, a first load generator and an operating load adjuster. The first operating member is movably arranged with respect to the base. The first electric switch is provided to the base and arranged to be activated by movement of the first operating member. The first load generator is configured to generate an operating load applied to the first operating member. The operating load adjuster is configured to adjust a transition of the operating load from a first load transition to a second load transition different from the first load transition.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Kentaro KOSAKA, Yasuyuki KOMADA, Yuichiro HIDAKA
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Publication number: 20220063755Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base member, an operating member, a first substrate, and a second substrate. The operating member is movably coupled to the base member. The first substrate is provided to one of the base member and the operating member. The second substrate is provided to the one of the base member and the operating member. The second substrate is separate from the first substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Ayako TAKAHASHI, Takuma SAKAI, Yasuyuki KOMADA, Yusuke NISHIKAWA, Kentaro KOSAKA, Takaya MASUDA, Katsuhiro Tachibana, Shun Kakehashi, Yuichiro Hidaka, Fumihide Numata
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Publication number: 20210371035Abstract: An operating device is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The operating device basically comprises a base, a first operating member and a first electric switch. The first operating member is movably arranged with respect to the base from a first position to a second position. The first electric switch is provided to the base. The first operating member is configured to activate the first electric switch at least two distinct times in response to a progressive movement of the first operating member from the first position towards the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2020Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventor: Kentaro KOSAKA
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Publication number: 20210371044Abstract: An operating device is basically provided with a base, a first operating member, a second operating member and an electric operating unit. The base is configured to mount the operating device to a handlebar. The base defines a mounting axis. The first operating member is pivotally arranged with respect to the base around a pivot axis. The second operating member is pivotally arranged with respect to the base around the pivot axis. The second operating member is a separate member from the first operating member. The electric operating unit is configured to be activated in response to a pivotal movement of the first operating member. The first operating member is arranged closer to the mounting axis than the electric operating unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2020Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventor: Kentaro KOSAKA
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Patent number: 11077911Abstract: 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 including a handlebar contact portion. 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 handlebar mounting structure includes a clamp band, a bracket and a tightening member. The bracket is separate from the base. The tightening member adjustably couples the bracket relative to the clamp band. The bracket has a handlebar contact surface. The bracket is moved relative to the clamp band upon adjustment of the tightening member.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Kentaro Kosaka
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Publication number: 20210061404Abstract: 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 including a handlebar contact portion. 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 handlebar mounting structure includes a clamp band, a bracket and a tightening member. The bracket is separate from the base. The tightening member adjustably couples the bracket relative to the clamp band. The bracket has a handlebar contact surface. The bracket is moved relative to the clamp band upon adjustment of the tightening member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventor: Kentaro KOSAKA
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Publication number: 20210061407Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Kentaro KOSAKA, Yusuke NISHIKAWA
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Patent number: 10793220Abstract: A bicycle component operating apparatus includes a first operating device and a second operating device. The first operating device includes a base member, a main body and an operating member. The base member has a clamp configured to be coupled to a handlebar. The operating member is movably arranged with respect to the base member. The operating device member is configured to perform an operation of at least one of a bicycle transmission component and a bicycle brake component. The second operating device includes an attachment part that is detachably and adjustably attached to the attachment area of the main body.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao, Kentaro Kosaka
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Publication number: 20200307729Abstract: A telescopic apparatus controller for a human-powered vehicle comprises a controller configured to control a telescopic apparatus in one of a plurality of operating modes. The plurality of operating modes includes a first operating mode in which a reference portion of the telescopic apparatus is selectively arranged to one of a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position, and a second operating mode in which the reference portion of the telescopic apparatus is arbitrarily arranged between a first end position and a second end position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Toyoto SHIRAI, Yuki SAKAGAWA, Norikazu TAKI, Akihiro NOZAKI, Noor Ashyikkin BINTI MOHD NOOR, Kentaro KOSAKA
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Patent number: 10780940Abstract: A human-powered vehicle operating device including a base member, a first operating member, a second operating member, a first electrical switch and a second electrical switch. The first operating member includes a first operating surface and configured to pivot about a first axis with respect to the base member. The second operating member includes a second operating surface and configured to pivot about a second axis with respect to the base member. The first electrical switch is provided between the base member and the first operating member. The second electrical switch is provided between the base member and the second operating member. The first operating member and the second operating member are arranged next to each other in a first direction and configured to pivot independent from each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Nobuyuki Kakinoki, Kentaro Kosaka, Keijiro Nishi, Ryo Yamazaki
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Patent number: 10745079Abstract: A bicycle component control device includes a bracket, a hydraulic brake unit and either a mechanical shifting unit or electric control unit. The bracket has a gripping portion. The hydraulic brake unit is operatively mounted on the bracket and configured to operate a hydraulic brake device. The mechanical shifting unit or the electric control unit is operatively mounted on the bracket and configured to operate a bicycle device.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao, Kentaro Kosaka
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Patent number: 10689060Abstract: A bicycle operating device is basically provided with a support structure, a first release member, a second release member and a select member. The first release member is movably supported on the support structure between a first non-releasing position and a first releasing position. The second release member is movably supported on the support structure between a second non-releasing position and a second releasing position. The select member is movably supported on the support structure between at least a first select position and a second select position. The select member permits movement of the first release member and prevents movement of the second release member while the select member is in the first select position. The select member permits movement of the second release member and prevents movement of the first release member while the select member is in the second select position.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2015Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Kentaro Kosaka, Kazunori Ookubo, Yoshimitsu Miki
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Patent number: 10668907Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic operating device is basically provided with a base member, a piston, an operating member and a hydraulic reservoir. The base member includes a cylinder bore. The piston is movably disposed in the cylinder bore. The operating member is coupled to the piston to move the piston within the cylinder bore. The hydraulic reservoir includes a hydraulic reservoir tank and a reservoir lid. The hydraulic reservoir is provided on the base member and is fluidly connected to the cylinder bore by a fluid passage. At least part of one of the base member and the hydraulic reservoir includes a fluid inspection portion making visually perceptible therethrough at least a portion of a hydraulic fluid flow path that includes the hydraulic reservoir, the cylinder bore and the fluid passage.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kentaro Kosaka, Keji Matsueda
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Patent number: 10618599Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, an operating structure, and a support plate. The operating structure includes a rotatable member rotatable relative to the base member about a rotational axis to control a bicycle component. The operating structure includes a first axial end and a second axial end. The first axial end is secured to the base member. The second axial end is opposite to the first axial end along the rotational axis. The support plate is attached to the second axial end to be movable relative to the base member and contactable with the base member.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Shinji Kawamura, Kentaro Kosaka, Yoshimitsu Miki
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Patent number: 10562585Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a switch structure, an operating structure, and a controller. The switch structure comprises a first electrical switch and a second electrical switch. The first electrical switch has a first operated state. The second electrical switch has a second operated state. The operating structure includes an operating member. The controller is configured to respectively generate a first control signal and a second control signal based on a first signal pattern and a second signal pattern. The first signal pattern includes a first combination of the first operated state and the second operated state. The second signal pattern including a second combination of the first operated state and the second operated state. The second combination is different from the first combination.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Takaya Masuda, Tsutomu Nanase, Kentaro Kosaka
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Patent number: 10550858Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Yoshimitsu Miki, Kentaro Kosaka, Takaaki Fujiwara
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Patent number: 10507883Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base structure, an operating member, an adjustment member, a receiving member, and an elastic member. The adjustment member is attached to one of the base structure and the operating member to change a rest position of the operating member relative to the base structure. The receiving member is provided to the other of the operating member and the base structure to be movable with the adjustment member in response to a pivotal movement of the operating member relative to the base structure. The elastic member is provided between the adjustment member and the receiving member to keep a clearance between the adjustment member and the receiving member in a rest state where the operating member is in the rest position.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Kazunori Okubo, Kentaro Kosaka
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Patent number: 10427752Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston, and a fluid passageway. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The hydraulic cylinder is provided on the base member and includes a cylinder bore. The piston is movably provided in the cylinder bore. The cylinder bore and the piston define a hydraulic chamber. The fluid passageway is connected to the hydraulic chamber. The fluid passageway is provided inside the base member. The fluid passageway has a length longer than a stroke of the piston.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Keiji Matsueda, Kentaro Kosaka, Masahiro Nakakura
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Patent number: 10363986Abstract: An electrical bicycle operating system comprises a first switch, a second switch, and a controller. The first switch is configured to generate a first signal. The second switch is configured to generate a second signal. The controller is configured to generate a third signal different from the first signal and the second signal in response to a concurrent operation of the first switch and the second switch. The controller is configured to generate a fourth signal different from the third signal in response to a release of the first switch in a state where the second switch is operated continuously after the concurrent operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Toyoto Shirai, Kentaro Kosaka, Takafumi Nishino, Takehiko Nakajima, Yuta Kurokawa
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Publication number: 20190217916Abstract: A human-powered vehicle operating device including a base member, a first operating member, a second operating member, a first electrical switch and a second electrical switch. The first operating member includes a first operating surface and configured to pivot about a first axis with respect to the base member. The second operating member includes a second operating surface and configured to pivot about a second axis with respect to the base member. The first electrical switch is provided between the base member and the first operating member. The second electrical switch is provided between the base member and the second operating member. The first operating member and the second operating member are arranged next to each other in a first direction and configured to pivot independent from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2018Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Nobuyuki KAKINOKI, Kentaro KOSAKA, Keijiro NISHI, Ryo YAMAZAKI