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).

  • Publication number: 20160052592
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Kentaro KOSAKA
  • Publication number: 20150336628
    Abstract: A bicycle handlebar includes a base portion that can be coupled to a bicycle, a gripping portion that is rotatably coupled to the base portion, and a mounting portion to which an operating member that operates a component of the bicycle is mounted. The mounting portion is rotatable together with the gripping portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kentaro MIYAZAKI, Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Kentaro KOSAKA
  • Patent number: 9187150
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao, Kentaro Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20150307154
    Abstract: A bicycle component operating apparatus includes a first operating device and a second operating device. The first operating device includes a base member and an operating member movably arranged with respect to the base member, and the first operating device being configured to perform an operation of at least one of a bicycle transmission component and a bicycle brake component, the base member having an attachment area. The second operating device is detachably attached to the attachment area of the base member, the second operating device being configured to perform an operation of a bicycle height adjustable seat post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Kentaro KOSAKA
  • Patent number: 9157523
    Abstract: A bicycle component actuation apparatus basically comprises a base member; a user operating member and a controller. The user operating member is movably mounted to the base member from a rest position to a first operated position. The controller detects operation of the user operating member to operate first and second electric components, one of which is not a shifting device. The controller operates one of the first and second electric components upon the controller detecting the user operating member being moved to the first operated position. The controller operates at least the other of the first and second electric components upon the controller detecting the user operating member remaining at the first operated position for a period of time longer than a first prescribed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kentaro Kosaka, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 9145183
    Abstract: An electric control device for a bicycle that includes a clamp member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle handlebar, a bracket member adjustably mounted to the clamp member, and a first electric user interface member operatively coupled to the bracket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro Kosaka, Yoshimitsu Miki
  • Patent number: 9079629
    Abstract: An electric control device for operating a bicycle component that includes a base member that is adapted to be attached to a bicycle, a movable member coupled to the base member and movable between a first position and a second position, a signal generating unit that generates a signal when the movable member is moved to the second position, and an adjusting structure for adjusting the distance between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro Kosaka, Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 8955863
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is basically provided with a base member, a first operating member and an electrical switch. The base member is configured to be attached to a bicycle. The first operating member is movably supported on the base member to perform a first signal. The electrical switch is detachably disposed on the first operating member to move with the first operating member with respect to the base member and to perform a second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kentaro Kosaka, Yoshimitsu Miki
  • Publication number: 20150000452
    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. The adapter member includes at least a first part that is detachably disposed within the clamp opening. The first part is configured to be clamped between the handlebar mounting clamp and a handlebar as the handlebar mounting clamp is tightened in a state that the first part is disposed within the clamp opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinya HIROTOMI, Kentaro KOSAKA, Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Takaaki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20150000455
    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: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Shinya HIROTOMI, Kentaro KOSAKA, Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Takaaki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20140354038
    Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling an electric device on a bicycle. The control device basically includes a bicycle attachment member, an operating member, an operation detection unit and a signal output unit. The operating member includes at least a first operating part and a second operating part. The operating member is rotatably mounted to the attachment member to rotate in a prescribed operation direction. The operation detection unit is arranged to detect selective operation of the first and second operating parts in the operation direction. The signal output unit outputs an actuation signal to actuate the electric device based on a detection result from the operation detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kentaro KOSAKA, Yoshimitsu MIKI, Akinori HASHIMOTO, Ayumi KATO, Kazuya TAKAHASHI, Koji YUASA
  • Publication number: 20140345411
    Abstract: A bicycle component actuation apparatus basically comprises a base member; a user operating member and a controller. The user operating member is movably mounted to the base member from a rest position to a first operated position. The controller detects operation of the user operating member to operate first and second electric components, one of which is not a shifting device. The controller operates one of the first and second electric components upon the controller detecting the user operating member being moved to the first operated position. The controller operates at least the other of the first and second electric components upon the controller detecting the user operating member remaining at the first operated position for a period of time longer than a first prescribed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kentaro KOSAKA, Atsuhiro EMURA
  • Publication number: 20140290420
    Abstract: An operating device is provided that is configured to be attached to a handlebar of a bicycle. The operating device includes a first operating unit and a second operating unit. The first operating unit includes a first input part and a fixing part configured to be fixed on the handlebar. The second operating unit includes a second input part that is rotationally arranged around an axis of the handlebar. The second operating unit is detachably attached on the first operating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kentaro KOSAKA
  • Publication number: 20140208888
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is basically provided with a base member, a first operating member, a second operating member and a clicking mechanism. The base member is configured to be attached to a bicycle. The first operating member is movably supported on the base member from a rest position to an operated position. The second operating member is movably supported on the base member from a rest position to an operated position. The clicking mechanism includes a first part contacting at least one of the first operating member and the second operating member to produce a haptic feedback response as each of the first and second operating members moves from the rest position towards the operated position, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro KOSAKA, Yoshimitsu MIKI
  • Publication number: 20140208889
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device for operating at least one bicycle component. The bicycle operating device includes a base member configured to be mounted on a bicycle handlebar that defines a handlebar axis and a first operating member rotatably supported on the base member about the bicycle handlebar when the base member is mounted on the bicycle handlebar. The first operating member is configured to be at least partially adjustably supported on the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro KOSAKA, Yoshimitsu MIKI
  • Publication number: 20140208887
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is basically provided with a base member, a first operating member, a second operating member and an electric control unit. The base member is configured to be attached to a bicycle handlebar having a handlebar axis. The first operating member is supported on the base member such that the first operating member is configured to rotate about the handlebar axis while the base member is attached to the bicycle handlebar. The second operating member is supported on the base member such that the second operating member is configured to rotate about the handlebar axis while the base member is attached to the bicycle handlebar. The electric control unit generates a first signal and a second signal as the first operating member and the second operating member are operated respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro KOSAKA, Yoshimitsu MIKI
  • Publication number: 20140209439
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is basically provided with a base member, a first operating member and an electrical switch. The base member is configured to be attached to a bicycle. The first operating member is movably supported on the base member to perform a first signal. The electrical switch is detachably disposed on the first operating member to move with the first operating member with respect to the base member and to perform a second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro KOSAKA, Yoshimitsu MIKI
  • Publication number: 20140144281
    Abstract: An electric control device for operating a bicycle component that includes a base member that is adapted to be attached to a bicycle, a movable member coupled to the base member and movable between a first position and a second position, a signal generating unit that generates a signal when the movable member is moved to the second position, and an adjusting structure for adjusting the distance between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro KOSAKA, Satoshi SHAHANA
  • Publication number: 20140137696
    Abstract: An electric control device for a bicycle that includes a clamp member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle handlebar, a bracket member adjustably mounted to the clamp member, and a first electric user interface member operatively coupled to the bracket member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro KOSAKA, Yoshimitsu MIKI
  • Publication number: 20140139977
    Abstract: An electric control device for a bicycle that includes a base member mountable to a bicycle handlebar, a first electric user interface member operatively coupled to the base member, and a second electric user interface member operatively coupled to the base member. The first electric user interface member and the second electric user interface member are adjustable relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro KOSAKA, Nobukatsu HARA, Michihiro KODAMA