Patents by Inventor Takanori Kanehisa

Takanori Kanehisa 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: 7216743
    Abstract: An easily mountable disc brake rotor assembly that is lightweight is provided. The bicycle disc brake rotor assembly includes a rotor and an adaptor and is mounted to the front hub of a bicycle. A caliper mounted to the bicycle's suspension fork grips the rotor. The rotor is a ring-shaped plate, which has brake surfaces that are gripped by the caliper. The adapter is mounted to the front hub and has a deformation that secures the rotor to the hub. External and internal splines on the adapter prevent the rotor from rotating and transmit a braking force exerted on the rotor to the hub, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Takizawa, Takanori Kanehisa
  • Publication number: 20070098316
    Abstract: A bicycle hub is provided that comprises a hub axle, a hub body rotatably mounted on the hub axle by a pair of bearings. The bicycle hub also has an inner tubular structure including a pair of inner tubes. One of the inner tubes is fixedly secured relative to a first body end adjacent to a first bearing, while the other inner tube is fixedly secured relative to the second body end adjacent to the second bearing. The inner tubes have inner free end portions that are telescopically arranged so that the inner tubes can be used with several different has that have different axial widths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Atsuhiro Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20070089960
    Abstract: A freewheel has an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member, a pair of bearing assemblies and a one-way clutch. The bearing assemblies are arranged between the inner and outer members to rotatably couple the outer tubular member to the inner tubular member. The one-way clutch has internal ratchet teeth provided on the outer tubular member, at least three clutch pawls provided in a circumferential direction on the inner tubular member, and at least one spring applying a force against the clutch pawls in a direction oriented away from the inner tubular member to an engagement position. The spring forms a closed circular ring than runs in the circumferential direction of the inner tubular member and is configured to elongate and contract in the circumferential direction. The clutch pawls are arranged with an angle of lost motion of the freewheel being 5° or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takanori Kanehisa
  • Publication number: 20070089958
    Abstract: A bicycle one-way rotation transmission mechanism is used in a bicycle hub having a hub axle. The one-way rotation transmission has an inner tubular member rotatably mounted on the hub axle, an outer tubular member arranged around the inner tubular member, and a one-way clutch disposed between the inner and outer tubular members. The one-way clutch has a plurality of ratchet teeth provided on an internal circumferential surface of the outer tubular member; at least two clutch pawls arranged on the inner tubular member to freely move between an engagement position and a disengagement position; and two force applying members applying forces against alternate ones of the clutch pawls to urge the respective clutch pawls to the engagement positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takanori Kanehisa
  • Publication number: 20070089959
    Abstract: A freewheel basically has an inner tubular member, and outer tubular member, at least one bearing assembly, and a one-way clutch. The inner tubular member is fixed to a hub body. The bearing assembly is arranged between the inner and outer tubular members to rotatably couple the outer tubular member to the inner tubular member. The one-way clutch has ratchet teeth provided on an internal circumferential surface of the outer tubular member, at least three clutch pawls provided on the outer side circumference of the inner tubular member in a circumferential direction, and at least one force applying member applying forces against at least two of the clutch pawls in a direction oriented away from the outer side circumference of the inner tubular member toward an engagement position. The clutch pawls are arranged such that an angle of lost motion of the freewheel is 10° or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takanori Kanehisa
  • Patent number: 7191884
    Abstract: A bicycle hub is provided with a hub axle, a hub shell, a freewheel, a first hub axle ball bearing and a second hub axle ball bearing. The freewheel is operatively mounted between the hub axle and the hub shell. The freewheel includes a driven member, a drive body, an inner freewheel ball bearing and an outer freewheel slide bearing. The driven member is fixed to the hub shell to rotate therewith, while the drive body is operatively coupled to the driven member by a one-way clutch mechanism. The inner freewheel ball bearing is disposed between the driven member and the drive body to rotatably support an inner end of the drive body on the driven member. The outer freewheel slide bearing is disposed between the driven member and the drive body to rotatably support an outer end of the drive body on the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Tomohiko Sato
  • Publication number: 20060284475
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly is described that includes a hub shell, a freewheel body and a sealing structure there between. The sealing structure includes a seal that has a lip that extends in an axial direction to engage a radially extending surface on the sealing plate. In one embodiment, the seal is installed in a seal retaining portion formed on the hub shell. In another embodiment, the seal is installed on the freewheel and contacts a radially extending surface on the hub shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Atsuhiro Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20060191764
    Abstract: A bicycle hub is provided with a hub axle, a hub shell, a freewheel, a first hub axle ball bearing and a second hub axle ball bearing. The freewheel is operatively mounted between the hub axle and the hub shell. The freewheel includes a driven member, a drive body, an inner freewheel ball bearing and an outer freewheel slide bearing. The driven member is fixed to the hub shell to rotate therewith, while the drive body is operatively coupled to the driven member by a one-way clutch mechanism. The inner freewheel ball bearing is disposed between the driven member and the drive body to rotatably support an inner end of the drive body on the driven member. The outer freewheel slide bearing is disposed between the driven member and the drive body to rotatably support an outer end of the drive body on the driven member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Tomohiko Sato
  • Patent number: 7059686
    Abstract: A bicycle hub is provided with a hub axle, a hub shell and a pair of bearing units. Each of the bearing units has an inner race supported on one axle end of the hub axle, an outer race threadedly coupled to an inner tubular surface of the hub shell, and a plurality of first rolling members disposed between the inner and outer races. Preferably, a first stopper ring is coupled to one of the first inner and outer races to form an axial abutment that is arranged to contact the other of the first inner and outer races to prevent axial separation of the first inner and outer races prior to installation of the bearing unit between the hub axle and the hub shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takanori Kanehisa
  • Patent number: 7044876
    Abstract: A sprocket is adapted to be mounted to a sprocket support that rotates around an axle. The sprocket comprises a sprocket body having a side surface and an inner peripheral surface defining a sprocket-mounting opening, wherein at least one portion of the inner peripheral surface is adapted to contact the sprocket support. At least one lateral projection extends laterally from the side surface of the sprocket body in close proximity to the at least one portion of the inner peripheral surface that is adapted to contact the sprocket support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Kamada, Takanori Kanehisa
  • Patent number: 7029075
    Abstract: A bicycle sealing assembly is provided for a bicycle part having a fixed part and a rotational part mounted to rotate relative to the fixed part such as a bicycle hub. The rotatable member (hub shell and/or freewheel) is rotatable mounted on the fixed part (hub axle assembly) by a pair of bearing assemblies. The sealing assembly basically has first and second dust caps and first and second sealing members. The first dust cap is coupled to the rotatable member, while the second dust cap coupled to the hub axle. The first sealing member is disposed between the first dust cap and either the fixed part or the second dust cap to form a seal therebetween. The second sealing member is disposed between the second dust cap and either the first dust cap or the rotational part to form a seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kim Hong Kuan, Takanori Kanehisa
  • Patent number: 6992413
    Abstract: A bicycle hub dynamo comprises a hub spindle adapted to be mounted to a frame of the bicycle; a hub body disposed around the hub spindle, wherein the hub body has a pair of axially spaced hub flanges; a plurality of bearings disposed between the hub body and the hub spindle for rotatably supporting the hub body relative to the hub spindle; and a generator disposed between the hub body and the hub spindle, wherein the generator generates electricity in response to rotation of the hub body relative to the hub spindle. A freewheel is disposed on a first side of the hub body, wherein the freewheel is adapted to mount a plurality of sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Takahiro Endo, Takanori Kanehisa
  • Patent number: 6976791
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus for a bicycle hub comprises a bearing member and a lock member. The bearing member comprises an inner peripheral surface for receiving a hub spindle therein, a bearing surface for engaging a bearing, and an interlock portion. The first lock member comprises an inner peripheral surface for receiving the hub spindle therein and a mating portion for engaging the interlock portion of the bearing member so that the bearing member is nonrotatably fixed relative to the first lock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Takuji Tatsumi
  • Publication number: 20050230199
    Abstract: An easily mountable disc brake rotor assembly that is lightweight is provided. The bicycle disc brake rotor assembly includes a rotor and an adaptor and is mounted to the front hub of a bicycle. A caliper mounted to the bicycle's suspension fork grips the rotor. The rotor is a ring-shaped plate, which has brake surfaces that are gripped by the caliper. The adapter is mounted to the front hub and has a deformation that secures the rotor to the hub. External and internal splines on the adapter prevent the rotor from rotating and transmit a braking force exerted on the rotor to the hub, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Takizawa, Takanori Kanehisa
  • Publication number: 20050184580
    Abstract: A bicycle sealing assembly is provided for a bicycle part having a fixed part and a rotational part mounted to rotate relative to the fixed part such as a bicycle hub. The rotatable member (hub shell and/or freewheel) is rotatable mounted on the fixed part (hub axle assembly) by a pair of bearing assemblies. The sealing assembly basically has first and second dust caps and first and second sealing members. The first dust cap is coupled to the rotatable member, while the second dust cap coupled to the hub axle. The first sealing member is disposed between the first dust cap and either the fixed part or the second dust cap to form a seal therebetween. The second sealing member is disposed between the second dust cap and either the first dust cap or the rotational part to form a seal therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicants: Shimano Inc., Shimano Components (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
    Inventors: Kim-Hong Kuan, Takanori Kanehisa
  • Publication number: 20050185872
    Abstract: A bicycle hub is provided that comprises a tubular hub axle, a hub body, a bearing and a clearance adjusting member. The bearing includes an outer ring coupled to the hub body, an inner ring coupled to the hub axle, and a plurality of rolling components disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. The clearance adjusting member is disposed with respect to the outer ring of the bearing such that at least a portion of the clearance adjusting member is disposed axially inwardly of the outer ring. The clearance adjusting member is configured and arranged to prevent a grease inside the bearing to leak toward an axially inward direction of the hub axle with a prescribed radial clearance being maintained between the clearance adjusting member and one of the hub axle and the outer ring of the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Atsuhiro Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20050184581
    Abstract: A bicycle hub includes a hub axle, a hub body, a bearing unit and a lock member. The hub axle is configured and arranged to be non-rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame by a mounting shaft. The hub body has a generally cylindrical shape mounted adjacent to an external perimeter of the hub axle. The bearing unit is installed between the hub body and the hub axle at one axial end portion of the bicycle hub so that the hub body freely rotates with respect to the hub axle. The bearing unit includes an outer ring, an inner ring and a plurality of rolling components. The lock member is configured and arranged to retain an axial position of the outer ring of the bearing unit with respect to the hub body by locking the outer ring in one of a plurality of rotational positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Takanori Kanehisa
  • Publication number: 20050139444
    Abstract: A rear hub has a hub shaft, a hub body, a pair of hub bearings, a drive body, a one-way clutch, a pair of freewheel bearings, a spacer and a pressing member. The hub bearings are arranged between the hub body and the hub shaft to rotatably support the hub body on the hub shaft. The drive body is rotatably supported on the hub shaft by the freewheel bearings. The one-way clutch transfers rotation from the drive body to the hub body in only one direction. The freewheel bearings have outer rings that are loosely fitted to the drive body, and inner rings that are tightly fitted on the hub shaft. The pressing member is screwed onto the hub shaft and presses against the inner ring of the outer freewheel bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Tomonori Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 6886894
    Abstract: A bicycle hub is provided with a hub axle assembly, a hub shell and a pair of bearing units. The hub axle assembly basically has a hub axle washer, a bicycle hub axle and a washer retaining portion or member. The hub axle washer includes an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface defining an axle receiving opening. The bicycle hub axle includes a shaft portion and a head portion with the washer retaining member or portion being located on the shaft portion to retain the hub axle washer on the shaft portion. In the preferred embodiment, the washer retaining portion or member is a resilient member in the form of a flexible O-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Nobukatsu Hara, Takuji Tatsumi
  • Patent number: RE39528
    Abstract: A bicycle hub is provided that includes a hub axle, a hub body, a sprocket support member and a spacer. The spacer is movable to allow the hub body to be axially separated from the freewheel without removing the freewheel from the rear fork of the bicycle. The hub axle has a first portion and a second portion releasably coupled to the first portion. The hub body has an outer tubular portion and an interior passageway with the first portion of the hub axle rotatably supported therein. The sprocket support member has a portion releasably and non-rotatably coupled to the outer tubular portion of the hub body. The sprocket support member is mounted on the second portion of the hub axle. The spacer is supported on the first portion of the hub axle adjacent a free end of the hub body. The spacer has a spacing portion and is configured to move in a transverse direction relative to the hub axle between a first position and a second position without removing the first portion of the hub axle from the hub body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Masahiro Yamanaka