Patents by Inventor Tatsuya Matsushita

Tatsuya Matsushita 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: 9873483
    Abstract: A bicycle control device includes a housing member, a control lever member, a shift-operating mechanism and a hydraulic fluid pressure generator. The housing member has an attachment part for attachment to a handlebar, and a grip part extending longitudinally between first and second ends of the grip part. The control lever member pivots respect to the housing member. The shift-operating mechanism is coupled to a shifting device by a control cable. The hydraulic fluid pressure generator has a cylinder and a piston movably disposed within the cylinder to generate fluid pressure for controlling a braking device. The hydraulic fluid pressure generator has an output port that transmits hydraulic pressure generated in the cylinder to outside of the cylinder, and a hydraulic fluid channel coupled to the output port. A connecting part fluidly communicates with the output port through the hydraulic fluid channel, and is connected an external hydraulic hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Osamu Kariyama, Tatsuya Matsushita, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9834276
    Abstract: A bicycle control device includes a housing member, a control lever member, a shift-operating mechanism and a hydraulic fluid pressure generator. The housing member has an attachment part for attachment to a handlebar, and a grip part extending longitudinally between first and second ends of the grip part. The attachment part is provided on the first end of the grip part. The attachment part is provided on the first end of the grip part. The control lever member is pivotally provided with respect to the housing member. The shift-operating mechanism is supported by the housing member. The shift-operating mechanism includes a control cable attachment part that is configured to be coupled to a shifting device by a control cable. The hydraulic fluid pressure generator has a cylinder provided in the grip part of the housing member, and a piston movably disposed within the cylinder by movement of the control lever member to generate fluid pressure for controlling a braking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Osamu Kariyama, Tatsuya Matsushita, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9821880
    Abstract: A bicycle rim brake comprises a first shaft, a second shaft, a first brake arm, a second brake arm, and a reinforcing member. The first shaft includes a first fixed end part fixedly provided with respect to a bicycle body. The second shaft includes a second fixed end part fixedly provided with respect to the bicycle body. The first brake arm is pivotally provided on the first shaft around a first pivot axis. The first brake arm has an opposite surface opposite to the first fixed end part. The second brake arm is pivotally provided on the second shaft around a second pivot axis. The reinforcing member couples the first shaft to the second shaft. The reinforcing member is provided such that the first brake arm is at least partially arranged farther from the first fixed end part than the reinforcing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kakimoto, Tatsuya Matsushita, Masahiro Nakakura, Shinya Hirotomi
  • Publication number: 20170240244
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic operating device is provided with a cylinder including a cylinder bore, a first reservoir tank including a first reservoir opening, and a second reservoir tank including a second reservoir opening. The first reservoir tank is in fluid communication with the cylinder bore, and the second reservoir tank is in fluid communication with the cylinder bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Osamu KARIYAMA, Nobuyoshi FUJII, Tatsuya MATSUSHITA, Takaaki FUJIWARA
  • Patent number: 9718515
    Abstract: A bicycle control device includes a housing member, a shift-operating mechanism, a hydraulic fluid pressure generator and a control lever member. The housing member has an attachment part for attachment to a handlebar, and a grip part extending longitudinally between first and second ends of the grip part. The shift-operating mechanism is coupled to a shifting device by a control cable. The hydraulic fluid pressure generator has a cylinder, a piston movably disposed within the cylinder to generate fluid pressure for controlling a braking device, and a rod part coupled to the piston. The control lever member has a cam member arranged to actuate the rod part, and a first operating lever coupled to the cam member. The first operating lever is pivotal around a first axis relative to the housing member and actuates the cam member by pivoting around the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Osamu Kariyama, Tatsuya Matsushita, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9650105
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a hydraulic unit and a changing unit. The hydraulic unit includes a hydraulic cylinder, a piston, and a reservoir. The hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder bore. The piston is movably provided in the cylinder bore. The reservoir includes a reserve chamber and a connecting hole. The connecting hole is configured to connect the cylinder bore to the reserve chamber. The changing unit is separately provided from the piston and configured to change a communication state defined between the cylinder bore and the reserve chamber via the connecting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Yasuyuki Komada, Takuro Jinbu, Tatsuya Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20170088234
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, and a hydraulic unit. The base member comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a gripping portion. The gripping portion is provided between the first end portion and the second end portion. The operating member is movably mounted to the base member from a rest position toward an operated position. The hydraulic unit is provided at one of the base member and the operating member. The hydraulic unit comprises a hydraulic cylinder and a piston. The hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder bore. The piston is arranged in the cylinder bore. The piston is configured to be pulled from an initial position to an actuated position in response to a movement of the operating member from the rest position toward the operated position to supply a hydraulic pressure toward at least one bicycle component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki KOMADA, Takuro JINBU, Tatsuya MATSUSHITA
  • Publication number: 20170036732
    Abstract: A bicycle rim brake comprises a first shaft, a second shaft, a first brake arm, a second brake arm, and a reinforcing member. The first shaft includes a first fixed end part fixedly provided with respect to a bicycle body. The second shaft includes a second fixed end part fixedly provided with respect to the bicycle body. The first brake arm is pivotally provided on the first shaft around a first pivot axis. The first brake arm has an opposite surface opposite to the first fixed end part. The second brake arm is pivotally provided on the second shaft around a second pivot axis. The reinforcing member couples the first shaft to the second shaft. The reinforcing member is provided such that the first brake arm is at least partially arranged farther from the first fixed end part than the reinforcing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tetsuya KAKIMOTO, Tatsuya MATSUSHITA, Masahiro NAKAKURA, Shinya HIROTOMI
  • Publication number: 20160347403
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a hydraulic unit and a changing unit. The hydraulic unit includes a hydraulic cylinder, a piston, and a reservoir. The hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder bore. The piston is movably provided in the cylinder bore. The reservoir includes a reserve chamber and a connecting hole. The connecting hole is configured to connect the cylinder bore to the reserve chamber. The changing unit is separately provided from the piston and configured to change a communication state defined between the cylinder bore and the reserve chamber via the connecting hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi WATARAI, Yasuyuki KOMADA, Takuro JINBU, Tatsuya MATSUSHITA
  • Patent number: 9469380
    Abstract: A bicycle control device includes a housing member, a control lever member, a shift-operating mechanism and a hydraulic fluid pressure generator. The housing member has an attachment part for attachment to a handlebar, and a grip part extending longitudinally between first and second ends of the grip part. The shift-operating mechanism includes a cable take-up member rotatably mounted around a cable take-up axis. The cable take-up member has a control cable attachment part that is configured to be coupled to a shifting device by a control cable. The hydraulic fluid pressure generator has a cylinder and a piston movably that is disposed within the cylinder by movement of the control lever member to generate fluid pressure for controlling a braking device. The cylinder defines a cylinder axis that forms an angle of greater than or equal to 20° and less than or equal to 50° with the cable take-up axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Osamu Kariyama, Tatsuya Matsushita, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9469381
    Abstract: A bicycle control device includes a housing member, a control lever member, a shift-operating mechanism and a hydraulic fluid pressure generator. The housing member has an attachment part for attachment to a handlebar, and a grip part extending longitudinally between first and second ends of the grip part. The control lever member pivots respect to the housing member. The shift-operating mechanism is coupled to a shifting device by a control cable. The hydraulic fluid pressure generator has a cylinder, a reservoir, and a piston movably disposed within the cylinder to generate fluid pressure for controlling a braking device. The cylinder is disposed in the housing member at a position closer toward the second end of the grip part than is the shift-operating mechanism to the second end of the grip part. The reservoir is disposed next to the cylinder in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Osamu Kariyama, Tatsuya Matsushita, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9457868
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic quick-release apparatus comprises a main body and a hydraulic chamber. The main body includes a first hole and a second hole. The hydraulic chamber has a changeable volume and is provided between the first hole and the second hole. The hydraulic chamber is configured to be in a first chamber state where a volume of the hydraulic chamber is a first volume. The hydraulic chamber is configured to be in a second chamber state where the volume of the hydraulic chamber is a second volume different from the first volume. The hydraulic chamber is disconnected from the first hole in the second chamber state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Osamu Kariyama, Tatsuya Matsushita, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9422993
    Abstract: A rotor cover comprises a cover portion and a mounting portion. The cover portion is configured to at least partially cover a disc brake rotor mounted on a bicycle hub assembly. The mounting portion is configured to be mounted on the bicycle hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Tatsuya Matsushita, Kazuki Koshiyama, Shingo Sakurai, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9415831
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic operating device comprises a bracket, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston, a lever, a fluid reservoir, and a lid. The bracket is configured to be mounted to a bicycle handlebar. The piston is movably disposed within the hydraulic cylinder. The lever is pivotally provided around a pivot axis relative to the bracket and is operatively coupled to the piston to move the piston within the hydraulic cylinder in response to pivotal movement of the lever. The fluid reservoir is disposed on the bracket and having an opening configured to face substantially in a downward direction in a state where the bracket is mounted to the bicycle handlebar. The lid is configured to cover the opening of the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Osamu Kariyama, Tatsuya Matsushita, Keiji Matsueda, Takashi Itou, Masahiro Nakakura
  • 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: 9403512
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake control apparatus including a body portion, a hydraulic brake control mechanism, and a lever portion. The body portion has a first section configured to fit within an interior of a bar opening and a second section configured to be mounted outside of the interior of the bar opening. The hydraulic brake control mechanism includes a hydraulic brake pressure cylinder having a piston chamber therein, where at least a portion of the hydraulic brake control mechanism is housed within the first section of the body portion. The lever portion connected to the body portion and configured to actuate the hydraulic brake control mechanism. The body portion includes a port fluidly connected to the piston chamber by a conduit. The port is provided on the second section in order to allow bleeding of air from within the piston chamber when the body portion is mounted to the bar opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Matsushita, Daisuke Nago
  • Publication number: 20160039492
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic quick-release apparatus comprises a main body and a hydraulic chamber. The main body includes a first hole and a second hole. The hydraulic chamber has a changeable volume and is provided between the first hole and the second hole. The hydraulic chamber is configured to be in a first chamber state where a volume of the hydraulic chamber is a first volume. The hydraulic chamber is configured to be in a second chamber state where the volume of the hydraulic chamber is a second volume different from the first volume. The hydraulic chamber is disconnected from the first hole in the second chamber state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi WATARAI, Osamu KARIYAMA, Tatsuya MATSUSHITA, Masahiro NAKAKURA
  • Publication number: 20160025164
    Abstract: A rotor cover comprises a cover portion and a mounting portion. The cover portion is configured to at least partially cover a disc brake rotor mounted on a bicycle hub assembly. The mounting portion is configured to be mounted on the bicycle hub assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi WATARAI, Tatsuya MATSUSHITA, Kazuki KOSHIYAMA, Shingo SAKURAI, Masahiro NAKAKURA
  • Patent number: 9233730
    Abstract: A bicycle control device basically includes a housing member, a hydraulic fluid pressure generator, a control lever member and a shift-operating mechanism. The housing member has an attachment part for attachment to a handlebar, and a grip part configured to be gripped by a rider in a riding position. The hydraulic fluid pressure generator has a cylinder provided inside the grip part of the housing member, and a piston movably disposed within the cylinder to generate fluid pressure for controlling a braking device. The control lever member has a first operation lever pivotably coupled relative to the housing member for pivoting about a first axis to operate the piston. The shift-operating mechanism is configured to be coupled to a shifting device by a control cable control. The shift-operating mechanism is mounted on the control lever member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Osamu Kariyama, Tatsuya Kawakami, Daisuke Nago, Tatsuya Matsushita, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9132886
    Abstract: A shift operating device is basically provided with a bracket member, a support structure, a wire takeup member, a positioning mechanism, and a control member. The bracket member is mounted to a bicycle. The support structure is removably mounted to the bracket member. The wire takeup member is movably supported by the support structure. The positioning mechanism includes first and second positioning members supported by the support structure. The first positioning member integrally moves with the wire takeup member. The second positioning member engages the first positioning member such that the first positioning member has a plurality of operating positions. The control member has a first portion movably supported by the support structure inside the bracket member and a second portion disposed outside the bracket member. The control member is operatively coupled to the positioning mechanism for changing the operating position of the first positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Kususe, Yoshimitsu Miki, Shinji Kawamura, Tatsuya Matsushita, Takefumi Terada