Patents Represented by Attorney James A. Deland
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Patent number: 8342299Abstract: A bicycle disk brake pad comprises a backing plate and a friction member. A first joined area of the friction member is welded to the backing plate, and a second joined area of the friction member is adhesively joined to the backing plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2005Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Toru Iwai, Takashi Fujitani
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Patent number: 8342295Abstract: A bicycle brake apparatus comprises a pair of brake arms and a biasing member having a first portion and a second portion. Each brake arm includes a brake arm mounting portion for mounting the brake arm to a bicycle frame member to pivot around a pivot axis of a corresponding pivot axle, a brake pad mounting portion, and a control interface portion. The first portion of the biasing member is operatively coupled to one of the brake arms so that the brake pad mounting portion of that brake arm is biased in a selected direction, and the second portion of the biasing member is coupled to the pivot axle of the other brake arm.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Daisuke Nago
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Patent number: 8336680Abstract: A bicycle brake device includes first and second brake arms. The first brake arm includes a first brake arm mounting portion for mounting the first brake arm to a bicycle frame member, a first brake pad mounting portion, and a first control interface portion. Similarly, the second brake arm includes a second brake arm mounting portion for mounting the second brake arm to the bicycle frame member, a second brake pad mounting portion, and a second control interface portion. A biasing member is operatively coupled to the first brake arm so that the first brake pad mounting portion is biased in a selected direction. A bias communicating member is operatively coupled between the first brake arm and the second brake arm to communicate biasing force from the biasing member to the second brake arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Daisuke Nago
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Patent number: 8277346Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member; a movable member that supports a chain guide including a first pulley that rotates around a first pulley axis, wherein the pulley has a pulley plane; and a first linking member coupled between the base member and the movable member so that the chain guide moves laterally relative to the base member between a first lateral position and a second lateral position. The pulley plane intersects the first linking member when the chain guide is located at a first position between the first lateral position and the second lateral position.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Satoshi Shahana, Sota Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 8241158Abstract: A bicycle derailleur apparatus comprises a derailleur including a mounting member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle frame and a chain guide coupled to the mounting member so that the chain guide moves relative to the mounting member. A power storing unit is supported by the derailleur.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Noriyasu Ishikawa
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Patent number: 8235408Abstract: A bicycle shift control device comprises a traveling state detecting circuit that detects a traveling state of the bicycle and a manually operated switch that outputs a switch signal. A shift control circuit provides a control signal, in response to the switch signal provided by the operation of the switch, for setting the speed stage of a bicycle transmission to correspond to the range of traveling states that contains the detected traveling state.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
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Patent number: 8226511Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body having a first side surface and a second side surface, a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outwardly from a root portion of the sprocket body, and a shift assist recess formed in the root portion below a first sprocket tooth at the first side surface of the sprocket body. A radially outermost surface of a second sprocket tooth defines a reference tooth radius, and a radially outermost surface of a third sprocket tooth defines a shift assist tooth radius. The radially outermost surface of the third sprocket tooth has a convex shape, and the shift assist tooth radius is greater than the reference tooth radius.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Kenji Kamada
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Patent number: 8219263Abstract: A bicycle user information apparatus comprises an information receiver that receives information corresponding to the bicycle user through the Internet; and an administration control unit that manages the information received through the information receiver and enables external access to the managed information in response to predetermined criteria. The administration control unit includes a user registration unit that registers identifying information corresponding to the bicycle user.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Kazuhiro Takeda
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Patent number: 8202182Abstract: A bicycle derailleur apparatus comprises a base member for coupling to a bicycle frame, a movable member coupled for movement relative to the base member, a chain guide coupled to the movable member for guiding a chain among a plurality of sprockets in response to movement of the movable member, and a biasing device that provides a biasing force to the chain guide for tensioning the chain. A movement resisting device has a control element for the application of a signal that causes the movement resisting device to change resistance to movement of the chain guide.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2008Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Noriyasu Ishikawa, Takeshi Takachi
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Patent number: 8161840Abstract: A bicycle brake control device comprises a mounting bracket for mounting the device to a bicycle, a lever mounted to the mounting bracket for rotation around a pivot axis, and an adjustment unit. The adjustment unit comprises a first adjustment component and a second adjustment component, wherein the first adjustment component adjusts a selected position of the lever relative to the mounting bracket, and the second adjustment component adjusts a position of a brake operating element when the lever is in the selected position.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Daisuke Nago
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Patent number: 8096208Abstract: A positioning apparatus for a shift control device for a bicycle transmission comprises a movable member having a positioning element, a positioning member having a positioning element structured to engage the positioning element of the movable member, and a biasing member that biases the positioning member towards an engaged position wherein the positioning element of the positioning member engages the positioning element of the movable member. The positioning member moves toward and away from a plane of movement of the movable member. A releasing member is disposed between the movable member and the positioning member, wherein the releasing member moves between an initial position and an operating position. The releasing member allows the positioning member to be in the engaged position when the releasing member is in the initial position, and the positioning member moves to the disengaged position when the releasing member moves to the operating position.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Shimano (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventor: Yau Yong Sean
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Patent number: 8096908Abstract: A sprocket comprises a sprocket body and a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outwardly from a root portion of the sprocket body. The sprocket body has a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein a root portion side surface of the root portion defines a root portion plane at the first side surface of the sprocket body. A shift assist recess is formed in the root portion below a first sprocket tooth at the first side surface of the sprocket body, and a second sprocket tooth has a projecting portion that extends laterally outwardly from the root portion plane at the first side surface of the sprocket body.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Toshinari Oishi, Kenji Kamada, Shingo Numata
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Patent number: 8091910Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a bicycle suspension element includes a suspension parameter controller that provides a suspension parameter controlling signal to control an operating parameter of the bicycle suspension element in response to a bicycle seat position.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Toshikuni Suzuki
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Patent number: 8069749Abstract: A shift control apparatus for a bicycle comprises an output transmission member that moves to at least a first output position and a second output position, a position maintaining mechanism, and a release control mechanism. The position maintaining mechanism includes a position maintaining member that moves between a position maintaining position and a position release position, wherein the position maintaining position maintains the output transmission member in one of the first output position and the second output position. The position release position allows the output transmission member to move toward the other one of the first output position and the second output position. The release control mechanism includes a release member that moves between a first release member position and a second release member position.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Toshio Tetsuka, Tetsuya Hino
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Patent number: 8066597Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member; a linkage mechanism including a link member coupled to the base member and to the movable member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member, a motor including a drive member, and a driven member driven by the drive member. The driven member is coupled to the link member so that the link member moves relative to the base member to move the movable member relative to the base member. A clutch is disposed in a power transmission path between the motor and the link member.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Tadashi Sakaue
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Patent number: 8057338Abstract: A bicycle sprocket apparatus comprises a sprocket support, a first sprocket coupled to the sprocket support at a plurality of circumferentially spaced first sprocket mounting locations, a second sprocket coupled to the sprocket support at a plurality of circumferentially spaced second sprocket mounting locations, and a reinforcement member other than the sprocket support. The reinforcement member is disposed between the first sprocket and the second sprocket between a pair of the first sprocket mounting locations and between a pair of the second sprocket mounting locations.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Kenji Kamada
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Patent number: 8056467Abstract: A fluid pressure apparatus for a bicycle comprises a piston, a housing with a chamber dimensioned to receive the piston therein so that the piston can move axially, and first and second fluid ports in fluid communication with the chamber. The first and second fluid ports are located so that the piston is disposed between the first and second fluid ports when the piston is disposed in a piston home position. A first positioning element moves from a first home position towards a first direction, and a first biasing element biases the first positioning element towards the first home position. A first coupling element couples the first positioning element to move with the piston in the first direction, but the first positioning element and the piston move relative to each other when the piston moves in an opposite second direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
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Patent number: 8025598Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member; a movable member that supports a chain guide including a pulley that rotates around a pulley axis, wherein the pulley has a pulley plane; and a linking member coupled between the base member and the movable member so that the chain guide moves laterally relative to the base member between a first lateral position and a second lateral position. The base member has a chain receiving space therein.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Shinya Oseto, Souta Yamaguchi
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Patent number: RE43074Abstract: A bicycle shift control device is provided which operates a shifting mechanism via a shift control cable, wherein the shift control device includes a control body rotatable about an axis for controlling the shift control cable, an operating body having an abutment in a position spaced apart from the control body and which is coupled to the shift control device for displacement between a home position and a shift position, a transmission including a plurality of ratchet teeth which converts the displacement of the operating body from the home position to the shift position into a rotational displacement of the control body, and an interface member movably mounted relative to the operating body.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2006Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
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Patent number: RE43562Abstract: A shift control apparatus is provided for a bicycle having a plurality of front sprockets and a plurality of rear sprockets, wherein a front derailleur shifts a chain among the plurality of front sprockets and a rear derailleur shifts the chain among the plurality of rear sprockets. The apparatus comprises a shift unit that provides signals for shifting the front derailleur and the rear derailleur; and a prohibiting unit operatively coupled to the shift unit and providing signals so that the chain is prohibited from engaging at least one of i) a laterally innermost front sprocket in combination with a laterally outermost rear sprocket, and ii) a laterally outermost front sprocket in combination with a laterally innermost rear sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeda, Tadashi Ichida