Patents Assigned to Shimano, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11819012
    Abstract: A spinning reel has a reel body, a spool shaft, a spool, a spool ring, and a drag knob. The spool ring is disposed on the external radial portion of a front flange of the spool. The drag knob is disposed in front of the spool shaft. As seen from the outside of the spool ring in the radial direction, an angle formed by a tangent line, which passes through a contact point between an external radial portion and a spherical boundary and which is tangent to the spherical boundary, and a straight line, which is orthogonal to the spool shaft and which passes through the contact point, is less than or equal to degrees. The drag knob is disposed inside the spherical boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Niitsuma, Atsushi Kawamata, Shu Kusuda, Kei Saito, Hirokazu Hirayama, Satoshi Ikebukuro, Yoshiyuki Takemoto
  • Patent number: 11814128
    Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base member, a first electrical switch, a second electrical switch, and a third electrical switch. The base member is configured to be coupled to a handlebar of the human-powered vehicle. The first electrical switch is configured to receive a first user input indicating upshifting of a first gear changing device. The second electrical switch is configured to receive a second user input indicating downshifting of the first gear changing device. The third electrical switch is configured to alternately receive a third user input and a third additional user input. The third user input indicates upshifting of a second gear changing device. The third additional user input indicates downshifting of the second gear changing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Komada, Kazuya Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 11814135
    Abstract: A crank assembly comprises a crank arm, a front sprocket unit, and at least one chain-drop control protrusion. The at least one chain-drop control protrusion is configured to inhibit a drive chain from getting into a space provided radially inwardly from the at least one control protrusion and between the crank arm and the front sprocket unit in the axial direction. The at least one chain-drop control protrusion is configured to be provided to at least one of an axially inwardly facing crank-surface of the crank arm and an axially outwardly facing sprocket-surface of the front sprocket unit. The at least one chain-drop control protrusion has a through bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kohei Ohyabu
  • Patent number: 11814130
    Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base member and an electric communication port. The base member extends in a longitudinal direction. The base member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is configured to be coupled to a handlebar. The second end portion is opposite to the first end portion in the longitudinal direction. The electric communication port is configured to be electrically connected to a connector of an electric cable. The electric communication port is closer to the second end portion than the first end portion in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Hidaka, Yasuyuki Komada
  • Patent number: 11813891
    Abstract: A hub is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The hub basically includes a hub axle, a member, a cable and a sealing element. The member is provided to the hub axle. The cable extends through a passageway. The sealing element is configured to occupy a space between the passageway and the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kenkichi Inoue, Yuuya Yoneda
  • Patent number: 11807331
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller configured to control a transmission that changes a transmission ratio of a rotational speed of a wheel of a human-powered vehicle to a rotational speed of a crank of the human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to control the transmission to change the transmission ratio in accordance with a comparison of a parameter related to at least one of a traveling environment and a traveling state of the human-powered vehicle with a predetermined determination value. The electronic controller is configured to change the predetermined determination value in accordance with a change in the parameter during a single rotation of the crank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Hayato Shimazu
  • Patent number: 11807338
    Abstract: A drive unit is configured to be provided to a human-powered vehicle. The drive unit includes a base on which a crankshaft is provided, and a holder mount provided on the base. The holder mount is configured to selectively mount a battery holder, which is configured to hold a battery unit, at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kameda, Shinichiro Noda, Kento Mitsuyasu, Toshio Tetsuka
  • Patent number: 11807336
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device is provided for controlling a human-powered vehicle. The human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller controls a transmission device in accordance with a control state including first and second control states. The electronic controller changes the transmission ratio in accordance with a shifting condition including a reference value related to a traveling state of the human-powered vehicle in the first control state. The electronic controller changes the transmission ratio in accordance with an operation performed on an operation portion in the second control state. The electronic controller changes the shifting condition in accordance with a converging reference value for a case where the human-powered vehicle is in a riding converging state. The electronic controller changes the shifting condition in accordance with the converging reference value for a case where the control state is the second control state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Mitsuhiko Kawasaki, Takehiko Nakajima
  • Patent number: 11807337
    Abstract: A bicycle control device includes an electronic controller that controls a motor to assist propulsion of a bicycle. The electronic controller is configured to decrease an output of the motor upon determining that a shifting device is performing a shifting action to change a transmission ratio of the bicycle. The electronic controller is further configured to end the control that decreases the output of the motor before a predetermined period elapses upon determining that the shifting action is completed or the transmission ratio is changed before the predetermined period has elapsed. The electronic controller is further configured to end the control that decreases the output of the motor upon determining that the predetermined period has elapsed in a case where the shifting action or the change in the transmission ratio is uncompleted even though the predetermined period has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Hiroshi Matsuda, Takuya Katsuki
  • Patent number: 11801913
    Abstract: A bicycle electric component setting system is basically provided a master unit and a plurality of slave bicycle electric components. The master unit is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The master unit is configured to receive update information from an external terminal device. The slave bicycle electric components are configured to be mounted to the bicycle. The slave bicycle electric components are configured to receive the update information from the master unit to change a setting of at least one of the slave bicycle electric components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akinori Hashimoto, Takaya Masuda
  • Patent number: 11793277
    Abstract: A cleat adapter assembly is provided for a cycling shoe. The cleat adapter assembly basically includes a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion and an adjuster. The first connecting portion is configured to be connected to a cleat. The second connecting portion is adjustably connected to the first connecting portion. The adjuster is configured to adjust a relative position between the first connecting portion and the second connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Shota Nishijima
  • Publication number: 20230331339
    Abstract: A crank assembly comprises a crank arm, a front sprocket unit, and a plurality of chain-drop control protrusions. The plurality of chain-drop control protrusions is configured to inhibit a drive chain from getting into a space provided radially inwardly from the plurality of chain-drop control protrusions and between the crank arm and the front sprocket unit in an axial direction. The plurality of chain-drop control protrusions is configured to be provided to at least one of an axially inwardly facing crank-surface of the crank arm and an axially outwardly facing sprocket-surface of the front sprocket unit. The plurality of chain-drop control protrusions is spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction with respect to the rotational center axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kohei OHYABU
  • Publication number: 20230331340
    Abstract: A crank assembly comprises a crank arm, a front sprocket unit, and at least one chain-drop control protrusion. The at least one chain-drop control protrusion is configured to inhibit a drive chain from getting into a space provided radially inwardly from the at least one control protrusion and between the crank arm and the front sprocket unit in the axial direction. The at least one chain-drop control protrusion is configured to be provided to at least one of an axially inwardly facing crank-surface of the crank arm and an axially outwardly facing sprocket-surface of the front sprocket unit. The at least one chain-drop control protrusion has a through bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kohei OHYABU
  • Patent number: 11787505
    Abstract: A linkage having a link arm including a first link and a second link. The first link includes a first hole and a second hole. The second link includes a third hole and a fourth hole. The first link and the second link are pivotally coupled to a first member about a first pivot axis, and are pivotally coupled to a second member about a second pivot axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis. The first hole and the third hole are provided coaxially with the first pivot axis. The second hole and the fourth hole are provided coaxially with the second pivot axis. The third hole is provided between the first hole and the first member in an axial direction with respect to the first pivot axis in a state where the first link is pivotally coupled to the first member about the first pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Fujii, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11787500
    Abstract: A control device for a human-powered vehicle including a motor that applies a propulsion force to the human-powered vehicle, a crank axle, a driving wheel, and a transmission that automatically changes a transmission ratio of a rotational speed of the driving wheel to a rotational speed of the crank axle in accordance with a travel state of the human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller that controls the motor in accordance with a human driving force input to the crank axle. The controller changes an assist state related to at least one of an assist ratio of an assist force by the motor to a predetermined human driving force and the assist force by the motor in accordance with the human driving force and controls the transmission to maintain the transmission ratio upon determining a parameter related to the human driving force satisfies a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Hitoshi Takayama
  • Patent number: 11787494
    Abstract: A component is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The component includes a component body, a strain gauge provided on the component body, a signal processing unit electrically connected to the strain gauge, a signal output that outputs a signal from the signal processing unit, and an electric power input electrically connected to the signal processing unit and supplied with electric power from a power supply provided on at least one of the human-powered vehicle and the component body. The strain gauge includes a substrate and a resistor provided on the substrate. The resistor is formed by a metal layer having a thickness of 0.01 micrometers or greater and 1 micrometer or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Shinya Fujimura
  • Patent number: 11787498
    Abstract: A control device for a human-powered vehicle includes an electronic controller configured to control a motor, which is configured to apply a propulsion force to the human-powered vehicle, so as to change a ratio of an assist force produced by the motor to a human driving force in accordance with the human driving force. The electronic controller controls the motor so that the assist force produced by the motor becomes smaller than a maximum value upon determining a torque of the human driving force is smaller than a first predetermined value, and controls the motor so that the assist force produced by the motor becomes equal to the maximum value upon determining the torque of the human driving force becomes equal to the first predetermined value, and the first predetermined value is a value in a range of 50 Nm or greater and 130 Nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Mitsuhiko Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 11787501
    Abstract: A determination device is for a human-powered vehicle. The determination device includes a processor that is configured to obtain information related to a rotational speed of an input rotational shaft of the human-powered vehicle and information related to a rotational speed of a wheel of the human-powered vehicle to determine a predetermined state in accordance with a varied amount of the rotational speed of the input rotational shaft and a varied amount of the rotational speed of the wheel in a state in which a human driving force that is applied to the human-powered vehicle is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Jumpei Nakamura, Takuya Katsuki, Keiji Terashima, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Hiroshi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11787499
    Abstract: A bicycle communication apparatus is provided that contributes to usability. The bicycle communication apparatus includes a base portion and a wireless communicator provided at the base portion. The wireless communicator is configured to transmit first information related to a motor that assists propulsion of a bicycle and second information related to a shifting device of the bicycle through wireless communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takeshita, Shun Kakehashi, Taketoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 11787506
    Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member, a chain guide, and a linkage structure. The linkage structure includes a first link pivotally coupled to the base member about a first link pivot axis. The chain guide includes a first chain guide pivotally coupled to the first link about a first guide pivot axis spaced apart from the first link pivot axis. The first chain guide includes a first guide body and a first guide protrusion. The first guide protrusion protrudes from the first guide body and is pivotally coupled to the first link about the first guide pivot axis. The first guide protrusion is spaced apart from the first link in an axial direction with respect to the first guide pivot axis to define an intermediate space between the first guide protrusion and the first link in the axial direction. The intermediate space is free of a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takashi Furuya, Kazutaka Fukao