Patents Assigned to Shimano, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11780529
    Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base structure, a first switch unit, and a second switch unit. The base structure defines a mounting axis. The first switch unit comprises a first switch base member, a first switch, and a first point. The first point is closest to the mounting axis along a first direction parallel to a first pivot axis. The second switch unit comprises a second switch base member, a second switch, and a second point. The second point is closest to the mounting axis along a second direction parallel to a second pivot axis. A second minimum distance is longer than a first minimum distance. A third minimum distance is longer than a fourth minimum distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kentaro Kosaka
  • Patent number: 11779000
    Abstract: A one-way clutch unit for a fishing reel is disclosed. The one-way clutch is configured to brake a rotation of a shaft member of the fishing reel. The one-way clutch includes a rolling element and an outer member. The rolling element contacts the shaft member in a radial direction away from an axle of the shaft member. The outer member is disposed outside the rolling element in the radial direction. The outer member is configured to rotate in only one direction along a circumferential direction around the axle. The outer member includes a first external force receiving portion that receives a first external force in an axial direction of the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kouhei Nakamura, Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 11780519
    Abstract: A telescopic apparatus controller for a human-powered vehicle comprises a controller configured to control a telescopic apparatus in one of a plurality of operating modes. The plurality of operating modes includes a first operating mode in which a reference portion of the telescopic apparatus is selectively arranged to one of a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position, and a second operating mode in which the reference portion of the telescopic apparatus is arbitrarily arranged between a first end position and a second end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Toyoto Shirai, Yuki Sakagawa, Norikazu Taki, Akihiro Nozaki, Noor Ashyikkin Binti Mohd Noor, Kentaro Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20230312041
    Abstract: A device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a communication electrical contact. The communication electrical contact is contactable with an electrical contact of an electric device. The electrical contact has a first state where the electrical contact receives electricity from a power supply and a second state where the electrical contact is in contact with the communication electrical contact. The communication electrical contact is configured to be in contact with the electrical contact to allow communication between an external device and the electric device via the communication electrical contact and the electrical contact in the second state of the electrical contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki KOMADA, Yuichiro HIDAKA
  • Publication number: 20230312042
    Abstract: An electric device for a human-powered vehicle comprises an electrical contact. The electrical contact has a first state where the electrical contact receives electricity from a power supply and a second state where the electrical contact receives information from an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takaya MASUDA, Daiki KATO, Tomohiro TAKIMOTO
  • Patent number: 11772741
    Abstract: A sprocket support comprises at least ten internal spline teeth configured to engage with a bicycle hub assembly. The at least ten internal spline teeth of the sprocket support includes at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces. The at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces each include a radially outermost edge and a radially innermost edge. A radial length is defined from the radially outermost edge to the radially innermost edge. A total of the radial lengths of the at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces is equal to or larger than 7 mm. At least one internal-spline driving surface of the at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces has a first internal-spline-surface angle defined between the at least one internal-spline driving surface of the at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces and a first radial line. The first internal-spline-surface angle ranges from 0 degree to 10 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Kazuki Koshiyama, Takashi Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 11767080
    Abstract: A rear sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a lock device. The lock device includes a first lock member, a second lock member, and a biasing member. The first lock member includes a first axial end and a second axial end. The second lock member includes a third axial end and a fourth axial end. The fourth axial end has at least one radial projection configured to abut against the first sprocket in the axial direction in a mounting state. The biasing member is disposed between the first sprocket and the at least one radial projection in the axial direction in the assembled state to bias the first sprocket and the at least one radial projection in a biasing direction in which the first sprocket and the at least one radial projection are separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Koji Yuasa
  • Patent number: 11761494
    Abstract: A drag washer for a fishing reel has a sliding surface slidable relative to a plate washer. The drag washer includes a felt material formed by entwining a first fiber and a second fiber. The first fiber extends in a first direction along a thickness of the drag washer. The second fiber extends in a second direction along the sliding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Niitsuma, Shu Kusuda, Atsushi Yagara, Takuji Takamatsu
  • Patent number: 11751632
    Abstract: A shoe includes a shoe body, an elongated tightening member, at least one hook and an intermediate attaching member. The shoe body includes a sole and an upper mounted on the sole. The elongated tightening member has a first end, a second end and an intermediate part between the first end and the second end. The first end is attached to a first attaching position located on a front side of the upper. The second end is detachably attached to a second attaching position located rearward of the first end in the longitudinal direction of the upper. The hook is located rearward of the first attaching position and forward of the second attaching position, and enables the tightening member to be wound and hooked to the hook. The intermediate attaching member is configured to enable the intermediate part to be attached to the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kaoru Ouchi, Toshiaki Aoki
  • Patent number: 11751549
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a reel body, a spool shaft moveably supported to the reel body in a front-rear direction with a reciprocal stroke distance (S), and a spool including a bobbin trunk, the bobbin trunk including an outer circumference around which a fishing line is capable of being wound, and a front flange extending radially outward from a front end of the bobbin trunk, and connected to the spool shaft. An outer diameter of the front flange is less than 60 mm, and a first value obtained by dividing a stroke distance of the spool shaft by a winding pitch of the fishing line is greater than or equal to 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 11753108
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device is configured to control a derailleur in a suitable state. The human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller configured to control a derailleur mounted to a human-powered vehicle based on a change in pressure of a tire detected by a pressure detector detecting the pressure of at least one tire of the human-powered vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Idogaki, Tadaharu Kurotobi, Koji Yuasa
  • Patent number: 11745828
    Abstract: A front derailleur comprises a base member, a chain guide, and a linkage structure. The base member includes a mounting hole. The mounting hole has a center axis. The linkage structure comprises a first link member and a second link member. The first link member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a first pivot axis. The second link member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a second pivot axis. The first link member is pivotally coupled to the chain guide about a third pivot axis. The second link member is pivotally coupled to the chain guide about a fourth pivot axis. At least three of the first pivot axis, the second pivot axis, the third pivot axis, and the fourth pivot axis are non-parallel to and non-perpendicular to the center axis of the mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Naoki Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20230271668
    Abstract: An operating device comprises a base and an operating member. The base includes a base body and a cover. The cover includes an upper outer surface, a first lateral outer surface, a second lateral outer surface, a first shoulder, and a second shoulder. The first shoulder is provided between the upper outer surface and the first lateral outer surface. The first shoulder includes a first curved surface connecting the upper outer surface and the first lateral outer surface. The second shoulder is provided between the upper outer surface and the second lateral outer surface. The second shoulder includes a second curved surface connecting the upper outer surface and the second lateral outer surface. The first curved surface is gentler than the second curved surface as viewed in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hayata MIZUTANI, Takuma SAKAI, Shun KAKEHASHI, Yuichiro HIDAKA, Hiroshi MATSUMOTO
  • Patent number: 11737439
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a spool shaft movable in a front-rear direction with respect to a reel body, a spool connected to the spool shaft and configured to have a fishing line wound therearound, a pinion gear supported by the reel body so as to be rotatable, a reciprocating mechanism configured to move the spool shaft in reciprocating fashion in the front-rear direction, and an intermediate gear disposed between the pinion gear and the reciprocating mechanism, the intermediate gear reducing rotation of the pinion gear, and transmitting rotation to the reciprocating mechanism. A value obtained by dividing a stroke distance of the spool shaft by a winding pitch of the fishing line and a module (M) of the intermediate gear is greater than or equal to 60, the module (M) being a diameter of a pitch circle relative to a number of teeth of the intermediate gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Niitsuma
  • Publication number: 20230264782
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a circuit board, an electrical user interface, a motor housing, and a motor unit. The electrical user interface includes a user accessing portion configured to receive a user input. The motor housing includes a motor accommodating space. The motor unit is provided in the motor accommodating space and configured to generate rotational force and configured to be electrically connected to the circuit board. A first direction is defined from the circuit board toward the electrical user interface or from the electrical user interface toward the circuit board. The plurality of second directions is defined to be perpendicular to the first direction. The motor unit is at least partly provided between the user accessing portion of the electrical user interface and the circuit board when viewed in at least one of the plurality of second directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Shunsuke YAMAMOTO, Akihiro HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20230269605
    Abstract: A wireless communication device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a wireless communicator unit and a controller. The wireless communicator unit is configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one electric component. The controller is configured to control the wireless communicator unit to wirelessly communicate with the at least one electric component. The controller is configured to modify, in accordance with a predetermined condition, a signal transmitting manner of a signal transmitted in a predetermined period from the wireless communicator unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takaya MASUDA, Ryo ISOBE
  • Patent number: 11731723
    Abstract: To provide a rider recognition device for a human-powered vehicle and a control system of a human-powered vehicle that improve the usability, a rider recognition device for a human-powered vehicle includes a detector and an artificial intelligence processing unit. The detector detects state information while the human-powered vehicle is traveling. The state information is related to at least one of a state of the human-powered vehicle and a state of a rider of the human-powered vehicle. The artificial intelligence processing unit recognizes the rider corresponding to the state information detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Komemushi
  • Patent number: 11731730
    Abstract: A control device for a first communicator of a human-powered vehicle configured to establish one of a wireless communication and a wired communication with a second communicator comprises a power supply controller. The power supply controller is configured to control a power supplying state of at least one of a first electric power source and a second electric power source to supply electric power to the first communicator based on at least one of a power-source state of at least one of the first electric power source and the second electric power source and a communication state between the first communicator and the second communicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takaya Masuda, Fumihide Numata, Takashi Matsubara, Tomohiro Takimoto
  • Publication number: 20230257060
    Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base, a piston, an operating member, an intermediate member, and a mounting structure. The base includes a hole. The piston is movably provided in the hole. The operating member is pivotally coupled to the base about a first pivot axis. The intermediate member is pivotally coupled to the base about a second pivot axis to transmit a pivotal movement of the operating member to the piston. The mounting structure is configured to couple the base and a handlebar of the human-powered vehicle. The mounting structure defines a mounting axis extending along the handlebar in a mounting state where the mounting structure couples the base and the handlebar. The first pivot axis is closer to the mounting axis than the second pivot axis in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the mounting axis as viewed along the first pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kohei OBUCHI, Yu KATO, Kazuma MORI, Nobuyoshi FUJII
  • Patent number: 11724775
    Abstract: A control device comprises a controller configured to control an actuator to move an output member in a first actuating manner in a first state where an electric power source configured to supply electricity to the actuator is in a first power-source state and where a movement of the output member does not reach a target movement after the controller controls the actuator based on control information. The controller is configured to control the actuator to move the output member in a second actuating manner different from the first actuating manner in a second state where the electric power source is in a second power-source state different from the first power-source state and where the movement of the output member does not reach the target movement after the controller controls the actuator based on the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Tachibana, Yuichi Ueyama, Akihiro Nozaki