Patents Assigned to Shimano, Inc.
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11724768
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a brake operating member, an additional operating member, an electrical switch, and a wireless communication unit. The brake operating member is movably coupled to the base member. The additional operating member is movably coupled to the brake operating member. The electrical switch is to provide an electric signal in response to a movement of the additional operating member. The electrical switch is disposed at the additional operating member. The wireless communication unit is connected to the electrical switch to transmit a wireless signal based on the electric signal. The wireless communication unit is disposed at one of the base member and the brake operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi Komatsu, Takehiko Nakajima, Takafumi Nishino
  • Publication number: 20230249782
    Abstract: A drive train comprises a sprocket arrangement and a force-transmission coefficient. The sprocket arrangement includes a plurality of rear sprockets and a plurality of gear ratios respectively corresponding to the plurality of rear sprockets. The plurality of gear ratios includes a largest gear ratio and a smallest gear ratio. The sprocket arrangement includes at least one individual sprocket-space provided between two adjacent rear sprockets among the plurality of rear sprockets. The force-transmission coefficient is obtained by dividing a total gear range quotient by a total number of the at least one individual sprocket-space. The force-transmission coefficient is equal to or larger than 0.97 and is equal to or smaller than 1.36. The total gear range quotient is obtained by dividing the largest gear ratio by the smallest gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Satoshi SHAHANA
  • Patent number: 11716981
    Abstract: A spinning reel, includes a reel body, a spool shaft supported by the reel body, a reciprocating mechanism having a slider mounted on the spool shaft and a worm shaft configured to rotate to move the spool shaft and the slider back and forth, and a torque-limiting mechanism that includes the worm shaft, a worm shaft gear that is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the worm shaft, and a frictional force-generating member disposed between the worm shaft and the worm shaft gear and that is configured to contact the worm shaft or the worm shaft gear to generate a frictional force in a circumferential direction and to permit or cancel transmission of torque from the worm shaft gear to the worm shaft by the frictional force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Niitsuma, Atsushi Kawamata
  • Patent number: 11718369
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body, a plurality of sprocket teeth, and a torque transmitting profile. The sprocket body has an outer periphery and an inner periphery positioned radially inwardly from the outer periphery with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket. The plurality of sprocket teeth is disposed on the outer periphery of the sprocket body. The torque transmitting profile is positioned around the inner periphery of the sprocket body. The torque transmitting profile includes at least ten internal spline teeth. The at least ten internal spline-teeth include at least one first internal spline-tooth, at least one second internal spline-tooth and at least one third internal spline-tooth. The at least one internal first spline-tooth, the at least one second internal spline-tooth and the at least one third internal spline-tooth are different in shape from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Fukunaga, Shota Suyama
  • Patent number: 11716980
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a reel body, a rotor, a bail arm, a rod, a coil spring, a swing member, and a tubular member. The rotor rotates with respect to the reel body. The bail arm is configured to swing with respect to the rotor. The bail arm has a bail and a bail support member that supports one end of the bail. The rod is connected to the bail support member. The coil spring is disposed around the outer circumference of the rod and presses the rod toward the bail support member. The swing member has a bottom that supports the coil spring and is swingably supported by the rotor. The tubular member is supported by the swing member. The tubular member is disposed in the inner circumference of the coil spring. The rod is configured to slide in accordance with a swing movement of the bail arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kawamata, Akira Niitsuma, Satoshi Ikebukuro, Kei Saito
  • Patent number: 11718359
    Abstract: Provided are an output device, a method for generating a machine learning model, and a computer-readable storage medium for properly controlling a human-powered vehicle so as to travel comfortably for a long time by using a machine learning model. The output device includes an acquisition unit that acquires input information related to traveling of a human-powered vehicle, and a processor configured to train a machine learning model in accordance with an index value indicating electric power consumption efficiency in a power supply device for supplying electric power to a component of the human-powered vehicle, and to output output information related to controlling the component when the input information is inputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamoto, Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 11713801
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket is basically provided with a sprocket body and a plurality of chain-driving teeth. The sprocket body includes a central portion, an annular portion and an intermediate portion. The central portion has a central opening through which the rotational center axis passes and a plurality of internal splines for engaging external splines of a crank arm. The annular portion is disposed radially outward from the central portion with respect to the rotational center axis. The intermediate portion extends between the central portion and the annular portion in a radial direction about the rotational center axis. The plurality of chain-driving teeth extends radially outward from the annular portion of the sprocket body to engage with a bicycle chain. The sprocket body and the plurality of chain-driving teeth are formed as a one-piece, unitary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenichi Akanishi
  • Patent number: 11702169
    Abstract: A hydraulic operating device is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The hydraulic operating device basically includes a base, an operating member and a handlebar mounting structure. The base includes a cylinder bore defining a cylinder axis. The operating member is pivotally coupled to the base about a pivot axis between a rest position and an operated position. The handlebar mounting structure is coupled to the base. The handlebar mounting structure defines a handlebar mounting axis that extends linearly along a handlebar in a mounted state. The cylinder axis is inclined towards the handlebar mounting axis as the cylinder bore extends away from the pivot axis as viewed in a pivot axis direction parallel to the pivot axis. The pivot axis is located in an area between the cylinder axis and the handlebar mounting axis as viewed in the pivot axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kentaro Kosaka, Yusuke Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 11702167
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device controls the transmission to initiate a shifting operation based on a set of prescribed conditions that changes the transmission ratio of a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller that switches between a first control state for controlling the transmission to change the transmission ratio in accordance with a first prescribed set of conditions, and a second control state for controlling the transmission to prevent the change of the transmission ratio as compared with if the electronic controller is in the first control state. The electronic controller switches between the first control state and the second control state in accordance with a detection of at least one of a steering state of the human-powered vehicle, a surface condition of a travel path on which the human-powered vehicle travels, and a pedaling preparation state related to the pedals of the human-powered vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Nobukatsu Hara, Hitoshi Takayama
  • Patent number: 11697474
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member, a chain guide, a motor unit, and a linkage structure. The base member has at least one first link-pin-receiving opening. The motor unit has at least one second link-pin-receiving opening. The linkage structure comprises at least one link member and at least one link pin. The at least one link member is configured to movably couple the chain guide to the base member. The at least one link member has at least one third link-pin-receiving opening. The at least one link pin is configured to pivotally couple the at least one link member to the base member about at least one link pivot axis. One of the at least one link pin is configured to extend through the at least one first link-pin-receiving opening, the at least one second link-pin-receiving opening, and the at least one third link-pin-receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Naoki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 11697473
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member, a linkage structure, a movable member, a first pulley assembly, and a second pulley assembly. The first pulley assembly includes a first pulley support and a first toothed pulley. The first pulley support is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a first pivot axis. The first toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the first pulley support about a first pulley axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis. The second pulley assembly includes a second pulley support, a second toothed pulley, and a third toothed pulley. The second pulley support is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a second pivot axis. The second toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the second pulley support about a second pulley axis. The third toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the second pulley support about a third pulley axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
  • Patent number: 11697467
    Abstract: A rider-posture changing device is for a human-powered vehicle. The rider-posture changing device includes a first member, a second member, a positioning structure and an electric actuator. The second member is configured to be movable relative to the first member. The positioning structure is configured to adjustably position the first member relative to the second member. The electric actuator is configured to actuate the positioning structure. The electric actuator includes a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector. The first electrical connector is configured to be detachably and reattachably connected to a first power supply. The second electrical connector is configured to be detachably and reattachably connected to a second power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toyoto Shirai, Nicholas C Murdick
  • Patent number: 11691693
    Abstract: A front sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The second sprocket includes a second sprocket body and a plurality of second sprocket teeth. At least one tooth of the plurality of second sprocket teeth includes a less chain-interference recess provided to the second axially inwardly facing surface. The less chain-interference recess is configured to reduce interference between the at least one tooth of the plurality of second sprocket teeth and a chain in an upshifting operation in which the chain is shifted from the first sprocket toward the second sprocket. The less chain-interference recess has a radially innermost end positioned radially inwardly from a tooth bottom circle of the plurality of second sprocket teeth. A radial distance radially defined from the tooth bottom circle to the radially innermost end with respect to a rotational center axis is equal to or larger than 1.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kohei Ohyabu, Tomohiro Noma, Hiroyuki Torii
  • Patent number: 11685466
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device includes a controller configured to control a motor that assists propulsion of a human-powered vehicle including a movable member that is extensible and retractable. The controller controls the motor in accordance with actuation of the movable member during an extending or retracting action of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Takayama
  • Patent number: 11685470
    Abstract: A bicycle component controller is basically provided with a data storage device and a processor. The data storage device contains sprocket assembly information of at least one sprocket assembly. The processor is configured to perform a gear shift control based on the sprocket assembly information. The sprocket assembly information of the at least one sprocket assembly at least includes a total sprocket number and shifting gate information. The single shifting distance of the sprocket assembly information corresponds to an axial spacing between adjacent sprockets of the at least one sprocket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Mitsuhiko Kawasaki, Shota Suyama
  • Patent number: 11685469
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Yamamoto, Akihiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 11685471
    Abstract: A shifting system for a human-powered vehicle comprises a controller. The controller is configured to receive a driving torque and a cadence of the human-powered vehicle from at least one sensor. The controller is configured to determine a permitted shift timing based on the driving torque and the cadence. The controller is further configured to control a shift mechanism to perform a gear shift during the permitted shift timing in accordance with a permitted cadence range and a first threshold of the driving torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Fujimoto, Takeshi Ueda, Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: D990616
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Miho Suzuki, Akira Nago