Patents by Inventor Akira Tsumiyama

Akira Tsumiyama 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: 8695454
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is provided with a first operating unit, a second operating unit and a connecting member. The first operating unit includes a clamp portion for attaching the bicycle operating device to a bicycle and a first operating member. The second operating unit includes a second operating member. The connecting member includes first and second attachment portions. The first attachment portion is detachably attached to the first operating unit by a first adjustable connection. The second attachment portion is detachably attached to the second operating unit by a second adjustable connection. The first adjustable connection changes a relative position of the connecting member with respect to the clamp portion in a first direction. The second adjustable connection changes a relative position of the connecting member with respect to the second operating unit in a second direction that is different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 8549956
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided with a base member, a shift control unit, a brake lever, a shift operating lever and a lever adjustment mechanism. The shift control unit is mounted to the base member. The brake lever is movably mounted relative to the base member. The shift operating lever is operatively coupled to the shift control unit to operate the shift control unit when the shift operating lever is moved from a rest position along a shift operating path. The shift operating lever is movable from the rest position along a non-shift movement path independently of the brake lever. The lever adjustment mechanism is operatively coupled to the shift operating lever to change a location of the rest position of the shift operating lever along the non-shift movement path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Hisayuki Sato, Etsuyoshi Watarai, Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 8413543
    Abstract: A bicycle operating unit connector is provided with a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion. The first attachment portion includes a curved mounting surface with an opening that is detachably attached to an outwardly facing surface of a band part of a clamp portion of a brake operating unit by an adjustable connection for changing a relative position of the connector with respect to the clamp portion of the brake operating unit. The second attachment portion extends from the first attachment portion. The second attachment portion includes a hole that is configured to be detachably attached to a shift operating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 8201476
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is provided with a first operating unit, a second operating unit and a connecting member. The first operating unit includes a clamp portion for attaching the bicycle operating device to a bicycle and a first operating member. The second operating unit includes a housing and a second operating member. The connecting member includes a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, with the first attachment portion being detachably attached to an outwardly facing surface of the clamp portion of the first operating unit by an adjustable connection for changing a relative position of the connecting member with respect to the clamp portion. The second attachment portion is detachably attached to the second operating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 8181553
    Abstract: A position control mechanism is provided for a bicycle control device that has a shifting unit. The position control mechanism has an operating member that is configured to operate a positioning member that moves through two of a plurality of predetermined shift positions during a single progressive movement of the operating member. The operating member is configured in the preferred embodiment to operate both a hydraulic braking unit and the shifting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Publication number: 20110192249
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is provided with a first operating unit, a second operating unit and a connecting member. The first operating unit includes a clamp portion for attaching the bicycle operating device to a bicycle and a first operating member. The second operating unit includes a second operating member. The connecting member includes first and second attachment portions. The first attachment portion is detachably attached to the first operating unit by a first adjustable connection. The second attachment portion is detachably attached to the second operating unit by a second adjustable connection. The first adjustable connection changes a relative position of the connecting member with respect to the clamp portion in a first direction. The second adjustable connection changes a relative position of the connecting member with respect to the second operating unit in a second direction that is different from the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Akira TSUMIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20110070017
    Abstract: A bicycle operating unit connector is provided with a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion. The first attachment portion includes a curved mounting surface with an opening that is detachably attached to an outwardly facing surface of a band part of a clamp portion of a brake operating unit by an adjustable connection for changing a relative position of the connector with respect to the clamp portion of the brake operating unit. The second attachment portion extends from the first attachment portion. The second attachment portion includes a hole that is configured to be detachably attached to a shift operating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Akira TSUMIYAMA
  • Patent number: 7802489
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is configured with an operating member that selectively controls a braking unit and a shifting such that shifting and braking can be easily performed while braking. The operating member has a user engagement part and a wire connecting portion with a support structure pivotally coupled to the user engagement part and a wire attachment member movably coupled to the support structure by a universal coupling. Also the operating member can perform a braking operation without movement of the main parts of the shifting unit. The shifting unit is movably disposed around a center shifting axis to provide a compact structure. The shifting unit has a position control mechanism that is configured to operate a positioning member that moves through two of a plurality of predetermined shift positions during a single progressive movement of the operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Publication number: 20100139442
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is provided with a first operating unit, a second operating unit and a connecting member. The first operating unit includes a clamp portion for attaching the bicycle operating device to a bicycle and a first operating member. The second operating unit includes a housing and a second operating member. The connecting member includes a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, with the first attachment portion being detachably attached to an outwardly facing surface of the clamp portion of the first operating unit by an adjustable connection for changing a relative position of the connecting member with respect to the clamp portion. The second attachment portion is detachably attached to the second operating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Akira TSUMIYAMA
  • Patent number: 7650813
    Abstract: A position control mechanism is provided for a bicycle control device that has a shifting unit. The position control mechanism has an operating member that is configured to operate a positioning member that moves through two of a plurality of predetermined shift positions during a single progressive movement of the operating member. The operating member is configured in the preferred embodiment to operate both a hydraulic braking unit and the shifting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 7526979
    Abstract: A bicycle shift position control mechanism is configured to provide a bicycle shifting unit with multiple gear shifting in a single upshift operation or a single downshift operation. The shift position control mechanism that has a wire take up member, a positioning member, a first position maintaining member and a second position maintaining member. The positioning member rotates with the wire take up member between one of a plurality of predetermined shift positions. The first position maintaining member selectively moves between a first engagement position that holds the positioning member in one of the predetermined shift positions and a first disengagement position that releases the positioning member for rotational movement. The second position maintaining member selectively moes between a second engagement position that holds the positioning member in one of the predetermined shift positions and a second disengagement position that releases the positioning member for rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 7509888
    Abstract: A hydraulic gear shift mechanism for a bicycle having a positioning mechanism for controlling the motion of the piston of a master cylinder assembly is disclosed, wherein the master cylinder assembly is in communication with a slave cylinder for operation of a derailleur. The positioning mechanism preferably includes a pivot shaft spaced apart from the handlebar, a rotating member rotatable about the pivot shaft, a push mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a first direction and a return mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a second direction. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, an adjuster piston is threadingly engaged with the master cylinder assembly for adjusting the initial position of the slave cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Akira Tsumiyama
  • Publication number: 20080314191
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided with a base member, a shift control unit, a brake lever, a shift operating lever and a lever adjustment mechanism. The shift control unit is mounted to the base member. The brake lever is movably mounted relative to the base member. The shift operating lever is operatively coupled to the shift control unit to operate the shift control unit when the shift operating lever is moved from a rest position along a shift operating path. The shift operating lever is movable from the rest position along a non-shift movement path independently of the brake lever. The lever adjustment mechanism is operatively coupled to the shift operating lever to change a location of the rest position of the shift operating lever along the non-shift movement path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Hisayuki SATO, Etsuyoshi WATARAI, Akira TSUMIYAMA
  • Patent number: 7392723
    Abstract: A bicycle shift position control mechanism is configured to provide a bicycle shifting unit with multiple gear shifting in a single upshift operation or a single downshift operation. The shift position control mechanism that has a wire take up member, a positioning member, a first position maintaining member and a second position maintaining member. The positioning member rotates with the wire take up member between one of a plurality of predetermined shift positions. The first position maintaining member selectively moves between a first engagement position that holds the positioning member in one of the predetermined shift positions and a first disengagement position that releases the positioning member for rotational movement. The second position maintaining member selectively moves between a second engagement position that holds the positioning member in one of the predetermined shift positions and a second disengagement position that releases the positioning member for rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 7267026
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is disclosed having a control lever that is operable in a first direction to operate the brake control mechanism, a second direction to operate the shift control mechanism in the pulling direction and a third direction to operate the shift control mechanism in the release direction. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, when viewed from the perspective of a rider on the bicycle, the first direction is the direction of movement of the lever toward the handlebar. The second direction is the direction of movement of the control lever downward and the third direction is the direction of movement of the control lever upward. In a more preferred embodiment, the second and third directions are perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Tsumiyama, Nobukatsu Hara
  • Publication number: 20070163378
    Abstract: A hydraulic gear shift mechanism for a bicycle having a positioning mechanism for controlling the motion of the piston of a master cylinder assembly is disclosed, wherein the master cylinder assembly is in communication with a slave cylinder for operation of a derailleur. The positioning mechanism preferably includes a pivot shaft spaced apart from the handlebar, a rotating member rotatable about the pivot shaft, a push mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a first direction and a return mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a second direction. The push mechanism preferably includes a first latch segment which engages a corresponding push pawl to rotate the rotating member. The return mechanism preferably comprises a second latch segment and a return pawl, the return pawl having a first claw and a second claw which alternately engage the second latch segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tadashi ICHIDA, Akira TSUMIYAMA
  • Patent number: 7228756
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is provided to control both a derailleur and a brake device. The control device includes a mounting member, a control mechanism, a first lever portion and a second lever portion. The mounting member is coupled to part of the bicycle such as the handlebar. The control mechanism is coupled to the mounting member and is adapted to control braking and shifting. The first and second lever portions are operatively coupled to the control mechanism to perform braking/shifting. The first lever portion is arranged to perform braking and shifting. The second lever portion is arranged to at least perform shifting. The first and second lever portions are arranged to move together at least when operated to perform shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 7219574
    Abstract: A shift control device is described. The shift control device is attachable to the handlebar of a bicycle for controlling the piston of a hydraulic shift mechanism and includes a bracket attachable to the handlebar, a pivot shaft, a rotating member, and a control lever. The pivot shaft is spaced apart from the handlebar and fixedly secured to the bracket. The rotating member is rotatable in a first direction and a second direction about the pivot shaft. The control lever is operatively connected with the rotating member and biased in a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Akira Tsumiyama
  • Publication number: 20070068313
    Abstract: A bicycle shift position control mechanism is configured to provide a bicycle shifting unit with multiple gear shifting in a single upshift operation or a single downshift operation. The shift position control mechanism that has a wire take up member, a positioning member, a first position maintaining member and a second position maintaining member. The positioning member rotates with the wire take up member between one of a plurality of predetermined shift positions. The first position maintaining member selectively moves between a first engagement position that holds the positioning member in one of the predetermined shift positions and a first disengagement position that releases the positioning member for rotational movement. The second position maintaining member selectively moves between a second engagement position that holds the positioning member in one of the predetermined shift positions and a second disengagement position that releases the positioning member for rotational movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Publication number: 20070017316
    Abstract: A bicycle shift position control mechanism is configured to provide a bicycle shifting unit with multiple gear shifting in a single upshift operation or a single downshift operation. The shift position control mechanism that has a wire take up member, a positioning member, a first position maintaining member and a second position maintaining member. The positioning member rotates with the wire take up member between one of a plurality of predetermined shift positions. The first position maintaining member selectively moves between a first engagement position that holds the positioning member in one of the predetermined shift positions and a first disengagement position that releases the positioning member for rotational movement. The second position maintaining member selectively moes between a second engagement position that holds the positioning member in one of the predetermined shift positions and a second disengagement position that releases the positioning member for rotational movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama