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).
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Publication number: 20060272443Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2005Publication date: December 7, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
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Publication number: 20060260427Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2005Publication date: November 23, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
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Patent number: 7137314Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 11, 2005Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Shimano IncInventors: Tadashi Ichida, Akira Tsumiyama
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Patent number: 7124873Abstract: A bicycle control device is configured with an operating member, a hydraulic braking unit and a shifting unit. The operating member is configured in the preferred embodiment to operate both the hydraulic braking unit and the shifting unit. The shifting unit is movably disposed around a center cylinder axis of a hydraulic brake cylinder to provide a compact structure. Also the operating member is configured to perform braking and speed change operations such that the braking operation is carried out without movement of the parts of the shifting unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
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Patent number: 7062989Abstract: A bicycle control device has a lightweight, ergonomic control lever for controlling both a braking device and a shifting device. The lever has an attachment section, an intermediate section and an actuating section. Preferably, at least one of the intermediate and actuating sections has a hollow zone. The lever preferably moves along first and second substantially perpendicular planes to control the braking device and the shifting device, respectively. Preferably, the actuating section has first and second actuation surfaces. The first surface extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane to move the lever along the first plane. The second actuation surface is inclined relative to the planes and the first surface to move the lever along the second plane. The second surface has a transverse dimension that is preferably at least one-half of the transverse dimension of the first surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
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Publication number: 20060086198Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2004Publication date: April 27, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
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Publication number: 20060086588Abstract: A bicycle control device is configured with an operating member, a hydraulic braking unit and a shifting unit. The operating member is configured in the preferred embodiment to operate both the hydraulic braking unit and the shifting unit. The shifting unit is movably disposed around a center cylinder axis of a hydraulic brake cylinder to provide a compact structure. Also the operating member is configured to perform braking and speed change operations such that the braking operation is carried out without movement of the parts of the shifting unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2004Publication date: April 27, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
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Patent number: 7032475Abstract: A hydraulic shift gear mechanism for a bicycle having a positioning mechanism for controlling the motion of the piston of a master cylinder assembly is described. 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: GrantFiled: June 7, 2001Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Akira Tsumiyama
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Publication number: 20050178233Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2005Publication date: August 18, 2005Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Akira Tsumiyama
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Publication number: 20050155447Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2005Publication date: July 21, 2005Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Akira Tsumiyama
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Publication number: 20050109148Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2003Publication date: May 26, 2005Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
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Publication number: 20050022624Abstract: A bicycle control device is disclosed that has a lightweight, ergonomic control lever for controlling both a braking device and a shifting device. The lever has an attachment section, an intermediate section and an actuating section. Preferably, at least one of the intermediate and actuating sections has a hollow zone. The lever preferably moves along first and second substantially perpendicular planes to control the braking device and the shifting device, respectively. Preferably, the actuating section has first and second actuation surfaces. The first surface extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane to move the lever along the first plane. The second actuation surface is inclined relative to the planes and the first surface to move the lever along the second plane. The second surface has a transverse dimension that is preferably at least one-half of the transverse dimension of the first surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2003Publication date: February 3, 2005Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
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Publication number: 20040040402Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventors: Akira Tsumiyama, Nobukatsu Hara
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Patent number: 6691591Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Akira Tsumiyama, Nobukatsu Hara
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Patent number: 6647823Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 26, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Akira Tsumiyama, Nobukatsu Hara
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Publication number: 20030177855Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Akira Tsumiyama, Nobukatsu Hara
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Publication number: 20020187867Abstract: A hydraulic shift gear 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: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2001Publication date: December 12, 2002Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Akira Tsumiyama
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Publication number: 20020139218Abstract: 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 winding 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: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Akira Tsumiyama, Nobukatsu Hara
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Publication number: 20020139637Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Akira Tsumiyama, Nobukatsu Hara