Patents by Inventor Atsuhiro Emura

Atsuhiro Emura 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: 9409624
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises sprocket teeth. The sprocket teeth include a first tooth and a second tooth. The first tooth has a chain-engaging axial width which is larger than a first distance defined between opposed inner link plates of a bicycle chain and which is smaller than a second distance defined between opposed outer link plates of the bicycle chain. The second tooth has a chain-engaging axial width which is larger than the first distance and which is smaller than the second distance. The first tooth and the second tooth are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the bicycle sprocket to define a space which is free of a tooth configured to engage with the bicycle chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nishimoto, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Publication number: 20160167741
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur includes a mounting member, a chain guide, and a linkage assembly that pivotally couples the mounting member to the chain guide. The mounting member is configured to be mounted to a first frame member of a bicycle frame. The first frame member is pivotally connected to a second frame member of the bicycle frame about a pivot axis. The mounting member includes an attachment portion through which a fixing bolt for fixing the mounting member to the first frame member passes and includes an abutment configured to restrict rotation of the mounting member around the fixing bolt. The attachment portion is located on a front side of the pivot axis when the mounting member is mounted to the first frame member. The bicycle frame includes a structure for engaging and supporting the mounting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Atsuhiro EMURA, Kenkichi INOUE
  • Patent number: 9334018
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur has a base member, a movable member, a first link member and a second link member. The movable member is movable with respect to the base member between a retracted position and an extended position. The first link member includes a first connecting portion pivotally coupled to the movable member about a first pivot axis. The first link member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a second pivot axis. The second link member is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a third pivot axis. The second link member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a fourth pivot axis. The first connecting portion at least partially overlaps with the second link member as viewed in a direction parallel to the first pivot axis in a state in which the movable member is disposed at one of the retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue, Kazuya Kuwayama
  • Publication number: 20160083046
    Abstract: A front derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a chain guide, a link mechanism and a cable guiding structure. The base member is fixedly coupled to a bicycle. The chain guide is configured to guide a chain. The link mechanism movably couples the chain guide to the base member between a retracted position and an extended position in response to movement of an operation cable. The link mechanism includes a cable attachment portion that is configured to be attached to the operation cable. The cable guiding structure guides the operation cable from the cable attachment portion. The cable guiding structure is disposed on at least one of the base member and the link mechanism. The cable guiding structure has a cable exit that is arranged such that the operation cable exits forwardly from the cable guiding structure towards the front of the bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inou, Tomohiro Niimi
  • Patent number: 9290236
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur includes abase member configured to be attached to a bicycle frame, a chain guide configured to engage a chain, a connecting structure that connects the chain guide to the base member such that the chain guide can move relative to the base member, and an attachment structure detachably attaching the chain guide to the connecting structure and/or the connecting structure to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazuya Kuwayama, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Publication number: 20160075401
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur includes abuse member, a movable member and a linkage assembly. The base member is mounted to a bicycle frame. The movable member moves between a retracted position and an extended position at which the movable member is farther from the base member than the retracted position. The linkage assembly operatively couples the base member and the movable member. The linkage assembly includes a first link, a second link, an extension link and a sliding link. The first and second links are pivotally coupled between the base member and the movable member. The extension link extends from one of the first and second links toward the other of the first and second links. The sliding link includes a sliding portion slidably coupled to the extension link to slide along the extension link and a pivoting portion pivotally coupled to the other of the first and second links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Kazuya KUWAYAMA, Atsuhiro EMURA
  • Publication number: 20160068225
    Abstract: A front derailleur is provided with a base member, a linkage assembly, a chain guide, an input link, a connecting link and an outer casing receiving part. The linkage assembly includes a first link coupled to the base member at a first pivot axis, a second link coupled to the base member at a second pivot axis, and an extension link coupled to the first link and the base member. The chain guide is coupled to the first and second links. The input link, is supported relative to the base member about a third pivot axis, and connects to an operation cable. The connecting link is connected to the input link about a fourth pivot axis and to the extension link about a fifth pivot axis. The outer casing receiving part is disposed on the base member and receives an outer casing through which the operation cable passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Kazuya KUWAYAMA, Atsuhiro EMURA
  • Patent number: 9248885
    Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member, a chain guide, a link member, and a shaft member. The base member is configured to be attached to a bicycle frame. The chain guide comprises a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first connecting portion. The second member includes a second connecting portion to overlap the first connecting portion. The link member is configured to movably couple the chain guide to the base member. The shaft member is configured to couple the first connecting portion to the second connecting portion and configured to rotatably couple the chain guide to the link member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue, Yoshikazu Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20160023714
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur has a base member, a movable member, a first link member and a second link member. The movable member is movable with respect to the base member between a retracted position and an extended position. The first link member includes a first connecting portion pivotally coupled to the movable member about a first pivot axis. The first link member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a second pivot axis. The second link member is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a third pivot axis. The second link member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a fourth pivot axis. The first connecting portion at least partially overlaps with the second link member as viewed in a direction parallel to the first pivot axis in a state in which the movable member is disposed at one of the retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Atsuhiro EMURA, Kenkichi INOUE, Kazuya KUWAYAMA
  • Patent number: 9216794
    Abstract: A front derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a chain guide, a link mechanism and a cable guiding structure. The base member is fixedly coupled to a bicycle. The chain guide is configured to guide a chain. The link mechanism movably couples the chain guide to the base member between a retracted position and an extended position in response to movement of an operation cable. The link mechanism includes a cable attachment portion that is configured to be attached to the operation cable. The cable guiding structure guides the operation cable from the cable attachment portion. The cable guiding structure is disposed on at least one of the base member and the link mechanism. The cable guiding structure has a cable exit that is arranged such that the operation cable exits forwardly from the cable guiding structure towards the front of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue, Tomohiro Niimi
  • Publication number: 20150353166
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member, an electric driving unit and a biasing member. The base member includes a bicycle mounting portion. The movable member is movably supported with respect to the base member between a first position and a second position that is farther than the first position from the base member. The electric driving unit is operatively coupled to the movable member to move the movable member between the first position and the second position. The biasing member is operatively disposed between the base member and the movable member to bias the movable member towards the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Kazuya KUWAYAMA, Atsuhiro EMURA
  • Publication number: 20150308542
    Abstract: An inner link plate for a bicycle chain is provided. The inner link plate may have a longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction and comprising a first inner-link end portion including a first inner-link opening having a first inner-link center axis, a second inner-link end portion including a second inner-link opening having a second inner-link center axis parallel to the first inner-link center axis, and an inner-link intermediate portion interconnecting the first inner-link end portion and the second inner-link end portion. The first inner-link end portion may have an extended edge portion extending to be away from the second inner-link end portion in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fukumori, Yusuke Nishimoto, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Publication number: 20150291255
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises sprocket teeth. The sprocket teeth include a first tooth and a second tooth. The first tooth has a chain-engaging axial width which is larger than a first distance defined between opposed inner link plates of a bicycle chain and which is smaller than a second distance defined between opposed outer link plates of the bicycle chain. The second tooth has a chain-engaging axial width which is larger than the first distance and which is smaller than the second distance. The first tooth and the second tooth are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the bicycle sprocket to define a space which is free of a tooth configured to engage with the bicycle chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yusuke NISHIMOTO, Atsuhiro EMURA
  • Patent number: 9156525
    Abstract: A front derailleur is attachable to a bicycle with a frame in which a fixing bore is provided. The front derailleur basically includes a base member, a chain guide and a link mechanism. The base member has an attaching bore for attaching the base member to a fixing bore of a frame by a fastening member. The chain guide configured to guide a chain. The link mechanism movably couples the chain guide to the base member. The base member is disposed with respect to the chain guide such that at least a part of the attaching bore is disposed in front of the chain guide and above the chain guide while the front derailleur is in a state in which the base member is attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kazuya Kuwayama, Kenkichi Inoue
  • Patent number: 9156524
    Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member, a link member, and a biasing mechanism. The movable member is configured to be movable with respect to the base member between a retracted position and an extended position. The link member is configured to movably couple the movable member to the base member. The biasing mechanism is configured to bias the link member such that the movable member is disposed at one of the retracted position and the extended position. The biasing mechanism comprises a biasing member and an intermediate member. The biasing member has a first end portion. The intermediate member is separately provided from the movable member and the link member so as to transmit biasing force of the biasing member from the first end portion to one of the movable member and the link member through the intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue, Tomomi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9157523
    Abstract: A bicycle component actuation apparatus basically comprises a base member; a user operating member and a controller. The user operating member is movably mounted to the base member from a rest position to a first operated position. The controller detects operation of the user operating member to operate first and second electric components, one of which is not a shifting device. The controller operates one of the first and second electric components upon the controller detecting the user operating member being moved to the first operated position. The controller operates at least the other of the first and second electric components upon the controller detecting the user operating member remaining at the first operated position for a period of time longer than a first prescribed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kentaro Kosaka, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 9150277
    Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly includes a crank arm and at least one sprocket. The sprocket includes a set of regular teeth and a set of first and second teeth. The first teeth have a first chain engaging tooth width for engaging outer links of a bicycle chain. The second teeth have a second chain engaging tooth width for engaging inner links of the bicycle chain. The first chain engaging tooth width is greater than the second chain engaging tooth width. The regular teeth have a third chain engaging tooth width being smaller than the first chain engaging tooth width. The regular teeth are disposed along at least one of top and bottom dead center areas with respect to the crank arm. The first and second teeth are disposed along at least between the top and bottom dead center areas with respect to the crank arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Patent number: 9127766
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member and a connecting structure. The base member includes a bicycle mounting portion. The movable member is movable with respect to the base member between a first position and a second position that is farther than the first position from the base member. The connecting structure movably connects the movable member to the base member. The connecting structure moves the movable member with an actuation ratio that descends and then ascends as the movable member moves from the first position towards the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuya Kuwayama, Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue
  • Patent number: 9086138
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket basically includes a sprocket main body, a plurality of teeth and at least one projecting member. The teeth are disposed along a circumferential direction on a radially outer side of the sprocket main body. The teeth include at least one first tooth and at least one second tooth. The at least one projecting member protrudes from an axial surface of the at least one first tooth. The at least one projecting member is a different material from the teeth. The at least one projecting member and the at least one first tooth define a first chain engaging tooth width for engaging with an outer link of a bicycle chain. The at least one second tooth defines a second chain engaging tooth width for engaging with an inner link of the bicycle chain. The first chain engaging tooth width is greater than the second chain engaging tooth width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Atsuhiro Emura
  • Publication number: 20150198231
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket basically includes a sprocket main body, a plurality of teeth and at least one projecting member. The teeth are disposed along a circumferential direction on a radially outer side of the sprocket main body. The teeth include at least one first tooth and at least one second tooth. The at least one projecting member protrudes from an axial surface of the at least one first tooth. The at least one projecting member is a different material from the teeth. The at least one projecting member and the at least one first tooth define a first chain engaging tooth width for engaging with an outer link of a bicycle chain. The at least one second tooth defines a second chain engaging tooth width for engaging with an inner link of the bicycle chain. The first chain engaging tooth width is greater than the second chain engaging tooth width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Atsuhiro EMURA