Patents by Inventor Etsuo Shimizu

Etsuo Shimizu 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: 10378647
    Abstract: A shift lever device includes: a lever main-body; a hollow knob provided at a lever main-body distal end portion; a shift-button rotatably mounted to the knob; and a rod that is inserted-through interior of the lever main-body. The shift-button has a contact surface extending in direction of being away from a rotating-shaft of the shift-button, and that, when the shift-button rotates with respect to the knob, contacts an upper end portion of the rod and lowers the rod. Given that direction orthogonal to axial-direction of the rotating-shaft on plane orthogonal to axis of the rod is reference-direction, and that, among tangent-lines at contact points of the contact surface and the rod, tangent-line on plane orthogonal to the rotating-shaft is reference tangent-line, rotation range of the shift-button is set such that, partway through rotation, the reference tangent-line passes position at which the reference tangent-line becomes parallel to the reference-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Shori Kato, Etsuo Shimizu, Takayoshi Kitahara, Hironori Mizuno, Saburo Kato, Takaaki Fukushima, Hideaki Ito, Takayoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 10372153
    Abstract: A lever device includes a housing and a lever unit pivotally coupled to the housing. The lever unit includes a lever shaft and a pivot shaft that extends in a direction intersecting the lever shaft. The pivot shaft functions as a pivot axis of the lever unit when the lever is pivoted in a first direction. The housing includes a retainer that accommodates the pivot shaft. The pivot shaft includes first and second guides. The first guide slides on the retainer when the lever unit is pivoted in the first direction to permit movement of the lever unit. The second guide that slides on the retainer when the lever unit is operated in a second direction to permit movement of the lever unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yohei Nakano, Etsuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10184557
    Abstract: Shift device for vehicle includes housing and shift lever. Shift lever includes cylindrical shaft portion which proximal end is pivotably supported inside housing, cylindrical shaft portion having elongated holes extending through peripheral wall of cylindrical shaft portion and are elongated in longitudinal direction of cylindrical shaft portion, shift knob fixed to distal end of cylindrical shaft portion, detent pin inserted through elongated holes in state where both ends of detent pin protrude from corresponding elongated holes, detent rod inserted in cylindrical shaft portion, detent rod being configured to transmit operating force of operating button in shift knob to detent pin, and shift lock member. Detent pin is fitted to detent rod. When operating button has been operated in state where brake depression operation is not performed, shift lock member contacts with one end of detent pin to block movement of detent pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TSUDA INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, MANNOH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shori Kato, Etsuo Shimizu, Takayoshi Kitahara, Saburo Kato, Hironori Mizuno, Takayoshi Masuda, Hideaki Ito
  • Patent number: 10094467
    Abstract: A shift device includes a housing and a shift lever having a cylindrical shaft portion with a proximal end pivotably supported inside the housing, shaft portion elongated holes extending through a shaft portion peripheral wall and elongated in a shaft portion longitudinal direction, a shift knob fixed to a shaft portion distal end, a detent pin inserted through the elongated holes where both ends of the pin protrude from the elongated holes, and a detent rod inserted in the shaft portion, the rod transmitting operating force of an operating button in the knob to the pin. The pin has a fitting protrusion protruded toward the rod. The rod has a fitting hole at its end. The protrusion is fitted in the fitting hole. A retaining pawl engaged with an engaging recess provided in the pin or engaged with one of the elongated holes is provided at the rod end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TSUDA INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, MANNOH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shori Kato, Etsuo Shimizu, Takayoshi Kitahara, Saburo Kato, Hironori Mizuno, Takayoshi Masuda, Hideaki Ito
  • Publication number: 20170184195
    Abstract: A shift lever device includes: a lever main-body; a hollow knob provided at a lever main-body distal end portion; a shift-button rotatably mounted to the knob; and a rod that is inserted-through interior of the lever main-body. The shift-button has a contact surface extending in direction of being away from a rotating-shaft of the shift-button, and that, when the shift-button rotates with respect to the knob, contacts an upper end portion of the rod and lowers the rod. Given that direction orthogonal to axial-direction of the rotating-shaft on plane orthogonal to axis of the rod is reference-direction, and that, among tangent-lines at contact points of the contact surface and the rod, tangent-line on plane orthogonal to the rotating-shaft is reference tangent-line, rotation range of the shift-button is set such that, partway through rotation, the reference tangent-line passes position at which the reference tangent-line becomes parallel to the reference-direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Shori KATO, Etsuo SHIMIZU, Takayoshi KITAHARA, Hironori MIZUNO, Saburo KATO, Takaaki FUKUSHIMA, Hideaki ITO, Takayoshi MASUDA
  • Publication number: 20170017256
    Abstract: A lever device includes a housing and a lever unit pivotally coupled to the housing. The lever unit includes a lever shaft and a pivot shaft that extends in a direction intersecting the lever shaft. The pivot shaft functions as a pivot axis of the lever unit when the lever is pivoted in a first direction. The housing includes a retainer that accommodates the pivot shaft. The pivot shaft includes first and second guides. The first guide slides on the retainer when the lever unit is pivoted in the first direction to permit movement of the lever unit. The second guide that slides on the retainer when the lever unit is operated in a second direction to permit movement of the lever unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yohei NAKANO, Etsuo SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20160348784
    Abstract: Shift device for vehicle includes housing and shift lever. Shift lever includes cylindrical shaft portion which proximal end is pivotably supported inside housing, cylindrical shaft portion having elongated holes extending through peripheral wall of cylindrical shaft portion and are elongated in longitudinal direction of cylindrical shaft portion, shift knob fixed to distal end of cylindrical shaft portion, detent pin inserted through elongated holes in state where both ends of detent pin protrude from corresponding elongated holes, detent rod inserted in cylindrical shaft portion, detent rod being configured to transmit operating force of operating button in shift knob to detent pin, and shift lock member. Detent pin is fitted to detent rod. When operating button has been operated in state where brake depression operation is not performed, shift lock member contacts with one end of detent pin to block movement of detent pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TSUDA INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, MANNOH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shori KATO, Etsuo SHIMIZU, Takayoshi KITAHARA, Saburo KATO, Hironori MIZUNO, Takayoshi MASUDA, Ito HIDEAKI
  • Publication number: 20160341305
    Abstract: A shift device includes a housing and a shift lever having a cylindrical shaft portion with a proximal end pivotably supported inside the housing, shaft portion elongated holes extending through a shaft portion peripheral wall and elongated in a shaft portion longitudinal direction, a shift knob fixed to a shaft portion distal end, a detent pin inserted through the elongated holes where both ends of the pin protrude from the elongated holes, and a detent rod inserted in the shaft portion, the rod transmitting operating force of an operating button in the knob to the pin. The pin has a fitting protrusion protruded toward the rod. The rod has a fitting hole at its end. The protrusion is fitted in the fitting hole. A retaining pawl engaged with an engaging recess provided in the pin or engaged with one of the elongated holes is provided at the rod end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TSUDA INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, MANNOH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shori KATO, Etsuo SHIMIZU, Takayoshi KITAHARA, Saburo KATO, Hironori MIZUNO, Takayoshi MASUDA, Hideaki ITO
  • Patent number: 8140227
    Abstract: A vehicle airbag device provided in a steering apparatus, wherein the steering apparatus is configured with grips positioned on the right and left sides but are not positioned on an upper side. An airbag, installed at the center of the steering apparatus, is configured to deploy toward the driver when a vehicle collision occurs. An electronic control unit controls an inflation pressure of the airbag to be increased when the steering angle detected by a steering angle sensor is less than or equal to a predetermined reference angle, as compared to when the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor exceeds the predetermined reference angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Imamura, Etsuo Shimizu, Shigeru Washino
  • Patent number: 8021576
    Abstract: To provide a phosphor having nearly spherical shapes, the phosphor has an elemental ratio represented by the formula below, and contains at least two kinds of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, P, Cl, F, Br, I, Zn, Ga, Ge, In, Sn, Ag, Au, Pb, Cd, Bi and Ti. M1aM2bM3cOd (M1 represents Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm or Yb, M2 mainly represents a bivalent metal element, M3 mainly represents a trivalent metal element, and a, b, c and d are 0.0001?a?0.2, 0.8?b?1.2, 1.6?c?2.4 and 3.2?d?4.8, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Etsuo Shimizu, Kumie Shimizu, legal representative, Naoto Kijima, Yasuo Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20110182072
    Abstract: To provide an alkaline-earth metal halogen phosphor that has high luminescent characteristics even when used with an excitation light source that emits light of the near-ultraviolet region, a phosphor-containing composition and a light emitting device using the phosphor, and a display and an illuminating device using the light emitting device, the phosphor of the present invention has a chemical composition represented by the formula (1) below and an external quantum efficiency, when excited with light of 400-nm wavelength, of 77% or higher. (Sr10-x-y-zMxEuyMnz)(PO4)6(Cl1-aQa)2??(1) (In the above formula (1), “M” represents at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of Ba, Ca, Mg, and Zn, “Q” represents at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of F, Br, and I, and each of “x”, “y”, “z”, and “a” represents a number satisfying the following requirements: 0?x<10, 0.3?y?1.5, 0?z?3, 0?a?1, and x+y+z?10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Etsuo Shimizu, Kumie Shimizu, Seiko Ogiri, Hiromu Watanabe, Naoto Kijima, Naoki Sako, Noriko Endou, Hideaki Kaneda
  • Patent number: 7721619
    Abstract: A vehicular shift lock device including (a) a shift lock member movable between a locking position which is located on a predetermined path of movement of a shift lever from one operating position to another operating position and in which the shift lock member inhibits the movement of the shift lever, and an unlocking position which is spaced from the locking position and in which the shift lock member permits the movement of the shift lever, and (b) a guide member which guides the shift lever so as to move along the predetermined path of movement, wherein the guide member defines the locking position of the shift lock member when the shift lock member is moved in a direction intersecting the predetermined path of movement of said shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Mannoh Kogyo Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho, Tsuda Industries Co., Ltd., Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kamei, Etsuo Shimizu, Takayoshi Masuda, Yoshiyuki Shindo, Yasunori Takeuchi, Shinichi Uemura
  • Publication number: 20100090585
    Abstract: To provide a phosphor that stably shows high emission intensity and brightness as well as superior temperature characteristics, under excitation by near-ultraviolet light, the phosphor contains an alkaline-earth metal aluminate and has a crystal phase comprising an alkali metal element and, in that crystal phase, the rate of substituted Eu (europium) to the number of sites which can be substituted with Eu of the crystal phase is 25% or higher and the ratio of the alkali metal element to the number of sites which can be substituted with Eu of the crystal phase is 3% or lower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takatoshi SETO, Naoto KIJIMA, Etsuo SHIMIZU, Kumie SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 7677128
    Abstract: A vehicular shift lock device for selectively inhibiting and permitting a movement of a shift lever, including (a) a stopper member pivotable about an axis between a stopping position and a non-stopping position for respectively preventing and permitting a movement of a manually operable member provided to place the shift lock device in its unlocking state, (b) a first biasing member biasing the stopper member toward the stopping position, (c) a first linkage device pivotable about an axis in a first direction by the movement of the manually operable member, (d) a second biasing member biasing the first linkage device in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and (e) a second linkage device pivotable about an axis to its operated position and having a connected state and a disconnected state in which the second linkage device is connected to and disconnected from the stopper member, respectively, and wherein second linkage device is operatively connected to the first linkage device such that the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Mannoh Kogyo Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho, Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd., Tsuda Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsuo Shimizu, Yoshifumi Kamei, Takayoshi Masuda, Yoshiyuki Shindo, Shinichi Uemura, Yasunori Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20100004827
    Abstract: A vehicle airbag device provided in a steering apparatus, wherein the steering apparatus is configured with grips positioned on the right and left sides but are not positioned on an upper side. An airbag, installed at the center of the steering apparatus, is configured to deploy toward the driver when a vehicle collision occurs. An electronic control unit controls an inflation pressure of the airbag to be increased when the steering angle detected by a steering angle sensor is less than or equal to a predetermined reference angle, as compared to when the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor exceeds the predetermined reference angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Imamura, Etsuo Shimizu, Shigeru Washino
  • Publication number: 20090243467
    Abstract: To provide a phosphor having nearly spherical shapes, the phosphor has an elemental ratio represented by the formula below, and contains at least two kinds of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, P, Cl, F, Br, I, Zn, Ga, Ge, In, Sn, Ag, Au, Pb, Cd, Bi and Ti. M1aM2bM3cOd (M1 represents Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm or Yb, M2 mainly represents a bivalent metal element, M3 mainly represents a trivalent metal element, and a, b, c and d are 0.0001?a?0.2, 0.8?b?1.2, 1.6?c?2.4 and 3.2?d?4.8, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Etsuo SHIMIZU, Kumie Shimizu, Naoto KIJIMA, Yasuo SHIMOMURA
  • Patent number: 7549353
    Abstract: A vehicular shift lever device wherein a path of movement of a shift lever is defined by a guide slot having a corner portion which has an angle of bend of about 90° and which corresponds to an intermediate position of the shift lever that is spaced apart from a parking position in a select direction and from another operating position in a shift direction perpendicular to the select direction, the guide slot having a first guide surface and a second guide surface which define a width in the shift direction of a portion of the guide slot between first and second positions respectively corresponding to the parking and intermediate positions, the first guide surface being more distant in the shift direction than the second guide surface from a third position corresponding to the another operating position, and being inclined with respect to the select direction such that the width of the above-indicated portion of the guide slot decreases from a value at the first position which is larger than a diameter of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Mannoh Kogyo Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho, Tsuda Industries Co., Ltd., Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsuo Shimizu, Takayoshi Masuda, Yoshiyuki Shindo, Yasunori Takeuchi, Shinichi Uemura
  • Publication number: 20090008663
    Abstract: A phosphor containing a crystal phase having a chemical composition expressed by the following general formula [1], and exhibiting an average variation rate of the emission intensity of 1.3 or less upon excitation with light having a peak in the wavelength range of 420 nm to 480 nm, the variation rate of the emission intensity being calculated by the following general formula [2]. (Ln1-a-bCeaTbb)3M5O12??[1] wherein Ln is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Y, Gd, Sc, Lu, and La, M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, and In, and a and b satisfy 0.001?a?0.3 and 0?b?0.5, respectively. Variation rate of emission intensity=[(I(?+1)?I(?))/I(?)]2??[2] wherein I(?) is the emission intensity of the phosphor at an excitation wavelength of ?nm, and I(?+1) is the emission intensity of the phosphor at an excitation wavelength of (?+1) nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Mitshubishi Chemcial
    Inventors: Etsuo Shimizu, Masahiko Yoshino, Naoto Kijima
  • Publication number: 20060272442
    Abstract: A vehicular shift lever device wherein a path of movement of a shift lever is defined by a guide slot having a corner portion which has an angle of bend of about 90° and which corresponds to an intermediate position of the shift lever that is spaced apart from a parking position in a select direction and from another operating position in a shift direction perpendicular to the select direction, the guide slot having a first guide surface and a second guide surface which define a width in the shift direction of a portion of the guide slot between first and second positions respectively corresponding to the parking and intermediate positions, the first guide surface being more distant in the shift direction than the second guide surface from a third position corresponding to the another operating position, and being inclined with respect to the select direction such that the width of the above-indicated portion of the guide slot decreases from a value at the first position which is larger than a diameter of the
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MANNOH KOGYO CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO, TSUDA INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., KOJIMA PRESS INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Etsuo Shimizu, Takayoshi Masuda, Yoshiyuki Shindo, Yasunori Takeuchi, Shinichi Uemura
  • Publication number: 20060272441
    Abstract: A vehicular shift lock device including (a) a shift lock member movable between a locking position which is located on a predetermined path of movement of a shift lever from one operating position to another operating position and in which the shift lock member inhibits the movement of the shift lever, and an unlocking position which is spaced from the locking position and in which the shift lock member permits the movement of the shift lever, and (b) a guide member which guides the shift lever so as to move along the predetermined path of movement, wherein the guide member defines the locking position of the shift lock member when the shift lock member is moved in a direction intersecting the predetermined path of movement of said shift lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MANNOH KOGYO CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO, TSUDA INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., KOJIMA PRESS INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kamei, Etsuo Shimizu, Takayoshi Masuda, Yoshiyuki Shindo, Yasunori Takeuchi, Shinichi Uemura