Patents by Inventor Kazuhiro Fujii

Kazuhiro Fujii 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).

  • Publication number: 20030128501
    Abstract: A switchgear is characterized in that a connecting portion to be connected to a transmission side branch bus container and a connecting portion to be connected to a receiving side branch bus container are provided on a circuit breaker container in an up and down relation so as to face the same direction, any one of the transmission side branch bus container and the receiving side branch bus container is connected to the connecting portion positioned on the upper side, and the other is connected to the connecting portion positioned on the lower side, and a transmission side power cable terminal container or a receiving side power cable terminal container is arranged at a position deviated horizontally from the axis of the transmission side branch bus container or the receiving side branch bus container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Shunji Itou, Kazuhiro Fujii, Yoshiaki Inami, Katsuyuki Takada
  • Patent number: 6572131
    Abstract: A bicycle brake device is coupled to a bicycle frame section, which includes one or more bicycle brake mounting structures. The bicycle frame section can be either a portion of a front fork or rear fork of a bicycle. The brake device is preferably a caliper brake device such as a cantilever brake device, a side pull brake device, or a center pull brake device. The caliper brake device has a pair of brake arms, which are pivotally coupled to either the front fork or rear fork for selectively engaging the rim of the bicycle wheel. In certain embodiments, the bicycle brake mounting structures are U-shaped brackets, which are fixedly coupled to the frame member or members. In other embodiments, the bicycle brake mounting structures are formed by a pair of separate tubular frame members, which are fixedly coupled top the remainder of the bicycle frame section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20030071436
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling upshifting and downshifting of a bicycle transmission includes a running condition detecting mechanism that detects a running condition of the bicycle, a threshold value setting mechanism that sets at least one of an upshift threshold value and a downshift threshold value for the running condition, and a control mechanism. The control mechanism provides a signal that commands at least one of an upshift and a downshift when the running condition is beyond the corresponding upshift threshold value and downshift threshold value for a first predetermined time interval. In another embodiment, the control mechanism provides a signal that commands at least one of an upshift and a downshift when the running condition is beyond the corresponding one of the upshift threshold value and the downshift threshold value at both a first detection and a second detection, wherein the second detection occurs after the first detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20030056364
    Abstract: Provision of a 3-DOF micro manipulator easy to operate and capable of executing accurate positioning, wherein the link mechanisms of the micro manipulator whose main operation is parallel 3-DOF operation are implemented by cutting, folding, and molding a sheet of metal plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Morita, Motohide Ukiana, Kazuhiro Fujii, Shigeto Isakozawa, Hidemi Koike, Tamio Tanikawa
  • Publication number: 20030024339
    Abstract: A bicycle shift positioning device includes a base member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle; a first rotating body rotatably mounted relative to the base member; a second rotating body rotatably mounted relative to the first rotating body; a positioning member coupled to the base member and having a plurality of positioning elements; a pawl coupled for movement with the first rotating body, wherein the pawl moves between a positioning member engaging position and a positioning member disengaging position; a pawl control member coupled for movement with the second rotating body; and a pawl biasing mechanism for biasing the pawl toward the positioning member engaging position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20030001357
    Abstract: A bicycle shift control device is adapted to be mounted to a bicycle equipped with an alternating current generator and a shifting device having a plurality of speed steps. The shift control device includes a power storage unit adapted to store electrical power from the alternating current generator; a shift control element operatively coupled for receiving electrical power from the power storage unit and for providing shift control signals for controlling the operation of the shifting device; and a case adapted to be mounted to the bicycle, wherein the case houses both the power storage unit and the shift control element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fujii, Kouji Uno
  • Publication number: 20020190173
    Abstract: A bell crank for a bicycle hub transmission includes a wire connecting bell crank member for connecting to a control wire, an actuator moving bell crank member for moving an actuating member, and an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a position of the wire connecting bell crank member relative to the actuator moving bell crank member. The bracket used to mount a motor drive and a bell crank assembly to a bicycle includes a motor mounting bracket portion for mounting the motor, a transition bracket portion extending from the motor mounting bracket portion for accommodating a control cable used to operate the bell crank mechanism, and a rear frame mounting bracket portion extending from the transition bracket portion. A bell crank mounting member is disposed on one of the transition bracket portion and the rear frame mounting bracket portion for mounting the bell crank assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6481700
    Abstract: A shock absorber for mounting between a first frame member and a second frame member of a bicycle includes a first member adapted to couple to the first frame member and a second member adapted to couple to the second frame member, wherein the first member and the second member rotate relative to each other. The first member includes a first member protrusion extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof and forming a first border surface at a junction of the first member protrusion and the inner surface. Similarly, the second member includes a second protrusion extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof and forming a second border surface at a junction of the second member protrusion and the outer surface. The first member protrusion faces the second member protrusion in a circumferential direction. An elastic member is disposed between the first member protrusion and the second member protrusion and contacts at least one of the first border surface and the second border surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20020162382
    Abstract: An apparatus (2) for inspecting the airtightness of a gas sensor includes an atmosphere-side jig (22) located at a base end side of a sub assembly (1) of the gas sensor, and a measurement-gas-side jig (21) located at a distal end side of the sub assembly (1). The measurement-gas-side jig (21) includes an air chamber (211), a socket (215) receiving the sub assembly (1), and a high-pressure air source (219) supplying a high-pressure air to the air chamber (211). The atmosphere-side jig (22) includes a sealed chamber (221), a socket (225) receiving the sub assembly (1), an airtightly sealing portion (220), a low-pressure air source (229) supplying the sealed chamber (221) with a pressure lower than a pressure of the high-pressure air supplied to the air chamber (211), and a sensor portion (23) leading to the sealed chamber (221).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6443032
    Abstract: An assisting apparatus that uses power from a rotating member to assist the operation of a bicycle transmission includes a mounting member; a cam member coupled to the mounting member for rotation around a cam axis, wherein the cam member has a cam surface; a cam follower cooperating with the cam surface for moving in response to rotation of the cam member; a transmission actuating element coupling member for communicating movement of the cam follower to a transmission actuating element; a first coupling member coupled for rotation of the cam member, wherein the first coupling member moves between a first engaged position and a first disengaged position; an operating member for moving the first coupling member to the first engaged position; and a decoupling member that moves the first coupling member to the first disengaged position in response to a rotational position of the cam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fujii, Yoshiaki Nanko
  • Publication number: 20020014756
    Abstract: A bicycle brake device is coupled to a bicycle frame section, which includes one or more bicycle brake mounting structures. The bicycle frame section can be either a portion of a front fork or rear fork of a bicycle. The brake device is preferably a caliper brake device such as a cantilever brake device, a side pull brake device, or a center pull brake device. The caliper brake device has a pair of brake arms, which are pivotally coupled to either the front fork or rear fork for selectively engaging the rim of the bicycle wheel. In certain embodiments, the bicycle brake mounting structures are U-shaped brackets, which are fixedly coupled to the frame member or members. In other embodiments, the bicycle brake mounting structures are formed by a pair of separate tubular frame members, which are fixedly coupled top the remainder of the bicycle frame section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6325401
    Abstract: A bicycle brake device is coupled to a bicycle frame section, which includes one or more bicycle brake mounting structures. The bicycle frame section can be either a portion of a front fork or rear fork of a bicycle. The brake device is preferably a caliper brake device such as a cantilever brake device, a side pull brake device, or a center pull brake device. The caliper brake device has a pair of brake arms, which are pivotally coupled to either the front fork or rear fork for selectively engaging the rim of the bicycle wheel. In certain embodiments, the bicycle brake mounting structures are U-shaped brackets, which are fixedly coupled to the frame member or members. In other embodiments, the bicycle brake mounting structures are formed by a pair of separate tubular frame members, which are fixedly coupled to the remainder of the bicycle frame section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20010046916
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for mounting a motor or other control device to a bicycle frame includes a bracket base for supporting the control device at least partially above a chain stay, and a bracket support extending from the bracket base for coupling the bracket base to at least one of a chain stay, a seat stay, a seat tube, or a bottom bracket shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6293882
    Abstract: A motor drive apparatus for a bicycle transmission includes a support; an interface member for coupling to a transmission actuating member that exerts a first force having a first force component in a first direction, wherein the interface member is mounted to the support for rotation around a rotational axis; a motor for coupling to the interface member; and a biasing mechanism for exerting a second force on the interface member having a second force component in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6244415
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission shifting device includes a motor, a takeup member for pulling and releasing a transmission control element, and a one-way clutch shift control device disposed between the motor and the takeup member for maintaining the takeup member in a plurality of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6209858
    Abstract: A shock absorber for mounting between a first frame member and a second frame member of a bicycle includes a first member adapted to couple to the first frame member and a second member disposed within the first member and adapted to couple to the second frame member. The first and second members rotate relative to each other, and an elastic member is disposed between the first member and the second member so that the elastic member expands and contracts in response to relative rotation of the first member and the second member. A linking mechanism couples the first member with the second member so that the first member and the second member are axially and radially immovable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6186529
    Abstract: A bicycle brake device is coupled to a bicycle frame section, which includes one or more bicycle brake mounting structures. The bicycle frame section can be either a portion of a front fork or rear fork of a bicycle. The brake device is preferably a caliper brake device such as a cantilever brake device, a side pull brake device, or a center pull brake device. The caliper brake device has a pair of brake arms, which are pivotally coupled to either the front fork or rear fork for selectively engaging the rim of the bicycle wheel. In certain embodiments, the bicycle brake mounting structures are U-shaped brackets, which are fixedly coupled to the frame member or members. In other embodiments, the bicycle brake mounting structures are formed by a pair of separate tubular frame members, which are fixedly coupled to the remainder of the bicycle frame section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6164421
    Abstract: A bicycle disc brake assembly is provided with a brake disc support with a pair of floating discs and a bicycle disc brake caliper with three friction pads. The center or intermediate friction pad is a floating friction pad. The bicycle disc brake caliper can be provided with a cooling system that transfers heat away from the actuating fluid. The bicycle disc brake caliper also has a housing with a piston unit. The housing has a frame mounting member sized to be coupled to a portion of a bicycle frame. The piston unit is movably coupled to the housing between a release position, in which the piston unit is spaced from a brake disc mounted to a wheel of a bicycle, and a braking position, in which the piston unit engages the brake disc of the bicycle wheel. The coolant member has a coolant area for receiving coolant to create a coolant heat sink that transfers heat from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Nakamura, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6149175
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a bicycle frame which elastically supports a rear frame member, which in turn rotatably supports the rear wheel. The suspension assembly is positioned around the bottom bracket such that the rear frame member pivots about the axis of the bicycle crank axle of the bottom bracket. This arrangement allows the rear wheel and rear frame member to move relative to the main frame, without any adverse affects to the drive train assembly. In the preferred embodiments, drive train assembly can be either a chain drive or a shaft drive. The suspension assembly includes an inner suspension member with the crank axle mounted therein, an intermediate suspension member surrounding the inner suspension member with at least one shock-absorbing element interposed therebetween, and an outer suspension member surrounding the intermediate suspension member with at least one shock-absorbing element interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6149176
    Abstract: A shock absorbing member includes a first elastic body and a second elastic body at least partially overlapping the first elastic body in a rotational direction of a first member and the second member. An elasticity of the first elastic body is different from an elasticity of the second elastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii