Patents by Inventor Kazutaka Fukao

Kazutaka Fukao 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: 10099747
    Abstract: A bicycle shift operating device is basically provided with a base member, a shift unit, an operating lever and a connecting member. The shift unit is disposed in the base member between first and second ends of the base member. The operating lever is pivotally mounted relative to the base member about first and second pivot axes. The connecting member operatively connects the shift unit to the first operating lever. The connecting member includes a lever contact portion that contacts the operating lever to transmit movement of the operating lever to the connecting member in response to pivotal movement of the operating lever about the second pivot axis. The connecting member is arranged such that the contact portion passes through a space provided between the first pivot axis and the first operating lever from the top surface side with respect to the first pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Yoshimitsu Miki
  • Publication number: 20180285807
    Abstract: A bicycle component operating device is basically provided with a first base member, a first operating member, a second base member and a second operating member. The first operating member is pivotally mounted to the first base member to pivot about a first axis to control a first bicycle component. The second base member is different from the first base member. The second base member is separably attached to the first base member along an axial direction parallel to the first axis. The second operating member is pivotally mounted to the second base member to control a second bicycle component that is different from the first bicycle component. The first operating member remains with the first base member and the second operating member remains with the second base member upon separation of the first base member from the second base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Kentaro MIYAZAKI, Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Publication number: 20180251193
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device includes a base member, a positioning ratchet, a positioning member, a pulling member, a pulling pawl and first and second release members. The positioning ratchet pivots in first and first directions. The positioning member moves between a holding position that prevents pivoting of the positioning ratchet in the first direction, and a releasing position that releases the positioning ratchet in the first direction. The pulling member pivots the positioning ratchet in the second direction as the pulling member is moved by the pulling pawl. The first release member moves the positioning member from the holding position to the releasing position. The second release member moves the pulling pawl away from the pulling member. The second release member extends between opposite axial sides of the positioning ratchet. The first release member and the pulling member are positioned on opposite axial sides of the positioning ratchet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventor: Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Publication number: 20180251191
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is basically provided with a base member, a positioning ratchet, a first positioning pawl and a second positioning pawl. The positioning ratchet pivots with respect to the base member about a pivot axis. The positioning ratchet pivots in first and second directions. The first and second positioning pawls are pivotally mounted about a pawl pivot axis between holding positions and releasing positions. The first and second positioning pawls include contact points that selectively contact the positioning ratchet to prevent pivoting of the positioning ratchet in the first direction while the holding position. The contact points of the first and second positioning pawls are perpendicularly spaced from the pawl pivot axis by first and second linear lengths, respectively, that are different. The pivot axis and the pawl pivot axis defines a plane. The first and second contact points are located on a same side of the plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi NAKAMURA, Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Patent number: 10053181
    Abstract: A bicycle shift operating device is provided with a mounting bracket, a shift unit, an attachment member and an operating member. The shift unit is disposed in the mounting bracket. The attachment member is removably attached to the mounting bracket. The operating member is movably mounted on the attachment member. The operating member is mechanically coupled to the shift unit to operate the shift unit while the attachment member is attached to the mounting bracket, and the operating member is mechanically disengaged from the shift unit while the attachment member is removed from the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Yoshimitsu Miki
  • Patent number: 10023265
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided for operating a bicycle component. The bicycle control device includes a mounting member, a take-up member, a position maintaining member, a release member and a pulling member. The take-up member moves with respect to the mounting member in a take-up direction for pulling a control cable and a releasing direction for releasing the control cable. The position maintaining member moves with respect to the mounting member to move between a holding position that holds the take-up member in one of a plurality of predetermined positions and a releasing position that releases the take-up member for pivotal movement. The release member pivots with respect to the mounting member to move the position maintaining member between the holding position and the releasing position. The pulling member moves with respect to the mounting member to selectively move the take-up member and the release member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao
  • Patent number: 10005521
    Abstract: A bicycle component operating device has a base member, an operating member, a positioning ratchet member, a pulling pawl, a positioning pawl, a release member and a releasing pawl. The positioning ratchet member is rotatably mounted to the base member. The pulling pawl rotates the positioning ratchet member in a first rotational direction in response to a pulling operation of the operating member. The positioning pawl prevents rotation of the positioning ratchet member in the second rotational direction while the positioning pawl is in a holding position. The positioning pawl releases the positioning ratchet member for rotation in the second rotational direction while the positioning pawl is in a releasing position. The releasing pawl moves the release member in response to a releasing operation of the operating member. The release member moves the positioning pawl from the holding position to the releasing position in response to the releasing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kentaro Miyazaki, Kazutaka Fukao, Tsuyoshi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20180134342
    Abstract: A bicycle component operating device has a base member, an operating member, a positioning ratchet member, a pulling pawl, a positioning pawl, a release member and a releasing pawl. The positioning ratchet member is rotatably mounted to the base member. The pulling pawl rotates the positioning ratchet member in a first rotational direction in response to a pulling operation of the operating member. The positioning pawl prevents rotation of the positioning ratchet member in the second rotational direction while the positioning pawl is in a holding position. The positioning pawl releases the positioning ratchet member for rotation in the second rotational direction while the positioning pawl is in a releasing position. The releasing pawl moves the release member in response to a releasing operation of the operating member. The release member moves the positioning pawl from the holding position to the releasing position in response to the releasing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Kentaro MIYAZAKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Tsuyoshi NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20180118302
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, an operating structure, and an operating unit. The operating member is movable relative to the base member between a rest position and an operated position. The operating structure includes a take-up member movable relative to the base member to move a first operation cable in a pulling direction and a releasing direction opposite to the pulling direction. The operating unit is mounted to the base member to operate a second bicycle component in response to an input operation from a user. The operating unit includes an electrical switch and a controller. The electrical switch is configured to receive the input operation from the user. The controller is configured to generate an operation signal to operate the second bicycle component in response to the input operation inputted from the electrical switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazutaka FUKAO, Yasuhisa WATANABE
  • Patent number: 9950764
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, an operating structure, and an operating unit. The operating structure includes a take-up member movable relative to the base member to move a first operation cable in a pulling direction and a releasing direction. The take-up member is configured to move the first operation cable in the pulling direction to operate a first bicycle component in response to a movement of the operating member from a rest position to an operated position. The take-up member is configured such that the first operation cable is movable in the releasing direction in response to a release of the operating member from the operated position. The operating unit is configured to operate a second bicycle component in response to an input operation from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Yasuhisa Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20180105226
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is basically provided with a main support body, a first operating member, a hydraulic brake operating unit, an additional operating unit and a second operating member. The main support body is configured to be attached to a handlebar. The first operating member is pivotally coupled to the main support body about a first pivot axis. The hydraulic brake operating unit is mounted to the main support body. The hydraulic brake operating unit has a piston operated in response to operation of the first operating member between a rest position to an operated position. The additional operating unit is mounted to the main support body. The second operating member is configured to actuate the additional operating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Takaaki FUJIWARA, Tatsuya MATSUSHITA, Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Patent number: 9937977
    Abstract: A bicycle operating system comprises a first operating device and a take-up device. The take-up device is configured to be provided in a tubular part of a bicycle body. The take-up device is configured to move a control cable configured to be connected to a bicycle component. The take-up device is operatively coupled to the first operating device via a first control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kazutaka Fukao
  • Patent number: 9932082
    Abstract: A bicycle handlebar includes a base portion that can be coupled to a bicycle, a gripping portion that is rotatably coupled to the base portion, and a mounting portion to which an operating member that operates a component of the bicycle is mounted. The mounting portion is rotatable together with the gripping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro Miyazaki, Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao, Kentaro Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20180072370
    Abstract: A bicycle component operating apparatus includes a first operating device and a second operating device. The first operating device includes a base member, a main body and an operating member. The base member has a clamp configured to be coupled to a handlebar. The operating member is movably arranged with respect to the base member. The operating device member is configured to perform an operation of at least one of a bicycle transmission component and a bicycle brake component. The second operating device includes an attachment part that is detachably and adjustably attached to the attachment area of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Kentaro KOSAKA
  • Patent number: 9896150
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is basically provided with a main support body, an external handlebar fixing structure and an operating unit. The main support body has an abutment that is configured to contact an end of a handlebar in a state where the bicycle operating device is mounted to the handlebar. The external handlebar fixing structure is disposed on the main support body. The external handlebar fixing structure is configured to contact an external surface of the handlebar in a state where the bicycle operating device is mounted to the handlebar. The operating unit is mounted to the main support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takaaki Fujiwara, Tatsuya Matsushita, Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao
  • Patent number: 9862451
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided for operating a first bicycle component and a second bicycle component. The bicycle control device comprises a mounting member, a first actuating unit, a second actuating unit, an operating member and a changing member. The mounting member is configured to be mounted to the bicycle. The first actuating unit is configured to be connected to the first bicycle component. The second actuating unit is configured to be connected to the second bicycle component. The operating member is movably coupled to the mounting member and operatively coupled to the first and second actuating units to selectively operate the first and second actuating units. The changing member is movably coupled to the mounting member to selectively switch between the first and second actuating units being operated in response to movement of the operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao
  • Patent number: 9849932
    Abstract: A bicycle component operating apparatus includes a first operating device and a second operating device. The first operating device includes a base member and an operating member movably arranged with respect to the base member, and the first operating device being configured to perform an operation of at least one of a bicycle transmission component and a bicycle brake component, the base member having an attachment area. The second operating device is detachably attached to the attachment area of the base member, the second operating device being configured to perform an operation of a bicycle height adjustable seat post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao, Kentaro Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20170349238
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a first operating structure, a second operating structure, and a prevention member. The first operating structure comprises a first take-up member, a first operating member, and a first actuating member. The second operating structure comprises a second take-up member and a second operating member. The prevention member is configured to move together with the second operating member to prevent the first actuating member from actuating the first take-up member to move in at least one of a first pulling actuation direction and a first releasing actuation direction during a movement of the first operating member from a first rest position toward a first operated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro MIYAZAKI, Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Patent number: 9731787
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device mounting assembly is basically provided with a handlebar mounting clamp and an adapter member. The handlebar mounting clamp has a clamp opening. The adapter member includes at least a first part that is detachably disposed within the clamp opening. The first part is configured to be clamped between the handlebar mounting clamp and a handlebar as the handlebar mounting clamp is tightened in a state that the first part is disposed within the clamp opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinya Hirotomi, Kentaro Kosaka, Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao, Takaaki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9656717
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, and a movable member. The movable member is configured to move an operation cable in a pulling direction to operate a bicycle component in response to a first movement of the operating member. The movable member is configured such that the operation cable is movable in a releasing direction in response to a release of the operating member from a first operated position. The movable member is configured to move the operation cable in the pulling direction to operate the bicycle component in response to a second movement of the operating member. The movable member is configured such that the operation cable is movable in the releasing direction in response to a release of the operating member from a second operated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Toyoto Shirai, Kazutaka Fukao