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).
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Patent number: 8752450Abstract: A bicycle component operating device is provided with a base member, an operating lever and an operating unit. The base member includes an insertion opening that is provided on one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the base member to provide access to an interior space within the base member. The operating lever is pivotally mounted on the base member about a first pivot axis extending transverse to the lateral surfaces. The operating unit is disposed in the interior space of the base member. The operating unit has a dimension relative to the insertion opening such that the operating unit is insertable into the interior space of the base member through the insertion opening. The base member is configured such that the insertion opening continuously extends from the first pivot axis toward the first end and the second end with respect to the first pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazunori Ookubo
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Patent number: 8746105Abstract: A bicycle operating device includes a housing, a control member, a linearly moving member, a transmission, a user operating member and an intermediate element. The control member rotates on the housing for controlling a control cable. The linearly moving member moves on the housing for linear displacement between first and second positions. The transmission operatively couples the linearly moving member to the control member. The transmission converts the linear displacement of the linearly moving member from the first position to the second position into a rotation of the control member toward a first rotational direction. The user operating member is movably mounted to the housing. The intermediate element moves relative to the linearly moving member and the user operating member to transmit a movement of the user operating member to the linearly moving member for moving the linearly moving member from the first position to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Tatsuya Kawakami, Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao, Takafumi Nishino
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Patent number: 8746106Abstract: A bicycle operating device operates a bicycle component by moving a winding member that moves a take-up member relative to a fixed member in first and second directions. A positioning member is movably arranged with respect to the fixed member between a non-holding position and a holding position to selectively engage a positioning ratchet that is fixed to the take-up member. In the holding position, the positioning member prevents the take-up member from moving in the second direction by selectively engaging one of at least three engaging portions of the positioning ratchet. A preventing member is movably arranged with respect to the positioning ratchet such that the preventing member prevents the positioning member from engaging an intermediate engaging portion of the positioning ratchet while the winding member moves the take-up member in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Atsuhiro Emura, Kazutaka Fukao, Kazunori Ookubo
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Patent number: 8720301Abstract: A bicycle operating device includes a control member, first and second user operating members, a pivoting member and a transmission. The control member is rotated by actuation of the user operating members to control a control cable. The first user operating member rotates the control member in a first direction as the first user operating member rotates along a first motion plane. The second user operating member rotates the control member in a second direction as the second user operating member rotates along a second motion plane. The first and second motion planes form an angle in a range of twenty degrees to seventy degrees. The pivoting member pivots about a pivot axis that is offset from the operating axes of the user operating members to control movement of the control member by the transmission in response to the first user operating member being operated.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Tatsuya Kawakami, Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao, Takafumi Nishino
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Patent number: 8720300Abstract: A bicycle gear shift operating device is a device configured to be mounted to a handlebar. The bicycle gear shift operating device includes at least one operating lever, a support member that supports the operating member and a mounting member that supports the support member on a handlebar. The mounting member has a mounting portion configured to be attached to the handlebar and a fastening portion that is configured to fasten the support member. The mounting member is configured to be selectively fasten the support member in either a first mounting orientation in which the fastening portion is offset in a first axial direction of the handlebar from the middle portion or a second mounting orientation in which the support member is offset in a second axial direction that is opposite the first axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Kanji Kirimoto, Kenji Ose, Kazutaka Fukao, Yoshimitsu Miki
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Patent number: 8640568Abstract: A bicycle shift control device is provided with a shifter housing, a gear shifting mechanism, a shift operating member, and a shift switching arrangement. The gear shifting mechanism is disposed in the shifter housing with the gear shifting mechanism having a plurality of operating positions. The shift operating member is movable with respect to the shifter housing to operate the gear shifting mechanism. The shift switching arrangement includes a restricting member movably mounted with respect to the shifter housing between a non-shift restricting position and a shift restricting position. The gear shifting mechanism moves in a first set of the operating positions when the restricting member is in the non-shift restricting position, and moves in a second set of the operating positions that are different from the first set of the operating positions when the restricting member is in the shift restricting position.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Toshihiko Takeuchi, Kazutaka Fukao, Yoshimitsu Miki
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Publication number: 20130319166Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Kazutaka FUKAO, Yoshimitsu MIKI
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Publication number: 20130305872Abstract: A bicycle control device is provided with a mounting bracket, a first lever and an adjustment arrangement. The first lever is pivotally arranged relative to the mounting bracket about a first-axis and about a second axis being non-parallel to the first axis. The first lever is configured relative to the mounting bracket such that a free end of the first lever moves closer to the mounting bracket as the first lever pivots about the first axis from a rest position to an operated position. The adjustment arrangement adjusts the rest position of the first lever relative to the mounting bracket around the second operating axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Kazutaka FUKAO, Tatsuya MATSUSHITA, Makoto YOSHIKAWA
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Patent number: 8534156Abstract: A bicycle shift operating device is basically provided with a pair of operating members and a take-up member. The take-up member pivots in opposite rotational directions in response to movement of the first and second operating members. The first operating member pivotally supports a pawl member having first and second pawls. The first pawl selectively engages and moves one of a release member and a pulling ratchet in response to the movement of the first operating member. The second pawl selectively engages and moves other of the release member and the pulling ratchet in response to the movement of the second operating member. An abutment portion of the first operating member selectively contacts an abutment portion of the pawl member such that the pawls pivot when one of the first and second operating members is operated.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao, Kazunori Ookubo
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Publication number: 20130233112Abstract: A bicycle operating device operates a bicycle component by moving a winding member that moves a take-up member relative to a fixed member in first and second directions. A positioning member is movably arranged with respect to the fixed member between a non-holding position and a holding position to selectively engage a positioning ratchet that is fixed to the take-up member. In the holding position, the positioning member prevents the take-up member from moving in the second direction by selectively engaging one of at least three engaging portions of the positioning ratchet. A preventing member is movably arranged with respect to the positioning ratchet such that the preventing member prevents the positioning member from engaging an intermediate engaging portion of the positioning ratchet while the winding member moves the take-up member in the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Atsuhiro EMURA, Kazutaka FUKAO, Kazunori OOKUBO
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Publication number: 20130220058Abstract: A bicycle operating device includes a control member, two user operating members, a pivoting member and a transmission. The control member is rotated by actuation of the user operating members to control a control cable. The pivoting member pivots when one of the user operating members is actuated. The transmission includes a ratchet, a positioning tooth and a maintaining tooth. The ratchet includes first teeth engaged by the positioning tooth while the pivoting member is disposed at a first position, second teeth engaged by the maintaining tooth while the pivoting member is disposed at a second position, and third teeth engaged by a pawl when the other user operating member is operated. At least one of the teeth is arranged on a periphery of the ratchet and at least one of the teeth is arranged radially inside of the periphery of the ratchet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tatsuya KAWAKAMI, Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Takafumi NISHINO
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Publication number: 20130220056Abstract: A bicycle operating device includes a housing, a control member, a linearly moving member, a transmission, a user operating member and an intermediate element. The control member rotates on the housing for controlling a control cable. The linearly moving member moves on the housing for linear displacement between first and second positions. The transmission operatively couples the linearly moving member to the control member. The transmission converts the linear displacement of the linearly moving member from the first position to the second position into a rotation of the control member toward a first rotational direction. The user operating member is movably mounted to the housing. The intermediate element moves relative to the linearly moving member and the user operating member to transmit a movement of the user operating member to the linearly moving member for moving the linearly moving member from the first position to the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Tatsuya KAWAKAMI, Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Takafumi NISHINO
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Publication number: 20130220057Abstract: A bicycle operating device includes a control member, first and second user operating members, a pivoting member and a transmission. The control member is rotated by actuation of the user operating members to control a control cable. The first user operating member rotates the control member in a first direction as the first user operating member rotates along a first motion plane. The second user operating member rotates the control member in a second direction as the second user operating member rotates along a second motion plane. The first and second motion planes form an angle in a range of twenty degrees to seventy degrees. The pivoting member pivots about a pivot axis that is offset from the operating axes of the user operating members to control movement of the control member by the transmission in response to the first user operating member being operated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Tatsuya KAWAKAMI, Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Takafumi NISHINO
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Publication number: 20130152726Abstract: A clamp assembly is provided for fixing a handlebar grip to a handlebar. The clamp assembly has a fixing member that is configured to be mounted on the handlebar. The fixing member has at least one mating grip locking structure and a component attachment structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Kentaro KOSAKA
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Publication number: 20130081507Abstract: A bicycle operating device is provided with a position maintaining arrangement that selectively maintains a movable member in any one of a plurality of holding positions relative to a fixed member. The moving arrangement selectively moves the movable member in a first moving direction from a current holding position to another one of the plurality of holding positions. The first operating member moves in a first operating direction from a rest position to a first end position, and moves in a second operating direction from the rest position to a second end position. The movable member is moved by a different number of the holding positions in the first moving direction when the first operating member moves from the rest position to the first end position as compared to when the first operating member moves from the rest position to the second end position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Kazutaka FUKAO, Etsuyoshi WATARAI, Kentaro KOSAKA
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Publication number: 20130081506Abstract: A bicycle control device is provided with a bracket, a first lever and a second lever. The first lever is pivotally mounted to the bracket member on a first pivot axle for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis defined by the first pivot axle. The second lever is pivotally mounted to the bracket member on a second pivot axle for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis defined by the second pivot axle. The second pivot axle is disposed inside the first pivot axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Kazutaka FUKAO
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Patent number: 8397601Abstract: A bicycle component operating device is basically provided with a base member, an operating pawl, a positioning ratchet member, a positioning pawl, a release member and a control member. The operating pawl rotates the positioning ratchet member in a winding direction in response to a winding operation of the operating pawl. The positioning pawl prevents rotation of the positioning ratchet member in the release direction when the positioning pawl is in a holding position. The positioning pawl releases the positioning ratchet member for rotation in the release direction when the positioning pawl is moved from the holding position to a releasing position by the release member in response to the releasing operation of the operating pawl. The control member prevents the operating pawl from rotating the positioning ratchet member during the releasing operation of the operating pawl while the control member is disposed in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Kazutaka Fukao
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Publication number: 20130031998Abstract: A bicycle component control device basically includes a bracket and a bicycle component operating unit. The bicycle component operating unit is disposed in an interior space of the bracket. The bicycle component operating unit includes an operating member protruding toward outside of the interior space. The bracket includes a plurality of bracket parts being separate pieces from each other and non-movably fixed to at least one adjacent one of the plurality of bracket parts that define the interior space. The plurality of bracket parts is further configured relative to each other such that a connecting seam formed on the bracket extends along at least three of a mounting surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface and a second side surface of the bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Kentaro KOSAKA
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Publication number: 20130032000Abstract: A bicycle component control device includes a bracket, a hydraulic brake unit and either a mechanical shifting unit or electric control unit. The bracket has a gripping portion. The hydraulic brake unit is operatively mounted on the bracket and configured to operate a hydraulic brake device. The mechanical shifting unit or the electric control unit is operatively mounted on the bracket and configured to operate a bicycle device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Kentaro KOSAKA
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Publication number: 20130014607Abstract: A bicycle shift operating device is provided with a base member, a shift unit and a position sensing device. The base member includes a body portion with an internal cavity. The shift unit is disposed in the internal cavity of the body portion. The shift unit includes a movable portion that selectively moves between a plurality of predetermined operating positions. The position sensing device is removably attached to the body portion while the base member is attached to a bicycle. The position sensing device includes a sensor component that senses the operating position of the movable portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Kazunori OKUBO, Shinji KAWAMURA