Patents by Inventor Kazuya KUWAYAMA

Kazuya KUWAYAMA 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: 11878764
    Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller. The human-powered vehicle includes a drive unit, a brake device, and a brake control device. The drive unit is provided with an electric motor that assists in propulsion of the human-powered vehicle. The brake device generates brake force. The brake control device controls the brake force with an electric actuator differing from the electric motor. The electronic controller is configured to control the electric motor in accordance with an actuation state of the brake control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takuya Katsuki, Kiichiro Nagata, Daiki Iwabuchi, Toshihiko Takahashi, Kazuya Kuwayama, Atsushi Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 11814128
    Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base member, a first electrical switch, a second electrical switch, and a third electrical switch. The base member is configured to be coupled to a handlebar of the human-powered vehicle. The first electrical switch is configured to receive a first user input indicating upshifting of a first gear changing device. The second electrical switch is configured to receive a second user input indicating downshifting of the first gear changing device. The third electrical switch is configured to alternately receive a third user input and a third additional user input. The third user input indicates upshifting of a second gear changing device. The third additional user input indicates downshifting of the second gear changing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Komada, Kazuya Kuwayama
  • Publication number: 20230174191
    Abstract: A brake caliper for a bicycle includes a housing configured to be installed on the bicycle, the bicycle including a disc attached to a wheel of the bicycle. A brake pad is installed within the housing and is configured to move between a braking position and a non-braking position. The braking position is a location within the housing where the brake pad contacts the disc when the housing is installed on the bicycle. The non-braking position is a location within the housing where the brake pad is further from the disc than in the braking position. The caliper also includes a biasing member configured to bias the brake pad in a downstream direction within the housing with the brake pad is in the non-braking position, the downstream direction being parallel to a direction of rotation of the disc when a wheel of the bicycle is rotating to move the bicycle forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi FUJII, Kazuya KUWAYAMA, Kazuki KOSHIYAMA, Toyoto SHIRAI, Yusuke HOSOMI
  • Patent number: 11524741
    Abstract: A sensor wheel for a human-powered vehicle comprises a wheel body and an attachment part. The wheel body is configured to be rotatable relative to a vehicle body of the human-powered vehicle about a rotational axis along with a rotational hub of the human-powered vehicle. The wheel body includes a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction with respect to the rotational axis. The attachment part is configured to be operatively coupled to the rotational hub. At least one opening of the plurality of openings has a radial length defined radially with respect to the rotational axis. The radial length is equal to or larger than 8 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Mototsugu Nakai, Kazuya Kuwayama, Ryosuke Habara
  • Publication number: 20220340226
    Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base member, a first electrical switch, a second electrical switch, and a third electrical switch. The base member is configured to be coupled to a handlebar of the human-powered vehicle. The first electrical switch is configured to receive a first user input indicating upshifting of a first gear changing device. The second electrical switch is configured to receive a second user input indicating downshifting of the first gear changing device. The third electrical switch is configured to alternately receive a third user input and a third additional user input. The third user input indicates upshifting of a second gear changing device. The third additional user input indicates downshifting of the second gear changing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki KOMADA, Kazuya KUWAYAMA
  • Patent number: 11414151
    Abstract: An operating system for a human-powered vehicle comprises a first operating device and a controller. The first operating device is configured to output a first control signal. The controller is configured to determine whether the first operating device meets a first predetermined condition. The controller is configured to assign, if the first operating device meets the first predetermined condition, an additional electric device a function of the first operating device so that the additional electric device outputs the first control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Komada, Kazuya Kuwayama
  • Publication number: 20220204124
    Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller. The human-powered vehicle includes a drive unit, a brake device, and a brake control device. The drive unit is provided with an electric motor that assists in propulsion of the human-powered vehicle. The brake device generates brake force. The brake control device controls the brake force with an electric actuator differing from the electric motor. The electronic controller is configured to control the electric motor in accordance with an actuation state of the brake control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Takuya KATSUKI, Kiichiro NAGATA, Daiki IWABUCHI, Toshihiko TAKAHASHI, Kazuya KUWAYAMA, Atsushi MIYAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20220017175
    Abstract: A sensor wheel for a human-powered vehicle comprises a wheel body and an attachment part. The wheel body is configured to be rotatable relative to a vehicle body of the human-powered vehicle about a rotational axis along with a rotational hub of the human-powered vehicle. The wheel body includes a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction with respect to the rotational axis. The attachment part is configured to be operatively coupled to the rotational hub. At least one opening of the plurality of openings has a radial length defined radially with respect to the rotational axis. The radial length is equal to or larger than 8 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Mototsugu NAKAI, Kazuya KUWAYAMA, Ryosuke HABARA
  • Patent number: 11124262
    Abstract: An adapter body is configured to be attached to a vehicle body in each of a first orientation in which a caliper body is coupled to the vehicle body via the adapter body in a first position corresponding to a first disc brake rotor having a first outer diameter, and a second orientation in which the caliper body is coupled to the vehicle body via the adapter body in a second position corresponding to a second disc brake rotor having a second outer diameter different from the first outer diameter. The indicator is configured to indicate an correspondence between an orientation of the adapter body and at least one of the first disc brake rotor and the second disc brake rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Mototsugu Nakai, Kazuya Kuwayama
  • Publication number: 20210070390
    Abstract: An operating system for a human-powered vehicle comprises a first operating device and a controller. The first operating device is configured to output a first control signal. The controller is configured to determine whether the first operating device meets a first predetermined condition. The controller is configured to assign, if the first operating device meets the first predetermined condition, an additional electric device a function of the first operating device so that the additional electric device outputs the first control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki KOMADA, Kazuya KUWAYAMA
  • Patent number: 10920839
    Abstract: A disc brake rotor comprises a hub engagement member, a friction member, a first member, and a second member. The hub engagement member is configured to engage with a hub assembly. The friction member is provided radially outwardly of the hub engagement member with respect to a rotational center axis of the disc brake rotor. The friction member has an axial thickness in an axial direction with respect to the rotational center axis. The first member extends between the hub engagement member and the friction member. The first member includes a recess that has an axial depth in the axial direction. The axial depth is larger than the axial thickness of the friction member. The second member is at least partly provided on the recess without using a screw connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazuya Kuwayama, Yusuke Hosomi
  • Publication number: 20200339217
    Abstract: An adapter body is configured to be attached to a vehicle body in each of a first orientation in which a caliper body is coupled to the vehicle body via the adapter body in a first position corresponding to a first disc brake rotor having a first outer diameter, and a second orientation in which the caliper body is coupled to the vehicle body via the adapter body in a second position corresponding to a second disc brake rotor having a second outer diameter different from the first outer diameter. The indicator is configured to indicate an correspondence between an orientation of the adapter body and at least one of the first disc brake rotor and the second disc brake rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Mototsugu NAKAI, Kazuya KUWAYAMA
  • Patent number: 10626936
    Abstract: A disc brake rotor for a small vehicle including a bicycle has an inner member configured to be coupled to a wheel of the small vehicle and an outer member outwardly provided with respect to the inner member in a radial direction of disc brake rotor. The outer member includes a brake surface, a pair of first through holes extending through the brake surface in an axial direction of the disc brake rotor, and a recess provided in the brake surface so as to be recessed in the axial direction at least between the pair of the first through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuya Kuwayama, Yusuke Hosomi, Natsuki Noma
  • Patent number: 10605320
    Abstract: A disc brake rotor assembly for a small vehicle including a bicycle comprises a disc brake rotor and at least one rotor state sensor to detect a state of the disc brake rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kazuya Kuwayama
  • Publication number: 20190390726
    Abstract: A disc brake rotor comprises a hub engagement member, a friction member, a first member, and a second member. The hub engagement member is configured to engage with a hub assembly. The friction member is provided radially outwardly of the hub engagement member with respect to a rotational center axis of the disc brake rotor. The friction member has an axial thickness in an axial direction with respect to the rotational center axis. The first member extends between the hub engagement member and the friction member. The first member includes a recess that has an axial depth in the axial direction. The axial depth is larger than the axial thickness of the friction member. The second member is at least partly provided on the recess without using a screw connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazuya KUWAYAMA, Yusuke HOSOMI
  • Publication number: 20190048952
    Abstract: A disc brake rotor assembly for a small vehicle including a bicycle comprises a disc brake rotor and at least one rotor state sensor to detect a state of the disc brake rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kazuya KUWAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190032738
    Abstract: A disc brake rotor for a small vehicle including a bicycle has an inner member configured to be coupled to a wheel of the small vehicle and an outer member outwardly provided with respect to the inner member in a radial direction of disc brake rotor. The outer member includes a brake surface, a pair of first through holes extending through the brake surface in an axial direction of the disc brake rotor, and a recess provided in the brake surface so as to be recessed in the axial direction at least between the pair of the first through holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Kazuya Kuwayama, Yusuke Hosomi, Natsuki Noma
  • Patent number: 10086905
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur including a chain guide; a linkage assembly; and a mounting bracket configured to mount the chain guide to a bicycle frame such that the chain guide is movable with respect to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes at least one fixed portion adapted to receive a fastener to fix the fixed portion so that an axis of the fastener extends toward a bottom bracket hangar of the bicycle frame when the fixed portion is fixed to the bicycle frame via the fastener. The axis of the fastener is generally vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue, Kazuya Kuwayama, Kohei Obuchi, Mineho Masuda, Kento Mitsuyasu
  • Patent number: 10065705
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur is provided with a base member, a chain guide, a linkage assembly and a cable fixing structure. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle frame. The chain guide is movable between retracted and extended positions with respect to the base member. The linkage assembly operatively couples the chain guide to the base member. The cable fixing structure is configured to fix an operation cable that moves the linkage assembly in response to an operation of the operation cable. The cable fixing structure is mounted to one of the chain guide and the linkage assembly. The cable fixing structure includes a cable attachment member to which the operation cable is fixed. The cable attachment member is movable with respect to the one of the chain guide and the linkage assembly with the operation cable being fixed to the cable attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuya Kuwayama, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 9896157
    Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a front derailleur to a bicycle frame. The mounting device includes a mounting portion that is adapted to be adjustably mounted such that it is positioned around an axis that is defined by a bottom bracket of the bicycle frame, and an indicator configured to indicate an orientation of the mounting portion relative to a predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kazuya Kuwayama