Patents by Inventor Keigo Kitajima

Keigo Kitajima 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: 20230157268
    Abstract: A spool braking device includes a brake drum and a rotation structure. The brake drum is disposed in a reel body and positioned alongside a spool in an axial direction. The rotation structure is arranged between the spool and the brake drum in the axial direction. The rotation structure has a support, a brake shoe, and a biasing member. The support rotates in accordance with a spool shaft. The brake shoe has a center of gravity arranged outside of the brake drum in a radial direction. The brake shoe is configured to contact a tapered surface of the brake drum. The biasing member biases one of the support or the brake drum towards another one of the support or the brake drum. The one of the support or the brake drum is movable in the axial direction with respect to the another one of the support or the brake drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Daichi NAKATA, Hiroki OOGOSE, Kunio TAKECHI, Kouhei NAKAMURA, Keigo KITAJIMA
  • Patent number: 10834910
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel is provided that basically includes a reel main body, a spool, a clutch operating member and a first barrier portion. The reel main body has a first side plate and a second side plate. The second side plate is disposed at a distance from the first side plate in an axial direction. The clutch operating member is movably supported on the reel main body in a vertical direction between the first side plate and the second side plate behind the spool. The clutch operating member switches between a transmitting and disconnecting of a rotational force to the spool. The first barrier portion is provided on one of the clutch operating member and the reel main body. The first barrier portion prevents the fishing line from entering between the clutch operating member and the first side plate of the reel main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignees: Shimano Inc., SHUMANO COMPONENTS (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Baihaki Bin Sabtu, Abu Supian Bin Ahmad, Mohd Syamsul Johary Bin Ismail, Keigo Kitajima, Motohiro Niitsuma, Ami Higuchi
  • Patent number: 10609917
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel is disclosed. The dual-bearing reel includes a metal frame, a pinion gear, a bearing, a clutch member, and a clutch supporting member made of resin. The metal frame supports a handle shaft. The pinion gear is configured to transmit the rotation of the handle shaft to a spool shaft. The bearing rotatably supports the pinion gear. The clutch member is used for switching the spool shaft and the pinion gear between a coupled state and a decoupled state. The resin clutch supporting member is fixed to the frame. The clutch supporting member supports the clutch member. The clutch supporting member includes a bearing support part for supporting the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: SHIMANO COMPONENTS (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD., SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Mohd Syamsul Johary Bin Ismail, Abu Supian Bin Ahmad, Keigo Kitajima, Baihaki Bin Sabtu, Muhd Syukri Nazry Bin Mustapha
  • Patent number: 10575510
    Abstract: A fishing reel includes a regulating member, an operating lever, a first plate and a second plate. The operating lever includes a first through hole penetrated by the regulating member. The first plate includes a second through hole penetrated by the regulating member. The first plate is attached to one of the regulating member and the operating lever so as to be rotatable unitarily therewith. The second plate includes a third through hole penetrated by the regulating member. The second plate is attached to the other of the regulating member and the operating lever so as to be rotatable unitarily therewith. Additionally, the first plate includes a plurality of engaging recesses on a surface thereof opposed to the second plate. Moreover, the second plate includes three or more engaging protrusions, which are engaged with the engaging recesses, on a surface thereof opposed to the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignees: SHIMANO INC., SHIMANO COMPONENTS (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Muhamad Aidil Bin Misseri, Mohd Syamsul Johary Bin Ismail, Ahmad Syafiq Asyraf Ahmad Sabri, Abu Supian Bin Ahmad, Keigo Kitajima
  • Patent number: 10477846
    Abstract: A spool for a fishing reel attached to a reel body of the fishing reel includes a spool body, a spool ring, a fixing ring and a first regulating part. The spool body has a bobbin trunk, an annular flange extending from the bobbin trunk in a radially outward direction that intersects the spool axis, and a tubular connecting portion extending from the flange. The spool ring surrounds an outer peripheral edge of the flange, and is attached to the flange so as to be separable. The fixing ring is attached to the spool body via the tubular connecting portion so as to be separable and is configured to fix the spool ring against the flange from the front direction. The first regulating part regulates relative movement of the fixing ring with respect to the spool body and is detachably attached to the tubular connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Ochiai, Keigo Kitajima, Tsutomu Takada
  • Publication number: 20190327947
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel is disclosed. The dual-bearing reel includes a metal frame, a pinion gear, a bearing, a clutch member, and a clutch supporting member made of resin. The metal frame supports a handle shaft. The pinion gear is configured to transmit the rotation of the handle shaft to a spool shaft. The bearing rotatably supports the pinion gear. The clutch member is used for switching the spool shaft and the pinion gear between a coupled state and a decoupled state. The resin clutch supporting member is fixed to the frame. The clutch supporting member supports the clutch member. The clutch supporting member includes a bearing support part for supporting the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicants: Shimano Components (Malaysia) SDN. BHD., Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Mohd Syamsul Johary BIN ISMAIL, Abu Supian BIN AHMAD, Keigo KITAJIMA, Baihaki BIN SABTU, Muhd Syukri Nazry BIN MUSTAPHA
  • Patent number: 10349645
    Abstract: A single-bearing reel includes a reel unit, a spool shaft, a support unit, a spool, a first restriction member, a second restriction member, a pair of first seal members, a second seal member, and a third seal member. The pair of first seal members is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the support unit. One of the pair of first seal members seals between the support unit and the first restriction member. The other of the pair of first seal members seals between the support unit and the second restriction member. The second seal member seals an inner peripheral part of the support unit from an inner peripheral part of the first restriction member. A third seal member seals the inner peripheral part of the support unit from an inner peripheral part of the second restriction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignees: SHIMANO INC., SHIMANO COMPONENTS (MALAYSIA) SDN, BHD.
    Inventors: Keigo Kitajima, Chun Wee Chew, Muhamad Aidil Bin Misseri, Wen Yin Lee
  • Publication number: 20190183104
    Abstract: A spool for a fishing reel attached to a reel body of the fishing reel includes a spool body, a spool ring, a fixing ring and a first regulating part. The spool body has a bobbin trunk, an annular flange extending from the bobbin trunk in a radially outward direction that intersects the spool axis, and a tubular connecting portion extending from the flange. The spool ring surrounds an outer peripheral edge of the flange, and is attached to the flange so as to be separable. The fixing ring is attached to the spool body via the tubular connecting portion so as to be separable and is configured to fix the spool ring against the flange from the front direction. The first regulating part regulates relative movement of the fixing ring with respect to the spool body and is detachably attached to the tubular connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Koji OCHIAI, Keigo KITAJIMA, Tsutomu TAKADA
  • Publication number: 20190133101
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel is provided that basically includes a reel main body, a spool, a clutch operating member and a first barrier portion. The reel main body has a first side plate and a second side plate. The second side plate is disposed at a distance from the first side plate in an axial direction. The clutch operating member is movably supported on the reel main body in a vertical direction between the first side plate and the second side plate behind the spool. The clutch operating member switches between a transmitting and disconnecting of a rotational force to the spool. The first barrier portion is provided on one of the clutch operating member and the reel main body. The first barrier portion prevents the fishing line from entering between the clutch operating member and the first side plate of the reel main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Baihaki Bin Sabtu, Abu Supian Bin Ahmad, Mohd Syamsul Johary Bin Ismail, Keigo Kitajima, Motohiro Niitsuma, Ami Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20180343842
    Abstract: A fishing reel includes a regulating member, an operating lever, a first plate and a second plate. The operating lever includes a first through hole penetrated by the regulating member. The first plate includes a second through hole penetrated by the regulating member. The first plate is attached to one of the regulating member and the operating lever so as to be rotatable unitarily therewith. The second plate includes a third through hole penetrated by the regulating member. The second plate is attached to the other of the regulating member and the operating lever so as to be rotatable unitarily therewith. Additionally, the first plate includes a plurality of engaging recesses on a surface thereof opposed to the second plate. Moreover, the second plate includes three or more engaging protrusions, which are engaged with the engaging recesses, on a surface thereof opposed to the first plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicants: Shimano Inc., Shimano Components (Malaysia) SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Muhamad Aidil Bin Misseri, Mohd Syamsul Johary Bin Ismail, Ahmad Syafiq Asyraf Ahmad Sabri, Abu Supian Bin Ahmad, Keigo Kitajima
  • Patent number: 10091979
    Abstract: The present reel unit is a reel unit for a dual-bearing reel supporting a spool in a rotatable state. The reel unit includes a frame, a fishing rod attachment leg and a thinned part. The frame includes a first side plate, a second side plate disposed in opposition to the first side plate to enable the spool to be disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate, and a plurality of coupling members integrally formed with the first side plate and the second side plate to couple the first side plate and the second side plate. The fishing rod attachment leg is fixed to an outer surface of one of the plurality of coupling members. The thinned part has a box-like recessed shape and is formed on an inner surface, faced to the spool, of the coupling member to which the fishing rod attachment leg is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO COMPONENTS (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Chun Wee Chew, Keigo Kitajima
  • Publication number: 20170347636
    Abstract: A single-bearing reel includes a reel unit, a spool shaft, a support unit, a spool, a first restriction member, a second restriction member, a pair of first seal members, a second seal member, and a third seal member. The pair of first seal members is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the support unit. One of the pair of first seal members seals between the support unit and the first restriction member. The other of the pair of first seal members seals between the support unit and the second restriction member. The second seal member seals an inner peripheral part of the support unit from an inner peripheral part of the first restriction member. A third seal member seals the inner peripheral part of the support unit from an inner peripheral part of the second restriction member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicants: Shimano Inc., Shimano Components (Malaysia) SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Keigo KITAJIMA, Chun Wee CHEW, Muhamad Aidil Bin MISSERI, Wen Yin LEE
  • Patent number: 9763433
    Abstract: A level winding mechanism for a dual-hearing reel is equipped with a worm shaft including intersecting spiral grooves and an engagement pin, and a torque limiting mechanism. The engagement pin engages the spiral grooves. The torque limiting mechanism limits the rotational drive force which rotates the worm shaft. At least a portion of the worm shaft is made of synthetic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignees: Shimano Inc., SHIMANO COMPONENTS (MALAYSIA) SDN.
    Inventors: Kunio Takechi, Akira Niitsuma, Koichi Kawane, Keigo Kitajima, Baihaki Bin Sabtu, Abu Supian Bin Ahmad
  • Patent number: 9591839
    Abstract: A braking operation lever includes a lever main body, an operating section, a brake shoe, and an elastic member. The lever main body has a first end part and a second end part, and is rotatably supported by the reel body. The operating section is configured to cause a braking operation, and is disposed on the first end part of the lever main body. The brake shoe is disposed on the second end part of the lever main body, and is configured to be pressed by the rotor while operating the operating section. The elastic member is disposed between the brake shoe and the lever main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takuji Takamatsu, Keigo Kitajima, Kei Saito, Shingo Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9497948
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a handle, a reel unit, a rotor, a spool, a rotor drive mechanism, and an anti-reverse mechanism. The reel unit has a fishing rod attachment portion and a mount portion. The rotor drive mechanism includes a drive gear and a pinion gear. The pinion gear is disposed in the through hole. The pinion gear is meshed with the drive gear. The anti-reverse mechanism is configured to prevent the rotor from rotating in a fishing-line releasing direction. The anti-reverse mechanism includes a one-way clutch assembly. The one-way clutch assembly is detachably attached to the mount portion of the reel unit. The rotor drive mechanism includes a seal member. The seal member is configured to seal a clearance between the pinion gear and the through hole while being disposed at a rear end of the one-way clutch assembly in the back-and forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Matsuo, Keigo Kitajima
  • Publication number: 20160302400
    Abstract: The present reel unit is a reel unit for a dual-bearing reel supporting a spool in a rotatable state. The reel unit includes a frame, a fishing rod attachment leg and a thinned part. The frame includes a first side plate, a second side plate disposed in opposition to the first side plate to enable the spool to be disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate, and a plurality of coupling members integrally formed with the first side plate and the second side plate to couple the first side plate and the second side plate. The fishing rod attachment leg is fixed to an outer surface of one of the plurality of coupling members. The thinned part has a box-like recessed shape and is formed on an inner surface, faced to the spool, of the coupling member to which the fishing rod attachment leg is fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Shimano Components (Malaysia) SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Chun Wee CHEW, Keigo KITAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20160262362
    Abstract: A level winding mechanism for a dual-hearing reel is equipped with a worm shaft including intersecting spiral grooves and an engagement pin, and a torque limiting mechanism. The engagement pin engages the spiral grooves. The torque limiting mechanism limits the rotational drive force which rotates the worm shaft. At least a portion of the worm shaft is made of synthetic resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Kunio TAKECHI, Akira NIITSUMA, Koichi KAWANE, Keigo KITAJIMA, Baihaki Bin Sabtu, Abu Supian Bin Ahmad
  • Patent number: 9370173
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a reel body, a handle, a spool shaft, a spool, a rotor, a rotor driving mechanism, and an oscillating mechanism configured to rotate in conjunction with the handle and cause the spool to reciprocate via the spool shaft. The oscillating mechanism includes a threaded shaft having a spiral groove and is configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the handle. A slider is engaged with the spiral groove of the threaded shaft, and is configured to reciprocate in conjunction with rotation of the threaded shaft. A guide shaft has a rear end disposed in the through-hole arranged in the rear portion of the reel body, and is locked so as to prevent the shaft from disconnecting from by the reel body, and is configured to guide the reciprocation of the slider. An annular elastic member is disposed between the through-hole and the guide shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Matsuo, Hirokazu Hiraoka, Keigo Kitajima
  • Patent number: 9363988
    Abstract: A spinning reel for forwardly unreeling a fishing line includes a reel main body having a through-hole extending through the peripheral wall in a longitudinal direction of the spinning reel, a handle configured to wind a fishing line, and being rotatably mounted to the reel main body. A screw member has a screw head disposed on a first end, a screw shaft section extending from the screw head toward a second end, and male threads disposed on the screw shaft section, the screw head contacting a peripheral wall at the front end side of the through-hole and the screw shaft section extending through the through-hole. A stopper member is mounted to the screw shaft section and contacts a periphery of the rear end side of the through-hole. A cover member has a fixed section fixed by the screw member, and covers a rear of the reel main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Matsuo, Hirokazu Hiraoka, Keigo Kitajima
  • Patent number: 9226486
    Abstract: A spinning reel spool according to a first aspect of the present invention is a spinning reel spool that delivers fishing line forward. The spinning reel spool comprises a spool body and a ring member. This spool body has a body portion and a protruding portion. The protruding portion is integrally formed on a front side of the body portion. The protruding portion is annularly arranged and protrudes from the body portion in an axial direction of the spool body. The ring member is disposed on an outer circumferential portion of the protruding portion of the spool body. The ring member is held between the body portion and a plastically deformed part of the protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Hiraoka, Takuji Takamatsu, Keigo Kitajima, Kouji Ochiai, Akihiko Sato