Patents by Inventor Ken'ichi Sugawara

Ken'ichi Sugawara 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: 7293732
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a reel unit mounted to a fishing rod, and a rotor rotatably mounted to the reel unit on a front side, and guard members. The guard members include plate-shaped embedded portions and protruding portions. The embedded portion of one guard member is embedded in the reel unit from the rod attachment leg to the rear end portion and the lower and portion. The embedded portions of other guard members are embedded in the rotor on an outer portion of a cylindrical portion, and on an outer portion of a second rotor arm. The protruding portions protrude from the outer surface of the reel unit or the rotor. The guard members can come into contact with the ground when the spinning reel is placed thereon, such that scratching on the reel unit or the rotor can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Masakazu Iwabuchi, Ken'ichi Sugawara, Takeshi Ikuta, Hirokazu Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 7163168
    Abstract: A spinning reel handle assembly that does not expose a male threaded section to the outside includes a handle shaft portion, a cylindrical cover member, a cylindrical screw-threaded member and a cylindrical moveable member. The cylindrical cover member is mounted on an external circumference of a tip end section of the handle shaft portion. The cylindrical cover member is configured to cover at least a portion of an external circumference of the moveable member and an entire portion of the male threaded section of the cylindrical screw-threaded member on which the cylindrical moveable member is not mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Sugawara, Shingo Matsuo, Masuo Ban
  • Patent number: 7118060
    Abstract: A rotor includes a cylindrical portion, a front wall, and first and second rotor arms. The front wall is formed on an inner periphery of the cylindrical portion near its front end. The first and second rotor arms are arranged opposite one another on the sides of the cylindrical portion. The front wall includes a link portion and a disk portion. The outer periphery of the cylindrical portion where the link portion is linked is overlaid by the spool when the spool is at a foremost position. The disk portion is integrally linked to the link portion. The link portion includes an annular portion and a tapered portion. The annular portion is linked to the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion at its front end. The tapered portion is linked to the inner periphery of the annular portion and is tapered so that its diameter rearwardly decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Sugawara, Takeshi Ikuta, Hirokazu Hiraoka, Hirokazu Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20060186242
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a reel unit mounted to a fishing rod, and a rotor rotatably mounted to the reel unit on a front side, and guard members. The guard members include plate-shaped embedded portions and protruding portions. The embedded portion of one guard member is embedded in the reel unit from the rod attachment leg to the rear end portion and the lower and portion. The embedded portions of other guard members are embedded in the rotor on an outer portion of a cylindrical portion, and on an outer portion of a second rotor arm. The protruding portions protrude from the outer surface of the reel unit or the rotor. The guard members can come into contact with the ground when the spinning reel is placed thereon, such that scratching on the reel unit or the rotor can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Masakazu Iwabuchi, Ken'ichi Sugawara, Takeshi Ikuta, Hirokazu Hiraoka
  • Publication number: 20060175448
    Abstract: A spinning reel handle assembly that does not expose a male threaded section to the outside includes a handle shaft portion, a cylindrical cover member, a cylindrical screw-threaded member and a cylindrical moveable member. The cylindrical cover member is mounted on an external circumference of a tip end section of the handle shaft portion. The cylindrical cover member is configured to cover at least a portion of an external circumference of the moveable member and an entire portion of the male threaded section of the cylindrical screw-threaded member on which the cylindrical moveable member is not mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Sugawara, Shingo Matsuo, Masuo Ban
  • Patent number: 7083133
    Abstract: A bail arm of a spinning reel includes first and second bail support members, a bail, a fixed shaft, a line roller, and a fixed shaft cover. The front end of the fixed shaft on one end is fixedly coupled to the first bail support member. The fixed shaft cover is fixedly attached to another end of the fixed shaft so as to be spaced apart from the first bail support member. The line roller is rotatively supported by the fixed shaft. The bail is curved outward in the circumferential direction of the spool to guide the fishing line onto the line roller via the fixed shaft cover. The fixed shaft cover and the bail are integrally formed from a stainless steel alloy such that the exteriors thereof are smoothly and continuously connected. In this way, fishing line is not likely to tangle in the fishing line guide mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Ken'ichi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 7077349
    Abstract: A bail arm for a spinning reel is mounted to first and second rotor arms and includes first and second bail support members, a bail, a fixed shaft fixedly coupled to the first bail support member, a line roller supported by the fixed shaft, a fixed shaft cover having a mounting recess and disposed spaced apart from the first bail support member, and a mounting member. The bail includes an elongated portion and a bulging portion that is integrally formed with the elongated portion and has a mounting recess. A diameter of the bulging portion increases in a direction away from the elongated portion. The mounting member has one end portion fixedly coupled to the mounting recess of the fixed shaft cover such that the bail is fixedly arranged to the first bail support member, and another end portion fixedly coupled to the mounting recess of the bulging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Ken'ichi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 7070138
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a reel unit mounted to a fishing rod, and a rotor rotatably mounted to the reel unit on a front side, and guard members. The guard members include plate-shaped embedded portions and protruding portions. The embedded portion of one guard member is embedded in the reel unit from the rod attachment leg to the rear end portion and the lower and portion. The embedded portions of other guard members are embedded in the rotor on an outer portion of a cylindrical portion, and on an outer portion of a second rotor arm. The protruding portions protrude from the outer surface of the reel unit or the rotor. The guard members can come into contact with the ground when the spinning reel is placed thereon, such that scratching on the reel unit or the rotor can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Masakazu Iwabuchi, Ken′ichi Sugawara, Takeshi Ikuta, Hirokazu Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 6978957
    Abstract: A spool support structure for a spinning includes a bearing, a spool receiving portion, a retaining member, and a wobble prevention member. The bearing mounted on an inner peripheral portion of a spool is mounted on a non-circular portion of a spool shaft via a retaining member. The retaining member includes a retaining portion which is non-rotatably mounted on the non-circular portion of the spool shaft, a pushing portion that is pushed by the spool. The retaining portion is at least partially mounted to the non-circular portion such that there are two gaps in approximate bow shapes formed between the inner periphery of the retaining portion and the outer periphery of the non-circular portion. A wobble prevention member that suppresses wobble of the retaining member is mounted from the front of the retaining member in the gaps between the retaining portion and the non-circular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Ken'ichi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 6971601
    Abstract: A sound producing mechanism for a spinning reel includes a first sound producing portion that is coupled to a spool shaft and has an attachment portion and a plurality of saw tooth portions that are formed in a saw tooth shape circumferentially apart on an outer peripheral surface of the attachment portion; and a second sound producing portion that is attached to the spool and includes a pawl member that repeatedly comes into contact with the saw tooth portions to produce sound. The first sound producing portion is mounted to the spool shaft so as to be unrotatable when the spool rotates in a line releasing direction and rotatable when the spool rotates in a line winding direction. The pawl member is urged toward the saw tooth portions by a spring member. The spinning reel sound producing mechanism produces sound only when the spool rotates in the line releasing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Ken'ichi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 6971599
    Abstract: A spinning reel rotor braking device has a moving member, a braking member, and a restriction mechanism. The moving member is provided on the rotor and movable between a first position and a second position as the bail arm moves. The braking member is mounted on the mounting groove of the reel unit, and has a drag portion that generates a braking force by frictionally sliding against the moving member when the moving member is in the second position. The restriction mechanism is formed on an inner periphery of the braking member and on an outer periphery of the mounting groove, and restricts backward movement of the braking member relative to the reel unit so that the braking member does not come into contact with a rear end portion of the mounting groove. With the present invention, the braking force of the rotor braking device can be stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Ken'ichi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 6905086
    Abstract: A bail arm includes a first bail-support member, a second bail-support member, a bail, a stationary shaft, a line roller, and a stationary shaft cover. The bail includes a rod-shaped portion formed into a rod shape and a plate-shaped portion formed into a plate shape. One end of the plate-shaped portion is inserted into a slit-shaped groove portion formed in the stationary shaft cover such that at least radially outer sides of the plate-shaped portion and the stationary shaft cover define a continuous and smooth surface. The other end of the plate-shaped portion is formed continuously and smoothly with the rod-shaped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Sugawara, Takeshi Ikuta
  • Patent number: 6883738
    Abstract: A master gear shaft of a spinning reel has a through-hole having a rectangular cross-section formed on the inner periphery of the master gear shaft. A handle shaft has a head that interlocks with the right end of the master gear shaft, a trunk which extends from the head and is non-rotatively inserted into the through-hole, and a first threaded portion having a male screw projecting from the tip of the trunk. A handle arm has a boss for interlocking with the left end of the master gear shaft, a second threaded portion, which is a female screw threaded portion that engages with the first threaded portion and is provided on the boss, and an arm that extends from the boss in a direction interlocking with the master gear shaft. The handle assembly prevents a handle shaft from loosening from a master gear shaft in a spinning reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Hideki Nakajima, Ken'ichi Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20050082405
    Abstract: A rotor includes a cylindrical portion, a front wall, and first and second rotor arms. The front wall is formed on an inner periphery of the cylindrical portion near its front end. The first and second rotor arms are arranged opposite one another on the sides of the cylindrical portion. The front wall includes a link portion and a disk portion. The outer periphery of the cylindrical portion where the link portion is linked is overlaid by the spool when the spool is at a foremost position. The disk portion is integrally linked to the link portion. The link portion includes an annular portion and a tapered portion. The annular portion is linked to the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion at its front end. The tapered portion is linked to the inner periphery of the annular portion and is tapered so that its diameter rearwardly decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Sugawara, Takeshi Ikuta, Hirokazu Hiraoka, Hirokazu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6880777
    Abstract: A first bearing and a second bearing are mounted on an inner peripheral side of an inner peripheral portion of a bobbin portion. The first bearing and the second bearing are rotatably mounted on a spool shaft a tubular retaining member. An annular member is mounted to an outer periphery of the spool shaft so as to be prevented from moving rearward relative to the spool shaft. A through hole passes through the retaining member. The retaining member is non-rotatably coupled to the spool shaft by a pin member. A nut member is mounted on the outer periphery of the spool shaft, such that the retaining member is interposed and fixedly held between the annular member and the nut member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Ken'ichi Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20050040269
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a reel unit mounted to a fishing rod, and a rotor rotatably mounted to the reel unit on a front side, and guard members. The guard members include plate-shaped embedded portions and protruding portions. The embedded portion of one guard member is embedded in the reel unit from the rod attachment leg to the rear end portion and the lower and portion. The embedded portions of other guard members are embedded in the rotor on an outer portion of a cylindrical portion, and on an outer portion of a second rotor arm. The protruding portions protrude from the outer surface of the reel unit or the rotor. The guard members can come into contact with the ground when the spinning reel is placed thereon, such that scratching on the reel unit or the rotor can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Masakazu Iwabuchi, Ken'ichi Sugawara, Takeshi Ikuta, Hirokazu Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 6854677
    Abstract: A sounding mechanism includes: a mount part mounted onto a rear end portion of a bobbin trunk portion and made of a synthetic resin; a disk member non-rotatably fastened to the spool shaft at the rear of the bobbin trunk portion; a pawl member mounted to the mount part so as to be relatively rotatable with the disk member; and a spring member fitted onto the mount part for urging the pawl member toward the disk member. By relative rotation between the spool and the spool shaft, the pawl member comes into contact with the disk member to produce sound. The mount part is made of a synthetic resin and is screw-fastened onto the rear end of the bobbin trunk portion by screws. The spinning-reel sounding mechanism allows reduction of the weight of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Ken'ichi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 6845934
    Abstract: A rotor braking mechanism brakes a rotor when a bail arm pivots into the line-releasing position, and includes a moving member and a braking member mounted on a mounting groove formed on the base end of a cylindrical portion. The braking member includes first and second braking members, both of which are made from an elastic material and are approximately semi-circular in shape. The first braking member and the second braking member are press fitted onto the circular mounting groove by a spring member mounted on a groove formed in the outer periphery of the first and second braking members. The braking member includes a drag portion that frictionally and rotatably engages with the mounting groove, and a plurality of engaging portions that engage with the rear end portion of the moving member. With this configuration, the braking force of a rotor braking device is stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Sugawara, Itsuo Someya
  • Publication number: 20040251361
    Abstract: A spinning reel rotor braking device has a moving member, a braking member, and a restriction mechanism. The moving member is provided on the rotor and movable between a first position and a second position as the bail arm moves. The braking member is mounted on the mounting groove of the reel unit, and has a drag portion that generates a braking force by frictionally sliding against the moving member when the moving member is in the second position. The restriction mechanism is formed on an inner periphery of the braking member and on an outer periphery of the mounting groove, and restricts backward movement of the braking member relative to the reel unit so that the braking member does not come into contact with a rear end portion of the mounting groove. With the present invention, the braking force of the rotor braking device can be stabilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Ken'ichi Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20040251363
    Abstract: A spool support structure for a spinning includes a bearing, a spool receiving portion, a retaining member, and a wobble prevention member. The bearing mounted on an inner peripheral portion of a spool is mounted on a non-circular portion of a spool shaft via a retaining member. The retaining member includes a retaining portion which is non-rotatably mounted on the non-circular portion of the spool shaft, a pushing portion that is pushed by the spool. The retaining portion is at least partially mounted to the non-circular portion such that there are two gaps in approximate bow shapes formed between the inner periphery of the retaining portion and the outer periphery of the non-circular portion. A wobble prevention member that suppresses wobble of the retaining member is mounted from the front of the retaining member in the gaps between the retaining portion and the non-circular portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Ken'ichi Sugawara