Patents by Inventor Kenji Kamada
Kenji Kamada 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: 11591044Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first sprocket includes a plurality of first sprocket teeth, a first sprocket inward surface, a first sprocket outward surface, and an axial space. The second sprocket includes a plurality of second sprocket teeth, a second sprocket inward surface, and a second sprocket outward surface. The axial space is defined between the first sprocket outward surface and an axially inward outer link plate in the axial direction while the second sprocket outward surface contacts an axially outward inner link plate in an engagement state where the one of the plurality of the second sprocket teeth is positioned between an axially inward inner link plate and the axially outward inner link plate in the axial direction. The axial space is larger than mm and equal to or smaller than 0.15 mm.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Kenji Kamada
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Patent number: 11584473Abstract: A suspension control device is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The suspension control device includes a sensor and an electronic controller. The sensor is configured to detect information relating to a ground contact condition. The electronic controller is configured to selectively control a suspension of the human-powered vehicle in accordance with the information detected by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Takuya Katsuki, Kenji Kamada
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Patent number: 11577803Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member configured to be attached to a human-powered vehicle frame, a movable member movable with respect to the base member, a pulley assembly pivotally attached to the movable member in a first pivotal direction and a second pivotal direction opposite to the first pivotal direction and including a first pulley having a first pulley axis and a second pulley having a second pulley axis, a pulley assembly biasing member configured to bias the pulley assembly with respect to the movable member in the first pivotal direction, a pulley distance (centimeter) being defined between the first pulley axis and the second pulley axis, a biasing return force (newton) being defined by rotational force of the pulley assembly relative to the movable member, and a return value defined by the biasing return force multiplied by the pulley distance. The return value is 136 or larger.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Kenji Kamada
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Patent number: 11440346Abstract: A hub assembly for a human-powered vehicle comprises a hub axle, a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member, and a rotation control structure. The rotation control structure couples the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member to transmit a first input rotation of the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member at a first ratio of a first output rotation of the second rotatable member to the first input rotation of the first rotatable member. The rotation control structure couples the second rotatable member to the first rotatable member to transmit a second input rotation of the second rotatable member to the first rotatable member at a second ratio of a second output rotation of the first rotatable member to the second input rotation of the second rotatable member. The second ratio is different from the first ratio. The second ratio is larger than 0.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Kenji Kamada
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Patent number: 11414157Abstract: It is intended to provide a bicycle rear sprocket assembly that can reduce shock in a gear shifting operation and can reduce changing of gear ratio during the gear shifting operation. A bicycle rear sprocket assembly includes a plurality of sprockets. A total tooth number of at least one of the plurality of sprockets is an even number. The plurality of sprockets have at least two coaxially arranged sprockets. At least one of the at least two coaxially arranged sprockets has an upshifting facilitation area and a downshifting facilitation area. Each of the at least two coaxially arranged sprockets has a total tooth number that is equal to or larger than eighteen. The tooth number difference is equal to or smaller than seven.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Azusa Yamazaki, Kenji Kamada
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Patent number: 11364971Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of sprockets comprising at least twelve sprockets having different numbers of teeth. The at least twelve sprockets are coaxially arranged along a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket assembly. An entire gear range of the plurality of sprockets is equal to or larger than 360%. An average percentage gear stage step of the plurality of sprockets being equal to or larger than 10%. The average percentage gear stage step of the plurality of sprockets is smaller than 15%.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2017Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Kenji Kamada
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Publication number: 20220063760Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first sprocket includes a plurality of first sprocket teeth, a first sprocket inward surface, a first sprocket outward surface, and an axial space. The second sprocket includes a plurality of second sprocket teeth, a second sprocket inward surface, and a second sprocket outward surface. The axial space is defined between the first sprocket outward surface and an axially inward outer link plate in the axial direction while the second sprocket outward surface contacts an axially outward inner link plate in an engagement state where the one of the plurality of the second sprocket teeth is positioned between an axially inward inner link plate and the axially outward inner link plate in the axial direction. The axial space is larger than 0 mm and equal to or smaller than 0.15 mm.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Kenji KAMADA
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Patent number: 11180217Abstract: A multiple bicycle sprocket assembly is basically provided that is capable of creating a gear ratio in a wide range. The multiple bicycle sprocket assembly includes a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first sprocket includes a first tooth number that is less than or equal to ten. The second sprocket includes a second tooth number that is more than or equal to forty-four.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Koji Tokuyama, Kenji Ose, Toshinari Oishi, Kenji Kamada, Sota Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 11148755Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member, and a chain guide. The chain guide comprises an inner guide plate, an outer guide plate, at least one pulley axle, and at least one pulley. The chain guide is configured to be movable between a plurality of shifting positions. The at least one pulley is configured to be movable between the inner guide plate and the outer guide plate within a maximum pulley movable amount in a pulley axial direction with respect to a rotational center axis of the at least one pulley. A single shifting distance is defined between adjacent shifting positions of the plurality of shifting positions. A ratio of the maximum pulley movable amount to the single shifting distance ranges from 0.21 to 0.35.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Kenji Kamada
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Patent number: 11066118Abstract: A bicycle seatpost system is basically provided with a height adjustable seatpost and an electronic controller. The height adjustable seatpost includes an electric actuator. The electronic controller is configured to control the electric actuator to change a height of the height adjustable seatpost in accordance with detected information about a change of orientation of a bicycle relative to a ground.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Takuya Katsuki, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Kenji Kamada, Tomohiro Kondo
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Patent number: 11046392Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller for controlling a transmission that changes a ratio of a rotational speed of a drive wheel to a rotational speed of a crank of the human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller switches the transmission from a first control state to a second control state in accordance with at least one of a human drive force, a rider's posture, a vehicle body attitude, a handle force, and a human-powered vehicle travel state, In the first control state, the electronic controller controls the transmission to change the ratio in accordance with an operation of a shift operating unit. In the second control state, irrespective of the operation of the shift operating unit, the electronic controller controls the transmission such that the ratio increases in accordance with the travel state of the human-powered vehicle and/or a travel environment of the human-powered vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Kenji Kamada
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Publication number: 20210155317Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member configured to be attached to a human-powered vehicle frame, a movable member movable with respect to the base member, a pulley assembly pivotally attached to the movable member in a first pivotal direction and a second pivotal direction opposite to the first pivotal direction and including a first pulley having a first pulley axis and a second pulley having a second pulley axis, a pulley assembly biasing member configured to bias the pulley assembly with respect to the movable member in the first pivotal direction, a pulley distance (centimeter) being defined between the first pulley axis and the second pulley axis, a biasing return force (newton) being defined by rotational force of the pulley assembly relative to the movable member, and a return value defined by the biasing return force multiplied by the pulley distance. The return value is 136 or larger.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Kenji KAMADA
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Patent number: 11008065Abstract: A bicycle sprocket arrangement comprises a largest sprocket, a smallest sprocket, and a plurality of intermediate sprockets. A first quotient is obtained if a total tooth-space number of the large sprocket is divided by a half of the tooth-space number difference. The first quotient is an even number with respect to all sprockets of the plurality of intermediate sprockets. A second quotient is obtained if the total tooth-space number of the small sprocket is divided by a half of the tooth-space number difference. The second quotient is an even number with respect to all sprockets of the plurality of intermediate sprockets excluding a largest intermediate sprocket of the plurality of intermediate sprockets.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Kenji Kamada, Azusa Yamazaki
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Patent number: 10865870Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body and a plurality of sprocket teeth. The plurality of sprocket teeth includes at least one first axially recessed upshifting-facilitation tooth with respect to a rotational center axis. The plurality of sprocket teeth includes at least one first axially recessed downshifting-facilitation tooth with respect to the rotational center axis. The at least one first axially recessed downshifting-facilitation tooth is adjacent to the at least one first axially recessed upshifting-facilitation tooth without another tooth therebetween in a circumferential direction with respect to the rotational center axis. The at least one first axially recessed upshifting-facilitation tooth and the at least one first axially recessed downshifting-facilitation tooth provide a first continuous recess extending in the circumferential direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Azusa Yamazaki, Kenji Kamada
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Patent number: 10850561Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing device comprises a shaft, an axial abutment structure, a bicycle-body engaging structure, a manual actuator, and a shaft-end retaining structure. The shaft has a first shaft end, a second shaft end, and a longitudinal center axis. The manual actuator is operatively connected to the axial abutment structure to bias the axial abutment structure against a first wheel attachment part of a bicycle body in response to operation of the manual actuator in a securing state where the bicycle-body engaging structure is engaged with a second wheel attachment part of the bicycle body. The shaft-end retaining structure is at least partly disposed at the second shaft end to retain the second shaft end in the first wheel attachment part in a maintenance state where the second shaft end is positioned in the first wheel attachment part of the bicycle body.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Kenji Kamada
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Publication number: 20200223255Abstract: A hub assembly for a human-powered vehicle comprises a hub axle, a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member, and a rotation control structure. The rotation control structure couples the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member to transmit a first input rotation of the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member at a first ratio of a first output rotation of the second rotatable member to the first input rotation of the first rotatable member. The rotation control structure couples the second rotatable member to the first rotatable member to transmit a second input rotation of the second rotatable member to the first rotatable member at a second ratio of a second output rotation of the first rotatable member to the second input rotation of the second rotatable member. The second ratio is different from the first ratio. The second ratio is larger than 0.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2019Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Kenji KAMADA
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Patent number: 10689067Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first sprocket includes a first sprocket body, first sprocket teeth, and a first pitch circle. The first pitch circle has a first diameter. The second sprocket includes a second sprocket body, second sprocket teeth, and a second pitch circle. The first sprocket teeth include a large-sprocket downshifting tooth and an additional large-sprocket downshifting tooth. The second sprocket teeth include a first small-sprocket downshifting tooth, a second small-sprocket downshifting tooth, a first adjacent tooth, and a second adjacent tooth. A circumferential area is defined from a driving surface of the first adjacent tooth to a non-driving surface of the second adjacent tooth in a driving rotational direction about a rotational center axis when viewed in an axial direction. The large-sprocket downshifting tooth is disposed in the circumferential area when viewed in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Kenji Kamada
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Publication number: 20200140033Abstract: A bicycle sprocket arrangement comprises a largest sprocket, a smallest sprocket, and a plurality of intermediate sprockets. A first quotient is obtained if a total tooth-space number of the large sprocket is divided by a half of the tooth-space number difference. The first quotient is an even number with respect to all sprockets of the plurality of intermediate sprockets. A second quotient is obtained if the total tooth-space number of the small sprocket is divided by a half of the tooth-space number difference. The second quotient is an even number with respect to all sprockets of the plurality of intermediate sprockets excluding a largest intermediate sprocket of the plurality of intermediate sprockets.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Kenji KAMADA, Azusa YAMAZAKI
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Patent number: 10625814Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly has a sprocket, a first crank arm, a second crank arm and a crank axle, A first axial distance is defined between the first pedal attachment surface and the second pedal attachment surface in an axial direction. A second axial distance is defined between the first transverse center plane of the sprocket and the second axial center plane of the crank axle in the axial direction. The first axial distance is smaller than or equal to 170 mm. The second axial distance is larger than or equal to 55 mm.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Kenji Kamada
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Patent number: 10604698Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic light up-conversion material in a solid state that realizes high light up-conversion efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Kenji Kamada, Kenji Kobayashi