Patents by Inventor Koji Takikura

Koji Takikura 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: 6874717
    Abstract: An oscillating mechanism is for reciprocating a spool in a spool shaft direction in cooperation with rotation of a handle. The oscillating mechanism includes a slider member, a gear member, and a guide shaft. The slider member is mounted at least axially immovably to a spool shaft, on the fore end of which the spool is mounted. The gear member reciprocates the slider member in the shaft axial direction in cooperation with rotation of the handle. The guide shaft is supported at two locations of its outer circumferential surface with the reel unit, has an annular groove to which a retainer can be attached for preventing disengagement of the guide shaft in one axial direction, and guides the slider member in a direction substantially parallel to the spool shaft. In this way, structure for retaining a guide shaft is simplified and design constraint alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Takikura, Takeshi Ikuta, Keigo Kitajima
  • Patent number: 6802468
    Abstract: Nut that screws together with pinion gear, and bearing that is arranged on the inner circumferential side of the nut, are provided on the front of a spinning-reel rotor. Pressing member is mounted on the front faces of the nut and bearing, such that it abuts on outer race of bearing. Pressing member is installed so as to be rotatable with respect to spool shaft, which is a rod element. Pressing member is water-repellency treated over all its surfaces, including the face that forms a clearance with spool shaft. The present invention prevents invasion of water droplets into rotatory-component clearances in a water-sealing component assembly composed of a relatively rotatable plurality of components, while sustaining rotational efficiency of the rotatory components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Takikura
  • Patent number: 6702214
    Abstract: A power transmission mechanism is for transmitting power from a handle of a spinning reel to an oscillating mechanism, and includes a pinion gear, a dual-stepped gear, and a driven gear. The pinion gear rotates in cooperation with rotation of the handle. The dual-stepped gear has a larger-diameter gear that is a helical-tooth gear and meshes with the pinion gear, and a smaller-diameter gear that is arranged coaxially with the larger-diameter gear and is formed unitarily with the larger-diameter gear. The smaller-diameter gear is a straight-tooth gear or a helical gear whose orientation is substantially the same as an orientation of the larger gear. The driven gear meshes with the smaller-diameter gear to rotate the oscillating mechanism. In a power transmission device in a fishing reel, manufacturing cost is reduced while suppressing noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Keigo Kitajima, Koji Takikura, Taisei Morise
  • Patent number: 6651916
    Abstract: Spinning-reel bail-tripping mechanism is a device for returning bail arm from line-releasing posture to line-retrieving posture as rotor rotates in line-retrieving direction. Bail-tripping mechanism includes shifting member that shifts front-to-rear as bail arm pivots; toggle-spring mechanism that urges and toggles bail arm to between the two postures; switching portion, and restraining mechanism. Switching portion comes into contact with the rear end of shifting member and shifts shifting member toward a first position. Restraining means restrains bail arm from returning into line-retrieving posture when bail arm is in line-releasing posture. Restraining means also releases restraint before the rear end of shifting member reaches the peak edge of first inclined face of switching portion as rotor rotates in line-retrieving direction while bail arm is in line-releasing posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Takikura, Takeshi Ikuta, Koji Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20030146322
    Abstract: A power transmission mechanism is for transmitting power from a handle of a spinning reel to an oscillating mechanism, and includes a pinion gear, a dual-stepped gear, and a driven gear. The pinion gear rotates in cooperation with rotation of the handle. The dual-stepped gear has a larger-diameter gear that is a helical-tooth gear and meshes with the pinion gear, and a smaller-diameter gear that is arranged coaxially with the larger-diameter gear and is formed unitarily with the larger-diameter gear. The smaller-diameter gear is a straight-tooth gear or a helical gear whose orientation is substantially the same as an orientation of the larger gear. The driven gear meshes with the smaller-diameter gear to rotate the oscillating mechanism. In a power transmission device in a fishing reel, manufacturing cost is reduced while suppressing noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventors: Keigo Kitajima, Koji Takikura, Taisei Morise
  • Patent number: 6595449
    Abstract: A bail arm includes a bail, a fixed shaft formed by a machining process, a line roller supported by fixed shaft, and a fixed shaft cover formed in one piece with fixed shaft by a die forming process. Fixed shaft cover includes a guiding portion and a recessed portion. Recessed portion is formed on a side of fixed shaft cover opposite guiding portion with respect to bail. Guiding portion includes a cylindrical portion. Fixed shaft cover is formed such that the angle &agr; defined by center axis A of cylindrical portion and axis B of fixed shaft is at least 8° and at most 30°, and axial length L of cylindrical portion is at least 1 mm and at most 3 mm. The present invention provides a fishing line guiding mechanism with which fishing line can be guided smoothly to line roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ikuta, Koji Takikura
  • Publication number: 20030116666
    Abstract: Spinning-reel bail-tripping mechanism is a device for returning bail arm from line-releasing posture to line-retrieving posture as rotor rotates in line-retrieving direction. Bail-tripping mechanism includes shifting member that shifts front-to-rear as bail arm pivots; toggle-spring mechanism that urges and toggles bail arm to between the two postures; switching portion, and restraining mechanism. Switching portion comes into contact with the rear end of shifting member and shifts shifting member toward a first position. Restraining means restrains bail arm from returning into line-retrieving posture when bail arm is in line-releasing posture. Restraining means also releases restraint before the rear end of shifting member reaches the peak edge of first inclined face of switching portion as rotor rotates in line-retrieving direction while bail arm is in line-releasing posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventors: Koji Takikura, Takeshi Ikuta, Koji Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20030066919
    Abstract: A bail arm includes a bail, a fixed shaft formed by a machining process, a line roller supported by fixed shaft, and a fixed shaft cover formed in one piece with fixed shaft by a die forming process. Fixed shaft cover includes a guiding portion and a recessed portion. Recessed portion is formed on a side of fixed shaft cover opposite guiding portion with respect to bail. Guiding portion includes a cylindrical portion. Fixed shaft cover is formed such that the angle &agr; defined by center axis A of cylindrical portion and axis B of fixed shaft is at least 8° and at most 30°, and axial length L of cylindrical portion is at least 1 mm and at most 3 mm. The present invention provides a fishing line guiding mechanism with which fishing line can be guided smoothly to line roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ikuta, Koji Takikura
  • Patent number: 6533203
    Abstract: A spinning reel spool made lightweight while maintaining the strength of the bobbin trunk. The spinning reel spool (4) includes a spool main section (7), a front flange section (8), and a front-flange fixing member (9). The spool main section (7) has a bobbin trunk (7a), a tubular skirt portion (7b) with a larger diameter that is formed unitarily with the rear end of the bobbin trunk (7a), and an inner barrel member (7c) made of a synthetic resin polymer, which is fitted to the inner circumference of the bobbin trunk (7a). The front flange section (8) has a larger diameter and is attached to the front end of the bobbin trunk (7a). The front-flange fixing member (9) fastens the front flange section (8) to the spool main section (7). The bobbin trunk (7a) and the skirt portion (7b) constitute dual larger-smaller stage tubular element that is formed unitarily by press-working a sheet of an aluminum alloy. The inner barrel member (7c) is made of a synthetic resin polymer and is fitted into the bobbin trunk (7a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hitomi, Koji Takikura, Yoshiyuki Furomoto
  • Publication number: 20020125358
    Abstract: Nut that screws together with pinion gear, and bearing that is arranged on the inner circumferential side of the nut, are provided on the front of a spinning-reel rotor. Pressing member is mounted on the front faces of the nut and bearing, such that it abuts on outer race of bearing. Pressing member is installed so as to be rotatable with respect to spool shaft, which is a rod element. Pressing member is water-repellency treated over all its surfaces, including the face that forms a clearance with spool shaft. The present invention prevents invasion of water droplets into rotatory-component clearances in a water-sealing component assembly composed of a relatively rotatable plurality of components, while sustaining rotational efficiency of the rotatory components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Koji Takikura
  • Patent number: 6431483
    Abstract: Spinning reel spool in which fishing line is unlikely to get jammed in between the bobbin trunk and the flange. The spinning reel spool 4 includes a spool main 7 and a front flange 8 as its chief components. The spool main 7 includes a bobbin trunk 7a around which fishing line is wound, and a larger diameter tubular skirt 7b, formed unitarily with the rear end of the bobbin trunk 7a. The front flange 8 has a larger diameter than, and is attached to the front end of, the bobbin trunk 7a. The bobbin trunk 7a includes a tubular section 7c and an inner barrel 7d made of synthetic resin, attached inner circumferentially to the tubular section 7c. Fitted between the front end of the inner barrel 7d and the front flange 8A is a reinforcement 70 made of metal. The reinforcement 70 is for example an annular, plate-form ring element made of metal, such as a washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Takikura, Yoshiyuki Furomoto
  • Patent number: 6394380
    Abstract: Spinning-reel oscillation mechanism employing a compact reel body to achieve dense winding of fishing line onto the spool. The spinning reel oscillation mechanism 6 pumps a spool shaft 15, to the forward end of which a spool 4 is mounted, back and forth in cooperation with rotation of a handle assembly 1. The spinning reel oscillation mechanism 6 includes a drive gear 20, a worm 21, a driven gear 23, and a slider 22. The drive gear 20 is fitted non-rotatably on a master gear shaft. The worm 21, superficially into which intersecting helical grooves 21a are formed, is disposed paralleling the spool shaft. The driven gear 23 is provided non-rotatably on the worm. Rotation of the drive gear 20 is transmitted to the driven gear 23. The slider 22 is fitted reciprocatingly in the body of the reel. The slider 22 has an engagement that engages with the helical grooves 21a, and the spool shaft is fitted back-and-forth immovably to the slider 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Takikura
  • Patent number: 6382540
    Abstract: A spinning reel rotor whose portions that are liable to contact other objects are kept from being damaged. The rotor 3 has a rotor body 15, a bail arm 16, and a rotor cover 17. The rotor body 15 has a cylindrical section 20 that is rotatively fitted to the reel body 2, and that has a ring-like large-diameter portion 20a diametrically larger than the rest, and a pair of rotor arms 21 including a pair of connecting sections 21a extending diametrically outward from opposing circumferential surface positions rear-endwise on the large-diameter portion 20a and a pair of arms 21b extending forward spaced apart from the cylindrical section 20. The bail arm is pivotally fitted tip-endwise to the pair of rotor arms 21, and is for guiding and fishing line onto the spool. The rotor cover 17 is a member fitted so as to cover the large-diameter portion and external exposed surfaces of the pair of connecting sections, and to allow detachment from and reattachment to the rotor body 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Takikura, Seiji Myojo, Masakazu Iwabuchi, Jun Sato, Yoshiyuki Furomoto
  • Publication number: 20020003182
    Abstract: Spinning-reel oscillation mechanism employing a compact reel body to achieve dense winding of fishing line onto the spool. The spinning reel oscillation mechanism 6 pumps a spool shaft 15, to the forward end of which a spool 4 is mounted, back and forth in cooperation with rotation of a handle assembly 1. The spinning reel oscillation mechanism 6 includes a drive gear 20, a worm 21, a driven gear 23, and a slider 22. The drive gear 20 is fitted non-rotatably on a master gear shaft. The worm 21, superficially into which intersecting helical grooves 21a are formed, is disposed paralleling the spool shaft. The driven gear 23 is provided non-rotatably on the worm. Rotation of the drive gear 20 is transmitted to the driven gear 23. The slider 22 is fitted reciprocatingly in the body of the reel. The slider 22 has an engagement that engages with the helical grooves 21a, and the spool shaft is fitted back-and-forth immovably to the slider 22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventor: Koji Takikura
  • Publication number: 20010054661
    Abstract: Spinning reel spool in which fishing line is unlikely to get jammed in between the bobbin trunk and the flange. The spinning reel spool 4 includes a spool main 7 and a front flange 8 as its chief components. The spool main 7 includes a bobbin trunk 7a around which fishing line is wound, and a larger diameter tubular skirt 7b, formed unitarily with the rear end of the bobbin trunk 7a. The front flange 8 has a larger diameter than, and is attached to the front end of, the bobbin trunk 7a. The bobbin trunk 7a includes a tubular section 7c and an inner barrel 7d made of synthetic resin, attached inner circumferentially to the tubular section 7c. Fitted between the front end of the inner barrel 7d and the front flange 8A is a reinforcement 70 made of metal. The reinforcement 70 is for example an annular, plate-form ring element made of metal, such as a washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Koji Takikura, Yoshiyuki Furomoto
  • Publication number: 20010002684
    Abstract: A spinning reel spool made lightweight while maintaining the strength of the bobbin trunk. The spinning reel spool (4) includes a spool main section (7), a front flange section (8), and a front-flange fixing member (9). The spool main section (7) has a bobbin trunk (7a), a tubular skirt portion (7b) with a larger diameter that is formed unitarily with the rear end of the bobbin trunk (7a), and an inner barrel member (7c) made of a synthetic resin polymer, which is fitted to the inner circumference of the bobbin trunk (7a). The front flange section (8) has a larger diameter and is attached to the front end of the bobbin trunk (7a). The front-flange fixing member (9) fastens the front flange section (8) to the spool main section (7). The bobbin trunk (7a) and the skirt portion (7b) constitute dual larger-smaller stage tubular element that is formed unitarily by press-working a sheet of an aluminum alloy. The inner barrel member (7c) is made of a synthetic resin polymer and is fitted into the bobbin trunk (7a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hitomi, Koji Takikura, Yoshiyuki Furomoto