Patents by Inventor Kunio Takechi

Kunio Takechi 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: 20160174537
    Abstract: The present dual-bearing reel includes a first reel body; a second reel body, a first bearing member, a second bearing member, a spool, a spool shaft and a first urging member. The first bearing member is attached to the first reel body. The second bearing member is attached to the second reel body. The spool shall has a first protruding part. The first protruding part radially protrudes between the first bearing member and the second bearing member. The spool shaft is supported by the first and second bearing members. The urging member urges the first protruding part and the first bearing member in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Kunio TAKECHI, Hiroki OGOSE
  • Publication number: 20160106083
    Abstract: The waterproof structure includes a reel body, a spool, a first abutting member, and a second abutting member. The first abutting member includes a first body portion and at least one first annular protrusion. The first body portion abuts with the reel body. The first annular protrusion protrudes from the first body portion. The second abutting member includes a second body portion and at least one second annular protrusion. The second body portion abuts with the spool and is adjacently disposed at a predetermined first waterproof gap from the first annular protrusion. The second annular protrusion protrudes from the second body portion and is adjacently disposed at a predetermined second gap from the first body portion. The first annular protrusion and the second annular protrusion are adjacently disposed with a predetermined second waterproof gap therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Akira NIITSUMA, Takeshi IKUTA, Kunio TAKECHI, Yutaka INOUE
  • Patent number: 9210922
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel is attachable to a fishing rod and configured to forwardly reel out a fishing line in a forward direction. The dual-bearing reel includes a reel unit, a spool, a handle and an attaching member. The reel unit includes a first main body part and a second main body part. The first main body part includes a first lateral surface, a second lateral surface being opposite to the first lateral surface, and an attachment-side surface. The second main body part includes a third lateral surface facing the first lateral surface at a predetermined interval. The attaching member includes an attaching surface facing a first direction. The first main body part includes a recessed portion extending along a first boundary portion. The first boundary portion is between the attachment-side surface and the first lateral surface. The attachment-side surface faces the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shouji Nakagawa, Tomoya Deguchi, Kunio Takechi
  • Publication number: 20150342167
    Abstract: A clutch pawl includes a synthetic resin body member and a metallic reinforcing member. The synthetic resin body member is pivotally mounted to a clutch cam. The metallic reinforcing member integrally pivots with the body member and reinforces the body member. The toggle spring member divides and biases the clutch pawl to the engaged position and the separated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: Kunio TAKECHI
  • Publication number: 20150129701
    Abstract: The drag device is a device that regulates the relative rotation between a drive gear that interlocks with a spool and a drive shaft. The drag device includes a first drag member, a star drag, and a sound unit. The first drag member is configured to be integrally rotatable with the drive shaft, includes a pressing side configured to be pressed against the drive gear, and has a sound generating part on the pressing side. The star drag is configured to adjust a pressing force of the first drag member. The sound unit is configured to interlock with the drive gear, is disposed so as to face the sound generating part, and is configured to generate sound by interfering with the sound generating part by relative rotation between the drive gear and the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Kunio TAKECHI
  • Patent number: 8985493
    Abstract: A fishing-reel reel unit includes a main body member; a first outer member, and a first inner member. The first outer member is mounted on the main body member, and the first outer member includes a corrosion-resistant coating formed thereon. The first inner member is formed in a tubular shape, when the first inner member is fixed to an inner periphery of the first outer member. The first inner member has a first inner peripheral surface on which a first bearing is mounted, and the first inner member is made of a corrosion-resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Niitsuma, Hirokazu Hirayama, Shouji Nakagawa, Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 8925846
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fishing-reel reel unit including a main body member having an opening includes forming the main body member having the opening and a processing reference, accommodating a bearing mounting part in the opening where the bearing mounting part has a bearing opening and an inner peripheral surface, accommodating a bearing in the bearing opening where the bearing is fixedly mounted on the inner peripheral surface, and machining the inner peripheral surface of the bearing mounting part after the bearing is fixedly mounted on the inner peripheral surface, based on the processing reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Niitsuma, Shouji Nakagawa, Hirokazu Hirayama, Kunio Takechi
  • Publication number: 20140374524
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel spool braking device for applying a braking force to a spool rotatably mounted on a reel body, the dual-bearing reel spool braking device includes a brake drum, a rotating member, and a brake shoe. The brake drum is configured to be non-rotatably attached to the reel body. The rotating member is configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the spool. The brake shoe is detachably attached to the rotating member and configured to contact the brake drum. The rotating member comprises a main body section, a swinging shaft section indisposed on the main body section and swingably supporting the brake shoe, and a main body section configured to guide the brake shoe when mounting the brake shoe to the swinging shaft section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Kunio TAKECHI, Akira NIITSUMA
  • Patent number: 8899506
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel drag regulation mechanism includes a drag regulation lever including an attachment potion configured to pivot about a rotation axis of the spool between a free position and a maximum position, an operating portion extending from the attachment portion to a tip of the drag regulation lever, and an intermediate positioning mechanism including a positioning member. The positioning member is retractably attached to the lateral surface of the reel unit at an intermediate position between the free position and the maximum position. The positioning member is arranged to be in a protruding state or a retracting state. The intermediate positioning mechanism is configured to cause the positioning member to make contact at the intermediate position with a contact portion of the operating portion in pivoting the drag regulation lever, when the positioning member is in the protruding state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 8882013
    Abstract: A torque limiting device for a fishing reel is provided. The torque limiting device is configured to limit torque between a rotatable shaft member and a rotary member disposed on an outer peripheral side of the shaft member in the fishing reel. The torque limiting device includes a first pin member being disposed in the shaft member, where the first pin member is configured to protrude towards and retract from the rotary member and the first pin member has a first spherical tip, an urging member is disposed in the shaft member, where the urging member is configured to urge the first pin member towards the rotary member, and a first recess is disposed on the rotary member to allow the tip of the first pin member to be engaged therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 8840053
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel attachable to a fishing rod, comprising, a reel unit, a handle shaft rotatably supported by the reel unit, and a handle assembly being mounted onto the handle shaft. The handle assembly includes a handle arm and a handle knob rotatably attached to a tip of the first arm portion. The handle arm includes an attachment portion detachably attached onto the handle shaft in a unitarily rotatable state, a first arm portion extending radially outwards from the attachment portion, first and second protruding portions disposed around of the attachment portion, and a coupling portion. The first and second protruding portions are protruding radially outwards. The first and second protruding portions are circumferentially aligned at predetermined intervals. The coupling portion couple the protruding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kunio Takechi
  • Publication number: 20140263792
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel includes a reel unit, a spool, a spool shaft, a handle, and an attachment-detachment operating part, a lock member. The reel unit includes a frame having a first side plate and a second side plate. The attachment-detachment operating part has a protruding portion protruding towards the first side plate from a position away from an axis of the spool shaft. The first side cover is attachable to and detachable from the first side plate when the attachment-detachment operating part is at a first position. The first side cover is non-attachable to and non-detachable from the first side plate when the attachment-detachment operating part is at a second position. The lock member has an engaging groove. The engaging groove is allowed to be engaged with the protruding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kunio TAKECHI, Akira NIITSUMA
  • Patent number: 8820669
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel includes a reel unit, a handle, a spool shaft, a spool, and a casting control mechanism. The handle is rotatably supported by the reel unit. The spool shaft is rotatably supported at an end thereof by the shaft support part. The spool is mounted onto the spool shaft, where the spool is configured to be rotated in conjunction with rotation of the handle. The casting control mechanism includes a brake knob rotatably supported by the shaft support part, a first plate being disposed to be contactable with the brake knob and one of end surfaces of the spool shaft, and a second plate being disposed to be contactable with the other of end surfaces of the spool shaft. The brake knob is disposed entirely in the recess. The first plate is configured to be pressed in conjunction with rotation of the brake knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 8820670
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel for forwardly releasing a fishing line includes a reel unit, a handle, a spool shaft, a spool, and a rotary operation knob. The reel unit includes a frame, a first cover, a second cover, and a shaft support part. The first cover has a recess and a circular opening formed in the recess. The shaft support part is mounted to the first cover, and is relatively rotatable to the first cover. The shaft support part is pivotable between an attachment position and a detachment position. The shaft support part has a knob portion disposed astride the opening. The spool is mounted to the spool shaft to be rotated in conjunction with rotation of the handle. The rotary operation knob is disposed concentrically to the spool shaft in a position where the knob portion is disposed axially outside and astride the rotary operation knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kunio Takechi
  • Publication number: 20140183293
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel is attachable to a fishing rod and configured to forwardly reel out a fishing line in a forward direction. The dual-bearing reel includes a reel unit, a spool, a handle and an attaching member. The reel unit includes a first main body part and a second main body part. The first main body part includes a first lateral surface, a second lateral surface being opposite to the first lateral surface, and an attachment-side surface. The second main body part includes a third lateral surface facing the first lateral surface at a predetermined interval. The attaching member includes an attaching surface facing a first direction. The first main body part includes a recessed portion extending along a first boundary portion. The first boundary portion is between the attachment-side surface and the first lateral surface. The attachment-side surface faces the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shouji NAKAGAWA, Tomoya DEGUCHI, Kunio TAKECHI
  • Patent number: 8490909
    Abstract: The dual-bearing reel drag sound producing device includes a rotation member, a pivot shaft, a hitting member, a drive mechanism, and an urging member. The rotation member is disposed adjacent to the side cover to rotate unitarily with a main gear, and includes a plurality of sound producing convexes on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The hitting member is attached on the pivot shaft to move radially at a predetermined distance from the pivot shaft and configured to pivot between a silent position and a sound producing position. The drive mechanism is configured to cause the hitting member to pivot from the silent position to the sound producing position and further to a position being opposite to the silent position across the sound producing position, in conjunction with rotation of the main gear. The urging member is configured to urge the hitting member towards the sound producing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takuji Takamatsu, Akira Niitsuma, Kouji Ochiai, Kunio Takechi
  • Publication number: 20130112795
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fishing-reel reel unit including a main body member having an opening includes forming the main body member having the opening and a processing reference, accommodating a bearing mounting part in the opening where the bearing mounting part has a bearing opening and an inner peripheral surface, accommodating a bearing in the bearing opening where the bearing is fixedly mounted on the inner peripheral surface, and machining the inner peripheral surface of the bearing mounting part after the bearing is fixedly mounted on the inner peripheral surface, based on the processing reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Akira NIITSUMA, Shouji NAKAGAWA, Hirokazu HIRAYAMA, Kunio TAKECHI
  • Publication number: 20130075218
    Abstract: A torque limiting device for a fishing reel is provided. The torque limiting device is configured to limit torque between a rotatable shaft member and a rotary member disposed on an outer peripheral side of the shaft member in the fishing reel. The torque limiting device includes a first pin member being disposed in the shaft member, where the first pin member is configured to protrude towards and retract from the rotary member and the first pin member has a first spherical tip, an urging member is disposed in the shaft member, where the urging member is configured to urge the first pin member towards the rotary member, and a first recess is disposed on the rotary member to allow the tip of the first pin member to be engaged therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kunio TAKECHI
  • Publication number: 20130075512
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel includes a reel unit, a handle, a spool shaft, a spool, and a casting control mechanism. The handle is rotatably supported by the reel unit. The spool shaft is rotatably supported at an end thereof by the shaft support part. The spool is mounted onto the spool shaft, where the spool is configured to be rotated in conjunction with rotation of the handle. The casting control mechanism includes a brake knob rotatably supported by the shaft support part, a first plate being disposed to be contactable with the brake knob and one of end surfaces of the spool shaft, and a second plate being disposed to be contactable with the other of end surfaces of the spool shaft. The brake knob is disposed entirely in the recess. The first plate is configured to be pressed in conjunction with rotation of the brake knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kunio TAKECHI
  • Patent number: 8113456
    Abstract: In a speed-change operation mechanism, a main body of a lock member is disposed to produce a clearance between the main body and the surface of the handle arm, whereas a pivot operation part of the lock member is disposed to close a clearance between the main body and the surface of the handle arm and simultaneously to produce a clearance between the pivot operation part and the surface of the handle arm. A relatively large clearance is produced between the main body of the lock member and the surface of the handle arm, whereas a small clearance, just enough to allow a pivot operation of the lock member, is produced between the pivot operation part of the lock member and the surface of the handle arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kunio Takechi, Takeshi Ikuta