Patents by Inventor Mike Kojima

Mike Kojima 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: 7296815
    Abstract: Bicycles are disclosed which include a rear wheel suspension system. The rear wheel suspension of the present bicycles are designed to move an instant center to track a chain torque line of the bicycle and generally improve performance of the bicycles. In certain embodiments, the rear wheel suspension system includes a shock absorber apparatus attached to the main frame of the bicycle. In additional embodiments, the shock absorber apparatus includes a bell crank or a rotary torsion spring. Embodiments are also described which include a gear box. Methods of improving bicycle performance by tracking a chain torque line with an instant center are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventors: Anthony S. Ellsworth, Mike Kojima
  • Publication number: 20060022429
    Abstract: Bicycles are disclosed which include a rear wheel suspension system. The rear wheel suspension of the present bicycles are designed to move an instant center to track a chain torque line of the bicycle and generally improve performance of the bicycles. In certain embodiments, the rear wheel suspension system includes a shock absorber apparatus attached to the main frame of the bicycle. In additional embodiments, the shock absorber apparatus includes a bell crank or a rotary torsion spring. Embodiments are also described which include a gear box. Methods of improving bicycle performance by tracking a chain torque line with an instant center are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Applicant: Anthony S. Ellsworth
    Inventors: Anthony Ellsworth, Mike Kojima
  • Patent number: 6926298
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a shock absorbing wheel suspension apparatus and related method. The preferred wheel suspension includes upper and lower rocker arms pivotably attached to a bicycle frame, rear shockstays pivotably attached to the upper and lower rocker arms, and a shock absorbing element. The preferred configuration of the wheel suspension results in improved performance through the desirable alignment of various force and torque lines over a wide range of loading conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventors: Anthony S. Ellsworth, Mike Kojima
  • Publication number: 20040145149
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a shock absorbing wheel suspension apparatus and related method. The preferred wheel suspension includes upper and lower rocker arms pivotably attached to a bicycle frame, rear shockstays pivotably attached to the upper and lower rocker arms, and a shock absorbing element. The preferred configuration of the wheel suspension results in improved performance through the desirable alignment of various force and torque lines over a wide range of loading conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: Anthony S. Ellsworth
    Inventors: Anthony S. Ellsworth, Mike Kojima
  • Publication number: 20030193162
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a shock absorbing wheel suspension apparatus and related method. The preferred wheel suspension includes upper and lower rocker arms pivotably attached to a bicycle frame, rear shockstays pivotably attached to the upper and lower rocker arms, and a shock absorbing element. The preferred configuration of the wheel suspension results in improved performance through the desirable alignment of various force and torque lines over a wide range of loading conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: Anthony S. Ellsworth
    Inventors: Anthony S. Ellsworth, Mike Kojima
  • Patent number: 6595538
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a shock absorbing wheel suspension apparatus and related method. The preferred wheel suspension includes upper and lower rocker arms pivotably attached to a bicycle frame, rear shockstays pivotably attached to the upper and lower rocker arms, and a shock absorbing element. The preferred configuration of the wheel suspension results in improved performance through the desirable alignment of various force and torque lines over a wide range of loading conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony S. Ellsworth, Mike Kojima
  • Publication number: 20030090082
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a shock absorbing wheel suspension apparatus and related method. The preferred wheel suspension includes upper and lower rocker arms pivotably attached to a bicycle frame, rear shockstays pivotably attached to the upper and lower rocker arms, and a shock absorbing element. The preferred configuration of the wheel suspension results in improved performance through the desirable alignment of various force and torque lines over a wide range of loading conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony S. Ellsworth, Mike Kojima
  • Patent number: 6471230
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a shock absorbing wheel suspension apparatus and related method. The preferred wheel suspension includes upper and lower rocker arms pivotably attached to a bicycle frame, rear shockstays pivotably attached to the upper and lower rocker arms, and a shock absorbing element. The preferred configuration of the wheel suspension results in improved performance through the desirable alignment of various force and torque lines over a wide range of loading conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony S. Ellsworth, Mike Kojima
  • Publication number: 20020109332
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a shock absorbing wheel suspension apparatus and related method. The preferred wheel suspension includes upper and lower rocker arms pivotably attached to a bicycle frame, rear shockstays pivotably attached to the upper and lower rocker arms, and a shock absorbing element. The preferred configuration of the wheel suspension results in improved performance through the desirable alignment of various force and torque lines over a wide range of loading conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony S. Ellsworth, Mike Kojima
  • Patent number: 6378885
    Abstract: A shock absorbing wheel suspension apparatus includes an upper rocker arm (6) and a lower roker arm (8) pivotally attached to a bicycle frame (3) with rear shock stays (9) pivotally attached to one end of the upper and lower rocker arms. A shock absorbing element (J) is connected to the opposite ends of the upper and lower rocker arms. This arrangement increases performance by aligning forces for various loading conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony S. Ellsworth, Mike Kojima