Patents by Inventor Nobukatsu Hara
Nobukatsu Hara 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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Publication number: 20150210351Abstract: A bicycle power source holder is provided that basically has a holder main body part and a frame attaching part. The holder main body part is configured to retain a power source. The frame attaching part is configured to movably mount the holder main body part to a bicycle frame so that the holder main body part is movably mounted in a lateral direction of a bicycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Kensuke TAGAYA, Takuro JINBU, Satoshi FUJII, Nobukatsu HARA
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Publication number: 20140357437Abstract: A bicycle chain tensioner includes a bicycle mounting bracket, and a chain tensioning element. The bicycle mounting bracket is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The chain tensioning element is movably coupled to the bicycle mounting bracket by a first coupling structure to move in a lateral direction and by a second coupling structure to move in a direction different from the lateral direction, during operation of the bicycle chain tensioner.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Nobukatsu HARA
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Publication number: 20140357436Abstract: A bicycle chain tensioner includes a bicycle mounting bracket, and a chain tensioning element. The bicycle mounting bracket is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The chain tensioning element is movably coupled to the bicycle mounting bracket by a first coupling structure to move in a lateral direction and by a second coupling structure to move in a direction different from the lateral direction, during operation of the bicycle chain tensioner.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventor: Nobukatsu HARA
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Patent number: 8882122Abstract: A bicycle gear changing apparatus is basically provided with an upshifting input, a downshifting input and a controller. The controller is operatively coupled to the upshifting input and the downshifting input to receive upshift signals and downshift signals. The controller outputs control signals to control a first gear changing device and a second gear changing device in accordance with a synchro-downshift route and a synchro-upshift route that is different from the synchro-downshift route, in response to receiving the upshift signals and the downshift signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Nobukatsu Hara, Hideki Ikemoto, Mao Kuroda
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Patent number: 8882130Abstract: A bicycle drive assembly includes a rear hub and a cover. The rear hub includes a rear hub axle, a hub shell, a first rear sprocket and a disc brake rotor. The hub shell is rotatably mounted on the rear hub axle. The first rear sprocket is rotatably mounted on a first side of the rear hub axle. The disc brake rotor is rotatably mounted on the first side of the rear hub axle. The cover is disposed around the rear hub axle and axially between the first rear sprocket and the disc brake rotor.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Michihiro Kodama
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Patent number: 8878658Abstract: A bicycle shift notification apparatus is provided with a transmission state determining component, a bicycle shift notification device and a controller. The transmission state determining component determines a current operating state of a bicycle transmission having a plurality of speed stages. The bicycle shift notification device produces a notification based on a determination of the current operating state by the transmission state determining component. The controller is operatively coupled to the bicycle shift notification device. The controller activates the bicycle shift notification device to produce the notification in accordance with a preselected notification pattern based on determining that a predetermined condition exists. The controller does not activate the bicycle shift notification device to produce the notification while determining that the predetermined condition does not exist.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
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Publication number: 20140290412Abstract: A bicycle gear changing apparatus is basically provided with an upshifting input, a downshifting input and a controller. The controller is operatively coupled to the upshifting input and the downshifting input to receive upshift signals and downshift signals. The controller outputs control signals to control a first gear changing device and a second gear changing device in accordance with a synchro-downshift route and a synchro-upshift route that is different from the synchro-downshift route, in response to receiving the upshift signals and the downshift signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Atsuhiro EMURA, Nobukatsu HARA, Hideki IKEMOTO, Mao KURODA
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Patent number: 8825322Abstract: A bicycle component controlling includes at least a first sensor and a controller. The first sensor detects a first operating condition, whether a rider is sitting on a bicycle seat. A second sensor is provided that detects a second operating condition. The sensors output signals indicative of the respective operating conditions. The controller is operatively connected to at least the first sensor and possibly the second sensor. The controller is configured to generate a component control command to control a bicycle component based on at least the first signal and the possibly the second signal. The bicycle component is a component other than an automatic transmission and a suspension when the second sensor is not provided. If the second sensor is provided, a suspension and automatic transmission is controlled, or components other than an automatic transmission and a suspension is controlled.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Hideki Ikemoto, Tadashi Ichida, Nobukatsu Hara, Toyoto Shirai
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Patent number: 8781690Abstract: A bicycle seat position indicator has a controller and an indicating device. The controller provides an output signal indicative of a current height position of an adjustable bicycle seatpost. The indicating device is operatively coupled to the controller to receive the output signal and provide information representing the current height position of the adjustable bicycle seatpost based on the output signal from the controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Satoshi Kitamura
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Publication number: 20140139977Abstract: An electric control device for a bicycle that includes a base member mountable to a bicycle handlebar, a first electric user interface member operatively coupled to the base member, and a second electric user interface member operatively coupled to the base member. The first electric user interface member and the second electric user interface member are adjustable relative to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Kentaro KOSAKA, Nobukatsu HARA, Michihiro KODAMA
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Publication number: 20140102822Abstract: A bicycle drive assembly includes a rear hub and a cover. The rear hub includes a rear hub axle, a hub shell, a first rear sprocket and a disc brake rotor. The hub shell is rotatably mounted on the rear hub axle. The first rear sprocket is rotatably mounted on a first side of the rear hub axle. The disc brake rotor is rotatably mounted on the first side of the rear hub axle. The cover is disposed around the rear hub axle and axially between the first rear sprocket and the disc brake rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Nobukatsu HARA, Michihiro KODAMA
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Publication number: 20140070930Abstract: A bicycle shift notification apparatus is provided with a transmission state determining component, a bicycle shift notification device and a controller. The transmission state determining component determines a current operating state of a bicycle transmission having a plurality of speed stages. The bicycle shift notification device produces a notification based on a determination of the current operating state by the transmission state determining component. The controller is operatively coupled to the bicycle shift notification device. The controller activates the bicycle shift notification device to produce the notification in accordance with a preselected notification pattern based on determining that a predetermined condition exists. The controller does not activate the bicycle shift notification device to produce the notification while determining that the predetermined condition does not exist.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Nobukatsu HARA
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Patent number: 8489277Abstract: An electronic suspension control apparatus is provided with a signal receiving section, a suspension lockout determination section and a signal output section. The signal receiving section selectively receives input signals. The suspension lockout determination section determines a suspension lockout state. The signal output section outputs a temporary lockout release signal in response to the signal receiving section receiving a suspension height adjustment signal as one of the input signals while the suspension lockout determination section determines that a suspension lockout state exists.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Satoshi Kitamura
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Publication number: 20130138302Abstract: A bicycle seat position indicator has a controller and an indicating device. The controller provides an output signal indicative of a current height position of an adjustable bicycle seatpost. The indicating device is operatively coupled to the controller to receive the output signal and provide information representing the current height position of the adjustable bicycle seatpost based on the output signal from the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Nobukatsu HARA, Satoshi KITAMURA
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Patent number: 8246065Abstract: A height adjustable seatpost assembly is provided with first and second tubes that are telescopically arranged to change an overall length of the height adjustable seatpost assembly using first and second ratchet arrangements. The first ratchet arrangement includes a set of first ratchet teeth having a first pitch and a first stop pawl member being movably coupled with respect to the first ratchet teeth between a first lock position and a first free position. The second ratchet arrangement includes a set of second ratchet teeth having a second pitch that is smaller than the first pitch and a second stop pawl member being movably coupled with respect to the second ratchet teeth between a second lock position and a second free position. The stop pawl members engage the ratchet teeth in the lock positions to prevent expansion of the first and second tubes.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Michihiro Kodama, Nobukatsu Hara
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Patent number: 8161841Abstract: A cable operating mechanism basically has a fixed member, a wire take-up member, an operating lever and a movement transmission arrangement. The wire takeup member is rotatably mounted with respect to the fixed member in first and second rotational directions with the second rotational direction being opposite the first rotational direction. The operating lever is pivotally mounted in the first rotational direction with respect to the fixed member. The movement transmission arrangement is operatively coupling the operating lever to the wire takeup member to transmit pivotal movement of the operating lever to rotational movement the wire takeup member such that the wire takeup member has a greater amount of angular displacement than an angular displacement of the operating lever in response to pivotal movement of the operating lever in the first rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Katsuyuki Ikebata, Takeshi Takachi
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Patent number: 8091910Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a bicycle suspension element includes a suspension parameter controller that provides a suspension parameter controlling signal to control an operating parameter of the bicycle suspension element in response to a bicycle seat position.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Toshikuni Suzuki
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Patent number: 8065932Abstract: A bicycle component actuating device is provided with a base member, a first user operating member and a locking member. The base member includes a tube mounting structure having a tube receiving bore with a center mounting axis. The first user operating member is rotatably mounted relative to the base member for rotation between a first operating position and a second operating position about a rotational axis that is parallel to and offset from the center mounting axis of the tube mounting structure. The locking member is movably mounted relative to the base member for selective movement between a locking position to lock the first user operating member in the second operating position and a releasing position to release the first operating member from the second operating position.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Tatsuya Kawakami
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Publication number: 20110257841Abstract: An electronic suspension control apparatus is provided with a signal receiving section, a suspension lockout determination section and a signal output section. The signal receiving section selectively receives input signals. The suspension lockout determination section determines a suspension lockout state. The signal output section outputs a temporary lockout release signal in response to the signal receiving section receiving a suspension height adjustment signal as one of the input signals while the suspension lockout determination section determines that a suspension lockout state exists.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Satoshi Kitamura
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Publication number: 20110204201Abstract: A height adjustable seatpost assembly is provided with first and second tubes, a ratchet mechanism and a drive source. The first and second tubes are telescopically arranged. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet tooth structure and a pawl structure. The pawl structure is engaged with the ratchet tooth structure in a lock position. The pawl structure is movably coupled with respect to the ratchet tooth structure in a movable position such that the first and second tubes are movably arranged relative to each other in at least one axial direction of the first and second tubes. The drive source moves the pawl structure between the lock position and the movable position in response to operation of the drive source. The drive source further axially moves the first and second tubes relative to each other in response to operation of the drive source.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Michihiro KODAMA, Nobukatsu HARA, Toshikuni SUZUKI