Patents by Inventor Shinpei Okajima
Shinpei Okajima 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: 20060277645Abstract: A pair of cycling pants is provided with a pants unit, a pair of shoulder straps and a pair of buckles to form a bib or shoulder strap type cycling pants. The pants unit has a front waist section, a rear waist section configured to form a waist opening together with the front waist section, and a crotch section positioned between a pair of leg-openings. The shoulder straps have fixed ends connected to the rear waist section of the pants unit and free ends positioned on the opposite side as the fixed ends. The shoulder straps extend from the rear waist section to the front waist section by way of the rider's shoulders when the cycling pants are worn. The two buckles are each configured such that one of the shoulder straps can pass there-through and arranged on the front waist section for adjusting the lengths of the shoulder straps.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2006Publication date: December 14, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
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Publication number: 20060267399Abstract: A bicycle hub includes an axle, a hub shell and a plurality of fixing elements. The hub shell is rotatably disposed about the axle. The hub shell has a plurality of fixing portions disposed at an end thereof. Each of the fixing portions has a pair of spoke guide openings. The spoke guide openings are preferably unthreaded closed bores. The fixing elements are removably coupled to the fixing portions of the hub shell. Each of the fixing elements includes a pair of spoke attachment structures to receive inner ends of a pair of spokes. Preferably, the spoke attachment structures include threaded spoke attachment openings. Preferably, the fixing portions and the fixing elements are configured and arranged such that each of the fixing elements contacts an exterior surface of the hub shell when assembled together.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2005Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Shinpei Okajima, Kazuki Koshiyama
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Publication number: 20060230490Abstract: A cycling jersey is described that includes a front panel, a back panel, symmetrical sleeve panels and a pair of non-stretching portions. The back panel is coupled to portions of the front panel. The symmetrical sleeve panels are coupled to respective portions of the front and back panels. Each sleeve panel defines a portion of a shoulder covering area of the cycling jersey. The non-stretching portions are fixed to respective sleeve panels. The non-stretching portions extend from the front panel toward the back panel and at least partially over the shoulder covering area of the cycling jersey. The front panel, the back panel and the sleeve panels are formed of respective materials having a first level of elasticity. The non-stretching portions have a second level of elasticity. The first level of elasticity is elastic and the second level of elasticity is generally non-elastic.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2005Publication date: October 19, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
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Publication number: 20060214499Abstract: A bicycle rim is provided that includes a tire attachment portion, a spoke attachment portion and a plurality of reinforcement members. The spoke attachment portion is fixedly coupled with the tire attachment portion. The spoke attachment portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced attachment openings. The reinforcement members are fixedly coupled to the spoke attachment portion at the attachment openings to effectively increase the thickness of the spoke attachment portion of the rim at the attachment openings. Each of the reinforcement members is bonded to the spoke attachment portion. The through openings are aligned with the attachment openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2006Publication date: September 28, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
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Patent number: 7090307Abstract: A bicycle rim is provided that includes a tire attachment portion, a spoke attachment portion and a plurality of reinforcement members. The spoke attachment portion is fixedly coupled with the tire attachment portion. The spoke attachment portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced attachment openings. The reinforcement members are fixedly coupled to the spoke attachment portion at the attachment openings to effectively increase the thickness of the spoke attachment portion of the rim at the attachment openings. Each of the reinforcement members is bonded to the spoke attachment portion. The through openings are aligned with the attachment openings.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
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Patent number: 7083239Abstract: A reinforced annular bicycle rim is provided that includes a tire attachment portion and a spoke attachment portion fixedly coupled with the tire attachment portion to form an annular hollow area. A plurality of separate reinforcement members are fixedly coupled to an exterior surface of the spoke attachment portion to effectively increase the thickness of the rim at circumferentially spaced locations. Each of the reinforcement members is located exteriorly of the hollow area. Openings extend through the reinforcement members and the spoke attachment portion to couple spokes to the rim. A method of making such a rim is also provided. Preferably, the reinforcement members are welded or brazed to the spoke attachment portion, and then the openings are formed in the spoke attachment portion and the reinforcement members.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
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Publication number: 20060162482Abstract: A bicycle stem is described that includes steering column clamping end portion, a hollow tubular portion and handlebar clamping end portion. The steering column clamping end portion is configured to be coupled to a bicycle steering column. The hollow tubular portion extends from the steering column clamping end portion to the handlebar clamping end portion. The handlebar clamping end portion is configured to be coupled to a bicycle handlebar. The handlebar clamping end portion includes two horizontally aligned first handlebar abutment surfaces that are laterally spaced apart relative to a center axis of the hollow tubular portion. The handlebar clamping end portion also includes a first arc shaped wall section extending between the first handlebar abutment surfaces with the first arc shaped wall section having a first convex exterior surface and a first concaved interior surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2005Publication date: July 27, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Shinpei Okajima, Takeshi Yoshimatsu
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Publication number: 20060152045Abstract: A bicycle seat post structure is provided that preferably includes a bicycle seat post member and a bicycle seat attachment assembly. The seat post member includes a substantially linear portion and a bent end portion. The seat attachment assembly is mounted on the bent end portion. Preferably, the bent end portion is arc-shaped and has a substantially uniform, circular transverse external shape. Preferably, the seat attachment assembly includes a lower attachment member, an upper attachment member and a seat attachment structure coupling the upper attachment member to the lower attachment member at a pair of locations. Specifically, a pair of seat clamping elements are preferably coupled to the lower attachment member with a pair of fasteners to clamp a seat portion between the clamping elements and the upper attachment member such that the attachment members are indirectly coupled together when clamped onto the seat post.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2005Publication date: July 13, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Shinpei Okajima, Takeshi Yoshimatsu
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Patent number: 7073814Abstract: A snowboard binding is provided for releasably connecting a boot to a snowboard. One embodiment of the invention includes inner and outer main bodies to receive a two-piece cleat. A second embodiment includes inner and outer hooks for hooking, and a latch for securing, a one-piece cleat. A third embodiment includes a front main body and a spring-loaded latch in a rear main body for engaging a one-piece cleat. A fourth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with inwardly beveled, semi-circular inner and outer main bodies. A fifth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with a front main body and a latch, fixedly mounted upon an axle, within a rear main body. The latch is biased toward the engaged position by a spring. In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a one-piece cleat is engaged with a front main body and two rear spring biased latches. In a seventh embodiment, among other things, the cleat is formed in two pieces.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Shinpei Okajima, Yutaka Ueda
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Publication number: 20060085889Abstract: A bicycle jersey is described that includes a pair of front panels, a back panel and a pair of left and right sleeve panels. Each of the sleeve panel includes a sleeve edge and a neck edge. In each of the sleeve panels, a first line is defined that extends perpendicular to the sleeve edge and is a virtual perpendicular bisector of the sleeve edge. In each of the sleeve panels, a second line is defined that extends from neck edge and a neckline of the bicycle jersey along a peak line corresponding to the top of a shoulder of a cyclist wearing the bicycle jersey. A first angle is defined by an intersection between the first line and the second line that is between 30 and 90 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2005Publication date: April 27, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
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Publication number: 20060038376Abstract: A bicycle headset arrangement for attaching a fork column of a front fork to a head tube with top and bottom ball bearing units. The bicycle headset arrangement basically includes an adjustment member and a first fastening member. The adjustment member comprises a tubular part, a male screw part formed in a first axial end thereof, a contact part formed on a second axial end thereof and configured and arranged to contact with the top ball bearing, and a plurality of slots extending in the radial direction in the first axial end of the tubular part. The first fastening member has a female screw part that mates with the male screw part of the adjustment member, and is configured and arranged to securely fasten the adjustment member to the fork column through applying pressure to the tubular part from the outer peripheral side.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2005Publication date: February 23, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Shinpei Okajima, Masashi Goto
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Publication number: 20050253446Abstract: A bicycle rim is provided that can be manufactured easily while being made lightweight, yet strong, expecially in the areas around the spoke holes. This bicycle rim includes an annular tire mounting part to which the tire is mounted and an annular spoke mounting part that includes multiple mounting openings that are formed in and along the inner circumference of the tire mounting part and are disposed at equal intervals. The tire mounting part and spoke mounting part are made of aluminum alloy to which scandium is added. Optionally, zirconium is also added to the aluminum in addition to the scandium.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2005Publication date: November 17, 2005Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
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Patent number: 6889997Abstract: A snowboard binding comprises a base, a front binding arrangement and a rear binding arrangement. One of the front and rear binding arrangements is a binding member and the other is a binding mechanism, which includes a catch, a latch and a stationary guide. The catch moves between release and latched positions. The latch selectively holds the catch in at least one latched position. The stationary guide is fixed to the base to form a cleat insertion opening between the catch and the stationary guide. Preferably, the binding member is a front binding member and the binding mechanism is a rear binding mechanism. The catch preferably pivots about a pivot axis that is spaced rearwardly on the base from a pivot axis of the latch. In an alternate embodiment, the front and rear binding arrangements are reversed on the base.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
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Publication number: 20050082791Abstract: A snowboard binding is provided for releasably connecting a boot to a snowboard. One embodiment of the invention includes inner and outer main bodies to receive a two-piece cleat. A second embodiment includes inner and outer hooks for hooking, and a latch for securing, a one-piece cleat. A third embodiment includes a front main body and a spring-loaded latch in a rear main body for engaging a one-piece cleat. A fourth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with inwardly beveled, semi-circular inner and outer main bodies. A fifth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with a front main body and a latch, fixedly mounted upon an axle, within a rear main body. The latch is biased toward the engaged position by a spring. In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a one-piece cleat is engaged with a front main body and two rear spring biased latches. In a seventh embodiment, among other things, the cleat is formed in two pieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2004Publication date: April 21, 2005Inventors: Shinpei Okajima, Yutaka Ueda
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Patent number: 6871869Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base member, a front binding member, a rear binding member, a front abutment section and a rear abutment section. The front binding member is coupled to the front portion of the base member. The rear binding member is coupled to the rear portion of the base member. The front and rear binding members are arranged and configured to selectively engage a front and rear cleats of a snowboard boot. The front abutment section extends upwardly from the front portion of the base member to laterally support the front binding member. The rear abutment section extends upwardly from the rear portion of the base member to laterally support the rear binding member.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
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Publication number: 20050051997Abstract: A snowboard binding is provided for releasably connecting a boot to a snowboard. One embodiment of the invention includes inner and outer main bodies to receive a two-piece cleat. A second embodiment includes inner and outer hooks for hooking, and a latch for securing, a one-piece cleat. A third embodiment includes a front main body and a spring-loaded latch in a rear main body for engaging a one-piece cleat. A fourth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with inwardly beveled, semi-circular inner and outer main bodies. A fifth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with a front main body and a latch, fixedly mounted upon an axle, within a rear main body. The latch is biased toward the engaged position by a spring. In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a one-piece cleat is engaged with a front main body and two rear spring biased latches. In a seventh embodiment, among other things, the cleat is formed in two pieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2004Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Shinpei Okajima, Yutaka Ueda
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Patent number: 6857206Abstract: A snowboard boot includes a sole, an upper and a coupling member coupled to the sole. The sole has a longitudinal axis and a support projection extending downwardly from the sole. The upper includes a foot section fixedly coupled to the sole and an upwardly extending leg section. The support projection is arranged and configured to secure the coupling member against forward and rearward longitudinal movement. Preferably, the sole includes an outer sole and a mid sole constructed of a more rigid material than the outer sole. Preferably, a front coupling member is fixedly coupled to a toe section of the mid sole and a rear coupling member is fixedly coupled to a heel section of the mid sole. Preferably, the heel section has the support projection to secure the rear coupling member against forward and rearward longitudinal movement.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
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Publication number: 20050023883Abstract: A bicycle wheel includes a reinforced annular rim that is coupled to a hub via a plurality of spokes. Specifically, the rim includes an outer portion and an inner portion fixedly coupled with the outer portion to form an annular hollow area between the inner and outer portions. Preferably, outer tubular spoke attachment portions are fixedly coupled to the outer portion at outer openings, while inner tubular spoke attachment portions are fixedly coupled to the inner portion at inner openings aligned with the outer openings to define spoke receiving spaces. Preferably, at least the first or second tubular spoke attachment portions are heat fused to the outer or inner portions, respectively. Each spoke receiving space is preferably at least partially threaded with the outer end portions directly threadedly coupled within one of the spoke receiving spaces. The central hub has the inner end portions of the spokes coupled thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2003Publication date: February 3, 2005Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
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Patent number: 6824159Abstract: A snowboard binding is provided for releasably connecting a boot to a snowboard. One embodiment of the invention includes inner and outer main bodies to receive a two-piece cleat. A second embodiment includes inner and outer hooks for hooking, and a latch for securing, a one-piece cleat. A third embodiment includes a front main body and a spring-loaded latch in a rear main body for engaging a one-piece cleat. A fourth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with inwardly beveled, semi-circular inner and outer main bodies. A fifth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with a front main body and a latch, fixedly mounted upon an axle, within a rear main body. The latch is biased toward the engaged position by a spring. In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a one-piece cleat is engaged with a front main body and two rear spring biased latches. In a seventh embodiment, among other things, the cleat is formed in two pieces.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Shinpei Okajima, Yutaka Ueda
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Publication number: 20040222689Abstract: A reinforced annular bicycle rim is provided that includes a tire attachment portion and a spoke attachment portion fixedly coupled with the tire attachment portion to form an annular hollow area. A plurality of separate reinforcement members are fixedly coupled to an exterior surface of the spoke attachment portion to effectively increase the thickness of the rim at circumferentially spaced locations. Each of the reinforcement members is located exteriorly of the hollow area. Openings extend through the reinforcement members and the spoke attachment portion to couple spokes to the rim. A method of making such a rim is also provided. Preferably, the reinforcement members are welded or brazed to the spoke attachment portion, and then the openings are formed in the spoke attachment portion and the reinforcement members.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2003Publication date: November 11, 2004Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima