Patents by Inventor Sota Yamaguchi

Sota Yamaguchi 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: 10059400
    Abstract: A multiple bicycle sprocket assembly is basically provided that is capable of creating a gear ratio in a wide range. The multiple bicycle sprocket assembly includes a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first sprocket includes a first tooth number that is less than or equal to ten. The second sprocket includes a second tooth number that is more than or equal to forty-four.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Tokuyama, Kenji Ose, Toshinari Oishi, Kenji Kamada, Sota Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20180237103
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly is basically provided that includes a sprocket support member. The sprocket support member includes a hub engagement portion, a first sprocket supporting member, and a second sprocket supporting member. The first sprocket supporting member extends from the hub engagement portion in a first axial direction parallel to a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket assembly. The second sprocket supporting member extends from the hub engagement portion in a second axial direction parallel to the rotational center axis. The second axial direction is opposite to the first axial direction. At least one of the first sprocket supporting member and the second sprocket supporting member includes a plurality of sprocket supporting arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroshi FUJITA, Sota YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180202531
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body and sprocket teeth. The sprocket teeth include at least one first tooth and at least one second tooth. The at least one first tooth has a driving surface, a non-driving surface, a first maximum chain-engaging width, a first tooth center plane, and a first chain-facing surface. The first tooth center plane is defined to bisect the first maximum chain-engaging width in the axial direction. The first chain-facing surface is provided between the driving surface and the non-driving surface in a circumferential direction and is inclined with respect to the first tooth center plane in the circumferential direction. The at least one second tooth has a second maximum chain-engaging width defined in in the axial direction. The first maximum chain-engaging width is larger than the second maximum chain-engaging width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Toshinari OOISHI, Sota YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180195598
    Abstract: A bicycle rotor comprises a base portion and at least one chain engagement portion. The base portion is configured to rotate around a rotational center axis of the bicycle rotor. The base portion is at least partly made of a first resin material. The first resin material has a first Young's modulus. The at least one chain engagement portion is provided on the base portion. The at least one chain engagement portion is at least partly made of a second resin material. The second resin material has a second Young's modulus. The first Young's modulus is higher than the second Young's modulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Kenta Nakamura, Sota Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20180178880
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body and chain-driving teeth. The chain-driving teeth comprises at least one first tooth and at least one second tooth. The at least one first tooth has a first circumferential tooth-length defined in a circumferential direction at a radial location defined in vicinity of a reference line. The at least one second tooth has a second circumferential tooth-length defined in the circumferential direction at the radial location. The first circumferential tooth-length is larger than the second circumferential tooth-length. A dimensional difference between the first circumferential tooth-length and the second circumferential tooth-length is equal to or smaller than 1 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kenichi AKANISHI, Atsuhiro EMURA, Sota YAMAGUCHI, Toshinari OISHI
  • Patent number: 9926038
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body, a plurality of sprocket teeth, and at least one chain-curvature limiting protuberance. The sprocket body is configured to be rotatable about a rotational center axis. The plurality of sprocket teeth extend radially outward from an outer periphery of the sprocket body. The at least one chain-curvature limiting protuberance is configured to limit axial curvature of a bicycle chain engaging with an independent neighboring bicycle sprocket which is adjacent to the bicycle sprocket without another sprocket between the bicycle sprocket and the independent neighboring bicycle sprocket. The axial curvature is curvature of the bicycle chain relative to the bicycle sprocket when viewed from a radial direction perpendicular to the rotational center axis. The at least one chain-curvature limiting protuberance is disposed on at least one of an outward facing side and an inward facing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Fukunaga, Tsuyoshi Fukumori, Koji Tokuyama, Sota Yamaguchi, Toshinari Oishi
  • Patent number: 9873287
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly comprises a hub axle, a hub shell, a sprocket support body, and a clutch. The sprocket support body is rotatably mounted on the hub axle to rotate about a rotational axis. The sprocket support body is rotatable relative to the hub axle and the hub shell about the rotational axis. The clutch has a first coupling state where a pedaling rotational force is transmitted from the sprocket support body to the hub shell in a first rotational direction during pedaling, a first release state where the hub shell is rotatable relative to the sprocket support body in the first rotational direction during coasting, and a second coupling state where a coasting rotational force is transmitted from the hub shell to the sprocket support body in the first rotational direction during coasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Toshinari Oishi, Yusuke Nishimoto, Sota Yamaguchi, Kohei Obuchi
  • Publication number: 20180017152
    Abstract: A bicycle drive unit comprises a housing configured to be mounted to a first base member. The housing includes a first wall at least partly defining an internal space to at least partly accommodate a bicycle crank having a crank rotational axis. The first wall includes a first transmitting surface disposed to at least partly face upward in a bicycle upright state where the crank rotational axis horizontally extends and the housing is mounted on the first base member. The first transmitting surface is configured to face a first receiving surface of the first base member to transmit an upward force from the housing to the first base member. The first transmitting surface being at least partly disposed below the crank rotational axis in the bicycle upright state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro EMURA, Toshinari OISHI, Yusuke NISHIMOTO, Sota YAMAGUCHI, Kohei OBUCHI, Kento MITSUYASU
  • Publication number: 20180001961
    Abstract: A bicycle tensioner apparatus comprises a first base member, a second base member, and a tensioner. The second base member is movably coupled to the first base member. The tensioner is configured to contact a driving-force transmitting member to apply tension to the driving-force transmitting member. The tensioner is coupled to both the first base member and the second base member. The tensioner is movable relative to at least one of the first base member and the second base member in response to a relative movement between the first base member and the second base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro EMURA, Toshinari OISHI, Yusuke NISHIMOTO, Sota YAMAGUCHI, Kohei OBUCHI, Kento MITSUYASU
  • Publication number: 20170313385
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission apparatus comprises a base member, a first transmission member, a second transmission member, a first coupling member, a first guide structure, a switching device, and a transmission controller. The switching device is configured to switch a position of the first transmission member relative to the base member in an axial direction between a first axial position and a second axial position. The transmission controller is configured to control the switching device and the first guide structure so as not to change a first engagement state of the first coupling member from one cogwheel to another adjacent cogwheel among first cogwheels when the first transmission member moves relative to the base member in association with a movement of the first guide structure relative to the base member to change a second engagement state of the first coupling member from one cogwheel to another adjacent cogwheel among second cogwheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro EMURA, Toshinari OISHI, Yusuke NISHIMOTO, Sota YAMAGUCHI, Kohei OBUCHI, Kento MITSUYASU
  • Patent number: 9789928
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission apparatus comprises a base member, a first transmission member, a second transmission member, and a first coupling member. The first transmission member is rotatable relative to the base member about a first rotational axis and is movable relative to the base member in an axial direction parallel to the first rotational axis. The second transmission member is rotatable relative to the base member about a second rotational axis and is stationary relative to the base member in the axial direction. The first coupling member is configured to couple the first transmission member to the second transmission member to transmit rotation of the first transmission member to the second transmission member at a variable speed stage which is variable in accordance with at least one positional relationship among the first transmission member, the second transmission member, and the first coupling member in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Toshinari Oishi, Yusuke Nishimoto, Sota Yamaguchi, Kohei Obuchi
  • Publication number: 20170246904
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly comprises a hub axle, a hub shell, a sprocket support body, and a clutch. The sprocket support body is rotatably mounted on the hub axle to rotate about a rotational axis. The sprocket support body is rotatable relative to the hub axle and the hub shell about the rotational axis. The clutch has a first coupling state where a pedaling rotational force is transmitted from the sprocket support body to the hub shell in a first rotational direction during pedaling, a first release state where the hub shell is rotatable relative to the sprocket support body in the first rotational direction during coasting, and a second coupling state where a coasting rotational force is transmitted from the hub shell to the sprocket support body in the first rotational direction during coasting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro EMURA, Toshinari OISHI, Yusuke NISHIMOTO, Sota YAMAGUCHI, Kohei OBUCHI
  • Patent number: 9623931
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission apparatus comprises a base member, an input shaft, a first transmission member, a second transmission member, and a first coupling member. The base member is configured to be attached to a bicycle frame as a separate member from the bicycle frame. The first transmission member is rotatable relative to the base member about a first rotational axis different from the input rotational axis. The second transmission member is rotatable relative to the base member about a second rotational axis different from each of the input rotational axis and the first rotational axis. The first coupling member is configured to couple the first transmission member to the second transmission member to transmit rotation of the first transmission member to the second transmission member at a variable speed stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Sota Yamaguchi, Toshinari Oishi, Yusuke Nishimoto, Kazuki Koshiyama
  • Publication number: 20170029066
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body, a plurality of sprocket teeth, and at least one chain-curvature limiting protuberance. The sprocket body is configured to be rotatable about a rotational center axis. The plurality of sprocket teeth extend radially outward from an outer periphery of the sprocket body. The at least one chain-curvature limiting protuberance is configured to limit axial curvature of a bicycle chain engaging with an independent neighboring bicycle sprocket which is adjacent to the bicycle sprocket without another sprocket between the bicycle sprocket and the independent neighboring bicycle sprocket. The axial curvature is curvature of the bicycle chain relative to the bicycle sprocket when viewed from a radial direction perpendicular to the rotational center axis. The at least one chain-curvature limiting protuberance is disposed on at least one of an outward facing side and an inward facing side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasufumi FUKUNAGA, Tsuyoshi FUKUMORI, Koji TOKUYAMA, Sota YAMAGUCHI, Toshinari OISHI
  • Publication number: 20160257375
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission apparatus comprises a base member, an input shaft, a first transmission member, a second transmission member, and a first coupling member. The base member is configured to be attached to a bicycle frame as a separate member from the bicycle frame. The first transmission member is rotatable relative to the base member about a first rotational axis different from the input rotational axis. The second transmission member is rotatable relative to the base member about a second rotational axis different from each of the input rotational axis and the first rotational axis. The first coupling member is configured to couple the first transmission member to the second transmission member to transmit rotation of the first transmission member to the second transmission member at a variable speed stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro EMURA, Sota YAMAGUCHI, Toshinari OISHI, Yusuke NISHIMOTO, Kazuki KOSHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20160257373
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission apparatus comprises a base member, a first transmission member, a second transmission member, and a first coupling member. The first transmission member is rotatable relative to the base member about a first rotational axis and is movable relative to the base member in an axial direction parallel to the first rotational axis. The second transmission member is rotatable relative to the base member about a second rotational axis and is stationary relative to the base member in the axial direction. The first coupling member is configured to couple the first transmission member to the second transmission member to transmit rotation of the first transmission member to the second transmission member at a variable speed stage which is variable in accordance with at least one positional relationship among the first transmission member, the second transmission member, and the first coupling member in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro EMURA, Toshinari OISHI, Yusuke NISHIMOTO, Sota YAMAGUCHI, Kohei OBUCHI
  • Publication number: 20160236750
    Abstract: A bicycle drive system includes a front sprocket assembly having a first front sprocket and a second front-sprocket. The first front-sprocket has a first front-tooth number that is the largest tooth number in the front sprocket assembly. The second front-sprocket has a second front-tooth number that is less than or equal to the first front-tooth number. The second front-sprocket is adjacent to the first front-sprocket without another sprocket intervening therebetween in an axial direction. The first front-tooth number is less than or equal to 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Atsuhiro EMURA, Sota YAMAGUCHI, Toshinari OISHI, Yusuke NISHIMOTO, Kazuki KOSHIYAMA
  • Patent number: 9377089
    Abstract: A chain tensioning device is basically provided with a main body, a chain guide, a rotary fluid damper unit and a rotational resistance adjustment device. The main body is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The chain guide is pivotally coupled to the main body to rotate around a rotational axis with respect to the main body. The rotary fluid damper unit is operatively connected between the main body and the chain guide to provide rotational resistance to the chain guide around the rotational axis. The rotational resistance adjustment device is operatively connected to the rotary fluid damper unit to change a rotational resistance setting of the rotary fluid damper unit with the rotational resistance adjustment device in an operative state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Sota Yamaguchi, Toyoto Shirai, Masanori Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20160167737
    Abstract: A multiple bicycle sprocket assembly is basically provided that is capable of creating a gear ratio in a wide range. The multiple bicycle sprocket assembly includes a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first sprocket includes a first tooth number that is less than or equal to ten. The second sprocket includes a second tooth number that is more than or equal to forty-four.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Koji TOKUYAMA, Kenji OSE, Toshinari OISHI, Kenji KAMADA, Sota YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 9303763
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a linkage and a motor unit. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member. The linkage includes an outer link pivotally connected to the base member about a first pivot axis and pivotally connected to the movable member about a second pivot axis, and an inner link pivotally connected the base member and the movable member. The motor unit includes an output shaft having a rotational axis being parallel to one of the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. The output shaft of the motor unit drives the outer link to move the movable member with respect to the base member. The inner link moves in response to movement of the outer link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc
    Inventors: Sota Yamaguchi, Satoshi Shahana