Patents by Inventor Souta Yamaguchi

Souta 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: 9623932
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member, a coupling structure and an attachment member. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The base member has an inner wire guide. The inner wire guide has an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The movable member supports a chain guide. The coupling structure movably couples the movable member to the base member so that the movable member is selectively movable relative to the base member. The attachment member is detachably and/or rotatably attached to the outlet portion of the inner wire guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Naohiko Yamada, Souta Yamaguchi, Kenji Ose, Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 9511820
    Abstract: A continuous, one-piece bicycle frame end includes a forward portion and a rearward portion, wherein the forward portion extends from a chain stay and a seat stay, and wherein the rearward portion extends rearward from the forward portion. The frame end defines an axle receiving opening dimensioned to receive a bicycle wheel axle therein to rotate around a rotational axis. The axle receiving opening is intersected by a horizontal axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, wherein the axle receiving opening forms the origin of the Cartesian coordinate system, and the zero axis of the Cartesian coordinate system is the portion of the horizontal axis forward of the origin. A derailleur-attachment structure is located from approximately 180° to approximately 240° in the Cartesian coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Shahana Satoshi, Souta Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9487268
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission apparatus comprises a controller configured to control at least one transmission device in accordance with a transmission route in response to a shift signal. The controller is configured to adjust the transmission route based on bicycle information relating to a running condition of a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Souta Yamaguchi, Yoshimitsu Miki, Hideki Ikemoto, Masahiko Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20160167739
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member, a coupling structure and an attachment member. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The base member has an inner wire guide. The inner wire guide has an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The movable member supports a chain guide. The coupling structure movably couples the movable member to the base member so that the movable member is selectively movable relative to the base member. The attachment member is detachably and/or rotatably attached to the outlet portion of the inner wire guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi WATARAI, Naohiko YAMADA, Souta YAMAGUCHI, Kenji OSE, Satoshi SHAHANA
  • Publication number: 20160167738
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission apparatus comprises a controller configured to control at least one transmission device in accordance with a transmission route in response to a shift signal. The controller is configured to adjust the transmission route based on bicycle information relating to a running condition of a bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazutaka FUKAO, Souta YAMAGUCHI, Yoshimitsu MIKI, Hideki IKEMOTO, Masahiko FUKUDA
  • Patent number: 8419573
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a stationary member, a base member, a linkage mechanism, a movable member, a chain guide and an inner cable fixing portion. The stationary member non-movably attached to a bicycle frame and includes an outer cable receiving portion configured to receive an outer sheath of a control cable assembly. The base member is pivotally coupled to the stationary member about an axis spaced apart from a hub axis of a rear wheel. A movable member at one end of the linkage mechanism is movable relative to the base member in response to an inner cable that is attached to a portion of the linkage mechanism. The base member can move in response to tension applied by the inner cable without moving the chain guide which is coupled to the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Souta Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20120018976
    Abstract: A continuous, one-piece bicycle frame end includes a forward portion and a rearward portion, wherein the forward portion extends from a chain stay and a seat stay, and wherein the rearward portion extends rearward from the forward portion. The frame end defines an axle receiving opening dimensioned to receive a bicycle wheel axle therein to rotate around a rotational axis. The axle receiving opening is intersected by a horizontal axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, wherein the axle receiving opening forms the origin of the Cartesian coordinate system, and the zero axis of the Cartesian coordinate system is the portion of the horizontal axis forward of the origin. A derailleur-attachment structure is located from approximately 180° to approximately 240° in the Cartesian coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Shahana Satoshi, Souta Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8025598
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member; a movable member that supports a chain guide including a pulley that rotates around a pulley axis, wherein the pulley has a pulley plane; and a linking member coupled between the base member and the movable member so that the chain guide moves laterally relative to the base member between a first lateral position and a second lateral position. The base member has a chain receiving space therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Shinya Oseto, Souta Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8007383
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member that supports a chain guide including a pulley that rotates around a pulley axis, and a linking member coupled between the base member and the movable member so that the chain guide moves laterally relative to the base member between a first lateral position and a second lateral position. Examples of features include the linking member being coupled to the base member through separate pivot pins, the linking member straddling the base member, and the base member having link coupling projections with different thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Shinya Oseto, Souta Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7942767
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member; a movable member that supports a chain guide, wherein the movable member is coupled to the base member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member for moving a chain among a plurality of sprockets; an intermediate member that mounts the base member to a bicycle frame; a first adjusting mechanism that adjustably sets a position of the intermediate member relative to the bicycle frame; and a second adjusting mechanism that adjustably sets a position of the base member relative to the intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Souta Yamaguchi, Hideki Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 7905804
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur mounting structure includes a base member and a stopper. The base member includes a first portion configured for attachment to a bicycle frame. The first portion of the base member has a first side surface and a second side surface with an aperture extending between the first and second side surfaces. The stopper is coupled to the base member between the first and second side surfaces. The stopper is configured for setting an angular position of the base member relative to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Souta Yamaguchi, Shinya Oseto
  • Patent number: 7722488
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a chain cage, a first pulley, a second pulley and a chain guard member. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member. The chain cage is coupled to the movable member to move between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The first pulley is rotatably mounted relative to the movable member. The second pulley is rotatably mounted to the chain cage to move with the chain cage relative. The chain guard member is movably coupled relative to the movable member. The chain cage includes an engagement portion arranged to move the chain guard member from a first position to a second position when the chain cage is moved from the first orientation to the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoru Kunisawa, Souta Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7674198
    Abstract: A main derailleur body includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the main derailleur body is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. A chain cage is pivotally coupled to the second end of the main derailleur body between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. A first pulley is rotatably mounted relative to the main derailleur body. A second pulley is rotatably mounted to the chain cage to move therewith relative to the main derailleur body. A third pulley is rotatably mounted to the main derailleur body such that the third pulley engages a chain extending between the first and second pulleys when the chain cage is in the first orientation and disengages the chain upon movement of the chain cage from the first orientation to the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Souta Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7666111
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base portion, a coupling mechanism, a moveable member, a pivot shaft, a tension plate, a biasing spring and a guide plate. The base portion attaches to a bicycle frame. The coupling mechanism has first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the base portion and the second end is movable relative to the base portion. The movable member is coupled to the second end and the pivot shaft is coupled to the movable member. The tension plate is pivotally coupled to the movable member by the pivot shaft and supports a chain tensioning pulley. The biasing spring is operatively coupled to the movable member and the tension plate for biasing the tension plate in a chain tensioning direction. The guide plate is pivotally coupled to the pivot shaft in a non-biased manner and supports a chain guiding pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Souta Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20090280938
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a derailleur on a bicycle frame comprises a base member for the derailleur, wherein the base member includes a first portion structured to be attached to a bicycle frame; a second portion structured to be attached to the bicycle frame, wherein the second portion is located away from the first portion; and a third portion structured to support a linkage mechanism. The first portion, the second portion and the third portion are structured so that the linkage mechanism as a unit is prevented from rotating clockwise, when viewed along the rotational axis from a laterally outer side of the derailleur, when the first portion and the second portion are attached to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Souta Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20090163310
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member; a movable member that supports a chain guide, wherein the movable member is coupled to the base member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member for moving a chain among a plurality of sprockets; an intermediate member that mounts the base member to a bicycle frame; a first adjusting mechanism that adjustably sets a position of the intermediate member relative to the bicycle frame; and a second adjusting mechanism that adjustably sets a position of the base member relative to the intermediate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventors: SOUTA YAMAGUCHI, HIDEKI IKEMOTO
  • Publication number: 20080125259
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a chain cage, a first pulley, a second pulley and a chain guard member. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member. The chain cage is coupled to the movable member to move between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The first pulley is rotatably mounted relative to the movable member. The second pulley is rotatably mounted to the chain cage to move with the chain cage relative. The chain guard member is movably coupled relative to the movable member. The chain cage includes an engagement portion arranged to move the chain guard member from a first position to a second position when the chain cage is moved from the first orientation to the second orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoru Kunisawa, Souta Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20080103000
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member that supports a chain guide including a pulley that rotates around a pulley axis, and a linking member coupled between the base member and the movable member so that the chain guide moves laterally relative to the base member between a first lateral position and a second lateral position. Examples of features include the linking member being coupled to the base member through separate pivot pins, the linking member straddling the base member, and the base member having link coupling projections with different thicknesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventors: ETSUYOSHI WATARAI, SHINYA OSETO, SOUTA YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20080096706
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member; a movable member that supports a chain guide including a pulley that rotates around a pulley axis, wherein the pulley has a pulley plane; and a linking member coupled between the base member and the movable member so that the chain guide moves laterally relative to the base member between a first lateral position and a second lateral position. The base member has a chain receiving space therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventors: ETSUYOSHI WATARAI, SHINYA OSETO, SOUTA YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20080081716
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a mounting structure with an attachment element, a support element and a locking device. The attachment element is configured and arranged to be attached to a bicycle. The support element is pivotally coupled to the attachment element to move between a first position and a second position angularly spaced from the first position. The locking device is coupled between the attachment element and the support element, and the locking device is configured and arranged to selectively and releasably retain the support element in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Satoshi Shahana, Souta Yamaguchi, Satoru Kunisawa