Patents by Inventor Takafumi Nishino

Takafumi Nishino 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).

  • Publication number: 20180086412
    Abstract: A bicycle operation device includes a clamp and an operation unit. The clamp is attachable to a handlebar of a bicycle. The operation unit includes a wireless communicator configured to communicate with a bicycle component and an electric switch configured to transmit a signal to the wireless communicator. The operation unit is attachable to the clamp in a manner allowing for adjustment of the position of the operation unit relative to the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takehiko NAKAJIMA, Takafumi NISHINO
  • Publication number: 20180086413
    Abstract: A bicycle operation device is provided that allows for easy operation of operation units. The bicycle operation device includes a clamp, a first operation unit and a second operation unit. The clamp is attachable to a handlebar of a bicycle. The first operation unit including an operation lever, and is coupled to the clamp. The second operation unit includes an electric switch and is attached to the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takehiko NAKAJIMA, Takafumi NISHINO
  • Patent number: 9915306
    Abstract: A rotor cover comprises a cover body and a biasing member. The cover body is configured to at least partially cover a disc brake rotor rotatable relative to a bicycle frame about a rotational center axis. The biasing member is configured to bias the cover body in an axial direction parallel to the rotational center axis. The biasing member is provided between the cover body and the bicycle frame in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazuki Koshiyama, Takafumi Nishino, Shingo Sakurai, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Publication number: 20180057105
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, a hydraulic unit, an electrical switch, a wireless communicator, and a power supply. The base member includes a first end to be mounted to a bicycle handlebar and a second end opposite to the first end. The operating member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a first pivot axis. The wireless communicator is electrically connected to the electrical switch to wirelessly transmit a signal to an additional component in response to an input operation. The power supply is electrically connected to the wireless communicator to supply electrical power to the wireless communicator. The hydraulic unit at least partly overlaps with at least one of the wireless communicator and the power supply when viewed from a first direction parallel to the first pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takafumi NISHINO, Takehiko NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20180057102
    Abstract: A base member includes a first end to be mounted to a bicycle handlebar and a second end opposite to the first end. An operating member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a first pivot axis. A hydraulic unit is coupled to the operating member to operate a bicycle component in response to an operation of the operating member. At least part of the hydraulic unit is disposed closer to the first end than the first pivot axis when viewed from a first direction parallel to the first pivot axis. A wireless communicator is to wirelessly transmit a signal to an additional component in response to the input operation. A power supply is electrically connected to the wireless communicator. At least one of the wireless communicator and the power supply is disposed closer to the second end than the first pivot axis when viewed from the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takafumi NISHINO, Takehiko NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20180057104
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, a hydraulic unit, an electrical switch, a wireless communicator, and a power supply. The base member includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The operating member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a first pivot axis. At least part of the hydraulic unit is disposed closer to the second end than the first pivot axis when viewed from a first direction parallel to the first pivot axis. The power supply is electrically connected to the wireless communicator to supply electrical power to the wireless communicator. At least one of the wireless communicator and the power supply is at least partly disposed closer to the first end than the first pivot axis when viewed from the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takafumi NISHINO, Takehiko NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20180057103
    Abstract: A base member includes a first end to be mounted to a bicycle handlebar and a second end opposite to the first end. An operating member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a first pivot axis. A hydraulic unit is coupled to the operating member to operate a bicycle component in response to an operation of the operating member. An electrical switch is to be activated by an input operation from a user. A wireless communicator is electrically connected to the electrical switch to wirelessly transmit a signal to an additional component in response to the input operation. A power supply is electrically connected to the wireless communicator to supply electrical power to the wireless communicator. At least part of the hydraulic unit is disposed below at least one of the wireless communicator and the power supply in a mounting state of the bicycle operating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takafumi NISHINO, Takehiko NAKAJIMA
  • Patent number: 9873482
    Abstract: An electric front derailleur for a bicycle. The derailleur includes a chain guide, a linkage assembly movably connected to the chain guide, and an electrical actuation unit operatively coupled to the linkage assembly to move the chain guide with respect to the electrical actuation unit. The electrical actuation unit includes a mounting portion configured to be attached to a bicycle frame. The mounting portion is secured to the electrical actuation unit. The mounting portion permits the position of the electric front derailleur to be adjusted with respect to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takafumi Nishino
  • Publication number: 20180010653
    Abstract: A rotor cover is provided that includes different portions and is configured to meet requirements of each portion. The rotor cover includes a positioning portion that is positioned relative to a bicycle frame or a disc brake rotor and a cover portion that is coupled to the positioning portion to cover the disc brake rotor. The cover portion and the positioning portion include different materials with respect to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi WATARAI, Takashi ADACHI, Yoshiaki ANDO, Takafumi NISHINO, Osamu KARIYAMA, Nobuyoshi FUJII, Masahiro NAKAKURA
  • Publication number: 20170361896
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic operating device is basically provided with a base member, a piston, an operating member and a hydraulic reservoir. The base member includes a cylinder bore. The piston is movably disposed in the cylinder bore. The operating member coupled to the piston to move the piston within the cylinder bore. The hydraulic reservoir includes a hydraulic reservoir tank and a reservoir lid. The hydraulic reservoir tank is fluidly connected to the cylinder bore. The reservoir lid closes a tank opening of the hydraulic reservoir tank. The tank opening defines an opening cross sectional area. The hydraulic reservoir tank defines a tank cross sectional area parallel to the opening cross sectional area. The opening cross sectional area of the tank opening is smaller than the tank cross sectional area of the hydraulic reservoir tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Takafumi NISHINO
  • Publication number: 20170361897
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic operating device is basically provided with a base member, a piston, an operating member, a hydraulic reservoir tank and a diaphragm. The base member includes a cylinder bore. The piston is movably disposed in the cylinder bore. The operating member is coupled to the piston to move the piston within the cylinder bore. The hydraulic reservoir tank is fluidly connected to the cylinder bore. The diaphragm is at least partially disposed inside the hydraulic reservoir tank and divides the hydraulic reservoir tank into a hydraulic fluid chamber and an air chamber. The air chamber is at least partially located closer to the cylinder bore than the hydraulic fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Takafumi NISHINO
  • Publication number: 20170305492
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a brake operating lever, an additional operating lever, an electrical switch, and a wireless communication unit. The brake operating lever is pivotally coupled to the base member in a first direction. The additional operating lever is pivotally coupled to one of the base member and the brake operating lever in a second direction and in a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction. The electrical switch is to provide an electric signal in response to a movement of the additional operating lever in the third direction. The electrical switch is disposed at the base member. The wireless communication unit is connected to the electrical switch to transmit a wireless signal based on the electric signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takafumi NISHINO, Takehiko NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20170305394
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a brake operating member, an electrical switch, and a wireless communication unit. The brake operation member is movably coupled to the base member. The brake operating member is movable relative to the base member in a first direction and movable relative to the base member in a second direction different from the first direction. The electrical switch is to provide an electric signal in response to a movement of the brake operating member in the second direction. The electrical switch is disposed at one of the base member and the brake operating member. The wireless communication unit is connected to the electrical switch to transmit a wireless signal based on the electric signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takafumi NISHINO, Takehiko NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20170305395
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a brake operating member, an electrical switch, and a wireless communication unit. The brake operating member is movably coupled to the base member. The electrical switch is to provide an electric signal. The electrical switch is disposed at one of the base member and the brake operating member. The wireless communication unit is connected to the electrical switch to transmit a wireless signal based on the electric signal. The wireless communication unit is disposed at the other of the base member and the brake operating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takafumi NISHINO, Takehiko NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20170305490
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a brake operating member, an additional operating member, an electrical switch, and a wireless communication unit. The brake operating member is movably coupled to the base member. The additional operating member is movably coupled to the brake operating member. The electrical switch is to provide an electric signal in response to a movement of the additional operating member. The electrical switch is disposed at the additional operating member. The wireless communication unit is connected to the electrical switch to transmit a wireless signal based on the electric signal. The wireless communication unit is disposed at one of the base member and the brake operating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takehiko NAKAJIMA, Takafumi NISHINO
  • Publication number: 20170305491
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a brake operating member, an additional operating member, an electrical switch, and a wireless communication unit. The brake operating member is movably coupled to the base member. The additional operating member is movably coupled to the brake operating member. The electrical switch is to provide an electric signal in response to a movement of the additional operating member. The electrical switch is disposed at the brake operating member. The wireless communication unit is connected to the electrical switch to transmit a wireless signal based on the electric signal. The wireless communication unit is disposed at the additional operating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takehiko NAKAJIMA, Takafumi NISHINO
  • Publication number: 20170305489
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a brake operating member, an additional operating member, an electrical switch, and a wireless communication unit. The brake operating member is movably coupled to the base member. The additional operating member is movably coupled to the base member. The electrical switch is to provide an electric signal in response to a movement of the additional operating member. The electrical switch is disposed at the brake operating member. The wireless communication unit is connected to the electrical switch to transmit a wireless signal based on the electric signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takehiko NAKAJIMA, Takafumi NISHINO
  • Publication number: 20170305488
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a brake operating member, an additional operating member, an electrical switch, and a wireless communication unit. The brake operating member is movably coupled to the base member in a first direction. The additional operating member is movably coupled to the base member in a second direction and in a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction. The electrical switch is to provide an electric signal in response to a movement of the additional operating member in the third direction. The electrical switch is disposed at the additional operating member. The wireless communication unit is connected to the electrical switch to transmit a wireless signal based on the electric signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Takehiko NAKAJIMA, Takafumi NISHINO
  • Publication number: 20170101160
    Abstract: An electric front derailleur for a bicycle. The derailleur includes a chain guide, a linkage assembly movably connected to the chain guide, and an electrical actuation unit operatively coupled to the linkage assembly to move the chain guide with respect to the electrical actuation unit. The electrical actuation unit includes a mounting portion configured to be attached to a bicycle frame. The mounting portion is secured to the electrical actuation unit. The mounting portion permits the position of the electric front derailleur to be adjusted with respect to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventor: Takafumi NISHINO
  • Patent number: 9434448
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member, a chain guide, a first link, and a wire guide. The base member is configured to be coupled to a bicycle frame. The chain guide is configured to guide a bicycle chain. The first link is configured to couple the chain guide to the base member so that the chain guide is movable relative to the base member between a retracted position and an extended position. The wire guide includes only one wire guiding portion configured to guide an inner wire of a control cable which is in at least one of a top pull arrangement and a bottom pull arrangement. The wire guide is a separate member from the first link and configured to be attached to the first link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Takafumi Nishino