Patents by Inventor Tooru IWAI
Tooru IWAI 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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Patent number: 11897581Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises at least one chain engaging member constituting at least a part of at least one sprocket tooth of the bicycle sprocket. The at least one chain engaging member is configured to contact a bicycle chain in a state where the bicycle chain engages with the bicycle sprocket. The at least one chain engaging member is made of a first material. At least one bicycle attachment member constitutes at least a part of a sprocket body of the bicycle sprocket. The at least one bicycle attachment member is configured to be coupled to a bicycle. The at least one bicycle attachment member is made of a second material that is different from the first material. At least one shifting facilitation area is provided in the at least one chain engaging member to facilitate a shifting operation of a bicycle chain.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
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Publication number: 20200346713Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises at least one chain engaging member constituting at least a part of at least one sprocket tooth of the bicycle sprocket. The at least one chain engaging member is configured to contact a bicycle chain in a state where the bicycle chain engages with the bicycle sprocket. The at least one chain engaging member is made of a first material. At least one bicycle attachment member constitutes at least a part of a sprocket body of the bicycle sprocket. The at least one bicycle attachment member is configured to be coupled to a bicycle. The at least one bicycle attachment member is made of a second material that is different from the first material. At least one shifting facilitation area is provided in the at least one chain engaging member to facilitate a shifting operation of a bicycle chain.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
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Patent number: 10823277Abstract: A sliding component comprises a base member, a plated layer, and a lubricant agent. The plated layer includes a metallic material and is disposed on the base member. The lubricant agent includes a fatty acid containing a carboxyl group. The lubricant agent contacts the plated layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Masanori Taniguchi
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Patent number: 10774915Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of sprockets and a first support element. The plurality of sprockets is arranged coaxially about a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket assembly. The plurality of sprockets includes a first sprocket. The first sprocket includes a first toothed ring and a first sprocket body at least partly disposed radially inwardly of the first toothed ring with respect to the rotational center axis. The first toothed ring is made of a first material. The first sprocket body is made of a second material that is different from the first material. The first support element extends from the first sprocket to a second sprocket adjacent to the first sprocket in an axial direction with respect to the rotational center axis. The first support element is made of a first additional material that is different from the second material.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
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Patent number: 10584786Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a sprocket support member and a reinforcement member. The sprocket support member is configured to support a sprocket. The sprocket support member includes a central cylindrical portion and at least one sprocket support portion extending radially outwardly from the central cylindrical portion with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket assembly. The sprocket support member is made of a non-metallic material. The reinforcement member is provided in the central cylindrical portion to reinforce the central cylindrical portion in a circumferential direction about the rotational center axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
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Patent number: 10538287Abstract: A bicycle crank arm is basically provided that includes a first structural member and a second structural member attached to the first structural member. The first structural member is made of a first material including a non-metallic material. The second structural member is made of a second material that is different from the first material.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2016Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
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Patent number: 10442496Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a sprocket support member. The sprocket support member comprises a central cylindrical portion and a plurality of sprocket support portions. The plurality of sprocket support portions extends radially outwardly from the central cylindrical portion with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket assembly. At least one sprocket support portion of the plurality of sprocket support portions comprises at least one radially extending surface, at least one axially extending surface, and an interior cavity. The at least one radially extending surface extends radially relative to the rotational center axis to support at least one of the at least one sprocket. The at least one axially extending surface extends in an axial direction parallel to the rotational center axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
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Patent number: 10259262Abstract: A bicycle rim comprises a base member, a cover member, and a spoke attachment member. The base member includes a truss structure that defines at least one opening. The cover member at least partly covers the at least one opening of the base member. The spoke attachment member is a separate member from the base member and the cover member. The spoke attachment member is non-rotatably attached to the base member.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
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Publication number: 20190011037Abstract: A sliding component comprises a base member, a plated layer, and a lubricant agent. The plated layer includes a metallic material and is disposed on the base member. The lubricant agent includes a fatty acid containing a carboxyl group. The lubricant agent contacts the plated layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2017Publication date: January 10, 2019Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Masanori TANIGUCHI
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Publication number: 20180346066Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of sprockets and a first support element. The plurality of sprockets is arranged coaxially about a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket assembly. The plurality of sprockets includes a first sprocket. The first sprocket includes a first toothed ring and a first sprocket body at least partly disposed radially inwardly of the first toothed ring with respect to the rotational center axis. The first toothed ring is made of a first material. The first sprocket body is made of a second material that is different from the first material. The first support element extends from the first sprocket to a second sprocket adjacent to the first sprocket in an axial direction with respect to the rotational center axis. The first support element is made of a first additional material that is different from the second material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
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Publication number: 20180281898Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a sprocket support member. The sprocket support member comprises a central cylindrical portion and a plurality of sprocket support portions. The plurality of sprocket support portions extends radially outwardly from the central cylindrical portion with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket assembly. At least one sprocket support portion of the plurality of sprocket support portions comprises at least one radially extending surface, at least one axially extending surface, and an interior cavity. The at least one radially extending surface extends radially relative to the rotational center axis to support at least one of the at least one sprocket. The at least one axially extending surface extends in an axial direction parallel to the rotational center axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
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Publication number: 20180283520Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a sprocket support member and a reinforcement member. The sprocket support member is configured to support a sprocket. The sprocket support member includes a central cylindrical portion and at least one sprocket support portion extending radially outwardly from the central cylindrical portion with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket assembly. The sprocket support member is made of a non-metallic material. The reinforcement member is provided in the central cylindrical portion to reinforce the central cylindrical portion in a circumferential direction about the rotational center axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
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Publication number: 20180207979Abstract: A bicycle rim comprises a base member, a cover member, and a spoke attachment member. The base member includes a truss structure that defines at least one opening. The cover member at least partly covers the at least one opening of the base member. The spoke attachment member is a separate member from the base member and the cover member. The spoke attachment member is non-rotatably attached to the base member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2017Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
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Publication number: 20180194431Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises at least one chain engaging member constituting at least a part of at least one sprocket tooth of the bicycle sprocket. The at least one chain engaging member is configured to contact a bicycle chain in a state where the bicycle chain engages with the bicycle sprocket. The at least one chain engaging member is made of a first material. At least one bicycle attachment member constitutes at least a part of a sprocket body of the bicycle sprocket. The at least one bicycle attachment member is configured to be coupled to a bicycle. The at least one bicycle attachment member is made of a second material that is different from the first material. At least one shifting facilitation area is provided in the at least one chain engaging member to facilitate a shifting operation of a bicycle chain.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2017Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
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Patent number: 9919763Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a first member and a second member. The first member comprises a plurality of first teeth and a first body. The first body includes a plurality of first arms arranged in a circumferential direction of the bicycle sprocket. The second member comprises a plurality of second teeth and a second body. The second body includes a plurality of second arms arranged in the circumferential direction. The second member is configured to be attached to the first member so that an interior cavity is provided between the first member and the second member. The interior cavity is at least partially provided between at least one of the first arms and at least one of the second arms facing the at least one of the first arms in a state where the second member is attached to the first member.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Makoto Souwa
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Publication number: 20180057106Abstract: A bicycle crank arm is basically provided that includes a first structural member and a second structural member attached to the first structural member. The first structural member is made of a first material including a non-metallic material. The second structural member is made of a second material that is different from the first material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
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Patent number: 9829035Abstract: A bicycle control cable is provided with a central wire, an outer case and a radial protrusion. The central wire includes at least one metallic strand defining a radially outermost surface of the central wire. The outer case surrounds at least a portion of an axial length of the central wire. The outer case has a radially innermost surface. The radial protrusion spirally extends along one of either the radially outermost surface of the central wire or the radially innermost surface of the outer case in a direction intersecting with a center longitudinal axis of the bicycle control cable. The radial protrusion reduces a sliding resistance of the central wire relative to the outer case. The central wire is configured and arranged to slidably move in an axial direction with respect to the center longitudinal axis of the bicycle control cable within the outer case to operate a bicycle component.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2012Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Atsuhiro Nishimura, Kenji Ose, Takamoto Asakawa, Osamu Kariyama, Yoshimitsu Miki, Tooru Iwai
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Patent number: 9511819Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of sprocket members and a supporting member. The plurality of sprocket members have a rotational center axis. The plurality of sprocket members are arranged in an axial direction parallel to the rotational center axis. The plurality of sprocket members each include a sprocket body and a plurality of sprocket teeth. The plurality of sprocket teeth extend radially outwardly from the sprocket body with respect to the rotational center axis. The supporting member is a separate member from the plurality of sprocket members. The supporting member includes a supporting portion and a hub engagement portion. The supporting portion is configured to support the plurality of sprocket members. The sprocket body of each of the plurality of sprocket members is attached to the supporting portion of the supporting member without using a separate metallic fastening member.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
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Publication number: 20160347410Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of sprocket members and a supporting member. The plurality of sprocket members have a rotational center axis. The plurality of sprocket members are arranged in an axial direction parallel to the rotational center axis. The plurality of sprocket members each include a sprocket body and a plurality of sprocket teeth. The plurality of sprocket teeth extend radially outwardly from the sprocket body with respect to the rotational center axis. The supporting member is a separate member from the plurality of sprocket members. The supporting member includes a supporting portion and a hub engagement portion. The supporting portion is configured to support the plurality of sprocket members. The sprocket body of each of the plurality of sprocket members is attached to the supporting portion of the supporting member without using a separate metallic fastening member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Etsuyoshi WATARAI, Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
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Patent number: 9470284Abstract: A friction member for a bicycle brake that is obtained through combustion synthesis is disclosed. One example of the bicycle brake friction member includes an intermetallic compound, which is obtained from a first metal and a second metal, and a metal phase, which is obtained from the first metal.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Makoto Souwa