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).

  • Patent number: 11897581
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20200346713
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10823277
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Masanori Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 10774915
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10584786
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10538287
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10442496
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10259262
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20190011037
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Masanori TANIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180346066
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180281898
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180283520
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180207979
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180194431
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 9919763
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Makoto Souwa
  • Publication number: 20180057106
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 9829035
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Nishimura, Kenji Ose, Takamoto Asakawa, Osamu Kariyama, Yoshimitsu Miki, Tooru Iwai
  • Patent number: 9511819
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20160347410
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi WATARAI, Tooru IWAI, Tetsu NONOSHITA, Toyoshi YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 9470284
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Makoto Souwa