Patents by Inventor Toyoto Shirai
Toyoto Shirai 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: 10293880Abstract: A bicycle suspension control apparatus includes a user operating device and a controller. The controller is operatively coupled to the user operating device to selectively control a pair of bicycle suspensions between a plurality of operating states. The controller selectively changes the operating states of both of the suspensions to different ones of the operating states in response to a single operation of the user operating device. The controller includes a receiving part, a storage part and a control part. The receiving part receives combination information indicating at least one combination of the operating states from among combinations of the operating states of the suspensions. The storage part stores the combination information received by the receiving part. The control part controls the suspensions based on the combination information stored in the storage part when the user operating device is operated.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Hideki Ikemoto, Toyoto Shirai
-
Publication number: 20190071146Abstract: A fluid flow control structure for a bicycle device comprises a fluid chamber structure and a piston. The fluid chamber structure includes a tube member at least partly defining a first chamber, a third chamber, and a fluid passage for changing volumes of the first chamber and the third chamber. The tube member has a longitudinal axis. The fluid passage includes a minimum fluid passage. The piston is movably disposed in the tube member in a telescopic direction of the longitudinal axis. An aperture rate is defined by dividing an area of the minimum fluid passage by a flow rate. The flow rate is defined by fluid volume passing through the minimum fluid passage as the tube member moves relative to the piston at 1.0 mm. The aperture rate is equal to or greater than 0.1.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventor: Toyoto Shirai
-
Publication number: 20190061852Abstract: A height adjustable seatpost assembly is basically provided with a first telescopic member, a second telescopic member, a positioning structure, an operating structure and an electric actuator. The second telescopic member is telescopically movable within the first telescopic member. The positioning structure is provided on one of the first and second telescopic members. The positioning structure includes a pair of longitudinal spaced positioning members configured to engage the other of the first and second telescopic members, respectively. The operating structure is at least partly movable with respect to the other of the first and second telescopic members in the longitudinal direction. The operating structure includes a release member that is disposed between the positioning members. The release member selectively disengages one of the positioning members. The electric actuator moves the operating structure relative to the other of the first and second telescopic members in the longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventor: Toyoto SHIRAI
-
Publication number: 20190009852Abstract: An electrical bicycle operating system comprises a first switch, a second switch, and a controller. The first switch is configured to generate a first signal. The second switch is configured to generate a second signal. The controller is configured to generate a third signal different from the first signal and the second signal in response to a concurrent operation of the first switch and the second switch. The controller is configured to generate a fourth signal different from the third signal in response to a release of the first switch in a state where the second switch is operated continuously after the concurrent operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2017Publication date: January 10, 2019Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Toyoto SHIRAI, Kentaro KOSAKA, Takafumi NISHINO, Takehiko NAKAJIMA, Yuta KUROKAWA
-
Patent number: 10106216Abstract: A first cylinder, a second cylinder configured to be telescopically received therein are provided, a positioner configured to relatively position the first cylinder and the second cylinder, an operator configured to be mounted to a bicycle and operatively coupled to the positioner, and a control cable. The control cable may include an outer casing, a first cable having a first end and a second end and configured to be operatively connected to the positioner at the first end, and a second cable having a third end and a fourth end. The second cable may be configured to be operatively connected to the operator at the third end. A cable connector may be configured to connect the second end of the first cable and the fourth end of the second cable.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Toyoto Shirai
-
Patent number: 10093371Abstract: A bicycle seatpost assembly comprises a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a mounting structure, a first engagement portion, and a second engagement portion. The second cylinder is configured to be telescopically received in the first cylinder. The mounting structure is attached to a distal end part of the second cylinder. The mounting structure is configured to fixedly mount a bicycle saddle to the distal end part of the second cylinder. The first engagement portion is provided to an outer periphery of the second cylinder. The second engagement portion is configured to engage with the first engagement portion such that a circumferential position of the mounting structure relative to the second cylinder is selectively adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Toyoto Shirai
-
Patent number: 10086708Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a power supply sensor and a controller. The power supply sensor detects a power level of a power supply being supplied from the power supply to two electrical bicycle components. The controller operates the two electrical bicycle components in response to receiving at least one signal from at least one input member. The controller operates the two electrical bicycle components at different starting times while the power level is below a prescribed power level. The controller is configured to simultaneously operate the two electrical bicycle components while the power level is above the prescribed power level.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Toyoto Shirai, Yoshiyuki Kasai, Ryuichiro Takamoto
-
Publication number: 20180244330Abstract: A bicycle telescopic apparatus includes a first tube, a second tube, an actuating member, and a hydraulic positioning structure. The first tube defines an axial direction. The second tube is telescopically received in the first tube in the axial direction. The actuating member is movable relative to the first tube in the axial direction of the first tube. The actuating member is configured to move the second tube relative to the first tube in the axial direction. The hydraulic positioning structure is configured to position the first tube and the second tube relative to each other in the axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Toyoto SHIRAI
-
Patent number: 10040499Abstract: An electrical seatpost assembly comprises a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a guide member, a positioning structure, an electrical actuator, and an electrical device. The guide member is disposed between the first cylinder and the second cylinder to slidably guide the second cylinder with respect to the first cylinder. The positioning structure is to adjustably position the second cylinder relative to the first cylinder in a telescopic direction. The electrical actuator is to actuate the positioning structure in accordance with an electrical signal. The electrical device is mounted to the first cylinder. An upper end of the electrical device is disposed above a lower end of the guide member in the telescopic direction in a mounting state where the first cylinder is mounted to a bicycle frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Toyoto Shirai, Yuta Kurokawa
-
Patent number: 9969447Abstract: A bicycle seatpost assembly comprises a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a positioning structure, and an adjusting structure. The second cylinder is configured to be telescopically received in the first cylinder. The positioning structure is configured to relatively position the first cylinder and the second cylinder and configured to switch a state of the bicycle seatpost assembly among a first adjustable state and a second adjustable state. In the first adjustable state, a positional relationship between the first cylinder and the second cylinder is adjustable within a first adjustable position range. In the second adjustable state in which the positional relationship between the first cylinder and the second cylinder is adjustable within a second adjustable position range different from the first adjustable position range. The adjusting structure is configured to adjust at least one of the first adjustable position range and the second adjustable position range.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Toyoto Shirai
-
Publication number: 20180079462Abstract: A bicycle telescopic apparatus includes a first tube having a receiving space, a second tube telescopically received in the receiving space of the first tube, a position detector configured to detect a relative position between the first tube and the second tube in a longitudinal direction of the bicycle telescopic apparatus, and an output device configured to output a signal based on a detected result of the position detector. The signal can control a bicycle component other than the bicycle telescopic apparatus. A detecting point of the position detector is located in the receiving space of the first tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventor: Toyoto SHIRAI
-
Publication number: 20170341692Abstract: A bicycle seatpost assembly comprises a first tube, a second tube, and a positioning structure. The second tube has a distal end to be attached to a bicycle seat and a proximal end opposite to the distal end. The second tube is configured to be telescopically received in the first tube. The positioning structure is configured to position the first tube and the second tube relative to each other. The positioning structure comprises a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, and a movable piston. The first chamber is filled with a first liquid. The second chamber includes a second liquid and gas. The second chamber is disposed closer to the distal end of the second tube than the first chamber. The movable piston divides the fluid chamber into the first chamber and the second chamber. The movable piston is movable within the fluid chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2016Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Toyoto SHIRAI
-
Publication number: 20170225734Abstract: A bicycle seatpost assembly comprises a first tube, a second tube, and a positioning structure to relatively position the first tube and the second tube. The positioning structure is mounted to at least one of the first tube and the second tube and is configured to change a state of the bicycle seatpost assembly among a first adjustable state in which the second tube is retracted or extended relative to the first tube at a first speed in response to a reference force applied to the second tube, and a second adjustable state in which the second tube is retracted or extended relative to the first tube at a second speed in response to the reference force applied to the second tube. The second speed is lower than the first speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Toyoto SHIRAI
-
Patent number: 9688331Abstract: A bicycle seat post assembly includes first and second tubes, which are telescopically arranged, a fluid chamber, which includes a compressible fluid to generate a force to expand the first and second tubes relative to each other, and a positioning structure. The positioning structure includes a support member on one of the first tube and the second tube, a positioning member that pivots about an axis between a first position and a second position, a control unit, which is connected to the positioning member to move the positioning member between the first position and the second position, and a position maintaining member, which is provided on the other of the first tube and the second tube. The position maintaining member includes an engaging portion that engages with the positioning member to maintain a positional relationship between the first and second tubes.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Toyoto Shirai
-
Patent number: 9669900Abstract: A chain tensioning device includes a main body, a chain guide and a rotary fluid damper unit. 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 rotary fluid damper unit includes at least one primary flow limiting valve and at least one support member. The primary flexible valve portion of the at least one primary flow limiting valve is configured to flex and contact the at least one support member to form a primary flow path between a free end of the primary flexible valve portion of the at least one primary flow limiting valve and the other of the first and second members.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Toyoto Shirai
-
Patent number: 9656717Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, and a movable member. The movable member is configured to move an operation cable in a pulling direction to operate a bicycle component in response to a first movement of the operating member. The movable member is configured such that the operation cable is movable in a releasing direction in response to a release of the operating member from a first operated position. The movable member is configured to move the operation cable in the pulling direction to operate the bicycle component in response to a second movement of the operating member. The movable member is configured such that the operation cable is movable in the releasing direction in response to a release of the operating member from a second operated position.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Toyoto Shirai, Kazutaka Fukao
-
Publication number: 20170096185Abstract: An electrical seatpost assembly comprises a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a guide member, a positioning structure, an electrical actuator, and an electrical device. The guide member is disposed between the first cylinder and the second cylinder to slidably guide the second cylinder with respect to the first cylinder. The positioning structure is to adjustably position the second cylinder relative to the first cylinder in a telescopic direction. The electrical actuator is to actuate the positioning structure in accordance with an electrical signal. The electrical device is mounted to the first cylinder. An upper end of the electrical device is disposed above a lower end of the guide member in the telescopic direction in a mounting state where the first cylinder is mounted to a bicycle frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2015Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Nobukatsu HARA, Toyoto SHIRAI, Yuta KUROKAWA
-
Publication number: 20170096184Abstract: An electrical seatpost assembly comprises a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a positioning structure, an electrical actuator, and a power supply. The second cylinder is telescopically received in the first cylinder. The positioning structure is to adjustably position the second cylinder relative to the first cylinder in a telescopic direction. The electrical actuator is to actuate the positioning structure in accordance with an electrical signal. The power supply is to supply electrical power to the electrical actuator. The power supply and the electrical actuator are disposed in one of the first cylinder and the second cylinder to at least partly overlap with each other when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the telescopic direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2015Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Nobukatsu HARA, Toyoto SHIRAI
-
Patent number: 9604691Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member and an operated member. The operated member is configured to be movable relative to the base member from a rest position to a first operated position along a first path such that an operation cable is pulled relative to the base member by a first amount of movement in a cable operating direction. The operated member is configured to be movable relative to the base member from the rest position to a second operated position along a second path such that the operation cable is pulled relative to the base member by a second amount of movement in the cable operating direction. The second path is at least partially different from the first path. The second amount of movement is different from the first amount of movement.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Toyoto Shirai
-
Patent number: 9580123Abstract: A bicycle seatpost assembly comprises a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a positioning structure, an actuation structure, and a connecting rod. The second cylinder is configured to be telescopically received in the first cylinder. The positioning structure is configured to relatively position the first cylinder and the second cylinder. The actuation structure is configured to actuate the positioning structure and is disposed at a distal end of the first cylinder. The connecting rod is configured to operatively couple a control cable to the actuation structure. The connecting rod extends from the distal end of the first cylinder in a longitudinal direction of the first cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Toyoto Shirai