Patents by Inventor Tsuyoshi FUKUMORI

Tsuyoshi FUKUMORI 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: 9341237
    Abstract: A bicycle chain connecting link comprises a link pin and a link plate. The link pin has a center axis and comprises a main-body, a head portion, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the main-body and than an outer diameter of the head portion to define a groove between the main-body and the head portion. The link plate comprises an elongated opening to which the link pin is removably attached. The elongated opening comprises an insertion opening and an attachment opening connected with the insertion opening. The guiding portion includes a sliding surface slidable with the head portion. The protrusion is provided between the insertion opening and the attachment opening and protrudes from the sliding surface to be slidable with an outer periphery of the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Toru Kubota, Fujihisa Tatsumi, Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 9303725
    Abstract: A bicycle chain comprises a first outer link plate, a first inner link plate, and a first link pin. The first outer link plate comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first intermediate portion. The first end portion includes a first opening having a first center axis. A first outer-link distance is defined from the first center axis to a first end edge. The first inner link plate comprises a third end portion, a fourth end portion, and a second intermediate portion. The third end portion includes a third opening having a third center axis. A first inner-link distance is defined from the third center axis to a third end edge. A second inner-link distance is defined from the third center axis to a third end edge. The first inner-link distance is larger than the second inner-link distance and the first outer-link distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fukumori, Takashi Adachi
  • Patent number: 9303726
    Abstract: A bicycle chain comprises a first inner link plate. The first inner link plate comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first intermediate portion. The first end portion includes a first opening, a first chamfered section, and a first chamfer-free section. The first chamfer-free section is provided in at least a first chamfer-free angular range when viewed from an axial direction parallel to a first center axis. The first chamfer-free angular range is defined from a first circumferential end of the first chamfered section to a first inner-link longitudinal centerline of the first inner link plate. The first chamfer-free angular range is equal to or greater than 30 degrees with respect to the first center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fukumori, Koji Tokuyama, Emi Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 9297450
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket is basically provided with a sprocket body and a chain engagement structure. The sprocket body has a center rotational axis, a first side surface and a second side surface. The first and second side surfaces face oppositely with respect to an axial direction of the bicycle rear sprocket. The first side surface is a smaller sprocket facing side of the sprocket body. The chain engagement structure includes a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outward from an outer periphery of the sprocket body. The sprocket teeth include a first shift tooth and a second shift tooth. The second shift tooth is positioned at a third tooth position in a downstream direction of a rotational driving direction of the bicycle rear sprocket with respect to the first shift tooth. The first shift tooth and the second shift tooth function as a shift tooth when a bicycle chain moves from a smaller bicycle rear sprocket to the bicycle rear sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Numata, Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 9255624
    Abstract: A bicycle chain comprises a first outer link plate. The first outer link plate comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first intermediate portion. The first end portion, the second end portion and the first intermediate portion defines a first outer peripheral edge. The first outer peripheral edge comprises a first end edge, a second end edge, a pair of first intermediate edges, and a first recessed edge. The first end edge extends about the first end portion. The second end edge extends about the second end portion. The pair of first intermediate edges extends along the first intermediate portion between the first end edge and the second end edge. The first recessed edge is provided between the first end edge and one of the first intermediate edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignees: SHIMANO INC., SHIMANO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fukumori, Takashi Adachi, Puat Thiam Lim
  • Publication number: 20150308542
    Abstract: An inner link plate for a bicycle chain is provided. The inner link plate may have a longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction and comprising a first inner-link end portion including a first inner-link opening having a first inner-link center axis, a second inner-link end portion including a second inner-link opening having a second inner-link center axis parallel to the first inner-link center axis, and an inner-link intermediate portion interconnecting the first inner-link end portion and the second inner-link end portion. The first inner-link end portion may have an extended edge portion extending to be away from the second inner-link end portion in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fukumori, Yusuke Nishimoto, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Publication number: 20150292597
    Abstract: An outer link plate for a bicycle chain is provided. The outer link plate has an interior surface configured to face another counterpart outer link plate in an assembled state and an exterior surface opposite to the interior surface. The outer link plate has an outer perimeter, and first and second end portions including respective first and second openings each having corresponding parallel center axes. An intermediate portion is provided interconnecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The intermediate portion has an axially recessed portion formed along the outer perimeter on the exterior surface, the intermediate portion having a pair of intermediate edges formed along the outer perimeter, the axially recessed portion being formed on at least one of the intermediate edges and including a chamfered portion connecting the at least one of the intermediate edges to the exterior surface of the outer link plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Publication number: 20150285358
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket is basically provided with a sprocket body and a chain engagement structure. The sprocket body has a center rotational axis, a first side surface and a second side surface. The first and second side surfaces face oppositely with respect to an axial direction of the bicycle rear sprocket. The first side surface is a smaller sprocket facing side of the sprocket body. The chain engagement structure includes a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outward from an outer periphery of the sprocket body. The sprocket teeth include a first shift tooth and a second shift tooth. The second shift tooth is positioned at a third tooth position in a downstream direction of a rotational driving direction of the bicycle rear sprocket with respect to the first shift tooth. The first shift tooth and the second shift tooth function as a shift tooth when a bicycle chain moves from a smaller bicycle rear sprocket to the bicycle rear sprocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo NUMATA, Tsuyoshi FUKUMORI
  • Publication number: 20150260258
    Abstract: A bicycle chain connecting link comprises a link pin and a link plate. The link pin has a center axis and comprises a main-body, a head portion, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the main-body and than an outer diameter of the head portion to define a groove between the main-body and the head portion. The link plate comprises an elongated opening to which the link pin is removably attached. The elongated opening comprises an insertion opening and an attachment opening connected with the insertion opening. The guiding portion includes a sliding surface slidable with the head portion. The protrusion is provided between the insertion opening and the attachment opening and protrudes from the sliding surface to be slidable with an outer periphery of the head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Toru KUBOTA, Fujihisa TATSUMI, Tsuyoshi FUKUMORI
  • Publication number: 20150260260
    Abstract: A bicycle chain connecting link comprises a link pin and a link plate. The link pin has a center axis. The link plate comprises an elongated opening, a guiding portion, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The elongated opening comprises an insertion opening and an attachment opening connected with the insertion opening. The guiding portion is configured to engage with the groove of the link pin to guide the link pin between the insertion opening and the attachment opening. The first protrusion is provided between the insertion opening and the attachment opening and is configured to be slidable relative to an outer periphery of a head portion of the link pin. The second protrusion is provided between the insertion opening and the attachment opening and is configured to be slidable relative to an outer periphery of an intermediate portion of the link pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi FUKUMORI
  • Publication number: 20150094180
    Abstract: A bicycle chain comprises a first outer link plate, a first inner link plate, and a first link pin. The first outer link plate comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first intermediate portion. The first end portion includes a first opening having a first center axis. A first outer-link distance is defined from the first center axis to a first end edge. The first inner link plate comprises a third end portion, a forth end portion, and a second intermediate portion. The third end portion includes a third opening having a third center axis. A first inner-link distance is defined from the third center axis to a third end edge. A second inner-link distance is defined from the third center axis to a third end edge. The first inner-link distance is larger than the second inner-link distance and the first outer-link distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi FUKUMORI, Takashi ADACHI
  • Publication number: 20150094181
    Abstract: A bicycle chain comprises a first inner link plate. The first inner link plate comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first intermediate portion. The first end portion includes a first opening, a first chamfered section, and a first chamfer-free section. The first chamfer-free section is provided in at least a first chamfer-free angular range when viewed from an axial direction parallel to a first center axis. The first chamfer-free angular range is defined from a first circumferential end of the first chamfered section to a first inner-link longitudinal centerline of the first inner link plate. The first chamfer-free angular range is equal to or greater than 30 degrees with respect to the first center axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi FUKUMORI, Koji TOKUYAMA, Emi HATANAKA
  • Publication number: 20150094182
    Abstract: A bicycle chain comprises a first outer link plate. The first outer link plate comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first intermediate portion. The first end portion, the second end portion and the first intermediate portion defines a first outer peripheral edge. The first outer peripheral edge comprises a first end edge, a second end edge, a pair of first intermediate edges, and a first recessed edge. The first end edge extends about the first end portion. The second end edge extends about the second end portion. The pair of first intermediate edges extends along the first intermediate portion between the first end edge and the second end edge. The first recessed edge is provided between the first end edge and one of the first intermediate edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicants: SHIMANO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD., SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi FUKUMORI, Takashi ADACHI, Puat Thiam LIM
  • Patent number: 8905880
    Abstract: A chain connecting pin basically includes a pin body, a connecting portion and an inserting portion. The pin body has a first axial end face and a second axial end face, the second axial end face having a recessed surface with respect to an outermost edge of the second axial end face. The connecting portion is attached to the recessed surface of the second axial end face of the pin body. The inserting portion is attached to the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kenkichi Inoue, Tsuyoshi Fukumori, Toshinari Oishi
  • Patent number: 8734280
    Abstract: An inner link plate is provided for a chain. The inner link plate has a longitudinal centerline, an inside surface arranged to face another inner link plate when the chain is assembled, an outside surface opposite to the inside surface, and an outer peripheral edge disposed between the inside and outside surfaces. The bicycle inner link plate basically has a first end portion, a second end portion and a connecting portion. The first and second end portions are each provided with a connecting opening. The connecting portion includes a recess disposed on the inside surface of the connecting portion. The recess has a maximum longitudinal width on the outer peripheral edge, and a minimum longitudinal width in a region adjacent the longitudinal centerline. The recess at least extends from the outer peripheral edge to the longitudinal centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toshinari Oishi, Tsuyoshi Fukumori, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Publication number: 20140038759
    Abstract: A chain connecting pin basically includes a pin body, a connecting portion and an inserting portion. The pin body has a first axial end face and a second axial end face, the second axial end face having a recessed surface with respect to an outermost edge of the second axial end face. The connecting portion is attached to the recessed surface of the second axial end face of the pin body. The inserting portion is attached to the connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kenkichi INOUE, Tsuyoshi FUKUMORI, Toshinari OISHI
  • Publication number: 20120322599
    Abstract: An inner link plate is provided for a chain. The inner link plate has a longitudinal centerline, an inside surface arranged to face another inner link plate when the chain is assembled, an outside surface opposite to the inside surface, and an outer peripheral edge disposed between the inside and outside surfaces. The bicycle inner link plate basically has a first end portion, a second end portion and a connecting portion. The first and second end portions are each provided with a connecting opening. The connecting portion includes a recess disposed on the inside surface of the connecting portion. The recess has a maximum longitudinal width on the outer peripheral edge, and a minimum longitudinal width in a region adjacent the longitudinal centerline. The recess at least extends from the outer peripheral edge to the longitudinal centerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Toshinari OISHI, Tsuyoshi FUKUMORI, Atsuhiro EMURA