Velocipede Patents (Class 188/344)
  • Patent number: 11939026
    Abstract: A hydraulic master apparatus, in particular, for a hydraulic brake or clutch of handlebar-guided vehicles with a lever, which is pivotally mounted in a support, and a hydraulic cylinder, which can be disposed in a handlebar tube of the handlebar-guided vehicle and has a piston movably disposed therein, wherein a central valve is disposed in the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Michael Ruopp, Axel Wechsler, Philipp Rösing
  • Patent number: 11912372
    Abstract: A control device for a hydraulic brake for a bicycle includes a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. The reservoir has a variable volume. The control device also includes a reservoir cover at least partially defining the reservoir, and a support that is attachable to a handlebar of the bicycle via an inner annular surface of the support. A handlebar proximity zone is radially outer relative to the inner annular surface of the support and is within two centimeters of the inner annular surface of the support. At least part of the reservoir cover is within the handlebar proximity zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, Brian Jordan, Braden Snead
  • Patent number: 11897575
    Abstract: A brake control device includes a housing, a brake lever, a hydraulic seat and a piston. The housing is formed of a plastic and includes a handlebar mounting portion at an end thereof that is mounted to a bicycle handlebar. The brake lever is pivotably connected to the housing at a pivot of the housing. The hydraulic seat is disposed within the housing and is distal from the handlebar mounting portion. The hydraulic seat is formed of a metal and defines a piston chamber and a hydraulic reservoir therein that are in fluid communication with each other. The piston is movably mounted to the piston chamber in the hydraulic seat, and is operably connected to the brake lever. The plastic of the housing is adhered to the hydraulic seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Chihui Su, Yen-Pang Liu
  • Patent number: 11794848
    Abstract: A control device for a hydraulic brake for a bicycle includes a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. The reservoir has a variable volume. The control device also includes a reservoir cover at least partially defining the reservoir, and a support that is attachable to a handlebar of the bicycle via an inner annular surface of the support. A handlebar proximity zone is radially outer relative to the inner annular surface of the support and is within two centimeters of the inner annular surface of the support. At least part of the reservoir cover is within the handlebar proximity zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, Brian Jordan, Braden Snead
  • Patent number: 11673623
    Abstract: An improved master cylinder for use with a hydraulic clutch or hydraulic brake system. The master cylinder has a master cylinder body defining a bore. A piston is configured to slide in the bore when an actuation lever is compressed by a user. Sliding of the piston as a result of the depression of the lever causes the piston to depress a spring and to increase hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic line leading to the brake or clutch. A spring is configured to return the piston when pressure is released from the actuation lever. The master cylinder body in some embodiments is configured for lateral position adjustment relative to a mounting bracket. In some embodiments the master cylinder has a reservoir. The reservoir can be oriented at a tilted angle relative to the body of the master cylinder. In further embodiments the master cylinder has an outlet nut that is configured for attachment to the hydraulic line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Rekluse Racing LLC
    Inventors: Dayne H. Konrad, Ian R. Shelman, Karl E. Jensen, Sean G. Brown
  • Patent number: 11383687
    Abstract: A brake master cylinder assembly with adjustable fluid reservoir. The invention prevents air from entering a motorcycle hydraulic brake line by adjusting the fluid reservoir to be level with the ground of motorcycle operation. The brake handle remains parallel with the relative position of the handlebar the assembly is fastened to. All motorcycle brake master cylinders have a fluid reservoir and hydraulic piston that are in a fixed position relative to the handle and handlebar. The invention has a reservoir assembly which may be adjusted to any angle to keep the fluid reservoir level while the motorcycle is upright; allowing the motorcycle to have a brake handle and corresponding handlebar at any angle desired. The adjustable hydraulic fluid reservoir assembly prevents air from entering the brake line by reducing exaggerated angles incorporated with handlebar positions. The overall brake performance is therefore extended, mitigating risks' and extending service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Andrew James Perry
  • Patent number: 11286017
    Abstract: An adjustable hand brake lever assembly for a proportional electric braking system for a bicycle or other vehicle. The brake lever assembly may include a sensor assembly which is adapted for use with a standard brake lever assembly as used with mechanical cable braking systems. The sensor assembly may be replaced as a unit. The sensor assembly is adapted to allow for setting the reach adjustment, allowing a user to set a preferred initial position. The adjustable brake lever assembly may be coupled to a control electronic module and a regenerative braking system on a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MSNS, LLC
    Inventor: Neal Saiki
  • Patent number: 11208174
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, 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 electrical switch is to be activated by an input operation from a user. The wireless communicator is electrically connected to the electrical switch to wirelessly transmit a signal to an additional component in response to the input operation. The power supply is electrically connected to the wireless communicator to supply electrical power to the wireless communicator. The wireless communicator and the power supply are at least partially overlap with each other when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi Komatsu, Takafumi Nishino, Takehiko Nakajima
  • Patent number: 11198485
    Abstract: A brake assembly has a lever configured to press a knee against a pushrod of a piston of a master cylinder assembly. The knee is configured to receive removable inserts that allow a user to modify the angle at which the lever activates the master cylinder assembly. The master cylinder assembly can include protrusions on the outer surface of the cylinder to protect the cylinder from impact damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Robert L. Barnett
  • Patent number: 11187263
    Abstract: A device (1) for removably securing an actuating member to an input or output element, such as to a gear shift lever or a transmission of a motor vehicle, has a mounting point (10) for the actuating member, and a receptacle (20) for a mounting element of the input or output element. The receptacle (20) has an outer receptacle element (30) and an inner receptacle element (40) arranged therein, between which is an elastic damping element (50). To reduce undesired vibrations from the transmission or the actuating member to the interior of the vehicle, while securing the actuating member to the mounting device in a simpler manner, the damping element is a separate component which has a wave profile (52) on its wall (51) facing the outer receptacle element (30), and the mounting point (10) has a threaded insert (11) for securing the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Küster Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Henrich, Viktor Kremer
  • Patent number: 11124264
    Abstract: A stand-alone, auxiliary brake system is provided for operating the rear wheel brake of a motorcycle. The auxiliary brake includes an actuator that is connected to a hand lever by a hose. The actuator is mounted to the rear brake using a fastener. A push rod of the actuator is installed onto the rear brake master cylinder replacing the existing push rod. The push rod is attached to a piston, which is mounted inside a cylinder of the actuator. A transfer port on the actuator connects the hose to the cylinder with the fluid inside the hose being pressurized by the hand lever to push the piston to activate the rear brake through the push rod. Thus, the auxiliary brake system provides an efficient and effective braking mechanism through the user's hand actuation without compromising the existing foot pedal braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Charles Robert Schueller
    Inventor: Charles Robert Schueller
  • Patent number: 11040755
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic brake lever includes a body, a brake lever, and a linkage member. The linkage member includes a pressing portion and a first actuating portion extending toward different directions, a piston is disposed in a hydraulic cylinder of the body, the piston includes a second actuating portion, the brake lever and the linkage member are both pivotally connected to the body by a pivot, the second actuating portion of the piston comes into contact with a first actuating portion of the linkage member, and a point of force application by the first actuating portion on the second actuating portion is collinear with a center line of the hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: TIEN HSIN INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Peng-Hsi Tsai
  • Patent number: 10981621
    Abstract: A hydraulic line connection for a hydraulic brake of vehicles with handlebar steering comprises a line-fastening device, which has a fastening portion for fastening the line-fastening device in a support of a hydraulic component of the hydraulic brake and a connecting portion for connection with a hydraulic line, wherein the line-fastening device has an extension, which is attached to the fastening portion on the side opposite to the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Gustav Magenwirth GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Hujer, Jochen Coconcelli, Christian Neutsch
  • Patent number: 10946928
    Abstract: A bicycle control device for use with a road bicycle includes a hydraulic brake control device and also may include a shift control device. The brake and shift control devices are disposed within a housing. The brake control device includes a master cylinder arranged in the housing. A piston assembly includes a piston slidably disposed within the master cylinder. A brake lever is operatively coupled to the piston such that the brake lever pulls the piston from a rest position to an actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Neil Swanson, Mark Santurbane
  • Patent number: 10882584
    Abstract: A hydraulic operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, and a piston. The base member includes a first end portion, a second end portion, a cylinder bore, a first hose-attachment hole, and a second hose-attachment hole. The second end portion is opposite to the first end portion. The first hose-attachment hole is configured to be in fluid communication with the cylinder bore. The second hose-attachment hole is configured to be in fluid communication with the cylinder bore. The operating member is pivotally coupled to the base member at the first end portion about a pivot axis. The first hose-attachment hole and the second hose-attachment hole are provided closer to the pivot axis than the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazuma Mori, Takuma Sakai, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 10800480
    Abstract: A hydraulic operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, a piston, and a mounting member. The base member includes a cylinder bore, a first hose-attachment hole, and a second hose-attachment hole. The first hose-attachment hole is configured to be in fluid communication with the cylinder bore. The second hose-attachment hole is configured to be in fluid communication with the cylinder bore. The operating member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a pivot axis. The mounting member is configured to couple the base member to a handlebar. The mounting member includes a mount opening through which the handlebar is to extend. The first hose-attachment hole, the second hose-attachment hole, and the mount opening are provided on a reference plane perpendicular to the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nishikawa, Takuma Sakai, Nobuyoshi Fujii, Yoshimitsu Miki, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 10704622
    Abstract: Actuation mechanism for a wedge-actuated drum brake, in particular for commercial vehicles, includes a spreading unit which has an actuating element which is displaceable along an actuating direction, wherein the spreading unit is configured in such a way that the displacement of the actuating element can occur directly via a fluid or a fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Drewes
  • Patent number: 10696354
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member including a first end to be mounted to a bicycle handlebar and a second end opposite to the first end. A hydraulic unit is operatively coupled to an 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 closer to the free end of the operating member than at least one of the wireless communicator and the power supply when viewed from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi Komatsu, Takafumi Nishino, Takehiko Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10618596
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member made of a resin material. The base member includes an outer surface, a cylinder bore, and at least one recess provided on the outer surface to define a cylinder wall between the cylinder bore and the at least one recess. The cylinder wall has a cylinder-wall thickness defined between the cylinder bore and the at least one recess. The cylinder-wall thickness is equal to or larger than 1 mm and equal to or smaller than 3.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Komada, Yusuke Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 10569826
    Abstract: An ergonomic motorcycle, rear-brake adaptor unit operative to provide constant and immediate accessibility to a rider whose foot is resting on a foot peg when riding in any of variety of riding postures that typically impede immediate access to the rear-brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: AMBROSIA INVESTMENTS LTD.
    Inventor: Ram Shaffir
  • Patent number: 10556637
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi Komatsu, Takafumi Nishino, Takehiko Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10494053
    Abstract: An operating device is basically provided with a base member, an operating member and a handlebar fixing structure. The base member includes a support abutment having a contact surface that is arranged to contact an outer surface of a handlebar while the operating device is in an installed state. The contact surface defines an abutment circle about an abutment axis. The operating member is movably coupled to the base member. The handlebar fixing structure is provided on the base member. The handlebar fixing structure has a fixing surface. The fixing surface defines a fixing circle about a fixing axis offset from the abutment axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Komada, Kohei Obuchi, Takuma Sakai
  • Patent number: 10442495
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic operating system includes first and second actuating devices and a hydraulic operated device. The first actuating device includes a first operating member, a first master cylinder and a first master piston. The first master piston moves in the first master cylinder in response to operation of the first operating member. The second actuating device includes a second operating member, a second master cylinder and a second master piston. The second master piston moves in the second master cylinder in response to operation of the second operating member. The hydraulic operated device includes a slave cylinder and a slave piston that is movably arranged in the slave cylinder. The slave cylinder has a slave fluid port that is connected to first and second fluid ports of the first and second master cylinders. Operation of either of the first and second operating members moves the slave piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Osamu Kariyama, Takahiro Yamashita, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 10407123
    Abstract: A hydraulic disc brake device includes a cover, a hydraulic unit, an oil tube and a disc brake unit. The cover includes at least one accommodating space, at least one oil route, a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end towards a moving direction of the bicycle. The hydraulic unit includes a hydraulic cylinder and a piston. The hydraulic cylinder is assembled in the accommodating space. The piston is assembled in the hydraulic cylinder for controlling a pressure of the oil route. The disc brake unit is connected with the oil tube and controlled by a pressure of the oil tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: GIANT MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: I-Teh Chen, Hsi Wong, Hsien-Chang Kang, Wei-Tsung Hsu
  • Patent number: 10310544
    Abstract: On a motorized vehicle with handlebars and handlebar mounted levers, a motorcycle lever retention system includes a button operatively connected to and capable of toggling a rocker switch, a clutch or brake lever having a retracted position and an extended, biased position, a clutch or brake operatively connected to the clutch or brake lever such that the clutch is disengaged or the brake is engaged when the clutch or brake lever is moved into the retracted position, and a mechanism operatively attached to the rocker switch and configured such that when the button is pressed, the rocker switch is toggled causing the mechanism to prevent the clutch from being engaged or the brake from being disengaged and the clutch or brake lever from moving back into the extended, biased position until the button is pressed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventor: David Ott
  • Patent number: 10266227
    Abstract: An operating member is movably coupled to a base member. A hydraulic unit comprises a cylinder bore and a piston movably provided in the cylinder bore. The piston is coupled to the operating member to generate a hydraulic pressure in response to a movement of the operating member relative to the base member. A reservoir tank comprises a lid opening having a maximum width and a reservoir bore extending from the lid opening and having a maximum depth. The maximum depth is larger than the maximum width. The reservoir bore is connected to the cylinder bore and disposed above the cylinder bore in a mounting state where the bicycle operating device is mounted to the bicycle body. At least one of the cylinder bore and the reservoir tank is integrally provided with the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Komada
  • Patent number: 10189540
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic operating device basically has a base member, an operating member, a piston and a connecting rod. The base member includes a cylinder bore and a reservoir tank. The operating member is pivotally mounted to the base member to pivot about a pivot axis. The piston is movably disposed in the cylinder bore of the base member along a cylinder axis of the cylinder bore. The connecting rod operatively couples the operating member to the piston. The reservoir tank is arranged to overlap the connecting rod as viewed in a direction parallel to the pivot axis of the operating member. The reservoir tank is arranged to at least partly offset from the cylinder bore in a direction parallel to the cylinder axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Komada
  • Patent number: 10189538
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic operation device includes a bracket configured to be attached to a bicycle part. A hydraulic cylinder is provided on the bracket, and a piston is located within the hydraulic cylinder. An attachment bore provided on the bracket, and the attachment bore is connected with the hydraulic cylinder. The attachment bore includes a step. At least part of the attachment bore is arranged in an area that radially surrounds the hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Takafumi Nishino
  • Patent number: 10183723
    Abstract: A bicycle control device for use with a road bicycle includes a hydraulic brake control device and a shift control device. The brake and shift control devices are disposed within a housing. The brake control device includes a master cylinder arranged in the housing. A piston assembly includes a piston slidably disposed within the master cylinder. A brake lever is operatively coupled to the piston such that the brake lever pulls the piston from a rest position to an actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Neil Swanson, Mark Santurbane
  • Patent number: 10167041
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, and a piston. The base member has a longitudinal axis defined along a center axis of a free end of a bicycle handlebar in a mounting state where the base member is mounted to the free end of the bicycle handlebar. The base member includes a cylinder bore having a cylinder center axis. The cylinder bore is at least partly arranged in the bicycle handlebar in the mounting state. The operating member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a pivot axis. The cylinder center axis is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis by an inclination angle equal to or larger than 4 degrees. The piston is movably provided in the cylinder bore and operatively coupled to the operating member to move in the cylinder bore in response to a pivotal movement of the operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Komada, Kohei Ohyabu
  • Patent number: 10082158
    Abstract: A master mounting for a hydraulic actuation member has a housing, which has a compensating chamber with an interior and a cylinder. The master mounting also has a piston guided in the cylinder. The cylinder and the compensating chamber are connected in at least one position of the piston by a communication channel. At least one overflow channel is disposed at least at the opening of the communication channel in the cylinder wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Ruopp
  • Patent number: 9937978
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Takafumi Nishino
  • Patent number: 9827959
    Abstract: To improve the degree of freedom with which an ABS hydraulic unit is attached to a handlebar, an ABS hydraulic unit includes a main housing that has at least part of a hydraulic circuit formed inside and is equipped with a mounting portion for mounting a brake lever and an attachment portion having at least part of a side surface of a through hole formed along a first direction, the through hole being for attaching the ABS hydraulic unit to a handlebar. The ABS hydraulic unit also includes a master cylinder that has a piston portion that moves in conjunction with the brake lever, the master cylinder being for increasing, with the movement of the piston portion, the pressure of brake fluid inside the hydraulic circuit. A piston insertion hole that extends in the moving direction of the piston portion and is for inserting the master cylinder is formed in the main housing along a second direction that intersects, but is not orthogonal to, the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kosaku Sagayama, Hiroaki Atsushi
  • Patent number: 9809274
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake mechanism is mountable to a bicycle handlebar. The hydraulic brake mechanism includes a housing having a base portion and an extension portion, the base portion including first and second ends, the base portion including a handlebar clamp at the first end, the base portion extending generally horizontally and the extension portion extending forwardly of the base portion at the second end and angled generally upwardly from the base portion when the hydraulic brake mechanism is mounted to the bicycle handlebar, the housing sized and shaped to be grasped by a user's hand, the housing having a fluid outlet port in the extension portion. The hydraulic brake mechanism may include a fluid line attached to the fluid outlet port and disposed in a groove formed along a length of the extension portion and the base portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Dunlap, Paul Feuerstein
  • Patent number: 9764794
    Abstract: A bicycle brake device comprises a friction member, a base member, a link structure, and a piston. The base member includes a hydraulic cylinder. The link structure is configured to couple the friction member to the base member so as to move the friction member relative to the base member between a rest position and a braking position. The piston is movable in the hydraulic cylinder in a movement direction and configured to push the link structure to move the friction member from the rest position toward the braking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Osamu Kariyama, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9701362
    Abstract: A bicycle brake device comprises a friction member, a base member, and a piston. The base member includes a hydraulic cylinder. The piston is movable in the hydraulic cylinder in a movement direction so as to move the friction member toward a rotatable member. The piston is at least partially provided in a frame area defined by an outline of a bicycle frame when viewed from the movement direction in an attachment state where the base member is attached to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Patent number: 9650105
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a hydraulic unit and a changing unit. The hydraulic unit includes a hydraulic cylinder, a piston, and a reservoir. The hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder bore. The piston is movably provided in the cylinder bore. The reservoir includes a reserve chamber and a connecting hole. The connecting hole is configured to connect the cylinder bore to the reserve chamber. The changing unit is separately provided from the piston and configured to change a communication state defined between the cylinder bore and the reserve chamber via the connecting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Yasuyuki Komada, Takuro Jinbu, Tatsuya Matsushita
  • Patent number: 9505463
    Abstract: A bicycle control device includes a housing member, a control lever member, a shift-operating mechanism and a hydraulic fluid pressure generator. The housing member has an attachment part for attachment to a handlebar, and a grip part extending longitudinally between first and second ends of the grip part. The control lever member pivots relative to the housing member. The shift-operating mechanism is coupled to a shifting device by a control cable. The hydraulic fluid pressure generator has a cylinder, a piston movably disposed within the cylinder by movement of control lever member to generate fluid pressure for controlling a braking device, a piston position adjustment mechanism adjustably coupling the piston with respect to the cylinder to change an initial position of the piston with respect to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakakura, Yoshimitsu Miki
  • Patent number: 9487199
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake mechanism is described including a housing. A master cylinder assembly is disposed within the housing, and the master cylinder assembly includes a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber includes a first chamber portion having a first diameter and a second chamber portion having a second diameter, with the first diameter greater than the second diameter. The fluid chamber includes a transition region between the first and second chamber portions. The mechanism includes a piston assembly having a piston disposed within the fluid chamber. A first seal is configured to sealingly engage between the first chamber portion and the piston, and a second seal is configured to sealingly engage between the second chamber portion and the piston. The mechanism includes an outlet port extending from the fluid chamber from or adjacent the transition region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Dunlap, Paul Feuerstein
  • Patent number: 9453546
    Abstract: A bicycle braking system comprises an operating device, a braking device, a sensing device, and an adjusting device. The operating device includes an operating member configured to be operated by a user. The braking device is configured to apply a braking force to a movable member of a bicycle in response to an operation of the operating member. The braking device includes at least one friction member configured to contact the movable member. The sensing device is configured to sense first information relating to an operation amount of the operating member and second information relating to an operating force of the operating member. The adjusting device is configured to adjust a position of the at least one friction member based on the first information and the second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Osamu Kariyama, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9399498
    Abstract: A foot pedal structure for a saddle-type vehicle for preventing peripheral components in the periphery of a brake pedal from being damaged even though the brake pedal and the peripheral components are not widely spaced from each other. A brake pedal includes at least an arm extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle from a step support member and a pedal member mounted on a distal end of the arm and extending in a vehicle widthwise direction. An upward extension in the form of a plate member extends upwardly from a treading surface of the pedal member and is disposed on an inner end of the pedal member in the vehicle widthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daiki Hamaguchi, Taro Nishimoto, Keita Mikura, Rui Maeda, Soya Uchida, Tetsuyoshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9371110
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake master cylinder is provided. The end of the movable barrel away from the outer convex ring is spaced apart or against the first inner convex flange and to adjust the location of one of two flow-through holes to make the use of brake not be influenced by the oil and air inside the first cylinder while rotating the movable barrel through the disposed outer convex ring. Two elastic plates are plugged in the inner conical portion, the outer convex ring between two ends of the inner connecting member is against the third inner convex flange adjacent to the fifth inner threaded portion, and two elastic plates are pressed by the inner conical portion to be fastened and passed through the second end cap, the second piston, the first piston, and the end of the two elastic plates with a brake cable in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Tektro Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chao Kung Chen
  • Patent number: 9156523
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake adjusting device is provided. The mechanical advantage may be automatically increased by pressed the handlebar by riders and then increased the angle lead by the leading plate(s). Thereby, it may simplify structure, be easy to operate, and be capable of automatically adjusting mechanical advantage while riding. Furthermore, the distance between the O-ring on the tube and the through hole of the piston may be adjusted by the screw barrel to make the convex portion push against the tube, the piston, and the push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Tektro Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Guan-Yu Shih
  • Patent number: 9010500
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake hose structure is basically provided with a hydraulic brake hose and a first sealing material. The hydraulic brake hose has a first end with a first opening and a second end with a second opening. The first sealing material overlies the first opening of the first end to form a first seal that seals the first opening of the first end. The first sealing material ruptures at a prescribed hydraulic fluid pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinpei Uchida, Shinya Hirotomi
  • Patent number: 9004245
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system is adapted to be assembled on a steering assembly. The hydraulic brake system includes a connecting member and hydraulic device. The connecting member has a receiving room and a receiving opening. The hydraulic device has a hydraulic cylinder and a fluid tank. The hydraulic cylinder is received in the receiving room. The fluid tank is inserted in the receiving opening and connected with the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder has a main body, two pistons and two springs. The main body has two hydraulic chambers. The two pistons are assembled in the two hydraulic chambers and two springs sleeve onto the two pistons. Two brake cables and two fluid pipes are connected with the hydraulic cylinder. When the brake cable pulls the piston to press a fluid in the hydraulic chamber, the fluid flows into the fluid pipe so as to control a brake device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ashima Ltd.
    Inventor: Wayne-Ian Moore
  • Publication number: 20150090550
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic operating device comprises a base member, a piston, and a plug member. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle handlebar and has a cylinder bore and a through-hole. The cylinder bore extends in a first direction. The through-hole includes an outer opening on an outer surface of the base member and extends from the cylinder bore. The piston is configured to be movably disposed within the cylinder bore. The plug member is configured to plug up the through-hole and has an inside part disposed inside the outer opening. The inside part has a maximum outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the outer opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Keiji MATSUEDA, Masahiro NAKAKURA
  • Patent number: 8991543
    Abstract: In a straddle type vehicle having front forks, the left front fork is in an elliptical shape portion whose axial cross section is formed so as to be wider in the width direction of the vehicle as compared to a length in the front and rear direction at the portion located in front of the brake caliper. The brake caliper is disposed so as to be overlapped with the elliptical shape portion, viewed from the front direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Nagakubo
  • Patent number: 8967347
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a hydraulic brake system includes a hollow casing and a retractable unit. The hollow casing has a rotatable ring to control the retractable unit. One end of the hollow casing is connected to a hydraulic hose, and another end is connected to a hydraulic cylinder. The adjustment device is assembled between a hydraulic hose and a hydraulic cylinder. When a user rotates the rotatable ring, the retractable unit is adjusted so as to control a sensitivity of a hydraulic brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ashima Ltd.
    Inventor: Wayne-Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 8944223
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake handle assembly, wherein the response time of the hydraulic brake caliper can be much improved, and the brake action can be carried out immediately. When the brake lever is pressed, the volume of the oil pushed by the piston is doubled due to the hydraulic brake handle assembly is provided with two piston portions inserted in two oil chambers. Since the response time of the hydraulic caliper of the present invention is improved, it allows the brake pads of the hydraulic caliper to be assembled at a relatively large distance from the brake disc, so that sand won't get struck between the brake pads and the brake disc, and the brake disc remains useful when they are bent out of plain rubbing after using.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tien Hsin Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jason Miles
  • Patent number: 8943924
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adjustable lever assembly with a lever having an adjustment section and a grip section, where the adjustment section includes a slide passage in communication with an adjuster passage, and an adjuster positioned at least partially inside the adjuster passage, the adjuster having a threaded inner passage extending therethrough. The adjustable lever assembly further includes a slide positioned substantially inside the slide passage, the slide including an outer wall surface that is keyed to the slide passage and a threaded outer portion for rotatably engaging the threaded inner passage of the adjuster, wherein rotation of the adjuster translates the slide about the adjuster passage, and wherein the slide includes a bottom portion configured for securing pivotally to a pushrod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: HB Performance Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Larry Thomas