And Including Belt-shifter Mechanism Patents (Class 474/80)
  • Publication number: 20110090083
    Abstract: A system and method of searching the world wide web for relevant web sites by a user. The system provides a means for indexing relationship information, such as owners of trademarks, in the search engine and retrieval thereof. The user can select particular relationship elements to rank at the top of the web list, and/or the search engine can automatically retrieve one or more categories of relationship information. New classes of META tags are defined in one embodiment for supporting the invention while third party data can be utilized, or in conjunction with META tag information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Rodger H. Rast
  • Patent number: 7922612
    Abstract: A power supply structure for a bicycle basically includes a battery configured to be supported on a frame of the bicycle, a junction attachable to the frame of the bicycle and first, second, third and fourth cable portions. The first cable portion extends between the junction and the battery providing an electrical connection therebetween. The second cable portion extends between the junction and a bicycle shifter mechanism connecting end providing an electrical connection therebetween. The third cable portion extends between the junction and a bicycle front derailleur connecting end providing an electrical connection therebetween. The fourth cable portion extends between the junction and a bicycle rear derailleur connecting end providing an electrical connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Yoshida, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20110079982
    Abstract: A mechanism for shifting a chain from one sprocket to another sprocket is disclosed herein. The mechanism preferably includes rotor assembly, a control element and a chain tensioner. The rotor assembly preferably has a conical shaped body with a chain slot having clearance windows and cam surfaces. The control element rotates the rotor assembly to shift the chain from one of the sprockets to another sprocket without lateral movement of the rotor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: PATTERSON BICYCLE TRANSMISSION LLC
    Inventor: Sam Patterson
  • Patent number: 7914407
    Abstract: A manually operated bicycle front derailleur assembly includes a linkage assembly, a lever member and a connecting link. The linkage assembly is supported to a fixing member and includes an inner link pivotally coupled to the fixing member at a first pivot point, an extension arm extending from proximate the first pivot point, an outer link pivotally coupled to the fixing member at a second pivot point, and a chain guide pivotally coupled to the inner and outer links to move between an inner shift position and an outer shift position. The lever member is pivotally supported relative to the fixing member and the bicycle frame spaced apart from the first and second pivot points. The connecting link operatively connects the lever member to the extension arm such that the linkage assembly moves in response to movement of the lever member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoji Fukushima, Nobuyoshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 7905804
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur mounting structure includes a base member and a stopper. The base member includes a first portion configured for attachment to a bicycle frame. The first portion of the base member has a first side surface and a second side surface with an aperture extending between the first and second side surfaces. The stopper is coupled to the base member between the first and second side surfaces. The stopper is configured for setting an angular position of the base member relative to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Souta Yamaguchi, Shinya Oseto
  • Patent number: 7892122
    Abstract: A derailleur for a bicycle comprises a base member, a movable member for supporting a chain guide, a linkage mechanism coupling the base member to the movable member, an electrically operated actuating element, and a power storing mechanism. Moving the actuating element causes the movable member to move laterally. A first portion of the power storing mechanism is disposed in a first power transmission path between the actuating element and the movable member, and a second portion of the power storing mechanism is disposed in a different second power transmission path between the actuating element and the movable member. The actuating element comprises a first actuating member and a second actuating member. The first actuating member communicates force in the first power transmission path, the second actuating member communicates force in the second power transmission path, and the first actuating member moves relative to the second actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20110028252
    Abstract: The invention is a universal front and rear derailleur configured to work with a variable mechanical transmission of the chain and sprocket type. A hollow axle is mounted adjacent to the sprockets. At least one radial arm serving as a chain lifter is rotatably mounted on the hollow axle in the chain-free sector of the sprockets. An operator controlled mechanism forces the lifter to move axially against a spring towards the sprockets. Upon contact, the sprockets entrain the lifter under the chain. The chain is lifted from the active sprocket and deposited onto another sprocket. Completing a full circle, the lifter is pushed back by the spring in its stowing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Tzvetan Nedialkov Tzvetkov
  • Patent number: 7874948
    Abstract: Rocker arm assembly for the rear derailleur of a bicycle, comprising an outer plate carrying a pivot pin, an inner plate and a pair of idle transmission wheels arranged between the outer plate and the inner plate. The inner plate is made of metallic material and the outer plate is made of a structural fiber fabric incorporated in a thermoplastic material matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Campagnolo Srl
    Inventor: Giuseppe Dal Pra′
  • Patent number: 7871346
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur includes a mounting member, at least one linkage member, a movable chain guide and a chain guide tensioning mechanism. The mounting member is configured to be attached to a bicycle frame. The linkage member is supported to the mounting member. The movable member is movably coupled to the mounting member via the linkage member. The chain guide is pivotally connected to the movable member to pivot about a pivot axis that extends through the movable member. The chain guide also supports a guide pulley and a tension pulley. The chain guide tensioning mechanism is supported to the movable member at a point spaced apart from the pivot axis configured to bias the chain guide in a direction about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Takachi, Satoshi Shahana, Yoshitsugu Yamada
  • Patent number: 7867118
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur includes a fixed member, a chain guide and a linkage assembly. The fixed member includes a fixing body and a projection part fixedly coupled together. The fixing body includes a fastening portion with a seat tube reference plane that aligns with a longitudinal center axis of a seat tube when coupled thereto. The projection part has a projecting surface offset axially from the fixing body toward a smallest front chain ring of a bicycle front crankset. The projecting surface has an overall vertical height lying substantially in a single plane measured in a direction parallel to the seat tube reference plane that is greater than 10 millimeters in an area between the seat tube reference plane and 23 millimeters measured perpendicularly and forwardly from the seat tube reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazufumi Yamamoto, Nobuyoshi Fujii, Yoshiaki Nankou
  • Patent number: 7824285
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base member, a movable member movably coupled to the base member and a chain guide coupled to the movable member. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle portion. The base member includes a metal plate that is a one-piece member forming a stroke adjustment mounting structure, an angular position adjustment mounting structure and an outer casing adjustment mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Boon Sze Tan
  • Patent number: 7806792
    Abstract: A front derailleur is provided with an auxiliary bicycle shifting component to minimize reduction in downshifting performance when a chain is located on a chain-entry side of a chain guide. The auxiliary bicycle shifting component basically has a fixed part and a chain contact part. The fixed part is used to fix the chain contact part on the chain guide. The chain contact part is disposed on the chain-entry side of an outer plate of a chain guide of the front derailleur, and is configured and arranged to contact with a chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Fujii, Hideki Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 7798929
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a movable bicycle device comprises a power supply sensor that detects an abnormal power supply characteristic, and a control unit operatively coupled to the power supply sensor. The control unit provides a first signal to command the bicycle device to move in a first manner when the power supply has a first characteristic, and the control unit provides a second signal to command the bicycle device to move in a different second manner when the power supply has a second characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Takamoto, Masahiko Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20100234154
    Abstract: The invention relates to the guidance of chains on bicycles. In this context, a chain stay is provided on a rear section of a bicycle, which chain stay is set up by means of a receiving device in such a manner that a chain guide can be fixed firmly on the chain stay. Furthermore, the chain guide is designed in such a manner that with regard to the guidance of the chain, it is possible to respond to a lateral position change of the chain due to a derailleur gear in such a manner that the desired guidance of the chain is achieved in any lateral position of the chain. The chain is thus held in the desired position in any operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Jochen Klieber
  • Patent number: 7779724
    Abstract: An electrical bicycle shift control assembly is provided that includes at least one electrical bicycle shift control device. The shift control device includes a handlebar mounting portion configured to be clamped onto a handlebar and an electrical shift control switch portion. The electrical switch portion has an operating member arranged to move relative to the handlebar mounting portion between a neutral position and an actuating position. Preferably, the electrical switch portion is detachably coupled to the handlebar mounting portion via a mating mounting structure to be removable from the handlebar mounting portion without removing the handlebar mounting portion from the handlebar. Preferably, a bicycle computer unit including a display screen is supported by the handlebar mounting portion. The operating member can include a dial-shaped element or a lever-shaped element that is configured to rotate about an operating axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 7780558
    Abstract: The chain guide of a bicycle rear derailleur is a chain guide which is connected to a movable member so that this guide is free to swing about a center pivot axis. The chain guide has a pair of plate members rotatably supporting a guide pulley and a tension pulley. One of the plate members is provided with a chain slip prevention part which is disposed between both plate members in the vicinity of the guide pulley. Preferably, the chain slip prevention part has a width of ten mm or greater and fifty mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Kunisawa
  • Publication number: 20100189477
    Abstract: A belt driving device including a rotatable seamless belt wound around rotatable driven rollers and one or multiple rollers, and a driven roller unit including the rotatable driven rollers. The driven roller unit includes a detection roller rotatably driven, a surface of which contacts an inner surface of the belt to slide in a direction of a rotary shaft thereof when shifting occurs on the belt in a width direction thereof; a correction roller rotatably driven, a rotary shaft of which is rotatably supported to displace around any single point on the rotary shaft thereof while a surface thereof contacts the inner surface of the belt; and a conversion unit to convert displacement of the detection roller in the direction of the rotary shaft of the detection roller into angular displacement of the correction roller in a direction of rotation of the correction roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Masamichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7762916
    Abstract: A front derailleur basically comprises a base member, a chain guide, inner and outer links, a first arm portion, and a coil spring. The chain guide is freely swingably coupled to the base member to guide a chain in a direction of shifting gears. Each of the outer link and the inner link has first and second sections freely rotatably coupled to the base member and the chain guide, respectively. The outer link and the inner link are disposed substantially parallel to each other. The first arm portion extends in a direction away from the base member. The coil spring has first and second ends connected to the base member and a free end of the first arm portion such that a biasing force is applied on the chain guide in a direction toward a frame of the bicycle when the base member is installed on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20100184545
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member, a coupling member and a cable actuation ratio control mechanism. The movable member supports a chain guide. The coupling member movably couples the movable member to the base member. The cable actuation ratio control mechanism includes first and second link members. The first link member has a pivoting portion, a cable connection portion and a second link coupling portion. The pivoting portion is pivotally mounted to one of the coupling member and the base member. The cable connection portion is located on one side of the pivoting portion, while the second link coupling portion is located on the other side of the pivoting portion. The second link member is coupled to the first link member at the second link coupling portion and pivotally mounted to one of the movable member and the coupling member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi TAKACHI, Michihiro KODAMA
  • Patent number: 7744498
    Abstract: To achieve downsizing and weight reduction of a derailleur shaft and the mounting structure thereof and to improve the rigidity of the derailleur shaft without increasing the thickness thereof more than necessary. A transmission case is divided into left and right halves, and the left and right halves are provided with bosses therein having holes opposing each other. The bosses are brought into abutment with each other and united by fitting tightening bolts to the holes of the bosses and tightening the same. A sleeve-shaped derailleur shaft is fitted on the outer periphery of the bosses to support and mount the derailleur shaft. The derailleur shaft includes a hole at the shaft end thereof. A mounting position of the derailleur shaft is achieved by a pin inserted into the hole and a hole provided on one of the cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Matsumoto, Kazunari Iguchi
  • Patent number: 7722487
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur is provided with a mounting fixture that is configured to maintain an angular orientation of the front derailleur about a mounting axis parallel to a center axis of a frame tube in a stable manner. The mounting fixture has a bicycle frame fastening part, a front derailleur mounting part and a front derailleur contact part. The bicycle frame fastening part is configured to be fastened to the seat tube. The front derailleur mounting part is disposed on the bicycle frame fastening part and configured to be fastened to the front derailleur so that fine adjustment is possible about the mounting axis disposed at a distance from the seat tube. The front derailleur contact part selectively contacts a side surface of the front derailleur on the side facing the seat tube in a position that is different from that of the front derailleur mounting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Kazuhiro Fujii, Yoshihiro Oda
  • Patent number: 7722488
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a chain cage, a first pulley, a second pulley and a chain guard member. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member. The chain cage is coupled to the movable member to move between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The first pulley is rotatably mounted relative to the movable member. The second pulley is rotatably mounted to the chain cage to move with the chain cage relative. The chain guard member is movably coupled relative to the movable member. The chain cage includes an engagement portion arranged to move the chain guard member from a first position to a second position when the chain cage is moved from the first orientation to the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoru Kunisawa, Souta Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7722489
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur includes a chain guide that is provided with a pushing element that is movable relative to the chain guide to assist in shifting a bicycle chain from a smaller front sprocket to an adjacent larger sprocket. The chain guide is part of a movable member that is movably coupled to a base member via a linkage assembly. The pushing element is rotatably coupled to the chain guide portion and activated by a chain to move relative to the inner chain guide member from a first position with the pushing element at rest to a second position in response to activation by the chain. The contact surface moves laterally outwardly into the chain receiving slot toward the outer chain guide member as the pushing element moves from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toshio Tetsuka, Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Patent number: 7722486
    Abstract: A top/bottom pull front derailleur includes a base member, inner and outer links, a chain guide and a top/low adjustment mechanism coupled to the base member. The links are pivotally coupled between the base member and the chain guide. The inner link has a wire fixing part that can be used in top and bottom pull arrangements. The chain guide is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the base member. The adjustment mechanism includes top and low adjusting bolts with longitudinal bolt axes angled more than zero degrees relative to a plane of the bicycle frame. The adjustment mechanism is mounted rearwardly of single attachment portion of the outer link or between a pair of attachment portions of the outer link. The bolt axes are preferably angled about 45 degrees or about 90 degrees relative to the plane of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nanko
  • Patent number: 7704173
    Abstract: A motorized bicycle derailleur assembly has a motor unit, a movable part (e.g., a motor linkage, a derailleur linkage and/or a chain guide) and a controller. The movable part is in response to activation of the motor unit within a mechanical stroke. The motor unit has a motor output stroke with a prescribed maximum movement range that is larger than the mechanical stroke of the movable part. The movable part has an anti-jamming arrangement having an anti-jamming spring. The anti-jamming spring is configured and arranged to compress when the motor unit continues to apply a moving force to the movable part after the movable part reaches a lockup position. The controller is configured to set the motor unit output stroke to an operating movement range that is smaller than the prescribed maximum movement range so that the anti-jamming biasing element remains uncompressed during normal shifting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Ryuichiro Takamoto, Haruyuki Takebayashi
  • Patent number: 7703785
    Abstract: A bicycle derailer assembly that is mounted concentrically with an axle of a rear wheel assembly. The derailer is constructed to be mounted to the bicycle such that the derailer is pivotable about a common axis with the rear wheel and such that the rear wheel can be removed from the bicycle without interfering with the connection of the derailer to the bicycle. The derailer system provides a derailer that is robust and reduces interference of the derailer with the performance of bicycle maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventors: James Colegrove, Dylan Howes, Jose Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 7704172
    Abstract: A front derailleur is configured to be accurately mounted to a bicycle frame in a prescribed mounting position. The front derailleur has a chain guide, a front derailleur main body, an intermediate piece and a fastening piece. The front derailleur main body has a mounting part with a curved mounting face having a circular arc arranged around a first pivot axis extending in a first direction. The intermediate piece has a first curved abutting face mating with the curved mounting face of the mounting part to pivot relative to each other about the first pivot axis, a second curved abutting face having a circular arc arranged around a second pivot axis extending in a second direction perpendicularly arranged relative to the first direction, and a first through hole extending in a third direction generally perpendicular to the first and second directions and passes through the first and second abutting faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toshio Tetsuka, Yoshiaki Nanko
  • Publication number: 20100093472
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member and a moving mechanism. The movable member pivotally supports a chain guide. The moving mechanism is coupled between the base member and the movable member so that the movable member is movable relative to the base member. The chain guide includes a first guide plate, a second guide plate, a guide pulley rotatably disposed between the first and second guide plates and a tension pulley rotatably disposed between the first and second guide plates. The first and second guide plates are releasably coupled together by a tool-less connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Shinya OSETO, Hajime NAGASAWA, Satoru KUNISAWA
  • Publication number: 20100081527
    Abstract: A derailleur is configured to be mounted to a bicycle frame. The derailleur includes a clamp mountable to the bicycle frame. The clamp includes a first end having a threaded portion receiving a clamp fastener for tightening of the clamp about the bicycle frame. A base member is connected to the clamp and includes a bore receiving the clamp fastener. A chain guide receives and laterally displaces a chain. First and second link members pivotably connect the base member and the chain guide. One of the link members includes an opening aligned with the bore such that the clamp fastener passes through the opening and into the bore of the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Auer
  • Patent number: 7686716
    Abstract: In a bicycle transmission, a driven sprocket wheel body includes a plurality of driven sprocket wheels which are connected with a drive sprocket wheel by an endless chain. A derailleur is provided for changing over the winding of the endless chain among the plurality of driven sprocket wheels. The drive sprocket wheel is prevented from moving beyond a given range even when an excessive external force is applied to the drive sprocket wheel at the time of traveling. A slide member is movable in the axial direction of a drive shaft and is provided between the drive shaft and a drive sprocket wheel. A drive sprocket wheel movement restricting member is provided which sandwiches the drive sprocket wheel position setting member and moves in the axial direction of the drive shaft together with the drive sprocket wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Matsumoto, Shinji Furuta
  • Patent number: 7686721
    Abstract: A bicycle chainring is formed from a first member and an second member. The first member includes a center rotational axis, a crank attachment portion with a plurality of chainring attachment openings and an annular tooth portion with a plurality of chain engaging gear teeth. The second member disposed around the center rotational axis and is fixedly attached to overlie at least one of the crank attachment portion and the annular tooth portion to reinforce the first member without obstructing access to the chainring attachment openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Koshi Tabe, Masahiro Yamanaka, Toshio Tetsuka, Shingo Shiraishi, Hideya Inoue, Yusuke Nishimoto, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Publication number: 20100075788
    Abstract: A front derailleur for shifting a bicycle chain between chain rings of a bicycle crank set. The front derailleur may include an attachment mechanism for securing the derailleur to a bicycle frame member. The front derailleur may further include a chain guide for enclosing a bicycle chain and contacting the chain during shifting. The front derailleur may further include a six link movement mechanism adjustably affixed to the attachment mechanism and chain guide for selectively moving the chain guide and enclosed bicycle chain during shifting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher A. Wickliffe, Eldon L. Goates
  • Patent number: 7677998
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur includes a base member, a movable member and a linkage assembly. The base member is configured to be fixedly coupled to a bicycle frame. The movable member has a chain guide portion. The linkage assembly is coupled between the base member and the movable member to move the chain guide portion between a retracted position and an extended position. The chain guide portion includes a chain guide element defining a chain path and a movable plate arranged to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the chain guide element in a see-saw movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Toshio Tetsuka
  • Patent number: 7674198
    Abstract: A main derailleur body includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the main derailleur body is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. A chain cage is pivotally coupled to the second end of the main derailleur body between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. A first pulley is rotatably mounted relative to the main derailleur body. A second pulley is rotatably mounted to the chain cage to move therewith relative to the main derailleur body. A third pulley is rotatably mounted to the main derailleur body such that the third pulley engages a chain extending between the first and second pulleys when the chain cage is in the first orientation and disengages the chain upon movement of the chain cage from the first orientation to the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Souta Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7666111
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base portion, a coupling mechanism, a moveable member, a pivot shaft, a tension plate, a biasing spring and a guide plate. The base portion attaches to a bicycle frame. The coupling mechanism has first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the base portion and the second end is movable relative to the base portion. The movable member is coupled to the second end and the pivot shaft is coupled to the movable member. The tension plate is pivotally coupled to the movable member by the pivot shaft and supports a chain tensioning pulley. The biasing spring is operatively coupled to the movable member and the tension plate for biasing the tension plate in a chain tensioning direction. The guide plate is pivotally coupled to the pivot shaft in a non-biased manner and supports a chain guiding pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Souta Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20100022335
    Abstract: A chain guider of a front derailleur includes an inner plate having an inverted L-shaped connecting structure integrally extending therefrom and an outer plate mounted on the connecting structure. The inner plate is made of metal and the outer plate is made of carbon fiber. The connecting structure includes a top plate and a side plate. The side plate is adhered to the outer plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: DOUGLAS CHIANG
  • Patent number: 7651423
    Abstract: A front variable speed drive device is configured and arranged to electrically operate driving of a front derailleur by a shift cable. The front variable speed drive device comprises a case member, a motor drive mechanism, and a cable linking portion. The case member is mounted on a hanger portion of a bicycle frame. The motor drive mechanism is mounted on the case member, and has a revolving shaft. The cable linking portion has a retaining portion configured and arranged to retain a first end of the shift cable. The cable linking portion is rotatably mounted on the revolving shaft, and has a hypothetical arm line extending in the direction perpendicular to the shift cable from the center of rotation with a length of the hypothetical arm line changing depending on the rotation phase. Thus, motor torque required for shifting gears is reduced with a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20100004079
    Abstract: A bicycle component (e.g., a rear derailleur) is basically provided with a base member and an axle. The axle includes a base supporting part supporting the base member for pivoting about a center axis of the axle and a base attaching part projecting outwardly of the base member for fixedly attachment to a bicycle frame. The base supporting part and the base attaching part overlap to define a coupling interface in which either a fixing element is disposed between the coupling interface of the base supporting part and the base attaching part or one of the base supporting part and the base attaching part is deformed with an interference fit. The base supporting part is formed of a first material with a first specific gravity. The base attaching part is formed of a second material with a second specific gravity that is higher than the first specific gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi WATARAI
  • Patent number: 7625306
    Abstract: A transmission including a primary shaft rotatably supported, a drive pulley mounted on the primary shaft, a secondary shaft rotatably supported, a driven pulley mounted on the secondary shaft, a belt wrapped between the drive pulley and the driven pulley, a first output shaft rotatably supported, a second output shaft rotatably supported, a low/reverse drive gear provided on the primary shaft, a low driven gear provided on the second output shaft and meshing with the low/reverse drive gear, and a reverse driven gear provided on the first output shaft and meshing with the low driven gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Sato
  • Publication number: 20090280938
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a derailleur on a bicycle frame comprises a base member for the derailleur, wherein the base member includes a first portion structured to be attached to a bicycle frame; a second portion structured to be attached to the bicycle frame, wherein the second portion is located away from the first portion; and a third portion structured to support a linkage mechanism. The first portion, the second portion and the third portion are structured so that the linkage mechanism as a unit is prevented from rotating clockwise, when viewed along the rotational axis from a laterally outer side of the derailleur, when the first portion and the second portion are attached to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Souta Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7614972
    Abstract: A bicycle base member adjustment assembly is provided for a base member of a rear derailleur. The bicycle base member adjustment assembly basically has a base member stopper plate, a biasing force adjustment member and a biasing force adjusting element. The biasing force adjusting element is operatively coupled between the base member stopper plate and the biasing force adjustment member to selectively set a relative angular position of the biasing force adjustment member relative to the base member stopper plate about a rotational axis of the base member. The base member stopper plate has a stopper that limits movement of the base member of the rear derailleur relative to the base member stopper plate. The biasing force adjustment member engages a biasing element of the base member of the rear derailleur. When the biasing force is adjusted, the position of the base member stopper plate is not changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Shinya Oseto
  • Publication number: 20090275429
    Abstract: A base member is provided for a bicycle rear derailleur that basically comprises a housing portion and a fixing bolt. The housing portion is provided with a blind bore. The fixing bolt has a first portion rotatably supported by the housing portion within the blind bore and a second portion projecting from the housing portion. The second portion has a thread formed thereon and a tool engagement structure to rotate the fixing bolt relative to the housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tomoya DEGUCHI, Yoshinori IRIE
  • Patent number: 7611430
    Abstract: A transmission system includes transmission case having a work opening formed therein and configured to avoid the necessity for enlarging a transmission case, to prevent an increase in weight and to prevent and inhibit a reduction in the rigidity of the transmission case due to the presence of the work opening. The work opening provides a point of access to permit manual linking/unlinking of an operation cable to/from a derailleur, while ensuring easy oil lubrication for a chain through the work opening. The transmission system also comprises a sprocket cluster constituted of a plurality of transmission sprockets, and a derailleur. The work opening is formed in an axially directed case wall, which is located closest in the axis direction to a transmission sprocket having the largest outer diameter among the sprocket cluster. The same transmission sprocket is located closest in the radial direction to the work opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Matsumoto, Kazunari Iguchi
  • Patent number: 7597638
    Abstract: A transmission including an input cog assembly mounted to an input shaft and an output cog assembly mounted to an output shaft. The input and output cog assemblies include a plurality of varying diameter input and output cogs, respectively, arranged sequentially. A chain links a pair of input and output cogs for transmitting power from the input cog assembly to the output cog assembly. The chain, in operation, has a high-tension side and a low-tension side. A derailleur is engageable with the low-tension side of the chain to laterally urge the chain from a current output cog to a destination output cog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: James A. Cooke
  • Patent number: 7585237
    Abstract: A bicycle component is configured with an axle fixing structure. In the preferred embodiment, the bicycle component is an electric derailleur. The bicycle component has a base member rotatably supported on an axle. Preferably, the axle includes a shaft portion with a head portion disposed adjacent a first end of the shaft portion for limiting axial movement of the base member in a first axial direction of the shaft portion, and a threaded portion disposed adjacent a second end of the shaft portion with external threads. A first locking member is threaded onto the external threads and configured to limit axial movement of the base member in a second axial direction of the shaft portion. Preferably, a second locking member is threaded into the internal threads of the second end of the shaft portion to secure the first locking member on the fastening portion of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20090204299
    Abstract: A method for electronically controlling a bicycle gearshift and a bicycle electronic system perform gearshifting. To perform this gearshifting, a displacement of an actuator from a current position (P) to a position (P1, PN) of engagement of a chain on an extreme toothed wheel of a gearshift group is started (203,205), a destination toothed wheel (PT) of the gearshift group is subsequently preselected (208), and the displacement is subsequently stopped (210) when the actuator is in a position (PT) of engagement of the chain on the destination toothed wheel (PT) of the gearshift group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Campagnolo S.r.l
    Inventor: Federico Miglioranza
  • Patent number: 7572199
    Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting spring tension at a derailleur head mountable to a bicycle frame having a limiting stop, includes an orienting washer rotatably mounted to the bicycle frame and having a tail engaging the limiting stop. A coil spring has a first end fixed to the derailleur head and a second end rotatably mounted relative to the orienting washer. An adjusting sleeve in the head rotates the second end of the coil spring relative to the orienting washer, to adjust tension of the spring. A retaining arrangement releasably retains the second end of the spring at a desired angular position after the second end of the spring has been rotated. A bolt secures together the orienting washer, the spring, the sleeve and the retaining arrangement to assemble the mechanism and for mounting the assembled mechanism to the bicycle frame and the derailleur head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: John L. Calendrille, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090197718
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a linkage assembly movably coupled to the base member, a movable member movably coupled to the linkage assembly and a chain guide movably coupled to the movable member. The chain guide has a pair of cage plates, a first pulley rotatably supported between the cage plates and a second pulley rotatably supported between the cage plates. At least one of the cage plates includes a non-metallic cage body and at least one metallic insert. The metallic insert has an annular base part defining a pulley axle receiving bore supporting one of the pulley axles of the pulleys and a first fastening part having a plurality of projections extending radially outward from the first annular base part with the projections at least partially embedded in the non-metallic cage body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Hajime NAGASAWA
  • Patent number: 7563186
    Abstract: A gearshift control device for a chain and sprocket transmission system including a gearshift member that is movable along a transverse direction relative to the plane defined by the chain, a shaft, a first driving element having a drive member that is non-centered or non-concentric with respect to the axis of the shaft, a second positioning element of the derailleur with an indexing device, a third control element mounted to rotate freely about the shaft with a blocking device, and a transmission element having a member for connection with the first driving element, the second positioning element and the third control element, the transmission element being operably between the first driving element, the second positioning element, and the third control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Bertrand Cauvin
  • Patent number: RE41782
    Abstract: A rear derailleur for a bicycle includes a base member for attaching the rear derailleur to the bicycle, a movable member for supporting a chain guide, and a linkage mechanism coupling the base member to the movable member so that the movable member is capable of movement relative to the base member. An electrically operated actuating member is operatively coupled to the linkage mechanism, wherein moving the actuating member in a first direction causes the movable member to move laterally toward a rear wheel of the bicycle, and moving the actuating member in a second direction causes the movable member to move laterally away from the rear wheel of the bicycle. A power storing mechanism is disposed in a power transmission path between the actuating member and the movable member for storing relative forces applied between the actuating member and the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda