And Including Belt-shifter Mechanism Patents (Class 474/80)
  • Patent number: 7288038
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus is provided for a bicycle that has a front transmission and a rear transmission, wherein each transmission has a plurality of gear steps. The apparatus comprises a travel condition sensing unit and a control unit that operates one of the front transmission and the rear transmission in priority to the other one of the front transmission and the rear transmission based on the travel condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeda, Tadashi Ichida
  • Patent number: 7285064
    Abstract: A bicycle gear shifting control apparatus has a manually operated shift device, a first gear shifting operation executing component, and a second gear shifting operation executing component. The manually operated shift device operates a front derailleur to shift gears. In response to operation of the manually operated shift device, the first gear shifting operation executing component executes a first gear shifting operation to move the front derailleur from a first shift position of a first sprocket to a second shift position of second sprocket. The second gear shifting operation executing component executes a second gear shifting operation to move the front derailleur a very small amount from the second shift position to a post shift position upon determining that the shifting operation should proceed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Kazuhiro Fujii, Ryuichiro Takamoto, Masahiko Jimbo
  • Patent number: 7264256
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for mounting a motor or other control device to a bicycle frame includes a bracket base for supporting the control device at least partially above a chain stay, and a bracket support extending from the bracket base for coupling the bracket base to at least one of a chain stay, a seat stay, a seat tube, or a bottom bracket shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20070202978
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member, a linking member coupled between the base member and the movable member so that the movable member moves laterally relative to the base member, and an extension member having a movable member coupling location coupled to the movable member and a guide pulley coupling location offset forwardly of the movable member coupling location. A guide pulley is coupled to the extension member at the guide pulley coupling location for rotation around a guide pulley axis, and a tension pulley is coupled to the movable member below the guide pulley. The guide pulley and the tension pulley are not directly attached to a same member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventors: SOUTA YAMAGUCHI, SHINYA OSETO, SATORU KUNISAWA
  • Publication number: 20070197324
    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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Fujii, Hideki Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 7258637
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission is configured and arranged to improve the durability of the transmission. The transmission basically has a transmission operating device, a support structure, a front input section, an intermediate transmission and a rear output section. The transmission operating device operates the intermediate transmission to change the gear ratio between the front input section and the rear output section. The intermediate transmission has a plurality of drive members arranged to move in the axial direction on an intermediate drive axle in response to its pivotal movement shifting structure. An endless drive member is operatively coupled between a rotatable driving member of the front input section and one of the intermediate drive members. The endless drive member remains substantially in a single plane during shifting of the drive members on the intermediate drive axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Thomasberg
  • Publication number: 20070191159
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur is provided with a base member, a movable member, a linkage, a chain guide, an operating mechanism and an adjustment mechanism. The chain guide guides the chain. The movable member is a member that is used to support the chain guide. The linkage is pivotally connected at both ends to the base member and the operating member. The operating member causes the linkage to rotate. The adjustment mechanism is disposed between the linkage and operating member for adjusting the movement of the linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20070191158
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur is configured to facilitate a chain returning to a sprocket during an upshifting operation if the chain drops off. The front derailleur basically has a fixed member, a chain guide and a moving mechanism. The fixed member can be fastened to a bicycle. The chain guide has an inner plate and an outer plate with a gap between the outer plate and the inner plate. The chain guide guides the chain between itself and the inner plate. The chain guide is free to move with respect to the fixed member. The inner plate has a first protruding part that protrudes toward the outer plate on the rear end, which is the chain entry side. The moving mechanism is a mechanism that is used to cause the chain guide to move.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Kazuhiro Fujii, Yoshihiro Oda
  • Patent number: 7252608
    Abstract: An automatic transmission (1) is described, having a variator (5) that comprises at least two conical disk sets (2, 3), such that a wrap-around element (4) is guided via the conical disk sets (2, 3) for torque transmission with continuous variation of the transmission ratio. In this, the arrangement of the rotation axes of two conical disks of at least one conical disk set relative to one another can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Olrik Weinmann, Bernhard Sich, Michael Ebenhoch
  • Patent number: 7219574
    Abstract: A shift control device is described. The shift control device is attachable to the handlebar of a bicycle for controlling the piston of a hydraulic shift mechanism and includes a bracket attachable to the handlebar, a pivot shaft, a rotating member, and a control lever. The pivot shaft is spaced apart from the handlebar and fixedly secured to the bracket. The rotating member is rotatable in a first direction and a second direction about the pivot shaft. The control lever is operatively connected with the rotating member and biased in a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 7207912
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus is provided for a bicycle having a plurality of front sprockets and a plurality of rear sprockets, wherein a front derailleur shifts a chain among the plurality of front sprockets and a rear derailleur shifts the chain among the plurality of rear sprockets. The apparatus comprises a shift unit that provides signals for shifting the front derailleur and the rear derailleur; and a prohibiting unit operatively coupled to the shift unit and providing signals so that the chain is prohibited from engaging at least one of i) a laterally innermost front sprocket in combination with a laterally outermost rear sprocket, and ii) a laterally outermost front sprocket in combination with a laterally innermost rear sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeda, Tadashi Ichida
  • Patent number: 7189172
    Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member including an engagement member for nonrotatably engaging the bicycle frame; a threaded member coupled to the base member for engaging a threaded shaft; a chain guide; and a coupling mechanism coupled between the base member and the chain guide so that the chain guide moves relative to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Nobukatsu Hara
  • Patent number: 7186194
    Abstract: A front derailleur has a base member adapted to be coupled to a bicycle frame, a chain guide, first and second pivotal links coupled between the base member and the chain guide, and a biasing member normally biasing the chain guide toward a first position. The biasing member is disposed on a pivot axis pivotally coupling the first link to the chain guide to be at least partially located in front of the part of the first link coupled to the base member. The first link is preferably an inner link located closer to the frame than the second link. Preferably, portions of the first link are at least partially offset due to a transitional portion arranged between them. Preferably, the second link includes a cable attachment portion and a pair of axially spaced mounting elements pivotally coupled to ends of an attachment element of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nankou
  • Patent number: 7144027
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an electrically operated bicycle transmission comprises a power supply sensor and a control unit operatively coupled to the power supply sensor. The power supply sensor senses a power characteristic of a power supply, and the control unit provides a signal to operate the bicycle transmission when the power characteristic falls below a predetermined value. Alternatively, the control apparatus comprises a running condition time sensor and a control unit operatively coupled to the running condition time sensor. The running condition time sensor senses a time interval of a running condition of a bicycle, and the control unit provides a signal to operate the bicycle transmission to a predetermined gear ratio when the time interval of the running condition passes a selected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Kazuhiro Takeda
  • Patent number: 7137314
    Abstract: A hydraulic gear shift mechanism for a bicycle having a positioning mechanism for controlling the motion of the piston of a master cylinder assembly is disclosed, wherein the master cylinder assembly is in communication with a slave cylinder for operation of a derailleur. The positioning mechanism preferably includes a pivot shaft spaced apart from the handlebar, a rotating member rotatable about the pivot shaft, a push mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a first direction and a return mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a second direction. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, an adjuster piston is threadingly engaged with the master cylinder assembly for adjusting the initial position of the slave cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 7125354
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member structured to be mounted to a bicycle frame; a link mechanism having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the link mechanism is coupled to the base member, and wherein the second portion of the link mechanism is disposed above the first portion of the link mechanism; and a chain guide coupled to the second portion of the link mechanism so that the chain guide moves relative to the base member to move a chain among a plurality of sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 7121968
    Abstract: A system for controlling gear shifting in a transmission of a cycle, includes at least one gear wheel or sprocket on which a transmission element is engaged to perform transmission of motion as a result of movement in a predetermined direction. The gear shifting is carried out by changing the position of engagement of the transmission member with respect to the at least one gear wheel or sprocket. The system further includes at least one sensor for detecting the movement in corresponding direction of movement of the motion transmitting element for generating a signal and a control unit for controlling the change of the position of the element for transmitting motion with respect to the at least one gear wheel or sprocket when the signal indicates that the element for transmitting motion is moving in the given direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventors: Valentino Campagnolo, Gianfranco Guderzo
  • Patent number: 7090603
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a mounting member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle frame, a base member pivotably mounted relative to the mounting member, a biasing mechanism that biases the base member clockwise relative to the mounting member when viewed laterally outwardly from the base member, a chain guide and a coupling mechanism coupled between the base member and the chain guide so that the chain guide moves relative to the base member. A rotation restricting mechanism is disposed in a force communicating path between the mounting member and the base member to restrict counterclockwise rotation of the base member relative to the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Masayuki Arakawa, Nobukatsu Hara
  • Patent number: 7081058
    Abstract: A front derailleur has a base member adapted to be coupled to a bicycle frame, a chain guide, first and second pivotal links coupled between the base member and the chain guide, and a biasing member normally biasing the chain guide toward a first position. The biasing member is disposed on a pivot axis pivotally coupling the first link to the chain guide to be at least partially located in front of the part of the first link coupled to the base member. The first link is preferably an inner link located closer to the frame than the second link. Preferably, portions of the first link are at least partially offset due to a transitional portion arranged between them. Preferably, the second link includes a cable attachment portion and a pair of axially spaced mounting elements pivotally coupled to ends of an attachment element of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nankou
  • Patent number: 7059983
    Abstract: Chain guides for the front sprockets of bicycles are disclosed. More particularly, the chain guides are adapted or configured for bicycles that have multiple (usually 2 or 3) sprockets/chain rings mounted to the crank assembly. The setup is provided to freely allow shifting between the gears. All of the chain guide variations presented are provided with an outer flange attached to a roller section so that these portions roll together with the chain they restrain. Additional optional features include aspects to do with roller positioning, bracket mounting, roller configuration and supplemental chain restrain means (including a stop/post member and inner roller flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Jon Heim
  • Patent number: 7048660
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member, a link mechanism coupled to the base member, and a chain guide coupled to the link mechanism so that the chain guide moves relative to the base member to move a chain among a plurality of sprockets. The base member comprises a first portion structured to mount to a bicycle frame and a second portion structured to mount to the link mechanism, wherein the first portion and the second portion are structured to move relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 7044874
    Abstract: A derailleur includes a base member for attachment to a bicycle frame and a movable member supporting a chain guide such that the chain guide moves laterally to shift a chain among a plurality of gears. The base member has a laterally inner surface and a laterally outer surface, and it includes a projection extending from one of the laterally inner surface and the laterally outer surface for engaging a corresponding recess in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Shinya Oseto, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 7032475
    Abstract: A hydraulic shift gear mechanism for a bicycle having a positioning mechanism for controlling the motion of the piston of a master cylinder assembly is described. The master cylinder assembly is in communication with a slave cylinder for operation of a derailleur. The positioning mechanism preferably includes a pivot shaft spaced apart from the handlebar, a rotating member rotatable about the pivot shaft, a push mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a first direction and a return mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a second direction. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, an adjuster piston is threadingly engaged with the master cylinder assembly for adjusting the initial position of the slave cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 7033294
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur guard assembly for use with a bicycle having a derailleur mounted to a frame of the bicycle by a derailleur mounting bolt. The derailleur guard assembly preferably includes a body supportable by an axle assembly of the bicycle. The body is configured to extend from an axis of the axle assembly to a space adjacent the mounting bolt of the derailleur and defines an inner surface facing the frame when the guard assembly is mounted to the bicycle. A support is configured to support the derailleur when the guard assembly is mounted to the bicycle and, in at least one arrangement, the body is positioned outwardly of the derailleur mounting bolt within the space adjacent the mounting bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components
    Inventors: Jason L. Chamberlain, Brandon Dale Sloan
  • Patent number: 7025698
    Abstract: A front derailleur including an annular chain guide for engagement and disengagement of a bicycle chain with multiple chain rings of a crankset. The annular chain guide may be positioned by linear guide rods. The annular chain guide may have an inner lifting surface and an outer pulling surface for engaging diametrically opposed corners of a chain when viewed in cross-section. The annular chain guide may have an opening defined by a polygon having at least five sides. The motion of the annular chain guide during a up-shift, i.e., displacement of the chain from a smaller chain ring to a next larger chain ring includes an upward, outward and rearward linear motion relative to a bicycle frame including upward force exerted by the annular chain guide against the chain. The motion of the annular chain guide during a down-shift is exactly opposite whereby the annular chain guide exerts a pulling down force against the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Christopher Alan Wickliffe
  • Patent number: 7014584
    Abstract: A top pull type front derailleur is designed to move or shift a chain between two or more sprockets for changing gears. The front derailleur basically has a bicycle frame clamping band, a linkage assembly and a chain guide. The linkage assembly includes a cable connection point and is arranged between the bicycle frame clamping band and the chain guide to move the chain guide laterally towards and away from the clamping band. The clamping band has a top pull cable guide surface that is configured and arranged relative to the clamping band to guide a cable from vertically above the clamping band to the cable connection point when the front bicycle derailleur is operatively mounted to a bicycle frame. Preferably, the top pull cable guide surface is formed on a peripheral surface of a roller that is rotatably mounted on the clamping band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nanko, Kanji Kirimoto
  • Patent number: 7011590
    Abstract: An assisting apparatus for using power from a moving member to assist the operation of a bicycle transmission comprises a power transfer mechanism, a drive coupling mechanism, and a position maintaining mechanism. The power transfer mechanism moves in one of a first direction and a second direction to upshift the bicycle transmission, and the power transfer mechanism moves in the other one of the first direction and the second direction to downshift the bicycle transmission. The drive coupling mechanism couples the power transfer mechanism to the moving member to move the power transfer mechanism in one of the first direction and the second direction, and the position maintaining mechanism prevents the power transfer mechanism from moving in the other one of the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 7004862
    Abstract: A sensor retainer for a bicycle sprocket assembly includes an annular member for mounting and rotating coaxially with the bicycle sprocket assembly and a sensor element fixed to the annular member. Alternatively, the sensor retainer may include a fixing member for mounting a derailleur or other transmission to a bicycle frame and a sensor element mounted to the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6997835
    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: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6988970
    Abstract: Rocker arm assembly for the rear derailleur of a bicycle, comprising an outer plate (12) carrying a pivot pin (32), an inner plate (10) and a pair of idle transmission wheels (14) arranged between the outer plate (12) and the inner plate (10). 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: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Dal Pra'
  • Patent number: 6986723
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur having a derailleur fork. The inner plate of the fork according is made of light alloy, while the outer plate is made of fibre-reinforced synthetic resin. A rear bridge having interlocking portions connects the inner and outer plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Maurizio Valle
  • Patent number: 6979009
    Abstract: A motorized bicycle derailleur assembly is provided with a motor unit, a derailleur, and a motor linkage. The motor unit rotates an output shaft in first and second rotational directions to shift the derailleur. The derailleur includes a fixing body, a chain guide and a derailleur linkage operatively coupled between the fixing body and the chain guide to move between a first shift position and a second shift position. The motor linkage is operatively coupled to the output shaft of the motor unit and the derailleur linkage to move the chain guide from the first shift position to the second shift position upon rotation of the output shaft in the first rotational direction and move the chain guide from the second shift position to the first shift position upon rotation of the output shaft in the second rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6962544
    Abstract: A front derailleur includes a fixed member, a chain guide and a linkage assembly. The fixed member has a mounting portion and a pair of mounting flanges axially spaced from each other. The linkage assembly is coupled between the chain guide and the fixed member to transversely move the chain guide. The linkage assembly includes first, second and third links. The first link is pivotally coupled to the fixed member for rotation about a first axis. The second link is pivotally coupled to the mounting flanges for rotation about a second axis. The third link is coupled to the chain guide and movably coupled to the first and second links to form a four-bar linkage together with the fixed member. The mounting flanges preferably have different axial widths. The second link preferably has a longitudinal dimension of least about 45.0 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nanko
  • Patent number: 6945888
    Abstract: A derailleur position processing apparatus includes a derailleur moving member that moves with the derailleur; an analog signal providing mechanism operatively coupled to the derailleur moving member, wherein the analog signal providing mechanism provides an analog position signal in response to movement of the derailleur moving member; and a digital signal providing mechanism operatively coupled to the derailleur moving member, wherein the digital signal providing mechanism provides a digital position signal in response to movement of the derailleur moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiko Fukuda, Haruyuki Takebayashi
  • Patent number: 6902503
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur has a fixed member, a movable member, linkage assembly and cable attachment assembly. The cable attachment assembly has a cable fixing bolt, cable fixing washer and a first resilient member. The first resilient member is arranged to retain the cable fixing washer on the shaft portion of the cable fixing bolt is located. The fixed member includes a derailleur fixing bolt, a derailleur fixing washer, and a second resilient member. The second resilient member is arranged to retain the derailleur fixing washer on the shaft portion of the derailleur fixing bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nanko
  • Patent number: 6899649
    Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for a bicycle shift control device that uses power from a rotating member to assist the operation of a bicycle transmission, wherein the shift control device includes an input transmission member that requests assistance of the rotating member and an output transmission member that is assisted by the rotating member. The control apparatus comprises an input transmission member drive member that moves at least to a neutral position, to an upshift position and to a downshift position; an input drive member position sensor operatively coupled to the input transmission member drive member; and a motor operatively coupled to the input transmission member drive member. A control unit is operatively coupled to the input drive member position sensor and to the motor to move the input transmission member drive member to at least one of the neutral position, the upshift position and the downshift position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Satoshi Kitamura, Haruyuki Takebayashi
  • Patent number: 6868752
    Abstract: An assisting apparatus for using power from a rotating member to assist the operation of a bicycle transmission includes a mounting unit; an input transmission member coupled to the mounting unit, wherein the input transmission member moves to at least a neutral position, to an upshift position and to a downshift position; and an output transmission member coupled to the mounting unit, wherein the output transmission member moves to at least a first output position and a second output position. A rotating member engaging member moves between a rotating member engaging position and a rotating member disengaging position, and a motion transmitting mechanism transmits motion from the rotating member engaging member to the output transmission member. A switching mechanism moves the rotating member engaging member to the rotating member engaging position when the input transmission member is in at least one of the upshift position and the downshift position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshio Tetsuka, Takanori Kanehisa, Koshi Tabe, Tetsuya Hino, Etsuyoshi Watarai, Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 6857975
    Abstract: A rotation direction detection apparatus is configured to detect the direction of rotation of a pulley that is rotatably mounted to a chain guide, and includes a rotation sensor, a detection element and a shielding mechanism. The rotation sensor is fixed to the chain guide. The detection element is mounted to the pulley such that it can be detected by the rotation sensor. The shielding mechanism has a shielding arm that is mounted to move between a shielding position where the rotation sensor cannot detect the detection element and a detection position where the rotation sensor can detect the detection element. The shielding mechanism has a linking member that moves the shielding arm in tandem with the rotation of the pulley in first or second rotational directions. The shielding mechanism has a positioning protrusion that positions the shielding arm at either the shielding position or the detection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6843741
    Abstract: A bell crank for a bicycle hub transmission includes a wire connecting bell crank member for connecting to a control wire, an actuator moving bell crank member for moving an actuating member, and an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a position of the wire connecting bell crank member relative to the actuator moving bell crank member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20040220002
    Abstract: A unit of a system for controlling the operating functions of a cycle is able to co-operate functionally with at least one complementary unit by means of at least one electrical connection. At least one of either the unit and the complementary unit is configured to be selectively removable from the cycle, so that the electrical connection is an electrical connection that can be decoupled by leaving exposed on the unit at least one distal contact part. Associated to the at least one electrical connection is a switch, which can be selectively actuated for electrically insulating the exposed distal contact part from the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Campagnolo S.r.I.
    Inventor: Gianfranco Guderzo
  • Publication number: 20040214670
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus for a bicycle is capable of performing a transmission operation even while operating or running by the inertia of the bicycle. The transmission apparatus T for a bicycle includes a driving sprocket member rotationally driven by a crankshaft; a multi-stage driven sprocket member drivingly connected to the output shaft cooperatively engaged and rotated with the rear wheel; a chain applied over the driving sprocket member and the driven sprocket member; and a transmission changing-over mechanism M2 for positioning the chain among a plurality of transmission sprockets. The driven sprocket member is integrally arranged to always be rotated, and the one-way clutch for transmitting a rotation of the crankshaft to the driving sprocket member while in its normal rotating direction is arranged in the power transmitting path extending from the crankshaft to the driving sprocket member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Shinya Matsumoto, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takeshi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20040192480
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus is capable of retaining an endless transmission chain on a rotatable member, even where a small inter-axis distance remains between two rotatable shafts to which each of two rotatable members is drivingly connected. The transmission includes a drive sprocket member for connecting to a main drive shaft. The transmission also includes a driven sprocket member, connected to the output shaft in parallel with the main drive shaft and including a plurality of transmission sprockets. The transmission further includes a chain interconnecting both sprocket members, and a transmission shift mechanism for positioning the chain among the transmission sprockets. The drive sprocket member is supported at the main drive shaft in the rotary center line direction, in such a way that the chain is applied to both sprocket members in parallel with a plane crossing at a right angle with the rotary center line of the main drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Matsumoto, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takeshi Hashimoto, Naoki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20040185975
    Abstract: A chain-poking device for derailleurs is comprised of a poking member and a holder. The holder is closely clamped onto a bicycle's frame and the poking member has a stud and a protuberance. The stud is arranged penetrating a slot of the holder and locked with a nut. When the nut is loosened, the relative position of the poking member to the holder could be adjusted for further regulating the chain's position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Po-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 6793598
    Abstract: A rear dérailleur device is provided, in particular for a bicycle equipped with a front dérailleur and a chain connecting a set of pinions with a set of disks. The rear dérailleur device includes a rotatable base provided with a return spring forcing the base in the anti-clockwise direction, guiding/dérailleur means fixedly connected with the base, and a movable tension plate fixedly connected with the guiding/dérailleur means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Franck Savard
  • Publication number: 20040171446
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur has a fixed member, a movable member, linkage assembly and cable attachment assembly. The cable attachment assembly has a cable fixing bolt, cable fixing washer and a first resilient member. The first resilient member is arranged to retain the cable fixing washer on the shaft portion of the cable fixing bolt is located. The fixed member includes a derailleur fixing bolt, a derailleur fixing washer, and a second resilient member. The second resilient member is arranged to retain the derailleur fixing washer on the shaft portion of the derailleur fixing bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nanko
  • Publication number: 20040166973
    Abstract: A front derailleur includes a fixed member, a chain guide and a linkage assembly. The fixed member has a mounting portion and a pair of mounting flanges axially spaced from each other. The linkage assembly is coupled between the chain guide and the fixed member to transversely move the chain guide. The linkage assembly includes first, second and third links. The first link is pivotally coupled to the fixed member for rotation about a first axis. The second link is pivotally coupled to the mounting flanges for rotation about a second axis. The third link is coupled to the chain guide and movably coupled to the first and second links to form a four-bar linkage together with the fixed member. The mounting flanges preferably have different axial widths. The second link preferably has a longitudinal dimension of least about 45.0 millimeters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nanko
  • Publication number: 20040157690
    Abstract: A front derailleur has a base member adapted to be coupled to a bicycle frame, a chain guide, first and second pivotal links coupled between the base member and the chain guide, and a biasing member normally biasing the chain guide toward a first position. The biasing member is disposed on a pivot axis pivotally coupling the first link to the chain guide to be at least partially located in front of the part of the first link coupled to the base member. The first link is preferably an inner link located closer to the frame than the second link. Preferably, portions of the first link are at least partially offset due to a transitional portion arranged between them. Preferably, the second link includes a cable attachment portion and a pair of axially spaced mounting elements pivotally coupled to ends of an attachment element of the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nankou
  • Publication number: 20040138017
    Abstract: A rotation direction detection apparatus is configured to detect the direction of rotation of a pulley that is rotatably mounted to a chain guide, and includes a rotation sensor, a detection element and a shielding mechanism. The rotation sensor is fixed to the chain guide. The detection element is mounted to the pulley such that it can be detected by the rotation sensor. The shielding mechanism has a shielding arm that is mounted to move between a shielding position where the rotation sensor cannot detect the detection element and a detection position where the rotation sensor can detect the detection element. The shielding mechanism has a linking member that moves the shielding arm in tandem with the rotation of the pulley in first or second rotational directions. The shielding mechanism has a positioning protrusion that positions the shielding arm at either the shielding position or the detection position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6761655
    Abstract: A sensor retainer for a bicycle sprocket assembly includes an annular member for mounting and rotating coaxially with the bicycle sprocket assembly and a sensor element fixed to the annular member. Alternatively, the sensor retainer may include a fixing member for mounting a derailleur or other transmission to a bicycle frame and a sensor element mounted to the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20040127314
    Abstract: A top pull type front derailleur is designed to move or shift a chain between two or more sprockets for changing gears. The front derailleur basically has a bicycle frame clamping band, a linkage assembly and a chain guide. The linkage assembly includes a cable connection point and is arranged between the bicycle frame clamping band and the chain guide to move the chain guide laterally towards and away from the clamping band. The clamping band has a top pull cable guide surface that is configured and arranged relative to the clamping band to guide a cable from vertically above the clamping band to the cable connection point when the front bicycle derailleur is operatively mounted to a bicycle frame. Preferably, the top pull cable guide surface is formed on a peripheral surface of a roller that is rotatably mounted on the clamping band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nanko, Kanji Kirimoto