Shimano Inc.

Hitoshi Kishimoto

Takuro Yamane

Nobuyuki Matsuo

Hiroyuki Ookouchi

Kazuhiro Fujii

Tatsuya Kawakami

Masahiko Jinbo

A torque sensor for a bicycle bottom bracket assembly having a bottom bracket axle includes an axle supporting member for supporting the axle for rotation around a support axis. The axle supporting member has a first sensor mounting location, and a first pressure sensor is provided for placement at the first sensor mounting location. In a more specific embodiment, the axle supporting member includes a second sensor mounting location and a second pressure sensor is provided for placement at the second sensor mounting location. The second sensor mounting location may be spaced apart from the first sensor mounting location in the direction of the support axis. In this case the second sensor mounting location may face the first sensor mounting location in the direction of the support axis or may be disposed diagonally across from the first sensor mounting location in the direction of the support axis. Alternatively, the second sensor mounting location may face the first sensor mounting location in the radial direction of the axle supporting member.

Torque sensor for a bicycle bottom bracket assembly

An assembly is provided. The assembly includes a casing having a magnet sensitive switch enclosed therein, and a magnet movably associated with the outside of the casing. The magnet is capable of movement relative to the casing. The magnet can be disposed in at least two positions. The at least two positions include a first position where the magnetic field generated by the magnet does not affect the switch, and a second position wherein the magnetic field generated by the magnet does affect the switch.

Weatherproof switch assembly

A bicycle antitheft device includes an antitheft mechanism switchable between an antitheft state and a release state, wherein the antitheft mechanism includes a first member that moves relative to a second member to move the bicycle forward and backward. A movement controlling mechanism hinders the first member from moving relative to the second member when the antitheft mechanism is in the antitheft state, and a selection mechanism is provided for selecting one of the antitheft state and the release state. Alternatively, the antitheft mechanism may include a sound generator for generating a sound when the first member moves relative to the second member and the antitheft mechanism is in the antitheft state. The movement controlling mechanism and the sound generator may be combined into a single antitheft mechanism. The movement controlling mechanism and/or sound generator may be installed inside of an internal transmission such as a hub or crank transmission, or they could be installed inside a handlebar control for the transmission.

Bicycle antitheft control device, shifting device and shifting system

A bicycle display device includes a display having a plurality of display elements, an input circuit for inputting a plurality of sensor signals from a plurality of sensors, and a display control circuit for processing the plurality of sensor signals and for displaying information processed from the plurality of sensor signals on the display. An operating mode switch is provided for switching the display control circuit among a plurality of operating modes, wherein the plurality of operating modes comprises a normal operating mode, a display diagnostic mode, and an input diagnostic mode. A display mode switch is also provided for switching the type of data displayed on the display control circuit.

Bicycle display apparatus switchable into diagnostic modes

A bicycle display unit is provided for displaying information to the rider. The bicycle display unit is preferably part of a bicycle computer that is battery operated. The bicycle display unit has a display panel with a front display surface and a backlight arranged to illuminate the front display surface for viewing the information displayed thereon. The battery is electrically coupled to the backlight to supply electrical energy thereto. The bicycle display unit also has a backlight switch command operatively coupled between the backlight and the battery to selectively turn the backlight &ldquo;on&rdquo; and &ldquo;off&rdquo;, and a control unit that extends the life of the battery by controlling the illumination of the backlight. The backlight switch command turns &ldquo;on&rdquo; the backlight upon receiving a predetermined operational command. The predetermined operational command can be a pre-selected time period, a shifting operation, a mode change, etc. Also the control unit is operatively coupled to the backlight switch command to automatically turn &ldquo;off&rdquo; the backlight upon lapse of a predetermined time period after switching the backlight to be turned &ldquo;on&rdquo;. The backlight is preferably turned &ldquo;on&rdquo; for predetermined time period of less than 30 seconds. Preferably, the control unit prevents the backlight from being turned &ldquo;on&rdquo; that during selected hours, such as daylight hours, even if a predetermined operational command is received. A measuring device is preferably connected to the display unit to output the information on the display panel, such as bicycle speed, distance traveled, lap time, running time, current time, rider cadence, torque applied to the bottom bracket axle and shift position of the shifting mechanism.

Bicycle display unit with backlight

An electrical cable connector for bicycles that has a simple structure, low cost, and excellent shielding against shocks, moisture, and the like is disclosed. The connector includes a connector body which has a top surface and a bottom surface, and has a slit which forms a passageway between the top and bottom surfaces. The top surface includes an inclined portion which extends from the slit to a flat terminal section. A flat cable extends along the bottom surface, through the slit, and along the top surface such that a terminal at the end of the flat cable is positioned on the flat terminal section. In a disclosed application, the connector plugs into a female connector of a switch unit of a bicycle lever bracket.

Flat bicycle cable connector

A display device for a bicycle includes a memory for storing a plurality of tire circumference values and a plurality of tire designation values; display means for displaying information, wherein the display means includes tire designation display means for displaying tire designation information corresponding to the plurality of tire designation values; control means for controlling the information displayed on the display means; and input means for inputting commands to the control means. The display means may include tire circumference display means for displaying tire circumference information corresponding to the plurality of tire circumference values simultaneously with the tire designation information displayed by the tire designation display means. The display may further include correction storing means for storing a plurality of correction values and correction display means for displaying a plurality of correction information corresponding to the plurality of correction values. In this case the control means includes means for selecting one of the plurality of the correction information displayed by the display means so that the correction information may be used to adjust the value of a selected tire circumference.

Bicycle display device which displays tire information

A speed indicator includes a stationary member fixed to a handlebar of a bicycle, a takeup element supported by the stationary member to be rotatable about a first axis for taking up a control cable, a shift lever for rotating the takeup element, and a pointer pivotable about a second axis fixed to the stationary member. The pointer overlaps the takeup element as viewed in a direction along the first axis. The speed indicator further includes an indicating section for cooperating with the pointer for indicating a speed stage selected by operation of the shift lever. The takeup element has a projection engaged with a slot formed in the pointer for causing the pointer to pivot in response to rotation of the takeup element.

Speed indicator for a bicycle

A bicycle control device wherein a base member is provided for attachment to a structural member of the bicycle, and a control member is mounted for movement relative to the base member. A relay cable has a first end secured relative to the base member and a second end secured relative to the control member so that movement of the control member relative to the base member causes the first end of the cable to move relative to the second end of the cable. A linking member is disposed between the first end of the cable and the second end of the cable for movement with the cable. The linking member has an attachment location for attaching a control element of the bicycle to the linking member. The device may then operate according to the principle of a ruunning block.

Bicycle control device

A shifting apparatus for use on a bicycle for shifting a change speed device through a control cable. The shifting apparatus includes a support shaft attachable to a bicycle body, a takeup element rotatably supported by the support shaft for winding and unwinding the control cable, shift levers for rotating the takeup element, and a lock mechanism for maintaining the takeup element in a selected position. The takeup element includes a takeup portion supported adjacent one end of the support shaft, and a wall extending from the takeup portion toward the other end of the support shaft. The wall defines, in combination with the takeup portion, an accommodating space opening toward the other end for accommodating the lock mechanism. One of the shift levers has a proximal portion disposed between the wall and the other end of the support shaft and covering the accommodating space from the other end of the support shaft.

Growing community of inventors

Sakai, Japan

Hitoshi Kishimoto