# US 11,440,611 B2 · Operating apparatus for human-powered vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,611 B2 - Document ID: US11440611B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/525,515 - Filed: 2019-07-29 - Published: 2021-02-04 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-07-29 - Assignees: Shimano Inc. - Applicants: Shimano Inc. - Inventors: Toshio Tetsuka; Taihei Nishihara - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440611B2 ## CPC - B62K 23/02: hand actuated (arrangements of controls on handle-bars of engine-driven cycles B62K11/14) - B62J 45/41: characterised by the type of sensor - B62J 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass - B62K 23/06: Levers - B62M 6/50: characterised by detectors or sensors, or arrangement thereof - B62J 45/00: Electrical equipment arrangements specially adapted for use as accessories on cycles, not otherwise provided for - B62L 3/02: for control by a hand lever (hand levers for control of cycles in general B62K23/06) - B62M 25/08: with electrical or fluid transmitting systems - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE - B62J: CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS - B62M: RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR {SINGLE-TRACK} CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of transmissions in vehicles in general B60K; transmission elements per se F16) - B62L: BRAKES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES {(arrangements in cycles for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions B60T8/00)} ## Abstract An operating switch device for a human-powered vehicle comprises an assist operating switch and a coupling structure. The assist operating switch is configured to receive a user operation input to operate an assist driving unit configured to assist a human power. The coupling structure is configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch to a base member of an operating device configured to be mounted to a handlebar. The base member includes a base body including a grip portion provided between a coupling end configured to be coupled to the handlebar and a free end opposite to the coupling end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An operating switch device for a human-powered vehicle, comprising: an assist operating switch configured to receive a user operation input to operate an assist driving unit configured to assist a human power, the assist driving unit including an assist motor to impart propulsion to the human-powered vehicle; and a coupling structure configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch to a base member of an operating device configured to be mounted to a handlebar, the base member including a base body including a grip portion provided between a coupling end configured to be coupled to the handlebar and a free end opposite to the coupling end, wherein the coupling structure includes an intermediate part configured to be provided between the base member and the handlebar in a state where the base member is mounted to the handlebar, the intermediate part is configured to be in direct contact with the handlebar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The operating switch device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling structure is configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch to the base member of the operating device without coupling the assist operating switch directly to the handlebar. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The operating switch device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling structure includes a fastener configured to detachably couple the operating switch to the base member, and the fastener is configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch to at least one of the base body and a mounting clamp of the base member, the mounting clamp being configured to couple the base body to the handlebar. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The operating switch device according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate part is configured to be provided between the handlebar and at least one of the base body and a mounting clamp of the base member, the mounting clamp being configured to couple the base body to the handlebar. ### Claim 5 An operating switch device for a human-powered vehicle, comprising: an assist operating switch configured to receive a user operation input to operate an assist driving unit configured to assist a human power; and a coupling structure configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch to a base member of an operating device configured to be mounted to a handlebar, the base member including a base body including a grip portion provided between a coupling end configured to be coupled to the handlebar and a free end opposite to the coupling end, wherein the coupling structure is configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch directly to a mounting clamp of the base member, the mounting clamp being configured to couple the base body to the handlebar. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The operating switch device according to claim 5, wherein the coupling structure includes a fastener configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch to the mounting clamp. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The operating switch device according to claim 5, further comprising an additional assist operating switch configured to receive an additional user operation input to operate the assist driving unit, wherein the coupling structure is configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch and the additional assist operating switch to the base member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The operating switch device according to claim 7, further comprising an additional switch configured to receive an additional user input, wherein the coupling structure is configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch, the additional assist operating switch, and the additional switch to the base member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The operating switch device according to claim 5, further comprising an informing unit configured to inform a user of information relating to the operating switch device, wherein the coupling structure is configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch and the informing unit to the base member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The operating switch device according to claim 5, further comprising a switch base member coupled to the coupling structure, wherein the assist operating switch is mounted to the switch base member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The operating switch device according to claim 5, further comprising a communication port configured to be connected to an electric cable, wherein the coupling structure is configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch and the communication port to the base member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) The operating switch device according to claim 5, further comprising a wireless communicator configured to wirelessly transmit an assist control signal in response to the user operation input, wherein the coupling structure is configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch and the wireless communicator to the base member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) The operating switch device according to claim 5, wherein the coupling structure includes a first connector configured to be electrically connected to a second connector of the base member, and the first connector is configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch to the second connector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) An operating apparatus for a human-powered vehicle, comprising: the operating switch device according to claim 5; and the operating device including the base member configured to be mounted to the handlebar, and an operating member movably coupled to the base member, the base member including a base body and a mounting clamp configured to couple the base body to the handlebar, the base body including a coupling end configured to be coupled to the handlebar, a free end opposite to the coupling end, and a grip portion provided between the coupling end and the free end, and the mounting clamp is secured to the coupling end, and the coupling structure being configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch to at least one of the coupling, and the free end, and the mounting clamp. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The operating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the coupling structure of the operating switch device includes a fastener configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch to the base member, the base member includes a threaded hole, and the fastener is configured to be threadedly engaged in the threaded hole. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The operating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the coupling structure of the operating switch device includes one of a convex portion and a recess, the base member includes the other of the convex portion and the recess, and the convex portion is configured to be provided in the recess in a state where the coupling structure detachably couples the assist operating switch to the base member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 5) The operating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the coupling structure of the operating switch device includes an intermediate part configured to be provided between the base member and the handlebar in a state where the base member is mounted to the handlebar. ### Claim 18 An operating switch device for a human-powered vehicle, comprising: an assist operating switch configured to receive a user operation input to operate an assist driving unit configured to assist a human power; and a coupling structure configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch to a base member of an operating device configured to be mounted to a handlebar, the base member including a base body including a grip portion provided between a coupling end configured to be coupled to the handlebar and a free end opposite to the coupling end, wherein the coupling structure includes one of a convex portion and a recess which is configured to be detachably coupled to the other of the convex portion and the recess provided on the base member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The operating switch device according to claim 18, wherein the convex portion and the recess are configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch to at least one of the base body and a mounting clamp of the base member, the mounting clamp being configured to couple the base body to the handlebar.