# US 12,759,666 B2 · Coupling unit for pedal assembly, and pedal > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,759,666 B2 - Document ID: US12759666B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/374,802 - Filed: 2023-09-29 - Published: 2025-04-03 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2023-09-29 - Assignees: Shimano Inc. - Applicants: Shimano Inc. - Inventors: Zheng Chuan Tan; Yoong Chern Chai; Mohamad Zaki Bin Md Salleh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759666B2 ## CPC - B62M 3/086: {Attachments between shoe and pedal other than toe clips, e.g. cleats (shoes for cyclists A43B5/14)} - 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) ## Abstract A coupling unit releasably couples a cleat of a shoe to a pedal assembly. The coupling unit includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member and a shaft. The first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured to releasably couple the cleat to the coupling unit. The first coupling member has a pair of holes. The second coupling member has a pair of holes. The second coupling member is pivotably coupled to the first coupling member by the shaft. The shaft is disposed in the holes such that the second coupling member is pivotally coupled to the first coupling member by the shaft. In one embodiment, the shaft is press-fitted to at least one of the holes. In another embodiment, the shaft has opposite axial ends crimp-fastened to one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A coupling unit for a pedal assembly configured to be used with a human-powered vehicle, the coupling unit releasably coupling a cleat of a shoe to the pedal assembly, the coupling unit comprising: a first coupling member configured to releasably couple the cleat to the coupling unit, the first coupling member being configured to be disposed to a pedal body of the pedal assembly, the first coupling member having a first hole and a second hole, the first coupling member including an outer portion and an inner portion, both the inner portion and the outer portion curving toward each other, and a curvature of the inner portion being different from a curvature of the outer portion; a second coupling member configured to releasably couple the cleat to the coupling unit, the second coupling member being pivotable between a cleat holding position and a cleat non-holding position, the second coupling member being coupled to the first coupling member, the second coupling member having a third hole and a fourth hole; a shaft having a center axis, the shaft being disposed in the first hole, the second hole, the third hole and the fourth hole such that the second coupling member is pivotable about the center axis, the shaft being non-rotatably coupled to the first hole and the second hole of the first coupling member; and a biasing member disposed between the first and second coupling members and including a first portion contacting the first coupling member so that the biasing member is in an operational state while the coupling unit is removed from the pedal assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The coupling unit according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member biases the second coupling member towards the cleat holding position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The coupling unit according to claim 2, wherein the biasing member is disposed on the shaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The coupling unit according to claim 3, wherein the biasing member includes a plurality of springs operatively disposed between the first coupling member and the second coupling member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The coupling unit according to claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of springs includes a coil portion disposed on the shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The coupling unit according to claim 2, further comprising a biasing force adjuster disposed between the biasing member and the second coupling member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The coupling unit according to claim 1, wherein the inner portion includes an inner engagement recess configured to engage with a positioning profile of the pedal body, and the outer portion includes an outer engagement recess configured to engage with another positioning profile of the pedal body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The coupling unit according to claim 7, wherein the inner engagement recess is different from the outer engagement recess in shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The coupling unit according to claim 1, wherein the first hole is disposed adjacent to the third hole with respect to an axial direction defined by the center axis of the shaft, and the second hole is adjacent to the fourth hole with respect to the axial direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The coupling unit according to claim 1, wherein the shaft is press-fitted to the first hole and the second hole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The coupling unit according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling member includes a first pedal mounted portion, a second pedal mounted portion, and a cleat engagement portion connecting the first pedal mounted portion and the second pedal mounted portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A pedal comprising: the coupling unit according to claim 1; a pedal axle having a rotational center axis; and a pedal body rotatably supported with respect to the pedal axle to rotate around the rotational center axis, the coupling unit being attached to the pedal body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The coupling unit according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member includes a second portion contacting a biasing force adjuster. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The coupling unit according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling member is configured to releasably couple to a first portion of the cleat and the second coupling member is configured to couple to a second portion of the cleat, the first and second portions being different. ### Claim 15 A coupling unit for a pedal assembly equipped with a human-powered vehicle, the coupling unit releasably coupling a cleat of a shoe to the pedal assembly, the coupling unit comprising: a first coupling member configured to releasably couple the cleat to the coupling unit, the first coupling member being configured to be disposed to a pedal body of the pedal assembly, the first coupling member having a first hole and a second hole, the first coupling member including an outer portion and an inner portion, both the inner portion and the outer portion curving toward each other, and a curvature of the inner portion being different from a curvature of the outer portion; a second coupling member configured to releasably couple the cleat to the coupling unit, the second coupling member being pivotable between a cleat holding position and a cleat non-holding position, the second coupling member being coupled to the first coupling member, the second coupling member having a third hole and a fourth hole; a shaft having a center axis, the shaft being disposed in the first hole, the second hole, the third hole and the fourth hole such that the second coupling member is pivotable about the center axis, the shaft having a first axial end and a second axial end opposite to the first axial end, both of the first axial end and the second axial end being non rotatably crimp-fastened to one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member; and a biasing member disposed between the first and second coupling members and including a first portion contacting the first coupling member so that the biasing member is operational in a removed state while the coupling unit is removed from the pedal assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The coupling unit according to claim 15, wherein the biasing member biases the second coupling member towards the cleat holding position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A pedal comprising: the coupling unit according to claim 15; a pedal axle having a rotational center axis; and a pedal body rotatably supported with respect to the pedal axle to rotate around the rotational center axis, the coupling unit being attached to the pedal body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The pedal according to claim 17, wherein the coupling unit further comprises the biasing member biases the second coupling member towards the cleat holding position. ### Claim 19 A coupling unit for a pedal assembly configured to be used with a human-powered vehicle, the coupling unit releasably coupling a cleat of a shoe to the pedal assembly, the coupling unit comprising: a first coupling member configured to releasably couple the cleat to the coupling unit, the first coupling member being configured to be disposed to a pedal body of the pedal assembly, the first coupling member having a first hole and a second hole, the first coupling member including an outer portion and an inner portion, both the inner portion and the outer portion curving toward each other, and a curvature of the inner portion being different from a curvature of the outer portion; a second coupling member configured to releasably couple the cleat to the coupling unit, the second coupling member being pivotable between a cleat holding position and a cleat non-holding position, the second coupling member being coupled to the first coupling member, the second coupling member having a third hole and a fourth hole; a shaft having a center axis, the shaft being disposed in the first hole, the second hole, the third hole and the fourth hole such that the second coupling member is pivotable about the center axis, the shaft being non-rotatably coupled to the third hole and the fourth hole of the second member; and a biasing member disposed between the first and second coupling members and including a first portion contacting the first coupling member so that the biasing member is in an operational state while the coupling unit is removed from the pedal assembly.