Patents by Inventor Daniel Mercier

Daniel Mercier has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20140114546
    Abstract: A method for enhancing stability of a three wheel vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a single rear wheel, each of the wheels having a tire with a tire grip threshold. The method including deploying an electronic stability system (ESS) on the vehicle, providing the ESS with input from various vehicle sensors related to the longitudinal and lateral acceleration of the vehicle, causing the ESS to determine whether (i) a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and (ii) the tire grip threshold of any of the tires has been exceeded; and when a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and the tire grip threshold of none of the tires has been exceeded, causing the ESS to reduce the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle by a first amount less than that which would cause the tire grip threshold of any of the tires to be exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Mario DAGENAIS, Daniel MERCIER
  • Patent number: 8655565
    Abstract: A method for enhancing stability of a three wheel vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a single rear wheel, each of the wheels having a tire with a tire grip threshold. The method including deploying an electronic stability system (ESS) on the vehicle, providing the ESS with input from various vehicle sensors related to the longitudinal and lateral acceleration of the vehicle, causing the ESS to determine whether (i) a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and (ii) the tire grip threshold of any of the tires has been exceeded; and when a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and the tire grip threshold of none of the tires has been exceeded, causing the ESS to reduce the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle by a first amount less than that which would cause the tire grip threshold of any of the tires to be exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Dagenais, Daniel Mercier
  • Patent number: 8602421
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame, a straddle seat, an engine, and a shock tower having a lower end pivotally connected to a front portion of the frame about a pivot axis. Front left and right suspension assemblies operatively connect to the front portion of the frame. A steering assembly has a steering column and a handlebar. A rear suspension is connected to the rear portion of the frame. Each front suspension assembly has a spindle, a lower suspension arm having an end pivotally connected to the frame and another end pivotally connected to the lower end of the spindle, a leaning rod having an end pivotally connected to the frame and another end pivotally connected to the upper end of the spindle via a ball joint, and a shock absorber having an upper end connected to the shock tower and a lower end connected to the lower suspension arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Mercier
  • Patent number: 8499876
    Abstract: A central endless drive track is disposed below the seat of a snowmobile. At least two left wheels are operatively connected to a left track frame disposed forwardly of the seat. A left track engages the left wheels. A left brake is connected to the left track frame and selectively engages one of a first left wheel and the left track to brake the left track. At least two right wheels are operatively connected to a right track frame disposed forwardly of the seat. A right track is disposed around the right wheels. A right brake is connected to the right track frame and selectively engages one of a first right wheel and the right track to brake the right track. A brake lever causes the left and right brakes to brake the left and right tracks respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Mercier, Guillaume Longpre, Alain Massicotte, Etienne Guay
  • Patent number: 8360440
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame, a straddle seat, an engine, and a shock tower having a lower end pivotally connected to a front portion of the frame about a pivot axis. Front left and right suspension assemblies operatively connect to the front portion of the frame. A steering assembly has a steering column and a handlebar. A rear suspension is connected to the rear portion of the frame. Each front suspension assembly has a knuckle, a spindle passing through the knuckle and being rotatable relative to the knuckle about a steering axis, a lower suspension arm having an end pivotally connected to the frame and another end pivotally connected to the lower end of the spindle about a tilting axis parallel to the pivot axis, and a shock absorber having an upper end connected to the shock tower and a lower end connected to the lower suspension arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Mercier
  • Patent number: 8317207
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame pivotally connected to the lower end of a shock tower, the pivotal connection defining a frame leaning axis wherein the frame is adapted to lean to a right side and to a left side relative to the shock tower about the frame leaning axis. An actuated lock locks the frame to the shock tower and prevents relative movement between the frame and the shock tower about the frame leaning axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Mercier
  • Patent number: 8297637
    Abstract: A watercraft trailer has a watercraft receiving portion and a lower frame adapted to support a watercraft in the watercraft receiving portion. The lower frame has at least one longitudinally extending lower frame member. The trailer also has a hitch coupler connected to a front of the lower frame, a first wheel and a second wheel operatively connected to the lower frame, and a walk board connected to the lower frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Fournier, Joey Larouche, Daniel Mercier, Bruno Girouard, Hugo Brisson, Christian Labbe
  • Publication number: 20120267870
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame, a straddle seat, an engine, and a shock tower having a lower end pivotally connected to a front portion of the frame about a pivot axis. Front left and right suspension assemblies operatively connect to the front portion of the frame. A steering assembly has a steering column and a handlebar. A rear suspension is connected to the rear portion of the frame. Each front suspension assembly has a knuckle, a spindle passing through the knuckle and being rotatable relative to the knuckle about a steering axis, a lower suspension arm having an end pivotally connected to the frame and another end pivotally connected to the lower end of the spindle about a tilting axis parallel to the pivot axis, and a shock absorber having an upper end connected to the shock tower and a lower end connected to the lower suspension arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: Daniel MERCIER
  • Patent number: 8267212
    Abstract: A central endless drive track is disposed below the seat of a snowmobile. At least two left wheels are operatively connected to a left track frame disposed forwardly of the seat. A left track engages the left wheels. A left brake is connected to the left track frame and selectively engages one of a first left wheel and the left track to brake the left track. At least two right wheels are operatively connected to a right track frame disposed forwardly of the seat. A right track is disposed around the right wheels. A right brake is connected to the right track frame and selectively engages one of a first right wheel and the right track to brake the right track. A brake lever causes the left and right brakes to brake the left and right tracks respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Mercier, Guillaume Longpre, Alain Massicotte, Etienne Guay
  • Publication number: 20120232758
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame pivotally connected to the lower end of a shock tower, the pivotal connection defining a frame leaning axis wherein the frame is adapted to lean to a right side and to a left side relative to the shock tower about the frame leaning axis. The leaning vehicle includes an actuator operatively connected to the frame and to the shock tower which is adapted to impart a leaning motion to the frame relative to the shock tower about the frame leaning axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Mercier
  • Patent number: 8235398
    Abstract: A method of operating a leaning vehicle is described. The method includes: determining a steering torque exerted on a steering assembly; determining a speed of travel of the vehicle; determining a leaning angle of a frame of the vehicle with respect to a reference angle; and exerting a leaning torque on the frame relative to a pivotable frame member about a pivot axis in a first direction using an actuator in response to a steering torque exerted on the steering assembly in a second direction opposite the first direction when a speed of travel of the vehicle is above a threshold speed, thereby causing the vehicle to turn in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Mercier
  • Patent number: 8205571
    Abstract: A boat has a hull and a deck is disposed on the hull. A tower is connected to the deck. The tower has a top. The top has at least one storage compartment defined therein. A canopy is connected to the top, the canopy has at least one frame member and a canvas connected to the at least one frame member. The canopy has an extended position and a retracted position. The canvas and the at least one frame member are disposed at least in part in the storage compartment of the top when the canopy is in the retracted position. A boat having a tower with a top and a canopy attached thereto is also disclosed where the tower is movable between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: BRP US Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Rondeau, Claude Gagnon, Sam Spade, Willy Carmine, Joey Larouche, Vincent Tognon, Daniel Mercier
  • Publication number: 20120119453
    Abstract: A method of operating a leaning vehicle is described. The method includes: determining a steering torque exerted on a steering assembly; determining a speed of travel of the vehicle; determining a leaning angle of a frame of the vehicle with respect to a reference angle; and exerting a leaning torque on the frame relative to a pivotable frame member about a pivot axis in a first direction using an actuator in response to a steering torque exerted on the steering assembly in a second direction opposite the first direction when a speed of travel of the vehicle is above a threshold speed, thereby causing the vehicle to turn in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: Daniel MERCIER
  • Publication number: 20120119462
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame pivotally connected to the lower end of a shock tower, the pivotal connection defining a frame leaning axis wherein the frame is adapted to lean to a right side and to a left side relative to the shock tower about the frame leaning axis. An actuated lock locks the frame to the shock tower and prevents relative movement between the frame and the shock tower about the frame leaning axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: Daniel MERCIER
  • Patent number: 8152193
    Abstract: A method of securing a watercraft to a watercraft trailer is disclosed. The method includes driving the watercraft in a watercraft receiving portion of the trailer, moving a lever towards a front of the trailer in response to a hull of the watercraft coming into contact with the lever, and retaining a pin connected to the hull of the watercraft in response to the lever moving towards the front of the trailer. A method of releasing a watercraft from a watercraft trailer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Hugo Brisson, Christian Labbe, Daniel Mercier, Joey Larouche, Bruno Girouard, Eric Fournier
  • Publication number: 20120061160
    Abstract: A method for enhancing stability of a three wheel vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a single rear wheel, each of the wheels having a tire with a tire grip threshold. The method including deploying an electronic stability system (ESS) on the vehicle, providing the ESS with input from various vehicle sensors related to the longitudinal and lateral acceleration of the vehicle, causing the ESS to determine whether (i) a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and (ii) the tire grip threshold of any of the tires has been exceeded; and when a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and the tire grip threshold of none of the tires has been exceeded, causing the ESS to reduce the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle by a first amount less than that which would cause the tire grip threshold of any of the tires to be exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Mario DAGENAIS, Daniel MERCIER
  • Patent number: 8123240
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame that pivots relative to a pivotable frame member about a pivot axis. A torque exerted on a steering assembly in a first direction causes the frame to pivot relative to the pivotable frame member in a second, opposite direction at least when the speed of the vehicle is above a first threshold speed, to steer the vehicle in the second direction. An actuator urges the frame toward an upright position when the frame is in a leaning position and a speed of the vehicle is below a second threshold speed. A method is also described, in which a torque is exerted on the frame in the direction opposite the steering torque when the speed above the first threshold speed. The torque exerted by the actuator is opposite the leaning angle when the speed of travel is below the second threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Mercier
  • Patent number: 8086382
    Abstract: A method for enhancing stability of a three wheel vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a single rear wheel, each of the wheels having a tire with a tire grip threshold. The method including deploying an electronic stability system (ESS) on the vehicle, providing the ESS with input from various vehicle sensors related to the longitudinal and lateral acceleration of the vehicle, causing the ESS to determine whether (i) a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and (ii) the tire grip threshold of any of the tires has been exceeded; and when a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and the tire grip threshold of none of the tires has been exceeded, causing the ESS to reduce the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle by a first amount less than that which would cause the tire grip threshold of any of the tires to be exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Dagenais, Daniel Mercier
  • Patent number: 8056497
    Abstract: A boat coverable by a flexible cover has a hull, a deck, and a tower movably connected to the deck. The tower has a central structure. The tower is movable between a first position and a second position. The deck is coverable by the flexible cover when the tower is in the second position such that the flexible cover is associated with at least a portion of the central structure. The portion of the central structure is movable to a third position vertically intermediate positions of the central structure in the first and second positions of the tower to tension the cover. A boat having a flexible cover connected to the central structure of the tower and a method of a method of installing a flexible cover on a boat are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: BRP US Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Rondeau, Claude Gagnon, Sam Spade, Joey Larouche, Vincent Tognon, Daniel Mercier
  • Patent number: 8011683
    Abstract: A watercraft trailer has a releasable connector for releasably connecting a watercraft to the trailer. The releasable connector has a lever pivotally connected to a connector support and a hook connected to the lever. Pivoting of the lever towards a front of the trailer moves the releasable connector to a locked position and pivots the hook towards the front of the trailer. A locking mechanism prevents the releasable connector from moving to an unlocked position by applying forces to any one of the lever and the hook that would otherwise pivot the lever and the hook towards a rear of the trailer. Unlocking the locking mechanism moves the releasable connector to the unlocked position and pivots the hook towards the rear of the trailer. A method of securing a watercraft to a watercraft trailer and a method of releasing a watercraft from a watercraft trailer are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Hugo Brisson, Christian Labbe, Daniel Mercier, Joey Larouche, Bruno Girouard, Eric Fournier