Patents by Inventor Louis-Frederic Marchildon
Louis-Frederic Marchildon 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).
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Patent number: 11897568Abstract: An accessory mounting system for mounting an accessory on a vehicle is provided. The accessory mounting system includes a mounting assembly which has an elongated rail removably connectable to the vehicle. The elongated rail is provided with a slot extending therealong and which opens on a top surface of the elongated rail. The mounting assembly also includes a connector having a head portion slidably mounted within the slot, and a shank portion extending from the head and vertically above the top surface of the elongated rail. The mounting assembly also has a mounting fixture connectable to the connector and adapted to selectively have a portion of the accessory be connected thereto, the mounting fixture is connected to the connector in a manner such that moving the connector along the slot correspondingly displaces the mounting fixture along the elongated rail to adjust the position of the accessory on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: KIMPEX INC.Inventors: Louis-Frédéric Marchildon, Patrick L'Hérault, Nicolas Bouchard-Fortin
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Patent number: 11780513Abstract: A track assembly mountable to a rotatable rear axle of a vehicle includes a frame, a drive wheel rotationally mounted to the frame and being structured to be attached to the axle of the vehicle, a front idler wheel and a rear idler wheel assemblies mounted to the frame, and a track. The track has an inner surface facing the drive wheel, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The outer surface has a plurality of traction lugs distributed along the outer surface. The track includes a plurality of longer transverse reinforcement rods distributed therethrough and a plurality of shorter transverse reinforcement rods distributed therethrough. The shorter transverse reinforcement rods are shorter in length than the longer transverse reinforcement rods. Each of the longer and shorter transverse reinforcement rods is aligned along at least a part of its length with at least one of the traction lugs.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Maxime Gagne, Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Charles Devin, Patrick L'Herault
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Publication number: 20230135479Abstract: An accessory mounting fixture for a vehicle is provided. The accessory mounting fixture includes a fixture body connectable to a vehicle surface and having a substantially U-shape defining a frontal opening and adapted to receive an accessory portion. The accessory mounting fixture also includes a locking assembly adapted to selectively secure the accessory portion within the frontal opening. The locking assembly has a first lock member pivotally connected to the fixture body on a first side of the frontal opening and a second lock member pivotally connected to the fixture body on the second side of the frontal opening. The first and second locking members are operable between a closed position for confining the accessory portion within the frontal opening, and an open configuration. Positioning the first and second lock members in the closed position secures the accessory portion within the frontal opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Louis-Frédéric Marchildon, Patrick L'Hérault, Nicolas Bouchard-Fortin
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Patent number: 11572121Abstract: An accessory mounting fixture for a vehicle is provided. The accessory mounting fixture includes a fixture body connectable to a vehicle surface and having a substantially U-shape defining a frontal opening and adapted to receive an accessory portion. The accessory mounting fixture also includes a locking assembly adapted to selectively secure the accessory portion within the frontal opening. The locking assembly has a first lock member pivotally connected to the fixture body on a first side of the frontal opening and a second lock member pivotally connected to the fixture body on the second side of the frontal opening. The first and second locking members are operable between a closed position for confining the accessory portion within the frontal opening, and an open configuration. Positioning the first and second lock members in the closed position secures the accessory portion within the frontal opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Inventors: Louis-Frédéric Marchildon, Patrick L'Hérault, Nicolas Bouchard-Fortin
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Publication number: 20230036229Abstract: Track system to be mounted on a vehicle in place of a rotatable OEM tire/wheel assembly, including: A frame. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame, operatively connectable to the drive shaft of the vehicle, and has a diameter of between 65% and 100% of the OEM tire diameter. Leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies are mounted on the frame. An endless track having an inner surface is disposed around the drive wheel, the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The endless track has an unsupported portion between the drive wheel and one of the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The unsupported portion has a length and a center. The unsupported portion deflects a distance of between 8% and 12% of its length on application of a 25-lb. force at its center.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Patrick L'HERAULT, Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON
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Patent number: 11498631Abstract: Track system to be mounted on a vehicle in place of a rotatable OEM tire/wheel assembly, including: A frame. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame, operatively connectable to the drive shaft of the vehicle, and has a diameter of between 65% and 100% of the OEM tire diameter. Leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies are mounted on the frame. An endless track having an inner surface is disposed around the drive wheel, the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The endless track has an unsupported portion between the drive wheel and one of the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The unsupported portion has a length and a center. The unsupported portion deflects a distance of between 8% and 12% of its length on application of a 25-lb. force at its center.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Patrick L'Herault, Louis-Frederic Marchildon
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Patent number: 11286015Abstract: An accessory mounting system for mounting an accessory on a vehicle is provided. The mounting system includes a stacking assembly having a support structure adapted to be coupled to the vehicle and which includes a first support segment and a second support segment respectively provided with interlocking sections adapted to slidably engage one another to selectively define a length of the support structure. The stacking assembly also includes a support segment latch adapted to selectively secure the first support segment and the second support segment together and block movement of the first support segment and of the second support segment along the longitudinal axis. The stacking assembly further includes a pair of mounting fixtures connected at opposite ends of the support structure, and to which the accessory is adapted to be coupled to in order to mount the accessory to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Kimpex Inc.Inventors: Louis-Frédéric Marchildon, Patrick L'Hérault, Nicolas Bouchard-Fortin
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Publication number: 20210261063Abstract: An accessory mounting system for mounting an accessory on a vehicle is provided. The accessory mounting system includes a mounting assembly which has an elongated rail removably connectable to the vehicle. The elongated rail is provided with a slot extending therealong and which opens on a top surface of the elongated rail. The mounting assembly also includes a connector having a head portion slidably mounted within the slot, and a shank portion extending from the head and vertically above the top surface of the elongated rail. The mounting assembly also has a mounting fixture connectable to the connector and adapted to selectively have a portion of the accessory be connected thereto, the mounting fixture is connected to the connector in a manner such that moving the connector along the slot correspondingly displaces the mounting fixture along the elongated rail to adjust the position of the accessory on the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Applicant: KIMPEX INC.Inventors: Louis-Frédéric Marchildon, Patrick L’Hérault, Nicolas Bouchard-Fortin
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Publication number: 20210261067Abstract: An accessory mounting system for mounting an accessory on a vehicle is provided. The mounting system includes a stacking assembly having a support structure adapted to be coupled to the vehicle and which includes a first support segment and a second support segment respectively provided with interlocking sections adapted to slidably engage one another to selectively define a length of the support structure. The stacking assembly also includes a support segment latch adapted to selectively secure the first support segment and the second support segment together and block movement of the first support segment and of the second support segment along the longitudinal axis. The stacking assembly further includes a pair of mounting fixtures connected at opposite ends of the support structure, and to which the accessory is adapted to be coupled to in order to mount the accessory to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Applicant: KIMPEX INC.Inventors: Louis-Frédéric Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault, Nicolas Bouchard-Fortin
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Publication number: 20210261214Abstract: An accessory mounting fixture for a vehicle is provided. The accessory mounting fixture includes a fixture body connectable to a vehicle surface and having a substantially U-shape defining a frontal opening and adapted to receive an accessory portion. The accessory mounting fixture also includes a locking assembly adapted to selectively secure the accessory portion within the frontal opening. The locking assembly has a first lock member pivotally connected to the fixture body on a first side of the frontal opening and a second lock member pivotally connected to the fixture body on the second side of the frontal opening. The first and second locking members are operable between a closed position for confining the accessory portion within the frontal opening, and an open configuration. Positioning the first and second lock members in the closed position secures the accessory portion within the frontal opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Applicant: KIMPEX INC,Inventors: Louis-Frédéric Marchildon, Patrick L'Hérault, Nicolas Bouchard-Fortin
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Patent number: 11097793Abstract: A track assembly to be mounted on a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, a drive wheel rotationally mounted to the frame, a front idler wheel assembly mounted to the frame, a rear idler wheel assembly mounted to the frame, and a track mounted around the front idler wheel assembly, the rear idler wheel assembly, and the drive wheel, and being in driving engagement with the drive wheel. The track has a plurality of traction lugs distributed along an outer surface of the track. Each traction lug of the plurality of traction lugs has a height in a range of 1.6 inches to 2.5 inches. A distance between a foremost point on the outer surface of the track and a rearmost point on the outer surface of the track is between 54 inches and 65 inches.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignees: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC., BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault, Allen Bernais
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Publication number: 20210155301Abstract: A track assembly is to be mounted on a drive axle of a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, at least one leading idler wheel mounted to the front of the frame for rotation about a transverse leading idler wheel axis, at least one trailing idler wheel mounted to the rear of the frame for rotation about a traverse trailing idler wheel axis parallel to the leading idler wheel axis, a single drive wheel assembly, and at least two slide rails. The slide rails have corresponding forward-facing portions, central portions, and rearward-facing portions. The forward-facing portions project from the front ends of the central portions by a projection that is greater than a length of the central portions. A vehicle having the track assembly is also encompassed. A kit of track assemblies is also encompassed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2021Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Patrick L'HERAULT, Allen BERNAIS
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Patent number: 10940902Abstract: A track assembly is to be mounted on a drive axle of a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, at least one leading idler wheel mounted to the front of the frame for rotation about a transverse leading idler wheel axis, at least one trailing idler wheel mounted to the rear of the frame for rotation about a traverse trailing idler wheel axis parallel to the leading idler wheel axis, a single drive wheel assembly, and at least two slide rails. The slide rails have corresponding forward-facing portions, central portions, and rearward-facing portions. The forward-facing portions project from the front ends of the central portions by a projection that is greater than a length of the central portions. A vehicle having the track assembly is also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignees: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC., BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault, Allen Bernais
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Publication number: 20200377163Abstract: Track system to be mounted on a vehicle in place of a rotatable OEM tire/wheel assembly, including: A frame. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame, operatively connectable to the drive shaft of the vehicle, and has a diameter of between 65% and 100% of the OEM tire diameter. Leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies are mounted on the frame. An endless track having an inner surface is disposed around the drive wheel, the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The endless track has an unsupported portion between the drive wheel and one of the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The unsupported portion has a length and a center. The unsupported portion deflects a distance of between 8% and 12% of its length on application of a 25-lb. force at its center.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2017Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Patrick L'HERAULT, Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON
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Publication number: 20190248432Abstract: A track assembly mountable to a rotatable rear axle of a vehicle includes a frame, a drive wheel rotationally mounted to the frame and being structured to be attached to the axle of the vehicle, a front idler wheel and a rear idler wheel assemblies mounted to the frame, and a track. The track has an inner surface facing the drive wheel, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The outer surface has a plurality of traction lugs distributed along the outer surface. The track includes a plurality of longer transverse reinforcement rods distributed therethrough and a plurality of shorter transverse reinforcement rods distributed therethrough. The shorter transverse reinforcement rods are shorter in length than the longer transverse reinforcement rods. Each of the longer and shorter transverse reinforcement rods is aligned along at least a part of its length with at least one of the traction lugs.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Maxime GAGNE, Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Charles DEVIN, Patrick L'HERAULT
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Patent number: 10252757Abstract: A track system for a vehicle having a rear swing arm that is movable between a compressed suspension position and an extended suspension position. The track system has a frame and a dynamic traction device. The frame is pivotably attachable to the swing arm. The dynamic traction device has at least two elongate portions, one of which is movable relative to the other between a retracted position and an extended position and biased toward the retracted position. In use, the elongate portions interconnect the vehicle and the frame. When the vehicle is lifted off terrain, during at least a part of a movement of the swing arm from the compressed suspension position toward the extended suspension position, the dynamic traction device applies a torque to the frame and thereby changes a longitudinal angular position of the frame counter-clockwise relative to a left side of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault
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Publication number: 20180237083Abstract: A track assembly to be mounted on a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, a drive wheel rotationally mounted to the frame, a front idler wheel assembly mounted to the frame, a rear idler wheel assembly mounted to the frame, and a track mounted around the front idler wheel assembly, the rear idler wheel assembly, and the drive wheel, and being in driving engagement with the drive wheel. The track has a plurality of traction lugs distributed along an outer surface of the track. Each traction lug of the plurality of traction lugs has a height in a range of 1.6 inches to 2.5 inches. A distance between a foremost point on the outer surface of the track and a rearmost point on the outer surface of the track is between 54 inches and 65 inches.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Patrick L'HERAULT
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Publication number: 20180229784Abstract: A track assembly to be mounted on a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, a drive wheel, and front and rear idler wheel assemblies rotationally mounted to the frame. A track is mounted around the front and rear idler wheel assemblies, and the drive wheel. The track has traction lugs distributed along an outer surface thereof. The frame has an effective frame length equal to a horizontal distance between a foremost point on the outer surface of the track and the rear idler wheel assembly axis. The effective frame length is between 48 and 60 inches. The frame has an effective frame height equal to a vertical distance between the drive wheel axis and a point on the outer surface of the track, the point being positioned directly below the drive wheel axis. The effective frame height is between 17 and 20 inches.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Patrick L'HERAULT
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Publication number: 20180229783Abstract: A track assembly is to be mounted on a drive axle of a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, at least one leading idler wheel mounted to the front of the frame for rotation about a transverse leading idler wheel axis, at least one trailing idler wheel mounted to the rear of the frame for rotation about a traverse trailing idler wheel axis parallel to the leading idler wheel axis, a single drive wheel assembly, and at least two slide rails. The slide rails have corresponding forward-facing portions, central portions, and rearward-facing portions. The forward-facing portions project from the front ends of the central portions by a projection that is greater than a length of the central portions. A vehicle having the track assembly is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Patrick L'HERAULT
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Patent number: 10035550Abstract: A track system for use as a replacement of a steerable wheel on a normally wheeled vehicle, is configured to improve the handling of the vehicle when operated over hard surface (e.g. packed dirt, pavement, concrete, etc.). The track system generally comprises a drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle, a support frame mounted to the drive wheel or to the vehicle, front and rear idler wheels respectively pivotally mounted at the front and at the rear of the support frame, road wheels pivotal mounted along the length of the support frame, and a traction band disposed about the wheels and configured to be driven by the drive wheel. The road wheels are particularly configured to improve the handling of the vehicle when the track systems are operated over hard surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault