Patents Represented by Attorney James R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7287809
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cross-member to be found in the proximity of a bodywork part capable of moving towards the cross-member, said cross-member being fitted with an inertia part and a stabilization part for geometrically stabilizing the inertia part. The stabilization part is longitudinally subdivided into a first portion located beside the bodywork part, and a second portion located remote from the bodywork part. The first and second portions are designed in such a manner that in the event of the bodywork part being subjected to a force equivalent to an impact against a pedestrian, said part can move towards second portion while deforming the inertia part and the first portion, without the second portion deforming. The invention also provides a front end module including such a cross-member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventor: Gerald Andre
  • Patent number: 7289216
    Abstract: A station for inspecting the painting of motor vehicle bodywork parts, the station including an optical measuring apparatus and means for attenuating vibration of the moving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Laurent Aubanel, Laurent Dam, Patrick Magnier
  • Patent number: 7276205
    Abstract: The invention relates to an injection device for the reliable introduction of a fluid into a metallurgical vessel having a refractory lining, the device being removably insertable in the lining; comprising a refractory first body (2) and a refractory second body (3) fittingly assembled, the first body (2) being made of a refractory material less permeable to the fluid than the material of the second body (3), the first and second bodies having each a surface (4, 5) adapted to contact molten metal; and having each fluid passages (6, 7) extending from fluid feeding means (8) to a surface (4, 5) adapted to contact molten metal, the relative flow resistance of the fluid passages (7) in the second body (4) being higher than that of the fluid passages (6) in the first body (2), the fluid passages (6) in the first body (2) being constituted of slots or bores. According to the invention, the fluid passages (6) in the first body (2) are independent from the fluid passages (7) in the second body (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible Company
    Inventors: Craig Willoughby, Cavan Millward
  • Patent number: 7240450
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for placing a slide of a handgun in proper position relative to the barrel so that an otherwise concealed barrel pin is now revealed. The invention is particularly suited for handgun designs otherwise lacking a positive stop, external barrel pins or levers. The device includes an indentation for receiving a front face of the handgun. The indentation is at least partially surrounded by a raised ridge adapted to prevent the slide from entering the indentation. Placing the barrel in the indentation forces the slide backwards from the front face. The elevation difference between the depth of the indentation and the ridge is selected to expose a barrel pin of the handgun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventor: David R. Shober
  • Patent number: 7216911
    Abstract: The module is extended to extend the body (10) of said vehicle by being fastened thereto. It is also designed to support rear doors (14) and a rear bumper. It comprises a frame of plastics material (24) including fastener means for fastening to the body and fastener means (28) to the doors (14). It further comprises extenders (26) for extending side rails (20) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: GĂ©rald Andre, Dominique Delavalle
  • Patent number: 7165794
    Abstract: The invention provides a motor vehicle bumper comprising: a shield presenting a first impact zone situated substantially at the same height as the knee of an adult pedestrian and, immediately below said first zone, a second impact zone situated substantially at the height as the tibia of an adult pedestrian; a beam placed behind the shield substantially at the same height as the knee of an adult pedestrian, in register with and at a certain distance from the shield; and interposed between the beam and the shield, at least one block made of a compressible material, the block having a front end disposed beside the shield and a rear end disposed beside the beam, and having a cross-section that increases from its front end towards its rear end. The front end of the block is disposed in register with the second impact zone of the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Pascal Banry, Thierry Roussel, Riad Chaaya
  • Patent number: 7152916
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liner for the grille of a motor vehicle. The liner permits simple management of the desired clearance between a bumper shield and grille. The liner is intended to position the grille relative to the bumper shield while simultaneously supporting a top rim of the bumper shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventor: Thierry Roussel
  • Patent number: 7150495
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use, at the front of a motor vehicle, of a fender and of a hood defining a fender-hood junction leaving predetermined clearance between an edge of the hood and an edge of the fender, in combination with an air bag for deploying to the outside of the vehicle. This use is performed in such a manner that while the air bag is deploying, it deforms the fender and/or the hood in such as a manner as to enlarge the clearance and create a passage between the edge of the hood and the edge of the fender. The invention also relates to retaining means and to a fender support, to a fender, to a fender module, and to a hood for a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Arnold Fayt, Laurent Rocheblave
  • Patent number: 7118170
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor vehicle sill moulding including a vertical undulating strip of plastics material and optionally, at least one holding plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Pierre Montanvert, Thierry Roussel, Arnold Fayt
  • Patent number: 7112300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a metallurgical ladle and more particularly to the bottom of the ladle having an outlet through which the molten metal can drain. An object of the present invention is to increase the efficiency of a ladle draining operation, including reducing the amount of discarded metal, avoiding the premature flow of slag through the outlet, and reducing the contamination of slag in the molten metal effluent. The ladle bottom comprises a plurality of terraces and flow channels, ultimately directing the stream of molten metal to an outlet of the ladle. The terraces are described as capturing slag and the channels permit molten metal to flow preferentially through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible Company
    Inventors: Johan Richard, Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
  • Patent number: 7104062
    Abstract: The device comprises a first heat exchanger (22) for exchanging heat between the admission air and a heat-transfer liquid for regulating the temperature of the admission air, the heat exchanger being connected to a circuit (24) for cold heat-transfer liquid, the device further comprising a second heat exchanger (26) for exchanging heat between the admission air and a heat-transfer fluid likewise for regulating the temperature of the admission air and connected to a circuit (28) for very cold heat-transfer fluid that is colder than the heat transfer liquid of the cold heat-transfer liquid circuit (24). The cold heat-transfer liquid circuit (24) preferably comprises a heat exchanger (30) for exchanging heat between air and the cold heat-transfer liquid, e.g. carried by a front face (31) of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles, S.A.
    Inventor: Manuel Amaral
  • Patent number: 7097236
    Abstract: A connection between a side rail and a structural part at the front of a motor vehicle, the structural part having a top edge situated in the vicinity of a zone of the bodywork that might receive an impact from the head or the hip of a pedestrian, wherein the connection comprises force-opposing means enabling the side rail to oppose the vertical forces to which the part is subjected, and wherein said means are collapsible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Hugues Cheron
  • Patent number: 7086679
    Abstract: A bodywork assembly is described that facilitates joining of a fender and a bumper skin. The edges of the fender and bumper skin include complimentary shapes that mate when the fender and bumper skin are pressed together. A plurality of studs transects the fender and bumper skin along their edges. The studs may be fusible or elastic. In the event of an impact of sufficient magnitude, the studs break or stretch to accommodate deformation, thereby reducing damage to the fender and bumper skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Hugues Cheron
  • Patent number: 7008008
    Abstract: The invention relates to an equipment front face for a motor vehicle, the front face comprising a top cross-member extended at its ends firstly by lateral supports and secondly by legs. Said front face includes at least first and second structural parts each having a central portion and two extensions on either side of said central portion, the central portions of the two structural parts belonging to the cross-member, the extensions of the first structural part belonging to the lateral supports, while the extensions of the second structural part belong to the legs. The top cross-member includes a body made of a plastics material interconnecting the structural parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Hugues Cheron
  • Patent number: 7004519
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle beam shell designed to be placed behind a bumper skin, said shell being provided with a recess for receiving a strength member inside it, the strength member being, for example, a strength member made of metal, in particular of aluminum, or a strength member made of a composite material incorporating a metal. The beam is provided with shell cladding which interfits with the shell, thereby forming a hollow body defining a recess for receiving the strength member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Thierry Roussel, Stephane Malteste, Frederic Pierrot
  • Patent number: 6988574
    Abstract: The present invention describes an opening for engine compartment cooling. The opening includes a one-way valve that permits airflow only at speed. The valve allows cooling air to circulate past the engine without impeding the efficiency of the radiator. The size, shape and number of openings and valves may vary depending on cooling capacity or styling considerations. The opening includes a leading edge followed by an indentation defining a port for a one-way valve. A valve is fixed in the port so that airflow can occur only in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Jones Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Jones
  • Patent number: 6946829
    Abstract: This device for measuring a chopped current (ie) includes a pulse transformer (10). The transformer includes a primary circuit (12) in which the chopped current flows and a secondary circuit (14) in which there flows an output current (is) that is proportional to the chopped current, the secondary circuit of the transformer having two output terminals (16, 18) between which there is connected an output current measuring circuit (22). The measuring circuit further includes transformer demagnetizing means (20). The measuring circuit includes a switch (32) and means (33) for synchronizing said switch with the chopped current (ie) to enable the output current (is) to flow through the measuring circuit (22) whenever the chopped current is strictly positive and whenever it is strictly negative, and to prevent any flow of current through the measuring circuit when the chopped current is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Electronique et Systems de Liaison
    Inventor: Pierre Sardat
  • Patent number: D505641
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Kauffman, Jill Kauffman
  • Patent number: D545253
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Jones Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Jones
  • Patent number: D549624
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Jones Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Jones