Patents by Inventor Dominique Benoit

Dominique Benoit 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: 20110107800
    Abstract: A latch system includes a latch and a key barrel operably coupled via a clutch to the latch. The clutch has an engaged condition where operation of the key barrel unlatches the latch, and the clutch has a disengaged condition where operation of the key barrel does not unlatch the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Stephane Barbier, Dominique Benoit, Remi Castella
  • Patent number: 7726455
    Abstract: A clutch comprises an input pinion and an output pinion associated with a rotatable locking member that has a surface inclined with respect to an axis of rotation of the locking member. The surface cooperates with an engagement member, and the locking member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the surface forms a recess to receive the engagement member, and in the second position, the surface forms a projection to force the engagement member into abutment with the input pinion to establish a driveable connection between the input pinion and the output pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems —France
    Inventors: Dominique Benoit, Franck Rivoiret, Thierry Pebre
  • Publication number: 20070267269
    Abstract: A clutch comprises an input pinion and an output pinion associated with a rotatable locking member that has a surface inclined with respect to an axis of rotation of the locking member. The surface cooperates with an engagement member, and the locking member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the surface forms a recess to receive the engagement member, and in the second position, the surface forms a projection to force the engagement member into abutment with the input pinion to establish a driveable connection between the input pinion and the output pinion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Dominique Benoit, Franck Rivoiret, Thierry Pebre
  • Publication number: 20070138803
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a power closure latch includes a latch chassis, a power actuator fixed to the latch chassis, and a resilient member having a base at a first end and a second end that engages a drive member. The base is fixed to the latch chassis, and the drive member is driveable by the power actuator to compress the resilient member. The drive mechanism includes a toggle arm having an input and an output. The input is driveable by the drive member to toggle the output between a first position and a second position. A first end of a second arm has a pivot fixed to the latch chassis and a second end having an input for attachment to the drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Dominique Benoit, Nigel Spurr, Paul Scott
  • Publication number: 20060244282
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle including a body and a tail gate mobile in rotation relative to the body between a closed position and an open position. The vehicle also includes a gas spring for actuating the tail gate, where actuation of the tail gate by the gas spring is done by a first lever arm. The vehicle includes a transmission lever for actuating the tail gate and actuation of the tail gate by the transmission lever is done by a second lever arm greater than the first lever arm. The gas spring is adapted to activate the transmission lever. The tail gate can thus be opened more easily, while limiting the bulk of the drive mechanism of the tail gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Dominique Benoit, Fabien Dufour, Dan Zanian
  • Patent number: 7122915
    Abstract: A control for a window lifter of a motor vehicle includes a sensor in the form of a physical matrix having a pressure sensitive surface. The control also includes keys that define a pressure point. When pressed, the keys influence the pressure sensitive surface. The keys can be fixed to the sensor or can be connected to a support against which the sensor is fixed. The control can easily be reconfigured for different keys without modifying the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventors: Yann Le Gallo, Sebastien Lac, Dominique Benoit, Mickael Lebourgeois
  • Patent number: 7047692
    Abstract: A vehicle window lifter includes first and second parallel guide rails, a connecting arm rigidly connecting the guide rails at a point along the rails between their ends, and cable returns defining a cable path along the rails and connecting arm. The connecting arm and guide rails form a cable path for a cable, protecting the cable while providing high rigidity and simple mounting on a vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems - France
    Inventors: Dominique Benoit, Sylvain Chonavel
  • Patent number: 6988759
    Abstract: A modular door system provides a lower door assembly, an upper door assembly and a trim assembly. The upper door assembly is selectively removable and replaceable such that the door system is readily converted between a multiple of configurations. The trim assembly includes the interior vehicle door trim and a hinged trim portion. The hinged trim portion is defined by a trim hinge which is generally parallel to the open edge. By pivoting the hinged trim portion away from the open edge, the cavity is readily exposed for receipt of the upper door assembly. The difference in thickness of the upper door assembly is accommodated by pivoting of the hinged trim portion to permit passage of the components while still providing a seal for the cavity when the hinged trim portion is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Enrico Fin, Kristine Weaver, Gopi Krishnan, Dominique Benoit, Thierry Pebre
  • Publication number: 20050110298
    Abstract: A modular door system provides a lower door assembly, an upper door assembly and a trim assembly. The upper door assembly is selectively removable and replaceable such that the door system is readily converted between a multiple of configurations. The trim assembly includes the interior vehicle door trim and a hinged trim portion. The hinged trim portion is defined by a trim hinge which is generally parallel to the open edge. By pivoting the hinged trim portion away from the open edge, the cavity is readily exposed for receipt of the upper door assembly. The difference in thickness of the upper door assembly is accommodated by pivoting of the hinged trim portion to permit passage of the components while still providing a seal for the cavity when the hinged trim portion is secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Enrico Fin, Kristine Weaver, Gopi Krishnan, Dominique Benoit, Thierry Pebre
  • Publication number: 20040119613
    Abstract: A control for a window lifter of a motor vehicle includes a sensor in the form of a physical matrix having a pressure sensitive surface. The control also includes keys that define a pressure point. When pressed, the keys influence the pressure sensitive surface. The keys can be fixed to the sensor or can be connected to a support against which the sensor is fixed. The control can easily be reconfigured for different keys without modifying the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Yann Le Gallo, Sebastien Lac, Dominique Benoit, Mickael Lebourgeois
  • Publication number: 20040101165
    Abstract: An object detection system for a motor vehicle comprises at least one optical sensor, a lens that directs an image of the handle and/or of a window trap area the optical sensor, and a display displaying the image of the area behind the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Yann Le Gallo, Dominique Benoit
  • Publication number: 20030233791
    Abstract: A vehicle window lifter includes first and second parallel guide rails, a connecting arm rigidly connecting the guide rails at a point along the rails between their ends, and cable returns defining a cable path along the rails and connecting arm. The connecting arm and guide rails form a cable path for a cable, protecting the cable while providing high rigidity and simple mounting on a vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Dominique Benoit, Sylvain Chonavel
  • Patent number: 5095659
    Abstract: A vehicle door comprising a door shell, a module, and door hardware components attached on the door module. The door shell comprises an outer belt reinforcement, an outer panel and an inner panel having a hinge and a latch member. The module comprises a core member having two metal plates thereby to receive the hardware components. The hardware components which are attached to the module are an exterior door release, an interior door release, a latch mechanism, a window regulator mechanism, and a trim panel. Thus, the module is adapted to permit pre-assembly and pre-testing of major sub-assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Atoma International, A Magna International Company
    Inventors: Dominique Benoit, Jonathan Vinden