Patents by Inventor Francis Lefranc

Francis Lefranc 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).

  • Patent number: 7635163
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibratory warning device attachable to a structural element (2) such as a vehicle seat and including vibratory means (3,4,5) for generating mechanical vibration in response to a control signal, and attachment means (7,8,9) for securing the vibratory means (3,4,5) to a portion (6) of the structural element (2), characterized in that the attachment means comprise a resilient element (8) defining a gap (11) with an opening into which said portion (6) of the structural element (2) can be inserted in order to attach the device by clamping the resilient element (8) against said portion (6) of the structural element. The invention further relates to a seat provided with said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Francis Lefranc
  • Patent number: 7317384
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical exploration device, particularly for the detection of the blind spot of a vehicle, comprising first passive thermal infrared detection means (2) of the thermopile variety, for example, having a sensitivity range within a first wavelength interval (1), second detection means (3) used to measure direct or indirect solar energy (5) within a second wavelength interval (12), characterized in that the first and second (12) wavelength intervals partially overlap, and in that the first (2) and second (3) detection means are disposed and are oriented in a relative manner in order to successively or simultaneously sight the same are of detection (Z). The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Francis Lefranc
  • Publication number: 20070210903
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibratory warning device attachable to a structural element (2) such as a vehicle seat and including vibratory means (3,4,5) for generating mechanical vibration in response to a control signal, and attachment means (7,8,9) for securing the vibratory means (3,4,5) to a portion (6) of the structural element (2), characterized in that the attachment means comprise a resilient element (8) defining a gap (11) with an opening into which said portion (6) of the structural element (2) can be inserted in order to attach the device by clamping the resilient element (8) against said portion (6) of the structural element. The invention further relates to a seat provided with said device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventor: Francis Lefranc
  • Publication number: 20060072223
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical exploration device, particularly for the detection of the blind spot of a vehicle, comprising first passive thermal infrared detection means (2) of the thermopile variety, for example, having a sensitivity range within a first wavelength interval (1), second detection means (3) used to measure direct or indirect solar energy (5) within a second wavelength interval (12), characterized in that the first and second (12) wavelength intervals partially overlap, and in that the first (2) and second (3) detection means are disposed and are oriented in a relative manner in order to successively or simultaneously sight the same are of detection (Z). The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising said device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventor: Francis Lefranc