Patents by Inventor Francois Chartrand

Francois Chartrand 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: 5469628
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring on the site of an accident the three-dimensional deformation of a damaged vehicle comprises a reference frame and a distance measuring device. The reference frame comprises a first straight frame portion installed in front of the vehicle parallel to the transversal axis thereof, a second elongated straight frame portion installed on the side of the vehicle parallel to this vehicle's longitudinal axis, and a third elongated straight frame portion installed at the rear of the vehicle parallel to the transversal axis. When the deformation is situated in front of the damaged vehicle, the first frame portion defines a first axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system, the second axis of this coordinate system being located in a vertical plane in which the first elongated frame portion is lying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Francois Chartrand
    Inventor: Francois Chartrand
  • Patent number: 5324057
    Abstract: A two-wheel drive cycle comprises a frame, a front fork assembly mounted on the frame through a pivotal connection to steer the cycle, a front wheel rotating on the fork assembly about a first axis, and a rear wheel rotating on the frame about a second axis. A front sprocket is mounted on the front wheel and centered on the first axis to drive the front wheel, while a rear sprocket is mounted on the rear wheel, is centered on the second axis and driven through the pedals or motor. A chain is meshed with both the front and rear sprockets and guided between these front and rear sprockets through a plurality of gears and pulleys, including a set of gear and pulley engaging the chain and rotatively mounted on the frame close to the pivotal connection. A spring mechanism lengthens and shortens the chain loop as the front fork assembly is turned. In operation, the front wheel is driven through the pedals or motor, the rear sprocket, the chain meshed with both the front and rear sprockets, and the front sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventor: Francois Chartrand