Patents by Inventor Gerald Andre

Gerald Andre 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: 7204545
    Abstract: The motor vehicle fender support comprises a metal core with a top portion provided with fasteners for fastening to a fender. The top portion is provided with ribs arranged to stiffen it in the event of stress being directed in the transverse direction, and to buckle in the event of downwardly-directed impacts, when the fender support is mounted on the vehicle. The metal core also includes openings seeking to reduce its stiffness so as to satisfy predefined deceleration criteria. The fender support also comprises a rigid bottom portion designed to be fastened to the structure of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Roux, Frédéric Pierrot, Gérald Andre, Hugues Cheron
  • Publication number: 20070052261
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle body-in-white comprising a bottom portion referred to as a frame, made up of at least of a front unit including the dash panel, and a rear unit including the side rails. The body also comprises fastener means for fastening the rear unit to the front unit, suitable for assembling the rear unit to the front unit in at least two distinct positions relative to the front unit, these two positions being offset by a given length (L) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: COMPAGNIE PLASTIC OMNIUM
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Dominique Delavalle, Jerome Fillon
  • Publication number: 20060284446
    Abstract: The assembly (1) of bodywork elements is designed to juxtapose a bodywork part (2) presenting a connection edge (3) with said assembly (1), the connection edge being curved in shape. The assembly comprises at least a first bodywork element (4) carrying a first slider member (5), and a second bodywork element (6) carrying a second slider member (7). The first and second slider members (5, 7) co-operate with each other in such a manner that the first and second bodywork elements (4, 6) are capable of sliding relative to each other while adapting to the curved shape of the connection edge (3) of the bodywork part (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: COMPAGNIE PLASTIC OMNIUM
    Inventors: Jerome Fillon, Gerald Andre
  • Publication number: 20060237998
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support (22) for an abutment (24) for a hood at the front of a motor vehicle. In the closed position, the hood bears against the abutment (24). The support (22) is suitable for giving way when the hood is subjected to a substantially vertical force greater than a predetermined threshold corresponding to the force that results from an impact against a pedestrian. The invention also provides a front hood carrier. The invention also provides any motor vehicle part (16) provided with such a support (22), and in particular a front panel cross-member (16), a front panel cross-member cover (18), a bumper strength member (12), and a bumper skin (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gérald Andre, Pascal Carrier, Alexis Lepoutre
  • Patent number: 7108411
    Abstract: A piece of styling for a motor vehicle having an outside skin placed in visible manner on a support of the vehicle. The outside skin has an outside surface that is semi-reflecting so as to allow light to pass through it in one direction only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Maelig Pommeret, Gerald Andre, Thibault Lacroix
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20060181089
    Abstract: The invention relates to an impact beam comprising a metal crosspiece and reinforcement ribs made of a plastics material and overmolded onto the metal crosspiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Daniel Hegelen, Jean-Pierre Roux, Laurent Rocheblave
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20060152042
    Abstract: The invention provides a receiver structure for receiving a light unit having a glass for fitting to a motor vehicle fender, the fender and the glass including means for putting the glass of the light unit into a reference position relative to the fender, the receiver structure comprising: fastener means for fastening the receiver structure to the fender; and fastener means for fastening the light unit to the receiver structure, which means conserve the reference position of the glass relative to the fender as imposed by the means for putting the glass into a reference position. The invention also provides an outside module for a motor vehicle, a fender, and a method of mounting a light unit on a fender.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Applicant: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Marc Verwaerde, Gerald Andre, Alexis Michaut
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20060012203
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle bodywork assembly comprising: first and second bodywork parts, each bodywork part having an outside face and an edge, the edges of the two parts being shaped in such a manner as to be capable of pressing against each other in a reference position such that the outside faces of the two parts lie flush with each other; and a presser suitable for holding the two edges pressed against each other in the reference position. The presser comprises two bearing surfaces that are united by clamping means, suitable for being sandwiched on the two edges pressed against each other, one of the bearing surfaces being provided with fastener means for fastening to the structure of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Hugues Cheron
  • Patent number: 6973984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a front structural part for a motor vehicle, the structural part being shaped in such a manner as to leave a location for a cooling assembly, said location (5) constituting a passage for the air that exchanges heat with the cooling assembly, said structural part being provided with a converging portion (7) having the function of reducing the air flow section around the cooling assembly. The converging portion is made integrally with the structural part. The invention also relates to a front end module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Hugues Cheron, Gerald Andre, Pascal Carrier
  • Publication number: 20050257362
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a motor vehicle bodywork part comprising a metal sheet. The metal sheet is shaped after previously being coated with a surface covering suitable for acting as a mechanical bonding interface with a thermoplastic material. The invention also provides a bodywork part, in particular a fender, a door, or a tailgate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Applicant: Compagnie Pastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Eric Bonneau, Hugues Cheron, Thibault Lacroix
  • Publication number: 20050242467
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a motor vehicle structural part comprising a metal sheet stabilized by a mechanical stabilizer element of thermoplastic material. The method comprises the following steps: shaping the metal sheet that has previously been coated in a surface covering serving as a mechanical bonding interface with the thermoplastic material of the mechanical stabilizer element, the surface covering being made of a material including a substance compatible with the thermoplastic material of the stabilizer element; and applying thereto the thermoplastic material constituting the mechanical stabilizer element. The invention also provides a structural part fabricated by implementing such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicant: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Eric Bonneau, Hugues Cheron, Thibault Lacroix
  • Publication number: 20050218699
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support for bodywork elements, the support comprising means for receiving and fastening optical elements, fastener members for bodywork elements, docking zones for receiving the edges of bodywork elements and for putting them into position relative to the adjacent edges of bodywork elements and optical elements, and means for positioning and fixing a hood lock. The invention also provides an equipment front face in two portions, namely a structural portion and a geometrical portion, together with a motor vehicle front block divided into two modules, namely a structural module integrating various functional members of the vehicle, and a geometrical module integrating the bodywork elements for the front of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Hugues Cheron, Arnold Fayt
  • Publication number: 20050206180
    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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Dominique Delavalle
  • Publication number: 20050207175
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support (12, 48) for a motor vehicle light unit (10), enabling said light unit (10) to be mounted displaceably on an equipment module (14, 54, 56). The support includes guide means (16, 50, 52) for guiding the light unit (10) along a predetermined path (Y) relative to the equipment module (14, 54, 56).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Laurent Decker, Hugues Cheron, Naoufil Ben Mariem
  • Patent number: 6945593
    Abstract: A front end part for the engine hood of a vehicle that can accommodate small deformations that result from impacts at low speed or other kinds of thrusts without there being any damage to the hood. The part being made of a deformable plastics material and including a strength member for fixing it to an engine hood so as to extend the hood towards the front of the vehicle. The vehicle front face can also include such an end part in addition to a hood and a bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Pascal Banry, Hugues Cheron
  • Patent number: 6926342
    Abstract: The invention provides a mechanism for guiding a sliding door of a motor vehicle. The mechanism comprises a rail, a slider movable in the rail, and an arm connected to the slider and connecting the door to the vehicle via the rail. In the mechanism, the rail is arranged to be mounted on the door while the arm is arranged to be mounted on the vehicle. The invention also provides a sliding door and a motor vehicle provided with such a mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Maelig Pommeret, Gerald Andre
  • Patent number: 6880882
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support for bodywork elements, the support comprising means for receiving and fastening optical elements, fastener members for bodywork elements, docking zones for receiving the edges of bodywork elements and for putting them into position relative to the adjacent edges of bodywork elements and optical elements, and means for positioning and fixing a hood lock. The invention also provides an equipment front face in two portions, namely a structural portion and a geometrical portion, together with a motor vehicle front block divided into two modules, namely a structural module integrating various functional members of the vehicle, and a geometrical module integrating the bodywork elements for the front of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gerald Andre, Hugues Cheron, Arnold Fayt