Patents by Inventor Jean-Pierre Mercat

Jean-Pierre Mercat 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: 20110115280
    Abstract: A cycle wheel and methods of manufacture of such a wheel. The cycle wheel has tensioned spokes between a hub and a rim and is equipped with a wheel fairing attached to the rim. The rim is provided with two grooves for receiving two radially outer edges of the wheel fairing, and the rim exerts, in the area of the two grooves, a centripetal force that blocks the radially outer edges of the wheel fairing in the grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre MERCAT, Fabrice AUGRIS
  • Patent number: 7909411
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a rim such as a rim for a cycle. The rim includes a circularly extending hollow box-shaped element, in the form of a radial profile of revolution about a transverse axis, with two end surfaces of such element being joined end-to-end at a junction and affixed via a sleeve that is positioned within the hollow box-shaped element, on each side of the junction. The sleeve includes a pair of bearing portions, which exert an internal force inside and against the walls of the hollow box-shaped element, such force being generated by a relative spacing apart of the bearing portions via a spreading device, such as at least one spacing member. The spacing member can be a wedging member or a screw, configured and arranged in association with the bearing portions so as to direct the bearing forces along an essentially transverse direction toward the side walls of the rim. The invention is also directed to a wheel having such a rim, as well as to a method of manufacturing such rim and wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Mercat
  • Publication number: 20110018336
    Abstract: A cycle wheel that includes a rim and a tire, having a width S, the rim including a rotational body whose cross section includes a main portion, having a width L greater than the width S, and a peripheral portion which is radially positioned outside of the main portion and which includes an annular cavity in which the tire is partially received. The outer surface of the wheel is comprised of the portions of the tire and of the rim facing outward of the wheel. The wheel further includes an interface fitting in contact with the rim and the tire, the interface fitting being positioned in a groove, one side wall of which is a portion of the outer surface of the tire and the other side wall of which is a portion of the outer surface of the rim. The interface fitting constitutes an intermediate portion of the outer surface of the wheel, the fitting being a deformable portion distinct from the tire and the rim, and at least 40% of the volume of the interface fitting being comprised of a hollow space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre MERCAT, Olivier MOUZIN, François-Xavier HUAT
  • Publication number: 20110001349
    Abstract: A tire for a cycle having a substantially toroidal shape, the tire including a tread adapted to be in contact with the ground, a base adapted to be fixed on the peripheral portion of a cycle rim, and two sides connecting the tread and the base, a lip having a height h greater than twice its thickness e and projecting from the upper portion of each of the two sides, in the vicinity of the tread. The height of the tip is greater than 15% of the width S of the tire in an inflated state. The lips can be constituted by the non-attached extension of the tread and, in particular, by a ply of material affixed to the top of the tire and whose edges are left free on a height greater than 15% of the width of the tire, or each lip can be arranged on an intermediate element adhered on the sides and/or the base of the tire, the intermediate element being capable of being a ring including an annular channel open towards its periphery and two lips projecting from each side of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre MERCAT, Olivier MOUZIN
  • Publication number: 20100167854
    Abstract: A transmission device for a cycle, such as a bicycle, which includes a bottom bracket fixed relative to the remainder of the cycle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre MERCAT, Brieuc CRETOUX
  • Patent number: 7658450
    Abstract: A wheel including a peripheral rim, a central hub, and spokes connecting extending and tensioned between the rim and the hub, as well as a method for manufacturing such a wheel. The method includes distributing the spokes in two groups, a first group of spokes lacking a tensioning device, and a second group of spokes having a tensioning device; assembling the spokes to the rim and to the hub, and then adjusting the tension of the spokes with tensioning devices of the second group of spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Fabrice Augris
  • Patent number: 7631947
    Abstract: A wheel including a rim, a hub, and at least one device for connecting the rim to the hub, the connecting device including a composite spoke and a first mechanism to connect the spoke to the rim or the hub, the spoke including an elongated body, which extends in a longitudinal direction, between a first end and a second end, the body and the ends including fibers, the fibers being arranged to form a first loop at the first end. The first connecting mechanism includes a first insert housed in the first loop, a first shank affixed to the first insert, the first shank being oriented along the longitudinal direction, a first screw or fastening portion being defined on the first shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Philippe Renard
  • Publication number: 20090212534
    Abstract: A release device for a binding for a boot on a gliding board. The device includes a rotatable motor with an output shaft bearing a cam rotatable about a first axis; a lever pivotable about a second axis between a closed position and an open position, the lever having a large crank in contact with the cam, and a small crank; a tripper having at least one control tooth, which is in contact with the small crank when the lever is in the closed position, and at least one release tooth; a rod movable between a closed position and an open position, the rod being provided with a notch in which the release tooth is engaged when the rod is in the closed position. The motor can deliver a torque at its output shaft of less than 2 mN·m, or as little as less than 1 mN·m. The cam includes a plate bearing a cam groove, the cam groove including at least two distinct, contiguous portions, viz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre MERCAT, Daniel SOLDAN, Laurent DAMIANI
  • Publication number: 20090184565
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spoked wheel that includes a peripheral rim, a central hub, and individual connecting spokes between the rim and the hub, the spokes being taut. The wheel an arrangement for adjusting the tension of at least some of the spokes, and the spokes are taut with an initial tension Ti corresponding to a normal tension value Tn which is reduced by a value corresponding to a compression force R that can be supported by each spoke. For a rear wheel, the spokes supporting the compression forces are those arranged on the side opposite free wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Olivier Mouzin
  • Patent number: 7563186
    Abstract: A gearshift control device for a chain and sprocket transmission system including a gearshift member that is movable along a transverse direction relative to the plane defined by the chain, a shaft, a first driving element having a drive member that is non-centered or non-concentric with respect to the axis of the shaft, a second positioning element of the derailleur with an indexing device, a third control element mounted to rotate freely about the shaft with a blocking device, and a transmission element having a member for connection with the first driving element, the second positioning element and the third control element, the transmission element being operably between the first driving element, the second positioning element, and the third control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Bertrand Cauvin
  • Publication number: 20090160243
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spoke wheel that includes a peripheral rim, a central hub, and individual connecting spokes between the rim and the hub. In their free state, the spokes of the wheel are mounted without tension or compression between the rim and the hub, and each spoke can bear a compression load of at least 60 daN without bowing. Furthermore, the wheel includes a play-free connection or bilateral connection device for connecting at least one end of each spoke to the rim or the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Olivier Mouzin
  • Publication number: 20090121446
    Abstract: The invention encompasses a device for adjusting the trail of a cycle front wheel assembly including a hub for a wheel, the hub being adapted to receive an arrangement for tightening the wheel on a fork of the cycle and an interposed mechanism for adjusting the position of the fork center distance with respect to the transverse axis of the hub. The adjustment mechanism axially extends the hub and is configured and arranged to engage with a portion of the cycle fork so as to provide fork support as well as a predetermined setting of the position of the hub transverse axis with respect to the fork center distance. The invention also encompasses a wheel having such adjustment device, as well as a method of adjusting the trail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre MERCAT
  • Publication number: 20090102276
    Abstract: A quick-release system for a quick-release device, in particular for a cycle, such as a bicycle, the device being of the type including an axially extending skewer and an end support element mounted on a first end of the skewer adapted to be supported on a first tightening surface of the cycle. The quick-release system includes a tightening sub-assembly including a support surface and an actuation sub-assembly including a movable actuating mechanism, capable of axial rotation around the skewer and configured to transmit a tightening torque to the tightening sub-assembly when the device is being tightened. The system includes tightening torque limiting mechanism making it possible to limit the torque transmitted by the actuation sub-assembly to the tightening sub-assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre MERCAT, Jean-Luc Veux, Joseph Normand
  • Publication number: 20090096277
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a rim such as a rim for a cycle. The rim includes a circularly extending hollow box-shaped element, in the form of a radial profile of revolution about a transverse axis, with two end surfaces of such element being joined end-to-end at a junction and affixed via a sleeve that is positioned within the hollow box-shaped element, on each side of the junction. The sleeve includes a pair of bearing portions, which exert an internal force inside and against the walls of the hollow box-shaped element, such force being generated by a relative spacing apart of the bearing portions via a spreading device, such as at least one spacing member. The spacing member can be a wedging member or a screw, configured and arranged in association with the bearing portions so as to direct the bearing forces along an essentially transverse direction toward the side walls of the rim. The invention is also directed to a wheel having such a rim, as well as to a method of manufacturing such rim and wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre MERCAT
  • Patent number: 7481497
    Abstract: A hub for cycle wheel including a shaft, a hub body rotatably mounted around the shaft. The hub body has, at least at one of its ends, merlons that are provided for fastening the spokes. Each of the merlons has a radial housing that opens out at its top, as well as two slots, each of the slots extending through the wall thickness between the radial housing and a distinct frontal surface of the merlon. The invention also relates to a cycle wheel having such a hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Pascal Baron
  • Patent number: 7434892
    Abstract: A device for mounting a wheel of a bicycle on a frame, including: an inner hub rotatably mounted in a portion of the frame, an outer hub forming a central zone of the wheel, a quick-tightening mechanism that includes a male portion projecting from a first of the inner and outer hubs, a female portion provided in a second of the hubs, axial abutments for retaining the outer hub supported against the inner hub, and a mechanism for positioning the axial abutments, the positioning mechanism not being active upon completion of the tightening of the wheel. The quick-tightening mechanism is equipped with a lever that is pivoted by the operator to provide the necessary force for the axial tightening of the outer hub of the wheel against the inner hub. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the axial abutments include a plurality of balls, and the mechanism for positioning the axial abutments include ramps on which the balls roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Jean-Marc Hillairet
  • Publication number: 20080048487
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spoke for a spoked wheel. The spoke has an elongated body and a separate attached end piece on at least one of its ends. The elongated body is tubular and its end is fitted in a recessed bore of the end piece. The end piece is assembled by gluing. In addition, a plug blocks each end of the tubular body to force the glue to creep back while the end piece is being fitted. The invention also relates to a wheel and to a method for manufacturing the spoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre MERCAT, Julien MICHAUD, Olivier MOUZIN
  • Patent number: 7252344
    Abstract: A hub for a bicycle wheel having a hub body rotationally mounted on a central hollow shaft by means of bearings mounted on the shaft, the hollow shaft adapted to receive a quick release axle which projects beyond both ends of the axle. The shaft has three distinct portions, two end pieces and a central portion made of a material having a lower density than the end pieces, the end pieces being fitted to each end of the central portion, the end pieces having bearing surfaces for the bearings, and at least one of the end pieces having a threaded portion, respectively, for a nut for axially tightening the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Guillaume Martin
  • Publication number: 20070138859
    Abstract: A wheel including a rim, a hub, and at least one device for connecting the rim to the hub, the connecting device including a composite spoke and a first mechanism to connect the spoke to the rim or the hub, the spoke including an elongated body, which extends in a longitudinal direction, between a first end and a second end, the body and the ends including fibers, the fibers being arranged to form a first loop at the first end. The first connecting mechanism includes a first insert housed in the first loop, a first shank affixed to the first insert, the first shank being oriented along the longitudinal direction, a first screw or fastening portion being defined on the first shank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Philippe Renard
  • Publication number: 20070063574
    Abstract: A wheel including a peripheral rim, a central hub, and spokes connecting extending and tensioned between the rim and the hub, as well as a method for manufacturing such a wheel. The method includes distributing the spokes in two groups, a first group of spokes lacking a tensioning device, and a second group of spokes having a tensioning device; assembling the spokes to the rim and to the hub, and then adjusting the tension of the spokes with tensioning devices of the second group of spokes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Fabrice Augris