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: 20070046097
    Abstract: A tension-spoke wheel including a rim, spokes, and a central hub, the exterior of the rim having a tire-receiving channel that defines a median plane, and an interior of the rim having spoke fastening zones that define a median plane for fastening the spokes, the hub having a median plane and two flanges for fastening the spokes, one of the flanges being closer to the median plane of the hub than the other, and at least the spokes fastened to the flange that is closer to the median plane of the hub lacking individual tensioning mechanisms. The spokes fastened to the flange that is closer to the hub median plane are fastened to the rim on the side of the median plane of the tire-receiving channel that is opposite the closer flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Claude Righini, Benoit Saillet
  • Patent number: 7156764
    Abstract: A driving sprocket, or chainwheel, for a bicycle crankset having a toothed ring whose ring is divided into a plurality of segments, the segments being borne by a frame that is rotationally movable about a crankset axle, each sprocket segment being movable between a low position and a high position, a system for transferring each segment to transfer said segment from one position to another, and an indexing mechanism to control the system for shifting the segments. Each segment of the driving sprocket is floating mounted with respect to the frame and is guided in its transfer movement along a trajectory having a radial component and a tangent component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Bertrand Cauvin
  • Publication number: 20060197370
    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: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Pascal Baron
  • Publication number: 20060181140
    Abstract: A rim for a cycle wheel that includes an annular shaped element, as well as a bicycle that includes such rim and a method of making the rim. The annular shaped element has at least one groove, with the element being encircled by at least one binding of polymerizable resin-coated fiber housed in the groove. In the manufacturing method the fiber winding is wound on the annular shaped element or the fiber winding is first made and then, second, it is placed in a recess of the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Olivier Mouzin
  • Publication number: 20060119172
    Abstract: A device for mounting a wheel of a bicycle onto a frame, including an inner hub rotatably mounted on the frame and equipped with an inner axial support area, an outer hub connected to the rim of the wheel by means of traction spokes, compression spokes, or flanges, and including an outer axial support area that cooperates with the inner axial support area, a mechanism for tightening the outer hub on the inner hub, the inner and outer axial support areas being located at a distance from the axis of the wheel at least greater than 20 mm, or greater than 25 mm, and distributed along the vicinity of a circle having a radius greater than 25 mm, centered on the axis of the wheel. The inner and outer axial support areas include a plurality of teeth forming part of a transmission mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Jean-Marc Hillairet
  • Publication number: 20060116227
    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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Bertrand Cauvin
  • Publication number: 20060108859
    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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Jean-Marc Hillairet
  • Publication number: 20060108858
    Abstract: A bicycle that includes front and rear single-arm forks enabling the front and rear wheels to be mounted and demounted from the frame of the bicycle without necessitating the removal or repositioning of a transmission element, such as a chain, or the brake, if the bicycle is so equipped, each of the wheels including at least one flexibly and compressively rigid element connecting the central hub and the rim, such elements being asymmetrical with respect to a radial median plane defined by the rim, so that the hubs of the wheels are axially off-centered in relation to the radial median plane of the rim, while the radial median plane of the rims coincides with the general median plane of the frame. The invention is also directed to the wheel of the bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Jean-Marc Hillairet
  • Publication number: 20060058134
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a bicycle transmission system with variable ratio, having at least one gearshift device, two control actuating devices, and a relay device for guiding the gearshift device(s) from the control actuating devices, and a bicycle equipped with such apparatus. Each control actuating device has an actuation member located within the reach of each of the cyclist's hands, and it is provided to transmit only one type of control, one of the actuating devices being capable of transmitting an upshift control and the other a downshift control of the transmission ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Franck Dumontier
  • Publication number: 20040251736
    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 shaft being provided to be traversed through both sides by a quick-release 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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: MAVIC S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Guillaume Martin
  • Publication number: 20040029667
    Abstract: The invention relates to a driving sprocket for a bicycle crankset having a toothed ring whose ring is divided into a plurality of segments (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), the segments being borne by a frame (16) that is rotationally movable about a crankset axle, each sprocket segment being movable between a low position and a high position, a system for transferring each segment to transfer said segment from one position to another, and an indexing mechanism to control the system for shifting the segments. The sprocket is characterized in that each segment (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) is floatingly mounted with respect to the frame (16) and in that it is guided in its transfer movement along a trajectory having a radial component and a tangent component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Bertrand Cauvin
  • Patent number: 6641227
    Abstract: A rim structure for a bicycle wheel that includes, at its periphery, an annular channel designed to receive a tire, such channel being demarcated by an upper bridge devoid of openings with the exception of the valve opening, and two lateral flanges, such flanges having end butts for gripping the tire. The upper bridge has a narrow and recessed central rim well demarcated by a base and two lateral walls, the rim well being bordered by two bead seats that are oblique from the rim well towards the flanges. The invention is also related to a wheel having such a rim and a wheel equipped with a tire mounted without an air tube and having such a rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Mavic S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre LaCombe, Jean-Pierre Mercat
  • Patent number: 6537173
    Abstract: A transmission system provided for a bicycle, including a primary transmission sub-assembly having a set of rear sprockets, whose number of teeth, from one sprocket to the next sprocket in the ascending order, varies according to a ratio of the numbers of teeth that is greater than or equal to a value n such as n greater than 1. The invention also includes a control of the transmission system, as well as a bicycle that includes the transmission system and the control for same. The transmission system includes a single chain wheel for driving the chain, associated with a bottom bracket assembly, and a secondary transmission sub-assembly having at least two drive output ratios, whose ratio of the highest drive speed to the lowest drive speed is equal to a value R between 1 and n so as to introduce at least one intermediate transmission ratio between two successive sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Mavic S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Bertrand Cauvin
  • Publication number: 20030025383
    Abstract: A rim structure for a bicycle wheel that includes, at its periphery, an annular channel designed to receive a tire, such channel being demarcated by an upper bridge devoid of openings with the exception of the valve opening, and two lateral flanges, such flanges having end butts for gripping the tire. The upper bridge has a narrow and recessed central rim well demarcated by a base and two lateral walls, the rim well being bordered by two bead seats that are oblique from the rim well towards the flanges. The invention is also related to a wheel having such a rim and a wheel equipped with a tire mounted without an air tube and having such a rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: MAVIC S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre LaCombe, Jean-Pierre Mercat
  • Patent number: 6443533
    Abstract: A rim structure for a bicycle wheel that includes, at its periphery, an annular channel designed to receive a tire, such channel being demarcated by an upper bridge devoid of openings with the exception of the valve opening, and two lateral flanges, such flanges having end butts for gripping the tire. The upper bridge has a narrow and recessed central rim well demarcated by a base and two lateral walls, the rim well being bordered by two bead seats that are oblique from the rim well towards the flanges. The invention is also related to a wheel having such a rim and a wheel equipped with a tire mounted without an air tube and having such a rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Mavic S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Lacombe, Jean-Pierre Mercat
  • Publication number: 20020103052
    Abstract: A transmission system provided for a bicycle, including a primary transmission sub-assembly having a set of rear sprockets, whose number of teeth, from one sprocket to the next sprocket in the ascending order, varies according to a ratio of the numbers of teeth that is greater than or equal to a value n such as n greater than 1. The invention also includes a control of the transmission system, as well as a bicycle that includes the transmission system and the control for same. The transmission system includes a single chain wheel for driving the chain, associated with a bottom bracket assembly, and a secondary transmission sub-assembly having at least two drive output ratios, whose ratio of the highest drive speed to the lowest drive speed is equal to a value R between 1 and n so as to introduce at least one intermediate transmission ratio between two successive sprockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: MAVIC S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat , Betrand Cauvin
  • Publication number: 20020079035
    Abstract: A rim structure for a bicycle wheel that includes, at its periphery, an annular channel designed to receive a tire, such channel being demarcated by an upper bridge devoid of openings with the exception of the valve opening, and two lateral flanges, such flanges having end butts for gripping the tire. The upper bridge has a narrow and recessed central rim well demarcated by a base and two lateral walls, the rim well being bordered by two bead seats that are oblique from the rim well towards the flanges. The invention is also related to a wheel having such a rim and a wheel equipped with a tire mounted without an air tube and having such a rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: MAVIC S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Lacombe , Jean-Pierre Mercat
  • Patent number: 6402256
    Abstract: A bicycle rim including an annular shaped element whose cross-section includes a box shape demarcated by an upper bridge and a lower portion having a lower bridge and side walls, the lower bridge or the side walls having holes distributed evenly and provided for the connection of the spokes, the holes and their immediate vicinity defining boring zones. The thickness of the walls constituted by the lower bridge and the side walls has a nominal value in the boring zones and a lower value than the nominal value in the intermediate zones located between two adjacent boring zones, and the thickness of this wall varies progressively from the nominal value to the lower value to the nominal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Mavic S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Mercat
  • Patent number: 6378953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rim, spokes and a complete wheel, especially a cycle wheel, including such a rim and such spokes. The rim has a plurality of through holes demarcated by a chimney obtained by backflow. A threaded insert is housed in these openings. The end of the spoke includes a joining piece affixedly connected to the end of the spoke, a tension adjusting screw mounted to rotate freely on this side of the joining piece, and extended by a coupling sleeve with a tightening tool. The joining piece is provided to slide within the insert, and the screw is tightened within the joining piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Mavic S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Alban Minville
  • Publication number: 20010041641
    Abstract: A transmission system provided for a bicycle, including a primary transmission sub-assembly having a set of rear sprockets, whose number of teeth, from one sprocket to the next sprocket in the ascending order, varies according to a ratio of the numbers of teeth that is greater than or equal to a value n such as n greater than 1. The invention also includes a control of the transmission system, as well as a bicycle that includes the transmission system and the control for same. The transmission system includes a single chain wheel for driving the chain, associated with a bottom bracket assembly, and a secondary transmission sub-assembly having at least two drive output ratios, whose ratio of the highest drive speed to the lowest drive speed is equal to a value R between 1 and n so as to introduce at least one intermediate transmission ratio between two successive sprockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Bertrand Cauvin