Patents by Inventor Louis-Frederic Marchildon
Louis-Frederic Marchildon 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).
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Publication number: 20180229783Abstract: A track assembly is to be mounted on a drive axle of a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, at least one leading idler wheel mounted to the front of the frame for rotation about a transverse leading idler wheel axis, at least one trailing idler wheel mounted to the rear of the frame for rotation about a traverse trailing idler wheel axis parallel to the leading idler wheel axis, a single drive wheel assembly, and at least two slide rails. The slide rails have corresponding forward-facing portions, central portions, and rearward-facing portions. The forward-facing portions project from the front ends of the central portions by a projection that is greater than a length of the central portions. A vehicle having the track assembly is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Patrick L'HERAULT
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Patent number: 10035550Abstract: A track system for use as a replacement of a steerable wheel on a normally wheeled vehicle, is configured to improve the handling of the vehicle when operated over hard surface (e.g. packed dirt, pavement, concrete, etc.). The track system generally comprises a drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle, a support frame mounted to the drive wheel or to the vehicle, front and rear idler wheels respectively pivotally mounted at the front and at the rear of the support frame, road wheels pivotal mounted along the length of the support frame, and a traction band disposed about the wheels and configured to be driven by the drive wheel. The road wheels are particularly configured to improve the handling of the vehicle when the track systems are operated over hard surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault
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Patent number: 9963177Abstract: A track system for use as a wheel replacement on typically wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The track system comprises a drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle, a support frame, front and rear idler wheels respectively pivotally mounted at the front and at the rear of the support frame, road wheels pivotally mounted along the support frame between the front and read idler wheels, and an endless track mounted about the wheels. The position of the front and/or rear idler wheels is adjustable in order to modify the overall shape of the perimeter of the track system generally defined by the endless track, thereby changing the riding behavior of the track system. A method to change the position of the adjustable idler wheels is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2017Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Martin Bellemare, Patrick L'Herault
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Publication number: 20170291652Abstract: A track system for a vehicle having a rear swing arm that is movable between a compressed suspension position and an extended suspension position. The track system has a frame and a dynamic traction device. The frame is pivotably attachable to the swing arm. The dynamic traction device has at least two elongate portions, one of which is movable relative to the other between a retracted position and an extended position and biased toward the retracted position. In use, the elongate portions interconnect the vehicle and the frame. When the vehicle is lifted off terrain, during at least a part of a movement of the swing arm from the compressed suspension position toward the extended suspension position, the dynamic traction device applies a torque to the frame and thereby changes a longitudinal angular position of the frame counter-clockwise relative to a left side of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Patrick L'HERAULT
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Publication number: 20170267298Abstract: A track system for use as a wheel replacement on typically wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The track system comprises a drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle, a support frame, front and rear idler wheels respectively pivotally mounted at the front and at the rear of the support frame, road wheels pivotally mounted along the support frame between the front and read idler wheels, and an endless track mounted about the wheels. The position of the front and/or rear idler wheels is adjustable in order to modify the overall shape of the perimeter of the track system generally defined by the endless track, thereby changing the riding behavior of the track system. A method to change the position of the adjustable idler wheels is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Martin BELLEMARE
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Patent number: 9650090Abstract: A guide rail configured to be mounted in a track system used to support and drive an endless track comprises at least one resilient deformable portion which is rigid enough to guide the track during normal operation of the track system but which is flexible enough to temporarily deform under the impact of hard or immovable obstacles. The at least one resilient deformable portion of the guide rail can be made thinner than the remaining of the guide rail, can be made of a material more flexible than the material of the remaining of the guide rail, or both. During operation of the vehicle on which the track system is mounted, the at least one resilient deformable portion of the guide rail will allow the track system to absorb at least some shocks and vibrations without transmitting them to the vehicle and its operator.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault
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Patent number: 9604682Abstract: A track system for use as a wheel replacement on typically wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The track system comprises a drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle, a support frame, front and rear idler wheels respectively pivotally mounted at the front and at the rear of the support frame, road wheels pivotally mounted along the support frame between the front and read idler wheels, and an endless track mounted about the wheels. The position of the front and/or rear idler wheels is adjustable in order to modify the overall shape of the perimeter of the track system generally defined by the endless track, thereby changing the riding behavior of the track system. A method to change the position of the adjustable idler wheels is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Louis-Frédéric Marchildon, Martin Bellemare
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Publication number: 20160304141Abstract: A track system for use as a replacement of a steerable wheel on a normally wheeled vehicle, is configured to improve the handling of the vehicle when operated over hard surface (e.g. packed dirt, pavement, concrete, etc.). The track system generally comprises a drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle, a support frame mounted to the drive wheel or to the vehicle, front and rear idler wheels respectively pivotally mounted at the front and at the rear of the support frame, road wheels pivotal mounted along the length of the support frame, and a traction band disposed about the wheels and configured to be driven by the drive wheel. The road wheels are particularly configured to improve the handling of the vehicle when the track systems are operated over hard surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault
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Publication number: 20160114840Abstract: A track system for use as a wheel replacement on a typically wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The track system comprises a drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle, a support frame, front and rear idler wheels respectively mounted at the front and at the rear of the support frame, road wheels pivotally mounted along the support frame between the front and read idler wheels, and an endless track mounted about the wheels. The track system has a large diameter sprocket in combination with a very low track band tension resulting in increased performances and improved handling of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Patrick L'HERAULT, Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON
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Publication number: 20160114841Abstract: An elastomeric track assembly and track band having damping features is disclosed. The track comprises several surfaces disposed as to dampen the force of impact. The track is configured to have a ground contacting surface and portion not in contact with the ground. The idler and road wheels where applicable are disposed above a portion of the track that is not primarily in contact with the ground surface in order to prevent alignment between the wheel and the point of impact with the ground surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Maxime GAGNE, Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Charles DEVIN, Patrick L'HERAULT
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Publication number: 20150329155Abstract: A guide rail configured to be mounted in a track system used to support and drive an endless track comprises at least one resilient deformable portion which is rigid enough to guide the track during normal operation of the track system but which is flexible enough to temporarily deform under the impact of hard or immovable obstacles. The at least one resilient deformable portion of the guide rail can be made thinner than the remaining of the guide rail, can be made of a material more flexible than the material of the remaining of the guide rail, or both. During operation of the vehicle on which the track system is mounted, the at least one resilient deformable portion of the guide rail will allow the track system to absorb at least some shocks and vibrations without transmitting them to the vehicle and its operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Patrick L'HERAULT
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Patent number: 8911031Abstract: This invention generally relates to track systems and traction assemblies for use as wheel replacement for normally wheeled vehicles. The track system uses a traction band disposed about a sprocket wheel, idler wheels and road wheels for propulsion. The idler wheels and road wheels are typically pivotally mounted to a support frame, itself configured to be coupled to the sprocket wheel via a support member. The track system also comprises a movement limiting link mounted both to the support member and to the vehicle frame. The movement limiting link limits longitudinal and lateral movements of the track system, such as to prevent contact between the track system and the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Soucy International Inc.Inventors: Robert Bessette, Louis-Frédéric Marchildon, Steve Fréchette, Jonathan Thibault, André Léger
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Patent number: 8851581Abstract: A track system for use as wheel replacement on typically wheeled vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles (ATV) or farming equipments, having more than four wheels, is disclosed. The track system described provides independent suspension elements for at least two traction wheels.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2011Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Soucy International Inc.Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Marc-Andre Durocher, Martin Bellemare
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Patent number: 8814281Abstract: A system and a method for controllably tensioning a traction band mounted to a traction assembly, and a traction assembly comprising such a system, are disclosed. The system is typically mounted at the front or at the rear of the support frame of the traction assembly such as to support one or more idler wheels. The tensioning system generally comprises a clamping ring assembly having received therein a rotatable cylindrical member. The cylindrical member supports an axle which is eccentrically located with respect to the center axis of the cylindrical member, and which pivotally supports one or more idler wheels. By rotating the cylindrical member within the clamping ring assembly using a torquing tool, the tension of the traction band about the wheels (i.e. drive wheel, idler wheels, and support wheels) of the traction assembly can be controllably adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Soucy International Inc.Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault
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Publication number: 20140175864Abstract: A track system for use as a wheel replacement on typically wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The track system comprises a drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle, a support frame, front and rear idler wheels respectively pivotally mounted at the front and at the rear of the support frame, road wheels pivotally mounted along the support frame between the front and read idler wheels, and an endless track mounted about the wheels. The position of the front and/or rear idler wheels is adjustable in order to modify the overall shape of the perimeter of the track system generally defined by the endless track, thereby changing the riding behavior of the track system. A method to change the position of the adjustable idler wheels is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Louis-Frédéric Marchildon, Martin Bellemare
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Publication number: 20120326496Abstract: A system and a method for controllably tensioning a traction band mounted to a traction assembly, and a traction assembly comprising such a system, are disclosed. The system is typically mounted at the front or at the rear of the support frame of the traction assembly such as to support one or more idler wheels. The tensioning system generally comprises a clamping ring assembly having received therein a rotatable cylindrical member. The cylindrical member supports an axle which is eccentrically located with respect to the center axis of the cylindrical member, and which pivotally supports one or more idler wheels. By rotating the cylindrical member within the clamping ring assembly using a torquing tool, the tension of the traction band about the wheels (i.e. drive wheel, idler wheels, and support wheels) of the traction assembly can be controllably adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault
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Patent number: 8312945Abstract: An assembly is provided for limiting the displacement of a track system mounted to the axle of a vehicle. The assembly generally comprises an anchor bracket and a stabilizing rod. The anchor bracket is configured to be fixedly mounted to the chassis of the vehicle whereas the stabilizing rod is pivotally and slidingly mounted, at one end, to the anchor bracket, and generally only pivotally mounted, at the other end, to the track system. While allowing limited rotation, the limiting assembly generally prevents excessive rotation of the track system about the axle.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Soucy International Inc.Inventors: Robert Bessette, Louis-Frédéric Marchildon
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Publication number: 20120286565Abstract: A track system for use as wheel replacement on typically wheeled vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles (ATV) or farming equipments, having more than four wheels, is disclosed. The track system described provides independent suspension elements for at least two traction wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2011Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Marc-Andre Durocher, Martin Bellemare
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Patent number: 8240782Abstract: The present invention generally provides a wheel replacing traction assembly which uses, for propulsion, a longitudinally extending endless track disposed around and cooperating with a sprocket wheel, idler and road wheels, and a guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Soucy International Inc.Inventors: Robert Bessette, Louis-Frédéric Marchildon
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Publication number: 20120090903Abstract: This invention generally relates to track systems and traction assemblies for use as wheel replacement for normally wheeled vehicles. The track system uses a traction band disposed about a sprocket wheel, idler wheels and road wheels for propulsion. The idler wheels and road wheels are typically pivotally mounted to a support frame, itself configured to be coupled to the sprocket wheel via a support member. The track system also comprises a movement limiting link mounted both to the support member and to the vehicle frame. The movement limiting link limits longitudinal and lateral movements of the track system, such as to prevent contact between the track system and the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Robert Bessette, Louis-Frédéric Marchildon, Steve Fréchette, Jonathan Thibault, André Léger