Patents by Inventor Luc Andre

Luc 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: 6029579
    Abstract: The guide system, for a guided road vehicle, having a front directional assembly formed of two pivoting guide arms (2) and (3) which are coupled as well as vertically constrained, each equipped with an inclined guide wheel (12, 13) engaging at least one guide rail on the ground (16). At the rear, a follower-limiter module (47) designed to limit lateral clearance by the axle to a maximum value, in the form of a device following the guide rail, is pivotably attached to the axle (8) and laterally displaceable to a limited extent. The front directional unit and the follower-limiter module (47) are laterally connected to either side of the axle through a lateral temporary immobilizing device (43, 44) which controls change of position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Andre, Martin Koerber
  • Patent number: 6027290
    Abstract: An assembly for use on a road vehicle, consisting of an additional thin deck (4) vertically movable along a plurality of upright posts (8, 9) most of which are collapsible and stowable in an inoperative position within the body of the additional deck (4), and a drive member (7) secured to the additional movable deck for actuating same when required to provide wither a second vertically movable loading deck or, once the posts have been stowed away, a normal free cargo space. The assembly is of interest to all road hauliers and particularly to body mounting businesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 5979681
    Abstract: A child resistant package comprises a container, a transition piece (112) and a closure (114). A pushtab (30, 130 or 230) on either the closure or the transition piece and an interlocking tooth (32, 132 or 232) on the other of the closure or the transition piece form the child resistant feature of the package. The pushtab (130) is moved inwardly to disengage the pushtab from the interlocking tooth (132) so that the closure may be unthreaded from the container. The transition piece and the closure are molded in a single piece in one molding process. The frangible connections (40) between the closure and the transition piece break upon the unthreading of the closure for the first time to give a tamper indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: PatrickJean-Luc Andre, Jelle Dankert Vuijk, Johan Willy Declerck, Nady Bilani
  • Patent number: 5960717
    Abstract: An electrical power supply and guidance assembly for a wheeled vehicle, consisting of a raisable and pivotable guide member supporting at least one pair of guide wheels which together define a V shape and engage the central web of the rail, the rail being a guiding profile section used as a track. Covering portions forming a linear closure protect the space containing the conductors. Opening mechanisms enable the contact portion(s) to pass through and along the closure to collect the supply current and automatically close the closure. The assembly is particularly suitable for electrically powered urban wheeled transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 5953997
    Abstract: A composite articulated connection between a successive first car (8) and a rear car (9) are supported by an intermediate module (10) and comprise a purely pivoting articulated front connection (LAV) pivoting about a first vertical pivot axis between the front car (8) and the intermediate module (10) and a complex rear connection (LAR) formed of a connection pivoting about a second vertical pivot axis, a lower clearance stabilization center (CIAD) and an upper clearance stabilization center (LASD). The first axis (B-B') and the second vertical pivot axis (C-C') are located closely adjacent one another or are combined with the median vertical pivot axis (A-A') of the intermediate module (10). The composite articulated connection is of interest to manufacturers of public urban transportation vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Andre, Martin Koerber
  • Patent number: 5937972
    Abstract: A stanchion for a transport vehicle formed of a rectilinear body (1) suspended by its upper extremity (2) from an upper linear longitudinal structure (4) integral with the vehicle carriage which can be immobilized while in a working position along a carriage or a chassis of the vehicle. The rectilinear body (1) comprises an upper mechanism (3) for displacement along the upper longitudinal linear structure (4) integral with the vehicle carriage, a mechanism (11) for immobilizing the rectilinear body (1) in working position and a mechanism (6) for raising or lowering the rectilinear body (1), using a motorized force to move a movable support element (7) translationally along the rectilinear body (1), which can be immobilized in a supporting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 5938382
    Abstract: The maneuvering device comprises two hydraulic motors (14, 15), each attached to the base of each screw (4, 5) integrated into each post (2, 3) of a pair of posts. The hydraulic motors (14, 15) are supplied in series by a single course of pressurized fluid and each shunted through a bypass comprising a hydraulic shunt which opens either automatically or is regulated to open completely, partially or progressively. This invention is of particular interest to auto body manufacturers for use on road trailers for carrying vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Andre, Martin Klotz
  • Patent number: 5913810
    Abstract: The maintenance device consists of a hydraulic insulation unit (2) mounted between the supply circuits of a cylinder (1). The insulation unit (2) comprises a sluice (9) which has, at each of its two openings, an anti-return valve, one of which, the primary valve (11) is hydraulically connected to the outlet chamber (6) of the shaft (7) of the cylinder (1) and opens toward said chamber; and a safety valve (13) opening in the same direction, with the latter valve closing at a different rate than the primary valve closes. The invention is useful for maintaining the shaft of any cylinder in position, particularly a charged cylinder, and it is of interest to manufacturers of hydraulic devices, particularly lifting cylinders, as well as those who use them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 5860667
    Abstract: Coupling for controlling the angular offset between two road transport units (A and B) connected to one another by an intermediate self-supporting unit (C), unites (A) and (B) being respectively oriented thereto at angles .alpha. and .beta., the intermediate unit (C) being articulated to units (A) and (B) by two swiveling articulations (D) and (E). The invention consists of an oblique coupling (F) extended by a diverter (H) controlled by a cam actuator (I) for yaw angular offset control based on a law for the angular correction of angles .beta. as a function of angles .alpha., having a central region with a slight slope terminated at each of its ends by a transition region. The invention is of interest to manufacturers of articulated public road transport vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 5783541
    Abstract: A unit packaged detergent comprises a detergent composition wrapped in a film made of a water-dissolvable material. The water-dissolvable material protects the wrapped detergent from dissolution until the start of a main wash of a dishwashing machine. At least one outer side of the water-dissolvable material is provided with a coating of a water-dissolvable glue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Joris Josef Gustaaf Tack, Jean-Luc Andre Varlet, Bruno Van De Pol
  • Patent number: 5690033
    Abstract: A deformable gangway (14), located between two successive loading platforms (15) and (16) for a road or a railroad chassis, is composed of a succession of transverse slats (25), such as metallic transverse slats, carried adjacent their ends (39) by two longitudinal supporting and guiding elements (26) and (27). The slats (25) are disposed side by side and separated from one another, at least adjacent their ends (39), by inserts (43) made of an elastic material which bear against the longitudinal supporting and guiding elements (26) and (27). The slats (25) become immobilized, when subjected to a load, and form a fixed supporting area (17) while a remainder of the other slats (25) are still able to move on a curve, as a result of relative movement between adjacent end faces (20, 21) and (22, 23) of the platforms (15) and (16) to which the gangway (14) interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 5080541
    Abstract: Articulated automobile carrier with individual movable platforms.Articulated automobile carrier characterized in that the automobile carrying structures (55) of the truck (1) and of the trailer (2) are made up mainly of unit support assemblies each controlling the displacement of a single platform through two screws (5) and (6) alongside the adjacent posts (2) and (3), screws on which are mounted blocks connected mechanically to each side of each carrying platform (9) for the purpose of the execution of the compound movements thereof in position and in slope, and of the platforms forming several access ramps for most of the vehicles at the rear of the carrier up to their respective platforms thus making it possible to effect automated loading and unloading phases.This invention is of interest to the builders of automobile carrying bodies for utility vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie, S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 5067862
    Abstract: Unitary carrier assembly distinguished in that each individual platform (9) is mounted movable with regard to its two supporting posts (2) and (3) by a carrier and lifting mechanism present between each post and each platform comprising a translation device (7) or (8) on a single screw (5) or (6) per post and for each post an articulation with the platform and at least one slanting articulated linkage (13) connecting the platform to the translation device.This invention is of interest particularly to builders of transport equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie, S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 4921218
    Abstract: Translation nut for a lifting unit.Translation nut remarkable due to the combination of a sliding block (1) with a threaded tubular casing (19) on which it rests by means of a ball bearing (22), said bearing and, by support, the sliding block being selectively engaged by coupling and uncoupling means through an intermediary coaxial piece moving axially in movements of coupling and uncoupling under the effect of said coupling and uncoupling means.This invention is of value to manufacturers and assemblers of truck bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Lohr, S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 4854790
    Abstract: A support arm assembly for supporting vehicles by their wheels, upon, for example, vehicle transported vehicles includes a pair of support arms (2) each of which is pivotably movable between a retracted, inoperative position disposed parallel to a supporting profile (4) and an extended operative position disposed perpendicular to the profile (4). Each assembly includes a mounting bracket (3) which is lockingly engaged with an upper surface of the profile (4), and each arm (2) is pivotably mounted within the mounting bracket (3) by its shaft (15). The upper portion of the shaft (15) includes an integral stop member (16) which abuts oppositely disposed wing portions (22,23) of the mounting brackets (3) so as to define the retracted and extended positions of the support arms (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-luc Andre
  • Patent number: 4850767
    Abstract: A wheel support system according to this invention comprises an elongated generally horizontal support beam having an upwardly directed upper surface, a horizontally inwardly directed front surface, and a horizontally outwardly directed rear surface and a pair of identical arm units unconnected with and wholly independent from each other. Each arm unit includes a horizontal arm disposed generally perpendicular to the beam and having an outer end formed as an abutment directly engaging the front surface of the beam and an upwardly directed flank adapted to tangentially engage a tire surface of a wheel to be supported and a hook having a lower end connected to the arm at the abutment and an upper end, a depending part engaging the rear surface of the support beam, and an upper part operatively engaging the upper surface of the support beam. The hook and arm of each arm unit are relatively fixed and nondisplaceable. The identical arm units are angularly oriented 90.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Lohr, S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Andre, Christian Fity
  • Patent number: 4804302
    Abstract: A deformable loading platform for vehicle carriers has a plurality of crosspieces which are movable vertically and guided over their movement path, and which are jointly lowerable to form a ramp for running-on of the vehicle carrier, but individually liftable to abut against the vehicle carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Societe Lohr
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 4730974
    Abstract: In a trailer adapted to be connected with a front end thereof to a rear-end of a carrier vehicle, and where the front end of the trailer is held at a predetermined height above ground when connected to the carrier-vehicle, the trailer includes a frame defining a trailer frame plane extending in a hauling position of the trailer substantially parallel to the ground, a front extension and a rear extension of the trailer extending substantially along the trailer frame plane, the front extension being connected between the front end and the trailer frame, the trailer front end including an elongated drawbar defining a drawbar plane subtending a first angle close to 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Lohr S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 4682922
    Abstract: A device adapted to accomodate at least one wheel of a vehicle, particularly for use and installation in car-carriers, which includes an elongated side rail constituting a vehicle loading level, and a carrying trolley slidably arranged on the elongated side rail. The carrying trolley has pivotally mounted thereon a pair of elongated sustaining arms, which normally extend at a slight convergence to, but nearly parallel with one another in an operative position thereof, and are spaced from one another by a predetermined distance, but are pivotably foldable through respective angles of about 90.degree., so as to extend in parallel with the side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Lohr S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Andre, Christian Fity
  • Patent number: 4668142
    Abstract: Car-carrier with each wheel-train equipped with its own carrying cross-structures.In this car carrier, the load levels (15) and (16) are composed of two side-rails (18) and (19,) which can be moved vertically along frame posts. The said side-rails are fitted with sustaining cross-structures (24) and (25) that can be moved lengthwise and can be blocked in any given position so as to create between the position of two of them a sufficiently wide interval to receive the wheelbase of each car to be carried. The lowest level (4) is realized by vertically mobile platforms, that are hinged together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Lohr S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Fity, Jean-Luc Andre