Patents by Inventor Michel Laporte

Michel Laporte 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: 20240077289
    Abstract: A target throwing machine includes a base and a turret surmounted by a throwing unit, the turret being movable in rotation relative to the base according to a main axis. The base includes an upper surface and the turret includes a lower surface opposite the upper surface. In which machine an intermediate system is interposed between the upper surface and the lower surface, the intermediate system being in contact with the upper surface and the lower surface and forming a sliding interface between the intermediate system and the upper surface and/or the lower surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Jean-Michel LAPORTE, Jean-Marc FOUQUES
  • Publication number: 20240003663
    Abstract: The device relates to a target projection machine for sports shooting, including a base, a throwing unit movable in rotation according to a first direction relative to the base, a throwing arm movable in rotation according to the first direction relative to the throwing unit, an actuator enabling an adjustment of the angular position of the throwing unit within an angular sector of rotational deflection according to the first direction relative to the base, the machine includes a system for adjusting the angular sector of deflection allowing selectively reducing the angular sector of deflection to one amongst a plurality of different predetermined angular sectors including at least a first angular sector, a second angular sector and a third angular sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Jean-Michel LAPORTE, Jean-Marc FOUQUES
  • Patent number: 11740059
    Abstract: A target launching machine for skeet shooting including a launching device, an accumulator device, a triggering device capable of loading the accumulator device and of releasing it to project the target and a preloader device capable of adjusting a preload of the accumulator device, wherein the preloader device includes a linear actuator and flexible transmission member connecting the linear actuator to the accumulator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: LAPORTE HOLDING
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte, Jean-Marc Fouques
  • Patent number: 11733007
    Abstract: A machine for launching targets including a base on which there is arranged an assembly having a launching mechanism and a drum for storing targets, assembly being configured so as to be able to move relative to the base, the machine including a tilting device that allows the assembly to move relative to the base, the tilting device having on one hand a first portion connected to the base and having one from among a curved rail and an element for guiding of the rail in a single degree of freedom of tilting along the rail, and on the other hand a second portion connected to the assembly and having the other from among the rail and the guiding element, wherein it comprises a pivot connection about a rotation axis A2 between the second portion and the rest of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: LAPORTE HOLDING (SAS)
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte, Jean-Marc Fouques
  • Publication number: 20220349683
    Abstract: A device for launching targets is described, including a launching arm movable in rotation about an axis A1 and a system for driving in rotation the launching arm, where the drive system includes an electric gear motor whose output shaft is secured in rotation to the launching arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jean-Michel LAPORTE, Jean-Marc FOUQUES
  • Publication number: 20220325990
    Abstract: A target launching machine for skeet shooting including a launching device, an accumulator device, a triggering device capable of loading the accumulator device and of releasing it to project the target and a preloader device capable of adjusting a preload of the accumulator device, wherein the preloader device includes a linear actuator and flexible transmission member connecting the linear actuator to the accumulator device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Jean-Michel LAPORTE, Jean-Marc FOUQUES
  • Publication number: 20220205764
    Abstract: A machine for launching targets including a base on which there is arranged an assembly having a launching mechanism and a drum for storing targets, assembly being configured so as to be able to move relative to the base, the machine including a tilting device that allows the assembly to move relative to the base, the tilting device having on one hand a first portion connected to the base and having one from among a curved rail and an element for guiding of the rail in a single degree of freedom of tilting along the rail, and on the other hand a second portion connected to the assembly and having the other from among the rail and the guiding element, wherein it comprises a pivot connection about a rotation axis A2 between the second portion and the rest of the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Jean-Michel LAPORTE, Jean-Marc FOUQUES
  • Publication number: 20210381810
    Abstract: A machine for launching targets, the machine having a chassis on which a barrel is mounted mobile in rotation, a launching arm mounted mobile in rotation according to a cycle and configured to project at least one target, the cycle including a phase of arming by stressing a spring member until an armed angular position of the launching arm, a launching phase wherein a releasing of stress of the spring member is configured to rotate the arm and a phase of returning to an angular position for rearming the launching arm. The axis of rotation of the barrel and the axis of rotation of the arm are combined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Jean-Michel LAPORTE, Jean-Marc FOUQUES
  • Patent number: 10690458
    Abstract: A machine for launching at least one target. The machine comprises a launch plate, a launch arm mobile in rotation at least between a supply position, an armed position and an ejection position, a guide element pressing against a first portion of a contour of the target, and a mobile stop exerting a force on a second portion of the contour of the target. The launch arm comprises an ejection portion configured to apply an ejection stress onto a third portion of the target in the armed position, the first, second and third portion being distinct. The launch arm comprises a pin provided with a contact portion configured to contact a fourth portion of the contour of the target in the armed position, the fourth portion being distinct from the other portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: LAPORTE HOLDING (SAS)
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte, Jean-Marc Fouques
  • Patent number: 10634465
    Abstract: Machine for launching targets comprising a frame on which a mounting is assembled, relative to which a barrel is rotatably assembled according to an axis of rotation and in a direction of rotation. The barrel comprising a plurality of columns for storing stacks of targets, the storage columns being arranged according to a ring defining an inner surface of the barrel. The inner space of the barrel advantageously comprises at least one additional target storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: LAPORTE HOLDING (SAS)
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte, Jean-Marc Fouques
  • Patent number: 10520284
    Abstract: A barrel intended to be mounted with the ability to rotate about a median axis of rotation on a target launching machine, said barrel comprising at least one column for the storage of targets in a stack, said at least one storage column being positioned at least partially by a rod extending parallel to the storage column, characterized in that the rod comprises a first portion that is stationary relative to the barrel and a second portion that is configured to be able to move at least translationally along a longitudinal axis of the rod between a position deployed along the storage column and an at least partially retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: LAPORTE HOLDING
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Fouques, Jean-Michel Laporte
  • Patent number: 10488162
    Abstract: A machine for launching targets, comprising a base on which an assembly comprising a launch mechanism and a drum for storing targets is arranged. The assembly is configured to be mobile with respect to the base, wherein it comprises a tilting mechanism comprising a main tilting system providing a main mobility of the assembly with respect to the base consisting of a curved slide rigidly connected to one out of the base and the assembly, and an element guided by the slide in a single degree of freedom in translation along the slide and rigidly connected to the other out of the base and the assembly. The slide and the guided element are mounted movably in translation along the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: LAPORTE HOLDING (SAS)
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte, Jean-Marc Fouques
  • Publication number: 20190293393
    Abstract: A barrel intended to be mounted with the ability to rotate about a median axis of rotation on a target launching machine, said barrel comprising at least one column for the storage of targets in a stack, said at least one storage column being positioned at least partially by a rod extending parallel to the storage column, characterized in that the rod comprises a first portion that is stationary relative to the barrel and a second portion that is configured to be able to move at least translationally along a longitudinal axis of the rod between a position deployed along the storage column and an at least partially retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Jean-Marc FOUQUES, Jean-Michel LAPORTE
  • Publication number: 20190212108
    Abstract: Machine for launching discoidal targets, comprising a launching device comprising a launching arm rotationally movable in a cycle from and to an armed position starting from which the launching arm is configured to throw a target present in a launching area, a magazine, configured to store targets pending launching, above the launching area, a transfer portion between the magazine and the launching area, configured to move the targets from the magazine to the launching area, wherein the magazine comprises a first row configured to receive juxtaposed targets and a second row configured to receive juxtaposed targets, with the second row being located above the first row and the first row and second row leading into a target lowering column extending to the transfer portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Jean-Michel LAPORTE, Jean-Marc FOUQUES
  • Publication number: 20190154412
    Abstract: A machine for launching at least one target. The machine comprises a launch plate, a launch arm mobile in rotation at least between a supply position, an armed position and an ejection position, a guide element pressing against a first portion of a contour of the target, and a mobile stop exerting a force on a second portion of the contour of the target. The launch arm comprises an ejection portion configured to apply an ejection stress onto a third portion of the target in the armed position, the first, second and third portion being distinct. The launch arm comprises a pin provided with a contact portion configured to contact a fourth portion of the contour of the target in the armed position, the fourth portion being distinct from the other portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Jean-Michel LAPORTE, Jean-Marc FOUQUES
  • Publication number: 20190093994
    Abstract: Machine for launching targets comprising a frame on which a mounting is assembled, relative to which a barrel is rotatably assembled according to an axis of rotation and in a direction of rotation, said barrel comprising a plurality of columns for storing stacks of targets, the storage columns being arranged according to a ring defining an inner surface of the barrel. The inner space of the barrel advantageously comprises at least one additional target storage element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Jean-Michel LAPORTE, Jean-Marc FOUQUES
  • Publication number: 20180372459
    Abstract: A machine for launching targets, comprising a base on which an assembly comprising a launch mechanism and a drum for storing targets is arranged. The assembly is configured to be mobile with respect to the base, wherein it comprises a tilting mechanism comprising a main tilting system providing a main mobility of the assembly with respect to the base consisting of a curved slide rigidly connected to one out of the base and the assembly, and an element guided by the slide in a single degree of freedom in translation along the slide and rigidly connected to the other out of the base and the assembly. The slide and the guided element are mounted movably in translation along the slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Jean-Michel LAPORTE, Jean-Marc FOUQUES
  • Patent number: 10088282
    Abstract: The invention has for object a mechanical target-launching machine comprising a loading system 1 and an actuator 3 which are disjointed from one another. The actuator 3 and the loading system 1 are connected to one another by a power transmission device 2. Said power transmission device 2 is a flexible element and preferably an arming cable 21. An energy accumulator 6 allows energy to be stored so that it can be released abruptly and allow the launching of a target 29.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: LAPORTE HOLDING
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte, Jean-Marc Fouques
  • Patent number: 9945644
    Abstract: A machine for launching targets, comprising a chassis on which a support is mounted. A barrel is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, the barrel comprising a plurality of columns for storing stacked targets. The columns each have an axis parallel to the axis of rotation. The chassis comprises a surface for receiving targets for a launch, the support comprising a hole configured to allow the passage of a target from a column of the barrel to the receiving surface. The support comprises a first locking position with respect to the chassis and at least a second locking position with respect to the chassis, the first position and the second position having an angular offset along the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: LAPORTE HOLDING (SAS)
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Fouques, Jean-Michel Laporte
  • Publication number: 20180017364
    Abstract: The invention has for object a mechanical target-launching machine comprising a loading system 1 and an actuator 3 which are disjointed from one another. The actuator 3 and the loading system 1 are connected to one another by a power transmission device 2. Said power transmission device 2 is a flexible element and preferably an arming cable 21. An energy accumulator 6 allows energy to be stored so that it can be released abruptly and allow the launching of a target 29.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Jean-Michel LAPORTE, Jean-Marc FOUQUES