Patents by Inventor Patrick L'Herault

Patrick L'Herault 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: 12397865
    Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle has a frame; a drive wheel rotatably mounted to the frame; an idler wheel mount pivotally connected to the frame, the idler wheel mount being selectively pivotable between an operating position and a released position; a lock selectively locking the idler wheel mount in the operating position; an idler wheel rotationally connected to the idler wheel mount, the idler wheel being pivotable with the idler wheel mount; and an endless track driven by the drive wheel around the frame. In the operating position of the idler wheel mount, the idler wheel tensions the endless track. Pivoting the idler wheel mount from the operating position to the released position releases at least some tension from the endless track. A vehicle having the track assembly and a method for installing an endless track having derailed from other components of a track assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignees: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC., SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Raphael Couture, Yan Roger, Stephane Pelletier, Patrick L'Herault, Jeremie Aubin-Marchand, Charles Roy
  • Patent number: 12351257
    Abstract: Kit of front and rear track assemblies mountable on a drive axle of a vehicle. The front track assembly has a frame, a leading idler wheel mounted to the frame for rotation about a leading idler wheel axis, a trailing idler wheel mounted to the frame for rotation about a trailing idler wheel axis, a drive wheel assembly, and at least two slide rails. The slide rails have corresponding forward-facing portions, central portions, and rearward-facing portions. The rear track assembly has slide rails having a bottom surface with an upward curvature. A vehicle having the front and rear track assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignees: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC., BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault, Allen Bernais
  • Patent number: 12012163
    Abstract: 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 encompassed. A kit of track assemblies is also encompassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignees: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC., BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault, Allen Bernais
  • Patent number: 11999421
    Abstract: Track system to be mounted on a vehicle in place of a rotatable OEM tire/wheel assembly, including: A frame. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame, operatively connectable to the drive shaft of the vehicle, and has a diameter of between 65% and 100% of the OEM tire diameter. Leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies are mounted on the frame. An endless track having an inner surface is disposed around the drive wheel, the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The endless track has an unsupported portion between the drive wheel and one of the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The unsupported portion has a length and a center. The unsupported portion deflects a distance of between 8% and 12% of its length on application of a 25-lb. force at its center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Patrick L'Herault, Louis-Frederic Marchildon
  • Patent number: 11780513
    Abstract: A track assembly mountable to a rotatable rear axle of a vehicle includes a frame, a drive wheel rotationally mounted to the frame and being structured to be attached to the axle of the vehicle, a front idler wheel and a rear idler wheel assemblies mounted to the frame, and a track. The track has an inner surface facing the drive wheel, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The outer surface has a plurality of traction lugs distributed along the outer surface. The track includes a plurality of longer transverse reinforcement rods distributed therethrough and a plurality of shorter transverse reinforcement rods distributed therethrough. The shorter transverse reinforcement rods are shorter in length than the longer transverse reinforcement rods. Each of the longer and shorter transverse reinforcement rods is aligned along at least a part of its length with at least one of the traction lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Maxime Gagne, Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Charles Devin, Patrick L'Herault
  • Patent number: 11731715
    Abstract: 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, and a single drive wheel assembly. The drive wheel assembly includes a sub-frame removably securable to the frame in any one of a plurality of longitudinal securement positions on the frame, and a drive wheel rotationally mounted on the sub-frame for rotation about a drive wheel axis. The drive wheel is operatively connectable to the drive axle of the vehicle. A pair of track assemblies is also described. A vehicle having the pair of track assemblies is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignees: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC., BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremie Aubin-Marchand, Patrick L'Herault, Yan Roger, David Gagnon, Stephane Pelletier, Raphael Couture, Charles Roy
  • Publication number: 20230036229
    Abstract: Track system to be mounted on a vehicle in place of a rotatable OEM tire/wheel assembly, including: A frame. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame, operatively connectable to the drive shaft of the vehicle, and has a diameter of between 65% and 100% of the OEM tire diameter. Leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies are mounted on the frame. An endless track having an inner surface is disposed around the drive wheel, the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The endless track has an unsupported portion between the drive wheel and one of the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The unsupported portion has a length and a center. The unsupported portion deflects a distance of between 8% and 12% of its length on application of a 25-lb. force at its center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick L'HERAULT, Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON
  • Patent number: 11498631
    Abstract: Track system to be mounted on a vehicle in place of a rotatable OEM tire/wheel assembly, including: A frame. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame, operatively connectable to the drive shaft of the vehicle, and has a diameter of between 65% and 100% of the OEM tire diameter. Leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies are mounted on the frame. An endless track having an inner surface is disposed around the drive wheel, the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The endless track has an unsupported portion between the drive wheel and one of the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The unsupported portion has a length and a center. The unsupported portion deflects a distance of between 8% and 12% of its length on application of a 25-lb. force at its center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Patrick L'Herault, Louis-Frederic Marchildon
  • Publication number: 20220135153
    Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle has a frame; a drive wheel rotatably mounted to the frame; an idler wheel mount pivotally connected to the frame, the idler wheel mount being selectively pivotable between an operating position and a released position; a lock selectively locking the idler wheel mount in the operating position; an idler wheel rotationally connected to the idler wheel mount, the idler wheel being pivotable with the idler wheel mount; and an endless track driven by the drive wheel around the frame. In the operating position of the idler wheel mount, the idler wheel tensions the endless track. Pivoting the idler wheel mount from the operating position to the released position releases at least some tension from the endless track. A vehicle having the track assembly and a method for installing an endless track having derailed from other components of a track assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Raphael COUTURE, Yan ROGER, Stephane PELLETIER, Patrick L'HERAULT, Jeremie AUBIN-MARCHAND, Charles ROY
  • Publication number: 20210261067
    Abstract: An accessory mounting system for mounting an accessory on a vehicle is provided. The mounting system includes a stacking assembly having a support structure adapted to be coupled to the vehicle and which includes a first support segment and a second support segment respectively provided with interlocking sections adapted to slidably engage one another to selectively define a length of the support structure. The stacking assembly also includes a support segment latch adapted to selectively secure the first support segment and the second support segment together and block movement of the first support segment and of the second support segment along the longitudinal axis. The stacking assembly further includes a pair of mounting fixtures connected at opposite ends of the support structure, and to which the accessory is adapted to be coupled to in order to mount the accessory to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: KIMPEX INC.
    Inventors: Louis-Frédéric Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault, Nicolas Bouchard-Fortin
  • Patent number: 11097793
    Abstract: A track assembly to be mounted on a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, a drive wheel rotationally mounted to the frame, a front idler wheel assembly mounted to the frame, a rear idler wheel assembly mounted to the frame, and a track mounted around the front idler wheel assembly, the rear idler wheel assembly, and the drive wheel, and being in driving engagement with the drive wheel. The track has a plurality of traction lugs distributed along an outer surface of the track. Each traction lug of the plurality of traction lugs has a height in a range of 1.6 inches to 2.5 inches. A distance between a foremost point on the outer surface of the track and a rearmost point on the outer surface of the track is between 54 inches and 65 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignees: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC., BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault, Allen Bernais
  • Publication number: 20210155301
    Abstract: 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 encompassed. A kit of track assemblies is also encompassed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Patrick L'HERAULT, Allen BERNAIS
  • Patent number: 10940902
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignees: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC., BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault, Allen Bernais
  • Publication number: 20200377163
    Abstract: Track system to be mounted on a vehicle in place of a rotatable OEM tire/wheel assembly, including: A frame. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame, operatively connectable to the drive shaft of the vehicle, and has a diameter of between 65% and 100% of the OEM tire diameter. Leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies are mounted on the frame. An endless track having an inner surface is disposed around the drive wheel, the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The endless track has an unsupported portion between the drive wheel and one of the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The unsupported portion has a length and a center. The unsupported portion deflects a distance of between 8% and 12% of its length on application of a 25-lb. force at its center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Patrick L'HERAULT, Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON
  • Publication number: 20190248432
    Abstract: A track assembly mountable to a rotatable rear axle of a vehicle includes a frame, a drive wheel rotationally mounted to the frame and being structured to be attached to the axle of the vehicle, a front idler wheel and a rear idler wheel assemblies mounted to the frame, and a track. The track has an inner surface facing the drive wheel, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The outer surface has a plurality of traction lugs distributed along the outer surface. The track includes a plurality of longer transverse reinforcement rods distributed therethrough and a plurality of shorter transverse reinforcement rods distributed therethrough. The shorter transverse reinforcement rods are shorter in length than the longer transverse reinforcement rods. Each of the longer and shorter transverse reinforcement rods is aligned along at least a part of its length with at least one of the traction lugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Maxime GAGNE, Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Charles DEVIN, Patrick L'HERAULT
  • Publication number: 20190248433
    Abstract: 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, and a single drive wheel assembly. The drive wheel assembly includes a sub-frame removably securable to the frame in any one of a plurality of longitudinal securement positions on the frame, and a drive wheel rotationally mounted on the sub-frame for rotation about a drive wheel axis. The drive wheel is operatively connectable to the drive axle of the vehicle. A pair of track assemblies is also described. A vehicle having the pair of track assemblies is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Jeremie AUBIN-MARCHAND, Patrick L'HERAULT, Yan ROGER, David GAGNON, Stephane PELLETIER, Raphael COUTURE, Charles ROY
  • Patent number: 10252757
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault
  • Publication number: 20180237083
    Abstract: A track assembly to be mounted on a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, a drive wheel rotationally mounted to the frame, a front idler wheel assembly mounted to the frame, a rear idler wheel assembly mounted to the frame, and a track mounted around the front idler wheel assembly, the rear idler wheel assembly, and the drive wheel, and being in driving engagement with the drive wheel. The track has a plurality of traction lugs distributed along an outer surface of the track. Each traction lug of the plurality of traction lugs has a height in a range of 1.6 inches to 2.5 inches. A distance between a foremost point on the outer surface of the track and a rearmost point on the outer surface of the track is between 54 inches and 65 inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Patrick L'HERAULT
  • Publication number: 20180229783
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Patrick L'HERAULT
  • Publication number: 20180229784
    Abstract: A track assembly to be mounted on a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, a drive wheel, and front and rear idler wheel assemblies rotationally mounted to the frame. A track is mounted around the front and rear idler wheel assemblies, and the drive wheel. The track has traction lugs distributed along an outer surface thereof. The frame has an effective frame length equal to a horizontal distance between a foremost point on the outer surface of the track and the rear idler wheel assembly axis. The effective frame length is between 48 and 60 inches. The frame has an effective frame height equal to a vertical distance between the drive wheel axis and a point on the outer surface of the track, the point being positioned directly below the drive wheel axis. The effective frame height is between 17 and 20 inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Louis-Frederic MARCHILDON, Patrick L'HERAULT