Patents by Inventor Thomas Lepine
Thomas Lepine 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: 20240123786Abstract: A device includes a lower support cap, an upper bearing cap, at least one bearing disposed between the caps and at least one annular seal. The seal provides a claw secured by mechanical connection to the upper support cap, a sealing lip extending obliquely from the claw in the direction of the upper bearing cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Benoit Arnault, Baptiste Vidil, Thomas Lepine, Christophe Houdayer
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Patent number: 11958325Abstract: A device includes a lower support cap, an upper bearing cap, at least one bearing disposed between the caps and at least one annular seal. The seal provides a claw secured by mechanical connection to the upper support cap, a sealing lip extending obliquely from the claw in the direction of the upper bearing cap.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Benoit Arnault, Baptiste Vidil, Thomas Lepine, Christophe Houdayer
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Publication number: 20230025440Abstract: A device includes a lower support cap, an upper bearing cap, at least one bearing disposed between the caps and at least one annular seal. The seal provides a claw secured by mechanical connection to the upper support cap, a sealing lip extending obliquely from the claw in the direction of the upper bearing cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Benoit Arnault, Baptiste Vidil, Thomas Lepine, Christophe Houdayer
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Publication number: 20230026198Abstract: A device includes a bottom support cover, a top bracing cover, an annular passage being defined between the covers, at least one bearing disposed between the covers, and at least one annular seal. The seal provides a fixing portion secured by mechanical link to a first cover out of the bottom support cover and the top bracing cover and at least one sealing lip extending towards the second cover in such a way that a free end of the lip comes to bear via a sliding-contact portion with a sealing surface of the second cover. The second cover is provided with an annular protection rim protruding from the sealing surface, the protection rim being offset towards the annular passage facing the portion of contact of the free end of the sealing lip with the sealing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Thomas Lepine, Desire Vidot, Bruno Montboeuf, Francois De Lemps
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Patent number: 11285770Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing device for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The device includes a bearing having an upper annular bearing member and a lower annular bearing member in relative rotation, and a damping element made of resilient material and interposed between the lower annular bearing member and the suspension spring. The lower annular bearing member provides an outwardly radially-extending flange, the flange being embedded within the damping element.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKFInventors: Xavier Blanchard, Thomas Lepine, Bruno Montboeuf, Desire Vidot
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Patent number: 11167613Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing device for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The device provides a bearing having upper and lower annular bearing members in relative rotation, and a damping element made of resilient material and interposed between the lower annular bearing member and the suspension spring. The damping element including at least one deflecting flange for reducing any ingress of water and other pollutants between the upper and lower annular bearing members. The damping element is provided with an annular groove open axially towards the suspension spring, the annular groove radially defining a spring support surface on an inner side, and the deflecting flange on an outer side. The deflecting flange has a frustoconical shape directed axially towards the suspension spring.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKFInventors: Xavier Blanchard, Thomas Lepine, Bruno Montboeuf, Jordan Renaudon
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Publication number: 20210222733Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing device that provides a lower support cap, an upper bearing cap and at least one bearing arranged between the caps. The upper bearing cap includes an outer skirt radially surrounding the lower support cap. The lower support cap ha at least one annular flange extending towards the outer skirt of the upper bearing cap while remaining radially spaced apart from the outer skirt. The upper bearing cap further includes at least one annular rib extending axially towards an upper surface of the flange of the lower support cap while remaining axially spaced apart from the lower support cap. The annular rib is radially located between the outer skirt of the upper bearing cap and the bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Xavier Blanchard, Thomas Lepine, Julien Maffucci, Desire Vidot
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Publication number: 20210222732Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing device providing a lower support cap, an upper bearing cap and at least one bearing arranged between the caps. The upper bearing cap includes an outer skirt radially surrounding the lower support cap. The lower support cap having at least one annular deflector flange extending towards the outer skirt of the upper bearing cap while remaining radially spaced apart from the outer skirt, the deflector flange having a lower inclined surface extending obliquely downwards.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Xavier Blanchard, Thomas Lepine, Julien Maffucci, Desire Vidot
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Patent number: 11046139Abstract: A strut mount and bearing assembly includes a strut mount having upper and lower ends, a central bore for receiving a shock absorber end and an annular upper race surface between the upper and lower ends and extending circumferentially about the bore. The upper end is fixedly connectable with a vehicle body and has a flat attachment surface disposeable against a vehicle surface of the vehicle body. A first bearing race is disposed on the mount and a spring seat having a second bearing race is movably coupled with the strut mount. The seat also has a lower end with spring engagement surface and a second bearing race is disposed on the seat spaced axially from the first bearing race. Rolling elements are disposed between the first and second bearing races to form a bearing. The various components are formed and sized to make an axially compact assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Mathieu Hubert, Thomas Lepine, Massimo De Francisco
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Publication number: 20210107327Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing device for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The device provides a bearing having upper and lower annular bearing members in relative rotation, and a damping element made of resilient material and interposed between the lower annular bearing member and the suspension spring. The damping element including at least one deflecting flange for reducing any ingress of water and other pollutants between the upper and lower annular bearing members. The damping element is provided with an annular groove open axially towards the suspension spring, the annular groove radially defining a spring support surface on an inner side, and the deflecting flange on an outer side. The deflecting flange has a frustoconical shape directed axially towards the suspension spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Xavier Blanchard, Thomas Lepine, Bruno Montboeuf, Jordan Renaudon
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Publication number: 20200231015Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing device for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The device includes a bearing having and upper annular bearing member and a lower annular bearing member in relative rotation, and a damping element made of resilient material and interposed between the lower annular bearing member and the suspension spring. The lower annular bearing member provides an outwardly radially-extending flange. The flange being embedded within the damping element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Xavier Blanchard, Thomas Lepine, Bruno Montboeuf, Desire Vidot
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Publication number: 20190105956Abstract: A strut mount and bearing assembly includes a strut mount having upper and lower ends, a central bore for receiving a shock absorber end and an annular upper race surface between the upper and lower ends and extending circumferentially about the bore. The upper end is fixedly connectable with a vehicle body and has a flat attachment surface disposeable against a vehicle surface of the vehicle body. A first bearing race is disposed on the mount and a spring seat having a second bearing race is movably coupled with the strut mount. The seat also has a lower end with spring engagement surface and a second bearing race is disposed on the seat spaced axially from the first bearing race. Rolling elements are disposed between the first and second bearing races to form a bearing. The various components are formed and sized to make an axially compact assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Mathieu Hubert, Thomas Lepine, Massimo De Francisco
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Patent number: 10166829Abstract: A strut mount and bearing assembly includes a strut mount having upper and lower ends, a central bore for receiving a shock absorber end and an annular upper race surface between the upper and lower ends and extending circumferentially about the bore. The upper end is fixedly connectable with a vehicle body and has a flat attachment surface disposeable against a vehicle surface of the vehicle body. A first bearing race is disposed on the mount and a spring seat having a second bearing race is movably coupled with the strut mount. The seat also has a lower end with spring engagement surface and a second bearing race is disposed on the seat spaced axially from the first bearing race. Rolling elements are disposed between the first and second bearing races to form a bearing. The various components are formed and sized to make an axially compact assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Mathieu Hubert, Thomas Lepine, Massimo De Francisco
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Patent number: 10094440Abstract: The invention concerns a suspension thrust bearing for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut. The suspension thrust bearing provides a bearing with an annular upper part and a annular lower part in relative rotation one to the other, a lower support surface being provided by the lower part that axially supports an upper end of a suspension spring by the intermediate of a damping device made from resilient material. The resilient material of the damping device is molten in its preformed state with gas. After being molded, the molten material of the damping device provides an outer skinny layer and an inner foam body, the density of the outer skinny layer being strictly greater than the density of the inner foam body.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Thomas Lepine, Charles Bedeau, Cedric Brouty, Jean-Marc Soudee
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Patent number: 9964145Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing provides a bearing with annular upper part and annular lower part. The lower part provides an axial hub, an outwardly projected radial flange extending from the axial hub, and a curved connecting portion between the axial hub and radial flange. The lower part provides an exterior support surface that axially supports an upper end of a suspension spring by a damping device made from resilient material. The exterior support surface provides at least one longitudinal groove, the damping device including an interior surface contacting the exterior support surface and including a complementary shape to mate with the groove. The groove extends along the connecting portion, disposed in a recessed portion between two longitudinal side walls, a first groove end on or directed towards the hub, and a second groove end on or directed towards the flange, the second groove end being a transverse wall.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Thomas Lepine, Xavier Blanchard, Bruno Montboeuf, Desire Vidot
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Publication number: 20170261032Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing provides a bearing with annular upper part and annular lower part. The lower part provides an axial hub, an outwardly projected radial flange extending from the axial hub, and a curved connecting portion between the axial hub and radial flange. The lower part provides an exterior support surface that axially supports an upper end of a suspension spring by a damping device made from resilient material. The exterior support surface provides at least one longitudinal groove, the damping device including an interior surface contacting the exterior support surface and including a complementary shape to mate with the groove. The groove extends along the connecting portion, disposed in a recessed portion between two longitudinal side walls, a first groove end on or directed towards the hub, and a second groove end on or directed towards the flange, the second groove end being a transverse wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Thomas Lepine, Xavier Blanchard, Bruno Montboeuf, Desire Vidot
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Publication number: 20170219038Abstract: The invention concerns a suspension thrust bearing for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut. The suspension thrust bearing provides a bearing with an annular upper part and a annular lower part in relative rotation one to the other, a lower support surface being provided by the lower part that axially supports an upper end of a suspension spring by the intermediate of a damping device made from resilient material. The resilient material of the damping device is molten in its preformed state with gas. After being molded, the molten material of the damping device provides an outer skinny layer and an inner foam body, the density of the outer skinny layer being strictly greater than the density of the inner foam body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Thomas Lepine, Charles Bedeau, Cedric Brouty, Jean-Marc Soudee
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Publication number: 20170158012Abstract: A strut mount and bearing assembly includes a strut mount having upper and lower ends, a central bore for receiving a shock absorber end and an annular upper race surface between the upper and lower ends and extending circumferentially about the bore. The upper end is fixedly connectable with a vehicle body and has a flat attachment surface disposeable against a vehicle surface of the vehicle body. A first bearing race is disposed on the mount and a spring seat having a second bearing race is movably coupled with the strut mount. The seat also has a lower end with spring engagement surface and a second bearing race is disposed on the seat spaced axially from the first bearing race. Rolling elements are disposed between the first and second bearing races to form a bearing. The various components are formed and sized to make an axially compact assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Mathieu Hubert, Thomas Lepine
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Patent number: 9545830Abstract: A suspension bearing device, comprising: a bearing, a lower cup and an upper cup centered on a central axis. The lower cup having a body including a tubular axial portion and an annular outward radial portion. The lower cup is provided with a damper pad including: an inner portion disposed against the annular outward radial portion of the body; an outer portion for bearing a suspension spring; and an annular recess for receiving a creep of material of the damper pad when the outer portion is constrained by the suspension spring. The suspension bearing device can be integrated into a motor vehicle. A method for manufacturing such a suspension bearing device.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Charles Bedeau, Sylvain Bussit, Francois De Lemps, Christophe Houdayer, Thomas Lepine, Jean-Marc Soudee, Desire Vidot
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Patent number: 9422980Abstract: A rolling bearing includes a first ring, a second ring and a row of rolling elements disposed between the first ring and the second ring. The first ring has a housing, at least two raceway elements are mounted in the housing and at least one pre-stressing element is mounted in the housing. The at least one pre-stressing element is provided with at least one portion having a circumferential extension of less than 360° in sliding contact with the second ring.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Sylvain Bussit, Wilfried Hermle, Daniel Jansen, Tommy Jullien, Thomas Lepine, Franck Mauvisseau, Bruno Montboeuf, Lucia Pintz, Heiko Waeschle