Patents by Inventor Curtis S. Prater

Curtis S. Prater 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: 20220340105
    Abstract: A vehicle washing system includes a vehicle treatment area that is configured to receive a vehicle to be dried. At least one dryer media device is positioned in the vehicle treatment area. The at least one dryer media device is configured to dry the vehicle upon contact with the vehicle. An air moving assembly is located adjacent to the at least one dryer media device in the vehicle treatment area, and is configured to remove excess moisture from the at least one dryer media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Barry S. Turner, Curtis S. Prater, Kimmo A. Ukkola, Michael S. Sayyae
  • Patent number: 11136005
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a pair of side brushes. The side brushes are configured to treat the lateral sides of the vehicle and may also treat the front and back of the vehicle. The side brushes are configured to pivot between a vertical position, an outwardly angled position, and inwardly angled position. The side brushes may travel along the side of the vehicle in both the vertical and pivoted orientations. The side brushes may make multiple passes along the side of the vehicle, and the side brushes may change orientation during or between passes to treat different segments of the vehicle. The side brushes may be actively pivoted or may pivot in response to contacting the vehicle when shifted laterally into contact with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, Michael S. Sayyae, Curtis S. Prater
  • Patent number: 11127324
    Abstract: An illuminated sign for use in a vehicle wash system, including a base, an upright member extending from the base and having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a head portion connected to the upper portion of the upright member. The illuminated sign includes at least one light source having a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is associated with a first group of vehicle wash services for treating an exterior of a vehicle. The second mode is associated with a second group of vehicle wash services for treating an exterior of a vehicle. The sign includes a sign controller in communication with the at least one light source. The sign controller is configured to enable the first mode in response to detecting a selection of the first group of vehicle wash services. The sign controller is also configured to enable the second mode in response to detecting a selection of the second group of vehicle wash services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Balanger, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Curtis S. Prater, Jerry A. Kotrych
  • Patent number: 11007984
    Abstract: A vehicle washing system includes a frame disposed above a vehicle treatment area, and a reciprocal guide system coupled to the frame. The guide system is configured to move vertically relative to the frame, and supports a vehicle treatment component such as a rotatable brush. The brush may be lowered and raised relative to the vehicle treatment area by extending or retracting the guide track. When the guide system is retracted upward, there are no downwardly extending guides or rails that extend downward from the bottom of the guide system. The guide system is collapsible in a vertical direction, and may be a scissors mechanism or a telescoping mechanism or other collapsible mechanism. The guide system may be actuated directly or may be actuated dependent on a separate vertical drive mechanism, such as a windable belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, David L. Tognetti, Curtis S. Prater
  • Patent number: 11007983
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system disposed in a vehicle wash facility includes a plurality of vehicle wash components disposed adjacent a vehicle treatment area. The system includes plurality of lights to be disposed in the vehicle wash facility. Each of the lights is configured with at least a first state and in communication with a controller. The controller is configured to enable the first state of the plurality of lights when no vehicles are present in the vehicle wash facility. When the first state is enabled, the plurality of lights are configured to emit light in a preprogrammed pattern of different colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Curtis S. Prater
  • Patent number: 10981547
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a frame suspended above a vehicle treatment area. A pivotable frame is pivotally coupled to the frame, and an extendable and retractable linear frame is coupled to the pivotable frame and configured to extend downward from the pivotable frame and retract upward toward the pivotable frame. A top brush is coupled to a lower end of the linearly frame, and is extendable toward engagement with a vehicle. The top brush is also pivotable relative to a vertical position via pivoting of the pivotable frame, and the top brush is pivotable at different degrees of extension of the linear frame. The linear frame and the top brush may pivot in response to contact from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, David L. Tognetti, Curtis S. Prater
  • Patent number: 10974700
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a pair of side brushes. The side brushes are configured to treat the lateral sides of the vehicle and may also treat the front and back of the vehicle. The side brushes are configured to pivot between a vertical position and an outwardly angled position, in which the side brushes are generally aligned with the side glass of the vehicle windows. The side brushes may travel along the side of the vehicle in both the vertical and pivoted orientations. The side brushes may make multiple passes along the side of the vehicle, and the side brushes may change orientation during or between passes to treat different segments of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: WASHME PROPERTIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, Michael S. Sayyae, Curtis S. Prater
  • Patent number: 10899319
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment component located adjacent a vehicle treatment area for treating a vehicle exterior. The system includes at least one fluid delivery nozzle associated with the vehicle treatment component. The fluid delivery nozzle is in communication with a source of fluid and includes a first state of operation with a first flow rate and a second state of operation with a second flow rate. The first and second flow rates are different. The system allows the fluid flow through the fluid delivery nozzle to be selectively varied while a vehicle is disposed in the vehicle treatment area adjacent the vehicle treatment component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Curtis S. Prater, Barry S. Turner
  • Patent number: 10894530
    Abstract: A vehicle washing system includes a frame disposed above a vehicle treatment area, and an extendable and retractable scissor mechanism coupled to the frame. A rotatable top brush is coupled to a bottom end of the scissor mechanism, and the scissor mechanism is extendable downward to lower the top brush into engagement with a vehicle body and retractable upward to remove the brush from engagement with the vehicle body. The scissor mechanism may include a brush support flange coupled to a bottom end of the scissor mechanism. An anti-spin member may extend from the support member to the scissor mechanism to prevent bending of the scissor mechanism in response to rotating to the top brush. The anti-spin member may be in the form of a fork that slidably engages a protrusion of the scissor mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: BELANGER, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, David L. Tognetti, Curtis S. Prater
  • Patent number: 10759394
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a rotational brush that is translatable relative to a vehicle disposed within the vehicle treatment area. The brush may rotate in the same rotational direction during a first translation direction and a second translation direction of the brush along the vehicle. During one direction of translation, the brush rotates at a first rotational speed, and in the opposite direction of translation, the brush rotates at increased rotational speed. The system may include a pair of side brushes, with the brushes rotating in opposite rotational directions, but maintaining their rotational directions during both directions of translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: PISTON OPW, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, Curtis S. Prater
  • Patent number: 10723328
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a pair of side brushes. The side brushes are configured to treat the lateral sides of the vehicle and may also treat the front and back of the vehicle. The side brushes are configured to pivot between a vertical position and an outwardly angled position, in which the side brushes are generally aligned with the side glass of the vehicle windows. The side brushes may travel along the side of the vehicle in both the vertical and pivoted orientations. The side brushes may make multiple passes along the side of the vehicle, and the side brushes may change orientation during or between passes to treat different segments of the vehicle. The side brushes may be oriented vertically at a location of a vehicle antenna to avoid the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, Michael S. Sayyae, Curtis S. Prater
  • Patent number: 10710559
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a pair of side brushes. The side brushes are configured to treat the lateral sides of the vehicle and may also treat the front and back of the vehicle. The side brushes are configured to pivot between a vertical position and an outwardly angled position, in which the side brushes are generally aligned with the side glass of the vehicle windows. The side brushes may travel along the side of the vehicle in both the vertical and pivoted orientations. The side brushes may make multiple passes along the side of the vehicle, and the side brushes may change orientation during or between passes to treat different segments of the vehicle. The side brushes may be pivoted at a side mirror location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: WASHME PROPERTIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, Michael S. Sayyae, Curtis S. Prater
  • Publication number: 20190213927
    Abstract: An illuminated sign for use in a vehicle wash system, including a base, an upright member extending from the base and having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a head portion connected to the upper portion of the upright member. The illuminated sign includes at least one light source having a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is associated with a first group of vehicle wash services for treating an exterior of a vehicle. The second mode is associated with a second group of vehicle wash services for treating an exterior of a vehicle. The sign includes a sign controller in communication with the at least one light source. The sign controller is configured to enable the first mode in response to detecting a selection of the first group of vehicle wash services. The sign controller is also configured to enable the second mode in response to detecting a selection of the second group of vehicle wash services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Curtis S. Prater, Jerry A. Kotrych
  • Publication number: 20190202413
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system disposed in a vehicle wash facility includes a plurality of vehicle wash components disposed adjacent a vehicle treatment area. The system includes plurality of lights to be disposed in the vehicle wash facility. Each of the lights is configured with at least a first state and in communication with a controller. The controller is configured to enable the first state of the plurality of lights when no vehicles are present in the vehicle wash facility. When the first state is enabled, the plurality of lights are configured to emit light in a preprogrammed pattern of different colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Curtis S. Prater
  • Publication number: 20190176776
    Abstract: A vehicle washing system includes a frame disposed above a vehicle treatment area, and a reciprocal guide system coupled to the frame. The guide system is configured to move vertically relative to the frame, and supports a vehicle treatment component such as a rotatable brush. The brush may be lowered and raised relative to the vehicle treatment area by extending or retracting the guide track. When the guide system is retracted upward, there are no downwardly extending guides or rails that extend downward from the bottom of the guide system. The guide system is collapsible in a vertical direction, and may be a scissors mechanism or a telescoping mechanism or other collapsible mechanism. The guide system may be actuated directly or may be actuated dependent on a separate vertical drive mechanism, such as a windable belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, David L. Tognetti, Curtis S. Prater
  • Publication number: 20190176775
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a rotational brush that is translatable relative to a vehicle disposed within the vehicle treatment area. The brush may rotate in the same rotational direction during a first translation direction and a second translation direction of the brush along the vehicle. During one direction of translation, the brush rotates at a first rotational speed, and in the opposite direction of translation, the brush rotates at increased rotational speed. The system may include a pair of side brushes, with the brushes rotating in opposite rotational directions, but maintaining their rotational directions during both directions of translation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, Curtis S. Prater
  • Publication number: 20190176770
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a pair of side brushes. The side brushes are configured to treat the lateral sides of the vehicle and may also treat the front and back of the vehicle. The side brushes are configured to pivot between a vertical position and an outwardly angled position, in which the side brushes are generally aligned with the side glass of the vehicle windows. The side brushes may travel along the side of the vehicle in both the vertical and pivoted orientations. The side brushes may make multiple passes along the side of the vehicle, and the side brushes may change orientation during or between passes to treat different segments of the vehicle. The side brushes may be pivoted at a side mirror location of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, Michael S. Sayyae, Curtis S. Prater
  • Publication number: 20190176774
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a pair of side brushes. The side brushes are configured to treat the lateral sides of the vehicle and may also treat the front and back of the vehicle. The side brushes are configured to pivot between a vertical position and an outwardly angled position, in which the side brushes are generally aligned with the side glass of the vehicle windows. The side brushes may travel along the side of the vehicle in both the vertical and pivoted orientations. The side brushes may make multiple passes along the side of the vehicle, and the side brushes may change orientation during or between passes to treat different segments of the vehicle. The side brushes may be oriented vertically at a location of a vehicle antenna to avoid the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, Michael S. Sayyae, Curtis S. Prater
  • Publication number: 20190176777
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a frame suspended above a vehicle treatment area. A pivotable frame is pivotally coupled to the frame, and an extendable and retractable linear frame is coupled to the pivotable frame and configured to extend downward from the pivotable frame and retract upward toward the pivotable frame. A top brush is coupled to a lower end of the linearly frame, and is extendable toward engagement with a vehicle. The top brush is also pivotable relative to a vertical position via pivoting of the pivotable frame, and the top brush is pivotable at different degrees of extension of the linear frame. The linear frame and the top brush may pivot in response to contact from the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, David L. Tognetti, Curtis S. Prater
  • Publication number: 20190176772
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a pair of side brushes. The side brushes are configured to treat the lateral sides of the vehicle and may also treat the front and back of the vehicle. The side brushes are configured to pivot between a vertical position and an outwardly angled position, in which the side brushes are generally aligned with the side glass of the vehicle windows. The side brushes may travel along the side of the vehicle in both the vertical and pivoted orientations. The side brushes may make multiple passes along the side of the vehicle, and the side brushes may change orientation during or between passes to treat different segments of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, Michael S. Sayyae, Curtis S. Prater