Patents by Inventor Michael W. Mingee

Michael W. Mingee 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: 20110271988
    Abstract: A pivotable, dual pressure spray arm assembly has at least one high-pressure nozzle and at least one low-pressure nozzle. A single fluid conduit transports fluid through a pivot mount to the spray arm. A diverter valve mounted on the spray arm includes an inlet configured to alternately receive a high-pressure fluid and a low-pressure fluid from the single fluid conduit, a first outlet configured to distribute the high-pressure fluid to the high-pressure nozzles, and a second outlet configured to distribute the low-pressure fluid to the low-pressure nozzles. The diverter valve automatically switches fluid flow between the first and second outlets in response to the fluid pressure received at the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Mark VII Equipment Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick MacWilliam, Michael W. Mingee
  • Patent number: 7056390
    Abstract: An automatic vehicle washing system is described. The vehicle washing system incorporates an elongated overhead cleaning platform for cleaning the front, top and rear surfaces of a vehicle. The overhead cleaning platform is attached to a single lift mechanism at a first end and is suspended from a belt at a second end, wherein the belt is also operatively connected to the first end. Accordingly, vertical movement of the lift actuator causes both ends of the platform to uniformly rise or descend. The platform further comprises a pivotal boom with fluid nozzles attached thereto, and a reciprocating pivotal actuator. The reciprocating pivotal actuator is capable of pivotal movement to any number of angular orientations within its operative range of motion. Advantageously, the pivotal and vertical positions of the nozzles can be independently varied, permitting the location of the overhead cleaning nozzles to be optimized for various vehicle profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Mark VII Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Fratello, James Johnson, Michael W. Mingee, Jon Leppo, David M. Gauthier, Eric Engen, Dennis McCadden, Thanh J. Tran
  • Patent number: 6807973
    Abstract: An automatic vehicle washing system is described. The vehicle washing system incorporates an elongated overhead cleaning platform for cleaning the front, top and rear surfaces of a vehicle. The overhead cleaning platform is attached to a single lift mechanism at a first end and is suspended from a belt at a second end, wherein the belt is also operatively connected to the first end. Accordingly, vertical movement of the lift actuator causes both ends of the platform to uniformly rise or descend. The platform further comprises a pivotal boom with fluid nozzles attached thereto, and a reciprocating pivotal actuator. The reciprocating pivotal actuator is capable of pivotal movement to any number of angular orientations within its operative range of motion. Advantageously, the pivotal and vertical positions of the nozzles can be independently varied, permitting the location of the overhead cleaning nozzles to be optimized for various vehicle profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Mark VII Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Fratello, James Johnson, Michael W. Mingee, Jon Leppo, David M. Gauthier, Eric Engen, Dennis McCadden, Thanh J. Tran
  • Publication number: 20040149316
    Abstract: An automatic vehicle washing system is described. The vehicle washing system incorporates an elongated overhead cleaning platform for cleaning the front, top and rear surfaces of a vehicle. The overhead cleaning platform is attached to a single lift mechanism at a first end and is suspended from a belt at a second end, wherein the belt is also operatively connected to the first end. Accordingly, vertical movement of the lift actuator causes both ends of the platform to uniformly rise or descend. The platform further comprises a pivotal boom with fluid nozzles attached thereto, and a reciprocating pivotal actuator. The reciprocating pivotal actuator is capable of pivotal movement to any number of angular orientations within its operative range of motion. Advantageously, the pivotal and vertical positions of the nozzles can be independently varied, permitting the location of the overhead cleaning nozzles to be optimized for various vehicle profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Mark VII Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Fratello, James Johnson, Michael W. Mingee, Jon Leppo, David M. Gauthier, Eric Engen, Dennis McCadden, Thanh J. Tran
  • Publication number: 20020162575
    Abstract: An automatic vehicle washing system is described. The vehicle washing system incorporates an elongated overhead cleaning platform for cleaning the front, top and rear surfaces of a vehicle. The overhead cleaning platform is attached to a single lift mechanism at a first end and is suspended from a belt at a second end, wherein the belt is also operatively connected to the first end. Accordingly, vertical movement of the lift actuator causes both ends of the platform to uniformly rise or descend. The platform further comprises a pivotal boom with fluid nozzles attached thereto, and a reciprocating pivotal actuator. The reciprocating pivotal actuator is capable of pivotal movement to any number of angular orientations within its operative range of motion. Advantageously, the pivotal and vertical positions of the nozzles can be independently varied, permitting the location of the overhead cleaning nozzles to be optimized for various vehicle profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel A. Fratello, James Johnson, Michael W. Mingee, Jon Leppo, David M. Gauthier, Eric Engen, Dennis McCadden, Thanh J. Tran