Patents by Inventor Patrick McElroy
Patrick McElroy 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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Patent number: 8964032Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to an illumination system for rearward illumination for a first vehicle. The illumination system includes a tail lamp assembly, a sensor and a controller for controlling the operation of the tail lamp assembly. If the controller determines that there are any oncoming second vehicles behind the first vehicle that are sufficiently close to the first vehicle, then the controller operates the tail lamp assembly in one mode. If the controller determines that there are no oncoming second vehicles behind the first vehicle that are sufficiently close to the first vehicle, then the controller permits the operation of the tail lamp assembly in another mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.Inventors: Clarence Patrick McElroy, Yuesheng Lu, Axel Nix
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Patent number: 8866907Abstract: A camera for mounting on a vehicle includes a front housing member having a first mating portion, a lens member and a circuit board having a plurality of individual front electrical connectors. The camera also includes a rear housing member having a second mating portion and a plurality of individual rear electrical connectors with first connector portions of the individual rear electrical connectors extending from the rear housing member to make electrical connection with an electrical connector of the vehicle. Second connector portions of at least some of the rear electrical connectors are configured for making electrical connection to a respective at least some of the front electrical connectors when the first and second mating portions are mated together and an alignment structure aligns second connector portion of the rear connectors with respect to the plurality of individual front electrical connectors.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2010Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.Inventors: Clarence Patrick McElroy, Matthew C. Sesti, Richard Rieden, Steven V. Byrne
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Publication number: 20110310248Abstract: A camera for mounting on a vehicle includes a front housing member having a first mating portion, a lens member and a circuit board having a plurality of individual front electrical connectors. The camera also includes a rear housing member having a second mating portion and a plurality of individual rear electrical connectors with first connector portions of the individual rear electrical connectors extending from the rear housing member to make electrical connection with an electrical connector of the vehicle. Second connector portions of at least some of the rear electrical connectors are configured for making electrical connection to a respective at least some of the front electrical connectors when the first and second mating portions are mated together and an alignment structure aligns second connector portion of the rear connectors with respect to the plurality of individual front electrical connectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Clarence Patrick McElroy, Matthew C. Sesti, Richard Rieden, Steven V. Byrne
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Publication number: 20110214943Abstract: A ladder assembly (10) comprising a pair of plinths (30) pivotally connected to the bottom ends (22) of the ladder posts (21). To use the ladder assembly (10), the plinths (30) are positioned on a substantially horizontal support surface (H) and the top ends (23) of the ladder posts (21) are propped against a vertical surface (V). Easily installable and/or easily removable anchors (40) are then used to anchor the plinths (30) to the horizontal surface (H).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventor: Charles Patrick McElroy
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Publication number: 20100194888Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to an illumination system for rearward illumination for a first vehicle. The illumination system includes a tail lamp assembly, a sensor and a controller for controlling the operation of the tail lamp assembly. If the controller determines that there are any oncoming second vehicles behind the first vehicle that are sufficiently close to the first vehicle, then the controller operates the tail lamp assembly in one mode. If the controller determines that there are no oncoming second vehicles behind the first vehicle that are sufficiently close to the first vehicle, then the controller permits the operation of the tail lamp assembly in another mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Clarence Patrick McELROY, Yuesheng Lu, Axel Nix
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Patent number: 7397204Abstract: A starting circuit for an electric discharge lamp providing an electric current to a lamp having a first and a second filament. The circuit measures a lamp current and a filament temperature and then compares these against a reference voltage. When the lamp current is below a set threshold value, a relay contact disposed between the first and second filament is closed to direct the electric current through the first and second filaments to initiate pre-heating of the lamp. Once the filament temperature exceeds a set threshold, the relay contact is opened and the electric current passes through heated gas inside the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Balboa Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Patrick McElroy
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Patent number: 7329997Abstract: A starting circuit for an electric discharge lamp providing an electric current to a lamp having a first and a second filament. The circuit measures a lamp current and a filament temperature and then compares these against a reference voltage. When the lamp current is below a set threshold value, a relay contact disposed between the first and second filament is closed to direct the electric current through the first and second filaments to initiate pre-heating of the lamp. Once the filament temperature exceeds a set threshold, the relay contact is opened and the electric current passes through heated gas inside the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2005Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Balboa Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Patrick McElroy
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Publication number: 20080007188Abstract: A starting circuit for an electric discharge lamp providing an electric current to a lamp having a first and a second filament. The circuit measures a lamp current and a filament temperature and then compares these against a reference voltage. When the lamp current is below a set threshold value, a relay contact disposed between the first and second filament is closed to direct the electric current through the first and second filaments to initiate pre-heating of the lamp. Once the filament temperature exceeds a set threshold, the relay contact is opened and the electric current passes through heated gas inside the lamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2007Publication date: January 10, 2008Applicant: BALBOA INSTRUMENTS, INC.Inventor: Patrick McElroy
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Patent number: 7284296Abstract: A valve plate (54) is slidably moved on a frame (52) by an actuator (62) between open and closed positions to control the supply of air sucked into the inlet (44) of a blower system (40) that supplies pressurized air through an outlet (46) to a plenum (12) for distribution to said nozzle (16, 18). By disposing the valve plate (54) at the inlet, the blower motor (49) may run continuously without a load as the impeller is not pumping air when there is no demand to blow the water from a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Proto-Vest, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Patrick McElroy
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Patent number: 6888324Abstract: An ozone generator including an electric starting circuit for measuring the temperature of at least one filament and further including a mercury vapor lamp. In one aspect, the oxone generator includes and outlet spout which injects ozone into a body of water. The electric starting circuit accepts voltages from about 100 to 270 volts and frequencies as low as 45 hertz.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Balboa Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Patrick McElroy
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Publication number: 20040250372Abstract: A valve plate (54) is slidably moved on a frame (52) by an actuator (62) between open and closed positions to control the supply of air sucked into the inlet (44) of a blower system (40) that supplies pressurized air through an outlet (46) to a plenum (12) for distribution to said nozzle (16, 18). By disposing the valve plate (54) at the inlet, the blower motor (49) may run continuously without a load as the impeller is not pumping air when there is no demand to blow the water from a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventor: Christopher Patrick McElroy
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Patent number: 6745497Abstract: An axle (30) supports both a nozzle plenum (18) and a plurality lower tubes (28) that telescope into a plurality of upper tubes (26). The nozzle plenum (18) is moved vertically up and down between various operating positions as the tubes (26, 28) telescope into and out of one another to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of a vehicle and the nozzle plenum (18) may be rotated about the axle (30) to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Proto-Vest, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Patrick McElroy
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Publication number: 20030046828Abstract: An axle (30) supports both a nozzle plenum (18) and a plurality lower tubes (28) that telescope into a plurality of upper tubes (26). The nozzle plenum (18) is moved vertically up and down between various operating positions as the tubes (26, 28) telescope into and out of one another to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of a vehicle and the nozzle plenum (18) may be rotated about the axle (30) to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventor: Christopher Patrick McElroy
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Patent number: 6519872Abstract: A plurality of pairs of telescoping tubes (20) and (22) interconnect a support plenum (12) and a nozzle system (14) for delivering air from the plenum (12) to the nozzle system (14) while allowing the nozzle system (14) to move in an adjustment direction toward and away from the plenum (12). The nozzle system (14) is elongated and includes a fixed shell (24) and a movable shell (26) movably supported by the fixed shell (24). The assembly (10) is characterized by actuators (42) for moving the nozzle system (14) between the various vertical-operating positions and a motor (46) for rotating the nozzle (16). The nozzle system (14) may be moved up and down to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of the vehicle (18) and the nozzle (16) may be rotated about the nozzle axis to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle (18).Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Proto-vest, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy
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Publication number: 20020162245Abstract: A plurality of pairs of telescoping tubes (20) and (22) interconnect a support plenum (12) and a nozzle system (14) for delivering air from the plenum (12) to the nozzle system (14) while allowing the nozzle system (14) to move in an adjustment direction toward and away from the plenum (12). The nozzle system (14) is elongated and includes a fixed shell (24) and a movable shell (26) movably supported by the fixed shell (24). The assembly (10) is characterized by actuators (42) for moving the nozzle system (14) between the various vertical-operating positions and a motor (46) for rotating the nozzle (16). The nozzle system (14) may be moved up and down to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of the vehicle (18) and the nozzle (16) may be rotated about the nozzle axis to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle (18).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2001Publication date: November 7, 2002Applicant: Proto-Vest, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy
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Patent number: 6176024Abstract: A plurality of bags (16), each of a substantially rectangular cross-section defined by spaced and parallel bag panels (18) interconnected by shorter sides (20), have inlets respectively connected to a support plenum (12) and extend to a distal end (22). An elongated nozzle (24) extends across each bag (16) at the distal end (22) between the sides (20) and converges from the bag panels (18) to a nozzle opening (26) for directing air toward the object. The assembly is characterized by a plurality of nozzle gussets (32) each including two layers (34) of flexible material suspended between the first and second nozzle panels (30) for bulging away from one another and toward the next adjacent nozzle gusset. Consequently, the spaced layers (34) of next adjacent nozzle gussets (32) bulge toward one another in response to air flow through the nozzle (24) to create a restriction and increased velocity of the air flow.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2000Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Proto-Vest, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Patrick McElroy
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Patent number: 6038781Abstract: The assembly includes a plurality of flexible and inflatable bags 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 56 and 58, each having a rectangular cross section with an open end for receiving air from various ducts 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 62 and 66, and extending vertically to a nozzle end 52. A plurality of first starboard bags 43 overlap a plurality of second starboard bags 44 in the horizontal direction and a plurality of first port bags 46 overlap a plurality of second port bags 47 in the horizontal direction. Also, the second starboard 44 and port 47 bags are spaced downstream from the first 43 starboard and port 46 bags. The nozzles 52 of the first starboard bags 43 are disposed in a first horizontal V.sub.a.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1999Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: Proto-Vest, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy
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Patent number: 5960564Abstract: An assembly for blowing liquids from a vehicle in a car wash which is characterized by the pair of first 24 and second 26 side bags extending from each of side supports 14, 16, 114 and 116 with each pair 24 and 26 of side bags being coextensive and extending vertically along the associated side support 14, 16, 114 or 116 and outwardly therefrom to elongated generally vertical nozzles 32. The first side bag 24 is disposed to direct the output flow therefrom along a first plane (A) directed forwardly twenty degrees (20.degree.) and the second side bag 26 is disposed to direct the output flow therefrom along a second plane (B) directed rearwardly twenty degrees (20.degree.).Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Proto-Vest, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy
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Patent number: 5950324Abstract: The assembly includes a plurality of flexible and inflatable bags 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 56 and 58, each having a rectangular cross section with an open end for receiving air from various ducts 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 62 and 66, and extending vertically to a nozzle end 52. A plurality of first starboard bags 43 overlap a plurality of second starboard bags 44 in the horizontal direction and a plurality of first port bags 46 overlap a plurality of second port bags 47 in the horizontal direction. Also, the second starboard 44 and port 47 bags are spaced downstream from the first 43 starboard and port 46 bags. The nozzles 52 of the first starboard bags 43 are disposed in a first horizontal V.sub.a.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1998Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Proto-Vest, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy
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Patent number: 5901461Abstract: An assembly for blowing liquids from the surfaces of a vehicle comprising support plenum (10) for distributing a stream of air to the surfaces of a vehicle, a blower (16) connected to said support plenum (10) for producing the stream of air, and an overhead bag (18) extending downwardly from the plenum (10) to a distal end. A nozzle is disposed at the distal end and includes a center section (20) having a length (Y) extending horizontally between ends for directing air against the top of a vehicle. The nozzle is characterized by including an inwardly directed end section (22) at each end of the center section (20) to define outward tips (24) of the nozzle for directing air downwardly and inwardly against the sides of a vehicle. A positioner (30) positions the vehicle to combine with the geometric configuration of the overhead bag (18) to assure that the stream of air emitted from the nozzle tips (24) impacts the sides of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1998Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Proto-Vest, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy