Patents by Inventor Timothy Patrick McElroy

Timothy 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).

  • Patent number: 6519872
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Proto-vest, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy
  • Publication number: 20020162245
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Proto-Vest, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy
  • Patent number: 6038781
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Proto-Vest, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy
  • Patent number: 5960564
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Proto-Vest, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy
  • Patent number: 5950324
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Proto-Vest, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy
  • Patent number: 5901461
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Proto-Vest, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy