Christopher T Mcelroy

US Patent:

6519872, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

May 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/849165

Inventors:

Timothy Patrick McElroy - Glendale AZ
Christopher Patrick McElroy - Glendale AZ
Lucian G. McElroy - Carefree AZ

Assignee:

Proto-vest, Inc. - Glendale AR

International Classification:

F26B 1900

US Classification:

34666, 34216, 34222, 34229, 15319

Abstract:

A plurality of pairs of telescoping tubes ( ) and ( ) interconnect a support plenum ( ) and a nozzle system ( ) for delivering air from the plenum ( ) to the nozzle system ( ) while allowing the nozzle system ( ) to move in an adjustment direction toward and away from the plenum ( ). The nozzle system ( ) is elongated and includes a fixed shell ( ) and a movable shell ( ) movably supported by the fixed shell ( ). The assembly ( ) is characterized by actuators ( ) for moving the nozzle system ( ) between the various vertical-operating positions and a motor ( ) for rotating the nozzle ( ). The nozzle system ( ) may be moved up and down to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of the vehicle ( ) and the nozzle ( ) may be rotated about the nozzle axis to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle ( ).

US Patent:

6745497, Jun 8, 2004

Filed:

Oct 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/280914

Inventors:

Christopher Patrick McElroy - Glendale AZ

Assignee:

Proto-Vest, Inc. - Glendale AZ

International Classification:

F26B 1900

US Classification:

34666, 34229, 34585

Abstract:

An axle ( ) supports both a nozzle plenum ( ) and a plurality lower tubes ( ) that telescope into a plurality of upper tubes ( ). The nozzle plenum ( ) is moved vertically up and down between various operating positions as the tubes ( ) telescope into and out of one another to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of a vehicle and the nozzle plenum ( ) may be rotated about the axle ( ) to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle.

US Patent:

7284296, Oct 23, 2007

Filed:

Mar 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/792049

Inventors:

Christopher Patrick McElroy - Glendale AZ, US

Assignee:

Proto-Vest, Inc. - Glendale AZ

International Classification:

F26B 21/00

US Classification:

153161, 153121, 34666, 251326

Abstract:

A valve plate () is slidably moved on a frame () by an actuator () between open and closed positions to control the supply of air sucked into the inlet () of a blower system () that supplies pressurized air through an outlet () to a plenum () for distribution to said nozzle (). By disposing the valve plate () at the inlet, the blower motor () 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.

US Patent:

8613147, Dec 24, 2013

Filed:

May 16, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/108149

Inventors:

Lucian G. McElroy - Carefree AZ, US
Christopher P. McElroy - Peoria AZ, US

International Classification:

F26B 19/00

US Classification:

34666, 34232, 153161, 15 30

Abstract:

A support having an inverted U-shape defining a top plenum for distributing air and extending along a top plenum axis and a pair of legs extending downwardly from the top plenum in a spaced and parallel relationship. The top plenum of the support defines an attachment opening at an attachment angle. A bag extends downwardly at the attachment angle from the top plenum to a distal end in an inflated position. A nozzle is disposed the distal end of the bag to define a nozzle opening extending along a nozzle plane. The bag includes a major length and a curved portion. The curved portion of the bag includes a minor length and a filler length. The filler length positions the nozzle to be slanted open at a first nozzle acute angle of 20 forwardly in the inflated position and at a second nozzle acute angle of 20 rearwardly in an up position.

US Patent:

61760242, Jan 23, 2001

Filed:

Mar 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/526820

Inventors:

Christopher Patrick McElroy - Glendale AZ

Assignee:

Proto-Vest, Inc. - Glendale AZ

International Classification:

F26B 1900

US Classification:

34666

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

59014610, May 11, 1999

Filed:

Apr 2, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/053926

Inventors:

Timothy Patrick McElroy - Glendale AZ
Christopher Patrick McElroy - Glendale AZ
Lucian G. McElroy - Carefree AZ

Assignee:

Proto-Vest, Inc. - Glendale AZ

International Classification:

F26B19/00

US Classification:

34233

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.

US Patent:

60387815, Mar 21, 2000

Filed:

Mar 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/268959

Inventors:

Timothy Patrick McElroy - Glendale AZ
Christopher Patrick McElroy - Glendale AZ
Lucian G. McElroy - Carefree AZ

Assignee:

Proto-Vest, Inc. - Glendale AZ

International Classification:

F26B 700

US Classification:

34 38

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. -shape in relationship with the first port bags 46 to direct the emitting air in the emitting planes rearwardly and outwardly on each side of the aircraft 10 to move deicing material outwardly and rearwardly over the wings 12 and 14 and the nozzles 52 of the second starboard 44 and port 47 bags are disposed in a second horizontal V. sub. b -shape with each other to direct the emitting air in the emitting planes rearwardly and outwardly from the aircraft 10 to move deicing material outwardly and rearwardly over the wings from the first starboard 43 and port 46 bags.

US Patent:

59503246, Sep 14, 1999

Filed:

Feb 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/025061

Inventors:

Timothy Patrick McElroy - Glendale AZ
Christopher Patrick McElroy - Glendale AZ
Lucian G. McElroy - Carefree AZ

Assignee:

Proto-Vest, Inc. - Glendale AZ

International Classification:

F26B 1900

US Classification:

34229

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. -shape in relationship with the first port bags 46 to direct the emitting air in the emitting planes rearwardly and outwardly on each side of the aircraft 10 to move deicing material outwardly and rearwardly over the wings 12 and 14 and the nozzles 52 of the second starboard 44 and port 47 bags are disposed in a second horizontal V. sub. b -shape with each other to direct the emitting air in the emitting planes rearwardly and outwardly from the aircraft 10 to move deicing material outwardly and rearwardly over the wings from the first starboard 43 and port 46 bags.