Kenneth J Dollhopf

6381503, Apr 30, 2002

Jan 12, 1999

09/228613

Kenneth J. Dollhopf - Livonia MI
Richard L. Stoolmaker - Linden MI

Belanger, Inc.

G05B 1101

700 22, 700 27, 700293, 702 58, 340644

A smart module circuit board carries a programmable microprocessor and a plurality of relay type interface circuits for use in organizing relatively high voltage input devices and output devices into a complex system wherein a programmed combination of input device signals determines when and if to energize one or more output devices in the system. The interface circuit comprises input and output stages which operate on logic level voltages and which are decoupled by opto-couplers from a relatively high voltage energization circuit which passes through a relatively high voltage electrical device. The energization circuit comprises a triac which is operated by the output stage in response to outputs from the microprocessor, a manual switch connected in parallel with the triac so that a given electrical load device can be manually activated and a multi-colored LED for indicating the conditions of the input and output circuits individually and in combination. The smart modules are utilized in a vehicle laundry having a master computer for overall control of multiple smart modules, the microprocessor of each smart module being independently operable to control at least a portion of the laundry system in the event of a failure of the master computer.

6595221, Jul 22, 2003

May 4, 2001

09/848919

Allen S. Jones - Bay Islands, NZ
Doug Diemel - Shiocton WI
Jim Ward - Green Bay WI
Dan Janke - Milwaukee WI
Kenneth J. Dollhopf - Green Bay WI

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. - Wilmington DE

B08B 302

134 57R, 134123, 134181

An impact reset mechanism and method that automatically resets a spray arch in a vehicle washing system to permit operation of the vehicle wash system after the spray arch has broken away from its rigid, operating position due to contact with a vehicle. The impact reset mechanism includes a bias member that exerts a bias force on a pair of mounting blocks used to support the spray arch. When the spray arch contacts the vehicle, the spray arch pivots one of the mounting blocks. The pivoting movement of the mounting block is sensed and relayed to a control unit. The control unit immediately stops the wash process and moves the spray arch away from the vehicle. The control unit automatically resets the wash process and begins washing the next vehicle without resuming manual intervention.

6789732, Sep 14, 2004

May 8, 2003

10/431689

Kenneth J. Dollhopf - Green Bay WI
Kimmo Ukkola - DePere WI

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. - Wilmington DE

G06F 708

235381, 235380, 235382

An entry station for use primarily with a car wash that includes a semi-secure electronics cabinet and a security vault. The electronics cabinet is mounted to the security vault and includes a front door secured by a first lock member. The electronics cabinet defines an open interior that encloses the electronic operating components for the entry station. When the access door to the electronics cabinet is open, the front door for the security vault can be accessed. The front door of the security vault includes a combination lock that prevents unauthorized access to the security vault. The two separate locks for the electronics cabinet and the security vault allow a service technician to have access to the electronics cabinet without gaining access to the security vault.

20050235443, Oct 27, 2005

Apr 26, 2004

10/832026

Daniel Mathys - Pulaski WI, US
Kenneth Dollhopf - Green Bay WI, US
John Plemel - Green Bay WI, US
Rodney Peer - Green Bay WI, US

B60S003/04

015097300

A method and apparatus for conditioning the surface of a motor vehicle that includes multiple wash strips that both move along a circular wash path and rotate relative to the vehicle path. The apparatus includes an overhead wash strip mounting disk having a plurality of individual wash strips that extend downward toward the vehicle. The overhead mounting disk rotates relative to an orbital carriage that is supported by an overhead support frame. The orbital carriage is movable along a wash path spaced from a center axis. During operation of the apparatus, the entire orbital carriage moves along a first motion path while the mounting disk rotates along a second motion path to enhance the conditioning of the vehicle.

20050235520, Oct 27, 2005

Apr 25, 2005

11/113548

Kenneth Dollhopf - Green Bay WI, US
Mark Showers - Menasha WI, US
Rodney Peer - Green Bay WI, US

F26B019/00
F26B013/10

034666000, 034524000

A dryer assembly for use with a vehicle washing system that includes a plurality of individual blower assemblies in a generally inline configuration. As a vehicle passes beneath dryer assembly, the plurality of blower assemblies create an enhanced air flow across the priority areas of the vehicle. As the vehicle moves further relative to the dryer assembly, first and second movable blower assemblies move away from the center axis of the vehicle and into alignment with the first and second side of the vehicle to direct water off of the vehicle. Upon detection of a second priority area, the first and second movable blower assemblies move back into a center position to direct a maximum air flow onto the vehicle. The first and second movable blower assemblies each include sensors that allow the movable blower assemblies to locate the sides of the vehicle.

20050235521, Oct 27, 2005

Apr 25, 2005

11/113944

Kenneth Dollhopf - Green Bay WI, US
Mark Showers - Menasha WI, US
Rodney Peer - Green Bay WI, US

F26B019/00
F26B003/00

034666000, 034487000

A dryer assembly for use with a vehicle washing system that includes a plurality of individual blower assemblies in a generally inline configuration. As a vehicle passes beneath dryer assembly, the plurality of blower assemblies create an enhanced air flow across the priority areas of the vehicle. As the vehicle moves further relative to the dryer assembly, first and second movable blower assemblies move away from the center axis of the vehicle and into alignment with the first and second side of the vehicle to direct water off of the vehicle. Upon detection of a second priority area, the first and second movable blower assemblies move back into a center position to direct a maximum air flow onto the vehicle. The first and second movable blower assemblies each include sensors that allow the movable blower assemblies to locate the sides of the vehicle.

20080060150, Mar 13, 2008

Sep 12, 2006

11/531026

Kenneth J. Dollhopf - Green Bay WI, US

B60S 3/06

15 532, 15 531

An automatic vehicle wash system that includes a first, front overhead bridge and a second, back overhead bridge that combine to carry out a wash process on the vehicle. The first overhead bridge is operable to perform a first wash cycle on the entire vehicle. The second overhead bridge is independently operable to perform a second wash cycle on the entire vehicle, where the first wash cycle is different from the second wash cycle. The first overhead bridge includes a side cleaning device that performs a friction wash step on the vehicle during the first wash process. The second overhead bridge includes a top brush that and a pair of high pressure spray manifolds. The movement of the first and second overhead bridges along the length of the vehicle are coordinated by a central controller such that the first wash cycle and the second wash cycle can be completed simultaneously.

54430143, Aug 22, 1995

Nov 1, 1993

8/146229

Michael J. Belanger - Walled Lake MI
Robert J. Wentworth - Farmington Hills MI
Barry S. Turner - Livonia MI
Kenneth J. Dollhopf - Livonia MI

Belanger, Inc. - Northville MI

B61B 1300

1041723

An above the floor conveyor is provided for transporting a wheeled vehicle having a plurality of tires across a floor surface with a pair of the vehicle's tires oriented in a guided track. The conveyor includes a drive and idle sprocket which are spaced apart and have an endless tensile member extending in a loop thereabout to define a drive and a return flight. A series of dolly assemblies are attached to the endless conveyor tensile member in spaced apart orientation. The dolly assemblies have an elongated dolly roller for engaging a tire of a vehicle located within the guided track. The dollies are pivotable about a generally vertical dolly axis between an inactive position in which the dolly roller is pivoted rearwardly out of the guided tracks and an active position in which a dolly roller extends inwardly into the guided track. The dolly assembly has an arm extending outwardly from the pivot axis providing a follower spaced from the axis. A dolly guide rail is fixed parallel to the drive flight for cooperating with the dolly follower to support the dolly when in the active position.