US3594843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic plant for washing vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-11-05
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1988-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An automatic plant for washing motor vehicles includes a portal frame carrying a movable horizontal brush, a set of movable vertical brushes, and sprayers thereon. The portal frame and vehicle are moved relative to one another to effect the washing cycle while the brushes contact the surface of the vehicle. The horizontal brush repeatedly scrubs the front and rear end of the vehicle and is mounted such that it will provide a constant downward force and will follow the contour of the vehicle. The vertical brushes are together at the start and finish of the washing in front and rear of the vehicle but are moved apart a distance suitable to the width of the vehicle and are biased against the sides of the vehicle with a predetermined force during the washing.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruno Sesia
- 👤 Carlo Sesia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:26
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/04; B60S3/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S15/00; Y10S15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles, the plant being of the type comprising a portal frame movable relative to the vehicle to be washed and carrying a horizontal brush rotatable about a horizontal axis and displacable vertically in the portal, and two vertical brushes rotatable about vertical axes and movably mounted to move toward and away from one another while being carried by the portal, with the improvements comprising; an automatic control means for controlling movement of the portal and of the horizontal vertically displacable brush such that when the portal and vehicle are relatively positioned so that the brush rotatable on the horizontal axis contacts the front of the vehicle, the automatic control means including a timing means control stopping of the relative movement of the portal and vehicle and causing the horizontal brush to reciprocate vertically up and down to wash an end of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles, the plant being of the type comprising a portal frame movable relative to the vehicle to be washed and carrying a horizontal brush rotatable about a horizontal axis and displacable vertically in the portal, and two vertical brushes rotatable about vertical axes and movably mounted to move toward and away from one another while being carried by the portal, with the improvements comprising; an automatic control means for controlling movement of the portal and of the horizontal vertically displacable brush such that when the portal and vehicle are relatively positioned so that the brush rotatable on the horizontal axis contacts the front of the vehicle, the automatic control means including a timing means control stopping of the relative movement of the portal and vehicle and causing the horizontal brush to reciprocate vertically up and down to wash an end of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 1 wherein the automatic control means includes brush position control means which are activated by contact of the horizontal brush with the end of the vehicle in order to automatically effect lifting and lowering of the brush by reaction of the brush contact with the end of the vehicle providing an upwardly directed thrust.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 2 wherein the brush position control means includes a means for counterweighting the weight of the vertically displacable horizontal brush and electric sensing means actuatable by the position of the horizontal brush relative to its counterweighting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 1 wherein the automatic control means further includes sensing Means sensing the position of the brush during its movement vertically.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 1 wherein the portal is driven by a motor, the control of said motor being included in the automatic control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 1 further comprising an auxiliary carriage for supporting wheels of the vehicle to be washed, and means for moving the carriage in a translational direction opposite to the movement of the portal to reduce the space required for washing the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 1 wherein the automatic control means includes an electric circuit with switch means for sensing the following: a predetermined low vertical position of the horizontal brush relative to a counterweight therefore, a longitudinal limit position of the portal frame movable relative to longitudinal guides therefore, a vertical position of the horizontal brush and further comprising switch means for sensing an outward limit transverse position of the vertical brushes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 1, wherein the horizontal brush is supported by a unit which comprises two vertical rods slidably mounted in vertical guideways in the portal, and two horizontal levers, the two vertical rods being articulated at their tops each to a said horizontal lever, the unit further comprising a pivot rod to which the said horizontal levers are attached, and an adjustable counterweight mounted on one of the levers for counterbalancing a portion of the weight of the horizontal brush, the automatic control means further comprising a cam being provided together with a plurality of microswitches, the cam being carried by the other said lever and adapted to engage the plurality of microswitches, which latter are arranged to control the means for vertically reciprocating the horizontal brush.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 8, wherein the said lever carrying the counterweight is provided with stroke limit stops.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 9, further comprising: a top shaft rotatable by the said means for vertically reciprocating the brush, there being further provided chains and toothed pinions, the said horizontal levers being each supported at their fulcra by the said chains which travel over the said toothed pinions, which latter pinions are on the top shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 10, wherein the reciprocating means for the brush comprise a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston rod, a free wheel for an elongated member travelling over a wheel fast with the said top shaft, and a fluid supply and exhaust circuit for the said cylinder controlled by magnetic valves, the piston rod of the fluid pressure cylinder acting upon the said free wheel and the said magnetic valves being operable by the said microswitches cooperable with the said cam, so that an upward or downward thrust on the said horizontal brush respectively lifts or lowers the said brush and the supporting means therefor thereby to adjust and maintain constant the force with which the said brush acts upon a said vehicle body, which latter said force is dictated by the said supporting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 11 wherein the elongated members comprise belts running over pulleys.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
101 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 10, wherein a pair of weights are provided, the automatic control means including a microswitch and a timer, the chains being provided each with a said weight, one of which weights cooperates with the said microswitch to operate the said timer when the said horizontal brush is lowered, as at the front or rear of a vehicle, the said timer being arranged to reverse rotation of the said brush, to effect repeated vertical reciprocations of the said brush and to halt the portal frame to wash the front and rear vehicle portions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
An automatic plant For washing vehicles as in claim 1 further comprising, a guideway above the top of each vertical brush and a carriage for each vertical brush, the guideway having, at each of its opposite top and bottom surfaces, two bevelled surfaces which provide guide tracks for pairs of inclined rollers carried by two ledges on each carriage, one of which said ledges is adjustable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 14, wherein each carriage carries at the top thereof operating means for the vertical brush thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 14, wherein the two carriages for the vertical brushes are interconnected by levers and a control means for the vertical brushes comprising a double acting fluid pressure cylinder so connected to the levers that by charging the cylinder the two brushes are drawn apart and vice versa.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
84 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 1, wherein there is provided an electric control means adapted to reverse rotation of the said brushes when the portal frame performs its return stroke for rinsing and means to control supplies of water, detergent, and a polishing additive so that during an initial pass sprayers on the portal frame spray washing water and water mixed with detergent, and on a return pass the sprayers spray water admixed with a polishing additive and rinsing water.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 1, wherein the bristles of each said brush are carried by flexible members adapted to encircle their respective shafts, the members being provided with radial wings engaged by metal straps secured by means of screws to the shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
152 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles, the plant being of the type comprising a portal frame movable relative to the vehicle to be washed and carrying a horizontal brush rotatable about a horizontal axis and displacable vertically in the portal, and two vertical brushes rotatable about vertical axes and movably mounted to move toward and away from one another while being carried by the portal, with the improvements comprising: an automatic control means stopping relative movement of the portal and vehicle and causing the horizontal brush to start a series of upward and downward movements at the end of the vehicle, the horizontal brush being rotated in a direction such that when the horizontal brush contacts the end of the vehicle reaction of the rotating brush and vehicle force the brush upwardly actuating a control member of the automatic control means to reverse the rotation of the brush and start downward movement.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
152 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles, the plant being of the type comprising a portal frame movable relative to the vehicle to be washed and carrying a horizontal brush rotatable about a horizontal axis and displacable vertically in the portal, and two vertical brushes rotatable about vertical axes and movably mounted to move toward and away from one another while being carried by the portal, with the improvements comprising: an automatic control means stopping relative movement of the portal and vehicle and causing the horizontal brush to start a series of upward and downward movements at the end of the vehicle, the horizontal brush being rotated in a direction such that when the horizontal brush contacts the end of the vehicle reaction of the rotating brush and vehicle force the brush upwardly actuating a control member of the automatic control means to reverse the rotation of the brush and start downward movement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 19 wherein control member is adjustable in height and includes stop actuated switches.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 20 further comprising a timer to determine the number of upward and downward movements of the horizontal brush.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
An automatic plant for washing vehicles as in claim 19 wherein the automatic control means includes a member actuated when the horizontal brush moves upwardly to wash the roof of the vehicle to condition the automatic control means to cause the brush to carry out a series of up and down scrubbing movements at the rear of the vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3425080A
Cited
FR1434676A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |