US3633231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scrubbing apparatus for vehicle-washing stations
Assignee: SOC CECCATO AND C SpA
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Filing: 1969-11-05
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1989-11-05
Abstract
Abstract One or more scrubbing brushes, rotatable about generally vertical axes, are suspended from respective carriages displaceable across the path of a vehicle on a portal frame movable with reference to that vehicle. The carriages are horizontally biased toward the center of the frame and are guided in a structure which is limitedly swingable about a transverse axis above the vehicle so that a traction roller on the brush shaft engages a friction surface on the guide structure to drive the carriage outwardly, against its biasing force, at certain stages of operation. A deflector engageable by an idler roller on the same shaft prevents contact between the traction roller and the friction surface at other times, this deflector being displaceable by a servomechanism if two oppositely movable brush carriages are provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Uberto Capra
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:51
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/04; B60S3/06; B60S3/063; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S15/00; Y10S15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for scrubbing vehicular surfaces, comprising: a portal frame movable relatively to a vehicle to be scrubbed, said frame having a lintel extending transversely above such vehicle; guide means spanning said frame below said lintel; at least one carriage pivotally mounted on said guide means for reciprocation across said frame and swinging in a plane transverse thereto; rotatable brush means suspended from said carriage by a generally vertical shaft rising beyond the swing axis of said carriage to the level of said lintel; biasing means coupled with said carriage for urging same toward the center of said frame; drive means on said carriage for rotating said shaft; a traction roller mounted at the top of said shaft for rotation therewith, said lintel being provided with a friction surface parallel to said swing axis engageable by said roller for entrainment of said carriage in a swung-out position thereof against the force of said biasing means: and blocking means on said lintel engageable with said shaft for selectively preventing engagement of said friction surface by said roller.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for scrubbing vehicular surfaces, comprising: a portal frame movable relatively to a vehicle to be scrubbed, said frame having a lintel extending transversely above such vehicle; guide means spanning said frame below said lintel; at least one carriage pivotally mounted on said guide means for reciprocation across said frame and swinging in a plane transverse thereto; rotatable brush means suspended from said carriage by a generally vertical shaft rising beyond the swing axis of said carriage to the level of said lintel; biasing means coupled with said carriage for urging same toward the center of said frame; drive means on said carriage for rotating said shaft; a traction roller mounted at the top of said shaft for rotation therewith, said lintel being provided with a friction surface parallel to said swing axis engageable by said roller for entrainment of said carriage in a swung-out position thereof against the force of said biasing means: and blocking means on said lintel engageable with said shaft for selectively preventing engagement of said friction surface by said roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means is reversible, said guide means being provided with a second friction surface confronting the first-mentioned friction surface with said traction roller interposed therebetween for alternate engagement therewith, said shaft being tiltable into two opposite limiting positions for effecting such engagement, said blocking means being operative to prevent said shaft from reaching either of said limiting positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein both said friction surfaces extend over substantially the full length of said lintel, said blocking means comprising a deflector substantially coextensive with said friction surfaces and swingable about an axis parallel thereto for alternate engagement with opposite sides of said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said shaft is provided with an idler roller engageable with said deflector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said lintel is provided with abutments alternately engageable by said deflector on opposite sides of said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3, further comprising servo means coupled with said deflector for swinging same into either of two alternate limiting positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said servo means comprises a fluid-actuated piston.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said guide means comprises a structure swingable about a horizontal axis parallel to said friction surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said structure is provided with stabilizing means tending to maintain same in a median position in which said shaft is tiltable against the vertical by only a small angle on either side.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said stabilizing means comprises a source of restoring force anchored to said structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said guide means comprises an elongate element tiltably supporting said carriage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said carriage is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced contactors engaging said element from above and an intermediate contactor engageable with the underside of said element for preventing excessive rocking of said shaft in the plane of said frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said element is a rod of circular profile, said contactors being balls journaled in a sleeve surrounding said rod.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said element is a rail with an upstanding weB and a bottom flange having a convex lower surface centered on the upper edge of said web, said longitudinally spaced contactors being grooved rollers riding said web.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, comprising a second carriage on said guide means and second rotatable brush means suspended therefrom with a shaft and drive means therefor substantially duplicating the first-mentioned carriage, brush means, shaft and drive means, said biasing means being coupled with said carriages for urging same toward each other upon the scrubbing of opposite sides of a vehicle, said blocking means comprising a deflector concurrently engageable with both said shafts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein both said friction surfaces extend over substantially the full length of said lintel, said deflector being a strip substantially coextensive with said friction surfaces and swingable about an axis parallel thereto for alternate engagement with opposite sides of said shafts, said strip having a central cutout clearing both said shafts in a juxtaposed position of said carriages.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16, further comprising fluid-actuated servo means coupled with said strip for swinging same into either of two alternate limiting positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3304565A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |