US3638265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle-scrubbing device
Assignee: Kleindienst GmbH and Co KG
•
Filing: 1969-12-01
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1989-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A rotary scrubbing brush for cleaning the surface of an automotive vehicle moving relatively to a supporting structure is mounted on that structure through a guidance system, such as an articulated linkage or a guide track, enabling a generally diagonal displacement of the brush from a starting position outwardly or upwardly under the pressure of an oncoming vehicle to sweep and eventually clear the front surface of that vehicle; the guidance system is then swung, through an angle of about 90* or less, into a substantially symmetrical angular position in which a restoring force acting upon the brush holder causes a return sweep along the rear surface of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinrich Fuhring
- 👤 Richard Fleschhut
- 👤 Hans Wolter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:23
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/04; B60S3/06; B60S3/066; B60S3/063; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S15/00; Y10S15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A scrubbing device for a vehicle moving along a predetermined path relatively to a supporting Structure, comprising: a brush holder forming a rotatable mounting; a rotary brush journaled in said mounting with an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to said path; a rotatable hub on said structure centered on a pivotal axis codirectional with said axis of rotation; guide means on said hub supporting said brush holder for substantially linear displacement thereof in a first diagonal direction from the centerline of said path outwardly under the thrust of the front surface of an advancing vehicle against said brush, said guide means being swingable with said hub about said pivotal axis into an alternate position to enable displacement of said brush holder in a second diagonal direction generally symmetrical to said first diagonal direction relative to a plane transverse to said path; actuating means for so swinging said guide means upon alignment of said brush with a longitudinal surface of said vehicle; and restoring means coupled with said brush holder for returning same to said centerline in said second diagonal direction along the rear surface of the advancing vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A scrubbing device for a vehicle moving along a predetermined path relatively to a supporting Structure, comprising: a brush holder forming a rotatable mounting; a rotary brush journaled in said mounting with an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to said path; a rotatable hub on said structure centered on a pivotal axis codirectional with said axis of rotation; guide means on said hub supporting said brush holder for substantially linear displacement thereof in a first diagonal direction from the centerline of said path outwardly under the thrust of the front surface of an advancing vehicle against said brush, said guide means being swingable with said hub about said pivotal axis into an alternate position to enable displacement of said brush holder in a second diagonal direction generally symmetrical to said first diagonal direction relative to a plane transverse to said path; actuating means for so swinging said guide means upon alignment of said brush with a longitudinal surface of said vehicle; and restoring means coupled with said brush holder for returning same to said centerline in said second diagonal direction along the rear surface of the advancing vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises a pair of articulated arms with a hinge axis parallel to said pivotal axis and said axis of rotation, one of said arms having an end remote from said hinge axis pivoted to said hub for turning about a swing axis parallel to and in the vicinity of said pivotal axis, the other of said arms having a free end remote from said hinge axis carrying said brush holder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said guide means further comprises a linkage positively interconnecting said arms for relative counterrotation about said hinge axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said linkage comprises a wheel centered on said swing axis and rigid with said hub, a wheel rigid with said other of said arms centered on said hinge axis, and a flexible band peripherally interconnecting said wheels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said linkage comprises a pair of articulated members complementing said arms to a generally parallelogrammatic framework.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said linkage further comprises first spring means linking said one of said arms with said hub and second spring means interlinking said arms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said restoring means comprises a source of gas pressure acting upoN said one of said arms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises a linear track member engaged by said brush holder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a fluid-operated jack connected between said structure and said hub.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising switch means responsive to relative motion of said structure and said vehicle for tripping said actuating means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1523276A
Cited
US3471883A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |