Low level washing and dusting apparatus for aircraft and the like

Claim 2

Aircraft washing and dusting apparatus comprising: a. a boom, b. means supporting said boom for up and down movement of said boom, and power means for raising and lowering said boom, c. an arm mounted at the end of said boom, d. generally cylindrical brush means having a longitudinal axis, e. mounting means mounting said brush means on said arm for rotation of said brush means about its longitudinal axis and for rotary movement of said brush means about a second axis substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, f. said mounting means including first motor means for rotating said brush about its longitudinal axis, a second motor means for rotating said brush aboUt said second axis, g. and levelling means for 5 the orientation of said arm constant as said boom is raised and lowered.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said brush means comprises two cylindrical brush portions, connecting means located between and connecting said brush portions with said brush portions being in coaxial and axially spaced relation, said mounting means including a second arm connected to said connecting means and extending at right angles to the axis of said brush portions, the extent of said connecting means in a direction radially of said brush portions being substantially less than the diameter of said brush portions. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said connecting means comprises a shaft coaxial with said brush portions and connecting the same, a housing having means journalling said shaft for rotation in said housing, said housing being connected to said second arm, said first motor means being located adjacent the connection of said housing with said second arm, and gear means connecting said shaft with said first motor means.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first motor means is a hydraulic motor.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said mounting means includes means mounting said second arm on said first arm for rotation of said second arm relative to said first arm about said second axis.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means mounting said second arm on said first arm includes a wheel gear mounted on and coaxial with one of said arms, and a worm gear engaging said wheel gear, said second motor means being mounted on the other of said arms and being drivingly connected to said worm gear.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for levelling said first arm comprises a levelling rod connected to said first arm and to said means supporting said boom.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for levelling said first arm comprises a levelling rod connected to said first arm and to said means supporting said boom, said first and second motor means being hydraulic motors, said levelling rod comprising at least three fluid conduits for conducting hydraulic fluid to and from said motors.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means supporting said boom comprises a three wheeled vehicle, said vehicle having a forward end having two independently driven wheels mounted thereon, and a rear end having a central caster mounted wheel thereon, said boom being mounted near said rear end for side to side swinging movement.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means supporting said boom comprises a three wheeled vehicle, said vehicle having a forward end having two independently driven wheels mounted thereon, and a rear end having a central caster mounted wheel thereon, said boom being mounted near said rear end for side to side swinging movement, said apparatus further including first control means for controlling operation of said boom and vehicle and second control means for controlling operation of said brush, said first control means including a set of hand control levers and said second control means including a pair of foot pedals, and an operator seat positioned on said vehicle for an operator sitting on said seat to reach both said levers and said pedals.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said brush portions are each approximately 3 feet in length and 3 feet in diameter, and the spacing between said brush portions is between 6 and 12 inches.

Claim 12

Aircraft washing and dusting apparatus comprising: a. a housing having first and second ends, b. a rotatable shaft means in said housing having first and second ends extending outwardly through said first and second ends of said housing respectively, c. first and second cylindrical brushes secured to said first and second ends of said shaft means respectively, said brushes having a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of saId housing, d. a tubular arm means rigidly secured at one end to said housing and extending in a direction at right angles to the axis of said brushes, e. a motor means enclosed in said tubular arm means at said one end operatively connected to said shaft means in said housing for rotating said brushes about the axis thereof, f. a second housing secured to the other end of said tubular arm means, g. a second arm means secured to said second housing and being disposed in a parallel relationship to said tubular arm means and being rotatable with respect thereto, h. and a second motor means in said second housing for rotating said tubular arm means about a second axis perpendicular to the axis of said brushes.

Claim 13

Aircraft washing and dusting apparatus comprising: a. a housing having first and second ends, b. a rotatable shaft means in said housing having first and second ends extending outwardly through said first and second ends of said housing respectively, c. first and second cylindrical brushes secured to said first and second ends of said shaft means respectively, said brushes having a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of saId housing, d. a tubular arm means rigidly secured at one end to said housing and extending in a direction at right angles to the axis of said brushes, e. a motor means enclosed in said tubular arm means at said one end operatively connected to said shaft means in said housing for rotating said brushes about the axis thereof, f. a second housing secured to the other end of said tubular arm means, g. a second arm means secured to said second housing and being disposed in a parallel relationship to said tubular arm means and being rotatable with respect thereto, h. and a second motor means in said second housing for rotating said tubular arm means about a second axis perpendicular to the axis of said brushes.