Tank cleaning apparatus

Claim 2

Tank cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a rotatable platform for supporting a tank to be cleaned, means for rotating said platform, a rotary brush positioned adjacent the periphery of such tank, means for biasing said rotary brush against the periphery of such tank, means for rotating said rotary brush, and means for vertically moving said brush.

Claim 3

Tank cleaning apparatus, according to claim 1, including a base and a vertical member attached to said base, said platform being mounted for rotation on said base.

Claim 4

Tank cleaning apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said means for vertically moving said brush comprises a traveling carriage including a vertical shaft mounted for rotation adjacent said vertical member and a cam unit mounted for movement along said vertical shaft, said rotary brush being operatively connected to said cam unit, wherein rotation of said shaft in one direction moves said rotary brush upwardly and rotation of said shaft in the opposite direction moves said rotary brush downwardly.

Claim 5

Tank cleaning apparatus, according to claim 3, including control means for reversing the direction of rotation of said shaft when said rotary brush reaches a predetermined point in its vertical travel.

Claim 6

Tank cleaning apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said means for rotating said platform includes a reversible electric motor mounted on said base, said electric motor being effective to drive said platform and said vertical shaft.

Claim 7

Tank cleaning apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said means for biasing said rotary brush against the periphery of such tank includes a bracket mounted on said cam unit for movement therewith, an arm hinged to said bracket, said rotary brush being mounted on said arm, and a spring mounted between said arm and said bracket, said spring urging said rotary brush against the periphery of such tank.

Claim 8

Tank cleaning apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said means for rotating said brush includes an electric motor mounted on said arm.

Claim 9

Tank cleaning apparatus, according to claim 2, including means for releasably holding the upper end of such tank, said holding means including an arm extending outwardly from said vertical member, and a vertically movable clamp mounted on said arm.

Claim 10

Tank cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical member extending upwardly from said base, a vertical shaft mounted for rotation around a vertical axis positioned adjacent said vertical member, a cam unit positioned for vertical movement on said shaft, an arm attached to said vertical member adjacent its upper end, a tank holding means mounted on said arm, a rotatable platform mounted on said base below said tank holding means, said platform and said holding means being effective to hold a tank to be cleaned, motor means for rotating said platform and said vertical shaft, a bracket operatively connected to said cam unit and mounted for vertical movement therewith, a rotary brush mounted on said bracket, means for rotating said rotary brush and means for biasing said rotary brush against the periphery of such tank.

Claim 11

Tank cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical member extending upwardly from said base, a vertical shaft mounted for rotation around a vertical axis positioned adjacent said vertical member, a cam unit positioned for vertical movement on said shaft, an arm attached to said vertical member adjacent its upper end, a tank holding means mounted on said arm, a rotatable platform mounted on said base below said tank holding means, said platform and said holding means being effective to hold a tank to be cleaned, motor means for rotating said platform and said vertical shaft, a bracket operatively connected to said cam unit and mounted for vertical movement therewith, a rotary brush mounted on said bracket, means for rotating said rotary brush and means for biasing said rotary brush against the periphery of such tank.