US3731331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High speed overhead car wash apparatus
Assignee: Allen Electric and Equipment Co
•
Filing: 1972-01-19
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1992-01-19
Abstract
Abstract High speed overhead car wash apparatus including an overhead primary arm supported on one end from a support structure disposed on one side of the path of a car to be washed and normally projecting transversely over such car path. A secondary arm is pivotally supported on one end from the free extremity of the primary arm and normally projects rearwardly along such car path and angles to such one side thereof. A rotary brush is suspended from the free end of the secondary arm and is normally disposed centrally in the car path. Drive means is provided for rotating the brush and control means is connected with the arms and is responsive to engagement of the brush by the front of the car to fold the secondary arm on the primary arm and move the brush to such one side of the car path and to then then move the primary arm rearwardly along such car path and is further responsive to such brush clearing the rear corner of the car to move such primary arm forwardly as the secondary arm unfolds to thereby carry such brush forwardly and inwardly across the rear of the car and to continue forward movement of the primary arm beyond its normal position to wash at least one half f the rear of such car.
Inventors
- 👤 D Haley
- 👤 R Bergantzel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:03
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/04; B60S3/06; B60S3/063; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S15/00; Y10S15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
High speed overhead car wash apparatus comprising: support means disposed on one side of the path of a car to be washed; an overhead primary arm pivotally supported on one end from said support means and normally projecting transversely of said path; an overhead secondary arm pivotally supported on one end from the free extremity of said primary arm and normally projecting rearwardly along said path; a rotary brush suspended from the free extremity of said secondary arm for rotation about a vertical axis; drive means for rotating said rotary brush; and control means connected with said arms and responsive to engagement of said brush by said car to fold said secondary arm on said primary arm to move said brush across the front of said forwardly moving car and to one side thereof and to then move said primary arm rearwardly of said path while moving said brush rearwardly along said one side and responsive to said brush clearing the rear corner of said car to then unfold said secondary arm relative said primary arm to carry said brush across the rear of said car.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
High speed overhead car wash apparatus comprising: support means disposed on one side of the path of a car to be washed; an overhead primary arm pivotally supported on one end from said support means and normally projecting transversely of said path; an overhead secondary arm pivotally supported on one end from the free extremity of said primary arm and normally projecting rearwardly along said path; a rotary brush suspended from the free extremity of said secondary arm for rotation about a vertical axis; drive means for rotating said rotary brush; and control means connected with said arms and responsive to engagement of said brush by said car to fold said secondary arm on said primary arm to move said brush across the front of said forwardly moving car and to one side thereof and to then move said primary arm rearwardly of said path while moving said brush rearwardly along said one side and responsive to said brush clearing the rear corner of said car to then unfold said secondary arm relative said primary arm to carry said brush across the rear of said car.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
High speed overhead car wash apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said control means includes cylinder means connected with said arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
High speed overhead car wash apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said primary and secondary arms in their normal position are disposed at an acute angle to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
High speed overhead car wash apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said control means includes cylinder means connected with said primary arm and switch means responsive to movement of said brush forwardly from its extreme rearward position to pressurize said cylinder means in one direction to urge said primary arm toward its full forward position and responsive to said primary arm reaching its full forward position to, at least partially, pressurize said cylinder means in the direction opposite said one direction to urge said primary arm rearwardly to an intermediate normal position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
High speed overhead car wash apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said control means includes means responsive to initial forward travel of said primary arm from its extreme rearward position to urge said primary arm forwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
High speed overhead car wash apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said control means includes piston means connected between said arms and switch means responsive to initial forward movement of said primary arm from its normal position to vent said piston means to enable said secondary arm to fold on said primary arm and responsive to subsequent rearward movement of said primary arm to pressurize said cylinder means to urge said secondary arm toward its unfolded position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Overhead car wash apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said control means includes means responsive to initial forward travel of said primary arm from its extreme rearward position to urge said primary arm forwardly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
Overhead car wash apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said control means includes piston means connected between said arms and switch means responsive to initial forward movement of said primary arm from its normal position to vent said piston means to enable said secondary arm to fold on said primary arm and responsive to subsequent rearward movement of said primary arm to pressurize said cylinder means to urge said secondary aRm toward its unfolded position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3624851A
Cited
US3581334A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |