US3755844A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle wrap-around cleaning apparatus
Assignee: N/S Corp A CORP OF PA
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Filing: 1972-08-10
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1992-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A first embodiment includes a vehicle wrap-around rotary brushtype cleaning assembly having a first arm pivotally mounted at one side of the path of a vehicle and a second arm pivoted thereto carrying rotatable brush means at one end. Spring tensioning means are connected between the first arm and the frame and between the second arm and the first arm to maintain the arms in a normal open position. A compression spring is positioned between the two arms to limit relative movement in one direction and urge the arms back to their normal position. A damping cylinder connected between the arms by a pin and slotted plate connection permits relative initial movement between the arms prior to any damping taking effect. The brush moves across the front, along the side and across the back of a vehicle. Two brush assemblies may be disposed directly opposite each other on each side of the path with the brushes in overlapping relation to clean both sides of a vehicle. In an alternative embodiment the second arm may comprise an outer portion pivotally connected to the first arm and an inner portion which moves telescopically within the outer portion and which carries the rotatable brush means. In the alternative embodiment the pin and slotted plate connection between the damping cylinder and the arms is replaced by a linearly sliding lost motion linkage, and the travel of the arms away from the vehicle path is more limited to maintain the arms within the laterally outermost dimension of the supporting frame of the assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 G Ennis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:03
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/04; B60S3/06; B60S3/063; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S15/00; Y10S15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: supporting frame means aligned along a predetermined path of a vehicle to be washed; a first arm, one end of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means at a point outside path of said vehicle; a second arm comprising an outer portion, one end of which is pivotally connected to the distal end of said first arm, and an inner portion adapted to move reciprocally and telescopically within the distal end of said outer portion, with one end of said inner portion remaining exposed beyond said distal end of said outer portion; a rotatable brush means mounted at the exposed end of the inner portion of said second arm, said brush means being adapted to move across the front, along a side and across the back of said vehicle; means to normally maintain said first arm in a position extending generally along said path at one side thereof; means to normally maintain said second arm in a position extending generally transversely of said path whereby said brush means is in a position to be contacted by a vehicle moving along said path; and means connected between said inner portion and said outer portions of said second arm to urge said inner portion of said arm out-wardly of said distal end of said outer portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: supporting frame means aligned along a predetermined path of a vehicle to be washed; a first arm, one end of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means at a point outside path of said vehicle; a second arm comprising an outer portion, one end of which is pivotally connected to the distal end of said first arm, and an inner portion adapted to move reciprocally and telescopically within the distal end of said outer portion, with one end of said inner portion remaining exposed beyond said distal end of said outer portion; a rotatable brush means mounted at the exposed end of the inner portion of said second arm, said brush means being adapted to move across the front, along a side and across the back of said vehicle; means to normally maintain said first arm in a position extending generally along said path at one side thereof; means to normally maintain said second arm in a position extending generally transversely of said path whereby said brush means is in a position to be contacted by a vehicle moving along said path; and means connected between said inner portion and said outer portions of said second arm to urge said inner portion of said arm out-wardly of said distal end of said outer portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A vehicle washing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising antifriction means supporting said telescoping end of said inner portion within said outer portion of said second arm whereby rolling contact is maintained between said inner portion and said outer portion of said second arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicle washing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said antifriction means comprises a pair of rollers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vehicle washing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first arm position maintaining means and said second arm position maintaining means comprise tension springs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vehicle washing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means urging said inner portion of said second arm outwardly of said outer portion comprises a tension spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vehicle washing apparatus according to claim 1 which includes a damping unit connected between said first arm and said second arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A vehicle washing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the means connecting said damping cylinder to said second arm includes a lost motion linkage whereby said second arm may move A predetermined distance prior to the damping action of said damping cylinder taking effect.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A vehicle washing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means to limit the pivoting movement of said first arm to a predetermined distance such that said arm, at the extremity of its travel away from said vehicle path, extends outwardly of said path no farther than the outermost portion of said supporting frame means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicle washing apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said pivoting movement limiting means comprise bumper means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vehicle washing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said arms when in their normal position prior to contact with a vehicle are in generally perpendicular relation with respect to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
238 words
A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: supporting frame means aligned along a predetermined path of a vehicle to be washed; a pair of rotary brush assemblies disposed opposite each other along said path, each said brush assembly including a first arm, one end of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means at a point outside path of said vehicle; a second arm comprising an outer portion, one end of which is pivotally connected to the distal end of said first arm, and an inner portion adapted to move reciprocally and telescopically within the distal end of said outer portion, with one end of said inner portion remaining exposed beyond said distal end of said outer portion; a rotatable brush means mounted at the exposed end of the inner portion of said second arm, said brush means being adapted to move across the front, along a side and across the back of said vehicle; means to normally maintain said first arm in a position extending generally along said path at one side thereof; means to normally maintain said second arm in a position extending generally transversely of said path whereby said brush means is in a position to be contacted by a vehicle moving along said path; and means connected between said inner portion and said outer portions of said second arm to urge said inner portion of said arm outwardly of said distal end of said outer portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
238 words
A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: supporting frame means aligned along a predetermined path of a vehicle to be washed; a pair of rotary brush assemblies disposed opposite each other along said path, each said brush assembly including a first arm, one end of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means at a point outside path of said vehicle; a second arm comprising an outer portion, one end of which is pivotally connected to the distal end of said first arm, and an inner portion adapted to move reciprocally and telescopically within the distal end of said outer portion, with one end of said inner portion remaining exposed beyond said distal end of said outer portion; a rotatable brush means mounted at the exposed end of the inner portion of said second arm, said brush means being adapted to move across the front, along a side and across the back of said vehicle; means to normally maintain said first arm in a position extending generally along said path at one side thereof; means to normally maintain said second arm in a position extending generally transversely of said path whereby said brush means is in a position to be contacted by a vehicle moving along said path; and means connected between said inner portion and said outer portions of said second arm to urge said inner portion of said arm outwardly of said distal end of said outer portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3624851A
Cited
US3704476A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |