US3761986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle washing apparatus
Assignee: TRANS CLEAN
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Filing: 1967-08-14
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1987-08-14
Abstract
Abstract Vehicle washing apparatus having a vertical brush mounted on an extensible-retractable double pivoted frame for following and washing front, side, and rear surfaces of the vehicle. The brush extends below and above the vehicle and has a plurality of vertical rows of relatively limp, pliant bristles. It is rotated with the direction in which the vehicle is moving within a predetermined rotational speed range to provide a unique operational action causing the brush to conform to the profile of the vehicle. Aerial sensing means are provided for shutting off the brush motor momentarily to prevent damage to aerials, and override means are provided to prevent the vehicle upper body structure from shutting off the brush motor by contact with the aerial sensing means. A multiplicity of vertical rows of short, relatively stiff, resilient bristles are preferably interspersed with the rows of limp, pliant bristles in the brush to provide a cushioning core for the brush.
Inventors
- 👤 A Rickel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/04; B60S3/06; B60S3/063; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S15/00; Y10S15/02; Y10S15/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
423 words
In apparatus for washing a vehicle being conveyed, the combination comprising: a support structure; a first frame section mounted on said support structure for horizontal pivotal movement between an extended position and a retracted position, said first frame section from its pivot point to its free end being oriented in substantially the same direction as the direction in which said vehicle is being conveyed when said first frame unit is in said extended position, the free end of said first frame unit being pivoted away from said vehicle when said first frame section is in its retracted position; a second frame section mounted in said first frame section adjacent the free end thereof for horizontal pivotal movement between an extended position and a retracted position, said second frame section from its pivot point to its free end being oriented at an obtuse angle from said first frame section when said second frame section is in its extended position, said second frame section being at an acute angle from said first frame section when said second frame section is in its retracted position; a brush mounted on said second frame section adjacent the free end thereof for rotation about a vertical axis, said brush having a vertical dimension such that it extends from below the underbody surfaces to above the roof surfaces of said vehicle, said brush having a multiplicity of relatively limp, pliant bristles; means for rotating said brush in the direction said vehicle is being conveyed and at a speed of rotation such that said relatively limp, pliant bristles are caused to extend outwardly under centrifugal force and such that the action of said brush on substantially vertical surfaces of said vehicle tends to draw said brush toward said vehicle; means connected between said support structure and said first frame section for urging said first frame section pivotally toward said vehicle; means connected between said first frame section and said second frame section for urging said second frame section pivotally toward said first frame section when activated; and means for activating said last named means prior to contact with said brush by the front end of said vehicle when the same is approaching to be washed and for deactivating said last named means upon completion of passage of the adjacent side of said vehicle past said brush whereby said brush follows and washes front, side, and rear surfaces of said vehicle conforming to the profile of the vehicle and overlapping onto hood, fender top, roof, and rear deck surfaces of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
423 words
In apparatus for washing a vehicle being conveyed, the combination comprising: a support structure; a first frame section mounted on said support structure for horizontal pivotal movement between an extended position and a retracted position, said first frame section from its pivot point to its free end being oriented in substantially the same direction as the direction in which said vehicle is being conveyed when said first frame unit is in said extended position, the free end of said first frame unit being pivoted away from said vehicle when said first frame section is in its retracted position; a second frame section mounted in said first frame section adjacent the free end thereof for horizontal pivotal movement between an extended position and a retracted position, said second frame section from its pivot point to its free end being oriented at an obtuse angle from said first frame section when said second frame section is in its extended position, said second frame section being at an acute angle from said first frame section when said second frame section is in its retracted position; a brush mounted on said second frame section adjacent the free end thereof for rotation about a vertical axis, said brush having a vertical dimension such that it extends from below the underbody surfaces to above the roof surfaces of said vehicle, said brush having a multiplicity of relatively limp, pliant bristles; means for rotating said brush in the direction said vehicle is being conveyed and at a speed of rotation such that said relatively limp, pliant bristles are caused to extend outwardly under centrifugal force and such that the action of said brush on substantially vertical surfaces of said vehicle tends to draw said brush toward said vehicle; means connected between said support structure and said first frame section for urging said first frame section pivotally toward said vehicle; means connected between said first frame section and said second frame section for urging said second frame section pivotally toward said first frame section when activated; and means for activating said last named means prior to contact with said brush by the front end of said vehicle when the same is approaching to be washed and for deactivating said last named means upon completion of passage of the adjacent side of said vehicle past said brush whereby said brush follows and washes front, side, and rear surfaces of said vehicle conforming to the profile of the vehicle and overlapping onto hood, fender top, roof, and rear deck surfaces of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
In apparatus for washing a vehicle, the combination with the apparatus defined in claim 1 comprising second apparatus identical therewith but of opposite hand and spaced therefrom and staggered therewith and means for conveying said vehicle along a predetermined path past and between said first mentioned apparatus and said second apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination defined in claim 1 further comprising means for checking pivotal movement of said first frame section relative to Said support structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
179 words
The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said means for urging said second frame section pivotally toward said first frame section when activated comprises pneumatic piston-and-cylinder means and said means for activating said last named means comprises a source of supply pressure, a solenoid-operated three-way valve having an input port connected to said source of supply pressure, an exhaust port vented to atmosphere, and an outlet port connected to one side of said piston-and-cylinder unit, the opposite side of said piston-and-cylinder unit being vented to atmosphere, and a normally-open, spring-returned limit switch connected in series with the solenoid portion of said solenoid-operated valve, said limit switch having a projecting element adapted to close said limit switch prior to contact of said vehicle by said brush whereby said solenoid-operated valve is moved from a first position wherein said outlet port is connected to said exhaust port exhausting said one side of said piston-and-cylinder means to atmosphere to a second position wherein said outlet port is connected to said inlet port activating said piston-and-cylinder means by pressurizing said one side thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
The combination defined in claim 4 wherein said means for urging said first frame section pivotally toward said vehicle comprises second piston-and-cylinder means having one side in constant communication with said source of supply pressure and said means for checking pivotal movement of said first frame section relative to said support structure comprises a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, a restricted conduit interconnecting said chamber and the opposite side of said second piston-and-cylinder means whereby extension of said second piston-and-cylinder means is checked by the restricted flow of hydraulic fluid through said conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
134 words
In apparatus for washing a vehicle being conveyed along a predetermined course and including a generally vertically-oriented rotatable brush carried on a frame for washing surfaces of said vehicle on one side thereof and a motor for driving said brush, the combination therewith comprising: aerial sensing means for momentarily de-energizing said motor upon contact sensing an aerial or other structure on said one side of said vehicle projecting above the height of the hood of said vehicle; and upper body sensing means for overriding said aerial sensing means upon contact sensing the upper body structure of said vehicle, aerial sensing means and said upper body sensing means being arranged and adjusted such that said motor is maintained energized during contact sensing of said upper body structure of said vehicle by said aerial sensing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
134 words
In apparatus for washing a vehicle being conveyed along a predetermined course and including a generally vertically-oriented rotatable brush carried on a frame for washing surfaces of said vehicle on one side thereof and a motor for driving said brush, the combination therewith comprising: aerial sensing means for momentarily de-energizing said motor upon contact sensing an aerial or other structure on said one side of said vehicle projecting above the height of the hood of said vehicle; and upper body sensing means for overriding said aerial sensing means upon contact sensing the upper body structure of said vehicle, aerial sensing means and said upper body sensing means being arranged and adjusted such that said motor is maintained energized during contact sensing of said upper body structure of said vehicle by said aerial sensing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
The combination defined in claim 6 wherein said frame comprises: a first frame section mounted on a support structure for horizontal pivotal movement and a second frame section mounted on said first frame section for horizontal pivotal movement and said brush is mounted on said second frame section and is power driven in rotation about a vertical axis in the direction said vehicle is being conveyed, said brush having a vertical dimension such that it extends from below the underbody surfaces to above the roof surfaces of said vehicle, said brush having a multiplicity of relatively limp, pliant bristles which are caused to extend outwardly under centrifugal force, the action of said brush on substantially vertical surfaces of said vehicle tending to draw said brush toward said vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
274 words
In apparatus for washing a vehicle being conveyed along a predetermined course, the combination comprising: a brush for washing said vehicle, a motor for driving said brush; first sensing means, including an element projecting substantially horizontally into the course of travel of said vehicle from one side thereof and at a height higher than the hood of said vehicle, for shutting off said motor when and so long as said projecting element of said first sensing means is in actuating contact with structure of said vehicle extending above the height of the hood of said vehicle; second sensing means, including an element projecting substantially vertically downwardly into the course of travel of said vehicle from a position higher than the roof of said vehicle to a point higher than the hood of said vehicle for overriding said first sensing means to maintain said motor running when and so long as said projecting element of said second sensing means is in actuating contact with structure of said vehicle extending above the height of the hood of said vehicle, said first and second sensing means being arranged and adjusted such that said brush motor is shut off momentarily to avert damage to aerials on said vehicle projecting above the height of the hood of said vehicle by actuating contact of said projecting portion of said first sensing means with said aerials yet said motor is maintained running despite contact by said projecting portion of said first means with the upper body structure of said vehicle due to actuating contact of said projecting portion of said second sensing means with said upper body structure of said vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
274 words
In apparatus for washing a vehicle being conveyed along a predetermined course, the combination comprising: a brush for washing said vehicle, a motor for driving said brush; first sensing means, including an element projecting substantially horizontally into the course of travel of said vehicle from one side thereof and at a height higher than the hood of said vehicle, for shutting off said motor when and so long as said projecting element of said first sensing means is in actuating contact with structure of said vehicle extending above the height of the hood of said vehicle; second sensing means, including an element projecting substantially vertically downwardly into the course of travel of said vehicle from a position higher than the roof of said vehicle to a point higher than the hood of said vehicle for overriding said first sensing means to maintain said motor running when and so long as said projecting element of said second sensing means is in actuating contact with structure of said vehicle extending above the height of the hood of said vehicle, said first and second sensing means being arranged and adjusted such that said brush motor is shut off momentarily to avert damage to aerials on said vehicle projecting above the height of the hood of said vehicle by actuating contact of said projecting portion of said first sensing means with said aerials yet said motor is maintained running despite contact by said projecting portion of said first means with the upper body structure of said vehicle due to actuating contact of said projecting portion of said second sensing means with said upper body structure of said vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
The combination defined in claim 8 wherein said first sensing means comprises: a spring-returned, normally-closed limit switch connected to said projecting element of said first sensing means; and a relay having contacts connected in series with an operating circuit of said motor, said limit switch being connected in series with the coil of said relay such that the opening of said limit switch due to contact of said projecting element of said first sensing means with structure of said vehicle extending above the height of the hood thereof causes said relay to open.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination defined in claim 9 wherein said projecting element is positioned in advance of said brush and said relay is a time-delayed closing relay such that said relay closes a predetermined time after said limit switch is closed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
114 words
The combination defined in claim 10 wherein said second sensing means comprises a spring-returned, normally open limit switch connected to said projecting element of said first sensing means; and an override relay having a first set of contacts connected across said normally-closed limit switch and a second set of contacts connected across said time-delayed relay, said normally-open limit switch being connected in series with the coil of said normally-open relay such that the closing of said normally-open limit switch due to contact of said projecting element of said second sensing means with said upper body structure of said vehicle causes said first and second sets of contacts to close, overriding said first sensing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
281 words
In apparatus for washing a vehicle being conveyed, the combination comprising: a support structure; a first frame section mounted on said support structure for horizontal pivotal movement; a second frame section mounted on said first frame section for horizontal pivotal movement; a brush mounted on said second frame section for rotation about a vertical axis, said brush having a vertical dimension such that it extends from below the underbody surfaces to above the roof surfaces of said vehicle, said brush having a multiplicity of relatively limp, pliant bristles; means for rotating said brush in the direction said vehicle is being conveyed and at a speed of rotation of approximately 55-70 revolutions per minute such that said relatively limp, pliant bristles are caused to extend outwardly under centrifugal force, said brush having an effective diameter of approximately 4 feet when said relatively limp, pliant bristles are extended by centrifugal force, whereby said brush is adapted to conform to the profile of the vehicle and such that the rotation of said brush against vertical surfaces of said vehicle tends to draw said brush toward said vehicle; means connected between said support structure and said first frame section for urging said first frame pivotally toward said vehicle; And means connected between said first frame section and said second frame section for urging said second frame section pivotally toward said first frame section when activated and means for activating said last named means prior to contact with said brush by the front end of said vehicle when the same is approaching to be washed and for deactivating said last named means with completion of passage of the adjacent side of said vehicle past said brush.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
281 words
In apparatus for washing a vehicle being conveyed, the combination comprising: a support structure; a first frame section mounted on said support structure for horizontal pivotal movement; a second frame section mounted on said first frame section for horizontal pivotal movement; a brush mounted on said second frame section for rotation about a vertical axis, said brush having a vertical dimension such that it extends from below the underbody surfaces to above the roof surfaces of said vehicle, said brush having a multiplicity of relatively limp, pliant bristles; means for rotating said brush in the direction said vehicle is being conveyed and at a speed of rotation of approximately 55-70 revolutions per minute such that said relatively limp, pliant bristles are caused to extend outwardly under centrifugal force, said brush having an effective diameter of approximately 4 feet when said relatively limp, pliant bristles are extended by centrifugal force, whereby said brush is adapted to conform to the profile of the vehicle and such that the rotation of said brush against vertical surfaces of said vehicle tends to draw said brush toward said vehicle; means connected between said support structure and said first frame section for urging said first frame pivotally toward said vehicle; And means connected between said first frame section and said second frame section for urging said second frame section pivotally toward said first frame section when activated and means for activating said last named means prior to contact with said brush by the front end of said vehicle when the same is approaching to be washed and for deactivating said last named means with completion of passage of the adjacent side of said vehicle past said brush.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
199 words
In apparatus for washing a vehicle being conveyed, the combination comprising: a frame mounted for horizontal pivotal movement; a brush mounted on said frame for rotation about a vertical axis, said brush having a vertical dimension such that it extends from below the underbody surfaces to above the roof surfaces of said vehicle, said brush having a multiplicity of vertical rows of relatively limp, pliant bristles; and means for rotating said brush in the direction said vehicle is being conveyed and at a speed of rotation of approximately 55-70 revolutions per minute such that said relatively limp, pliant bristles are caused to extend outwardly under centrifugal force, said brush having an effective diameter of approximately four feet when said relatively limp, pliant bristles are extended by centrifugal force whereby the action of said brush on substantially vertical surfaces of said vehicle tends to draw said brush toward said vehicle, said brush further having a multiplicity of vertical rows of radially extending, relatively stiff, resilient bristles interposed between said rows of relatively limp, pliant bristles, said resilient bristles being appreciably less in length than said relatively limp, pliant bristles so as to form an inner cushioning core in said brush.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
199 words
In apparatus for washing a vehicle being conveyed, the combination comprising: a frame mounted for horizontal pivotal movement; a brush mounted on said frame for rotation about a vertical axis, said brush having a vertical dimension such that it extends from below the underbody surfaces to above the roof surfaces of said vehicle, said brush having a multiplicity of vertical rows of relatively limp, pliant bristles; and means for rotating said brush in the direction said vehicle is being conveyed and at a speed of rotation of approximately 55-70 revolutions per minute such that said relatively limp, pliant bristles are caused to extend outwardly under centrifugal force, said brush having an effective diameter of approximately four feet when said relatively limp, pliant bristles are extended by centrifugal force whereby the action of said brush on substantially vertical surfaces of said vehicle tends to draw said brush toward said vehicle, said brush further having a multiplicity of vertical rows of radially extending, relatively stiff, resilient bristles interposed between said rows of relatively limp, pliant bristles, said resilient bristles being appreciably less in length than said relatively limp, pliant bristles so as to form an inner cushioning core in said brush.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |