US3780448A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for drying washed vehicles
Assignee: Kleindienst GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1971-06-28
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1991-06-28
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to apparatus for the drying of vehicles, comprising at least one blast nozzle mounted on a rocking lever and including an element capable of following the contour of a vehicle surface during relative movement between the vehicle and the apparatus, the rocking lever being mounted on a swivel pivot connected to drive means, so that the swivel pivot is moved in a direction to decrease effectively the rate of relative movement between the vehicle and nozzle during a drying operation on at least one inclined surface of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Kulmer U Von
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for the drying of a vehicle, comprising: frame means for defining a path for a vehicle to be dried; a first arm pivotally connected to said frame means at one of the ends of said arm; a second arm articulated to the other end of said first arm; a blast nozzle rigidly connected to said second arm at a location thereof remote from its articulation to said first arm; means for supplying a drying gas to said nozzle for direction thereby onto the surface of a vehicle traversing said path; sensing means on said second arm responsive to the contour of said vehicle for enabling said nozzle to follow said contour upon relative movement of said vehicle and said frame; and drive means on said frame for controlling the movement of at least one of said arms for decreasing the relative displacement of said nozzle and said vehicle along at least one surface of said contour inclined to the direction of displacement of said vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for the drying of a vehicle, comprising: frame means for defining a path for a vehicle to be dried; a first arm pivotally connected to said frame means at one of the ends of said arm; a second arm articulated to the other end of said first arm; a blast nozzle rigidly connected to said second arm at a location thereof remote from its articulation to said first arm; means for supplying a drying gas to said nozzle for direction thereby onto the surface of a vehicle traversing said path; sensing means on said second arm responsive to the contour of said vehicle for enabling said nozzle to follow said contour upon relative movement of said vehicle and said frame; and drive means on said frame for controlling the movement of at least one of said arms for decreasing the relative displacement of said nozzle and said vehicle along at least one surface of said contour inclined to the direction of displacement of said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means is operatively connected to at least one of said arms for shifting said second arm in the direction of movement of the nozzle along the rear part of said vehicle and returning said nozzle to an initial position when said nozzle is disposed between successive vehicles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said drive means is operatively connected to said first arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said arms form an acute angle in a normal position wherein said nozzle and said pivot means are disposed close together and the articulation of said arms lies relatively forwardly in the direction of the vehicle to be dried.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said drive means is a cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said sensing means includes a pair of rollers disposed on opposite sides of said nozzle, one of said rollers being located relatively upstream of said nozzle and the other being located relatively downstream thereof with respect to the direction of travel of said vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising a flexible hose connecting said nozzle to the means for supplying gas thereto.
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) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |