US3795929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle washing apparatus
Assignee: TRANS CLEAN
•
Filing: 1972-03-20
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1992-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for washing a stationary vehicle. A mobile carriage travels along a longitudinal path over the vehicle. The carriage supports opposing vehicle washing brushes rotatable about laterally movable vertical axes to wash the vertical surfaces of the vehicle, an overhead brush rotatable about a horizontal axis and movable in a vertical direction to wash the upper surfaces of the vehicle, and horizontally mounted opposed rotatable brushes for washing the windows and upper vertical surfaces of the vehicle. The vertically mounted brushes are suspended from the carriage by a linkage which has a natural pendular position urging the brushes into scrubbing contact with the vehicle. The overhead brush linkage includes a novel structure wherein counterbalancing weights are located wholly within the lateral limits of the carriage, and wherein the motor driving the overhead brush is mounted so as to eliminate the motor torque reaction when the direction of brush rotation is reversed. A control system comprising sensing elements responsive to the physical dimensions of the vehicle automatically programs the functions of the washing apparatus. A unique feature of the control system provides for stopping rearward movement of the carriage when the rear of the vehicle has been reached by the brushes, regardless of the length of the vehicle. A second unique feature of the control system prevents the carriage from stopping as it reaches the rear of the vehicle until the overhead brush cleans the rear window or upper rear vertical surface of station wagons or vans.
Inventors
- 👤 W Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:15
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/04; B60S3/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S15/00; Y10S15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
In a vehicle washing apparatus having brushes for scrubbing a vehicle to be washed in accordance with a washing cycle including side brushes for scrubbing sides of said vehicle and an overhead brush for scrubbing a top of said vehicle, a system comprising: first hydraulic means for rotating said side brushes to scrub the vehicle to be washed, said first hydraulic means being selectively operable in accordance with said washing cycle; second hydraulic means for rotating said overhead brush to scrub the vehicle to be washed, said second hydraulic means being selectively operable in accordance with said washing cycle; third hydraulic means for retracting said side brushes outward from the sides of said vehicle to be washed; and fourth hydraulic means for positioning said overhead brush with respect to the top of said vehicle to be washed; said fourth hydraulic means including hydraulic cylinder means for applying to said overhead brush a first force of a given magnitude to raise said overhead brush and a second force to lower said overhead brush, said second force having a magnitude reduced from the magnitude of said first force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a vehicle washing apparatus having brushes for scrubbing a vehicle to be washed in accordance with a washing cycle including side brushes for scrubbing sides of said vehicle and an overhead brush for scrubbing a top of said vehicle, a system comprising: first hydraulic means for rotating said side brushes to scrub the vehicle to be washed, said first hydraulic means being selectively operable in accordance with said washing cycle; second hydraulic means for rotating said overhead brush to scrub the vehicle to be washed, said second hydraulic means being selectively operable in accordance with said washing cycle; third hydraulic means for retracting said side brushes outward from the sides of said vehicle to be washed; and fourth hydraulic means for positioning said overhead brush with respect to the top of said vehicle to be washed; said fourth hydraulic means including hydraulic cylinder means for applying to said overhead brush a first force of a given magnitude to raise said overhead brush and a second force to lower said overhead brush, said second force having a magnitude reduced from the magnitude of said first force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a vehicle washing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 the system further comprising: valve means coupled to said hydraulic cylinder means for holding said overhead brush in a raised position, said valve means being operable to permit further raising of said overhead brush.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a vehicle washing apparatus in accordance with claim 2 the system further comprising: control means for altering said valve means to allow said hydraulic cylinder to be operable in both raising and lowering said overhead brush.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
168 words
In A vehicle washing apparatus having brushes for scrubbing a vehicle to be washed in accordance with a washing cycle including side brushes for scrubbing sides of said vehicle and an overhead brush for scrubbing a top of said vehicle, a system comprising: first hydraulic means for rotating said side brushes to scrub the vehicle to be washed, said first hydraulic means being selectively operable in accordance with said washing cycle; second hydraulic means for rotating said overhead brush to scrub the vehicle to be washed, said second hydraulic means being selectively operable in accordance with said washing cycle; third hydraulic means for retracting said side brushes outward from the sides of said vehicle to be washed; fourth hydraulic means for positioning said overhead brush with respect to the top of said vehicle to be washed; hydraulic motor means for moving said vehicle washing apparatus along the vehicle to be washed; and means for limiting the pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to said hydraulic motor means during starting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
168 words
In A vehicle washing apparatus having brushes for scrubbing a vehicle to be washed in accordance with a washing cycle including side brushes for scrubbing sides of said vehicle and an overhead brush for scrubbing a top of said vehicle, a system comprising: first hydraulic means for rotating said side brushes to scrub the vehicle to be washed, said first hydraulic means being selectively operable in accordance with said washing cycle; second hydraulic means for rotating said overhead brush to scrub the vehicle to be washed, said second hydraulic means being selectively operable in accordance with said washing cycle; third hydraulic means for retracting said side brushes outward from the sides of said vehicle to be washed; fourth hydraulic means for positioning said overhead brush with respect to the top of said vehicle to be washed; hydraulic motor means for moving said vehicle washing apparatus along the vehicle to be washed; and means for limiting the pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to said hydraulic motor means during starting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a vehicle washing apparatus in accordance with claim 4 the system wherein said limiting means comprises a relief valve coupled in bypass relationship with said hydraulic motor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
210 words
In a vehicle washing apparatus having brushes for scrubbing a vehicle to be washed in accordance with a washing cycle including side brushes for scrubbing sides of said vehicle and an overhead brush for scrubbing a top of said vehicle, a system comprising: first hydraulic means for rotating said side brushes to scrub the vehicle to be washed, said first hydraulic means being selectively operable in accordance with said washing cycle; second hydraulic means for rotating said overhead brush to scrub the vehicle to be washed, said second hydraulic means being selectively operable in accordance with said washing cycle; third hydraulic means for retracting said side brushes outward from the sides of said vehicle to be washed; fourth hydraulic means for positioning of said overhead brush with respect to the top of said vehicle to be washed; hydraulic motor means for moving said vehicle washing apparatus along the vehicle to be washed, said hydraulic motor means being reversible in response to a reversing flow of hydraulic fluid directed thereto; and control valve means for receiving said reversing fluid flow and providing an output fluid flow in a single direction, said output fluid flow being operative to cause said first hydraulic means to rotate at least one of said side brushes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
210 words
In a vehicle washing apparatus having brushes for scrubbing a vehicle to be washed in accordance with a washing cycle including side brushes for scrubbing sides of said vehicle and an overhead brush for scrubbing a top of said vehicle, a system comprising: first hydraulic means for rotating said side brushes to scrub the vehicle to be washed, said first hydraulic means being selectively operable in accordance with said washing cycle; second hydraulic means for rotating said overhead brush to scrub the vehicle to be washed, said second hydraulic means being selectively operable in accordance with said washing cycle; third hydraulic means for retracting said side brushes outward from the sides of said vehicle to be washed; fourth hydraulic means for positioning of said overhead brush with respect to the top of said vehicle to be washed; hydraulic motor means for moving said vehicle washing apparatus along the vehicle to be washed, said hydraulic motor means being reversible in response to a reversing flow of hydraulic fluid directed thereto; and control valve means for receiving said reversing fluid flow and providing an output fluid flow in a single direction, said output fluid flow being operative to cause said first hydraulic means to rotate at least one of said side brushes.
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) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |