US4039014A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic car wash apparatus and side brush assembly for washing cars of varying widths
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-05-21
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Granted: 1977-08-02
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Expires: 1995-05-21
Abstract
Abstract The car wash apparatus includes two opposed side brush assemblies, each comprised of two brushes supported by respective independently powered arms pivotally mounted upon a common pivot member. The arms are of such angular configurations that, with respect to the apparatus centerline, the opposed side brushes can be swung oppositely to and from overlapping washing positions so disposed that the side and end surfaces of the car are fully contacted, regardless of the width of the car. Contact pressure applied by each brush is controlled and independently maintained substantially constant such that substantially the same brush contact pressure is applied to cars of varying widths. To minimize length, the pivot members of the two side brush assemblies are located directly opposite one another. Additionally, the apparatus may include a rotatable top brush assembly including angular arms capable of washing the top surfaces of automobiles, trucks, vans and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 James H. Sellars
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 06:47
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/04; B60S3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
Car wash apparatus, comprising: brush means including independently operable brushes for contacting the side end surfaces of a car as it is advanced through a washing station; and brush control means for independently maintaining the contact pressure applied by said brushes substantially constant such that substantially the same contact pressure is applied to cars of varying widths; wherein said brush means comprises frame means providing two directly opposed spaced apart members between which the car can be advanced through the washing station, and two side brush assemblies respectively operatively associated with said members; each side brush assembly including two rotatable brushes, first and second brush support means pivotally mounted by a respective one of said members for pivotally supporting said brushes such that each can swing independently relative to the respective member between an extended washing position projecting toward the path of car advance and a retracted position averted from the path of car advance; and wherein said brush control means comprises positioning means respectively exerting controlled rotational effort upon and independently swinging the first and second brush support means of said two side brush assemblies toward their extended washing positions such that substantially constant brush contact pressure is applied to cars of warying widths.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
Car wash apparatus, comprising: brush means including independently operable brushes for contacting the side end surfaces of a car as it is advanced through a washing station; and brush control means for independently maintaining the contact pressure applied by said brushes substantially constant such that substantially the same contact pressure is applied to cars of varying widths; wherein said brush means comprises frame means providing two directly opposed spaced apart members between which the car can be advanced through the washing station, and two side brush assemblies respectively operatively associated with said members; each side brush assembly including two rotatable brushes, first and second brush support means pivotally mounted by a respective one of said members for pivotally supporting said brushes such that each can swing independently relative to the respective member between an extended washing position projecting toward the path of car advance and a retracted position averted from the path of car advance; and wherein said brush control means comprises positioning means respectively exerting controlled rotational effort upon and independently swinging the first and second brush support means of said two side brush assemblies toward their extended washing positions such that substantially constant brush contact pressure is applied to cars of warying widths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second brush support means each comprises two vertically spaced apart rigidly interconnected arms rotatably supporting a respective one of said brushes therebetween for rotational movement about a generally vertical axis, and brush driver means connected directly with the one brush along said axis for moving it rotatively about said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second brush support means of the two side brush assemblies position said brushes such that they overlap one another and are staggered with respect to the path of car advance at their extended washing positions; and wherein said brush positioning means swing said brushes toward their extended positions in controlled sequence such that one brush of one side brush assembly contacts and partially overlaps a portion of the front end surface of the car contacted by the opposite brush of the other side brush assembly, and one brush of the other side brush assembly contacts and partially overlaps a portion of the rear end surface of the car contacted by the corresponding opposite brush of the one side brush assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second brush support means each comprises two vertically spaced apart rigidly interconnected arms of angular configurations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said two members each include two adjacent mutually perpendicular faces, one of which is parallel to the path of car advance, and the other of which is perpendicular to and faces away from the path of car advance, and wherein said first and second brush support means of each side brush assembly are respectively secured pivotally to said two faces of their respectively associated members, and are detachably interconnected with the respective brush positioning means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising top brush means pivotally supported by said frame means for cleaning the top surface of the car, said top brush means including a brush, two spaced apart arms rotatively supporting said brush for rotational movement about a generally horizontal axis, said arms being of angular configurations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising fluid applicator means for applying washing fluid to the car surfaces and said brushes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
154 words
A side brush assembly for car wash apparatus, comprising: two rotatable brushes; first and second commonly pivoted brush support means respectively pivotally supporting said brushes such that each can swing independently; first and second brush positioning means respectively exerting controlled rotational effort upon and independently swinging said first and second brush support means such that substantially constant brush contact pressure is applied to cars of varying widths, said first brush positioning means being further operable for continuously exerting rotational effort to swing said first brush support means toward an extended position; and control means including position sensor means responsive to the position of said first brush support means for operating said second brush positioning means to swing said second brush support means toward an extended position; said second brush positioning means being further operable to swing said second brush support means in a reverse direction toward a retracted position upon reaching its extended position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
A side brush assembly for car wash apparatus, comprising: two rotatable brushes; first and second commonly pivoted brush support means respectively pivotally supporting said brushes such that each can swing independently; first and second brush positioning means respectively exerting controlled rotational effort upon and independently swinging said first and second brush support means such that substantially constant brush contact pressure is applied to cars of varying widths, said first brush positioning means being further operable for continuously exerting rotational effort to swing said first brush support means toward an extended position; and control means including position sensor means responsive to the position of said first brush support means for operating said second brush positioning means to swing said second brush support means toward an extended position; said second brush positioning means being further operable to swing said second brush support means in a reverse direction toward a retracted position upon reaching its extended position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The brush assembly of claim 8, wherein said first and second brush support means each comprises two vertically spaced apart rigidly interconnected arms rotatably supporting a respective one of said brushes therebetween for rotational movement about a generally vertical axis, and brush drive means connected directly with the one brush along said axis for moving it rotatively about said axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The brush assembly of claim 8, wherein said first brush positioning means comprises reciprocative powered operator means continuously operable toward an extended position, said second brush positioning means comprising reciprocative powered operator means operable first toward an extended position and then toward a contracted position upon reaching its extended position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The brush assembly of claim 8, further comprising fluid applicator means for applying washing fluid to the car surfaces and said two brushes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The brush assembly of claim 8, further comprising a common vertical member pivotally supporting said first and second brush support means, said member including two adjacent mutually perpendicular surfaces to which said first and second brush support means are respectively secured pivotally, and further comprising means detachably interconnecting said second brush support means and said second brush positioning means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The brush assembly of claim 8, wherein said first and second brush support means each comprises two vertically spaced apart rigidly interconnected arms of angular configurations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
163 words
Car wash apparatus, comprising: movable brush means for contacting the side and end surfaces of a car as it is advanced through a washing station, said brush means including a first brush mounted for pivotal movement along an arcuate path with respect to a first pivot located adjacent one side of the washing station, and a second brush mounted for pivotal movement with respect to a second pivot located adjacent the opposite side of the washing station in direct opposition to said first pivot, along an arcuate path which overlaps the path of movement of said first brush; and brush control means for causing said first and second brushes to move simultaneously in controlled sequence toward adjacent washing positions, and then causing one of said brushes to move relatively away from its washing position while simultaneously therewith moving the other of said brushes into an overlapping washing position for a sufficient distance to provide complete washing coverage of the rear end car surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
163 words
Car wash apparatus, comprising: movable brush means for contacting the side and end surfaces of a car as it is advanced through a washing station, said brush means including a first brush mounted for pivotal movement along an arcuate path with respect to a first pivot located adjacent one side of the washing station, and a second brush mounted for pivotal movement with respect to a second pivot located adjacent the opposite side of the washing station in direct opposition to said first pivot, along an arcuate path which overlaps the path of movement of said first brush; and brush control means for causing said first and second brushes to move simultaneously in controlled sequence toward adjacent washing positions, and then causing one of said brushes to move relatively away from its washing position while simultaneously therewith moving the other of said brushes into an overlapping washing position for a sufficient distance to provide complete washing coverage of the rear end car surfaces.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |