US4589160A — Apparatus for stripping fluids including dimensio…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 314 words

An apparatus (10) for stripping fluid from the surface of a vehicle (26) as the vehicle (26) is conveyed along a path through a car wash comprising: an air distributor (18); a plurality of dimensionally stable and substantially rigid ducts (12) defining a forward entrance along the vehicle path and a rear exit, said ducts (12) supported from said air distributor (18) in an array along the path of the vehicle (26) to strip fluid from the top and side surfaces of the vehicle (26), each of said ducts (12) including an inlet end (14) for introducing air under pressure into said duct (12) and a nozzle end (16,16') of smaller cross sectional area than said inlet end (14) spaced apart from said inlet end (14) for emitting a stream of air; and flexible joint means connecting said duct (12) to said air distributor (18) for allowing hinging movement of said duct (12) substantially along a single axis from a neutral extending position to a flexed position relative to said air distributor (18) in response to said nozzle end (16,16') following the contour of the surface of the vehicle (26), said ducts (12) being inflexible self supporting from said flexible joint means, each of said ducts (12) being substantially rectangular in cross section, said duct (12) including spaced and substantially parallel forward facing and rear facing panels (28,30) having a first transverse dimension and two spaced side panels (32,34) having a second transverse dimension and interconnecting said forward and rear panels (28,30), said first transverse dimension of said forward and rear panels (28,30) being greater than said second transverse dimension of said side panels (32,34), said assembly (10) further including expansion preventing means for preventing said forward and rear panels (28,30) from being forced apart by the flow of pressurized fluid therebetween to maintain said forward and rear panels (28,30) in spaced parallel relationship.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 314 words

An apparatus (10) for stripping fluid from the surface of a vehicle (26) as the vehicle (26) is conveyed along a path through a car wash comprising: an air distributor (18); a plurality of dimensionally stable and substantially rigid ducts (12) defining a forward entrance along the vehicle path and a rear exit, said ducts (12) supported from said air distributor (18) in an array along the path of the vehicle (26) to strip fluid from the top and side surfaces of the vehicle (26), each of said ducts (12) including an inlet end (14) for introducing air under pressure into said duct (12) and a nozzle end (16,16') of smaller cross sectional area than said inlet end (14) spaced apart from said inlet end (14) for emitting a stream of air; and flexible joint means connecting said duct (12) to said air distributor (18) for allowing hinging movement of said duct (12) substantially along a single axis from a neutral extending position to a flexed position relative to said air distributor (18) in response to said nozzle end (16,16') following the contour of the surface of the vehicle (26), said ducts (12) being inflexible self supporting from said flexible joint means, each of said ducts (12) being substantially rectangular in cross section, said duct (12) including spaced and substantially parallel forward facing and rear facing panels (28,30) having a first transverse dimension and two spaced side panels (32,34) having a second transverse dimension and interconnecting said forward and rear panels (28,30), said first transverse dimension of said forward and rear panels (28,30) being greater than said second transverse dimension of said side panels (32,34), said assembly (10) further including expansion preventing means for preventing said forward and rear panels (28,30) from being forced apart by the flow of pressurized fluid therebetween to maintain said forward and rear panels (28,30) in spaced parallel relationship.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 32 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said expansion preventing means including a plurality of stringers (35) interconnecting said forward and rear panels (28,30) within said ducts (12).

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by said stringers (35) being integrally connected to said forward and rear panels (28,30).

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 115 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said flexible joint means including a bellows member (36) having an inlet connected to said air distributor (18) and an outlet connected to said inlet end (14) of said duct (12) for the flow of air therebetween, said bellows member (36) having a nonexpandable forward wall (40) operatively connected to said forward panel (30) and pleated side and rear walls (42,44) operatively connected to said side and rear panels, (28,32,34) respectively, said side and rear walls (42,44) being collapsible in response to the force of a passing object (26) engaging said nozzle end (16,16') to pivot said duct (12) about said forward wall (40).

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 51 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by said side panels (32,34) of said duct (12) having side edges operatively connected to respective ones of said side walls (42) of said bellows members (36), said edge tapering inwardly from said front panel (40) towards said rear panel (44).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 59 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said air distributor (18) including a substantially rectangular duct (38) having front and rear walls and side walls therebetween, said side walls of said duct (38) having an edge (41) operatively connected to said bellows member (36) and tapering inwardly from said front wall to said rear wall.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 47 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 6 further characterized by said edge (41) of said duct (38) and said edge of said side panels (32,34) of said duct (12) defining a joint which pivots approximately 90° about said forward wall (40) of said bellows member (36).

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by including clamping means for sealingly clamping said bellows members (36) to said assembly.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 95 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 8 further characterized by said panels (28,30,32,34) of said duct (12) including a substantially C-shaped flanged portion (47) extending outwardly from each end therefrom, said bellows member (36) including an oppositely opposed C-shaped flange portion (45) extending outwardly therefrom, said clamping means including a compressible rod member (46) disposed between said C-shaped flange portions (45,47) and a C-shaped slide clamp (48) disposed over said C-shaped portions (45,47) of said bellows member (36) and said duct (12) to sealingly clamp said C-shaped portions (45,47) about said rod member (46).

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 136 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 9 further characterized by said bellows members (36) including a second C-shaped flange portion (52) extending outwardly from the other end thereof, said duct (38) including a flange (48) extending outwardly therefrom, said flange including a bulge extending along said flange and having an annular outer surface when viewed in cross section, said clamping means including a compressible rod member (50) disposed between said second C-shaped flanged portion (52) of said bellows member (36) and said flange (48) of said duct (38), said clamping means further including a C-shaped slide clamp (54) disposed over said arcuate surfaces of said duct flange (48) and about said second C-shaped flange portions (52) to sealingly clamp said flanges (48,52) of said duct (38) and bellows member (36) about said rod member (50).

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 10 further characterized by said rods (50) being made of sponge rubber.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 55 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by including a plurality of joint means disposed along said ducts (12) at successively greater distances from said air distributor (18), each of said distances defining a progressively greater moment arm relative to said joint means most proximately disposed relative to said air distributor (18).

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 69 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 12 further characterized by at least one of said duct assemblies including a plurality of said joint means (36) spaced along said duct assembly at predetermined distances from said air distributor (18) to completely hinge each of said joint means sequentially from said joint means most proximate to said support means to said joint means most distal from said air distributor (18).

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 54 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 13 further characterized by said joint means including a plurality of bellows members (36), each of said bellows members (36) having a nonexpandable forward wall (40) and expandable side and rear walls (42, 44), said nonexpandable forward wall (40) defining a hinging axis of said duct (12).

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 60 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 14 further characterized by at least one of said duct assemblies including a single duct (12) and a nozzle member (16') and a bellows member (36) operatively connected between said air distributor (18) and said duct (12) and a second bellows members (36') operatively connected between said duct (12) and said nozzle (16').

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 69 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 14 further characterized by said duct assembly including a pair of ducts (12) and a nozzle member (16') and a first bellows (36) operatively connecting one of said ducts (12) to said air distributor (18) and a second bellows (36") operatively connecting said ducts (12) together and a third bellows member (36') operatively connecting said other duct (12) to said nozzle (16').

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 93 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 13 further characterized by means for effecting relative motion between said duct assemblies and the vehicle (26) to be stripped of water thereby defining a relative path of motion and wherein said nozzle opening lies in and across said path of the vehicle (26) as said duct assemblies extend from said air distributor (18) whereby upon relative motion said nozzle end of said duct assembly engages the vehicle (26) to bring the stream of air into close spatial relationship to the surface of the vehicle (26).

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 34 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by each of said ducts (12) comprising a plurality of substantially tubular members (60,60'60") having equal lengths and being connected together along said lengths.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 70 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 18 further characterized by at least some of said tubular members (60) being C-shaped members having two legs (62) and a base portion (64), one of said legs (62) defining a portion said forward panel (28) and the other of said legs (62) defining a portion of said rear panel (30) and each of said base portions (64) defining said expansion preventing means.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 26 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 19 further characterized by each of said legs (62) extending from said base (64) at a right angle corner.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 78 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 20 further characterized by said duct (12) including a plurality of said C-shaped members having the legs (62) of one C-shaped member connected to the base (64) of the next adjacent C-shaped member, said duct (12) including a cover member (68) connected to the legs (62) of the most peripheral C-shaped member to form a closed tubular member therewith thereby defining said duct (12) including said plurality of tubular members (60).

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 25 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 18 further characterized by each of said tubular members (60,60') being substantially rectangular when viewed in cross section.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 22 further characterized by said tubular members (60) being connected together in side-by-side relationship.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 59 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 22 further characterized by said tubular members (60') being connected together in two rows, said duct (12) formed thereby including a plurality of said walls (64') extending between said forward and rear panels (28,32) defining said expansion preventing means and a second plurality of walls (70) extending between said side panels (32,34).

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 22 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 18 further characterized by said tubular members (60") being round when viewed in cross section.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 22 words

An assembly as set forth in claim 25 further characterized by said tubular members (60") being connected together in a single row.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 198 words

A duct (12) for use as an air distributor comprising: a dimensionally stable and rigid body portion; an inlet end (14) for introducing fluid under pressure into said duct (12); an outer end (16,16') for emitting the stream of fluid from said duct; and flexible joint means (36) for connecting said duct (12) to an air distributor (18) and for allowing hinging movement of said duct (12) substantially along a single axis from a neutral extended position to a flexed position relative to the support structure (20), said duct (12) being substantially rectangular in cross section, said duct (12) including spaced and substantially parallel forward facing and rear facing panels (28,30) each having a first transverse dimension and two spaced side panels (32,34) each having a second transverse dimension and interconnecting said forward and rear panels (28,30), said first transverse dimension of said forward and rear panels (28,30) being greater than said second transverse dimension of said side panels (32,34), said assembly further including expansion preventing means for preventing said forward and rear panels (28,30) from being forced apart by the flow of pressurized fluid therebetween to maintain said forward and rear panels (28,30) in spaced parallel relationship.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 198 words

A duct (12) for use as an air distributor comprising: a dimensionally stable and rigid body portion; an inlet end (14) for introducing fluid under pressure into said duct (12); an outer end (16,16') for emitting the stream of fluid from said duct; and flexible joint means (36) for connecting said duct (12) to an air distributor (18) and for allowing hinging movement of said duct (12) substantially along a single axis from a neutral extended position to a flexed position relative to the support structure (20), said duct (12) being substantially rectangular in cross section, said duct (12) including spaced and substantially parallel forward facing and rear facing panels (28,30) each having a first transverse dimension and two spaced side panels (32,34) each having a second transverse dimension and interconnecting said forward and rear panels (28,30), said first transverse dimension of said forward and rear panels (28,30) being greater than said second transverse dimension of said side panels (32,34), said assembly further including expansion preventing means for preventing said forward and rear panels (28,30) from being forced apart by the flow of pressurized fluid therebetween to maintain said forward and rear panels (28,30) in spaced parallel relationship.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 33 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 27 further characterized by said expansion preventing means including a plurality of stringers (35) interconnecting said forward and rear panels (28,30) within said ducts (12).

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 25 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 28 further characterized by said stringers (35) being integrally connected to said forward and rear panels (28,30).

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 52 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 29 further characterized by said side panels (34) of said duct (12) having side edges operatively connected to respective ones of said side walls (42) of said bellows members (36), said edges tapering inwardly from said front panel (40) towards said rear panel (44).

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 30 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 27 further characterized by including a substantially C-shaped flange (47) extending about said inlet end and said outlet end and outwardly therefrom.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 30 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 27 further characterized by comprising a plurality of substantially tubular members (60,60',60") having equal lengths and being connected together along said lengths.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 70 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 32 further characterized by at least some of said tubular members (60) being C-shaped member having two legs (62) and a base portion (64), one of said legs (62) defining a portion said forward panel (28) and the other of said legs (62) defining a portion of said rear panel (30) and each of said base portions (64) defining expansion preventing means.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 27 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 33 further characterized by each of said legs (62) extending from said base (64) at a right angle corner.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 79 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 34 further characterized by said duct (12) including a plurality of said C-shaped members having the legs (62) of one C-shaped member connected to the base (64) of the next adjacent C-shaped member, said duct (12) including a cover member (68) connected to the ducts (62) of the most peripheral C-shaped member to form a closed tubular member therewith thereby defining said duct (12) including said plurality of tubular members (60).

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 26 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 32 further characterized by each of said tubular members (60,60') being substantially rectangular when viewed in cross section.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 60 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 36 further characterized by said tubular members (60') being connected together in two rows, said duct (12) formed thereby including a plurality of said walls (64') extending between said forward and rear panels (28,32) defining said expansion preventing means and a second plurality of walls (70) extending between said side panels (32,34).

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 23 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 32 further characterized by said tubular members (60) being connected together in a single row.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 23 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 32 further characterized by said tubular members (60") being round when viewed in cross section.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 23 words

A duct (12) as set forth in claim 39 further characterized by said tubular members (60) being connected together in a single row.

Claim 43

Independent Claim 299 words

An apparatus (10) for stripping fluid from the surface of an object as the object is conveyed along a path below said apparatus, said apparatus (10) comprising: an air distributor (18); a plurality of dimensionally stable and substantially rigid ducts (12), said ducts (12) being suspended from said air distributor (18) in a downward direction towards the path of the object to strip fluid from the surface of the object, each of the ducts (12) including an inlet end (14) for introducing air under pressure into said duct (12) and a nozzle end (16,16') of smaller cross sectional area than said inlet end (14) spaced apart from said inlet end (14) for emitting a stream of air; and flexible joint means connecting said duct (12) to said air distributor (18) for allowing hinging movement of said duct (12) substantially along a signle axis from a neutral extended position to a flexed position relative to said air distributor (18) in response to said nozzle end (16,16') following the contour of the surface of the object (26), said ducts (12) being inflexible self supporting from said flexible joint means, each of said ducts (12) being substantially rectangular in cross section, said duct (12) including spaced and substantially parallel forward facing and rear facing panels (28,30) having a first transverse dimension and two spaced side panels (32,34) having a second transverse dimension and interconnecting said forward and rear panels (28,30), said first transverse dimension of said forward and rear panels (28,30) being greater than said second transverse dimension of said side panels (32,34), said assembly (10) further including expansion preventing means for preventing said forward and rear panels (28,30) from being forced apart by the flow of pressurized fluid therebetween to maintain said forward and rear panels (28,30) in spaced parallel relationship.

Claim 44

Independent Claim 299 words

An apparatus (10) for stripping fluid from the surface of an object as the object is conveyed along a path below said apparatus, said apparatus (10) comprising: an air distributor (18); a plurality of dimensionally stable and substantially rigid ducts (12), said ducts (12) being suspended from said air distributor (18) in a downward direction towards the path of the object to strip fluid from the surface of the object, each of the ducts (12) including an inlet end (14) for introducing air under pressure into said duct (12) and a nozzle end (16,16') of smaller cross sectional area than said inlet end (14) spaced apart from said inlet end (14) for emitting a stream of air; and flexible joint means connecting said duct (12) to said air distributor (18) for allowing hinging movement of said duct (12) substantially along a signle axis from a neutral extended position to a flexed position relative to said air distributor (18) in response to said nozzle end (16,16') following the contour of the surface of the object (26), said ducts (12) being inflexible self supporting from said flexible joint means, each of said ducts (12) being substantially rectangular in cross section, said duct (12) including spaced and substantially parallel forward facing and rear facing panels (28,30) having a first transverse dimension and two spaced side panels (32,34) having a second transverse dimension and interconnecting said forward and rear panels (28,30), said first transverse dimension of said forward and rear panels (28,30) being greater than said second transverse dimension of said side panels (32,34), said assembly (10) further including expansion preventing means for preventing said forward and rear panels (28,30) from being forced apart by the flow of pressurized fluid therebetween to maintain said forward and rear panels (28,30) in spaced parallel relationship.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1989-05-19	1989-11-18	1990-05-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1993-05-19	1993-11-18	1994-05-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1997-05-19	1997-11-18	1998-05-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for stripping fluids including dimensionally stable and substantially rigid bag

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