Vehicle washing system having a contour-following brush with a brush rotational axis deflectable in both horizontal and vertical planes

Claim 1

A vehicle washing system including a contour-following rotating brush for washing horizontal, vertical or inclined surfaces on a vehicle driven along a path located in proximity to said system, said system comprising: a. a brush assembly having a length and including i. a brush having a rotational axis; ii. means for rotating said brush about the rotational axis; iii. a brush assembly pivot point located at an intermediate position along the length of said brush assembly; b. brush assembly suspension means for enabling said brush assembly to be angularly deflected in both vertical and horizontal planes, including i. a vertical support element positioned in proximity to said path; ii. brush assembly standoff means for pivotally coupling said brush assembly to said vertical support element at a predetermined elevation, including A. horizontal pivot means for pivotally coupling a first section of said standoff means to said vertical support element to permit angular deflection of said standoff means with respect to said vertical support element in a substantially horizontal plane; B. vertical pivot means spaced apart from said horizontal pivot means for pivotally coupling a second section of said standoff means to said brush assembly pivot point to permit angular deflection of said brush assembly with respect to said vertical support element within a substantially vertical plane; C. horizontal axis biasing means for biasing said horizontal pivot means and said brush assembly away from the path of said vehicle; D. Vertical axis biasing means for biasing said vertical pivot means and said brush assembly downward to maintain contact between said rotating brush and said vehicle; and c. said brush rotating means rotating said brush in a direction which produces a reaction force between said brush and a vertical surface of said vehicle such that the brush to vehicle surface reaction force opposes the downward biasing force of said vertical axis biasing means and causes upward deflection of the brush rotational axis as said vertical vehicle surface engages said brush; whereby the rotational axis of said brush is deflected in both the vertical and horizontal planes in response to relative movement between said vehicle and said system to maintain a firm but yieldable contact between said rotating brush and said vehicle.