US5188293A — Fluid applicating and vehicle washing apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 68 words

A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: a) a plurality of fluid delivery nozzles directed to spray fluid in a clustered pattern in parallel directions towards the vehicle and, b) a first means for rotating said plurality of nozzles about an axis generally parallel to, but at an angle with, the direction of fluid delivery from the nozzles, thus changing said direction of spray relative to the vehicle being washed.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 68 words

A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: a) a plurality of fluid delivery nozzles directed to spray fluid in a clustered pattern in parallel directions towards the vehicle and, b) a first means for rotating said plurality of nozzles about an axis generally parallel to, but at an angle with, the direction of fluid delivery from the nozzles, thus changing said direction of spray relative to the vehicle being washed.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The vehicle washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of fluid delivery nozzles comprise zero degree nozzles.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

The vehicle washing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising mounting means comprising a hinged axis such that reactive forces caused by fluid exiting said fluid delivery nozzles cause said axis of rotation to pivot about said hinged axis in a reciprocating fashion.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 25 words

The vehicle washing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second means for changing the angular relationship between the axis of rotation and the vehicle.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 37 words

The vehicle washing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second means comprises a mounting for said plurality of fluid delivery nozzles including a pivot point spaced from the line of force generated from fluid existing said nozzles.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 81 words

A fluid delivery apparatus comprising: a) a central pipe with an extension pipe secured in a fixed relation to one end thereof, the longitudinal axis of the central pipe forming a fixed angle with the longitudinal axis of the extension pipe of between about 5° and about 20°; b) means for supplying fluid to said central pipe; c) means for rotating said extension pipe about its longitudinal axis; and d) a plurality of fluid delivery nozzles secured to said central pipe.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 81 words

A fluid delivery apparatus comprising: a) a central pipe with an extension pipe secured in a fixed relation to one end thereof, the longitudinal axis of the central pipe forming a fixed angle with the longitudinal axis of the extension pipe of between about 5° and about 20°; b) means for supplying fluid to said central pipe; c) means for rotating said extension pipe about its longitudinal axis; and d) a plurality of fluid delivery nozzles secured to said central pipe.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 32 words

The fluid delivery apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for supplying fluid so said central pipe comprises said extension pipe coupled to a rotary joint having a fluid supply connected thereto.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

The fluid delivery apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for rotating said extension pipe comprises a hydraulic motor coupled to said extension pipe through said rotary joint.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 27 words

The fluid delivery apparatus of claim 5 wherein said fluid delivery nozzles are attached to the outside surface of said central pipe in a generally helical pattern.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 25 words

The fluid delivery apparatus of claim 5 wherein said fluid delivery nozzles are attached to a head mounted on the end of said central pipe.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 17 words

The fluid delivery apparatus of claim 5 wherein the fluid delivery nozzles comprise at least four nozzles.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 37 words

The fluid delivery apparatus of claim 8 wherein the plurality of fluid delivery nozzles are mounted on 90° elbows extending from holes located about the surface of the central pipe, said holes comprising a generally helical pattern.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 19 words

The fluid delivery apparatus of claim 12 wherein the plurality of nozzles comprise a plurality of zero degree nozzles.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 81 words

A process for washing a vehicle comprising the steps of: a) providing a plurality of zero degree fluid delivery nozzles mounted on a means so as to spray fluid on said vehicle in a clustered spray pattern wherein each of the sprays impinges on the surface of the vehicle within about two inches of another spray in the cluster impinging on the vehicle surface; and b) moving said nozzle mounting means in a circular pattern while providing fluid to said nozzles.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 81 words

A process for washing a vehicle comprising the steps of: a) providing a plurality of zero degree fluid delivery nozzles mounted on a means so as to spray fluid on said vehicle in a clustered spray pattern wherein each of the sprays impinges on the surface of the vehicle within about two inches of another spray in the cluster impinging on the vehicle surface; and b) moving said nozzle mounting means in a circular pattern while providing fluid to said nozzles.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 26 words

The process of claim 14 wherein the vehicle is selected from the group consisting of automobiles, trucks, locomotives and other rail road cars, boats and airplanes.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 75 words

The process of claim 14 wherein: a) the vehicle being washed and the nozzle mounting means are moved relative to each other; b) the vehicle has protruding structural members which have two-sided surfaces to be washed, said surfaces each extending generally perpendicular to said direction of movement; and c) the pattern and speed of moving said nozzle mounting means allows fluid from each of the plurality of nozzles to impinge on both of said surfaces.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 28 words

The process of claim 14 wherein each of the sprays of fluid is within about one inch or less of at least two other sprays in the cluster.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 72 words

A fluid deliver apparatus comprising a central pipe, a means for supplying fluid to said central pipe and a plurality of fluid delivery nozzles, each attached to a 90° elbow extending from a hole located on the surface of said central pipe, said holes being arranged in a generally helical pattern, wherein the elbows are all arranged so that the nozzles spray fluid in a direction generally parallel with said central pipe.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 72 words

A fluid deliver apparatus comprising a central pipe, a means for supplying fluid to said central pipe and a plurality of fluid delivery nozzles, each attached to a 90° elbow extending from a hole located on the surface of said central pipe, said holes being arranged in a generally helical pattern, wherein the elbows are all arranged so that the nozzles spray fluid in a direction generally parallel with said central pipe.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

The fluid delivery apparatus of claim 18 wherein the plurality of nozzles comprise at least four nozzles.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 19 words

The fluid delivery apparatus of claim 18 wherein the plurality of nozzles comprises a plurality of zero degree nozzles.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 62 words

A vehicle washing apparatus comprising at least four zero degree nozzles with each of said nozzles configured and positioned so as to spray a solid stream of fluid in a direction parallel to the stream from each of the other nozzles and in a clustered spray pattern wherein each of the sprays is within two inches of another spray in the cluster.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 62 words

A vehicle washing apparatus comprising at least four zero degree nozzles with each of said nozzles configured and positioned so as to spray a solid stream of fluid in a direction parallel to the stream from each of the other nozzles and in a clustered spray pattern wherein each of the sprays is within two inches of another spray in the cluster.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 29 words

The fluid delivery apparatus of claim 21 wherein the nozzles are positioned such that each of the sprays is within about one inch of another spray in the cluster.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 30 words

The fluid delivery apparatus of claim 22 wherein the nozzles are positioned such that each of the sprays is within about one inch of two other sprays in the cluster.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 24 words

The fluid delivery apparatus of claim 21 comprising eight nozzles configured in a ring arrangement, the ring having a diameter of about 3 inches.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 86 words

A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: a) at least four zero degree nozzles with each of said nozzles positioned so as to spray fluid in a direction parallel to each of the other nozzles and in a clustered spray pattern wherein each of the sprays is within about two inches of another spray in the cluster, the nozzles being mounted so as to rotate about an axis intersecting the vehicle; and b) a means for changing the angular relationship between the axis of rotation and the vehicle.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 86 words

A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: a) at least four zero degree nozzles with each of said nozzles positioned so as to spray fluid in a direction parallel to each of the other nozzles and in a clustered spray pattern wherein each of the sprays is within about two inches of another spray in the cluster, the nozzles being mounted so as to rotate about an axis intersecting the vehicle; and b) a means for changing the angular relationship between the axis of rotation and the vehicle.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-02-23	1996-08-24	1997-02-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-02-23	2000-08-24	2001-02-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-02-23	2004-08-24	2005-02-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Fluid applicating and vehicle washing apparatus

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