U.S. patent number 3,775,799 [Application Number 05/268,622] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-04 for car-wash installations.
Invention is credited to Willis Robert Dunkley, Jr., Wilburn D. Talbot.
United States Patent |
3,775,799 |
Talbot , et al. |
December 4, 1973 |
CAR-WASH INSTALLATIONS
Abstract
Improvements in car-wash installations wherein a track
comprising contiguous J and L sections form a geometric figure
similar to a rectangle having rounded corners, but which is open at
one corner and a leg of which extends therebeyond for proper
storage of the washing equipment. A wash, rinse-and-wax unit,
hereinafter simply referred to as a "wash unit," travels about the
track structure and, by its design, accommodates essentially all
sizes of automobiles. The revolving side-brush structure associated
with the wash unit is dragged or pulled, while in its revolving
condition, about the periphery of a small car or compact, and this
in both directions of travel relative to the wash and rinse cycle
portions. For larger cars the revolving side-brush is alternately
pulled by the wash unit during the wash portion of the cycle and
then is pushed or leads the wash unit during the return portion of
the cycle when the car is rinsed or rinsed-and-waxed. The system is
designed such that water is sprayed at all times upon the vehicle,
and the top and side-revolving brushes are in continuous motion.
The side-brush structure is pivoted about a vertical axis so as to
accommodate both lead and lag positions relative to the car-wash
function. The track rails and cooperating roller unit guide the
wash unit in its path about the vehicle. Numerous advantages are
presented in the structure relating to the travel of the wash unit
as well as the function and structure of the side-brush or brushes,
the rail and travelling roller feature, counter-weighting, and so
forth.
Inventors: |
Talbot; Wilburn D. (Orem,
UT), Dunkley, Jr.; Willis Robert (Taylorsville, UT) |
Family
ID: |
23023788 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/268,622 |
Filed: |
July 3, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/53.2;
15/DIG.2; 134/123 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60S
3/06 (20130101); Y10S 15/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60S
3/06 (20060101); B60s 003/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/DIG.2,21D,21E,53,97,4 ;134/123,45 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Roberts; Edward L.
Claims
We claim:
1. In a car-wash installation, track structure having a J-portion
and an L-portion contiguous therewith and forming an essentially
rectangular configuration having an open corner, a leg of said
L-portion having an extremity extending laterally beyond said
corner, and an operating brush and spray unit cooperatively mounted
to said track structure and having means for powering the same
therealong in forward and reverse directions respectively from and
back toward said extremity as a point of origin and unit
storage.
2. The installation of claim 1 wherein said track structure
includes three interior rounded corners.
3. The installation of claim 1 wherein said unit includes wheel
means for enabling said unit to be rolled along a supporting
surface, and means for powering said unit over such supporting
surface.
4. The installation of claim 1 wherein said track structure is of
split construction having a guide slot, and means slideably
disposed within said guide slot and protruding through said guide
slot for connecting to said unit.
5. The installation of claim 4 wherein track structure has an
undercut interior, said connecting means including a block
slideably disposed within said track structure and a shaft
upstanding from said block, and roller means journaled upon said
shaft and rollingly engaging said track structure at said slot.
6. The installation of claim 1 wherein said unit includes a
laterally and inwardly extending arm structure provided with and
carrying a revolvable side-brush structure, and means for revolving
said side-brush structure connected thereto.
7. The installation of claim 6 wherein said unit includes pivot
means for pivoting said arm structure about a vertical axis, and
spring means connected to said unit and also to said arm structure
for retaining said arm structure in a normal, laterally outward
position and also, alternatively, for supplying a spring-thrust to
said side-brush structure for both lead and lag side-brush
structure positions relative to unit travel direction in response
to car engagement thereby.
8. The installation of claim 6 wherein said unit includes upper arm
structure disposed over said arm structure and including an
inwardly extending arm, spray structure attached to the latter, and
revolvable top-brush means also mounted and, specifically,
journaled thereto, and means for powering said top-brush means
connected thereto.
9. In a car-wash installation, an improvement comprising a
generally loop-configured track having respective extremities
mutually spaced, one of said extremities extending laterally,
outwardly beyond the other extremity and constituting a spray unit
storage area; a spray unit mounted to said track for travel
forwardly from storage area and then, reversing direction, back to
said storage area; means for so powering said spray unit along said
track, said spray unit having upper and lower, respectively fixed
and vertically pivoted arm structures; spray means and revolvable
top-brush structure carried by said upper arm structure; revolvable
side-brush structure carried by said lower arm structure, and
spring means for spring biasing said side-brush structure toward
and against a vehicle being washed in both lead and lag positions
of said side-brush structure relative to the direction of spray
unit travel.
10. The car-wash installation of claim 9 wherein said installation
includes shock absorber structure disposed in shunting relationship
across said spring means.
Description
The present invention relates to car-wash installations and, more
particularly, to improvements in such installations, by way of
accommodating structures, wherein a vehicle such as an automobile
is washed by a wash and rinse unit that travels about a track of
unique configurement.
The present system is designed to be a low cost system intended for
bays wherein the wash and rinse cycles are effectuated for vehicles
at rest position. Thus, it is the wash and rinse unit, hereinafter
referred to as the "wash unit," which travels about a track
essentially circumscribing the parked vehicle, so as to clean the
same.
Important features of the invention include the concept of having a
travel track for the wash unit which resembles a rectangle, having
essentially rounded corners, and forming in the aggregate an L
portion contiguous with a J portion thereof. The ends of the track
structure are not connected but rather are spaced apart, and one
portion of the track, namely a leg of the L, is elongated laterally
beyond the remaining, returning extremity of the track.
Accordingly, in the present invention the wash unit carries the
side and top-brush structures which preferably continuously revolve
during the wash and rinse cycle portions. The side-brush is carried
by a pivoted arm structure that is suitably spring tensioned so
that the side-brush is disposed in a central position, nominally,
but is capable of thrusting against a vehicle being washed during
both lead and lag positions. For small cars, such as many foreign
makes including Volkswagens, the side-brush is pulled or trails the
wash unit in its travel during the wash cycle portion and also
during the rinse cycle portion. For large automobiles, in contrast,
the revolving side-brush structure is pulled or dragged forwardly
by the wash unit during the wash portion of the cycle, and then
leads or is pushed in the reverse direction as the automobile is
being rinsed-and-waxed. Structure is provided for incorporating
chains or other drives for the top rollers, such drives preferably
being encased in single housing structure. Exposed elements of the
structure are either camium or nickle-plated, or include stainless
steel covers. Guide structure is operably associated with the wash
unit such that the same follows or is constrained by the pattern
configuration of the track with which it is operably associated.
Thus, one or preferably a pair of top-brushes clean the top of the
vehicle being washed whereas the side-brush cleans the back, front
and side areas of the vehicle.
Tension spring means is provided for exerting a thrusting force
upon the side-brushes, whether in leading or lagging condition
relative to the wash unit, and also for returning the same in a
nominal central position in the absence of contact by the
side-brush structure with a vehicle. Safety features are provided
in the co-action between the guide or follower of the wash unit and
the roller structure. Roller means is also incorporated for
positioning between and in coaction with the oppositely facing
edges of the split track structure used. Switch means is provided
for starting the cycle as well as for reversing the wash unit at
its forward extremity of travel and then of stopping the unit as it
reaches its rest or original position. Appropriate drive means are
utilized in connection with the brushes such that the drive means
are actually incorporated in the moving wash unit structure.
Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved car-wash installation.
An additional object is to provide improvements in car-wash
installations.
A further object is to provide a car-wash installation wherein the
wash and rinse structure travels about a parked vehicle being
washed.
An additional object is to provide travelling car-wash and rinse
structure wherein the essential side-brushes are dragged or pulled
across the side surfaces of the vehicle when the same is of
relatively small dimension, and, alternatively, for effecting a
pull-push function in the event that large vehicles are being
washed.
A further object is to provide a travelling wash unit for
car-washes wherein the same follows a predetermined track
pattern.
An additional object is to provide a car-wash installation of a
travelling wash unit type, a track structure essentially resembling
a rectangle but one corner of which is open, an extension of one
extremity extending laterally beyond the leg of the remaining
extremity.
A further object is to provide a track pattern for revolving wash
units in car-washes wherein the travelling wash unit, including
essential roller, is stored conveniently out of the way at rest
position and in a manner such that the side-brushes cannot
inadvertently engage a vehicle driving to the required area within
the track.
A further object is to provide a unique track for travelling
car-wash units wherein both wash and rinse functions, as well as
out-of-the-way storage, can be effected.
A further object is to provide for counter-weighting and/or safety
features in connection with the wash unit associated with car-wash
installations.
The features of the present invention may best be understood by
reference to the following description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate in plan and in schematic form the basic
car-wash installation of the present invention wherein the track
structure is oriented in a pattern resembling a J portion
contiguous with an L portion, one corner being open and one
extremity being elongated, as indicated; FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate the
forward and also return travel of the wash unit during the complete
wash-rinse or wash, rinse-and-wax cycles for smaller vehicles.
FIGS. 2A-2E are similar to FIGS. 1A-1E but illustrate a larger of
standard size vehicle being washed; thus, in FIG. 1A the small car
is accommodated through a pull-pull operation of the wash unit
relative to wash and rinse cycles, whereas in FIGS. 2A-2E the large
car is accommodated by a pull-push function of the side-brush
structure relative to wash and then rinse cycle.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of reservoir structure including drive
motor and pump, wherein water of desired temperature is stored and
routed ultimately to the spray nozzles of the structures; in FIG. 3
wax and soap compartments are illustrated in addition to water
storage or reservoir structure.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a standard coin box utilized in
connection with the present invention; a coin box is a
conventional, off-the-shelf item and forms no part of the present
invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of vehicle wheel guide rails and
switch structure associated therewith, wherein a vehicle may be
guided to a proper position or area within track configuration and,
by the switch structure illustrated, be operative in conjunction
with the coin box to commence the wash portion of the cycle once
the vehicle is at rest over the switch structure.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, side view of the travelling wash unit of the
invention, the same illustrating both top-brushes as well as a
revolving side-brush structure; the latter is pivoted and spring
tensioned for purposes hereinafter set forth.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the framework structure of FIG. 6,
illustrating simply the manner of attachment of the spray nozzle
equipment to the tubular structure of the wash unit; in FIG. 7
there is shown in fragmentary view the water conduit leading to the
swivel and pivot connections within the structural bay
accommodating the wash unit.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the frame structure of
FIG. 7, illustrating the structure which the wash unit is keyed to
the track structure.
FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 and illustrates the guide roller and
safety structure of the wash unit as the same operates with the
track rail structure; FIG. 9 is shown in transverse section for
convenience of illustration.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the side arm
structure of the wash unit in FIG. 6, the same illustrating the
channel members by which a representative one of the two
top-brushes may be revolvably attached to the channel and arm
structure; adjustment and locking means are also provided as seen
in FIG. 10, illustrating that the disposition or placement of the
top-brushes may be adjusted for drive or other purposes.
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the central reel structures of the
top-brushes and illustrates the structure and means of drive of
such top-brushes by the motor provided the fixed top arm of the
travelling wash unit.
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view showing, principally in
section, a clutch mechanism of conventional form that can be
utilized to secure the side-brush structure to its drive shaft.
FIG. 13 is an exploded, fragmentary, perspective illustrating the
makeup of a representative revolving brush, either side or top,
utilizing the invention.
FIG. 14 is a transverse vertical cross-section, in fragmentary
view, illustrating the method of attachment of bristle units to the
core of a respective brush.
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of a track juncture,
illustrating that the track may be formed in sections and joined by
the structure provided; a switch actuating plate is also seen in
this figure and is operative to depress switch arms in their travel
with the wash unit such as to reverse the direction of movement of
the wash unit at one extremity of travel and also to stop the rinse
cycle after the round trip of the wash unit has been completed.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a representative
micro-switch-bracket construction that can be utilized.
FIG. 17 is a combination water flow and electrical schematic of a
representative conventional circuit useable herein.
FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate in schematic view and in plan the general
orientation of track 10 of the invention and the wash unit 11
coacting therewith. Wash unit 11 includes a general arm
construction 12 provided with side-brush 13, and the arm
construction 12 is suitably spring-biased such that the side-brush
13 will engage the side of a representative small car 14. FIG. 1A
illustrates the wash unit 11 in dotted line at 11A, showing the
unit at its start position 0.
In operation, as the wash unit proceeds to the right as shown by
the arrow in FIG. 1A, such unit will travel along track 10 to the
positions shown in the subsequent FIGS., i.e., FIGS. 1B-1E,
illustrating the travel of the wash unit 11 about track 10. When
the position for wash unit 11 is reached as shown in FIG. 1D, then
the arm reverses a position so that during the return travel of
wash unit 11, there will still be a drag or pull of the side-brush
13 relative to the new forward travel of unit 11. It will be noted
throughout the entire progression of the washing and the operating
sequence thereof that the side-brush is pulled forwardly to effect
the washing of the small car 14 disposed medially of the
configuration of track 10. It is seen that track 10 resembles in
configurement the combination of an L portion, identified by L in
FIG. 1E, with a contiguously placed J portion, labeled J also in
FIG. 1E. It is noted that the head 15 of the J portion is spaced by
space S from the leg 16 of the L portion. Furthermore, the leg L
extends to the left a distance beyond the leg 17 of the J portion.
This is important. It will be observed that the unit 11, when at
rest or initial position, is disposed completely out of the way
relative to the track. Thus, an automobile may be drawn into the
central area of track 10 for washing purposes. It is noted that the
wash unit 11 does not proceed uni-directionally around and round
the track. Rather, it commences at its starting point as shown in
dotted configuration in FIG. 1A and proceeds to the end of the
track at E in FIG. 1E; thence it reverses direction as shown by the
arrow indicated in FIG. 1E back to its original position at 0, as
seen in FIGS. 1A and 1E. The circular indications 13 relating to
the side-brush construction, hereinafter referred to in detail,
shall be understood to include the entire revolving brush including
core and bristles. In connection with the washing of the small car
14, however, it must be understood that there will not be a
pressing contact via the core of the side-brush 13 until the wash
unit 11 commences its travel about curve C. At this point the core
under the pressure of the spring-biased arm 12 will thrust against
the rear bumper and rear portion of the car so that there will be a
scrubbing action at this point. Before the wash unit 11 reaches
this travel position, however, then perhaps solely the bristles
themselves will effect some cleansing action even upon the left
rear portion of the vehicle in FIG. 1A. However, as to total
cleansing, reliance is had upon the return trip of wash unit 11,
see FIG. 1D, since there will be, or can be, an engagement of the
bristles or even a thrusting engagement of the core and bristles
upon the left rear portion of the small car.
It must be understood that the category "small car" and "compact"
is very broad. The lengths of small cars can vary from that
typified by current small Volkswagens to somewhat larger
automobiles such as those of a Japanese make. Furthermore, and
depending upon these and other factors, the track 10 itself may be
somewhat elongated in a vertical direction relative to the viewer,
that is, elongated along the longitudinal axis of the track, so as
to accommodate a wide variety of car makes.
In sum, and regardless of the particular size of the small car
being accommodated, it is important to note that there is a
"pull-pull" action of the wash unit relative to the automobile
being washed. Thus, the side-brush is effectively "dragged" about
the car to complete the cleansing action of the same, and such
dragging is effected in both directions of travel. There may or may
not be an actual thrusting engagement of the core of the side-brush
relative to the car at certain areas, this depending upon the size
of the car.
FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate the operating sequence of the track and
car-wash unit in conjunction with the washing of a large car, as
indicated generally at 18. It is seen that the washing at 11 again
starts from its rest position at 0 and proceeds to the right and
around the track so as to wash the car completely, beginning even
at the rear left of the car as seen in FIG. 2A. There is thus
immediately commenced a dragging or pull action upon the revolving
side-brush 13 as the same proceeds in its travel in a
counter-clockwise direction about the car. The wash unit continues
its progress in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D until the
wash unit 11 reverses direction, see FIGS. 2D and 2E. At this point
it is noted that instead of a dragging or a pulling action of the
wash unit relative to the side-brush 13, there is now a pushing
action relative to the side-brush. This is to say, the arm 12 is in
a forward direction relative to the wash unit 11 and the side-brush
13 in essence precedes wash unit 11 in its travel in a clockwise
return direction about the car.
To summarize, for small compact automobiles of varying sizes, there
may be a "pull-pull" action present relative to the pulling or
dragging of side brush 13 about the car in both directions, via its
wash unit 11. In contrast, there is a pull-push action in the
sequence shown in FIGS. 2A-2E relative to the washing and rinsing
of large cars.
FIG. 3 illustrates certain tank structure 19 which may include soap
and wax compartments 20 and 21, respectively. These may be formed
by way of a partition 22; lid 23 is deposited thereover and
includes handles 24 and 25. Soap and wax compartments are provided
with outlets 26 and 27; each of the same will be provided with a
manual metering valve 28 and also a solenoid valve 29. Solenoid
valve 29 is simply of the conventional on-off type, wherein an
electrical circuit selectively opens a general conduit 30 leading
to soap outlet 26 and connecting the same to tee 31 associated with
outlet 32. A corresponding combination of metering valve 28 and
solenoid valve 29 will be operatively associated with wax outlet
27, to offer selective and intermittent communication of the latter
to tee 31, this time by virtue of the inclusion of tee 33 connected
to the leg 34 of main tee 31.
A conventional motor 35 is provided, and is mounted upon framework
36. Pump 37 is likewise mounted on such framework and includes a
drive pulley 38 that is coupled by V-belt 39 to the output pulley
shaft 40 of the motor. The operation of the pump 37 of course is to
increase the output fluid pressure of water received thereby.
Controls will be provided for selectively connecting the wax and,
alternatively, the soap ingredients of respective compartments 20
and 21. Pressure regulator 38' may be inserted into the outlet line
39 of the pump so as to control pump pressure, to act as a safety
device, and so forth.
Thus, outlet conduit 42, provided with the aforementioned pressure
regulator, is immediately equipped to supply water, either alone or
in combination with soap and wax.
This leads to a brief discussion of water tank 43. The water tank
43 acts as a reservoir or reserve tank and is provided with the
usual float valve 44 and outlet 45 leading into the interior of the
tank. Conduit 46 leading to the float valve construction at 44 may
receive hot water coming in. A corresponding "water-in" and float
valve construction at 47, similar to that shown at 44 and 46, can
likewise be provided for the remaining water supply, namely for the
cold tap water. Both incoming water supplies may be provided with a
shut-off valve that can serve as a metering valve for appropriately
mixing the two supplies to obtain the desired temperature. This is
strictly within the purview of the judgement of the operator.
FIG. 3, hence, illustrates structure that may be conveniently
referred to as the power package for the entire system.
FIG. 4 illustrates a conventional coin box 54 provided with upright
standard 55 and base 56. There are numerous coin-operated boxes on
the market, and the design of the same and particular choice
thereof forms no part of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates tire guide rails 57 and 58, both of which may be
conventional and both of which are in standard use of many types of
car wash equipment. These rails 57 and 58 may be disposed in a
position illustrated, by way of suggestion, in FIG. 2B, and these
rails are used simply to guide, by way of example, the left wheels
of the car into appropriate position. Pressure switch 59 may
operate on a toggle principle and is disposed between inclined
ramps 60 and 61, positioned between rails 57 and 58. It is the
pressure of the left front tire that depresses toggle switch 59 and
commences the operating cycle. Starting units such as toggle switch
59 are conventional and form no part of the present invention.
In referring back briefly to FIG. 3, it is noted that there may be
provided an electrical box 62 having suitable electrical equipment
contained therein as shown in sheet 4 of the drawings. The
electrical box 62 may be mounted to the framework 36 by any
conventional means such as nut and bolt attachments.
FIG. 6 illustrates in greater detail wash unit 11 with its
additional equipment. The term "wash unit" as used herein shall
refer to the travelling structure as pointed out in FIGS. 1A-1E and
2A-2E and this even though the "wash unit" in fact performs many
functions, namely wash, rinse and wax. In any event, wash unit 11
includes a central structure 64 includes a super-structure 65
bolted by suitable bolt attachment means 66 to central structure
64.
The super-structure 65 before referenced includes a side-arm
support 67 which is bolted to the central structure 64. Side-arm
support 67 includes a bearing or bearing socket 68 receiving the
lower end of stub shaft 69. Stub shaft 69 is simply welded to or
otherwise integral with cross-arm 70. Cross-arm 70 is hollow at 71
and includes a sprocket chain 72 looped about drive and driven
sprockets 73 and 74, respectively. Drive sprocket 73 is mounted
upon shaft 75 which comprises the outward shaft of gearbox 76
associated with motor 77. The latter may be suitably mounted to the
side-arm by any conventional means. Shaft 78 is journalled in
bearings 79, and the latter is in turn mounted to side-arm 80. It
will be understood that cross-arm 70 and side-arm 80 are in the
same vertical plane, are secured together by cross-brace 81, and
are pivoted, e.g., by stub shaft 82 to bearing 83. Bearing 83
mounts upon a bracket plate 84, see FIG. 7, which in turn is
fastened or made integral with frame 85, as by welding or other
means. Castors 86 and 87 are fastened in the manner indicated in
FIG. 7 to castor plates 88 and 89. Reinforcing channels 90 and 91
may be provided to add rigidity to plates 88 and 89. For optimum
operation, it is suggested that one of the castor plates 88, 89, be
longer than the other, this so that the castors will not exactly
follow each other. Such a feature adds stability to the equipment
and generally it will be the forward castor plate which will be
longer than the rear castor plate.
In FIG. 8 a representative channel, 91, is illustrated; the same
includes, welded to the upper portion thereof, a plate 88. The
latter, in turn, is welded to frame 94. Nut attachments 95 secure
bolt 96 in place, see FIG. 9, through tubular frame 94. The bolt
shank at 97 is smooth and cylindrical, and the usual bolt head is
supplied at 98. Safety block 99 is secured to bolt 96, as
indicated, and includes a recessed portion 100 for receiving bolt
head 98. Track halves 101 and 102 may be welded or otherwise
secured to base plate 103 and, in any event, will be provided with
open medial space 104 between the tracks. Roller 105 is dimensioned
to fit in such and to be revolvable about bolt 96. A retainer 106
includes a set screw lock 107' for locking the retainer loosely
over the roller so that the same will not proceed upwardly.
The reason for the inclusion of the two nuts 95 is so that the bolt
may be adjusted in order that the safety block may not too tightly
frictionally engage the upper portion of the opposite track halves.
Retainer 106, of course, may also be adjusted by set screw 107' so
that the roller 105 is always free to revolve. Drive motor 107 is
mounted within and to the central structure 64 and includes an
output shaft 108 coupled by sprocket 109 and sprocket chain 110 to
driven sprocket 111'. Stub shaft 111 is journaled by bearings 112
to depending ears 113 of the central structure at 64. Drive wheel
114 is pinned to the stub shaft 111 and functions to drive the wash
unit 11 along its path. Arm 115 may include opposite side coverings
116 and, in any event, includes a pair of brackets 117, see FIG.
10, one for each of the top brushes 118 and 118'. Brackets 117, one
being shown as in FIG. 10, include the usual central shaft
apertures 119 and bearing mount apertures 120 for receiving plural
bearings 121. The brackets themselves may be adjustably mounted to
arm 115 by means of the provision of respective slide apertures 122
and bolt and nut attachments 123, see FIG. 10. A threaded boss 124
may be secured to the underside of channel arm 115 to receive a
tightening bolt 125 that tightens down onto the edge 126 of
respective channel 117 and keeps the same pipe in place. It will be
understood that the construction illustrated in FIG. 10 will apply
to both of the top brushes 118 and 118' in FIG. 6. The channel
construction at 115 is ideally suited to receive at endless drive
sprocket chains 126 and 127 in FIG. 11. Motor 128 thus may be
provided with the arm 115 and be mounted thereto by attachments
129. The motor will self-contain a gearbox 130 having output shaft
131 and sprocket 132 connected thereto. A pair of driven sprockets
133 are mounted upon shaft 134 which carries brush 118. Solely the
hub thereof is illustrated in FIG. 11. Correspondingly, brush 118',
the bristles not being shown for purposes of clarity, is provided
with a shaft 119 pinned thereto and provided with sprocket 120.
Accordingly, a power actuation of motor 128 will produce a
revolvement of the top brushes 118 and 118' simultaneously. It will
be noted that the channel construction of arm 115 ideally admits
the inclusion therewithin of the drive sprocket chains seen in FIG.
11.
If desired, shaft 78 in FIG. 6 may be provided with a conventional
slip-clutch construction which accommodates for an overload
slipping of sprocket 74, see FIGS. 6 and 12, in the event of such
overload. The slip clutch illustrated in FIG. 12 is a standard
part, is known under the trade name "Dodge Tamer" and forms in and
of itself no part of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates stainless steel covers 135 disposed over the
framework 85. Such framework 85 supports a container 137 that can
be filled with a weighting material such as sand at 138. This
serves as a counter-balance or counter-weight for the equipment
associated with the side arm structure at 70 and also at 115. For
long life, it is suggested that stainless steel covers at 139 and
140 be utilized as well as the cover at 135 with its integral top.
Indeed, it is suggested, and the inventors prefer, that all
exterior parts be either covered with stainless steel or chromium
or camium plated. Disposed within the framework 85 is centrally
positioned an electrical junction box 140 that contains all of the
electrical connections leading to the several motors as before
described.
In FIG. 7 it is seen that rigid conduit 141 and 142 are connected
together by tee 143 and individually include a plurality of spray
nozzles 144 and end spray nozzles 145. The nozzles may be
incorporated by any number of means as by separate tee connections
and individual conduit segments 146, if desired. Optionally, the
conduit may be simply apertured and conventional nozzles threadedly
inserted. U-bolts 147 may be used with their associated nut
attachments to rigidly secure the spray equipment as illustrated in
FIG. 7 to the primary structural framework at 85. Disposed at the
top of the bay incorporating the car-wash equipment will be the
usual swivel connections 151 and 152, with intermediate conduit
153. Fastened by lugs 154 to the top of the bay will be a bearing
housing 155, the same including upper and lower bearings 156, the
lowermost one solely being shown.
A hollow tee configured holder 157 is journaled within bearings 156
for pivotal rotation and includes, centrally disposed therethrough,
conduit 158 which leads to conduit 42 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 13 illustrates a representative manner in which a brush, such
as top-brushes 118, 118', or side-brush 13 may be constructed and
may be attached to the shaft thereof. Core 159 is arcuate in form,
preferably generally cylindrical, and includes upstanding
longitudinal ribs 160 forming intermediate grooves 161. These
grooves 161 receive the longitudinal bead 162 associated with
bristles 163. The core itself may be fitted over end boss elements
165, and be secured in place by keeper 166 and an attachment allen
screw 167. Allen screws accordingly will seat into threaded
apertures 168 provided in corner-shaped recessed areas 169. Central
aperture 170 is provided for receiving representative shaft 78. In
fact, the boss structure may be formed in two separate halves such
that attachment screws cannot only secure the core thereto but also
frictionally lock the shaft within aperture 170.
The brushes of the present invention are standard off-the-shelf
items and form, as to their individual selves alone, no part of the
present invention.
FIG. 14 illustrates the attachment of the bristles to the core such
as 159 and also a representative method of attaching the keeper 166
of FIG. 13 to the core via allen screws 167.
In returning to FIG. 6, there will be considered now the
construction and attachments of the tension spring and shock
absorber equipment. In FIG. 6 a bracket 171 is seen bolted or
welded at 172 to arm 70. Additionally, there is provided a bracket
173 that can be bolted or welded to the structure at 65 in FIG. 6.
Shock absorber 174 includes the usual cylinder 175 and piston rod
176 combination, the two being respectively secured by bolts 177
and 178 to brackets 171 and 173 in the manner indicated. The bolts
177 and 178 serve additionally as pivots for the ends of the shock
absorber so that the same may adjust in accordance with the pivotal
action of arms 70 and 80 of the pivotal frame structure 11 when the
latter is at rest position. Accordingly, in the usual position,
these units which hold the side-brush 13 in a laterally straight
forward position, and when the equipment is operating, then a
thrusting engagement of the side-brush with the parked automobile
will be produced, by virtue of a pivotal action about pivot shafts
69 and 82. Accordingly, the tension spring 181 will expand to
accommodate such motion and in turn will provide a thrust force by
the side-brush against the side, rear or front of the automobile
being washed. When the brush passes operative engagement with the
automobile, then tension spring 181 serves as a return spring for
returning the side-brush equipment to the lateral, inwardly
extending position. The purpose for the shock absorber 174 is to
prevent rapid shock to the equipment during those intervals that
the side-brush engages and alternatively disengages the car being
washed.
In turning briefly to a consideration of FIGS. 6 and 7, it will be
seen that there may be provided a plate 183' welded or bolted at
184 to the structure 115 in order to keep the spray equipment in
central position relative to the arm structure 115.
In FIG. 15, the track structures 101 and 102 comprise the general
track 10 in FIGS. 1A-1E and 2A-2E and, as shown, may be provided
with tie plates 186 and 187 which are suitably apertured at F and G
at a plural number of points to accomodate nut and bolt attachments
188 and 189 at such points. It will be understood that adjacent
ends of the track sections 101 and 102 will butt against each
other. Such a construction insures that the track may be made in
convenient sections. Micro-switch actuating bracket 190 is welded
at 191 to track sections 101 and 102 in the manner illustrated in
FIG. 15, on the outside of the track extremities at M and N in FIG.
1A, by way of example. Micro-switch bracket 193 is welded to the
inside of structure 85 in FIG. 7 and is also shown in FIG. 16.
Bracket 193 is thus equipped with conventional micro-switches 194
and 195. It is these micro-switches 194 and 195 which engage the
respective micro-switch actuating plates 190 at either extremity M
or extremity N, which reverses or turns off the equipment. It will
be recalled that it is the switch 59 in FIG. 5 which turns on the
equipment by virtue of a car wheel riding thereover.
FIG. 17 illustrates in electrical schematic form a typical
conventional circuit, standard in the art, which may be used to
operate the equipment through the desired sequence. The specific
circuit illustrated is simply representative of one of many
circuits which may be used and forms no part of the present
invention. The left of the drawing illustrates the water circuit
flow of the equipment leading from the pump to the ceiling
connection and swivel and nozzles mounted upon the structure, as
seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.
In briefly reviewing operation of the equipment, it will be the
left front wheel that will start the equipment when the same rests
upon switch 59 in FIG. 5. Thus, so long as the coin is dropped into
the coin box and a wheel rests upon switch 59 the unit will
commence operating and will persist and complete its operating
cycle until the equipment automatically shuts off as through the
engagement of the respective microswitch 195 in FIG. 16 against
plate 199 at position N in FIG. 1A. The travel direction and
push-and-pull actions have already been described with large and
small cars in connection with FIGS. 1A-1E and 2A-2E and will not be
repeated at this juncture. Suffice it to say that when the
operation of the equipment commences, water is sprayed from the
several jets 144 and 145 and the soap comes out with the water as
the equipment proceeds forwardly in a counter-clockwise direction
relative to FIGS. 1A-1E and 2A-2E. On the return cycle there is an
automatic switching from wash to rinse or rinse plus wax. In the
event the user had so previously selected as by dropping in
additional coins in the meter box. It will be noted that at all
times both the top-brushes 118, 118' and the side-brush 13 will be
revolving and operative. This as well as a continuous running of
the high pressure water stream.
For certain types of installation, it may well be desirable to have
the lower half of the side-brush system at 13 of slightly larger
core diameter than the upper portion thereof. This may provide for
a cleaner job and also accommodate the various types of bumper
styles which are extant. In such event the bristles may well be
shorter over that area of wide core that is present so that the
over-all outer cross-sectional dimension of the brush will remain
uniform throughout its length. 1A-It will be understood, referring
to FIGS. 1A14 1E and 2A-2E, that the direction of car movement into
and parked placement within the track area may be 90.degree.,
180.degree., or 270.degree. displaced relative to the car
disposition illustrated.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art the
various changes and modifications which may be made without
departing from the essential features of the present invention and,
therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such
changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope
of the invention.
* * * * *