# US 10,369,973 B2 · Hub for a vehicle component having an arcuate pattern of media elements > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,973 B2 - Document ID: US10369973B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/680,773 - Filed: 2015-04-07 - Published: 2015-07-30 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-11-02 - Assignees: WashMe Properties, LLC - Applicants: WashMe Properties, LLC - Inventors: Michael J. Belanger; Barry S. Turner; Thomas E. Weyandt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369973B2 ## CPC - B60S 3/06: with rotary bodies contacting the vehicle {(hand-held B60S3/048)} - A46B 7/10: as a rotating cylinder - A46B 13/001: {Cylindrical or annular brush bodies} - A46B 13/005: {made up of a series of longitudinal strips or segments} - B60S 3/04: for exteriors of land vehicles {(B60S3/002, B60S3/004 take precedence; specially adapted for railway vehicles B60S3/006)} - B60S 3/063: {the axis of rotation being approximately vertical} - B60S 3/066: {the axis of rotation being approximately horizontal} - A46B 2200/3046: Brushes for cleaning cars or parts thereof - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A component for a vehicle wash system includes a frame and a hub portion rotatably secured to the frame. The hub portion includes an axis of rotation and an outer surface. A plurality of media elements are secured to the hub portion. The media elements include a flexible, self-supporting material such that the plurality of media elements can retain substantially the same shape when the hub portion is rotating at both high and low RPMs. The plurality of media elements are secured to the hub portion in a plurality of spaced apart rows that extend in a direction of the axis of rotation. Each of the plurality of spaced apart rows extending in a generally arcuate path along at least a portion of the hub portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle wash component, comprising: a hub portion configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, the hub portion including a plurality of media attachment mechanisms and a plurality of restraining members; a plurality of elongated media elements extending lengthwise laterally outwardly from the hub portion, the plurality of elongated media elements having a first end portion disposed adjacent the hub portion, a second end portion disposed remotely from the first end portion, and a body portion having a front side and a back side extending along a length between the first and second end portions; a plurality of connectors secured to the first end portions of the plurality of elongated media elements and engagable with the plurality of media attachment mechanisms to retain the elongated media elements connected to the hub portion during rotation thereof about the axis of rotation; a treatment portion located adjacent the second end portions of each of the plurality of elongated media elements and configured to engage a vehicle exterior; and a spring portion disposed in the body portion of each of the plurality of elongated media elements, the spring portion being disposed generally between the first end portion and the second end portion, the spring portion being configured to impart rigidity to the body portion such that pressure may be exerted on the vehicle exterior during rotation of the hub portion about the axis of rotation and to render the body portion substantially self-supporting along its length so as to extend laterally outwardly from the hub portion along its length regardless of the rotational speed of the hub portion; wherein the plurality of restraining members are configured to engage at least one of the front side or the back side to limit pivoting of the plurality of elongated media elements about the axis of rotation such that the spring portion can help keep the treatment portion engaged with the vehicle exterior during rotation of the hub portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle wash component of claim 1, wherein each media attachment mechanism is configured as a keyhole slot. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle wash component of claim 1, wherein each media attachment mechanism is configured as a c-channel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle wash component of claim 1, wherein each media attachment mechanism includes an opening having a first width and the plurality of restraining members define a channel having a second width; wherein the first width is less than the second width. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vehicle wash component of claim 4, wherein the channels defined by the plurality of restraining members are disposed further outwardly with respect to the hub portion than the attachment mechanism openings. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vehicle wash component of claim 1, wherein the treatment portions of the plurality of elongated media elements include a plurality of individual finger portions that are moveable with respect each other. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicle wash component of claim 6, wherein the treatment portions of the plurality of elongated media elements further include a treatment head that is secured to the body portions and extends outwardly therefrom. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle wash component of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elongated media elements are formed from an extruded foam material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicle wash component of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elongated media elements have a generally block shape. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle wash component of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elongated media elements have a height defined by a distance between a top surface and a bottom surface; and wherein the height of the body portion of the plurality of elongated media elements is different than the height of at least one of the first end portion or the second end portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle wash component of claim 10, wherein the height of the body portion is greater than the height of the first end portion of the plurality of elongated media elements. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The vehicle wash component of claim 11, wherein the height of the body portion of the plurality of elongated media elements is greater than the height of both the first end portion and the second end portion of the elongated media elements. ### Claim 13 A vehicle wash component, comprising: a hub portion configured to rotate about an axis of rotation; at least one media attachment mechanism disposed on the hub portion, the at least one media attachment mechanism including an opening; at least one wash media element having a first end, a second end disposed remotely from the first end, and a body portion having a front side and a back side extending along a length between the first and second end portions laterally outwardly from the hub portion, the body portion of the at least one wash media element being formed including a spring section which provides rigidity to the wash media elements such that it is substantially self-supporting along its length to remain in its laterally outwardly extending relation from the hub portion regardless of the rotational speed of the hub portion; a connector secured to the first end of the at least one wash media element for engaging the opening of the at least one media attachment mechanism to retain the at least one wash media element connected to the hub portion during rotation thereof about the axis of rotation; a treatment portion located adjacent the second end of the at least one wash media element and configured to engage a vehicle exterior; and a pair of wash media support members extending outwardly from the hub portion and oriented generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the pair of wash media support members forming a channel for receipt of the at least one wash media element and configured to engage at least one of the front side or the back side of the at least one wash media element outwardly from the connector during rotation of the hub portion to limit angular displacement of the at least one wash media element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle wash component of claim 13, wherein the opening has a first width and the channel has a second width; wherein the first width is less than the second width. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The vehicle wash component of claim 13, wherein the channel is disposed further outwardly with respect to the hub portion than the opening. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The vehicle wash component of claim 13, wherein the opening is configured as a keyhole slot. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The vehicle wash component of claim 13, wherein the opening is configured as a c-channel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The vehicle wash component of claim 13, further comprising: a plurality of media attachment mechanisms disposed about a periphery of the hub portion; and at least one wash media element disposed in each of the plurality of media attachment mechanisms. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The vehicle wash component of claim 18, wherein the treatment portions of the plurality of wash media elements include a plurality of individual finger portions that are moveable with respect each other. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vehicle wash component of claim 19, wherein the treatment portions of the plurality of wash media elements further include a treatment head that is secured to the body portions and extends outwardly therefrom. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The vehicle wash component of claim 18, wherein the plurality of wash media elements are formed from an extruded foam material. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The vehicle wash component of claim 21, wherein the plurality of wash media elements have a generally block shape. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The vehicle wash component of claim 13, wherein the at least one wash media element has a height defined by a distance between a top surface and a bottom surface; and wherein the height of the body portion of the at least one wash media element is different than the height of at least one of the first end or the second end. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The vehicle wash component of claim 23, wherein the height of the body portion is larger than the height of the first end of the at least one wash media element. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The vehicle wash component of claim 23, wherein the height of the body portion of the at least one wash media element is greater than the height of both the first end and the second end of the at least one wash media element. ### Claim 26 A vehicle wash component, comprising: a hub portion configured to rotate about an axis of rotation; at least one media attachment mechanism disposed on the hub portion, the at least one media attachment mechanism configured as a c-shaped groove; at least one wash media element having a first end, a second end disposed remotely from the first end, and a body portion having a front side and a back side, the at least one wash media element being formed such that it is substantially self-supporting along its length so as to extend laterally outwardly from the hub portion along its length in generally perpendicular relation to the axis of rotation regardless of the rotational speed of the hub portion; a connector secured to the first end of the at least one wash media element for engaging the at least one media attachment mechanism to retain the at least one wash media element to the hub portion during rotation thereof about the axis of rotation; the at least one media attachment mechanism configured to allow the connector to rotate therewithin about a first angle of rotation with respect to the axis of rotation; a treatment portion located adjacent the second end of the at least one wash media element and configured to engage a vehicle exterior; and a pair of support members extending outwardly from the hub portion and oriented generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the pair of support members forming a channel for receipt of the at least one wash media element and configured to engage at least one of the front side or the back side of the at least one wash media element during rotation of the hub portion to limit angular displacement of the at least one wash media element such that its angle of rotation with respect to the axis of rotation of the hub portion is less than the first angle of rotation. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The vehicle wash component of claim 26, wherein the c-shaped groove has a first width and the channel has a second width; wherein the first width is less than the second width. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The vehicle wash component of claim 26, wherein the channel is disposed further outwardly with respect to the hub portion than the c-shaped groove. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The vehicle wash component of claim 26, further comprising: said at least one media attachment mechanism including a plurality of media attachment mechanisms disposed about a periphery of the hub portion; and said at least one wash media element including at least one wash media element disposed in each of the plurality of media attachment mechanisms. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The vehicle wash component of claim 29, wherein the body portions of the plurality of wash media elements each include a spring section which provides rigidity to the wash media elements. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The vehicle wash component of claim 29, wherein the front side of the plurality of wash media elements have a height defined by a distance between a top surface and a bottom surface; and wherein the height of the body portion of the plurality of wash media elements is different than the height of at least one of the first end or the second end. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The vehicle wash component of claim 31, wherein the height of the body portions is larger than the height of the first ends of the plurality of wash media elements. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The vehicle wash component of claim 32, wherein the height of the body portions of the plurality of wash media elements is greater than the height of both the first ends and the second ends of the plurality of wash media elements. ### Claim 34 (depends on 26) The vehicle wash component of claim 26, wherein the treatment portion of the at least one wash media element includes a plurality of individual finger portions that are moveable with respect each other. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The vehicle wash component of claim 34, wherein the treatment portion of the at least one wash media element further includes a treatment head that is secured to the body portion and extends outwardly therefrom. ### Claim 36 (depends on 26) The vehicle wash component of claim 26, wherein the at least one wash media element is formed from an extruded foam material. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The vehicle wash component of claim 36, wherein the at least one wash media element has a generally block shape. ### Claim 38 A wash media element for attachment to a hub portion of a vehicle wash brush for rotation about an axis of the hub portion, comprising: an elongated body portion having a length extending between a first end portion and a second end portion, and a middle portion extending between the first and second end portions, the elongated body portion being formed of a flexible material that is substantially self-supporting along its length so as to extend laterally outwardly from the hub portion along its length regardless of rotational speed of the hub portion, and having a front side, a back side, a top side and a bottom side; a connector disposed adjacent the first end portion to facilitate attachment of the wash media element to the hub portion; a treatment portion disposed adjacent the second end portion, the treatment portion, including a plurality of separate treatment heads extending outwardly from at least one of the front side or the back side of the elongated body portion; and wherein the plurality of treatment heads are formed of different pieces of material than the elongated body portion. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The wash media element of claim 38, wherein the treatment portion further comprises: a plurality of individual finger portions formed in the second end portion, the plurality of individual finger portions being moveable with respect to one another. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The wash media element of claim 38, wherein the middle portion includes a spring section which provides rigidity to the elongated body portion. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The wash media element of claim 40, wherein the front side of the elongated body portion has a height defined by a distance between the top side and the bottom side; and wherein the spring section is defined by the height of the middle portion being different than the height of at least one of the first end portion or the second end portion of the elongated body portion. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The wash media element of claim 41, wherein the height of the middle portion is greater than the height of the first end portion of the elongated body portion. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The wash media element of claim 42, wherein the height of the middle portion is greater than the height of both the first end portion and the second end portion of the elongated body portion. ### Claim 44 (depends on 38) The wash media element of claim 38, wherein the elongated body portion is formed from an extruded foam material. a plurality of separate treatment heads extending outwardly from each of the front side and the back side of the elongated body portion. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The wash media element of claim 44, wherein the elongated body portion is shaped generally as a block. ### Claim 46 (depends on 38) The wash media element of claim 38, wherein the plurality of treatment heads are formed of a different type of material than the elongated body portion. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The wash media element of claim 46, wherein the plurality of treatment heads each include a plurality of moveable finger portions. ### Claim 48 (depends on 38) The wash media element of claim 38, further comprising: a plurality of separate treatment heads extending outwardly from each of the front side and the back side of the elongated body portion. ### Claim 49 A wash media element for attachment to a rotary hub of a vehicle wash component for rotation about an axis of the rotary hub, comprising: an elongated body portion being formed of a flexible material, the elongated body portion including a first end portion configured to be connected to the rotary hub and a second end portion configured to engage and treat a vehicle exterior, the elongated body portion being formed of a material such that it is self-supporting along its length extending between the first and second end portions such the elongated body portion extends laterally outwardly from the rotary hub along its length regardless of a rotational speed of the rotary hub; the elongated body portion having a plurality of treatment heads laterally extending from at least one of a first side or a second side thereof, each of said plurality of treatment heads having a plurality of moveable contact elements which project outwardly relative to a plane defined by the elongated body portion. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) The wash media element of claim 49, wherein the elongated body portion includes a spring section disposed between the first end portion and the second portion which provides rigidity to the elongated body portion. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) The wash media element of component of claim 50, wherein the elongated body portion has a height defined by a distance between a top side and a bottom side thereof; and wherein the spring section is defined by the height of a middle portion of the elongated body portion being different than the height of at least one of the first end portion or the second end portion of the elongated body portion. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The wash media element of claim 51, wherein the height of the middle portion is greater than the height of the first end portion of the elongated body portion. ### Claim 53 (depends on 51) The wash media element of claim 51, wherein the height of the middle portion is greater than the height of both the first end portion and the second end portion of the elongated body portion. ### Claim 54 (depends on 49) The wash media element of claim 49, wherein the elongated body portion is formed from an extruded foam material. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The wash media element of claim 54, wherein the elongated body portion is shaped generally as a block. ### Claim 56 (depends on 49) The wash media element of claim 49, wherein the plurality of treatment heads are formed of different material than the elongated body portion. ### Claim 57 (depends on 49) The wash media element of claim 49, wherein a plurality of individual finger portions are formed in the second end portion, the plurality of individual finger portions being individually moveable with respect to one another. ### Claim 58 (depends on 49) The wash media element of claim 49, further comprising: a connector portion secured to the first end portion to facilitate attachment of the wash media element to the rotary hub. ### Claim 59 A wash media element for attachment to a rotary hub portion of a vehicle wash brush for rotation about an axis of the rotary hub, comprising: an elongated body portion having a first end portion configured to communicate with the hub portion for rotation therewith, the elongated body portion having a second end portion configured to treat an exterior surface of a vehicle; the elongated body portion being constructed of a flexible material and having a front face, a back face, a top edge, and a bottom edge, the elongated body portion having a length and a height with the length being at least two times greater than the height, the elongated body portion being constructed of a material such that it is self-supporting along its length; a plurality of treatment heads laterally extending from the elongated body portion, each of the plurality of treatment heads including a plurality of contact elements; a spring portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion to render the body portion self-supporting along its length so as to extend laterally outwardly from the rotary hub along its length regardless of the rotational speed of the rotary hub. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The wash media element of claim 59, wherein the elongated body portion further comprises: a plurality of individual finger portions formed in the second end portion, the plurality of individual finger portions being moveable with respect to one another. ### Claim 61 (depends on 59) The wash media element of claim 59, wherein the elongated body portion is formed from an extruded foam material. ### Claim 62 (depends on 61) The wash media element of claim 61, wherein the elongated body portion is shaped generally as a block. ### Claim 63 (depends on 59) The wash media element of claim 59, wherein the plurality of treatment heads are formed of different material than the elongated body portion. ### Claim 64 (depends on 63) The wash media element of claim 63, wherein the plurality of contact elements each include a plurality of moveable finger portions. ### Claim 65 (depends on 59) The wash media element of claim 59, wherein said plurality of treatment heads extending outwardly from each of the front face and the back face of the elongated body portion. ### Claim 66 (depends on 59) The wash media element of component of claim 59, wherein the front face of the elongated body portion has a height defined by a distance between the top edge and the bottom edge; and wherein the spring portion is defined by the height of a middle portion of the elongated body portion being different than the height of the first end portion or the second end portion of the elongated body portion. ### Claim 67 (depends on 66) The wash media element of claim 66, wherein the height of the middle portion is greater than the height of the first end portion of the elongated body portion. ### Claim 68 (depends on 67) The wash media element of claim 67, wherein the height of the middle portion is greater than the height of both the first end portion and the second end portion of the elongated body portion. ### Claim 69 (depends on 59) The wash media element of claim 59, further comprising: a connector portion secured to the first end portion to facilitate attachment of the wash media element to the rotary hub.