Vehicle washing apparatus with improved rear washer
AssigneeThe Allen Group Inc.
InventorIvan J. Barber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle washing apparatus is provided with an improved side and rear washing brush system. A generally cylindrical side and rear washing brush is provided which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis at the end of an arm terminating in upper and lower lateral members that carry the brush. The arm is rotatably mounted for lateral rotational movement with respect to a washing station framework and is biased so that the brush contacts the side of the vehicle as the vehicle moves through the washing station. As the vehicle passes the brush, a biasing means rotates the arm and forces the brush in behind the vehicle to maintain contact therewith and to traverse the rear of the vehicle with a force greater than that applied to hold the brush in contact with the side of the vehicle.
Claims10
A vehicle washing apparatus for scrubbing a vehicle as it travels along a predetermined path, comprising:
- a. a framework positioned across said path with an opening therethrough allowing passage of a vehicle;
- b. a first arm rotatably mounted on said framework at one end on a first side of said path to normally project across said path toward the second and opposite side thereof while in a parked position and terminating in a free end rotatable forwardly across said path toward said first side;
- c. a second arm rotatably mounted on said framework at one end on said second side of said path to normally project rearwardly while in a parked position and terminating in a free end which is rotatable toward said path from said parked position during a rear wash condition in which it swings inwardly toward said path and forwardly from said parked position;
- d. first and second vertically extending rotary brushes mounted at the free ends of the respective first and second arms for rotation about respective vertical axes;
- e. drive means for rotating said first and second brushes;
- f. first biasing means connected to said first arm for biasing said first arm toward its parked position;
- g. second biasing means connected to said second arm and operative upon receipt of a pressure signal to apply a predetermined force to said second arm tending to force said second arm toward said path and against a side of said vehicle and upon receipt of a rear wash signal to bias said second arm inwardly and forwardly with a rear wash force greater than said predetermined force;
- h. side wash control means connected between said first arm and said second biasing means and operative upon forward movement of said first arm from its parked position to apply said pressure signal to said second biasing means to force said second rotary brush against a side of said vehicle passing along said predetermined path, whereby said second arm is held in contact therewith;
- i. rear wash control means coupled between said second arm and said second biasing means and operative in response to movement of said second arm inwardly toward said path which occurs when said vehicle passes and its side no longer offers resistance to said predetermined force, to apply said rear wash signal to said second biasing means whereby said second biasing means applies said rear wash force to said second arm as said second arm moves inwardly toward said path, thereby, allowing said second rotary brush to maintain contact with the rear of a vehicle as it passes along said path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.