US 5,715,558 A · Dual axis suspension for car wash wrap brush

Abstract

A wrap brush assembly includes an elongated, horizontal upper support arm which pivots from an overhead support about a vertical axis. A pivot link is pivotally connected to the free end of the upper support arm about a horizontal pivot link axis for movement forward and rearward relative to the path traversed by a vehicle to be cleaned. A brush support bracket is pivotally connected to the lower end of the pivot link about an axis lying perpendicular to the pivot link axis for allowing the brush support bracket to swing side to side relative to the path traversed by a vehicle to be cleaned. A motor, brush shaft, and wrap brush are supported from the brush support bracket. A shock absorber dampens forward/rearward movement about the horizontal pivot link axis, and a stop limits inward pivoting movement of the brush support bracket relative to the pivot link to prevent the wrap brush from climbing onto the rear deck of the vehicle. The overhead support includes a horizontal support beam bridging the path traversed by the vehicle to be cleaned; the vertical axis about which the upper support arm pivots is displaced away from the horizontal support beam, and such vertical axis and the brush extend on opposite sides of the horizontal support beam.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A wrap brush assembly for cleaning the outer surfaces of a vehicle, said wrap brush assembly comprising in combination:

a. an overhead support;
b. an elongated upper support arm extending generally horizontally between first and second ends thereof, the first end of said upper support arm being pivotally connected to said overhead support for movement about a vertical axis;
c. a pivot link having upper and lower opposing ends, the upper end of said pivot link being pivotally connected to the second end of said elongated support arm about a horizontal pivot link axis;
d. a brush support bracket pivotally connected to the lower end of said pivot link about a bracket pivot axis, the bracket pivot axis extending perpendicular to said horizontal pivot link axis;
e. a cleaning brush including a brush shaft supported by said brush support bracket and mounted rotatably thereto;
and
f. a motor secured to said brush support bracket for rotating said brush shaft.

4 more elements

A wrap brush assembly for cleaning the outer surfaces of a vehicle, said wrap brush assembly comprising in combination:

a. a pair of vertical standards located on opposing sides of a path traversed by a vehicle to be cleaned;
b. a horizontal support beam secured to and extending between said pair of vertical standards above the path traversed by the vehicle to be cleaned;
c. a first arm support bracket having first and second opposing ends, the first end of said first arm support bracket being secured to said horizontal support beam, said first arm support bracket extending generally perpendicularly and horizontally from said horizontal support beam in a first direction relative to the path traversed by the vehicle to be cleaned;
d. a first elongated upper support arm extending generally horizontally between first and second ends thereof, the first end of said first elongated upper support arm being pivotally connected to the second end of said first arm support bracket for movement about a first vertical axis, said first vertical axis being displaced from said horizontal support beam, and said first elongated upper support arm extending generally horizontally from the first end thereof toward the second end thereof in a second direction relative to the path traversed by the vehicle to be cleaned, the second direction being opposite to said first direction;
and
e. a first brush support bracket pivotally connected to the second end of said first elongated support arm;
f. a first cleaning brush including a first brush shaft supported by said first brush support bracket and mounted rotatably thereto;
and
g. a first motor secured to said first brush support bracket for rotating said first brush shaft.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual axis suspension for car wash wrap brush

Life of this patent

Dual axis suspension for car wash wrap brush

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11