Apparatus for dispersing liquids and spray device therefor

#This invention relates to an apparatus for dispersing a liquid, and more particularly to such an apparatus suitable for dispersing a liquid onto a vehicle for purposes of cleaning and/or applying a wax solution to the vehicle. The invention further contemplates a liquid spraying device utilized in such an apparatus.

#Systems for cleaning vehicles by dispersing cleaning agents, wax solutions and rinse water on such vehicles typically are of a tunnel or roll-over type. In a tunnel type of such system, there usually is provided an inverted U-shaped support structure which is stationary and equipped with an array of nozzles for spraying cleaning agents, wax preparations and rinse water onto vehicles advanced through the opening of such structures. In a roll-over type system, a similar frame structure is utilized but the vehicle being cleaned is maintained stationary and the support frame is advanced along a set of rails over the vehicle, usually first in one direction and then in the opposite direction. In either of such types of systems, it is desirable to disperse a liquid in a manner so that a maximum amount of surface of the vehicle being washed is covered. To provide such maximum coverage, it has been found to be highly effective to apply a spray pattern from a liquid dispersing nozzle along an orbital path with the individual streams of liquid projecting at different angles.

#In the prior art, there have been a number of orbital spray devices employed in car cleaning systems which are highly effective in dispersing a liquid onto a vehicle being cleaned, over a large area. Such devices, however, have been found to be comparatively complicated in design and therefore relatively expensive to manufacture. Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an apparatus operable to disperse a liquid such as a cleaning agent, a wax preparation or rinse water onto a vehicle, utilizing an array of devices for dispersing sprays of liquid in orbital patterns which are comparatively simple in design, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, highly effective in performance and reliable, and which require a minimal amount of maintenance.

#FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a support frame adapted to be used in either a tunnel or roll-over type of vehicle wash system embodying the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a leg portion of the support frame shown in FIG. 1, designated by the reference numeral 2, having a portion thereof broken away, illustrating a liquid dispensing device embodying the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the liquid dispensing device shown in FIG. 3, illustrating the components thereof in exploded relation;

#FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a support frame 10 commonly used in both tunnel and roll-over type vehicle wash systems. It generally consists of a pair of laterally spaced leg sections 11 and 12 interconnected at the upper ends thereof by a spanning section 13, defining an opening 14 in or through which a vehicle may be positioned or advanced. In tunnel type systems, the support frame would be stationary and in roll-over type systems the leg sections thereof would be provided with sets of rollers mounted on a pair of longitudinally disposed, laterally spaced rails along which the support frame may be displaced. The principal function of such frame is to hold various mechanisms for applying cleaning preparations, wax solutions and rinse water onto vehicles being cleaned, and also for directing streams of air thereon for drying solutions applied to the vehicles. Mounted on the inner sides of the leg and spanning sections of the support frame and spaced along the periphery of opening 14 is a set of liquid dispensing devices 15 which are operable to disperse a liquid solution such as a cleaning preparation, wax or rinse water onto the body of a vehicle disposed within opening 14, in an orbital pattern covering a circular or annular area.

#As best seen in FIG. 3, each of such devices includes a mounting plate 16, a shaft 17 having a main body section and head section 18, a spacer 19 and a drive unit 20. Each of such devices is adapted to be mounted in a leg or spanning section of frame 10 as shown in FIG. 2 which illustrates a portion of leg section 12 having forwardly and rearwardly disposed wall portions 21 and 22 and an interconnecting inner wall 23. Shaft 17 consists of tubular member providing an axially disposed fluid passageway 24, having an enlarged head portion 25 and a threaded end portion 26 as best shown in FIGS. 7 through 9. Head section 18 is provided with a cylindrical side wall 27, front and rear walls 28 and 29 disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the section, and a rear, planar wall section 30 disposed at an acute angle relative to rear end wall 29 and the longitudinal centerline of the section. Formed in surface 30 and disposed axially relative to section 18 is a recess 31 which extends partially into the section. Such recess further is provided with an annular counterbore 32 and the section further is provided a plurality of circumferentially spaced fluid passageways 33 each disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal centerline of section 18 and intercommunicating recess 31 and a threaded outlet 34 adapted to receive a spray nozzle 34a. Typically, front end face 35 of shaft head portion 25 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of shaft 17 and is provided with a diameter slightly less than the diameter of counterbore 32 on mounting surface 30 of the head section so that the head section may be permanently attached to the main body section of shaft 17 by positioning head section 18 on front face 35 of the main body section of the shaft with the front end of head portion 25 seated within counterbore 32, and securing the head section to the main body section of the shaft. Preferably, the sections of the shaft are formed of a metal such as steel and the head section is welded to the main body section of the shaft.

#With the head section affixed to the main body section of the shaft as described, a number of fluid passageways is provided in the shaft, each consisting of passageway 24 disposed axially relative to the main body section of the shaft, recess 31 disposed axially relative to the head section and at an angle relative to the axis of the main body section, communicating with passageway 24, and a passageway 33 disposed at an angle relative to the axis of the head section, intercommunicating recess 31 and a nozzle threaded into an outlet 34.