US 8,505,144 B2Granted

Counter-balanced top wheel for a vehicle wash system

AssigneeMotor City Wash Works, Inc.

InventorRobert J. Wentworth

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Abstract

A counter-balanced top wheel assembly for laundering a vehicle includes a frame. A brush support arm having a first end and a second end is pivotally mounted to the frame adjacent the first end. A counterweight support arm having a first end and a second end is pivotally mounted to the frame adjacent the first end. The second end of the brush support arm is in communication with a brush such that the brush extends over a vehicle bay to launder an exterior of the vehicle. The assembly includes a pulley mechanism with a strap connecting the brush support arm to the counterweight support arm. The brush support arm and the counterweight support arm extend away from the frame in the same direction. The assembly is configured such that the brush applies consistent weight to the exterior of the vehicle throughout its entire arc of travel.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A counter-balanced top wheel assembly for laundering a vehicle, comprising:

a frame;
a first support pivot arm secured to said frame, said first support pivot arm having an axis of rotation;
a brush support arm having a first end and a second end, said brush support arm being pivotally mounted to said frame adjacent said first end;
wherein said first end of said brush support arm is secured to said first support pivot arm;
a second support pivot arm secured to said frame, said second support pivot arm having an axis of rotation;
a counterweight support arm having a first end and a second end, said counterweight support arm being pivotally mounted to said frame adjacent said first end;
wherein said first end of said counterweight support arm is secured to said second support pivot arm;
wherein said axis of rotation for said first support pivot arm and said axis of rotation for said second support pivot arm are the same;
a brush in communication with said second end of said brush support arm such that said brush extends over a vehicle bay to launder an exterior of the vehicle;
and
a pulley mechanism, including a strap connecting said brush support arm to said counterweight support arm to allow opposite movements of the arm;
said second end of said brush support arm and said second end of said counterweight support arm extending from said frame in the same direction.

9 more elements

A counter-balanced top wheel assembly for laundering a vehicle, comprising:

a frame;
a first support pivot arm secured to said frame, said first support pivot arm having an axis of rotation;
a brush support arm having a first end and a second end, said brush support arm being pivotally mounted to said frame adjacent said first end;
wherein said first end of said brush support arm is secured to said first support pivot arm;
a second support pivot arm secured to said frame, said second support pivot arm having an axis of rotation;
a counterweight support arm having a first end and a second end, said counterweight support arm being pivotally mounted to said frame adjacent said first end;
wherein said first end of said counterweight support arm is secured to said second support pivot arm;
wherein said axis of rotation tier said first support pivot arm and said axis of rotation for said second support pivot arm are the same;
and
a brush in communication with said second end of said brush support arm such that said brush is configured to extend over a vehicle bay to launder an exterior of the vehicle;
wherein said brush support arm is operatively connected to said counterweight support arm to allow opposite movements of the arms.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.