Abstract: The apparatus and method is utilized in a drive-through vehicle washing system of the type in which a vehicle is moved by conveyor along a longitudinal path across a floor surface, past a series of washing stations. The apparatus attaches to a parallelogram linkage such as that of a tire washing station and includes a manifold for spraying pressurized liquid at the vehicle wheels from an outlet nozzle. The manifold is carried by a drive mechanism which translates the manifold longitudinally to follow the vehicle wheel passing thereby for a distance sufficient for the stream of liquid to claims the entire wheel circumference. A flow control valve for regulating the flow of liquid is provided along with a sensor for detecting wheel position. A control mechanism regulates the movement of the manifold and the flow of pressurized liquid causing the manifold to move at a speed substantially equal to that of the vehicle.

Abstract: The apparatus and method is utilized in a drive-through vehicle washing system of the type in which a vehicle is moved by conveyor along a longitudinal path across a floor surface, past a series of washing stations. The apparatus attaches to a parallelogram linkage such as that of a tire washing station and includes a manifold for spraying pressurized liquid at the vehicle wheels from an outlet nozzle. The manifold is carried by a drive mechanism which translates the manifold longitudinally to follow the vehicle wheel passing thereby for a distance sufficient for the stream of liquid to clean the entire wheel circumference. A flow control valve for regulating the flow of liquid is provided along with a sensor for detecting wheel position. A control mechanism regulates the movement of the manifold and the flow of pressurized liquid causing the manifold to move at a speed substantially equal to that of the vehicle.

Abstract: The apparatus and method is utilized in a drive-through vehicle washing system of the type in which a vehicle is moved by conveyor along a longitudinal path across a floor surface, past a series of washing stations. The apparatus attaches to a parallelogram linkage such as that of a tire washing station and includes a manifold for spraying pressurized liquid at the vehicle wheels from an outlet nozzle. The manifold is carried by a drive mechanism which translates the manifold longitudinally to follow the vehicle wheel passing thereby for a distance sufficient for the stream of liquid to claims the entire wheel circumference. A flow control valve for regulating the flow of liquid is provided along with a sensor for detecting wheel position. A control mechanism regulates the movement of the manifold and the flow of pressurized liquid causing the manifold to move at a speed substantially equal to that of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed that aid an accessory of an automobile wash system in being positioned accurately with respect to a particular automobile's width. The system consists of an abutment that is positioned within the path of the conveyed automobile and which will be pivoted out of the path by contact with the automobile. The extent of the pivoting of the abutment from the path of the automobile will give an indication of the width of the automobile. A hydraulic circuit communicates this information to a hydraulic cylinder that controls the positioning of the accessory and can position the accessory to account for the width of the individual automobile. An electronic sensor system is positioned downstream of the accessory and will sense when the automobile has left the automobile wash assembly, at which time the sensor will initiate a signal that returns the members to their original position.

Abstract: The apparatus and method is utilized in a drive-through vehicle washing system of the type in which a vehicle is moved by conveyor along a longitudinal path across a floor surface, past a series of washing stations. The apparatus attaches to a parallelogram linkage such as that of a tire washing station and includes a manifold for spraying pressurized liquid at the vehicle wheels from an outlet nozzle. The manifold is carried by a drive mechanism which translates the manifold longitudinally to follow the vehicle wheel passing thereby for a distance sufficient for the stream of liquid to claims the entire wheel circumference. A flow control valve for regulating the flow of liquid is provided along with a sensor for detecting wheel position. A control mechanism regulates the movement of the manifold and the flow of pressurized liquid causing the manifold to move at a speed substantially equal to that of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed that aid an accessory of an automobile wash system in being positioned accurately with respect to a particular automobile's width. The system consists of an abutment that is positioned within the path of the conveyed automobile and which will be pivoted out of the path by contact with the automobile. The extent of the pivoting of the abutment from the path of the automobile will give an indication of the width of the automobile. A hydraulic circuit communicates this information to a hydraulic cylinder that controls the positioning of the accessory and can position the accessory to account for the width of the individual automobile. An electronic sensor system is positioned downstream of the accessory and will sense when the automobile has left the automobile wash assembly, at which time the sensor will initiate a signal that returns the members to their original position.

Abstract: A top air nozzle for blowing water off a washed moving vehicle in a car wash includes a unit nozzle housing of molded plastic material having an arcuate top wall, laterally diverging side walls, a pair of laterally spaced mount blocks, an upright rear wall, an upper front wall portion inclined downwardly and outwardly of the rear wall and terminating in a lower front wall portion inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the rear wall. The walls and wall portions define an air chamber of laterally increasing width from its top with the rear wall, lower front wall portion and side walls defining a laterally elongated throated air outlet. A plurality of spaced threaded insert fasteners arranged in a circle are molded, interlocked and enclosed within one of the upper front wall portion and rear wall. A plurality of spaced fasteners are arranged in a row, are molded, interlocked and enclosed within each mount block.

Abstract: A blower compries a unit blower housing of molded plastic material having a circular outer wall and laterally spaced front and rear walls, defining an impeller chamber and a trangential outlet upon a first axis adapted to receive a flexible hose. The outlet defines with an end portion of the outer wall a reverse curved cut off edge extending between the side walls. An opening in the front wall is arranged upon a second axis at right angles to the first axis and receives an air inlet cone secured to the housing by a plurality of threaded inserts molded into the housing. An electric motor upon a support has a drive shaft extending through the rear wall. The rear wall is mounted upon and secured to the motor and an impeller is positioned within the housing and axially mounted upon the motor shaft and has an air intake receiving the air inlet cone.

Abstract: A blower comprises a unit blower housing of molded plastic material having a circular outer wall and laterally spaced front and rear walls, defining an impeller chamber and a tangential outlet upon a first axis adapted to receive a flexible hose. The outlet defines with an end portion of the outer wall a reverse curved cut off edge extending between the side walls. An opening in the front wall is arranged upon a second axis at right angles to the first axis and receives an air inlet secured to the housing by a plurality of threaded inserts molded into the housing. An electric motor upon a support has a drive shaft extending through the rear wall. The rear wall is mounted upon and secured to the motor and an impeller is positioned within the housing and axially mounted upon the motor shaft and has an air intake receiving the air inlet cone.

Abstract: An air nozzle for blowing water off a vehicle moving through a car wash comprises a unit nozzle housing of molded plastic material having opposed front and rear walls and a side wall, with the front and rear walls terminating in opposed concave converging sides defining a lateral nozzle having a series of elongated throated orifices. The walls and sides define an elongated air chamber communicating with the orifices. An air inlet at one end of the housing is a part thereof and is adapted to receive a flexible hose connected to a pressurized air source. The front and rear walls have molded therein spaced mount plates or pads adapted for connection to a support arm and to a sensor respectively. A plurality of spaced threaded insert fasteners are molded, interlocked and enclosed selectively within one of the front and rear walls and the corresponding mount pads. The method of making a unit nozzle housing of molded plastic material is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an apparatus for drying vehicles having a framework upon a floor surface adapted to receive a moving vehicle, a transverse lift rod is guidably mounted upon the framework for controlled vertical adjustments and mounts a transverse top nozzle housing having an inlet, an air chamber and laterally diverging sidewalls terminating in an elongated throated air outlet. A pair of opposed upright side nozzle housings are mounted upon opposite sides of the framework with each housing having an inlet, an elongated air chamber, and an elongated lateral nozzle inclined rearwardly at an acute angle toward the vehicle. A plurality of motor-operated air blowers are mounted upon the framework with each blower having an air outlet, with a plurality of flexible hoses interconnecting the outlet of each blower with one of the housing inlets.

Abstract: A blower comprises a unit blower housing of molded plastic material having a circular outer wall and laterally spaced front and rear walls, defining an impeller chamber and a tangential outlet upon a first axis adapted to receive a flexible hose. The outlet defines with an end portion of the outer wall a reverse curved cut off edge extending between the side walls. An opening in the front wall is arranged upon a second axis at right angles to the first axis and receives an air inlet cone secured to the housing by a plurality of threaded inserts molded into the housing. An electric motor upon a support has a drive shaft extending through the rear wall. The rear wall is mounted upon and secured to the motor and an impeller is positioned within the housing and axially mounted upon the motor shaft and has an air intake receiving the air inlet cone.

Abstract: A top air nozzle for blowing water off a washed moving vehicle in a car wash comprises a unit nozzle housing of molded plastic material having an arcuate top wall, laterally diverging side walls, a pair of laterally spaced mount blocks, an upright rear wall, an upper front wall portion inclined downwardly and outwardly of the rear wall and terminating in a lower front wall portion inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the rear wall. The walls and wall portions defined an air chamber of laterally increasing width from its top with the rear wall, lower front wall portion and side walls defining a laterally elongated throated air outlet. A plurality of spaced threaded insert fasteners arranged in a circle are molded, interlocked and enclosed within one of the upper front wall portion and rear wall. A plurality of spaced fasteners are arranged in a row, are molded, interlocked and enclosed within each mount block.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting a vehicle through a car wash along a track having specially-adapted, low profile roller dollies which rise upon contacting a vehicle wheel. The dolly includes an arcuate arm which is hinged to a connector link on one end and supports three pair of rollers. The first pair of rollers is connected to the arm below the track and the second pair of rollers is connected to the opposite end of the arm from the first pair and is positionable above the track to ride upon the top surface of the track. The third pair of rollers is intended to engage the wheel of the vehicle to be moved along the track and is located on the arm between the two ends at a position radially spaced from the concave arc upon which the first and second pairs of rollers are aligned. The third pair of rollers rolls upwardly and rearwardly upon contacting a vehicle wheel and pivots the arm about the second pair of rollers.

Abstract: As a car moves along a path through a wash area, it engages a pair of rotating cloth scrubbing wheels. Each wheel depends from a carriage movable along a horizontal boom pivotally mounted at one end upon a standard located at each side of the wash area. Each boom is pivoted upon a vertical axis and is swingable in a horizontal plane between a first position angular to the path and a second position parallel to the path. Each carriage is biased towards the free end of the boom whereby engagement of the car causes the boom to rotate outwardly while the wheel moves over and engages the front of the car, until the wheel engages the front corner of the car thereby operating a limit switch as a result of car movement which shifts a three-way valve to release the pressure on the carriage cylinder. The carriage moves up the boom towards the pivoted end thereof as the boom swings into a path generally parallel to the car whereby the wheel operatively engages the side of the car to the rear corner thereof.

Abstract: A retractable wax, buff and polish apparatus for cars includes an open framework upon a floor through which a vehicle is adapted to pass. A vertically adjustable carriage is guidably mounted upon the framework and suspends therefrom a pair of coplanar horizontal racks, each rack having a plurality of parallel spaced fabric panels at their upper ends depending therefrom, defining a segmented friction curtain adapted on lowering of the carriage and oscillation of the racks for buffing and polishing engagement with a car. A vertically adjustable counterweight is mounted upon the framework and connected by a chain and sprockets to the carriage whereby selective raising or lowering of the counterweight respectively lowers or raises the curtain. Pressurized canisters mounted upon the framework are activated on lowering of the curtain for delivering a foam of wax or detergent and water onto the car.