Abstract: A car wash mechanism includes a vertical rotating brush mounted on the end of a horizontal boom slidably received in a cage mounted on an upright standard to the side of the path of travel of a vehicle. The bottom of the cage is mounted to the standard for pivotal movement and the top of the cage is pivotally mounted on a slidable carriage. The cage can be tilted between one position in which the boom will extend outwardly of the cage towards the center of the track and a second position in which the boom will retract inwardly of the cage and thereby position the brush closer to the standard. A fluid cylinder is actuated to shift the carriage and thereby tilt the cage under the control of a switch which has its actuator engaged by the cage when the cage is pivoted to the side by a passing vehicle.

Abstract: A rotating brush assembly is disclosed for a vehicle washing apparatus which is mounted by a single support arm on either or both sides of a vehicle washing apparatus. The brush assembly, which includes a brush, a brush shaft supporting the brush, a brush motor for driving the brush shaft and a flexible spring coupling such as a single coil spring is permitted to swing or tilt in response to the force exerted on the brush by the movement of the vehicle relative to the vehicle washing apparatus. The flexing action of the flexible spring coupling which couples the brush shaft to the support arm permits the brush to tilt or swing in any direction. For example, when the brush assembly engages the front of a vehicle, the flexible spring coupling permits the brush to tilt as it passes along the front end of the vehicle. The flex of the flexible spring coupling urges the brush toward its normal operating position.

Abstract: A rotatable cloth scrubbing rush for cleaning the exterior of a vehicle comprises a rotatable shaft or hub, a plurality of cloth wiping members for contacting the surface to be cleaned, and means for limiting the penetration of the portion of the vehicle being cleaned with the brush. One such means for limiting penetration of the portion of the vehicle being cleaned comprises a disk wheel of a predetermined diameter mounted around said shaft or hub and interposed between said cloth wiping members. Another means for limiting penetration comprises sets of bristles connected at one end to said shaft or hub and interleaved between rows of cloth wiping members.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus including, a frame containing an opening adapted to receive the vehicle to be washed, means for causing relative movement in a first direction between the frame and the vehicle, a pair of canted brushes rotatably disposed within the frame on opposite sides thereof, each of the brushes being pivoted about a vertical axis, the lower end of each of the brushes being spaced from the vertical pivot axis a distance less than that of the upper end of the brush, whereby the brushes rotate at an angle which is canted from the vertical axis, and means for biasing the opposing brushes toward each other whereby contact of the brushes with the vehicle is effected by the relative movement between the frame and vehicle against the bias.

Abstract: A load carrying apparatus characterized by the ability to convey heavy loads rapidly at low expense is disclosed. The apparatus includes a moveable triangular shaped apparatus disposed at an elevation above the load carried. A cross member connected to two of the sides of the apparatus is in turn connected to load carrying members suspended downward from the carriage and connected to load to be moved. In a preferred embodiment, the load carrying apparatus is a vehicle cleaning apparatus. This apparatus includes said load carrying means suspended from the roof of a vehicle to be cleaned. A cleaning apparatus, provided with soaping, brushing, and rinsing means attached to said load carrying member of said load carrying means, is suspended along the side of the vehicle to be cleaned.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle for cleansing the internal surfaces of a partially enclosed chamber, such as a trailer body, is provided with a battery powered electric motor. The electric motor provides power for a water pump, a drive motor, and hydraulically powered accessories such as cleaning brushes. The vehicle is further provided with storage tanks for housing water, detergents, and disinfectants, which are used during the washing and rinsing cycles. By this manner, a vehicle is provided which is completely self-contained, thus eliminating the need for external power sources and umbilical cords to carry power, water, and chemicals to the vehicle assembly.

Abstract: The specification discloses improved wheel washers, in one embodiment of which a pair of cupped-face brushes and a cylindrical brush are mounted on a bar forming one side of a parallelogram linkage. The bar is spring biased toward a normal position in which each cupped-face brush faces somewhat toward an approaching car wheel to be washed, and, as the body of the car engages and progressively moves past feeler rollers, each cupped-face brush on the bar is swung thereby with the car to a position in which it will face the side of the wheel when the wheel comes alongside the brush. This initial canting of the cupped-face brushes causes them to enter into the somewhat hollow area of the wheel to clean the tire supporting structure and hub cap.

Abstract: A "roll over" type vehicle wash apparatus includes a frame which is movable on a track and which is driven between a front end and a rear end of the track. The apparatus includes a pair of front arms and a pair of rear arms which are pivotally connected to the frame. Side wrap brushes are rotatably connected to each of the front and rear arms and are rotated about vertical axes. Positioned proximate the rear end of the track are arm deflectors which cause the rear arms to be driven inward toward one another as the frame approaches the rear end. This prevents the rear arms of the apparatus from being accidentally driven through doors at the ends of the bay area in the event of a failure of the actuators of the rear arms.

Abstract: A "roll over" type vehicle wash apparatus includes a frame which is movable on a track and which is driven between a front end and a rear end of the track. The apparatus includes a pair of front arms and a pair of rear arms which are pivotally connected to the frame. Side wrap brushes are rotatably connected to each of the front and rear arms and are rotated about vertical axes. A control circuit for automatically controlling operation of the apparatus includes five sequence control relays, FRONT IN and REAR IN switches for sensing side wrap brush position, a TOP BRUSH DOWN switch for sensing top brush position, and a HOME TRAVEL switch for sensing frame position on the track. The control circuit prevents both the front and rear arms from being fully in at the same time, thereby preventing a dangerous condition from occurring when very short vehicles are being washed.

Abstract: In a portal-type washing arrangement for vehicles, one of the rotary mountings for a horizontal rotary washing brush is arranged at the lower end of a vertically downwardly hanging swinging arm. The upper end of the swinging arm is connected to a first carriage which is vertically displaceable on a vertical guide rail of the portal assembly. Disposed in the region of movement of the swinging arm is a switching arrangement which controls a control motor. The control motor is connected by way of flexible traction means to the first carriage and to a second carriage which is vertically displaceable on a further vertical rail on the portal assembly. The other rotary mounting of the washing brush is directly and rigidly connected to the second carriage.

Abstract: A vehicle wrap around type brush cleaning assembly comprised of a single brush support arm pivoted at one end to an overhead frame structure inside a predetermined path of a vehicle to be washed. A rotatable brush is mounted on a shaft connected to the opposite end of the brush support arm and is normally positioned adjacent the center line of the path to be contacted by the vehicle. A brush motor rotates the brush in a direction which walks the brush along the front, side and rear surfaces of the vehicle. A flexible coupling may be utilized to couple the brush shaft to the brush support arm to permit the brush to tilt or swing in any direction. Two such brush assemblies may be mounted overhead on the frame structure on opposite sides of the center line of the path to wash both sides of the vehicle. In that instance, one of the brush support arms is of a different length than the opposite brush support arm to position the brush assemblies in an overlapping relationship near the center line of the path.

Abstract: An automatic control system for carwash installations is constructed with electromechanical logic elements--relay-operated switching devices and timer-controlled switches--combined into an Input Control Unit and into a plurality of Program Control Units. Each vehicle entering the carwash is automatically assigned to one of the Program Control Units which performs the sequence of operations, including optional operations such as the application of hot wax to the vehicle, in the proper sequence as the automobile travels along the conveyer of the installation. No controllers or sensors are required to be installed along the conveyor, and the conveyor itself is automatically stopped when there are no automobiles moving along the conveyor, or when there is a possibility of a collision between successive vehicles leaving the conveyor system.

Abstract: The brush assembly includes a brush mounted at the end of an arm member which moves the brush to various locations along the car passing through the carwash. The arm member comprises a single arm assembly having an outside and inside arm connected at a pivot. A support extends upward from a base. One end of the inside arm is attached to the support, and the arm assembly pivots above and close to the base. The brush extends upward from the end of the outside arm opposite the intermediate pivot and is rotated by a motor. A fluid control system may pivot the inside arm with respect to the base and the outside arm with respect to the inside arm. The support for the arm on the base is angled and the brush is angled to assist in pivoting the arm and rotating parts of the brush along the car.

Abstract: A car to be washed is moved longitudinally along a path through a washing station, a prerinsing station, a rinsing station and a drying station. At the washing station the car is scrubbed with hot, soapy water. In the prerinsing station the car is sprayed with water mixed with a surface-tension-increasing agent. In the rinsing station the car passes under a curtain down which flows a film of pure water. The curtain is formed of a multiplicity of parallel vertical filaments that conduct this rinse water with the surface-tension-increasing agent as a substantially continuous film over the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing the surface of an object in which a rotating brush is provided. The bristles of the brush are supplied with a washing liquid through a hollow shaft for a limited angular rotation so that the washing liquid effectively is transmitted to the ends of the bristles substantially only during the time they make contact with the surface.

Abstract: A car wash in which sponge rollers are used and are yieldingly held against the top and two sides of the vehicle and are positioned in the car wash after the vehicle has been washed. The sponge rollers are compressed against the top and sides of the vehicle and will absorb the water film remaining on the vehicle. A vacuum shoe contacts each sponge roller and vacuum is used for removing any fluid in the sponge roller as the cylindrical surface of the roller moves under the shoe. The fluid withdrawn from the roller is conveyed to the sewer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle wash apparatus including a wash arch frame carried on tracks extending longitudinally of a wash stall in which a car to be washed is parked. Overhead arms are pivotally carried on their respective one ends from an overhead transverse horizontal pivot shaft and mount a horizontally disposed rotary top brush from the free ends thereof for selective lowering into a position for contacting the front of a vehicle to wash the grill and for travel rearwardly along the hood, top and trunk of the vehicle. Side brush arms are carried pivotally from the sides of the arch frame for rotation about vertical axes and project in a direction opposite the direction in which the top brush arms, in their retracted positions, project and are urged inwardly to wash the sides of the car as the arch carries the top brush rearwardly on the tracks.

Abstract: Vehicle washing apparatus includes a turntable for reception of a vehicle on it at an entrance point. Two arm and brush assemblies are provided at opposite sides of the path of the vehicle onto the turntable to scrub upstanding exterior body surfaces of the vehicle. The turntable is rotated with the vehicle on it, as the brushes are moved by the vehicle body surfaces and scrub the entire perimeter of the vehicle at least once with both brushes, using a 360 degree rotation of the turntable. Articulated brushes, in one embodiment, are employed with brush reversal for additional brushing of the rear end as the vehicle is moved off the turntable. Oscillating friction strips are provided at the entrance for cleaning top surfaces of the vehicle, and a dryer unit is provided at the exit point for drying the vehicle. Conveyors are employed at the entrance and exit points as well as on the turntable itself, for conveyor movement of the vehicle, if desired.

Abstract: A device for use in cleaning the wheels of golf buggies. The device comprises driven rollers which are arranged to support the vehicle's wheels and to induce rotation of the wheels by peripheral engagement. A brush is located between the rollers for contacting and wiping the wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle is mounted to the rollers, the brush being driven to rotate with a peripheral velocity different from that which is imparted to the vehicle wheels by the driven rollers. Subsidiary driven brushes are mounted to the device for use in cleaning golfing accessories, such as golfclubs, and golfer's shoes.

Abstract: A rotating brush assembly for a vehicle washing apparatus is disclosed in which the brush assembly, which includes a brush, a brush shaft supporting the brush, a brush motor for driving the brush shaft and a flexible elastic coupling, is permitted to swing or tilt in response to the force exerted on the brush by the movement of the vehicle relative to the vehicle washing apparatus. The flexing of the flexible elastic coupling, which couples the brush shaft to the support arm, permits the brush to tilt or swing in any direction. For example, when the brush assembly engages the front of a vehicle, the flexible elastic coupling permits the brush to tilt as it passes along the front end of the vehicle. The brush motor rotates the brush in a direction which causes the brush to walk along the front of the vehicle.

Abstract: A scouring pad is placed between two parallel rotating rollers mounted in a slot formed in the top of a platform. The lower surfaces of the rollers are wetted by a liquid detergent solution contained in a tank mounted below the platform. A shoe roller skate having a front pair and a rear pair of wheels is placed on the platform with one pair of wheels resting on the rollers and engaging the top of the scouring pad. The rollers rotate the skate wheels against the scouring pad, thereby removing dirt from the skate wheels by an abrading action. The liquid detergent is transferred from the rollers to the skate wheels and scouring pad, thereby enhancing the removal of the dirt from the skate wheels.

Abstract: An endless conveyor type chamois-like curtain drier for vehicles wherein a plurality of spaced drying curtains hang down into the frontal path of a vehicle and are pulled over the vehicle surfaces by the lower run of the conveyor to wipe the moisture therefrom. The curtains are returned in overlapping relationship by the upper run to the point of beginning after removing moisture therefrom by wringer roll or vacuum. An accelerator means in the form of a rotatable paddle wheel intercepts each of the curtains adjacent the head end of the conveyor to speed up the linear movement of the curtains and lift the individual curtains free of their laminated relationship and over and around the conveyor end returning the curtains to the beginning of the lower run in a freely hangable condition.

Abstract: A horizontal scrubbing brush for a vehicle-washing apparatus, vertically guided in lateral tracks on a portal frame, is suspended from two sets of cables, one set leading to a counterweight, the other being linked with a piston of a single-acting pneumatic cylinder which is pressurized to raise the brush and is cut off to let the brush descend under its own weight partly balanced by the counterweight. The piston head within the cylinder is provided with resilient peripheral lips which let the air escape slowly during the descent of the brush and also exert a braking action during its ascent.

Abstract: Method and wrap around car wash apparatus are disclosed for maintaining uniform crush pressure of a rotary brush against a predetermined surface area of an advancing vehicle. A constant counterclockwise torque is produced on an outer arm by means of a rotating gear connected to the outer arm and a rack driven by a first pneumatic cylinder. After the rotary brush passes around the front edge of the vehicle, an inner arm pivotally connected to a support and the outer arm rotates counterclockwise until a maximum knuckled relationship between the inner and outer arms is attained. As the rotary brush, rotating clockwise, passes around the rear of the vehicle, the rotary brush bites into the rear corner producing a reaction force which causes the inner arm to be forced counterclockwise against a compression spring. The compression spring then boosts the inner arm in the clockwise direction, causing the rotary brush to be pushed into the rear end of the vehicle.

Abstract: A portal frame of a vehicle-washing station, carrying cylindrical brushes for scrubbing the body of a vehicle moving relatively to that frame, supports a pair of oppositely disposed wheel-cleaning units with respective rotary brushes confronting the sides of the vehicle at the level of its wheels. Each wheel-cleaning unit comprises a feeler, normally retracted, which at the beginning of a traverse is extended into the path of the proximal wheel pair to sense the arrival of the leading wheel in a scrubbing position. The feeler then causes the arrest of the main drive and the advancement of the associated wheel-scrubbing brush into contact with the vehicle wheel so positioned; the same happens with the wheel-cleaning unit at the opposite side. During this operation the feeler is again retracted; when relative motion of the vehicle and the portal frame resumes, the feeler is again extended to repeat the aforedescribed procedure with the trailing vehicle wheel.

Abstract: An arrangement for processing surfaces of bodies having irregular contours, in which a rotating body driven by a shaft guided in it, is held against the surface to be processed. A plurality of sections are held against the body, and the shell surface of the rotating body is the carrier for the means for processing the surface. The sections of the rotating body are eccentrically penetrated by a drive shaft on which drive wheels acting from the inside on one section apiece are arranged. At least one guide is easily tilted relative to the drive shaft and the section supported by it. The rotating body sections are rigid hollow cylinder sections, and the drive wheels are the friction wheels contacting the hollow cylinder sections. The drive wheels, furthermore, are guided in a recess on the inside of the hollow cylinder sections. The drive wheels may be pinions engaging internal gear rings associated with the hollow cylinder sections.

Abstract: A treadleplate for use in an automatic carwash system for regulating the length of time a cleaning solution is sprayed on the tires of a passing vehicle in direct relationship to the size of the vehicle tire. A horizontal base plate is mounted on the carwash floor in the path of one of the vehicle tires. A contact plate is pivotally mounted on the base plate and is movable from a normal inclined, at-rest position to a horizontal depressed position when rolled over by the vehicle tire. The contact plate is formed with a stepped outer swinging edge which provides a series of transversely spaced contact zones of varying tire contact length. These zones are adapted to be selectively engaged by one of the tires of a vehicle moving through the carwash which depresses the contact plate and actuates a cleaning solution control valve. The particular zone which is engaged by the tire is in direct relationship to the transverse spacing or track of the particular vehicle moving through the carwash.

Abstract: A continuous loop dryer curtain for automatic car washes. In one embodiment the curtain comprises a closed loop of water absorbent material such as towel or chamois supported from an overhead roller extending transversely of the wash lane and passing through spring biased wringer rollers to dry the towel between vehicles. In another embodiment, the continuous loop is a non-absorbent material such as sheet vinyl and carries two or more depending towels at spaced points thereon. An intermittent drive causes the loop to be advanced a distance along its own length for each vehicle. Water which is wrung from the drying material is carried off by means of a drain pan and hose. A rinse source is provided.

Abstract: A brush comprises a frame, able to move in a substantially horizontal plane. A driving device is provided to cause the frame to oscillate in the horizontal plane. From the frame hangs a number of flexible straps which wipe over the vehicle and effect a cleaning action.

Abstract: Water from existing clarifier tank is pumped to a centrifugal separator where solid particles are removed. A bypass valve is disposed between the outlet of the separator and the inlet of the pump to keep the separator operating at high velocity even when there is little or no demand for processed water. A vortex breaker is provided at the sludge outlet of the separator to prevent solid particles from being carried to the processed water outlet to the separator. A valve is provided at the outlet of the vortex breaker to prevent vacuum lock when the pump is turned off, and a priming valve is provided to prime the pump. A float tank and check valve may also be provided for expelling trapped air from the system. Two or more centrifugal separators may be employed in parallel when a higher volume of processed water is required.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle drying apparatus for use in an automatic car wash system comprising a series of vertically hanging towels connected to a rotating carriage and vaccum drying means disposed in the circuit of moving towels for drying the towels as they are rotated across the vehicle, wherein the towels are detachably connected to corresponding transparent flexible support strip elements to permit visual observation of vehicles behind the hanging strips.

Abstract: A dry wiping system for use in a mechanized car wash establishment in which an automobile moves along a defined path comprises a series of strips of water absorbent material suspended from a carrier above the path of the automobile. The carrier, which moves the strips so that they wipe across the wet exterior surfaces of the automobile, is guided along a circuit which causes the strips to be carried across the path of the automobile at an angle such that the strips have a substantial component of motion in a direction opposite the motion of the automobile substantially throughout each traverse of the path. Preferably, the circuit of motion is of triangular form and the system also includes a pair of power driven wringer rollers positioned to receive the strips after they have passed across the automobile to dewater the strips prior to their next excursion across the automobile.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus, particularly effective for scrubbing the upper portions of a vehicle as it moves along a predetermined path through a wash bay or the like, including an overhead carriage extending transversely of the vehicle path and a plurality of curtain or sheets of flexible, felt-like material extending in facing relation below the upper portions of the vehicle. The lower portions of the sheet include a plurality of vertical slits forming a plurality of narrow ribbons or strips. The carriage is reciprocated or oscillated through an arcuate path about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the vehicle. This oscillatory movement of the carriage imparts both a fore and aft and up and down movement on the strips with respect to the vehicle, providing a circulatory-like scrubbing action on the upper portions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulically controlled telescopic boom is mounted on a wheeled powered vehicle. A hydraulic system controls the length of the boom and its direction to the right and left of the vehicle. An electric motor is mounted on the boom at the free end thereof. A cleaning brush is coupled to and driven by the motor for rotatably brushing the surface of a wall. A chemical cleanser and water system are coupled to the brush to supply chemical cleanser and water to wash and rinse a wall via the brush.

Abstract: An apparatus for stripping fluids from the surface of an object including a flexible, inflatable bag of generally rectangular transverse cross section including an inlet for introducing air under pressure into the bag and an elongated opening at one end of the bag defining a nozzle for emitting a stream of air and an air distributor for supplying air to the bag and for supporting the bag so that it extends toward the object wherein the nozzle end of said bag lies in the path of motion of the object to cause physical engagement between the nozzle end of the bag and the object to bring the stream of air emitted from the nozzle opening into close spacial relationship with the surface of the object.

Abstract: A brush structure including a resilient member which deforms upon contact with a tire sidewall to bias bristles on the resilient member into forceful contact with a moving tire sidewall. A brush assembly is disclosed which supports the present brush structure for movement toward and away from a vehicle wheel assembly and also serves to oscillate the brush against the tire sidewall.

Abstract: This portable carwash apparatus includes a mobile body carrying a brush support assembly having a forwardly projecting boom carrying the brush, a rearwardly projecting handle and a post, pivotally mounted to the body for swinging movement of the boom and brush by means of the handle between operating positions on either side of the body. A brush drive assembly is mounted to the brush support assembly so that the two assemblies can be lifted from the body as a unit. The body houses a reservoir and a rearwardly disposed power pack and includes spray nozzles on each side for selectively directing cleaning liquid pumped from the reservoir onto the brush. An automatic switching mechanism is provided for the brush drive assembly and pumping assembly so that the brush rotation and spray direction are changed when the brush is moved from one operating position to the other.

Abstract: A side brush arrangement for a car wash including parallel-mounted primary and secondary brushes rotating in opposite directions. The brushes are inclined at an attitude of about 20.degree. from the horizontal away from the direction from which the vehicle approaches to prevent damage to external appendages such as radio antennas. The manner of support of the primary brushes is such that they can pivot in and out while remaining parallel to the vehicle sides to accommodate different vehicle contours and widths while being inclined at a shallow angle. The primary brush is between twelve and fifteen feet in length so as to engage at least 50% of the overall length of a vehicle being washed and to perform a thorough scrubbing on the vehicle. A segmented brush with varying bristle stiffness is disclosed. The secondary brush shaft is connected via a universal joint to the shaft of a horizontal wheel brush so that a single motor may drive both brush shafts.

Abstract: A vehicle washing machine is disclosed, of a type particularly adapted for washing relatively large vehicles, such as buses, vans, trucks, etc. featuring a mounting arrangement for a pair of side brushes which are disposed in the wash lane so as to scrub the sides of the washed vehicles. The mounting of each swing frame arrangement includes a swing frame on which each brush is rotatably mounted, inclined to the horizontal, and pivotally mounted to the frame so as to be able to pivot into engagement with the vehicle side. Each swing frame is urged into engagement with a vehicle passing between the side brushes by a shock absorber-spring assembly acting on the upper end of the swing frame urging the brush into the wash lane, while accommodating minor in and out movements due to variations in the vehicle contour, side motions, etc., the shock absorber damping the resulting oscillations of the swing frame.

Abstract: A counting mechanism for a motor vehicle washing plant. A vertically movable switching member is located in the track in the washing plant and in the path of the vehicle wheel located in the track. The switching member is movable vertically upon engagement by a vehicle wheel and is urged downwardly into engagement with the bottom of the track. After the wheel has passed over the switching member, structure is provided for returning the switching member to its initial position. The second vehicle wheel will then engage the switching member a second time and urge it downwardly into engagement with the bottom of the track. This second engagement will produce an indexing of a stroke counter to register a counting unit thereon. As a result, it will not be possible to control or thwart, in an unauthorized manner, the counting mechanism for counting cars actually washed in the washing plant.

Abstract: A drum towel drier for vehicles, in which towel holders are pivotally mounted around the periphery of a rotating drum. Each towel holder carries a towel and also has a lever projecting therefrom. When the towel holder enters a vehicle drying sector, the lever contacts a fixed trip pin, causing the towel holder to rotate through an arc (in the same direction of rotation as that of the drum), pulling such towel holder's towel part way off the drum. This expedites unwrapping of the towels from the drum so that they can dry a vehicle. A guide rail below the drum limits the rotation of the towel holders so that the rear towel hangs lower than the towels forwardly thereof, to improve the distribution of towels on the vehicle.

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.

Abstract: A double wraparound brush assembly for a vehicle washing apparatus including a control arm having one end pivotally mounted to the frame of the apparatus above the path of the vehicle, a brush arm having one end pivoted to the other end of the control arm, and a brush beam, supporting a pair of driven rotary brushes at each end, journaled at its middle portion to the other end of the brush arm, and control means for the control arm and the brush arm.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically performing an operation such as washing, drying, buffing, polishing, finishing or the like on a motor vehicle as it is transported through a frame having an entrance, an exit, and an intermediate portion vertically spaced above the vehicle between the entrance and the exit. A support member extends across the intermediate portion of the frame and pivotally supports a pair of arms about a central portion thereof. One end of each of the arms pivotally supports a first rack on one side of the support while the opposite end of each of the arms pivotally supports a second rack on the opposite side of the support. Each of the racks has one or more pack units of finishing material suspended therefrom for washing, drying, buffing, polishing or otherwise finishing the motor vehicle. A rotating element is driven by a motor.

Abstract: A self-propelled and contained trailer washing machine, operable by one individual, which machine is comprised of an integrally powered and steerable wheel mounted rigid frame structure configured to straddle the height and width dimensions of a typical over-the-road commercial trailer so that when the washing machine is operator-aligned to straddle a trailer and then driven along the longitudinal dimension thereof, on such a single driven pass the exterior surfaces of the trailer are automatically washably cleaned by the operator first activating a selected material application pump which supplies an operator controlled amount of a suitable fluid cleaning material directed through a spray arch from one of a plurality of tanks mounted within and carried upon the rigid frame structure, followed by operator activation of a set of spaced frame structure mounted laterally adjustable vertical rotary brushes which simultaneously engage and by opposing rotary motion scrub the respective trailer sides concurrent with

Abstract: An automobile polishing apparatus including a main frame supported on wheels for movement around the automobile to be polished and upon which is mounted a polishing wheel for polishing the sides and front and rear of the automobile and a portable polishing unit which is adapted to be hand held for polishing the upper surfaces of the automobile. The preferred design includes a reversible drive for the polishing wheel, a brake for restraining movement of the apparatus along the floor, a pair of oppositely rotated polishing heads on the portable polishing unit, a hydraulic drive for the polishing heads, and an electric power supply including ring and brush contacts permitting free movement of the apparatus around the automobile.

Abstract: Apparatus for scrubbing the hull of a boat comprising a pair of side frames spaced for a boat to be floated therebetween and a pair of generally horizontal power driven brushes extending transversely between the side frames. The brushes are pivotally secured together at their inner ends and are so mounted on the side frames that the position of the brushes is changeable as a boat floats over the brushes so that the brushes are maintained in scrubbing engagement with the bottom of the boat hull.

Abstract: The car wash apparatus includes two opposed side brush assemblies, each comprised of two brushes supported by respective independently powered arms pivotally mounted upon a common pivot member. The arms are of such angular configurations that, with respect to the apparatus centerline, the opposed side brushes can be swung oppositely to and from overlapping washing positions so disposed that the side and end surfaces of the car are fully contacted, regardless of the width of the car. Contact pressure applied by each brush is controlled and independently maintained substantially constant such that substantially the same brush contact pressure is applied to cars of varying widths. To minimize length, the pivot members of the two side brush assemblies are located directly opposite one another. Additionally, the apparatus may include a rotatable top brush assembly including angular arms capable of washing the top surfaces of automobiles, trucks, vans and the like.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus particularly adapted for use in closed bays comprising a stationary frame carrying a plurality of brushes to wash the vehicle as it moves through the unit in a forward direction and to rinse the vehicle as it backs out of the unit in the reverse direction. The brushes include two opposed warp-around brushes, a top brush, and two opposed ledge brushes. The warp-around brushes and the top brush are movable between an operative vehicle washing position during the forward movement of the vehicle and an inoperative retracted position during the reverse movement of the vehicle. The stationary frame carries detergent and rinse spray arches. A control circuit is provided to automatically control operation of the brushes, the detergent arch and the rinse arch pursuant to the passage of a vehicle through the unit.

Abstract: An automatic surface polishing system utilizing strips of material to apply polish to a finished surface and strips of material to subsequently buff that surface. Fabric strips are attached about the periphery of rotating drums. Polish is applied to the strips and is then applied by the strips to the surface and rubbed-in by intermittent contacts between the strips and the surface. The polished surface is caused to dry and is then buffed by additional dry fabric strips which make intermittent contact with the surface.