Abstract: A car wash brush comprises an axial core structure and a plurality of foam plastic media sheets attached to the core structure in angularly spaced relationship to one another. The media sheets are preferably made of closed cell, low absorbtivity foam plastic material between about ? and ½ inch thick and thermoformed into a pleated configuration with a surface pattern of raised and recessed geometric figures. The media sheets are split at least partially into individual pliant fingers.

Abstract: A car wash arch of inverted U-shape with a centrally mounted pendant on the overhead horizontal section, the pendant being of such size and shape as to accommodate a logo or other indicia therein. Light tubes, preferably containing LEDs extend upwardly along the vertical sections of the arch, inwardly along the horizontal section of the arch and into the pendant so as to at least partially frame and illuminate the pendant. A fluid conduit feeding a system of nozzles can be mounted to the arch and supply car wash fluids to spray nozzles inwardly from the vertical and horizontal arch sections.

Abstract: A car wash dolly of the type used in connection with multi-tier car wash conveyors comprises, in mirror image arrangement, first and second pairs of stainless steel journals having external bearing surfaces and polymeric rollers mounted for rotation on said bearing surfaces wherein the journals are nitro carburized and mechanically polished prior to assembly.

Abstract: A structural member as designed to define a fluid distribution conduit receiving cavity within its interior volume. An elongate extruded plastic cover snap-fits onto the member to conceal the conduit but permits nozzles and the like to extend therethrough so that fluid may be distributed from the conduit and/or serviced as necessary without removing the cover. The cover effectively supports the conduit by trapping it against the cavity floor.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system using a light ribbon running along an adjacent wall to coach vehicle drivers as to the speed they should when transiting a multistation wash system. The light ribbon is made up of one or more rows of LED's and can be operated in any of several modes including multicolored displays as well as a “rabbit” mode. Sensors, timers, and digital processors are used to monitor vehicle location and speed and cause appropriate activation of the lighting system. An event log is maintained.

Abstract: A carwash brush support structure is extendable relative to a vertical support beam. Extension of the carwash brush carriage is facilitated by means of roller bearings each of which is made up of a U-bolt having threaded ends and a plurality of loosely packed rollers on the U-bolt which engage and roll relative to the surface of a cylindrical rail. The rollers may be of substantially the same size or may be graduated in size toward the opposite ends of the U-bolt to trap the bearing on a cylindrical beam. Rollers of a distinctive color may be located on U-bolt where the greatest roller loading is expected.

Abstract: A high velocity, multiple-jet spray nozzle for use in carwash systems. Each nozzle comprises the axial unitary combination of a base, a nozzle carrier and a face plate. An inlet and a chamber are formed in the body and axially aligned flow passages are formed in the nozzle carrier and face plate so that when the components are assembled, five parallel jets arranged in a circular pattern are defined between the chamber and the outer surface of the face plate. Stainless steel nozzle inserts are press fit into the flow passages of the nozzle carrier and are held in place by the face plate. Screws hold the assembly together. The nozzles are preferably used in multiples to define a wide stream of washing fluid which can be used to attach mud, ice and other debris on the surfaces of a vehicle as well as on wheels and undercarriage. Each nozzle has an alignment axis marked on the face plate along which the spacing between adjacent nozzle outlets is uniform.

Abstract: A horizontal car wash implement for a vehicle laundering or finishing plant wherein a horizontal implement rotated by a hydraulic motor is mounted between the free ends of pivot arms carried by spaced vertical support columns on opposing sides of a vehicle wash lane. The car wash implement is mounted between the ends of a pair of spaced apart, parallel support arms and a counterweight is mounted to the ends of a second pair of spaced support arms. The counterweight support arms and the car wash implement support arms are adapted to pivotally mount to the vertical support columns. The counterweight support arms and the implement support arms are mechanically interconnected such that the support arms of the car wash implement and the counterweight pivotally move synchronously in opposing directions relative to one another on one side of the vertical support columns.

Abstract: A vehicle washer of the rollover type especially suitable for washing large vehicles such as buses and trucks. The washer includes an overhead carriage moving along an overhead guide rail structure and including opposed L-shaped spray arms adapted to wash top and side surfaces of the vehicle as the carriage moves along the guide rail and move in butterfly fashion as the carriage reaches a respective end of the vehicle whereby to wash that end of the vehicle.

Abstract: An auto-laundry conveyor of three-tier design using upper, lower and intermediate track rails with a narrow slot between them. Dollies are provided in an endless loop conveyor chain and each dolly comprises a combination of a center link, a pair of reversely similar tire engaging rollers, a pair of reversely similar track engaging rollers outboard of the tire engaging rollers and a pair of reversely similar stabilizing rollers outboard of the track engaging rollers. The stabilizing rollers are effectively larger in diameter; i.e., higher than the track engaging rollers so as to prevent rolling contact between the stabilizing rollers and the track surface and to receive the tread surface of an off-center tire and keep the tread surface from interfering with rolling movement of the track engaging rollers. The conveyor is manufactured in 10-foot lengths except for the entry and exit sections which are of lengths X and Y wherein X plus Y equals 10 feet.

Abstract: A tire dressing applicator comprises a support and one or more foam plastic elements mounted on the support so as to contact a tire sidewall and transfer dressing onto the tire sidewall. A distribution system drips or drizzles dressing onto the element(s) after which it is spread over and into the element(s) surface. The elements can be toroidal or rectangular and have anti-distortion pins embedded therein.

Abstract: A tire dressing applicator comprises a support and one or more foam plastic elements mounted on the support so as to contact a tire sidewall and transfer dressing onto the tire sidewall. A distribution system drips or drizzles dressing onto the element(s) after which it is spread over and into the element(s) surface. The elements can be toroidal or rectangular and have anti-distortion pins embedded therein.

Abstract: A tire dressing applicator comprises a support shaft mounted between the ends of a bracket and a plurality of tire dressing applicator foam rollers mounted on the shaft for rotation both with the shaft and in unison with one another and, as necessary when contacting a tire sidewall, relative to the shalt itself to prevent and/or reduce unnecessary roller wear. A drizzle-type system of dressing dispensers pipes drizzles dressing onto the outside surfaces of the rollers and a felt flap spreads the dressing and prevents waste which is characteristic of spray type systems. A quick-release mechanism associated with one end of the roller shaft where it is connected to the bracket permits the shaft to be released for the purpose of replacing worn rollers. Individual rollers are constructed using hard plastic cages which are adhesively bonded in toroidal foam volumes to prevent lateral scrunching or distortion of rollers during use.

Abstract: A car wash brush is constructed by sliding multi-layered, wheel-shaped foam plastic cartridges onto a hub with three keyways formed in the outer surfaces thereof. The cartridges use spacers interspersed with foam layers and adhesively bonded to the foam layers. The spacers have keys which fit into die hub keyways to prevent relative rotation while allowing, longitudinal sliding motion. Multiple cartridges are used to produce a brush of desired length. Old style hubs can be salvaged for use in this construction.

Abstract: A vehicle washing system. The vehicle washing system includes a vehicle washing system component. Also, provided is an apparatus for moving the vehicle relative to vehicle washing system component. The speed of the relative motor of the vehicle is selected either by an operator automatically or may be varied to vary the vehicle throughput through the vehicle wash. A control unit is provided. The control unit senses the speed of movement of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle washing system. The control unit adjusts the vehicle washing system component for coordinating the vehicle washing system component in accordance with the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tire dressing applicator which reduces wear on the applicator elements comprising a plurality of foam rollers having broad outer circumferential surfaces mounted in parallel coaxial adjacent relationship on a support shaft adjacent a path of tire travel. Tire dressing is dispensed onto the outer circumferential surfaces on demand and an actuator is provided for incrementally rotating the shaft and the rollers in unison therewith as necessary. However, a frictional engagement between the rollers and the shaft permits individual rotation of the rollers relative to the shaft during engagement with a tire sidewall.

Abstract: An auto-laundry conveyor of three-tier design using upper, lower and intermediate track rails with a narrow slot between them. Dollies are provided in an endless loop conveyor chain and each dolly comprises a combination of a center link, a pair of reversely similar tire engaging rollers, a pair of reversely similar track engaging rollers outboard of the tire engaging rollers and a pair of reversely similar stabilizing rollers outboard of the track engaging rollers. The stabilizing rollers are effectively larger in diameter; i.e., higher than the track engaging rollers so as to prevent rolling contact between the stabilizing rollers and the track surface and to receive the tread surface of an off-center tire and keep the tread surface from interfering with rolling movement of the track engaging rollers. The conveyor is manufactured in 10-foot lengths except for the entry and exit sections which are of lengths X and Y wherein X plus Y equals 10 feet.

Abstract: A car wash brush is constructed using elements of pleated synthetic material. In one form, radially-pleated fabric discs are stacked on a shaft. In another form, a single length of material is laterally pleated and punched to form a continuous pattern of holes along one edge, and assembled onto a spring or flexible cable which can be wrapped around a rotatable drive shaft.

Abstract: A wrap-around car wash structure comprising two staggered, vertical brushes. Each brush is mounted on a carriage which slides along a bifurcated boom pivotally mounted on a support base. The boom and carriages start in an extended position wherein the brushes are near the center of the wash lane; the booms swing in toward the sides of the lane as the brushes' carriages are pulled inwardly by reversible power cylinders. A control mechanism on at least one of the booms promptly reverses the power cylinder as the brush clears the side of the vehicle regardless of the width of the vehicle and the degree to which it has displaced the boom toward the side of the wash lane.

Abstract: A car wash brush is constructed using permanently pleated synthetic water-carrying material. In one form, radially-pleated fabric discs are stacked on a shaft. In another form, a single length of material is laterally pleated and punched to form a continuous pattern of holes along one edge, and assembled onto a spring or flexible cable which can be wrapped around a rotatable drive shaft. The brush so constructed is quiet in operation contact-washing a vehicle.