Abstract: Described is a blower system. The blower system includes one or more blowers. Each blower has an intake for providing air into an air chamber which houses an impeller. A gate covers each intake. Each gate is movable between a closed position in which it is pulled against the intake and an open position in which the gate is lifted off of the intake. A controller system is included that is operable for causing the gates to move from the closed to the open position when a vehicle is present or approaching and cause the gates to return to the closed position when no vehicle is present or leaving.

Abstract: Described is a vehicle washing apparatus with a movable brush arm carriage. The vehicle washing apparatus includes a carriage frame that can be suspended above a passing vehicle. A brush arm carriage is slidably connected with the carriage frame. A carriage drive system is connected with the carriage frame and the brush arm carriage for causing the brush arm carriage to slide along the length of the carriage frame. A brush arm is rotatably connected with the brush arm carriage. A cleaning brush is rotatably connected with the brush arm. Finally, a brush drive system is included for causing the cleaning brush to rotate. Thus, after having passed under the carriage frame, the cleaning brush can be pressed against the rear of a vehicle and rotated to clean the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A side brush assembly for a vehicle cleaning apparatus includes upper and lower side support members having upper and lower support arms attached thereto. An outer breakaway end portion is pivotally attached to the lower support arm and a control bracket having a slot therein is attached to the outer end of the breakaway end portion. A rotatable brush mounted on a brush shaft has an upper end of the brush shaft supported by mounting means attached to the upper support arm and a lower end of the brush shaft received in the slot of the control bracket so that the lower end may move inwardly and outwardly in a controlled fashion in the slot.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus having a supporting framework extending over a position of a vehicle to be washed. Two oppositely disposed legs of the framework are connected by a cross brace. A top scrubber curtain assembly includes a transverse bulkhead member pivotally supported at its ends to the tops of the legs. Bearings of ultrahigh molecular weight plastic material and cooperating rod means pivotally connect the bulkhead member to the legs. A scrubber carrier frame fixedly connected to the bulkhead member for movement therewith is provided with scrubbing strips. A motor is mounted on one of the legs below the top thereof to oscillate the carrier frame and scrubbing strips backwardly and forwardly as well as upwardly and downwardly.

Abstract: A mechanized vehicle washing apparatus includes top scrubber curtain pivotally mounted to a frame for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane into and out of a path of a vehicle to be washed. The top scrubber curtains may be reciprocated either forwardly and backwardly in directions parallel to the path of a vehicle to be washed or from side to side in directions transverse or angular to the path. The apparatus also may include wrap around brushes pivoted overhead on each side of the frame for pivotal movement into and out of the path of a vehicle being washed. The apparatus further may include high pressure spinner nozzles for high pressure wash and rinse cycles so that the apparatus may be operated in either a touching or a touchless mode. Both the top scrubber curtains and the wrap around brushes preferably employ a deep pile, fur-like material as the washing material.

Abstract: A curtain used in a mechanized vehicle washing system includes a base mounting the curtain for reciprocating motion and a plurality of elongated strips hanging downwardly from the base. Each strip has two opposite side surfaces. A plurality of independently movable shingles are provided on the two opposite side surfaces of each of the plurality of elongated strips. Each shingle is made of a deep pile, fur-like material.

Abstract: A deep pile, fur-like material is used in an automated vehicle washing apparatus to simulate a vehicle hand wash. The vehicle washing apparatus uses a resilient drum constructed of a pair of spaced apart disks and an elastic cord which extends between the disks around the circumference of each disk. A cover is wrapped around the cord, and over a portion of the plates, so that the cover rotates with the plates, which rotate with the shaft. The cover includes a plurality of shingles which extend radially outwardly under centrifugal force. The shingles are preferably made of a deep pile fur-like material. Alternatively, a foam core member wrapped around a rotatable support carries a cover which is made of deep pile, fur-like material.

Abstract: A vehicle washing system includes either one or two substantially vertically oriented vehicle cleaning brushes for washing the front, sides and rear of the vehicle. A supporting frame extends over and across the vehicle travelling along a path. The frame is divided by the path centerline into a first frame section extending across a first path section lying on the first side of the path centerline and a second frame section extending across the second path section lying on the second side of the path centerline. First and second brush support arms are each coupled to a different frame section and pivotally support rotating vehicle cleaning brushes. The shaft of the first brush is positioned within the first path section when its brush support arm is deflected into an open position and is positioned within the second path section when its brush support arm is deflected into a closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle washing system washes the horizontal, vertical or inclined surfaces of a vehicle driven along a path. The system includes a brush assembly having a brush and a drive system for rotating the brush about the rotational axis of the brush. A brush assembly pivot point is located at an intermediate position along the length of the brush assembly. A brush assembly suspension system enables the brush assembly to be angularly deflected in both vertical and horizontal planes and includes a vertical support element which is positioned in proximity to the vehicle path and a brush assembly standoff unit which pivotally couples the brush assembly to the vertical support element at a predetermined elevation. The brush assembly standoff unit includes a horizontal pivot unit and vertical pivot means.

Abstract: A constant-recirculation filter system for decontaminating and reusing wash water in vehicle washing installations and other applications in which water recycling is needed. The elements of the system are selected to avoid need for backwashing operations, thereby enabling use by unskilled personnel. Unrecycled fresh water is used to rinse vehicles, and to provide makeup water to the recirculating system.