Abstract: A vehicle drying assembly has a frame defining a path for movement of a vehicle through the drying assembly and a side brush rotatable about a generally horizontal axis. The side brush includes brush segments that extend radially from the axis to contact a side of the vehicle in a direction generally normal to the path, as the first side brush rotates about its generally horizontal axis. The side brush is mounted at a defined height above the ground and at a distance relative to the vehicle along the path, so as to define a no-contact region on the side of the vehicle in which the side brush does not contact the vehicle as the side brush rotates and the vehicle moves through the drying assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle conveyor for conveying a wheeled vehicle along a track using a roller may include a track with an opening for passage of a roller from a surface to an underside of the track. The conveyor may also include a door that is pivotable, about a pivot that is below track level, between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the door may cover the opening. In the open position, the door may uncover the opening. The conveyor may further include a gap in the track, adjacent to the opening, for accommodating the door when pivoted to the open position. A flexible cover may cover the gap and may be free to ride up and onto at least a portion of the door that extends above a surface of the track as the door pivots from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A device for guiding a wheel along a track of a vehicle wash, comprises a support frame, a bracket and a bumper. The bracket is positioned adjacent to the track and has flanges extending upwardly and toward the center of the track defining a channel. The bumper has a mounting portion received in the channel and a wheel contacting portion with a tapered bearing surface. The mounting portion is received in the channel so that the tapered bearing surface extends at an angle upwardly and toward the center of the track.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for are disclosed for cleaning a vehicle wheel surface on a vehicle wheel with a brush. A brush may comprise a plurality of resilient brush elements having varying lengths. The methods may provide for rotating the brush elements such that at any time during at least some of the plurality of brush elements are in engagement with the wheel surface. The wheel surface may be engaged by brush elements that have a length that changes cyclically and the brush elements may also cyclically vary the contact pressure between brush elements and the vehicle surface.

Abstract: A take-up drum carriage assembly may include a tensioning take-up drum, a carriage for supporting the tensioning take-up drum, a plurality of pivot arms for pivotably supporting the carriage relative to a vehicle wash conveyor frame, and for each of the pivot arms, at least one interconnector for pivotably interconnecting the pivot arm and the carriage. Each interconnector may include a resilient support that supports at least part of the weight of the carriage. The interconnector may fix the resilient support relative to one of the pivot arm and the carriage. The other of the pivot arm and the carriage may rock relative to, and against, the resilient support upon longitudinal movement of the carriage relative to the vehicle wash conveyor frame during tensioning. The pivot arms may be swing arms.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system is disclosed that has a vehicle path for movement of a vehicle. The system comprises a support frame, a first beam member mounted to the support frame and a second beam member mounted to the support frame for vertical movement relative to the support frame. The second beam member is spaced from the first beam member. The first and second beam members each have associated therewith a vehicle treatment apparatus. Each of the first beam member and second beam member are movable between (a) operational positions wherein first and second beam members extend across the vehicle path and the treatment apparatus is operable to apply a treatment to a vehicle on the vehicle path and (b) vehicle release positions wherein the beam members do not extend across the vehicle path.

Abstract: A take-up drum carriage assembly may include a tensioning take-up drum, a carriage for supporting the tensioning take-up drum, a plurality of pivot arms for pivotably supporting the carriage relative to a vehicle wash conveyor frame, and for each of the pivot arms, at least one interconnector for pivotably interconnecting the pivot arm and the carriage. Each interconnector may include a resilient support that supports at least part of the weight of the carriage. The interconnector may fix the resilient support relative to one of the pivot arm and the carriage. The other of the pivot arm and the carriage may rock relative to, and against, the resilient support upon longitudinal movement of the carriage relative to the vehicle wash conveyor frame during tensioning. The pivot arms may be swing arms.