Abstract: This invention is an automated system and method for washing automobiles. The invention provides a device which sprays liquid onto the vehicle, while closely following the general contour of the vehicle. The system determines that contour by analyzing and recording patterns of broken light beams when the vehicle passes by an array of photoelectric sensors. The system uses the stored information about the contour of the vehicle to control the movement of a spray bar which contains a set of nozzles. As the vehicle is pulled into the washing area by a conveyor, the spray bar initially moves with the vehicle, spraying the front grille while maintaining a constant distance from the vehicle. Then, the spray bar reverses direction, while the vehicle continues to move forward. The spray bar then travels around the vehicle contour, while adjusting the direction of the nozzles so that the liquid flows in the proper direction. After having traced the entire contour, the spray bar reverses direction again.

Abstract: A guide rail apparatus to be used within an automatic car wash including two parallel rails for directing the travel of the car tires along the conveyor within the car wash. The gap between the rails is expandable for accepting a range of wide and narrow tires as found on various cars. At least one of the two rails includes a series of rigid tubular rail portions which are attached to a biasing apparatus. The biasing apparatus may include a pivot which is supported with respect to a fixed surface by an elastomer material. The portions of the pivoting rail are connected by a flexible member so as to form a continuous rail length and to permit pivoting of one portion of the rail while an adjacent portion along the length remains in its normal inwardly biased position. The biasing apparatus may also include a projecting rod that pivotally supports the ends of the tubular rail positions.

Abstract: A fluid distribution apparatus is provided which includes a sensor for developing control signals representative of the profile of a vehicle to be cleaned and a tube for distributing fluid. The tube is movable horizontally in directions parallel to the path of a vehicle being cleaned and vertically toward and away from the path of the vehicle. Movements of the tube are controlled to position the tube in front of the vehicle and move the tube in the direction of movement of the vehicle and to position the tube above the vehicle and move the tube in a direction opposite that of the vehicle and simultaneously move the tube vertically to follow the profile of the vehicle. The tube is also positioned behind the vehicle and moved in the direction of the vehicle after the profiling. Oscillatory movement of the tube about a plurality of angular positions is also provided.

Abstract: Drying apparatus for an automatic car wash having separate sensing means for detecting the proximity of a nozzle to opaque top portions of vehicles and transparent top portions of vehicles to maintain the nozzle within a preselected proximity range of the top portions of the vehicles. Another sensing means is provided to detect the tailgates of open-bed pick-up trucks to retract the nozzle before it hits a tailgate. Also, the means by which the nozzle is mounted and moved toward and away from the vehicles vary the orientation of the nozzle relative to vertical as the nozzles moves between its uppermost and lowermost positions. Similar mounting and moving means can be used with side drying apparatus. In a second and more preferred form, ultrasonic detectors detect both the opaque parts of a vehicle and the windshield.

Abstract: This invention is an automated system and method for washing automobiles. The invention provides a device which sprays liquid onto the vehicle, while closely following the general contour of the vehicle. The system determines that contour by analyzing and recording patterns of broken light beams when the vehicle passes by an array of photoelectric sensors. The system uses the stored information about the contour of the vehicle to control the movement of a spray bar which contains a set of nozzles. As the vehicle is pulled into the washing area by a conveyor, the spray bar initially moves with the vehicle, spraying the front grill while maintaining a constant distance from the vehicle. Then, the spray bar reverses direction, while the vehicle continues to move forward. The spray bar then travels around the vehicle contour, while adjusting the direction of the nozzles so that the liquid flows in the proper direction. After having traced the entire contour, the spray bar reverses direction again.

Abstract: A self-service product dispensing pivotable cabinet has an open face which is faced forwardly for product dispensing and rearwardly for product restocking. A trigger plunger projects forwardly from the open face of the cabinet through a hole in a fixed faceplate. Pivotal support means for the cabinet include two pivot axis, a first of which comprises a vertical hinge rod mounted on the fixed faceplate for pivotal movement about its own axis. A pair of hinge arms extend horizontally from the vertical rod, one from its upper and the other from its lower end. The second pivot axis comprises an imaginary vertical axis extending between a pair of vertically aligned pivot posts, one each on the top and bottom surfaces of the cabinet, and located at the centers of the surfaces. Each pivot post is received within a recess at the distal end of one of the horizontal hinge arms.

Abstract: Dryer equipment for an automatic car wash includes at least one proximity sensing system for maintaining a forced-air stripping nozzle within a predetermined range of the surface of the vehicle. Each sensing system includes a pair of associated triple-beam photoelectric switches, each of said triple beams being adjusted to focus at a different focal point at a different distance from the nozzle. Electronic circuitry responds to signals developed by the sensing system to control an air/oil power system which operates hydraulic cylinders to maintain the nozzle within a relatively narrow range from the vehicle surface. The range is determined by the difference between the focal points of the triple beams of the two associated photoelectric switches. Preferably, .at least two proximity sensing systems are provided--one for the top of the vehicle and the other for the passenger side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A scrubbing apparatus for automobiles and other vehicles has three baskets of scrubbing curtains arranged in generally side-by-side relation transverse to the passageway through which the vehicle moves. The width of the curtains of the inner basket is preferably twice the width of each of the outer baskets. The curtain baskets are driven in an oscillatory manner by a single motor having two crank arms and connecting linkages so arranged that the oscillations of the outer baskets are in phase with each other but are out of phase with the oscillations of the inner basket. The preferred out-of-phase relationship between the innerand outer baskets is 90.degree.. In a preferred arrangement, the baskets are driven by reciprocating rods connected to the baskets at a point below the overhead pivot points of the baskets.

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping rinse water from a vehicle in a car wash has a nozzle with an inlet, an elongated body portion and an outlet. The body portion converges inwardly longitudinally from the inlet to the outlet and terminates in a straight section adjacent the outlet. The nozzle provides a highpressure, high-volume air flow at low horsepower.

Abstract: A brush having a circular disk with a plurality of slots adjacent the edge of the disk. The slots are elongated and arranged at spaced locations around the circumference of the disk. The disk has brush elements made up of individual elongated cloth strips secured to the disk by the circumferential slots. A central opening couples the disk to a drive shaft for rotation of the disk.

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: 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.