Abstract: A vehicle washing system includes a frame disposed above a vehicle treatment area, and an extendable and retractable scissor mechanism coupled to the frame. A rotatable top brush is coupled to a bottom end of the scissor mechanism, and the scissor mechanism is extendable downward to lower the top brush into engagement with a vehicle body and retractable upward to remove the brush from engagement with the vehicle body. The scissor mechanism may include a brush support flange coupled to a bottom end of the scissor mechanism. An anti-spin member may extend from the support member to the scissor mechanism to prevent bending of the scissor mechanism in response to rotating to the top brush. The anti-spin member may be in the form of a fork that slidably engages a protrusion of the scissor mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a pair of side brushes. The side brushes are configured to treat the lateral sides of the vehicle and may also treat the front and back of the vehicle. The side brushes are configured to pivot between a vertical position, an outwardly angled position, and inwardly angled position. The side brushes may travel along the side of the vehicle in both the vertical and pivoted orientations. The side brushes may make multiple passes along the side of the vehicle, and the side brushes may change orientation during or between passes to treat different segments of the vehicle. The side brushes may be actively pivoted or may pivot in response to contacting the vehicle when shifted laterally into contact with the vehicle.

Abstract: An illuminated sign for use in a vehicle wash system, including a base, an upright member extending from the base and having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a head portion connected to the upper portion of the upright member. The illuminated sign includes at least one light source having a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is associated with a first group of vehicle wash services for treating an exterior of a vehicle. The second mode is associated with a second group of vehicle wash services for treating an exterior of a vehicle. The sign includes a sign controller in communication with the at least one light source. The sign controller is configured to enable the first mode in response to detecting a selection of the first group of vehicle wash services. The sign controller is also configured to enable the second mode in response to detecting a selection of the second group of vehicle wash services.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system disposed in a vehicle wash facility includes a plurality of vehicle wash components disposed adjacent a vehicle treatment area. The system includes plurality of lights to be disposed in the vehicle wash facility. Each of the lights is configured with at least a first state and in communication with a controller. The controller is configured to enable the first state of the plurality of lights when no vehicles are present in the vehicle wash facility. When the first state is enabled, the plurality of lights are configured to emit light in a preprogrammed pattern of different colors.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a wash package selection zone where a vehicle operator is presented with a plurality of different vehicle wash packages. Each of the vehicle wash packages has an associated unique color identifier. The system includes a controller configured to receive a selection from the vehicle operator of one of the plurality of different vehicle wash packages. The system includes a vehicle treatment zone, including at least one illumination element associated therewith. The at least one illumination element is in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to emit light from the at least one illumination element in a color that corresponds to the color identifier of the vehicle package selected by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a wash package selection zone where a vehicle operator is presented with a plurality of different vehicle wash packages. Each of the vehicle wash packages has an associated unique color identifier. The system includes a controller configured to receive a selection from the vehicle operator of one of the plurality of different vehicle wash packages. The system includes a vehicle treatment zone, including at least one illumination element associated therewith. The at least one illumination element is in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to emit light from the at least one illumination element in a color that corresponds to the color identifier of the vehicle package selected by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A vehicle wash component includes a rotatable hub portion having an outer surface and an axis of rotation. The component includes a plurality of grooves formed in the outer surface of the rotatable hub with the plurality of grooves being spaced about the perimeter of the outer surface of the hub portion. Each of the plurality of grooves includes one or more media elements disposed therein. The outer surface of the rotatable hub includes a plurality of channels formed therein. The plurality of channels are spaced apart from the plurality of grooves such that each of the plurality of channels is visible when the plurality of media elements are disposed in the plurality of grooves. An illumination source disposed in each of the plurality of channels such that the illumination source in each of the plurality of channels can be seen between the plurality of media elements as the rotatable hub portion operates.

Abstract: A vehicle wash component includes a rotatable hub portion having an outer surface and an axis of rotation. The component includes a plurality of grooves formed in the outer surface of the rotatable hub with the plurality of grooves being spaced about the perimeter of the outer surface of the hub portion. Each of the plurality of grooves includes one or more media elements disposed therein. The outer surface of the rotatable hub includes a plurality of channels formed therein. The plurality of channels are spaced apart from the plurality of grooves such that each of the plurality of channels is visible when the plurality of media elements are disposed in the plurality of grooves. An illumination source disposed in each of the plurality of channels such that the illumination source in each of the plurality of channels can be seen between the plurality of media elements as the rotatable hub portion operates.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a wash package selection zone where a vehicle operator is presented with a plurality of different vehicle wash packages. Each of the vehicle wash packages has an associated unique color identifier. The system includes a controller configured to receive a selection from the vehicle operator of one of the plurality of different vehicle wash packages. The system includes a vehicle treatment zone, including at least one illumination element associated therewith. The at least one illumination element is in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to emit light from the at least one illumination element in a color that corresponds to the color identifier of the vehicle package selected by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A vehicle wash component includes a rotatable hub portion having an outer surface and an axis of rotation. The rotatable hub portion is in driving communication with at least one core portion to effectuate rotation thereof. At least one media element is fixedly secured to the at least one core portion for rotation therewith. The media element includes a plurality of upstanding finger portions, which are configured to contact an exterior surface of a vehicle. The core portion includes at least one light retaining aperture formed therein. At least one illumination element is disposed between the plurality of upstanding finger portions and in the at least one light retaining aperture so that it rotates as the at least one core portion rotates and can be seen by a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: The lighted vehicle wash component includes a frame portion and a drive mechanism supported by the frame portion. The component also includes a rotatable hub portion supported by the frame portion. The hub portion is in communication with the drive mechanism to effectuate its rotation about an axis of rotation. The component includes a plurality of wash media elements engageable with the hub portion and which are configured to engage a vehicle surface as the hub portion rotates. The plurality of wash media elements are arranged on the hub portion in a plurality of spaced apart rows. The component includes a plurality of lighting elements removeably engaging the hub portion. The lighting elements are disposed in an open area defined between each of the plurality of spaced apart rows. A slip ring assembly is in communication with the hub portion to allow the plurality of lighting elements to rotate about the axis of rotation as the hub portion rotates.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment component located adjacent a vehicle treatment area for treating a vehicle exterior. The system includes at least one fluid delivery nozzle associated with the vehicle treatment component. The fluid delivery nozzle is in communication with a source of fluid and includes a first state of operation with a first flow rate and a second state of operation with a second flow rate. The first and second flow rates are different. The system allows the fluid flow through the fluid delivery nozzle to be selectively varied while a vehicle is disposed in the vehicle treatment area adjacent the vehicle treatment component.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system disposed in a vehicle wash facility includes a plurality of vehicle wash components disposed adjacent a vehicle treatment area. The system includes plurality of lights to be disposed in the vehicle wash facility. Each of the lights is configured with at least a first state and in communication with a controller. The controller is configured to enable the first state of the plurality of lights when no vehicles are present in the vehicle wash facility. When the first state is enabled, the plurality of lights are configured to emit light in a preprogrammed pattern of different colors.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a wash package selection zone where a vehicle operator is presented with a plurality of different vehicle wash packages. Each of the vehicle wash packages has an associated unique color identifier. The system includes a controller configured to receive a selection from the vehicle operator of one of the plurality of different vehicle wash packages. The system includes a vehicle treatment zone, including at least one illumination element associated therewith. The at least one illumination element is in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to emit light from the at least one illumination element in a color that corresponds to the color identifier of the vehicle package selected by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: An illuminated sign for use in a vehicle wash system, including a base, an upright member extending from the base and having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a head portion connected to the upper portion of the upright member. The illuminated sign includes at least one light source having a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is associated with a first group of vehicle wash services for treating an exterior of a vehicle. The second mode is associated with a second group of vehicle wash services for treating an exterior of a vehicle. The sign includes a sign controller in communication with the at least one light source. The sign controller is configured to enable the first mode in response to detecting a selection of the first group of vehicle wash services. The sign controller is also configured to enable the second mode in response to detecting a selection of the second group of vehicle wash services.

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: The lighted vehicle wash component includes a frame portion and a drive mechanism supported by the frame portion. The component also includes a rotatable hub portion supported by the frame portion. The hub portion is in communication with the drive mechanism to effectuate its rotation about an axis of rotation. The component includes a plurality of wash media elements engageable with the hub portion and which are configured to engage a vehicle surface as the hub portion rotates. The plurality of wash media elements are arranged on the hub portion in a plurality of spaced apart rows. The component includes a plurality of lighting elements removeably engaging the hub portion. The lighting elements are disposed in an open area defined between each of the plurality of spaced apart rows. A slip ring assembly is in communication with the hub portion to allow the plurality of lighting elements to rotate about the axis of rotation as the hub portion rotates.

Abstract: A vehicle wash component includes a rotatable hub portion having an outer surface and an axis of rotation. The component includes a plurality of grooves formed in the outer surface of the rotatable hub with the plurality of grooves being spaced about the perimeter of the outer surface of the hub portion. Each of the plurality of grooves includes one or more media elements disposed therein. The outer surface of the rotatable hub includes a plurality of channels formed therein. The plurality of channels are spaced apart from the plurality of grooves such that each of the plurality of channels is visible when the plurality of media elements are disposed in the plurality of grooves. An illumination source disposed in each of the plurality of channels such that the illumination source in each of the plurality of channels can be seen between the plurality of media elements as the rotatable hub portion operates.

Abstract: A vehicle wash component includes a rotatable hub portion having an outer surface and an axis of rotation. The rotatable hub portion is in driving communication with at least one core portion to effectuate rotation thereof. At least one media element is fixedly secured to the at least one core portion for rotation therewith. The media element includes a plurality of upstanding finger portions, which are configured to contact an exterior surface of a vehicle. The core portion includes at least one light retaining aperture formed therein. At least one illumination element is disposed between the plurality of upstanding finger portions and in the at Least one light retaining aperture so that it rotates as the at least one core portion rotates and can be seen by a vehicle occupant.

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.