Abstract: An airflow control system of the present invention is positionable between an air producer and a duct exit. The airflow restricter includes an outer airflow restricter ring that has a central diameter. A pivot rod is rotatably positioned along the central diameter. An aerodynamic rotatable airfoil is secured about the pivot rod. The present invention also includes an airflow transition between the air producer having a first-shaped air producer exit and the duct having a second-shaped duct entrance.

Abstract: A wheel washer has first and second applicators which each have a row of plural spaced nozzles for delivering high pressure fluid to the wheels of a vehicle. The first applicator is fixedly mounted adjacent a track which guides the tires at the driver side of the vehicle. The second applicator is mounted by parallelogram support structure for movement toward and away from the tires at the passenger side of the vehicle. This second applicator is shifted to maintain a desired spacing between the nozzles and the wheels being cleaned, regardless of the width of the vehicle. Cleaning fluid is delivered to one nozzle of each applicator and a laterally disposed nozzle of the other applicator at a time. In succession, the pairs of nozzles apply cleaning fluid to the wheels as the vehicle travels through the vehicle wash. Treadle switches, angled relative to the direction of vehicle travel, are utilized to control the flow of fluid to the desired nozzles of the applicators.

Abstract: An applicator is supported by primary and secondary arms for movement along the contour of the front, top and rear surfaces of a vehicle. The applicator is shifted to a position out of the path of vehicle travel in the event of electrical power or pressure fluid failure. A sensory mechanism controls actuators which position the primary and secondary arms. From a lower rest position, the primary arm is raised to progressively position the applicator above the hood and roof areas of the vehicle. The primary arm is then dropped to its rest position while the secondary arm is raised and knuckled toward the primary arm to maintain the applicator above the vehicle roof. The secondary arm is extended as the vehicle passes.

Abstract: A vehicle apparatus for washing upright surfaces of vehicles has an upper washer rotatable about a first upright axis and a lower washer rotatable about a second upright axis. The washers are loosely coupled together so as to permit lateral shifting of the two axes and washers relative to one another within limits.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus is described with a brush construction having a high density section positioned at an elevation above the bumpers of vehicles. This latter section may be of a greater diameter than the diameter of adjoining sections of the brush. In addition, the washing elements of these adjoining sections may be arranged in vertical rows with relatively long flaps which engage the vehicle for cleaning purposes and shorter flaps which help to space a core of the brush away from the surfaces of the vehicle. Also, the washing elements may be in horizontal rows with each row projecting from an associated annular washing material support flange. The brush construction may also include an upper window cleaning brush having a first portion of a first diameter and a second upper portion of a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The window brush is typically of a density which is less than the density of the other sections of the brush.

Abstract: A wraparound brushing device includes a U-shaped brush-supporting arm which facilitates use of wraparound brushing devices in automatic vehicle washing facilities having limited space. The U-shaped brush-supporting arm typically includes two legs at right angles to one another.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a vehicle washing apparatus having an array of downwardly depending plural fabric panels. These panels are of varying widths and are slit at multiple locations along their side margins to provide fingers of material between the slits. These fingers reach into and clean otherwise hard to reach areas of a vehicle, such as the window area immediately beneath an overhanging roof. A drive mechanism rotationally oscillates the array about a vertical axis. Selected panels of the array are oriented in non-parallel planes for enhanced washing of different portions of the vehicle. The array is detachably mounted to an overhead frame of the vehicle wash. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a vehicle washing apparatus having plural downwardly depending washing elements, each with one or more of such slit fabric panels mounted to an upright flexible support. The washing elements may be suspended from an oscillating frame.

Abstract: A pivotally mounted overhead drying apparatus uses the weight of the blower motor as a counterbalance. The drying apparatus including the blower, ductwork and discharge nozzle comprises an integrated structure which can be slidably positioned lengthwise to vary the position of the pivot axis to achieve a substantially balanced condition. The drying apparatus has a self-positioning means whereby the apparatus pivotally moves to provide clearance in accordance with the profile of the upper surface of a vehicle advancing therebelow. The nozzle is adapted to discharge a high velocity airstream substantially vertically throughout the drying operation.

Abstract: A pivotally mounted overhead drying apparatus uses the weight of the blower motor as a counterbalance. The drying apparatus including the blower, ductwork and discharge nozzle comprises an integrated structure which can be slidably positioned lengthwise to vary the position of the pivot axis to achieve a substantially balanced condition. The drying apparatus has a self-positioning means whereby the apparatus pivotally moves to provide clearance in accordance with the profile of the upper surface of a vehicle advancing therebelow. The nozzle is adapted to discharge a high velocity airstream substantially vertically throughout the drying operation.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus includes vertically extending curtain-like washing elements suspended from an overhead support structure. A carriage assembly moves the overhead support structure back and forth through a vehicle bay so that the washing elements wash a car within the bay. An elevating mechanism on the carriage is selectively operable to lift the curtain-like elements out of the way of a vehicle to enable manual washing of the vehicle. The elevating mechanism includes a horizontal bar that moves laterally against the curtain-like elements in one direction to swing an upper portion of the elements upwardly and a horizontal roll of water resistant sheet material that is unrolled laterally against the curtain-like elements in an opposite direction below the level of the bar to swing a lower portion of the elements upwardly onto the sheet.

Abstract: An adjustable tensioning device mounted to a wraparound brushing mechanism in a car washing installation varies the influence of the biasing mechanism thereof. The adjustable tensioning device is capable of changing the leverage applied to the brushing mechanism to vary the overall amount of brush engagement force against the surface of the car and selecting the location on the car for application of maximum brushing engagement force.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the position of an object, for example, a licence plate, on the exterior of a car during the washing thereof includes a rotary brush which is driven by a hydraulic motor and is mounted on a pivotable structure adapted to move relative to and scrub the surface of the car as it advances therepast along a conveyor. A detection mechanism is positioned on an overhead structure to detect the position of the brush support structure corresponding to a position of the brush near the location of the license plate. A control mechanism responds to detection of the license plate and opens a fluid control valve, thereby reducing the rate of fluid flow to the hydraulic motor to slow the speed of brush rotation until the brush travels beyond the license plate.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for mounting downwardly depending vehicle washing mitters. It includes a frame suspended above a vehicle washing station, a horizontally disposed support for the mitters, the support being rotatably mounted to the frame about a vertical axis to permit rotational oscillation thereof, a suspension extending from the frame to the support, the suspension being radially offset from the axis, and an oscillator for oscillating the support means about the axis. Thus, the suspension causes the support to vertically oscillate as the support is being rotationally oscillated.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting a vehicle along a track through a carwash is adapted to selectively lift a roller mechanism through a first opening at the forward end of the tire track for engaging the front tire of a vehicle to convey the vehicle along the track until the rear tire moves beyond the first opening whereupon the roller mechanism engaging the front tire drops through another opening at an intermediate location along the track and a second roller mechanism is lifted through the first opening behind the rear tire so as to engage the rear tire and then convey the vehicle to the rearward end of the tire track.

Abstract: The specification discloses improved wheel washers, in one embodiment of which a pair of cupped-face brushes and a cylindrical brush are mounted on a bar forming one side of a parallelogram linkage. The bar is spring biased toward a normal position in which each cupped-face brush faces somewhat toward an approaching car wheel to be washed, and, as the body of the car engages and progressively moves past feeler rollers, each cupped-face brush on the bar is swung thereby with the car to a position in which it will face the side of the wheel when the wheel comes alongside the brush. This initial canting of the cupped-face brushes causes them to enter into the somewhat hollow area of the wheel to clean the tire supporting structure and hub cap.

Abstract: The specification discloses a domestic water system reclaiming waste water in which a tap water line supplies fresh water only to a kitchen sink and as a replenisher for a reclaim system supplying all the water to a toilet, a lavatory, a bath tub, a clothes washer, laundry tubs and a dishwasher. Drains from the toilet and the kitchen sink lead directly to a sewer, and drains from all the other installations lead to a clarifier tank having an overflow to the sewer. A pump pumps water from the clarifier tank through filter tanks to all the installations except the kitchen sink and to a hot water heater supplying the lavatory, the bath tub, the clothes washer, the laundry tubs and the dishwater. An inline instant hot water heater is positioned in the tap water line to a hot water tap of the kitchen sink.

Abstract: Brushes and sprays wash and rinse cars and foam wax then is sprayed on the cars and is buffed by a top brush and side brushes, immediately after which a sealing wax in an aqueous solution is sprayed onto the cars. Then the cars are passed through a blower, which removes the excess aqueous solution.

Abstract: A cleaning solution is wiped onto a sidewall of a tire by two straight brushes engaging the sidewall and the brushes confine the solution therebetween and spread it over the side of the tires. The solution is fed from a low gravity head, and a pulse of compressed air is introduced to give a short, measured feed of the solution to the tire.

Abstract: A vehicle conveyor suitable for a car wash is described wherein tire-engaging rollers are attached to a continuous chain positioned underneath the path of the vehicle. The rollers are normally carried by the chain in a nonengaging position below the vehicle track. Then, when movement of the vehicle is desired, a coin-actuated control or a manual control is actuated to move a cam into operative position to cam one of the rollers upwardly through a slot onto the top surface of the vehicle track where it engages the vehicle's tire. The roller subsequently drops through a slot proximate the end of the conveyor course.