Abstract: First-aid systems having an ultra compact first-aid pouch configured to fit behind the ballistic plates of a protective vest are disclosed. In this configuration, the first-aid kit is protected from shrapnel and tearing, is easily locatable and removable and does not effect the user's freedom of movement. When the first-aid pouch is removed from its protected location, it presents the first-aid equipment in a logical and easily viewable manner.

Abstract: A switchgear system includes a switchgear frame having an interior compartment and front opening and containing therein at least one electrical switchgear component. A truck carries an electrical component and is supported for movement on the switchgear frame. A drive mechanism connects the truck and is configured to rack in the truck into an electrically connected position with the at least one electrical switchgear component, rack out the truck from the electrically connected position into an electrically disconnected position, and rotate the truck upward from its disconnected position into a rotated position to allow operator access through the front opening to the at least one electrical component.

Abstract: A switchgear system may include a switchgear frame and a truck carrying a circuit breaker and supported for linear movement on the switchgear frame. A drive mechanism may rack in the truck and the circuit breaker is in electrical connection with primary circuit contacts, and may rack out the truck and the circuit breaker is electrically disconnected from the primary circuit contacts. As the drive mechanism racks in the circuit breaker, a shutter linkage moves a shutter opened, and as the drive mechanism racks out the circuit breaker, the shutter linkage moves the shutter closed over the primary circuit contacts.

Abstract: A contact arm assembly includes a contact arm defining a central axis and having a first end configured for electrical connection with a pole of a circuit breaker and a second end having a distal end defining a shoulder and an engagement that protrudes from the contact arm proximal to the shoulder. A plurality of contact fingers are mounted circumferentially on the second end of the contact arm and configured to electrically engage a primary circuit contact. Each contact finger has a body with a depression that receives the engagement for electrical contact.

Abstract: A medium-voltage switchgear system includes a three-phase circuit breaker having first, second and third single-phase vacuum interrupters connected between respective first, second and third single-phase inputs and first, second and third single-phase outputs. Magnetic actuators are connected to first, second and third single-phase vacuum interrupters, which are configured to receive an interrupt signal and in response, actuate the respective vacuum interrupter connected thereto into an open circuit condition. A controller circuit is connected to each of the first, second and third magnetic actuators and generates an interrupt signal in response to a detected single-phase overcurrent or fault on a single-phase circuit and interrupt that single-phase circuit on which the single-phase overcurrent or fault occurred and maintain power on the remaining two single-phase circuits over which a single-phase overcurrent or fault was not detected.

Abstract: A switchgear system may include a switchgear frame, a truck and circuit breaker mounted thereon. A drive mechanism is mounted on the switchgear frame and configured to rack the circuit breaker into a) a first connected position where the primary and secondary circuits are electrically connected, b) a second test position where the primary circuit is electrically disconnected and secondary circuit connected, and c) a third disconnected position where the primary and secondary circuits are electrically disconnected, wherein said drive mechanism comprises a drive chain and shuttle configured to engage the truck and rack and fix the circuit breaker into the first connected position.

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.