Abstract: A boby brush shower stall in which a body brush is vertically oriented and supported from a single bearing, and driven through a clutch mechanism from a gear box and electrical motor at a speed range greater than about 90 rpm and below about 120 rpm. The body brush is mounted on the vertical drive shaft and has soft flexible bristles which hang and droop downwardly at speeds below 90 rpm and which extends substantially horizontally when rotated at speeds above 90 rpm and a spray bar sprays liquid on the elongated body brush at spaced points along the length thereof to maintain the lubricity of the bristles at a certain level. The bristles are soft and flexible and conform to body contours to provide the unique massage, clean and scrubbing action to cleanse the skin surfaces of dirt, scale and provide a certain invigorating action.

Abstract: A rotary brush for vehicle washing systems comprising first, second and third sections of radially extending felt strips, the lengths of said strips being such that the overall outer diameter of the brush when rotating is uniform but the second or central section being mounted on a large diameter resilient cushion which reduces or eliminates the damaging effect of abrupt contact between the vehicle and a support shaft for the brush. In one preferred embodiment the cushion comprises a series of inflatable rubber inner tubes captured within a felt covering having a zipper and drawcords for installation and removal purposes. In a second preferred embodiment the cushion is comprised of open cell foam, which is cylindrical in nature and covered in the same manner as above.

Abstract: A multiple brush vehicle washing apparatus wherein one brush has a horizontal axis of rotation and is pivotally mounted to swing in toward the rear surface of a vehicle which is passing under the brush support structure. A composite counterweight system provides an angular force component which urges the brush into the rear of the vehicle at the lowermost brush position. A second horizontal brush and two angled side brushes are provided.

Abstract: A rotary brush for vehicle washing systems comprising first, second and third sections of radially extending felt strips, the lengths of said strips being such that the overall outer diameter of the brush when rotating is uniform but the second or central section being mounted on a large diameter inflatable cushion which reduces or eliminates the damaging effect of abrupt contact between the vehicle and a support shaft for the brush. In the preferred embodiment the cushion comprises a series of inflatable rubber inner tubes captured within a felt covering having a zipper and drawcords for installation and removal purposes.

Abstract: A multiple brush vehicle washing apparatus wherein one brush has a horizontal axis of rotation and is pivotally mounted to swing in toward the rear surface of a vehicle which is passing under the brush support structure. A composite counter-weight system provides an angular force component which urges the brush into the rear of the vehicle at the lowermost brush position. A second horizontal brush and two angled side brushes are provided.

Abstract: A side brush arrangement for a car wash including parallel-mounted primary and secondary brushes rotating in opposite directions. The brushes are inclined at an attitude of about 20.degree. from the horizontal away from the direction from which the vehicle approaches to prevent damage to external appendages such as radio antennas. The manner of support of the primary brushes is such that they can pivot in and out while remaining parallel to the vehicle sides to accommodate different vehicle contours and widths while being inclined at a shallow angle. The primary brush is between twelve and fifteen feet in length so as to engage at least 50% of the overall length of a vehicle being washed and to perform a thorough scrubbing on the vehicle. A segmented brush with varying bristle stiffness is disclosed. The secondary brush shaft is connected via a universal joint to the shaft of a horizontal wheel brush so that a single motor may drive both brush shafts.

Abstract: A vehicle washing machine is disclosed, of a type particularly adapted for washing relatively large vehicles, such as buses, vans, trucks, etc. featuring a mounting arrangement for a pair of side brushes which are disposed in the wash lane so as to scrub the sides of the washed vehicles. The mounting of each swing frame arrangement includes a swing frame on which each brush is rotatably mounted, inclined to the horizontal, and pivotally mounted to the frame so as to be able to pivot into engagement with the vehicle side. Each swing frame is urged into engagement with a vehicle passing between the side brushes by a shock absorber-spring assembly acting on the upper end of the swing frame urging the brush into the wash lane, while accommodating minor in and out movements due to variations in the vehicle contour, side motions, etc., the shock absorber damping the resulting oscillations of the swing frame.

Abstract: A machine for washing vehicles such as large trucks and tractor-trailer combinations includes a triangular frame at each side of the path of the vehicle during the washing operation. Brushes rotatable about horizontal axes wash the front, top and rear of the vehicle. A first brush is mounted to be pushed upwardly by the front end of the vehicle as it moves through the apparatus and a second brush moves downwardly under its own weight in contact with the rear end of the vehicle. These brushes also engage the top of the vehicle. The first brush may be raised to clear exhaust stacks and the like, and the second brush is retained at an elevated position until the vehicle enters the apparatus sufficiently for it to be lowered onto the top. When the second brush reaches the lower end of its track after the vehicle departs, it is restored to the elevated position.

Abstract: A car wash apparatus comprising a support frame, a first brush support frame depending from the frame, a second brush support frame depending from the first frame and a horizontal brush carried by the second frame for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis. The double frame permits the brush to contact the top and front and rear end surfaces of a vehicle. Power means in the form of a fluid cylinder are provided for swinging the opposite parallelogram arms of the first frame during engagement of the rotating brush with a vehicle thereby to impart a reciprocating axial displacement to the scrub brush as it contacts a vehicle.