Abstract: A rotary cloth roll assembly for treating the surfaces of the tires on one side of an automobile as it proceeds along a predetermined path of travel comprises a rotary shaft having a longitudinal axis parallel to the path of travel, a positive stop abutment secured to the shaft and a plurality of aligned replaceable cartridges mounted upon the shaft for rotation therewith and bearing against the abutment. Each cartridge includes a series of engaging spacers, with each spacer having at its center an opening generally conforming to the shaft for rotation therewith and for preventing rotation of the spacers relative to the shaft. Each spacer has first and second sides, the first side being generally flat and the second side having thereon a plurality of spaced disc support projections.

Abstract: A top air nozzle for blowing water off a washed moving vehicle in a car wash includes a unit nozzle housing of molded plastic material having an arcuate top wall, laterally diverging side walls, a pair of laterally spaced mount blocks, an upright rear wall, an upper front wall portion inclined downwardly and outwardly of the rear wall and terminating in a lower front wall portion inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the rear wall. The walls and wall portions define an air chamber of laterally increasing width from its top with the rear wall, lower front wall portion and side walls defining a laterally elongated throated air outlet. A plurality of spaced threaded insert fasteners arranged in a circle are molded, interlocked and enclosed within one of the upper front wall portion and rear wall. A plurality of spaced fasteners are arranged in a row, are molded, interlocked and enclosed within each mount block.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a shaft comprises a body having a cylindrical bore open at one end, a mount bracket extending from the one end and an annular stop flange at the other end of the bore. An apertured bearing of a hardened plastic material is enclosed within the body and at one end has an annular stop shoulder bearing against the stop flange and defining a cylindrical extension of reduced diameter extending outwardly of the body adapted to journal a shaft. In a modification, an annular groove in the cylindrical extension outwardly of the stop flange receives a snap ring to restrain the bearing against endwise movements relative to the body.

Abstract: A blower compries a unit blower housing of molded plastic material having a circular outer wall and laterally spaced front and rear walls, defining an impeller chamber and a trangential outlet upon a first axis adapted to receive a flexible hose. The outlet defines with an end portion of the outer wall a reverse curved cut off edge extending between the side walls. An opening in the front wall is arranged upon a second axis at right angles to the first axis and receives an air inlet cone secured to the housing by a plurality of threaded inserts molded into the housing. An electric motor upon a support has a drive shaft extending through the rear wall. The rear wall is mounted upon and secured to the motor and an impeller is positioned within the housing and axially mounted upon the motor shaft and has an air intake receiving the air inlet cone.

Abstract: A blower comprises a unit blower housing of molded plastic material having a circular outer wall and laterally spaced front and rear walls, defining an impeller chamber and a tangential outlet upon a first axis adapted to receive a flexible hose. The outlet defines with an end portion of the outer wall a reverse curved cut off edge extending between the side walls. An opening in the front wall is arranged upon a second axis at right angles to the first axis and receives an air inlet secured to the housing by a plurality of threaded inserts molded into the housing. An electric motor upon a support has a drive shaft extending through the rear wall. The rear wall is mounted upon and secured to the motor and an impeller is positioned within the housing and axially mounted upon the motor shaft and has an air intake receiving the air inlet cone.

Abstract: An air nozzle for blowing water off a vehicle moving through a car wash comprises a unit nozzle housing of molded plastic material having opposed front and rear walls and a side wall, with the front and rear walls terminating in opposed concave converging sides defining a lateral nozzle having a series of elongated throated orifices. The walls and sides define an elongated air chamber communicating with the orifices. An air inlet at one end of the housing is a part thereof and is adapted to receive a flexible hose connected to a pressurized air source. The front and rear walls have molded therein spaced mount plates or pads adapted for connection to a support arm and to a sensor respectively. A plurality of spaced threaded insert fasteners are molded, interlocked and enclosed selectively within one of the front and rear walls and the corresponding mount pads. The method of making a unit nozzle housing of molded plastic material is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an apparatus for drying vehicles having a framework upon a floor surface adapted to receive a moving vehicle, a transverse lift rod is guidably mounted upon the framework for controlled vertical adjustments and mounts a transverse top nozzle housing having an inlet, an air chamber and laterally diverging sidewalls terminating in an elongated throated air outlet. A pair of opposed upright side nozzle housings are mounted upon opposite sides of the framework with each housing having an inlet, an elongated air chamber, and an elongated lateral nozzle inclined rearwardly at an acute angle toward the vehicle. A plurality of motor-operated air blowers are mounted upon the framework with each blower having an air outlet, with a plurality of flexible hoses interconnecting the outlet of each blower with one of the housing inlets.

Abstract: A blower comprises a unit blower housing of molded plastic material having a circular outer wall and laterally spaced front and rear walls, defining an impeller chamber and a tangential outlet upon a first axis adapted to receive a flexible hose. The outlet defines with an end portion of the outer wall a reverse curved cut off edge extending between the side walls. An opening in the front wall is arranged upon a second axis at right angles to the first axis and receives an air inlet cone secured to the housing by a plurality of threaded inserts molded into the housing. An electric motor upon a support has a drive shaft extending through the rear wall. The rear wall is mounted upon and secured to the motor and an impeller is positioned within the housing and axially mounted upon the motor shaft and has an air intake receiving the air inlet cone.

Abstract: A top air nozzle for blowing water off a washed moving vehicle in a car wash comprises a unit nozzle housing of molded plastic material having an arcuate top wall, laterally diverging side walls, a pair of laterally spaced mount blocks, an upright rear wall, an upper front wall portion inclined downwardly and outwardly of the rear wall and terminating in a lower front wall portion inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the rear wall. The walls and wall portions defined an air chamber of laterally increasing width from its top with the rear wall, lower front wall portion and side walls defining a laterally elongated throated air outlet. A plurality of spaced threaded insert fasteners arranged in a circle are molded, interlocked and enclosed within one of the upper front wall portion and rear wall. A plurality of spaced fasteners are arranged in a row, are molded, interlocked and enclosed within each mount block.

Abstract: A bearing for supporting a rotatable shaft is particularly adapted to support a shaft rotating in an arcuate motion that produces a primary wearing portion of the bearing. The bearing structure is a solid block of high molecular weight plastic. A cylindrically shaped bearing bore, adapted to receive a shaft within it, extends between two opposed sides of the block. A plurality of fastener bores symmetrically provide locations for sleeves in the block to receive fasteners for mounting the block to a supporting member in such a manner that the bearing may be dismounted, rotated, and remounted to change the primary wearing portion within the bore. The sleeves are slightly longer than the fastener bores so that the fasteners may be tightened against the sleeves to secure the bearing without deforming the block.

Abstract: A method of making bearings from blocks of high molecular weight plastic. The bearing is made by forming a cylindrical bore in the block and locating one or more sleeves in the block for receiving fasteners. The fasteners are provided to secure the block to a supporting member. The bearing bore is adapted to receive a shaft within the bore. The sleeve may be attached to the outer surface of the block or a plurality of sleeves may be received within one or more bores in the block. A bearing made according to the method and an apparatus for washing vehicles in which the bearing may be advantageously used are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an automobile conveyor having an endless conveyor chain within a framework having top plates to support the tire of an automobile, and a plurality of roller dollies spaced along the length of the chain normally positioned for movement within the framework, the improvement which comprises a split collar clamp having first and second sections that are clamped around the driven shaft of the conveyor. The first section of each clamp is angled with respect to the vertical so that the shaft is cradled against the pulling force of the drive sprocket. The second section of the clamp is removably attached to the first section so that the clamp is accessible from the top plate of the conveyor for easy access and removal of the driven sprocket, bearing members and transverse sprocket shaft through the top plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing vehicles having pivotable arms secured to bearings formed of high molecular weight plastic which are mounted on a shaft. The bearings are formed from a unitary block of high molecular weight plastic and have cylindrical bores which are adapted to receive the shaft. The bearing is mounted on the pivotable arms of the apparatus for washing vehicles by means of a plurality of fasteners which are received in fastener bores located symmetrically about the cylindrical bore. The fastener bores are lined with a sleeve. The symmetrical location of the fastener bores permit remounting of the bearing to change the portion of the bearing bore which receives the most wear.

Abstract: An automobile conveyor having an endless conveyor chain within a framework having top plates to support the tire of an automobile and a plurality of roller dollies spaced along the length of the chain normally positioned for movement within the framework. Each of the roller dollies includes at least one upright mounting plate connected to the conveyor chain. The plate supports three equally spaced rollers which substantially form an equilateral triangle with one roller forming the vertex of the triangle and the other two rollers being coplanar forming the base of the triangle. The one roller is adapted to operatively engage to automobile tire with the other two rollers adapted for supported movement upon the top plates.

Abstract: A method of making bearings from blocks of high molecular weight plastic. The bearing is made by forming a cylindrical bore in the block and locating one or more sleeves in the block for receiving fasteners. The fasteners are provided to secure the block to a supporting member. The bearing bore is adapted to receive a shaft within the bore. The sleeve may be attached to the outer surface of the block or a plurality of sleeves may be received within one or more bores in the block. A bearing made according to the method and an apparatus for washing vehicles in which the bearing may be advantageously used are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having two part housing and a block of plastic material defining a bearing surface in a bore. The two part housing when secured together defines an interior cavity which receives the block. The housing has at least one opening in either or both parts through which a shaft may be extended. The shaft also extends into the bore in the block where it contacts the bearing surfaces. The housing includes plural fastener bores circumferentially spaced from each other and disposed about the interior cavity. Fasteners inserted through the fastener bores act to retain and surround the block.

Abstract: An improved bearing for supporting a bi-fold door member. The bearing is formed from a block of high molecular weight polymer material having a bore extending from its top surface to its bottom surface. The bore is configured to tightly receive a shaft. The bearing supports the door and is rotatably slidable with respect to the shaft as the door member is opened and closed.

Abstract: A method of making bearings from blocks of high molecular weight plastic. The bearing is made by forming a cylindrical bore in the block and locating one or more sleeves in the block for receiving fasteners. The fasteners are provided to secure the block to a supporting member. The bearing bore is adapted to receive a shaft within the bore. The sleeve may be attached to the outer surface of the block or a plurality of sleeves may be received within one or more bores in the block. A bearing made according to the method and an apparatus for washing vehicles in which the bearing may be advantageously used are also disclosed.