Abstract: Described is a linear conveyor for advancing vehicles through a vehicle washing system. The linear conveyor includes a pair of reciprocating platforms having a plurality of counterweighted and pivotally connected pawls. The pawls are biased such that they are angled upwards and in a forward direction at rest. Alternating motion of the reciprocating platforms causes a vehicle to move forward along the linear conveyor by pressing the pawl into the rear of the tire in a forward motion, while a rearward moving reciprocating platform slides underneath the tires of the vehicle on an opposite side of the vehicle.

Abstract: Described is a blower system. The blower system includes one or more blowers. Each blower has an intake for providing air into an air chamber which houses an impeller. A gate covers each intake. Each gate is movable between a closed position in which it is pulled against the intake and an open position in which the gate is lifted off of the intake. A controller system is included that is operable for causing the gates to move from the closed to the open position when a vehicle is present or approaching and cause the gates to return to the closed position when no vehicle is present or leaving.

Abstract: Described is a retractable furniture cover. The cover is made of a retractable material stored inside of a housing. The housing can either be built into the furniture or have a mechanism for attaching on. The cover can be extracted from the housing in order to cover the furniture completely, or be extracted part way and attached to a rigid, upright rod to form a shade structure for the user.

Abstract: Described is a blower system. The blower system includes one or more blowers. Each blower has an intake for providing air into an air chamber which houses an impeller. A gate covers each intake. Each gate is movable between a closed position in which it is pulled against the intake and an open position in which the gate is lifted off of the intake. A controller system is included that is operable for causing the gates to move from the closed to the open position when a vehicle is present or approaching and cause the gates to return to the closed position when no vehicle is present or leaving.

Abstract: Described is a smart activated rinse scaffold (e.g., arch). The arch includes multiple independent spray manifolds. Each spray manifold includes its own independently operate valve and corresponding nozzles that are configured to dispense fluid at different rates. A sensor system is included for determining a speed of an approaching vehicle and opening a valve to at least one of the spray manifolds based on the speed of the approaching vehicle. For example, a larger amount of volume is dispensed per time by a fast manifold on a fast approaching vehicle, while a smaller amount of volume of fluid is dispensed per time on a slowly approaching vehicle. Since the vehicles pass at different rates and the manifolds are opened to correspond to the rate, an approximately equal total volume of fluid is dispensed on different vehicles, regardless of the rate at which they pass through the rinsing arch.

Abstract: A tank system is described for dropping fluid onto a passing vehicle. The tank system includes a tank with a fluid supply inlet. A discharge adapter is attached with the tank and proximate the trough portion, the discharge adapter having a discharge adapter plate with a plurality of holes formed therethrough. Optionally, a soap or solution injector is included for injecting soap or wax, etc., into the water flow to create a fluid mix that is supplied to the tank. An air motor is included for providing air to an air manifold that is disposed within the tank. When air is introduced into the fluid mix, bubbles are created. As the fluid mix and bubbles fill the tank, they pass from the tank into the discharger adapter, where they fall onto a vehicle passing below.

Abstract: A tank system is described for dropping fluid onto a passing vehicle. The tank system includes a tank with a fluid supply inlet. Optionally, a soap injector is included for injecting soap into the water flow to create a fluid mix that is supplied to the tank. A lighting system is attached to the tank. The fluid mix, or any other chemical in the tank, may be heated with the heating unit. An air motor is included for providing air to an air manifold that is disposed within the tank. When air is introduced into the fluid mix, bubbles are created. As the fluid mix and bubbles fill the tank, they fall from the tank via an overflow lip, with the fluid mix and/or bubbles being illuminated by the lighting system as they fall onto a vehicle passing below.

Abstract: A conveyor system is described. The conveyor system includes a lower platform for supporting chain driven rollers. Lower rails are also included for supporting the chain driven rollers in a bypass configuration. Upper rails included for supporting the chain driven rollers in a call-up configuration. In operation, a roller take up section receives the chain driven rollers and directs the chain driven rollers toward a roller call-up section. The roller call-up section includes a call-up mechanism that is operable for selectively directing the chain driven rollers from the lower rails to the upper rails when in the call-up configuration.

Abstract: A conveyor system is described. The conveyor system includes a lower platform for supporting chain driven rollers. Lower rails are also included for supporting the chain driven rollers in a bypass configuration. Upper rails included for supporting the chain driven rollers in a call-up configuration. In operation, a roller take up section receives the chain driven rollers and directs the chain driven rollers toward a roller call-up section. The roller call-up section includes a call-up mechanism that is operable for selectively directing the chain driven rollers from the lower rails to the upper rails when in the call-up configuration.

Abstract: Described is a tire applicator for applying a tire solution to a vehicle passing through a vehicle washing system. The tire applicator includes a flexible member, such as flexible rods, with a fabric attached thereto. A solution dispenser is included to dispense a tire solution to the fabric. A rod positioning mechanism can be used to position the flexible rods and fabric into the path of the vehicle's tires. When a vehicle drives past the flexible rods, the rods are biased toward the vehicle's tires, thereby causing the tires to rub against the fabric and transfer the tire solution from the fabric to the vehicle's tires.

Abstract: A waterfall tank system is described for sheeting water onto a passing vehicle. The waterfall tank system includes a tank with a water supply inlet and a soap injector for injecting soap into the water flow to create a soap mix that is supplied to the tank. An air motor is included for providing air to an air manifold that is disposed within the tank. When air is introduced into the soap mix, bubbles are created. As the water, soap mix, and bubbles fill the tank, they fall from the tank via an overflow lip that creates a sheeting action, with the water, soap mix, and/or bubbles sheeting onto a vehicle passing below.

Abstract: Described is a vehicle washing apparatus with a movable brush arm carriage. The vehicle washing apparatus includes a carriage frame that can be suspended above a passing vehicle. A brush arm carriage is slidably connected with the carriage frame. A carriage drive system is connected with the carriage frame and the brush arm carriage for causing the brush arm carriage to slide along the length of the carriage frame. A brush arm is rotatably connected with the brush arm carriage. A cleaning brush is rotatably connected with the brush arm. Finally, a brush drive system is included for causing the cleaning brush to rotate. Thus, after having passed under the carriage frame, the cleaning brush can be pressed against the rear of a vehicle and rotated to clean the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: Described is a system and apparatus for stripping fluids from the surface of a passing vehicle. The apparatus includes an inflatable blower bag for attaching with a duct structure. The inflatable blower bag includes an entrance for receiving air from the support structure and an exit for directing air onto a passing vehicle. A flexible water stripping blade is positioned proximate the exit such that as the bag falls onto a passing vehicle, the flexible blade engages with the passing vehicle and strips water from the passing vehicle.

Abstract: A tank system is described for dropping fluid onto a passing vehicle. The tank system includes a tank with a fluid supply inlet. Optionally, a soap injector is included for injecting soap into the water flow to create a fluid mix that is supplied to the tank. A lighting system is attached to the tank. The fluid mix, or any other chemical in the tank, may be heated with the heating unit. An air motor is included for providing air to an air manifold that is disposed within the tank. When air is introduced into the fluid mix, bubbles are created. As the fluid mix and bubbles fill the tank, they fall from the tank via an overflow lip, with the fluid mix and/or bubbles being illuminated by the lighting system as they fall onto a vehicle passing below.

Abstract: A tank system is described for dropping fluid onto a passing vehicle. The tank system includes a tank with a fluid supply inlet. Optionally, a soap injector is included for injecting soap into the water flow to create a fluid mix that is supplied to the tank. A lighting system is attached to the tank. The fluid mix, or any other chemical in the tank, may be heated with the heating unit. An air motor is included for providing air to an air manifold that is disposed within the tank. When air is introduced into the fluid mix, bubbles are created. As the fluid mix and bubbles fill the tank, they fall from the tank via an overflow lip, with the fluid mix and/or bubbles being illuminated by the lighting system as they fall onto a vehicle passing below.

Abstract: A waterfall tank system is described for sheeting water onto a passing vehicle. The waterfall tank system includes a tank with a water supply inlet and a soap injector for injecting soap into the water flow to create a soap mix that is supplied to the tank. An air motor is included for providing air to an air manifold that is disposed within the tank. When air is introduced into the soap mix, bubbles are created. As the water, soap mix, and bubbles fill the tank, they fall from the tank via an overflow lip that creates a sheeting action, with the water, soap mix, and/or bubbles sheeting onto a vehicle passing below.

Abstract: An automated refrigerator opener is described. The automated refrigerator opener includes a door seal separator (e.g., solenoid) for breaking a door seal between a refrigerator door and a refrigerator door casing. Also included is a powered door opener (e.g., linear actuator) for attaching with a refrigerator door and automatically opening the refrigerator door after the door seal is broken. A control device is communicatively connected with both the door seal separator and the powered door opener. The control device is operable for receiving an actuation command from a user and, thereafter, activates the door seal separator to break the door seal and cause the powered door opener to open the refrigerator door. Alternatively, if the door is already open, the control device is operable for causing the powered door opener to pull the door closed.

Abstract: Described is a correlator for introducing vehicle tires into a conveyor of a vehicle washing system. The correlator includes a frame with two laterally and freely rotatable belts. A set of angled curb rails resides over one of the belts to direct the vehicle's tires into a set of guide rails. As a roller pushes the rear tire of the vehicle onto the belts, the angled curb rails provide a lateral force to the tires. Because the belts are free-rolling, they are capable of rotating to move the tire laterally and shift the position of the vehicle to align the vehicle with the conveyor.

Abstract: Described is a tire applicator for applying a tire solution to a vehicle passing through a vehicle washing system. The tire applicator includes a flexible member, such as flexible rods, with a fabric attached thereto. A solution dispenser is included to dispense a tire solution to the fabric. A rod positioning mechanism can be used to position the flexible rods and fabric into the path of the vehicle's tires. When a vehicle drives past the flexible rods, the rods are biased toward the vehicle's tires, thereby causing the tires to rub against the fabric and transfer the tire solution from the fabric to the vehicle's tires.

Abstract: Described is a vehicle washing apparatus with a movable brush arm carriage. The vehicle washing apparatus includes a carriage frame that can be suspended above a passing vehicle. A brush arm carriage is slidably connected with the carriage frame. A carriage drive system is connected with the carriage frame and the brush arm carriage for causing the brush arm carriage to slide along the length of the carriage frame. A brush arm is rotatably connected with the brush arm carriage. A cleaning brush is rotatably connected with the brush arm. Finally, a brush drive system is included for causing the cleaning brush to rotate. Thus, after having passed under the carriage frame, the cleaning brush can be pressed against the rear of a vehicle and rotated to clean the rear of the vehicle.