Abstract: A mechanized vehicle washing apparatus includes top scrubber curtain pivotally mounted to a frame for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane into and out of a path of a vehicle to be washed. The top scrubber curtains may be reciprocated either forwardly and backwardly in directions parallel to the path of a vehicle to be washed or from side to side in directions transverse or angular to the path. The apparatus also may include wrap around brushes pivoted overhead on each side of the frame for pivotal movement into and out of the path of a vehicle being washed. The apparatus further may include high pressure spinner nozzles for high pressure wash and rinse cycles so that the apparatus may be operated in either a touching or a touchless mode. Both the top scrubber curtains and the wrap around brushes preferably employ a deep pile, fur-like material as the washing material.

Abstract: A baby bottle holder for attachment to a support to adjustably hold a baby bottle in a position for feeding a baby includes an L-shaped body member having an upper leg and a lower leg with a pair of spaced handle members extending forwardly from the upper leg in the same direction as the lower leg and being positioned above the lower leg. A first elastic band is attached to the lower leg to surround and hold a baby bottle and a second elastic band is attached to the upper leg to secure the bottle holder to the support.

Abstract: An assembly comprising: an inflator (20) for providing inflation gas, including a cylindrical body (22, 44) having at least one exhaust port (42a,b) located on a wall thereof through which a stream of inflation gas (40) exits, and a retainer (140) for securing the inflation means, including a hollow cylindrical retainer body for receipt of the inflation means and for diverting the inflation gas stream into a diffuser. The diffuser (210) comprises an inflatable gas permeable portion (212) for receiving the inflation gas stream such that when the inflation gas exits the gas permeable portion such inflation gas is generally uniformly distributed therethrough and communicated to an air bag. The diffuser includes a first portion (216a,b) attached the gas permeable portion and secured to the retainer. The air bag (230) is secured about the diffuser, for receipt of the inflation gas exiting the diffuser.

Abstract: A curtain used in a mechanized vehicle washing system includes a base mounting the curtain for reciprocating motion and a plurality of elongated strips hanging downwardly from the base. Each strip has two opposite side surfaces. A plurality of independently movable shingles are provided on the two opposite side surfaces of each of the plurality of elongated strips. Each shingle is made of a deep pile, fur-like material.

Abstract: A deep pile, fur-like material is used in an automated vehicle washing apparatus to simulate a vehicle hand wash. The vehicle washing apparatus uses a resilient drum constructed of a pair of spaced apart disks and an elastic cord which extends between the disks around the circumference of each disk. A cover is wrapped around the cord, and over a portion of the plates, so that the cover rotates with the plates, which rotate with the shaft. The cover includes a plurality of shingles which extend radially outwardly under centrifugal force. The shingles are preferably made of a deep pile fur-like material. Alternatively, a foam core member wrapped around a rotatable support carries a cover which is made of deep pile, fur-like material.

Abstract: A vehicle washing system includes either one or two substantially vertically oriented vehicle cleaning brushes for washing the front, sides and rear of the vehicle. A supporting frame extends over and across the vehicle travelling along a path. The frame is divided by the path centerline into a first frame section extending across a first path section lying on the first side of the path centerline and a second frame section extending across the second path section lying on the second side of the path centerline. First and second brush support arms are each coupled to a different frame section and pivotally support rotating vehicle cleaning brushes. The shaft of the first brush is positioned within the first path section when its brush support arm is deflected into an open position and is positioned within the second path section when its brush support arm is deflected into a closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle washing system washes the horizontal, vertical or inclined surfaces of a vehicle driven along a path. The system includes a brush assembly having a brush and a drive system for rotating the brush about the rotational axis of the brush. A brush assembly pivot point is located at an intermediate position along the length of the brush assembly. A brush assembly suspension system enables the brush assembly to be angularly deflected in both vertical and horizontal planes and includes a vertical support element which is positioned in proximity to the vehicle path and a brush assembly standoff unit which pivotally couples the brush assembly to the vertical support element at a predetermined elevation. The brush assembly standoff unit includes a horizontal pivot unit and vertical pivot means.

Abstract: A constant-recirculation filter system for decontaminating and reusing wash water in vehicle washing installations and other applications in which water recycling is needed. The elements of the system are selected to avoid need for backwashing operations, thereby enabling use by unskilled personnel. Unrecycled fresh water is used to rinse vehicles, and to provide makeup water to the recirculating system.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus particularly adapted for use in closed bays comprising a stationary frame carrying a plurality of brushes to wash the vehicle as it moves through the unit in a forward direction and to rinse the vehicle as it backs out of the unit in the reverse direction. The brushes include two opposed warp-around brushes, a top brush, and two opposed ledge brushes. The warp-around brushes and the top brush are movable between an operative vehicle washing position during the forward movement of the vehicle and an inoperative retracted position during the reverse movement of the vehicle. The stationary frame carries detergent and rinse spray arches. A control circuit is provided to automatically control operation of the brushes, the detergent arch and the rinse arch pursuant to the passage of a vehicle through the unit.