Abstract: In this method for washing motor vehicles in a gantry-type washing installation with two movable gantries, washing is performed with a single pair of vertical brushes which wash between two horizontal brushes and are located on one of the two gantries. During a forward movement of the gantries, the washing process is commenced with the first horizontal brush in the front third of the vehicle, while the nose is washed with the two vertical brushes. Then the nose and the top of the vehicle approximately up to the rear third of the vehicle are washed with the second horizontal brush. The direction of travel of the gantries is reversed as soon as the tail wash has been executed with the two vertical brushes and before the second horizontal brush has reached the tail of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus is described which can accommodate vehicles having a wide variety of different lengths and does not require a motorized system to move the vehicle through the vehicle washing apparatus. The vehicle washing apparatus includes a movable washing member mounted for movement in a continuous path around a track. The entire track with the washing member mounted on the track is movable in a longitudinal direction along the length of a vehicle to accommodate vehicles of different lengths. According to one preferred embodiment, the longitudinal movement of the track and the washing member are controlled based on a sensed length of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle wash boom apparatus includes a fixed journalling tube for journalling a boom-supporting tube for reciprocal and rotational movement about a vertical axis. The journalling tube carries a cam and the boom-supporting tube carries a cam follower. A pair of torsion springs at all times bias the cam follower in an upward direction against a cam surface of the cam which is inclined relative to the vertical axis. Thus, as the boom is rotated, the interaction between the cam and the cam follower effects a vertical movement of the boom-supporting member which allows the boom while being used to by-pass a like boom of an identical apparatus when in its home or parked position.

Abstract: A car wash assembly includes a building and a conveyor which advances a vehicle along a vehicle path within the building. The car wash assembly also includes a washing system located within the building which is operable to wash the vehicle during advancement of the vehicle along the vehicle path. Moreover, the car wash assembly includes an animated figure having an actuated mode of operation during which the animated figure is operated in an active manner, and a non-actuated mode of operation during which the animated figure is passive. Yet further, the car wash assembly includes a detector for detecting presence of the vehicle and generating a control signal in response thereto. The animated figure is placed in the actuated mode of operation in response to generation of the control signal. A method for washing a vehicle within a building is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle washing strip is formed of a length of a semi-rigid core material such as a felt of polypropylene, polyester, or other synthetic fiber. The core is surrounded by a cover of a cotton containing pile fabric, such as a cotton terry cloth. The cover is stitched to the core.

Abstract: A contour following tool for preparing the surface of a workpiece is disclosed. The tool has axially shiftable pins that are biased toward a position in which they are fully extended from a housing. As the tool is moved relative to the workpiece, changes in the contoured surface of the workpiece are accommodated by allowing the pins to shift back from their fully extended position against the biasing force. The pins may be biased by a fluid under pressure or by springs. The tool may be used with a wiping cloth or end caps that may apply a cleaning fluid that is applied either externally or internally through the tool through a bore formed in one or more of the pins. A method of cleaning a contoured workpiece is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laundering implement is provided for cleaning an external surface of a vehicle. A plurality of spacers are supportable with respect to a path of travel for a vehicle to be cleaned and are arranged in first and second stacked or sandwiched groups of spacers for oscillating or rotating movement about a common axis of rotation or axial shifting oscillation along a common axis. Each spacer in a group moves in unison with adjacent stacked spacers of the same group. Each spacer has opposite complimentary faces matable with an opposing face of an adjacent spacer. A plurality of cloth elements are interposed between adjacent stacked spacers for movement in concert therewith. At least a portion of a cloth cleaning element is interposed between adjacent spacers. The interposed portion of the element is anchored on an anchoring pin extending between the adjacent spacers, and the cleaning element and adjacent spacers are compressively sandwiched toward one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing snow accumulation from motor vehicle roofs. The snow scraping apparatus has a scraping assembly adapted to remove snow from a motor vehicle roof and including a scraping member being horizontally oriented. The snow scraping apparatus also has a supporting assembly for holding the scraping assembly in an elevated position so that the motor vehicle can pass beneath the scraping member without interference. The scraping member is elevated from the ground by a height that is substantially the same as or slightly greater than that of the motor vehicle roof. As a result, the scraping member can remove snow accumulation from the motor vehicle roof as the motor vehicle passes beneath the scraping assembly. If desired, the scraping assembly can be a rotatable brushing member for removal of snow accumulation by tossing or throwing the snow away from the vehicle roof.

Abstract: A new and improved vehicle wash apparatus having a rigid arm with opposite ends. One end is journaled about a generally vertically extending pivot to a washer frame which extends over the vehicle being washed. The rigid arm at its distal end is journaled about a horizontally disposed pivot rod connected to a moveable arm extension having a distal end. A rotary brush is journaled at the distal end of the moveable arm extension for rotation about a vertical axis. The moveable arm extension and brush is moveable both inwardly and outwardly of the vehicle wash frame on both sides of the vertical position and being biased inwardly thereof. The rigid arm is biased into a position generally transverse to the movement of the vehicle being washed relative to the arm, whereby the rotating brush is always in contact with the vehicle being washed.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus which includes a cleaning element having a plurality of cleaning strips attached to a base component and a plurality of deep pile, fur-like inserts mounted between at least some of the cleaning strips. The cleaning strips preferably are made of a foam plastic material having a closed cell structure. The cleaning element may be mounted on a movable support such as a rotatable shaft and a plurality of such cleaning elements mounted on a rotatable shaft constitute a brush.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus includes a supporting frame extending over a path of a vehicle to be washed and a rotary brush assembly attached to a brush support arm pivotably connected to a moveable support mechanism directly mounted on the frame for lateral movement with respect to the path of the vehicle. The supporting frame includes a pair of spaced upper members supported on each end by legs having spaced side members.

Abstract: A contour following tool for preparing the surface of a workpiece is disclosed. The tool has axially shiftable pins that are biased toward a position in which they are fully extended from a housing. As the tool is moved relative to the workpiece, changes in the contoured surface of the workpiece are accommodated by allowing the pins to shift back from their fully extended position against the biasing force. The pins may be biased by a fluid under pressure or by springs. The tool may be used with a wiping cloth or end caps that may apply a cleaning fluid that is applied either externally or internally through the tool through a bore formed in one or more of the pins. A method of cleaning a contoured workpiece is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laundering implement is provided for cleaning an external surface of a vehicle. A plurality of spacers are supportable with respect to a path of travel for a vehicle to be cleaned and are arranged in first and second stacked or sandwiched groups of spacers for oscillating or rotating movement about a common axis of rotation or axial shifting oscillation along a common axis. The spacers are of a color different from that of the rest of the fixed structure of the laundering implement so that when the implement is in operation the moving spacers and cloth elements create an attractive and attention-getting visual effect. The colors of the spacers may be customized to suit the desires of any particular purchaser or operator of the vehicle laundry system. Each spacer has opposite complimentary faces matable with an opposing face of an adjacent spacer. A plurality of cloth elements are interposed between adjacent stacked spacers for movement in concert therewith.

Abstract: According to a conventional continuous car washing machine in which one of the right and left side brushes is stationary, a roller conveyor which transports a vehicle to be washed is provided with wheel guides to maintain a spacing between a lateral surface of the vehicle and one side brush at a given value. Thus, there has been a problem that it is difficult to drive the vehicle to move itself onto the required position on the roller conveyor. The present invention which is intended to solve the problem provides a car washing machine comprising a stationary car washing machine body in which a pair of side brushes (8a, 8b) are disposed to be retractable in the transverse direction at a right angle with the direction of transport of a vehicle in order for washing at least the lateral surfaces of the vehicle (2), and a conveyor device (3) for transporting the vehicle (2) which is free of wheel guides and has a sufficient width to accommodate a plurality of different car widths.

Abstract: In a rotating brush (1) which is particularly suitable for motorized systems for the automatic washing of vehicles, comprising a support member (2) that can be connected to a rotating device (3) and to a number of flexible cleaning elements (4) that support one another and are attached at one end (4e) to said support member (2), perpendicular thereto, said flexible cleaning elements (4) are made of an expanded closed-cell synthetic resin.

Abstract: An automated car wash system includes a device for recognizing the types of vehicles passing through the system. The vehicle type recognition device includes two ultrasonic sensors positioned above the vehicle pathway to determine a vehicle profile. A computer recognizes the vehicle profile and type by monitoring a relationship between signals present at each sensor. The computer communicates the vehicle type information to a dryer controller that controls the position of the dryer relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A spherical bearing for a vehicle laundry brush which affords universal angular displacement freedom for the brush. The spherical bearing is mounted to the outboard end of a brush support arm and consists of a hemispherical bearing member and a complemental bearing seat. A rests on top of the bearing member for universal pivoting movement relative thereto. A brush drive motor, gear box, and a drive shaft are mounted to the bearing so that the drive shaft extends through the bearing member and is suspended in a generally vertical position. Cage members on the support arm operate with extensions associated with the spherical bearing to prevent rotation of the bearing about the brush axis. The moment of inertia of the brush components located below the pivot point is substantially greater than the moment of inertia of components mounted above the pivot point thereby providing a self-damping function. The spherical bearing is preferably formed from a bowling ball.

Abstract: A laundering implement is provided for cleaning an external surface of a vehicle. A plurality of spacers are supportable with respect to a path of travel for a vehicle to be cleaned and are arranged in first and second stacked or sandwiched groups of spacers for oscillating or rotating movement about a common axis of rotation or axial shifting oscillation along a common axis. Each spacer in a group moves in unison with adjacent stacked spacers of the same group. Each spacer has opposite complimentary faces matable with an opposing face of an adjacent spacer. A plurality of cloth elements are interposed between adjacent stacked spacers for movement in concert therewith. At least a portion of a cloth cleaning element is interposed between adjacent spacers. The interposed portion of the element is anchored on an anchoring pin extending between the adjacent spacers, and the cleaning element and adjacent spacers are compressively sandwiched toward one another.

Abstract: The apparatus is a snow and ice remover for the roofs of trucks and trailers. A bridge like structure of two vertical beams and an upper cross piece supports a vertically adjustable snow plow assembly which rolls on wheels riding on the vertical beams. A wedge shaped plow forms the lower edge of the snow plow assembly so that when a snow or ice covered truck or trailer moves under the properly positioned plow, the snow or ice is pushed off the top of the vehicle. The snow plow has a minimum height below which it can not be lowered, and the adjustment of the snow plow is powered by a winch on the cross beam which reels in or releases a chain from which the snow plow is hung.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for handling a brush head for cleaning the surfaces of large objects like aircraft, ships or buildings. The handling device has a multi-joint assembly carrying a brush head (18) on the end extension (14) of an angled mast (13) having, extending from the end extension (14), three motor-driven rotary units (60, 62, 64) arranged one behind the other and having alternately perpendicular axes (60', 62', 64') and a motor-driven telescopic linear unit (66') secured to the last rotary unit (64) and aligned with its axis of rotation (64'). In order to ensure that the brush roller is always perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned along its entire travel, even at points which are difficult of access, the invention proposes that axes (60', 66') of the rotary unit (60) on the end extension side and of the linear unit (66) be arranged in laterally staggered, mutually parallel planes.

Abstract: A guide rail assembly for use with a conveyor of an automatic conveyor car wash. The guide rail assembly is comprised of a main guide rail positioned outside the conveyor proximate the wheel portion of a vehicle, and a lower guide rail extending below and away from the main guide rail toward the conveyor such that the lower guide rail contacts the tire below the wheel portion to maintain a spaced apart relationship between the wheel portion and the main guide rail. The addition of the lower guide rail prevents scratching, marring, or any other structural damage to the wheel portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A horizontal top brush for a vehicle laundering or finishing plant wherein a brush rotated by an hydraulic motor is mounted between the free ends of pivot arms carried by spaced vertical stanchions flanking a vehicle lane. Counterweight arms on the left and right sides of the wash lane have an axis of rotation which is spaced from the axis of rotation of the brush pivot arms. The counterweight arms are mechanically interconnected with the brush arms by sector gears, an arrangement which permits all of the brush and counterweight arms to lie on one side of the vertical support stanchions. The brush arms are slotted to permit the counterweight arms to pass through them. Brush position relative to the vehicle is varied as a function of brush motor reaction which in turn is a function of brush contact pressure or depth.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for cleaning the surfaces of aircraft with a large manipulator having a rotating brush head consisting of several extensions (12, 12', 12", 14) pivotable on articulations (20, 22, 24, 28) by means of hydraulic drive systems (30) and fitted on a rotary bracket (11) of a motor-driven chassis (10) with its base extension (12) fitted on an angled mast to rotate about a main axis (11) and a multiple articulation (16) on the end extension (14) at the free end. To provide starting auxiliary for the chassis (10), the adaptation of the large manipulator to the aircraft and/or monitoring facilities for the cleaning process, there is an opto-electronic distance camera (40) and a computer-supported electronic evaluation system to which the output signals of the distance camera (40) are applied.

Abstract: A wrap brush assembly includes an elongated, horizontal upper support arm which pivots from an overhead support about a vertical axis. A pivot link is pivotally connected to the free end of the upper support arm about a horizontal pivot link axis for movement forward and rearward relative to the path traversed by a vehicle to be cleaned. A brush support bracket is pivotally connected to the lower end of the pivot link about an axis lying perpendicular to the pivot link axis for allowing the brush support bracket to swing side to side relative to the path traversed by a vehicle to be cleaned. A motor, brush shaft, and wrap brush are supported from the brush support bracket. A shock absorber dampens forward/rearward movement about the horizontal pivot link axis, and a stop limits inward pivoting movement of the brush support bracket relative to the pivot link to prevent the wrap brush from climbing onto the rear deck of the vehicle.

Abstract: A horizontal top brush for a vehicle laundering or finishing plant wherein a brush rotated by an hydraulic motor is mounted between the free ends of pivot arms carried by spaced vertical stanchions flanking a vehicle treatment location. Counterweight arms on the left and right sides of the wash lane have an axis of rotation which is spaced from the axis of rotation of the brush pivot arms. The counterweight arms are mechanically interconnected with the brush arms by sector gears, an arrangement which permits all of the brush and counterweight arms to lie on one side of the vertical support stanchions. The brush arms are slotted to permit the counterweight arms to pass through them. Brush position relative to the vehicle is varied as a function of brush motor reaction which in turn is a function of brush contact pressure or depth.

Abstract: A spherical bearing for a vehicle laundry side brush which affords universal angular displacement freedom for the side brush. The spherical bearing consists of a hemispherical bearing member to which the brush and brush drive components are mounted as a unit. The bearing member sits in a seat in the outboard end of a brush extension arm. Cage members on the seat operate with extensions associated with the bearing to prevent rotation of the bearing about the brush axis. The moment of inertia of the brush components located below the pivot point is substantially greater than the moment of inertia of components mounted above the pivot point thereby providing a self-damping function.

Abstract: A vehicle finishing apparatus provided with a vehicle finishing pad having slits cut in the pad in patterns other than parallel, straight and perpendicular to the brush axis so that the individual pad strips make finishing contact with the vehicle surface over an area having a transverse width which is greater than the strip width. The slits in a preferred embodiment are cut in a curved fashion, thereby creating a longer edge surface on the strips and increasing the transverse contact area with the vehicle surface as well as improved edge contact with the vehicle surface.

Abstract: A vehicle surface treating implement, such as is used in a carwash, having an improved suspension and position control system. The surface treatment implement, such as a rotary brush, is carried at the free end of one or more secondary support arms which are in turn pivotally connected to one or more spaced apart primary support arms, said primary support arms being driven in rotation about an axis in accordance with signals as determined by the orientation of the secondary arms relative to a fixed reference which is in turn a function of the contact pressure between the brush and the vehicle surface being treated. Vehicles to be treated approach from the free ends of the primary arms, which rotate about the axis as necessary to maintain the brush in contact with the surface of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the axis is horizontal and is well below the maximum height of vehicles to be treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bristle roller for automatic motor vehicle washing systems comprising a cylindrical body on the surface of which there are distributed a plurality of bristles. The main feature of the invention is that the bristles are made from strips of a thin layer of polypropylene, polythene, plastic materials and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus having a supporting framework extending over a position of a vehicle to be washed. Two oppositely disposed legs of the framework are connected by a cross brace. A top scrubber curtain assembly includes a transverse bulkhead member pivotally supported at its ends to the tops of the legs. Bearings of ultrahigh molecular weight plastic material and cooperating rod means pivotally connect the bulkhead member to the legs. A scrubber carrier frame fixedly connected to the bulkhead member for movement therewith is provided with scrubbing strips. A motor is mounted on one of the legs below the top thereof to oscillate the carrier frame and scrubbing strips backwardly and forwardly as well as upwardly and downwardly.

Abstract: A vehicle washing system includes an arch frame that moves on rails over and along the length of a vehicle. A rack support arm is rotatively connected to a horizontal cross member of the frame and a rack with vertically depending cleaning strips is connected to the support arm. Prior to activation, the vertically depending cleaning strips are located on the side(s) of the frame so that an unobstructed vehicle entry and exit way is provided. Once activated, the cleaning strips are rotated into position in contact with the vehicle. Thereafter, the rack support arm is reciprocated to move the strips back and forth across the vehicle as the frame moves. A dual-rod cylinder provides movement of the rack support arm into an active position with the cleaning strips in contact with the vehicle and also provides the reciprocating action. A rocker panel cleaning assembly is provided to clean the sides of the vehicle as the frame moves and the rack support arm reciprocates.

Abstract: A sacrificial link is disclosed for the shaft of a vehicle-cleaning brush unit, which link is pre-engineered to fail prior to the remainder of the shaft in response to bending forces exerted on the brush by a vehicle, for example. The shaft itself is therefore protected from permanent deformation or breakage, while the sacrificial link is easily removed and replaced with relatively little downtime and expense. In a preferred form the sacrificial link comprises a sacrificial shaft section having socket ends for removable connection to the upper portion of a brush shaft depending from a motor drive unit and the lower portion of the brush shaft connected to the brush, and a center region pre-engineered to fail before the upper and lower brush shaft sections. Novel clamping and release structure associated with the socket ends of the sacrificial shaft section is also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid purification system is disclosed. In this system water is pumped into a filter cartridge. A reverse osmosis filter membrane in the filter cartridge removes impurities from the water, but not all of the water passes through the membrane. Water passing through the membrane exits the filter cartridge through a first outlet port, and is sent to a storage tank. Water not passing through the filter membrane exits the filter cartridge through a second outlet port. This water then passes through a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve can be adjusted to vary the water pressure and flow rates in the system. Some of the water exiting the pressure relief valve passes through a flow restrictor valve and then to drain. The flow restrictor maintains a constant flow rate at variable pressures. In this system, the flow restrictor is operable to maintain the same flow rate through it to drain and through the first filter outlet port.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cleaning vehicles which utilizes recirculated wash water to clean a vehicle, thereby saving water and expense in operation. The apparatus utilizes a clarifier tank which receives partially clarified water under pressure from a sump pump to produce a swirling flow of water within the tank which separates sediment centrifugally outwardly in the tank where it drops in a swirling path due to gravity and is collected in a conical base portion of the tank for expulsion therefrom. Clarified water is drawn out from the tank from an upper central portion therein. Preferably, a settling pit is used to partially clarify the water before it enters the clarifying tank. Furthermore, a pre-filter such as a cyclone separator is also utilized to pre-filter wash water before it is clarified in the clarifying tank. The drawn off clarified water from the clarifying tank is then pumped to a plurality of washing nozzles which assists in washing a vehicle passing through the apparatus.

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 motor vehicle washing apparatus having a brush assembly and curtain assembly for prolonging the life of the brush assembly and the curtain assembly by adjusting the length of elements of each when wear occurs. The brush assembly includes a plurality of brush elements mounted on a rotatable drum by connectors which are removably received in channels on the outer surface of the drum. The connectors engage selected slots of a plurality of slots in the brush elements to allow for selectively and incrementally adjusting the position of a free end of each brush element. In a similar fashion, the curtain assembly has a plurality of curtain elements mounted on a support rod or on an oscillating semicircular drum. The curtain elements each have a plurality of slots therein for accommodating self-orienting removable locking fasteners permitting selective and incremental adjusting of the position of a free end of each curtain element.

Abstract: A car washing machine having a tunnel-shaped stationary car washing machine body (1) installed on the floor (2) and adapted to continuously wash a vehicle (2) as the latter is transported by a pair of roller conveyors (7a, 7b). The car washing machine body (1) has a washing section (3) in the front region thereof, a waxing section (4) in the intermediate region thereof and a drying section (5) in the rear region thereof. The roller conveyors (7a, 7b) are designed so that one conveyor (7b) supports the wheels (8b, 9b) on one side of the vehicle (1), while the other conveyor (7a) supports the wheels (8a, 9a) on the other side of the vehicle (1), the vehicle (1) being guided with one conveyor (7b) serving as a reference.

Abstract: A motor vehicle washing apparatus having a brush assembly and curtain assembly for prolonging the life of the brush assembly and the curtain assembly by adjusting the length of elements of each when wear occurs. The brush assembly includes a plurality of brush elements mounted on a drum by connectors which are removably received in channels on the outer surface of the drum. The connectors engage selected slots of a plurality of slots in the brush elements to allow for selectively and incrementally adjusting the position of a free end of each brush element. In a similar fashion, the curtain assembly has a plurality of curtain elements mounted on a support rod. The curtain elements each have a plurality of slots therein for accommodating self-orienting removable locking fasteners permitting selective and incremental adjusting of the position of a free end of each curtain element.

Abstract: A rotatable brushing apparatus for use in an automatic car wash is pivoted from a central support member which is substantially at the centerplane of the apparatus and above the path of a vehicle passing therebelow, the brush being rotated such that its motion at the surface of the vehicle is in the same direction as the motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A washing apparatus is provided for washing the exterior surface of a vehicle. The apparatus is made of a frame, an arm pivotably attached to the frame and extending along the vehicle path which is provided with a support plate for suspending a generally vertical rotatable wheel having a central shaft operatively driven by a drive motor. An elastic coupling mounts the wheel and associated drive motor upon the support plate. The coupling includes a mounting plate spaced above and generally parallel to the support plate and is separated by at least one elastic member radially spaced from the wheel axis and circumferentially arranged thereabout. The mounting plate is capable of moving axially and rotating relative to the support plate to a limited range, thereby facilitating the lateral deflection of the wheel assembly in response to the engagement with the vehicle causing the wheel shaft axis to deviate a limited amount from the vertical orientation.

Abstract: A rollover car wash with arrays of cloth curtains to wash the car. Air cylinders to oscillate the curtains, and controls to swing both arrays of cloth curtains out to the sides of the car when washing is complete.

Abstract: A portable washing apparatus includes a rectangularly-shaped plastic pipe frame structure to which water and soap dispensing devices are attached. Opposed ends of the structure have water dispensers for respectively providing an initial wetting and subsequent rinsing of a child passing through the structure. A soap spray dispenser is provided after the initial wetting dispenser, and a subsequent pair of cloth scrubbers are also interiorly positioned on the structure. A child, either walking or riding a toy vehicle through the structure, is washed by being initially wetted, then sprayed with a soap spray, followed by a cloth scrubbing and a subsequent rinsing. A unique spray buffer system facilitates the creation of a combined liquid curtain and mist for all of the associated liquid dispensers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for use in removal of coatings from airplanes and the like wherein such removal requires the application of a solvent composition for dissolving the coating such as paint, the solvent having a sufficiently high vapor pressure to be present in both a liquid phase and a gaseous vapor phase at stripping temperatures with the solvent in the vapor phase being lighter than the liquid phase and heavier than air, and the apparatus including a portable carriage, positionable beneath the airplane, a receptacle having spaced side walls and carried by the carriage, the side walls extending vertically upwardly, the receptacle further defining a receptacle bottom portion, the receptacle receiving spent solvent in both the liquid and the vapor phases after application of the solvent to the airplane surfaces and dissolution of the paint therein, the side walls directing the received spent solvent in both phases to the receptacle bottom portion such that vapor phase is trapped above the he

Abstract: A drive-through wash of a type in which a vehicle is translated forwardly along a longitudinal axis is disclosed. The wash includes a frame affixed to the floor and sized to allow the vehicle to pass therethrough. Right and left side washers are attached to the frame and are longitudinally aligned with one another for washing the right and left sides of the vehicle. A curtain washer is attached to the frame in lateral alignment with the right and left side washers and extends into the path of the vehicle. Right and left wraparound washers, each respectively having an elongated right and left booms are horizontally, pivotably attached to the frame on opposite sides, above the path of the vehicle, and extend rearwardly therefrom. Rotatable right and left wraparound wheels are supported on a pair of carriages that slide upon the elongated booms. The elongated booms pivot relative to the frame allowing the wraparound wheels to follow the contour of the vehicle passing through the wash.

Abstract: A spherical rod end with a flexible fluid conduit is disclosed. The spherical rod end includes a housing having an outer region and a spherical inner race surface, with a fluid passageway extending between the outer region and the inner race surface. A spherical ball is included in the spherical rod end which pivotally mounts within the inner race surface. An elongated flexible fluid conduit, having an end adapted to be coupled to a source of pressurized water and an opposite end in fluid communication with the housing fluid passageway. Water from the pressurized source is used to lubricate the interface between the inner race surface and the spherical ball.

Abstract: A vehicle-washing apparatus which has a brush support mechanism which uses fixed support shafts and linear bearings, and a brush stabilization device using secondary fixed shafts. The entire weight of the brushes is supported by the fixed support shafts and the brushes are permitted to slide and pivot about the fixed support shafts via a primary bearing assembly having linear bearings which are sealed against air-borne contamination and which are provided with a self-contained lubrication system. A retraction/retention mechanism for the brushes uses a single continuous cable and a single air cylinder.

Abstract: A rotary, overhead car wash mitter assembly for use in a car wash station. The assembly comprises a pair of mitter units, each unit comprising a mitter curtain assembly. Mounting structure mounting the mitter units on a support structure above the wash station, opposite each other and each overlying one side portion of the wash station. A motor connected to the mitter units rotate them at a substantially continuous speed in opposite directions of rotation.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus in which both brushes and high pressure spray nozzles are used for selectively cleaning different portions of a vehicle. The high pressure nozzles and the brushes are both mounted to the same mounting structure for movement together, relative to the vehicle, such that the nozzles are maintained at the optimum distance from the vehicle surface for maximum cleaning effectiveness. The high pressure spray nozzles are used to clean selected portions of a vehicle that are susceptible to damage by the brushes used to clean other portions of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improvement for washing devices for truck trailers or similar devices. The washing device consists of a rotating brush mounted on a driven vehicle chassis and having a delivery system to deliver a cleaning fluid--usually water or soapy water--to the brush. The current improvement is the addition of a catch basin below the brush adapted to catch water from the side of the truck being washed. A disposal system for the fluid caught in the catch basin may also be provided.

Abstract: A drive-through wash of a type in which a vehicle is translated forwardly along a longitudinal axis is disclosed. The wash includes a frame affixed to the floor and sized to allow the vehicle to pass therethrough. Right and left side washers are attached to the frame and are longitudinally aligned with one another for washing the right and left sides of the vehicle. A curtain washer is attached to the frame in lateral alignment with the right and left side washers and extends into the path of the vehicle. Right and left wraparound washers, each respectively having an elongated right and left booms are horizontally, pivotably attached to the frame on opposite sides, above the path of the vehicle, and extend rearwardly therefrom. Rotatable right and left wraparound wheels are supported on a pair of carriages that slide upon the elongated booms. The elongated booms pivot relative to the frame allowing the wraparound wheels to follow the contour of the vehicle passing through the wash.