Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090199880 | MULTIPLE MANIFOLD SYSTEM FOR A ROLLOVER VEHICLE WASH SYSTEM - A vehicle washing system including a frame having an overhead section and a pair of generally opposing side support sections. The vehicle washing system includes an entrance and an exit side. The vehicle washing system also includes a plurality of rails that extend generally in the direction between the entrance side and the exit side. The frame linearly reciprocates along the plurality of rails to travel over a stationary vehicle. The frame has a first fluid dispensing device located in the half adjacent its entrance side and a second fluid dispensing device located adjacent its exit side. The first fluid dispensing device includes a plurality of manifolds each of which is in communication with a supply of fluid to apply fluid to the vehicle. The second fluid dispensing device includes a plurality of manifolds each of which is in communication with a supply of fluid to apply fluid to the vehicle. The vehicle washing system includes a control system that is in communication with each of the manifolds in the first fluid dispensing device and each of the manifolds of the second fluid dispensing device to selectively and independently control the type of fluid emitted from each of the manifolds and in what order during the vehicle cleaning process. | 08-13-2009 |
20090205150 | CAR WASH CLOTH ROLL ASSEMBLY - A cloth-type vehicle laundering implement includes a support mechanism consisting of a rotatable drive shaft and a plurality of generally parallel, adjacently arranged spacers mounted on the support mechanism. Each of the plurality of spacers includes a first face and a second face. The implement includes a plurality of individual circular fabric disk elements disposed between the first face of one of the plurality of spacers and the second face of another of the plurality of spacers. Each of the plurality of individual circular fabric disk elements extends outwardly beyond the spacers. Each of the individual circular fabric disk elements consists of a single piece of non-woven material having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The inner diameter is retained in a single plane by a securing mechanism such that more material is located adjacent the inner diameter than the outer diameter to provide a more rigid element. The outer diameter and the inner diameter consist of substantially the same linear length of material. | 08-20-2009 |
20090205691 | HIGH PRESSURE ARCH FOR A VEHICLE WASH SYSTEM - A vehicle treatment apparatus for a vehicle cleaning system includes a frame structure having a pair of vertical side supports that are secured to the ground and are spaced apart from one another. The pair of vertical side supports have a generally horizontal treatment member extending therebetween. The horizontal treatment member has a first end and a second end and is configured to communicate with a vehicle that passes thereunder. Each of the pair of vertical side supports include a retention mechanism formed therein for engaging a respective one of the first end and the second end of the generally horizontal treatment member. The generally horizontal treatment member is in communication with a controller to allow substantially vertical movement within each of the retention mechanism from a home position to at least one lower position where it communicates with the vehicle. The generally horizontal treatment member is in communication with a sensor to monitor application of a force thereto. If the force applied to the generally horizontal treatment member is greater than a predetermined minimum acceptable force, the generally horizontal treatment member moves vertically upward to the home position and automatically repositions the end in the event the force applied to the horizontal treatment member is sufficient to dislodge the ends from their retention mechanism. | 08-20-2009 |
20100275459 | EXTENDABLE NOZZLE FOR A VEHICLE DRYING APPARATUS - A dryer nozzle for a drying unit in a vehicle wash system includes a nozzle portion for emitting high velocity air to an exterior surface of a vehicle passing thereunder. The nozzle portion has an inner nozzle section and an outer nozzle section. The inner nozzle section and the outer nozzle section being configured such that they can be positioned one inside the other during operation. At least one of the inner nozzle section or the outer nozzle section can be extended and retraced as directed towards or away from said the surface of the vehicle. | 11-04-2010 |
20120222328 | VEHICLE WASH DRYING SYSTEM - A drying station for a vehicle wash facility includes at least one rotatable drying wheel positioned adjacent a vehicle treatment area. The at least one rotatable drying wheel has a drying material disposed thereon and which can engage an exterior of the vehicle to remove water accumulated thereon. The drying station includes a beater device disposed adjacent the at least one rotatable drying wheel with the beater device and the drying wheel being engageable as the at least one rotatable drying wheel rotates. As the rotatable drying wheel spins, the drying material contacts the beater device to help minimize its level of saturation. | 09-06-2012 |
20130081569 | VEHICLE TIRE COATING APPARATUS - A tire coating apparatus for applying fluid to vehicle tires in a vehicle washing system, includes a pair of mechanical applicators, which each have at least one coating applicator disposed thereon for contacting the vehicle tires to apply the fluid. One mechanical applicator is intended to engage the tires on a right side of a vehicle while the other mechanical applicator is intended to engage the tires on a left side of the vehicle. The mechanical applicators also include a guide portion for guiding the vehicle wheel when a patron had elected not to have a coating fluid applied to the vehicle wheels. The mechanical applicators are rotatable between an initial position where the coating applicators are in a non-coating position to a second position where the coating applicators are intended to contact a vehicle tire. | 04-04-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130104332 | MEDIA ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE WASH COMPONENT | 05-02-2013 |
20130180064 | VEHICLE WASH COMPONENT - A component for a vehicle wash system includes a frame and a hub portion that is rotatable with respect to the frame. The hub portion is in communication with a plurality of media elements for rotation therewith. The plurality of media elements have a first end located adjacent the hub portion and a second end located remotely from the hub portion. The plurality of media elements are constructed of a flexible material and have a length and a height. The length of the media elements is at least two times greater than height such that the plurality of media elements are self-supporting and extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the hub portion along their length, when the hub portion is at rest. | 07-18-2013 |
20130180065 | HUB FOR A VEHICLE WASH COMPONENT HAVING AN ARCUATE PATTERN OF MEDIA ELEMENTS - A component for a vehicle wash system includes a frame and a hub portion rotatably secured to the frame. The hub portion includes an axis of rotation and an outer surface. A plurality of media elements are secured to the hub portion. The media elements include a flexible, self-supporting material such that the plurality of media elements can retain substantially the same shape when the hub portion is rotating at both high and low RPMs. The plurality of media elements are secured to the hub portion in a plurality of spaced apart rows that extend in a direction of the axis of rotation. Each of the plurality of spaced apart rows extending in a generally arcuate path along at least a portion of the hub portion. | 07-18-2013 |
20130185876 | ILLUMINATED HUB FOR A VEHICLE WASH COMPONENT - A component for a vehicle wash system includes a frame and a hub portion that is rotatably connected to the frame. The hub portion has an inner surface, an outer surface and an axis of rotation. The hub portion includes a plurality of media elements secured thereto and arranged in a plurality of spaced apart rows that extend in a direction along the axis of rotation. The hub portion includes at least one translucent portion disposed on its outer surface. The translucent portion is disposed between a pair of adjacent rows of the plurality of spaced apart rows. The hub portion includes at least one illumination element for illuminating the at least one translucent portion such that said illuminated translucent portion is configured to be seen while the said hub portion rotates. | 07-25-2013 |
20130228201 | TOUCHLESS CAR WASH SYSTEM - A carwash system is disclosed wherein a spray arm dependingly mounted to an overhead longitudinally movable carriage for dispensing fluids onto the exterior surfaces of a vehicle in a wash bay unidirectionally circumnavigates the vehicle for multiple circuits while performing one or more wash functions by coordinating longitudinal and rotational movements of the arm through the selective operation of two independent motor drives. Electrical power and/or data is carried to and from electrical devices on the arm by way of a slip ring conductor which is mounted coaxially with the arm pivot on the bottom side of the carriage. The fluid supply conduit also passes concentrically through this pivot. | 09-05-2013 |
20130291906 | VEHICLE WASHER - A spray-type washer for a conveyor-type car wash comprises a support stand with a power cylinder that drives a piston. Pins on the piston ride in slots formed in a rotatable cam that is connected to a spray unit such that piston travel produces a swivel motion of a spray unit mounted on the support stand. The spray units use multiple impeller-type sprayers. The washers are used in pairs, one washer on each side of a conveyor lane. | 11-07-2013 |
20130291909 | CAR WASH SPRAY ARCH - A shape-changing spray arch for a “touchless” spray washer for automotive vehicles and the like. A transit frame which can change shape is mounted in a fixed arch frame and connected to an actuator which changes the shape of the side and top spray conduits in a reciprocal fashion as vehicles pass through the arch. In addition, the spray conduits, both side and top conduits, can be twisted or reoriented around their respective longitudinal axes to be aimed more toward an approaching vehicle and then reoriented to be aimed more toward a receding vehicle, the change in angular orientation being effected as the vehicle passes through the arch. These features can be used separately or in combination. | 11-07-2013 |
20140076366 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSISTING THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE TO CENTER THE VEHICLE IN A WASH BAY - A vehicle washing system associated with a bay in which a vehicle is parked during the washing operation is equipped with a centering target which can be selectively deployed upon entry of a vehicle to assist the driver in placing the vehicle in the bay. The target may be provided by a vertically-depending spray arm having internal LEDs which are illuminated during vehicle entry and during the washing program. Several alternative target and lighting arrangements are described. | 03-20-2014 |
20140259727 | ABSORBENT MEDIA ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE WASH COMPONENT - A component for removing water from a vehicle exterior in a vehicle wash process includes a base portion for supporting the component adjacent a path of travel of a vehicle. The base portion is connected to a frame portion and the frame portion is configured to move with respect the vehicle as the vehicle passes the component. The frame portion is in communication with a control mechanism which automatically directed the frame portion to move as the vehicle nears the frame portion to effectuate the removal of water from the vehicle exterior. The frame portion includes a plurality of media elements in communication therewith and configured to contact a vehicle exterior to remove excess water therefrom. At least a portion of each of the plurality of media elements consists of an absorbent polyvinyl alcohol material. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261578 | VEHICLE WASH COMPONENT FOR EMITTING BUBBLES - A device for emitting bubbles in a vehicle wash facility includes a plenum supported with respect to ground. The plenum includes an air inlet with a first area and an air outlet with a second area. The plenum air outlet is in communication with at least one foaming chamber. The foaming chamber includes a generally planar media element disposed therein. The foaming chamber includes a spray jet located therein, which is in communication with a source of chemical. The spray jet configured to emit a chemical onto the generally planar media element. The device also includes a plurality of nozzle portions in communication with the foaming chamber for emitting bubbles therefrom. | 09-18-2014 |
20140345071 | LIGHTED VEHICLE WASH COMPONENT - A vehicle wash component includes a rotatable hub portion having an outer surface and an axis of rotation. The rotatable hub portion is in driving communication with at least one core portion to effectuate rotation thereof. At least one media element is fixedly secured to the at least one core portion for rotation therewith. The media element includes a plurality of upstanding finger portions, which are configured to contact an exterior surface of a vehicle. The core portion includes at least one light retaining aperture formed therein. At least one illumination element is disposed between the plurality of upstanding finger portions and in the at Least one light retaining aperture so that it rotates as the at least one core portion rotates and can be seen by a vehicle occupant. | 11-27-2014 |
20140366287 | LIGHTED WASH COMPONENT WITH A SLIP RING CONNECTOR - The lighted vehicle wash component includes a frame portion and a drive mechanism supported by the frame portion. The component also includes a rotatable hub portion supported by the frame portion. The hub portion is in communication with the drive mechanism to effectuate its rotation about an axis of rotation. The component includes a plurality of wash media elements engageable with the hub portion and which are configured to engage a vehicle surface as the hub portion rotates. The plurality of wash media elements are arranged on the hub portion in a plurality of spaced apart rows. The component includes a plurality of lighting elements removeably engaging the hub portion. The lighting elements are disposed in an open area defined between each of the plurality of spaced apart rows. A slip ring assembly is in communication with the hub portion to allow the plurality of lighting elements to rotate about the axis of rotation as the hub portion rotates. | 12-18-2014 |
20140366290 | LIGHTED VEHICLE WASH COMPONENT - A vehicle wash component includes a rotatable hub portion having an outer surface and an axis of rotation. The component includes a plurality of grooves formed in the outer surface of the rotatable hub with the plurality of grooves being spaced about the perimeter of the outer surface of the hub portion. Each of the plurality of grooves includes one or more media elements disposed therein. The outer surface of the rotatable hub includes a plurality of channels formed therein. The plurality of channels are spaced apart from the plurality of grooves such that each of the plurality of channels is visible when the plurality of media elements are disposed in the plurality of grooves. An illumination source disposed in each of the plurality of channels such that the illumination source in each of the plurality of channels can be seen between the plurality of media elements as the rotatable hub portion operates. | 12-18-2014 |