AU2020101892A4

AU2020101892A4 - A low pressure vehicle cleaning assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2020101892A4
Application number: AU2020101892A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ross Boakes; Stuart Mcdowell
Original assignee: Chassis Pro Tech Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Chassis Pro Tech Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-19
Filing date: 2020-08-19
Publication date: 2020-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-19

Abstract

A LOW PRESSURE VEHICLE CLEANING ASSEMBLY ABSTRACT A low pressure vehicle cleaning assembly 1 including a base 2 adapted to be mounted to an underside of a vehicle. The assembly 1 further includes an inlet connector 10 extending from the base 2 in a first direction X. An outlet connector 14 is fluidly connected to the inlet connector 10 and extends in a second direction Y. At least a pair of tubes 20 extend from the outlet connector 14 and are to be located in use under the vehicle and in particular on a chassis rail 21 to allow cleaning thereof. 1/4 23 1 26 25 21 Y 21 14 20 20 2 10 x 30 Figure 1

Description

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Figure 1

A LOW PRESSURE VEHICLE CLEANING ASSEMBLY FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a low pressure vehicle cleaning assembly and in particular to a cleaning assembly for vehicles to reduce build-up of materials such as salt, sand, mud, dust, clay or the like from a vehicle chassis and hard to reach places under vehicles, such as cars, trucks, trailers, boats, caravans, heavy machinery, mining equipment and the like.

[0002] Vehicles of all types are used in an outside environment. Often material gets caught, wedged or stuck in or on parts of the vehicle and this can affect the performance of the vehicle. Further, if there is enough build up of material, the extra weight to the vehicle causes operational problems and can also be a location of corrosion over time and structural and performance failure. This is particularly a problem on a chassis (base frame) of a vehicle.

[0003] Accordingly, there is a need particularly for chassis rails or sub-frames of vehicles to be regularly flushed and cleaned to stop the build-up of erroneous and unwanted materials. In older vehicles the rails are closer together and any build-up of material can take significant time to remove. The addition of chemicals to breakdown such substances and to provide further rust proofing is hazardous to the installer and dangerous to the environment so in most cases is not a preferred option.

[0004] Though high pressure cleaning products exist they typically are expensive, require complicated machinery and pressurisation tools. This can cause damage to braided brake lines and remove paint product coatings that protect the steel or galvanised frame work.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a low pressure cleaning assembly that can effectively clean the undersides of a vehicle and in particular chassis rails and be run with little equipment.

OBJECT

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate some of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] There is disclosed herein a low pressure vehicle cleaning assembly, the assembly including: a base adapted to be mounted to an underside of a vehicle; an inlet connector extending from said base in a first direction; an outlet connector fluidly connected to said inlet connector and extending in a second direction; at least a pair of tubes extending from said outlet connector and to be located in use under said vehicle; said tubing having an open end connected to said outlet connector and a closed end, a series of perforations extending along said tube adjacent said closed end;

whereby in use a low pressure fluid source is connected to said inlet connector to deliver fluid to said tubes so that said perforations expel fluid on to said underside of said vehicle.

[0008] Preferably, said base is an angled bracket mountable to the underside of a vehicle by fasteners, the bracket having a hole through which said inlet connector can be placed.

[0009] Preferably, the closed end of said tubes is placed in use on or adjacent the chassis of a vehicle.

[0010] Preferably, said inlet connector includes a first end having a standard household hose fitting and a second end having threaded male fitting.

[0011] Preferably, the outlet connector includes a female T piece and a pair of adapters, the adapters having a pair of quick release flush fittings to connect to the at least a pair of tubes.

[0012] Preferably, the tubing includes nylon tubing.

[0013] Preferably, the assembly includes a dust cap to close off the inlet connector.

[0014] Preferably, the assembly operates on mains water supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 shows an assembled embodiment of the assembly of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 shows a partial disassembled embodiment of an assembly of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 shows a coupler of an embodiment of an assembly of the present invention; and

[0018] Figure 4 shows a tool for use with an embodiment of an assembly of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019] There is disclosed in the figures a low pressure vehicle cleaning assembly 1 including a base 2 adapted to be mounted to an underside of a vehicle (not shown). As shown in figure 2, the base 2 can be in the form of a mounting bracket, having a pair of arms 3,4 at right angles. The arms 3,4 include a series of fastening holes 5 to assist with attaching the base 2 to a vehicle. One or more larger fitting holes 6 are provided to attach fittings or the like to the base 2. In one embodiment, the base 2 could be manufactured of 2mm thick aluminium and have 4 fastening holes 5 and one fitting hole 6. However, it should be understood any number of holes 5,6 could be utilised.

[0020] As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the assembly 1 further includes an inlet connector 10 extending from the base 2 in a first direction X. The inlet connector 10 includes a first end having a standard household hose fitting 11 and a1/4inch male threaded member 12. An outlet connector 14 is fluidly connected to the inlet connector 10 and extends in a second direction Y. The outlet connector 14 includes a 1/4inch female T-Piece 15 (preferably brass) having three openings 16 to receive adapters 17 having a quick release flush fittings 18 at one end a inchh male thread at the other 19. At least a pair of tubes 20 extend from the outlet connector 14 and are to be located in use under the vehicle and in particular on a chassis rail 21. In one embodiment the tube (hose) 20 would be 5/16th 8mm nylon 250 PSI black tubing. However, it should be appreciated many other types of tubing could be utilised. The hose 20 would include an open end 22 and a closed heat sealed end 23. The open end 22 connected to the outlet connector 14. A series of perforations 25 extend along the tube 20 adjacent the closed end 23. In use, a low pressure fluid source (such as a mains water supply or the like) is connected to the inlet connector 10 to deliver fluid to the tubes 20 so that the perforations 25 expel (see Figure 1) fluid 26 on to the underside of a vehicle to clean the vehicle of unwanted material. The assembly 1, could also include a dust cap 30 (preferably rubber) having a cap 31 connected by a strap 32 to a connector 33 to keep material out of the inlet 10. The connector 33 to connect with the threaded member 12 on the inlet 10.

[0021] Turning to Figure 3, there is shown an air adaptor 40 which will allow compressed air to be released into existing the nylon tube lines 20. This can help shift hardened build up and also offer a form of drying the chassis rails. The adapter 40 can include a female house hose fitting 41, a 1/4inch threaded end 41 and a female air line fitting 43.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, to assist with creating the perforations 25 in the tubing 20 there is a perforating tool 50. There are four bearings 51 with four edged spikes 52 per bearing, two bearings run on a horizontal plane and the other two run on a vertical plane, this gives perforations 360 degrees around the tube 20 as it runs through the bearings 51 from one hose reel to another. There is a guide 53 to guide the tube 20 cooperating with steel mounting plates 25 and a spring loaded mechanism 56 to ensure pressure for the spikes 52.

[0023] The invention, at least in a preferred form, provides a multi-purpose assembly being able to be fitted to multiple chassis/sub-frame types and is easily installed in tight spots and can be connected to house hold hose and mains water being low pressure. The invention could further be embodied in other forms such as alot of fishing boats, big and small have fixed aluminium flooring in them which is often hard to remove. Salt water builds up and deposits under and around the flooring causing oxidisation to the aluminium. The asembly 1 can be installed under the flooring as a flush/anti salt remover. Yet further the nylon 5 1/6th tube can be extended with mouting brackets to run underneath the wheel arch folds to mouting brackets of 4WD's that often get caked with sand, mud and salt. This material is extremely hard for individuals to remove when washing the vehicles.

[0024] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A low pressure vehicle cleaning assembly, the assembly including: a base adapted to be mounted to an underside of a vehicle; an inlet connector extending from said base in a first direction; an outlet connector fluidly connected to said inlet connector and extending in a second direction; at least a pair of tubes extending from said outlet connector and to be located in use under said vehicle; said tubing having an open end connected to said outlet connector and a closed end, a series of perforations extending along said tube adjacent said closed end; whereby in use a low pressure fluid source is connected to said inlet connector to deliver fluid to said tubes so that said perforations expel fluid on to said underside of said vehicle.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is an angled bracket mountable to the underside of a vehicle by fasteners, the bracket having a hole through which said inlet connector can be placed.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly includes a dust cap to close off the inlet connector.

4. The assembly of claim 1, whereby the assembly operates on mains water supply.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the outlet connector includes a female T piece having a pair of adapters having quick release flush fittings to connect to the at least a pair of tubes.

Chassis Pro Tech Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON&FERGUSON