AU676803B2 - Demountable vehicle wash structure - Google Patents

Description

I I S F Ref: 307042

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFCATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

*ooo oOO° Name and Address of Applicant: r

D

Kingston Bond 128 Princes Highway Fairymeadow New South Wales 2519

AUSTRALIA

Kingston Bond Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL [31] Application No(s) PM6808 Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Demountable Vehicle Wash Structure APPLICATION DETAILS [33] Country

AU

[32] Application Date 13 July 1994 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815

I,

DEMOUNTABLE VEHICLE WASH STRUCTURE Field of the rivention The following invention relates to a demountable vehicle wash structure, typically intended for the cleaning of heavy road vehicles.

Increasing environmental awareness has heightened the need to wash vehicles so as to minimise wind borne dust and to increase driving safety by the provision of cleaner pavement surfaces.

Existing vehicle wash units are in situ. In most instances, use on a short to medium term basis cannot be justified due to a high cost factor. Therefore, wash installations tend 1 o to be confined to locations where large numbers of vehicles require washing.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to provide a demountable vehicle wash .oo.

structure overcoming or substantially ameliorating at least one of the above problems.

Disclosure of the Invention 15 There is disclosed herein a demountable vehicle wash structure comprising: a mid S•bay, on and off ramps to/from the mid bay, a collection tray or trays beneath at least the mid bay, the tray(s) being provided with drainage means, and wherein the mid bay, on/off ramps, and collection tray(s) are demountable for relocation.

Preferably, the mid bay is raised.

Preferably, the on and off ramps and/or the mid bay comprise gratings upon which a vehicle is to traverse, thus inducing vibrations in the vehicle to aid in shedding water from the vehicle.

00. Preferably, electronic sensors are provided at the on ramp and/or mid bay and/or off ramp such that a vehicle traversing the same will actuate motor driven pumps and S 25 sequentially actuated valves directing sprays fastened to the on ramp and/or mid bay and/or off ramp.

Preferably, the wash structure further comprises a vehicle guard rail and spray retarding walls laterally adjacent to the on ramp and mid bay.

Preferably, further vehicle guard rails are provided laterally adjacent to the off ramp with provision for spray shields if desired.

Preferably, the mid bay is supported upon a pair of transversely extending cross beam support. Each cross beam support means being mounted upon precast concrete foundation blocks on a consolidated ground base.

Preferably, the remote distal ends of the on and off ramps are also similarly supported upon transversely extending cross beams. Each cross beam support means being mounted upon precast concrete foundation blocks on a consolidated ground base.

[N:\lib11]00232:.

Preferably, the mid bay comprises parallel runways spaced apart a sufficient distance to facilitate access for installation and maintenance of water jets and pipework of the like therebelow.

There is further disclosed herein a settling tank when used with the above disclosed demountable vehicle wash structure, the settling tank comprising an essentially flat base, an outer wall extending upwardly from the base and may be provided in segments for assembly and dis-assembly, and inlet means for connection to the drainage means of the demountable wash structure.

Preferably, the settling tank further comprises an inner segmented wall extending o upwardly from the base, said wall separating the settlement tank into inner and outer settlement regions. The inner wall comprising a weir over which liquid from the outer region may pass into the inner region.

Preferably, the inner and outer walls are fabricated from curved galvanised corrugated iron or flat steel sheets.

15 Preferably, the base is formed in four flat ga!vanised iron segments for assembly and dis-assembly.

Preferably, the galvanised corrugated iron or flat steel segments of each wall are to be joined with pop rivets and lapped joints sealed with a sealant such as silicone.

S"Preferably, the settlement tank is designed to stand on a sand base.

Preferably, the outer region comprises a vertical dividing wall bolted to the inner and outer walls nearby the inlet means.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle wash structure, Fig. 2 is a schematic cross sectional end elevational view of the structure taken at 2ee••o 2 in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of the mid bay structure taken at 3-3 in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of the vehicle structure of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-section view of the off-ramp structure taken at 4-4 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of settling tank when used with the structure of Figs.

1 to Description of the Preferred Embodiment In the accompanying drawings there is depicted a vehicle wash structure Structure 10 is located above a slightly excavated site having footings 15 in concrete or consolidated earth at four separate longitudinally spaced locations extending laterally [N\lib11]00232:.

4 beneath the structure. Upon each of the footings 15 laterally extending cross beam or beams 14 are located. The two centre most cross beams 14 support a mid bay 11 typically fabricated from galvanised steel beams and appropriate grating.

An on ramp 12 spans between one of the beams 14 and the nearer cross beam also supporting the mid bay 11. Similarly, at the exit end of the wash structure 10, an off ramp 13 is provided, similarly supported by cross beam or beams 14.

Located below the mid bay 11 is a collection tray 17 to receive dirty water having been washed from a vehicle. Collection tray 17 is connected to a drainage pipe 20 which typically leads to a settlement tank Fig. 6.

Similarly, a collection tray 19 is provided beneath the on ramp 12 and a further collection tray 18 is provided beneath off ramp 13. Trays 17, 18 and 19 are each preferably fabricated from galvanised steel, though any other substantially non corrosive material will suffice.

Mounted upon the on ramp 12 are series of sensors 16 which may be an optical 15 sensor or other electronic sensors adapted to detect the presence of a vehicle traversing ramp 12.

Located at either laterally opposed side of the mid bay 11 is a guard rail structure 24 comprising spray retarding walls which may be extended to form a spray retardation building.

At either side of the entrj zone on the on ramp 12 and off ramp 13, a guard rail 22 is provided being preferably supported by support braces 21. At either side of the off ramp 13 spray retarding walls similar to structure 24 are provided as shown in Fig. being preferably supported by support braces 21.

The above described structure has been designed to be dis-assembled and re-used as necessary or to remain in situ. It has been designed to have the capacity to clean a similar S, number of vehicles as existing in situ units.

Although the present invention is directed to the demountable structure of a vehicle wash station, any known vehicle washing means such as for example the provision of high intensity water jet nozzles may be incorporated into the overall structure.

The on ramp 12, the bridge structure of the mid bay 11 and the off ramp 13 might be provided with transversely extending gratings, typically at 100mm intervals. The aim of such gratings is to induce vibrations in the vehicle which will aid in the process of shedding water therefrom.

In use, a vehicle would traverse the on ramp 12 passing the electronic sensors 16 to automatically actuate motor driven pumps and valves directing watcr sprays fastened to on ramp 12 and mid bay 11 and side walls 24.

The vehicles traverse the mid bay 11 and proceed down the off ramp 13 Fig. Water from the vehicles will fall into the collection trays 17, 18 and 19, to be then directed by drainage pipes 20 to settling tanks Fig. 6.

[N:\libI]00232:.

The vehicle wash structure 10 is typically assembled by first excavating for placement and compaction of the road base, or concrete, the placement of the cross beams 14 on consolidated bases or concrete footings 15. The drainage trays 17, 18 and 19 are then preferably bolted or otherwise fastened to the cross beams 14. The on and off ramps 12 and 13, as well as the steel mid area bridge 11 are then typically bolted to the cross beam or beams 14.

The vehicle guard rail and spray retarding walls 24 are then typically bolted to the steel mid unit 11 and unit 12 and possibly 13. The vehicle guard rail 21, 22 may then be installed on exit ramp 13 where spray retaining walls are not fitted. Further guard rails can be provided laterally adjacent to the on and off ramps. The spray retarding walls may be bolted to on ramp 12 and off ramp 13, or may be unattached as shown in Figs. 2 and where the spray retarding walls are self-supporting.

The vehicle wash structure 10 is readily demountable for relocation.

It is envisaged by the applicant that the ramps make it necessary that truck drivers is slow down while passing through the wash station to a sufficient extent to make washing of the truck efficient. For example, in known permanent wash stations, truck drivers tend to pass therethrough quite rapidly thus not giving the washing jets sufficient time to efficiently dislodge material from the truck body.

The on and off ramps might be provided in short segments, with the transition between segments being raised slightly so as to improve clearance for the under body of the trucks. That is, the underside of a truck body might foul with the point at which the on ramp 12 interconnects with mid bay 11 and where mid bay 11 connects with off ramp 13. To flatten the angle of the adjoining parts at this location, the on ramp 12 and off ramp 13 might be divided into two or more sections. In a situation where the on ramp and S 25 off ramp were divided into sections, the point of interconnection of those sections might be raised slightly thus flattening the interconnection of the upper on and off ramp sections to the mid bay 11.

With reference to Fig. 6, there is schematically depicted in plan a settlement tank to receive liquid via drains 20. Preferably, the settlement tank 25 comprises an outer wall 31 of curved galvanised sheets in segments for assembly and disassembly. Also provided is an inner wall of similar material 26 likewise formed in segments for assembly and disassembly. Walls 26 and 31 extend essentially vertically from a base of four flat galvanised iron segments for assembly and disassembly. Where the segments join to one another, (not illustrated), a silicone sealant or the like may be utilised.

Furthermore, the segments are preferably to be lapped and pop riveted at their joints. Likewise, the vertical walls 26 and 31 are preferably to be lapped and pop riveted together and riveted to the base and sealed thereto with silicone or like sealant material.

The inner wall 26 comprises a weir 29 over which water flows from outer portion 27 into 7R inner portion 28. Water exiting from the inner portion 28 may be pumped by a 4N- 4,ubmersible return water pump 32 for possible filtration and re-use.

[N:\LIBLLJOO666:KEH

-I

Rather than the provision of a submersible water pump 32, the inner portion 28 might comprise a further weir over which water might pass via a pipe to a further settlement tank of like construction. There may be two, three or more settlement tanks in series.

It should be appreciated that ,modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, the ramps and wash area might not necessarily be formed in steel. Concrete and timber beams may be substituted for steel depending on particular requirements.

Furthermore, with deeper excavation than shown in the accompanying drawings, the on lo and off ramps need not be inclined.

Furthermore, as steel or galvanised steel components are used, lime might be applied to the soil into or onto which the tanks or trays are installed. The application of lime to the soil, it is envisaged, would slow down the corrosion process of the tanks and/or trays.

0 [N:\Iibli]00232:.

Claims (19)

1. A demountable vehicle wash structure comprising: a mid bay, on and off ramps to/from the mid bay, a collection tray or trays beneath at least the mid bay, the tray(s) being provided with drainage means, and wherein the mid bay, on/off ramps, and collection tray(s) are demountable for relocation.

2. The demountable vehicle wash structure of claim 1 wherein the wash 10 bay is raised.

3. The demountable vehicle wash structure of claim. 1 or claim 2 wherein the on and off ramps and/or the mid bay comprise gratings upon which a vehicle is to traverse, thus inducing vibrations in the vehicle to aid in shedding water from the vehicle.

4. The demountab!e vehicle wash structure of any one of the preceding claims wherein electronic sensors are provided at the on ramp and/or mid bay and/or off ramp such that a vehicle traversing the same will actuate motor driven pumps and sequentially actuate valves directing sprays fastened to the on ramp and/or mid bay and/or off ramp.

5. The demountable vehicle wash structure of any one of the preceding claims further comprising a vehicle guard rail and spray retarding walls laterally adjacent to the mid bay.

6. The demountable vehicle wash structure of any one of the preceding claims wherein further guard rails are provided laterally adjacent to the on and off ramps.

7. The demountable vehicle wash structure of any one of the preceding claims wherein the mid bay is supported upon a transversely extending cross beam or beams. S 25

8. The demountable vehicle wash structure of claim 7 wherein each cross beam or beams is/are mounted upon an excavated and/or consolidated ground surface.

9. The demountable vehicle wash structure of any one of the preceding claims wherein the remote distal ends of the on and off ramps are supported upon transversely extending cross beams.

10. The demountable vehicle wash structure of any one of the preceding claims wherein the mid bay comprises parallel, spaced apart runways.

11. A settling tank when used with the demountable vehicle wash structure of any one of the preceding claims, the settling tank comprising an essentially flat base, an outer wall extending upwardly from the base and provided in segments for assembly and dis- assembly, and an inlet means for connection to the drainage means of the demnountable vehicle wash structure.

12. The settling tank of claim 11 further comprising an inner segmented wall extending upwardly from the base, said wall separating the settlement tank into inner and R outer settlement regions, the inner wall comprising a weir over which liquid from the 'uter region may pass into the inner region. [N:\LIBLL]00666:KEH 8

13. The settling tank of claim 12 wherein the inner and outer walls are fabricated from galvanised corrugated iron or flat steel sheets.

14. The settling tank of any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the base is formed in four flat galvanised iron segments for assembly and dis-assembly.

15. The settling tank of claim 13 wherein the galvanised corrugated iron flat steel segments of each wall are joined with pop rivets and lapped joints sealed with sealant such as silicone.

16. The settling tank of any one of claims 11 to 15 being adapted to stand on a sand base.

17. The settling tank of claim 12 wherein the outer region comprises a vertical dividing wall bolted to the inner and outer walls nearby the inlet means.

18. A demountable vehicle wash structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. The settling tank when used with the demountable vehicle wash structure of 15 any one of claims 1 to 10, or claim 18, the settling tank being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 22 January, 1997 Kingston Bond SPatent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON 0* *o 0 0 0 0 00 [N:\LIBLL]00666:KEH Demountable Vehicle Wash Structure Abstract A demountable vehicle wash structure (10) comprises a mid bay on ramps and off-ramps (12, 13) to/from the mid bay a collection trays or trays (17, 18, 19) beneath at least the mid bay the tray(s) (17, 18, 19) being provided with drainage means, and wherein the mid bay on/off ramps (12, 13) and collection tray(s) (17, 18, 19) are demountable for relocation. S.. S S 0 0e