AU744024B2 - Washing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

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Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Invention Title: BESMAW PTY LIMITED PATRICK JOSEPH McCUE and ADRS FOR SERVICE ARTHUR PHILIP HOLT

ALTERED

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WASHING APPARTUS AND METHOD Details of Associated Provisional Applications: Nos: P0 7326 The following statement is a fuill description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to washing apparatus, particularly, but not exclusively, for washing the wheels of a truck or similar heavy vehicle before it leaves a construction site, quarry, land fill, waste depot or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heavy vehicles used at construction sites, quarries and the like tend to collect a o great deal of mud and other debris on their tyres. When such vehicles go out onto the open road they accelerate, the debris on their tyres comes off and is left 0 on the public street. This causes great concern to nearby residents who do not like to see great tracks of mud all over their road. The mud also causes environmental problems like contamination, siltation and blockage. Problems 0. 0o such as these have prompted government authorities to put regulations in place that force construction sites, quarries, land fills, waste depots to close down when •i it rains and the ground becomes muddy. Site closures such as these produce 15 substantial financial losses to the construction companies involved.

The present invention solves these problems by providing a fast and effective cleaning system that removes the debris from a vehicle's tyres before it goes out onto public roads.

Wheel washing inventions of the prior art such as US 5261433, US 4917125 and AU 57126/94 purport to clean the wheels of a vehicle by simply driving the vehicle through a 'bath' of water. This method is only effective if the amount of debris on the tyres is minimal and not very sticky. On rainy days when the vehicle's tyres are coated in mud, such inventions are next to useless. Inventions I L. I that have a water bath with a grid underneath to flex the vehicle's tyres (as in US 4917125) are only marginally more effective than the water bath alone and are not suitable for muddy conditions. The current invention, on the other hand, can remove the debris from the vehicle's tyres in extremely muddy conditions.

Other known washing inventions employ water flowing down a sloping surface to dislodge the debris from the tyres of a vehicle traveling up the slope. Again this method is suitable for dry conditions when the tyres are not very dirty but is not able to cope with muddy conditions.

S• Further washing apparatus of the prior art employ water jets to dislodge debris 4.9064 from the vehicle's tyres. United States Patent No. US 5,341,828 for'example, uses a.plurality water jets that travel along with the truck as it moves along. This system is more complicated than the current invention and is therefore more S S expensive to make and requires more maintenance. In addition, the water jets of Sthis invention are directed at an angle to a horizontal floor. Water sprayed from 15 such jets tends to dislodge grease and oil from in and around the axel and brake

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areas of the vehicle, not only causing damage to the vehicle, but also contaminating the sprayed water. In such a case, when the sprayed water is collected it needs to be filtered before it can be recycled or disposed of, increasing operational costs. The current invention on the other, hand employs water Jets which are directed at a substantially horizontal angle to an inclined floor. This enables the apparatus to clean the tyres without dislodging oily substances from the vehicle, leaving the brakes undamaged and the water relatively clean.

Another example of the prior art use of water jets is Australian Patent Application No. AU 28957/95. This invention employs water jets that are aimed at the sides of the vehicle's tyres. The disadvantage of this invention is that water sprayed from such jets cannot get in between the two or more closely spaced successive tyres used by many heavy vehicles. The water sprays simply do not have enough time to get in between the tyres to remove the debris. They are similarly unable to remove the debris from between two adjacent tyres on the same axle. The i. :current invention, on the other hand, is able to remove the debris from between Sboth successive and adjacent tyres due to its unique orientation of jet sprays.

Another advantage the current invention has over the prior art is that it is selfcleaning and therefore requires little to no maintenance.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Although the current invention will be described with reference to the art of heavy vehicle washing, it will be recognised that it may have application in other fields 15 of technology including but not limited to the art of washing the tyres of vehicles '9 other than heavy vehicles.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved washing apparatus, suitable for washing the wheels of a truck or similar heavy vehicle before it leaves a construction site, quarry or the like, which goes at least some way towards overcoming or at least minimising the problems or limitations of previously known washing apparatus as outlined above, or at least providing a clear alternative choice for consumers.

This and other objects of this invention will become more apparent from the I following descriptions and drawings.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a washing apparatus comprising a jet spray ramp, pressurised water jets and a means for water circulation. The jet spray ramp comprises an inclined surface with a number of pressurised water jets fixed adjacent or below the surface thereof. The means for water circulation comprises a water source, water pressurisation i means and ramp water collection means.

According to this aspect of the present invention, a vehicle with dirty tyres is t driven up the jet spray ramp. As it does do, the pressurised water jets spray S 10 pressurised water toward the approaching tyres at an approximately horizontal angle and dislodge the debris therefrom. Excess water flows down the jet spray ramp, removing the debris from the jet spray ramp and cleaning the tyres as it goes, and is collected in the ramp water collection means at the base of the jet *"*spray ramp. The excess water is then either circulated back into the pressurised i 0 15 water jets via the water pressurisation means or is disposed of.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a washing apparatus comprising an on-ramp, a water bath, a jet spray ramp, pressurised water jets, a grid, and a means for water circulation. The on-ramp comprises a downwardly sloping surface beginning at ground level and ending at the water bath. The water bath comprises a reservoir of water. The jet spray ramp comprises an inclined surface beginning at the water bath and ending at the grid and has a number of pressurised water jets fixed below the surface thereof. The grid is a substantially horizontal surface that begins at the jet spray ramp and ii-- r :1 i l. ends at ground level. The means for water circulation comprises a water source, water pressurisation means and ramp water collection means.

According to this aspect of the present invention, a vehicle with dirty tyres is driven down the on-ramp into the water bath, up the jet spray ramp and over the grid. As the vehicle drives through the water bath, the water therein loosens the debris on the tyres. As it drives up the jet spray ramp, the pressurised water jets :therein spray pressurised water toward the approaching tyres at an S0 approximately horizontal angle and dislodge the debris therefrom. Excess water

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flows down the jet spray ramp, removing the debris from the jet spray ramp and S lo cleaning the tyres as it goes, and is collected in the ramp water collection means at the base of the jet spray ramp. The excess water is then either circulated back s..ee..i

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into the pressurised water jets via the water pressurisation means or is disposed ClIO of. Finally, as the vehicle drives over the grid, the vehicle's tyres are flexed, SoS removing excess water and any remaining debris therefrom.

15 According to another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a washing 0 apparatus comprising an on-ramp, a water bath, a jet spray ramp, pressurised water jets, a grid, and a means for water circulation.

The on-ramp comprises a downwardly sloping surface beginning at ground level and ending at the water bath.

The water bath comprises a reservoir of water with a rigid grid at a predetermined level below the surface thereof.

The jet spray ramp comprises an inclined surface, water channeling means and a plurality of pressurised water jets. The inclined surface begins at the water bath I 1 and ends at the grid, is made from rigid or resilient material and is substantially impervious to water such that water is able to flow down it. The water channeling means comprise raised portions of said inclined surface which serve to channel the water towards the areas of the inclined surface over which the tyres are traveling.

The pressurised water jets are fixed below the surface of the jet spray ramp such 0 that the tyres of a vehicle may pass directly over the top of the pressurised water jets without damaging them. They are arranged in such a way as to effectively clean the vehicle's tyres even if the vehicle does not maintain a perfectly straight S 10 course up the jet spray ramp. The pressurised water jets have nozzles which are oriented such that water sprayed from them comes into contact with the tyres of a *vehicle traveling up the jet spray ramp at an approximately horizontal angle, The grid comprises a substantially horizontal surface with grid water collection DO e •:069: means underneath. The grid surface begins at the jet spray ramp and ends at o: 15 ground level and comprises spaced metal components which flex the tyres of the vehicle as it passes thereover, removing excess water and debris there from.

This excess water and debris is then collected in the grid water collection means.

The means for water circulation comprise a water source, water pressurisation means and ramp water collection means. The water source may be a fixed reservoir of water such as the water bath or a continuous water supply such as a mains water connection. The water pressurisation means comprises a pump which takes water from the water source, puts it under pressure and directs it to the pressurised water jets. The ramp water collection means is a sump or reservoir into which water flowing down the jet spray ramp collects. The ramp water collection means may comprise a fairly large reservoir of water such as the water bath or may comprise a shallow collection unit connected via a series of pipes to a main sewerage line or recycle reservoir or water separation device or the like.

The water and debris collected in the grid water collection means is either transferred to the ramp water collection means or to a main sewerage line or the S-like.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the vehicle with dirty tyres is driven down the on-ramp into the water bath, up the jet spray ramp and over the grid. As the vehicle drives through the water bath, the water therein loosens the debris on the tyres. As it drives up the jet spray ramp, the pressurised water jets ":**therein spray pressurised water toward the approaching tyres at an approximately horizontal angle and dislodge the debris therefrom. Excess water 4: 15 flows down the jet spray ramp, removing the debris from the jet spray ramp and cleaning the tyres as it goes, and is collected in the ramp water collection means at the base of the jet spray ramp. The excess water is then either circulated back into the pressurised water jets via the water pressurisation means or is disposed of. Finally, as the vehicle drives over the grid, the vehicle's tyres are flexed and/or vibrated, removing excess water and any remaining debris therefrom.

In its. broadest from the present invention comprises: a washing apparatus for removing debris from the wheels of a motor vehicle; the apparatus including a driveway or pathway having a surface on which the wheels i ;T .r T. i ~i~l r of said motor vehicle travel; water delivery means comprising at least one water outlet recessed beneath said driveway surface and aimed so that pressurized water delivered through said at least one outlet contacts a tread portion of at least one wheel of said motor vehicle; water pressurisation means for delivering said pressurised water to said water outlet and a sump for collection of water from the driveway or pathway and recirculation of the collected water for delivery by said at least one water outlet.

lPreferably, the driveway or pathway is in the form of an inclined ramp and said water delivery means comprises a plurality of jet spray nozzles, each recessed S 10 in a groove formed in the surface of said ramp and which each deliver a water stream at a predetermined angle relative to said surface of said ramp and in a direction substantially normal to the tread of a wheel of an approaching vehicle on the ramp, wherein said water streams dislodge material adhering to at least the treads of the wheels of said vehicle.

Preferably, each of said plurality of jet spray nozzles are located in a separate groove and said grooves may be wedged shaped in longitudinal cross section such that said nozzle in a groove is located at or near the thick end of said wedge shape and delivers water in the direction of a thin end of said wedge shaped groove and longitudinally along said driveway or ramp.

Preferably the grooves are formed in said surface of said driveway at locations which generally align with a path taken by the wheels of said vehicle so that each wheel tread will encounter said water jets located in each said grooves at least once along the length of said driveway.

c l- ir; According to one embodiment each said grooves include lateral abutment surfaces, wherein outer regions of a vehicle wheel tread engage said abutment surfaces such that a central region of said tread bridges said groove such that a resultant deflection in said central region of said tread causes said treads to deform thereby facilitating release from said treads and washing of debris by said water jets. The grooves may be arranged along the length of said driveway in groups of at least two or three grooves abreast and staggered along the longitudinal length of said driveway. A water stream may be delivered from a i o nozzle located in a middle groove of said three abreast grooves washes debris caught between two wheels of a vehicle. The groups of grooves are located on both sides of said driveway to align with wheels on both sides of a vehicle.

Preferably, there is an inclined entry ramp leading down into a sump at the end of the ramp through which the wheels of a vehicle entering the washing apparatus must pass for pre-washing of the wheels prior to leaving the washing apparatus S 15 via the inclined ramp and its associated water spray jets.

A grid may be provided adjacent the exit end of the driveway over which the vehicles tyres must pass when exiting the apparatus to facilitate removal of excess water and /or debris from said tyres.

In another broad form, the present invention comprises; a washing apparatus for the wheels of a motor vehicle comprising an inclined onramp leading to a water-bath sump at its lower end, an inclined off-ramp leading out of said water bath sump at a side opposite to the on-ramp, high pressure water jet sprays at spaced locations along and recessed into a driveway surface of the off-ramp; means for circulating pressurised water to said water jets and means for collection and recirculation of water for said washing apparatus.

The driveway includes water channeling means for directing used water to the water-bath sump wherein part or all of the water entering the sump may be recycled, or alternatively directed to a waste water drain.

According to a method aspect the present invention comprises: Ia method for removing debris from wheels of a motor vehicle comprising the oe" steps of providing an apparatus including; a driveway or pathway having a surface on which the wheels of the said motor vehicle travel; water delivery means comprising at least one water outlet recessed beneath said driveway surface; aiming said at least one outlet so that pressurized water delivered *through said at least one outlet contacts a tread portion of at least one wheel of

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said motor vehicle; and providing water pressurisation means for delivering said pressurised water to said water outlet and a sump for collection of water from the S 15 driveway or pathway and recirculation of the collected water for delivery by said at least one water outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which- FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the jet spray .ramp of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the jet spray ramp of the present invention depicting the water channeling means and pressurised water jet arrangement.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of one half of the jet spray ramp of the present invention depicting the pressurised water jet arrangement.

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional side view of the water bath and jet spray ramp of the present invention depicting a vehicle traveling up the jet spray ramp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As seen in Figure 1, the apparatus of the preferred embodiment comprises an on-ramp a water bath a jet spray ramp pressurised water jets (13 in Figure a grid and a means for water circulation.

10 The on-ramp comprises a downwardly sloping surface which begins at ground level and ends at the water bath The water bath comprises a body of water a bath grid (10) and a bath i container The bath grid (10) sits on top of the bath container (28) and below "!the surface (1 la) of the body of water 15 As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the jet spray ramp comprises an inclined surface water channeling means (12) and a plurality of pressurised water jets (13).

As seen in Figure 1, the inclined surface (11) begins at the water bath and ends at the grid The inclined surface (11) of the preferred embodiment is made from material that is able to support the weight of the vehicle whose tyres are being washed as well as allowing water to flow down it. The water channeling means as seen in Figure 3, comprise outer raised portions (14) and inner raised portions (15) of said inclined surface (11) which serve to channel the water (not shown) towards the areas of the inclined surface (16, 17) over which the vehicle's (29 in Figure 5) tyres (18) are traveling.

As seen in Figure 2, the pressurised water jets (13) of the preferred embodiment are fixed below the surface (11) of the jet spray ramp such that the tyres (18) of a vehicle (29 in Figure 5) may pass directly over the top of the pressurised water jets (13) without damaging them. As seen in Figure 4, the pressurised water jets (13) of the preferred embodiment are arranged in an off-set pattern of S.a plurality of sets of three pressurised water jets. This off-set pattern enables the :pressurised water jets (13) to clean the 1 vehicle's tyres (18) even if the vehicle does not maintain a perfectly straight course up the jet spray ramp As seen •loll= in Figure 2, the pressurised water jets (13) have nozzles (19) that are oriented in such a way that water (20) sprayed out from them comes into contact with the tyres (18) of a vehicle traveling up the jet spray ramp at an approximately o* horizontal angle. The water pressure is such that at any one time a plurality of 6: successive" pressurised water jets (13) will be spraying the tyre (18) 15 simultaneously. This effectively provides a layer (21) of pressurised water for the vehicle to drive through.

As seen in Figure 1, the grid comprises a substantially horizontal grid surface (22) with a sump or grid water collection means (23) underneath. The grid surface (22) begins at the jet spray ramp and ends at ground level (not shown) and comprises spaced metal bars (24) which flex the tyres (18) of the vehicle (29) as it passes thereover, removing excess water and debris from the tyres. This excess water and debris is then collected in the grid J water collection means (23) and is transferred to the bath container (28) via a series of pipes or open drain (not shown).

As seen in Figure 1, the means for water circulation comprises a water source, namely, the water in the water bath or from a separate reservoir, water pressurisation means (not shown), and ramp water collection means, namely the bath container (28) into which water flowing down the jet spray ramp collects.

The water pressurisation means (not shown) comprises a pump (not shown) S. which takes water from the water bath pressurises it and directs it to the pressurised water jets (13).

*l As seen in Figures 1 and 5, the vehicle (29) with dirty tyres (18) is driven down 10 the on-ramp into the water bath up the jet spray ramp and over the woo grid As the vehicle (29) drives through the water bath the body of water therein loosens the debris on the tyres As the vehicle (29) drives up the .0.0 jet spray ramp the pressurised water jets (13) therein spray pressurised water (20) toward the approaching tyres (18) at an approximately horizontal 15 angle, dislodging the debris therefrom. Excess water flows down the jet spray ramp removing the debris from the jet spray ramp and cleaning the tyres and is collected in the bath container (28) at the base of the jet spray ramp.

The excess water is then either circulated back into the pressurised water jets (13) via the water pressurisation means or is disposed of. Finally, as the vehicle (29) drives over the grid the vehicle's tyres (18) are flexed and/or vibrated, removing excess water and any remaining debris therefrom.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment including drawings, it will be recognised by persons skilled in the art i that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the invention as broadly described herein without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention.

Such variations may include, but are not limited to, changing the surface of the jet spray ramp from a water impervious material to a grid-like material so that the jet spray ramp flexes the tyres whilst they are being sprayed. Other non limiting variations might involve a portable version of the invention or versions which incorporate means for rotating the tyres of the vehicle.

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Claims (19)

1. Washing apparatus for removing debris from the wheels of a motor vehicle; the apparatus including a driveway or pathway having a surface on which the wheels of said motor vehicle travel; water delivery means comprising at least one water outlet recessed beneath said driveway surface and aimed so that pressurized water delivered through said at least one outlet contacts a tread i portion of at least one wheel of said motor vehicle; water pressurisation means for delivering said pressurised water to said water outlet and a sump for collection of water from the driveway or pathway and recirculation of the collected water for delivery by said at least one water outlet.

2 Washing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the driveway or pathway is in the form of an inclined ramp.

3. Washing apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said water delivery goD• *means comprises a plurality of jet spray nozzles, each recessed in a groove S: 15 formed in the surface of said ramp and which each deliver a water stream at a predetermined angle relative to said surface of said ramp and in a direction substantially normal to the tread of a wheel of an approaching vehicle on the ramp, wherein said water streams dislodge material adhering to at least the treads of the wheels of said vehicle.

4 A washing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said plurality of jet spray nozzles are located in a separate groove; said grooves being formed such that each said nozzle in each said groove is bounded by a wall of said groove beneath said surface of said ramp and delivers water in the direction i I- of an approaching wheel and longitudinally along said driveway or ramp.

A washing apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said grooves are formed in said surface of said driveway at locations which generally align with a path taken by the wheels of said vehicle so that each wheel tread will encounter said water jets located in each said grooves at least once along the length of said driveway.

6 A washing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each said grooves include lateral abutment surfaces, wherein outer regions of a vehicle wheel tread :engage said abutment surfaces such that a central region of said tread bridges .l said groove such that a resultant deflection in said central region of said tread causes said treads to deform thereby facilitating release from said treads and washing of debris by said water jets.

7 A washing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said grooves are S• arranged along the length of said driveway in groups of at least two grooves S: 15 abreast.

8 A washing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said grooves are formed in groups of three abreast and wherein said groups are staggered along the longitudinal length of said driveway.

9 A washing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein a water stream delivered from a nozzle located in a middle groove of said three abreast grooves washes debris caught between two wheels of a vehicle.

A washing apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said groups of grooves are located on both sides of said driveway to align with wheels on both sides of a vehicle

11 A washing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the sump is located at a lower end of the inclined ramp.

12. A washing apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein there is an inclined entry ramp leading down into saidsump through which the wheels of a vehicle ::entering the washing apparatus must pass for pre-washing of the wheels prior to S9 leaving the washing apparatus via the inclined ramp and its associated water t 9. spray jets. 0 9

13. A washing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein grid means are provided adjacent the exit end of the driveway over 090009 twhich the vehicles tyres must pass when exiting the apparatus to facilitate 0000 O.l:06e removal of excess water and /or debris from said tyres. t. i

*14. A washing apparatus for the wheels of a motor vehicle comprising an 15 inclined on-ramp leading to a water-bath sump at its lower end, an inclined off- ramp leading out of said water bath sump at a side opposite to the on-ramp, high pressure water jet sprays at spaced locations along and recessed into a driveway surface of the off-ramp; means for circulating pressurised water to said water jets and means for collection and recirculation of water for said washing apparatus.

15. A washing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the driveway includes water channeling means for directing used water to the water-bath sump.

16. A Washing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein part or all of the water entering the sump may be recycled, or alternatively directed to a waste water drain.

17 A washing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said grooves are formed by spaced apart rails each having an upper surface which forms part of said driveway surface.

18 A method for removing debris from wheels of a motor vehicle comprising the steps of providing an apparatus including; a driveway or pathway having a l surface on which the wheels of the said motor vehicle travel; water delivery means comprising at least one water outlet recessed beneath said driveway 0 lo surface; aiming said at least one outlet so that pressurized water delivered through said at least one outlet contacts a tread portion of at least one wheel of 0.asaid motor vehicle; and providing water pressurisation means for delivering said o 00 o pressurised water to said water outlet and a sump for collection of water from the driveway or pathway and recirculation of the collected water for delivery by said l 15 at least one water outlet.

19 A method according to claim 18, wherein the driveway or pathway is in the form of an inclined ramp. A Washing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the drawings. 21 A method for removal of debris from the wheels of a motor vehicle as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. I Dated this 8 th day of November 2001 BESMAW PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys WALSH ASSOCLATES C. C C C C C. C CC C be. C C. C C *e C. 0 I. .0CC S be C C.. C 4 *CCC** S t S b.* C C CCCCOC C *0 C CC 4C C C 4*SSCC b