GB1058608A - Apparatus for washing motor cars and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

1,058,608. Apparatus for washing motor cars. H. WÍHRL. May 21, 1964 [May 28, 1963; Sept. 18, 1963; Nov. 26, 1963; Feb. 2, 1964], No. 20951/64. Heading B7J. Apparatus for washing motor cars and the like comprises one horizontal and two vertical rotating brushes 9, 7 mounted on a wheeled chassis 5 running on rails 3, in which as the chassis 5 moves fore-and-aft of a stationary car, the horizontal brush 9 climbs over the vehicle due to its own rotation in the direction of the arrow 15 and to the motion of the device in the direction of the arrow 63. The horizontal brush 9 is slidable in a guide 11 on the chassis 5, and is attached at each end to one end of a chain or cable 12 carrying counterbalancing weights 14 at its other end. The brush 9 may also be mounted in a swinging arm (not shown). The vertical brushes 7 are mounted in swinging arms 6 urged by springs (not shown) against the car sides, and are driven by motors 8. In another embodiment, Figs. 2, 3 (not shown), the chain or cable 12 of Fig. 1 is replaced by an endless chain or cable (12) which carries a bracket (19) on one side and detachable weights (14) on the other side, the brush 9 being carried by the bracket (19) and driven by a motor (17). In another embodiment, Figs. 4, 5 (not shown), the brushes (7) are suspended from rollered trolleys (20) guided on cross-beams (22) and counterbalanced by adjustable weights (26). The trolleys (20) are provided with a winch drive for reciprocating the trolleys along the beams (22) to ensure overlap of the brushes (7) during washing of the front and rear faces of the car (1). The brushes (7) are hinged by universal joints to the trolleys, and the brush bearings may be jointly and flexibly guided. In another embodiment, Fig. 6 (not shown), each vertical brush (7) is mounted on a swinging arm (6) and is urged by a spring (31) linking the arms (6), or by its own weight by inclining its axis, against the vehicle. At rest the brush has a diameter (d), in rotation a diameter (D). A power generator (28), (29), (30) maintains, the brushes at a constant pressure on the car, and comprises a cylinder (28) connected to one arm (6), and a piston (30) connected to the other arm (6), so that admission of pressure to the cylinder reduces the effect of the spring (31). The constant pressure on the car may be effected by locking mechanisms or stops.