GB2348119A

GB2348119A - Transportable vehicle washing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2348119A
Application number: GB0006654A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lorne Entwistle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-25
Filing date: 2000-03-21
Publication date: 2000-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-21
Also published as: GB2348119B; GB0006654D0; GB9906774D0

Abstract

A vehicle for use in washing the wheels or bodywork of a second vehicle comprises a wheeled chassis 2, 3 on which is mounted a deck 1 comprising an openwork portion 10 adapted to support the second vehicle during washing. A liquid ejection means (11, Fig. 4) is arranged along opposing sides of the deck 1. A sump (20, Figs. 3 and 6) into which washing liquid drains may be located below or to one side of the deck. The sump (20, Figs. 3 and 6) may be formed by a moveable tank (26, Figs. 6 and 7) which can be stored adjacent the deck during transportation. The tank may be moved by a hydraulically operated lifting arm. A ramp 5, 6 is connected to one end of the chassis 2 to provide access to the deck, and is moveable between a lowered use position, and a raised, transportation position. Preferably, a second ramp 5, 6 is provided which is connected to the other end of the chassis 2, whereby the vehicle to be cleaned can be driven up the first ramp, onto the deck for washing, and then down the second ramp.

Description

VEHICLE WASHING APPARATUS The present invention relates to a vehicle washing apparatus for use in washing the wheels or bodywork of vehicles, particularly commercial and plant vehicles.

The wheels and lower bodywork of lorries and other vehicles used at construction sites and the like usually become heavily muddied. This mud is then often deposited on the public highway by these vehicles as they leave the site and can be a hazard. As a result, wheel washing facilities are often provided at the exits from such sites in order that mud clinging to the wheels and lower bodywork of vehicles which have been on site can be washed off prior to them being driven out onto the public roads.

Conventionally, such washing facilities comprise water baths which are installed at site exits through which vehicles are then driven. These baths may be built supported on frameworks which can be transported to a construction site for temporary installation or can be built into the ground to provide a more permanent facility. In both cases considerable effort is required to set up the bath ready for use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle which is specially adapted for use in the washing of the wheels or bodywork of other vehicles and which can, therefore, be readily transported to wherever required.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle adapted for use in washing the wheels or bodywork of a second vehicle comprising a wheeled chassis, a deck which is mounted on the chassis and which comprises an openwork portion adapted to support the second vehicle during a washing operation; liquid ejection means arranged along opposing sides of the deck; a sump into which washing liquid ejected by the ejection means can drain after use; and a ramp connected to one end of the chassis to provide access to the deck and which is movable between a first position wherein it is ready for use with a lower end in close proximity to the ground and a second position wherein the lower end is raised from the ground for transportation of the vehicle.

It will be appreciated that the vehicle may comprise a motor vehicle or a trailer.

Preferably, the vehicle comprises a second ramp which is movable between first and second positions as aforesaid and which is connected to the other end of the chassis whereby the second vehicle can be driven up the first ramp onto the deck for washing and thence off the vehicle down the second ramp.

Preferably also, the vehicle comprises a trailer and one of the first and second ramps is adapted to provide a towing bar when in its second position.

Preferably also, the sump is located below the openwork portion of the deck. Alternatively, the sump is formed by a movable tank which can be positioned in a first position at one side of the deck, a sloping floor being provided beneath the openwork portion of the deck from which washing liquid can run into the tank when it is in its first position.

In the alternative arrangement the tank is preferably movable between the first position and a second position wherein it is stowed adjacent the deck during transportation of the vehicle.

Advantageously, in its second position the tank is stored above the deck. Preferably, the tank is lowered from its second position into its first position by means of at least one lifting arm, which is preferably hydraulically operated.

Preferably also, the vehicle comprises at least one stabilizing jack leg that can be lowered to stabilize the vehicle during a washing operation.

Preferably also, the deck comprises a series of spaced parallel bars over which the second vehicle can be driven and beneath which is located either the sump or the sloping floor.

Advantageously, the bars comprise angle-irons with upwardly projecting ridges. In this way, the bars act to break up and dislodge mud from the wheels of the second vehicle as it is driven over the deck.

Preferably also, the liquid ejection means comprises a series of jet or spray nozzles spaced along opposing sides of the deck. Advantageously, the jet or spray nozzles are also arranged along a central portion between the two opposing sides of the deck whereby liquid can be directed underneath and against both sides of the wheels of the second vehicle.

Preferably also, a pump is provided to pump liquid from the sump to the liquid ejection means.

Preferably also, the pump draws liquid from the sump via a compartment of the sump which is separated from the rest of the sump by a baffle which defines a weir over which liquid must pass to enter the compartment. In this way mud and other debris is retained in a settlement area of the sump below the level of the weir.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is perspective view from above and one side of a first embodiment of vehicle according to the present invention in the form of a trailer set up ready for a washing operation; Fig. 2 is a plan view, to an enlarged scale, of the central portion of the trailer shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of the portion shown in Fig. 2, with parts cut-away to reveal interior detail; Fig. 4 is a plan view similar to Fig. 2 of a liquid ejection means forming part of the trailer and for use in a washing operation; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the first embodiment of trailer when closed up ready for transportation; Fig. 6 is a schematic transverse cross-section of the central portion of a second embodiment of the trailer when in use; Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view of the second embodiment of the trailer; and Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the second embodiment of the trailer shown in the process of being closed up ready for transportation.

A vehicle according to the invention may comprise a motorised vehicle or a trailer as shown in the drawings. The advantage of a trailer over a motorised vehicle is that it can be constructed so that a vehicle to be washed can be driven over and along its length in one direction rather than being driven on and then reversed off down the same ramp.

Whilst a motorised vehicle could have ramps at each side rather than at its rear end, the width of the deck would not be sufficient to accommodate the length of most vehicles unless it were to wide for most public roads. However, it will be appreciated that a motorised vehicle version of the invention may have its own advantages in some circumstances and does not require to be towed on site for use.

Both the first and second embodiments of trailer shown in the drawings comprise a deck 1 which is mounted on a chassis 2 comprising wheels 3 and at least one, and preferably several, retractable jack legs 4 spaced along both sides of its length which can be lowered to support and stabilize the deck 1, particularly at that end of it remote from the wheels 3, during a washing operation. The number of legs 4 provided will depend on the length of the deck 1 and it will be appreciated that such legs 4 may equally be required in motorised vehicle versions of the invention to prevent tipping and tilting of the vehicle during a washing operation.

Connected to opposing ends of the chassis 2 are ramps 5, 6 respectively. Each ramp 5,6 is movable between a first position wherein it is ready for use with a lower end 7 in close proximity to the ground and a second position wherein the ramps 5,6 are raised from the ground for transportation of the vehicle.

In order that the ramps are not made too steep in use to permit vehicles to drive over them with ease, the ramps 5,6 are preferably hinged, as at 8, in order that in their second position, they can be folded, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8. The rear ramp 6 is folded to provide a tailgate for the vehicle during transportation and the front ramp 5 can be adapted by the provision of a towing hitch 9, in known manner, to form a towing bar for the vehicle. Alternatively, as shown in Fig.

8, a towing hitch can be attached to the front end of the chassis 2.

The surface of ramps 5 and 6 and the deck 1 are formed from a series of spaced parallel bars 10 which run the whole width of the vehicle in order that as many vehicles to be washed of different types and widths can be accommodated.

Preferably, the bars 10 comprise angle-irons with upwardly projecting ridges in order that they will act to dislodge mud from the wheels of vehicles driven over them.

On the deck 1, the bars 10 are spaced to provide an openwork portion of the deck 1 which is adapted to support a vehicle during a wheel washing operation. In this example, substantially the whole of the deck 1 comprises the openwork portion.

Spaced along both sides of the openwork portion of the deck 1 is a liquid ejection means 11 comprising pipework 12 fitted with a series of spaced spray or jet nozzles 13 which are orientated to spray inwardly and upwardly with respect to the deck 1. Some of the nozzles 13 may be mounted on stand pipes (not shown), if appropriate, in order that the lower bodywork of a vehicle parked on the deck 1 can be sprayed.

It is also advantageous to arrange jet or spray nozzles 13 along a pipe 14 which runs along the central portion of the deck 1, as shown in Fig. 5, between the two opposing sides whereby liquid can be directed against the undersurface and against both sides of the wheels of a vehicle parked on the deck 1.

Flushing valves 15 may also be provided at the ends of the runs of the pipework 12,14 in order that it can be cleaned out and drained of liquid when required.

The pipework 12 is supplied with washing liquid, which will typically be water or a water based washing solution, by a pump 16 which is located in a boxed-in chamber 17 and supplied with liquid via an inlet pipe 18 covered with a filter 19 from a sump 20.

In the first embodiment of trailer as shown in Figs 2, 3 and 5, the chamber 17 containing the pump 16 is located beneath the deck 1 and the sump 20 is supported by the chassis 2 and fills the whole of the area beneath the openwork portion of the deck 1 in order that washing liquid ejected by the ejection means 11 can drain into it after use.

Washing liquid is thereby re-cycled. In order to contain spray from the nozzles 13 within the area of the vehicle and to direct used liquid back into the sump 20, the deck 1 can be provided with side walls 21 attached to the chassis 2.

In a second embodiment of trailer as shown in Figs. 6,7 and 8, the sump 20 is formed by a movable tank 26 which can be positioned at one side of the deck 1. A sloping floor 27 is provided beneath the openwork portion of the deck 1 from which washing liquid can run into the sump 20 of the tank 26.

The tank 26 is preferably movable between this and a second position wherein it is stowed adjacent the deck 1 during transportation of the vehicle. The chamber 17 containing the pump 16 is attached to the tank 26 and flexible, disconnectable tubing (not shown) is used to connect the output from the pump 16 to the pipework 12.

If the tank 26 is unconnected to the trailer, it can be stowed on top of the deck 1 during transportation and lifted down with a fork-lift truck or crane into position next to the trailer during use. However, preferably the tank 26 is hingedly connected to the chassis 2 of the trailer and is lowered from and raised into a stowed position wherein it is folded upright at one side of the deck 1, as shown in Fig.

8, by means of at least one hydraulically operated lifting arm (not shown).

The advantage of the second embodiment over the first is that the height of the deck 1 need not be so great as the sump 20 does not need to be accommodated. This also allows a corresponding reduction in the length of the ramps 5 and 6.

In both the first and second embodiments, the pipe 18 is located in a compartment 22 of the sump 20 which is separated from a main settlement portion 23 thereof by a baffle 24. The baffle 24 forms a weir over which liquid must pass to enter the compartment 22. In this way mud, stones and other debris which has fallen into the sump 20 is retained in the main settlement portion 23 and is kept away from the inlet pipe 18. Drain outlets (not shown) for both the compartment 22 and the settlement portion 23 of the sump 20 are also be provided.

The compartment 22, which forms a cistern for the pump 16, may also be supplied with fresh liquid, for example from a mains water supply, via an external inlet to which a ball cock 25 is attached. In this way, the compartment 22 can always be kept topped-up with liquid to supply the pump 16 regardless of the liquid level in the settlement portion 23 which forms the main body of the sump 20.

The vehicle may be provided with its own power unit (not shown) for the pump 16 and also to raise and lower the jack legs 4, to raise and lower the ramps 5 and 6, and to raise and lower the tank 26 in the second embodiment.

In the first embodiment, in order that the sump 20 can be cleaned out, and in particular debris and mud removed from the main settlement portion 23, the openwork portion of the deck 1 above the sump 20 is preferably formed as a grille or series of grilles which are detachably or rotatably mounted to the chassis. The power unit can also be used to raise and lower these grilles. Once the grille or grilles are in a raised position, the sump 20 can be cleaned out using an excavator positioned on one of the ramps 5,6 to scrape out settled mud and debris. In the second embodiment, the interior of the tank 26 is more easily accessible for cleaning by an excavator prior to being raised into its stowed position.

Hence, the present invention provides a vehicle wheel and bodywork washing apparatus which unlike conventional wheel washing apparatus can be easily transported wherever required and set-up quickly and easily. Equally, the apparatus can be packed up and moved without difficulty. It is estimated that when parked where required it will only take around 15 minutes to lower the ramps 5,6 and the tank 26, and to fill the sump 20 to be ready to commence vehicle washing operations. A vehicle to be washed is then driven or towed up one of the ramps 5,6 and stood on the deck 1. Mud which is caked to the wheels of the vehicle may be break down and fall off as it is driven over the bars 10. However, once on the deck 1, the pump 16 is operated to pump liquid from the sump 20 out through the nozzles 13 and over the lower part and underside of the vehicle. These parts of the vehicle are thus washed down by the liquid spray or jets from the nozzles 13. The washing liquid then draining back into the sump 20 for re-use through the openwork portion of the deck 1 taking with it any and any mud and debris which it has washed from the vehicle and which will be retained in the settlement portion 22 of the sump 20. As soon as the vehicle has been satisfactorily cleaned, the pump 16 can be stopped and the vehicle driven off the vehicle down the other ramp 6,5.

When it is desired to transport the vehicle to another site, the sump 20 can either be drained and stowed away in the second embodiment or, in the case of the first embodiment, left containing the washing liquid, the ramps 5,6 can be folded up, and the vehicle attached to a cab for transportation.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A vehicle adapted for use in washing the wheels or bodywork of a second vehicle comprising a wheeled chassis, a deck which is mounted on the chassis and which comprises an openwork portion adapted to support the second vehicle during a washing operation; liquid ejection means arranged along opposing sides of the deck; a sump into which washing liquid ejected by the ejection means can drain after use; and a ramp connected to one end of the chassis to provide access to the deck and which is movable between a first position wherein it is ready for use with a lower end in close proximity to the ground and a second position wherein the lower end is raised from the ground for transportation of the vehicle.
2. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1, comprising a second ramp which is movable between first and second positions as aforesaid and which is connected to the other end of the chassis whereby the second vehicle can be driven up the first ramp onto the deck for washing and thence off the vehicle down the second ramp.
3. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 2, in the form of a trailer wherein one of the first and second ramps is adapted to provide a towing bar when in its second position.
4. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the sump is located below the openwork portion of the deck.
5. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the sump is formed by a movable tank which can be positioned in a first position at one side of the deck, a sloping floor being provided beneath the openwork portion of the deck from which washing liquid can run into the tank when it is in its first position.
6. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the tank is movable between the first position and a second position wherein it is stowed adjacent the deck during transportation of the vehicle.
7. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 6, wherein in its second position the tank is stored above the deck.
8. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the tank is lowered from its second position into its first position by means of at least one lifting arm.
9. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the lifting arm is hydraulically operated.
10. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, comprising at least one stabilizing jack leg that can be lowered to stabilize the vehicle during a washing operation.
11. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the deck comprises a series of spaced parallel bars over which the second vehicle can be driven.
12. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the bars comprise angle-irons with upwardly projecting ridges.
13. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the liquid ejection means comprises a series of jet or spray nozzles spaced along opposing sides of the deck.
14. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein jet or spray nozzles are arranged along a central portion between the two opposing sides of the deck whereby liquid can be directed underneath and against both sides of the wheels of the second vehicle.
15. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein a pump is provided to pump liquid from the sump to the liquid ejection means.
16. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the pump draws liquid from the sump via a compartment of the sump which is separated from the rest of the sump by a baffle which defines a weir over which liquid must pass to enter the compartment.
17. A vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to the Figs. 1 to 5 or Figs. 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.