GB757722A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for cleaning vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

757,722. Cleaning vehicles, MORISON, W. J. Aug. 5, 1954 [Aug. 5, 1953] No. 21641/53. Addition to 647,806. Class 138(1) In an apparatus for mechanically cleaning a vehicle as claimed in any one of the claims of the parent Specification or Specification 665,687, the carrier carries one or more additional wiper devices arranged so that when the carier is positioned at a level just higher than the level of the top of a vehicle roof the vehicle may be driven thereunder, the additional wiper device or devices contacting and cleaning the roof of the vehicle. The roof cleaning device Fig. 2, is carried by a sub-carrier 11 pivotally mounted on the rear tie member 24 of the main carrier of the apparatus described in the parent Specification. As shown the sub-carrier 11 comprises a braced framework 12 pivoted by hinges 14 to the rear face 13 of the member 24. Mounted at the ends of the framework 12 are pairs of channel members 15 in which brackets 16 are vertically slidable and which brackets carry swivel bearings 25 Fig. 4, for the ends of a three-part brush driving shaft having universal joints 23. The shaft comprises a central section 19 carried in bearing arms 17 carried by the frame 12 and two sections 21 extending from the joints 23 to the bearings 25. A cylindrical brush 27 is mounted on the shaft section 19 whilst the sections 21 each carry a cylindrical brush 28 and frusto-conical brushes 31, 32. The threepart shaft is driven from the shaft (not shown) driving brushes in the tie member 24, by gear boxes 43 and a flexible shaft 41. Pairs of wheels 34, 34a are mounted at each end of the sub-carrier 11 and are adapted to contact a vehicle roof as the vehicle is moved towards the tie member 24 from the rear thereof. It will be seen from Fig. 4, that the slidable brackets 16 and joints 23 allow the brushes 27, 28, 31 and 32 to adapt themselves to the contour of the roof surface 38 and during such movements the drive cable 41 is supported by a check cable 42. The brushes are covered by a shield 47, which supports along its rear edge, a spray pipe 44 fed from a supply pipe 45, Fig. 2. Centrally the shield or deflector 47 pivotally carries at 52 a feeler arm 48 provided with a wheel 51 adapted to contact a vehicle roof. As the main carrier is lowered towards the level of a vehicle roof the arm 48 is pivoted to operate a micro-switch 53, also pivoted at 52 against urge of springs 56, and thus causes the main carrier to stop at the appropriate level, whereafter the vehicle may be driven under the roof cleaning brushes. In order to prevent the roof cleaning device from fouling the floor when the main carrier is lowered to a position adjacent thereto, provision is made for the nut carrier to be raised about the hinges 14. A cable 57 passing over pulleys 58, 61 and provided with a counterweight 62, passes under a pulley 63 on the deflector 47 and over a pulley 64 on the frame 12, Fig. 7, and is connected to a pair of spring urged bolts 66 normally engaging in apertures in striker plates 68 on the member 24 and thus preventing pivotal movement of the frame 12. A stop member 72 on the cable 57 is adapted to engage a fixed member 73 on the roof on the supporting structure for the main carrier, when the main carrier nears the floor. The cable 57 is then tensioned to cause the release of the bolts 66 and to allow the subcarrier to pivot upwardly as the main carrier moves to its lowest position as shown in Fig. 6. When the main carrier is again raised.the sub-carrier will gradually lower it about the hinges 14 under its own weight until the latches re-engage the striker plates. The counterweight 62, is prevented from causing the frame 12 to pivot by means of spring (not shown) between the end of the cable 57 and a coupling bar 65 for the latches 66, its sole function being to prevent sag in the cable 57. Specification 732,722 also is referred to.