US2583703A

US2583703A - Apparatus for cleaning vehicles

Info

Publication number: US2583703A
Application number: US88105A
Authority: US
Inventors: Morison William John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-04-28
Filing date: 1949-04-18
Publication date: 1952-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 1969-01-29
Also published as: NL71724C; FR985284A

Description

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B- M 'M, M v m Jan. 29, 1952 W. J. MQRISON APPARATUS FOR CLEANING VEHICLES '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 18, 1949 mm MN INl/eNTaR Jan. 29, 1952 w. J. MORlSON APPARATUS FOR CLEANING VEHICLES 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 18, 1949 w im WW M 0&6 M HAM W. J. MORISON APPARATUS FOR CLEANING VEHICLES Jan. 29, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 18, 1949 QN Q 0%.

IN 've.- To R Jan. 29, 1952 w. J. MORIS'ON APPARATUS FOR CLEANINGVEHICLES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 18, 1949 Jan. 29, 1952 w. J. MORISON 2,583,703

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING VEHLCLES Filed April 18, 1949 '7 Sheets-Sheet a K waE4-W M,

Jan. 29, 1952 w, J, MQRISQN 2,583,703

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING VEHICLES Filed April 18, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 5/6 'c 22 Z23 E- r Patented Jan. 29, 1952 APPARATUS FOR. CLEANING VEHICLES- William John Morison, Chelmsford, England Application April 18, 1949, Serial No. 88,105 In Great Britain April 28, 1948 24 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for cleaning vehicles, and more particularly to the cleaning of vehicles, such as omnibuses, motor cars and the like, at a cleaning station.

Various proposals have heretofore been made to clean vehicles at a washing station having fixed pipes provided with nozzles by means of highpressure and low-pressure jets of a cleansing fluid issuing from the nozzles. The present invention has for its main object to enable vehicles to be cleaned mechanically at a cleaning stationin an improved manner, with or without the use of such jets, and another object is to provide an improved construction of vehicle-cleaning apparatus for that purpose.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus for carrying out a method of mechanically cleaning a vehicle at a cleaning station, comprising the steps of imparting a cleaning movement, preferably a rotary movement, to at least one wiper device mounted on a movable one shaft situated in the guard is journalled in said brackets, and one or more than one wiper device is carried by each shaft.

An electric motor or motors may be mounted on the carrier and arranged to rotate the wiper devices.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide apparatus for mechanically cleaning a ve hicle at a cleaning station, comprising a carrier that is constituted by a frame, preferably of U-shape as viewed in plan, and has two side limbs arranged to lie at opposite sides of the vehicle and an end limb arranged to lie at an end of the vehicle, a plurality of shafts mounted one on each limb of the frame, each of which shafts has at least one wiper device mounted on it, means for imparting rotary motion to the shafts,

- and elevator means arranged to move the frame carrier, and moving the carrier vertically while the wiper device or devices is or are in motion in contact with the outside of the vehicle to be cleaned. In this way the vehicle can be drycleaned.

When wet-cleaning is required, the method comprises the further step of subjecting the surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, before, during or after the cleansing operation by means of the wiper device or devices, to the action of jets or spray of cleansing liquid movable vertically with the carrier.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved apparatus for mechanically cleaning a vehicle at a cleaning station, comprising in combination a carrier, at least one wiper device mounted thereon, means for imparting a cleaning, preferably rotary, motion to the wiper device or devices on the carrier, and elevator means for moving the carrier vertically in relation to the outside of the vehicle while the one or more wiper devices are in motion and in wiping contact with the outside of the vehicle.

Conveniently, the carrier has associated with it, and movable vertically with it, at least one delivery pipe for cleansing liquid having a plurality of nozzles spaced apart in the direction of length thereof for causing jets of liquid or spray to impinge on the outside of the vehicle.

The carrier is preferably of elongated formation, and a wiper device of the flat or bladed type, or more than one such wiper devices, may extend in the direction of length of the carrier.

Conveniently a frame constituting the carrier is formed as a guard having bearing brackets mounted on it in spaced relation one or more than vertically while the wiper devices are in motion and in contact with the vehicle.

Each limb of the frame is preferably provided with a pipe having nozzles for delivering a cleansing liquid against the vehicle.

The frame may have two opposed limbs arranged to lie respectively at opposite sides of the vehicle, as above described, or at opposite ends of the vehicle and the frame may be adjustable to vary the separation of the two opposed limbs thereby to permit the apparatus to be used for cleaning vehicles of different widths or of different lengths. The frame may be of rectangular form and the two opposed limbs may be constrained for adjusting movement parallel to one another. The opposed limbs may be arranged for relative adjusting movement between two positions providing respectively two preselected distances of separation between the opposed limbs. This feature is of particular advantage in connection with the cleaning of omnibuses which are each of one of two standardised widths when omnibuses of each of these widths have frequently to be cleaned at the same cleaning station. The opposed limbs may be spring-urged relatively towards one another to a preselected position of lesser separation and may be arranged to be moved to, and held in, a preselected position of greater separation by an over-centred toggle mechanism.

7 When the apparatus set forth above is arranged under a superstructure, such as a roof of a garage or other building, the carrier is preferably suspended from the superstructure by two sets of suspension members, such as cables or ropes, running-over sheaves or pulleys spaced apart in the direction of travel of a vehicle to be cleaned, which sets are attached to the carrier at opposite sides thereof.

tor electric motor arranged to drive a winding device to which the suspension members are conend limb 24 arranged to lie at an end, preferably the rear end, of the vehicle. Each limb forms a guard of U-shape in vertical cross-section, and opens horizontally towards the space bounded by the limbs of the frame. In Figures 1 and 3, a bracing or tie member 26 is shown nected, the reversing means preferably comprises contactor or like means arranged to reverse the elevator motor, and a limit switch that controls the contactor means and is operable by driver members movable with the suspension members.

Electrical equipment controlling the elevator motor and motors for rotating the wiper devices will be described hereinafter.

The reversing means may comprise manuallyoperable switch means and may be arranged to reverse the elevator motor when the carrier is at desired intermediate situations between'its upper and lower end positions.

One embodiment of the invention and modifications of that embodiment will now be described by way of example, and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, and partly broken away, showing one construction of vehicle-cleaning apparatus according to the invention,

showing a counterweight, taken along 5-5 of Figure 1,'

Figure 6 is .a perspective view showing wiper devices on a scale larger than that of Figures 1 to 3, and

Figure 7 is a view showing a diagrammatic layout of the carrier, its suspension means and other devices associated therewith,

Figures 8 and 9 are respectively a diagram of an electrical equipment of the vehicle-cleaning apparatus, and a modification thereof,

Figure 10 is an under-planv view of a modified carrier which is adjustable so that one side limb may be moved'to the position indicated in broken lines, and

Figures 11 and '12 are views of one end of the carrier shown in Figure 10 showing it respectively in two different positions of adjustment.

Like reference characters'designate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring first to Figures 1 to '7, apparatus for cleaning, a vehicle, such as an omnibus l0 indicated in'broken lines, at a cleaning station or 4 edges of the openings in its limbs.

at the open end of the frame, which also has vertical struts 28 (see Figures 3 and 6) at its 7 open inner sides. a

A number of rotary wiper-devices, each designated generally 36, is mounted in the frame, several thereof being arranged in a row in each limb. As shown most clearly in Figure 6, each wiper device 30.comprises a light, four-sided, metal frame having two transverse end members 32, and two longitudinal side members 34 each carrying a flexible wiper member 36 in the form of a flapper composed of textile fabric, .chamois leather or other convenient cleaning material. The

limbs

20, 22 and 24 respectively have shafts 38, 40 and 42 journalled in them at or near their ends, on each of which shafts the frames of wiper devices are fixed, as shown in Figure 4 and at 44 in Figure 6. These shafts thus constitute rotary carriers for the wiper devices in the guards. Bearings of the shaft 38 are shown at 43 and 45 in Figure 2.

The three

shafts

38, 46 and 42 are each ar-- ranged to be separately driven by electric motors :36, 58 and 56 respectively, which are respectively mounted on the outside of the three

limbs

20, 22 and 24 of the frame. Each wiper motor is arranged to drive its allotted shaft throughreduction gearing, as shown at 52 in Figure 2 in connection with the motor 46. 7

A spray pipe 54 of U-shape similar to the U-frame I8 is carried by the latter at the lower This pipe 54 has a number of nozzles 53 (see Figure 6) on each limb spaced apart in the direction of -length thereof for directing jets of spray towards the vehicle; A flexible supply pipe 55 for a cleansing liquid, such as water, with or without a detergent,

is connected to the spray pipe 54, as shown in Figure l, and has a control valve 51 as shown in Figure 7. V r

Suspension means arranged to move the carrier IS with the shafts and wiper devices 30 in it vertically, while the wiper devices are in rotary motion and in contact with the vehicle I0, comprises two sets of flexible suspension members constituted by cables of

ropes

56 and 58, one at each side of the frame 68. As shown in Figure 1,

garage having a superstructure l2 constituted 7 V by a roof, shown broken away,,an' end wall l4,

and guide members IS on the ground or floor for the vehicle-wheels, comprises a carrier'constitu-ted by -a three-sided. frame of U-shape, as viewed in plan, designated generally [8. This

ropes

56 and 58.

the ropes 56 have each one vertical end portion attached to an eye-bracket 60 fixed to the outside of the limb 20 near the lower edge thereof. These ropes pass over rotary members 62 in the form of sheaves or pulleys journalled in brackets] 64 mounted on the roof l2, and are joined to a tie rope 68 which, as shown in Figure '7, passes over end sheaves at '19 down to a counterweight H.

The set of ropes 58 running over sheaves 63 is arranged similarly, and is joined to a tierope .2 connected to the same counterweight 7| which is provided with a guard 13 and is common to all the Any convenient driving means for operating the supporting cables or ropes and therebylowering and raisin the frame l8 may be provided. As illustrated, an electrically driven winding device 14 has a drum 76 around which a cable'lls wound. The cable Ihas its ends attached to the rope l2 atspaced positions 8, 9 thereon. {The electric motor driving the: winding device 14 is indicated at 18 in Figure 8.

Referring to Figure 8, the electrical equipment for controlling the operation of the vehicle-cleaning apparatus comprisestwo current supply mains 80 and 82, a change-over travel limit switch, designated generally 84, operable by two driver members 86 and 88 (see Figure '7) on a cable, e. g. 68, of one of the sets of supporting cables, two pairs of manually-controlled switches, designated generally 90 and 92, operable by a twoarmed

manual lever

94, 95, the three

wiper motors

46, 48 and 50, each having one terminal connected to the main 82, two contactor devices, designated generally 96 and 98, arranged to control the winch motor 18 and a third contactor device I30 arranged to control the

wiper motors

46, 48 and 50. The distance apart of the

driver members

86, 88 may be about 15 feet, 1. e. rather longer than the height through which it is desired to lift the frame I8.

The travel limit switch 84'comprises two fixed contact-pieces I02 and I04 both connected to the supply main 80, and two movable contact-pieces I06 and I08 operable by a pivotally mounted control arm N of inverted T-shape which can be rocked in opposite directions by the

driver member

86 and 88, as described hereinafter.

The two pairs of

switches

90 and 92 are both controlled by the manually operable lever 93 having two

arms

94 and 95, which switches have respectively two fixed contact-pieces H2, H4 and H6, H8 and two movable contact pieces I20, I22 and I24, I26. The fixed contact-pieces H2 and H8 are respectively connected to the movable contact-pieces I08 and I06 of the change-over limit switch 84, and the fixed contact-pieces I I4 and H6 are connected together and by way of a winding I28 of a third contactor I30 to the main 80.

The contactor I30 has one set of three terminals I32, I33, I34 connected to one terminal of each of

themotors

46, 48 and 50 and has a second set of contact-pieces I36, I31 and I38 connected to the main 80. The other terminals of the

motors

46, 48 and 50 are connected to the main 82.

The contactor 96 has one set of contact-pieces I40, MI and I42, and a second set of contactpieces I44, I45 and I46. The contact 98'hasone set of contact-pieces I48, I49 and I50, and a second set of contact-pieces I 52, I53 and I54. The winding II of the contactor 96 is connected to the movable'contact piece I20 of the switch 90, and by a lead 253 in series with a windin I55 of the contactor 98 which is connected to the movable contact piece I26, the lead 253 being connected to the main 82. These contactors 96 and 98 are connected together and to the motor I8 as follows: i I

The contact-pieces I44 and I45 arebothconnected to the contact pieces I52 and I53, and to the main 82, and the contact-pieces I46 and I54 are connected together. The contact-pieces I40 and I48 are connected together by a lead I56 which is connected by a lead I58 to the movable contact-pieces I22 and I24 of the manually

operable switches

90 and 92. The lead I56 is also connected to one terminal of the armature of the motor I8. The contact-piece I4I of the contactor 96 is connected by a lead I60 to the contact piece I50 of the contact'or 98. The contact-piece I42 of the contactor 96 is connected by a lead I62 to the contact-piece I49 of the contactor 98. This lead I62 is connectedv byway of the field winding I64 of the motor to the lead I60. The other terminal of the armature of the motor is connectedwith the main80 and to the two .fixed contact-pieces I02 and I04 of the limit switch, 84.

As illustrated in Figure 8, the arm IIO of the change-over limit switch 84 carries a wire loop I6I which encircles the cable 68 at a situation between the two

driver members

86 and 88. Each of these driver members has a buffer device comprising a collar- I 63 and a compression spring I65 between it and the adjacent driving device for absorbing shock when either of the driver members operates to change-over the limit switch 84.

'The described vehicle cleaning apparatus operates as follows:

Assuming that the frame I8 carrying the wiper devices and spray pipe is moving downwards, at the end of that movement the driver member 88 will rock the arm IIO clockwise as viewed in Figure 8, and it will close the switch I04, I08. The switch II2, I20 is thereby connected in circuit, and when the left-hand arm 94 of the hand-control lever 93 is depressed by an operator, it will close the pair of switches 90. The switch I20, I I2 is thereby closed to energize the coil I5I of the contactor 96 which is thus operated. Owing to the switch 4, I22 being closed, the coil I28 of the contacts I30 is energized through the contacts I40, I44 of the operated contactor 96, and thus 'the contactor I30 is operated, and as a consequence the wiper-driving

motors

46, 48, 50 are started. At the same time the energization of the contactor 96 operates the winch motor I8 to rotate the winch drums 16 to wind the supporting cables in the upward direction. The operator is able at any time during the upward movement to return the lever 93 to its inoperative position and thereby stop the

wiper motors

46, 48, 50 and the winch motor I8.

After the frame carrying the wipers and spray pipes has reached its upper limit of travel, the travel limit switch 84 is automatically reversed by the driver member 86, the switch I04, I08 is opened and the switch I02, I06 is closed. The switch II8, I26 is then connected in circuit, and when the right-hand arm of the manual control lever 93 is depressed by the operator the

wiper motors

46, 48 and 50 will be again energised, the contactor 98 will operate, and the winch motor I8will be driven in the opposite direction, so that the frame I8 with the wiper devices in rotation will descend. At any time during the downward movement of the frame I8 the operator is able to return the

lever

94, 95 to its inoperative position and thereby stop all the

motors

46, 48, 50 and 18.

Referring now to Figure 9, this electrical equipment, shown broken away, is similar to that shown in Figure 8, but differs therefrom in the connection of the change-over limit switch. In this equipment a change-over limit switch, designated generally I66, comprises, like the limit switch 84,

twofixed contact-pieces I02 and I04, both connected to the supply main 80, and two movable contact-pieces I06 and I08 operable by a pivotally mounted control arm IIO of inverted T-shape which can be rocked in opposite directions by the

driver members

86 and 88 in the same manner as described above. In this limit switch the movable contact-pieces I 06 and I08 make contact with the fixed contact pieces I02 and I04, respectively,

when the control arm H0 is held in its neutral or vertical position by its control spring I68. Consequentlythe switches II2, I20 and H8, E26, operable by the hand lever 93 are energised. When the control arm I I0is rocked by the

driver members

86 and 88 in either direction, one of the movable contact-pieces I06 and I08breaks conlimb 22.

a-asazzos 7 tact with its allotted fixed contact-piece, so that one of the manually-operable switches H2; 120 and H8, I26 is (lo-energised, but the other one remains energised and, when closed by the hand lever 93, energises one of the contactors 96 and 98,.so that the wiper carrier I8 is moved down or up. rhis movement of the carrier l8 can be stopped and reversed by rocking the hand lever 93 to close the otheriofthe two switches controlled by it. Consequently the-carrier i8 can be moved up and down repeatedly between its end positions whereby the cleanin operation by the wipersis rendered still more effective.

As shown in Figure 7,, the manually operable lever 93 is controllable at an operators stand 110 by .a handle member I72 that is pivoted on the stand and connected by two rods M4 to the lever 53. A handle member H6 on the same stand is connected by a rod .lB'El to the valve 5?,so that the Operator can control the flow of water in the supply pipe 55 to the spraying pipe 54. The operator can then arrange that the vehicle is sprayed either before, during or after the operationof the wiper devices.

Non-mechanical indicating means is preferably provided for indicating to .an operator at the stand I10 when the vehicle is in its correct endwise position .in relation to the wiper carrier i8. .As illustrated, this indicating means comprises an electric lamp I82 that is mountedon a stand E84 near the operators stand I78 and throws a light v ray indicated by the broken line 486 on to a photo-sensitive device, such as a photo cell .183.

which is connected to .a control system comprising an electric circuit containing a thermionic vacuum valve which controls a relay arranged to operate an indicating device, not shown, either visual or acoustic. The arrangement issuch that when the vehicle is in its correct operative endwise position in thewiper carrier I 8, the light ray 186 is obstructed-so that a signal is given by the control system. g

Although the wiper devices are preferably rotated, in some cases provision may be made for giving them a reciprocatory or oscillatory .movement while in contact with the vehicle.

In the modified carrier shown in Figures 14], .11 and 12 the end limb 24 and the bracing or tie member 128 of the frameare each divided from the inner surface of the side limb 22 so that the side limb 22 may be moved away from the limb 20.

g The end limb 24 and the member 26 are :each' provided at their upper surfaces with a longitudinally extending tube 25)! which slidably :receives a rod 202 extending laterally from the side Each rod 202 is rigidly attached at its end to the upper face of the limb 22 which .is thereby constrained to remain parallelto the limb 20, when it is moved away from and towards it, and is also thereby constrained against end.-

wisemov'ement relative to the frame. The end limb 24 and'the member 26 are each connected to the side limb 22 by a

toggle mechanism

203, 204. Each toggle mechanism 293, 204 comprises two similar toggle levers 295. 236 each comprising two links 261 pivoted together end-to-end'at 288. One pair of the toggle levers 205, 296 are pivoted a-t 2E0, 21! to the end limb 24 and are pivotedrat 2i2, 2i3 to'the'side limb 22. The other pair of toggle levers 265, 286 are pivoted in a similar a manner to the member 25 and the side limb .22.

"Each of the 1inks221 is of fiat strip :form and the links '2llllie against "the outer end faces of the frame. The pivots connecting the links toin a direction parallel to the length of the irame so that when the links of .each toggle lever 205, 206 :are moved about their pivots to lie colinearly as shown in Figure 12 (i. e. to make the toggle) the side limb 22 is at its maximum separation .irom the side limb 20. The limb 22 isurged towards the limb 20 by means of tension springs 2 connecting the member 22 to the endlimb 24 nd the member2-ii, so that when the toggles are "broken (as shown in Figure .11) the limbv 22 moves to a position of minimum separation from' the limb 20. Each pair of link-to-link pivots 208 are connected together by a rigid joining link 2| 5 so that each pair of toggle .levers 2ll5, 206 may only .be made and broken together. The

' pivots 2.12, 213 and theucorresponding pair of 220 attached to the outersidefaoeof the limb 22.

.A stop 22I is provided immediately below each toggle mechanismiso that it can only be broken by moving the joining .links 215 downwards and .so that when made the toggle passes slightly over centre and the springs consequentlyiend to hold the toggles against the stops 224 in the made 7 positions. The toggles are arranged to be made and broken respectively by two operating chains or .cords 2-2 2, .223 dependent therefrom, the chain 222 being attached to a link 224 pivoted to oneof the joining links 2l5 so that the toggles are broken when the chain 222 is pulled, and the other chain 223 being attached toan arm 2251c);- tending from one of the links radially of the shaft 2I8 to form a bell-crank lever with that link .so

that the toggles are made when thelatter chain is pulled. It will be appreciated that the limb 22 is .moved from its position of least separation (shown in .full lines in Figure 10.) to its position of greater separation (shown in broken lines in Figure 1-0) by the action of making the toggles and is moved in the opposite direction by the action of breaking the toggles.

Various modifications may be made in .theIdetails of constructions described above withoutdeparting from the invention. For examplawhen the carrier of the wiper devices is of rectangular frame both of its end members, as well as its side members, may be equipped with the described wiper devices. Alternatively, only two side carriers, or only two end carriers having wiper -devices may be provided. .Also, instead of a shaft on the carrier having a number of wiper devices on it, a single wiperdevice may extend .from end 7 to end thereof. When rotary wiper-devices are provided on the two end links of a rectangular frame the separation of the two end'limbs may be adjustable e. .g. .for cleaning the .ironts and backs or trolley buses or tramcars .of different lengths. Limbs may be moved towards or: away from one another bymeans of electric or other motor operating a rack and pinion or worm and pinion or other suitable mechanism. 'Iclaim; V lgzipparatus for mechanicallycleaning 2. ve-

hicle at a cleaning station, comprising acarrier that is constituted :by :a .irame of 'ushap'e -as gether and to theirame extend through the links viewed in plan and has two side iimbs arranged to lie at opposite sides of the'vehlcle and an end limb arranged to lie at an end of the vehicle, a plurality of shafts mounted one on each limb of the frame, each of which shaftshas at least one 'wiper device mounted on it, means for-imparting rotary motion to the shafts, and elevator means arranged to move the frame vertically while the wiper devices are in motion and in contact with the vehicle.

V 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each limb of the frame is provided with a pipe having nozzles for delivering a cleansing liquid against the vehicle.

3. Apparatus for mechanically cleaning a vehicle, comprising in combination a superstructure, a carrier, suspension means by which the carrier is suspended from said superstructure and which are operable to efiect vertical movement of the carrier, which carrier comprises two substantially horizontally extending limbs lying side by side and spacedapart horizontally along their entire length for the reception of the vehicle between them, at least two wiper devices mounted respectively on the two limbs for wipin movements relative to the limbsand allocated to two opposed sides of the vehicle respectively, means for imparting wiping movements to the wiper devices, which wiper devicesare positioned on the limbs to extend, at least during part of their wiping movements, laterally from the limbs into the space between them, and at least one tie member extending between the limbs at one pair of corresponding ends thereof, whereby when a vehicle is positioned between the limbs the wiper devices on the two limbs are at least during the said wiping movements maintained in wiping relation with the said opposed sides of the vehicle by the tie member, and the carrier may, by operation of the suspension means as aforesaid, be moved vertically while the wiper devices are in wipin relation with the vehicle.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the length of the tie member is variable, whereby the separation of the two limbs may be varied to permit the apparatus to be employed for cleaning vehicles of different widths.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein length-adjusting means are provided for adjusting the length of the tie member to either of two pre-selected lengths thereby providing respectively two pre-selected distances of separation between the two limbs.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said length adjusting means comprise a toggle mechanism forming part of the tie member.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said toggle mechanism is an over-centered toggle mechanism, and wherein the two limbs are springurged towards one another to relative positions in which they have a pre-selected separation, whereby the two limbs may be urged apart to relative positions in which they have a pre-selected greater separation, against the action of the spring, by operation of the over-centered toggle mechanism to lengthen the tie member and may be held in those positions of greater separation by the over-centered, toggle mechanism.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the suspension means include flexible suspension members running over pulleys carried by the superstructure.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said flexible suspension members are arranged in two sets attached respectively to the two limbs, and wherein the members in each set and their 10 associated pulleys are spaced apart in the direction of the lengths of said limbs.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the suspension members carryat least one counterweight.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the suspension means include a reversible motordriven winding device, and a flexible tension member attached to at least one of thesuspension members and wound by the winding device on. operation thereof.

12..Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said flexible tension member is, intermediate in its length, wound round the winding device, and has its ends attached to one of the suspension members at positions spaced alon the length thereof.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein reversing means are provided for reversing the winding device when the carrier arrives at predetermined upper and lower limit positions.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the winding device is driven'by an electric-motor and wherein there are provided limit switch means, operated automaticallywhen the carrier reaches either of said predetermined upper and lower limit positions, to de-energize said electric motor and to prevent the motor from being reenergized to move the carrier beyond said limit position.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for impartin wiping movements to the upper devices comprise at least one electric motor carried by the carrier.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein there is mounted on the carrier at least one delivery pipe for cleansing liquid, having a plurality of nozzles spaced apart in the direction of its length and directed into the space between the limbs for directing said cleansing liquid against the vehicle.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the superstructure comprises the roof of a build-- 18. Apparatus for mechanically cleaning a vehicle, comprising in combination a superstructure, a carrier, suspension means by which the carrier is suspended from said superstructure and which are operable to effect vertical movement of the carrier, which carrier comprises two substantially horizontally extending limbs lying side by side and spaced apart horizontally along their entire length for the reception of the vehicle between them, at least two rotary wiper devices mounted respec tively on the two limbs and allocated to two opposed sides of the vehicle, respectively, means for rotating the wiper devices, which wiper devices are positioned on the limbs to extend, at least when rotated, laterally from the limbs into the space between them, thereby to effect on rotation wiping movements adjacent the limbs and in the space between them, and at least one tie member extending between the limbs at one pair of corresponding ends thereof, whereby when a vehicle is positioned between the limbs the wiper devices on the two limbs are, at least during rotation of the wiper devices, maintained in wiping relation with the said opposed sides of the vehicle by the tie member, and the carrier may, by operation of the suspension means as aforesaid, be moved vertically while the wiper devices are rotated in wiping relation with the vehicle.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the wiper devices are carried, respectively, on rotary shafts, which shafts are mounted, respec- 11 tively, for rotation, .on the two limbs and extend along the lengths of said limbs.

'20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein each limb is formed as a guard surrounding the shaft and the wiper device except on the side thereof adjacent the space between the limbs.

'21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein each wiper device comprises members fixed to and extending longitudinally of the shaft, to which members flexible wiper members are attached.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim '21, wherein the flexible wiper members comprise flat sheets.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein two tie members extend respectively between the two pairs of corresponding ends of the limbs.

'24. Apparatus for mechanically cleaning a vehicle, comprising in combination, a superstructure, a carrier, suspension means by which the carrier is suspended from the superstructure and which are operable to effect vertical movement of the carrier, which carrier comprises a frame having two substantially horizontally extending side limbs, lying side by side and spaced apart horizontally along their entire length for the reception of the vehicle between them, and an end limb extending between the side limbs at one pair of corresponding ends thereof, at least three wiper devices mounted respectively on the said limbs for Wiping movements relative to the limbs and allocated to three sides of the vehicle respectively,

wiper devices, which wiper devices are positioned on the limbs to extend, at least during part of their wiping movements, laterally from the limbs,

into the space bounded by them, whereby three sides of a vehicle positioned within the frame may be cleaned simultaneously by operating the suspension means to e'fiect vertical movement of the carrier while the wiper devices have wiping 'movements imparted to them as aforesaid and are in wiping relation with the said sides of the vehicle.

WILLIAM JOHN 'MORISON.

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