US3595250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic carwash apparatus
Assignee: Malsbary Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1968-04-12
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1988-04-12
Abstract
Abstract An automatic carwash apparatus of the type having a spray carriage moving around the vehicle on an oblong overhead tract. The apparatus is formed to spray cleaning liquid against the vehicle in varying ways to provide more effective cleaning action on hard-to-clean surfaces, such as the front and rear ends, the entire device acting automatically to apply a preconditioner spray as the vehicle enters, wash and then rinse the vehicle, applying wax or other finish conditioners during the rinse operation. Both the preconditioner and wash sprays are formed to vary the angle of impingement. The various functions of the apparatus operate sequentially in response to entry of the vehicle into the apparatus and in response to the position of the spray carriage relative to the vehicle. Means is provided for automatically accepting money to initiate the operational cycle so that the apparatus may be left to operate without attendants.
Inventors
- 👤 Mowatt M Hurst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A washing apparatus, comprising spray means formed for directing a spray of liquid against an object to be washed, an oblong track formed for positioning in generally encircling relation to the object to be washed, carriage means movable along said track and having said spray means mounted thereon so that said spray of liquid will traverse selected areas of the object to be washed, and control means having an operative connection to said spray means and formed for causing said spray means to increase spraying action against desired portions of said selected areas of the object to be washed; said control means including a valving system formed for varying the quantity of spray directed against said desired portions in response to the position of said spray means with respect to said object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A washing apparatus, comprising spray means formed for directing a spray of liquid against an object to be washed, an oblong track formed for positioning in generally encircling relation to the object to be washed, carriage means movable along said track and having said spray means mounted thereon so that said spray of liquid will traverse selected areas of the object to be washed, and control means having an operative connection to said spray means and formed for causing said spray means to increase spraying action against desired portions of said selected areas of the object to be washed; said control means including a valving system formed for varying the quantity of spray directed against said desired portions in response to the position of said spray means with respect to said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein said valving system is formed for actuation by movement of said carriage means past a predetermined station along said track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein said spray means is formed for directing a plurality of liquids through said spray, and a second control means is provided responsive to said relative movement of said spray means and the object to be washed for causing said spray means to direct selected liquids in a predetermined sequence against said desired areas of the object to be washed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 3 and wherein said second control means includes a second valving system adaPted for selectively connecting said spray means to separate sources of said plurality of liquids, and said second valving means is formed for actuation by movement of said carriage means along said track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein said spray means includes a plurality of sets of spray heads, and wherein said valving system is formed for supplying the liquid selectively to said sets of spray heads.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 5 and wherein each of said sets of spray heads comprises a manifold connected to said valving system, and a plurality of spray nozzles carried by and communicating with the manifold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein said spray means is formed for directing a plurality of sprays of liquid against the object to be washed in an overlapping pattern, and said control means is formed to change said pattern at said desired portions of the object to be washed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein said spray means is also formed for effecting reciprocating changing of the angle at which the spray of liquid is directed against the object to be washed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 6 and wherein means is provided on said carriage means for oscillating said spray heads about the longitudinal axes of said manifolds for effecting said reciprocating changing of the angle at which the sprays of liquid are directed against the object to be washed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein said valving system is formed for selective actuation by movement of said carriage means past predetermined stations along said track, whereby increased and decreased quantities of liquid will be sprayed selectively on desired portions of the vehicle between predetermined stations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 10 and wherein an actuating element is supported in fixed position relative to said track, and said valving system is carried on said carriage means and is formed for interception and operation by said actuating element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 11 and wherein said second valving system is supported in fixed position relative to said track, and said second actuating element is mounted on said carriage means in position for interception and actuation of said second valve means as said carriage means moves therepast.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
118 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 10 and wherein said valving system includes a rotary actuating shaft, a pair of valves connected to said spray means and operated by said shaft so that the valves are alternately actuated to open and closed positions by said shaft in such manner that one valve is open when the other is closed, opening of one of said valves being adapted to supply a larger volume of liquid to desired portions of said spray means than opening of the other valve, and a star wheel connected to said rotary actuating shaft and positioned to intercept said actuating element and be rotated a desired increment thereby as said star wheel moves therepast.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
113 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 12 and wherein said second valving system includes a second rotary actuating shaft, a plurality of cams on said second rotary actuating shaft, a plurality of cam-operated valves operatively associated with said cams and connected to said spray means, said cam-operated valves being adapted for individual connection to sources of desired liquids, and a second star wheel connected to said second rotary actuating shaft and positioned to intercept said second actuating element and be rotated a desired increment thereby as said carriage means moves past said second star wheel whereby said cam operated valves will supply desired liquids to said spray means in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
88 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein electrically powered motive means is connected to said carriage means for effecting said relative movement, and wherein moNey acceptor means is formed for providing electrical current to said motive means in response to deposit of a predetermined amount of money in said money acceptor means, and wherein a treadle is positioned to be deflected by the weight of the object to be washed in position for washing, said motive means being inactivated unless said treadle is so deflected.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 1, and wherein a preapplication spray is mounted in the path of an object entering the washing apparatus for softening and loosening dirt thereon before operation of said spray means, said preapplication spray being responsive to movement of an object into operative position relative to said track.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 16 and wherein said preapplication spray includes a control device responsive to the presence of an object for operating said preapplication spray only when an object is in position to be impinged thereby.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
A washing apparatus as described in claim 1 and wherein said control means is formed for causing said carriage means to make a washing trip around the object to be washed followed by a plurality of rinsing trips, said control means being effective to cause said motive means to drive said carriage means at a higher rate of speed during the rinsing trips than during the washing trip.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |