GB1287004A - Method of washing cars and apparatus for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Abstract

1287004 Cleansing of vehicles KLEINDIENST & CO 14 Nov 1969 [22 Nov 1968] 55940/69 Heading B7J A method of washing cars 1 and apparatus for carrying out the method prevents damage to the surface of the car 1 during the washing process by the use of feeler elements 16 (having hinges 17 and trip cams 18) situated between washing bristles of a horizontal rotating washing brush 4, which feeler elements 16 are displaced on deformation of the washing bristles during the washing process to start the control device of a lifting motor 8, so that the brush 4 is lifted out of a position in which it may damage the car by means of tackle 6 and a cable or rope drum 7. The feeler elements 16 may also operate a second switch which starts a feed motor which causes the washing apparatus to reciprocate along the car 1. In a further construction (Fig. 6), the feeler elements 16 may be replaced by an annular stop 39. The stop or check ring 39 encloses the shaft 23 of the washing brush 4 and may be made of synthetic resin or other material which has a certain rigidity but will not damage the car upon contacting it. The brush may be free from bristles in the zone of the stop 39. The check ring 39 is pivotally suspended from a bearing 40 of a stirrup 22 and carries a cam arrangement 41 co-operating with a switch 42, which switch is operated if the brush 4 approaches the vehicle sufficiently closely to cause damage. As indicated in Fig. 1, arms 9 are provided on a portal-like chassis 2 and have a cross-rail 10 on which trolleys 11 are horizontally guided, the trolleys 11 being connected to supporting frames 12 which support vertical rotary washing brushes 13 driven by a rotary motor 14. A motor 15 can move the trolleys 11 transversely of the washing apparatus on the cross-rail 10 by means of a rope pulley 19 and tackle 20.