US3011501A - Self-service auto wash - Google Patents

Description

Dec 5, 1961 R. B. BERANEK SELF-SERVICE AUTO WASH 5 Shee'bs-Sheecl 1 Filed Aug. 28, 1958 ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1961 R. B. BERANEK SELF-SERVICE AUTO WASH 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 28, 1958 WH TEE INVENTOR fado/p/I 56m/rel:

ATTORNEYS Dem 5, 1961 R. B. BERANEK SELF-SERVICE AUTO wAsH 3 Sheets-Sheefl 3 Filed Aug. 28, 1958 INVENTOR IZ dolph B. era )1e/ BY MCQQ i A oRNEyg fet This invention is a novel self-serve mechanical auto wash operated by pushbutton control or by automation, the same including a turntable upon which a car to be washed may be disposed, and includingdevices for spraying globules or jets of cleaning uid, solvent, or waterk against the side of the'automobile while the same is in I process of rotation, to thoroughly cleanse and rinse the car kbeing washed, means being provided for first applying a soap solution tothe spraying device, then a solvent, and -nally rising water, all controlled by pushbuttons,

or by automation, means being also provided for reciprocating the spraying means towards or from the car on the turntable during rotation thereof so that the ,spraying device is always disposed during rotation of the turntable about the same distance from the side or end portion of the car being washed. v

Some objects of the invention are to provide a novel auto wash of the above type having low initial cost with respect to construction; also an auto wash having low operational cost by virtue of the pushbutton control which may be actuated by automation. y

Another object of the invention is Vto provide an auto wash of the above type wherein the auto may be driven by the owner or attendant into washing position on the rotary turntabie and the auto brakes then set, the owner or attendant remainingin the auto during the entire washing operation or leaving the same during washing and re-entering' after washing to drive the lvehicle olf the rotary turntable.

Another object of the invention is to provide an auto wash of the above type in which the attendant first closes a means which actuates suitable electronic control mechanism into a series of tive cycles, causing the rotary turntable to revolve in clockwise or counterclockwise directions for 20 revolutions, simultaneously actuating an air blast unit which reciprocatesin conjunction with and towards and from the rotary turntable to spray, wash, rinse, and air-dry the vehicle on the turntable incontinuous conjunctive cycles. According to'my invention, the first cycle is a rough spray wash in'which the turntable will make two revolutions-in a clockwise direction, followed by a water rinse for two revolutions in a clockwise direction. The second cycle is a rough spray wash while the rotary turntable revolves in a counterclockwise direction, followed by a water rinse for tworevolutions in said counterclockwise direction. The third cycle applies a finish spray wash while the turntable revolves for two revolutions in a counterclockwise direction, followed `by a water rinse while the rotary turntablerevolves for two revolutions in a counterclockwise direction. The fourth cycle repeats the last-mentionedoperations while the rotary table is revolving in a clockwise direction. The fifth cycle forces dry airinto the vehicle while the turntable revolves four revolutions in a clockwise direction. v

A further object of the invention is vto provide an auto wash which will take approximately one minute of time while making 2O revolutions of the rotary table in the tive above-mentioned washing, rinsing and drying cycles. However, the time for washing can be readjusted for shorter or longerwashing periods, 'if desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an auto wash of the above type in which the rough spray wash consists of a granular soap and/or detergent and 3,011,501 Patented Dec. 5, 1961 Aicc knon-streaking solvent, and the final spray consists of forced dry air.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one practical embodiznent thereof, yto permit others familiar with the a'rt to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims, the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings: n

FIGURE 1 is .a side elevation, par-tly in section, .showing my self-serve mechanical auto wash.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation thereof.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the turntable, its driving mechanism, and the slide for supporting the spray unit, and showing the turntable in position wherein its longitudinalaxis coincides with the longitudinal axis of the spray unit. p K .Y g

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the parts partly in section, the longitudinal axis of the turntablebeing disposed substantially normal to the axis of the spray unit. K

FIG. 5 is a detail section showing the means for oper-y ating the slide for the spray unit fromA the turntable.

FIG. 6 is aside view of the slide which supports the Lspray unit, detached.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the slide shown in PIG. 6 dispos-ed in its guides. Y

FIG. 8 is ,an end view of the slide, detached. FIG. 9 is an'end view of the guide, detached. FIG. 10 is a side elevation-of the guide, detached FIG. 1l isa horizontal section through the spray unit.

FIG. 12 isan enlarged elevation of the air diffuser.

FIG. 13` is a vertical section through the diiuser shown f in FIG. 12. .v

FIG.v 14 is a view showing the automation controls. As shown in the drawings, my self-serve mechanical auto wash, having pushbutton control,'cornprises` a shaftsnpporting housing 1 preferably of cylindrical shape mounted in a hole H inthe ground G or floor surface F,

the housing 1 being closed at its lower end by a cap 2.

In housing 1 is a vertical shaft 3 journaled at its lower end in bearings 4, and at its upper` end in bearings.5

fixed in housing 1, said'bearsings being of any desired type. The shaft 3 projects somewhat above the ground G or lfloor level F and carries a thrustbearing 6, the

lower member of thrustbearing 6 resting upon the ground G or iloor surface F,l and the upper member being disposed thereabove, rollers 7 or the like being disposed therebetween so as to offset the tendency of the shaft 3 to lean or deflect from its normal vertical position.

On shaft 3 above the thrust bearing 6 is a sprocket 8 whichis engaged by a chain 9 or the like running around sprocket 8 and around a drive sprocket 10 on a vertical drive shaft 11 disposed to one side of shaft 3, drive shaft 11 being driven by a variable speed .electric motor 12 through a clutch 13, suchas a mercury'clutch, which drives speed-reducing mechanism 14 from whichthe shaft 11 extends, whereby as motor 12 is operatedthe drive sprocket 8 on shaft 3 will be correspondingly rotated but at a slower speed. On shaft 11 is a brake drum 15 which cooperates with an electro-braking unit 1'6 operated by automation.

:On main shaft 3 and above sprocket 8 is a plate 17 of general rectangular shape having rounded corners as y shown inv FIGS. 3 and 4, and having a depending pei 19 which are preferably channels spaced apartl at opposite sides of plate 17 a distance to receive the wheels W of the automobile or other Vehicle which is to be washed when the automobile or other vehicle is driven onto the turntable 17 with the wheels W at each side thereof resting in the tracks or channels 19, as shown in FIGS. l and 2, the vehicle being indicated by the reference character V, and the same being of any desired type.

If desired, two channel iron ground supports 20 may be provided to support the thrust bearing 6 either at the ground level G, or if desired, the ground supports 20 may be flush with the upper surface F of a substantially four inch base of concrete 21 at the under side of the turntable.

Disposed radially of the shaft 1 mounted upon the concrete 21 or ground level G is a base guide 22 having a longitudinal recess 23 in its upper face provided with opposed lips 24 to form a guide for a reciprocating carriage 25 which is disposed at a level slightly below the peripheral flange 18 of turntable plate 17, the outer end of carriage 25 carrying casters 26 and 27, as shown more particularly in FIG. 5, which engage the inner and outer faces of the track flange 18 so that as the turntable is rotated the carriage 25 will be reciprocated in the guides .Z3-24, for the purpose hereinafter explained.

As shown in FIG. 2, upon the carriage 25 is an air blast unit 28 comprising a casing having an air inlet, the sa-me being xedly mounted upon carriage 25, and said casing 28 housing a fan 29 operated by a motor 30 which is of variable speed.

The end of casing 28 adjacent the turntable has its top and bottom walls 31- -32 diverging, as shown in PIG. 2, while its side walls 33-34 converge, as shown in FIG. 1l, the same terminating in a substantially vertically disposed casing portion 35 which houses the lower end 36 of a exible tube 37 connected with a liquid supply, the portion 36 within the casing portion 35 being provided With spray nozzles 38 which diverge as shown in FIG. ll so that the fluid which is emitted from said nozzles is directed angularly towards the sides of casing portion 35.

Between the end of yair blast casing 28 and the portion 31, 32, 33, 34 is an air diffuser 39, shown more particularly in FIGS. l2 and 13 having vanes which cause the air from the fan 29 to be thrown towards the sides, top and bottom of the casing portion 31-34 inclusive, so as to lill all portions thereof and to blow the fluid emitted from the nozzles 38 out through the outer face of the casing portion 35 oppositethe turntable, the jets being directed directly onto the automobile or other vehicle positioned on the turntable. Any vdesired type of air diffuser 39 may be used;

The outer face of portion 35 adjacent the turntable is provided with a honeycomb diffuser 40 of any desired type adapted to form an effective spray for the fluid carried by the jets of air emanating from the air blast unit 28 directly on to the vehicle on the turntable. The particular type of honeycomb diffuser `40 forms no part of my present invention, as obviously various types may be used which will cause the fluid-laden jets of air from the air blast unit 28 to be directed throughout a substantially narrow area and of a height embracing the topiand bottom of the vehicle on the turntable directly at all times upon the vehicle on the turntable.

At a higher elevation than the turntable is a 3-section liquid supply tank 41 mounted upon a suitable support, one section 41a containing a soap solution, the intermediate section 41b carrying a solvent solution, and the remaining section 41C containing water, the fresh Water being supplied through a pipe 42. Each of the sections 41a, 41b, and 41C is connection to a pipe 43 which is Vconnccted through a pressure pump 44, driven by a motor 45, for discharging the solution from the compartments 41a, 41b, and 41C directly into pipe 37 which discharges into the portion 35 of the air blast unit 28, suitable valves (not shown) being provided whereby the fluid from any of the compartments 41a, 41h, and 41e may be forcibly discharged into the casing portion 35 in regulated sequence utilizing either a pushbutton or automation control.

The automation control is shown in FIG. 14 and consists of a master control box 46, and an auxiliary control box 47 which may be controlled in any desired manner, the auxiliary control box coordinating with the timing and energizing the sequency of operation to open and close each of the valves of the liquid supply tank 41. For instance with respect to the auxiliary control box 47 the control a when actuated operates the variable speed reversible motor 12 of the rotary turntable; and the pushbutton b operates the electro brake unit 15-16 of the rotary turntable; pushbutton c operates the variable speed motor 3i) of the air blast unit in casing 28; pushbutton d operates the pressure pump 44 of the liquid supply tank 41; pushbutton e operates the automatic valve of the soap compartment 41a of tank 41; pushbutton f operates the automatic valve of the solvent compartment 41h; pushbutton g operates the automatic valve of the fresh water compartment 41C; and pushbutton h operates the automatic iloat valve of the supply tank 41.

In operation The vehicle to be washed is driven by the owner or attendant into washing position onto the tracks 19 of the rotary turntable 17, and the vehicles brakes locked. The owner or attendant may remain in the vehicle during the entire washing operation, or may leave the same and re-enter it after the vehicle has been washed in order to drive the vehicle oit the turntable.

When the vehicle V is positioned ,upon the turntable 17 the attendant closes the means which actuates an automation control mechanism in a series of tive cycles, during which the rotary turntable revolves clockwise or anti-clockwise for 20 revolutions while simultaneously the air blast unit 28 reciprocates towards and from the turntable to spray, wash, rinse and air-dry the vehicle on the turntable in continuous conjunctive cycles as follows: During the first portion of the cycle the iiuid from the soap compartment 41a is directed through pipe 37 into the casing portion 35 during which time the turntable will make two revolutions in a clockwise direction, followed by two revolutions in a clockwise direction dur ing which latter time the solvent from compartment 41k is sprayed upon the vehicle on the turntable. During the second portion of the cycle the same procedure is followed except that the rotary turntable revolves in a counterclockwise direction. During the third portion of the cycle the turntable revolves throughout two revolutions in a counterclockwise direction, during which time tluid from the solvent compartment 41b is sprayed on to the vehicle on the turntable, this being followed by j two revolutions of the rotary turntable in a counterclockwise direction during which time water from compartment 41C is sprayed upon the vehicle on the turntable. During the fourth portion of the cycle the procedure is the same as referred to in above third portion, except that the rotary turntable revolves in a clockwise direction. And during the fth portion of the cycle dry air is impinged upon the vehicle on the turntable through four revolutions of the turntable in a clockwise direction.

The above provides an anto wash involving 2O revolutions of the turntable throughout 5 sequential steps of Washing, rinsing and drying the vehicle on the turntable. Obviously, the time of operation of each step in the cycle can be adjusted, such as for shorter or longer wash periods, if necessary.

The rough spray wash consists of a `granular soap and/ or detergent and water. The finish spray wash consists of a cleaning solvent, while the rinsing spray consists of fresh water and a non-streaking solvent.

My invention is an improvement over prior methods since it involves a lower initial cost of building and installation, and a lower operational cost by utilizing a pushbutton control or automation.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the dra-wings for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim: l

1. I-n an auto wash, a turntable on which anrauto may be disposed, means for rotating the turntable; a fixed guide disposed radially of the axis of rotation of the turntable and positioned laterally thereof; a carriage reciprocably mounted in said guide; said turntable having an endless non-circular track with its longitudinal axis disposed substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the auto; means on the carriage engaging said track whereby as the turntable is rotated the carriage will be shifted toward or from the turn-table; fluid spray means mounted on said carriage whereby the same wil-l be maintained at a substantially constant distance from the adjacent position of the auto during rotation of thelatter with the turntable; said fluid spray means comprising a casing having an air inlet; an air fan Within said casing for directing air towards said auto on the turntable; means for rotating said fan; and said casing terminating in a substantially vertically disposed honeycomb adjacent the turntable embracing the top and bottom of the auto.

2. In Aan auto wash las set forth in claim 1, an air diffuser within said casing for directing the air from the fan against the top, bottom of sides of the casing prior to emission through said honeycomb portion.

3. In an auto wash, la turntable on which an auto may be disposed, means for rotating the turntable in either directionga lixed guide disposed radially of the axis of rotation of the turntable and positioned laterally thereof; a carriage reciprocably mounted in said guide; said turntable having an endless non-circular track with its longitudinal axis disposed substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the auto; means on the carriage engaging said track whereby as the turntable is rotated in either direction the cam'age will be shifted toward or from the turntable; fluid spray means mounted on said carriage whereby the same will be maintained at a substantially constant distance from the adjacent position of the auto during rotation of the latter with the turntable; said lluid spray means comprising -a casing having an air inlet; an air fan within said casing for directing air towards ysaid auto on the turntable; means for rotating said fan; said casing terminating in a narrow substantially vertically disposed honeycomb adjacent the turntable having a height embracing the top and bottom of the auto.

4. In an auto Wash, a turntable on which an auto may be disposed, means for rotating the turntable; a iixed guide disposed radially of theaxis of rotation of the turntable and positioned laterally thereof; `a carriage reciprocably mounted in said guide; said turntable having an endless non-circular track with its longitudinal axis disposed substantia-lly coaxial with the longitudinal axis o f the auto; means on the carriage engaging saidL track whereby as the turntable is rotated the carriage will be shifted toward or from the turntable; and lluid spray means mounted on said' carriage whereby the same will be maintained at a substantially constant distance from the adjacent position of the auto during rotation olf the latter with the turntable; -said lluid spray means comprising a casing having an air inlet; an air fan within said casing for directing air towards said -auto on the turntable; means for rotating said fan; said casing terminating in a substantially vertically disposed honeycomb adjacent the turntable embracing the top and bottom of the auto; la liquid supp-ly tank having a flexible pipe therefrom extending into the casing between the fan and honeycomb portion, and said pipe having means for emitting divergent jets of liquid therefrom into the casing to be taken up by the `air jets emanating from the fan.

5. In an auto wash as set forth in claim 4, said liquid supply tank having sections, one adapted to contain a rough spray soap solution; another adapted to ntain a solvent solution; still another adapted to contain fresh water solution; and means for connecting said sections respectively with said llexible pipe.

6. In an auto wash, a turntable on which an auto may be disposed, means for rotating the turntable in either direction; a xed guide disposed radially of the axis of rotation of the turntable and positioned laterally thereof; a carriage reciprocably mounted in said guide; said turntable having an endless non-circular track with its longitudinal axis disposed substantially coaxial wi-th the longitudinal axis of the auto; means on the' carriage engaging said track whereby as the turntable is rotated in either direction the carriage will be shifted toward or from the turntable; and fluid spray means mounted on said carriage whereby the same will be maintained at a substantially constant distance from the adjacent position of the auto during rotation of the latter with the turntable; said iluid spray means comprising a casing having an air inlet; an air fan within said casing for directing n air towards said auto on the turntable; means for rotating said fan; said casing terminating in a narrow substantiallyV vertically disposed honeycomb adjacent the turntable having a`height embracing the top and bottom of the auto; a liquid supply tank disposed above said casing having a flexible pipe therefrom extending into the casing between the fan and honeycomb portion, and said pipe having means for emitting divergent jets of liquid therefrom into the casing to be taken up by the air jets emanating from the fan.

References Cited Vin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 646,266 Diescher Mar. 27, 1900 1,628,317 Hoevel M'ay 10, 1927 2,558,628 Redin June 26, 1951

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