Patent ID: 9376092
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: B60S

Claim Text:
1. A car wash apparatus comprising: a pathway along which a vehicle travels; a support structure positioned adjacent the pathway; a support member fixedly joined with the support structure and extending from the support structure; a retractor element joined with the support member, the retractor element including a body and a cord that is extendable from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, the body including a biasing element, the cord including a first end that is moveable toward and away from the body of the retractor element; a first arm having a first end connected by a first pivot joint to at least one of the support structure and the support member and a second end opposite the first end, the first arm joined with the first end of the cord, the first arm configured to pivot relative to at least one of the support structure and the support member at the first pivot joint; a second arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second arm connected to the second end of the first arm by a second pivot joint defining a pivot axis, such that the second arm can pivot relative to the first arm at the second pivot joint about the pivot axis; an elongated spray bar including a first end, a second end and a central portion located between the first and second ends, the elongated spray bar rotatably mounted to the second end of the second arm at a location in the central portion such that the spray bar is rotatable in a horizontal plane about an axis of rotation above the pathway, the elongated spray bar including a plurality of nozzles oriented and aligned on at least a first side of the spray bar and along an axis from the first end to the second end thereof, the plurality of nozzles adapted to spray outward away from the axis to spray a liquid on a vehicle located on the pathway; a hose joined with the elongated spray bar and adapted to deliver a liquid to the plurality of nozzles; and a handle joined with the elongated spray bar adjacent the first end, wherein the handle is manually graspable by a user, wherein the handle is configured to enable a user to manually move the spray bar over the pathway, toward and away from a vehicle located on the pathway, and to rotate the spray bar about the axis of rotation to selectively spray the vehicle with the liquid, wherein the retractor assists the user in manually moving the elongated spray bar at least in a vertical direction, wherein the first arm and second arm are configured to pivot relative to one another about the pivot axis of the second pivot joint through a range of angles generally within at least one vertical plane.