Abstract:
A transportable, trailer-mounted system for removing graffiti from exterior and interior surfaces is disclosed. The system includes a water supply tank, a pressure washer, provision for applying cleaning chemicals to surfaces, storage areas for cleaning chemicals, sandblasting apparatus, and painting apparatus. Also included are sources of electrical power, air compressor, painting equipment and surface preparation tools. Using the system enables the cleaning and restoration of graffiti-damaged surfaces in the minimum possible amount of time after the graffiti is applied. It is generally agreed that the prompt removal of graffiti reduces the incidence of graffiti application and that graffiti is more easily removed if removal is accomplished soon after it has been applied.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to the removal of graffiti and more specifically to an integrated portable system for the removal of graffiti in remote locations, away from convenient sources of water and electric power. In the preferred embodiment of the system the integrated system is trailer mounted for convenient transport to the site where the graffiti has been applied.  
           [0002]    While the invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for removal of graffiti, in its trailer mounted embodiment it more specifically relates to various trailer and system features that cooperate to facilitate operation to remove graffiti in remote, field conditions.  
           [0003]    The system includes provision for pressure washing, sandblasting, repainting and other steps in the restoration of large graffiti defaced objects such as buildings and monuments.  
           [0004]    Examples of mobile pressure cleaning units are shown in Shaffer U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,213,796 and 4,821,958 which are truck mounted cleaning units which provide only high pressure cleaning and rinsing operations. Similarly Stasz U.S. Pat. No. 3,380,658 is also a truck mounted power washing apparatus while Elmore U.S. Pat. No. 3,140,050 is apparently a cart mounted apparatus for cleaning barns and stables.  
           [0005]    None of the existing systems are integrated portable systems suitable for the complete graffiti removal and surface restoration of large surfaces under remote, field conditions.  
           [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an integrated portable graffiti removal and surface restoration system for treating surfaces under remote field conditions.  
           [0007]    The object above may be attained in a trailer mounted system for graffiti removal and surface restoration where the system comprises a trailer frame,  
           [0008]    a fluid storage tank mounted on the trailer frame and  
           [0009]    a plurality of cabinets mounted on the trailer frame, where certain of the cabinets are constructed and arranged for mounting graffiti removal and surface restoration equipment and others of the cabinets are adapted for transporting and powering portable graffiti removal and surface restoration equipment. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of an integrated portable graffiti removal system in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the system of FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is front elevation view of the graffiti removal system of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the graffiti removal system of FIG. 1 with the cabinet doors shown fully opened; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a hybrid schematic and pictorial representation of the fluid transfer system used in the integrated portable graffiti removal system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    The various aspects of the present invention are all related to improvements in integrated portable graffiti removal systems, a preferred embodiment of which is shown as  10  of FIG. 1. The graffiti removal system  10  comprises an integrated portable system for the restoration of graffiti defaced surfaces.  
         [0016]    In order to accomplish the desired graffiti restoration process, the system shown in FIGS.  1 - 5  includes a specially designed trailer frame  12 , which in the preferred embodiment may have a length of approximately  16  feet. Frame  12  comprises a rectangular base frame having exterior longitudinal frame members  14  and  16 , portions of which may best be seen in the top plan view in FIG. 2. The rectangular frame  12  is completed by a front transverse member  18  and a rear transverse member  20 . All of the members of the frame in the preferred embodiment are box frame rather than material having a c-shaped cross section. As can be seen, the rear transverse member  20  is substantially wider than the remainder of frame  12 . As shown in FIG. 4, the elongated rear transverse box beam member  20  extends to the full width of the trailer frame  12  and wheels  22  and  24  which are mounted on axle  25  which is in turn mounted on frame  12 . Axle  25  may be a 5200 pound axle with electric break away brakes.  
         [0017]    Wheels  22  and  24  are protected by fenders  26  and  28  which are securely attached to longitudinal frame members  14  and  16  respectively using fender support brackets  29 .  
         [0018]    In order to substantially increase the strength of the trailer frame  12  the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated herein also has additional longitudinal frame members  30  and  32  as shown in FIG. 2 which are spaced apart from each other substantially equidistantly.  
         [0019]    The front of the frame  12  has a tongue assembly  34  attached to it which is made up of tongue members  36  and  38  which are each connected at one end to front transverse member  18  and at the other ends to a pintle receiving member  40 . The trailer  12  is attached to the hitch of a tractor vehicle such as a pickup truck utility vehicle or even a tractor according to the preferences and convenience of the user.  
         [0020]    In order to strengthen the trailer  10  a bracing means such as lateral bracing beams  42  and  44   
         [0021]    are welded into the tongue assembly  34  between front transverse member  18  and tongue members  36  and  38 . Such a bracing means is far stronger than the gussets which are conventionally welded into the junction between tongue members  36  and  38  and transverse frame member  18 .  
         [0022]    In order to provide the operator of the system  10  with a convenient place to stand, running boards  46  and  48  are provided at the rear of trailer  10 . The running boards are supported by the extended portions of the elongated rear transverse box beam member  20  and extend to fenders  26  and  28  respectively. The surface of the running board is non-slip mesh grille and the remainder of the perimeter is supported by box beam segments  50  and  52 .  
         [0023]    The trailer system  10  has a 150 gallon fluid storage tank  54  mounted with its axis aligned with and positioned generally above axle  25 . When used to drive a cold water high pressure washer the tank of water will last approximately one hour when operated at pressures of 2500 to 3000 psi. Tank  54  may be insulated for operation in cold environments. It may also have a tank electric heater to provide hot water at 95 degrees centigrade for a hot water high pressure washer. Additional insulation can also be provided by covering tank  54  with a protective tarpaulin (not shown). Tank  54  has a cap  55  which can be unscrewed to provide access to tank  54  to facilitate filling and cleaning it. The opening is sufficiently large to allow tank  54  to be filled from a fire hydrant or a conventional {fraction (5/8)} inch or {fraction (3/4)} inch water line or hose. The tank also preferably includes a low water level shutoff (not shown) which protects the power washers from damage as the fluid in tank  54  runs low.  
         [0024]    A {fraction (5/8)} inch hose  56 ′ has one end connected to receive fluid from tank  54  and has the other end connected to a valve  55 ″ to a fitting mounted on rear cabinet  58  which can optionally be connected to a further hose to directly conduct water from tank  54  for drainage purposes.  
         [0025]    A forward cabinet  56  and a rear cabinet  58  are used for both the mounting of graffiti removal and surface restoration equipment and the storage and protection of portable graffiti removal and surface restoration equipment and chemicals. A pair or rear doors  63  are hinged at the rear of the cabinet  58  to swing away and completely open cabinet  58  for access. A pair of support hand holds  65  are provided for the operator to grasp when climbing onto running boards  46  when the trailer system is stopped and in position for graffiti removal operations.  
         [0026]    A spare tire  60  mounts on the front wall of the rear cabinet  58 .  
         [0027]    A further high pressure hose  59 , having a 2″ diameter in the embodiment illustrated is connected at one end to tank  54  and at the other end to a y-fitting  59 ′. A filter  57  is provided for filtering particulate contaminants from water passing through conduit or hose  59  to or from tank  54 . From one branch of t-fitting  59 ′ a length of hose  61  is routed along the front wall of cabinet  58 . A further length of hose  61 ′ is routed through the front wall of cabinet  58  and connected to the fluid input port of pressure washer  64 . A length of hose  66  is routed along the rear wall of cabinet  56  to a valve  68  and connector fitting  70  which provides an alternative fill port to fill tank  54  or to provide a direct water line connection front a source of water connected to fitting  70  to a pressure washer  64 . Either a hot or cold pressure washer can be used in the system. Of course if a high temperature washer is to be used, provision must be made for heating the water in tank  54 . As seen in FIG. 5 Pressure washer  64  provides high pressure water to a washer hose  71  which supplies water to a trigger controlled valve  72  to control the flow of fluid to pressure cleaning wand  73  which can be extended up to 24 feet.  
         [0028]    In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, a valve  74  or selectably connectable fittings allows connection of a supply tube  75  to a source  76  of cleaning chemicals such as detergents so that cleaning chemicals may be added to the water from the pressure washer  64 . Although it is believed preferable to add chemicals to the pressure washer  64  output, it is to be understood that such additives may be incorporated in the tank  54  or the supply line  61 , also.  
         [0029]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the interior of rear cabinet  58  is shown with various parts of the graffiti removal system in their usual positions for transport and use. A 100 foot hose reel  78  is mounted on an arm  80  which is adapted for pivotal movement in bearing support bracket  82  which is mounted on the wall of cabinet  58 . When the system has been transported to a work site, arm  80  is pivoted to move reel  78  adjacent the open door of the cabinet so that high pressure hose  84  is readily accessible for connecting the fluid supply tank  54  to the portable pressure washer  64 . In order to facilitate the removal of portable pressure washer  64  from cabinet  58 , door center post or door jam  86  is removable from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in phantom outline.  
         [0030]    Also shown in FIG. 4 are two work trays  88  and  90  of cleaning chemicals in spray containers for ready application. I have found that in order to address a broad range of graffiti problems that trays  88  and  90  are best loaded with eight bottles of fluids. Optimally there should be at least one spray bottle of mineral spirits, one of plain water, one of a liquid soap, one bottle of remover “one”, one bottle of remover “two” and three bottles of remover “three”. Suitable chemicals may be obtained from Trion Tensid AB, Uppsala, Sweden and they are distributed in the United States by Graffiti Solutions, Inc., 2580 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood Minn. 55109.  
         [0031]    A glove holder  92  mounted on the wall of cabinet  58  has a pair of projecting fingers for supporting work gloves  94 .  
         [0032]    Front cabinet  56  has three doors  96 ,  98 , and  100  to protect three separate storage compartments. In the compartment protected by door  96  are stored an airless paint sprayer  102  and its hose  104  is coiled on a bracket  106  mounted on the side wall of cabinet  56 . Sprayer  102  may be used with a cup paint gun  108  or with one of the power rollers  110  which can be connected to sprayer  102  using pole extender  112 .  
         [0033]    Fire extinguishers  114  are mounted on door  96  and within cabinet  56 . In compartment  115  there is a Blast Mo blaster with two pressure tanks. Compartment  116  has a number of specialized fittings for sprayer  102 . Compartment  118  may store a plurality of pressure spray cans.  
         [0034]    A generator  120  for providing electric power to the airless paint sprayer  102 , the lights and other electrically powered apparatus is in the upper right hand compartment protected by door  98 . The lower compartment has an air compressor  122 .  
         [0035]    A storage battery  62 , used to operate the electrically actuated trailer brakes (not shown), is mounted on the inside face of the box beam of tongue member  36  to minimize the possibility of some object striking battery  62  as trailer  10  is transported or the system is in use. A jack  124  supports the tongue assembly  38  when the hitch is detached from a towing vehicle.  
         [0036]    Other modifications and variations of the system shown as the preferred embodiment may be made without departing from the present invention which is limited only by the claims stated below.