Abstract:
A mobile undercarriage cleaner design for (but not limited to) use on tractor trailers, buses, dump trucks and other such medium to heavy duty trucks and equipment is disclosed. The apparatus provides a frame to which is attached rotary flow lines that track circles of differing diameters. In one embodiment, one of the rotary flow lines is an upper rotary flow line that carries opposed cleaning nozzles, a lower flow line being a rotary flow line that rotates the first rotating flow line in a circular path. In another embodiment, rotating flow lines have nozzles at differing distances from a center of rotation by providing flow lines of differing lengths. The apparatus is intended for heavy duty, high pressure high temperature environments such as for use by commercial transportation fleets that require the removal of grease, oil, fuel, dirt, mud, salt or other like contaminants.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/871,603, filed 22 Dec. 2006 and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/758,003, filed 10 Jan. 2006, both incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable  
       REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0003]     Not applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The present invention relates to an apparatus for the washing of an undercarriage of a commercial use vehicle such as a truck. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved apparatus for washing the undercarriage of a truck or other like commercial use vehicle wherein a frame has rotating flow line arms, each equipped with a cleaning nozzle at an arm free end. Some arms are longer and some shorter so that the nozzles track different diameter concentric circles in one embodiment. In another embodiment, an upper rotating arm is mounted to an end portion of a lower rotating arm. A handle can be provided for placing the device under or removing the device from beneath a vehicle to be cleaned.  
         [0006]     2. General Background of the Invention  
         [0007]     Certain commercial vehicles are subjected to duty that dirties them with oil, fuel, dirt, mud, salt and other contaminates. Vehicles of this type can include for example tractor trailers, buses, dump trucks and other medium to heavy duty trucks and equipment.  
         [0008]     The following possibly relevant patent documents are incorporated herein by reference. The following order of listing these references has no significance. U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,580,726; 4,984,746; Des. 321,574; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,707,014; 5,908,163; 5,653,392; Des. 394,921; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,820,037; 6,131,831; 6,247,658; 2005/0205116.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,247,658, 5,707,014, 4,984,746 and 2005/0205116 relate to portable undercarriage cleaners for vehicles.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,908,163, 5,653,392, Des. 394,921 and Des. 321,574 relate to portable undercarriage washers for vehicles that are connected to a hose and that can be rolled under vehicles.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,580,726, 6,131,831 and 5,820,037 relate to undercarriage washers that have a reservoir for holding detergent that is sprayed under the vehicle to clean it.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention provides a mobile undercarriage cleaner apparatus that is designed for (but not limited to) use on commercial grade vehicles. The apparatus of the present invention is specially configured to remove grease, oil, fuel, dirt, mud, salt and other contaminates from vehicles such as medium to heavy duty trucks and like equipment. Multiple embodiments are disclosed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a partial elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a fragmentary side view of the alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a partial plan view of the alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     Vehicle undercarriage washer  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The apparatus  10  includes a frame  11  (e.g. welded steel or aluminum) that includes a generally triangularly shaped section as shown in  FIG. 4 . The frame  11  is preferably wheeled, providing a pair of rear wheels  12 ,  13  that can be fixed with respect to frame  11 , and a foot  14  that is not steerable. A single foot  14  can alternatively be a rotating caster or other steerable wheel.  
         [0024]     Handle  15  attaches to the rear  17  of frame  11  using for example a pivotal connection  16 . By optionally placing the foot  14  or a caster or other steerable wheel at the front  18  portion of frame  11  and opposite rear wheels  12 ,  13  and handle  15 , the apparatus  10  of the present invention can easily be moved under or withdrawn from a position under a vehicle to be cleaned.  
         [0025]     The frame  11  also includes sides  19 ,  20  that extend forwardly from rear  17  and that meet at front section  18 . Thus, each of the vertices of the triangular shape of frame  11  carries a wheel  12 ,  13 , or a foot  14  (or optionally a wheel).  
         [0026]     A transverse beam  21  is provided on frame  11 , positioned about midway in between front section  18  and rear section  17  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The transverse beam  21  supports a lower rotating flow line  28 . The lower rotating flow line  28  can be attached to beam  21  using a lower rotary connection  26  and tee fitting  27  as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0027]     Lower rotary flow line  28  carries elbow fitting  29  at one end portion and an elbow fitting  30  at the other end portion. The elbow  30  has an upper rotary connection  31  and a tee fitting  32  for supporting an upper rotary flow line  33 . Nozzles  34  are provided at end portions of flow line  33 , each nozzle  34  being attached to the flow line  33  with an elbow fitting  35 . Similarly, a nozzle  34  can be attached to elbow fitting  29  as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0028]     During use, a hose or other flow line  23  carries cleaning fluid such as water or a mixture of water and a cleaning agent to the rotary flow lines  28 ,  33 . Hose  23  provides an influent fitting  24 . Hose  23  can be provided with a valve  25  downstream of the influent fitting  24 . When the valve  25  is opened, pressurized fluid (for example, supplied with a pressure washer or like device or system) flows through inlet fitting  24  and valve  25  to rotary connection  26 . Rotary connection  26  provides an inlet fitting  38  to which flow line  23  can attach using a threaded or clamped connection, for example. Water is thus supplied via the rotary connection  26  to the first rotating flow line  28 . Water or a water/cleaning fluid mix then travels to elbow fitting  29  and nozzle  34  and via elbow fitting  30  to second rotary connection  31  and tee fitting  32 . The tee fitting  32  then conveys pressurized fluid via rotating flow line  33  to elbow fittings  35  and nozzles  34 .  
         [0029]     The nozzles  34  are angled so that they rotate the rotary flow line  28  in the direction of arrow  37  and the flow line  33  in the direction of arrow  36  in  FIG. 1 . Thus, the nozzles  34  can be angled about twenty degrees with respect to a plane defined by the rotation of second rotary flow line  33 . Arrows  37  in  FIG. 1  illustrate a rotation of the rotary flow line  28 . The rotary flow line  28  rotates so that rotary connection  31  also rotates in a circular path about the first rotary connection  26 .  
         [0030]     A peripheral guard  22  can be provided that extends in a generally circular path, being attached to frame  11  at attachments  38 ,  39 ,  40 .  
         [0031]      FIGS. 6-9  show an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated by the numeral  41  in  FIGS. 6-7 . Vehicle undercarriage washer  41  provides a frame  42  (e.g. welded steel or welded aluminum) having a rear section  48  that can be fitted with wheels  43 ,  44 . A forward foot or caster  45  can be affixed to a front section  49  of frame  42 . The frame  42  can be generally triangularly shaped with wheels  43 ,  44 , foot  45  attached to frame  42  at vertices of the generally triangular shape as shown in  FIGS. 6-7 .  
         [0032]     A handle  46  can be attached to frame  42  using a pivotal connection  47  for example. Frame  42  can include generally triangular section  56  and rear transverse member or beam  62  and central transverse member or beam  52 . Rear transverse member or beam  62  can be fitted with axles  55  as shown. Each axle  55  can support a wheel  43  or  44 .  
         [0033]     A peripheral guard  53  extends around the rotating flow line assembly  58  as shown in  FIGS. 6-7 . Guard  53  can be attached to frame  42  using a plurality of guard supports  54 ,  63 . The guard supports can include a pair of lateral guard supports  54  and one or more forward guard supports  63 . One or more brackets  57  can form a pivotal connection between handle  46  and frame  42  rear transverse beam or member  62 . Handle  46  can be bolted to bracket(s)  57 . Brackets  57  can be attached to rear transverse beam or member  62  using welding for example.  
         [0034]     Rotating flow line assembly  58  can be attached to frame  42  at central transverse beam member  52  using a rotary flow conveying swivel  59  that enables fluid to be pumped to hub  64  and the rotating flow line arms  60 ,  61  and nozzles  34 . Such rotating fluid conveying swivels  59  are commercially available.  
         [0035]     Rotating assembly  58  include multiple nozzles positioned on the rotating assembly  58  wherein at least some of the nozzles  34  track circles of differing diameters. Flow line arms  60 ,  61  are provided that are of different lengths (see arrows  65 ,  66  in  FIG. 9 ). Flow line arms  60  are longer than flow line arms  61  (see  FIGS. 6 and 8 - 9  ). Each flow line arm  60 ,  61  can be provided with an elbow fitting  35  and a nozzle  36  as shown in the preferred embodiment (see  FIG. 5 ). The nozzles  36  mounted at the free end of arms  60  will track a larger diameter circle. The nozzles  36  mounted at the free end of arms  61  will track a smaller diameter circle.  
         [0036]     The washers of the present invention can operate at typical pressures of 1000-4000 psi (70.31 kgf/cm 2 -281.2 kgf/cm 2 ) (input pressure from a pressure washer—this usually results in a pressure at the nozzles of around 250 psi-2200 psi (17.58 kgf/cm 2 -154.7 kgf/cm 2 )), though usually the input operating pressure will be around 1200-3000 psi (84.37 kgf/cm 2 -210.9 kgf/cm 2 ). The nozzles used in these washers can withstand such pressures without damage to the nozzles. The washers of the present invention can operate at typical temperatures of up to 250 degrees F. (121 degrees C.).  
         [0037]     In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , preferably a #2502 nozzle (#2 size hole with a 25 degree angle of spray) is used on the lower arm  28  and a #003 nozzle (#3 size hole, 0 degree angle of spray) is used for each of the two upper nozzles  34 . The pitch on all three nozzles is preferably around 11 degrees (believed to be optimal for rotating of the nozzle assemblies). These nozzles  34  are preferably ¼″ (0.635 cm) nozzles with a stainless steel housing with ceramic insert made by St. Gobain of Italy.  
         [0038]     The swivels  26 ,  31  are preferably all stainless steel, sealed, and self-lubricating (and can be purchased from MOSMATIC Corporation, BRISTOL, Wis. 53104-0400 USA, www.mosmatic.com—www.mosmatic.com is incorporated herein by reference). The rotating assemblies  58  are preferably made of stainless steel and made by MOSMATIC. The handle and frame of the unit can be made of powder coated carbon steel, for example, and the guard  22 ,  53  is preferably made of plastic (such as ½″ (1.27 cm) tubing made of ABS plastic).  
         [0039]     In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , preferably two #2502 full stainless steel ⅛″ (0.318 cm) nozzles  34  are used on the long arms  60 , and are pitched at around 11 degrees and two #4002 (#2 size hole with a 40 degree angle of spray) full stainless steel ⅛″ (0.318 cm) nozzles (vertical—no pitch) are used on the short arms  61 . The swivels and nozzles can be manufactured by Mosmatic.  
         [0040]     The swivel  59  is preferably all stainless steel, sealed, and self-lubricating (and can be purchased from MOSMATIC Corporation, BRISTOL, Wis. 53104-0400 USA, www.mosmatic.com—www.mosmatic.com is incorporated herein by reference). The rotating assemblies (e.g.  58 ) are preferably made of stainless steel and made by MOSMATIC. The handle  46  and frame  42  of the unit  41  can be made of powder coated carbon steel, for example, and the guard  53  is preferably made of plastic (such as UHMW plastic ¼″ (0.635 cm) by 2 inch (5.08 cm) wide stripping).  
         [0041]     The present invention as shown in  FIGS. 1-5  is commercially available at www.nolimitindustries.com and is sold under the trademark Bottom Feeder™. The present invention as shown in  FIGS. 6-9  will soon be commercially available at www.nolimitindustries.com and will be sold under the trademark Mud Cat™. The commercial embodiments shown at www.nolimitindustries.com as of the date of filing of this patent application are incorporated herein by reference. Also incorporated herein by reference are the videos on that website which show operation of these washers.  
         [0042]     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention.  
                                         PARTS LIST            Part           Number   Description               10   vehicle undercarriage washer       11   frame       12   wheel       13   wheel       14   foot or caster       15   handle       16   pivotal connection       17   rear section       18   front section       19   side       20   side       21   transverse beam/member       22   peripheral guard       23   hose       24   influent fitting       25   valve       26   lower fluid conveying swivel/rotary connection       27   tee fitting       28   lower rotating flow line       29   elbow fitting       30   elbow fitting       31   upper fluid conveying swivel/rotary connection       32   tee fitting       33   rotating flow line       34   nozzle       35   elbow fitting       36   arrow       37   arrow       38   attachment       39   attachment       40   attachment       41   vehicle undercarriage washer       42   frame       43   wheel       44   wheel       45   foot or caster       46   handle       47   pivotal connection       48   rear section       49   front section       50   side       51   side       52   central transverse beam/member       53   peripheral guard       54   lateral guard support       55   axle       56   triangular section       57   bracket       58   rotating flow line assembly       59   rotating fluid conveying swivel       60   arm       61   arm       62   rear transverse beam/member       63   forward guard support       64   hub       65   dimension arrow       66   dimension arrow                  
 
         [0043]     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise.  
         [0044]     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.