An undercarriage sprayer includes a plurality of nozzle blocks aligned side-by-side, where each of the nozzle blocks includes a lateral channel therethrough and an upward-facing nozzle cap. A conduit extends between each of the lateral channels in fluid communication with each of the nozzle caps. The nozzle blocks prevent the water supply from being crushed when driving a vehicle over the undercarriage sprayer. Additionally, the nozzle blocks may be connected such that the undercarriage sprayer can be folded or rolled on itself.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a vehicle undercarriage sprayer and, more particularly, to an undercarriage sprayer that is portable while also protecting the water supply from being cut off or crushed during use.

A vehicle undercarriage sprayer is used to remove dirt, debris, salt and other corrosive materials from an underside of a vehicle. Existing sprayers generally form a permanent part of a static carwash. It may be desirable, however, to flush the vehicle undercarriage more often than a full carwash is needed. Additionally, repeated visits to a static carwash can be expensive.

Home versions of undercarriage sprayers do not suitably protect the water source and may be crushed or otherwise affect water pressure when driven over by a vehicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The undercarriage sprayer according to the described embodiments overcomes the drawbacks with existing constructions. The undercarriage sprayer may be configured such that it is easily rolled up for storage and portability. Additionally, the water supply and nozzle sprayers are protected and can be driven over by a vehicle without losing water pressure or damaging the device. Furthermore, the device can be assembled from modular sections and allows for the sprayer nozzles to be turned ON or OFF, thereby making the device customizable for any size vehicle or trailer.

In an exemplary embodiment, an undercarriage sprayer includes a plurality of nozzle blocks aligned side-by-side, where each of the nozzle blocks includes a lateral channel therethrough and an upward-facing nozzle cap, and a conduit extending between each of the lateral channels in fluid communication with each of the nozzle caps. The undercarriage sprayer may further include a flexible connector extending through the nozzle blocks and connecting the nozzle blocks to one another. Spacers may be positioned over the flexible connector between each of the nozzle blocks. Each of the nozzle blocks may include a forward ramp surface and an aft ramp surface. A first end nozzle block of the plurality of nozzle blocks may be provided with a hose connector in fluid communication with its respective lateral channel, and a second end nozzle block of the plurality of nozzle blocks may be provided with a hose cap that caps its respective lateral channel. The nozzle caps may be selectively displaceable between an ON position and an OFF position. In some embodiments, a distance between each of the nozzle blocks may be less than eight inches. The nozzle blocks may be spaced from one another such that the undercarriage sprayer can be folded or rolled on itself.

In another exemplary embodiment, an undercarriage sprayer includes a plurality of nozzle blocks aligned side-by-side, where each of the nozzle blocks includes a lateral channel therethrough and an upward-facing nozzle cap; a flexible connector extending between and through each of the plurality of nozzle blocks; and a conduit extending between each of the lateral channels in fluid communication with each of the nozzle caps. Each of the nozzle blocks may include a central section through which the lateral channels are formed and in which the nozzle caps are disposed. In this context, the nozzle blocks may further include a forward ramp surface and an aft ramp surface on opposite sides of the central section. The central section may be sized to protect the lateral channels, the nozzle caps and the conduit from being crushed. In some embodiments, the nozzle caps may be flush with or below a top surface of the central section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1-3, an undercarriage sprayer10includes a plurality of nozzle blocks12aligned side-by-side to a desired width. The number of nozzle blocks12is selectable and may be sized to span a width of a standard vehicle or trailer. Any number of nozzle blocks12may be used to accommodate greater or narrower widths or multiple vehicles, etc. Each of the nozzle blocks includes a lateral channel14therethrough and an upward facing nozzle cap16. A conduit18such as plastic tubing or the like extends between each of the lateral channels14in fluid communication with each of the nozzle caps16.

The nozzle caps16may be disposed in corresponding upward-facing openings19in the nozzle blocks12. As shown inFIG. 3for example, the nozzle caps16may be flush with or below a top surface of the nozzle block12. The nozzle caps16may be secured by a snap engagement or the like or alternatively may be integrated into the nozzle blocks12during assembly. An exemplary embodiment showing the integrated nozzle caps16is shown inFIG. 4. The nozzle caps16in some embodiments may be displaceable, e.g., by rotating with a screwdriver or the like, between ON and OFF positions. Alternatively, the sprayer may be provided with a plurality of plugs17(FIGS. 5 and 6) or the like that can be selectively engaged with the nozzle caps16to stop the flow of water from that individual nozzle block. The plugs17can subsequently be removed as desired with a screwdriver or the like.

A flexible connector20may extend through the nozzle blocks12to connect the nozzle blocks12to one another. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible connector20on each side of the conduit18is threaded through a first set of aligned holes formed in the nozzle blocks12and threaded back through a second set of aligned holes formed in the nozzle blocks12. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 4, the flexible connector20may connect the nozzle blocks in a single pass on either side of the conduit18. In some embodiments, spacers22such as plastic sleeves or the like may be positioned over the flexible connector20between each of the nozzle blocks12. The use of the flexible connector20and spacers22creates strong structural integrity yet makes the entire sprayer flexible and able to be rolled up for storage.

The nozzle blocks12may each include a central section24through which the lateral channels14are formed and in which the nozzle caps16are disposed. The nozzle blocks12may also include a forward ramp surface26and an aft ramp surface28on opposite sides of the central section24. In some embodiments, the nozzle blocks12may be 10-12 inches in length by 2-3 inches in width, with the central section24being 1-2 inches in height. The sloped surfaces26,28on opposite sides of the central section24allow a vehicle or the like to easily roll over the blocks12in either direction. The central section24is sized to protect the lateral channels14, the nozzle caps16and the conduit18from being crushed during use.

A distance between the nozzle blocks12should be less than the width of a standard tire, i.e., 8 inches. It is desirable to place the nozzle blocks12much closer together, however (e.g., approx. 1-4 inches apart), to maximize the spray coverage of the sprayer in use. For example, the nozzle blocks12should be spaced far enough such that the undercarriage sprayer can be folded or rolled on itself but close enough so that the sprayer can effectively cover the area of the vehicle driving over the undercarriage sprayer.

A first end nozzle block may be provided with a hose connector30or the like in fluid communication with its respective lateral channel14. A garden hose or other suitable water supply is attachable to the hose connector30to provide water to the sprayer. A second end nozzle block may be provided with a hose cap32that caps its respective lateral channel14.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view through a lateral channel14in one of the nozzle blocks12. Each lateral channel may include a suitable T-shaped pipe34with connectors36for securing ends of the conduit18. The pipe34delivers water through the channel14and upward to a respective nozzle cap16positioned over an upward facing opening of the pipe34.

In use, the undercarriage sprayer10may be rolled out perpendicular to the driving direction of the vehicle or trailer to be sprayed. A garden hose or the like is connected to the hose connector30to supply water to the sprayer. The water travels into the water chamber of the first nozzle block12and sprays out through the nozzle cap16while continuing to adjacent and subsequent nozzle blocks12. If the nozzle cap16is displaced to its OFF position (or if it is closed OFF with a nozzle plug17), the vertical portion of the pipe34is closed by the nozzle cap16or plug17, and water flows through to the next nozzle block12. The number of sprayers to be opened up is up to the user in order to achieve the desired effect on their size vehicle or trailer. The user then drives their vehicle slowly over the sprayer10in either direction and as many times as desired. Upon completion, the water supply can be disconnected, and the undercarriage sprayer10may be rolled up for storage or transport.

The sprayer may be assembled from modular lengths to facilitate achieving a desired final assembly width. That is, the sprayer may come in the form of multiple standard sections that are selectively connectable together. For example, a standard module section may be 3-4 feet in width, and if the user desires a 6-8 foot sprayer, two of the modular units can be connected to each other. Still additional modular units may be added to accommodate wider or multiple vehicles.

The undercarriage sprayer of the described embodiments is effective to remove dirt and debris from the underside of a vehicle while also protecting the water source and being portable for easy storage or transport. The sprayer is easily configured to accommodate various width vehicles or multiple vehicles.