Trailer mounted graffiti removal system

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.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
The object above may be attained in a trailer mounted system for graffiti 
removal and surface restoration where the system comprises a 
trailer frame, 
a fluid storage tank mounted on the trailer frame and 
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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
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. 
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 (in FIG. 1) which is in turn mounted on frame 
12. Axle 25 may be a 5200 pound axle with electric break away brakes (not 
shown). 
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. 
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. 
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 pintle receiving member 40 is mounted on a hitch support 
plate 41. The trailer 12 is attached to the hitch of a tractor vehicle 
(not shown) such as a pickup truck utility vehicle or even a tractor 
according to the preferences and convenience of the user. 
In order to strengthen the trailer 10 a bracing means such as lateral 
bracing beams 42 and 44 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. 
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 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. 
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 5/8 inch 
or 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. 
A 5/8 inch hose 55' 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 a front 
cabinet 56 which can optionally be connected to a further hose to directly 
conduct water from tank 54 for drainage purposes. 
The 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 (see FIG. 4) are provided for the operator to 
grasp when climbing onto running boards 46,48 when the trailer system is 
stopped and in position for graffiti removal operations. 
A spare tire 60 mounts on the front wall of the rear cabinet 58. 
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 
t-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 and connected to the fluid input port of a 
pressure washer 64. A length of hose 66 is routed along the rear wall of 
cabinet 58 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 from a source of water connected to fitting 70 to the 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. the 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. 
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. 
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 via 
the hose 61' 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. 
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. 
A glove holder 92 mounted on the wall of cabinet 58 has a pair of 
projecting fingers for supporting work gloves 94. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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 34 when the hitch is detached from a 
towing vehicle. 
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.