Multi car garage adapted vehicle washing apparatus

A vehicle washing apparatus specifically adapted to be mounted within or adjacent to the door frame of a garage having an uninterrupted multi vehicle width door. The apparatus has an outer liquid transport loop having supply lines and a section equipped with a plurality of spray nozzles. The section of the loop equipped with spray nozzles has at least one centrally disposed extension portion movably adjusted to pivot downward while the apparatus is in use, and allowing the use of additional spray nozzles. When the apparatus is not in use, the extension pivots upwards and out of the way of vehicles moving into and out of the garage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a vehicle washing apparatus and, more 
particularly, to an improved apparatus adapted for use in a garage with an 
uninterrupted multi vehicle door width. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
Vehicle washing apparatuses using spray nozzles have heretofore been well 
known in the field. When adapted for use in a multi vehicle garage, the 
typical prior art apparatus comprised either a liquid transport loop 
adapted to be fixed to the inner surface of the outer wall of the garage, 
or a liquid transport loop supplied with centrally located fixed extension 
portions. These prior art vehicle washing systems have, however, been 
found to be deficient when adapted for use in garages having multi vehicle 
width doors. In the first type comprising only an outer loop, the distance 
between the spray nozzles and at least one side of the vehicle being 
washed is excessively large, either necessitating the use of excessive 
water pressure, or causing one side of the vehicle to be insufficiently 
contacted by the washing liquid. The second type, comprising an outer loop 
and centrally fixed extensions, while solving the above-described 
deficiencies, was susceptible to damage by incidental contact with 
vehicles during parking, and limited the size of the vehicles being 
parked. 
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle 
washing apparatus adaptable for use in a garage having an uninterrupted 
multi vehicle width door, said apparatus being disposed within or adjacent 
to the door frame of the garage, and being able to ensure sufficient 
contact between the washing liquid and the vehicle being washed and 
further being capable of movement to a position out of the way of 
vehicles; thereby preventing damage resulting from accidental contact with 
a vehicle when the apparatus is not in use. 
These and other various objects and advantages of the present invention 
will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in 
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The vehicle washing apparatuses of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 comprise an outer 
liquid transport loop including supply lines 1 and 3, and central portion 
2 disposed therebetween. This loop is adapted to be mounted within or 
adjacent a multi vehicle width door frame of a garage. At least one 
extension 4 is centrally disposed within central portion 2 of the liquid 
transport loop. Extension 4 and central portion 2 are equipped with a 
plurality of spray nozzles 5 which may be positioned at a plurality of 
incidental angles. 
Extension 4 is pivotably attached to central portion 2 by a pivotable 
fixture 6. Extension 4 can be raised and lowered manually or, preferably, 
by a driving mechanism comprising motor 10, gears 7 and driving chains 8. 
Extension 4 can be pivoted upward either parallel or perpendicular to the 
upper central portion of the liquid transport loop. When the driving 
mechanism is employed, overtravel is prevented by limiting switch 9. 
Additionally, the motor can be equipped with safety clutch 11 to prevent 
damage to the mechanism if movement of extension 4 is impeded or blocked. 
FIG. 1 illustrates the apparatus with extension 4 lowered. In this 
position, the apparatus is ready for use. FIG. 2 illustrates the apparatus 
in its storage position with the extension safely raised to a level above 
the roof line of a vehicle using the garage. FIG. 3 illustrates an 
alternative embodiment wherein the liquid transport loop is disposed about 
only a portion of the garage door width. Additional features foreseen by 
the Applicant include, but are not limited to, a system for metering and 
injecting detergent 12 into the liquid transport loop, and a remote 
control device 13 for the remote operation of the driving mechanism motor 
10. 
In operation, extension 4 is lowered, either manually or by the driving 
means, and water and/or detergent flow is begun. A vehicle (not shown) is 
driven through the liquid transport loop wherein water from the spray 
nozzles 5 contacts and subsequently washes the vehicle. After the vehicle 
has passed through the door, the water flow is halted, and extension 4 is 
raised to its storage position. 
While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, the various 
modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from 
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it will be understood 
that the present invention is not to be limited except by the character of 
the claims appended hereto.