PREFABRICATED MODULAR STATIONS FOR WASHING AND SERVICING MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract: Prefabricated modular stations, intended for washing and providing various services for motor vehicles, consisting of a technological or service module (12) having, arranged alongside it, one platform (22) for washing or various services possibly covered by roof structures (14) or awning-type tensile structures (42, 62), the at least one washing platform (22) being able to contain tanks for initial treatment of water used during washing. As a result of the modular nature of the parts of the stations, it is possible to construct a large variety of said stations using a small number of components. A method for transporting and assembling these modular stations at the installation site is also described.

Description: PREFABRICATED MODULAR STAΗONS FOR WASHING AND SERVICING MOTOR VEHICLES The present invention, which is an improvement to the invention covered by the Italian Patent No. 01256147 entitled "Self-sufficient station for washing motor vehicles, composed of one or more transportable units", filed on 17 September 1992 in the name of Swiss Wash S.r.l., belonging to the proprietor of the present application, relates to prefabricated modular stations for washing and providing various services for motor vehicles, which may be constructed with a large variety of 0 dimensions depending on the availability of space in the location where they are to be built and the requirements of the users who are to be served, and to a method for transportation and assembly thereof at the installation site. At present, it is extremely advantageous to be able to construct stations for washing motor vehicles using a minimum number of modular components which 5 may be reproduced as far as possible, whereby said elements must also have dimensions such as to allow transportation by road on standard-size vehicles, thus avoiding all the problems associated with the transportation of exceptional loads. As already stated in the abovementioned Italian patent, it is known that a washing station for motor vehicles, if constructed in a traditional manner by means of 0 building works and fixed installations, risks becoming unusable if, for any reason, traffic were no longer to pass through the area where it is constructed. It is also known that, should it become unusable, it would be extremely difficult to disassemble, transport and reassemble a washing plant in a new location and sometimes its cost could exceed that of building a brand new plant and moreover all 5 the buildings would be put to no use, having to be abandoned or, even worse, demolished. It is also known that, with every building structure, it is always advantageous if there is the need for a smallest possible variety of components because the problems associated with adaptation of said components are reduced and the costs of warehouse storage are also reduced. The reduction in the number of components is greatly helped by standardisation of said components which makes them suitable for construction of the largest possible part of a plant. The solution to the problems associated with the modular design and reduction in number of the components necessary for prefabricated modular stations intended for washing and providing various services for motor vehicles is provided by the present invention which comprises a technological or service module having, arranged alongside it, at least one platform for washing or various services, characterized in that the at least one washing platform consists of modular elements in the form of parallelepipeds, the lengthwise and widthwise dimensions of which are chosen so that at least one pair of them may be loaded on a normal road-transport trailer and the heightwise dimension of which is chosen so as to allow a vehicle to drive up easily onto the said platform from the ground level. Preferably, in modular stations, the modular elements of the washing platforms have lengthwise dimensions of 6 metres, widthwise dimensions of 2.5 metres and heightwise dimensions of not greater than 50 cm. Even more preferably, the modular elements have heightwise dimensions of 45 cm. In particular, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module without a housing and by an uncovered platform. Alternatively, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module provided with a housing and by an uncovered platform. By way of a further alternative, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module without a housing and by a covered platform having, arranged above them, a roof structure supported by uprights. By way of a further alternative, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module provided with a housing and by a covered platform having, arranged above them, a roof structure supported by uprights. By way of yet another alternative, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module without a housing, by a first uncovered platform and by a second uncovered platform. Also by way of alternative, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module provided with a housing, by a first uncovered platform and by a second uncovered platform. According to other solutions, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module without housing, by a first covered platform and by a second covered platform having, arranged above them, a roof structure supported by uprights. In addition, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module provided with a housing, by a first covered platform and by a second covered platform having, arranged above them, a roof structure supported by uprights. Alternatively, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module provided with a housing, by a first covered platform, by a second covered platform having, arranged above them, a roof structure supported by uprights and by a first uncovered platform. By way of a further alternative, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module provided with a housing, by a first covered platform, by a second covered platform having, arranged above them, a roof structure supported by uprights, by a first uncovered platform and by a second uncovered platform. By way of a further alternative, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module provided with a housing, by a first covered platform, by a second covered platform, by a third covered platform and by a fourth covered platform having, arranged above them, a roof structure supported by uprights. Also by way of an alternative, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module provided with a housing, by a first covered platform, by a second covered platform, by a third covered platform, by a fourth covered platform having, arranged above them, a roof structure supported by uprights, by a first uncovered platform and by a second uncovered platform. By way of a further alternative, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a technological module provided with a housing, by a first covered platfoπΗ, by a second covered platform, by a third covered platform, by a fourth covered platform, by a fifth covered platform and by a sixth covered platform having, arranged above them, a roof structure supported by uprights. Furthermore, prefabricated modular stations, especially designed for the washing of industrial vehicles, are characterized by a technological module, without a housing, and by a reinforced uncovered platform able to support industrial vehicles, the platform being provided with an automatic washing plant of the rotating brush or roller type. Moreover, prefabricated modular stations designed for the washing both of industrial vehicles and motor cars are characterized by a technological module without a housing, by a first reinforced uncovered platform for the washing of industrial vehicles and by several uncovered platforms for the washing of cars and vans, where the first reinforced platform is provided with an automatic washing plant. In addition, the prefabricated modular stations for tyre and minor mechanical repair services are characterized by a room for spare part storage and administration and by a platform provided with a lifting deck. Also in addition, the prefabricated modular stations for tyre and repair workshop services are characterized by a room for spare part storage and administration, by a first covered platform provided with a lifting deck for the tyre service, by a second covered platform provided with a lifting deck for the repair workshop service and by an uncovered platform provided with a lifting deck for the open-air mechanical workshop service, the spare parts storage and administration room and the two covered platforms having, arranged above them, a roof structure supported by uprights. By way of a further addition, the prefabricated modular stations are characterized by a mini-market service on a first platform, an automatic washing service of the roller type on a second platform, a first manual washing service, of the self-service type, on a third platform, a technological module, a second manual washing service, of the self-service type, on a fourth platform, a tyre service on a fifth platform, a spare part storage and administration room and a repair workshop service on a sixth platform, the whole station having, arranged above it, a roof structure supported by uprights. Again according to the present invention, a method for transporting prefabricated modular stations is provided, characterized by production and storage of platform elements, by loading the platform elements onto a first semi-trailer provided with an independent crane, by hitching-up a driving cab to the semi-trailer so as to start consignment, and further characterized by production and the storage of at least one technological or service module and structural elements, by loading the technological or service module and the structural elements onto a second semitrailer provided with an independent crane and by hitching-up a driving cab to the semi-trailer so as to start consignment. In addition, the method for installing prefabricated modular stations is characterized by constructing, on a concourse, a station supplying fuel or the like and a levelled asphalt covering layer and by placing, on the said asphalt covering layer, the platfomi elements supplied from the first semi-trailer and the technological or service module and the structural elements supplied from the second semi-trailer. Alternatively, the method for installing prefabricated modular stations is characterized by constructing, on a concourse, a station supplying fuel or the like and a levelled reinforced-concrete flooring, after carrying out an excavation for receiving the said flooring, and by placing, on the said flooring, the platform elements supplied from the first semi-trailer and the technological or service module and the structural elements supplied from the second semi-trailer. The features of the present invention will be defined in full in the claims forming the conclusive part of the description of the invention. However, other features and advantages will emerge from the following detailed descriptions of examples of embodiment thereof, which are not to be regarded as limiting and with reference to the enclosed drawings in which identical or similar parts have been indicated by similar references and in which: - Figure 1 shows schematically a front view of an example of a modular washing station according to the invention, of the type comprising two covered platforms and one uncovered platform, with the respective dimensional forms of a car, an all-terrain vehicle and a lorry being shown; - Figure 1A shows schematically a perspective view of a platform element used in all the examples of stations for washing and providing vaπous services for motoi vehicles according to the present invention, - Figure 2 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station fonried by a plant, or technological module, without a housing and by an uncoveied platfoπn, - Figuie 3 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station foimed by a plant, oi technological module, provided with a housing and an uncoveied platfonn, Figure 4 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station fonned by a plant, or a technological module, without a housing and by a coveied platform, - Figure 5 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station foπΗed by a plant, or technological module, provided with a housing and a covered platform, - Figure 6 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station foiTned by a plant, oi technological module, without a housing and by two uncoveied platfonns, - Figure 7 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station formed by a plant, or technological module, provided with a housing and by two uncovered platforms, - Figure 8 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station fonned by a plant, or technological module, without a housing and by two covered platforms, - Figure 9 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station fonned by a plant, or technological module, provided with a housing, and by two coveied platfoπns, - Figure 10 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station fonned by a plant, or technological module, provided with a housing, by two covered platforms and by an uncovered platform; - Figure 11 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station fonned by a plant, or technological module, provided with a housing, by two covered platforms and by two uncovered platforms; - Figure 12 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station fonned by a plant, or technological module, provided with a housing and by four covered platfonns; - Figure 13 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station fonned by a plant, or technological module, provided with a housing, by four covered platforms and by two uncovered platforms; - Figure 14 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station fonned by a plant, or technological module, provided with a housing, and by six covered platforms; - Figure 15 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station for industrial vehicles formed by a technological module, without a housing, and by an uncovered platform for an automatic roller-type washing system; - Figure 16 is a side view of the washing station for industrial vehicles, as shown in Figure 15, containing a vehicle provided with a semi-trailer; - Figure 17 is a side view of the washing station for industrial vehicles, as shown in Figure 15, containing a vehicle formed by a driving cab and a trailer; - Figure 18 shows schematically a front view of an example of a washing station formed by a plant, or technological module, without a housing, by a platform provided with an automatic roller-type washing system for industrial vehicles and by four uncovered platforms for self-service type washing systems; - Figure 19 shows schematically a front view of a module for providing a tyre and minor mechanical repair service; - Figure 20 shows schematically a front view of a module for tyre and repair workshop services; - Figure 21 shows schematically a front view of a complete module comprising a mini-market service, an automatic roller-type washing system, two manual washing systems of the self-service type, a tyre service and a repair workshop service; - Figure 22 is a diagram showing a concourse housing a petrol station and provided with a washing station with any miscellaneous services, according to the invention, fonned by a plant, or technological module, provided with a housing, and by four platfonns covered by means of a tensile structure; - Figure 23 is a diagram showing a concourse housing a petrol station and provided with a washing station together with any miscellaneous services, according to the invention, formed by a plant, or technological module, provided with, a housing, and by eight platforms covered by means of a tensile structure; - Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating bays for platforms of washing stations according to the invention, as prepared at the production site; - Figure 25 is a diagram illustrating the operation of loading of the bay platforms according to Figure 24 onto a semi-trailer provided with a loading crane; - Figure 26 is an illustration of the start of the operation for consignment of the bay platfonns according to Figure 24, consisting in hitching-up the loaded semitrailer to a driving cab; - Figure 27 is an illustration of the remaining components of washing stations according to the invention, as prepared at the production site; - Figure 28 is an illustration of the operation involving loading of the components according to Figure 27 onto a semi-trailer provided with a loading crane; - Figure 29 is an illustration of the start of the operation for consignment of the components according to Figure 27, consisting m hitchmg-up the loaded semitrailer to a driving cab; - Figure 30 is an overall view of a simple operation for marking out the site foi installation of a washing station, according to the invention, by means of laying of a levelled asphalt covering layer; - Figure 31 is an overall view of an excavation operation for laying a remforced-concrete flooring serving as a base for a washing station according to the invention, - Figure 32 is an overall view of a remforced-concrete flooring which has been levelled and on which a washing station according to the invention is to be constructed; - Figure 33 is an overall view of an operation involving placing, on the asphalt covering layer or remforced-concrete flooring, the bay platforms for a washing station according to the invention; and - Figure 34 is an overall view of an operation for installing, on the bay platforms laid in place, the remaining components of the washing station according to the invention. Considering Figure 1 firstly, it can be seen that a modular washing station 10 according to the invention consists of a plant 12 for prepanng and treating water and washing products, or technological module, a roof structure 14, consisting of an assembly of beams 16 supported by uprights or columns 18 and 20, and platforms 22, 24 and 26 having the function of receiving vehicles such as a car 28, an all-terrain vehicle 30 or a lorry 32. The assembly of beams 16 has, suspended underneath it, articulated arms 34a-h which are designed to carry cleaning equipment, such as guns supplying water and detergents and suction pipes for vacuum-cleaning functions. The platforms 22, 24 and 26 supporting the vehicles 28, 30 and 32 may be, or rather are preferably, of the type forming bays containing tanks for storing water and sludge and for treating washing water, as described and claimed in Italian Patent Application No. MI98A002481, entitled "Tanks for treating water used for washing motor vehicles, to be installed underneath bays in centres for washing said motor vehicles", filed on 17 November 1998 in the name of the proprietor of the present application, to which reference should be made for an understanding of the detailed aspects. By way of example, Figure 1A shows schematically a prospective view of a modular platfoπn element 22a in the form of a parallelepiped-shaped structural tank, the dimensions of which are standard and have been carefully chosen so as to allow the transportation, on standard vehicles, of the largest possible number of parts. For example, a modular element 22a which is very advantageous from an applicational point of view has an edge 25 which is 6 metres long, an edge 27 which is 2.5 metres wide and an edge 29 which is 45 cm high, these dimensions being suitable for the loading of a number of elements 22a, ranging between four and six, onto a semitrailer, thus making particularly easy the transportation of the platform elements for the construction of stations according to the invention. Let us now consider Figures 2 to 14 which show various configurations of modular washing stations according to the present invention which are able to satisfy different requirements in the sector relating to the washing of motor vehicles. Figure 2 shows the simplest possible version of the washing stations 10a according to the present invention, which consists solely of a technological module 12a without a housing, having, arranged alongside it, a platform 26a of the uncovered type, designed to support motor vehicles and provided with arms 34a for guns supplying water and detergents and the like, and a dividing wall and splash barrier 36 envisaged for use in closed locations, such as car repair workshops, car-body workshops, garages or car hire premises so that washing may be performed on-site without having to use costly external services which are not always available. Figure 3 shows a washing station 10b, similar to that of Figure 2, with the sole difference that the technological module 12b is provided with a housing for protecting the said technological module from the external environment, the station 10b having a platform 26b which is identical to the platform 26a of the station according to Figure 2 and being provided with identical arms 34b and identical dividing wall and splash barrier 36. Figure 4 shows a washing station 10c comprising a technological module 12c without a housing, a roof structure 14c supported by uprights or columns 18c and 20c and a single covered platform 24c similar to the uncovered platfonns 26a and 26b shown in the preceding Figures 2 and 3. Figure 5 shows a washing station lOd comprising a technological module 12d provided with a housing, a roof structure 14d supported by uprights or columns 18d and 20d and a single covered platform 24d identical to the platform 24c illustrated in Figure 4. Figure 6 shows a washing station lOe comprising a technological module 12e without a housing, two uncovered platforms 26e, and 26e 2 and two pairs of arms 34e, and 34e 2 for the water and detergent supply guns with, in addition, dividing walls and splash barriers 36e and 38e. Figure 7 shows a washing station 1 Of comprising a technological module 12f provided with a housing, two uncovered platforms 26f, and 26f 2 and two pairs of aims 34f, and 34f 2 for the water and detergent supply guns with, in addition, dividing walls and splash barriers 36f and 38f. Figure 8 shows a washing station lOg comprising a technological module 12g without a housing, a roof structure 14g supported by uprights or columns 18g and 20g and two covered platforms 22g and 24g. Figure 9 shows a washing station lOh comprising a technological module 12h provided with a housing, a roof structure 14h supported by uprights or columns 18h and 20h and two covered platforms 22h and 24h. Figure 10 shows a washing station lOi comprising a technological module 12i provided with a housing, a roof structure 14i supported by uprights or columns 1 Si and 20i, two covered platforms 22i and 24i and an uncovered platform 26i. Figure 11 shows a washing station lOj comprising a technological module provided with a housing, a roof structure 14j supported by uprights or columns 18j and 20j, two covered platforms 22j and 24j and two uncovered platforms 26j, and 26j 2 . Figure 12 shows a washing station 10k comprising a technological module 12k provided with a housing, a roof structure 14k supported by uprights or columns 18k,, 18k 2 , 20k, and 20k 2 , and four covered platforms 22k,, 22k 2 , 24k, and 24k 2 . Figure 13 shows a washing station 10m comprising a technological module 12m provided with a housing, a roof structure 14m supported by uprights or columns 18m,, 18m 2 , 20m, and 20m 2 , four covered platforms 22m,, 22m 2 , 24m, and 24m 2 and two covered platforms 26m, and 26m 2 . Figure 14 shows a washing station lOn comprising a technological module 12n provided with a housing, a roof structure 14n supported by uprights or columns 18n,, 18n 2 , 20n, and 20n 2 , and six covered platforms 22n,, 22n 2 , 22n 3 , 24n,, 24n 2 and 24n„ where the platforms 22n 2 and 22n 3 are divided by a wall 38n and the platforms 24n 2 and 24n 3 are divided by a wall 36n. Figure 15 shows a washing station lOp for industrial vehicles, comprising a technological module 12p without a housing and an uncovered platform 26p (of the type reinforced and enlarged with respect to the usual covered platforms 26 for reasons of weight of the vehicles to be washed) provided with an automatic washing plant 27p of the type comprising rollers or brushes 29p,, 29p 2 and 29p 3 , containing a vehicle such as a lorry 32p. Figure 16 shows a side view of the same washing station lOp illustrated in Figure 15, containing an articulated lorry 32p, for washing on its uncovered platform 26p. Obviously, in this side view, the washing plant 27p with the brushes 29p 2 and 29p 3 can be also be seen. Figure 17 shows a side view of the same washing station lOp illustrated in Figure 15, containing a loixy with trailer 32p 2 on its uncovered platform 26p. In this side view also it is possible to see the washing plant 27p with the brushes 29p 2 and 29p 3 . Figure 18 shows a washing station 1 Oq, intended both for industrial vehicles and for cars, comprising a technological module 12q without a housing, a first covered platfomi 26q, for washing industrial vehicles, such as the lorry 32q, and four uncovered platforms, 26q 2 to 26q 5 , for washing cars or vans. The platform 26q, is provided with a plant 27q for automatic washing by means of brushes. Figure 19 shows a module lOr for a tyre and minor mechanical repair service, comprising a platform 26r provided with a lifting deck 25r situated next to a room 12r acting as a store for spare parts and an administration centre for the installation, which supports an arm 14r carrying a lighting apparatus 16r. Figure 20 shows a module 10s for tyre and repair workshop services, comprising a first covered platform 22s provided with a lifting deck 35s,, for the tyre service, a room 12s acting as a store for spare parts and an administration centre, a second covered platfomi 24s provided with a lifting deck 35s 2 , for the under-cover repair workshop service and an uncovered platform 26s provided with a lifting deck 35s 3 , for an open-air repair workshop service. The two platforms 22s and 24s and the room 12s are covered by a roof structure 14s resting on uprights or columns 18s and 20s. Figure 21 shows a complete module lOt comprising, from left to right, a mini-market service on a platform 22t 3 , a roller-type automatic washing service on a platfonn 22t 2 , two manual washing services of the self-service type on respective platforms 22t, and 24t, and served by a technological module 12t,, a tyre service on a platfonn 24t, and a repair workshop service on a platform 24t 3 , both served by a room 12t 2 acting as a store for spare parts and administration centre. The complete module lOt is covered by a roof structure 14t resting on uprights or columns 18t,, 18t, and 20t„ 20t 2 . Examining Figure 22, it is possible to see a first refuelling station 40 containing, among other things, a washing unit 42 and any miscellaneous services for motor vehicles, formed by a technological module 12 and by four platforms 22,, 22 2 , 24, and 24, covered by an awning 44 of the type known as a "tensile structure". The unit 42 for washing motor vehicles is installed in a concourse 46 containing all the services of the refuelling station 40 around which the vehicles move in the directions indicated by the arrows 48 so as to gain access to the various services, including washing. Examining Figure 23 it is possible to see a second refuelling station 60 containing, among other things, also a unit 62 for washing and any miscellaneous services for motor vehicles, formed by a technological module 12 and by eight platforms 22,, 22 2 , 22 3 , 22 4 , 24,, 24,, 24 3 and 24 4 , covered by an awning 64 of the type known as a "tensile structure". The unit 62 for washing motor vehicles is installed in a concourse 66 housing all the services of the refuelling station 60 and around which the vehicles move in the directions indicated by the arrows 68 so as to gain access to the various services, including washing. Figures 24 to 29 illustrate a method for the transportation, from the production site to the installation site, of platforms such as the platforms 22 illustrated in Figures 1 to 14. As can be seen in Figure 24, platform elements 22,, 22 2 , 22 λ , 22 4 , etc. are prepared and kept stored in a production plant 70. As can be seen in Figure 25, the platform elements 22, - 22 4 are loaded onto a first semi-trailer 72 provided with an independent crane 74, ensuring that these platform elements are loaded in a direction such that they remain within the overall dimensional limits of semi-trailers for ordinary transportation which do not require special authorisation for the transportation of exceptional loads. In fact the platform elements 22, - 22 4 are constructed with their smaller side having a length less than or equal to the standard width of the semi-trailer 72. The dimensions of these elements have been mentioned in connection with the description of Figure 1A. As can be seen in Figure 26, once the platform elements have been loaded and suitably fixed onto the semi-trailer 72, a driving cab 76 is hitched up to the semi-trailer so that the platforms are ready for consignment. As can be seen in Figure 27, in addition to the platforms 22, - 22 4 , at least one technological module 12 and all the structural elements 78 of a washing station according to the invention are prepared and kept stored in the same production plant 70. As can be seen in Figure 28, the technological module 12 and the structural elements 78 are hoisted onto a second semi-trailer 80 by means of its independent crane 82 and, as can be seen in Figure 29, once the load has been arranged in position and fixed onto the second semi-trailer 80, a driving cab 84 is hitched up to the semi- trailer 80 so that the structural elements 78 are ready for consignment. Figures 30 to 34 show a method for installing a washing station according to the invention. As can be seen in Figure 30, on a concourse 90 of a station supplying fuel or the like, it is possible to cast a simple covering layer 92 of asphalt 92 which is levelled, i.e. made perfectly flat and kept horizontal or with a desired inclination in order to favour the flow-off of liquids. As can be seen in Figures 31 and 32, a mechanical shovel excavator 94 performs an excavation 96 of limited depth (less than 50 cm) in a concourse 90 of a station supplying fuel or the like and a levelled flooring 98 of reinforced concrete is cast into the said excavation 96. Then, as can be seen in Figure 33, a semi-trailer 72 unloads, by means of its independent crane 74, the platfonn elements 22,, 22 2 , 22 3 , etc., placing them on the flooring 98. Finally, as can be seen in Figure 34, a semi-trailer 80 unloads, by means of its own crane 82, the technological module 12 and the remainder of the structural elements 78 so as to form a washing station according to the invention. The above description describes several examples of prefabricated washing stations constructed with elements which are repetitive and modular so as to reduce to a minimum the number of components to be kept in store and which have dimensions chosen so as to allow transportation on standard vehicles, avoiding all the problems associated with the transportation of exceptional loads. These examples are not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the invention which will be defined only by the claims which are appended below. For example, the washing station for industrial vehicles, shown in Figure 15, may be adapted for the washing of industrial vehicles other than lorries, such as trams or railway carriages and wagons, it being sufficient in this case to provide the platfonn 26p with rails for said carriages or wagons to travel along. Again for carriages travelling on rails it is possible to envisage a plurality of uncovered platfonns 26p also provided with rails, so as to allow the simultaneous washing of a plurality of said carriages.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Prefabricated modular stations intended for washing and providing various services for motor vehicles, comprising a technological or service module (12) which has, arranged alongside it, at least one platform (22) for washing or for various services, characterized in that the at least one washing platform (22) consists of modular elements (22a) in the form of parallelepipeds, the lengthwise and widthwise dimensions of which are chosen so that at least one pair of them may be loaded onto a normal road-transport trailer and the heightwise dimension of which is chosen so as to allow a vehicle to drive up easily onto the said platform (22) from the ground level. 2. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claim 1, characterized in that the modular elements (22a) of the washing platforms (22) have lengthwise dimensions of 6 metres, widthwise dimensions of 2.5 metres and heightwise dimensions of not greater than 50 cm. 3. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claim 2, characterized in that the modular elements (22a) have heightwise dimensions of 45 cm. 4. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12a) without a housing and by an uncovered platform (26a). 5. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12a) provided with a housing and by an uncovered platfomi (26b). 6. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12c) without a housing and by a covered platfonn (24a) having, arranged above them, a roof structure (14c) supported by uprights (18c) and (20c). 7. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12d) provided with a housing and by a covered platfonn (24d) having, arranged above them, a roof structure (14d) supported by uprights (18d) and (20d). 8. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12e) without a housing, by a first uncovered platform (26e,) and by a second uncovered platform (26e 2 ). 9. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12f) provided with a housing, by a first uncovered platfomi (26f,) and by a second uncovered platform (26f 2 ). 10. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12g) without a housing, by a first covered platform (22g) and by a second covered platform (24g) having, arranged above them, a roof structure (14g) supported by uprights (18g) and (20g). 11. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12h) provided with a housing, by a first covered platfonn (22h) and by a second covered platform (24h) having, arranged above them, a roof structure (14h) supported by uprights (18h) and (20h). 12. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12i) provided with a housing, by a first covered platform (22i), by a second covered platform (24i) having, arranged above them, a roof structure (14i) supported by uprights (18i) and (20i) and by a first uncovered platform (26i). 13. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12j) provided with a housing, by a first covered platform (22j), by a second covered platform (24j) having, arranged above them, a roof structure (14j) supported by uprights (18j) and (20j), by a first uncovered platform (26j,) and by a second uncovered platform (26j 2 ). 14. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12k) provided with a housing, by a first covered platfonn (22k,), by a second covered platform (24k,), by a third covered platform (22k 2 ) and by a fourth covered platform (24k 2 ) having, arranged above them, a roof structure (14k) supported by uprights (18k,), (18k 2 ), (20k,) and (20k 2 ). 15. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12m) provided with a housing, by a first covered platform (22m,), by a second covered platform (24m,), by a third covered platfonn (22m 2 ), by a fourth covered platform (24m 2 ) having, arranged above them, a roof structure (14m) supported by uprights (18m,), (18m 2 ) and (20m,) and (20m 2 ), by a first uncovered platform (26m,) and by a second uncovered platform (26m 2 ). 16. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a technological module (12n) provided with a housing, by a first covered platform (22n,), by a second covered platform (24n,), by a third covered platfonn (22n 2 ), by a fourth covered platform (24n 2 ), by a fifth covered platform (22n 3 ) and by a sixth covered platform (24n 3 ) having, arranged above them, a roof structure (14n) supported by uprights (18n,), (18n 2 ) and (20n,), (20n 2 ). 17. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, especially designed for the washing of industrial vehicles, characterized by a technological module (12p), without a housing, and by a reinforced uncovered platform (26p) able to support industrial vehicles (32p), the platform (26p) being provided with an automatic washing plant (27p) of the type comprising rotating brushes or rollers (29p, - 29p - 18. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, designed for the washing of both industrial vehicles and motor cars, characterized by a technological module (12q) without a housing, by a first reinforced uncovered platfonn (26q,) for the washing of industrial vehicles and by several uncovered platfonns (26q 2 -26q 5 ) for the washing of cars and vans, where the first reinforced platform (26q,) is provided with an automatic washing plant (27q). 19. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, for tyre and minor mechanical repair services, characterized by a room (12r) for spare parts storage and administration and by a platfomi (26r) provided with a lifting deck (35r). 20. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, for tyre and repair workshop services, characterized by a spare part storage and administration room (12s), by a first covered platform (22s) provided with a lifting deck (35s,) for the tyre service, by second covered platform (24s) provided with a lifting deck (35s 2 ) for the repair workshop service and by an uncovered platform (26s) provided with a lifting deck (35s 3 ) for the open-air repair workshop service, the spare part storage and administration room (12s) and the two covered platforms (22s, 24s) having, arranged above them, a roof structure (14s) supported by uprights (18s) and (20s). 21. Prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized by a mini-market service on a first platform (22t 3 ), an automatic washing service of the roller type on a second platform (22t 2 ), a first manual washing service, of the self-service type, on a third platform (22t,), a technological module (12t,), a second manual washing service, of the self-service type, on a fourth platform (24t,), a tyre service on a fifth platform (24t 2 ), a spare part storage and administration room (12t 2 ) and a repair workshop service on a sixth platform (24t 3 ), the whole station having, arranged above it, a roof structure (14t) supported by uprights (18t,, 18t 2 , 20t,, 20t 2 ). 22. Method for transporting prefabricated modular stations according to the preceding claims, characterized by production and storage of platform elements (22,, 22 2 , 22 , 22 4 , ...), by loading the platform elements (22,, 22 2 , 22 3 , 22 4 , ...) onto a first semi-trailer (72) provided with an independent crane (74), by hitching-up a driving cab (74) to the semi-trailer (72) so as to start consignment, and further characterized by production and storage of at least one technological or service module (12) and structural elements (78), by loading the technological or service module (12) and the structural elements (78) onto a second semi-trailer (80) provided with an independent crane (82) and by hitching-up a driving cab (84) to the semi- trailer (84) so as to start consignment. 23. Method for installing prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 1 to 21, characterized by constructing, on a concourse (90), a station supplying fuel or the like and a levelled asphalt covering layer (92) and by placing, on the said asphalt covering layer (92), the platform elements (22,, 22 2 , 22 3 , 22 4 , ...) supplied from the first semi-trailer (72) and the technological or service module (12) and the structural elements (78) supplied from the second semi-trailer (80). 24. Method for installing prefabricated modular stations according to Claims 1 to 21, characterized by constructing, on a concourse (90), a station supplying fuel or the like and a levelled reinforced-concrete flooring (98), after caπying out an excavation (96) for receiving the said flooring, and by placing, on the said flooring (98), the platform elements (22,, 22 2 , 22 3 , 22 4 , ...) supplied from the first semi-trailer (72) and the technological or service module (12) and the stmctural elements (78) supplied from the second semi-trailer (80).

Inventors: PIETRAFRACCIA STEFANO E, PIETRAFRACCIA, STEFANO, E.
Applicants: PIETRAFRACCIA STEFANO E, PIETRAFRACCIA, STEFANO, E.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B60S3
IPC codes: B08B17, B60S3, B60S5, E04H1