Abstract:
The invention herein described is an apparatus designed for the washing of cars in a casual environment, such as outside a residential home, by a homeowner or other untrained user. The device is easily transportable, for instance from a garage into the driveway or street, and is easily stowed. It is also self-propelled, and remotely controlled.

Description:
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention herein described is an apparatus designed for the washing of cars in a casual environment, such as outside a residential home, by a homeowner or other casual user. The device is easily transportable, for instance from a garage into the driveway or street, and is easily stowed. It is also self-propelled, and remotely controlled.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     A patent issued to Retter (U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,614) is relevant prior art. It teaches a powered retractable vehicle wash system, with said system stored overhead in a garage or drive through. It appears to be directed to commercial carwash installations.  
         [0003]     LaHue (U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,330) teaches a portable overhead car washer that is reminiscent of a swing set for children. Chandler (U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,147) is an example of a portable car washer shaped like a U, with ramps for drive-over. The Colicchio patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,063) demonstrates a car wash with water recycling capability.  
         [0004]     Yet further prior art is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,023 to Burke, in which the invention is a commercial carwash. It talks about throughput; it describes literally dozens of lines, tanks, controllers, and other components. Additionally, the Burke patent specifically claims remote controlled operation via hand-held remote control units by a driver within the car. Remote control operation is contemplated by the current invention, but in a different manner, to meter both the soap and water content of the washing fluid, and the motion of the carwash unit.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view, from above, of a preferred embodiment of the present invention alongside an automobile. The automobile itself is not part of the current invention.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  displays an automobile passing underneath and through a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as during a washing operation, in a perspective view from above.  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention from a cutaway side view.  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  shows an automobile passing underneath and through an alternate embodiment of the present invention as in  FIG. 2 , this time viewed from behind the vehicle.  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  shows an automobile passing underneath and through an alternate embodiment of the present invention as in  FIG. 2 , this time viewed from in front of the vehicle.  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, extended, from a side view.  
         [0011]      FIG. 7  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, from an end view, when folded for storage.  
         [0012]      FIG. 8  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, extended, from an elevated perspective view. 
     
    
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     An object of the present invention is to provide a washing system for a vehicle that can be used at a residential location or the like.  
         [0014]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable washing system for a vehicle that can be easily stored in a home garage or the like.  
         [0015]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a car washing system on wheels that the user can easily move by hand, so that the washing apparatus can be rolled from the front of a vehicle to the rear of the vehicle.  
         [0016]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an embodiment of the invention that allows the user to sit in his or her vehicle and drive forward and backward through the stationary washing apparatus.  
         [0017]     A further object of the present invention is to provide an embodiment of the invention that allows the user to direct the movement of the washing apparatus so that the apparatus can, under its own power, roll forward and backward to clean a stationary vehicle.  
         [0018]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a car washing system that can accommodate an existing a power washing apparatus.  
         [0019]     A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternate embodiment of the invention where the power washer is incorporated into the embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a car washing system that can be assembled and disassembled to allow it to be packed and stored in a relatively small space for shipping and storage.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , we see the invention in its stored position so that it can easily fit in a standard garage of a home or the like. The swivel joint allows the inverted U-shaped tubing that transmits water and soap to a plurality of nozzles, to swing 90 degrees so that the unit can be stored along the wall of the garage.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the invention in use. The inverted U-shaped pipe surrounds the side panels, tires and top of the vehicle. The U-shaped pipe and fittings are constructed of ¾ inch schedule 40-carbon steel or other suitable material that can withstand 1600 p.s.i. The nozzles are pointed inward toward the vehicle so that the water and or soap contained within the U-shaped pipe can evenly wash the vehicle. A garden type water hose is connected to the invention as well as an electrical cable capable of delivering 120 V AC.  
         [0024]     The invention includes its own wheels so that the user can roll it while washing the vehicle, or the invention can remain stationary and the user can drive his or her vehicle under the inverted U-shaped pipe. Alternately, a small drive motor can be installed within the housing of the invention so that the user can direct the wheeled invention to travel forward and backward to wash the vehicle, This can be done by a remote control transmitter held by the user, and can be done while sitting in the vehicle or standing outside the vehicle. This configuration insures the correct transit speed so that ideal washing can occur.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a side section view of the invention. A power washer  5 —such as a Husky  1650  (available in many hardware stores) is inserted into the space allocated for it. Alternately, a power-washing device can be built into the housing of the invention. The power washer puts out a water pressure of approximately 1300 p.s.i, and delivers approximately 1.5 gallons per minute. A soap storage container  30  is also located within the housing.  
         [0026]     During the soap-cleaning mode, a small DC pump  70  will inject the necessary amount of soap into the pressurized water. The pump can be a metering type or a peristaltic type, both of which ensure the precise control of fluid flow. A check valve  55  allows soap to enter the main U pipe  10  and restricts pressurized water from flowing back to the soap reservoir  30 .  
         [0027]     A wireless transmitter  20  is used to communicate with the carwash device via transmission to receiver  25 . The transmission is enhanced by the use of antenna  85 . Buttons are pressed on wireless transmitter  20  to control soap dispensing (button  35 ), water flow (button  40 ), starting the carwash in motion (button  45 ), and stopping the motion of the carwash (button  50 ). The motion buttons operate drive motor  90  to propel the carwash unit.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein the U-shaped pipe is replaced by a more curved variant. The same is shown in  FIG. 5 , this time with spray heads  80  deployed.  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  shows the most detailed view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The invention is shown ready to wash a car. Contrast to the view in  FIG. 7 , from an end, after the unit has been folded up for storage or transport.  
       OPERATION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]     During assembly the user attaches tubing members together. The central pipe comes in several lengths so that the user can customize the width of the U shape to fit his or her vehicle. He or she then installs a standard power washer into the well provided. The user attaches a water connection from the invention to the standard fitting located on the power washer. The user plugs the power cord of the power washer into a receptacle located in the well of the invention. Then the user plugs a power cord from a 110 V AC outlet located at or near the outside of the home—to the receptacle located on the outside of the unit housing. The user then attaches a standard garden hose from the home to the receptacle located on the outside of the unit housing.  
         [0031]     The user rolls the unit out from his or her garage and onto the driveway area. The U-shaped member is swung 90 degrees, to a position perpendicular to the main body of the unit. The user then has the option to: 
        1. Hold the vertical part of the invention, turn the unit on, and walk it forward and backward so the U-shaped pipe travels over the vehicle (An optional switch configuration would deliver: water only, when the vehicle moves forward; water and soap, when the vehicle moves backward;—water only, when the vehicle moves forward again relative to the U-shaped pipe.)     2. Leave the invention in a stationary position and drive the vehicle forward and backward so that the vehicle is cleaned as described above     3. Use a remote transmitter to instruct a small DC drive motor assembly to automatically roll the invention forward and backward. This can be done while the user is inside or outside the vehicle.        
 
         [0035]     The user also has the option to plug in a standard flexible wand so that the power washer can be used as a common power washer. Used in this manner, the user can reach and wash hard-to-clean spots on the vehicle, such as tar build up near the wheel wells.  
         [0036]     When the user is finished, he or she rolls the invention back into the garage and swings the U-shaped pipe so that it is parallel with the sidewall of the garage. This results in a space-saving configuration of the present invention.  
         [0037]     In one important alternate embodiment of the current invention, valves are incorporated at each spray head. This arrangement allows selected spray heads to be turned on and off. Thus, for example, the power wash unit can be directed to wash the lower body and wheel wells only of the subject vehicle.  
         [0038]     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.