Patent GB-732722-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for cleaning vehicles
Inventor: MORISON WILLIAM JOHN
IPC: B60S3/04
Filed: 1952-09-15
Abstract: 732,722. Cleaning vehicles, STRATSTONE, Ltd., and MORISON, W. J. Sept. 3, 1953 [Sept. 15, 1952], No. 23148/52. Class 138 (1). Relates to a vehicle-cleaning apparatus of the kind described in Specification 665,687, which is referred to, in which the tie member or members is or are of continuously variable length and comprises or comprise means urging the two spaced limbs towards one another, and the apparatus is provided with, holding means for holding the two spaced limbs apart against the action of the urging means at maximum separation, detector means for detecting the presence of a vehicle between the spaced limbs, means operated by the detector means to render the holding means inoperative so that spaced limbs adopt positions of lesser separation determined by the vehicle between them, and means for moving the spaced limbs to their maximum separation and rendering the holding means operative when the carrier moves to a position beyond the vertical extremity of the vehicle. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 the carrier provided with rotary wiping devices 37 comprises side limbs 20, 22 and end tie members 24, 26. The front tie member 26 comprises two slidably connected members 11, 12, the member 11 being connected to the side limb 20 and the member 12 being connected to the side limb 22. Wheels 13 on the member 11 engage in tracks 14 on the member 12, which tracks have end stops 36. A strong elastic cord 18 is connected between the members 11, 12 as shown in Fig. 2, to urge the members to positions in which the limbs 20, 22 have the minimum separation as determined by the stops 36. The rear end of the limb 22 is provided with rollers which engage in tracks provided on the upper and lower edges of the rear end or tie member 24 which is of constant length. As the members 11, 12 move relatively to one another the end of the limb 22 can similarly slide relatively to the member 24. The rear end of the member 22 is cut away to allow rotation of the wipers 37 in the member 24 irrespective of the spacing between the limbs 20, 22 as described with reference to Fig. 4 (not shown). An elastic cord is also provided between the member 24 and the near end of the limb 22. In order to move the limb 22 relative to the limb 20, identical toggle mechanisms 51, 57 are provided between the ends of the limb 22 and the member 11 and member 24 respectively. As shown in Fig. 2, the front toggle mechanism 51 comprises links 52, 53 pivoted together at 54, Fig. 1, and pivoted at their other ends at 55 and 56 to the limit 22 and member 11  respectively. The toggle links 52 are both secured at 55 to an operating shaft 58 carried by the limb 22. Centrally of its length the shaft 58, Fig. 6, has slidably and rotatably mounted thereon a sleeve 61 to which are secured two curved and radially extending plates 62 constituting the detector device 63 which carries rollers 64, 65 as shown in Fig. 1. The sleeve 61 is provided with two diametrically disposed end slots 66 to form one member of a clutch 67, the other member of which comprises a sleeve 68 secured to the shaft 58 and provided with two diametrically disposed end projections 69. A spring 71 is disposed between a sleeve 72 fixed to the shaft 58 and the end of the sleeve 61 to urge the sleeve 61 towards the clutch member 68. Movement of the detector 63 outwardly of the limb 22 beyond a vertical position is limited by an extension 73, of one plate 62, having an adjustable bolt 74 which engages the vertical outer side of the limb 22. When the clutch is released as shown in Fig. 6, the detector is urged to the vertical position by springs 76 connected between it and a bracket 75 secured to the limb 22. A cam member 81 is secured to the sleeve 61 and extends over about one quarter of its periphery. One corner of the cam is cut away at 77 to provide a flat face 82 and a chamfer from 84 is provided at the other end. Between the cut-away 77 and the chamfer, the cam 81 has a side fan 83. A spring urged pin 87 slidably mounted in the limb 22 can engage the various faces of the cam. The ends of the suspension cables 301 are connected to the limbs 20, 22 in the manner described with reference to Fig. 5 (not shown) in order to allow of relative movement between the cable ends and the limbs as the limbs move relatively to one another. In operation with the carrier above the top of the vehicle the detector is positioned as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and the toggles 51, 57 are " made " as shown in dotted lines, the clutch 67 then being operative. As the carrier is lowered by the cables 301, the detector roller 64 engages the top of the vehicle and on further lowering the detector is moved upwardly. At this time the pin 87 is engaged in the cut away 77 so that the spring 71 maintains the clutch 67 " made." On rotating the detector upwardly the side of the pin 87 is engaged with the cam faces 82, 83 to cause the sleeve 61 to move axially against its spring and disengage the clutch. The springs 76 then cause the detector to move to the vertical position when the end of the pin 87 snaps into the cam chamfer 84. This allows the sleeve 61 to move towards the sleeve 68 but the clutch 67 does not re-engage since the projections are not aligned with the slots. During the upward movement of the detector the toggles are " broken " before the clutch is disengaged and the elastic cords then cause the side limbs to move towards the vehicle until rollers 91 contact its sides. The carrier completes its descent with the wiper 37 in contact with the vehicle and is then raised. When the carrier passes beyond the top of the vehicle the side limbs move to their minimum separation. Finally the detector rollers 64, 65 engage with a ramp 92 fixed to the roof or other superstructure and the detector is rotated to its horizontal position, during which rotation the clutch is " remade," the toggles thereby " made " and the limbs 20, 22 are spaced at their maximum separation. Other detector means may be employed, e.g. a beam of light directed onto a photo-electric cell such that when the beam is broken by a vehicle, electrical devices operate the other parts of the apparatus. Nozzles for directing cleaning liquid, with or without wipers, may be provided. Cleaning devices may be provided on the tie members as well as on the side limbs. Specification 647,806 also is referred to.