Patent GB-721450-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to washing plants for buses, coaches and the like
IPC: B60S3/06
Filed: 1951-10-08
Abstract: 721,450. Cleaning vehicles; rotary brushes. DAWSON BROS., Ltd. DAWSON, D., and DAWSON, G. Oct. 14, 1952 [Oct. 8, 1951], No. 23348/51. Classes 19 and 138 (1). A vehicle washing plant of the kind wherein the vehicle is driven through a washing zone and cleaned by jets of washing liquid and brushes, includes upright side brushes and one or more roof brushes all of which are arranged to be rotated during the passage of the vehicle through the plant, the side brushes being suspended or otherwise supported so as to be swingable under the action of weight or springs and to adjust themselves for varying widths of vehicles, whilst the roof brush or brushes is or are counterbalanced by weights or springs and is or are in addition arranged for lowering and raising to suit vehicles of varying height. The apparatus comprises a steel girder structure having uprights 1, longitudinal members 2 and transverse members 3, Fig. 2. Each vertical brush 22 is mounted in bearings in arms 23, 24 secured to a pivot shaft 25 rotatably mounted in brackets 26, and footstep bearings 27 carried by the structure. The brush 22 is driven by a belt drive 28 from an electric motor 29 having its driving pulley coaxial with the shaft 25. An arm 33, Fig. 1, on the shaft 25 is connected, by a wire 31 passing over pulleys 32, to a counterweight 30 so that the brush is urged inwardly of the structure. The roof brush 8 can similarly pivot about a shaft 6 and is driven from an electric motor 10 coaxial with that shaft and has a counterweight 12. Washing liquid is drawn from a tank 21, situated below vehicle guide tracks 4, through a filter 20 and pipe 19 by a pump 18 driven by an electric motor 18<SP>I</SP>, and delivered to a roof spray pipe 15 and side spray pipes 17. This liquid may be returned to the tank 28 as by draining kerbs 37 and suitable channels and grids (not shown). First rinsing of the vehicle is effected from spray pipes 34, 35 supplied by a pipe 36 connected to the mains. A pump may be included in this rinsing system and a similar preliminary spray could be directed on to a vehicle as it enters the plant. Steam coil or other heating means may be provided to heat the liquid in the tank and automatic operation of the plant may be effected by passing the vehicle through a ray-actuated electrical mechanism. Splash guards may be arranged partly around the brushes which may themselves be sprayed. Each brush together with its driving and balance means may be adjustably mounted in the structure. The brushes are manufactured in a suitable bristle and firmly secured in aluminium stocks in half-round sections which are accurately bored for true mounting on to the brush shafts and which are interchangeable or replaceable to allow for brush wear. The brushes may be counterbalanced by springs. According to the Provisional Specification there may be provided two angularly disposed brushes for cleaning the eaves of the roof of the vehicle and the final rinsing sprays may be supplied from the tank by a pump. Moreover spring-loaded dampers may be provided to take out any oscillation of the brushes. The eaves brushes may be staggered with respect to a horizontal centre brush and all mounted in a framework capable of being raised and lowered by hydraulic rams.