Patent Publication Number: US-6210492-B1

Title: Cleaning solution spraying system and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a vehicle-based cleaning solution spraying system and method for cleaning buildings, signs roadways, and the like. 
     2. Background of the Prior Art 
     Devices that wash buildings, roadways and driveways, signs, and the like are known in the art. These devices work on various principles and with various levels of efficiency and productivity, however, they each suffer from one or more drawbacks. 
     Many devices are relatively small and are unable to effectively clean a relatively large structure such as a commercial building. Others are relatively complex in design and construction, resulting in relatively high acquisition and maintenance costs that make such devices prohibitive to use. Some devices lack sufficient controls to achieve delivery of a cleaning solution having a desired concentration and a desired discharge pressure. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for a cleaning solution spraying system that can be used in commercial settings yet that is of relatively simple design and construction and is relatively easy to use. Such a device must have adequate controls to allow delivery of a desired solution concentration at a desired discharge pressure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The cleaning solution spraying system of the present invention addresses the aforementioned needs in the art. The device, which can be effectively used in a commercial setting, delivers a cleaning solution of a desired concentration at a desired discharge pressure. This discharge pressure control allows the cleaning solution spraying system to be operated in a low pressure mode such as when the cleaning solution is being sprayed onto the structure and a high pressure mode such as during the rinse phase. The device is of relatively simple design and construction and is relatively easy to use. 
     The cleaning solution spraying system of the present invention is comprised of a base, a first tank and possibly a second tank secured to the base. A first T-fitting fluid flow connects the two tanks with a nozzle. A first pump, a first valve, and a first check valve are fluid flow disposed between the first T-fitting and the first tank while a second pump, a second valve, and a second check valve are fluid flow disposed between the first T-fitting and the second tank. Appropriate filters are disposed within the system. A second T-fitting can be fluid flow connected to the first tank, the first pump and a water source such as an ordinary water faucet. A pressure regulator and a pressure gauge are fluid flow disposed between the second T-fitting and the water source. The first tank can be omitted and the first T-fitting can be fluid flow connected directly to the water source. A manifold system is fluid flow disposed between the first T-fitting and the first pump for regulating the amount of fluid flowing therefrom during the cleaning solution spraying process. The manifold comprises an inlet port fluid flow connected to the first pump, an outlet port fluid flow connected to the first T-fitting, and a plurality of feeder tubes, each feeder tube fluid flow connected to the inlet port and to the outlet port, and at least some of the feeder tubes having a valve of any appropriate type. In order to control the pressure of the fluid at the outlet port, an appropriate number of valves on the feeder tubes are opened. For a relatively low pressure, a relatively small number of valves are opened, for a relatively high pressure, a relatively large number of valves are opened. A variable rate control valve and a pressure gauge are fluid flow disposed between the first T-fitting and the nozzle for regulating and monitoring the discharge pressure of the fluid at the nozzle. 
     The cleaning solution spraying system of the present invention can be mounted on a vehicle, either a towable trailer or directly onto a vehicle capable of self-locomotion, such as a truck. Such mounting is ideally suited for use by government entities and others in cleaning and tracking roadway signs. Specifically, an operator may take the cleaning solution spraying system to a sign and using a ground positioning system (GPS) receiver, obtain the GPS location coordinates of the sign. These location coordinates can then be entered into an entry within a database, the database having a data structure with one of its data elements being a location data element, and optionally, a sign type data element, and a date data element. The sign type data and the date data are also entered. Once the operator cleans the sign and enters the data, the operator moves on to the next sign and repeats the process. Once all the signs within a given area are cleaned, the locations and cleaning status of the signs will be accurately known to the responsible entity, thereby allowing tracking of the signs within the area. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning solution spraying system of the present invention being used to clean a sign. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the manifold used with the cleaning solution spraying system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a GPS receiver used with the method of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic view of plumbing system of the cleaning solution spraying system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the database used with the method of the present invention. 
     Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, it is seen that the cleaning solution spraying system of the present invention is comprised of a base  12 , having a first tank  14  for holding water, and a second tank  16  for holding a desired cleaning fluid. The base  12  may have wheels  18  allowing it to be towed and may have several accessories for assisting in the cleaning solution spraying process, such as hose reels, electric cord reels, an electrical generator or other power source such as an electric cord and plug, a ladder holder, storage hooks, etc., (none illustrated). Additionally, the base  12  may be part of a self-locomotion vehicle such as being part of the bed of a truck  20 . 
     A first T-fitting  22  is fluid flow connected to the first tank  14 , to the second tank  16  and to a nozzle  24 . A first pressure gauge  26  is fluid flow disposed between the nozzle  24  and the first T-fitting  22 . A first valve  28  is fluid flow connected to the first tank  14 , a first pump  30  is fluid flow connected to the first valve  28 , and a first check valve  32  is fluid flow disposed between the first pump  30  and the first T-fitting  22 . A second valve  34  is fluid flow connected to the second tank  16 , a second pump  36  is fluid flow connected to the second valve  34 , and a second check valve  38  is fluid flow disposed between the second pump  36  and the first T-fitting  22 . A manifold  40  is fluid flow disposed between the first T-fitting  22  and the first pump  30  (the first check valve  32  can be on either side of the manifold  40 ). The manifold  40  has an inlet port  42  that is fluid flow connected to the first pump  30 , an outlet port  44  that is fluid flow connected to the first T-fitting  22 , and a plurality of feeder tubes  46 , each feeder tube  46  fluid flow connected to the inlet port  42  and to the outlet port  44 , and at least some of the feeder tubes  46  having a valve  48  of any appropriate type. A second T-fitting  50  can be fluid flow connected to the first pump  30 , to the first tank  14 , and to the a water source W. A pressure regulator  52  is fluid flow disposed between the second T-fitting  50  and the water source W and a second pressure gauge  54  is fluid flow disposed between the second T-fitting  50  and the pressure regulator  52  (or between the pressure regulator  52  and the water source W). Alternately, the first tank  14  can be eliminated such that the first T-fitting  22  is fluid flow connected only to the water source W via the pressure regulator  52  and the second pressure gauge  54  and optionally the first pump  30 . All fluid flow connections are made using standard hoses and pipes  56  and couplings  58 , and, advantageously, the nozzle  24  is connected to the first T-fitting  22  via a quick connect fitting  60  so that the nozzle  24  can be quickly coupled to the system  10  at job startup and quickly disconnected for storage after job completion. 
     Appropriate filters (not illustrated) are disposed at appropriate locations within the system  10 . 
     In order to use the cleaning solution spraying system  10  of the present invention, an appropriate cleaning fluid is put into the second tank  16  and, if used, water is placed into the first tank  14 . If the first tank  14  is not used, the first pump  30  is connected to a water source W. The nozzle  24  is connected to the first T-fitting  22  (if not already so connected). An appropriate amount of feeder tube valves  48  are opened, the higher the desired pressure of water entering the first T-fitting  22 , the more feeder tube valves  48  that are opened. This controls the concentration of the discharged cleaning solution in that at a higher water pressure, more water enters the first T-fitting  22  for a given amount of cleaning fluid entering the first T-fitting  22  from the second tank  16 , and thus the lower the concentration of the solution at discharge. The first valve  28  and the second valve  34  are each opened and the first pump  30  and the second pump  36  are each activated. The first pump  30  pumps water to the nozzle  24  from either the first tank  14  or the water source W and the second pump  36  pumps the cleaning solution to the nozzle  24  from the second tank  16 . An operator uses the nozzle  24  to spray the combined solution onto a desired surface. An appropriate variable rate control valve  62 , having a variable rate of fluid discharge, is located on the nozzle  24  and allows the operator to control the rate of solution discharge. In the illustrated squeeze lever control valve  62 , the more the operator squeezes the lever, the higher the pressure of the discharged solution. The first pressure gauge  26  allows the operator to monitor the pressure at the nozzle  24 . If the first pump  30  is connected to the water source W, the pressure regulator  52  assures that the water entering the first pump  30  does not exceed a certain maximum pressure. The second pressure gauge  54  allows the operator to assure that at least a minimum required pressure of water is going to the first T-fitting  22 . 
     In the operator needs to rinse the desired surface, the second valve  34  is closed and the second pump  36  is deactivated. The second check valve  38  assures that no solution back flows to the second tank  16 . As only water from the first tank  14  or from the water source W is now entering the nozzle  24 , the operator can now rinse the desired surface. After job completion, the first valve  28  is closed and the first pump  30  is deactivated. The first check valve  32  assures that no back flow of solution or water occurs. If so attached, the first pump  30  is disconnected from the of water source W. 
     If the first tank  14  is used, the second T-fitting  50  can be connected to the water source W. The first valve  28  is opened and the first pump  30  remains inactive. The water entering the system  10  from the water source W is routed into the first tank  14 , thereby filling the first tank  14 . 
     The cleaning solution spraying system  10  ideally and uniquely lends itself for use by government entities and others in cleaning and tracking roadway signs S. Specifically, an operator may take the cleaning solution spraying system  10  to a sign S, and using a standard ground positioning system (GPS) receiver  64 , obtain the GPS location coordinates of the sign S. These location coordinates can then be entered into an entry  66  of the database, the database having a data structure with one of its data elements being a location data element  68 , and optionally, a sign type data element  70 , and a date data element  72 , as well as any other desired data elements. The sign type data and the date data are also entered into the database. Once the operator cleans the sign S and enters the data, the operator moves on to the next sign S and repeats the process. Once all the signs S within a given area are cleaned, the locations of the signs S will be accurately known to the responsible entity, thereby allowing tracking of the signs S within the area. This permits very efficient cleaning and location warehousing of an entity&#39;s signs S. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.