Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to an apparatus, a method of construction of the apparatus and a method of use of the apparatus where the apparatus is a portable self-contained vehicle wash. The vehicle wash apparatus is completely self-sufficient with an ability to: carry environmentally safe cleaning products used in vehicle washing; to supply the water needed for vehicle washing; to provide the power needed for vehicle washing, vacuuming, and other equipment associated with the vehicle wash apparatus; and to dispose of or to recycle in an environmentally safe manner any by-products of vehicle washing.  
           [0003]    2. Brief Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Car washes are commonly represented as a building where a vehicle enters one end of the building; attaches to a moving track; and then exits the other end of the building as a cleaned and/or waxed vehicle. This method of cleaning vehicles can be time consuming and costly. Costs can be especially high when vehicles require movement from such multi-car locations as storage areas, shopping mall parking lots or vehicle dealerships. Cleaning vehicles can be time consuming when an individual is either at work or at another activity and needs to allot time to bring a car to a car-wash facility.  
           [0005]    To respond to this situation, individual companies have been started to clean vehicles off-site without the need for a fixed structure wash. However, these off-site ventures lack most of the cleaning and waxing devices of a fixed structure vehicle wash. Also, off-site cleaning still requires disposal of waste water which can be harmful or toxic to the surrounding environment. Off-site waste water disposal and/or recycling as well as independent off-site electrical supply can be difficult to obtain.  
           [0006]    It is seen from the foregoing that there is a need for an apparatus which overcomes the disadvantages found in the prior art concerning off-site vehicle washing, specifically the supply of environmentally safe cleaning supplies and support equipment, independent power for the support equipment, and proper management of waste water runoff from the vehicle wash.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a self-contained vehicle wash apparatus.  
           [0008]    It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide a mobile self-contained vehicle wash apparatus.  
           [0009]    It is therefore a still further object of the present invention to provide a mobile self-contained vehicle apparatus which can utilize environmentally safe cleaning products.  
           [0010]    It is therefore a still further object of the present invention to provide a mobile self-contained vehicle wash apparatus capable of recovery and management of its waste water runoff.  
           [0011]    It is therefore a still further object of the present invention to provide a mobile self-contained vehicle wash apparatus equipped to independently power its wash support equipment.  
           [0012]    It is therefore a still further object of the present invention to provide a safe and time-sensitive method of assemblage of a mobile self-contained vehicle apparatus.  
           [0013]    It is therefore a still further object of the present invention to provide a complete offsite vehicle wash method.  
           [0014]    To attain the objects described, there is provided an apparatus contained in a towable trailer. The apparatus has the main component of a disassembled vehicle wash structure that is removed from the trailer and assembled for use as a self-contained vehicle wash. Assembly and disassembly of the vehicle wash structure should each take approximately thirty minutes when accomplished by two operators.  
           [0015]    Major support equipment for the vehicle wash structure such as a power generator, a steam and power wash generator, a compressor, and a vacuum are located and operate within a sound and fire protected trailer. Power, pressure wash, compressed air and other support to the vehicle wash structure are provided by way of flex hoses which serve as umbilical trunks to the wash structure. Portable equipment and supplies such as hand-held spray guns, towel dispensers, cleaning products and wash buckets can be removed from the trailer for use within the vehicle wash structure.  
           [0016]    Waste-water and all other residual effluence (such as sand, silt, and trace elements of petroleum products) produced by vehicle washing are returned to a high filtration water reclamation system within the trailer. At the end of the cleaning cycle period, the cartridge filters of the water reclamation system can be removed by a licensed waste hauler. During a standard wash day with the vehicle wash apparatus operated by four employees and supervised by one employee, approximately fifty vehicles (at seven minutes per vehicle) can be cleaned. With no water lost to run-off, water is lost only through evaporation with a total daily loss of approximately two gallons. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    Thus by the present invention its objects and advantages will be realized, the description of which should be taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a view from a perspective angle showing the trailer used to transport the vehicle wash apparatus.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a sectional view looking to the interior wall of the trailer with wash support equipment shown.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic of the vehicle wash apparatus, depicting a power source and various power circuits.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a diagram of the compressed air system of the vehicle wash apparatus.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a diagram of the water system of the vehicle wash apparatus.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a detail of the transition box and flexible hose used to conduit support systems by attachment to the vehicle wash structure.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a sectional view from the rear of the trailer looking to the forward end of the trailer to show the support equipment manifold and flexible line connection to the umbilical trunk and access port.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a sectional view from the mid-point of the trailer looking to the forward end of the trailer with the wash support equipment shown.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a sectional view from the rear of the trailer looking to the forward end of the trailer with the stowage of containment cart and removal ramps shown.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is a side view of a loaded containment cart resting on removal ramps.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11 is a plan view of an unloaded containment cart.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 12 is a detail view of an upright vehicle wash structure cornerpiece.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 13 is a plan view of the placement of the vehicle wash structure containment mat.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 14 depicts the aluminum structural components of the vehicle wash apparatus positioned for assembly.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 15 is a side view depicting placement of the bottom and top cords on the containment mat.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 16 is a plan view of the spray piping layout and canvass roof attachment points of the vehicle wash structure.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 17 is a side view detailing the assembly of the jack.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 18 is an end view of the vehicle wash structure showing the jack in operation.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 19 is a side view of the vehicle wash structure showing placement of the leg posts.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 20 is a side view of the vehicle wash structure showing placement of the corner pieces and canvass.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 21 is a side view of the vehicle wash structure showing attachment of the utility hose and placement of the sump filter and pump.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 22 is a diagram of the waste water treatment system of the vehicle wash apparatus. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views, one sees that FIG. 1 is a perspective view of trailer  10  which is used for transport of the vehicle wash apparatus. Shaded portion  11  indicates the exterior section of trailer  10 . The wash support equipment and trailer doors are not shown and a cutaway view at the front portion of the trailer is shown in order to provide clarity as to the locations of the section views (marked by directional arrows). Section views are numbered to correspond to subsequent numbered figures.  
         [0041]    A typical trailer for this use should be rated to carry at least 10,000 pounds; however, the actual weight of the vehicle wash apparatus with trailer  10  loaded would be 7900 pounds. The volumetric area of the interior of the trailer should be 525 cubic feet. Suitable alternatives for weight capacity and size may be used.  
         [0042]    Except for the trailer floor, the trailer is lined with light reflective sound suppression insulation  14  which limits the operating volume heard outside trailer  10  to approximately 30 decibels. The reflective feature of insulation  14  enhances lighting conditions in trailer  10 , permitting safer and easier use of wash support equipment.  
         [0043]    Water-collecting rubber matting  15  rests on a segment of trailer floor  16  where a containment cart would be stored when the vehicle wash apparatus is not being used. Rubber matting  15  isolates from the wash support equipment any residual liquid dripping from the cart as well as providing stable underfooting for any operations within trailer  10 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 2 is a sectional view depicting equipment placement on the interior wall of trailer  10  looking outward from the center-line of the trailer. The view is framed by trailer top  17 , rear opening  18 , floor  16 , and front wall  20 .  
         [0045]    The power support for trailer  10  and the vehicle wash structure is provided by generator  22 . A typical generator used would be a twenty-horsepower generator; however, a wide range of equivalents known to those skilled in the art may be used. Generator  22  is able to provide 13,000 watts of power to all electrical equipment within trailer  10  and that equipment used within the vehicle wash structure. Generator  22  has a ten-gallon gasoline carrying capacity.  
         [0046]    Directing air flow at generator  22  are air induction elbows  24 , 25 . Attached piping  26  (shown for elbow  24 ) penetrates floor  16  providing the ambient air needed for cooling and operation of generator  22 . Closer to trailer wall  29  and mechanically coupled to generator  22  is heat-insulated exhaust elbow  30 , which also penetrates trailer floor  16 . Before passing to the outside air, exhaust gas from elbow  30  passes through a catalytic converter muffler system (not shown).  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 3 depicts the power distribution from generator  22  in an electrical schematic with individual equipment identified to correspond with Figures identifying the location of the equipment.  
         [0048]    As shown in FIG. 2, power produced by generator  22  is switched to other equipment in trailer  10  through circuit breaker box  32 . Heat sensor  34  mounted on and electrically attached to circuit breaker box  32  is one component of the trailer&#39;s multi-layered fire suppression system. If the temperature rises above 150° F. within trailer  10 , heat sensor  34  will automatically shut down the power at circuit breaker box  32 .  
         [0049]    Located on mounting cradle  42  above circuit breaker box  32  and welded to trailer wall  29  is compressor  43 . Along with the trailer lights (not shown), compressor  43  is electrically supplied by a 20-amp circuit from circuit breaker box  32 . Compressor  43  plugs into the 20-amp circuit. Compressor  43  is a 110 V, 13-amp device.  
         [0050]    Compressor  43  provides compressed air to equipment throughout trailer  10  and to the vehicle wash structure. Compressed air available for use is piped to receivers  44 ,  46  where the air is stored for future use and released to major equipment by air regulator  47 , shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 depicts the compressed air distribution system to major equipment such as universal transfer pump  48 , grey water pump  49 , and auxiliary air tank  50 .  
         [0051]    As shown in FIG. 2, compressor  43 , circuit breaker box  32 , and generator  22  are located near trailer side door  51  in order to provide centralized access to these components while also allowing emergency egress through door  51 .  
         [0052]    To the rear of generator  22  is power wash and steam generator  52  which provides a power wash supply to hand-held sprayers and nozzles within the vehicle wash structure. Powered by a sixteen-horsepower engine, the power wash generator  52  is able to provide 3000 psi to two or more hand-held sprayers  53  that are used in the vehicle wash structure. FIG. 5 depicts the water system of the vehicle wash including connections to major equipment and including fittings such as the manifold foot pedal  54  and pressure reserve tank  55 .  
         [0053]    Similar to generator  22 , cooling air is provided by an air induction elbow  56 . In order to conserve space in the rear of trailer  10 , air induction elbow  56  attaches at hollow transition box  57  by way of air intake fan  58 . Air intake fan  58  pressurizes and increases the volume of cooling air to steam generator  52 . Trailer floor  16  is sectionally cut beneath transition box  57  in order to provide outside air for the intake of fan  58 . Exhaust from power wash generator  52  is vented through exhaust piping  59  penetrating floor  16  and exiting to the outside air through a catalytic converter muffler system (not shown).  
         [0054]    Transition box  57 , detailed in FIG. 6, provides a hose connection for compressed air  60 , waste water return  61 , and air vacuum  62 . System tubing from transition box  57  enters flex hose  63  along with electrical wiring  64 . Electrical wiring  64  enters flex hose  63  by way of access port  65 . Access port  65  penetrates floor  16  and is provided with hinged closure plate  66  which is closed during operation. Flex hose  63  enters utility hose  67  through hose fitting  68 . In operation, utility hose  67  via umbilical duct  69  provides systems such as liquid and air supplies to and from the vehicle wash structure.  
         [0055]    Vacuum hose connection  70  is mechanically connected to tubing  71 , shown in FIG. 7. As a space saving feature, tubing  71  runs through transition box  57  to connect with vacuum  72 . As shown in FIG. 3, vacuum  72  is preferably a plug-in, 1015 watt, 120-volt device; however, suitable alternatives may be used. Vacuum  72  is electrically supplied by a 20-amp circuit from circuit breaker box  32 . Vacuum  72 , along with other equipment, can be plugged into four-outlet, 20-amp, receptacle  73 , shown in FIG. 7. Power to receptacle  73  can be shut off remotely at switch  74 . Switch  74  is easily accessible through rear opening  18  of trailer  10 .  
         [0056]    As shown in FIG. 2, receptacle  73  is also electrically coupled to a receiver  76 . Another receptacle  75  in trailer  10  is also provided with a receiver for remote operation. Both receivers allow remote control from the vehicle wash structure of power supplied by the receptacles.  
         [0057]    Another layer of the fire suppression system located near switch  74  is portable ABC-rated extinguisher  78  attached to trailer wall  29  by removable clips  80  and located near rear opening  18  for easy access from outside trailer  10 . Additional fire protection is provided by a Halon 1211 heat-activated extinguisher. The heat-activated extinguisher  82  is shown; however, suitable substitutes may be used. Heat-activated extinguisher  82 , which may be bracketed to the trailer top  17  or wall  29 , releases nontoxic Halon 1301 gas when the temperature in trailer  10  exceeds 1750° F. Halon 1301 gas has an advantage over other fire suppression chemicals in that it minimally damages equipment. An identical heat-activated extinguisher  84 , which provides fire suppression to propane tank  88 , is shown in FIG. 8 on forward trailer wall  20 . The combined capacity for extinguishers  82 ,  84  is 1500 cubic feet of Halon. Heat-activated extinguisher  84  in FIG. 8 is located to be near propane tank  88 .  
         [0058]    Propane tank  88 , with a capacity of 20 lbs. of propane fuel, supplies propane furnace  90 . Propane tank  88  is attached by safety bracketing  89  to forward trailer wall  20 . Propane furnace  90  is an air induction forced hot air furnace. Hot air is supplied through heat duct  92  and onto the vehicle wash structure through utility hose  67 . A remote heat source such as propane furnace  90  allows the vehicle wash structure to be heated without any electrical components near the structure. Temperature is controlled by a thermostat within trailer  10 . Propane furnace  90  is electrically supplied by a 20 amp circuit (shown in FIG. 3).  
         [0059]    Providing cross-ventilation and resultant cooling for trailer  10  are four cylinder fan units  96 . Cylinder fan units  96 , run alongside duct  92  and exhaust to the outside air through open sections in trailer top  17 . Cylinder fan units  96  are electrically supplied by plugging into receptacle  75  (shown in FIG. 3).  
         [0060]    Water for the vehicle wash apparatus is supplied by a forty-five gallon tank  98  and a twenty gallon tank  100 . Foundations for both tanks are welded or mechanically attached to the trailer front wall  20  and/or to trailer top  17 . Tributary tank  103  is a fifty-five gallon tank with a foundation on floor  16 . A fill connection  104  is provided for attachment to outside water sources, shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0061]    As shown in FIG. 8, water used in the vehicle wash structure is filtered through five-micron filters  106  bracketed to tributary tank  103 . Tank  98  provides water directly to the vehicle wash structure by way of jet pump  108 , foundated on floor  16  and plugged into outlet  73  (depicted in FIG. 3).  
         [0062]    Tank  100  of FIG. 8 provides water to power wash generator  52  by way of jet pump  110  which has a foundation  112  on trailer front wall  20  and is hard-wired to panel  32  (shown in FIG. 3).  
         [0063]    As shown in FIG. 4, downstream from jet pump  110  and connected to supply piping  113  is electronic regulator valve  114 , which is used is used to control the water pressure in supply piping  113 .  
         [0064]    As shown in FIG. 2, before entering power wash generator  52 , the water is filtered to one micron at canister filter assembly  116 , mechanically mounted on trailer wall  29 . From canister filter assembly  116  the water enters a reservoir (not shown) from which power wash generator  52  draws its supply. Depicted in FIG. 7, power wash generator  52  has an integral pump  118  which provides a constant pressure to the vehicle wash structure.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 9 depicts the stowage of containment cart  120  and ramps  121  when trailer  10  is in transport and when the vehicle wash apparatus is not in use. To allow for needed space, utility hose  67  is stowed in ducting  92 .  
         [0066]    Loaded structure containment cart  120 , depicted in FIG. 10, has a two-stage loading configuration with a loading bracket  122  separating a lower area  123  and an upper area  124 . Equipment and rigging on cart  120  is secured for transport by nylon straps  125 . Secured to upper area  124  are wash buckets  126 , water-proof lighting fixtures  127 , and vehicle wash structure system piping  128 . Secured to lower area  123  is structural aluminum scaffolding. Because of the stowage requirements of the scaffolding, extra available space in lower area  123  can be used to stow buffer machines, a ladder, hoses, towel dispensers, environmentally safe cleaning products, a suction pump, and structure erection tools. Also contained in the available space around the scaffolding are all of the canvasses and non-scaffolding pieces required, including the structure side canvass, roof canvass, roller canvasses, containment mat, and solid corners.  
         [0067]    Containment cart  120  is mechanically attached to six rollers. Forward and rear rollers  129  touch the surface or ramp  121  when central rollers  130 , which are vertically longer than forward and rear rollers  129 , are pivoted in either direction. By using the pivoting leverage of central rollers  130 , containment cart  120  is able to be moved by one operator when loaded.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 11 depicts containment cart  120  unloaded. Eyelet bolt  131  is threadedly coupled to crossbar  132 . Crossbars  132  are welded to longitudinal flatbars  134 . Resting on and welded to crossbars  132  and longitudinal flatbars  134  are loading mounts  136 . Loading mounts  136  provide an exposure area to transmit force evenly to the structure of cart  120 . On the outer edges and on the underside of mounts  136  are mechanically attached rollers  129 ,  130 .  
         [0069]    Loading bracket  122  is shown as a configuration of welded aluminum members  137  placed to provide additional strength for loading upper area  124 . Recesses  138 , shown as shaded areas, are machined into the topside of members  137  allowing secure stowage of spray system piping. With spray system piping placed in recesses  138 , the machined underside of bar  139  is threadedly secured by eyelet bolts  140  into apertures  141 ,  142 . There are four bars  139  with corresponding eyelet bolts  140 .  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 12 depicts a solid corner  143  used as one of four corners in the assemblage of the vehicle wash structure. For this figure, corner  143  is flattened along interior edge  144  in order to depict components used within the vehicle wash structure. Four spring-tensioned grapples  146  are affixed to interior wall  148 . Grapples  146  attach to reinforced eyelets on the side structure covering canvasses by means of pins  149 .  
         [0071]    In order to facilitate an overhead wash system, fixed sections of pipe  150  are secured by brackets  152  to wall  148 . At the lower end of pipe  150  are hose couplings  154 . Hose couplings  154  are used for attachment to water supply hoses from trailer  10  which run inside of flex hose  63 . At the upper end of pipe  150  are couplings  156  used for attachment of the upper spray piping sections. Formed within one longitudinal edge of corner  143  is track  158  used as a guide for roller canvasses that are placed on the ends of the vehicle wash structure. A roller plate  159  with roller support  160  is mechanically affixed to corner  143  during vehicle wash structure assembly. Roller support  160  secures the roller canvasses and is used in operation with track  158 . Equipment beam stud  161  is provided to secure with recess  162  of the underside of equipment beam  163 . On the front side of equipment beam  163  are parallel recesses  164  provided as an attachment point for stud mounting equipment such as towel dispensers. Equipment beam  163  is also slotted for equipment panels  165 . Equipment panels  165  can support items such as wash buckets  126 . Also provided on corners  143  is quick-disconnect  166 , an attachment point for hand-held spray guns  53 .  
         [0072]    To set up the vehicle wash structure, trailer  10  is moved to a designated wash site. At the site, structure containment cart  120  is winched out of the trailer  10  using wire rope  167  provided with winch  168  (shown in FIG. 8). Hook  169  should be properly secured to eyelet  131  of containment cart  120  (shown in FIG. 11). Ramps  121  are removed from trailer  10  and hooked into recessed attachment points  170  (shown in FIG. 9). Recessed attachment points  170  are spaced apart to align with the rollerbase of cart  120 . Using remote winch control  171 , cart  120  is pulled out of trailer  10  by an operator while restraining movement with wire cable tension. The wire cable tension allows removal of cart  120  without strain on the operator and without possible damage to cart  120  caused by quick removal.  
         [0073]    Floor containment mat  214  is removed from cart  120 , unrolled, oriented and placed on a surface, where the vehicle wash apparatus will be assembled. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the setting of containment mat  214 . Containment mat  214  should typically be a fire retardant reinforced membrane; however, suitable alternatives may be used. Containment mat  214  lays upon structural channel  216 . The flattened top surface area  218  of channel  216  is in contact with the underside of containment mat  214 , thus creating a berm inside the perimeter of containment mat  214 . At this point or at a later point during assembly, rubber water-collecting tracks  219  can be placed on containment mat  214 . Tracks  219  isolate any residual liquid dripping from the vehicle being washed and prevent residual liquids from being tracked outside of the structure.  
         [0074]    The mid-area created in containment mat  214  is recessed in relation to berm ( 220 , shown in FIG. 15) allowing pooling of waste-water after washing which is to be pumped back to the treatment system in trailer  10 . In vertical alignment with structural channel  216  and resting on the operational surface  221  of containment mat  214  are aluminum foundation sections  222 . Foundation sections  222  maintain the positioning of containment mat  214  while providing a foundation for the building elements of the vehicle wash structure.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 14 depicts the aluminum structural components of the vehicle wash structure positioned for assembly. View A is an end view, depicting bottom cords  228 , leg posts  229 , top cords  230 , and a top connection member  231 . Bottom cord  228  is shaped as a 90° angle with square end units that have a height and width of approximately 16.5 inches. Additional strengthening of bottom cord  228  is provided by numerous cross-members  232 .  
         [0076]    Legpost  229  is shaped as a 90° angle and is sized to accommodate corner  143  (shown in FIG. 12). In FIG. 14, edge  233  is the centerline of the angle of legpost  229  with members  234  extending approximately 16.5 inches and 900 apart from each other. Legpost  229  has a top-to-bottom length of approximately 58.5 inches. Top cord  230  is identical in construction to bottom cord  228 , except for attachment areas to connection member  231 . Connection member  231  has a depth to accommodate attachment to top cord  230  and a width of approximately 108 inches, sized to accommodate the width of most vehicles.  
         [0077]    View B is a side view of the assemblage for the vehicle wash structure depicting bottom cords  228 , leg posts  239 , and top cords  230 . Bottom and top cords  228 ,  230  have a height of approximately 16.5 inches and a length from end-to-end of approximately 143.75 inches.  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 15 is a section view looking from the mid-area of the containment mat  214  to its perimeter, depicting the installation of bottom cords  228  and top cords  230 . In reference to this figure and subsequent figures, bottom cords  228  and top cords  230  have additional cross supports; however, the amount of supports shown was lessened for this figure and subsequent figures for a more accurate depiction of additional items of the assemblies. Bottom cord  228  rests on foundation section  222  shown with containment mat  214  resting on surface  233 . After placement of the bottom cords  228 , bottom cords  223  are secured to each other by bolts  234  and wingnuts  235  at the mid-longitudinal point of the vehicle wash structure. Top cords  230  are then placed on bottom cord  228  but are not secured to bottom cord  228 . Top cords  236  are also attached by bolts  234  and wingnuts  235 .  
         [0079]    With top cord  230  resting on bottom cord  228 , overhead spray sections  240  are placed on the top cord  230 , as shown in FIG. 16. Two overhead spray sections  240  are shown; however, the vehicle wash structure supports ten sections with three nozzles  242  per section; the number of spray sections and nozzles can be increased or decreased depending on coverage preferences. Nozzles  242  face down and towards the centerline of the vehicle wash structure, in order to provide adequate coverage of the vehicle being washed. Magnified view “A” shows the arrangement of nozzle  242  in relation to spray section  240 .  
         [0080]    Welded to the top area of top cords  230  are channel pieces  244 . Channel pieces  244  are positioned with the recessed area of the piece facing containment mat  214 . Installed, spray sections  240  run over top cords  230  and rests in the recessed area of channel pieces  244 .  
         [0081]    Water is supplied to spray sections  240  by feeder main  246 . Feeder main  246  attaches to spray sections  240  by quick-release couplings  248  shown in magnified view “B”. At the distal end of feeder main  246 , a pressure gauge  250  is provided to assure that adequate water pressure is supplied to the spray section furthest from the supply. At the proximal end of the feeder main, hose  252  and fitting  254  are provided for connection to the water supply system.  
         [0082]    After installation of spray section  240 , a summer canvass or winter canvass  255  is placed over the vehicle wash structure including all spray system piping. Summer or winter canvass  255  should typically be made from awning fabric; however, a wide range of equivalents may be available known to those ordinarily skilled in the art. Canvass  255  would cover the longitudinal area between connection members  231  and the area between top cord edges  256 ,  258 , attaching with tie-wraps to connection members  231  at apertures  260 . This arrangement allows venting through top cords  230 . A winter canvass would add to the area covered by also attaching at apertures  262  on top cords  230 .  
         [0083]    Jack  270 , shown in detail in FIG. 17, comprises a bottom transom section  272  which presses bottom cord  228  at curved area  274  and attaches at clip  276 . Hook  278  raises the underside of connector member  231  with the assistance of tensioned wire rope  280 . Wire rope  280  is moved over pulley  282  by an operator using crank  284 , with crank  284  foundated on aluminum stanchion  286 . Pivot point  288  allows stanchion  286  to pivot in direction  290  when the top section of the vehicle wash structure is being elevated.  
         [0084]    [0084]FIG. 18 depicts the placement of jack  270  placement from the front end of the vehicle wash structure looking toward top cords  230  angled relative to surface  233 . To elevate top cords  230 , connection member  231  is jacked up at one end by jack  270  pivoting at the other end  291  shown by direction arrows  292 .  
         [0085]    In FIG. 19, top cord  230  is elevated to allow installation of legpost  229 . Caster  300  is secured to the two end legposts  229  with wingnuts  302 . Legposts  229  are placed on bottom cords  228 , and bolts  304  are dropped in apertures in bottom cords  228  to secure legposts  229 . Casters  300  are secured to both top cords  230  by wire  306  and cotter pins  308 ,  310 . Connection member  231  is pulled slightly by jack  270  to ensure adequate resting of top cords  230  on casters  312 . With one-half of the vehicle wash structure elevated, lighting fixtures  127  are installed. Lighting fixtures  127  are provided with hooks  316  sized to fit into apertures drilled in both top cords  230 . Lighting fixtures  127  are connected to “Underwriters Laboratory” water-proof connectors  318  and are electrically supplied by a  20 -amp circuit (shown in FIG. 3). With lighting fixtures  127  installed, jack  270  is removed and set on the other end of the vehicle wash structure. Jacking top cords  230  and installation of legposts  229  is performed in the same manner described above, with the top cords  230  rolling forward on casters  300 ; positioned on legposts  229  and then bolted.  
         [0086]    As shown in FIG. 20, solid corners  143  are now set in vehicle wash structure  330  and secured by wingnuts to leg posts  229 , providing additional strength to the structure. Roller plate  159  is mechanically attached to corner  143  to allow installation of roller canvass  332 . Roller guide  334  is sized to fit in track  158  and to allow easily roll-up of canvass  332  when staging a vehicle and roll-down for sealing vehicle wash structure  330 .  
         [0087]    Two side canvasses  336  provided with reinforced eyelets  338  are secured to spring grapples  146  with pin  149 , four grapples  146  for each corner  143  with two corners per side. Spring grapples  146  provide flexibility of movement for canvass  336  under windy conditions. Overhead straps  340  are provided for attachment to the overhead spray system where straps  340  can be adjusted at hook points  342  on canvass  336 . Side canvasses  336  may be a mesh-type surface for adequate ventilation in summer use, or the surface may have a more thickened weave to act as a heat insulator for winter use. Side canvass  336  is partially separated along seam  344 . This separation allows entry of personnel or support systems where small eyelets  346  can be pulled away and secured to bottom cord  228  or to each other.  
         [0088]    Using FIGS. 12 and 16 for guidance, feeder main  246  is secured to affixed piping  150  at coupling  156  on corner  143 . Equipment beam  163  is secured to stud  163  at recess  162 . Equipment panels  165  are inserted into slots in equipment beam  163  and stud securing items such as a towel dispenser are placed in parallel recess  164 . Spray guns  53  are attached for supply at quick-disconnect  166 .  
         [0089]    [0089]FIG. 21 is a side view of the vehicle wash structure showing side canvass  336  as a shaded area with a cutaway section to show placement of equipment within the structure. Water hoses, air lines, heating lines and air conditioning lines from equipment located in trailer  10  are brought out and connected to wash vehicle structure  330  through utility hose  67 . Water for the wash system is connected to hose couplings  154  by a hose emitting from flex hose  63  which runs through utility hose  67 . Utility hose  67  sizably fits in an area cleared by the pulling back of canvass  336  and between structural members of bottom cord  228  as indicated by direction arrows  350 . As canvass  336  is pulled back, eyelets  346  are secured to each other or bottom cord  228  by tiewrap  352 . In the final assembly step for the vehicle wash apparatus, triangular plate  353  connected to utility hose  67  is then placed between the structural members of bottom cord  228  and mechanically connected. Time for assemblage of the vehicle wash apparatus by two operators should be approximately 30 minutes.  
         [0090]    Wash water and run-off dispensed within vehicle wash structure  330  are captured by sump filter  354  within containment mat  214  on which the water will naturally gather from the natural draining topography of the parking area. As shown in FIG. 22, wash water is pumped back to trailer  10  through hose  355  and onto flex hose  63  contained in utility hose  67  for filtration processing by means of a double diaphragm air compression siphon sump pump  356  connected to sump filter  354  by hose  358 . Sump pump  356 , which can be located in or outside trailer  10 , is preferably a one-third horsepower pump; however, suitable alternatives may be used. Sump pump  356  is a plug-in type pump electrically supplied by a 20-amp circuit, shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0091]    Water returned to the trailer  10  is processed through a tributary tank system for filtration and re-use. Water processed through the tributary tank system may be used multiple times. Trailer  10  is now ready for full operation with a vehicle to be washed pulled in all access doors closed. With the access doors closed, the decibel level is reduced to operate within OSHA operating standards.  
         [0092]    Washing of the vehicle is executed by means of hand-held wash guns  53 , overhead foot control spray systems, and uniform straight-line hand washing with high nap virgin rinsed and clean detail clothes. Hand wax and polish is in the same straight-line uniform pattern to ensure that total coverage of the vehicle is addressed.  
         [0093]    Interfacing of equipment between the trailer  10  and vehicle wash structure  330  is accomplished by hand-held remote control, and foot pedals  54 . A supervisory operator will also handle and secure keys to the vehicle being washed while under digital camera surveillance. Trailer  10  provides power to all waterproof lights  127  and power connectors  318  within the structure. Water is dispensed upon the vehicle in the wash process by a high pressure atomization of the water to ensure water conservation. Using no more than 2 gallons of water per standard size vehicle allows rapid drying and fine detailing of the vehicle creating a short wash window time.  
         [0094]    Roller canvasses  332  are opened and the vehicle is removed enabling the washing process to start for the next vehicle. The off-site wash period is approximately 7 hours with two end 30 minute set-up and breakdown periods for the structure. Wash periods may be longer if vehicle wash structure  330  is used as a semi-permanent structure. Upon the end of the wash period, containment mat  214  is cleaned and vacuumed so that vehicle wash structure  330  may be dismantled and loaded onto cart  120 . Containment mat  214  and canvasses can be loaded within the dismantled structure onto containment cart  120  and secured by nylon straps  125  so that cart  120  can be winched back and secured within trailer  10 .  
         [0095]    Trailer  10  is then closed and secured for over-the-road travel to a homesite for subsequent replenishment of cleaning supplies and support systems. At the homesite, filter cartridges from filters  116  are removed and replaced by an experienced hauler.  
         [0096]    Thus by the present invention its objects and advantages are realized and although preferred embodiments have been disclosed and described in detail herein, its scope should be determined by that of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 7