Rollover pressure car wash apparatus and methods of operating same

Abstract

A variable pressure spray type vehicle laundry apparatus in which a carriage is mounted for longitudinal displacement along overhead parallel beams and an inverted L shaped spray arm carrying both horizontally and vertically directed nozzles circumscribes the vehicle to be laundered. In the preferred embodiments two reversely similar L shaped spray arms are used and caused to operate through a butterfly type cycle to spray various fluids at different pressures on the vehicle. For low pressure operations, the twin arm system is centered over the vehicle and both spray arms are supplied with low pressure fluid at the same time. For high pressure operations, the left and right spray arms are operated in sequence and each is maintained at an optimal spray arm to vehicle spacing during its operating cycle. The carriage is provided with a laterally translatable shuttle structure for this purpose.

1. Apparatus for spraying fluid onto an object in a treatment location having a floor and comprising:
 a support structure overhead the location    a spray nozzle carrier arm of essentially inverted L-shape having a horizontal spray portion extending from an inboard end generally over the center line of the location to a second end at the periphery of the location; said arm further having a vertical spray portion essentially continuous with the horizontal portion and extending from the second end thereof downwardly toward the floor;    spray nozzles carried by said arm;    a powered pivot structure connecting said arm to said support structure to pivot said arm about a vertical axis passing substantially through the inboard end of the first portion whereby the vertical portion of the arm may be caused to circumscribe at least a portion of the area; and    means for supplying fluid to the nozzles under pressure.    
     
     
       2. Apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said support structure defines a longitudinal path of travel and said apparatus further comprises:
 a carriage structure mounted for longitudinal movement over and relative to the treatment location;    a reversible carriage drive system; and    said powered pivot structure being mounted on said carriage.    
     
     
       3. Apparatus as defined in  claim 1  further including a shuttle structure mounted on said carriage and including a shuttle drive system for selectively causing movement of said shuttle and pivot structure laterally of said support structure and carriage. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as defined in  claim 3  further comprising a programmable controller having outputs connected to the pivot structure, said carriage drive and said shuttle drive. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as defined in  claim 4  wherein said programmable controller includes means for programmably controlling the speed of movement of said carriage and shuttle drives. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus as defined in  claim 5  wherein said programmable controller comprises a variable frequency generator. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus as defined in  claim 5  wherein said programmable controller comprises a key pad input. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus as defined in  claim 1  further including a resettable, breakaway joint disposed between said interconnecting said first and second carrier arm portions for permitting nondestructive relative movement between said portions when said second arm is subjected to a force. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said means for supplying said nozzles with fluid comprises a fluid source and has multiple pressure settings. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said support structure comprises a pair of spaced parallel hollow beams suspended over the washing area and extending transversely thereof, at least one longitudinal beam extending between and supported by said pair of beams;
 said apparatus further comprising a carriage mounted for powered reversible travel on said beams, and a shuttle structure mounted for powered reversible movement on said carriage.    
     
     
       11. Apparatus as defined in  claim 10  further comprising means for adjusting the lateral spacing between said pair of parallel beams. 
     
     
       12. Apparatus as defined in  claim 10  further comprising means for supplying heated liquid to the interior spaces of the beams. 
     
     
       13. A pressure washer for an object in a washing area comprising:
 a support structure over said area;    a pair of spray nozzle carrier arms each being of essentially inverted L-shaped configuration and having a first portion extending from a center point toward the periphery of the area and a second contiguous vertical portion disposed adjacent to the area;    spray nozzles carried by the 1 st  and 2 nd  portions of each of said carrier arms;    a pivot structure connecting said carrier arms to said support structure at said center point to reversely pivot said carrier arms whereby the vertical portions of said carrier arms may be caused to follow reversely similar, essentially mirror image paths which together circumscribe the area; and    means for supplying fluid to the nozzles under pressure.    
     
     
       14. Apparatus as defined in  claim 13  wherein said support structure defines the longitudinal path of travel;
 said apparatus further comprising a carriage structure mounted for longitudinal movement over and relative to the washing area, said pivot structure be mounted on said carriage for movement therewith.    
     
     
       15. Apparatus as defined in  claim 14  further including a shuttle structure mounted on said carriage structure for bidirectional lateral movement relative to said arms. 
     
     
       16. Apparatus as defined in  claim 13  further including a resettable breakaway joint disposed between interconnecting each of said first and second carrier portions for permitting nondestructive controlled relative movement between said portions. 
     
     
       17. Apparatus as defined in  claim 13  further comprising a programmable controller for controlling the movement of said support structure relative to said washing area. 
     
     
       18. Apparatus as defined in  claim 17  wherein said programmable controller comprises means for controlling the speed of movement of said carriage. 
     
     
       19. Apparatus as defined in  claim 18  wherein said programmable controller comprises a display. 
     
     
       20. Apparatus as defined in  claim 19  wherein said programmable controller comprises a key pad. 
     
     
       21. Apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said means for supplying said nozzles with washing fluid comprises at least two fluid sources. 
     
     
       22. A pressure washer for an object  a vehicle in a washing area comprising:
 a support structure over said area;  
 a shuttle mounted on the support structure; 
 a pair of spray nozzle carrier arms each being of essentially inverted L-shaped configuration and having a first portion extending from a center point toward the periphery of the area and a second contiguous vertical portion disposed adjacent to the area;  
 spray nozzles carried by the 1 st  and 2 nd   at least the second portion of each of said carrier arms;  
 a pivot structure connecting said carrier arms to said support structure  shuttle at said center point and operative to reversely pivot said carrier arms whereby the vertical portions of said carrier arms may be caused to follow reversely similar, essentially mirror image paths which together circumscribe the area; and  
 means for supplying pressurized fluid selectively to the nozzles under pressure wherein said means for supplying said nozzles with washing fluid comprises at least two fluid sources  carrier arms either jointly or individually; and  
   sensing means operative to determine the center line of a vehicle located in said washing area said shuttle to move said shuttle and carrier arms laterally of said washing area; and    
   drive means operative to move the shuttle laterally of the washing area to a position in which said center point is in vertical alignment with the center line of the vehicle.    
 
     
     
       23. Apparatus as defined in  claim 22  wherein said support structure comprises a pair of spaced parallel beams dispersed over the washing area, at least one cross beam extending between and supported by said pair of longitudinal beams, and a shuttle structure mounted on the support for powered programmably coordinated movement along said beams. 
     
     
       24. Apparatus as defined in  claim 22  further including means for determining  selectively moving the location  carriage laterally to a position in which the center point is offset from the center line of a vehicle in said area . 
     
     
       25. A method of pressure washing a vehicle which is disposed in a washing area comprising the steps of: providing  of the type having an overhead structure including a carriage for movement over the washing area, a shuttle on the carriage for lateral movement across the washing area, a pair of spray nozzle carrier arm  arms each of essentially inverted L-shape having a first horizontal portion which is disposed over the area and a contiguous, second vertical portion which is disposed adjacent the periphery of the area;  on the shuttle a pivot structure on the shuttle in engagement with inboard an end of each of the arms which is generally over the center of the area and sensors on the overhead structure 
 causing said carrier arm to circumscribe at least part of the area and to pivot about an end of the arm which is generally over the center of the area; andoperative to sense the center line of a vehicle in the washing area wherein the method comprises the steps of:  
   utilizing the sensors to locate the center line of a vehicle in the washing area;    
   positioning the pivot structure on the vehicle center line, and    
 supplying washing fluid to the nozzles  spray nozzle carrier arms under pressure while moving the carriage over the vehicle with the pivot structure moving along and over the center line of the vehicle.  
 
     
     
       26. A method as defined in  claim 25  wherein the step of circumscribing is carried out so as to maintain a substantially constant spacing between the vertical arm portion and a vehicle in the area. 
     
     
       27. A method of washing a vehicle having top, front, rear and side surfaces while standing in a washing area comprising the steps of:
 providing a pair of spray nozzle carriers each of essentially inverted L-shape and each having first horizontal portions which overlie the washing area and extend from a center point toward the periphery of the area and second vertical portions which are adjacent the washing area;  
 causing said carriers to pivot from the inboard distal  ends of said horizontal portions about center point in a reversely similar fashion so as to fully circumscribe said area and said vehicle while maintaining a substantially constant spacing from the side surfaces of said vehicle; and  
 providing control means operative to sense the lateral position of a vehicle in the washing area and cause said carriers to move laterally of said washing area between a first position in which the center point is centered on the center line of the vehicle, whereby to position the vertical, and a second position offset with respect to the vehicle, whereby to position the vertical portion offset with respect to the vehicle center line, where to position the vertical portion of one of the carriers at an optimal distance from a respective vehicle side surface; and  
 supplying said nozzle carriers with washing fluid under pressure.  
 
     
     
       28. A method of washing a vehicle in a washing area comprising  with an overhead structure including a multi- directionally moveable carriage and a pair of reversibly similar spray nozzle carriers of inverted L - shape mounted on the carriage and having a substantially common pivot center and sensors mounted on the moveable carriage, wherein the method comprises  the steps of:
 placing a vehicle in the washing area;  
   utilizing the sensors to locate the center line of the vehicle and move the carriage laterally to a position in which the pivot center is in vertical alignment with the center line of the vehicle;   
 providing a pair of reversibly similar spray nozzle carriers of inverted L-shape having a substantially common pivot center over the area; 
 moving the carriers through a butterfly pattern while moving the carriage to move the pivot center along and over the centerline of the vehicle while simultaneously supplying both carriers with fluid; and  
 moving each carrier sequentially through a butterfly pattern at a predetermined optimal distance from the vehicle while supplying each carrier independently with fluid.  
 
     
     
       29. Apparatus for spraying fluid onto a vehicle in a washing area having a floor and comprising:
   a support structure overhead the washing area and defining a longitudinal path of travel;        a carriage mounted on said support structure for longitudinal movement over and relative to the washing area;        a drive system operatively connected to said carriage;        a shuttle mounted on said carriage for lateral movement relative to said support structure;        a pair of spray nozzle carrier arms each of essentially inverted L - shape and having a horizontal portion extending from an inboard end generally over the center line of the washing area to a second end at the periphery of the washing area and a vertical portion essentially continuous with the horizontal portion and extending from the second end thereof downwardly toward the floor;        spray nozzles carried by said carrier arms;        a powered pivot structure connecting said arms to said shuttle to pivot said arms about a vertical axis passing substantially through the inboard ends of the horizontal arm portions whereby the vertical portions of the arms may be caused to circumscribe at least a portion of the washing area;        means for supplying fluid to the nozzles under pressure;        sensing means moveable with the shuttle operative to sense the position of the vertical arm portion of one of the arms relative to a side of a vehicle in the washing area and further operative to determine the center line of a vehicle in the washing area; and        a shuttle drive system operative in response to said sensing means to selectively cause movement of said shuttle and pivot structure laterally of said support structure for a position in which said vertical axis is in vertical alignment with the vehicle center line to a position in which said one arm vertical arm portion is in an optimal lateral position relative to said vehicle side.     
     
     
       30. Apparatus as defined in  claim 29  further comprising a programmable controller having outputs connected to the pivot structure, said carriage drive system and said shuttle drive system. 
     
     
       31. Apparatus as defined in  claim 30  wherein said programmable controller includes means for programmably controlling the speed of movement of said carriage and shuttle drive systems. 
     
     
       32. Apparatus as defined in  claim 31  wherein said programmable controller comprises a variable frequency generator. 
     
     
       33. Apparatus as defined in  claim 31  wherein said programmable controller comprises a key pad input. 
     
     
       34. Apparatus as defined in  claim 29  further including a resettable, breakaway joint disposed between and interconnecting said horizontal and vertical carrier arm portions for permitting nondestructive relative movement between said portions when a vertical arm portion is subjected to a force. 
     
     
       35. Apparatus as defined in  claim 29  wherein said means for supplying said nozzles with fluid comprises a fluid source and has multiple pressure settings. 
     
     
       36. Apparatus as defined in  claim 29  wherein said support structure comprises a pair of spaced parallel hollow beams suspended over the washing area and extending longitudinally thereof. 
     
     
       37. Apparatus as defined in  claim 36  further comprising means for adjusting the lateral spacing between said pair of parallel beams. 
     
     
       38. Apparatus as defined in  claim 36  further comprising means for supplying heated liquid to the interior space of the beams. 
     
     
       39. A pressure washer for a motor vehicle in a washing area comprising:
   a support structure over said area and defining a longitudinal path of travel;        a pair of spray nozzle carrier arms each being of essentially inverted L - shaped configuration and having a first portion extending from a center point toward the periphery of the area and a second contiguous vertical portion disposed adjacent to the washing area;        spray nozzles carried by the second portion of each of said carrier arms;        a carriage mounted for movement along said longitudinal path of travel;        a shuttle mounted on said carriage for lateral movement relative thereto;        a powered pivot structure connecting said carrier arms to said shuttle at said center point and operative to reversely pivot said carrier arms whereby the vertical portions of said carrier arms may be caused to follow reversely similar, essentially mirror image paths which together circumscribe the washing area;        means for supplying pressurized fluid selectively to the carrier arms either jointly or individually; and        sensor means operative to determine the center line of a vehicle located in the washing area and operative to move the shuttle laterally of the carriage to position the center point in vertical alignment with the vehicle center line.     
     
     
       40. Apparatus as defined in  claim 39  further including a resettable breakaway joint disposed between and interconnecting each of said first and second carrier portions for permitting controlled relative movement between said portions. 
     
     
       41. Apparatus as defined in  claim 39  further comprising a programmable controller for controlling the movement of said carriage structure relative to said washing area. 
     
     
       42. Apparatus as defined in  claim 41  wherein said programmable controller comprises means for controlling the speed of movement of said carriage structure. 
     
     
       43. Apparatus as defined in  claim 42  wherein said programmable controller comprises a display. 
     
     
       44. Apparatus as defined in  claim 43  wherein said programmable controller comprises a key pad. 
     
     
       45. Apparatus as defined in  claim 29  wherein said means for supplying said nozzles with washing fluid comprises at least two fluid sources. 
     
     
       46. A method of washing vehicles in a washing area with apparatus of the type having an overhead support structure, a multi- axis carriage mounted on the support structure, a pair of inverted L - shaped spray arms mounted for multi - axis movement with the carriage and having a substantially common pivot axis, and sensors mounted for movement with the carriage, wherein the method comprises the steps of:      moving the multi - axis carriage and utilizing the sensors to locate the center line of a vehicle in the washing area;        positioning the substantially common pivot axis on the located vehicle center line; and        performing a washing step involving spraying fluid from said arms.