Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – Wiping
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-21
2001-09-18
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
Wiping
C015S230140, C015S230160
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289544
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to rotational devices for cleaning vehicles, and more particularly to a vehicle washing apparatus which includes a plurality of elongated pads which contact the vehicles surface for cleaning upon rotation.
2. Description of the Prior and Contemporary Art
The use of rotational devices for cleaning of vehicles has undergone constant research and improvement over several decades. A consistent problem is to find a material soft enough not to mar the finish of the vehicle or cause other damage and that is substantial enough to provide the scrubbing action necessary to clean the vehicle. Configurations of drums with brushes or other material extending therefrom are known in the art. Unfortunately, each have disadvantages relating to the harshness in which they contact the vehicle, the retention of dirt, moisture, and lack of longevity.
It had been learned that high density cross-linked polyolefin closed cell foam is an ideal material for use in these vehicle washing apparatuses since it does not absorb moisture, does not retain dirt, is lightweight, and is extremely gentle on the finish of the vehicles. Unfortunately, heretofore it has been extremely difficult to mount such material to a suitable drum because of the material not being able to suffer any substantial transverse sheer without tearing and fragmenting.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,878 to Pecora issued on Mar. 29, 1983, discloses a vehicle-finishing device which includes a plurality of elongated flexible elements that are wrapped around a rod and forced into receptor notches in the hub to be retained therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,619 to Clark; U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,135 to Clark; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,128 to Roncaglione each teach variations on insertion of brush material in a longitudinal groove or recess in a hub to retain the material thereafter.
None of the aforementioned mounting methods are satisfactory for mounting high density cross-linked polyolefin closed cell foam since cross sheer placed on the foam, when the drum rotates, causes it to tear and fall apart.
A different approach is taken in U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,929 to Hanna wherein the material is mounted to a drum by a plate and screws.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,594,842 to Clark teaches that clamping of brush material into groups and the mounting thereof in a drum like configuration.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,521 to Clark teaches the mounting of gathered bristles through openings disposed in a drum, the bristles being retained by wires or the like. Similarly U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,712 to Favagrossa teaches the gathering of bristles in assemblies and their mounting in discreet seats.
A different approach is taken in U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,895 to Ennis which disclosed the use of fur like material mounted to elastic cords around the circumference of a drum.
The gathering of bristles into groups and the clamping of fabric to a drum-like member is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,158 to Crotts.
None of the aforenoted methods of affixment are suitable to secure high density cross-linked polyolefin closed cell foam to a rotatable drum.
The instant invention, therefore, has found a brush material far superior to anything used before in the car washing arts, but, prior to the present invention, no satisfactory means have been found for the attachment of high density cross-linked polyolefin closed cell foam material to a rotating hub for the cleaning of vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a vehicle washing apparatus that is gentle on vehicle finishes, yet effective in cleaning.
It is the further object of the present invention to provide a vehicle cleaning apparatus which employs high-density cross-linked polyolefin closed cell foam as a brush material.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a vehicle washing apparatus that has sufficient longevity for cost-effective commercial use.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle washing apparatus wherein the brush material thereof can easily and readily be replaced.
It is still another further object of the present invention to provide a vehicle washing apparatus which is essentially modular and can be assembled in various configurations to be fitted to existing automated equipment.
It is another still further object of the present invention to provide a vehicle washing apparatus which is inexpensive to manufacture.
It is still another further object of the present invention to provide a vehicle washing apparatus that is effective and low in maintenance.
It is still an additional object of the present invention to provide a vehicle washing apparatus which is simple in design, rugged in construction, easy to use, and efficient in operation.
These objects, as well as further objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent after reading the ensuing description of a non-limiting illustrative embodiment and reviewing the accompanying drawings.
A vehicle washing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a substantially cylindrical surface having an inner face and an outer face, a substantially cylindrical surface having a plurality of spaced apart slots disposed therethrough; and a plurality of flexible elongated pads, each of the pads for insertion through adjacent ones of the spaced apart slots and for radially extending on the outer face of the cylindrical surface, a portion of each of the pads being disposed adjacent to the inner face of the cylindrical surface. In the preferred embodiment the cylindrical surface is constructed of a plurality of modular interlocking arcuate plates each mounting high-density cross-linked polyolefin closed cell foam brushes.
REFERENCES:
patent: 648890 (1900-05-01), Williams
patent: 1011323 (1911-12-01), Courtney
patent: 4018014 (1977-04-01), Belanger
patent: 4217737 (1980-08-01), Hasegawa
patent: 4377878 (1983-03-01), Pecora
patent: 4567619 (1986-02-01), Clark
patent: 4603447 (1986-08-01), Beer
patent: 5461745 (1995-10-01), Nittoli
patent: 5784748 (1998-07-01), Belanger
patent: 5884356 (1999-03-01), Zigerlig
Chin Randall E.
Kirikian Industries, LLC
Sachs Samuel L.
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