Патент USA US2879539

March 31, 1959
R. L. PIPER
-
APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY SCRUBBING THE
ROOF AND WALLS OF A TRANSIT BUS
Filed Sept. 28, 1956
2,879,529
3 Sheets-Sheet 1
‘
INVENTOR. ‘
£05587 4 . P/PEZ
BY .
\
Maréh 31, 1959
R. L. PIPER
2,879,529 ,
APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY SCRUBBING THE
’
ROOF AND WALLS OF A TRANSIT BUS
Filed Sept. 28, 1956 '
'
3 Sheets-Sheet 2
S»
\
ymgm ATTOE/VE Y5
March 31, 1959
R. L. PIPER
APPARATUS FOR s IMULTANEOUSLY SCRUBBING THE
Filed Sept. 28, 1956
2,879,529
,
ROOF AND WALLS OF‘ A TRANSIT BUS
3 Sheets-Sheet 3
3
h62
I
INVENTOR.
£05527 L P/PEIZ
nited States
atent
C
1
2,87 9,529
. Patented Mar. 31, 1959
2
member 19 is provided with the depending, ‘V-shaped
brackets 22’, 22’ extending inwardly vadjacent the top
2,879,529
APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY SCRUBBING
bars 18, 18 as shown in ‘Figure 4, and journaled on the
lower end portions of said brackets 22’ is a transverse
Robert L. Piper, ‘Webster, N.Y.
tending brush 24. The brush 24 is contoured to closely
Application September 28, 1956, Serial No. 612,715
readily apparent from Figure 4, wherein the brush 24 is
THE ROOF AND WALLS 0F A TRANSIT BUS
6 Claims. (Cl. 15-21)
shaft 23 on which is mounted a rotary, transversely ex
engage the roof surface of a transit vehicle 16, as is
10
shown to have a concave shape.
Mounted on the carriage member 19 is “an electric
motor 25 whose shaft is ‘coupled by a sprocket chain 26
This invention relates to motor vehicle washing appa
I ratus, and more particularly to a scrubbing apparatus for
a transit bus.
A main object of the invention is to provide a novel
and improved washing apparatus for a transit vehicle,
said apparatus being relatively simple in construction,
to a sprocket wheel 27 mounted on shaft 23 whereby
motor 25 is drivingly coupled to the shaft 23 and rotates
the brush 24. Brush 24 is ‘rotated at a speed substan
tially less than the speed of the shaft ofmotor 25, since
a speed reduction is provided between the sprocket wheel
27 and the much smaller sprocket wheel 28 mounted on
the shaft of motor 25 and coupled to ‘sprocket ‘wheel 27
being easy to operate, and requiring the attention of
by the sprocket chain 26, as shown in Figure 4.
only a single attendant.
20
Slidably supported on the top ?anges of the base bars
A further object of the invention is to provide an im
12 are respective guide members 29, 29 said guide mem
proved washing apparatus for a transit bus, said appara
bers being provided with the inwardly directed rollers
tus involving inexpensive components, being durable in
30, 30 engaging the top and bottom surfaces ‘of the top
construction, and providing an e?’icient scrubbing action
?anges of the base bars 12, as shown in Figure 3, whereby
on all the major surfaces of a transit bus, or similar 25 the guide members 29 are slidably supported for move
vehicle, without damaging said surfaces.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent from the following description and
claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:
ment outwardly adjacent the edges of the top ?anges of
the base ‘bars. Secured to the‘rearwardly extending arms
22 of the carriage member 19 are plate members 32
which are supported by the top ?anges of the top bars
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an improved 30 18, as by rollers 33, 33 projecting inwardly therefrom
washing apparatus for a transit vehicle, in accordance
above and below the top ?anges of the top bars 13, as
with the present invention.
well as by the rollers 20, .20 associated with the arms
Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line
22. The plate members 32 are in vertical alignment with
2-2 of Figure 1.
the respective guide members 29, and journaled thereto
Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line
are respective vertical shafts 34, 34 on which are mounted
taken on line 4—4 of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view
taken on line 5——5 of Figure 1.
40
Figure 6 is a substantially horizontal cross sectional
view taken on line 6-6 of Figure '1.
ure 3. The rotary brushes 35,35 are shaped to conform
with the side contour of a transit bus or similar vehicle,
3-—3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view
Referring to the drawings, the improved transit vehicle
scrubbing apparatus is designated generally at 11 ‘and
comprises a frame having a pair of parallel, channel
the contoured vertical brushes 35, 35, as shown in Fig
so as to provide an ei?cient brushing action on the side
walls and top corners of the bus, as will be presently
described.
‘
Secured to the rear portion of each plate member 32
is an upwardly extending vertical plate member 36, and
mounted on.the top portion of each plate member 36 is
an electric motor 37 whose shaft is ‘drivingly coupled to
shaped base bars 12, 12 secured to- the floor or other 45 the adjacent shaft 34, as by a ‘sprocket chain 38 cou—
supporting surface of the enclosure in which the opera
pling a relatively small sprocket wheel on the motor shaft
tion is to ‘be carried out, or secured to a suitable hori
to a relatively large sprocket wheel 39 on the top end
zontal base, if the scrubbing operation is to be carried
of the shaft 34 adjacent to the associated motor 37.
out outdoors, as by bracket members, shown at 13, 14,
Respective vertical shafts 40‘, 40 are journaled to the
50
and 15.
end portions'of the top and bottom bars 18 and 12 the
The base bars 12 are installed in parallel relationship
shafts 40 being coupled together by a transverse top
and are spaced apart to receive a transit vehicle there
shaft 41 journaled on upstanding brackets 42, 42 rigidly
between, such as a transit bus 16, shown in dotted view
secured to the top shaft bearings- 43, 43, as shown in
in ‘Figure 1.
Figure 2. Bevel gears 44 on the top ends of shaft 40
55
Designated at 18, 18 are a pair of parallel, channel
meshingly engage bevel gears 45 on the ends of the trans
shaped top bars which are suitably secured to support
verse shaft 41. An electric motor 46.is mounted on the
ing means above the frame, not shown, in parallel rela
supporting bracket 47 secured to one of the top bars 18,
tionship to the base bars 12 and spaced vertically above
and the shaft of the motor 46 is drivingly coupled to the
said base bars in the manner illustrated in Figure 1 so
60 transverse shaft 41 by a sprocket chain 48 engaged on
that the vehicle may be received thereunder.
a relatively small sprocket wheel on the motorshaft and
A ?rst brush means is movably mounted along the
a relatively large sprocket wheel 49 on the shaft :41.
frame for longitudinal movement thereon. Speci?cally,
Respective sprocket wheels 50 and 51 are secured to the
a transversely extending carriage member 19 is slidably
top and bottom portions of the shafts 40, said sprocket
supported on the top ?anges of the top bars 18, as by
wheels being received in slots 52 and 53 formed in the
vertically spaced pairs of rollers 20, 20 secured to the 65 webs of the top and bottom bars 18 and 12, as shown ‘in
legs 21 and 22 of the carriage member 19, said legs ex
Figure 1.. At the forward ends of the top and'bottom :bars
tending outwardly adjacent the edges of the top ?anges
18 and 12, additional slots Y54 and 55 are provided which
of the top bars 18, and as shown in Figure 4, and the
receive sprocket wheels 56 and. 57V suitably journaled‘to
rollers being journaled to said legs and extending in
the channel bars 18 and .12 as by bearings 58, .58 and
wardly therefrom to engage ‘the top and bottom surfaces 70 59, 59 provided on said channel bars and rotatably :re
of the top ?anges of said top bars 18. The .carriage
ceiving the end portions of the shafts of the sprocket
2,879,629
3
4
be controlled in any‘ suitable manner to operate simul
wheels 56 and 57, as shown in Figure 5. Endless sprocket
taneously with the previously mentioned motors 25, 46
chains 59' are engaged around the top sprocket wheels
and 37, to provide simultaneous rotation of the brushes
50 and 56, said chains 59’ extending on opposite sides
35, 45, 68 and 24, as well as simultaneous movement of
of the webs of the top channel bars 18. The sprocket
the brushes 35, 35, 24 and 68 along the surfaces of a
chains 59' are connected to the respective plate members
transit vehicle 16 positioned within the framework of the
32 at depending lugs 60 provided on said plate members,
apparatus, as illustrated in dotted view in Figure 1.
as shown in Figure 1. Respective sprocket chains 61 are
As will be readily apparent, brushes 24 and 35 move
secured at their ends to the respective guide members 29
rearwardly along the top and side surfaces of the vehicle,
and extend around the sprocket wheels 57 and 51 in the
the brush 68 may be operated to move downwardly along
respective bottom bars 12, as shown in Figure 1, whereby 10 the rear wall surface of the vehicle, providing a simul
the bottom guide members are coupled for simultaneous
taneous scrubbing action on all of the vehicle major sur
movement responsive to the rotation of the shafts 40,
faces, water, mixed with suitable detergent material, being
which in turn rotate simultaneously responsive to the ro
simultaneously sprayed on the vehicle surfaces by any
tation of the transverse shaft 41. The carriage member
suitable means, not shown.
15
19 is moved simultaneously with the guide members 29
The side bars 62, 62 are yieldably restrained against
because of the movement of the endless belt 59’ resulting
excessive movement toward the ends of the top and bottom
from the simultaneous rotation of the vertical shafts 40.
bars 18 and 12 by the provision of yieldable stop rods
Thus, when the motor 46 is energized, causing rotation
90 and 91 mounted respectively on the top portions of the
of the transverse top shaft 41, the side brushes 35 and
ends of the longitudinal top and bottom bars 13 and
20
the transverse top brush 24 move simultaneously toward
12. The yieldable stop bars 90 and 91 are mounted in
the forward ends of the frame bars 18 and 12.
suitable upstanding apertured bracket plates 92 and 9.3
Suitable control means is provided so that the motors
37 and 25 may be simultaneously energized so that the
brushes 35 and 24 are rotated simultaneously with their
advancing movement.
Designated at 62, 62 are respective upstanding, chan
secured on the ends of the top and bottom bars 18 and
12, suitable coil springs 94 and 95 surrounding the rods
25
nel-shaped side bars which are slidably mounted on the
top bars 18 and on the bottom bars 12 outwardly ad
and being disposed between the upstanding apertured
bracket plates 92, 93 and collars 95’ secured on the rods.
The rods 90 and 91 are generally L-shaped, having
transversely extending end portions engageable with the
side bars 62, 62 to cushion and restrain movements of the
jacent thereto. As shown in Figure 5, the side bars 62
side bars 62 toward the ends of the top and bottom bars
are provided with rollers 63, 63 respectively engaging the 30
18 and 12.
top and bottom ?anges of the top bars 18 and with rollers
The side bars 62 are further provided with bumper
64 engaging the top ?anges of the bottom bars 12, where
springs 96 and 97 at their upper and lower portions en
by the side bars 62 are supported for sliding movement
gageable with similar bumper springs 98 and 99 provided
along said top and bottom bars.
The side bars 62 are
on the carriage arms 21 and on the guide members 29,
spanned by a transversely extending frame 65 having the 35 to cushion any movements of the carriage member 19
respective V-shaped bracket members 66, 66 secured there
and the guide members 29 toward the side bars 62 when
to inwardly adjacent the respective side bars 62, 62 to
carriage member 19 and the guide members 29 approach
which is journaled a transverse shaft 67 carrying a con
said side bars. However, the cushioning action of the
cave, contoured rotary brush 68 shaped to conform with
bumpers 96, 98 and 97, 99 is sufficiently yieldable to
the contour of the rear wall of a transit bus 16 or similar 40 allow the brushes 24 and 35 to cover substantially the
vehicle, as shown in Figure 5. An electric motor 69
mounted on the frame 65 has its shaft drivingly coupled
to shaft 67, as by a sprocket chain 70 engaging on a rela
tively small sprocket wheel carried on the motor shaft and
entire top and side surfaces of the vehicle 16 as said
brushes 24 and 35 are moved forwardly toward the side
bars 62. The yieldable stop bars 90 and 91 are suf?
45 ciently yieldable to allow the side bars 62 to angle as
awrelatively large sprocket wheel 71 mounted on shaft
the rear rotary brush 68 descends along the sloping
contour of the rear wall of the transit vehicle, allowing
The top and bottom arms 73 and 74 of the frame 65
said side bars 62 to angle in conformity with different
are provided with respective pairs of rollers 75, 75 and
slope angles, as encountered on various transit vehicles.
76, 76 between which are received the forward ?anges
While a speci?c embodiment of an improved washing
50
of the channel-shaped side bars 62, as shown in Figure 6.
apparatus for a transit vehicle has been disclosed in
Secured to the top ends of the side bars 62 are brackets
the foregoing description, it will be understood that vari
77, 77 in which is journaled a transverse shaft 78. A
ous modi?cations within the spirit of the invention may
bracket member 80 is secured to one of the side bars 62.
occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore it is intended
Mounted on the bracket member 80 is an electric motor
that no limitations be placed on the invention except as
81 whose shaft is connected through a gear reduction
de?ned by the scope of the appended claims.
unit 82 to an output shaft 83. A sprocket chain 84 en
What is claimed is:
gages on a relatively small sprocket wheel on output
1. In a washing apparatus for a transit vehicle having
shaft 83 and on a relatively large sprocket wheel 85 on
a roof, a rear end wall, and substantially vertical side
the shaft 78, drivingly coupling output shaft 83 to said
60 walls, a frame comprising a pair of parallel longitudinal
shaft 78.
base bars spaced to receive the transit vehicle there
Journaled to the lower ends of the side bars 62 are re
spective sprocket wheels 86, 86. Similar sprocket wheels
87, 87 are provided on the ends of the shaft 78 above
the sprocket wheels 86, 86. Sprocket chains 89 engage
over the sprocket wheels 78 and 86 associated with the
associated side bars 62 and are connected to the respec
tive arms 73 and 74, as shown in Figure 1, whereby the
between, a pair of parallel top bars spaced vertically
above and parallel to said base bars, carriage means slid
ably supported on said top bars, a ?rst transverse brush
rotatably mounted on said carriage means and adapted to
engage the roof of the vehicle, a motor on said carriage
means drivingly connected to said brush, respective guide
members slidably engaged with said base bars beneath
said carriage means, vertical shafts journaled in said
non of motor 81 to rotate shaft 83 either in one direction
or the other. The motor 81 may be of a reversible type 70 carriage means and said guide members, vertical brushes
mounted on said shafts and adapted to engage the vehicle
so that its driving direction may be reversed, or alterna
side walls, motor means on the carriage means drivingly
tively, the gear reduction ‘unit 82 may be provided with
connected to said vertical shafts, means formed and ar
conventional reversing means so that the direction of ro
ranged to simultaneously move said carriage means and
tation of the shaft 83 maybe reversed if so desired.
As will be’ readily apparent, the motors 81 and 69 may 75 guide members longitudinally on said bars, whereby to
frame 65 is moved up or down responsive to the energiza
5
2,879,529
move said transverse brush along the vehicle roof and
the vertical brushes along the vehicle side walls, respec—
tive upstanding side bars mounted on the end portions
of the ?rst named bars, carriage means on said upstand
ing side bars, a second transverse brush rotatably mount
ed on said last named carriage means and adapted to
engage the vehicle rear end wall, motor means on said
means on said last named carriage means drivingly con
nected to said second transverse brush, ?exible belt means
movably mounted on said bars substantially coextensively
therewith, means connecting said last named ?exible
belt means to said last named carriage means, motor
means drivingly coupled to said last named ?exible belt
means to raise and lower said last named carriage means
on said side bars, whereby to move said second trans
second transverse brush, and means formed and ar
verse brush along said rear end wall, and yieldable stop
ranged to raise and lower said last named carriage means 10 means on the end portions of said top and bottom bars
on said side bars, whereby to move said second trans
adjacent said side bars and being engageable with said
verse brush along said rear end wall.
side bars to limit movement of said side bars toward
2. In a washing apparatus for a transit vehicle having
said end portions.
a roof, a rear end wall, and substantially vertical side
4. In a washing apparatus for a stationary transit
walls, a frame comprising a pair of parallel longitudinal 15 vehicle having a roof, a rear end wall, and substantially
base bars spaced to receive the transit vehicle there
vertical side walls, an elongated frame dimensioned to
between, a pair of parallel top bars spaced vertically
receive the transit vehicle therein, ?rst brush means
last named carriage means drivingly connected to said
above and parallel to said base bars, carriage means slid
movably mounted for longitudinal movement along said
ably supported on said top bars, a ?rst transverse brush
frame and adapted to engage the roof and side walls of
rotatably mounted on said carriage means and adapted 20 the vehicle, second movable brush means on said frame
to engage the roof of the vehicle, a motor on said carriage
means drivingly connected to said brush, respective guide
members slidably engaged with said base bars beneath
said carriage means, vertical shafts journaled in said
carriage means and said guide members, vertical brushes 25
mounted on said shafts and adapted to engage the vehicle
side walls, motor means on the carriage means drivingly
connected to said vertical shafts, means formed and ar
ranged to simultaneously move said carriage means and
adapted to engage the vehicle rear wall, and means
formed and arranged to simultaneously move said ?rst
brush means along said frame and along the roof and
side walls of the vehicle and said second brush vertically
on said frame means along said rear wall.
5. In a washing apparatus for a stationary transit
vehicle having a roof, a rear end wall, and substantially
vertical side walls, an elongated frame dimensioned to
receive the transit vehicle therein, ?rst brush means mov
guide member longitudinally on said bars, whereby to 30 ably mounted for longitudinal movement along said
frame and adapted to engage the roof and side walls of
the vertical brushes along the vehicle side walls, respec
the vehicle, respective side bars movably mounted on
tive upstanding side bars slidably and yieldably mounted
the rear portion of the frame and connecting the top and
on an end portion of the ?rst named bars, carriage means
bottom portions thereof, second brush means movably
move said transverse brush along the vehicle roof and
on said upstanding side bars, a second transverse brush 35 and transversely mounted on said side bars for move
rotatably mounted on said last named carriage means
ment therealong and adapted to engage the vehicle rear
and adapted to engage the vehicle rear end wall, motor
wall, and means formed and arranged to simultaneously
means on said last named carriage means drivingly con
move said ?rst brush means longitudinally along the roof
nected to said second transverse brush, means formed
and side walls of the vehicle and said second brush
and arranged to raise and lower said last named carriage 40 means on said bars along said rear wall.
means on said side bars, whereby to move said second
6. In a washing apparatus for a stationary transit
transverse brush along said rear end wall, and yieldable
vehicle having a roof, a rear end Wall, and substantially
stop means on the end portions of said top and bottom
vertical side walls, an elongated frame dimensioned to
bars adjacent said side bars and being engageable with i
receive the transit vehicle therein, ?rst brush means mov~
said side bars to limit movement of said side bars toward 45 ably mounted along said frame for longitudinal move
said end portions.
ment thereon and adapted to engage the roof and side
3. In a washing apparatus for a transit vehicle having
Walls of the vehicle, respective side bars resiliently
a roof, a rear end wall, and substantially vertical side
mounted on the rear portion of the frame and connect
Walls, a frame comprising a pair of parallel longitudinal
ing the to pand bottom portions thereof, second brush
base bars spaced to receive the transit vehicle therebe 50 means movably and transversely mounted on said side
tween, 2. pair of parallel top bars spaced vertically above
bars and adapted to engage the vehicle rear wall, means
and parallel to said base bars, carriage means slidably
formed and arranged to simultaneously move said ?rst
supported on said top bars, a ?rst transverse brush ro
brush means longitudinally along the roof and side walls
tatably mounted on said carriage means and adapted to
of the vehicle and said second brush means on said
engage the roof of the vehicle, a motor on said carriage 55 side bars along said rear wall, and yieldable stop means
means drivingly connected to said brush, respective guide
on said side bars and said ?rst brush means interengage
members slidably engaged with said base bars beneath
said carriage means, vertical shafts journaled in said
carriage means and said guide members, vertical brushes
mounted on said shafts and adapted to engage the ve 60
hicle side walls, motor means on the carriage means driv
ingly connected to said vertical shafts, respective ?exible
belts movably mounted longitudinally on said side bars
able to limit movement of said ?rst brush means toward
the rear end of the frame.
References Cited in the ?le of this patent
UNITED STATES PATENTS
coupled to said vertical shafts, means connecting said 65
176,655
992,905
2,579,866
2,610,342
guide members longitudinally on said bars, whereby to
2,646,586
Foutes ________ __, ____ __ July 28, 1953
2,692,214
Hurst ___s______.____.___ Oct. 19, 1954
substantially coextensively therewith and being drivingly
belts to said carriage means and to said guide members
whereby to simultaneously move said carriage means and
move said transverse brush along the vehicle roof and
Martin ____.__.....______.__ Apr. 25,
Robinson ______.-_.___..__ May 23,
Rousseau __._..l__.__.._.,___ Dec. 25,
Griffiths __.____,____.__.__ Sept. 16,
1876
1911
1951
1952
the vertical brushes along the vehicle side walls, respec 70
tive upstanding side bars slidably and yieldably mounted
2,694,274
McGibbon __________ __ Nov. 16, 1954
2,703,579
Merancy et al. ____.__..._,__ Mar. 8, 1955
on an end portion of the ?rst named bars, carriage means
on said upstanding side bars, a second transverse brush
rotatably mounted on said last named carriage means
and adapted to engage the vehicle rear end wall, motor 75
719,812
Great Britain ______.__.___ Dec. 8, 1954
FOREIGN PATENTS
721,450
Great Britain __________ __ Jan. 5, 1955
939,736
Germany ___.... _______ .. Mar. 1, 1956