On demand car wash conveyor apparatus for installation in a tire path of a car to be washed and having a retraction trench extending therealong. The conveyor apparatus includes an endless chain extending along the tire path adjacent such trench and has a plurality of longitudinal mounting pin means spaced longitudinally therealong. A plurality of sets of first and second shafts are pivotally mounted on their respective one extremities from the respective pin means and are pivotable between an operative position projecting transversely over the tire path and a retracted position extending vertically into the retraction trench. A plurality of sets of pusher and support rollers are mounted from the respective first and second shafts and the pusher rollers are disposed above the level of the support rollers when the shafts are in their operative positions. Further, a plurality of strut means are pivotally connected on their respective one extremities with the respective pin means and project forwardly and outwardly therefrom to have their respective opposite extremities connected with the free ends of the respective first shafts to thereby provide support against the bending moment applied to such respective shafts when they are engaged behind the wheel of a car to be pushed through a car wash apparatus.

A vehicle conveyor suitable for a car wash is disclosed wherein tire-engaging rollers are attached to an endless chain positioned beneath the path of the vehicle. The rollers may selectively engage a tire on the vehicle or may selectively move along a path located at an elevation below the elevation of the tire. The tire-engaging rollers are supported as cantilevers from the chain. Slots are provided adjacent the ends of the chain so that the rollers may move up to a tire-engaging position and return to a lower position.

An above the floor conveyor is provided for moving automobiles or the like, horizontally across the floor surface with a pair of the vehicle's tires positioned in a guided track. The conveyor includes a base for installation upon the floor and a conveyor drive and driven sprocket about which an endless chain extends to form a loop having a drive flight spaced outboard of the guided track and a return flight laterally spaced outward of the drive flight. A drive mechanism rotates the drive sprocket causing the portion of the chain in the drive flight to advance in the direction of the vehicle movement. A number of dollies are affixed to the chain in a spaced apart relation and are pivotably attached to the chain and shiftable about an axis parallel thereto. The dollies may be alternatively positioned in the drive flight in an active position in which the dolly extends inwardly into the guide track for engagement with a vehicle tire and in an inactive position above the floor surface in which the dolly is pivoted out of the guided track sufficiently to provide clearance for the vehicle. An actuator is provided for selectively shifting the dollies between the active and inactive position on demand.

An above the floor conveyor is provided for moving automobiles or the like, horizontally across the floor surface with a pair of the vehicle's tires positioned in a guided track. The conveyor includes a base for installation upon the floor and a conveyor drive and driven sprocket about which an endless chain extends to form a loop having a drive flight spaced outboard of the guided track and a return flight laterally spaced outward of the drive flight. A drive mechanism rotates the drive sprocket causing the portion of the chain in the drive flight to advance in the direction of the vehicle movement. A number of dollies are affixed to the chain in a spaced apart relation and are pivotably attached to the chain and shiftable about an axis parallel thereto. The dollies may be alternatively positioned in the drive flight in an active position in which the dolly extends inwardly into the guide track for engagement with a vehicle tire and in an inactive position above the floor surface in which the dolly is pivoted out of the guided track sufficiently to provide clearance for the vehicle. An actuator is provided for selectively shifting the dollies between the active and inactive position on demand.

An above the floor conveyor is provided for transporting a wheeled vehicle having a plurality of tires across a floor surface with a pair of the vehicle's tires oriented in a guided track. The conveyor includes a drive and idle sprocket which are spaced apart and have an endless tensile member extending in a loop thereabout to define a drive and a return flight. A series of dolly assemblies are attached to the endless conveyor tensile member in spaced apart orientation. The dolly assemblies have an elongated dolly roller for engaging a tire of a vehicle located within the guided track. The dollies are pivotable about a generally vertical dolly axis between an inactive position in which the dolly roller is pivoted rearwardly out of the guided tracks and an active position in which a dolly roller extends inwardly into the guided track. The dolly assembly has an arm extending outwardly from the pivot axis providing a follower spaced from the axis. A dolly guide rail is fixed parallel to the drive flight for cooperating with the dolly follower to support the dolly when in the active position. An actuator is provided to selectively shift the dolly between the inactive and active positions on demand.