A conveyor for a vehicle washing system. The conveyor includes an endless chain located above grade level so that both the conveying path of the chain and the return path move in a common horizontal plane. A series of roller units are attached at spaced intervals to the chain and are adapted to engage the tire of a vehicle to convey the vehicle through the washing unit. A provision is made at the entrance end of the conveyor for enabling the roller units to selectively by-pass the vehicle tire. As each roller unit passes around the sprocket at the end of the conveyor, it pivots downwardly to a lower level and rides at the lower level beneath the tire to by-pass the same. When it is desired to have the roller unit engage the vehicle tire, a ramp or plate is pivoted upwardly and the roller unit will ride upwardly on the ramp to the upper level in position to engage the tire and convey the vehicle through the washing unit.
The specification describes a double dolly for use with a conveyor for moving an object by engagement with the object. The double dolly comprises a first roller, which rotates about a first axle, a second support roller which rotates about a second axle, a rotatable safety bar located in advance of and below the lower reach of the first roller, and a frame for securing the rollers, axles and safety bar to a conveyor. The first roller, which engages the object is freely rotatable prior to contact with the object. The support roller is in contact with the surface over which the object is being moved for transferring load exerted on the dolly by the object to that surface while permitting movement of the dolly. The safety bar blocks the gap between the supporting surface and the first roller. The rotatability of the safety bar prevents its binding on the supporting surface in the event of tipping of the dolly.
A conveyor for advancing a vehicle along a desired path by means of a wheel contacting pusher assembly. The conveyor base is adapted for placement on an unaltered concrete floor with abutting conveyor base sections, variable in number, being joined at the installation site to provide the necessary length. A continuous chain is confined within upwardly opening guideways with each pusher assembly coupled to a chain component in a manner permitting upward displacement of the pusher assembly about an axis parallel to the chain centerline. Replaceable wear components are associated with the guideways and each pusher assembly. Each assembly includes leading and trailing rollers imparting operational loads to the conveyor base while an intermediate raised roller bears against the vehicle rotating wheel.
Apparatus for washing the wheels and tires of heavy duty vehicles includes a wash trough in which the wheels and tires are washed, and a refuse trough in which refuse from the vehicles is deposited for facile removal. The troughs are separated by a wall having a space therein through which debris from the wash trough is impelled, by a stream of water into the refuse trough.
A power operated elevator ramp for use in an automobile conveyor having an endless conveyor chain within a framework having top plates to support the tire of an automobile and a plurality of roller dollies spaced along the length of the chain normally positioned for movement within the framework, the ramp having a solenoid controlled valve, air cylinder assembly and related linkage mechanism, for selectively deflecting a dolly onto the top plates for movement thereover and for advancing the vehicle tire thereon. An elongated flexible belting overlies the framework throughout its length and protectively covers the top plates, roller dollies and conveyor chain and provides a protective cover for personnel. A deflected roller dolly forms a transverse wave in the belting for operative pushing engagement with the vehicle tire.
