ROTARY BRUSH FOR WASHING SYSTEMS, PARTICULARLY FOR VEHICLES

Abstract

A rotary brush for automatic vehicle washing systems, said brush comprising a central unit (2) and a plurality of cleaning elements (3), operatively supported by and coupled to said central unit (2) through removable coupling means (7); the cleaning elements (3) being removable from said central unit (2) and it being possible to replace and/or remove them without requiring the removal of said central unit from the rotary structure; said central unit (2) comprises a rigid shaft (4) that supports a plurality of supporting elements (5) comprising a plurality of lugs (53) to which the cleaning elements (3) are fastened; the rotary brush is characterized in that said cleaning elements (3) comprise bands (33), fringed and fringeless, helically arranged on said central unit (2) in such a way that each band (33) is coupled to a plurality of supporting elements (5).

Claims

1. A rotary brush for automatic vehicle washing systems, said brush comprising a central unit (2) and a plurality of cleaning elements (3), operatively supported by and coupled to said central unit (2) through removable coupling means (7); said cleaning elements (3) being removable from said central unit (2) and may be replaced and/or removed without requiring the removal of said central unit from the rotary structure; said central unit (2) comprising a rigid shaft (4) that supports a plurality of supporting elements (5) comprising a plurality of lugs (53) to which the cleaning elements (3) are connected; said rotary brush being characterized in that said cleaning elements (3) comprise a plurality of bands (33), fringed and fringeless, helically arranged on said central unit (2) in such a way that each band (33) is coupled to a plurality of supporting elements (5).

2. A brush, according to claim 1, characterized in that said cleaning elements (3) comprise bands (31), fringed and fringeless, arranged in a ring-line manner on said central unit (2) in such a way that each band (31) is integrally supported by a single supporting element (5).

3. A brush, according to claim 2, characterized in that said cleaning elements (3) comprise flag elements, fringed and fringeless, individually arranged on each said lug (53) of said central unit (2) in such a way that each supporting element (5) supports a plurality of bands (31).

4. A brush, according to claim 1, characterized in that each said supporting element (5) comprises a clamping ring (52) and a plurality of lugs (53), undulated and not undulated, adapted to support said cleaning elements (3).

5. A brush, according to claim 1, characterized in that said cleaning elements (3) are associated with said lugs (53) through removable coupling means (7).

6. A brush, according to claim 1, characterized in that said cleaning elements (3) are made of materials selected from expanded or non-expanded materials, closed or not closed-cell materials, felt, fabric, microfiber, laminated and coupled materials, or any other materials adapted to perform washing/drying operations of motor vehicles, and which can be assembled separately or intermixed with one another.

7. A brush, according to claim 1, characterized in that said removable coupling means (7) are selected from Velcro, zips, buttons, clips, joints, hooks, pins or any other type of non-permanent coupling.

8. A brush, according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting elements are integrally moulded from a rigid plastic material

Description

[0025] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail through examination of the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, shown by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a helically-shaped rotary brush, shown in the assembled state, according to the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view, similar to the previous one, showing the brush with only one helical band applied;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the central support unit of the individual cleaning and/or drying and/or polishing elements of the brush of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view showing the central unit;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view, enlarged with respect to the previous ones, showing the removable means for coupling a band to the central unit in detail;

[0031] FIG. 6 is another perspective view, enlarged with respect to the previous ones, showing the removable means for coupling a band to the central unit in detail;

[0032] FIG. 7 shows an example of a band assembled on the casing;

[0033] FIG. 8 shows the step of sewing Velcro and cutting the band of the structure shown in the previous figure to size;

[0034] FIG. 9 shows the step of sewing folded Velcro to obtain the pleats in the fabric of the structure in the previous figure;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a ring-shaped rotary brush, shown in the assembled state, according to the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 11 is an exploded view, in plan, of the brush in FIGS. 7-10;

[0037] FIG. 12 is a partially exploded side-elevation view showing the structure constituted by a supporting element fitted with a plurality of flexible and/or inflexible lugs;

[0038] FIG. 13 shows a constant-height embodiment of the band;

[0039] FIG. 14 is an elevation view that schematically shows the shape of the rotary brush fitted with the band in the previous figure;

[0040] FIG. 15 shows a variable-height embodiment of the band;

[0041] FIG. 16 is an elevation view that schematically shows the shape of the rotary brush fitted with the band in the previous figure;

[0042] FIG. 17 shows a constant-height embodiment of the fringed band;

[0043] FIG. 18 is an elevation view that schematically shows the shape of the rotary brush fitted with the band in the previous figure;

[0044] FIG. 19 shows a variable-height embodiment of the fringed band;

[0045] FIG. 20 is an elevation view that schematically shows the shape of the rotary brush fitted with the band in the previous figure;

[0046] FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of a partially-fringed band; and

[0047] FIG. 22 shows the band in the previous figure in the folded state.

[0048] With particular reference to the aforementioned figures, the rotary brush, according to the invention, indicated as a whole by reference numeral 1, comprises a central unit 2, which can be combined with a rotary structure, not visible in the figures, and a plurality of cleaning elements 3, coupled to said central unit 2 through removable coupling means 7.

[0049] According to the present invention, the central unit 2, once assembled on the rotary structure, shall not need to be dismantled in order to perform replacement and/or cleaning operations on the cleaning elements.

[0050] According to a first aspect of the invention, the central unit 2 is constituted by a rigid shaft 4 that supports a plurality of supporting elements 5, comprising a plurality of flexible and/or inflexible lugs 53, to which the cleaning elements 3 are fastened.

[0051] In this embodiment, the cleaning elements 3 are constituted by fringed and fringeless bands 31 arranged in a ring-line manner on the central unit, where each supporting element 5 supports a band 31.

[0052] The bands 31 are arranged in a circular manner and are independently fastened on each supporting element 5.

[0053] Each supporting element 5 comprises a clamping ring 52 and a plurality of undulated and/or not undulated lugs 53 to which the cleaning elements 3 are fastened.

[0054] The band 31 is connected to the end of the lug 53 by a Velcro coupling 7, or any other removable coupling means, such as zips, buttons, clips, joints, etc.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows an example of assembly of the band 31 on the annular supporting element.

[0056] FIG. 8 shows the step of sewing Velcro and cutting the piece to size to form the band 31.

[0057] FIG. 9 shows the step of sewing folded Velcro to obtain the pleats in the fabric of the band 31.

[0058] This embodiment of the invention allows quickly and easily removing the part of the brush in direct contact with the surfaces, i.e. the actual cleaning elements 3, the most subject to dirt and wear, allowing them to be washed or immediately replaced without having to dismantle the central unit 2 and in an extremely rapid manner.

[0059] According to a further aspect of the invention, the central unit 2 is still constituted by a rigid shaft 4 that supports a plurality of supporting elements 5 comprising a plurality of lugs 53 to which the cleaning elements 3 are fastened.

[0060] In this embodiment, one or more bands are fastened to the supporting elements 5 in a helical configuration, so that each band 33 is coupled to a number of supporting elements 5.

[0061] Advantageously, the aforementioned supporting elements 5 can be obtained by moulding an opportune rigid plastic material.

[0062] This structure, which is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6, enables to considerably reducing the amount of material used and the production times of the shaft, as well as guaranteeing uniform washing quality over the entire washed or dried surface.

[0063] The helical structure also allows to quickly and easily remove the parts of the brush in direct contact with the surfaces, the most subject to dirt and wear, allowing them to be washed or immediately replaced without having to dismantle the central unit 2.

[0064] The special helical shape allows fitting an infinite variety of types of bristles constituted by expanded or non-expanded materials, closed or not closed-cell materials, felt, fabric, microfiber, laminated and coupled materials, etc., which can be assembled separately or intermixed with one another.

[0065] FIGS. 13-22 show various embodiments of the cleaning elements in bands 33.

[0066] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a constant-height band, while FIG. 14 schematically shows the shape of the rotary brush fitted with this band.

[0067] FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a variable-height band, while FIG. 16 schematically shows the shape of the rotary brush fitted with this band.

[0068] FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a constant-height fringed band, while FIG. 18 schematically shows the shape of the rotary brush fitted with this band.

[0069] FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of a variable-height fringed band, while FIG. 20 schematically shows the shape of the rotary brush fitted with this band.

[0070] FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of a partially fringed band and FIG. 22 shows the same band in the folded state.

[0071] From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and object.

[0072] A composite rotary brush has in fact been made that, thanks to the removable system of cleaning elements that can be coupled to a central unit, allows not having to disassemble the central unit from the rotating support when performing maintenance and/or cleaning operations on the cleaning elements.

[0073] The multiple configurations of the cleaning elements offer several advantages.

[0074] The brush according to the present invention is ecologically advantageous because it can be made using less material, both in the production phase and afterwards, for spare parts, and recyclable materials can be used.

[0075] The brush allows its production processes to be speeded up and offers logistical advantages due to the volume savings when shipping and the better packaging for the material.

[0076] The brush of the present invention is more efficient since the band system does not leave washing/drying “gaps” on surfaces.

[0077] This brush also offers advantages from the cleaning standpoint, since the system allows removing the part of the brush most exposed to dirt and wear, allowing a quick and easy cleaning or, if required, the total, rapid and simple replacement of all the cleaning elements, which is not possible with the brush structures of the known art.

[0078] The assembling of the brush is always simple and rapid, during the production phase, replacement, cleaning, etc.

[0079] Another advantage is constituted by the fact that brushes with infinite combinations of materials, thicknesses, densities and colours can be made, while keeping the central support unit of the cleaning elements unchanged.

[0080] As mentioned, this brush can be used for various applications: washing, polishing and drying of all types of surfaces, with the individual brushes installed vertically and/or horizontally, and without requiring complex modifications to the brush-carrier structures of existing automatic washing systems.

[0081] Obviously, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be of any type, according to needs.