Pleated fabric washer/buffer element, method of manufacture and method of attachment

• US 20060207047A1
• Filed: 03/17/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Belanger, Inc. (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Belanger, Inc. (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Weyandt, Thomas E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,520,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/230.130
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/003 made up of a series of annular brush rings; Annular brush rings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/006 formed by winding a strip tuft in a helix about the body
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/3046 Brushes for cleaning cars or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 3/06 with rotary bodies contacting the vehicle hand-held B60S3/048

Abstract

A car wash brush is constructed using elements of pleated synthetic material. In one form, radially-pleated fabric discs are stacked on a shaft. In another form, a single length of material is laterally pleated and punched to form a continuous pattern of holes along one edge, and assembled onto a spring or flexible cable which can be wrapped around a rotatable drive shaft.

Claims

1. A vehicle surface treatment implement comprising:

a plurality of revolutions of radially-pleated material; and

at least one support shaft, said revolutions being mounted on said shaft in longitudinally spaced relationship.

2. A vehicle surface treatment wheel as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said radially-pleated fabric discs is made of a synthetic, non-woven semi-porous material.

3. A vehicle surface treatment wheel as defined in claim 1 further including a motor for rotating the wheel about an axis parallel to the shaft.

4. A vehicle surface treatment implement as defined in claim 1 wherein said revolutions constitute individual discs of pleated fabric material.

5. A vehicle surface treatment implement as defined in claim 1 wherein said revolutions constitute portions of a continuous length of said fabric material which is helically wrapped around said shaft.

6. A vehicle surface treatment element comprising:

a length of radially-pleated fabric;

adjacent center holes; and

means for mounting said length of material on a support shaft such that the pleats extend radially of said shaft.

7. A vehicle surface treatment element as defined in claim 6 wherein the fabric is a synthetic, non-woven semi-porous material.

8. A method of making a brush element for vehicle surface treatments comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a rectangular sheet of material;

(b) folding said sheet to defined regular parallel pleats across the entirety thereof; and

(c) further providing structure for mounting said pleated sheet on a support shaft.

10. A brush element for vehicle surface treatment as defined in claim 8 wherein the circular edge of the disc is frayed.

11. A brush element for vehicle surface treatment as defined in claim 8 wherein a sector of the circular edge of the disc is offset from an adjacent sector.

9. A brush element for vehicle surface treatment comprising a radially-pleated disc of semi-porous synthetic fabric having at least one substantially central opening.

12. An element for a car wash brush comprising a rectangular length of semi-porous synthetic fabric having lateral pleats permanently formed therein and holes formed in the pleats adjacent one longitudinal edge thereof.