ROLLER ASSEMBLY CALL UP MECHANISM FOR A VEHICLE WASH CONVEYOR

• US 20100300323A1
• Filed: 06/01/2009
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ennis G. Thomas
• Original Assignee: Ennis G. Thomas
• Inventors: ENNIS, G. Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,028,628 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 104/172.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 3/004 Conveyors for vehicle cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A roller assembly call up mechanism for a vehicle wash conveyor having an endless chain with a plurality of spaced roller assemblies attached thereto for pushing a vehicle along a slotted track, is located below the track and includes a power cylinder, a crank arm connected to the power cylinder and an axle connected to the crank arm for rotation with the axle. A ramp in the form of a pair of spaced forks is connected to the axle for rotation therewith. A slotted link is pivotally connected at one end to the ramp and at an opposite end to the entrance trap door whereby when the power cylinder is actuated the ramp and the trap door are pivoted upwardly.

Claims

1. A roller assembly call up mechanism for a vehicle wash conveyer having an endless chain with a plurality of roller assemblies attached thereto for pushing a vehicle along a slotted track by engaging a tire, the conveyor having a trap door at an entrance end for tire engaging rollers of the roller assemblies to enter the slotted track, the roller assembly call up mechanism being located below the slotted track and comprising:

a power cylinder;

a crank arm connected to said power cylinder;

an axle connected to said crank arm for rotation therewith and extending parallel to the slotted track in a direction perpendicular to the length thereof;

a ramp connected to said axle for rotation therewith and normally extending generally parallel to the slotted track in a direction lengthwise thereof; and

a link pivotally connected at one end to said ramp and at an opposite end to the trap door whereby when the power cylinder is actuated, the ramp and the trap door are pivoted upwardly.

2. The roller assembly call up mechanism of claim 1 wherein said link comprises a bar having an elongated slot at said one end, and said bar is connected to said ramp by a pin extending outwardly from one side of said ramp which is pivotally and slidably engaged in said slot.

3. The roller assembly call up mechanism of claim 1 wherein said ramp comprises two spaced forks and said link is connected to one of said forks.

4. The roller assembly call up mechanism of claim 3 which further comprises a pin attached to said one of said forks and extending outwardly therefrom and wherein said link is pivotally connected to said pin.

5. The roller assembly call up mechanism of claim 1 which comprises a pair of links, with one of said links being connected to one side of the ramp and one side of the trap door and the other of said links being connected to an opposite side of the ramp and an opposite side of the trap door.

6. A roller assembly call up mechanism for a vehicle wash conveyor having an endless chain with a plurality of roller assemblies attached thereto for pushing a vehicle along a slotting track by engaging a tire, the conveyor having a trap door at an entrance end for tire engaging rollers of the roller assemblies to enter the slotted track, the roller assembly call up mechanism being located below the slotted track and comprising:

a power cylinder;

a crank arm connected to said power cylinder;

an axle connected to said crank arm for rotation therewith and extending parallel to the slotted track in a direction perpendicular to the length thereof;

a pair of spaced forks comprising ramp connected to said axle for rotation therewith and normally extending generally parallel to the slotted track in a direction lengthwise thereof;

a pin attached to one of said forks and extending outwardly therefrom; and

a link having a slot at one end thereof, said pin being pivotally and slidably engaged in said slot to connect said one end of said link to said ramp and wherein an opposite end of said link is pivotally connected to said trap door whereby when the power cylinder is actuated the ramp and the trap door are pivoted upwardly.