Contour dryer
First Claim
1. A dryer having a nozzle which automatically follows the contour of the surface of the vehicle passing horizontally thereby, said dryer comprising:
- a frame positioned relative to a longitudinal path of a vehicle to be dried;
a nozzle for directing a stream of air against the vehicle surface;
an elongated arm having a first end pivotally attached to said frame and a second end attached to said nozzle and spaced longitudinally from said frame to facilitate limited up and down movement of the nozzle; and
a drive mechanism for raising the arm and associated nozzle to enable the nozzle to follow the contour of the vehicle, said drive mechanism including a follower affixed to said arm, a drive member cooperating with the follower, and a drive means operably connected to the drive member to enable the arm and nozzle to be raised to the desired location;
wherein said nozzle and arm are lowered by the force of gravity which urges said follower into engagement with said drive member, said follower being capable of being freely lifted off of the drive member to enable the nozzle to rise up in the event of contact with the vehicle thereby minimizing any damage thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dryer is provided for automatically drying the upper contour surface of a vehicle. The dryer includes a frame, a nozzle for directing a stream of air against the vehicle, and an arm pivotally connecting the nozzle to the frame. A drive mechanism raises and lowers the arm to enable the nozzle to follow the contour of the vehicle. The drive mechanism includes a follower affixed to the arm, a rotary drive member cooperating with the follower and a drive motor operably connected to the drive member. The nozzle and arm are lowered by the force of gravity which urges a follower into engagement with the drive member. The follower is capable of being lifted free of the drive member to enable the nozzle to rise up in the event of contact with the vehicle thereby minimizing damage thereto.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A dryer having a nozzle which automatically follows the contour of the surface of the vehicle passing horizontally thereby, said dryer comprising:
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a frame positioned relative to a longitudinal path of a vehicle to be dried; a nozzle for directing a stream of air against the vehicle surface; an elongated arm having a first end pivotally attached to said frame and a second end attached to said nozzle and spaced longitudinally from said frame to facilitate limited up and down movement of the nozzle; and a drive mechanism for raising the arm and associated nozzle to enable the nozzle to follow the contour of the vehicle, said drive mechanism including a follower affixed to said arm, a drive member cooperating with the follower, and a drive means operably connected to the drive member to enable the arm and nozzle to be raised to the desired location; wherein said nozzle and arm are lowered by the force of gravity which urges said follower into engagement with said drive member, said follower being capable of being freely lifted off of the drive member to enable the nozzle to rise up in the event of contact with the vehicle thereby minimizing any damage thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for blowing a stream of air on the upper surfaces of a vehicle passing horizontally thereby along a longitudinal path, said apparatus comprising:
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a frame positionable relative to said longitudinal path of the vehicle; a nozzle for directing a stream of air against the vehicle'"'"'s upper surfaces; an arm having a first end pivotally attached to said frame and a second end attached to said nozzle to position the nozzle longitudinally away from said frame to facilitate limited up and down movement of the nozzle; a drive mechanism for raising the arm and associated nozzle to enable the nozzle to follow the contour of the vehicle, said drive mechanism including a follower affixed to the arm, a drive member cooperable with the follower, and a drive means operably connected to the drive member to enable the arm and nozzle to be raised to the desired height; and a pneumatic cylinder cooperating with the frame and the arm to urge the arm and nozzle upward, counter balancing, but not exceeding the gravity load thereon, in order to minimize the load exerted on the drive mechanism when in normal operation; wherein said nozzle and arm are lowered by the force of gravity which urges the follower into contact with the drive member, said follower being capable of being freely lifted off of the drive member to enable the nozzle and arm to freely rise up in the event of inadvertent contact with the vehicle, thereby minimizing accidental damage thereto. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for blowing a stream of air on the upper surfaces of a vehicle passing horizontally thereby along a longitudinal path, said apparatus comprising:
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a frame positionable relative to said longitudinal path of the vehicle; a nozzle for directing a stream of air against the vehicle'"'"'s upper surfaces; an arm having a first end pivotally attached to said frame and a second end attached to said nozzle to position the nozzle longitudinally away from said frame to facilitate limited up and down movement of the nozzle; a drive mechanism for raising the arm and associated nozzle to enable the nozzle to follow the contour of the vehicle, said drive mechanism including a follower affixed to the arm, a drive member cooperable with the follower, and a reversible motor having a rotary output operably connected to the drive member to enable the arm and nozzle to be raised to the desired height; and a pneumatic cylinder cooperating with the frame and the arm to urge the arm and nozzle upward, counter balancing, but not exceeding the gravity load thereon, in order to minimize the load exerted on the drive mechanism when in normal operation; wherein said nozzle and arm are lowered by the force of gravity which urges the follower into contact with the drive member, said follower being capable of being freely lifted off of the drive member to enable the nozzle and arm to freely rise up in the event of inadvertent contact with the vehicle, thereby minimizing accidental damage thereto.
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Specification