METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSISTING THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE TO CENTER THE VEHICLE IN A WASH BAY
A vehicle washing system associated with a bay in which a vehicle is parked during the washing operation is equipped with a centering target which can be selectively deployed upon entry of a vehicle to assist the driver in placing the vehicle on the longitudinal centerline of the effective washing area in the bay. The target may be provided by a vertically-depending spray arm having internal LEDs which are illuminated in a flashing effect during vehicle entry and in constant colors during the washing program. Several alternative target arrangements are described.
1 . A system for washing vehicles comprising:
a wash area having a centerline;
a wash apparatus operative in the area;
a target aid for assisting the driver of a vehicle entering the bay to identify and navigate to said centerline; and
means for moving said target into and out of a target position.
2 . An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means is operative for selectively moving the target into and out of target position on said centerline.
3 . An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the target is a spray arm, the apparatus further comprising an overhead carriage wherein the spray arm is dependingly mounted from the carriage.
4 . An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the spray arm is lighted.
5 . An apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including LEDs carried internally of the spray arm for illuminating the spray arm within the field of vision of a driving of a vehicle entering the bay.
6 . An apparatus as defined in claim 5 further including control means for activating the LEDs to provide one or more lighting effects.
7 . An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the lighting effects include flashing of the LEDs.
8 . An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the lighting effect includes producing one or more colors.
9 . An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the target is a sign which is selectively dependingly deployed from a position above the bay.
10 . A system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a set of rails mounted overhead of the bay, a carriage mounted for longitudinal motion along the rails and over the bay and a spray arm dependingly and pivotally mounted to the carriage and having a laterally affixed pivot point, and control means for providing both rotation of the arm about a vertical pivot axis as well as longitudinal motion of the carriage and the arm together as a unit.
11 . A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the visual aid comprises a pair of mirror image spray arms, a longitudinal railway mounted overhead of the bay and a carriage mounted for longitudinal motion along the railway, the carriage having said spray arms pivotally mounted thereto such that the spray arms are interdependently movable about vertical axes in mirror-image fashion to travel around a vehicle parked in the bay during lateral movement of the carriage.
12 . A method of assisting the driver of a vehicle to position the vehicle centrally of a wash area during entry to the area including the step of providing a visual target substantially on the centerline of the area and in the field of view of the driver.
13 . A method as defined in claim 12 including a step of providing a signal indicating the entry of a vehicle to the area, and initiating the step of providing a target in response to said signal.
14 . A method as defined in claim 13 including the further step of illuminating the target during the approach of the vehicle to the target.
15 . A method as defined in claim 14 wherein the step of illuminating the target is carried out by activating one or more LEDs carried by the target.
16 . A method as defined in claim 13 wherein the target is a movable, vertically depending spray arm.
17 . A method as defined in claim 13 wherein the step of illuminating the target includes causing a flashing lighting effect to take place.
18 . A method as defined in claim 13 including the further step of moving the target away from the centerline position after a vehicle is in position.
19 . A car wash system comprising:
a movable carriage overhead of a wash area;
a spray arm dependingly and rotatably mounted to said carriage for movement therewith;
means for moving said spray arm to a target position upon entry of a vehicle into said area to assist a driver to navigate toward said arm in said target position; and
means for thereafter moving said arm to a wash position.
20 . A car wash system as defined in claim 19 wherein said arm comprises an internally illuminable translucent plastic sleeve.