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 in the bay. The target may be provided by a vertically-depending spray arm having internal LEDs which are illuminated during vehicle entry and during the washing program. Several alternative target and lighting arrangements are described.
1 . A method of spray washing a vehicle in a wash area with an apparatus including an overhead carriage and at least one spray arm having a substantially columnar configuration and depending from the carriage into the wash area at a level coextensive with a vehicle in the wash area comprising the steps of:
illuminating the arm along substantially its entire vertical length to produce a substantially continuous columnar visual lighting effect, and
moving the illuminated arm at least partly around a vehicle in the area to wash the vehicle by the emission of fluid from nozzles located along the arm.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the step of illuminating is carried out by exciting lights arranged serially along the vertical length of the arm.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the lights are linearly arranged LEDs.
4 . The method of claim 2 wherein the lights are spirally arranged LEDs.
5 . The method of claim 2 wherein all of the lights are located within the columnar configuration of the arm.
6 . The method of claim 2 wherein at least some of the lights emit green light.
7 . The method of claim 2 wherein at least some of the lights emit red light.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the illumination is intermittent.
9 . A method of spray washing a vehicle in a wash area with an apparatus including at least one spray arm having a substantially columnar configuration and depending into the wash area at a level coextensive with a vehicle in the wash area comprising the steps of:
illuminating the arm along substantially its entire vertical length to produce a substantially continuous columnar visual lighting effect, and
moving the illuminated arm at least partly around a vehicle in the area to wash the vehicle by the emission of fluid from nozzles located along the arm.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the step of illuminating is carried out by exciting lights arranged along the vertical length of the arm.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the lights are linearly arranged LEDs.
12 . The method of claim 10 wherein the lights are spirally arranged LEDs.
13 . The method of claim 10 wherein all of the light are LEDs located within the columnar configuration of the arm.
14 . The method of claim 13 wherein at least some of the LEDs emit green light.
15 . The method of claim 13 wherein at least some of the LEDs emit red light.
16 . The method of claim 9 wherein the illumination is intermittent.