David T Gauthier

US Patent:

6807973, Oct 26, 2004

Filed:

May 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/849763

Inventors:

Daniel A. Fratello - Golden CO
James Johnson - Coeur Dalene ID
Michael W. Mingee - Aurora CO
Jon Leppo - Denver CO
David M. Gauthier - Denver CO
Eric Engen - Bailey CO
Dennis McCadden - Thornton CO
Thanh J. Tran - Aurora CO

Assignee:

Mark VII Equipment LLC - Arvada CO

International Classification:

B08B 302

US Classification:

134123, 134198, 134181

Abstract:

An automatic vehicle washing system is described. The vehicle washing system incorporates an elongated overhead cleaning platform for cleaning the front, top and rear surfaces of a vehicle. The overhead cleaning platform is attached to a single lift mechanism at a first end and is suspended from a belt at a second end, wherein the belt is also operatively connected to the first end. Accordingly, vertical movement of the lift actuator causes both ends of the platform to uniformly rise or descend. The platform further comprises a pivotal boom with fluid nozzles attached thereto, and a reciprocating pivotal actuator. The reciprocating pivotal actuator is capable of pivotal movement to any number of angular orientations within its operative range of motion. Advantageously, the pivotal and vertical positions of the nozzles can be independently varied, permitting the location of the overhead cleaning nozzles to be optimized for various vehicle profiles.

US Patent:

6863739, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Feb 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/086001

Inventors:

Daniel A. Fratello - Golden CO, US
David M. Gauthier - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

Mark VII Equipment LLC - Arvada CO

International Classification:

B08B003/02

US Classification:

134 18, 134 26, 134 34, 134 56 R, 134113, 134123, 134181

Abstract:

An automatic vehicle washing system is described. The vehicle washing system incorporates an elongated overhead cleaning platform for cleaning the front, top and rear surfaces of a vehicle. The overhead cleaning platform is attached to a single lift mechanism at a first end and is suspended from a belt at a second end, wherein the belt is also operatively connected to the first end. Accordingly, vertical movement of the lift actuator causes both ends of the platform to uniformly rise or descend. The platform further comprises a pivotal boom with fluid nozzles attached thereto, and a reciprocating pivotal actuator. The reciprocating pivotal actuator is capable of pivotal movement to any number of angular orientations within its operative range of motion. Advantageously, the pivotal and vertical positions of the nozzles can be independently varied, permitting the location of the overhead cleaning nozzles to be optimized for various vehicle profiles.

US Patent:

7056390, Jun 6, 2006

Filed:

Feb 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/776092

Inventors:

Daniel A. Fratello - Golden CO, US
James Johnson - Coeur D'alene ID, US
Michael W. Mingee - Aurora CO, US
Jon Leppo - Denver CO, US
David M. Gauthier - Denver CO, US
Eric Engen - Bailey CO, US
Dennis McCadden - Thornton CO, US
Thanh J. Tran - Aurora CO, US

Assignee:

Mark VII Equipment LLC - Arvada CO

International Classification:

B08B 3/02

US Classification:

134 18, 134 26, 134 36

Abstract:

An automatic vehicle washing system is described. The vehicle washing system incorporates an elongated overhead cleaning platform for cleaning the front, top and rear surfaces of a vehicle. The overhead cleaning platform is attached to a single lift mechanism at a first end and is suspended from a belt at a second end, wherein the belt is also operatively connected to the first end. Accordingly, vertical movement of the lift actuator causes both ends of the platform to uniformly rise or descend. The platform further comprises a pivotal boom with fluid nozzles attached thereto, and a reciprocating pivotal actuator. The reciprocating pivotal actuator is capable of pivotal movement to any number of angular orientations within its operative range of motion. Advantageously, the pivotal and vertical positions of the nozzles can be independently varied, permitting the location of the overhead cleaning nozzles to be optimized for various vehicle profiles.

US Patent:

7467637, Dec 23, 2008

Filed:

Apr 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/739414

Inventors:

Daniel A. Fratello - Golden CO, US
James Johnson - Salina KS, US
David M. Gauthier - Denver CO, US
Dennis McCadden - Wheat Ridge CO, US
Matt Lambert - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

Mark VII Equipment Inc. - Arvada CO

International Classification:

B08B 3/02

US Classification:

134123, 134198, 239240

Abstract:

Rotating turbo nozzles for use in car wash systems have a nozzle body with a hollow interior in which a nozzle member is rotated in unison with a fluid vortex created by pressurized fluid introduced into the interior of the nozzle body through passageways forming an acute angle with the hollow interior. Systems are employed for reducing the speed of rotation of the nozzle member relative to the nozzle body so as to improve the effective range in which the nozzle body can emit cleaning fluids with an acceptable impact force.

US Patent:

8372208, Feb 12, 2013

Filed:

May 6, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/102440

Inventors:

David M. Gauthier - Denver CO, US
Roderick MacWilliam - Arvada CO, US

Assignee:

Mark VII Equipment, Inc. - Arvada CO

International Classification:

B08B 3/02

US Classification:

134 18, 134 32, 134 56 R, 134123, 134172

Abstract:

In an automatic wash, a control unit operates a boom arm around a vehicle in a bay by moving a bridge along a lengthwise vehicle orientation, moving a trolley on the bridge along a widthwise vehicle orientation, and rotating the boom arm about the trolley. The boom arm is coupled to a mount which is flexibly coupled to the trolley such that boom arm impact displaces the mount and the trolley. The displacement may be two-dimensional and/or angular. In response, the control unit determines whether an impact has occurred by comparing the data to a baseline. If there is an impact, the control unit relocates the boom arm and may continue the wash process. If a sufficient force impact occurs that the control unit cannot correct, the boom arm may disengage from the mount which may trigger a breakaway sensor and cause the control unit to abandon the wash.

US Patent:

20050028846, Feb 10, 2005

Filed:

Mar 1, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/791340

Inventors:

Daniel Fratello - Golden CO, US
James Johnson - Salina KS, US
David Gauthier - Denver CO, US
Dennis McCadden - Wheat Ridge CO, US
Matt Lambert - Denver CO, US

International Classification:

B08B003/00

US Classification:

134123000

Abstract:

Rotating turbo nozzles for use in car wash systems have a nozzle body with a hollow interior in which a nozzle member is rotated in unison with a fluid vortex created by pressurized fluid introduced into the interior of the nozzle body through passageways forming an acute angle with the hollow interior. Systems are employed for reducing the speed of rotation of the nozzle member relative to the nozzle body so as to improve the effective range in which the nozzle body can emit cleaning fluids with an acceptable impact force.

US Patent:

20070289616, Dec 20, 2007

Filed:

Jun 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/455466

Inventors:

Dennis R. McCadden - Wheat Ridge CO, US
Eric Engen - Bailey CO, US
David M. Gauthier - Denver CO, US
Daniel Fratello - Golden CO, US

Assignee:

Mark VII Equipment Inc. - Arvada CO

International Classification:

B08B 3/00
B08B 3/12

US Classification:

134123, 134172, 134198

Abstract:

An apparatus for washing a vehicle that is relatively moved through the apparatus includes pivotal side arms with independently pivotal nozzles for the dispensing of cleansing fluids as well as a pivotal overhead boom that also includes independently pivotal nozzles so that the side arms and the boom as well as the nozzles associated therewith can be optimally positioned for directing high pressure liquid at the vehicle. The side arms and boom are also moved from retracted to extended positions with power cylinders and retracted from the extended to retracted positions by counter balancing weights.

US Patent:

62772074, Aug 21, 2001

Filed:

Aug 2, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/365519

Inventors:

David M. Gauthier - Denver CO

Assignee:

Mark VII Equipment, Inc. - Arvada CO

International Classification:

B60S 304

US Classification:

134 18

Abstract:

A control system for a vehicle washing system is provided. The control system utilizes a plurality of sensors to determine the length of a vehicle, the position of a vehicle relative to a fixed track upon which a gantry travels, and the profile of a vehicle relative to the track. The control system preferably begins a vehicle washing routine by commanding a gantry to travel from a beginning of the track to the end of the track while awaiting the interruption of an photoelectric beam for an entrance eye which first detects the front end of a stationary vehicle within the vehicle washing area. The gantry continues to move towards the end of the track while awaiting detection of a portion of the vehicle which is higher than a preset distance from ground. Upon detection of such vehicle portion, the control system establishes parameters setting a front safe tilt zone. In similar manner, the control system determines a rear safe tilt position for the vehicle washing system.