GB2120535A - Washing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing apparatus includes a container 2 with an outlet 5 at the bottom, tubing from the outlet to a syphon initiator 8 releasably stowed on the container, tubing 14 from the syphon initiator to a washing head 12, and valve means 19 at the washing head for controlling the flow of liquid. The container 2 is positioned at a first height and then flow is induced by moving the syphon initiator 8 to a lower level whereupon the initiator is re-stowed, flow continuing by syphon action. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Washing apparatus This invention relates to washing apparatus primarily for washing cars.

At present people wash their cars with a bucket and sponge or with a hosepipe and a brush attachment. When washing with just a bucket and sponge it is necessary to fill the bucket from time to time and also to rewet the sponge during washing.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved washing apparatus.

According to the present invention there is provided a washing apparatus for cars and the like comprising a container for washing liquid, tubing leading from the container to a washing station, and valve means for controlling the flow of washing liquid from the container to the washing station. Preferably the container in use is placed higher than the article to be washed and flow from the container is by syphon action.

The washing station may include a brush attachment and suitably the valve means may be a manually operable tap for controlling the flow either between two levels of flow or to stop the flow if desired.

More particularly the invention includes a washing apparatus comprising a container, an outlet from the container adjacent the bottom thereof, tubing from the outlet to a washing head, valve means at the washing head for controlling the flow of washing liquid, and a syphon initiator intermediate the outlet and the washing head through which the tubing passes.

The invention also includes a method of washing a body such as a car comprising providing a washing apparatus having a container, an outlet from the container adjacent the bottom thereof, tubing from the outlet to a syphon initiator stowed on the container, tubing from the syphon initiator to a washing head and valve means at the washing head for controlling the flow of washing liquid; positioning the container containing washing liquid at a first height; initiating flow of washing liquid from the container to the washing head by positioning the washing head at a second, lower height; moving the syphon initiator to a position lower than said first height to promote flow of liquid from the outlet of the container to the washing head; re-stowing the syphon initiator on the container once flow has started such that flow continues by syphon action; controlling the flow of washing liquid from the washing head by manipulation of the valve means as desired; and washing the body with the washing head.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a preferred apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a more detailed view of the syphon initiator without tubing fitted; Figure 3 is a front view of the syphon initiator showing the tubing and brush attached; and Figure 4 shows washing apparatus in accordance with the invention when starting the syphon action partly broken away.

In the drawings a washing apparatus 1 for the washing of cars and like standing vehicles comprises a container 2 having a carrying handle 3 by which it may be manipulated, an upper opening 4 through which the container may be filled, and an outlet 5 disposed at the bottom of the container 2.

The carrying handle 3 extends down both sides of the container 2 and is joined to the container at two points 6 at each side thereby additionally providing side lifting handles 7.

The upper opening is suitably closed by a releasable stopper 8 forming a syphon initiator as will be explained. The syphon initiator 8 is of tapered barrel shape (Figure 2) defining a wetting and storage chamber 9, and has a circumferential lip 10 adjacent its top to seat the initiator into the container 2. The bottom of the syphon initiator 8 is perforated (not shown) to allow the chamber 9 to be flooded with water when the syphon initiator is positioned as shown in Figure 1. The top of the syphon initiator is provided with a large aperture 11 through which a washing brush 12 may pass for storage and wetting purposes, and a small aperture 13 for the tubing 14 to the brush 1 2 as will now be explained with reference to Figure 3.

As seen in Figure 3 the syphon initiator 8 is provided with a rigid preformed tube 15 one end 1 6 of which protrudes from the side for connection of flexible tubing 1 7 extending to the outlet 1 8 of the rigid preformed tube 1 5 is located at the bottom of the syphon initiator 8 and receives the flexible tubing 14 extending to the brush 12. Where the tubing 14 and the brush 12 meet a flow valve 19 is provided, manipulation of which may be used to control the flow of water from the container 2 to the brush 12.

In use the container 2 is filled with water of cleaning agent through the opening 4 and positioned on a car roof to promote the syphon action flexible protective base 20 being provided. The syphon initiator 8 is then held below the level of the outlet 5 until the liquid flows by gravity. The syphon initiator 8 is then refitted into the opening 4 and liquid will continue to flow through the tubing to the brush 12 by syphon action as controlled by manipulation of the valve 1 9.

If desired a separate foam mat may be provided to further aid in avoiding damage to the paintwork of the car. Preferably the base is also designed to conform to the contour of the roof whilst spreading the load across a greater area reducing bending thereof. The foam pad may be rinsed after or before each wash.

The shape of the container 2 is such that it will fit comfortably on the side of the car roof which may have varying degrees of tilt due to the particular design of car or the camber of the surface on which it is parked.

The capacity of the container 2 is preferably about two gallons and is of shape convenient for filling in a household sink.

The valve in the tubing 14 may be a two position tap as shown having a first position offering full flow for washing the car roof where the liquid flow is slow and a second position offering reduced flow for washing lower areas. The flow is stopped by putting a brush onto or into the container, it will restart automatically when the brush is taken and used again. The full flow position is used when rinsing.

As a further alternative tap 18 may have a third position for stopping the flow completely, or a separate on/off device may be fitted at the brush to give the user complete control of flow during washing, for example the valve may be a pushbutton operable valve or trigger-operable valve on the handle of the brush 12.

The container 2 is preferably made of plastics material and the tubing may be of -'t bore.

Although the washing apparatus is particularly described in relation to washing a car it may be used to wash any suitable article.

Claims (10)

1. A washing apparatus for cars and the like comprising a container for washing liquid, tubing leading from the container to a washing station, and valve means for controlling the flow of washing liquid from the container to the washing station.

2. A washing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tubing is connected to an outlet from the container adjacent the bottom thereof and flow from the container is by syphon action.

3. A washing apparatus comprising a container, an outlet from the container adjacent the bottom thereof, tubing from the outlet to a washing head, valve means at the washing head for controlling the flow of washing liquid, and a syphon initiator intermediate the outlet and the washing head and through which the tubing passes.

4. A washing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the container includes an upper opening through which the container may be filled and the syphon initiator is a barrel-shaped stopper adapted to seat in the opening, the tubing is provided with a substantially U-shaped flow path within the initiator.

5. A washing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the valve means is a tap operable between a full flow and a reduced flow position.

6. A washing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the valve means is operable to stop the flow of washing liquid.

7. A washing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the washing head is a brush.

8. A washing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the syphon initiator has a body defining a chamber, a top having a first opening for access to the chamber and a second opening for the passage of tubing to the washing head, a perforated bottom, and a side opening for the passage of tubing connecting to said container outlet.

9. A method of washing a body such as a car comprising: providing a washing apparatus having a container, an outlet from the container adjacent the bottom thereof, tubing from the outlet to a syphon initiator stowed on the container, tubing from the syphon initiator to a washing head and valve means at the washing head for controlling the flow of washing liquid; positioning the container containing washing liquid at a first height, initiating flow of washing liquid from the container to the washing head by positioning the washing head at a second, lower height; moving the syphon initiator to a position lower than said first height to promote flow of liquid from the outlet of the container to the washing head; re-stowing the syphon initiator on the container once flow has started such that flow continues by syphon action; controlling the flow of washing liquid from the washing head by manipulation of the valve means as desired; and washing the body with the washing head.

10. A washing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.