US20080060149A1

US20080060149A1 - Combination automobile detailing machine

Info

Publication number: US20080060149A1
Application number: US11/518,864
Authority: US
Inventors: Xingyu Wu; Xingqiang Wu; Honghui Guo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-11
Filing date: 2006-09-11
Publication date: 2008-03-13

Abstract

A combination automobile detailing machine having a battery powered drive mechanism which powers three different interchangeable accessory attachments for detailing an automobile.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a car care system for detailing automobiles.
More particularly it relates to a combination automobile detailing apparatus including an interchangeable washer, a waxer/polisher, and a vacuum attachment.
Still more particularly at relates to an integrated automobile detailing machine which utilizes a single rechargeable battery powered drive mechanism for powering different interchangeable accessory attachments for performing washing, waxing, and polishing the exterior of an automobile, and vacuuming the interior thereof.
Specifically it relates to a handheld, rechargeable battery powered, combination automobile detailing machine which utilizes separate interchangeable attachments for performing different automobile detailing functions. Said device having multiple ergonomically positioned and formed handles to permit easy manipulation of the machine to orient it to wash, wax, or polish the horizontal through vertical orientations of the external surfaces of an automobile.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of specialized apparatus and handheld powered machines in one form or another for the purpose of automobile detailing for enhancing the external and internal appearance thereof, is known in the prior art. However, despite the numerous designs and forms of apparatus, and the variety of detailing machines which have been developed for the accomplishment of the specific purpose of enhancing automobile appearance, protection, and care, and which have been disclosed by and utilized in the prior art, and which have been developed for the accomplishment of the specific objectives, purposes, and requirements of automobile detailing, those devices, machines, apparatus, and methods, which have been heretofor devised and utilized to accomplish these goals, consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious configurations, combinations, and arrangements of well known tools and machines. This will become apparent from the following consideration of the closest known and relevant prior art.
The list of prior art devices is comprised basically of power tools and hand operated implements which assist with the various necessary automobile detailing operations. There are water poles which attach to a garden hose with a brush on the end; powered scrubbers, waxers, and polishers, which are dependent upon electrical power but not useful in the field when no power is available; rechargeable battery powered single purpose machines such as vacuums or polishers, and other hand tools, both powered and battery powered, but each of which serves a single function. A multiple purpose machine is required for performing all of the different functions, and having a unitary independent power source, with efficiency of operation, and which by having separate accessory attachments driven by the same power source, effect savings in the total acquisition cost of the equipment.
The combination automobile detailing machine contemplated according to the present invention departs substantially from the conventional concepts and designs taught and used by the prior art, and in doing so, provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of overcoming the problems as described above, but it accomplishes the results in a different and improved manner for producing and maintaining an improved detailed automobile appearance and condition more easily, conveniently, economically, and faster through the use of three interchangeable variable orientation accessory attachments driven by a single rechargeable battery powered motive source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing known, obvious, and described disadvantages inherent in the known types of automobile detailing machines presently existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a new apparatus and construction for an automobile appearance enhancement and maintenance apparatus wherein the same can be utilized to simplify the workload otherwise performed by hand power operations.
The general purpose construction of the present invention, which will be described hereafter in greater detail, has been designed to provide a new and improved combination automobile detailing machine and attachments which has many of the advantages of the prior art of automobile detailing tools mentioned and described above integrated into a convertible single unit. It is comprised of many novel features and advantages and performs the functions that result in a new multifunction automobile detailing machine which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art of automobile detailing machines heretofore known either alone or in any combination thereof.
The present invention is a combination automobile detailing machine which is comprised of a drive mechanism having a top mounted handle with an ergonomically positioned on/off control switch integrated therein for controlling the operation of the drive mechanism. A female receptacle is disposed at a first end thereof enclosing an output drive shaft. The receptacle is formed for engaging a variety of interchangeable attachments which can perform different automobile detailing functions. A detachable battery pack is secured to a second end thereof.
An accessory automobile detailing attachment is detachably engaged with the drive mechanism. It has a housing with an operative end thereof and a male projection opposite end thereof. The male end is formed for releasable engagement with the female receptacle of the drive mechanism and has means for engaging the output drive shaft whereby actuation of the drive mechanism causes the attachment to perform a preselected automotive detailing operation when the operative end thereof is applied to an automobile.
The more important features of the invention have been broadly outlined in the preceeding summary of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof which follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to an improvement in the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
With respect to the claims hereof, and before describing at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components which are set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of being created in other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed here are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art in which the invention is based will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is predicated may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other forms, structures, apparatus, systems, and methods for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions in so far as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the appended abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the public generally, and especially scientists, engineers and practitioners of the art who are not familiar with the patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the specification, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a new and novel combination automobile detailing machine.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a automobile detailing machine which can perform the multiple operations of washing, waxing, and polishing the exterior of the automobile as well as vacuuming the interior thereof.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a handheld powered automobile detailing machine which has three interchangeable accessory attachments for performing three separate necessary automobile detailing operations from a single motive source.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a combination automobile detailing machine which has a separate rechargeable battery powered drive mechanism which powers a multiple of various accessory attachments and whereby only a single drive motor and mobile power pack is required to provide an economical, versatile, easily manipulated and controlled, drive means for powering a variety of labor saving attachments.
And it is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a combination automobile detailing machine having interchangeable accessory attachments which permits users to sequentially organize routine car care tasks and keep all necessary tools handy and readily adaptable for use during the detailing processes which can be carried out in the field where no electricity is available.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the method and apparatus of the present invention are considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings but not limited by reference to the particular embodiments shown therein of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary waxer/polisher version of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vacuum attachment version of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rotary washer version of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a broken out cross-section of the male end of an attachment on the left and the female end of the drive unit on the right just touching prior to interlocking engagement; and

FIG. 5 is a partially broken out perspective view showing the flexible drive shaft of a detailing attachment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is made to the drawings for a description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein like reference numbers represent like elements on corresponding views. The invention is a combination automobile detailing machine for washing and polishing the exterior of an automobile and vacuuming the interior thereof.
FIG. 1-3 show the three different alternative embodiments of the combination automobile detailing machine of the present invention. It is comprised of essentially four components: a drive mechanism 11 and three different function accessory attachments. The different function attachments include a rotary washing brush 13 shown in FIG. 3, a random orbit polishing or waxing pad 15 shown in FIG. 1, and a compact vacuum 17 shown in FIG. 2. The three accessory attachments can each be quickly and easily attached to the drive mechanism, which powers all three attachments, and just as easily detached and removed for replacement by one of the other attachments.
For use in automotive detailing, and accessory attachment mechanism is detachably engaged with the drive mechanism 11. Each attachment has a housing with an operative end thereof and a male opposite end 19 thereof. The operative end performs the detailing operation while the male opposite end thereof is formed for releasable engagement with a female receptacle 21 of the drive mechanism. A mechanical spring biased latch 23 (shown in FIG. 4) integral to the drive mechanism is formed to engage a receptacle 25 in the male projection end of each of the accessory attachments and can be actuated by a release button 27 on the drive mechanism.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism 11 is comprised of a DC drive motor, an electronic control circuit, a rechargeable battery 29, and a speed reduction transmission. It has a top mounted handle 31 with an ergonomically positioned on/off control switch 33 integrated therein for controlling the operation of the drive mechanism. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the on/off control switch is mounted on top of the handle for actuation by the operator's thumb. It could also be located elsewhere on the drive mechanism such as under the handle as a squeeze switch with or without an “on” position lock. Other types of digit controlled push buttons or slide switches located in different positions on the drive mechanism are within the concept of the invention.
The switch 33 can include various types of progressive speed control for changing the output speed of the drive motor or various different ratio output speeds can be set by a speed reduction transmission integral thereto for either a constant or variable speed motor. The speed reduction unit lowers the speed of the drive motor to rotate those attachments at an optimum speed. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the waxer/polisher runs at approximately one half the speed of the washer.
The female receptacle 21 is disposed at a first end of the drive mechanism encloses an output shaft secured to the operative end of the geared drive motor. The receptacle is formed for engaging identical male extensions formed on the variety of interchangeable accessory attachments which can perform the different automobile detailing functions. The male/female relationship of the engagement connectors can obviously be inverted whereby the drive mechanism is formed to have the drive shaft inserted into receptacles in the various attachments.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the male ends 19 of the accessory attachment housings have means for engaging the output shaft of the drive mechanism whereby actuation thereof causes the attachment to perform the automotive detailing operation it is designed to perform when the operative end thereof is applied to an automobile. The drive interconnect between the drive mechanism and the attachments is likewise be a male/female connection but it could be other forms of mechanical drive line interconnects.
Reference is made to FIG. 4 of the drawings. There shown at the left side of the drawing is a cross-section of the male end 19 of an accessory attachment. The drive shaft 35 of the accessory attachment is supported in a bearing 37 and has a female receptacle 39 secured to the end thereof formed to receive a male splined shaft end 41. The splined shaft end is the output shaft of the drive mechanism 11. The male/female parts are arranged for interconnecting the accessory drive shaft and the drive mechanism to permit the drive mechanism to power the removable accessory attachments.
Also shown in FIG. 4 is the interlocking mechanism which secures the accessory attachment male end 19 in the female receptacle 21 of the drive mechanism 11. When the left assembly of FIG. 4, the male end of the accessory attachment, is moved to the right and seated in the female receptacle of the drive mechanism, with the accessory drive shaft end 39 engaging the splined drive shaft end of the drive mechanism 11, a spring biased pivoting latch 23 engages an aligned notch on the male end of the accessory attachment locking the accessory attachment into the drive mechanism. The interlocking arrangement is disengaged by pushing the accessory attachment into the drive mechanism and pressing the spring biased button 27 on the pivoting latch so that the hook end of the latch is retracted from the notch in the male end of the accessory attachment whereby the attachment can be pulled from the drive mechanism.
A detachable battery pack 29 is secured to a second end of the drive mechanism 11 and provides power for the drive mechanism output shaft. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the second end of the drive mechanism is at the opposite end from the female receptacle 21. However, the second end of the drive mechanism for the attachment of the battery can be located anywhere thereon and not necessarily at the opposite end from the female receptacle. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the battery pack is comprised of a rechargeable battery so that the invention can be used in the field where an electrical output socket is not available. However, the battery powered invention is more versatile and convenient to use than a machine powered by electrical cord and for that reason is an improved and more more handy machine for use in an automobile detailing shop.
Reference is made to FIGS. 3 & 5 of the drawings. A first form of an attachment is a washer 13 having a rotary circular brush 43 mounted in a head piece at the operative end thereof. The rotary brush is driven by a flexible drive shaft 45 enclosed in a housing 47 having a handle 49 projecting generally mid length therefrom. One end of the flexible drive shaft is secured to the male engagement member 41 formed for engagement with the female end 39 of the drive mechanism output shaft (both of which are shown in FIG. 4). The other end of the flexible drive shaft is secured to the washer brush (or the washer/polisher pad in the case of the alternate attachment 15). The flexible drive shaft permits the elegant curve formed into the attachment housings.
When the drive mechanism 11 and an attachment are interlocked and engaged, a user can grasp the drive mechanism handle 31 and the attachment housing handle 49 simultaneously using both hands, in optimum spaced relation, for balanced control of the interlocked (unitary) washer attachment and drive mechanism while applying the brush of the attachment to an automobile exterior surface for the washing thereof.
The washer 13 includes a soap supply container formed integral to the brush head piece 51. The container has multiple compartments and variable or controllable dispenser orifices so that soap is dispensed when vertical surfaces are being washed as well as horizontal surfaces. In other words, the washer dispenses soap at variable orientations between horizontal and through at least 90° in either direction from the horizontal. A controllable valve can be provided to regulate the flow of soap. The head piece also has a hose connection 53 formed integral thereto to permit a water hose to be connected to the washer to permit water to flow through the washer and rotating brush for both washing and rinsing an automobile.
A second form of the attachment is a waxer/polisher 15 having a housing similar to the washer but shorter in length but with the same geometries and flexible internal drive shaft. Instead of a brush, the waxer/polisher is provided with a rotatable pad 55. Its handle 57 is similar to the washer 13 handle, having an intermediate handhold, so that the waxer/polisher can be held at the same varying orientations as the washer for alternately polishing horizontal and vertical surfaces of the automobile as will be explained.
The geometrics of the combination detailing machine washer and waxer/ polisher attachments 13, 15 are such that the face of the rotary circular brush 43 or pad 55 is disposed generally horizontal facing downward when either of the attachments is grasped by the drive mechanism top handle 31 and the center of the housing handles 49, 57 and held suspended downward at arms length by an operator. This orientation permits washing/waxing/polishing the generally horizontal surfaces of the automobile. The handle secured to the housing is effectively generally circular. This permits variable orientations of the attachments to detail the vertical surfaces of an automobile.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the center handles 49, 57 of both the washer and waxer/polisher is formed like a square rather than curved so that it can be grasped at alternate flat sections of the handle. The drive mechanism 11 has side handles 59 on opposite sides thereof for grasping so that the machine can be rotated 90° in either direction from the top handle position, through approximately 180° when held by a user (90° in each direction from the brush or pad facing down), whereby the two rotated positions, from the washer brush or polisher pad facing downward, orient the face of the brush or pad vertically for washing or waxing/polishing the side surfaces of an automobile.
A third form of the attachment is an air intake centrifugal fan vacuum 17. It does not have an integral handle but it is light enough so that the extended length of the top handle on the drive mechanism permits a balanced carry by an operator. The side handles on the drive mechanism permit two handed operation of the vacuum for multidirectional orientation of the vacuum intake 61.
The advantages of the present invention are numerous but the most important is the utilization of a single drive mechanism to power three different accessory attachments to perform four separate automobile detailing functions: washing, waxing, and polishing of the exterior of the automobile, and vacuum cleaning of the interior thereof. The vacuum can be attached in various orientations to the drive mechanism for variable orientation vacuuming. These variable to accessory attachments save considerable expense for the tool acquisition costs over the arrangement of individual power sources for the separate machines required to perform these same functions. Likewise, if one of the attachments malfunctions, only the attachment needs to be repaired or replaced and not the expensive drive motor component.
Also a very important feature of the invention is the versatility of the combination of accessory attachments which can be quickly adapted for use in the field for the work of automobile detailing. Very sophisticated and high-quality attachments can be employed for significant savings over the cost of acquiring comparable separate machines to perform the same functions.
Thus it will be apparent from the foregoing description of the invention in its preferred form that it will fulfill all the objects and advantages attributable thereto. While it is illustrated and described in considerable detail herein, the invention is not to be limited to such details as have been set forth except as may be necessitated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combination automobile detailing machine comprising

a drive mechanism having

a top mounted handle with an ergonomically positioned on/off control switch integrated therein for controlling the operation of said drive mechanism,

a female receptacle disposed at a first end thereof enclosing an output drive shaft, said receptacle formed for engaging a variety of interchangeable attachments which can perform different automobile detailing operations,

a detachable battery pack secured to a second end thereof, and

an attachment having a housing with an operative end thereof for performing an automobile detailing operation and a male projection opposite end thereof, said male end formed for releasable engagement with said female receptacle of said drive mechanism and having means for engaging said output drive shaft whereby actuation of said drive mechanism control switch causes said attachment to perform an said automotive detailing operation when said operative end thereof is applied to an automobile.

2. The combination automobile detailing machine of claim 1 wherein said attachment is a washer having a rotary circular disk brush mounted in a headpiece at said operative end thereof and driven by a flexible drive shaft enclosed in a housing having a handle projecting generally mid length therefrom whereby when said drive mechanism and said attachment are engaged in an interlocked operative relation a user can grasp said drive mechanism handle and said housing handle simultaneously with both hands in spaced relation for controlling said integrated washer attachment and drive mechanism while applying said brush of said washer attachment to the task of washing an automobile.

3. The combination automobile detailing machine of claim 2 wherein the face of said rotary circular disk brush is disposed generally horizontal facing downward when said washer attachment is grasped by said drive mechanism top handle and said housing handle and held suspended downward at arm's length by a user, said handle secured to said housing handle being generally circular and said drive mechanism having side handles to permit said washer to be rotated to variable orientations through approximately 180° when held by a user.

4. The combination automobile detailing machine of claim 2 wherein said washer includes a soap supply container formed integral to said brush headpiece, and said head piece has a hose connection formed integral thereto to permit a water hose to be connected to said washer to permit water to flow through said washer and said rotating brush for both washing and rinsing an automobile.

5. The combination automobile detailing machine of claim 1 wherein said attachment is a waxer/polisher having a rotary circular disk pad mounted in a headpiece at said operative end thereof and driven by a flexible drive shaft enclosed in a housing having a handle projecting generally mid length therefrom whereby when said drive mechanism and said attachment are engaged in an interlocked operative relation a user can grasp said drive mechanism handle and said housing handle simultaneously with both hands in spaced relation for controlling said integrated waxer/polisher attachment and drive mechanism while applying said pad of said waxer/polisher attachment to the task of waxing/polishing an automobile.

6. The combination automobile detailing machine of claim 5 wherein the face of said rotary circular disk pad is disposed generally horizontal facing downward when said waxer/polisher attachment is grasped by said drive mechanism top handle and said housing handle and held suspended downward at arm's length by a user, said handle secured to said housing being generally circular and said drive mechanism having side handles to permit said waxer/polisher to be rotated to variable orientations through approximately 180° when held by a user.

7. The combination automobile detailing machine of claim 1 wherein said attachment is an air intake centrifugal fan vacuum apparatus detachably engagable with said drive mechanism, said fan being enclosed in a housing formed for vacuuming the interior of an automobile.