| FR2703376A1 | 1994-10-07 | |||
| SE314394B | 1969-09-08 |
| 1. | Apparatus for washing off or similar treatment of a post and the like, essentially vertical individual object such as a post or wing shaped edge markers preferably provided with reflecting means for roads and other traffic lanes, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it includes a downwardly open otherwise essentially closed mantle (1) having an internal length essentially corresponding to at least a relevant part of the length of the individual object, a number of nozzles (9) attached to the mantle (1) and directed inwardly thereof, pipings (8) connecting the nozzles (9) with a coupling device (7) for the connection of a supply of pressurised washing or treating fluid such as water and a connector means (5) for cooperation with a complementary connector means of a per se known lifting and controlling device for the lowering of the mantle over the object and removing it therefrom. |
| 2. | Apparatus according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the mantle (1) is pipe shaped and provided with a number of openings corresponding to the number of nozzles (9) and that the nozzles are arranged at delivery pipes forming an external pipe cage at the mantel. |
| 3. | Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the nuzzles (9) are ejection nozzles of vortex chamber type. |
| 4. | Apparatus according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the mantel (1) at its lower edge is provided with a funnel shaped collar (4) for facilitating the guiding onto the objects to be washed off. |
| 5. | Apparatus according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that at least one of the nozzles is obliquely arranged in relation in the radii towards the centre of the mantel for creating a reaction force resulting in a rotating of the mantle and that the coupling device for the supply pipe is of swivel type. |
| 6. | Apparatus according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that opposite to each nozzle (9) the mantle shows openings (10, 11) preferably widening inwardly. |
Today such object are manually cleaned with water and a brush, the brush by means of a hose possibly connected to a tank carried by a vehicle and filled with water or other washing fluid. The methods known up til know are time consuming and labour demanding normally one person for driving the vehicle and one person taking care of the washing. One person could naturally take care of both tasks but in such case a procedure is even more time consuming. Washing-off-vehicles driving slowly and repeatedly off stopping along the road edge, naturally, can result in traffic hazards.
One essential object with this invention is to bring about an apparatus facilitating the cleaning off and eliminating manual labour. The apparatus may be combined with semi or partly automatic operating devices making it possible for the driver of the vehicle to perform the washing without leaving his seat.
In a preferred embodiment a new apparatus includes an upwardly closed mantle device which at its lower open end is provided with an funnel like guiding collar. At the upper end there are connectors for a lifting and controlling device. At the outside of the mantle there are a number of pipes for pressurized water or the like which by means of a coupling arranged adjacent the connector for the lifting device may be supplied with water or liquid under pressure and along the pipes there are a number of ejection nozzles preferably of so called vortex type. Aligned with each of the nozzles are openings in the mantle.
On the annexed drawings, figure 1 shows an apparatus according to the invention seen from one side, figure 2 shows the apparatus seen from below and figure 3 is a longitudinal cross section through the apparatus.
A mantle closed at its upper end is designated 1 and can as in the example shown include an inner pipe 2 and an outer pipe 3 attached thereto. Instead of two pipes it is possible to use a single pipe. At the lower end of the mantle 1 there is a funnel shaped collar 4 forming a guide. At the upper end there is an attachment ring 5 secured to a pipe 6 in turn secured at the upper end wall of the mantle.
A fitting 7 is arranged at the pipe 6 for the connection of a pressure water hose and from said pipe a number of pipes or branches 8 extend along the mantle 1 or outer pipe 3. The number of pipes 8 may vary, the side view shows one embodiment with four pipes whereas the view from below shows another embodiment having three pipes 8. The pipes 8 are by means of spacers secured at a distance from the outer side of the mantle 8 and carries a number of ejection nozzles 9 preferably of so called vortex type. Opposite to each such nozzle there are openings 10,11 in the inner as well as the outer pipe and the opening of the inner pipe is larger than that of the outer one in order to prevent the edge of the opening to disturb the liquid ejected in a cone shape fashion.
The apparatus as a whole in a preferred embodiment is carried by an arm or a lever of a crane or the like lifting device, not shown, so that it can be moved upwardly and downwardly and outwardly from the side of the vehicle and in the longitudinally direction thereof.
The arm of the crane is preferably remote controllable so that the driver of the vehicle can swing the apparatus into a position above the object to be washed off, while ejecting water lower the mantle over the post or object and finally during flushing off accumulated dirt rise the apparatus again and move the vehicle to next post to be washed off.
In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the pipe 6 supporting the apparatus is provided with a swivel type connection or another rotation allowing connection combined with an appropriate axial bearing permitting rotation of the mantle with continuing water supply. At least some of the nozzles 9 is obliquely mounted so that the stream ejected therefrom has a direction deviating from the radii towards the centre of the mantel. By the reaction force from this stream leaving this or those obliquely arranged nozzles the entire mantle will rotate as long as water or liquid is ejected. Hereby complete covering of the hole surface of the object to be washed off is ensured.