WO1994008828A1

WO1994008828A1 - A self-service device

Info

Publication number: WO1994008828A1
Application number: PCT/NL1993/000137
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aaart Van Der Toorn; Bos Wouter
Original assignee: Acodeq Noord Nederland B.V.
Priority date: 1992-10-08
Filing date: 1993-06-30
Publication date: 1994-04-28
Also published as: NL9201735A; AU4589193A

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-service device for maintaining motor vehicles, said device being provided with a frame (1-5) and with various kinds of cleaning means (9-15, 20-24), which are fitted on the ends of flexible conduits and which can be operated independently of each other as desired. The device may for example be provided with cleaning means in the shape of vacuum cleaner nozzles of different shapes (9, 10). According to another possibility a cleaning means is formed by an air gun (11).

Description

A self-service device.

The invention relates to a self-service device for maintaining motor vehicles, said device being provided with a frame and with various kinds of cleaning means, which are fitted on the ends of flexible conduits, and with maintenance means, whereby the various means can be operated independently of each other.

From Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol. 14, No. 6 (M-916) (3949), 19th January 1990 and JP-A-01254451 a column-shaped device is known, on whose upper end a pivotable hose is fitted, which is connected to a vacuum cleaner. Furthermore the column comprises a number of compartments, in which towels and cleaning means may be placed. The user of the device is completely unsheltered, whilst such a column-shaped housing can only be equipped with a limited number of provisions. A similar device, but in this case more particularly intended for washing cars is known from Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol. 9, No. 279 (M-427) (2002), 7th November 1985 and JP-A-60121159. Also this device has only a limited number of applications, whilst also in this case the user of the device is completely unsheltered against the weather conditions and the like. Furthermore such a device is inconveniently arranged for the user, since the various attachments are provided on different sides of the column-shaped device.

Furthermore a similar device is known from Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol. 7, No. 157 (M-227) (1302), 9th July 1983 and JP-A-58063554, which device is more in particular intended for inflating tyres and filling a radiator and screenwasher tank with water. Also this column- shaped device has only a limited number of applications, whilst also this device is user-unfriendly.

In practice it has become apparent that users of motor vehicles, in particular passenger cars, have a need for self-service devices, by means of which the motor vehicle can be taken care of as completely as possible in a simple, efficient and comfortable manner.

According to the invention this can be achieved in that the frame is built up of a baseplate, a rear wall, two side walls and a roof, which bound a room, in which several cleaning and maintenance means arranged in side-by-side relationship are located, said means being connected to driving means and/or storage vessels containing maintenance materials accommodated withinin the device, whilst the construction of the roof is such that the roof can protrude sufficiently far at its side remote from the rear wall to extend over at least part of a motor vehicle positioned beside the device.

When using the construction according to the invention a self- service device forming an independent unit is obtained, which may be installed at suitable locations, for example near a petrol station, a carwash or the like. The user of the device can drive his motor vehicle beside the device, whereby a more or less sheltered space is created for the user of the device between the side of the vehicle facing the device, the upright walls and the roof of the device. Cleaning means, such as for example a vacuum cleaner, an air gun, a water squirt, a brush as well as maintenance materials, are available for the user thereby. Said mainte- nance materials may comprise a great many things, such as for example lubricating oil, screenwasher fluid, pressurized air, various cleaning fluids, water, possibly cooled, which may or may not be distilled, aromatic substances and the like.

It will be apparent that thus a device has been obtained by means of which the user can take care of his motor vehicle, in particular of its interior, in an efficient and optimal manner, whilst at the same time provisions have been made for inflating tyres, possibly replenishing lubricating oil and for example filling the screenwasher tank.

Although the term "self-service device" is used herein, it will be apparent that the proprietor of the device can also put in staff, if desired, to operate the device instead of leaving this to the driver of the motor vehicle.

The invention will be explained in more detail hereafter with reference to embodiments of a device according to the invention diagra - atically illustrated in the accompanying Figures.

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a device according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 1, with a motor vehicle positioned beside the device. Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention. Figure 4 is a side view of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view corresponding with Figure 3, wherein doors or partitions closing cabinets have been left out.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device depicted in Figure 3.

The device shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a baseplate 1, which is preferably made of concrete or a similar heavy material, whose edges may be shielded by means of angle irons surrounding the baseplate.

Near the sides of the baseplate horizontal beams 2 are secured to the baseplate, whereby columns 3 and 4, which extend vertically upwards, join the ends of said beams. Horizontal beams 5 forming part of a roof are secured to the upper sides of said columns 3 and 4.

Light boxes 6, which may be provided with lettering, such as a name, an advertisement or the like, are mounted on the roof. Further light boxes 7 are disposed under the roof.

A horizontally extending box-like beam 8 is provided between the side walls, some distance above the baseplate 1. Said beam functions to support a number of cleaning means when said cleaning means are not being used. Thus Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a cleaning means in the shape of a wide vacuum cleaner nozzle 9, a cleaning means in the shape of a narrow vacuum cleaner nozzle 10, a cleaning means in the shape of an air gun 11, a cleaning means in the shape of a water squirt 12, a cleaning means in the shape of a spray means 13, by which a substance for cleaning paint, leather and/or plastic materials may be supplied, a cleaning means in the shape of a spray means 14, by which a glass cleaning agent may be supplied, and a cleaning means 15 in the shape of a spray nozzle, by means of which a material for cleaning cloth upholstery may be supplied.

All the above cleaning means will be fitted on the ends of flexible conduits, which, for example when the cleaning means are not being used and are arranged in the illustrated position, may be wound on reels or the like and be unwound when a respective cleaning means is taken hold of in order to be used. The construction of the reels is preferably such that the hoses or flexible conduits are wound up automatically upon being released. The hoses connected to the vacuum cleaner nozzles 9 and 10 will for example be connected to a vacuum cleaner (not shown), which may be accommodated in one of the cabinets 16-19 disposed under the beam. The cleaning means forming an air gun 11 may be similarly connected to a compressor (not shown) disposed in one of said cabinets. Also the other cleaning means may be connected to suitable containers disposed in one of the cabinets 16-19, in which the respective cleaning fluids or the like are contained.

The above-mentioned compressor may also be connected, via a flexible conduit, to a connector 20, by means of which the tyres of the motor vehicle may be inflated. The compressor may also be used for pressurizing the contents of the above containers, driving air-driven cleaning means or the like, etc.

The illustrated embodiment is furthermore provided with addi¬ tional cleaning means in the shape of a brush 21 and a scraping means 22, which may for example be driven electrically or pneumatically and which may be fitted on the ends of flexible power lines or compressed air lines.

Furthermore a filling squirt 23 for anti-freeze may be provided.

The beam 8 furthermore functions to support waste containers 24, which may for example be used for the separate collection of paper and plastic waste. In the illustrated embodiment a few dispensers 25 and 26 are illustrated on the rear wall of the device.

Said dispensers may be adapted for several purposes. Thus the one dispenser 26 may be intended for dispensing (paper) tissues and/or plastic gloves. The other dispenser 25 may for example be adapted to deliver certain desired aromatic substances to the interior of the motor vehicle through a hose or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment a panel 27 is furthermore secured between the two .dispensers 25 and 26, which may be provided with opera¬ ting instructions. The cabinet 17 is provided with a panel 28, on which the prescribed tyre pressures are listed. In the illustrated embodiment the device is near one side provided with an optical sensor 29, by means of which it is possible to detect whether or not a motor vehicle 20 and/or a person is present beside the device, as illustrated in Figure 2. This optical sensor 29 may be connected to the lighting installation of the device, in such a manner that when no vehicle is present beside the device, the light burns weakly, whereas the light is turned to full capacity as soon as a vehicle is driven beside the device.

As is furthermore diagrammatical ly indicated in Figure 1, the device according to the invention may also be provided with a carpet beating device 31. Preferably the cabinets 16-19 are in the shape of modular units accommodating certain means, such as vessels containing cleaning fluids and the like, which may be connected to the cleaning means, whereby said modular units will be readily exchangeable, so that the device can be readily adapted to certain requirements of the users of the device. The cleaning means may thereby be constructed and mounted in such a manner, that they are exchangeable together with the associated modular units.

It will be possible to transport the device as a whole, and also in view of the fact that the heavy baseplate 1 is used it will generally be possible to install the device on the ground at a desired location, for example near a petrol station, without costly piling, anchoring or the like being necessary.

Furthermore the device will be provided with for example suitable electric and electronic equipment (not shown) to be activated by means of control buttons 35 for actuating and operating the various means, as well as for protecting and switching off said means.

A vehicle to be maintained may be positioned beside the device in the manner shown in Figure 2, after which the user or operating personnel can take hold of a desired cleaning means and, thereby using the cleaning means in question, which is fitted on the end of an extensible flexible conduit, carry out the desired activity in the interior of the motor vehicle, such as for example vacuum cleaning, cleaning of the upholstery by means of cleaning materials and/or the brush 21 and/or the scraper 22.

In addition to that the radiator may be replenished with water and/or anti-freeze, an a selected aromatic substance may be sprayed into the interior of the car, if desired.

Of course it will be possible to equip the device with a coin- op, so that a desired cleaning means will not come into operation until a predetermined amount has been paid through the coin-op. Another possibi- ϋty is to equip the device with a card reading device 31, so that payment may be effected by means of a cash card bought in advance and/or a credit card.

Of course many variations and/or additions to the above- described self service device are conceivable. Thus the device may be equipped with means for sucking oil from the engine and with means for supplying oil to the engine. Furthermore special means may be provided for cleaning wheels as well as means for maintaining the radiator.

Besides and/or instead of the above-mentioned dispensers also dispensers for other products may be provided, such as for example for confectionery, contraceptives, cigarettes, soft drinks, tea, lamps, waste bags to be used in the motor vehicle, distilled water and/or drinking water, possibly cooled, etc.

Furthermore equipment for cleaning shoes, measuring blood pressure and/or stress or for measuring the blood alcohol level may be provided, as well as for example a clock 32 for reading the time, for example a so-called weather station 33 for reading the temperature, humidity, air pressure and the like, and for example a mirror. Further¬ more means may be provided for softening water, for checking the battery and/or for measuring the CO-content in the exhaust gas and for filling the tank of the screenwasher installation with a suitable fluid. By using the device according to the invention every owner of a motor vehicle will thus be able to maintain his motor vehicle himself, using equipment adapted for that purpose. Since the check-up and mainte¬ nance of a large number of motor vehicles can be effected at a central location, environmental pollution, which often occurs when motor vehicles are maintained at home, can be prevented to a large extent. In order to be able to be sheltered from wind and rain a covering 34 is furthermore provided, so that the user takes up a sheltered position between his car and the upright walls and the roof of the building.

The device shown in Figures 3 - 6 largely corresponds with the device shown in Figures 1 and 2. Thus also this device comprises a heavy baseplate 34 made of concrete or the like, on which a frame 35 is provided, which among other things functions to support side walls 37 of panels forming the device, as well as to support a roof 38. In this embodiment the roof is provided with an extensible part 39, which can be moved over a vehicle positioned beside the device.

Also this known device is provided with a number of cleaning and/or maintenance means 40, corresponding with for example the above- described cleaning and maintenance means 9 - 15 and/or 20 - 23, which may for example be fitted on the ends of hoses which can be wound up on reels 41. As is for example indicated in Figure 5, a water hose provided with a discharge nozzle 43, which can be wound on a reel 42, may be combined with a hose 45, which can be wound on a reel 44, for supplying shampoo to the nozzle 43. A shoe-cleaning machine 46, a compressor 47 for supplying pressurized air and various vessels 48 for the fluids required, such as for example glucol, shampoo, aromatic fluids, cleaning fluids and the like may for example be installed inside lockable cabinets located near the bottom of the device. Furthermore a vacuum cleaner 49 and a waste container 50 may be located inside said cabinets, as well as a vessel 51, for example connected to the hose 45, for sucking in water.

A squeeze device 52 for compressing the waste supplied through an intake opening 53 may be mounted on the waste container 50.

Preferably the device is adapted to be put into operation by means of a cash card, which is to be inserted into a point-of-payment terminal 54, to which cash card an amount is debited during use of the device, dependent on the number of provisions of the device which have been used and/or on the time during which the device or its provisions have been used. Of course it is also conceivable to provide an arrange¬ ment whereby payment is effected in cash and/or with a credit card.

Preferably the construction of the device is such that the extensible part 39 of the roof automatically moves out upon insertion of a cash card or the like, and automatically moves back again when the cash card or the like is removed or when the cash that has been paid is used up.

As is illustrated in particular in Figure 6 the device may be provided with vertically movable partitions 55, which block access to the various means 40 when the device is out of operation and which do not move up to release said means 40 until the cash card has been inserted into the point-of-pay ent terminal 54.

The device may also be provided with a telephone installation 56, via which the user of the device may for example contact the proprietor.

Furthermore the device may be provided with a roll-down shutter or the like, which closes the front side of the device completely when the device is not in operation.

Preferably the construction is such that devices spread over the country can all be operated with one and the same cash card, which will be attractive for the user.

Several cleaning and/or maintenance means can be used simultane¬ ously, for example when several persons are carrying out work on a car, whereby this is registered and debited by the point-of-payment terminal or the like. The use of the various cleaning and/or maintenance means may also be registered in order to establish the consumption of materials, so that they can be replenished in time. This may for example be done for several devices at a central location.

The device may furthermore be provided with a video camera, which is started when undesirable forces are exerted on parts of the device, for example by vandals, for example when doors or shutters are broken open, hoses are cut and the like.

By having payment effected by means of a cash card or credit card, the device will not contain any cash, however, which will consi- derably reduce the risk of burglary. Furthermore the device is quite suitable for advertising, for example by means of an illuminated news trailer, TV images, radio and the like.

Claims

C A I M S

1. A self-service device for maintaining motor vehicles, said device being provided with a frame and with various kinds of cleaning means, which are fitted on the ends of flexible conduits, and with maintenance means, whereby the various means can be operated indepen¬ dently of each other, characterized in that said frame is built up of a baseplate, a rear wall, two side walls and a roof, which bound a room, in which several cleaning and maintenance means arranged in side-by-side relationship are located, said means being connected to driving means and/or storage vessels containing maintenance materials accommodated within the device, whilst the construction of the roof is such that the roof can protrude sufficiently far at its side remote from the rear wall to extend over at least part of a motor vehicle positioned beside the device.

2. A self-service device according to claim 1, characterized in that said roof is provided with an extensible part.

3. A self-service device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said device is provided with cleaning means in the shape of vacuum cleaner nozzles of different shapes.

4. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cleaning means is an air gun.

5. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cleaning means is a water squirt.

6. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cleaning means is a dosaging means, by which a cleaning material for cleaning paint, leather, cloth upholstery and/or glass can.be supplied.

7. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cleaning means is a brush which can be rotated.

8. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cleaning means is a scraper.

9. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is provided with means for inflating the tyres.

10. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is provided with one or more dispensers containing certain products.

11. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is provided with a number of exchangeable modular units, which acco mocate equipment to which said cleaning means are connected.

12. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is provided with means for changing the oil .

13. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is provided with means for replenishing the tank of the screenwasher installation.

14. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device forms a unit built on a baseplate, which can be transported and installed as a whole.

15. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is provided with a sensor, which upon detection of a vehicle or the like turns on and/or intensifies the lighting.

16. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is equipped with a point-of- payment terminal, whereby the device is only put into action after insertion of an instrument of payment into the terminal.

17. A self-service device according to claim 16, characterized in that said point-of-payment terminal operates with a cash card, to which an amount is debited dependent on the number of services used.

18. A self.-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is provided with at least one screen blocking access to the cleaning and maintenance means, which screen is moved to release said means upon insertion of an instrument of payment into a point-of-payment terminal of the device.

19. A self-service device according to any one of the claims 2 - 18, characterized in that the extensible part of the roof is moved out upon insertion of an instrument of payment into a point-of-payment terminal of the device.

20. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said point-of-payment terminal is adapted for payment with a cash card and/or a credit card.

21. A self-service device according to claim 20, characterized in that several devices can be used with one and the same cash card.

22. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is provided with means for checking and/or registering the total consumption of auxiliary materials, such as for example cleaning materials and aromatic substances.

23. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for checking and/or registering are centralized in one point for several devices.

24. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that conduits are provided on reels automati- cally winding up said conduits.

25. A self-service device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is provided with a video camera, which is started automatically when undesirably large forces are exerted on parts of the device.