Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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BOOM ARRANGEMENT FOR A CAR WASH
This invention relates to a boom arrangement for a car wash in which a
flexible hose extends from a washing liquid supply at the ceiling to a wash
spray
wand and there is provided a boom mounting the hose on a swivel at the ceiling
allowing the hose on the boom to rotate in a horizontal plane at the ceiling.
BACKGROUND
In US Patent 4,575,005 issued March 11th 1986, the present inventor
provides a boom arrangement in which a hose is mounted on a swivel mount at
the
ceiling which rotates about a vertical axis and carries the hose in a
generally
horizontal plane on a spring support which allows the hose end spaced
outwardly
from the swivel mount to be pulled downwardly from the horizontal plane for
use.
US Patent 4,456,177 issued June 26th 1984 to Johnson shows a cam
in a horizontal plane where the cam follow is spring biased against the
outside
surface of the cam and the cam has a shape which is generally circular with a
cut off
section along a chord of the circle which tends to move the boom to a parked
position. This arrangement has no parking effect around a majority of the
circle and
a relatively low parking force to a specific park position.
US Patent 5,620,157 to Titzer issued 1997 shows a first arrangement
of double boom in which one boom remains in a horizontal plane underneath the
other boom and the other boom twists up and down so that it is raised in the
park
position and twists downwardly rather than sliding downwardly as it passes
underneath the first boom. This requires two different mounting arrangements
for
the two booms and apparently this was found unsatisfactory.
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Turning therefore to US Patent 6,135,363 issued October 24th 2000 to
Titzer, in Figures 2 and 3 there is disclosed a twisted cam arrangement so
that as
the boom rotates it also moves vertically upwardly and downwardly on the
sliding
shaft. This arrangement uses vertical springs which pull the boom upwardly to
the
raised position so that this will act to rotate the boom to the raised
position acting as
a park position in which the boom extends away from the other of the booms.
It is desirable therefore to provide a self parking boom arrangement
which locates the boom and hose at one side of the bay to allow the vehicle to
enter
and leave without engaging the hose and to allow the boom to be used with a
second boom so that one is parked while the other is in use and can pass the
first to
swivel to a required location unimpeded.
Boom arrangements of this type generally mount the boom in a
horizontal plane so that the hose can hang downwardly from the outer end of
the
boom and can be operated by the user by swiveling the boom around its vertical
axis. However in some cases there is a pulling action downwardly on the boom
either by a vigorous pulling action by the user or by the hose becoming
entrapped
and pulled. If there is no resilience in the system, any such pulling action
can cause
damage and breakage commonly at the center swivel location which is relatively
complicated and therefore relative expensive.
In US patent 4,131,132 (Zierden) issued December 26th, 1978 is
disclosed a boom of this general arrangement where the inner end of the boom
is
mounted on a channel shaped support and is mounted for pivotal movement about
a
transverse horizontal axis at the channel member on trunions. A U-shaped
member
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engages over an innermost end of the boom beyond the trunions and carries
compression springs which pull the U-shaped member downwardly to hold the
innermost end horizontal. Downward pulling on the outer end of the boom
therefore
pulls the U-shape member upwardly. Two compression springs are mounted one on
each at the legs of the U-shape member so that the legs and the springs extend
downwardly below the channel member. The legs and springs are thus exposed
below the system and thus must be relatively short since they would otherwise
interfere with the clearance underneath the system.
In US patent 4,998,693 of the present inventor is disclosed another
arrangement for mounting the boom for a pivoting action downwardly from the
nominally horizontal plane. This arrangement provides an inexpensive
construction
including one or a pair of spring wires which are looped around a horizontal
axis to
form a coil at the inner end and an outwardly extending portion connected to
the coil.
Downward pulling movement on the outwardly extending portion thus acts to
torsion
the coil.
Both of these arrangements have been relatively successful in the
marketplace. The second arrangement provides an inexpensive simple
construction. The first arrangement provides a more rugged more complex
construction but has the disadvantage that the amount of movement is limited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an
improved boom arrangement for a car wash.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a boom
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arrangement for use in a car wash comprising:
a mounting member for attachment to a support;
a flexible hose for receiving a wash-spray device on one end of the
hose and a water supply device at the other end of the hose,
a boom for supporting a substantially horizontal portion of the hose,
a rotatable swivel coupling carried on the mounting member for
supporting an inner end of the boom so that the horizontal portion of the hose
can
rotate about a vertical axis in a generally horizontal plane with the
remainder of the
hose extending downwardly from the horizontal plane at an outer end of the
boom;
and a pivot coupling allowing pivotal movement of the boom about a
generally horizontal axis transverse to the boom such that an outer end of the
horizontal portion can pivot downwardly out of the horizontal plane when the
hose is
pulled, the pivot coupling comprising:
a bracket mounted on the rotatable coupling and extending outwardly
from the vertical axis;
a pivot support at a bottom of the mounting bracket defining the
horizontal axis;
a pivot member on the boom carried on the pivot support such that the
boom can pivot about the horizontal axis;
the bracket defining a first spring engaging portion located substantially
vertically above the pivot axis;
the pivot member including a second spring engaging portion;
a support rod connected between and extending through both the first
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and second spring engaging portions;
a first compression spring extending between the first spring engaging
portion and a first abutment at a first end of the rod;
and a second compression spring extending between the second
5 spring engaging portion and a second abutment at a second end of the rod;
such that both springs are compressed as the pivot member pivots
relative to the bracket.
Preferably the rod projects through both the first and second receiving
portions and there is provided a second spring such that one spring is located
between the first receiving portion and the end of the rod and a second spring
is
located between the second receiving portion and the second end of the rod
such
that both springs are compressed as the pivot member pivots relative to the
bracket.
Preferably at least a part of the rod is bent such that it follows generally
an arc around the pivot axis.
Preferably the part of the rod extending from the second receiving
portion to the second end of the rod is substantially straight and parallel to
the boom
such that it is substantially horizontal when the boom is in its substantially
horizontal
raised position.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a boom
arrangement for use in a car wash comprising:
a mounting member for attachment to a support;
a flexible hose for receiving a wash-spray device on one end of the
hose and a water supply device at the other end of the hose,
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a boom for supporting a substantially horizontal portion of the hose,
a rotatable swivel coupling carried on the mounting member for
supporting an inner end of the boom so that the horizontal portion of the hose
can
rotate about a vertical axis in a generally horizontal plane with the
remainder of the
hose extending downwardly from the horizontal plane at an outer end of the
boom;
a first pivot coupling allowing pivotal movement of the boom about a
generally horizontal axis transverse to the boom such that an outer end of the
horizontal portion of the hose can pivot in downward pivotal movement out of
the
horizontal plane when the hose is pulled;
a first spring arrangement at the first pivot coupling for resisting the
downward pivotal movement;
the boom including a first boom portion extending outwardly from the
pivot coupling and a second boom portion;
a second rotatable swivel coupling at an outer end of the first boom
portion and connecting the second boom portion to the outer end of the first
boom
portion;
and second pivotal coupling connected to the second swivel coupling
for allowing downward pivotal movement of the second boom portion relative to
the
second swivel coupling;
and a second spring arrangement at the second pivot coupling for
resisting the downward pivotal movement.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a boom
arrangement for use in a car wash comprising:
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a mounting member for attachment to a support;
a flexible hose for receiving a wash-spray device on one end of the
hose and a water supply device at the other end of the hose,
a boom for supporting a substantially horizontal portion of the hose,
a rotatable swivel coupling carried on the mounting member for
supporting an inner end of the boom so that the horizontal portion of the hose
can
rotate about a vertical axis in a generally horizontal plane with the
remainder of the
hose extending downwardly from the horizontal plane at an outer end of the
boom;
and a pivot coupling allowing pivotal movement of the boom about a
generally horizontal axis transverse to the boom such that an outer end of the
horizontal portion can pivot downwardly out of the horizontal plane when the
hose is
pulled, the pivot coupling comprising:
a bracket mounted on the rotatable coupling and extending outwardly
from the vertical axis;
a pivot support at a bottom of the mounting bracket defining the
horizontal axis;
a pivot member on the boom carried on the pivot support such that the
boom can pivot about the horizontal axis;
the bracket defining a spring engaging portion located substantially
vertically above the pivot axis;
a support rod extending through the spring engaging portion to an end
of the rod spaced from the spring engaging portion;
a compression spring extending between the spring engaging portion
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and an abutment at the end of the rod;
wherein the rod is bent between the spring engaging portion and the
abutment at the end such that the rod follows generally an arc around the
pivot axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a cross sectional view through a boom assembly for a car
wash according to the present invention in which there are two booms side by
side,
both shown in the parked position.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view similar to that of Figure 1 showing
one of the booms in the parked position and the other passing it in operation.
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the mounting assembly of one of
the booms of Figure 1, showing the boom in the parked position.
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the boom of Figure 3, showing the boom
in the position opposite to the parked position.
Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the
boom having a compound boom construction.
Figure 6 is a top plan view of the boom of Figure 5, in simplified forrn
for convenience of illustration.
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 5 on an
enlarged scale.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In Figure 1 is shown a mounting surface 10 on which is mounted a pair
of booms 11 and 12 shown schematically. Each boom assembly comprises a fixed
mounting member 14 which defines a vertical pivot axis 15 about which a boom
16
can swivel in a generally horizontal plane.
Each of the booms is generally of the construction shown in the above
US patent 4,575,005 in that it includes a hose 20 mounted on a spring boom 21
so
the hose extends from an inner swivel 22 in a generally horizontal plane to an
outer
end of the boom 21 from which the hose includes a depending end portion 23
which
extends downwardly to a wand 24 and a spray nozzle 25 in a conventional
manner.
Further details of a boom construction and swivel mounting for a car
wash are disclosed in US patents 4,998,693 and 6,070,917 of the present
applicant,
to which reference should be made for further details as, required, bearing in
mid the
above disclosures and the knowledge of a person skilled in the art, the
following
description relates primarily to the construction of the boom itself.
As best shown in Figure 3, the boom assembly comprises a mounting
member 30 comprising a plurality of posts 31 and plate 32 attached by bolts 33
to
the support surface 10 generally the ceiling of the bay within which the car
wash is
located. The plate 32 carries a swivel generally indicated at 35 which
provides a
support for a collar 36 carrying the boom 21 and a water supply duct 37 which
has at
its upper end a coupling 38 for connection to a supply at the mounting surface
10
and at its lower end the coupling 22 for attachment to the hose 20. Thus the
swivel
provides a rotatable high pressure connection which allows the upper coupling
38 to
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be fixed relative to the supply and the lower coupling 22 to rotate around the
vertical
axis 15.
The sleeve 36 carries a pair of arms 7 and 8 each of which projects
outwardly to a respective side of the sleeve 36 and each of which connects to
and
5 supports an inner end of a respective one of the flexible wires 21A and 21 B
forming
the boom 21 in the same construction as in the above mentioned patent. Thus
each
of the wires 21A and 21 B has an inner end clamped to the respective arm 7, 8.
From the inner end, the flexible wire extends horizontally outwardly in a
first portion
40 which forms a loop 41 having a plurality of turns defining a flex section
allowing
10 the wire to be pulled downwardly at its outer end while generally
maintaining the wire
in the horizontal plane -hus supporting the outer end of the hose. An
adjustment
bracket 42 is provided at the loop 41 which operates, as described in the
above
patent, with an adjustment screw to adjust the height of the outer end of the
wire
relative to the inner end 40.
Each of the wires includes, as best shown in Figure 1, a first downward
and outwardly incline section 45 and a second horizontal or less inclined
section 46
which extends from an inner end 47 of the second section 46 to the outer end
48 at
the depending portion 23 of the hose 20. Thus the sharply inclined inner
section 45
extends downwardly from the top of the loop 41 to a lower end at the inner end
47
which is below the height of the bottom edge of the loop 41. From that inner
end 47,
the second section 46 is horizontal or is inclined only slightly downwardly
and
outwardly to the outer end 48.
The sleeve 36 further carries a slide arm 50 which extends from the
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sleeve 36 in a horizontal direction opposite to the extent of the boom and
therefore
90 degrees to the arms 7 and 8. The slide arm 50 carries a collar 51 which can
thus
slide inwardly and outwardly along the arm 50. The collar carries a cam
follower
roller 52 which is mounted on the top of the collar and thus lies in a
horizontal plane
with a vertical rotation axis 53.
The outside edge of the plate 32 defines a cam surface in the form
surrounding the axis 15 of the rotation of the boom. The cam plate 32 is thus
fixed
in the horizontal plane and fixed against rotation around the axis 15 so that
it is held
in fixed position for contacting the peripheral surface of the cam following
roller 52.
The collar 51 is spring biased by a spring 70 onto the outside surface
of the cam plate 32. Spring 70 extends from a plate 73 carried on the outer
end of
the collar 51 a plate 72 on an end of the slide rod 50. Thus the spring 70
surrounds
the slide arm 50 and extends along the slide arm. The spring is a compression
springs providing a significant force of the cam follower roller 52 onto the
outside
surface of the cam plate 32.
The cam is shaped as shown in Figure 3 so that it has a minimum
potential energy position 65 defining a parking location at a predetermined
angular
position around the axis 15. The cam also defines a position of maximum
potential
energy at a point 66 around its periphery which is diametrically opposite to
the
minimum position 65. Thus the cam is generally "heart" shaped with the maximum
spacing from the axis 15 at the point 66 and the minimum spacing at the point
65.
Between those two points, the outside surface of the cam is shaped so that
there is
a constant gradient leading from the point 66 to the point 65. Thus the rate
of
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reduction of the radial distance from the axis 15 moving along the cam surface
is
constant. This generates a constant force tending to rotate the boom around
the
axis 15 towards the park position 65. The use of a constant force defined by
the
constant gradient of the cam shape ensures that whatever position the boom is
released, there is a constant force tending to move it back to the park
position. This
constant force therefore minimises the necessary spring biasing force required
by
the spring 70. Thus there is no tendency for the boom to stick at specific
locations
and it always moves back to the park position from whatever location it is
released
since it moves to one side or other of the location 66 depending upon which
side of
that location it starts.
As shown in Figure 1, the booms are mounted side by side and spaced
sufficiently so that there is clearance between the booms without interference
or
engagement between the slide arms 50 which project inwardly toward one another
in the parked position as shown. Thus the booms are symmetrical and opposite
and
the park position lies on a line joining the axis 15 so that the booms extend
in
opposite directions in the parked position. Thus in a bay with the booms
mounted at
the ceiling, each hose can hang down along a respective side wall of the bay
allowing the vehicle to drive inwardly and outwardly of the bay without
interfering
with the hoses.
One or other of the hoses can then be grasped by the user pulling the
boom around its axis and thus pulling the boom out of its parked position to
whatever location is required by the user.
As shown in Figure 2, the boom 11 which is in use can pass
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undemeath the boom 12 which remains in its parked position. This ability to
pass
underneath the parked boom is obtained by the first sharply inclined section
45
which drops the flexible wires forming the boom and the hose carried thereby
to a
height underneath the spring coil 41 of the other boom. From that point the
wires
are horizontal or inclined only slightly outwardly and downwardly. Aithough
the inner
ends 47 of each of the booms are at the same height, the constant incline of
both of
the booms at the same angle ensures that the point 80 on the boom 11 which
passes under the point 47 on the boom 12 is at a height below the point 47
because
it is further out along the length of the boom which is inclined downwardly.
In this simple construction, therefore, both booms can operate
independently with one remaining in the parked position until it is required
whereupon the first when released moves directly to parked position allowing
the
first to be grasped and used.
The angle of inclination can be adjusted to ensure the proper passage
of the booms by adjusting the bracket 42 as described in the above patent.
In Figures 5, 6 and 7 is shown a modified embodiment using the same
parking construction and layout as previously described but including a two
part
boom having a first boom portion 60 and a second boom portion 61 where the
first
and second portions are separated by a second swivel coupling 62 which is
spaced
outwardly from and parallel to the first or main swivel mounting 35. Thus, in
one
embodiment of the present invention, the construction described herein after
can be
used in relation to a double boom of this type. However the same mounting of
the
inner boom element 60 on the swivel coupling 35 can be used in a single piece
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boom in which there is a single swivel member 35 supported a single boom arm
60
which extends to the outer end of the plane containing the hose so the end of
the
hose can be suspended downwardly from the outer end of the arm 60. However for
convenience, the double boom arrangement will be described hereinafter.
In this embodiment the sleeve 36 carries a bracket 70 mounting the
inner boom section 60. The inner boom section 60 includes a channel member 71
within which the hose 19 is draped so as to be supported thereby. The channel
71
is attached at its inner end to a rectangular vertical tube member 72. The
channel
member is thus inserted into an opening at the back of the tube 72 and is
attached
thereto so as to stand outwardly in a horizontal direction at right angles to
the
vertical tube 72. The tube 72 provides a structural member for attachment to
the
bracket 70 and for supporting a biasing spring 73. The boom structure
including the
tube 72 and the channel 71 receives a transverse pivot pin 74 carried on the
bracket
70 so as to define a pivot support having a horizontal pivot axis 75 lying
transverse
to the boom allowing a pivot member defined by the tube 72 and the boom to
pivot
upwardly and downwardly about the axis 75. The spring 73 acts to bias the boom
into the raised position in which the boom lies in a horizontal plane at which
position
a suitable adjustable stop 77 (as best shown in Figure 7) holds the tube 72 in
place.
The swivel coupling 35 includes the bracket 70 which is defined by a
pair of parallel plates 78 and 79. The plates 78 and 79 have a horizontal top
edge
80 generally arranged at the top of the swivel sleeve 36 and extending
therefrom
outwardly to an outer edge 81. The outer edge 81 extends downwardly to a
position
just forward of the pivot pin 74 to a bottom edge 82 spaced below the bottom
of the
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sleeve 36 and below the hose coupling 22. Thus the pivot pin 74 is below the
hose
and the horizontal section thereof.
Between the plates 78 and 79 is connected a first transverse abutment
plate 83 at the front edge 81. The abutment plate 83 is relatively short so
that it
5 extends only from the top edge 80 downwardly to a bottom edge 84 spaced
upwardly from the pivot pin 74. The tube 72 includes a front wall 85 which is
formed
by cutting the tube at a chamfered edge 86 so that the top edge of the front
wall 85
is below the bottom edge 84 to avoid any possibility of interference.
In the raisad position of the boom, therefore, the rear wall 86 of the
10 tube 72 abuts the stop 77 which is formed as a bolt engaged through a
threaded
opening in the plate 83 and locked in place by a lock nut 87.
The spring 73 includes a rod 88 and two spring elements 89 and 90.
At the ends of the rod 88 are provided abutment plates 91 and 92 respectively
which
locate the ends of the springs 89 and 90 respectively. The abutment plates 91
and
15 92 are attached to the ends of the rod by a suitable connection such as a
threaded
bolt thus holding the plates 91 and 92 and therefore the ends of the springs
in fixed
position at the ends of the rod 88.
The rod passes through the hole 94 in the wall 76 of the tube 72 thUs
confining the spring section 89 between the plate 92 and the wall 76. The rod
88
20 also passes through a hole 95 in the plate 83, thus confining the spring
section
between the plate 83 acting as a first spring engaging portion and the plate
91. The
rod 88 includes a first straight section 96 which extends from the end of the
plate 76
acting as a first spring engaging portion and the plate 92. The rod also
includes a
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curved section 97 which is shaped so that it is generally arcuate around the
axis 25
of the pin 74. As shown in Figure 1, the rod portion 97 is smoothly curved
from the
plate 81 through to the plate 92 but it will be appreciated that an accurate
smooth
curvature is not essential to the operation of the device.
It will be appreciated that the pivotal movement of the boom caused by
pulling downwardly on the inner portion 60 acts to compress the spring
sections 89
and 90 by increasing the distance between the plate 83 and the wall 76. The
section
of the spring extending forwardly from the wall 76 is straight and is confined
by the
straight rod so that it is simply compressed in a straight manner with the rod
sliding
straight through the hole 94. However the curved section of the rod as it
passes
through the plate 83 follows around the axis 75 of the pin 74 thus maintaining
the
plate 83 generally at right angles to the rod at all points along the length
of the rod
as it passes through the hole 95. This avoids distortion of the system and
bending
of the spring section 90 and also maintains the spring wholly below the top
edge 80
that is spaced well away from the plate 32 and the ceiling 10 to which it is
attached.
The use of a rod which extends both forwardly and from the wall 76
and rearwardly from the plate 83 allows the use of two springs thus increasing
the
spring force applied to keep the boom in the raised position without the
necessity of
providing two parallel springs side by side. The two springs are located
within the
bounds defined by the plates 78 and 79 of the bracket 70 so that the springs
are
narrower than the sleeve 74 thus keeping the system simple, elegant and
attractive
in appearance.
In the double boom arrangement shown in Figure 5, the second swivel
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coupling 62 comprises a sleeve 100 which is attached to the outer end 101 of
the
channel 71. The outer end 101 as shown includes a second pivot coupling
symmetrical to that at the bracket 70 and arranged to provide pivotal movement
about a horizontal axis 102. The sleeve 100 may contain a water supply duct
and a
coupling similar to that of the main coupling 35.
The swive,' coupling 62 is similar or identical to construction shown in
the above patent 4,998,693 of the present applicant and acts therefore as a
swivel
coupling and a further spring section coupling including springs 107. Thus the
springs 107 are the type disclosed in the above patent and include a spring
wire
bent to form an inner straight section connected to the swivel coupling, an
outer
straight section and a coiled section. The coil thus is coiled around an axis
transverse to the boom and extending horizontally so that downward twisting
movement on the outer straight section caused by pulling downwardly on the
outer
end of the hose acts to torsion the coiled section and allow the outer section
to pivot
downwardly without overstressing the spring wire from which the springs are
formed.
An adjustment cradling member is connected at the coil section to adjust the
orientation of the outer straight section so that it is maintained in the
horizontal plane
as required.
The two section boom therefore can swivel at the two locations
allowing the compound boom to articulate. The inner section can thus extend
outwardly from the main center swivel at a first direction and the outer
section can
swivel around that position. Where the inner and outer boom sections are
aligned, it
will be appreciated that this is an uncommon occurrence and the boom sections
can
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take up any position as required as controlled by the operator pulling on the
end of
the hose. Spring action of the two sections of the boom include the first
relatively
light spring action provided by the coiled sections of the springs 107
together with
the stiffer and more resistant spring action of the spring 73. Thus the outer
coil wire
spring action can provide an initial light flexing for the operator pulling
gently on the
end of the hose whereas the inner spring 73 can act as a safety spring in the
event
that excess force is applied due to some entrapment of the hose or other
potentially
damaging situation.
As previously explained, the boom can be formed in the single in which
the spring 73 acts to provide the spring action for the gentle pulling and
also a more
vigorous spring action providing significant pivotal movement to accommodate
potentially damaging situations.
The design shown and described above thus provides the following
features and advantages.
1. The curved section 97 of the rod ensures that the rod and the
spring remain below the top edge of the bracket, regardless of the angle of
movement of the boom around the pivot 74 so as to avoid interference of the
spring
with the ceiling or elements above the bracket.
2. The fact that the rod extends through both sides of the plates 76
and 83 allows the use of two springs one on each end with both of those
springs
providing spring force. Thus in a narrow arrangement a double spring force can
be
provided without the necessity for two parallel side by side springs.
3. The straight portion of the rod which lies parallel to the boom
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stays parallef to the boom during the movement of the boom around the pivot 74
so
that the portion 96 of the rod can be relatively long allowing the use of a
long spring.
4. The geometry including the relatively long springs and the two
portions of rod allows a large angle of movement around the pivot 74 even as
much
as 90 degrees allowing the boom to be pulled down to a vertical position to
avoid
damage.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made
within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit
and
scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying
specification shall
be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
