Vehicle service facility

Abstract

Methods and facilities relating to the washing and/or servicing of vehicles. A facility is provided that has at least one section specifically dedicated to vehicle cleaning or washing. Multiple vehicle bays are provided on either side of a main driveway connected to a single entrance for the section. One of two exit driveways, each parallel to the main driveway, are at the other side of each vehicle bay and lead to their corresponding exits. Each vehicle bay is at an acute angle to the main driveway and is at an obtuse angle to one of the two exit driveways. Customers' vehicles enter through the single entrance, pass through the main driveway and drive into one of the vehicle bays. Once the vehicle has been cleaned and/or serviced, the vehicle can simply drive through the vehicle bay to the corresponding exit driveway.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 . A facility for providing consumers with vehicle wash related services and facilities, the facility comprising at least one section comprising:
 a main driveway;   a first exit driveway;   a second exit driveway;   a single entrance leading to said main driveway;   a plurality of vehicle bays;   
       wherein
 said first and second exit driveways are parallel to said main driveway; 
 at least one vehicle bay being between said main driveway and said first exit driveway and being at an acute angle from a forward direction of travel on said main driveway and being at an obtuse angle with a forward direction of travel on said first exit driveway; 
 at least one vehicle bay being between said main driveway and said second exit driveway, and being at an acute angle from a forward direction of travel on said main driveway and at an obtuse angle with a forward direction of travel on said second exit driveway. 
 
     
     
         2 . A facility according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said vehicle bays is equipped with equipment suitable for manual cleaning of vehicles. 
     
     
         3 . A facility according to  claim 1  wherein vehicles are only allowed to travel in said forward direction of travel on said main driveways and on said first and second exit driveways. 
     
     
         4 . A facility according to  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second exit driveways is provided with a corresponding exit from said facility. 
     
     
         5 . A facility according to  claim 1  wherein said facility is an enclosed, in-door facility. 
     
     
         6 . A facility according to  claim 5  wherein said facility is pressurised to minimize fog formation in said facility. 
     
     
         7 . A facility according to  claim 5  wherein said facility provides automated vehicle washing services. 
     
     
         8 . A facility according to  claim 5  wherein at least one of said vehicle bays is equipped with apparatus for automatically cleaning vehicles. 
     
     
         9 . A facility according to  claim 1  wherein said facility provides automated vehicle washing services. 
     
     
         10 . A facility according to  claim 9  wherein at least one of said vehicle bays is equipped with apparatus for automatically cleaning vehicles. 
     
     
         11 . A facility for use in providing services to vehicles, the facility comprising at least one service section comprising:
 a main driveway;   a first exit driveway;   a second exit driveway;   a single entrance leading to said main driveway;   a plurality of vehicles bays;   
       wherein
 said first and second exit driveways are parallel to said main driveway; 
 at least one vehicle bay being between said main driveway and said first exit driveway; 
 at least one vehicle bay being between said main driveway and said second exit driveway, and being at an acute angle from a forward direction of travel on said main driveway and at an obtuse angle with a forward direction of travel on said second exit driveway. 
 
     
     
         12 . A facility according to  claim 11  wherein said facility provides vehicle wash services. 
     
     
         13 . A facility according to  claim 11  wherein said facility provides vehicle maintenance services. 
     
     
         14 . A facility according to  claim 11  wherein said facility comprises at least two service sections. 
     
     
         15 . A facility according to  claim 11  wherein said at least one vehicle bay is at an acute angle from a forward direction of travel on said main driveway and said at least one vehicle bay is at an obtuse angle with said forward direction of travel on said first exit driveway. 
     
     
         16 . A facility according to  claim 11  wherein said at least one vehicle bay is at an acute angle from a forward direction of travel on said main driveway and said at least one vehicle bay is at an obtuse angle with said forward direction of travel on said second exit driveway. 
     
     
         17 . A facility for use in providing services to vehicles, the facility comprising:
 a main driveway;   at least one exit driveway;   at least one entrance leading to said main driveway; and   a plurality of vehicle bays;   
       wherein
 said plurality of vehicle bays are between said main driveway and said at least one exit driveway; 
 vehicles using at least one of said plurality of vehicle bays can travel from said main driveway to a vehicle bay to said at least one exit driveway by driving in a single forward direction. 
 
     
     
         18 . A facility according to  claim 17  wherein said facility provides vehicle wash services. 
     
     
         19 . A facility according to  claim 17  wherein said facility provides vehicle maintenance services. 
     
     
         20 . A facility according to  claim 17  wherein said facility is an indoor facility.