WO1996041735A1

WO1996041735A1 - Wiper blade alignment tool

Info

Publication number: WO1996041735A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000343
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barry James Abbott
Original assignee: Clean Screen Wipers Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1995-06-09
Filing date: 1995-06-09
Publication date: 1996-12-27
Also published as: AU2665295A

Abstract

A windscreen wiper blade alignment tool is disclosed which has an upper portion which is provided with a slot (20, 66, 105, 110, 123) for receiving the arm of a windscreen wiper blade assembly. The tool also has an abutment portion for abutment against the windscreen of the vehicle. The abutment portion may have a plurality of legs (16, 18, 72, 74, 111, 121) so that if the legs both contact the windscreen at the same time, an indication of correct alignment is obtained. If only one leg contacts the windscreen and indication of misalignment is indicated thereby requiring adjustment of the assembly. The abutment portion may also comprise a semi-circular portion (103) which has an indicator such as arrow (107) so that when the semi-circular portion (103) abuts the windscreen, the arrow (107) and its reflection in the windscreen provide an indication of alignment. Additionally, rolling or portion (103) indicates that adjustment is required.

Description

WIPER BLADE ALIGNMENT TOOL

This invention relates to a wiper blade alignment tool for determining if a wiper arm, and therefore a wiper blade, is correctly aligned with respect to a vehicle windscreen to ensure that the wiper blade moves smoothly over the windscreen during oscillating movement of the wiper blade.

One of the parameters which effects smooth operation of a windscreen wiper blade is its alignment with respect to the windscreen of the vehicle. If the wiper blade and/or wiper arm is twisted relative to the windscreen, the wiper blade may move smoothly in one direction but whilst moving in the opposite direction, the wiper blade will chatter or skip across the windscreen thereby creating noise and resulting in ineffective wiping action including radial lines and other improper wiping patterns.

The object of this invention is to provide a tool for determining if a wiper blade is correctly aligned with respect to the windscreen.

The invention may be said to reside in a windscreen wiper blade alignment tool, including: an engagement portion for engaging a portion of a windscreen wiper blade assembly to orient the tool in a position indicative of the orientation of a windscreen wiper blade of the assembly relative to a vehicle windscreen; and a windscreen abutment portion for abutment against the windscreen of the vehicle to thereby provide an indication of the orientation of the windscreen wiper blade with respect to the windscreen so that the position of the assembly can be adjusted to correct the orientation of the wiper blade.

The tool of the invention therefore enable rapid checking of the orientation of the wiper blade so that the orientation can be corrected if the wiper blade is not operating smoothly.

Preferably the engagement portion for engaging a portion of the assembly comprises a slot in the tool.

Preferably the abutment portion for abutting the windscreen comprises a plurality of leg members which are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance.

Preferably the tool has a central open portion for receiving the wiper blade and a backing strip and frame of the wiper blade assembly and the portion of the assembly engaged by the engagement portion comprises an arm of the wiper blade assembly.

In some embodiments, the tool includes: a first portion including the slot; and a second portion hinged relative to the first portion, the hinge portion being moveable relative to the first portion to open the tool to enable the slot to engage the assembly, and which can be closed to secure the tool on the assembly.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view of a tool embodying the invention;

Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4 are views showing application of the tool of Figure 1 to a windscreen wiper blade assembly;

Figure 5 is a view of a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a view of a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a view of a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a view of a fifth embodiment of the invention; and Figure 9 is a view of a sixth embodiment of the invention.

With reference to Figure 1, a windscreen wiper blade alignment tool 10 is shown which has a tool body 12 of generally L-shaped configuration having a wide lower body portion 12a and a narrow upper body portion 12b. The tool has a central open portion 14 also of generally L-shaped configuration. The lower portion 12a includes two legs 16 and 18 which extend from the lower portion 12a, and a slot 20 is provided between the lower portion 12a and the upper portion 12b.

The open portion 14 of the tool is configured to enable the tool to be slipped onto a windscreen wiper blade assembly as shown in Figures 2 to 4. With reference to those figures, the windscreen wiper blade is preferably arranged about centrally in its stroke with respect to a vehicle windscreen (not shown) and is pivoted away from the windscreen to provide access to the assembly.

A wiper blade assembly 50 is formed from a wiper arm 56 which is connected to a motor (not shown) for oscillating the assembly 50, a frame 54 connected to the arm 56, and a blade 52 and backing strip 53 (or strips) supported by the frame 54. As shown in Figure 2, the tool 10 is slipped from one end of the wiper blade assembly 50 towards a mid point of the assembly 50. The wiper blade 52, backing strip 53 and frame 54 are received in the opening 14, and the wiper arm 56 is received in the slot 20 as shown in Figure 3. The arm 56 is located in the slot 20 as the tool 10 is moved in the direction of arrow A towards the midpoint of the assembly 50. When the tool is at the midpoint as shown in Figure 4, location of the arm 56 in the slot 20 will cause the tool 10 to orientate relative to arm 56 in a manner indicative of the orientation of the blade 52 with respect to the windscreen of the vehicle. The windscreen wiper blade assembly 50 can then be pivoted back towards the windscreen so that the feet 16 and 18 of the tool 10 contact the windscreen of the vehicle. If both feet 16 and 18 touch the windscreen together and sit firmly on the windscreen, then the wiper blade 52 is correctly orientated relative to the windscreen for optimum operation. However, if one or the other of the feet 16 or 18 contacts the windscreen and the remaining one of the feet 16 or 18 is spaced from the windscreen, then the wiper blade 52 is out of correct alignment and requires adjustment. Adjustment can occur by simply moving the assembly away from the windscreen and twisting the arm 56 to alter the orientation of the blade 52 relative to the windscreen. Twisting can occur merely by manipulation with the hand or by a spanner or other suitable tool. Alternatively, the tool 10 can be used to apply a twisting force to the arm 56 to re-orient the arm 56 and therefore the blade 52. The wiper blade assembly 50 is then pivoted back toward the windscreen and if both feet 16 and 18 sit firmly on the windscreen, then the wiper blade 52 is correctly aligned. If the blade 52 is still incorrect aligned, further adjustment can take place as described above until the feet 16 and 18 both abut the windscreen.

Windscreen wiper blade assemblies of the type shown in Figures 2 to 4 come in a number of different standard configurations. The space 14 has been configured to enable receipt of the blade 52, backing strip 53 and frame 54 regardless of the configuration while still allowing the arm 56 to be received in the slot 20.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention wherein the tool 10 is generally square shaped in configuration and has a first portion 60 and a hinge portion 62 hinged relative to the first portion 60. The portion 60 has a flange section 64 which is provided with a slot 66 for receiving the arm 56 of the windscreen wiper blade assembly 50 referred to in Figures 2 to 4. Central opening 74 is provided between the portions 60 and 62 for accommodating the blade 52, backing strip 53 and frame 54. Access is gained to the slot 66 by opening the hinge portion 62 by pivoting the hinge portion 62 in the direction of arrow B to the position 62' as shown in dotted lines. The tool may then be located on the assembly by locating the arm 56 in the slot 66 and with the blade 52, backing strip 53 and frame 54 accommodated in the space 74. The hinge portion 62 is then closed and locked in position by the resilient catch 68 which engages behind hook 70 of the portions 60. The first portion 60 has a foot 72 and the hinge portion has a foot 74 which operate in the same manner as the feet 16 and 18 to provide an indication of alignment of the wiper blade with respect to a windscreen. Adjustment of the wiper blade also takes place as in the manner previously described.

The space 74 is also configured, in a similar manner to the space 14, to receive frames 54, backing strips 53 and wiper blades 52 of various different configurations.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the tool can be opened and closed by movement of the hinge portion 62 so that it is not necessary to slide the tool from one end of the wiper blade assembly. Rather, the tool 10 can be located on the wiper blade assembly at the midpoint of the wiper blade assembly by opening the hinge portion 62 and then closing the hinge portion 62 when the tool is in position.

Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the invention which does not have a central opening of the type shown in Figures 1 and 5. The tool has a first body portion 80 which has a first foot 82 and a slot 84 arranged in an upper flange portion 86. The first portion 80 is generally of a reversed C-shaped configuration providing a side spaced 88 for receipt of the frame 54, backing strip 53 and blade 52 of an assembly 50. A hinge portion 90 is arranged adjacent to the portion 80 and has a second foot 92 and a catch 94 which engages behind a stem 96 of the first portion 80. The hinge portion 90 can be pivoted away from portion 86 about point 96 to provide access to the slot 84 and once the tool is arranged on the wiper blade assembly with the arm 56 located in slot 84, the hinge portion 90 can be closed and relocked in the position shown in Figure

6.

In both of the embodiments of Figures 5 and 6, the catch 68 and 94 are resilient so that they can be easily snap locked behind the hook 70 or leg 96 as the case may be and snap unlocked when the hinge portion is to be opened.

The feet 82 and 92 operate in the same manner as the feet 16 and 18 in the embodiment of Figure 1 to provide an indication of alignment of the wiper blade 52 with respect to the windscreen and adjustment if necessary.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention therefore provide wiper blade alignment tools which can be used to quickly provide an indication of the orientation of a wiper blade with respect to a windscreen. The arm 56 can then be adjusted manually, by an ancillary tool or by the tool 10, to twist or bend the arm 56 of the blade assembly 50 to adjust the orientation of the blade 52.

In the embodiments of Figures 7 and 8, the frame 54 together with the backing strip 53 and blade 52 are intended to be removed from arm 56 before using the tool of Figures 7 and 8 to determine the orientation of the arm 56. In Figure 7, the tool 10' is in the shape of the numeral 6 in cross-section and has an upper plate 101 with a curved body section 102 extending from one side of plate 101. The lower portion 103 of section 102 is semi-circular in profile and an intermediate plate 104 completes the section 102. A slot 105 is provided between plates 101 and 104. The slot 105 has two thickness 105a and 105b to receive arms 56 of assemblies 50 (not shown) of two different thicknesses so that the arms 56 can be snugly received in slot 105a or 105b. Thus, two different arm sizes can be snugly received in slot 105.

The semi-circular profile 103 is provided with an indicator, such as arrow 107, at the six o'clock position. In use the tool 10' is arranged on arm 56 after the frame 54, backing strip 53 and blade 52 have been removed. By moving the arm 56 and tool 10' back towards the windscreen (not shown) of the vehicle an indication of the orientation of the arms 56 is obtained by observing arrow 107 and its reflection in the windscreen. If the arrow 107 and its reflection are 180° with respect to one another, the arm 56 is correctly aligned. If not, the arm 56 needs to be twisted to re-orient the arm 56 until the arrow 107 and its reflection are at 180° with respect to one another. Additionally, lower portion 103 will be observed to roll if the arm 56 is not correctly aligned.

The embodiment of Figure 7 can be formed by extrusion and cutting the extrusion into discrete lengths to form tools 10'. The arrow 107 may then be applied to the semi¬ circular section 103.

Figure 8 shows a tool 10''which has an upper plate 109 similar to the plate 101 and slots 110a, 110b similar to the slot 105a and 105b. The bottom sections similar to the embodiment of Figure 1 having two legs 111. Plate 109 has a cross-shaped aperture 112 for receiving a screw driver (not shown) in slot part 112a to enable the tool 10' ' to be twisted to in turn twist arm 56 (not shown) to adjust the arm 56 if necessary. The screw driver can be inserted into slot part 112b to bend arm 56 to increase or decrease pressure against the windscreen of the vehicle.

One of the legs 111 has a groove 114 for receiving a leg 115 of a clip 116. The clip 116 has a second leg 117 which engages top plate 109. The clip secures the arm 56 in slot 110 to prevent movement of the arm 56 relative to slot 110 during measurement and adjustment by holding the plate 109 relative to the legs 111 so that the arm 56 of the assembly 50 is securely held in slot 10. Also, clip 116 holds the arm 56 in place whilst adjustment is being made to the arm 56.

In the embodiment of Figure 9, the tool 10''' has a central opening 120 for receiving frame 54 as in the embodiment of Figure 1 and two legs 121 as also in the embodiment of Figure 1. A slot 122 for receiving arm 56 (not shown) is provided between intermediate section 123 and upper section 124. The slot 122 is partly defined by wedge 125 which has teeth 126 which engage teeth 127 in section 124. By moving wedge in the direction of double headed arrow A and engaging teeth 126 with teeth 127, the width of the slot 122 can be changed to suit arms 56 of different thickness.

In the embodiments which include legs 16, 18 or 72, 74 or 111 or 121, the legs are preferably spaced apart by a distance of from 50mm to 120mm. Preferably the slots are arrange so the arm 56 is positioned midway between the legs. However, in the embodiments of Figures 7 and 8, the arm 56 will be positioned slightly off mid position because of the dual thickness of the slot.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described by way of example hereinabove.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A windscreen wiper blade alignment tool, including: an engagement portion for engaging a portion of a windscreen wiper blade assembly to orient the tool in a position indicative of the orientation of a windscreen wiper blade of the assembly relative to a vehicle windscreen; and a windscreen abutment portion for abutment against the windscreen of the vehicle to thereby provide an indication of the orientation of the windscreen wiper blade with respect to the windscreen so that the position of the assembly can be adjusted to correct the orientation of the wiper blade.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the engagement portion for engaging a portion of the assembly comprises a slot in the tool.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein the abutment portion for abutting the windscreen comprises a plurality of leg members which are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance.

4. The tool of claim 1 wherein the tool has a central open portion for receiving the wiper blade, a backing strip and a frame of the wiper blade assembly and the portion of the assembly engaged by the engagement portion comprises an arm of the wiper blade assembly.

5. The tool of claim 2 wherein the tool includes: a first portion including the slot; and a second portion hinged relative to the first portion, the hinge portion being moveable relative to the first portion to open the tool to enable the slot to engage the assembly, and which can be closed to secure the tool on - li ¬ the assembly.

6. The tool of claim 1 wherein the engagement portion comprises a slot which extends from a side edge portion of the tool and wherein the slot is adapted to receive a wiper arm of the windscreen wiper blade assembly after removal of a frame of the windscreen wiper blade assembly.

7. The tool according to claim 2 wherein the slot has at least two different thicknesses for accommodating arms of the windscreen wiper blade assembly of at least two different thicknesses.

8. The tool of claim 2 wherein the slot includes an adjustable member for movement to alter the thickness of the slot.

9. The tool of claim 8 wherein the adjustable member comprises a wedge having a plurality of teeth which engage a corresponding plurality of teeth on the tool, the wedge being moveable to engage selected ones of the teeth with selected teeth on the tool to change the thickness of the slot.

10. The tool of claim 1 wherein the abutment portion comprises a semi-circular portion having an indicator marked thereon, for providing an indication of the orientation of the windscreen wiper blade.

11. The tool of claim 1 including locking means for securing the wiper blade assembly relative to the engagement portion.

12. The tool of claim 11 wherein the locking means comprises a clip having two legs, one of the legs being located in a slot in the abutment portion and the other of the legs abutting the tool.