CN111918799A

CN111918799A - Windshield wiper connector

Info

Publication number: CN111918799A
Application number: CN201880085812.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: V.R.托伦蒂诺; H.川岛; R.P.皮尔斯
Original assignee: Pylon Manufacturing Corp
Current assignee: Pylon Manufacturing Corp
Priority date: 2017-11-16
Filing date: 2018-11-16
Publication date: 2020-11-10
Also published as: CA3082366A1; JP2021503406A; EP3710318A4; AU2018372821A1; EP3710318A1; MX2020005254A; KR20200085864A; WO2019103927A1

Abstract

A wiper blade connector comprising a body member having a first sidewall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and a connector securing structure that may include a rivet channel and an arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicular to the rivet channel, and a wiper blade incorporating the same.

Description

Windshield wiper connector

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application No.15/815,068 filed on day 16, 11, 2017, application No.15/815,068 is a continuation of application No.14/827,928 filed on day 17, 8, 2015, application No.14/827,928 is a continuation of application No.14/329,423 (now U.S. patent No.9,108,595) filed on day 11, 7, 2014, 14/329,423 is a continuation of application No.13/194,070 (now U.S. patent No.8,806,700) filed on day 29, 7, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to windshield wiper blades and, more particularly, to a wiper blade connector that allows a windshield wiper blade to be coupled with various types of windshield wiper arm configurations.

Background

There are various wiper arms on which a wiper blade is arranged as a primal device. These various wiper arms have hooks, pins or other configurations that can be attached to the wiper blade with or without connectors. These various configurations pose problems in the replacement market as wiper blade suppliers need to have multiple wiper blade configurations to accommodate all existing wiper arms. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have an attachment structure that can accommodate multiple arms to reduce the complexity and cost associated with multiple wiper blade arm configurations.

Two commonly used wiper arms in the art include the single tongue wiper arm disclosed in U.S. patent No.7,891,044, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and the double tongue wiper arm disclosed in U.S. patent No.7,716,780, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. To assemble both the '044 wiper arm and the' 780 wiper arm, a specially sized and configured wiper blade connector is required to be compatible with the single tongue wiper arm and the double tongue wiper arm, respectively. To mount a primal device replacement blade to a single tongue wiper arm, the wiper blade (with the fixed wiper blade connector) must be connected to the wiper arm at an awkward angle to engage the tongue of the wiper arm with the tongue receiver located on the wiper blade connector. The wiper blade and connector pair are then rotated into a position parallel to the wiper blade arm, thereby locking the wiper blade assembly in place. Installing the original equipment to replace the wiper blade requires a similar laborious process as the double tongue wiper arm. The front tongue engages with the tongue receptacle similar to the connection process of a single tongue, after which the wiper blade and connector pair must be rotated towards the wiper arm while ensuring that the rear tongue does not interfere with the cover of the second tongue receptacle. After the rear tongue has passed over the cap, the wiper blade and connector pair must be pulled back to lockingly attach it to the wiper arm.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Except where critical or important elements of the invention are specifically identified or otherwise delineated, the purpose of which is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In certain embodiments, a connector for connecting wiper blades is provided according to the present disclosure. The connector may include a body member having a first sidewall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The connector may further include a connector securing structure that may include a rivet channel and an arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicular to the rivet channel.

In certain embodiments, there is further provided according to the present disclosure a wiper blade assembly. The wiper blade assembly may include: a wiper blade comprising a wiper strip and a mounting base; and a connector for connecting the wiper blade to the wiper arm. The connector may include a body member having a first sidewall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The connector may further include a connector securing structure that may include a rivet channel and an arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicular to the rivet channel.

In certain embodiments, according to the present disclosure, a connector for coupling a wiper blade with a wiper arm is provided. The connector may include: an elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first sidewall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; connector fixing structure. The connector securing structure may include a rivet channel and an arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicular to the rivet channel. The connector may further include a first side channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongated body member. The connector can further include a first tongue receiving opening positioned toward the front end of the elongated body member, wherein the first tongue opening can be configured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. The cap may be a U-shaped cap having an upper wall and first and second sidewalls, and including a first side protrusion disposed on an inner surface of the first sidewall of the cap. The first side projection of the cap is correspondingly sized and positioned to slide along the first side channel as the cap slides between the open and closed positions, the cap being operable to secure a respective front tongue received on the wiper arm. The first side channel may be oriented in a direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the elongated body member such that the cap may slide substantially parallel to the top surface.

Drawings

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects of the invention. These aspects are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed and the subject invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wiper blade connector of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a first end of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1 and illustrating a range of motion of a partially rotatable door member;

FIG. 3A is a side view, shown in cross-section, of a first end of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1, showing a partially rotatable door member;

FIG. 3B is a side view of a partially rotatable door member;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a single tongue wiper arm;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dual tongue wiper arm;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1 showing rotational movement of a single tongue wiper arm for attachment with the wiper blade connector;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1 illustrating rotational movement of a dual tongue wiper arm for attachment with the wiper blade connector;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1 locked onto a single tongue wiper arm;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly illustrating a method of mating the wiper blade connector and the single tongue wiper arm to secure to the wiper blade;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly showing the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1 securing the wiper blade to a single tongue wiper arm;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wiper blade connector according to the present disclosure with the cover in an "open" position;

FIG. 12 is a first side view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11 with the cap removed;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a cap of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11 with a wiper arm;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the wiper blade of FIG. 11 with the cover in a "closed" position;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wiper blade connector of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 20 is a side view of a wiper blade connector embodiment of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 19;

fig. 21 shows a wiper blade having a mounting base with rivets.

Detailed Description

In the present disclosure, the terms "a" or "an" may refer to one or more. Herein, unless otherwise specified, the term "or" is used to mean a non-exclusive or. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising," "including," or "having" one or more elements having a particular property may include other such elements not having that property.

The following detailed description and the accompanying drawings describe and illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure for the purpose of enabling those of ordinary skill in the relevant art to make and use the invention. Thus, the detailed description and illustrations of these embodiments are purely exemplary in nature and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention or its protection in any way. It should also be understood that the figures may not be drawn to scale and that in some instances, details may have been omitted, which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such as conventional details of fabrication and assembly. These embodiments, also referred to herein as "examples," are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined or other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

One embodiment of a wiper blade connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm may comprise the following components: an elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a top surface extending between the first and second sidewalls; an arcuate rivet clip extending between the first and second sidewalls, the arcuate rivet clip being constructed and arranged for releasably securing the wiper blade to the connector, and the arcuate rivet clip being sized to allow the releasable securing of the wiper blade to pivot during operation of the wiper blade; a rivet channel extending between the first and second sidewalls, the rivet channel being constructed and arranged to provide exposed access to the arcuate rivet clip; a first tongue receiving opening located toward the front end of the elongated body member, the first tongue receiving opening being constructed and arranged for receiving a corresponding front tongue on a wiper arm, the wiper arm thereby contacting the top surface when the front tongue of the wiper arm is received in the first tongue receiving opening; a locking mechanism capable of releasably locking the connector to the wiper arm, the locking mechanism including a door member rotatable about an axis, wherein the axis is located within the door member such that all sides of the axis are surrounded by at least a portion of the door member, the door member being operable to rotate between an open unlocked position and a closed locked position, the entire portion of the door member about the axis being rotatable about the axis, the open unlocked position for providing access to the first tongue receiving opening and the closed locked position for releasably locking the corresponding front tongue within the first tongue receiving opening; and a second tongue receiving opening located toward the rear end of the elongated body member, the second receiving opening being constructed and arranged for receiving a corresponding rear tongue on a wiper arm.

In some embodiments of the connector, the partially rotatable door member may further comprise a flared shroud sized to be grasped by a user to allow the user to pivot the partially rotatable door member between the open unlocked position and the closed locked position. The rear end of the elongated body can include a shoulder extending along each of the first and second sidewalls, the shoulder being constructed and arranged for releasably engaging a corresponding wing member on the wiper arm. The front end of the elongated body can further include a ramp extending along each of the first and second sidewalls, the ramp being constructed and arranged to guide the first tongue of the wiper arm into the first tongue receiving opening. The arcuate rivet clip may have a diameter greater than the rivet channel, allowing for snap attachment of the wiper blade to the connector. The top surface may extend longitudinally along a majority of the length of the elongated body member between the front end and the rear end. The locking mechanism may further include a pair of locking walls between which the rotatable door is received and between which the axis extends.

In another embodiment of a connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connector may comprise the following components: an elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a top surface extending between the first and second sidewalls; a connector securing structure including an arcuate rivet clip; a rivet channel extending between the first and second sidewalls, the rivet channel being constructed and arranged to provide exposed access to the arcuate rivet clip, and the rivet channel being smaller in size than a diameter of the arcuate rivet clip, thereby allowing for snap attachment of the wiper blade to the connector; a first tongue receiving opening at the forward end of the elongated body member, the first tongue receiving opening being constructed and arranged for receiving a corresponding forward tongue on a wiper arm; a second tongue receiving opening located toward the rear end of the elongated body member, the second tongue receiving opening being configured as an opening in a top surface through which a corresponding rear tongue on a wiper arm can be inserted to locate at least a portion of the rear tongue below the top surface such that the wiper arm contacts the top surface when the front tongue of the wiper arm is received in the first tongue receiving opening and the second tongue of the wiper arm is received in the second tongue receiving opening; a locking mechanism capable of releasably locking the connector to the wiper arm, the locking mechanism comprising a door member rotatable about an axis, wherein the axis is located within the door member such that all sides of the axis are surrounded by at least a portion of the door member, the entire portion of the door member about the axis being rotatable about the axis, the door member being operable to rotate between an open unlocked position and a closed locked position; and a tab projecting into the second tongue receiving opening to facilitate securing of the corresponding rear tongue of the wiper arm when received in the second tongue receiving opening.

In some embodiments of the connector, the door member may further comprise a flared shroud sized to be grasped by a user to allow the user to pivot the partially rotatable door member between the open unlocked position and the closed locked position. The front end of the elongated body can further include a ramp extending along each of the first and second sidewalls, the ramp being constructed and arranged to guide the first tongue of the wiper arm into the first tongue receiving opening. The top surface may extend longitudinally along a majority of the length of the elongated body member between the front end and the rear end. The locking mechanism may further include a pair of locking walls between which the rotatable door is received and between which the axis extends.

Embodiments of the wiper assembly may include a wiper blade having a mounting base; and a connector for connecting the wiper blade to a wiper arm. The connector may include: an elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a top surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; an arcuate rivet clip extending between the first and second sidewalls, the arcuate rivet clip being constructed and arranged for releasably securing the wiper blade to the connector, and the arcuate rivet clip being sized to allow the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot during operation of the wiper blade; a rivet channel extending between the first and second sidewalls, the rivet channel being constructed and arranged to provide exposed access to the arcuate rivet clip; a first tongue receiving opening located toward the front end of the elongated body member, the first tongue receiving opening being constructed and arranged for receiving a corresponding front tongue on a wiper arm, whereby the wiper arm contacts the top surface when the front tongue of the wiper arm is received in the first tongue receiving opening; a locking mechanism capable of releasably locking the connector to the wiper arm, the locking mechanism including a door member rotatable about an axis, wherein the axis is located within the door member such that all sides of the axis are surrounded by at least a portion of the door member, the door member being operable to rotate between an open unlocked position and a closed locked position, the entire portion of the door member about the axis being rotatable about the axis, the open unlocked position for providing access to the first tongue receiving opening and the closed locked position for releasably locking the corresponding front tongue within the first tongue receiving opening; and a second tongue receiving opening located toward the rear end of the elongated body member, the second receiving opening being constructed and arranged for receiving a corresponding rear tongue on a wiper arm.

In another embodiment of a connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connector can include an elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first sidewall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first and second sidewalls; a connector fixing structure; a first tongue receiving opening located toward the front end of the elongated body, the first tongue opening configured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm; and a cap disposed proximate the front end of the connector, the cap being slidable between an open position and a closed position, the cap being operable to secure a received corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. The connector may further include a side channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongated body member; and a side recess disposed on an inside surface of the cap, the side recess being sized and positioned accordingly to slide along the first sidewall as the cap slides between the open and closed positions. The connector may further include a second side channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the second side wall proximate the first end of the elongated body member; and a further side recess provided on an opposite inside surface of the cap, the further side recess being correspondingly sized and positioned to slide along the second side wall as the cap slides between the open and closed positions. The connector may further include a front locking tab disposed within the first tongue opening, the front locking tab including a top portion and an arm connecting the top portion with the elongated body member; and a locking tab channel provided on an underside surface of the cap, the locking tab channel being conformably dimensioned to allow a top portion of the front locking tab to slide along the locking tab channel as the cap is slid between the open and closed positions. The connector may further include a locking tab cavity disposed on the cap adjacent the locking tab channel, the cavity sized to conform to a top of the locking tab and positioned to receive the top of the locking tab when the cap is in the closed position. In some embodiments, the resilient portion of the cap extends into the locking tab channel to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the top of the locking tab into and out of the cavity. The connector may also include an upper tab projecting from an underside surface of the cap, the upper tab contacting an upper surface of the elongated body member. In some embodiments, the upper tab projects from the underside surface a distance that is a clearance distance between the cap and the upper surface of the elongated body member sufficient to allow the cap to slide over the distal portion of the received front tongue when the cap is slid to the closed position. In some embodiments, the connector securing structure includes a rivet channel and an arcuate rivet clip, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends between the first and second sidewalls and is constructed and arranged for releasably securing the wiper blade to the connector, and the arcuate rivet clip is sized to allow the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot during operation of the wiper blade; and a rivet passage extending between the first and second sidewalls and configured and arranged to allow access to the arcuate rivet clip.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm can include an elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first sidewall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first and second sidewalls; a connector fixing structure; a first tongue receiving opening located toward the front end of the elongated body, the first tongue opening configured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm; a second tongue receiving opening located toward the rear end of the elongated body member, the second tongue opening configured to receive a corresponding rear tongue on the wiper arm; and a cap disposed proximate the front end of the connector, the cap being slidable between an open position and a closed position, the cap being operable to secure a received corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. The connector may further comprise a rear tab projecting into the rear tongue opening, at least a distal portion of the rear tongue being fittable under the rear tab when received in the second tongue opening. The connector may further include a side channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongated body member; a side recess disposed on an inside surface of the cap, the side recess being correspondingly sized and positioned to slide along the first sidewall as the cap slides between the open and closed positions; a second side channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the second side wall proximate the first end of the elongated body member; a further side recess provided on an opposite inside surface of the cap, the further side recess being correspondingly sized and positioned to slide along the second side wall as the cap slides between the open and closed positions; a front locking tab disposed within the first tongue opening, the front locking tab including a top portion and an arm connecting the top portion with the elongated body member; a locking tab channel provided on an underside surface of the cap, the locking channel being conformably dimensioned to allow a top portion of the front locking tab to slide along the locking tab channel as the cap is slid between the open and closed positions; a locking tab cavity disposed on the cap adjacent the locking tab channel, the cavity sized to conform to the top of the locking tab and positioned to receive the top of the locking tab when the cap is in the closed position, the resilient portion of the cap protruding into the locking tab channel to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the top of the locking tab into and out of the cavity; and an upper tab projecting from an underside surface of the cap by a gap distance, the upper tab contacting an upper surface of the elongated body member, the gap distance being sufficient to allow the cap to slide over a distal portion of the received front tongue as the cap is slid into the closed position.

According to the present disclosure, there is further provided an embodiment of a wiper blade assembly, wherein the wiper blade assembly may comprise: a wiper blade comprising a wiper strip and a mounting base; and a connector for connecting the wiper blade to the wiper arm, the connector comprising: an elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first sidewall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first and second sidewalls; a connector fixing structure; a first tongue receiving opening located toward the front end of the elongated body member, the first tongue opening configured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm; and a cap disposed proximate the front end of the connector, the cap being slidable between an open position and a closed position, the cap being operable to secure a received corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. The connector of the wiper blade assembly may further include a side channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongated body member; and a side notch disposed on an inside surface of the cap, the side notch being sized and positioned accordingly to slide along the first sidewall as the cap slides between the open and closed positions. The wiper blade assembly may further include a second side channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the second side wall proximate the first end of the elongated body member; and a further side recess provided on an opposite inside surface of the cap, the further side recess being correspondingly sized and positioned to slide along the second side wall as the cap slides between the open and closed positions. The connector of the wiper blade assembly may further include a front locking tab disposed within the first tongue opening, the front locking tab including a top portion and an arm connecting the top portion with the elongated body member; a locking tab channel provided on an underside surface of the cap, the locking tab channel being conformably dimensioned to allow a top portion of the front locking tab to slide along the locking tab channel as the cap slides between the open and closed positions. The connector may further include a locking tab cavity disposed on the cap adjacent the locking tab channel, the cavity sized to conform to a top of the locking tab and positioned to receive the top of the locking tab when the cap is received in the closed position. In some embodiments, the resilient portion of the cap protrudes into the locking tab channel to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the top of the locking tab into and out of the cavity. The connector may also include an upper tab projecting from an underside surface of the cap, the upper tab contacting an upper surface of the elongated body member. In some embodiments, the upper tab protrudes from the lower side surface by a gap distance between the cap and the upper surface of the elongated body member sufficient to allow sliding over the distal portion of the received front tongue as the cap is slid into the closed position.

In some embodiments, the connector securing structure is implemented on the first sidewall. In some such embodiments, the connector securing structure is implemented on the second sidewall. In certain embodiments, the arcuate rivet clip can secure a rivet of the wiper blade. In certain embodiments, the arcuate rivet clip can secure a protrusion of the wiper blade.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade assembly is further provided according to the present disclosure. The wiper blade assembly may include: a wiper blade including a wiper strip and a mounting base; and a connector for connecting the wiper blade to the wiper arm. The connector may include a body member having a first sidewall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The connector may further include a connector securing structure that may include a rivet channel and an arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicular to the rivet channel.

In some embodiments, the connector securing structure is implemented on the first sidewall. In some such embodiments, the connector securing structure is implemented on the second sidewall. In certain embodiments, the mounting base further comprises a rivet, and the arcuate rivet clip is capable of securing the rivet. In certain embodiments, the mounting base further comprises at least one protrusion, and the arcuate rivet clip is capable of securing the at least one protrusion.

In certain embodiments, a connector for coupling a wiper blade with a wiper arm is provided according to the present disclosure. The connector may include: an elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first sidewall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; connector fixing structure. The connector securing structure may include a rivet channel and an arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicular to the rivet channel. The connector may further include a first side channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongated body member. The connector can further include a first tongue receiving opening positioned toward the front end of the elongated body member, wherein the first tongue opening can be configured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. The cap may be a U-shaped cap having an upper wall and first and second sidewalls, and including a first side protrusion disposed on an inner surface of the first sidewall of the cap. The first side tab of the cap can be correspondingly sized and positioned to slide along the first side channel as the cap slides between the open and closed positions, the cap being operable to secure a corresponding front tongue received on the wiper arm. The first side channel may be oriented in a direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the elongated body member such that the cap may slide substantially parallel to the top surface.

In certain embodiments, the second side channel extends longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the second side wall proximate the first end of the elongated body member; and a further side tab disposed on an opposite inside surface of the cap, the further side tab being correspondingly sized and positioned to slide along the second side channel as the cap slides between the open and closed positions. In some embodiments, a front locking tab is disposed within the first tongue opening, the front locking tab including a top portion and an arm connecting the top portion with the elongated body member, and a locking tab channel is disposed on an underside surface of the cap, the locking tab channel being conformably sized to allow the top portion of the front locking tab to slide along the locking tab channel as the cap slides between the open and closed positions. In certain embodiments, a locking tab cavity is provided on the cap adjacent the locking tab channel, the cavity being sized to conform to a top of the locking tab and positioned to receive the top of the locking tab when the cap is in the closed position.

In some embodiments, the resilient portion of the cap protrudes into the locking tab channel to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the top of the locking tab into and out of the cavity. In some embodiments, an upper protrusion protrudes from an underside surface of the cap, the upper tab contacting an upper surface of the elongated body member. In some embodiments, the upper protrusion protrudes from the underside surface a distance that is a clearance distance between the cap and the upper surface of the elongated body member that is sufficient to allow the cap to slide over the distal portion of the received front tongue as the cap is slid into the closed position. In certain embodiments, an arcuate rivet clip extends between the first and second sidewalls and is constructed and arranged for releasably securing the wiper blade to the connector, and the arcuate rivet clip is sized to allow the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot during operation of the wiper blade; and a rivet passage extending between the first and second sidewalls and constructed and arranged to allow access to the arcuate rivet clip.

In certain embodiments, the wiper blade assembly may include a body member further having a front end and a rear end. The connector may also include a first side channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the first side wall proximate the front end of the body member. The connector can also include a first tongue receiving opening positioned toward the front end of the body member, the first tongue opening configured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. The connector can further include a U-shaped cap having an upper wall and first and second side walls and including a first side surface disposed on an inner surface of the first side wall of the cap, the first side surface being correspondingly sized and positioned to slide along the first side channel as the cap slides between the open and closed positions, the cap being operable to secure a received corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. The connector may further include wherein the first side channel is oriented in a direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the body member such that the cap is slidable substantially parallel to the top surface.

Referring to fig. 1-5, embodiments of the wiper blade connector can be used to releasably secure a wiper blade 50 to various types of wiper arms, including a single tongue wiper arm 60 and a dual tongue wiper arm 70. The wiper blade connector 10 may include an elongated body member 12 having opposing sidewalls (14a, 14b) that may be connected to a mounting base 40 of a wiper blade 50. The connector 10 may be connected to the mounting base 40 by a connector fixing structure. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, the connector 10 may be provided with a connector securing structure including a rivet channel 16 and an arcuate rivet clip 18, wherein the rivet channel 16 may extend between the sidewalls (14a, 14b), which may be open at the bottom, and provide access to the arcuate rivet clip 18. The rivet channel 16 may be sized slightly smaller than the diameter of the arcuate rivet clip 18, thereby allowing a snap-fit assembly to capture the rivet 42 located on the mounting base 40 of the wiper blade 50. The arcuate rivet clip 18 may be sized to allow pivotal movement of the wiper blade 50 and its mounting base 40 relative to the connector 10 and wiper arms (60, 70). Other known or yet to be developed connector securing structures for connecting the connector 10 with the mounting base 40 are also contemplated in this disclosure, including nails, protrusions and/or recesses, exchanging rivets to the connector, and having receiving clips, form-fit connections, detent connections on the mounting base, and any other method of allowing pivotal movement of the wiper blade 50 and its mounting base 40 relative to the connector 10 and wiper arms (60, 70).

FIG. 2 shows the top surface 20 of the elongated body member 12 including a first tongue receiving opening 22 for receiving a front tongue (62, 72) of a wiper arm (60, 70) at the front end of the wiper blade connector 10; and a second tongue receiving opening 24 for receiving the rear tongue 74 of the double tongue wiper arm 70, which is located at the rear end. Ramps (29a, 29b) on opposite sides of the front end of the wiper blade connector 10 are provided for guiding reception of the front tongues (62, 72) into the first tongue receiving opening 22. The front end of the wiper blade connector 10 may also include a retractable locking mechanism, such as a partially rotatable door member 30, which may be rotated between an open position 32 and a closed position 34, as shown in fig. 3. Fig. 3A and 3B provide isolated views of a partially rotatable door member 30 engaged with the forward end of the wiper blade connector 10 and disengaged from the wiper blade connector 10, respectively, which is rotatable about an axis 27. Detents may optionally be included to help secure the closed position 34 of the partially rotatable door member 30 by engaging the flared shroud 28 when the partially rotatable door member 30 is moved from the open position 32 to the closed position 34. Locking mechanisms known in the art, including but not limited to, a hinge lock, a cantilever lock, and a snap lock, may also be used in place of the rotatable door member 30.

Shoulder members (26a, 26b) projecting outwardly from the respective side walls (14a, 14b) are included at the rear end of the wiper blade connector 10. The shoulder members (26a, 26b) are sized and shaped to releasably engage respective rear wing members (36a, 36b) located on opposite sides of a single tongue wiper arm 60, as shown in FIG. 4. As further shown in fig. 4, some of the wiper arms may taper toward the rear end away from the first tongue (62, 72). Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, it is advantageous to taper the sidewalls (14a, 14b) of the connector 10 to accommodate the tapered shape of certain wiper arms.

Referring to fig. 6, the wiper blade connector 10 is connected to the single tongue wiper arm 60 by engaging the rear wing members (36a, 36b) into the respective shoulder members (26a, 26b) and rotating the wiper blade connector 10 upwardly toward the single tongue wiper arm, as indicated by the directional arrow, such that when the partially rotatable door member 30 is in the open position 32, the ramps (29a, 29b) guide the front tongue 62 into engagement receipt within the first tongue receiving opening 22. The partially rotatable door member 30 is then rotated to the closed position 34, thereby locking the wiper blade connector 10 to the single tongue wiper arm 60. The partially rotatable door member 30 includes a flared shroud 28, which shroud 28 provides a gripping point for a user to rotate the partially rotatable door member 30 between an open position 32 and a closed position 34.

As shown in fig. 5, the double tongue wiper arm 70 may be releasably secured to the wiper blade connector 10 in a process similar to attaching the wiper blade connector 10 to a single tongue wiper arm 60, as described above. Referring to fig. 7, the wiper blade connector 10 is connected to the double tongue wiper arm 70 by engaging the rear tongue 74 within the rear tongue receiving opening 24 and rotating the blade connector upward, as indicated by the directional arrow, so that the front tongue 72 is in line with and engages the first tongue receiving opening 22 when the partially rotatable door member 30 is in the open position 32. The ramps (29a, 29b) help guide receipt of the front tongue 72 within the front tongue receiving opening 22 as the double tongue wiper arm 70 rotates about the shoulder members (26a, 26 b). The partially rotatable door member 30 is then rotated to the closed position 34, thereby locking the wiper blade connector 10 to the dual tongue wiper arm 70.

After securing the wiper blade connector 10 to either the single tongue wiper arm 60 or the double tongue wiper arm 70, as shown in fig. 8, the wiper blade 50 may be attached by snapping the rivet 42 located on the mounting base 40 into the arcuate rivet clip 18, thereby completing a wiper blade assembly such as shown in fig. 9 and 10.

Fig. 11-18 illustrate another embodiment of a wiper blade connector 100 that may include an elongated body member 112 having a front end 113a and a rear end 113 b. The elongated body member may be comprised of opposing sidewalls 114a, 114b and a top surface 120. A rivet channel 116 may be defined that may extend between the sidewalls 114a, 114b, which may be open at the bottom to provide access to an arcuate rivet clip 118. The rivet passage 116 and the clip 118 may be sized and dimensioned generally according to an embodiment of the connector 10 to engage and secure the rivet 42 in the mounting base 40.

The first tongue opening 122 may be disposed adjacent or near the front end 113b, and the second tongue opening 124 may be disposed adjacent or near the rear end 113 a. The connector 100 may further include a cap 130, the cap 130 may be movable or slidable in a longitudinal direction between an open position 132 and a closed position 134, wherein the first tongue opening 122 is maximally exposed when the cap 130 is in the open position 132. The cap 130 may also be removable. Fig. 11-17 illustrate an embodiment of the connector 100 with the cap 130 in the open position 132. Fig. 18 shows this embodiment of the connector 100 with the cap 130 in the closed position. To accommodate the sliding of the cap 130, one or more side channels 131a may be provided on at least one of the

side walls

114a, 114 b. In one embodiment, a pair of side channels 131a are provided, each side channel being located on an opposing

side wall

114a, 114 b. The side channel 131a may be substantially configured as a groove or slot that is substantially coplanar with the

respective side wall

114a, 114b on which the side channel 131a is disposed. Each of the one or more side channels may be defined by a portion of the side wall 114a between the longitudinally extending upper edge and the longitudinally extending lower edge. The upper edge may protrude away from its

respective side wall

114a, 114b by substantially the same distance as the respective lower edge. The body member 112 can further include an upper cap support surface 133a adjacent the front end 113b and adjacent each of the one or more side channels 131 a. For the second tongue opening 124, some embodiments include a rear tab 138 protruding from the second tongue opening 124. The second tongue opening 124 may be located proximate the rear end 113a of the body member 112.

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment of the connector 100 with the cap 130 removed, thereby showing the top of the front locking tab 135 a. The front locking tab 135a includes a top portion, illustrated in fig. 15 as a substantially rectangular component, and an arm portion that extends toward the elongated body member 112 and is attached to the elongated body member 112. Other suitable shapes and sizes for the front locking tab 135a may also be used. The arm portion may be sufficiently recessed within the first tongue opening 122 so as not to interfere with the insertion of the front tongue into the front tongue opening 122, as described herein. The top of the locking tab 135a is shaped and sized to conform to a locking tab cavity 135b provided on the upper surface of the cap 130. When the cap 130 is in the closed position 134, the upper portions of the front locking tabs 135a may fit snugly within the cavities 135b, thereby securing the cap 130 in the closed position 134.

A bottom perspective view of the removed cap 130 is shown in fig. 16. A side recess or protrusion 131b is shown on the inside of the sidewall of the cap 130. Each side notch 131b may be shaped to conform to the side cavity 131a such that the side notch 131b may slide along the cavity 131a as the cap 130 slides between the open and closed positions. An upper recess or protrusion 133b may be further provided on the underside of the cap 130. Each upper recess 133b may contact the upper cap support surface 133 a. Each upper recess 133b protrudes downward from an upper portion of the cap 130, and in this regard, the distance by which the upper recess 133b protrudes downward may be a gap distance between the upper portion of the cap 130 and the upper cap contact surface 133a of the body member 112. Additionally, on the interior underside of the upper portion of the cap 130 may be a locking tab cavity 135b that may be sized and dimensioned to conform to the upper portion of the front locking tab 135 a. In this regard, as the cap 130 is moved from the open position 132 to the closed position 134, an upper portion of the front locking tab 135a can slide along the locking tab slot 135c and the upper portion of the front locking tab 135a can conformably fit within the locking tab cavity 135b to secure the cap 130 in the closed position. A portion of the interior upper surface of the cap 130 may resiliently protrude into the locking tab channel 135c to secure the locking tab 135a within the cavity 135b when the cap is in the closed position. The inner upper surface of the cap may also be chamfered to facilitate insertion and retention of the locking tabs 135 a. The longitudinal force applied, for example, by a user sliding the cap 130 between the open position 132 and the closed position 134, can be increased to bias the resilient portion of the cap 130 within the locking tab slot 135c to facilitate entry and exit of the upper portion of the tab 135a into the cavity 135 b.

Figure 17 shows the securing of the wiper arm 60 to the connector 100. If the cap 130 is in the open position 132, the

front tongues

62, 72 of the

wiper arms

60, 70 can be received within the first tongue opening 122, and the

front tongues

62, 72 can be secured within the first tongue opening 122 as the cap 130 is slid toward the closed position 134. The protruding length of the upper recess 133b thus forms a clearance distance between the cap 130 and the cap support surface 133a that allows the cap 130 to slide over the distal portion of the front tongue 72 as the cap 130 is locked in the front tongue opening 122. The side channels 131a are thus operable to allow longitudinal sliding of the cap 130 between the open and

closed positions

132, 134, and the front tabs 135a are operable to secure the cap 130 in the closed position 134. Also shown is the second tongue 74 which can fit into the second tongue receiving opening 124 such that at least a distal portion of the second tongue 74 is located below the rear tab 138, thereby securing the second tongue 74 in the second tongue receiving opening 124. It should be appreciated that the connector 100 may be used with both single and dual tongue wiper arms.

As described herein, the wiper blade may be provided with embodiments of the

connector

10, 100. The wiper blade may be of any type suitable for use in the present invention. For example, the wiper blade may be a conventional wiper blade having a plurality of frames carrying the wiper strip and having mounting bases embedded in or attached to the plurality of frames. The wiper blade may also be a bracketless or "beam" type wiper blade having one or more spring-elastic beams, a wiper strip, and a mounting base. The wiper blade may also be a hybrid wiper blade having a beam and one or more of a frame, a wiper strip, and a mounting base in combination. Regardless of the type of wiper blade, it may have a mounting base that connects the wiper blade to the wiper arm (60, 70) through the use of the

connector

10, 100. As noted above, in some embodiments, the mounting base 40 has a rivet extending between two spaced apart sidewalls that can be passed through the

rivet passage

16, 116 in the

connector

10, 100 until it is seated in the

arcuate rivet clip

18, 118. In other embodiments, the mounting base 40 may have one or more pins, holes, recesses, channels, or other structures corresponding to the

connector

10, 100 arrangement for connecting to the mounting base 40.

In certain embodiments, the

connector

10, 100 will preferably be attached to the mounting base 40 of the wiper blade 50 prior to attachment to the wiper arm (60, 70). In other embodiments, the

connector

10, 100 will preferably be attached to the wiper arm (60, 70) before being attached to the mounting base 40 of the wiper blade 50. In other embodiments, the

connector

10, 100 may be first attached to the base 40 of the wiper blade 50, or to the wiper arm (60, 70).

Fig. 19 and 20 show another embodiment of a connector fixing structure for connecting the connector 210 with the mounting base 40. The connector 10 may include a rivet channel 216 and an arcuate rivet clip 218, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends substantially perpendicular to the rivet channel such that an axis of the arcuate rivet clip is offset from a line extending along a middle of the rivet channel. An arcuate rivet clip can extend between the first and second sidewalls (214a, 214b) and can be constructed and arranged to releasably secure the wiper blade to the connector, and the arcuate rivet clip can be sized to allow the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot during operation of the wiper blade. The rivet channel may extend between the first and second sidewalls and may be constructed and arranged to allow access to the arcuate rivet clip. This particular embodiment allows for increased retention force (providing greater safety) to keep the connector attached to the wiper blade, since it has a "hook" like shape that holds the connector on the rivet when the blade is tilted to a maximum angle in either the wiper tip down position or the wiper tail down position. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 20, it may be advantageous for the angle θ formed between the centerline of the rivet passage 216 and a line from its top to the axis of the arcuate rivet clip to be between 75 and 90 degrees. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the offset rivet clips discussed using the disclosed concepts may be practiced with any type of connector having one or more walls. In the embodiment shown in fig. 19 and 20, an offset arcuate rivet clip 218 extends between the first and second sidewalls. However, such offset rivet clips 216 may be implemented on a single wall, on more than two walls, or on some but not all walls. For example, some connectors may have a pair of interior sidewalls and a pair of exterior sidewalls. Offset arcuate rivet clips 218 may be included on some or all of the sidewalls of such connectors. Similarly, those skilled in the art will recognize that while the description used in connection with FIGS. 19-20 discusses connection with rivets 42 disposed within the side walls of mounting base 40 as shown in FIG. 21, the disclosed concepts may be practiced with any suitable connection system, including replacement rivets 42 having internal projections, or mounting bases having external projections.

While this invention has been shown and described in accordance with preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it will be understood that departures from the present disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting wiper blades, comprising

A body member having a first sidewall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and

a connector securing structure, wherein the connector securing structure includes a rivet channel and an arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicularly from the rivet channel.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector securing structure is implemented on the first sidewall.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the connector securing structure is implemented on the second sidewall.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the arcuate rivet clip is capable of securing a rivet of a wiper blade.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the arcuate rivet clip is configured to secure a tab of a wiper blade.

6. A wiper blade assembly comprising:

a wiper blade comprising a wiper strip and a mounting base; and

a connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connector comprising:

7. The wiper blade assembly according to claim 6, wherein the connector securing structure is implemented on the first side wall.

8. The wiper blade assembly according to claim 7, wherein the connector securing structure is implemented on the second side wall.

9. The connector of claim 6, wherein the mounting base further comprises a rivet, and the arcuate rivet clip is capable of securing the rivet.

10. The connector of claim 6, wherein the mounting base further comprises at least one protrusion, and the arcuate rivet clip is configured to secure the at least one protrusion.

11. A connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connector comprising:

an elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first sidewall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall;

a connector securing structure, wherein the connector securing structure includes a rivet channel and an arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicular to the rivet channel;

a first side channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongated body member;

a first tongue receiving opening located toward the front end of the elongated body member, the first tongue opening configured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm; and

a U-shaped cap having an upper wall and first and second side walls and including a first side projection disposed on an inner surface of the first side wall of the cap, the first side projection being correspondingly sized and positioned to slide along the first side channel as the cap slides between the open and closed positions, the cap being operable to secure a received corresponding front tongue to the wiper arm,

wherein the first side channel is oriented in a direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the elongated body member, whereby the cap is slidable substantially parallel to the top surface.

12. The connector of claim 11, further comprising

A second side channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the second side wall proximate the first end of the elongated body member; and

a further side projection disposed on an opposite inside surface of the cap, the further side projection being correspondingly sized and positioned to slide along the second side channel as the cap slides between the open and closed positions.

13. The connector of claim 11, further comprising:

a front locking tab disposed within the first tongue opening, the front locking tab including a top portion and an arm connecting the top portion with the elongated body member; and

a locking tab channel disposed on an underside surface of the cap, the locking tab channel sized to allow a top portion of the front locking tab to slide along the locking tab channel as the cap slides between the open and closed positions.

14. The connector of claim 13, further comprising a locking tab cavity disposed on the cap adjacent the locking tab channel, the cavity sized to conform to a top of the locking tab and positioned to receive the top of the locking tab when the cap is in the closed position.

15. The connector of claim 14, wherein the resilient portion of the cap protrudes into the locking tab channel to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the top of the locking tab into and out of the cavity.

16. The connector of claim 11, further comprising an upper protrusion protruding from an underside surface of the cap, the upper tab contacting an upper surface of the elongated body member.

17. The connector of claim 16, wherein the upper protrusion protrudes from the underside surface a distance that is a clearance distance between a cap and an upper surface of the elongated body member sufficient to allow the cap to slide over a distal portion of the received front tongue as the cap is slid into a closed position.

18. The connector of claim 11, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends between the first and second sidewalls and is constructed and arranged for releasably securing the wiper blade to the connector, and the arcuate rivet clip is sized to allow the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot during operation of the wiper blade; and a rivet passage extending between the first and second sidewalls and constructed and arranged to allow access to the arcuate rivet clip.

19. The wiper blade assembly as defined in claim 6,

wherein, the body member still includes front end and rear end, still includes:

a first side channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the first side wall proximate the front end of the body member;

a first tongue receiving opening located toward the front end of the body member, the first tongue opening configured to receive a corresponding front tongue on a wiper arm; and

a U-shaped cap having an upper wall and first and second side walls and including a first side projection disposed on an inner surface of the first side wall of the cap, the first side projection being sized and positioned to slide along the first side channel as the cap slides between the open and closed positions, the cap being operable to secure a respective front tongue received on the wiper arm,

wherein the first side channel is oriented in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the body member such that the cap is slidable substantially parallel to the top surface.