FR2600292A1 - Attachment device joining together a windscreen wiper arm and a caliper holding a wiper blade - Google Patents

Abstract

This attachment device 1, intended to be fitted to a windscreen wiper arm 2 with a curved-over end, consists of two elements 4, 5 articulated to one another. The element 4 is housed in the concavity of the arm 2; it includes a housing 14 opening at its lower part and intended to receive the spindle 3d of the caliper 3. This housing 14 is extended on either side of the arm 2 where is forms two projections 18 located between the said arm 2 and the opposing wings 3a of the caliper 3. The second element 5, in which two notches 29 are made, is arranged so that when it is in a first angular position with respect to the said element 4, each projection 18 of the latter can be received in a corresponding notch of the said element 5 and, when it is tilted about the said element 4, the said projections 18 acting as bearings, it can, from a second angular position, translationally block the said windscreen wiper arm 2.

Description

 #TS? FASTENER CONNECTING A WIPER ARM AND A CALIPER CARRYING U # LAKE SCRAPER.

 The present invention relates to a fastening device intended to seat a wiper arm and a stirrup for carrying a wiper blade, said stirrup being articulated around a. axis.

 Fasteners of this type include, as a rule, a coming yoke. lodge in the central region of the stirrup which carries, directly or indirectly, the scraper blade of the wiper, the; wings of the yoke and those of the stirrup coming from facing each other. The axis of articulation of the stirrup, fixed, most often, by crimping on the stirrup, is retained by the clevis.

For safety reasons, it can advantageously be provided that the end of the wiper arm, which is intended to cooperate with the stirrup, is. curved to allow hooking of said arm on said axis
In this way, if the attachment device were to fail, the wiper blade could remain retained by the wiper arm, due to this arrangement.
The fastening device according to the present invention is intended to be adapted on the wiper arms of this particular type.

 Various attachment solutions have been proposed to date, in particular solutions providing, for the stirrup, an axis having flats. Although this solution gives watisfaction, the Depositing Company has. wished to look for another which, on the one hand, makes it possible to easily disassemble the wiper blade, and, on the other hand, ensures good locking of the wiper arm and the associated caliper, rere with a circular cross-section axis.

The attachment device according to the present invention - which therefore makes it possible to achieve this double objective intended to assemble a wiper arm and a stirrup serving to carry a large wiper scraper, said stirrup being articulated around of its axis and the end of said arm intended to cooperate with said fastening device being bent for hooking on said axis, is characterized in that it consists of two elements articulated to one another , namely - a first element intended to be mounted in the
concavity of said arm, and comprising a housing
intended to receive the aforementioned axis, said housing
opening transversely to allow intro
'duction of said axis, said housing extending axially
on a. distance greater than the width of the arm, at
less on one side, with constitution of at least one
protrusion, and - a second element in which is practiced at least
a notch and which is arranged so that when it
found in a first angular position relative
said first element, each projection thereof
can be received in a corresponding notch
said second element and, when flipped around
of said first element, said projection serving as
bearing, it can, from a second position
angular, come and block in translation the stirrup by
compared to the wiper arm.

 In accordance with a preferred embodiment, each projection has the shape of a circular horseshoe, the height of which, measured externally, is less than or equal to the transverse entry dimension of the notch.

 In particular, each notch can be delimited by a bottom edge intended to cooperate with the projection, which is in an arc of a circle of the order of 270 ′.

 It is also possible to provide that each notch opens along two opposite edges which widen outwards.

 It is, moreover, useful to provide that the wall delimiting the housing comprises, in the vicinity of at least one of its transverse edges, a rib retaining the axis of the stirrup.

 In accordance with an advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the first element ~ comprises means complementary to means carried by the second element for the removable fixing of these two elements to each other at the end of the tilting stroke of said second element relative to said first element. .

 In addition, it is advantageous for the first element to have two projections and the second element for two notches intended to cooperate respectively with said projections.

 In this case, it is conceivable that the notches are made in two facing cheeks connected together by a tab intended to be placed, at the end of the tilting stroke of the second element on the first element, on the arm, this tab bearing laterally. two wings each provided with an opening capable of receiving a stud carried by a flange of said first element intended to come opposite an associated wing in the aforementioned tilting end position, said openings and said studs constituting the co-complementary means for removable fixing of the two elements.

 This tab can advantageously extend opposite the notches by a release tab of the second element relative to the first.

 It can also be provided that the notches are made in two facing cheeks connected together with a nose intended to be placed in the opening of the stirrup located at the front of the axis.

 According to other features of the present invention, the first element comprises, at its lower part, a housing for the folded branch of the. arm, and the elements of the attachment device of the invention are arranged to be locked in translation in the transverse direction.

The invention consists, apart from the
provisions set out above, in a number of other provisions which will be more explicitly
question below about an embodiment
particular described in detail, by way of illustrative example
and not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

On these drawings
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the attachment device ~. which is consistent with this of realization of
the invention, its first element being shown in
mounting position on the hinge pin
intended to carry the scraper blade of the wiper, the arm
wiper being shown in the hanging position on
said first element, and the second element of said device
of attachment being shown while it is fitted onto said
first element, but not yet made completely integral
thereof, said wiper arm and said caliper
being shown only partially, a tear being
practiced in the central region of said stirrup to leave
completely appear the structure of said device
home
- Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the available
sitif.-of attachment of Figure 1, in its final position of
locking, the wiper arm and the caliper being
partially represented; ;
- Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the second
element of the attachment device of Figure 1, along III
III, figure 5
- Figure 4 is a longitudinal elevational view of
first element of the attachment device of FIG. 1,
assembled to the wiper arm in the. position he
occupies with respect to this one in figure '1, that is - # - say
in the normal mounting position-
- Figure 5 is a top view along VV, Figure 3
- Figure 6 is a sectional view along VI-VI, Figure 4
and - Figure 7 is a top view of the first element of the fastening device of Figure 1.

 If we now refer to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing, we see that we have designated by 1, as a whole, a fastening device for ensuring the connection between a wiper arm 2 and a 'stirrup 3 intended to carry, directly or indirectly, a scraper blade (not shown).

 -The wiper arm 2 is constituted by a flattened mFtallic rod, the end of which intended to cooperate with the attachment device 1 is in the form of a hook. This rod comprises, on the one hand, a main branch 2a, which is straight or of which the end region constituting the hook is straight, on the other hand, a secondary branch 2L, parallel to said main branch 2a or to the abovementioned end region of the latter, the branches 2a and 2b being connected by a curved part 2 #.

 The stirrup 3, made in particular from stamped sheet metal, has a classic overall shape, with a U-shaped section; it has two elongated wings 3 # connected to a flat plate 3L, in which oblong openings 3 # are formed.

In the central region of the stirrup 3, the core 3k is completely open to allow the introduction of the fastening device 1; the wings 3a extend above the are 3L, and they are connected, in a known manner, by a 3 # axis.

 The fastening device 1 is constituted by the assembly of two elements 4,5, obtained, for example, by injection molding of a relatively rigid plastic.

The first element 4 is constituted by a main body, the overall shape of which is that of a relatively flat parallelepiped, which has three extensions 7, 8 and 9. The structure of said element 4 will now be described by considering it in the position it occupies in Figure 4, for example, the regions before
and rear of said element 4 being those located respectively
on the left and right of the sheet when looking
the drawing.

The body 6 is delimited by an upper wall
69, a 6h bottom wall and four side walls
opposite two by two, i.e. two longitudinal walls
identical) 6c: and two transverse walls, respectively rear 6d and both 6th
The first extension - pre 'cited', namely
the extension 7 ', is constituted by a. thin strip
elongated rectangular 10 whose upper wall 10a extends, at the rear, the wall. 6a of the body 6, 6, and who
has the same width as said wall 6Ç. From the
vicinity of its junction with the body 6 Up to its
free end, the thin elongated strip 10 has two
ledges. 11, arranged square with it and directed. In the
half space opposite body 6. Each of the edges. li
features, externally ,. near its border
exterior; a nipple 12, the rail of which is indicated below.

The second extension mentioned above, extension 8,
also consists of a thin elongated strip 13
(Figure 7), thin, with the upper wall
13a is located in the forward extension of the wall
upper 6a of the body 6. Like the rear strip 10, the
strip 13. has the same width as said wall 6>, but,
unlike this one, it is bent downwards
in a circular arc, sparing, with the front wall in
look 6th, which. has a curved shape, a housing
cylindrical 14 intended to receive the 3d axis of the stirrup 3, this
housing 14 having a. horseshoe-shaped profile.

The free bottom edge 15 of the strip 13, which
is in a plane slightly above that
of the lower wall 6b of the body 6, is bevelled and is
connected to the curved inner wall delimiting the housing
14, by a rib 16 (which has been indicated in FIG. 4
only so as not to overload the drawings). Opposite this rib 16, the front wall 6e of the body 6 also has a rib 17, the two ribs 16 and 17 being intended to retain the axis 31 in its housing 14. Au. - Below the rib 17, the wall 6 is bevelled, which allows, together with the. aforementioned bevelled edge 15, to make the 3L axis penetrate more easily into the housing
14
In addition, cha ~ cune-two side walls ~ delimiting the: thin strip 13 'has a projection 18.

transverse, constituting a sort of sleeve, also in the shape of a horseshoe, bordering the lateral opening of the housing 14; these zones 18 in excess thickness are visible in particular in FIGS. 4 and 7 and the lower edges opposite each are also bevelled.

 We also note that each of the longitudinal walls 6c of the body 6 has a recess 19, relatively deep, oblong in shape, arranged along the length of said body 6; and occupying practically the entire surface of the longitudinal wall 6c concerned. The recesses 19 are essentially intended to reduce the mass. of material used.

 In FIG. 4, the height or distance extending between the plane containing the edge of the lower edge 15 and parallel to the walls 6a and 6E and the upper plane tangent to the zones 18 in excess thickness has been noted # "1" .

 The third extension of the main body. 6 of the element 4, namely the extension 9, is constituted by a protuberance 20, extending said body 6, at the rear, downwards. The rear wall 201 of the protuberance 20 extends the wall 6d of the body 6. , bowing. in the direction of the front of the element 4. The protuberance 20 is connected to two longitudinal skirts 21. which form an additional thickness, relative to the respective walls 6c, below the associated recesses- 19 These skirts 21 extend, at l at the rear, still in excess thickness on the associated walls 6c, around said recesses 9, up to the vicinity of the upper wall 6a of the body 6.

 The external lateral walls of the three projections 7, 8, 9 lie substantially in the same plane.

The second element 5 of the attachment device constitutes # a-cover intended to cover the assembly formed by the element - 4 adapted on the corresponding end of the wiper arm 2, as will be described below. The structure of said element 5 will now be described by considering it in the position it occupies on the
Figure 3, for example, the front and rear regions of said element v being those located respectively on the left and right of the sheet when looking at the drawing.

The element 5 comprises a tab 22 of rectangular overall shape having, towards the front, a slight inward recess 22a of each of its edges
longitudinal 22h. At the rear, the tab 22 is extended by a rigid tongue 23 with a rounded edge, arranged
in a plane slightly inclined upward relative to the plane of said tab 22, as can be seen on the
figure 3.

The tab 22 is folded square along its
opposite longitudinal edges, which constitutes two
opposite wings 24. Each of these comprises, at
in the vicinity of the tongue 23, an opening 25 which opens out
in said tab 22 (FIG. 5) and which is delimited by two rectilinear facing edges joined at their base-by a
rounded edge.

Wings 24 extend forward at 24a
from a certain distance from the edge before. In leg 22, the height of the extensions. 24a increases relatively rapidly from their lower edges, to
become almost constant, in order to constitute towards
the front two facing cheeks 26; which are gathered at
the front with a nose 27.

 The nose 27 is delimited by: an upper wall 27> which is located in the same plane as the upper edges of the wings 24, the extensions 24a and the cheeks 26; a wall. lower 27b inclined upwards towards the front of the element '5 two side walls 27c lying in the same plane as that of the wings 24, their extensions 24a and the cheeks 26. ;;. a rear wall 27d which is substantially perpendicular to the upper wall - 27a and a slightly rounded front wall - 27a. In the lower wall 27h, two relatively deep adjacent recesses 28 'are made, intended to reduce the mass of material used.

 The cheeks 26 have facing notches 29 formed from their lower edges. Each of these notches 29 symmetrical with respect to a perpendicular to the upper plane of the nose 27, is delimited, by a bottom edge 29a, in an arc of a circle of approximately 270 and opens, at the bottom, according to two opposite side edges 29b widening towards the lower edge of the cheek 26 in question.

The transverse entry dimension "h" (FIG. 3) of the notch 29, or distance between the junction points of the bottom edge 29a and the lateral edges 29L is equal to or greater than the distance "1" mentioned above
To set up the attachment device 1, the element 4 is taken by its body 6, it is presented above the stirrup 3,. so that the housing 14 of the extension 8 of the said body 6 comes to be placed opposite the axis 3 ~. of the stirrup 3, then, by pressing on the element 4, in the direction of the axis 3 ~, it causes the latter to snap into the housing 4, the ribs 16 and 17 retaining the 3d axis.

In this position, the element 4 and the stirrup 3 can pivot one relative to the other around said axis 3 #, but the element 4 is practically blocked in translation, in the direction of the axis- 31 because the total width m
(Figure 7) of the extension 8, at the projections 18, is equal (or only slightly less) to the distance between the wings 3a opposite the stirrup 3, in the region of the axis 3 #.

Then, we come to place the caliper 3. thus provided with its element 4 on the curved end of the wiper arm 2 in the raised position. This end of the arm 2 surrounds # the extension 8, the main branch 2a of said arm 2 coming to apply substantially exactly on the wall 13a of the extension 8, on the wall 6a of the body 6 and on. the wall 10a of the extension 7 (FIG. 7), the curved part 2 of the arm 2 applying to the part of the same curvature of the extension 8, and the secondary branch 2b of the arm 2 coming to lie against the wall 6E of the body 6, being received in its end region in the space delimited by the protuberance 20 of the extension 9 and by the two skirts 21 which are perpendicular thereto (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4)
In this position> the element 4 is blocked relative to the main branch 2Z. Of the wiper arm 2, in the transverse direction, by the two flanges 11. On the other hand, the element 4 can slide relative to the arm 2 according to the longitudinal direction of this arm. The installation of the element 5 will make it possible to block the element 4 relative to the arm 2.

 To this end, the element 5 is presented above the stirrup 3 in a substantially perpendicular direction so that the nose 27 penetrates into the space separating the edge 3e and the curved part 2m from the arm 2, up to come and place each cheek 25 of said element 5 at the height of the parts..in excess thickness 18 of element 4 which protrude on either side of the arm 2. At this moment, the element 5 is moved towards the rear ~ re, so that said parts. 18 are housed in the notches 29, which is possible because the distance "1" is equal to or less than the distance Hh ".

 The element 5 is then folded down on the element 4 by rotation about the geometric axis of the projections 18 until the pins 12 - protruding from the flanges 11 of the element 4 are received in the openings 25 of the wings 24 of element 5, which locks the assembly.

 In this position, the outer wall of the nose 27 and the cheeks # 26 is in the same plane as the. outer wall.

Skirts 21 of element 4. -
When the user wishes to change the assembly constituted by the wiper blade and the stirrup 3 which carries it, it suffices to lift the element 5 by its rear end, namely the tongue 23, either manually, or preferably, using a tool inserted between said tongue 23 and the arm 2, in order to disengage the pins 12 from the openings 25, in which they are housed. The element 5 can then pivot around the excess parts 18 of the element 4 which act as bearings, then when the element 5 has arrived.

at sufficient inclination ,. we can release said element 5.

After raising arm 2, we can then release. the stirrup 3 and the element 4 which it carries, said element 4 can then be removed.

 The new caliper is reassembled using reverse operations.

 Another advantage of this attachment device consists in the possibility of disassembling and reassembling the wiper blade without having to disengage the brush holder, that is to say # to raise the brush holder, until 'in a stable position, from the surface of the windshield by an angle of about 900; the operation can be carried out by relieving the brush holder with one hand, while with the other you change the brush.

 This advantage is appreciable in certain non-circular wiping systems where the brush holders can only be disengaged by a few degrees, due to the mechanical transmissions which do not allow rotation of the assembly without damaging these transmissions.

Claims (12)

 1 - Attachment device intended to assemble a wiper arm (2) and a stirrup (3) used to carry a wiper blade, said stirrup (3) being articulated around its axis ( 3 ~) and the end of said arm (2), intended to cooperate with. Said attachment device (1-), being bent in view of its hooking sun-, said axis (3d), characterized by the fact that it consists of two elements (4,5> articulated one to the other, namely: - a first element (4) intended to be mounted in the  concavity of said arm (2), and comprising a housing  (14) intended to receive the aforementioned axis (3 ~), said  housing opening transversely to allow  the introduction of said axis (3d>, said housing (14)  extending axially over a distance greater than the  arm width (2), at least on one side, with  constitution of at least one projection (18), and - a second element C5) - in which is practiced  at least one notch (29) and which is arranged so that,  when it is in a first position  angular with respect to said first element (4), each  projection (18) of the latter can be received in a  corresponding notch of said second element (5> and,  when it is tilted around said first element (4),  said projection (18) serving as a bearing, it  can, from a second angular position,  come to lock in translation the stirrup (13) relative  the wiper arm (2).  2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each projection (18) has the shape of a circular horseshoe, the height (1), measured externally, is less than or equal to the transverse dimension- ( h) entry of the notch (29)  3 - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each notch (29) is delimited by a bottom edge (29Ç) intended to cooperate with the projection (18), which is in an arc of the order of 270 '.  4 4 - Device according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that each notch (29) opens along two opposite edges <29b) flaring outward.  5 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wall defining the housing (14) comprises, in the vicinity # of at least one of its transverse edges, a rib (16; 17) retaining pin (31) -  6 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first element (4> comprises complementary means of means carried by the second element (5> for the removable fixing of these two elements (4,55 between them at the end of the tilting stroke of said second element (5) relative to said first element  (4).  7 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first element (4) has two projections (18) and the second element (5), two notches (29) intended to cooperate respectively with said projections (18).  8 - Device according to claims 6 and 7, taken simultaneously, characterized in that the notches (29) are practiced- in two cheeks (26) opposite connected together by a tab (22) intended to be placed, at the end tilting stroke of the second element  (5) on the first element (4), on the arm. (2), this leg  (22) carrying laterally two wings (24) each provided with an opening (25) capable of receiving a stud (12) * carried by a flange (11) of said first element (4) intended to come opposite a wing associated (24) in the aforementioned tilting end position, said openings (25) and said pins (12) constituting the complementary means for the removable fixing of the two elements (4,5).  9 - Device according to claim 8; characterized by the fact that the tab (22) is extended opposite the notches (29) by a tab (23) for releasing the second element (5? from the first (4).  10 10 - Device according to one of claims 7 to. 9, characterized by the fact that the notches (29) are formed in two facing cheeks (26) connected together by a nose (27), intended to be placed in the opening of the stirrup (3), located at the front of the axis (3 ~).  11 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first element (4) comprises, at its lower part, a housing for the folded branch (2h) of the arm (2>.  12 - Device according to one of claims 1. to 11, characterized in that the elements (4) and (5) are arranged to be blocked in translation in the transverse direction.