GB1581780A

GB1581780A - Wipers for the screens of motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB1581780A
Application number: GB3482577A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 1976-08-20
Filing date: 1977-08-19
Publication date: 1980-12-17
Also published as: IT1114649B; BE857968R; DE2637463B2; DE2637463C3; DE2637463A1; FR2362028A2

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO WIPERS FOR THE SCREENS OF MOTOR VEHICLES (71) We, ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, a German Company, of Postfach 50, 7 Stuttgart 1, Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a wiper for the screen of a motor vehicle and more particularly to a connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm.

In our co-pending patent application No.

8520/77 (Serial No. 1579351) there is described a wiper for screens of motor vehicles, which wiper comprises a drivable wiper arm whose free end is U-shaped, a wiper blade which has a hinge pin for the wiper arm, and a connector formed at least in part of plastics material for attaching the wiper blade to the wiper arm, wherein the connector has two limbs interconnected by a freely flexible hinge enabling the two limbs to be folded against one another and opened apart, the connector being received between the lateral limbs of the U-shaped end of the wiper arm such that the latter holds the two limbs of the connector together, the limbs of the connector jointly defining a split hub which embraces and holds the hinge pin of the wiper blade when the connector is received between the lateral limbs of the U-shaped end of the wiper arm and the split is thereby held closed.

In the connector of such a wiper as just described. the flexible hinge of the connector is exposed to the hinge pin during assembly so that damage to the hinge may occur. Also, the split in the hubs is formed in a region of the connector which is most under stress during operation of the wiper.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a connector for a wiper for the screen of a motor vehicle having a drivable wiper arm with a hook or U-shaped free end and a wiper blade with a hinge pin, the connector comprising a hub with two outwardly-extending limbs formed thereon and each adapted to abut one of the lateral limbs of the U-shaped end of the wiper arm, the bush being split between the points from which the two connector limbs extend and having a bore to accommodate the hinge pin and from which bore extends a substantially arcuate notch which terminates just short of the outer surface of the hub so as to form a flexible hinge which allows the hub to be flexed and opened along the split by separating movement of the two connector limbs to receive the hinge pin.

Such a connector has the advantage that the flexible hinge is protected from the hinge pin by a spur of material created during the formation of the notch. Furthermore, the flexible hinge may be located in a region of the hub which is under the least stress.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substantially arcuate notch extends for a short radial distance from the bore of the hub and then pursues a segment of a spiral to terminate immediately adjacent the outer surface of the hub.

Advantageously, at least one of the connector limbs arms has flanges connected at least in part to each other by a bridge and thereby defining an elongate channel for retaining and aligning one of the lateral limbs of the U-shaped end of the drivable wiper arm.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example. with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a wiper arm with inserted connector in section; Figure 2 is a view of the connector taken in the direction of the arrow 11 of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through an open connector in enlarged presentation; Figure 4 is a view of the connector shown in Figure 1 in fully opened assembly position; Figure 5 is a section through the connector according to Figure 4 taken along line V-V of that Figure; Figure 6 is a section through the connector according to Figure 4 taken along line VI-VI of that Figure; and Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through a connector according to a different embodiment in position ready for mounting.

The wiper device comprises a drivable wiper arm 10 having a hook or U-shaped free end 11 for a wiper blade, not shown in the drawing except in partial phantom outline in Figure 5. The wiper blade has a hinge pin, to which the wiper arm is snap-fitted by a connector 12 made of plastics material, which is embraced by the two substantially parallel lateral limbs 13 and 14 of the U-shaped end 11 of wiper arm 1(). In the operating position or assembled state of the wiper represented in Figure 1, the connector 12 has a hub 15, whose bore 16 is arranged to receive the hinge pin of the wiper blade.

From the hub 15 two limbs 17 and 1X extend outwardly in the same direction and in the position shown in Figure 1 rest under some stress against the mutually opposing surfaces 19 and 20 of the lateral limbs 13 and 14. The limb 18 of the connector 12 has a detent 21 directed outwardly. which in the position shown in Figure 1 projects into a cavity 14' formed in the lateral limb 14, so that the wiper arm 10 is snap-fitted to the wiper blade and secured against unintentional detachment.

The connector 12 is wider than the wiper arm 10 and has lateral flanges 22 and 23 between which the wiper arm hook or U-shape end 11 is guided. The lateral flanges 22 and 23 are higher than the thickness of the wiper arm in the region of the detent 21. At a distance from the detent 21 the lateral flanges 22 and 23 are provided with a bridge 24. so that a through-passage 25 for accommodating the lateral limb 14 results (Figure 1 to 3). The connector 12 is made of an elasticallv deformable plastics material. The limb 1X of the connector 12 covered bv the bridge 24 is not connected to the lateral flanges 22 and 23 at its end remote from the hub 15. so that a sprineilv movable tongue 18' is formed. which. for the detachment of the wiper arm 1(1 from connector 12. can be pressed in the direction of the arrow 26. so that the detent 21 is lifted out of the cavity 14' of the lateral limb 14 of the wiper arm end 11. The tongue 1X' is an integral part of the limb I X of the connector.

As indicated in particular in Figure 2. the two connector limbs 17 and 1X are pro'idea with interlockable ridees 27. 2X and 29. 30 which are so matched with one another that in the operating position or;lsscmblctf stile of the wiper the two connector limbs 17 and 18 can be snap-fitted together with the wiper blade connecting pin located in the huh 15.

As can be seen from Figure 5. in the operating position of the wiper, the conllcc- tor 12 is guided between two side cheeks 31 and 32 of the wiper blade, within which is also supported the hinge pin to which the connector 12 is snap-fitted. To keep the friction between the connector 12 and the side cheeks 31 and 32 of the wiper blide as small as possible, the connector 12 is provided with sliding ribs 33 (Figurcs 4, 5 and ()) on its outer surfaces facing towards the side cheeks 31 and 32.

The hub 15 of the connector 12 is split between the connector limbs 17 and IX and is provided, leading outwardly from its bore 16, with an arcuate notch 34, which initilly over a short distance extends radially and then roughly follows a spiral line in relation to the hub axis. The notch 34 termin;ites close to the outcr surface of the huh 15, so that a thin strip of material forming a vcry flexible hinge 35 results. 1 o make it possible for the connector 12 to open about flexible hinge 35 to the position shown in Figure 4, the lateral flanges 22 and 23 are cut iwly is at 36 to allow movement of thc two c()nncc- tor limbs 17 and 1X in rclation to each other into the open position when the conncctc,r is in the unassembled condition of Figurcs 3 and 4. By virtue of the construction ol the notch 34 in the manner described, the flexible hinge 35 is covered by a substintial spur 3X of the plastics material and protected from the hinge pin. Morcovcr, the mouth of the notch 34 opens in a region 01 the bore 16 which is not as strongly strcsscd as the rest of the bore during operation of the wiper. When the connector 12 is to he mounted on the hinge pin of the wiper blade. the connector is hinged opcn into the position of Figure 4, so that the connccting pin can be readily inscrtcd between the connector limbs 17 and IX into the hore 16 of the hub 15. This Figure illustrates particu larly well how the hub 15 is split or dividcd between the connector limbs 17 and 18 and how furthermore the flexible hinge 35 is located in a region which is opposite the divided region. Aftcr the hinge pin has becn introduced into the bore 16, the two conncctor limbs 17 and 1X are prcsscd togcther and snap-fitted to one another by means of the interlocking ridges 27. 28 and 29. 3() (Figure 2). Then the connecting hook or ,-shaped end 11 of the wiper arm 1() is snap-fitted to connector 12 in the direction of the arrow 111. the lateral limb 14 pushing against the back of the detent 21 and deflecting the tongue IX' upwardly to such an extent that the detent 21 can then spring into the corresponding cavity 14' in the lateral limb 14. As a result the wiper blade is connected to the wiper arm 10 so that it is movable relative thereto but cannot be accidentally detached.

A different kind of locating device is represented in Figure 7. Here the detent 121 of the connector 112 has two shoulders 122 and 123 in the longitudinal direction of the tongue. In this manner a play-free connection between the lateral limbs 13, 14 of the wiper arm end and the connector 12 is achieved.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A connector for a wiper for the screen of a motor vehicle having a drivable wiper arm with a hook or U-shaped free end and a wiper blade with a hinge pin, the connector comprising a hub with two outwardly-extending limbs formed thereon and each adapted to abut one of the lateral limbs of the U-shaped end of the wiper arm, the hub being split between the points from which the two connector limbs extend and having a bore to accommodate the hinge pin and from which bore extends a substantially arcuate notch which terminates just short of the outer surface of the hub so as to form a flexible hinge which allows the hub to be flexed and opened along the split by separating movement of the two connector limbs to receive the hinge pin.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the notch describes a segment of a spiral described about the axis df the hub.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which part of the notch has a radially extending portion immediately adjacent the bore of the hub.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which at least one of the connector limbs has flanges connected in part to each other by a bridge, thereby defining an elongate channel for receiving and retaining one of the lateral limbs of the U-shaped end of the drivable wiper arm.

5. A connector as claimed in claim 4 in which the connector limb having flanges and a bridge also has a flexible tongue portion extending from its free end.

6. A connector as claimed in claim 5 in which the connector limb having the tongue portion also carries a detent for engagement in a cavity in one of the lateral limbs of the U-shaped end of the drivable wiper arm.

7. A connector as claimed in claim 6, in which the detent has two shoulders disposed in the longitudinal direction of the tongue portion.

8. A connector as claimed in claim 4, 5, 6 or 7 in which both connector limbs have flanges which extend to the hub, there being a segment of each flange omitted in the vicinity of the flexible hinge so as to allow the hub to be flexed to receive the hinge pin.

9. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim which is made of a resilient plastics material.

10. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, in which there is provided at least one sliding rib on its outer side surfaces to minimise friction with the wiper blade when in use.

11. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the two connector limbs can be snap-fitted together when located between the two lateral limbs of the U-shaped end of the drivable wiper arm.

12. A connector for a wiper for the screen of a motor vehicle constructed and adapted for use substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

13. A wiper for the screen of a motor vehicle embodying a connector according to any preceding claim.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. 14. As a result the wiper blade is connected to the wiper arm 10 so that it is movable relative thereto but cannot be accidentally detached. A different kind of locating device is represented in Figure 7. Here the detent 121 of the connector 112 has two shoulders 122 and 123 in the longitudinal direction of the tongue. In this manner a play-free connection between the lateral limbs 13, 14 of the wiper arm end and the connector 12 is achieved. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A connector for a wiper for the screen of a motor vehicle having a drivable wiper arm with a hook or U-shaped free end and a wiper blade with a hinge pin, the connector comprising a hub with two outwardly-extending limbs formed thereon and each adapted to abut one of the lateral limbs of the U-shaped end of the wiper arm, the hub being split between the points from which the two connector limbs extend and having a bore to accommodate the hinge pin and from which bore extends a substantially arcuate notch which terminates just short of the outer surface of the hub so as to form a flexible hinge which allows the hub to be flexed and opened along the split by separating movement of the two connector limbs to receive the hinge pin.