GB2195880A - Link - Google Patents

Abstract

A link comprises an elongate member 1 of generally channel- shaped cross section having a bearing carrier 4 comprising a bearing carrying part 5 and strip 6 connected thereto by folded side portions 8 and by one or more pairs of interengaging projections 11 and apertures 10. Part 5 may have an aperture for a bearing element 12. Member 1 and bearing carrier 4 may be made from metal or the latter may be made from plastics. The link, which may form part of a windscreen wiper drive transmission mechanism, is said to be relatively inexpensive to manufacture. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Link This invention relates to a link which is particularly but not exclusively useful in windscreen wiper drive linkages.

In windscreen wiper technology, windscreen wipers are often driven in pairs by a single motor. This necessitates the provision of linkages which connect the drive output shaft of the motor to the individual windscreen wiper arms. Within this linkage, there is normally provided a linking element which connects the individual wipers together, this element consisting of a rod arrangement with bearings at each end for coupling to the individual drive links of the windscreen wipers. There may also be similar elements in the linkage which may have bearings only at one end. While there is no inherent difficulty in attaching bearings or bearing carriers to the ends of rod elements it is of significant advantage to be able to manufacture these linkages economically.

The present invention seeks to provide a link for use in such linkages which is relatively inexpensive -to manufacture.

According to the invention, there is provided a link comprising a bar element of, at least originally, generally channel cross section and a bearing carrier including a bearing carrying portion and a flat strip like extension lying in one end of the channel of the bar element, the bar element being folded around the extension so as to encompas in excess of three sides thereof and being located therein by the provision of a projection or aperture in the extension which mates with an aperture or projection respectively in the base of the channel.

Preferably, the projection may be formed by providing a half shear in the material of the bar element or a bearing carrier. Two half shear connections may be provided for each bearing carrier. A bearing carrier may be provided at each end of the link.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one end of a link in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the parts of the end of the link shown in Fig. 1 before assembly together and, Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown one end of a link in accordance with the invention. It will be appreciated that the other end of the link may be of the same construction or may be of any other desired form.

The link comprises a generally channel section bar element 1 as can be best seen from Fig. 2. Into the end 2 of this bar element 1 is inserted a bearing carrier 4 comprising a bearing carrying part 5 and a flat strip like extension 6. The strip like extension 6 lies in the channel of the bar element 1 so that it bears against the base surface 7 thereof. The sides 8 of the channel are folded around the extension 6 so as to encompass it on more than three sides. The bar 1 and extension 6 are connected together by means of two apertures 10 provided in the base of the bar channel which cooperate with projections 11 provided on the extension, suitably formed by two half shears, as can best be seen from Fig. 3.

The bar 1 and the bearing carrier 4 are preferably constructed of metal. A bearing element 12, forming a bearing seat, is suitably formed as a plastics moulding and is forced into a suitable aperture 14 in the carrying part 5.

In construction of the link, a piece of channel section bar, suitably formed by folding a flat strip, is cut to the required length and is apertured at appropriate positions to provide the apertures 10. The bearing carrier 4 is cut and pressed from metal sheet and is apertured and half sheared, suitably during the pressing and stamping operation, to provide the aperture 14 for the bearing element 12 and the projections 10 respectively.

The two parts are then positioned together, the extension 6 sitting in the base of the channel with the projections 11 located in the respective apertures 10. The channel sides 8 are then folded around the extension so as to take up the position shown in Fig. 1. Once this folding operation is completed, the bearing carrier is positively located in the end of the bar element 1.

The bearing element 12 can be pushed into the aperture 14 either after assembly or before folding of the bar element 1.

It will be appreciated that variuous modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, while two projections 11 and apertures 10 have been provided for each end of the link, it will be understood that, for certain applications, one pair of projections and apertures could be sufficient. Alernatively, more than two pairs of projections and apertures may be provided if desired.

Furthermore, the projections could, if desired, be provided on the bar element and the cooperating apertures could be provided in the extension.

While it is believed to be most suitable to make both the bar element 1 and the bearing carrier 4 from metal, it will be understood that, for some applications, the bearing carrier could be moulded from plastics material. In this latter event, the bearing part could be formed integrally with the carrier. Bearings may be provided on one or both ends of the link, the exact form of the bearing part forming no part of the invention.

Wile in the embodiment described, only the ends of the bar element 1 are folded in, leaving the remainder in its original channel shape, if desired the whole length of the bar element may be folded. This may be particularly desirable where the link is very short.

It will also be appreciated that while the above described link is primarily intended for use in windscreen wiper mechanisms, it is not limited thereto and could be used in linkages for other purposes.

Claims (8)

1. A link comprising a bar element of, at least originallyt generally channel - cross section and a bearing carrier including a bearing carrying portion and a flat strip like extension lying in one end of the channel of the bar element, the bar element being folded around the extension so as to encompas in excess of three sides thereof and being located therein by the provision of a projection or aperture in the extension which mates with an aperture or projection respectively in the base of the channel.

2. A link as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projection is formed by providing a half shear in the material of the bar element or a bearing carrier.

3. A link as claimed in claim 2, wherein two half shear connections are provided for the bearing carrier.

4. A link as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a bearing carrier is provided at each end of the bar element of the link.

5. A link as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the original channel shape of the bar element is maintained outside the area of its connection to the bearing carrier.

6. A link as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the origirial channel shape of the bar element is folded substantially flat throughout its length.

7. A link as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bearing carrier is moulded from aplastics material, the bearing part, carried by the carrier being moulded integrally with the carrier.

8. A link substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.