GB2256790A

GB2256790A - Versatile connecting element for windshield wipers

Info

Publication number: GB2256790A
Application number: GB9212442A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Felicis Giuseppe De
Original assignee: Fister SpA
Current assignee: Fister SpA
Priority date: 1991-06-11
Filing date: 1992-06-11
Publication date: 1992-12-23
Also published as: FR2678569A1; DE4218801A1; IT223206Z2; ITTO910135V0; GB9212442D0; ES1022506Y; ES1022506U; ITTO910135U1

Description

22-,67-)o 1 - VERSATILE CONNECTING ELEMENT FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS The

present invention relates to a versatile connecting element for windshield wipers, defining an intermediate element between the wiper and operating arm.

The operating arms of windshield wipers present one end for connection to a connecting element, which differs in design and size from one vehicle to another. Consequently, various types of connecting elements are produced for catering to different types of operating arms, and replacement wipers currently sold on the market necessarily include in the package a number of connecting elements, only one of which is employed by the user.

To reduce the number of connecting elements sold with the wiper, versatile connecting elements have been proposed, each consisting of two specular parts for enclosing the end of the operating arm. The two parts of the above known type of element define a number of half channels, one for each operating arm size, and which clamp on to the end of the arm when the two parts are closed.

While undoubtedly solving the problem of connecting operating arms of different sizes, connecting elements of the aforementioned type demand at least a minimum of know-how on the part of the user for connecting the element to the operating arm and the wiper, and are not altogether reliable due to the absence of means whereby to connect the two parts, which under certain operating conditions may work loose, thus relaxing the grip on the operating arm. Moreover, known connecting elements of the above type cater solely to operating arms of different sizes, with no regard for the design and location of the connecting element seats.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile connecting element designed to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and which, in particular, is straightforward in design, cheap to produce, and provides for reliably connecting operating arms of different types.

According to the present invention, there is provided a versatile connecting element for connecting a windshield wiper to an operating arm; characterized by the fact that it comprises a number of restraining elements alternatively engaged inside a respective seat defined on said operating arms.

3 - A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.1 shows a partial lateral section of a windshield wiper fitted with the connecting element according to the present invention; Fig.2 shows a top plan view of the Fig.1 wiper portion; Fig.3 shows a side view of the connecting element; Fig.4 shows a longitudinal section of the connecting element along line IV-IV in Fig.5; Fig.5 shows a bottom plan view of the element; Figs. 6 to 8 show the same sections as in Fig.4, fitted to three different operating arms.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a central portion of a windshield wiper 1 having a central opening 2 defined by two lateral walls 3 across which is normally fitted a pin 4 on which the connecting element 5 according to the present invention pivots as described below for connection to operating arm 6. Fig.s 6 to 8 show three types of currently produced operating arms 6, 61 and 6" having a curved end portion consisting respectively of a first straight portion 7, 7' and 711, a curved intermediate portion 8, 81 and 811, and a second straight portion 9, 91 and 911.

More specifically, second straight portion 9 of arm 6 in Fig.6 presents a given length, with an opening connecting 11 close to its free end, so as to define a shoulder 12; second straight portion 91 of arm 61 in Fig.7 is shorter than portion 9, and presents an opening 11, close to its free end, so as to define a shoulder 121, which is thus closer to curved portion 81 than shoulder 12 to curved portion 8; while first straight portion 711 of arm 61, in Fig.8 presents a recess 13 facing second curved portion 91, and defining a shoulder 14, and second straight portion 9" is of minimum length with no opening.

For adapting to the different operating arm designs 6, 61 and 61' as described above, connecting element 5 presents a number of restraining elements as described below with reference to Figs. 2 to 4.

More specifically, connecting element 5, which is conveniently injection molded from plastic material, consists of a pair of identical contoured lateral walls 16 extending parallel to each other with a space in between, and connected to each other by a transverse wall 17 extending between lateral walls 16 and defining said restraining elements. Both lateral walls 16 and transverse wall 17 are substantially U-shaped. More specifically, transverse wall 17 substantially reproduces the inner shape of the curved end of arms 6, 6' and 6", and is substantially flush with the inner edge of the U of lateral walls 16, as shown in Fig.4.

More specifically, transverse wall 17 comprises a first straight portion 18 corresponding to first portion 7, 71 and 711; a curved portion 19 corresponding to curved portion 8, 81 and 811; and a second straight portion 20 corresponding to second straight portion 9, 91 and 911 of operating arms 6, 61 and C.

Curved portion 19 extends over more than half of a circle, with an inner curvature substantially matching the radius of pin 4, so as to define a partially cylindrical seat 21 for pin 4; and an outer curvature matching the inner curvature of curved portion 8, 81 and 81' of arm 6, 61 and 611, so as to define a supporting wall for said curved portion when the operating arm is assembled. First straight portion 18 presents a first flexible tooth 22 projecting the opposite way to second straight portion 20, and so located as to snap inside recess 13 when fitted to operating arm C (Fig.8), and to flex towards portion 20 when element 5 is fitted to arm 6 or 61 (Figs. 6 and 7). Second straight portion 20 presents a pair of aligned teeth 23, 24 projecting the opposite way to first straight portion 18. Tooth 23 is also flexible and so located ds to snap inside opening 11' on operating arm 6' (Fig.7), and to flex towards straight portion 18 when element 5 is fitted to arm 6 or C (Figs. 6 and 8). Tooth 24, on the other hand, is rigid, projects integrally from second straight portion 20, and is so located as to snap inside opening 11 on operating arm 6 (Fig.6) or beyond the free end of second straight portion 9' or 9" when element 5 is fitted to arm 61 or 6" (Figs. 7 and 8).

Connecting element 5 according to the present invention is assembled as follows.

Firstly, connecting element 5 is fitted to wiper 1 by inserting pin 4 between straight portions 18 and 20 of transverse wall 17 as far as seat 21. When so doing, straight portions 18 and 20 (and the corresponding portions of lateral walls 16) flex outwards to enable insertion of pin 4, which they then clamp inside seat 21. Operating arm 6, 61 or 611 is then assembled by inserting the curved end portion behind curved portion 19 of transverse wall 17 and pulling the operating arm in the direction of its opposite end. When so doing, the curved end portion of the operating arm is guided between walls 16 of connecting element 5 until one of teeth 2224 snaps inside opening 11, 111 or recess 13, thus causing straight portions 18 and 20 (and the corresponding portions of lateral walls 16) to flex inwards. Once assembled, connecting element 5 is secured to the operating arm by tooth 22, 23 or 24 engaging respective shoulder 12. 121 or 14, while withdrawal of pin 4 from seat 21 is prevented by straight portions 18 and 20 flexing inwards, and by the flexible tooth 22 or 23 not engaged inside a respective opening or recess.

The advantages of the connecting element according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description. Firstly, it provides for troublefree connection of the wiper to operating arms 6,

61 and 611 of different design in exactly the same way, regardless of the type of operating arm involved.

Moreover, it provides for reliable, long-term connection of the operating arm and wiper, and is both straightforward and cheap to produce.

To those skilled in the art it will be clear that changes may be made to connecting element 5 as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1) A versatile connecting element for connecting a windshield wiper to an operating arm; characterized by the fact that it comprises a number of restraining elements alternatively engaged inside a respective seat defined on said operating arms.

2) An element as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by the fact that said restraining elements are defined by teeth, each engageable inside a respective seat on said operating arms.

3) An element as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, for connection to a curved end portion of said operating arms, characterized by the fact that it comprises a pair of spaced, parallel, substantially U-shaped lateral walls connected to each other by a substantially U-shaped transverse wall; said transverse wall defining a supporting surface for said curved end portion, a partially cylindrical seat for a pin forming part of said wiper, and said restraining elements.

4) An element as claimed in Claim 3, characterized by the fact that said transverse wall extends substantially flush with the facing edges of the arms of the U formed by said lateral walls and said lateral walls provide for guiding and laterally delimiting said operating arm.

9 - 5) An element as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, for the en portions of operating arms having a first and second substantially straight portion connected by a curved portion; characterized by the fact that said transverse wall presents two substantially straight portions defining teeth designed to engage inside respective said seats in said first and second straight portions of said operating arms; and a curved intermediate portion extending in an arc and defining, externally, said supporting surface, and, internally, said partially cylindrical seat.

6) An element as claimed in Claim 5, characterized by the fact that said partially cylindrical seat extends in an arc of over half a circle.

7) An element as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, for a first operating arm having a recess in said first portion, and for a second operating arm having an opening in said second portion; characterized by the fact that said substantially straight portions respectively present a first and second tooth alternatively engaged inside said recess and said opening.

8) An element as claimed in Claim 7, characterized by the fact that said second substantially straight portion presents a third tooth; said second and third teeth of said second substantially straight portion alternatively engaging inside a respective opening having a different location along said second portion of said operating arms.

9) An element as claimed in Claim 8, characterized by the fact that said second and third teeth are aligned along said second substantially straight portion; said second tooth being closer to said curved portion than said third tooth 10) An element as claimed in Claim 91 characterized by the fact that said first and second teeth are flexible.

11) An element as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims from 5 to 10, characterized by the fact that said first and second substantially straight portions are mutually flexible.

12) A versatile connecting element for windshield wipers, substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.