KR20200085864A - Windshield wiper connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector fixing structure, wherein the wiper blade connector can have a first side wall, a second side wall, and a body member having an upper surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, and a rivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip Including, the arched rivet clip extends substantially perpendicular to the rivet passageway, and a wiper blade is integrated into the connector.

Description

Windshield wiper connector

Cross reference of related applications

This application is a partial continuation application 13/194,070 filed on July 29, 2011, and the current U.S. Patent No. 8,806,700, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, continued application filed on July 11, 2014 Claims priority to 14/329,423, currently U.S. Patent No. 9,108,595, Partial Continuing Application filed August 17, 2015, 14/827,928, and United States Patent Application No. 15/815,068 filed on November 16, 2017 .

Technical field

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

There are various wiper arms, on which the wiper blades are provided as original equipment. These various wiper arms have hooks, pins, or other components that are connected to the wiper blade with or without connectors. These various components have created problems in the replacement market, since wiper blade providers are required to have multiple wiper blade components to accommodate all existing wiper arms. Accordingly, it is advantageous to have an attachment structure that can accommodate multiple arms to reduce the complexity and cost associated with multiple wiper blade arm components.

A wiper arm commonly used in two prior arts, a single tongue wiper arm, disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,891,044, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and the entire contents thereof Double tongue wiper arms, disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,716,780, incorporated herein by reference. Assembling both the '044 wiper arm and the '780 wiper arm requires individually sized and configured wiper blade connectors that are individually compatible with single tongue wiper arms and double tongue wiper arms. To install the original equipment replacement blade on a single tongue wiper arm, the wiper blade (with the attached wiper blade connector) has an uncomfortable angle such that the tongue of the wiper arm engages the tongue receptacle located on the wiper blade connector. Must be connected to the wiper arm. The wiper blade and connector pair are then rotated so that they lie in a position parallel to the wiper blade arm, thereby holding the wiper blade assembly in place. A similarly difficult process is required for the installation of a wiper blade for replacement of the original equipment with double tongue wiper arms. Similar to the single tongue connection process, the front tongue engages with the tongue receptacle, after which the wiper blade and connector mating are directed towards the wiper arm, ensuring that the rear tongue does not interfere with the cover of the second tongue receptacle. It must be rotated. After the rear tongue has removed the cover, the wiper blade and connector must be pulled back to secure the lock to the small, wiper arm.

What follows is a simplified overview of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Instead of specifically identifying key or critical elements of the invention or delineating the scope of the invention, the purpose of this summary is, in particular, as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later, in the present disclosure in a simplified form. It is to present some concepts of the present invention.

In certain embodiments, a connector for connecting a wiper blade is provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The connector may include a body member having a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an upper surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The connector may further include a connector fixing structure, wherein the connector fixing structure includes a rivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends substantially perpendicular to the rivet passage.

In certain embodiments, wiper blade assemblies are further provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The wiper blade assembly includes 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 sidewall, and an upper surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The connector may further include a connector fixing structure, wherein the connector fixing structure includes a rivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends substantially perpendicular to the rivet passage.

In certain embodiments, a connector for coupling a wiper blade with a wiper arm is provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The connector includes an elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second side wall, and an upper surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall; It may include a connector fixing structure. The connector securing structure may include a rivet passageway and an arcuate rivet clip, the arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicular to the rivet passageway. The connector may further include a first lateral channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the first sidewall near the first end of the elongated body member. The connector may further include a first tongue receiving opening positioned toward the front end of the elongated body member, wherein the first tongue opening may 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 a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and a first lateral protrusion provided on the inner surface of the first sidewall of the cap. The first lateral protrusion of the cap corresponds to slide along the first lateral channel when the cap is sliding between the open and closed positions, so that the cap can act to secure the corresponding corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm Can be dimensioned and positioned. The first lateral channel can be oriented in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the elongated body member, and the cap is thereby slidable substantially parallel to the upper surface.

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects of the invention. These aspects, however, represent only some of the various ways in which the principles of the invention can be used, and the invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wiper blade connector of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1;
3 is a partial side view illustrating a range of motion of the partially rotatable door member relative to the first end of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1;
3A is a side view of the first end of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1, shown in cross-section, illustrating a partially rotatable door member;
3B is a side view of a partially rotatable door member;
4 is a perspective view of a single tongue wiper arm;
5 is a perspective view of a double tongue wiper arm;
6 is a side view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1 illustrating the rotational motion of a single tongue wiper arm for attachment to the wiper blade connector;
7 is a side view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1 illustrating the rotational movement of the double 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;
9 is a side view of a wiper blade assembly, illustrating the approach of a single tongue wiper arm pair and a wiper blade connector for securing to a wiper blade;
10 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly, illustrating the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1 securing the wiper blade to a single tongue wiper arm;
11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wiper blade connector according to the present disclosure, with the cap in the “open” position;
12 is a first side view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11;
13 is a top view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11;
14 is a bottom view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11;
15 is a perspective view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11 with the cap removed;
16 is a perspective view of the 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;
18 is a perspective view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11 with the cap in the “closed” position;
19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the wiper blade connector of the present disclosure;
20 is a side view of the wiper blade connector embodiment of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 19; And
Figure 21 illustrates a wiper blade, with a mounting base with rivets.

Throughout this disclosure, the term “indefinite article” may refer to one or more than one. In this specification, the term “or” is used to refer to a non-exclusive “or”, unless indicated otherwise. In addition, reference to “one embodiment” is not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments, which also incorporate the features cited. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, embodiments that “comprise,” “have,” or “have” an element or a plurality of elements with special characteristics include additional such elements that do not have such characteristics. You will be able to.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The accompanying description and accompanying drawings describe and illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, with the sole purpose of enabling those skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention. Accordingly, the detailed description and illustration of these embodiments is purely illustrative in nature and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the invention or protection of the invention in any way. It should also be understood that the drawings may not be suitable for accumulation and, in some cases, details may be omitted, which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such as typical details for fabrication and assembly. These embodiments, also referred to herein as “examples”, are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement the subject matter disclosed herein. It should be understood that the embodiments can be combined or other embodiments can be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. The detailed description that follows, therefore, should not 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 the wiper blade connector for connecting the wiper blade to the wiper arm may include the following components: front end, rear end, first sidewall, second sidewall, and first sidewall and second An elongated body member having an upper surface extending between side walls; An arched rivet clip extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the arched rivet clip is constructed and arranged to releasably secure the wiper blade to the connector, and the arched rivet clip operates the wiper blade An arched rivet clip that is sized to allow the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot along the way; A rivet passageway extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the rivet passageway is constructed and arranged to provide exposed access to the arched rivet clip; A first tongue receiving opening positioned toward the front end of the elongated body member, the first tongue receiving opening being constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding front tongue of the wiper arm, whereby the wiper arm is A first tongue receiving opening, when the front tongue of the wiper arm is brought into contact with the upper surface when received in the first tongue receiving opening; A locking mechanism capable of releasably locking the connector to the wiper arm, wherein the locking mechanism includes a door member rotatable about an axis, wherein the shaft is configured such that all sides of the axis are at least part of the door member. Surrounded by the door member, the door member is operable to rotate between an open unlocked position and a closed lock position, and the entire portion of the door member surrounding the axis is centered on the axis Rotatable, and the open unlocking position serves to provide access to the first tongue receiving opening, and the closed locking position positions the corresponding front tongue inside the first tongue receiving opening Locking mechanism that serves to release the lock to releasably; And a second tongue receiving opening positioned toward the rear end of the elongated body member, configured and arranged to receive a corresponding rear tongue on the wiper arm.

In some embodiments of the connector, the partially rotatable door member allows the user to thereby pivot the partially rotatable door member between the open unlocked position and the closed lock position. It may be further provided with a flared hood that is sized for gripping. The rear end of the elongated body member may have a shoulder portion extending along each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and the shoulder portion is configured and arranged to releasably engage corresponding wing members on the wiper arm do. The front end of the elongated body member may further include an inclined portion extending along each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the inclined portion is configured to guide the first tongue of the wiper arm into the first tongue receiving opening. And placed. The arched rivet clip may be provided with a larger diameter than the rivet passageway, thereby allowing snap-on attachment of the wiper blade to the connector. The upper surface may extend longitudinally along most 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, a rotatable door is accommodated between the pair of locking walls, and the shaft extends between the locking walls.

In another embodiment of the connector for connecting the wiper blade to the wiper arm, the connector may include the following components: front end, rear end, first sidewall, second sidewall, and first sidewall and first An elongated body member having an upper surface extending between the two side walls; A connector fixing structure having an arcuate rivet clip; A rivet passage extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the rivet passage is configured and arranged to provide exposed access to the arcuate rivet clip, and the rivet passage, the wiper for the connector A rivet passage sized to be smaller than the diameter of the arched rivet clip, thereby allowing snap-on attachment of the blade; A first tongue receiving opening located on the front end of the elongated body member, the first tongue receiving opening being constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm; A second tongue receiving opening positioned towards the rear end of the elongated body member, the second tongue receiving opening configured as an opening in the upper surface, a corresponding rear tongue on the wiper arm, at least a portion of the rear tongue It is possible to insert through the second tongue receiving opening so that it is positioned below the upper surface, whereby the wiper arm is such that the front tongue of the wiper arm is received within the first tongue receiving opening and the wiper A second tongue receiving opening, when the second tongue of the arm is in contact with the upper surface when received in the second tongue receiving opening; A locking mechanism capable of releasably locking the connector to the wiper arm, wherein the locking mechanism includes a door member that is rotatable about an axis, and wherein the shaft has all sides of the axis at least part of the door member. Enclosed by the door member, the entire portion of the door member surrounding the shaft is rotatable about the axis, and the door member rotates between an open unlocked position and a closed lock position. Locking mechanism, which is operable to; And a tab protruding into the second tongue receiving opening, to enable securing the corresponding rear tongue of the wiper arm when received within the second tongue receiving opening.

In some embodiments of the connector, the door member is for gripping by the user, thereby allowing the user to pivot the partially rotatable door member between the open unlocked position and the closed lock position. It may further include a flared hood that is sized. The front end of the elongated body member may further include an inclined portion extending along each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the inclined portion is configured to guide the first tongue of the wiper arm into the first tongue receiving opening. And placed. The upper surface may extend longitudinally along most 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, a rotatable door is accommodated between the pair of locking walls, and the shaft extends between the locking walls.

Embodiments of the wiper assembly may include a wiper blade having a mounting base, and a connector for connecting the wiper blade to the wiper arm. The connector includes an elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second side wall, and an upper surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall; An arched rivet clip extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the arched rivet clip is constructed and arranged to releasably secure the wiper blade to the connector, and the arched rivet clip operates the wiper blade An arched rivet clip that is sized to allow the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot along the way; A rivet passageway extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the rivet passageway is constructed and arranged to provide exposed access to the arched rivet clip; A first tongue receiving opening positioned toward the front end of the elongated body member, the first tongue receiving opening being constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding front tongue of the wiper arm, whereby the wiper arm is A first tongue receiving opening, when the front tongue of the wiper arm is brought into contact with the upper surface when received in the first tongue receiving opening; A locking mechanism capable of releasably locking the connector to the wiper arm, wherein the locking mechanism includes a door member that is rotatable about an axis, and wherein the shaft has all sides of the axis at least part of the door member. Surrounded by the door member, the door member is operable to rotate between an open unlocked position and a closed lock position, and the entire portion of the door member surrounding the axis is centered on the axis Rotatable, and the open unlocking position serves to provide access to the first tongue receiving opening, and the closed locking position positions the corresponding front tongue inside the first tongue receiving opening Locking mechanism that serves to release the lock to releasably; And a second tongue receiving opening positioned towards the rear end of the elongated body member, the second tongue receiving opening being configured and arranged to receive a corresponding rear tongue on the wiper arm.

In another embodiment of the connector for connecting the wiper blade to the wiper arm, the connector includes a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second side wall, and an upper surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall. , Elongated body member; Connector fixing structures; A first tongue receiving opening positioned towards the front end of the elongated body member, the first tongue receiving opening being configured to receive a corresponding front tongue of the wiper arm; A cap provided near the front end of the connector, wherein the cap is slidable between an open position and a closed position, and the cap is operable to secure a corresponding corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. Will be able to. The connector comprises: a lateral channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the first sidewall near the first end of the elongated body member; And a side indent provided on the inner surface of the cap, the side indent correspondingly dimensioned to slide along the first sidewall when the cap is sliding between the open and closed positions. Determined and positioned, it may be further provided with a lateral indentation. The connector includes: a second lateral channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the second sidewall near the first end of the elongated body member; And an additional lateral indent provided on the opposite inner surface of the cap, wherein the additional lateral indent corresponds to slide along the second sidewall when the cap slides between an open position and a closed position. It may be further provided with additional lateral indents, which are dimensionally sized and positioned. The connector comprises: a front lock fixing tab provided inside the first tongue opening, the front lock fixing tab having an upper portion and an arm portion connecting the upper portion with the elongated body member; A locking tab channel provided on the lower surface of the cap, wherein the locking tab channel is such that when the cap is sliding between an open position and a closed position, the upper portion of the front locking tab is the locking tab. It may further be provided with a locking tab channel, which is sized reasonably to allow sliding along the channel. A connector is a locking tab cavity provided on the cap adjacent to the locking tab channel, dimensioned to fit the upper portion of the locking tab and the locking tab when the cap is in the closed position It is positioned to accommodate the upper portion of the, it may be further provided with a lock tab tab cavity. In some embodiments, the elastic portion of the cap protrudes into the locking tab channel to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the upper portion of the locking tab in and out of the cavity. The connector may further include an upper tab, which is an upper tab protruding from the lower surface of the cap, which is in contact with the upper surface of the elongated body member. In some embodiments, the distance at which the upper tab protrudes from the lower surface is a clearance distance between the upper surface of the elongate body member and the cap, and the clearance distance is the cap when the cap is slid to the closed position. This is sufficient to allow sliding over the distal portion of the receiving front tongue. In some embodiments, the connector securing structure is provided with a rivet passageway and an arcuate rivet clip, the arcuate rivet clip being configured to extend between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and releasably secure the wiper blade to the connector. Disposed, and the arched rivet clip is sized to allow the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot during operation of the wiper blade; And the rivet passage extends between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and the rivet passage is constructed and arranged to allow access to the arched rivet clip.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a connector for connecting the wiper blade to the wiper arm has a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second side wall, and an upper surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall. The elongated body member; Connector fixing structures; A first tongue receiving opening positioned towards the front end of the elongated body member, the first tongue receiving opening being configured to receive a corresponding front tongue of the wiper arm; A second tongue receiving opening positioned towards the rear end of the elongated body member, the second tongue receiving opening being configured to receive a corresponding front tongue of the wiper arm; And a cap provided near the front end of the connector, wherein the cap is slidable between an open position and a closed position, and the cap is operable to secure a corresponding corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. You will be able to. The connector may further include a rear tab projecting into the rear tongue opening, and at least when the distal portion of the rear tongue is received within the second tongue opening, it may fit under the rear tab. The connector comprises: a lateral channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the first sidewall near the first end of the elongated body member; As a lateral indent provided on the inner surface of the cap, the lateral indent is correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first sidewall when the cap slides between an open position and a closed position. Will, lateral indentation; A second lateral channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the second sidewall near the first end of the elongated body member; As an additional lateral indent provided on the opposing inner surface of the cap, the additional lateral indent correspondingly slides along the second sidewall when the cap slides between an open position and a closed position. Additional lateral indents, which are dimensioned and positioned; A front locking and fixing tab provided inside the first tongue opening, the upper locking portion and an arm portion connecting the upper portion with the elongated body member; A locking tab channel provided on the lower surface of the cap, wherein the locking tab channel is such that when the cap is sliding between an open position and a closed position, the upper portion of the front locking tab is the locking tab. A locking tab channel, which is dimensionally sized to allow sliding along the channel; A locking tab cavity provided on the cap adjacent to the locking tab channel, the cavity being dimensioned to match the upper portion of the locking tab and locking the cap when the cap is in the closed position Positioned to receive the upper portion of the tab, and the elastic portion of the cap to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the upper portion of the locking tab in and out of the cavity, the locking tab A locking tab cavity, which protrudes into the channel; And an upper tab protruding by a clearance distance from the lower surface of the cap, wherein the upper tab contacts the upper surface of the elongated body member, and the clearance distance is such that when the cap is slid to the closed position, the cap is It may further include an upper tab, which is sufficient to allow sliding over the distal portion of the received front tongue.

An embodiment of a wiper blade assembly is further provided in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the wiper blade assembly comprises: 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: a front end, a rear end, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an upper surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. Equipped, elongated body member; Connector fixing structures; A first tongue receiving opening positioned towards the front end of the elongated body member, the first tongue receiving opening being configured to receive a corresponding front tongue of the wiper arm; And a cap provided near the front end of the connector, wherein the cap is slidable between an open position and a closed position, and the cap is operable to secure a corresponding corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. do. The connector of the wiper blade assembly includes: a lateral channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the first sidewall near the first end of the elongated body member; And a lateral indent provided on the inner surface of the cap, the lateral indent being correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first sidewall when the cap is sliding between the open and closed positions. It will be, it may be further provided with a lateral indentation. The wiper blade assembly includes: a second lateral channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the second sidewall near the first end of the elongated body member; And an additional lateral indent provided on the opposite inner surface of the cap, wherein the additional lateral indent corresponds to slide along the second sidewall when the cap slides between an open position and a closed position. It may be further provided with additional lateral indents, which are dimensionally sized and positioned. The connector of the wiper blade assembly, as a front locking tab provided inside the first tongue opening, includes an upper portion and an arm portion connecting the upper portion with the elongated body member, the front locking fixing tab ; A locking tab channel provided on the lower surface of the cap, wherein the locking tab channel is such that when the cap is sliding between an open position and a closed position, the upper portion of the front locking tab is the locking tab. It may further be provided with a locking tab channel, which is sized reasonably to allow sliding along the channel. A connector is a locking tab cavity provided on the cap adjacent to the locking tab channel, dimensioned to fit the upper portion of the locking tab and the locking tab when the cap is in the closed position It is positioned to accommodate the upper portion of the, it may be further provided with a lock tab tab cavity. In some embodiments, the elastic portion of the cap protrudes into the lock tab channel to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the top portion of the lock tab into and out of the cavity. The connector may further include an upper tab, which is an upper tab protruding from the lower surface of the cap, which is in contact with the upper surface of the elongated body member. In some embodiments, the distance that the upper tab protrudes from the lower surface is a clearance distance between the upper surface of the elongate body member and the cap, and the clearance distance is the cap when the cap is slid to the closed position. This is sufficient to allow sliding over the distal portion of the receiving front tongue.

In certain embodiments, a connector for connecting a wiper blade is provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The connector may include a body member having a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an upper surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The connector may further include a connector fixing structure, wherein the connector fixing structure includes a rivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends substantially perpendicular to the rivet passage.

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

In certain embodiments, wiper blade assemblies are further provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The wiper blade assembly includes 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 sidewall, and an upper surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The connector may further include a connector fixing structure, wherein the connector fixing structure includes a rivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends substantially perpendicular to the rivet passage.

In certain embodiments, a connector securing structure is implemented on the first sidewall. In certain such embodiments, a connector securing structure is implemented on the second sidewall. In a particular embodiment, the mounting base further includes a rivet, and an arched rivet clip can secure the rivet. In certain embodiments, the mounting base further comprises at least one protrusion, and the arched rivet clip can secure the at least one protrusion.

In certain embodiments, a connector for coupling a wiper blade with a wiper arm is provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The connector includes an elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second side wall, and an upper surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall; It may include a connector fixing structure. The connector securing structure may include a rivet passageway and an arcuate rivet clip, the arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicular to the rivet passageway. The connector may further include a first lateral channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the first sidewall near the first end of the elongated body member. The connector may further include a first tongue receiving opening positioned toward the front end of the elongated body member, wherein the first tongue opening may 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 a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and a first lateral protrusion provided on the inner surface of the first sidewall of the cap. The first lateral protrusion of the cap corresponds to slide along the first lateral channel when the cap is sliding between the open and closed positions, so that the cap can act to secure the corresponding corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm Can be dimensioned and positioned. The first lateral channel can be oriented in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the elongated body member, and the cap is thereby slidable substantially parallel to the upper surface.

In a particular embodiment, a second lateral channel extends longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the second sidewall near the first end of the elongated body member; And an additional lateral protrusion is provided on the opposite inner surface of the cap, and the additional lateral protrusion corresponds to slide along the second lateral channel when the cap is sliding between the open and closed positions. Are dimensioned and positioned. In a specific embodiment, a front locking tab is provided inside the first tongue opening, the front locking tab has an upper portion and an arm portion connecting the upper portion with the elongated body member; A locking tab channel is provided on the lower surface of the cap, and the locking tab channel is such that when the cap is sliding between the open position and the closed position, the upper portion of the front locking tab is locked. It is dimensioned consistently to allow sliding along the tap channel. In a particular embodiment, a locking tab cavity is provided on the cap adjacent to the locking tab channel, the cavity is dimensioned to match the upper portion of the locking tab and the cap is in a closed position It is positioned to accommodate the upper portion of the locking tab when placed on.

In a specific embodiment, the elastic portion of the cap projects into the locking tab channel to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the upper portion of the locking tab in and out of the cavity. In a specific embodiment, the upper projection protrudes from the lower surface of the cap, and the upper projection contacts the upper surface of the elongated body member. In a specific embodiment, the distance at which the upper projection protrudes from the lower surface is a clearance distance between the upper surface of the elongated body member and the cap, and the clearance distance is the cap when the cap is slid to the closed position. This is sufficient to allow sliding over the distal portion of the receiving front tongue. In a particular embodiment, the arched rivet clip extends between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and is configured and arranged to releasably secure the wiper blade to the connector, and the arched rivet clip is configured during operation of the wiper blade. Sized to allow the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot; And the rivet passage extends between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and the rivet passage is constructed and arranged to allow access to the arched 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 further include a first lateral channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the first sidewall near the front end of the body member. The connector can further include a first tongue receiving opening positioned towards the front end of the body member, the first tongue opening being configured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. The connector is a U-shaped cap, having an upper wall and a first side wall and a second side wall, and a first lateral protrusion provided on the inner surface of the first side wall of the cap, wherein the first lateral protrusion Is correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first lateral channel when the cap slides between the open and closed positions, the cap to secure the corresponding corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. It may further include a U-shaped cap, which is operable. The first lateral channel is oriented in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the body member, and the cap is thereby slidable substantially parallel to the upper surface.

1-5, an embodiment of a wiper blade connector includes a wiper blade 50 in a plurality of types of wiper arms, including both single tongue wiper arms 60 and double tongue wiper arms 70. ) May be able to act as a releasable fixing. The wiper blade connector 10 may include an elongated body member 12 having side walls 14a, 14b facing away from each other, which is connected to the mounting base 40 of the wiper blade 50 It could be possible. The connector 10 may be connected to the mounting base 40 through a connector fixing structure. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the connector 10 may be provided to have a connector securing structure, having a rivet passage 16 and an arcuate rivet clip 18, and the rivet passage 16 ) Can extend between the side walls 14a, 14b, which can be opened from the bottom and provides access to the arched rivet clip 18. The rivet passage 16 can be sized slightly smaller than the diameter of the arched rivet clip 18, thereby snap-fitting the rivet 42 positioned on the mounting base 40 of the wiper blade 50. Allows capture acceptance. The arcuate rivet clip 18 may be sized to allow swiveling motion of the wiper blade 50 and its mounting base 40 relative to the connector 10 and wiper arms 60 and 70. Pegs, protrusions and/or recesses, replacing rivets with connectors and having a receiving clip on the mounting base, shape-fitted connections, detented connections, and connectors The connector 10 is attached to the mounting base 40, including the 10 and any other methods that allow the swivel motion of the wiper blade 50 and its mounting base 40 to the wiper arms 60, 70. Other known or developed connector fixing structures for connecting are contemplated within the present disclosure.

2 is located at the front end of the wiper blade connector 10, the first tongue receiving opening 22 for receiving the front tongues 62, 72 of the wiper arms 60, 70, and the rear end The upper surface 20 of the elongated body member 12 is illustrated, having a second tongue receiving opening 24 for receiving the rear tongue 74 of the double tongue wiper arm 70. The inclined portions 29a, 29b located on opposite sides of the front end of the wiper blade connector 10 allow guided accommodation of the front tongues 62, 72 into the first tongue receiving opening 22. Is provided for. The front end of the wiper blade connector 10 is picked up, such as a partially rotatable door member 30, which can be rotated between an open position 32 and a closed position 34, as shown in FIG. It may be further provided with a lockable locking mechanism. 3A and 3B are both partly rotatable, both with the front end of the wiper blade connector 10 and separately from the wiper blade connector 10, being rotatable about the axis 27 Provided are isolated drawings of the door member 30. When the indents are selectively, the partially rotatable door member 30 moves from the open position 32 to the closed position 34, the opening of the partially rotatable door member 30 by engaging the hood 28 opens. It may be provided to help secure the closed position 34. Other locking mechanisms known in the art, including, without limitation, hinged fasteners, cantilevered fasteners, and spring fasteners, may also be used in place of the rotatable door member 30.

The shoulder members 26a, 26b projecting outwardly from the corresponding side walls 14a, 14b are provided at the rear end of the wiper blade connector 10. The shoulder members 26a, 26b are capable of releasing the corresponding rear wing members 36a, 36b, which are located on opposite sides of the single tongue wiper arm 60, as shown in FIG. It is sized and molded to engage properly. As further shown in FIG. 4, some wiper arms may be narrowed towards the rear end, which lies away from the first tongues 62, 72. Accordingly, in some embodiments of the present invention, it is advantageous to narrow the sidewalls 14a, 14b of the connector 10 to accommodate the narrowing shape of certain wiper arms.

Referring to Figure 6, the wiper blade connector 10 is engaged by engaging the rear wing members 36a, 36b in the corresponding shoulder members 26a, 26b, and as shown by the direction arrows, When the partially rotatable door member 30 is placed in the open position 32, the inclined portions 29a, 29b guide the front tongue 62 to the engaged receptacle inside the first tongue receiving opening 22, It is connected to the single tongue wiper arm 60 by rotating the wiper blade connector 10 upwards towards the single tongue wiper arms. The partially rotatable door member 30 is then rotated to the closed position 34, thereby locking the wiper blade connector 10 to a single tongue wiper arm 60. The partially rotatable door member 30 provides a gripping point 28 for the user to provide a gripping point for rotating the partially rotatable door member 30 between the open position 32 and the closed position 34. It is provided.

In a process similar to the attachment of the wiper blade connector 10 to the single tongue wiper arm 60, as described above, the double tongue wiper arm 70, shown in FIG. 5, wiper blade connector 10 ) To be releasably fixed. Referring to FIG. 7, the wiper blade connector 10 is a partially rotatable door member by engaging the rear tongue 74 inside the rear tongue receiving opening 24 and as shown by the direction arrows. When 30 is placed in the open position 32, the blade connector upwards so that the front tongue 72 lies in line with the first tongue receiving opening 22 and engages the first tongue receiving opening 22. By rotating, it is connected to the double tongue wiper arm 70. The inclined portions 29a, 29b guide the receiving of the front tongue 72 inside the front tongue receiving opening 22 when the double tongue wiper arm 70 is rotated around the shoulder members 26a, 26b. It supports providing. The partially rotatable door member 30 is then rotated to the closed position 34, thereby locking the wiper blade connector 10 to the double tongue wiper arm 70.

8, after fixing the wiper blade connector 10 to the single tongue wiper arm 60, or to the double tongue wiper arm 70, the wiper blade 50 is mounted on the mounting base 40 The rivet 42 positioned therein can be attached by snapping into the arcuate rivet clip 18, thereby allowing the wiper blade assembly to be completed, for example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

11-18 show additional embodiments of the wiper blade connector 100, which may include an elongated body member 112 having a front end 113a and a rear end 113b. The elongated body member may be composed of the upper surfaces 120 as well as the side walls 114a and 114b that are opposite to each other. The rivet passage 116, which can be opened from the lower side to thereby provide access to the arched rivet clip 118, may be defined to extend between the side walls 114a, 114b. The rivet passages 116 and clips 118 can be sized and dimensioned to substantially engage and rivet the rivets 42 in the mounting base 40, depending on the connector 10 embodiment. There will be.

The first tongue opening 122 may be provided near or near the front end 113b, and the second tongue opening 124 may be provided near or near the rear end 113a. The connector 100 may further include a cap 130, which may be longitudinally movable or slidable between the open position 132 and the closed position 134, where the first tongue opening 122 is , While the cap 130 is in the open position 132, it is mostly exposed. The cap 130 may also be removable. 11-17 illustrate an embodiment of the connector 100 accompanying the cap 130 in the open position 132. 18 illustrates this embodiment of the connector 100 with the cap 130 in the closed position. To accommodate sliding of the cap 130, one or more lateral channels 131a may be provided on at least one of the side walls 114a, 114b. In one embodiment, a pair of lateral channels 131a are provided, each lateral channel lying on sidewalls 114a, 114b opposite each other. The lateral channels 131a may be configured as grooves or slots, which substantially lie on the same plane as the individual side walls 114a, 114b on which the lateral channels 131a are provided. The one or more lateral channels may each be defined by a portion of the sidewall 114a between the longitudinally extending upper edge and the longitudinally extending lower edge. This upper edge may protrude away from its individual sidewalls 114a, 114b by a distance substantially equal to the corresponding lower edge. The body member 112 may further include an upper cap support surface 133a near the front end 113b and adjacent to each of the one or more lateral channels 131a. As for the second tongue opening 124, some embodiments have a rear tab 138 protruding into the second tongue opening 124. The second tongue opening 124 may be positioned near the rear end 113a of the body member 112.

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of the connector 100 in which the cap 130 is removed, whereby the upper portion of the front locking tab 135a is illustrated. The front locking tab 135a has an arm portion, which extends toward the upper portion, as well as the upper portion, shown in FIG. 15 as a substantially rectangular component, and is attached to the elongate body member 112. Other suitable shapes and sizes for the front locking tab 135a may also be used. The arm portion may be sufficiently indented within the first tongue opening 122 to prevent interference with the insertion of the front tongue into the front tongue opening 122, as described herein. The upper portion of the locking tab 135a may be shaped and dimensioned to conform to the locking tab tab 135b provided on the top surface of the cap 130. When the cap 130 is placed in the closed position 134, the upper portion of the front locking tabs 135a are fitted inside the cavity 135b to thereby secure the cap 130 in the closed position 134. Will be able to fit.

The lower perspective view of the removed cap 130 is shown in FIG. 16. Lateral indents or protrusions 131b are shown inside the side walls of the cap 130. Each lateral indent 131b is matched with the lateral channel 131a so that the lateral indent 131b can slide along the lateral channel 131a when the cap 130 is sliding between the open and closed positions. Can be molded. Upper indents or protrusions 133b may additionally be provided on the lower side of the cap 130. Each upper indent 133b may be in contact with the upper cap support surface 133a. Each upper indent 133b protrudes downward from the upper portion of the cap 130, and in this regard, the distance that the upper indent 133b protrudes downward is: the upper portion of the cap 130 and the body member There may be a clearance distance between the upper cap support surfaces 133a of 112. Additionally, on the inner lower side of the upper portion of the cap 130, there may be a locking tab cavity 135b, which may be sized and dimensioned to conform to the upper portion of the front locking tab 135a. will be. In this respect, the upper portion of the front locking tab 135a is slid along the locking tab channel 135c when the cap 130 is moved from the open position 132 to the closed position 134 And, the upper portion of the front locking tab (135a), may be fitted into the locking tab tab (135b) inside to lock the cap 130 in a closed position. A portion of the inner upper surface of the cap 130 resiliently protrudes into the locking tab channel 135c so as to secure the locking tab 135a inside the cavity 135b when the cap is in the closed position. Will be able to. The inner upper surface of the cap may also be filleted to facilitate insertion and fastening of the locking tabs 135a. A longitudinal force, such as exerted by the user to slide the cap 130 between the open position 132 and the closed position 134, thereby the upper portion of the tab 135a in and out of the cavity 135b. It may be increased to elastically deflect a portion of the cap 130 within the locking tab channel 135c to allow passage of the passage.

17 shows the fixation of the wiper arm 60 to the connector 100. When the cap 130 is placed in the open position 132, the front tongues 62, 72 of the wiper arms 60, 70 can be received inside the first tongue opening 122, and the front tongue 62 , 72) may be secured inside the first tongue opening 122 when the cap 130 is slid toward the closed position 134. The protruding distance of the upper indent 133b thereby allows the cap 130 to slide over the distal portion of the front tongue 72 when locked in the front tongue opening 122, thereby allowing the cap ( Create a clearance distance between 130) and cap support surface 133a. The lateral channels 131a can thereby act to allow longitudinal sliding of the cap 130 between the open position 132 and the closed position 134, and the front tab 135a, the closed position ( 134). At least the distal portion of the second tongue 74 is disposed under the rear tab 138, thereby securing the second tongue 74 within the second tongue receiving opening 124, the second tongue receiving opening 124 A second tongue 74, which may fit within, is further shown. It should be appreciated that the connector 100 is usable with both a single tongue wiper arm and a double tongue wiper arm.

Wiper blades may be provided with embodiments of connectors 10 and 100 as described herein. The wiper blade may be of any type suitable for use with the present invention. For example, the wiper blade may be a traditional wiper blade having a plurality of frames capable of supporting a wiper strip and a mounting base embedded in or attached to the plurality of frames. The wiper blade may also be a bracketless or “beam” type wiper blade, with one or more spring-elastic beams, wiper strips, and mounting bases. The wiper blade may also be a hybrid wiper blade, having a combination of a beam and one or more frames, a wiper strip, and a mounting base. Regardless of the type of wiper blade, the wiper blade may be equipped with a mounting base that connects the wiper blade to the wiper arms 60, 70 through the use of connectors 10, 100. As discussed above, in certain embodiments, the mounting base 40 will pass through the rivet passages 16, 116 in the connectors 10, 100 until seated in the arched rivet clips 18, 118. If possible, it has a rivet extending between two spaced apart sidewalls. In other embodiments, the mounting base 40 may have one or more pins, lifejackets, recesses, channels, or other structures, corresponding to the means of the connectors 10, 100 for connecting to the mounting base 40. Can.

In certain embodiments, the connectors 10, 100 will preferably be connected to the mounting base 40 of the wiper blade 50 prior to connecting to the wiper arms 60, 70. In other embodiments, the connectors 10, 100 will preferably be connected to the wiper arms 60, 70 prior to being connected to the mounting base 40 of the wiper blade 50. In other embodiments, the connectors 10, 100 may be first connected to the mounting base 40 of the wiper blade 50 or to the wiper arms 60, 70.

19 and 20 illustrate additional embodiments of a connector securing structure for connecting the connector 210 with the mounting base 40. The connector 10 may include a rivet passageway 216 and an arcuate rivet clip 218, wherein the arcuate rivet clip is such that the axis of the arcuate rivet clip is offset from a line extending along the middle of the rivet passageway, the rivet passageway It extends substantially vertically. The arched rivet clip can extend between the first sidewall and the second sidewall 214a, 214b and can be constructed and arranged to releasably secure the wiper blade to the connector, and the arched rivet clip is a wiper blade It is sized to allow the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot during operation. The rivet passage may extend between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and may be constructed and arranged to allow access to the arched rivet clip. This particular embodiment attaches the connector to the wiper blade as the connector has a “hook” like shape to hold the connector on the rivet when the blade is inclined at the maximum angle from the wiper front down position or the wiper back down position. It allows for increased holding force (which provides more stability) to keep it intact. In some embodiments, the angle α formed between the intermediate line of the rivet passage 216 and the line from the top of the rivet passage to the axis of the arched rivet clip is between 75 and 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. 20. It would be advantageous to be. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the offset rivet clips discussed in conjunction with the disclosed concept can be implemented with any type of connector having one or more walls. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the offset arcuate rivet clip 218 extends between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. However, such offset rivet clips 218 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 inner sidewalls and a pair of outer sidewalls. The offset arcuate rivet clip 218 may be provided on some or all of the sidewalls in such a connector. Similarly, a person skilled in the art, although the description used with FIGS. 19 and 20 discusses connection to rivets 42 disposed inside the sidewalls of mounting base 40 shown in FIG. 21, the disclosed concept is: It will be appreciated that it can be practiced with any suitable connection system, including replacing the rivet 42 with an inner projection or having a mounting base with an outer projection.

Although the invention has been shown and described in accordance with its preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that deviations from the present disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (19)

As a connector for connecting the wiper blade,
A body member having a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an upper surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; And
A connector fixing structure, wherein the connector fixing structure is provided with a rivet passageway and an arcuate rivet clip, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends substantially vertically from the rivet passageway.
That includes, a connector. According to claim 1,
The connector fixing structure, which is implemented on the first side wall, the connector. According to claim 2,
The connector fixing structure, which is implemented on the second side wall, the connector. According to claim 1,
The arched rivet clip is to be able to secure the rivet of the wiper blade, the connector. According to claim 1,
The arched rivet clip is to be able to secure the protrusion of the wiper blade, the connector. As a wiper blade assembly:
A wiper blade comprising a wiper strip and a mounting base; And
As a connector for connecting the wiper blade to the wiper arm,
A body member having a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an upper surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; And
A connector fixing structure, wherein the connector fixing structure is provided with a rivet passageway and an arcuate rivet clip, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends substantially vertically from the rivet passageway.
The connector that includes
It includes, wiper blade assembly. The method of claim 6,
The connector fixing structure is implemented on the first side wall, the wiper blade assembly. The method of claim 7,
The connector fixing structure is implemented on the second side wall, the wiper blade assembly. The method of claim 6,
The mounting base further includes a rivet, and the arched rivet clip is capable of fixing the rivet, a wiper blade assembly. The method of claim 6,
The mounting base further comprises at least one protrusion, and the arcuate rivet clip is capable of fixing the at least one protrusion, a wiper blade assembly. As a connector for fixing the wiper blade to the wiper arm,
An elongated body member having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second side wall, and an upper surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall;
A connector fixing structure, wherein the connector fixing structure is provided with a rivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends substantially perpendicular to the rivet passage;
A first lateral channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the first sidewall near the first end of the elongated body member;
A first tongue receiving opening positioned towards the front end of the elongated body member, the first tongue receiving opening being configured to receive a corresponding front tongue of the wiper arm; And
A U-shaped cap, having an upper wall and a first side wall and a second side wall, and a first lateral protrusion provided on the inner surface of the first side wall of the cap, wherein the first lateral protrusion comprises: When the cap slides between the open and closed positions, it is correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first lateral channel, the cap operable to secure the corresponding corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. , U-shaped cap
Including,
The first lateral channel can be oriented in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the elongated body member, and the cap is thereby slidable substantially parallel to the upper surface. The method of claim 11,
A second lateral channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the second sidewall near the first end of the elongated body member; And
An additional lateral protrusion provided on the opposing inner surface of the cap, which is correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the second lateral channel when the cap slides between an open position and a closed position. , The additional lateral protrusion
The connector that further comprises. The method of claim 11,
A front locking and fixing tab provided inside the first tongue opening, the upper locking portion and an arm portion connecting the upper portion with the elongated body member; And
A locking tab channel provided on the lower surface of the cap, wherein the locking tab channel is such that when the cap is sliding between an open position and a closed position, the upper portion of the front locking tab is the locking tab. Locking tab channels, which are sized reasonably to allow sliding along the channel
It further comprises a connector. The method of claim 13,
A locking tab cavity provided on the cap adjacent to the locking tab channel, dimensioned to match the upper portion of the locking tab and when the cap is in the closed position, the upper side of the locking tab The connector, which is positioned to accommodate the portion, further comprising a locking tab cavity. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the elastic portion of the cap protrudes into the locking tab channel to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the upper portion of the locking tab into and out of the cavity. The method of claim 11,
An upper protrusion projecting from the lower surface of the cap, wherein the connector further comprises a protrusion, which is in contact with the upper surface of the elongated body member. The method of claim 16,
The distance at which the upper protrusion protrudes from the lower surface is a clearance distance between the upper surface of the elongated body member and the cap, and the clearance distance is a front in which the cap is received when the cap is slid to the closed position. A connector that is sufficient to allow sliding over the distal portion of the tongue. The method of claim 11,
The arched rivet clip extends between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and is configured and arranged to releasably secure the wiper blade to the connector, and the arched rivet clip is releasably secured during operation of the wiper blade. Sized to allow the wiper blade to be turned; And the rivet passageway extends between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and the rivet passageway is constructed and arranged to allow access to the arched rivet clip. The method of claim 6,
The body member further includes a front end and a rear end:
The connector,
A first lateral channel extending longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface of the first sidewall near the front end of the body member;
A first tongue receiving opening positioned towards the front end of the body member, the first tongue receiving opening being configured to receive a corresponding front tongue of the wiper arm; And
A U-shaped cap, having an upper wall and a first side wall and a second side wall, and a first lateral protrusion provided on the inner surface of the first side wall of the cap, wherein the first lateral protrusion comprises: When the cap slides between the open and closed positions, it is correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first lateral channel, the cap operable to secure the corresponding corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. , U-shaped cap
It includes,
The first lateral channel can be oriented in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the body member, and the cap is thereby slidable substantially parallel to the upper surface, the wiper blade assembly.

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