WO1996021587A1

WO1996021587A1 - Compliant force distribution arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO1996021587A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/000173
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sridhar Kota
Original assignee: Sridhar Kota
Priority date: 1995-01-09
Filing date: 1996-01-11
Publication date: 1996-07-18

Abstract

A force distribution arrangement, which is particularly adaptable as a support frame for a windshield wiper support frame for a vehicle, and which can further be provided with an integrally formed windshield wiper blade (69), is provided with a force input (40) for receiving a directional input force (30), a force distribution portion (20) resiliently coupled to, and integrally formed with, the force input for transmitting and distributing the directional input force (30), and a plurality of force output points resiliently coupled to, and integrally formed with, the force distribution portion and the force input. The force output points produce a respective plurality of output forces (31-36) to the windshield wiper blade, and are translatable with respect to one another along respective paths that are substantially parallel to the direction of the directional input force, and thereby accommodate the curvature of the surface contour of a windshield.

Description

COMPLIANT FORCE DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to arrangements for distributing an input force to a plurality of predetermined locations, and more particularly, to an arrangement wherein an input force, such as that which is applied by a windshield wiper arm is distributed to a plurality of locations in predeterminable magnitudes along a compliant member, such as a windshield wiper blade.

DESCRIPTIONOFTHERELATEDART Conventional windshield wiper arrangements employ a plurality of metallic beams pivotally coupled to one another. The respective beams, which generally are not resilient or spring-like, are coupled to a windshield wiper blade at their free ends, and the pivoting of the beams with respect to one another approximates compliant bending of the windshield wiper as it travels across the windshield wiper. One goal to be achieved, however, is to provide a compliant support mechanism that, within predeterminable ranges of displacement of the windshield wiper blade in the direction of the windshield, cause a force to be directed by the windshield wiper blade substantially uniformly along its length onto the surface of the windshield, of a magnitude sufficient to perform the desired windshield wiping function, and for a given windshield contour. The conventional windshield wiper support arrangement, with its plurality of cantilevered beams, cannot achieve a truly compliant functionality, as it stores within itself little, if any, potential energy. Instead, the arrangement of pivotally attached beams merely approximates a truly compliant mechanism. A further problem with the known arrangements lies in the fact that the cantilevered beams have a limited range of displacement in the direction toward the windshield. A beam cannot be displaced beyond the point where its other end will stop against a sequentially superior beam. The limitation on the amplitude capacity, and hence on the simulated compliance effect, places limitations on vehicle designers, as conventional windshield wiper support systems cannot perform adequately when the windshield surface contour has a relatively small radius of curvature anywhere in the wiping path. 6/21587 PCMJS96/00173

In addition to failing to achieve a compliant function, the known windshield wiper support arrangement is implemented at significant complexity and expense. In most cases, the pivoted beams are made of a metal, that typically is highly reflective of light and subject to corrosion upon exposure to the elements. In order to prevent the glare of the sun on the eyes of the operator of the vehicle, as well as to protect against corrosion, each such pivoted beam must have a non-reflective coating applied thereto. This, of course, is perse a costly step that is rendered more expensive and critical when it is realized that the coating process must be executed with accuracy and precision lest the coating material effect adversely the inter-beam pivot couplings. There are numerous problems that can arise when painted or otherwise coated surfaces move pivotally with respect to one another. If the coating is installed prior to assembly of the product, the coating, at least partially as a result of its thickness, will increase the width of the beams, and decrease the size of the apertures through which the pivots are installed. On the other hand, if the product is coated after assembly, the coating process is more complex to avoid leaving areas uncoated, and of course, the coating will tend to accumulate at the pivot joints and at the places where the beams communicate with one another. An overly thick coating causes interference fits and abrasion of the coating, while a coating that is too thin will wear prematurely as a result of exposure to the elements. Clearly, coatings will produce problems irrespective of the point in the manufacture of the product at which they are applied.

There is a need, therefore, for a windshield wiper support arrangement that overcomes the problems described hereinabove, and others.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a windshield wiper frame arrangement that is simple and inexpensive, and which does not require a complex multi- pivoted interconnection between a windshield wiper actuator arm and the windshield wiper blade.

It is another object of this invention to provide a windshield wiper frame arrangement having precisely controllable compliance characteristics in terms of both, force and deflection. It is also an object of this invention to provide a windshield wiper frame arrangement that avoids the need for mechanical links and joints.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a windshield wiper frame arrangement that can simply and inexpensively be manufactured as an integral unit, and that does not require subsequent painting.

It is additionally an object of this invention to provide a windshield wiper frame arrangement that can be manufactured in a wide variety of aesthetically pleasing configurations, while retaining high compliance and strength characteristics.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a windshield wiper frame arrangement that has a compliance capacity that can easily and inexpensively be made to achieve a specific compliance characteristic for a windshield having a predetermined surface contour, or a group of windshields having a predetermined range of surface contours.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing and other objects are achieved by this invention which provides, in accordance with a windshield wiper arrangement aspect for a vehicle, an arrangement of the type having a windshield wiper arm for applying a force in a direction that urges the windshield wiper arrangement toward the windshield and for moving the windshield wiper arrangement across the windshield, and a windshield wiper blade for communicat- ing with the windshield of the vehicle. In accordance with the invention, the windshield wiper arrangement is provided with a windshield wiper blade support formed of a resilient material having a primary beam for coupling with the windshield wiper arm, and a first compliant portion integrally formed with the primary beam for coupling with the windshield wiper blade. In accordance with a specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, the windshield wiper arrangement is provided with a secondary beam resiliently coupled to the primary beam. A first resilient coupling portion is integrally formed with the primary and secondary beams for resiliently coupling the secondary beam to the primary beam. The first compliant portion is provided with a tertiary beam coupled to the secondary beam., and the tertiary beam is provided with means for coupling with the windshield wiper blade. Such means may include, for example, the conventional windshield wiper blade coupling arrangement which permits the windshield wiper blade to travel longitudinally with respect to the support arrangement.

In a further embodiment of the invention, there is further provided a second resilient coupling portion integrally formed with the first compliant portion for resiliently coupling the tertiary beam to the secondary beam. The secondary beam may be provided with an elongated configuration with first and second ends, and the tertiary beam being coupled to the secondary beam at the first end thereof. In such an embodiment, there is provided a quartic beam coupled to the secondary beam at the second end thereof. The second end of the secondary beam is, in certain embodiments, adapted to engage with the windshield wiper blade, as discussed, hereinabove. In a further embodiment of the invention, the primary beam is provided with first and second ends, and the first compliant portion is arranged to be coupled to the first end of the primary beam. A second compliant portion integrally formed with the primary beam for coupling with the windshield wiper blade, the second compliant portion being coupled to the second end of the primary beam. In accordance with a force distribution aspect of the invention, the inventive arrangement is provided with a force input for receiving a directional input force. Such a force input can take the form, in certain embodiments of the invention, of a coupling member which couples mechanically to an external element that applies a force to a force distribution arrangement that is resiliently coupled to, and integrally formed with, the force input means, for transmitting and distributing the directional input force. The invention is further provided with a plurality of force output members resiliently coupled to, and integrally formed with, the force distribution arrangement and the force input. The plurality of force output members produces a respective plurality of output forces, each such force output member being translatable with respect to the other force output members along respective paths that are substantially parallel to the direction of the directional input force.

In a specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, the force distribution arrangement is provided with a beam member for receiving at an input thereof least a portion of the directional input force and for producing at first and second outputs thereof respective ones of first and second output forces. The first and second outputs are translatable with respect to one another along respective paths that are substantially parallel to the direction of the directional input force. There is additionally provided a resilient beam coupling portion integrally formed at the first output of the beam member. In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the resilient beam coupling portion is formed substantially as an S-shaped member. A force output member is coupled to the substantially S-shaped member. In some embodiments, a further substantially S-shaped resilient beam coupling portion integrally formed at the first output of the beam member. A further force output member is coupled to the further substantially S-shaped member.

In a specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, the resilient beam coupling portion is formed substantially as a pair of oppositely spaced resilient elements for forming a resilient hinge which is integrally formed with the beam member. In this embodiment, an output beam is integrally formed with the resilient hinge, and is provided with at least one output end. An output beam is integrally formed with the resilient hinge, and has at least one output end. The integrally formed resilient hinges, therefore, couple the various beams compliantly to one another, not just pivotally. The beams themselves may, in certain embodiment, be characterized as compliant themselves, thereby achieving greater degrees of compliance than can be achieved with the pivotally coupled rigid beams of the prior art.

Other embodiments of this aspect of the invention achieve predeterminably higher levels of compliance. In one specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, there is provided a further force output member coupled to the output end of the output beam. Additionally, a compliant work member having an elongated configuration is coupled to each of the force output means. The compliant work member is integrally formed with the force output member and the force distribution arrangement.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention wherein an inventive compliant force distribution arrangement is formed by an inventive process, the process includes the steps of: forming a primary beam portion; forming a first compliant portion integrally with the primary beam portion; and forming at least first and second force output portions integrally with the first compliant portion. In a specific illustrative embodiment of the invention of this product-by-process aspect of the invention, the process includes the further steps of: forming a second compliant portion integrally with the primary beam portion; and forming at least third and fourth force output portions integrally with the second compliant portion. In a preferred embodiment, the steps of forming a primary beam portion, forming a first compliant portion integrally with the primary beam portion, and forming at least first and second force output portions integrally with the first compliant portion are performed simultaneously during performance of a step of molding. That is, the process can incorporate the various forming steps in a molding operation. Alternatives to the molding step, also wherein the various portions of the apparatus are simultaneously formed, include extrusion, casting, stamping, or any other process of manufacture that, in light of the teaching herein, is deemed appropriate by persons of skill in the art.

Attention on the part of the designer should be directed to the choice of materials, particularly in regard of certain physical and mechanical properties. These include, for example, flexural strength, toughness (i.e., impact strength), percentage of elongation, density, weather resistance, resistance to the effects of ultraviolet light, water absorption, temperature at which heat distortion occurs, resistance to creep, density stability, and dimensional stability. Flexural strength is a measure of the magnitude of a load that can be imposed before the material breaks. The present windshield wiper application requires relatively low flexural strength. The toughness characteristic relates to the magnitude of the energy required to break a plastic material, and is used to measure impact strength. Impact strength is not a measure of the stress required to break a sample, but rather a measure of the energy needed, or absorbed, in breaking the specimen. A relatively large value of impact strength is required in the present windshield wiper application. The combined effects of temperature, light radiation, moisture, gases, and other chemicals in the environment can cause dimensional and other physical changes in plastic materials. The "weatherability" of a plastic material relates to its ability to withstand direct sunlight, or the application of artificial weathering conditions. Ultraviolet radiation, in conjunction with water and other environmental oxidants, may cause color fading, pitting, crumbling, surface cracking, crazing, or brittleness. Heat stabilizers, that are well-known to persons of skill in the plastics art, can be added to the polymers to retard the damaging effects of heat, light energy, oxidation, or mechanical shear. "Deflection temperature," or "heat distortion temperature," represent the characteristi¬ cally highest continuous operating temperature that the material will withstand. In the present windshield wiper application, the material should be effective within a range of approximately -50 °F to 150°F.

The compliant, force distributing arrangements of the present invention, in embodiments thereof that are applicable to windshield wiper systems, can be made of a variety of materials. These include, for example, low density polyethylene, polypropy- lene, PVC, aromatic polyesters, polycarbonate, fluoroplastics, ABS, polyallomers, and polystyrene. Some of the referenced materials are considered to be quite expensive, notwithstanding their excellent mechanical and physical properties. For example, PTFE is about fifty times more expensive than polyethylene.

From the standpoint of economy of manufacture, it is self-evident to persons of skill in the art that, for a given mold configuration, a lower density material will yield more parts per pound. It is necessary, therefore, to compare costs on a unit volume basis. The plastic materials (without limitation), arranged in order of increasing cost per unit volume, are: polyethylene; polypropylene; polystyrene; ABS (polypropylene with 30% glass fill); and PTFE. Polyethylene, preferably of the low density type, or polypropylene, appear to be well-suited for the present windshield wiper application. Both such materials are characterized with low specific gravity (polyethylene is approximately 0.917; and polypropylene is approximately 0.904), excellent molding qualities, very low cost, high impact strength, and low flexural modulus. Although subject to degradation upon exposure to UV radiation, UV absorbers and other additives known to persons skilled in the art can reduce the effects of UV radiation and improve creep resistance.

Polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene do not absorb water and therefore are good candidates for the windshield wiper application. Nylons, polyesters, polycarbonates, and ABS absorb moisture and therefore are not recommended. From the standpoint of cost and flexural strength, polypropylene is a better choice as it costs less than $0.50 per pound and has a flexural modulus of approximately between 100,000 and 150,000 psi. Polyacetal (trade name "Delrin") and polyethylene terephthalates (PET) are also good choices.

From the standpoint of manufacture, injection molding appears preferred, although extrusion is a cost-effective alternative. During molding, care should be taken that a knit line is not produced. A knit line is on along which two fronts of polymer flow meet. Knit lines produce a line of weakness that is susceptible to failure during impact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Comprehension of the invention is facilitated by reading the following detailed description, in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a windshield wiper support frame embodiment of the invention wherein highly compliant, integrally formed coupling portions are utilized;

Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of a windshield wiper support frame embodiment of the invention wherein resilient, hinge-like elements are integrally formed with the beams, there being provided eight equally spaced force distribution points; Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the configuration of a small resilient, hinge-like element;

Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of the configuration of a larger resilient, hinge-like element; Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of a windshield wiper support frame embodiment of the invention wherein resilient, hinge-like elements are integrally formed with the beams, with eight equally spaced force distribution points, and with greater flexibility than the embodiment of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of a windshield wiper support frame embodiment of the invention wherein resilient, hinge-like elements are integrally formed with the beams, there being provided an odd number of unequally spaced force distribution points for each half of the support frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a windshield wiper support frame JO wherein highly compliant, integrally formed coupling portions 11-16 are utilized for interbeam coupling, as will be described hereinbelow. A primary beam 20 is coupled to a secondary beam 21 via coupling portion 13. Similarly, the primary beam is coupled to a further secondary beam 22 via coupling portion 16. Coupling portion 11 couples secondary beam 21 to a tertiary beam 23. Similarly, on the other half of the windshield wiper support frame, coupling portion 14 couples secondary beam 22 to a further tertiary beam

26. Coupling portions 12 and 15 are shown to couple their respectively associated secondary beams 21 and 22 to tertiary beams 24 and 25.

In this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, output forces, which correspond to predeterminable proportions of an input force that is represented by vector 30, are provided at tertiary beams 23 -26, and at secondary beams 21 and 22. More specifically, the output forces, that are represented by vectors 31-36, sum up to the magnitude of vector 30. Vectors 31-36 therefore represent a distribution of the input force represented by vector 30. The force represented by vector 30 is supplied in this embodiment by a windshield wiper actuator arm (not shown) that is conventionally coupled to the windshield wiper motor (not shown) of a vehicle (not shown) and to the windshield wiper support frame, illustratively at aperture 40 through primary beam 20. Although not specifically shown in this figure, the terminations of the secondary and tertiary beams where the output forces are provided are adapted (not shown in this figure) in a conventional manner to be coupled to a windshield wiper blade.

As indicated, the primary, secondary, and tertiary beams, along with their respectively associated compliant coupling portions, are formed integrally with one another. The coupling portions, such as coupling portions 13 and 16, permit their respectively associated secondary beams to pivot. Moreover, terminations of the secondary and tertiary beams where the output forces are produced are translatable along paths that are parallel to the input force vector. Persons of skill in the art will readily recognize that the magnitudes of the forces represented by vectors 31-36 can be made not to be equal to one another, as required by the particular application. Proportions of the force magnitudes amongst the vectors are responsive to the location of the coupling portions along the respective beams, the mechanical properties of the compliant coupling portions, and the mechanical properties of the beams themselves. Persons of skill in the art can configure these characteristics in light of the teaching herein.

Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of a windshield wiper support frame 50 wherein resilient, hinge-like portions 51-56 are integrally formed with the beams, there being provided eight equally spaced force distribution points. As shown, a primary beam 60 is resilently coupled via integrally formed resilient coupling portions 52 and 55 to respective secondary beams 61 and 62. Each secondary beam is coupled via respective integrally formed resilient coupling portions 51 and 53, and 54 and 56, to respective tertiary beams 64-67. In this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, the tertiary beams are coupled to a windshield wiper blade, which is schematically represented in the figure by structural element 69. The windshield wiper blade can, in certain embodiments, be coupled to the force output points of the tertiary beams using any of several known wiper blade coupling arrangements (not shown), or it can be formed integrally with the windshield wiper support frame. Fig. 3 is a schematic plan representation of the configuration of a small resilient, hinge-like portion 70, which corresponds to coupling portions 51, 53, 54, and 56, shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of the configuration of a larger resilient, hinge¬ like portion 80, which corresponds to coupling portion 55 in Fig. 2. Coupling portion 52 in Fig. 2 is the mirror image of coupling portion 55. Referring once again to Fig. 3, hinge-like portion 70 is formed with first and second resilient members 71 and 72, that couple beams 74 and 75 resiliently to one another. When beam 75 is urged in the direction of arrow 77, first resilient member 71 is subjected to a compression force, and second resilient member 72 is subjected to tension. Conversely, when beam 75 is urged in the direction of arrow 78, first resilient member 71 is subjected to a tensile force, and second resilient member 72 is subjected to compression force. In this regard, without limitation, the present invention is distinguishable from the mere pivoting function of the interbeam couplers of the conventional windshield wiper support frames.

The larger resilient, hinge-like portion 80 of Fig. 4 that corresponds to coupling portion 55 in Fig. 2, functions in a manner similar to the hinge-like portion described with respect to Fig. 3. More specifically, when beam 85 is urged in the direction of arrow 87, first resilient member 81 is subjected to a compression force, and second resilient member 82 is subjected to tension. Conversely, when beam 85 is urged in the direction of arrow 88, first resilient member 81 is subjected to a tensile force, and second resilient member 82 is subjected to compression force.

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of a windshield wiper support frame 100 embodiment of the invention wherein resilient, hinge-like portions are integrally formed with the beams, with eight equally spaced force distribution points, and with greater flexibility than the embodiment of Fig. 2. As shown in this figure, windshield wiper support frame 100 is provided with resilient, hinge-like portions 101-106 are integrally formed with the beams. A primary beam 110 is resilently coupled via integrally formed resilient coupling portions 102 and 105 to respective secondary beams 111 and 112. Each secondary beam is coupled via respective integrally formed resilient coupling portions 101 and 103, and 104 and 106, to respective tertiary beams 114-117. The embodiment of Fig. 5 achieves a greater degree of compliance over that of Fig. 2 in that the resilient coupling portions are not only longer, but thinner. Thus, when materials having relatively high stiffness characteristics are employed in the manufacture of the product, desired compliance characteristics can be achieved by controlling the size and thickness of the resilient coupling portions. In this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, the force output portions (not specifically designated in this figure) are shown schematically to be coupled to a windshield wiper blade 120. As previously noted, the windshield wiper blade can, in certain embodiments, be coupled to the force output points using any of several known wiper blade coupling arrangements, or it can be formed integrally with the windshield wiper support frame. Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of a windshield wiper support frame 130. which is a specific illustrative embodiment of the invention wherein resilient, hinge-like portions 131, 132, 133, and 134 are integrally formed with the beams. In this embodiment, there are provided an odd number of unequally spaced force distribution points for each half of the support frame. More specifically, a primary beam 136 is resiliently coupled via integrally formed resilient coupling portions

132 and 133 to respective secondary beams 137 and 138. Each secondary beam is coupled via respective integrally formed resilient coupling portions 131 and 134 to respective tertiary beams 140 and 141. In this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, the tertiary beams are coupled to a windshield wiper blade, which is schematically represented in the figure by structural element 143. As previously stated, the windshield wiper blade can, in certain embodiments, be coupled to the force output points of the tertiary beams using any of several known wiper blade coupling arrange¬ ments (not shown), or it can be formed integrally with the windshield wiper support frame. Although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments and applications, persons skilled in the art can, in light of this teaching, generate additional embodiments without exceeding the scope or departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawing and description in this disclosure are proffered to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A windshield wiper arrangement for a windshield of a vehicle, the windshield wiper arrangement being coupled to a windshield wiper arm that is coupled at a first end thereof to the vehicle and at a second end thereof to the windshield wiper arrangement for applying a force thereto with respect to the vehicle in a direction that urges the windshield wiper arrangement toward the windshield and which moves the windshield wiper arrangement across the windshield, the windshield wiper arrangement having windshield wiper blade coupled thereto for communicating with the windshield of the vehicle, the windshield wiper arrangement further comprising, a windshield wiper blade support formed of a resilient material, the windshield wiper blade support having: a primary beam arranged to couple with the windshield wiper arm; and a first compliant beam portion integrally formed with said primary beam, said first compliant beam portion being arranged to couple with the windshield wiper blade.

2. The windshield wiper arrangement of claim 1, wherein said first compliant portion comprises a secondary beam resiliently coupled to said primary beam.

3. The windshield wiper arrangement of claim 2, wherein there is further provided a first resilient coupling portion integrally formed with said primary and secondary beams for resiliently coupling said secondary beam to said primary beam.

4. The windshield wiper arrangement of claim 3, wherein said first compliant portion further comprises a tertiary beam coupled to said secondary beam.

5. The windshield wiper arrangement of claim 4, wherein said tertiary beam is provided with means for coupling with the windshield wiper blade.

6. The windshield wiper arrangement of claim 4, wherein there is further provided a second resilient coupling portion integrally formed with said first compliant portion for resiliently coupling said tertiary beam to said secondary beam.

7. The windshield wiper arrangement of claim 4, wherein said secondary beam has an elongated configuration with first and second ends, said tertiary beam being coupled to said secondary beam at said first end thereof.

8. The windshield wiper arrangement of claim 7, wherein there is provided a quartic beam coupled to said secondary beam at said second end thereof.

9. The windshield wiper arrangement of claim 7, wherein said second end of said secondary beam is adapted to engage with the windshield wiper blade.

10. The windshield wiper arrangement of claim 1, wherein said primary beam is provided with first and second ends, said first compliant portion being coupled to said first end of said primary beam.

11. The windshield wiper arrangement of claim 10, wherein there is further provided a second compliant portion integrally formed with said primary beam for coupling with the windshield wiper blade, said second compliant portion being coupled to said second end of said primary beam.

12. (Amended) A force distribution arrangement comprising: force input means for receiving a directional input force; force distribution means resiliently coupled to, and integrally formed with, said force input means, for transmitting and distributing the directional input force; and a plurality of force output means resiliently coupled to, and integrally formed with, said force distribution means and said force input means, for producing a respective plurality of output forces, said plurality of force output means each being independently translatable with respect to one another along respective paths that are substantially parallel to the direction of the directional input force.

13. The force distribution arrangement of claim 12, wherein said force distribution means comprises: a beam member for receiving at an input thereof least a portion of the directional input force and producing at first and second outputs thereof respective ones of first and second output forces, said first and second outputs being translatable with respect to one another along respective paths that are substantially parallel to the direction of the directional input force; and a resilient beam coupling portion integrally formed at said first output of said beam member.

14. The force distribution arrangement of claim 13, wherein said resilient beam coupling portion is formed substantially as an S-shaped member.

15. The force distribution arrangement of claim 14, wherein there is provided a force output means coupled to said substantially S-shaped member.

16. The force distribution arrangement of claim 14, wherein there is provided a further substantially S-shaped resilient beam coupling portion integrally formed at said first output of said beam member.

17. The force distribution arrangement of claim 16, wherein there is provided a further force output portion coupled to said further substantially S-shaped member.

18. The force distribution arrangement of claim 13, wherein said resilient beam coupling portion is formed substantially as a pair of opposingly spaced resilient portions for forming a resilient hinge, said resilient hinge being integrally formed with said beam member.

19. The force distribution arrangement of claim 18, wherein there is further provided an output beam integrally formed with said resilient hinge, said output beam having at least one output end.

20. The force distribution arrangement of claim 19, wherein there is provided a further force output portion coupled to said output end of said output beam.

21. The force distribution arrangement of claim 20, wherein there is further provided a compliant work member having an elongated configuration and coupled to each of said force output portion.

22. The force distribution arrangement of claim 21, wherein said compliant work member is integrally formed with said force output portion and said force distribution means.

23. A compliant force distribution arrangement formed by the process of: forming a primary beam portion; forming a first compliant beam portion integrally with said primary beam portion; and forming at least first and second force output portions integrally with said first compliant beam portion.

24. The compliant force distribution arrangement of claim 23 comprising the further steps of: forming a second compliant portion integrally with said primary beam portion; and forming at least third and fourth force output portions integrally with said second compliant portion.

25. The compliant force distribution arrangement of claim 23, wherein said steps of forming a primary beam portion, forming a first compliant beam portion integrally with said primary beam portion, and forming at least first and second force output portions integrally with said first compliant beam portion are performed simultaneously during performance of a step of molding.

26. The compliant force distribution arrangement of claim 23, wherein said steps of forming a primary beam portion, forming a first compliant beam portion integrally with said primary beam portion, and forming at least first and second force output portions integrally with said first compliant beam portion are performed simultaneously during performance of a step of extruding.

27. (Amended) The compliant force distribution arrangement of claim 23, wherein said steps of forming a primary beam portion, forming a first compliant beam portion integrally with said primary beam portion, and forming at least first and second force output portions integrally with said first compliant beam portion are performed simultaneously during performance of a step of casting.

28. The compliant force distribution arrangement of claim 23, wherein said steps of forming a primary beam portion, forming a first compliant beam portion integrally with said primary beam portion, and forming at least first and second force output portions integrally with said first compliant beam portion are performed simultaneously during performance of a step of stamping.