WO1996041735A1 - Wiper blade alignment tool - Google Patents
Wiper blade alignment tool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1996041735A1 WO1996041735A1 PCT/AU1995/000343 AU9500343W WO9641735A1 WO 1996041735 A1 WO1996041735 A1 WO 1996041735A1 AU 9500343 W AU9500343 W AU 9500343W WO 9641735 A1 WO9641735 A1 WO 9641735A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- tool
- wiper blade
- windscreen
- slot
- assembly
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
- B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
- B60S1/04—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers
- B60S1/0452—Position of the wipers relative to the vehicle
- B60S1/0469—Devices for assisting the wiper positioning on the vehicle
Definitions
- This invention relates to a wiper blade alignment tool for determining if a wiper arm, and therefore a wiper blade, is correctly aligned with respect to a vehicle windscreen to ensure that the wiper blade moves smoothly over the windscreen during oscillating movement of the wiper blade.
- One of the parameters which effects smooth operation of a windscreen wiper blade is its alignment with respect to the windscreen of the vehicle. If the wiper blade and/or wiper arm is twisted relative to the windscreen, the wiper blade may move smoothly in one direction but whilst moving in the opposite direction, the wiper blade will chatter or skip across the windscreen thereby creating noise and resulting in ineffective wiping action including radial lines and other improper wiping patterns.
- the object of this invention is to provide a tool for determining if a wiper blade is correctly aligned with respect to the windscreen.
- the invention may be said to reside in a windscreen wiper blade alignment tool, including: an engagement portion for engaging a portion of a windscreen wiper blade assembly to orient the tool in a position indicative of the orientation of a windscreen wiper blade of the assembly relative to a vehicle windscreen; and a windscreen abutment portion for abutment against the windscreen of the vehicle to thereby provide an indication of the orientation of the windscreen wiper blade with respect to the windscreen so that the position of the assembly can be adjusted to correct the orientation of the wiper blade.
- the tool of the invention therefore enable rapid checking of the orientation of the wiper blade so that the orientation can be corrected if the wiper blade is not operating smoothly.
- the engagement portion for engaging a portion of the assembly comprises a slot in the tool.
- the abutment portion for abutting the windscreen comprises a plurality of leg members which are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance.
- the tool has a central open portion for receiving the wiper blade and a backing strip and frame of the wiper blade assembly and the portion of the assembly engaged by the engagement portion comprises an arm of the wiper blade assembly.
- the tool includes: a first portion including the slot; and a second portion hinged relative to the first portion, the hinge portion being moveable relative to the first portion to open the tool to enable the slot to engage the assembly, and which can be closed to secure the tool on the assembly.
- Figure 1 is a view of a tool embodying the invention
- Figure 2 Figure 3 and Figure 4 are views showing application of the tool of Figure 1 to a windscreen wiper blade assembly
- Figure 5 is a view of a second embodiment of the invention.
- Figure 6 is a view of a third embodiment of the invention
- Figure 7 is a view of a fourth embodiment of the invention
- Figure 8 is a view of a fifth embodiment of the invention.
- Figure 9 is a view of a sixth embodiment of the invention.
- a windscreen wiper blade alignment tool 10 which has a tool body 12 of generally L-shaped configuration having a wide lower body portion 12a and a narrow upper body portion 12b.
- the tool has a central open portion 14 also of generally L-shaped configuration.
- the lower portion 12a includes two legs 16 and 18 which extend from the lower portion 12a, and a slot 20 is provided between the lower portion 12a and the upper portion 12b.
- the open portion 14 of the tool is configured to enable the tool to be slipped onto a windscreen wiper blade assembly as shown in Figures 2 to 4.
- the windscreen wiper blade is preferably arranged about centrally in its stroke with respect to a vehicle windscreen (not shown) and is pivoted away from the windscreen to provide access to the assembly.
- a wiper blade assembly 50 is formed from a wiper arm 56 which is connected to a motor (not shown) for oscillating the assembly 50, a frame 54 connected to the arm 56, and a blade 52 and backing strip 53 (or strips) supported by the frame 54.
- the tool 10 is slipped from one end of the wiper blade assembly 50 towards a mid point of the assembly 50.
- the wiper blade 52, backing strip 53 and frame 54 are received in the opening 14, and the wiper arm 56 is received in the slot 20 as shown in Figure 3.
- the arm 56 is located in the slot 20 as the tool 10 is moved in the direction of arrow A towards the midpoint of the assembly 50.
- Adjustment can occur by simply moving the assembly away from the windscreen and twisting the arm 56 to alter the orientation of the blade 52 relative to the windscreen. Twisting can occur merely by manipulation with the hand or by a spanner or other suitable tool. Alternatively, the tool 10 can be used to apply a twisting force to the arm 56 to re-orient the arm 56 and therefore the blade 52.
- the wiper blade assembly 50 is then pivoted back toward the windscreen and if both feet 16 and 18 sit firmly on the windscreen, then the wiper blade 52 is correctly aligned. If the blade 52 is still incorrect aligned, further adjustment can take place as described above until the feet 16 and 18 both abut the windscreen.
- Windscreen wiper blade assemblies of the type shown in Figures 2 to 4 come in a number of different standard configurations.
- the space 14 has been configured to enable receipt of the blade 52, backing strip 53 and frame 54 regardless of the configuration while still allowing the arm 56 to be received in the slot 20.
- Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention wherein the tool 10 is generally square shaped in configuration and has a first portion 60 and a hinge portion 62 hinged relative to the first portion 60.
- the portion 60 has a flange section 64 which is provided with a slot 66 for receiving the arm 56 of the windscreen wiper blade assembly 50 referred to in Figures 2 to 4.
- Central opening 74 is provided between the portions 60 and 62 for accommodating the blade 52, backing strip 53 and frame 54. Access is gained to the slot 66 by opening the hinge portion 62 by pivoting the hinge portion 62 in the direction of arrow B to the position 62' as shown in dotted lines.
- the tool may then be located on the assembly by locating the arm 56 in the slot 66 and with the blade 52, backing strip 53 and frame 54 accommodated in the space 74.
- the hinge portion 62 is then closed and locked in position by the resilient catch 68 which engages behind hook 70 of the portions 60.
- the first portion 60 has a foot 72 and the hinge portion has a foot 74 which operate in the same manner as the feet 16 and 18 to provide an indication of alignment of the wiper blade with respect to a windscreen. Adjustment of the wiper blade also takes place as in the manner previously described.
- the space 74 is also configured, in a similar manner to the space 14, to receive frames 54, backing strips 53 and wiper blades 52 of various different configurations.
- the tool can be opened and closed by movement of the hinge portion 62 so that it is not necessary to slide the tool from one end of the wiper blade assembly. Rather, the tool 10 can be located on the wiper blade assembly at the midpoint of the wiper blade assembly by opening the hinge portion 62 and then closing the hinge portion 62 when the tool is in position.
- Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the invention which does not have a central opening of the type shown in Figures 1 and 5.
- the tool has a first body portion 80 which has a first foot 82 and a slot 84 arranged in an upper flange portion 86.
- the first portion 80 is generally of a reversed C-shaped configuration providing a side spaced 88 for receipt of the frame 54, backing strip 53 and blade 52 of an assembly 50.
- a hinge portion 90 is arranged adjacent to the portion 80 and has a second foot 92 and a catch 94 which engages behind a stem 96 of the first portion 80.
- the hinge portion 90 can be pivoted away from portion 86 about point 96 to provide access to the slot 84 and once the tool is arranged on the wiper blade assembly with the arm 56 located in slot 84, the hinge portion 90 can be closed and relocked in the position shown in Figure
- the catch 68 and 94 are resilient so that they can be easily snap locked behind the hook 70 or leg 96 as the case may be and snap unlocked when the hinge portion is to be opened.
- the feet 82 and 92 operate in the same manner as the feet 16 and 18 in the embodiment of Figure 1 to provide an indication of alignment of the wiper blade 52 with respect to the windscreen and adjustment if necessary.
- the preferred embodiments of the present invention therefore provide wiper blade alignment tools which can be used to quickly provide an indication of the orientation of a wiper blade with respect to a windscreen.
- the arm 56 can then be adjusted manually, by an ancillary tool or by the tool 10, to twist or bend the arm 56 of the blade assembly 50 to adjust the orientation of the blade 52.
- the frame 54 together with the backing strip 53 and blade 52 are intended to be removed from arm 56 before using the tool of Figures 7 and 8 to determine the orientation of the arm 56.
- the tool 10' is in the shape of the numeral 6 in cross-section and has an upper plate 101 with a curved body section 102 extending from one side of plate 101.
- the lower portion 103 of section 102 is semi-circular in profile and an intermediate plate 104 completes the section 102.
- a slot 105 is provided between plates 101 and 104.
- the slot 105 has two thickness 105a and 105b to receive arms 56 of assemblies 50 (not shown) of two different thicknesses so that the arms 56 can be snugly received in slot 105a or 105b.
- two different arm sizes can be snugly received in slot 105.
- the semi-circular profile 103 is provided with an indicator, such as arrow 107, at the six o'clock position.
- an indicator such as arrow 107
- the tool 10' is arranged on arm 56 after the frame 54, backing strip 53 and blade 52 have been removed.
- the embodiment of Figure 7 can be formed by extrusion and cutting the extrusion into discrete lengths to form tools 10'.
- the arrow 107 may then be applied to the semi ⁇ circular section 103.
- Figure 8 shows a tool 10''which has an upper plate 109 similar to the plate 101 and slots 110a, 110b similar to the slot 105a and 105b.
- the bottom sections similar to the embodiment of Figure 1 having two legs 111.
- Plate 109 has a cross-shaped aperture 112 for receiving a screw driver (not shown) in slot part 112a to enable the tool 10' ' to be twisted to in turn twist arm 56 (not shown) to adjust the arm 56 if necessary.
- the screw driver can be inserted into slot part 112b to bend arm 56 to increase or decrease pressure against the windscreen of the vehicle.
- One of the legs 111 has a groove 114 for receiving a leg 115 of a clip 116.
- the clip 116 has a second leg 117 which engages top plate 109.
- the clip secures the arm 56 in slot 110 to prevent movement of the arm 56 relative to slot 110 during measurement and adjustment by holding the plate 109 relative to the legs 111 so that the arm 56 of the assembly 50 is securely held in slot 10. Also, clip 116 holds the arm 56 in place whilst adjustment is being made to the arm 56.
- the tool 10''' has a central opening 120 for receiving frame 54 as in the embodiment of Figure 1 and two legs 121 as also in the embodiment of Figure 1.
- a slot 122 for receiving arm 56 (not shown) is provided between intermediate section 123 and upper section 124.
- the slot 122 is partly defined by wedge 125 which has teeth 126 which engage teeth 127 in section 124.
- the legs are preferably spaced apart by a distance of from 50mm to 120mm.
- the slots are arrange so the arm 56 is positioned midway between the legs.
- the arm 56 will be positioned slightly off mid position because of the dual thickness of the slot.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Automobile Manufacture Line, Endless Track Vehicle, Trailer (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU1995/000343 WO1996041735A1 (en) | 1995-06-09 | 1995-06-09 | Wiper blade alignment tool |
AU26652/95A AU2665295A (en) | 1995-06-09 | 1995-06-09 | Wiper blade alignment tool |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU1995/000343 WO1996041735A1 (en) | 1995-06-09 | 1995-06-09 | Wiper blade alignment tool |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1996041735A1 true WO1996041735A1 (en) | 1996-12-27 |
Family
ID=3764204
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU1995/000343 WO1996041735A1 (en) | 1995-06-09 | 1995-06-09 | Wiper blade alignment tool |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU2665295A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1996041735A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0838379A1 (en) * | 1996-10-23 | 1998-04-29 | Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. | Template for visual check of the normal error of a wiper arm of an oscillating wiper device |
EP1174315A3 (en) * | 2000-07-21 | 2003-11-19 | Günther Lösch | Device for supporting vehicle windscreen wipers |
DE10318750A1 (en) * | 2003-04-25 | 2004-11-11 | Valeo Systèmes d`Essuyage | Template device for checking the alignment or normal error of a windscreen wiper arm relative to a windscreen is designed to be mounted on the end of a wiper arm and has a visual testing section that is supported on the screen |
FR2931444A1 (en) * | 2008-05-26 | 2009-11-27 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Windscreen wiper arm i.e. blade, maintaining device for motor vehicle, has piece adapted for being interposed between wiper arm and fixed part of vehicle body to maintain arm in predetermined position, before and during tightening nut |
FR2970924A1 (en) * | 2011-01-28 | 2012-08-03 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Device for maintaining windscreen wiper in position during fixation in motor vehicle, has bearing face abutted against reference element of body of motor vehicle to maintain brush in predetermined position during tightening of nut |
FR2980406A1 (en) * | 2011-09-27 | 2013-03-29 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Method for fixing brush of wiper blade of windscreen wiper of car, involves positioning brush in indexing position in which wiper blade is aligned with index, and keeping brush in indexing position for rotatably fixing brush and axle |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5247728A (en) * | 1989-10-25 | 1993-09-28 | Swf Auto-Electric Gmbh | Device for mounting a wiper system |
US5251351A (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1993-10-12 | Manfred Klotz | Combination tool, in particular for motor vehicles |
-
1995
- 1995-06-09 WO PCT/AU1995/000343 patent/WO1996041735A1/en active Application Filing
- 1995-06-09 AU AU26652/95A patent/AU2665295A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5247728A (en) * | 1989-10-25 | 1993-09-28 | Swf Auto-Electric Gmbh | Device for mounting a wiper system |
US5251351A (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1993-10-12 | Manfred Klotz | Combination tool, in particular for motor vehicles |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0838379A1 (en) * | 1996-10-23 | 1998-04-29 | Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. | Template for visual check of the normal error of a wiper arm of an oscillating wiper device |
EP1174315A3 (en) * | 2000-07-21 | 2003-11-19 | Günther Lösch | Device for supporting vehicle windscreen wipers |
DE10318750A1 (en) * | 2003-04-25 | 2004-11-11 | Valeo Systèmes d`Essuyage | Template device for checking the alignment or normal error of a windscreen wiper arm relative to a windscreen is designed to be mounted on the end of a wiper arm and has a visual testing section that is supported on the screen |
FR2931444A1 (en) * | 2008-05-26 | 2009-11-27 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Windscreen wiper arm i.e. blade, maintaining device for motor vehicle, has piece adapted for being interposed between wiper arm and fixed part of vehicle body to maintain arm in predetermined position, before and during tightening nut |
FR2970924A1 (en) * | 2011-01-28 | 2012-08-03 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Device for maintaining windscreen wiper in position during fixation in motor vehicle, has bearing face abutted against reference element of body of motor vehicle to maintain brush in predetermined position during tightening of nut |
FR2980406A1 (en) * | 2011-09-27 | 2013-03-29 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Method for fixing brush of wiper blade of windscreen wiper of car, involves positioning brush in indexing position in which wiper blade is aligned with index, and keeping brush in indexing position for rotatably fixing brush and axle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2665295A (en) | 1997-01-09 |
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