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
  • B60S1/32—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by constructional features of wiper blade arms or blades
  • B60S1/40—Connections between blades and arms
  • B60S1/4003—Multi-purpose connections for two or more kinds of arm ends
• • 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
  • B60S1/32—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by constructional features of wiper blade arms or blades
  • B60S1/40—Connections between blades and arms
  • B60S1/4038—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a channel-shaped end
  • B60S1/4045—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a channel-shaped end comprising a detachable intermediate element mounted on the channel-shaped end
  • B60S1/4048—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a channel-shaped end comprising a detachable intermediate element mounted on the channel-shaped end the element being provided with retention means co-operating with the channel-shaped end of the arm
• • 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
  • B60S1/32—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by constructional features of wiper blade arms or blades
  • B60S1/40—Connections between blades and arms
  • B60S1/4067—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a side pin
  • B60S1/4074—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a side pin with means provided on the blade for locking the side pin
• • 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
  • B60S1/32—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by constructional features of wiper blade arms or blades
  • B60S1/40—Connections between blades and arms
  • B60S1/4006—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a hook-shaped end
  • B60S1/4009—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a hook-shaped end comprising a detachable intermediate element mounted on the hook-shaped end
  • B60S2001/4032—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a hook-shaped end comprising a detachable intermediate element mounted on the hook-shaped end the element being able to receive arms with hooks of different radiuses
• • 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
  • B60S1/32—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by constructional features of wiper blade arms or blades
  • B60S1/40—Connections between blades and arms
  • B60S1/4006—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a hook-shaped end
  • B60S2001/4035—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a hook-shaped end the connection being covered by a removable cover mounted on the blade
• • 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
  • B60S1/32—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by constructional features of wiper blade arms or blades
  • B60S1/40—Connections between blades and arms
  • B60S1/4038—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a channel-shaped end
  • B60S1/4045—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a channel-shaped end comprising a detachable intermediate element mounted on the channel-shaped end
  • B60S1/4048—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a channel-shaped end comprising a detachable intermediate element mounted on the channel-shaped end the element being provided with retention means co-operating with the channel-shaped end of the arm
  • B60S2001/4051—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a channel-shaped end comprising a detachable intermediate element mounted on the channel-shaped end the element being provided with retention means co-operating with the channel-shaped end of the arm the intermediate element engaging the side walls of the arm
• • 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
  • B60S1/32—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by constructional features of wiper blade arms or blades
  • B60S1/40—Connections between blades and arms
  • B60S1/4038—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a channel-shaped end
  • B60S1/4045—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a channel-shaped end comprising a detachable intermediate element mounted on the channel-shaped end
  • B60S1/4048—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a channel-shaped end comprising a detachable intermediate element mounted on the channel-shaped end the element being provided with retention means co-operating with the channel-shaped end of the arm
  • B60S2001/4054—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a channel-shaped end comprising a detachable intermediate element mounted on the channel-shaped end the element being provided with retention means co-operating with the channel-shaped end of the arm the intermediate element engaging the back part of the arm
• • 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
  • B60S1/32—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by constructional features of wiper blade arms or blades
  • B60S1/40—Connections between blades and arms
  • B60S1/4067—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a side pin
  • B60S1/4077—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a side pin characterised by the connecting part of, or an intermediate element mounted on, the wiper blade
  • B60S2001/408—Connections between blades and arms for arms provided with a side pin characterised by the connecting part of, or an intermediate element mounted on, the wiper blade the connecting part or the intermediate element being provided with holes for different diameters of pivoting pin

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a universal connector for attachment of a windshield wiper blade with multiple types of windshield wiper arms,
• O e aspect of the present invention regards a connector for connecting a wiper blade and multiple types of wiper arms, the connector including a base for attachment to a wiper blade.
• the connector further includes a receiving element attached to the base, the receiving element having a structure to receive and be connected to at least six different wiper arms.
• a second aspect of the present in ven tion regards a windshield wiper that includes a wiper blade, a wiper arm and a connector.
• the connector includes
• the receiving element has a structure to receive and be connected to at least five different wiper arms besides the wiper arm to which the receivmg element is
• a th ird aspect, of the present invention regards a connector for connecting a wiper blade and a wiper arm.
• the connector includes a base for attachment to a wiper b!ade and a receiving element pivotabl attached to the base.
• the receiving element includes an attachment that pivotably coupies the receiving element to the base and a recess structured to receive a wiper arm.
• the connector further including a pivot stop that is positioned adjacent to the recess, wherein when the wiper arm is received by the recess, the pivot stop engages the wiper arm and prevents the receiving element from pivoting relative to the base.
• a fourth aspect of the present invention regards a windshield wiper that includes a wiper blade, a wiper arm and a connector.
• the connector includes a base for attachment to the wiper blade and a receiving element pivotably attached to the base.
• the receiving eiement includes an attachment that pivotably couples the receiving element to the base and a recess structured to receive the wiper arm.
• the connector further includes pivot stop that is positioned adjacent to the recess, wherein when the wiper arm is received by the recess, the pivot stop engages the wiper arm and prevents the receiving eiement from pivoting relative to the base.
• a fifth aspect of the invention regards a connector for connecting a wiper blade and a wiper arm.
• the connector includes a base for attachment to a wiper biade an 8
• the receiving element includes a support surface and an engagement surface spaced from and facing the support surface.
• the engagement surface and the support surface define a slot dimensioned to snugly receive a surface of a wiper arm.
• the engagement surface includes a first side support, a second side support that feces the first side support, and an engagement tongue, in addition, one end of the engagement tongue is attached to both the first side support and the second side support and an opposite end of the engagement tongue is unattached and has a protrusion that faces tiie support surface.
• a sixth aspect of the present invention regards a windshield wiper that includes a wiper blade, a wiper arm, and a connector.
• the connector includes both a base for attachment to the wiper blade and a receiving element attached to the base.
• the receiving element including a support surface and an engagement surface spaced from and facing the support surface, wherein the engagement surface and the support surface define a slot dimensioned to snugly receive a surface of the wiper arm.
• the engagement surface includes a first side support, a second side support that faces the first side support, and an engagemen t tongue.
• one end of the engagement tongue is attached to both the first side support and the second side support and an opposite end of the engagement tongue is unattached and has a protrusion that feces the support surface and engages the wiper arm.
• a seventh aspect of the present invention regards a connector for connecting a wiper blade and a wiper arm.
• the connector includes a base for attachment to a wiper blade and a receiving element pivotably attached to the base.
• the receiving element includes an attachment that pivotably couples the receiving element to the base, and a recess structured to receive a first wiper arm.
• the connector further includes a pivot slop that is positioned adjacent to the recess, wherein when the first, wiper arm is received by the recess, the pivot stop engages the first wiper arm and prevents the receiving element from pivoting relative to the base.
• the connector further including a support surface having a pair of flexible wing stops thai face one another and can be pressed towards one another, and an engagement surface spaced from and facing the support surface.
• the engagement surface and the support surface define a slot dimensioned to snugly receive a surface of a second wiper arm.
• the engagement surface ineiudes first side support, a second side support thai faces the first side support, and an engagement tongue.
• one end of the engagement tongue is aitaehed to both the first side support and the second side support and an opposite end of the engagement tongue is unattached and has a protrusion that faces the support surface.
• An eighth aspect of the present invention regards a windshield wiper that includes a wiper blade, a wiper ami and a connector.
• the connector is aitaehed to the wiper arm and includes a base attached to the wiper blade and a receiving element pivotably attached to the base.
• the receiving element includes an attachment that pivotably couples the receiving element to the base and a recess structured to receive a first wiper arm.
• the connector further includes a pivot stop that is positioned adjacent to the recess, wherein when the first wiper arm is received by the recess, the pivot stop engages the first wiper arm and prevents the receiving element from pi oting relative to the base.
• the connector further including a support surface having a pair of flexible wing stops that face one another and can be pressed towards one another , and an engagement surface spaced from and facing the support surface.
• the flexible engagement surface and the support surface define a slot dimensioned to snugly receive a surface of a second wiper arm.
• the engagement surface includes a first side support, a second side support that faces the first sid support, and an engagement tongue, in addition, one end of the engagement tongue is attached to both the first side support and the second side support and an opposite end of the engagement tongue is unattached and has a protrusion that faces the support surface.
• One or more aspects of the present invention provide the advantage of providing the possibility of attaching a wiper blade to multiple wiper arms by using just a single connector.
• One or more aspects of the present invention provide the advantage of providing the possibility of attaching a wiper blade to multiple wipe arms with a connector of a single piece construction.
• FIG. 1 A shows a perspect ive view of an embodiment of a connector for connecting a wiper blade and multiple types of wiper arms, wherein the cap is opened;
• FIG. 1 B shows a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1 A when the cap is closed;
• FIG. 1 C shows an exploded view of the connector of FIG. 1 A
• FIG, 2 shows a left side view of the connector of FIG. i B;
• FIG, 3 shows a right side view of the connector of FIG. IB
• FIG. 4 shows top view of the connector of FIG. ⁇ B;
• FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the connector of FIG. 1 B;
• FIG. 6 shows a front view of the connector of FIG. 1 B
• FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the connector of FIG, IB
• FIGS, 8A-D show three possible classes of connectors of wiper arms that can be attached to the connecior of FIGS. 1 A-C;
• FIGS, A-B show a possible way of attaching a pin wiper arm to the connector of FIGS, 1 -C;
• FIGS . ! 0A-C show a possible way of attachi ng a type of channel wiper arm, commonly known as a push tab button PTB) wiper arm, to the connector of FIGS, 1A-C
• FIGS, 1 1 A-C show a possible way of attaching a type of channel wiper arm, commonly known as an insert & lock (I & L) wiper arm, to the connector of FIGS. 1A-C;
• I & L insert & lock
• FIGS. 12A-B show a possible way o f attaching a J -hook wiper arm to the connecior of FIGS. 1 A-C;
• FIG. 13 A shows a side view of me connector of FIGS. 1 A-C attached to a
• FIG. 13B shows a top view of the connector and j-hook wiper arm of FIG.
• FIG, 13C shows a cross-sectional view of the connector and J-hook wiper arm of F!G, OA taken along line B-B of FIG. 13 A;
• FIG, 13D shows a cross-sectional view of the connector and J-hook wiper arm of FIG. J 3A taken along line A- A of FIG. I 3A.
• FIGS, ! A-C and 2-7 show a connector 100 for connecting a wiper blade and multiple types of wiper arms.
• the connector 100 inciudes a base 102 that is used to attach the connector 100 to a wiper blade.
• the underside of the base 1 2 includes flexible fingers that engage a bracket positioned in the central portion of the wiper blade.
• An example of a possible wiper blade for the connector 100 to be attached to is the wiper blade sold under the name Latitude and distributed under the Rain-X trademark by IT W Global Brands.
• the base 102 can be revised so as to allow attachment to other types of wiper blades, such as wiper blades made by AD ' 21 Co., LTD., Anco, Bosch, Corea Autoparts Producing Corp., CW Corporation, Proline * Trico and Vaieo.
• the connector 100 includes a receiving element 104 that is pivotably attached to a top portion of the base 102,
• the receiving element 104 has a pair of pins (not shown) facing one another on the interior surfaces of opposing side walls 108, 1 10 of the receiving element 104.
• the pins are inserted into hoies 105 of adjacent pivot stops 130 that are integral with the base 102,
• the receiving element 102 is able to pivot about the pins.
• the base 102 is integrally attached to a pair of pivot stops 130 that face one another and are parallel to one another.
• the pivot stops 130 are identical i shape and are positioned so that their indents 131 and 133 are aligned with and are adjacent to the bottom edges of the recesses 1 12, 1 14, 1 16 and 1 I S. ⁇ 0035 ⁇
• the receiving element 104 has a structure to receive and be connected to at least si different wiper arms, which are defined to be in at least three di fferent classes of wiper arms.
• One class of wiper arras that the connector 100 can be attached is pin arm wiper arms of which pin wiper arms 200, 202 are an exaraple thereof, wherein proximal ends of such pin arm wiper arms are shown in FIGS. 8 A (l )-(2).
• a locking cap or cover 106 is pivoted to an open position as shown in FIG. 1 A, Pivoting of the locking cap 106 is accomplished by a pair of pins (not shown) that face opposite one another at a lower end of the locking cap 106, The pins are inserted into corresponding openings formed in the interior surfaces of opposing side walls 108 and 1 10 of the receiving element 104.
• the locking cap 106 pivots about an axis aligned with the pins from the open position shown in FIG. 1 A to a closed position shown in FSG, I B.
• a pin wiper arm can be attached to the connector 1 0 via receiving element 104.
• the connector 100 can accommodate multiple sizes of pin arms, such as the small and large wiper pins 200, 202 of FIGS. 8 A ( ! )-(2), This is accomplished in part by forming a pair of recesses or openings 1 12 and 1 14 in side wall 108 and oppositely facing and identically sized recesses or openings 1 6 and 1 18 formed in the side wall 1 10.
• the upper recesses 112 and 1 16 have a diameter so as to correspond to the diameter of the distal portion of a small pin wiper arm 202.
• the lower recesses 1 14 and i 18 have diameter so as to correspond to the diameter of the distal portion of a large pin wiper arm 200.
• FIG. 1A and IC formed i the side walls 108 and 1 10. Engagement in the indents 122 by the side protrusions 120 causes a snapping sound as shown in FIG. i I B, which signais that the pin wiper arm is locked into attachment with the connector 100.
• a c-shaped indent, or surface ⁇ 24 of locking eap 106 engages the middle portion 206 of the pin wiper arm 200 and presses the pin wiper arm 200 in general against the edges of the recesses 1 14 and 1 18,
• the c-shaped indent or surface 124 preferabl has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the middle portion 206. Removal of the pin wiper arm 200 is accomplished by moving the locking cap 106 to the open position of FIG. 1 A and pulling the distal end of the pin wiper arm 202 through the recesses 1 14 and 1 18.
• the receiving element 104 includes a c-shaped collar 128 that extends away from the recess 1 14 and side wall 108 so as to prevent the distal end 204 from extending too much past the recess 1 18 and exterior of side wall 1 10.
• a second class of wiper arms that the connector 100 can be attached is channel arm types of wipe arms, wherein examples of such a class are the push tab button (PTB) wiper arm 208 shown in FIG. SB and the insert & lock (1 & L) wiper arm 210 shown in FIG. SC. in the ease of the PTB wiper arm 208, the entire wiper arm 208 is aligned with a slot 140 (see FIG. lOA) that is defined by the space between a support surface 142 of the receiving element 104 and an engagement surface 144 thai is spaced apart from and facing the support surface 142.
• PTB push tab button
• the slot 140 is dimensioned to snugly receive a top surface 210 of the aligned distal end of the PTB wiper arm 208 that is inserted into the slot 140 as shown in FIG. 108.
• the engagement surface 144 includes a first side support 146 and a second side support 148 that faces the first side support 1 6.
• the engagement surface 1 4 further includes an engagement tongue 150, wherein one end 152 of the engagement tongue I SO is attached to both side supports 146. 148 and an opposite end 154 of the engagement tongue 150 is unattached and has a protrusion 155 (see FIGS. 2-3 and 7) on the bottom surface of the engagement tongue 1 50 that feces the support surface 142.
• the first side support 1 6 and the second side support 148 move independently of the engagement tongue 150 and vice versa.
• the PTB wiper arm 208 is pushed further into the slot 140 toward the locking cap 106 until the protrusion 155 on the bottom surface of the engagement tongue 150 snaps into a rectangular opening 212 of the top surface 210 of the PTB wiper arm 208.
• attachment of an 1 & L wiper arm 21 8 to the connector 100 is accomplished by first angling and aligning the distal end of the wiper arm 218 so that it will be inserted into the slot 140 and a channel defined between the side walls of the support surface 142. Such angling is needed so that a front edge of a curved portion 157 (see FIG. 8C) of the I & L wiper arm 218 can be freely inserted into the slot 1 0. Note that the siot 140 and the channel abut one another and are in fluid
• the curved portion 157 enters the channel and engages a shoulder of the receiving element 104 that has a shape complementary to the shape of the curved portion 157.
• a J-hook wiper arm can be attached to th connector 100 via receiving element 104.
• the connector 100 can accommodate multiple sizes of J-hook wiper arms, such as the small and large J-hook wiper arms 212, 214 of FIGS. 8D (i)-(2), This is accomplished in part by formation of a cavity defined in part by an end portion 162, the side walls 108, 1 10 and the support surface 142 as shown in FIG, 13C. As shown in FIG. 12 A, attachment is achieved by inserting the free end of the J-hook. wiper arm 212, 214 into the cavity and pulling away from the Socking cap 106 (see FIG.
• the receiving element 104 previously described can be altered so it does not include structure for attaching J-hook wiper arms, but does include the previously recited structures for attaching of .multiple pin wiper arms and multiple channel wiper arms, such as PTB and 1 & L wiper arms, as described in a pending U.S.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=50190822

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (5)

Families Citing this family (36)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (149)

• 2013
  • 2013-03-15 US US13/836,333 patent/US9511748B2/en active Active
• 2014
  • 2014-02-17 CN CN201480027119.6A patent/CN105246745B/zh active Active
  • 2014-02-17 KR KR1020157029414A patent/KR102220432B1/ko active Active
  • 2014-02-17 ES ES14707594T patent/ES2831313T3/es active Active
  • 2014-02-17 WO PCT/US2014/016738 patent/WO2014143500A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2014-02-17 JP JP2016500281A patent/JP6445512B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2014-02-17 EP EP14707594.9A patent/EP2969672B1/en active Active
• 2016
  • 2016-11-10 US US15/348,727 patent/US10023154B2/en active Active

Patent Citations (4)

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