Windshield wiper assembly having a winter boot

• US 20030221276A1
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jamak Fabrication-Tex LLC (JMK International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: M Management-Tex, Ltd.
• Inventors: Siklosi, Tibor
• Granted Patent: US 6,859,971 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/250.361
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3801 characterised by a blade support harness consisting of several articulated elements B60S1/3803, B60S1/3806 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3843 equipped with removable cover or protective elements

Abstract

A wiper assembly having a wiper frame and a wiper boot is provided. The wiper boot includes an upper wall integrally connected between two side walls. A lower leg is integrally connected to each side wall at an end opposite that of the upper wall. Each lower leg runs transversely and inwardly from the side walls, the lower legs integrally connecting to a u-shaped wall. The upper wall, the side walls, the lower legs, and the u-shaped wall define a cavity that receives the wiper frame. The wiper boot is made from silicone elastomer that preferably includes approximately 30 to 60 weight percent of polyvinylmethylsiloxane, approximately 15 to 40 weight percent of filler, approximately 0.1 to 10 weight percent of pigment, and approximately 0.1 to 10 weight percent of catalyst.

Claims

1. A protective wiper boot comprising:

a flexible cover configured to receive a windshield wiper frame; and

wherein the flexible cover is made of silicone elastomer.

2. The protective wiper boot according to claim 1, wherein the flexible cover conforms to the shape of the windshield wiper frame.

3. The protective wiper boot according to claim 1, wherein the flexible cover forms an enclosed cavity for receiving the wiper frame.

4. The protective wiper boot according to claim 1, wherein the silicone elastomer further comprises:

polyvinylmethylsiloxane, from about 30 to 60 weight percent;

a filler, from about 15 to 40 weight percent; and

a catalyst, from about 0.1 to 10 weight percent.

5. The protective wiper boot according to claim 4 further comprising a pigment, from about 0.1 to 10 weight percent.

6. The protective wiper boot according to claim 4, wherein the filler is fumed silica.

7. The protective wiper boot according to claim 4, wherein the catalyst is chloroplatanic acid.

8. The protective wiper boot according to claim 5, wherein the pigment is titanium dioxide.

9. A protective wiper boot comprising:

a flexible cover having an upper wall integrally connected between two side walls, a pair of lower legs, each lower leg being integrally connected to one of the side walls, and a u-shaped wall integrally connected between the two lower legs;

wherein the upper wall, the side walls, the lower legs, and the u-shaped wall define a cavity adapted to receive a wiper frame; and

wherein the flexible cover is made from silicone elastomer.

10. The protective wiper boot according to claim 9, wherein the flexible cover is shaped to conform to the wiper frame.

11. The protective wiper boot according to claim 9, wherein the silicone elastomer further comprises:

polyvinylmethylsiloxane, from about 30 to 60 weight percent;

a filler, from about 15 to 40 weight percent; and

a catalyst, from about 0.1 to 10 weight percent.

12. The protective wiper boot according to claim 11 further comprising a pigment, from about 0.1 to 10 weight percent.

13. The protective wiper boot according to claim 11, wherein the filler is fumed silica.

14. The protective wiper boot according to claim 11, wherein the catalyst is chloroplatanic acid.

15. The protective wiper boot according to claim 12, wherein the pigment is titanium dioxide.

16. The protective wiper boot according to claim 9 further comprising:

a plurality of ridges disposed on the upper wall; and

wherein the ridges increase the strength of the flexible cover in the area of the ridges.

17. A wiper assembly comprising:

a wiper frame;

a wiper boot having a flexible cover that includes a cavity for receiving the wiper frame; and

wherein the wiper boot is made from silicone elastomer.

18. The wiper assembly according to claim 17, wherein the wiper boot conforms to the shape of the wiper frame.

19. The wiper assembly according to claim 17, wherein the flexible cover further comprises:

an upper wall integrally connected between two side walls;

a pair of lower legs, each lower leg being integrally connected to one of the side walls;

a u-shaped wall integrally connected between the two lower legs; and

wherein the upper wall, the side walls, the lower legs, and the u-shaped wall define the cavity for receiving the wiper frame.

20. The wiper assembly according to claim 17, wherein the silicone elastomer further comprises:

polyvinylmethylsiloxane, from about 30 to 60 weight percent;

a filler, from about 15 to 40 weight percent; and

a catalyst, from about 0.1 to 10 weight percent.

21. The wiper assembly according to claim 20 further comprising a pigment, from about 0.1 to 10 weight percent.

22. The wiper assembly according to claim 20, wherein the filler is fumed silica.

23. The wiper assembly according to claim 20, wherein the catalyst is chloroplatanic acid.

24. The wiper assembly according to claim 21, wherein the pigment is titanium dioxide.