CONNECTABLE-DISCONNECTABLE SHROUD-CONNECTOR-ADAPTER

• US 20080148509A1
• Filed: 12/13/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Incorporated (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Incorporated (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Walworth, Van T., Hook, David B., Whitaker, Craig, Bacarella, Joseph C., McGinn, William
• Application Number:
  US11/955,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20080148509A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/250.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3806 Means, or measures taken, for influencing the aerodynamic quality of the wiper blades
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3856 Gripping the blade
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3863 Connectors having a spoiler
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3867 pin formed on the interior of side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/40 Connections between blades and arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4003 Multi-purpose connections for two or more kinds of arm ends

Abstract

A shroud-adapter for attaching a windshield wiper blade/beam assembly to a windshield wiper arm, comprising either a unitary or two-piece shroud-adapter which is detachably attachable to a connector element by snapping means, the connector element being attached to a wiper blade/beam assembly. The connector is of formed steel with crimp tabs bendable to impinge upon the wiper beam, but can be made from plastics or other suitably-engineered polymers or castings known in the field. The shroud-adapter portion can be molded from plastic or suitably-engineered materials or cast from any one of numerous materials. If a separate adapter portion is used in cooperation with the shroud, it can be molded from a plastic or suitably-engineered material, as well, but also can be cast, machined or formed by other appropriate methods. The shroud-adapter is designed to be compatible with many of the popular side pin, J-hook, and European style wiper arms.

Claims

1. An adapter for attaching a windshield wiper blade assembly to a windshield wiper arm, said adapter comprising:

a connector element, said connector element having a central portion, two transitionary portions and two distal portions, said connector element being attached to a central portion of a windshield wiper blade assembly; and

a unitary shroud adapter, said shroud adapter being detachably attachable to a pair of lateral attachment legs of said central portion of the connector element by snapping means.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said connector element is formed of steel and comprises a pair of lateral crimp tabs on each of said distal portions of said connector elements, said crimp tabs bendable to impinge upon a resilient portion of said wiper blade assembly.

3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein both of said transitionary portions of said connector element comprises a pair of downward-oriented lateral legs, said lateral legs are positioned on either side of said windshield wiper blade assembly when connector element is attached.

4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said shroud adapter comprises two distal ends, a central portion and a pair of parallel, vertical walls interconnected by a pin element, said pin element adapted to receive a separately-attachable and disconnectable adapter for attaching said wiper blade assembly to windshield wiper arm having a J-shaped hook, said pin element being integrally molded as one piece with the shroud adapter, said shroud adapter further comprises a pair of ridges, one on each of said distal ends, which receive a wind deflector portion of the wiper blade assembly when attached thereto, said shroud adapter further comprising a pair of deflectable snap locking legs extending downward from said vertical walls proximal said central portion, said snap locking legs being detachably attachable to said lateral attachment legs of said central portion of the connector element by snapping means

5. The shroud adapter of claim 4, wherein said pin element is a separate component attached to said shroud adapter.

6. The adapter of claim 4, wherein said shroud adapter comprises two distal ends, a central portion and retainer portion for attaching a windshield wiper arm having a lateral pin attachment means, said retainer portion comprising at least one lateral aperture, and a deflectable tab engaging with said lateral pin of said windshield wiper arm, detachably attaching the windshield wiper arm to said shroud adapter.

7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said connector element is formed of a polymer and comprises a pair of lateral crimp tabs on each of said distal portions of said connector elements, said crimp tabs bendable to impinge upon a resilient portion of said wiper blade assembly.

8. The adapter of claim 4, wherein both of said transitionary portions of said connector element comprises a pair of downward-oriented lateral legs, said lateral legs are positioned on either side of said windshield wiper blade assembly when connector element is attached.

9. An adapter for attaching a windshield wiper blade assembly to a windshield wiper arm, said adapter comprising:

a connector element, said connector element having a central portion, two transitionary portions and two distal portions, said connector element being attached to a central portion of a windshield wiper blade assembly; and

a two-piece shroud adapter, said shroud adapter being detachably attachable to a pair of lateral attachment legs of said central portion of the connector element by snapping means.

10. The adapter of claim 9, wherein said connector element is formed of steel and comprises a pair of lateral crimp tabs on each of said distal portions of said connector elements, said crimp tabs bendable to impinge upon a resilient portion of said wiper blade assembly.

11. The adapter of claim 10, wherein both of said transitionary portions of said connector element comprises a pair of downward-oriented lateral legs, said lateral legs are positioned on either side of said windshield wiper blade assembly when connector element is attached.

12. The adapter of claim 9, wherein said shroud adapter comprises two distal ends, a central portion and a pair of parallel, vertical walls interconnected by a pin element, said pin element adapted to receive a separately-attachable and disconnectable adapter for attaching said wiper blade assembly to windshield wiper arm having a J-shaped hook, said pin element being integrally molded as one piece with the shroud adapter, said shroud adapter further comprises a pair of ridges, one on each of said distal ends, which receive a wind deflector portion of the wiper blade assembly when attached thereto, said shroud adapter further comprising a pair of deflectable snap locking legs extending downward from said vertical walls proximal said central portion, said snap locking legs being detachably attachable to said lateral attachment legs of said central portion of the connector element by snapping means

13. The shroud adapter of claim 12, wherein said pin element is a separate component attached to said shroud adapter.

14. The adapter of claim 12, wherein said shroud adapter comprises two distal ends, a central portion and retainer portion for attaching a windshield wiper arm having a lateral pin attachment means, said retainer portion comprising at least one lateral aperture, and a deflectable tab engaging with said lateral pin of said windshield wiper arm, detachably attaching the windshield wiper arm to said shroud adapter.

15. The adapter of claim 9, wherein said connector element is formed of a polymer and comprises a pair of lateral crimp tabs on each of said distal portions of said connector elements, said crimp tabs bendable to impinge upon a resilient portion of said wiper blade assembly.

16. The adapter of claim 12, wherein both of said transitionary portions of said connector element comprises a pair of downward-oriented lateral legs, said lateral legs are positioned on either side of said windshield wiper blade assembly when connector element is attached.