UNIVERSAL CONNECTOR FOR ATTACHMENT OF A WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE WITH MULTIPLE TYPES OF WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS

• US 20140259504A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Piotrowski, Stanislaw, Fournier, James C., Rostlund, Anders Olof, Kurth, Mark, Teal, Kenneth H., Shanmugham, Subramaniam, Darisipudi, Ashok
• Granted Patent: US 9,511,748 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/250.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4003 Multi-purpose connections for two or more kinds of arm ends
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4048 the element being provided with retention means co-operating with the channel-shaped end of the arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4074 with means provided on the blade for locking the side pin
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4032 the element being able to receive arms with hooks of different radiuses
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4035 the connection being covered by a removable cover mounted on the blade
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4051 the intermediate element engaging the side walls of the arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4054 the intermediate element engaging the back part of the arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/408 the connecting part or the intermediate element being provided with holes for different diameters of pivoting pin

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a wiper blade and multiple types of wiper arms, the connector comprising:

a base for attachment to a wiper blade; and

a receiving element attached to said base, said receiving element comprising a structure to receive and be connected to at least six different wiper arms.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein said at least six different wiper arms comprise at least three different classes of wiper arms.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein one of said at least six different wiper arms is an I &

L wiper arm.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein one of said at least six different wiper arms is a PTB wiper arm.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein one of said at least six different wiper arms is a J-hook wiper arm.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein one of said at least six different wiper arms is a pin wiper arm.

7. The connector of claim 1, wherein said at least six different wiper arms comprise an I &

L wiper arm, a PTB wiper arm, a first pin wiper arm, a second pin wiper arm, a first J-hook wiper arm and a second J-hook wiper arm.

8. A windshield wiper comprising:

a wiper blade;

a wiper arm; and

a connector comprising;

a base attached to said wiper blade; and

a receiving element attached to said base and said wiper arm, said receiving element comprising a structure to receive and be connected to at least five different wiper arms besides said wiper arm to which said receiving element is connected.

9. The windshield wiper of claim 8, wherein said wiper arm attached to said receiving element and said at least five different wiper arms comprise at least three different classes of wiper arms.

10. The windshield wiper of claim 8, wherein said wiper arm attached to said receiving element is an I &

L wiper arm.

11. The windshield wiper of claim 8, wherein said wiper arm attached to said receiving element is a PTB wiper arm.

12. The windshield wiper of claim 8, wherein said wiper arm attached to said receiving element is a J-hook wiper arm.

13. The windshield wiper of claim 8, wherein said wiper arm attached to said receiving element is a pin wiper arm.

14. The windshield wiper of claim 8, wherein said wiper arm attached to said receiving element and said at least five different wiper arms comprise an I &

L wiper arm, a PTB wiper arm, a first pin wiper arm, a second pin wiper arm, a first J-hook wiper arm and a second J-hook wiper arm.

15. A connector for connecting a wiper blade and a wiper arm, the connector comprising:

a base for attachment to a wiper blade;

a receiving element pivotably attached to said base, said receiving element comprising;

an attachment that pivotably couples said receiving element to said base; and

a recess structured to receive a wiper arm; and

a pivot stop that is positioned adjacent to said recess, wherein when said wiper arm is received by said recess, said pivot stop engages said wiper arm and prevents said receiving element from pivoting relative to said base.

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein said pivot stop is integral with said base.

17. The connector of claim 15, wherein said receiving element has a structure to receive and be connected to at least six different wiper arms.

18. The connector of claim 17, wherein said at least six different wiper arms are an I &

L wiper arm, a PTB wiper arm, a first pin wiper arm, a second pin wiper arm, a first J-hook wiper arm and a second J-hook wiper arm.

19. The connector of claim 17, wherein said at least six different wiper arms comprise at least three different classes of wiper arms.

20. The connector of claim 15, wherein said receiving element comprises a cap that has an indent, wherein said cap pivots from an open position to a closed position, wherein at said closed position, said indent engages said wiper arm received by said recess.

21. A windshield wiper comprising:

a wiper blade;

a wiper arm;

a connector comprising;

a base for attachment to said wiper blade;

a receiving element pivotably attached to said base, said receiving element comprising;

an attachment that pivotably couples said receiving element to said base; and

a recess structured to receive said wiper arm; and

a pivot stop that is positioned adjacent to said recess, wherein when said wiper arm is received by said recess, said pivot stop engages said wiper arm and prevents said receiving element from pivoting relative to said base.

22. The windshield wiper of claim 21, wherein said pivot stop is integral with said base.

23. The windshield wiper of claim 21, wherein said wiper arm is a pin wiper arm.

24. The windshield wiper of claim 21, wherein besides said wiper arm received by said recess, said receiving element has a structure to receive and be connected to at least five different wiper arms.

25. The windshield wiper of claim 24, wherein said at least five different wiper arms include an I &

L wiper arm, a PTB wiper arm, a pin wiper arm, a first J-hook wiper arm and a second J-hook wiper arm.

26. The windshield wiper of claim 25, wherein said wiper arm received by said recess is a second pin wiper arm.

27. The windshield wiper of claim 24, wherein said wiper arm received by said recess and said at least five different wiper arms comprise at least three different classes of wiper arms.

28. The windshield wiper of claim 21, wherein said receiving element comprises a cap that has an indent, wherein said cap pivots from an open position to a closed position, wherein at said closed position, said indent engages said wiper arm received by said recess.

29. A connector for connecting a wiper blade and a wiper arm, the connector comprising:

a base for attachment to a wiper blade;

a receiving element attached to said base, said receiving element comprising;

a support surface; and

an engagement surface spaced from and facing said support surface, said engagement surface and said support surface define a slot dimensioned to snugly receive a surface of a wiper arm, wherein said engagement surface comprises;

a first side support;

a second side support that faces said first side support; and

an engagement tongue, wherein one end of said engagement tongue is attached to both said first side support and said second side support and an opposite end of said engagement tongue is unattached and has a protrusion that faces said support surface.

30. The connector of claim 29, wherein the first side support and said second side support move independently of said engagement tongue and vice versa.

31. The connector of claim 29, wherein said engagement tongue comprises a release notch that is located on a side opposite of said protrusion.

32. The connector of claim 29, wherein said support further comprises a pair of flexible wing stops that face one another and can be pressed towards one another along a direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said slot.

33. The connector of claim 29, wherein said receiving element has a structure to receive and be connected to at least six different wiper arms.

34. The connector of claim 33, wherein said at least six different wiper arms are an I &

L wiper arm, a PTB wiper arm, a first pin wiper arm, a second pin wiper arm, a first J-hook wiper arm and a second J-hook wiper arm.

35. The connector of claim 33, wherein said at least six different wiper arms comprise at least three different classes of wiper arms.

36. A windshield wiper comprising:

a wiper blade;

a wiper arm; and

a connector comprising;

a base for attachment to said wiper blade;

a receiving element attached to said base, said receiving element comprising;

a support surface; and

an engagement surface spaced from and facing said support surface, said engagement surface and said support surface define a slot dimensioned to snugly receive a surface of said wiper arm, wherein said engagement surface comprises;

a first side support;

a second side support that faces said first side support; and

an engagement tongue, wherein one end of said engagement tongue is attached to both said first side support and said second side support and an opposite end of said engagement tongue is unattached and has a protrusion that faces said support surface and engages said wiper arm.

37. The windshield wiper of claim 36, wherein the first side support and said second side support move independently of said engagement tongue and vice versa.

38. The windshield wiper of claim 36, wherein said engagement tongue comprises a release notch that is located on a side opposite of said protrusion.

39. The windshield wiper of claim 36, wherein said support further comprises a pair of flexible wing stops that face one another and can be pressed towards one another along a direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said slot, wherein when said wing stops are not pressed towards one another they prevent said wiper arm from being moved along said longitudinal axis.

40. The windshield wiper of claim 36, wherein said wiper arm comprises a flange that engages an underside of said support surface.

41. The windshield wiper of claim 36, wherein said wiper arm is a PTB wiper arm.

42. The windshield wiper of claim 41, wherein said receiving element has a structure to receive and be connected to at least five different wiper arms other than said wiper arm received in said slot.

43. The windshield wiper of claim 42, wherein said at least five different wiper arms are an I &

L wiper arm, a first pin wiper arm, a second pin wiper arm, a first J-hook wiper arm and a second J-hook wiper arm.

44. The windshield wiper of claim 42, wherein said wiper arm received in said slot and said at least five different wiper arms comprise at least three different classes of wiper arms.

45. A connector for connecting a wiper blade and a wiper arm, the connector comprising:

a base for attachment to a wiper blade;

a receiving element pivotably attached to said base, said receiving element comprising;

an attachment that pivotably couples said receiving element to said base;

a recess structured to receive a first wiper arm;

a pivot stop that is positioned adjacent to said recess, wherein when said first wiper arm is received by said recess, said pivot stop engages said first wiper arm and prevents said receiving element from pivoting relative to said base;

a support surface comprising a pair of flexible wing stops that face one another and can be pressed towards one another;

an engagement surface spaced from and facing said support surface, said engagement surface and said support surface define a slot dimensioned to snugly receive a surface of a second wiper arm, wherein said engagement surface comprises;

a first side support;

a second side support that faces said first side support; and

an engagement tongue, wherein one end of said engagement tongue is attached to both said first side support and said second side support and an opposite end of said engagement tongue is unattached and has a protrusion that faces said support surface.

46. The connector of claim 45, wherein said first side support and said second side support move independently of said engagement tongue and vice versa.

47. The connector of claim 45, wherein said engagement tongue comprises a release notch that is located on a side opposite of said protrusion.

48. The connector of claim 45, wherein said pair of flexible wing stops can be pressed towards one another along a direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said slot.

49. The connector of claim 45, wherein said pivot stop is integral with said base.

50. The connector of claim 45, wherein said receiving element has a structure to receive and be connected to at least six different wiper arms.

51. The connector of claim 50, wherein said at least six different wiper arms are an I &

L wiper arm, a PTB wiper arm, a first pin wiper arm, a second pin wiper arm, a first J-hook wiper arm and a second J-hook wiper arm.

52. The connector of claim 50, wherein said at least six different wiper arms comprise at least three different classes of wiper arms.

53. The connector of claim 45, wherein said receiving element comprises a cap that has an indent, wherein said cap pivots from an open position to a closed position, wherein at said closed position, said indent engages said wiper arm received by said recess.

54. The connector of claim 45, wherein said receiving element comprises a second recess to receive a wiper arm and wherein said receiving element comprises a cap that has a pair of indents, wherein said cap pivots from an open position to a closed position, wherein at said closed position, said indent engages said wiper arm received by either said recess or said second recess.

55. A windshield wiper comprising:

a wiper blade;

a wiper arm;

a connector attached to said wiper arm comprising;

a base attached to said wiper blade;

a receiving element pivotably attached to said base, said receiving element comprising;

an attachment that pivotably couples said receiving element to said base;

a recess structured to receive a first wiper arm;

a pivot stop that is positioned adjacent to said recess, wherein when said first wiper arm is received by said recess, said pivot stop engages said first wiper arm and prevents said receiving element from pivoting relative to said base;

a support surface comprising a pair of flexible wing stops that face one another and can be pressed towards one another along;

an engagement surface spaced from and facing said support surface, said flexible engagement surface and said support surface define a slot dimensioned to snugly receive a surface of a second wiper arm, wherein said engagement surface comprises;

a first side support;

a second side support that faces said first side support; and

an engagement tongue, wherein one end of said engagement tongue is attached to both said first side support and said second side support and an opposite end of said engagement tongue is unattached and has a protrusion that faces said support surface.

56. The windshield wiper of claim 55, wherein said first side support and said second side support move independently of said engagement tongue and vice versa.

57. The windshield wiper of claim 55, wherein said engagement tongue comprises a release notch that is located on a side opposite of said protrusion.

58. The windshield wiper of claim 55, wherein said pair of flexible wing stops can be pressed towards one another along a direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said slot.

59. The windshield wiper of claim 55, wherein said pivot stop is integral with said base.

60. The windshield wiper of claim 55, wherein said receiving element has a structure to receive and be connected to at least six different wiper arms.

61. The windshield wiper of claim 60, wherein said at least six different wiper arms are an I &

L wiper arm, a PTB wiper arm, a first pin wiper arm, a second pin wiper arm, a first J-hook wiper arm and a second J-hook wiper arm.

62. The windshield wiper of claim 60, wherein said at least six different wiper arms comprise at least three different classes of wiper arms.

63. The windshield wiper of claim 55, wherein said receiving element comprises a cap that has an indent, wherein said cap pivots from an open position to a closed position, wherein at said closed position, said indent engages said wiper arm received by said recess.

64. The windshield wiper of claim 55, wherein said receiving element comprises a second recess to receive a wiper arm and wherein said receiving element comprises a cap that has a pair of indents, wherein said cap pivots from an open position to a closed position, wherein at said closed position, said indent engages said wiper arm received by either said recess or said second recess.

65. The windshield wiper of claim 55, wherein said wiper arm is said first wiper arm.

66. The windshield wiper of claim 55, wherein said wiper arm is said second wiper arm.