CONNECTORS AND CONNECTOR KIT FOR ATTACHMENT OF A WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE TO MULTIPLE TYPES OF WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS

• US 20140259505A1
• 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: Fournier, James C., Piotrowski, Stanislaw, Rostlund, Anders Olof, Kurth, Mark, Shanmugham, Subramaniam, Darisipudi, Ashok, Minevski, Liliana, Teal, Kenneth H.
• Granted Patent: US 9,555,775 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/250.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/387 the connector being suitable for receiving different types of adapter
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4003 Multi-purpose connections for two or more kinds of arm ends
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4006 for arms provided with a hook-shaped end
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4009 comprising a detachable intermediate element mounted on the hook-shaped end
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4038 for arms provided with a channel-shaped end
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4077 characterised by the connecting part of, or an intermediate element mounted on, the wiper blade means for locking the side pin B60S1/4074
• 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 kit for connecting a wiper blade and multiple types of wiper arms, the kit including a container and a set of connectors located within an interior of the container. The set of connectors includes a first connector having a structure to receive and be connected to at least two different wiper arms that are part of a first class of wiper arms. The set of connectors includes a second connector having a structure to receive and be connected to at least two different wiper arms that are part of a second class of wiper arms. The set of connectors includes a third connector having a structure to receive and be connected to at least two different wiper arms that are part of a third class of wiper arms, wherein the first class, the second class and the third class are different from one another.

Claims

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

a container; and

a set of connectors located within an interior of said container, said set of connectors comprising;

a first connector comprising a structure to receive and be connected to at least two different wiper arms that are part of a first class of wiper arms;

a second connector comprising a structure to receive and be connected to at least two different wiper arms that are part of a second class of wiper arms; and

a third connector comprising a structure to receive and be connected to at least two different wiper arms that are part of a third class of wiper arms, wherein said first class, said second class and said third class are different from one another.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein said kit comprises a wiper blade that is located within said interior of said container and is attachable to said first connector, said second connector and said third connector.

3. The kit of claim 1, wherein each of said first connector, said second connector and said third connector is of an integral design.

4. The kit of claim 1, wherein said first class is a channel-type wiper arm.

5. The kit of claim 4, wherein said first connector comprises:

a base for attachment to a wiper blade;

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

a support surface;

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 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.

6. The kit of claim 5, wherein the first side support and said second side support move independently of said engagement tongue and vice versa.

7. The kit of claim 5, wherein said engagement tongue comprises a release notch that is located on a side opposite of said protrusion.

8. The kit of claim 5, 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.

9. The kit of claim 4, wherein said structure of said first connector allows for receipt and connection to at least an I &

L wiper arm and a PTB wiper arm.

10. The kit of claim 1, wherein said first class is a J-hook wiper arm.

11. The kit of claim 10, wherein said first connector comprises:

a base for attachment to a wiper blade;

a receiving element attached to said base, said receiving element having a structure to define the following;

a first channel extending along a longitudinal axis of said receiving element;

a second channel extending along said longitudinal axis, said second channel being parallel to said first channel; and

wherein said first channel and said second channel are simultaneously visible as viewed along a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

12. The kit of claim 11, further comprising a locking cap that is pivotably attached to said receiving element, wherein said locking cap is pivotable from an open position wherein said first channel and said second channel are simultaneously visible as viewed along said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis to a closed position wherein said first channel and said second channel are not visible.

13. The kit of claim 11, wherein said receiving element comprises:

a side wall;

an end wall attached to said side wall and extending in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

a bottom wall attached to said end wall and said side wall; and

a partition attached to said side wall, wherein said side wall, said end wall, said bottom wall and said partition define said first channel and said second channel.

14. The kit of claim 13, wherein said end wall has a free end that is movable along said longitudinal direction.

15. The kit of claim 13, wherein said partition comprises:

a first side that extends from said side wall in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said first side and said wall define at least in part said first channel; and

a second side that extends from said side wall in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said second side and said wall define at least in part said second channel.

16. The kit of claim 10, wherein said structure of said first connector allows for receipt and connection to at least a first J-hook wiper arm and a second J-hook wiper arm that is a larger size than said first J-hook wiper arm.

17. The kit of claim 1, wherein said first class is a pin wiper arm.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein said first connector comprises:

a base for attachment to a wiper blade;

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

an attachment that couples said receiving element to said base;

a recess structured to receive a pin wiper arm;

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.

19. The kit of claim 18, wherein said receiving element comprises a second recess to receive a second wiper arm that is different in size than said wiper arm and wherein said cap comprises a second indent, wherein when said cap pivots from said open position to said closed position, said second indent engages said second wiper arm received by said second recess.

20. The kit of claim 1, wherein said first class is a channel-type wiper arm, said second class is a J-hook wiper arm and said third class is a pin wiper arm.

21. The kit of claim 1, wherein said first connector comprises:

a first base for attachment to a wiper blade;

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

a support surface;

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 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

wherein said second connector comprises;

a second base for attachment to a wiper blade;

a second receiving element attached to said second base, said second receiving element having a structure to define the following;

a first channel extending along a longitudinal axis of said second receiving element;

a second channel extending along said longitudinal axis, said second channel being parallel to said first channel; and

wherein said first channel and said second channel are simultaneously visible as viewed along a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; and

wherein said third connector comprises;

a third base for attachment to a wiper blade;

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

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

a recess structured to receive a pin wiper arm;

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.

22. The kit of claim 20, wherein said structure of said first connector allows for receipt and connection to at least an I &

L wiper arm and a PTB wiper;

wherein said structure of said second connector allows for receipt and connection to at least a first J-hook wiper arm and a second J-hook wiper arm that is a larger size than said first J-hook wiper arm; and

wherein said structure of said third connector allows for receipt and connection to at least a first pin wiper arm and a second pin wiper arm that is a larger size than said first pin wiper arm.

23. 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 having a structure to define the following;

a first channel extending along a longitudinal axis of said receiving element;

a second channel extending along said longitudinal axis, said second channel being parallel to said first channel; and

wherein said first channel and said second channel are simultaneously visible as viewed along a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

24. The connector of claim 23, wherein each of said first channel and said second channel has a width of approximately 1 cm as measured in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

25. The connector of claim 23, further comprising a locking cap that is pivotably attached to said receiving element, wherein said locking cap is pivotable from an open position wherein said first channel and said second channel are simultaneously visible as viewed along said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis to a closed position wherein said first channel and said second channel are not visible.

26. The connector of claim 23, wherein said receiving element comprises:

a side wall;

an end wall attached to said side wall and extending in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

a bottom wall attached to said end wall and said side wall; and

a partition attached to said side wall, wherein said side wall, said end wall, said bottom wall and said partition define said first channel and said second channel.

27. The connector of claim 26, wherein said end wall has a free end that is movable along said longitudinal direction.

28. The connector of claim 26, wherein said partition comprises:

a first side that extends from said side wall in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said first side and said wall define at least in part said first channel; and

a second side that extends from said side wall in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said second side and said wall define at least in part said second channel.

29. The connector of claim 23, wherein said receiving element has a structure to define a third channel extending along said longitudinal axis, wherein said third channel is parallel to said first channel;

and

wherein said first channel, said second channel and said third channel are simultaneously visible as viewed along said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

30. The connector of claim 29, wherein said receiving element comprises:

a side wall;

an end wall attached to said side wall and extending in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

a bottom wall attached to said end wall and said side wall; and

a partition attached to said side wall, wherein said side wall, said end wall, said bottom wall and said partition define said first channel, said second channel and said third channel.

31. The connector of claim 30, wherein said partition comprises:

a first side that extends from said side wall in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said first side and said wall define at least in part said first channel;

a second side that extends from said side wall in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said second side and said wall define at least in part said second channel; and

a third side that extends from said side wall in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said third side and said wall define at least in part said third channel.

32. The connector of claim 29, wherein each of said first channel, said second channel and said third channel has a width of approximately 1 cm as measured in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

37. The windshield wiper of claim 32, wherein said receiving element comprises:

a side wall;

an end wall attached to said side wall and extending in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

a bottom wall attached to said end wall and said side wall; and

a partition attached to said side wall, wherein said side wall, said end wall, said bottom wall and said partition define said first channel and said second channel.

38. The windshield wiper of claim 37, wherein said end wall has a free end that is movable along said longitudinal direction.

39. The windshield wiper of claim 37, wherein said partition comprises:

a first side that extends from said side wall in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said first side and said wall define at least in part said first channel; and

a second side that extends from said side wall in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said second side and said wall define at least in part said second channel.

33. A windshield wiper comprising:

a wiper blade;

a wiper arm;

a connector comprising;

a base attached to said wiper blade;

a receiving element attached to said base, said receiving element having a structure to define the following;

a first channel extending along a longitudinal axis of said receiving element;

a second channel extending along said longitudinal axis, said second channel being parallel to said first channel, wherein said wiper arm is snugly received in said first channel and said second channel; and

wherein prior to said wiper arm being snugly received in said first channel and said second channel, said first channel and said second channel are simultaneously visible as viewed along a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

34. The windshield wiper of claim 33, wherein said wiper arm is a J-hook wiper arm.

35. The windshield wiper of claim 33, wherein each of said first channel and said second channel has a width of approximately 1 cm as measured in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

36. The windshield wiper of claim 33, further comprising a locking cap that is pivotably attached to said receiving element, wherein said locking cap is pivotable from an open position wherein said wiper arm in said first channel and said second channel is visible to a closed position wherein said first channel and said second channel are not visible.

40. The windshield wiper of claim 33, wherein said receiving element has a structure to define a third channel extending along said longitudinal axis, wherein said third channel is parallel to said first channel;

and

wherein said first channel, said second channel and said third channel are simultaneously visible as viewed along said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

41. The windshield wiper of claim 40, wherein said receiving element comprises:

a side wall;

an end wall attached to said side wall and extending in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

a bottom wall attached to said end wall and said side wall; and

a partition attached to said side wall, wherein said side wall, said end wall, said bottom wall and said partition define said first channel, said second channel and said third channel.

42. The windshield wiper of claim 41, wherein said partition comprises:

a first side that extends from said side wall in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said first side and said wall define at least in part said first channel;

a second side that extends from said side wall in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said second side and said wall define at least in part said second channel; and

a third side that extends from said side wall in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said third side and said wall define at least in part said third channel.

43. The windshield wiper of claim 40, wherein each of said first channel, said second channel and said third channel has a width of approximately 1 cm as measured in said direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

44. 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, wherein said receiving element has a structure for attachment to only one class of wiper blade, said receiving element comprising;

a support surface;

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 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.

45. The connector of claim 44, wherein the first side support and said second side support move independently of said engagement tongue and vice versa.

46. The connector of claim 44, 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.

47. The connector of claim 44, wherein said class is channel arm type wiper arms.

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

a container; and

a set of connectors located within an interior of said container, said set of connectors comprising;

a first connector comprising a structure to receive and be connected to at least two different wiper arms that are part of a first class of wiper arms; and

a second connector comprising a structure to receive and be connected to at least two different wiper arms that are part of a second class of wiper arms and at least two different wiper arms that are part of a third class of wiper arms, wherein said first class, said second class and said third class are different from one another.

49. The kit of claim 48, wherein said kit comprises a wiper blade that is located within said interior of said container and is attachable to said first connector and said second connector.

50. The kit of claim 48, wherein each of said first connector and said second connector is of an integral design.

51. The kit of claim 48, wherein said first class is a J-hook wiper arm.

52. The kit of claim 51, wherein said first connector comprises:

a base for attachment to a wiper blade;

a receiving element attached to said base, said receiving element having a structure to define the following;

a first channel extending along a longitudinal axis of said receiving element;

a second channel extending along said longitudinal axis, said second channel being parallel to said first channel; and

wherein said first channel and said second channel are simultaneously visible as viewed along a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

53. The kit of claim 48, wherein said structure of said second connector allows for receipt and connection to at least an I &

L wiper arm, a PTB wiper arm and two sizes of J-hook wiper arms.

54. The kit of claim 53, wherein said second connector comprises:

55. 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, wherein said receiving element only receives two classes of wiper arms, 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 connector of claim 55, wherein the first side support and said second side support move independently of said engagement tongue and vice versa.

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

58. The connector 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 connector of claim 55, wherein said pivot stop is integral with said base.

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

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

L wiper arm, a PTB wiper arm, a first pin wiper arm and a second pin wiper.

62. The connector 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.

63. The connector 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.

64. 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, wherein said receiving element only receives two classes of wiper arms, 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.

65. The windshield wiper of claim 64, wherein the first side support and said second side support move independently of said engagement tongue and vice versa.

66. The windshield wiper of claim 64, wherein said engagement tongue comprises a release notch that is located on a side opposite of said protrusion.

67. The windshield wiper of claim 64, 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.

68. The windshield wiper of claim 64, wherein said pivot stop is integral with said base.

69. The windshield wiper of claim 64, wherein said receiving element has a structure to receive and be connected to at least four different wiper arms.

70. The windshield wiper of claim 69, wherein said at least four different wiper arms are an I &

L wiper arm, a PTB wiper arm, a first pin wiper arm and a second pin wiper.

71. The windshield wiper of claim 64, 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.

72. The windshield wiper of claim 64, 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.