WINDSHIELD WIPER CONNECTOR

• US 20170334404A1
• Filed: 05/19/2017
• Published: 11/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pylon Manufacturing Corporation (Qualitor Component Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Pylon Manufacturing Corporation (Qualitor Component Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Kawashima, Hiroshi
• Granted Patent: US 10,513,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3853 Snap-fit, e.g. elastic connection
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4003 Multi-purpose connections for two or more kinds of arm ends
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4038 for arms provided with a channel-shaped end
• 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 2001/4054 the intermediate element engaging the back part of the arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4061 covered by a removable cover mounted on the blade

Abstract

A connector assembly and wiper blade incorporating same having a base connector, having two longitudinal side walls, a first and second end, and a top surface extending therebetween, wherein the top surface has a pair of cantilevered beams, each provided with a locking tab, extending from a central portion towards each respective end of the base connector. The locking tabs are capable of engaging and securing an aperture in cap or wiper arm. The base connector further has a central recessed portion capable of receiving and securing a top wall of a side adapter. The base connector may further include a base support structure capable of securing the base connector to a wiper blade.

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising:

a base connector, having two longitudinal side walls;

a first and second end, and a

top surface extending therebetween;

wherein the top surface comprises a pair of cantilevered beams, each provided with a locking tab, extending from a central portion of the top surface towards each respective end of the base connector;

wherein the locking tabs are capable of engaging and securing an aperture in a cap or a wiper arm;

a central recessed portion capable of receiving and securing a top wall of a side adapter; and

a base support structure capable of securing the base connector to a wiper blade.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 where in the side walls of the base connector further comprise rests which are capable of supporting a wiper arm when the connector assembly is secured to a wiper arm.

3. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the side walls further comprise an extended portion such that the base connector has a greater width (defined as distance between the side walls) at one end than at the other end.

4. The connector assembly of claim 1 further comprising wings alongside at least one of the cantilevered beams, such that grooves are formed between the wings and the cantilevered beams.

5. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the base support structure comprises internal side walls having arcuate rivet clips that are capable of securing the rivet of a mounting base of a wiper blade.

6. The connector assembly of claim 5 wherein base support structure further comprises transverse lateral walls which extend between and connect the internal side walls.

7. The connector of assembly claim 1 wherein the base connector comprises a cavity provided with projections that are capable of engaging and securing recesses in flaps of a side adapter.

8. The connector of assembly claim 1 wherein the side walls further comprise a one or more bottom recesses that are capable of receiving and securing a bottom projection in a side adapter.

9. The connector of assembly claim 1 further comprising assembly may further be provided with a side adapter having a top portion and a side wall;

the top portion comprising flaps having recesses which are capable of engaging projections in a cavity of the base connector.

10. The connector of assembly claim 9 wherein the side adapter further comprises a side wall with a bottom projection which engages a bottom recess of the base connector.

11. The connector of assembly claim 9 wherein the side adapter further comprises a rest which abuts the rest of at least one of the side walls of the base connector, and which is capable of supporting a wiper arm when the connector assembly connects to the wiper arm.

12. The connector assembly of claim 1 further comprising a cap having an aperture which can engage and secure at least one of the locking tabs of the base connector.

13. The connector assembly of claim 12 wherein the cap further comprises channeling ribs which slidably engage the groove between the cantilevered beam and the wings on one of the ends of the base connector.

14. The connector assembly of claim 12 wherein the cap further comprises claws which engage the bottom of the side walls of the base connector.

15. The connector assembly of claim 12 wherein the cap further comprises spacers which maintain a gap between the cap and the ends of the wings or top surface of the base connector.

16. A wiper blade assembly comprising

a wiper strip;

a force distribution structure; and

a connector assembly comprising;

a base connector, having two longitudinal side walls;

a first and second end, and a

top surface extending therebetween;

wherein the top surface comprises a pair of cantilevered beams, each provided with a locking tab, extending from a central portion of the top surface towards each respective end of the base connector;

wherein the locking tabs are capable of engaging and securing an aperture in a cap or a wiper arm;

a central recessed portion capable of receiving and securing a top wall of a side adapter; and

a base support structure capable of securing the base connector to a wiper blade.

17. The wiper blade assembly of claim 16 wherein the connector assembly further comprises wings alongside at least one of the cantilevered beams, such that grooves are formed between the wings and the cantilevered beams.

18. The wiper blade assembly of claim 16 wherein the base support structure comprises internal side walls having arcuate rivet clips that are capable of securing the rivet of a mounting base of a wiper blade, and transverse lateral walls which extend between and connect the internal side walls.

19. The wiper blade of assembly claim 16 further comprising a side adapter having a top portion and a side wall;

the top portion comprising flaps having recesses which are capable of engaging projections in a cavity of the base connector.

20. The wiper blade assembly of claim 16 further comprising a cap for the connector assembly, the cap having an aperture which can engage and secure at least one of the locking tabs of the base connector.