Windshield wiper assembly
First Claim
1. A windshield wiper assembly comprising an elongated squeegee formed of a flexible material;
- a backing element operatively connected to the squeegee and extending lengthwise thereof; and
a superstructure removably connected to said backing element and adapted to be connected to a windshield wiper arm for urging the squeegee towards the windshield;
said superstructure comprising an elongated primary yoke having a pair of spaced opposite free ends and a pair of secondary yokes respectively pivotally mounted on the free ends of said primary yoke;
said secondary yokes including means for releasably engaging said backing element;
said primary yoke having a generally triangularly shaped transverse cross section through substantially its entire length defined by a pair of inclined longitudinally extending side surfaces and a substantially flat base which extends parallel to and in spaced relation from the backing element;
said inclined side surfaces defining an apex therebetween located generally along the longitudinal axis of the primary yoke and flare outwardly therefrom;
said secondary yokes each having a similar triangularly shaped transverse cross section through substantially their entire length defined by outwardly flaring side surfaces and a substantially flat base;
said side surfaces of the primary and secondary yokes presenting inclined pressure surfaces to an air stream, moving over the surface to be wiped, whereby downward components of force are produced on the primary and secondary yokes which increases the downward pressure of the squeegee on the windshield and resists windlift effects on the assembly;
said flat base of the primary and secondary yokes providing a smooth channel between the yokes and the backing elements to minimize windlift producing turbulence of air passing through the assembly.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosed windshield wiper assembly includes a squeegee, a backing element operatively connected to the squeegee, and a superstructure which is removably connected to the backing element and adapted to be connected to a windshield wiper arm for urging the squeegee towards the windshield. The superstructure consists of an elongated primary yoke having a pair of spaced free ends; a pair of secondary yokes are respectively pivotally mounted on the free ends of the primary yoke and have pairs of opposed cooperating claws formed thereon for releasably engaging the backing element. The primary and secondary yokes each have a generally triangularly shaped transverse cross section, through substantially their entire length, defined by a pair of inclined longitudinally extending side surfaces and a substantially flat base which extends parallel to and in spaced relation from the backing element. The side surfaces of the primary and secondary yokes present inclined pressure surfaces to an air stream moving over the surface to be wiped whereby downward components of force are produced on the yokes to increase the downward pressure on the squeegee. The backing element includes specially formed embossments located outwardly of the superstructure to provide stops for engagement with generally complementary shaped portions of the claws on the secondary yokes to prevent inadvertent removal of the backing member and squeegee from the superstructure.
69 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A windshield wiper assembly comprising an elongated squeegee formed of a flexible material;
- a backing element operatively connected to the squeegee and extending lengthwise thereof; and
a superstructure removably connected to said backing element and adapted to be connected to a windshield wiper arm for urging the squeegee towards the windshield;
said superstructure comprising an elongated primary yoke having a pair of spaced opposite free ends and a pair of secondary yokes respectively pivotally mounted on the free ends of said primary yoke;
said secondary yokes including means for releasably engaging said backing element;
said primary yoke having a generally triangularly shaped transverse cross section through substantially its entire length defined by a pair of inclined longitudinally extending side surfaces and a substantially flat base which extends parallel to and in spaced relation from the backing element;
said inclined side surfaces defining an apex therebetween located generally along the longitudinal axis of the primary yoke and flare outwardly therefrom;
said secondary yokes each having a similar triangularly shaped transverse cross section through substantially their entire length defined by outwardly flaring side surfaces and a substantially flat base;
said side surfaces of the primary and secondary yokes presenting inclined pressure surfaces to an air stream, moving over the surface to be wiped, whereby downward components of force are produced on the primary and secondary yokes which increases the downward pressure of the squeegee on the windshield and resists windlift effects on the assembly;
said flat base of the primary and secondary yokes providing a smooth channel between the yokes and the backing elements to minimize windlift producing turbulence of air passing through the assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- a backing element operatively connected to the squeegee and extending lengthwise thereof; and
Specification