Rumble strip for windshield wiper blade

• US 5,458,690 A
• Filed: 03/09/1994
• Issued: 10/17/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas W. Longazel
• Original Assignee: Longazel, Helen A.
• Inventors: Longazel, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, W. Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): VINCENT, SEAN E
• Application Number:
  US08/208,440
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 15/250.001, 15/250.19, 15/250.16, 134/6, 134/16, 134/32, 134/42
• US Class Current: 134/6
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0486 the cleaning device being integrated with the vehicle

Abstract

A rumble strip for removing snow and ice from a windshield wiper blade having an elongated body positioned at an edge of a windshield over which a windshield wiper blade will pass when activated, the elongated body having at least one surface sufficiently raised from the outer surface plane of the windshield as will cause the windshield wiper blade to be flexed and/or bumped as it passes thereover, whereby the flexing and/or bumping action will be sufficient to dislodge at least some of the snow and ice which has adhered to the windshield wiper blade.

Claims

1. A method of removing snow and ice from a windshield wiper blade when such windshield wiper blade is activated to wipe an outside surface of a windshield, the steps comprising;

(a) forming an elongated strip of material having an upper surface and a lower surface, said elongated strip of material having an elongated and rounded outer surface portion extending vertically from said upper surface and raised therefrom,

(b) securing said lower surface of said elongated strip of material onto an edge of such outside surface of such windshield at a position over which such windshield wiper blade will pass when activated, and

(c) passing such windshield wiper blade over said elongated strip of material to cause such windshield wiper blade to be subjected to a crucial flexing and/or bumping action as will dislodge and remove at least some snow and ice on such windshield wiper blade.

2. A method of removing snow and ice from a windshield wiper blade according to claim 1 in which said elongated strip is secured to such windshield by an adhesive.

3. A method of removing snow and ice from a windshield wiper blade according to claim 1 in which said elongated strip is secured to a windshield frame member adjacent to such windshield.

4. A method of removing snow and ice from a windshield wiper blade according to claim 1 in which said elongated and rounded surface portion has smooth rounded edges.

5. A method of removing snow and ice from a windshield wiper blade according to claim 4 in which said elongated and rounded surface portion with smooth rounded edges is in the form of an elongated half-cylinder having an axis aligned with an elongated direction of said elongated strip of material.