Windshield wiper blade with securing rod

• US 5,487,205 A
• Filed: 05/04/1994
• Issued: 01/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alliedsignal Inc.
• Original Assignee: Grimes Aerospace Co. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Scherch, Richard P., Neer, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Gary K.
• Application Number:
  US08/238,146
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 15/250.36, 15/250.41, 15/250.42, 15/250.05, 15/250.38, 15/250.39, 15/250.40, 15/250.31, 15/245, 15/250.33, 15/172 , 15/176.1, 15/176.2, 15/176.3, 15/176.4, 15/176.5, 15/176.6, 15/250.32, 403/343
• US Class Current: 15/250.31
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/38 Wiper blades provided with liquid spreading means B60S1/524; provided with gas spreading means B60S1/546
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3874 with a reinforcing vertebra
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3818 the backing strip being a channel-like element, e.g. not continuous
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3829 characterised by the material of the squeegee or coating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3836 characterised by cross-sectional shape

Abstract

A replaceable windshield wiping element for a windshield wiper system, including an insert end being made relatively rigid in comparison to the windshield contact end of the wiping element so that the insert end may be fastened with a fastener within a holder of the wiper blade assembly.

Claims

1. A wiper assembly, comprising:

an elongated one-piece rubber wiping element having an insert portion defining a first longitudinal edge of said wiping element, and a windshield contact portion defining a second longitudinal edge of said wiping element, said insert portion of a substantially higher durometer rubber than said windshield contact portion thereby enabling said windshield contact portion to remain flexible to adapt to the contour of a windshield surface while said insert portion is relatively rigid, said wiping element having first and second ends;

an elongated metal rod forming a spine, said rod residing within a hollow portion of said insert portion that rims longitudinally and entirely through said insert portion of said wiping element, said rod having first and second threaded ends extending respectively from said first and second ends of said wiping element;

an elongated holder, said holder forming a longitudinal channel therein which slidably receives, in a longitudinal manner, and encloses the entire length of said insert portion having said rod therein;

a first threaded fastener engaging said first end of said rod; and

a second threaded fastener engaging said second end of said rod, wherein said first and second fasteners secure and insert portion within said holder to prevent said wiping element from being detached longitudinally from said holder.