Windshield wiper blade assembly with elastic cushion joint for allowing spring-resistance rotation of wiper blade relative to windshield surface
First Claim
1. In a windshield wiper blade assembly including an elongated wiper blade supported by a substantially rigid elongated support structure, at least one secondary yoke attached to said support structure, and a primary yoke connectable to an arm capable of driving the windshield wiper blade assembly across a windshield, the improvement comprising:
- (a) a pivot rod providing a pivotal connection of said primary yoke to said secondary yoke, said pivot rod further comprising a center portion received by said secondary yoke and a pair of opposite end portions extending in opposite directions away from opposite sides of said secondary yoke and away from said center portion, said end portions being received by said primary yoke, said center portion being spherical in shape and received by said secondary yoke at said pivotal connection of said primary yoke to said secondary yoke, said pivotal connection allowing axial and planar rotation of said secondary yoke with respect to said pivot rod and primary yoke about first and second perpendicular axes; and
(b) an elastic side support means received on at least one of said opposite end portions of said pivot rod adjacent to at least one of said opposite sides of said secondary yoke, whereby said elastic side support means provides a spring resistance against said planar rotation of said secondary yoke with respect to said pivot rod and primary yoke.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved windshield wiper blade assembly is disclosed. The improvement is comprised of the ability of the device to allow a controlled and virtually noise free rotation of the blade with respect to the long axis of the blade. The center of such rotation is not critical but it has been found to be most effective to allow the structure to pivot at the joint of the primary yoke and the secondary yoke of the wiper assembly. In doing so, the wiper blade is allowed to be pulled across the windshield surface and not pushed into the windshield thus increasing the wear life and wiping efficiency of the blade. A spring device is disclosed that causes this device to be center seeking to an angle of perpendicular to the surface of the windshield, thereby allowing rotation in a controlled manner. This provides movement in both directions of the reciprocating blade without excessive clearance holes that can cause a noisy operation, the result being a device that is more useful and less distractive to the operator of the vehicle utilizing the invention.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. In a windshield wiper blade assembly including an elongated wiper blade supported by a substantially rigid elongated support structure, at least one secondary yoke attached to said support structure, and a primary yoke connectable to an arm capable of driving the windshield wiper blade assembly across a windshield, the improvement comprising:
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(a) a pivot rod providing a pivotal connection of said primary yoke to said secondary yoke, said pivot rod further comprising a center portion received by said secondary yoke and a pair of opposite end portions extending in opposite directions away from opposite sides of said secondary yoke and away from said center portion, said end portions being received by said primary yoke, said center portion being spherical in shape and received by said secondary yoke at said pivotal connection of said primary yoke to said secondary yoke, said pivotal connection allowing axial and planar rotation of said secondary yoke with respect to said pivot rod and primary yoke about first and second perpendicular axes; and (b) an elastic side support means received on at least one of said opposite end portions of said pivot rod adjacent to at least one of said opposite sides of said secondary yoke, whereby said elastic side support means provides a spring resistance against said planar rotation of said secondary yoke with respect to said pivot rod and primary yoke. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. In a windshield wiper blade assembly including an elongated wiper blade supported by a substantially rigid elongated support structure, at least one secondary yoke attached to said support structure, and a primary yoke connectable to an arm capable of driving the windshield wiper blade assembly across a windshield, the improvement comprising:
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(a) a pivot rod providing a pivotal connection of said primary yoke to said secondary yoke, said pivot rod further comprising a center portion received by said secondary yoke and a pair of opposite end portions extending in opposite directions away from opposite sides of said secondary yoke and away from said center portion, said end portions being received by said primary yoke, said secondary yoke having a hole therethrough which tapers inwardly from said opposite sides, said hole receiving said center portion of said pivot rod, said pivotal connection allowing axial and planar rotation of said secondary yoke with respect to said pivot rod and primary yoke about first and second perpendicular axes; and (b) an elastic side support means received on said opposite end portions of said pivot rod adjacent to said opposite sides of said secondary yoke, whereby said elastic side support means provides a spring resistance against said planar rotation of said secondary yoke with respect to said pivot rod and primary yoke. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification