Vehicle windshield wiper blade assembly and wiper system

• US 5,564,157 A
• Filed: 03/14/1994
• Issued: 10/15/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Limited (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Limited (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Moro, Shuji, Yagi, Yuji, Ueki, Chihiro, Kushida, Tadao, Kuzuno, Takashi, Kadokura, Akira, Kaneko, Yoshitaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Gary K.
• Application Number:
  US08/212,144
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 15/250.43, 15/250.44, 15/250.451, 15/250.452, 15/250.453, 15/250.454, 15/250.46, 15/250.47, 15/250.48, 15/250.31 , 15/250.05, 15/250.001, 15/250.201, 15/250.202, 15/250.361, 15/250.351
• US Class Current: 15/250.201
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0408 Means for influencing the aerodynamic quality of wipers, e.g. clip-on wind deflectors B60S1/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/32 characterised by constructional features of wiper blade arms or blades
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3801 characterised by a blade support harness consisting of several articulated elements B60S1/3803, B60S1/3806 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3806 Means, or measures taken, for influencing the aerodynamic quality of the wiper blades
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3815 chacterised by the joint between elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3818 the backing strip being a channel-like element, e.g. not continuous
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3843 equipped with removable cover or protective elements

Abstract

A vehicle wiper blade assembly has a cover for covering blade support members, which support a wiper blade at different points therealong, and for covering portions of the wiper blade. A blade spoiler can be adjustably attached either to a primary lever, which connects the support members with the cover to a wiper arm, or to the wiper arm. The spoiler presses the wiper blade against the windshield when the vehicle is moving, improving the wiping efficiency. The lower edge of the spoiler is positioned nearer to the windshield than to the to the bottom of the cover to improve air and debris (such as snow) flow. The support members are also pivotally coupled to both ends of the primary lever to improve the wiper blade efficiency.

Claims

1. A vehicle wiper blade assembly comprising:

an elongated wiper blade adapted for wiping a windshield;

at least one support member supporting the wiper blade at different points along the length thereof;

at least one holder pivotally connected to the support member;

a cover covering the support member, the holder, and a portion of the wiper blade;

an elongated primary lever pivotally connected to the holder with the cover situated therebetween, wherein the holder is pivotal on said support member about a first axis substantially transverse to the primary lever and the primary lever is pivotal on said holder about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis;

a blade spoiler connected to the primary lever and adapted to apply pressure to the wiper blade against the windshield when the vehicle is moving.

2. A vehicle wiper blade assembly according to claim 1, wherein the spoiler is spaced from the wiper blade and has a lower edge adapted to be nearer to the windshield than a bottom of the cover.

3. A vehicle wiper blade assembly according to claim 1, wherein the blade spoiler is adjustably connected to the primary lever to enable adjustment of the spacing between the wiper blade and the spoiler.

4. A vehicle wiper blade assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a shaft member connecting the holder to the support member and a pop rivet connecting the primary lever to the holder, wherein the shaft member is positioned substantially perpendicularly to the pop rivet.

5. A vehicle wiper blade assembly comprising:

an elongated wiper blade adapted for wiping a windshield;

at least one support member supporting the wiper blade at different points along the length thereof;

at least one holder pivotally connected to the support member;

a cover covering the support member, the holder, and a portion of the wiper blade;

an elongated primary lever pivotally connected to the holder with the cover situated therebetween, wherein the holder is pivotal on said support member about a first axis substantially transverse to the primary lever and the primary lever is pivotal on said holder about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis;

a wiper arm removably connected to the primary lever;

a blade spoiler connected to the wiper arm and adapted to apply pressure to the wiper blade against the windshield when the vehicle is moving,

wherein the spoiler is spaced from the wiper blade and has a lower edge adapted to be nearer to the windshield than a bottom of the cover.

6. A vehicle wiper blade assembly according to claim 5, wherein the spoiler is spaced from the wiper blade and has a lower edge adapted to be nearer to the windshield than a bottom of the cover.

7. A vehicle wiper blade assembly according to claim 5, wherein the blade spoiler is adjustably connected to the primary lever to enable adjustment of the spacing between the wiper blade and the spoiler.

8. A vehicle wiper blade assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a shaft member connecting the holder to the support member and a pop rivet connecting the primary lever to the holder, wherein the shaft member is positioned substantially perpendicularly to the pop rivet.