Windshield wiper blade with reinforcing core

• US 5,661,871 A
• Filed: 06/28/1996
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Scorsiroli, Marcello
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Gary K.
• Application Number:
  US08/671,963
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 15/250.451, 15/250.452, 15/250.07, 15/250.48, 15/250.453, 15/250.454, 15/250.46, 15/250.47
• US Class Current: 15/250.452
• 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 2001/3818 the backing strip being a channel-like element, e.g. not continuous
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/382 the backing strip being an essentially planar reinforcing strip, e.g. vertebra
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3836 characterised by cross-sectional shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3841 Squeegee modifications to prevent longitudinally sliding of squeegee in support structure

Abstract

A windshield wiper blade for vehicles includes a wiper element, a wiper holder having a longitudinal seat restraining a base portion of the wiper element and having a longitudinal cavity in which a metal reinforcing core is disposed, and an arcuate support structure with restraining jaws which grip the wiper holder at predetermined points.

Claims

1. A windshield wiper blade for vehicles, comprising:

a wiper element having a lip and a base portion;

a wiper holder having a longitudinal groove that receives and restrains the base portion of said wiper element and which has a longitudinal cavity;

a metal reinforcing core disposed in the longitudinal cavity; and

an arcuate support structure with restraining jaws that grip the wiper holder at predetermined points,

wherein the wiper holder has two longitudinal lateral grooves that are engaged by restraining jaws of the support structure, and

wherein at least two restraining jaws of the support structure exert on the wiper holder a clamping force which deforms the holder such that the holder also clamps the wiper element.

2. A windshield wiper blade for vehicles, comprising:

a wiper element having a lip and a base portion;

a wiper holder having a longitudinal groove that receives and restrains the base portion of said wiper element and which has a longitudinal cavity;

a metal reinforcing core disposed in the longitudinal cavity; and

an arcuate support structure with restraining jaws that grip the wiper holder at predetermined points,

wherein the wiper holder has two longitudinal lateral grooves that are engaged by restraining laws of the support structure, and

wherein at least two restraining jaws of the support structure exert on the wiper holder a clamping force which deforms the holder such that the holder also clamps the reinforcing core.

3. A windshield wiper blade for vehicles, comprising:

a wiper element having a lip and a base portion;

a wiper holder having a longitudinal groove that receives and restrains the base portion of said wiper element and which has a longitudinal cavity;

a metal reinforcing core disposed in the longitudinal cavity; and

an arcuate support structure with restraining jaws that grid the wiper holder at predetermined points,

wherein the wiper holder has two longitudinal lateral grooves that are engaged by restraining jaws of the support structure, and

wherein the wiper holder includes a pair of holes within the lateral grooves and adjacent to two restraining jaws, and wherein the two restraining jaws are received into the holes to permit the two restraining jaws to grip the wiper element directly.

4. A windshield wiper blade for vehicles, comprising:

a wiper element having a lip and a base portion;

a wiper holder having a longitudinal groove that receives and restrains the base portion of said wiper element and which has a longitudinal cavity;

a metal reinforcing core disposed in the longitudinal cavity; and

an arcuate support structure with restraining jaws that grip the wiper holder at predetermined points,

wherein the wiper holder has two longitudinal lateral grooves that are engaged by restraining jaws of the support structure, and

wherein the wiper holder includes a pair of holes within the lateral grooves and adjacent to two restraining jaws, and wherein the two restraining jaws are received into the holes to permit the two restraining jaws to grip the reinforcing core directly.

5. The wiper blade of claim 4, wherein said reinforcing core includes a pair of notches for engagement by said jaws.