Heat absorbing windshield wiper

• US 5,784,751 A
• Filed: 03/04/1997
• Issued: 07/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clyde A. Tippets
• Original Assignee: Clyde A. Tippets
• Inventors: Tippets, Clyde A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Gary K.
• Application Number:
  US08/805,921
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 15/250.07, 15/250.08, 15/250.09, 15/250.04, 15/250.06, 15/250.05, 15/250.03, 15/250.48, 15/250.451, 15/250.01 , 15/250.41, 219/202, 219/203, 239/284.1, 239/284.2, 239/130, 239/139
• US Class Current: 15/250.04
• 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 1/488 electrically
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/524 arranged in wiper blades
• 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

Abstract

A heated windshield wiper for keeping wiper blades free from ice. In a first embodiment, a wiper blade includes a sealed cavity containing a heat-retaining fluid which aids in keeping the wiper blade free from ice. In a second embodiment, a wiper blade includes a sealed cavity containing a heat-retaining fluid. Heated washer fluid is directed through the washer blade heating the heat-retaining fluid which aids in keeping the wiper blade free from ice.

Claims

1. A heat absorbing windshield wiper including structure for spraying windshield washer fluid onto a curved windshield:

an elongate body having a first and second internal cavity;

the first cavity having a bore fluidly connecting the first cavity with an exterior surface of the elongate body;

the first cavity further having a passageway fluidly connecting the first cavity with a nozzle located on an extension surface of the elongate body adjacent the windshield;

the second internal cavity being closed;

a spline embedded in and extending along the elongate body to shape the elongate body to rest against the curved windshield;

a pumping means for pumping washer fluid into the first cavity through the bore, and then from the first cavity, onto the windshield through the passageway;

a heating means for heating the washer fluid;

a heat retaining fluid continuously trapped in the second internal cavity; and

a fastening means for fastening the heat absorbing windshield wiper to a conventional vehicle wiper arm.

2. A windshield wiping system comprising:

an elongate body having a first and second internal cavity;

the first cavity having a bore fluidly connecting the first cavity with an exterior surface of the elongate body;

the first cavity further having a passageway fluidly connecting the first cavity with a nozzle located on an extension surface of the elongate body adjacent the windshield;

the second internal cavity being closed;

a spline embedded in and extending along the elongate body to shape the elongate body to rest against the curved windshield;

a pumping means for pumping washer fluid into the first cavity through the bore, and then from the first cavity, onto the windshield through the passageway;

a heating means for heating the washer fluid;

a heat retaining fluid continuously trapped in the second internal cavity;

a fastening means for fastening the heat absorbing windshield wiper to a conventional vehicle wiper arm;

a washer fluid container containing washer fluid;

a heater container having a heater;

a first hose connecting the washer fluid container and the heater container;

a second hose connecting the heater container and the heat absorbing windshield wiper;

a pump for pumping washer fluid from the washer fluid container through the first hose to the heater container, and thence from the heater container through the second hose to the heat absorbing windshield wiper; and

an adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the windshield wiper fluid in the heater container.

3. A windshield wiping system according to claim 2 wherein the adjusting means further includes:

an electrical supply providing power to the heater through an electrical supply line; and

a thermostat switch located in the electrical supply line which closes whenever the washer fluid temperature falls below a set temperature and opens whenever the washer fluid temperature rises above the set temperature.