Windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly

• US 5,881,428 A
• Filed: 06/23/1997
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David L. Simmons
• Original Assignee: David L. Simmons
• Inventors: Simmons, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Gary K.
• Application Number:
  US08/880,562
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 15/250.04, 15/250.02, 15/250.01, 15/250.07, 15/250.05, 15/250.32, 239/284.1, 239/284.2, 239/130, 219/202
• US Class Current: 15/250.04
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3803 heated wiper blades
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3805 electrically
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/40 Connections between blades and arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4009 comprising a detachable intermediate element mounted on the hook-shaped end
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4067 for arms provided with a side pin
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4083 for arms provided with a flat end
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/524 arranged in wiper blades
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3843 equipped with removable cover or protective elements
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 7/024 the conduits of only one medium being helically coiled tubes, the coils having a cylindrical configuration
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 7/08 the conduits being otherwise bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag F28D7/10 takes precedenceF28D7/0016 and F28D7/0033 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 7/085 in the form of parallel conduits coupled by bent portions

Abstract

A heating windshield wiper shroud system which is designed to be installed in combination with a conventional motorized vehicle windshield wiper assembly having an electrically activated windshield wiper rocker arm and a windshield wiper blade and supporting frame. The wiper shroud system utilizes a shroud housing with a roof portion along a longitudinal axis having a middle section with a first vertically and transversely designed upper width portion and a second vertically and transversely designed lower width portion which has a differentially wider transverse width dimension than the first upper width portion. The second lower width has a shelf portion which has a perimeter generally between and coextensive with the outside vertical edge of the first upper width and the outer edge of the second lower width portion. The shroud housing is further provided with an internal channel long its longitudinal length for installation of a conventional wiper blade assembly, a channel transversely positioned within the upper width of the middle section for receipt of a pin securing a wiper arm, and a channel transversely positioned within the lower width for pinned securement of a wiper blade. Biasable clip means are utilized adjacent to the transverse channels to secure pin members; and a perforated duct tubing system positionally oriented and mounted adjacent to the roof portion of the shroud on opposite sides of the middle section to provide a heated ambient fluid directly adjacent to and above a wiper frame and blade assembly installed in the shroud housing.

Claims

1. An improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly for use in installable combination with a windshield wiper arm assembly, a flexible and pivotable wiper blade and frame assembly, a vehicle windshield having outside and inside surfaces and a vehicle engine;

the windshield wiper arm assembly being electrically activated and pivoted in relation to the outside surface of the windshield, and having at one end thereof a wiperarm pin member which moves in adjacent relation with the outside surface when the wiper arm is activated and pivoted; and

the wiper blade and frame assembly having at least a length component and a transverse width component, the transverse width component of the wiper blade and frame assembly defining a pin connection channel;

the length component of the wiper blade and frame assembly having a middle portion and first and second lateral portions on either side thereof;

said improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly comprising;

a open-ended shroud housing subassembly having a longitudinally oriented roof portion, a pair of opposing longitudinally positioned wall portions and a pair of opposing transversely positioned endwall portions, defining an arcuate open end opposite of said roof portions,

said roof portion having a middle section and adjoining first and second lateral sections, extending longitudinally on either side thereof,

said middle section having and defining a first transversely and vertically disposed upper width and a second, differentially dimensioned, transversely and vertically disposed lower width such that a shelf portion is defined transversely of a vertical axis of the lower width, the first and second lateral sections being concurrent and coextensive with, and between, the upper width of the middle section and each of the respective end wall portions,

said shroud housing subassembly defining a first inner pin-channel extending substantially transversely of a common vertical axis of the upper width of said middle section and the open end, for receipt and installation of the wiperarm pin member, said wiperarm pin member being inserted through and rotatably and pivotably attached to the upper width of the middle section of said shroud housing subassembly, such that the shroud housing can pivot in response to motion when the windshield wiper arm is movably activated, and can respond positionally to weight bearing stress generated by the outside surface of the windshield and an installed windshield wiper blade and frame assembly in contact with the windshield,

said shroud housing subassembly further having and defining a second inner pin-channel, extending substantially transversely of a vertical axis of the lower width, and substantially parallel with the first inner pin-channel, for alignment, during installation of the wiper blade and frame assembly, with the pin connection channel of the transverse width component of the wiper blade and frame assembly,

the shroud housing subassembly further comprising a wiper frame and blade connection pin, said pin being slideably and releasably installed, when the wiper blade and frame assembly is in installable position, such that said pin registers and communicates with the second inner pin-channel of said shroud housing subassembly and the pin connection channel of the wiper blade and frame assembly, so that the wiper blade and frame assembly is movably and pivotably attached and installed within the open-ended shroud housing subassembly and pivotably responsive, rotationally, in weight-bearing relationship, about a axis of the frame and blade connection pin so registered, to a contour and configuration of the outside surface of the vehicle windshield,

said shroud housing subassembly having and defining an inner installation channel operatively coextensive through the first upper width, the second lower width, the lateral sections, wall portions, endwall portions and open end, and through which the first and second inner pin-channels pass, and by, and within, which the wiper blade and wiper frame assembly is movably and releasably channeled and flexibly and pivotally connected; and

a perforated duct means for providing heated fluid, mountably, positioned within the inner installation channel, generally, transversely of and vertically between the first inner pin-channel and the second inner pin-channel of the middle section, and extending, on either side thereof, substantially along each of the first and second lateral sections such that it is positioned above and adjacent to the first and second lateral portions of the wiper blade and frame assembly for fluid heating thereof within the inner installation channel,

one of the pair of opposing longitudinally positioned wall portions of said open-ended shroud housing subassembly defining a heated fluid entry port, positioned adjacent to and proximally, vertically between the first and second inner pin-channels of the middle section, in channelable communication with said perforated duct means, for the communication and passage of a heated ambient fluid therethrough; and

heating and pump assembly means for heating an ambient fluid with convection currents from the vehicle engine and directing the ambient fluid to the heated fluid entry port of the open-ended shroud housing subassembly, said heating and pump means comprising;

heat exchanger subassembly means mounted generally adjacent to a heat energy and convection current generating portion of the vehicle engine, for collecting and utilizing heating convection currents therefrom to heat the ambient fluid, said heat exchanger subassembly means having an inboard communication line for directing the ambient fluid into the heat exchanger subassembly means and an outboard communication line for directing the ambient fluid, after heating, out of the heat exchanger subassembly,

pump subassembly means for pulling the ambient fluid, after heating, from the heat exchanger, and directing the ambient fluid to the heated fluid entry port of the open-ended shroud housing subassembly, said pump subassembly means having a first communications line channelably connected to the outboard communication line of the heat exchanger subassembly means for directing the ambient fluid, after heating, from the heat exchanger subassembly means to the pump subassembly means, and a second communications line for directing the ambient fluid from the pump subassembly means to the heated fluid entry port of the open-ended shroud housing subassembly.

2. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly of claim 1,

wherein:

said first upper width of the middle section of the roof portion of said open-ended shroud housing subassembly is dimensioned from about 0.5 inches to about 1.0 inches, or from about 12.7 mm. to about 25.4 mm., and said second lower width of the middle section of the roof portion of said open-ended shroud housing subassembly is dimensioned from about 0.5 inches to about 1.25 inches, or about 12.7 mm. to about 31.75 mm.;

said second lower width being differentially dimensioned from, and greater than, said first upper width.

3. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly of claim 1,

wherein:

said open-ended shroud housing subassembly is vertically bowed in configuration along the opposing longitudinally positioned wall portions and the pair of opposing transversely positioned endwall portions of the open-ended shroud housing subassembly of said improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly.

4. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly, of claim 1,

wherein:

the middle section further comprises;

a generally rectangular wall structure having first and second parallel walls, each of which is generally trapezoidal in configuration when viewed along a vertical axis of the middle section, and a third endwall, the parallel walls and endwall, each having first and second widthside portions and inside and outside surfaces, each of the first width side portions of each wall being fixedly attached to the adjoining first and second lateral sections of said roof portion, and each of the second widthside portions being a free end, such that the inside surfaces of the parallel walls define the first transversely and vertically disposed upper width and the shelf portion defined transversely of a vertical axis of the lower width, and the outside surfaces of the parallel walls substantially define the second, differentially dimensioned, transversely and vertically disposed lower width, and the heated fluid entry port being positioned along the second lower width of the middle section adjacent to and above the second inner pin-channel of the shroud housing subassembly.

5. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly of claim 1,

wherein:

the second communications line of the pump subassembly means further comprises a first portion operatively connected to the pump subassembly means, a second portion operatively connected to the heated fluid entry port of the shroud housing subassembly and a coupling component for separating and operatively reconnecting said first and second portions so that the shroud housing subassembly can be removed and taken off line of the improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly for cleaning, servicing, and structural upgrading and adaptation as needed.

6. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly of claim 1,

wherein:

the heat exchanger subassembly means comprises a body member having outside and internal portions and an attachment member for mounting said heat exchanger subassembly means;

the internal portions of the body member of said heat exchanger subassembly means having a plurality of baffle members and defining an operative channel connecting the inboard communication line and the outboard communication line; and

the body member being contactably mounted on a manifold portion of the vehicle engine and secured thereto by the attachment member.

7. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly of claim 1,

wherein:

the heat exchanger subassembly means further comprises first and second ends, inside and outside surface portions, an internally defined chamber, and a core member mounted within the chamber between the inboard and outboard communication lines and having a plurlality of coiled fluid line components continuously connected therebetween for passage of the ambient fluid therethrough,

the first end defining an intake channel and the second end defining an exit channel each of which extends through the inside and outside surface portions and communicates with the core member, and

the intake and exit channels, each, respectively, being operatively and flowably installed on-line with a liquid fluid line from the vehicle engine such that a liquid fluid from the vehicle engine flows through the chamber and makes contact with the core member for convection current heating of the ambient fluid passing through said core member,

and wherein, the inboard commuinication line is further provided with a filter member for collecting, directing and filtering the ambient fluid entering said inboard communication line.

8. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly of claim 1,

wherein;

the heat exchanger subassembly means further comprises first and second side portions, inside and outside surface portions, an internally defined chamber, and a core member mounted within the chamber between the inboard and outboard communication lines and having a plurality of coiled fluid line components continuously connected therebetween for passage of the ambient fluid therethrough,

and wherein, said heat exchanger subassembly means is mounted on an exhaust pipe line of the vehicle engine.

9. An improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly for use in installable combination with a windshield wiper arm assembly, a flexible and pivotable wiper blade assembly, a pivotable wiper frame assembly, a vehicle windshield having outside and inside surfaces and a vehicle engine;

the windshield wiper arm assembly being electrically activated and pivoted in relation to the outside surface of the windshield, and having at one end thereof a coupable flange member, the flange member having first and second projecting members and defining a flange space therebetween, and each of the projecting members defining a couple channel, axial with one another, and having a couple pin which is inserted through each of the couple channels when the windshield wiper arm assembly is inserted and installed, and when in inserted and installed position the couple pin is substantially parallel to the outside surface of the windshield; and

the wiper blade assembly and wiper frame assembly each having at least a length component and a transverse width component, the transverse width component of the wiper frame assembly defining a pin connection channel which, when positioned lengthwise for installment, is substantially parallel to the outside surface of the windshield, the length component of the wiper blade and frame assemblies each having a middle portion and first and second lateral portions on either side thereof;

said improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly comprising;

a open-ended shroud housing subassembly having a longitudinally oriented roof portion, a pair of opposing longitudinally positioned wall portions and a pair of opposing transversely positioned endwall portions, defining an arcuate open end opposite of said roof portion;

said roof portion having a middle section and adjoining first and second lateral sections, extending longitudinally on either side thereof;

said middle section having and defining a first transversely and vertically disposed upper width and a second, differentially dimensioned, transversely and vertically disposed lower width such that a shelf portion is defined transversely of a vertical axis of the lower width, the first and second lateral sections being concurrent and coextensive with, and between, the upper width of the middle section and each of the respective end wall portions;

said shroud housing defining a first inner pin-channel extending substantially transversely of a common vertical axis of the upper width of said middle section and the open end of the shroud housing, for receipt and installation of the coupable flange member of the windshield wiper arm assembly, said coupable flange member being inserted and installed on the upper width of said middle section such that the flange space is positioned about the upper width and the couple channels are in substantial axial alignment with the first inner pin-channel, the couple pin being inserted to fixedly connect in axial alignment the couple channels and first inner pin-channel, when the windshield wiper arm assembly is positioned for installment on the shroud housing subassembly;

said shroud housing subassembly further having and defining a second inner pin-channel, extending substantially transversely of a vertical axis of the lower width, and substantially parallel with the first inner pin channel, for alignment, during installation of the wiper frame assembly, with the pin connection channel of the transverse width component of the wiper frame assembly;

the shroud housing subassembly further comprising a wiper frame and blade connection pin, said pin being slideably and releasably installed, when the wiper frame assembly is in installable position, such that said pin registers and communicates with the second inner pin-channel of said shroud housing subassembly and the pin connection channel of the wiper frame assembly, so that the wiper frame and blade assemblies are movably and pivotably attached and installed within the opens ended shroud housing subassembly and pivotably responsive, rotationally, in weight-bearing relationship, about a axis of the frame and blade connection pin so registered, to a contour and configuration of the outside surface of the vehicle windshield,

said shroud housing subassembly having and defining an inner installation channel operatively coextensive through the first upper width, the second lower width, the lateral sections, wall portions, endwall portions and open end, and through which the first and second inner pin-channels pass, and by, and within, which the wiper frame and blade assemblies are movably and releasably channeled and flexibly and pivotally connected; and

a perforated duct means for providing heated fluid, mountably positioned within the inner installation channel, generally, transversely of and vertically between the first inner pin-channel and the second inner pin-channel of the middle section, and extending, on either side thereof, substantially along each of the first and second lateral sections of said roof portion such that it is positioned above and adjacent to the first and second lateral portions of the wiper frame assembly for fluid heating thereof within the inner installation channel,

one of the pair of opposing longitudinally positioned wall portions of said open-ended shroud housing subassembly defining a heated fluid entry port, positioned adjacent to and proximally, vertically between the first and second inner pin-channels of the middle section, in channelable communication with said perforated duct means, for the communication and passage of a heated ambient fluid therethrough; and

heating and pump assembly means for heating an ambient fluid with convection currents from the vehicle engine and directing the ambient fluid to the heated fluid entry port of the open-ended shroud housing subassembly, said heating and pump means comprising;

heat exchanger subassembly means mounted generally adjacent to a heat energy and convection current generating portion of the vehicle engine, for collecting and utilizing heating convection currents therefrom to heat the ambient fluid, said heat exchanger subassembly means having an inboard communication line for directing the ambient fluid into the heat exchanger subassembly means and an outboard communication line for directing the ambient fluid, after heating, out of the heat exchanger subassembly, and

pump subassembly means for pulling the ambient fluid, after heating, from the heat exchanger, and directing the ambient fluid to the heated fluid entry port of the open-ended shroud housing subassembly, said pump subassembly means having a first communications line channelably connected to the outboard communication line of the heat exchanger subassembly means for directing the ambient fluid, after heating, from the heat exchanger subassembly means to the pump subassembly means, and a second communications line for directing the ambient fluid from the pump subassembly means to the heated fluid entry port of the open-ended shroud housing subassembly.

10. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly of claim 9,

wherein:

said perforated duct means further comprises a channeled tubular line, said line defining a plurality of perforated aperture extension holes positionally oriented along either of said first and second lateral sections, within said inner installation channel, of ther roof portion, through which a heated ambient fluid can pass to heat the length components of the wiper frame and wiper blade assemblies and adjacent portions of the outside surface of the vehicle windshield.

11. An improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly for use in installable combination with a windshield wiper arm assembly, a flexible and pivotable wiper blade assembly, a pivotable wiper frame assembly, a vehicle windshield having outside and inside surfaces and a vehicle engine;

the windshield wiper arm assembly being electrically activated and pivoted in relation to the outside surface of the windshield, and having at one end thereof a curved attachment loop member, defining a looped space opening proximal to the outside surface of the windshield when in a installed position, and having a width component substantially parallel to the outside surface of the windshield when in a installed position; and

the wiper blade assembly and wiper frame assembly each having at least a length component and a transverse width component, the transverse width component of the wiper frame defining a pin connection channel which, when positioned lengthwise for installment, is substantially parallel to the outside surface of the windshield, the length component of the wiper blade and frame assemblies each having a middle portion and first and second lateral portions on either side thereof;

said improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly comprising;

a open-ended shroud housing subassembly having a longitudinally oriented roof portion, a pair of opposing longitudinally positioned wall portions and a pair of opposing transversely positioned endwall portions, defining an arcuate open end opposite of said roof portion;

said roof portion having a middle section and adjoining first and second lateral sections, extending longitudinally on either side thereof;

said middle section having and defining a first transversely and vertically disposed upper width and a second, differentially dimensioned, transversely and vertically disposed lower width such that a shelf portion is defined transversely of a vertical axis of the lower width, the first and second lateral sections being concurrent and coextensive with, and between, the upper width of the middle section and each of the respective end wall portions;

said upper width having curved attachment means for securely and releasably installing the curved attachment loop member of the windshield wiper arm assembly and a biasable cover member releasably installed on and above the curved attachment means when the curved attachment loop member is in a installed position;

said shroud housing subassembly further having and defining an inner pin-channel, extending substantially transversely of a common vertical axis of the lower width of said middle section and the open end of the shroud housing subassembly, and generally centered and parallel with said curved attachment means, for alignment, during installation of the wiper frame assembly with the pin connection channel of the transverse width component of the wiper frame assembly;

the shroud housing subassembly further comprising a wiper frame and blade connection pin, said pin being installed, when the wiper frame assembly is in installable position, such that said pin registers with the inner pin-channel of said shroud housing subassembly and the pin connection channel of the wiper frame assembly,

said shroud housing subassembly having and defining an inner installation channel operatively coextensive through the first upper width, the second lower width, the lateral sections, wall portions endwall portions and open end of said shroud housing subassembly, and through which the inner pin channel passes, and by, and within, which the wiper frame and blade assemblies are movably and releasably channeled and flexibly and pivotally connected; and

a perforated duct means for providing heated fluid, mountably positioned within the inner installation channel, generally, transversely of and vertically adjacent to and above the inner pin-channel of the middle section, and extending, on either side thereof, substantially along each of the first and second lateral section of said roof portion such that it is positioned above and adjacent to the first and second lateral portions of the wiper frame assembly for fluid heating thereof within the inner installation channel,

one of the pair of opposing longitudinally positioned wall portions of said open-ended shroud housing subassembly defining a heated fluid entry port, positioned adjacent to and proximally, vertically above the inner pin-channel of the middle section, in channelable communication with said perforated duct means, for communication and passage of a heated ambient fluid therethrough.

12. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly of claim 11,

wherein:

said improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly further comprises a heating and pump assembly means for heating an ambient fluid with convection currents from the vehicle engine and directing the ambient fluid to the heated fluid entry port of the open-ended shroud housing subassembly.

13. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly of claim 12,

wherein:

said heating and pump assembly means comprises;

a heat exchanger subassembly means mounted generally adjacent to a heat energy and convection current generating portion of the vehicle engine, for collecting and utilizing heating convection currents therefrom to heat the ambient fluid, said heat exchanger subassembly means having an inboard communication line for directing the ambient fluid into the heat exchanger subassembly means and an outboard communication line for directing the ambient fluid, after heating, out of the heat exchanger subassembly, and

a pump subassembly means for pulling the ambient fluid, after heating, from the heat exchanger, and directing the ambient fluid to the heated fluid entry port of the open-ended shroud housing subassembly, said pump subassembly means having a first communications line channelably connected to the outboard communication line of the heat exchanger subassembly means for directing the ambient fluid, after heating, from the heat exchanger subassembly means to the pump subassembly means, and a second communications line for directing the ambient fluid from the pump subassembly means to the heated fluid entry port of the open-ended shroud housing subassembly.

14. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus assembly of claim 13,

wherein:

said perforated duct means further comprises a channeled tubular line, said line defining a plurality of holes positionally oriented along either of said first and second lateral sections of the roof portion, within said inner installation channel, through which a heated ambient fluid can pass to heat the first and second lateral portions of the length component of the wiper blade and frame assemblies and adjacent portions of the outside surface of the vehicle windshield.

15. A improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus for use in installable combination with a windshield wiper arm assembly, a flexible and pivotable wiper blade assembly and wiper frame assembly, a vehicle windshield having outside and inside surfaces and a vehicle engine;

the windshield wiper arm assembly being electrically activated and pivoted in relation to the outside surface of the windshield, and having at one end thereof a wiperarm pin member which moves in adjacent relation with the outside surface when the wiper arm is activated and pivoted; and

the wiper blade and frame assemblies each having at least a length component and a transverse width component, the transverse width component of the wiper blade frame assembly defining a pin connection channel;

the length component of the wiper blade and frame assemblies each having a middle portion and first and second lateral portions on either side thereof;

said improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus comprising;

a open-ended shroud housing having a longitudinally oriented roof portion, a pair of opposing longitudinally positioned wall portions and a pair of opposing transversely positioned endwall portions, defining an arcuate open end opposite of said roof portion,

said roof portion having a middle section and adjoining first and second lateral sections, extending longitudinally on either side thereof,

said middle section having and defining a first transversely and vertically disposed upper width and a second, differentially dimensioned, transversely and vertically disposed lower width such that a shelf portion is defined transversely of a vertical axis of the lower width, the first and second lateral sections being concurrent and coextensive with, and between, the upper width of the middle section and each of the respective end wall portions,

said shroud housing defining a first inner pin-channel extending substantially transversely of a common vertical axis of the upper width of said middle section and the open end, for receipt and installation of the wiperarm pin member, said wiperarm pin member being inserted through and rotatably and pivotably attached to the upper width of the middle section of said shroud housing, such that the shroud housing can pivot in response to motion when the windshield wiper arm is movably activated, and can respond positionally to weight bearing stress generated by the outside surface of the windshield and an installed windshield wiper blade assembly and wiper frame assembly in contact with the windshield,

said shroud housing further having and defining a second inner pin-channel, extending substantially transversely of a vertical axis of the lower width, and substantially parallel with the first inner pin-channel, for alignment, during installation of the wiper blade and wiper frame assemblies, with the pin connection channel of the transverse width component of the wiper frame assembly,

the shroud housing subassembly further comprising a wiper frame and blade connection pin, said pin being slideably and releasably installed, when the wiper blade and frame assembly is in installable position, such that said pin registers and communicates with the second inner pin-channel of said shroud housing and the pin connection channel of the wiper frame assembly, so that the wiper blade and wiper frame assemblies are movably and pivotably attached and installed within the open-ended shroud housing and pivotably responsive, rotationally, in weight-bearing relationship, about a axis of the frame and blade connection pin so registered, to a contour and configuration of the outside surface of the vehicle windshield,

said shroud housing subassembly having and defining a inner installation channel operatively coextensive through the first upper width, the second lower width, the lateral sections, wall portions, endwall portions and open end, and through which the first and second inner pin-channels pass, and by, and within, which the wiper blade and wiper frame assemblies are movably and releasably channeled and flexibly and pivotally connected; and

a perforated duct means for providing heated fluid, mountably positioned within the inner installation channel, generally, transversely of and vertically between the first inner pin-channel and the second inner pin-channel of the middle section, and extending, on either side thereof, substantially along each of the first and second lateral sections such that it is positioned above and adjacent to the first and second lateral portions of the wiper frame and wiper blade assemblies for fluid heating thereof within the inner installation channel, and

one of the pair of opposing longitudinally positioned wall portions of said open-ended shroud housing defining a heated fluid entry port, positioned adjacent to and proximally, vertically between the first and second inner pin-channels of the middle section, in channelable communication with said perforated duct means, for the communication and passage of a heated ambient fluid therethrough.

16. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus of claim 15,

wherein:

said improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus further comprises a heating and pump assembly means for heating an ambient fluid with convection currents from the vehicle engine and directing the ambient fluid to the heated fluid entry port of the open-ended shroud housing.

17. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus of claim 16,

wherein:

said heating and pump means comprises;

a heat exchanger subassembly means mounted generally adjacent to a heat energy and convection current generating portion of the vehicle engine, for collecting and utilizing heating convection currents therefrom to heat the ambient fluid, said heat exchanger subassembly means having an inboard communication line for directing the ambient fluid into the heat exchanger subassembly means and a outboard communication line for directing the ambient fluid, after heating, out of the heat exchanger subassembly, and

a pump subassembly means for pulling the ambient fluid, after heating, from the heat exchanger, and directing the ambient fluid to the heated fluid entry port of the open-ended shroud housing, said pump subassembly means having a first communications line channelably connected to the outboard communication line of the heat exchanger subassembly means for directing the ambient fluid, after heating, from the heat exchanger subassembly means to the pump subassembly means, and a second communications line for directing the ambient fluid from the pump subassembly means to the heated fluid entry port of the open-ended shroud housing.

18. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus of claim 17,

wherein:

said perforated duct means further comprises a channeled alloy fluid conduction line, said fluid conduction line defining a plurality of holes positionally spaced along either of said first and second lateral sections of the roof portion, within the installation channel, through which a heated ambient fluid passes to heat the wiper frame and wiper blade assemblies, and adjacent portions therebelow on the outside surface of the vehicle windshield.

19. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus of claim 18,

wherein:

each of the plurality of holes of said perforated duct means faces and is positionally most proximal to an adjoining area vertically above the wiper frame assembly when said wiper frame assembly is in installed position within the shroud housing.

20. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus of claim 19,

wherein:

said heating and pump means further comprises a secondary variable heat exchanger subassembly positioned on-line between the heat exchanger subassembly and the pump subassembly for providing additional variable heating to the ambient fluid as it passes and is conducted and directed between the heat exchanger subassembly and the pump subassembly; and

a couple member positioned on the secondary communications line for optional disconnection and separation of said line for removal of the shroud housing subassembly.

21. The improved windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus of claim 20,

wherein:

said secondary variable heat exchanger subassembly is a variable electrical resistance heating device;

and wherein;

said heating and pump means further comprises a filter subassembly positioned on-line before the heat exchanger subassembly and connected to the inboard communication line of the heat exchanger subassembly for cleaning and filtering the ambient fluid as it enters the heating and pump means.