Windshield wiper blade

• US 6,055,697 A
• Filed: 01/21/1998
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Wollenschlaeger, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Gary K.
• Application Number:
  US09/000,303
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 15/250.38, 15/250.43, 15/250.44, 15/250.451, 15/250.452, 15/250.48, 15/250.361, 15/245, 15/250.453, 15/250.454 , 15/250.32
• US Class Current: 15/250.43
• 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 1/3856 Gripping the blade
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3867 pin formed on the interior of side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3877 embedded in the squeegee
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3881 in additional element, e.g. spoiler
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3889 cooperating with holes in the vertebra
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4006 for arms provided with a hook-shaped end
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3812 Means of supporting or holding the squeegee or blade rubber
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/382 the backing strip being an essentially planar reinforcing strip, e.g. vertebra
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3822 characterised by additional means to prevent longitudinal sliding of squeegee in support, e.g. clips

Abstract

A windshield wiper blade (10) is proposed for the cleaning of windshields of motor vehicles. The windshield wiper blade has an elongated, flexible support element (12), and is provided with devices for connecting a powered wiper arm (14). An elongated wiper lip strip, made of rubber-like material, having a tip and a wiper strip lip is disposed on the support element and is equipped with an elongated spring runner enclosed by the tip. A simple means of mounting the wiper blade results, if the spring runner (30) is disposed in a prefabricated longitudinal channel (28) penetrating the entire length of the tip (24), and further if the spring runner (30) projects with its two ends (32, 33) from the tip (24), and if further these two ends (32, 33) of the spring runner (30) form support devices to secure the wiper strip (18) on the support element (12).

Claims

1. A windshield wiper blade, comprising an elongated flexible support element connectable to a powered wiper arm;

an elongated wiper strip composed of a rubber material and having a tip and a wiper strip lip placeable on a windshield, said tip having a longitudinal channel extending over an entire length of said tip;

a spring runner arranged in said longitudinal channel and having two ends protruding outwardly beyond said tip and securing said wiper strip on said support element, said support element having one end section provided with an opening facing said spring runner, said spring runner being provided with a corresponding opening at an adjacent end of said spring runner; and

securing means extending through said openings to secure said end section of said support element and said adjacent end of said spring runner, said securing means comprising a tension clip.

2. A windshield wiper blade as defined in claim 1, wherein said tension clip is a substantially U-shaped tension clip composed of a flexible material and including two legs each having a detent element cooperating with said openings.

3. A windshield wiper blade as defined in claim 2, wherein said detent element is a detent cam.

4. A windshield wiper blade as defined in claim 2, wherein said detent element is a detent tooth.

5. A windshield wiper blade as defined in claim 1, wherein said spring runner is arranged under prestress.

6. A windshield wiper blade as defined in claim 1, wherein said spring runner has a transverse cross-section which is at least partially larger than a transverse cross-section of said longitudinal channel in said tip.

7. A windshield wiper blade as defined in claim 1, wherein said spring runner has a transverse cross-section which tapers starting from a mid-section toward said ends.

8. A windshield wiper blade as defined in claim 7, wherein said transverse cross-section of said spring runner tapers off evenly.

9. A windshield wiper blade as defined in claim 1, wherein said support element has another end section which is provided with a stem adapted to face a windshield and projecting past a mouth of said longitudinal channel;

and a counter support means provided on said other end section of said support element and cooperating with another end of said spring runner.

10. A windshield wiper blade as defined in claim 9, wherein said counter support means is formed as an opening, through which said other end of said spring runner extends.

11. A windshield wiper blade as defined in claim 1, wherein said support element is provided with stabilizing means which cover at least partially areas of longitudinal sides of said tip by support walls.

12. A windshield wiper blade as defined in claim 11, wherein said stabilizing means is located in a mid-section of said support element and provided with connecting means for the powered wiper arm.