Air wiper

• US 6,249,931 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2000
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hugh J. Sharkey
• Original Assignee: Toshiko Sato
• Inventors: Sato, Toshiko
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US09/539,621
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 153/13, 296/91
• US Class Current: 15/313
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/54 using gas, e.g. hot air

Abstract

An air wiper for an automobile is disposed near a viewing surface on which adhering substances are to be removed, and is provided with an air jet section having at least one air jet port. Air is discharged toward the surface and the adhered substances on the viewing surface are removed. The air jet port can be moved in a pivoting or rotating manner so that the air can be jetted over substantially the whole surface of part.

Claims

1. An air wiper for a vehicle arranged in a vicinity of a viewing surface with substances removably adhering thereto, the air wiper comprising:

an air jet section having at least one air jet port,

wherein air is discharged toward the viewing surface so that adhered substances on the viewing surface are removed,

the air jet port moves in a pivoting or rotating manner so that the air can be directed over and discharged onto at least substantially the entire viewing surface.

2. An air wiper as set forth in claim 1, wherein the air jet section is rotated thereby the air jet port is moved.

3. An air wiper as set forth in claim 2, wherein the air is heated and supplied by an air conditioning apparatus of a vehicle.

4. An air wiper as set forth in claim 3, wherein the air jet section is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and is arranged to project from the viewing surface in order to remove the adhered substances,

the air jet port is formed on a side surface of the air jet section so as to slant toward the viewing surface, and a cover is formed so as to cover an upper surface and the side surface of the air jet port,

the cover is provided with a notched portion formed at a position in close proximity to the viewing surface, and

the air jet section is formed rotatable about a rotation center near a center position.

5. An air wiper as set forth in claim 4, wherein the position in close proximity to the surface of the notched portion is formed in cross section in a substantial taper shape so as to slant toward the viewing surface.

6. An air wiper as set forth in claim 5, wherein the air jet port is formed in cross section in a substantial taper shape, so that an inner diameter of an air outlet is smaller than an air inlet.

7. An air wiper as set forth in claim 6, wherein a plurality of air jet ports are arrange on the air jet section to provide a plurality of individual air outlets.

8. An air wiper as set forth in claim 7, wherein individual air jet ports are formed so that the air can be discharged to different portions respectively on the viewing surface.

9. An air wiper as set forth in claim 8, wherein the individual air jet ports have different slant angles respectively against the viewing surface.

10. An air wiper as set forth in claim 8, wherein the individual air jet ports are formed so that distances from the viewing surface to the individual air outlets are different respectively.

11. An air wiper as set forth in claim 1, wherein the viewing surface with removably adhering substances is a mirror.

12. An air wiper as set forth in claim 1, wherein the viewing surface with removably adhering substances is a window.