Windshield wiper connector

• US 6,286,176 B1
• Filed: 08/09/1999
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Westermann, Klaus-Juergen, Pollaris, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Gary K.
• Application Number:
  US09/319,817
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 152/503.2, 152/503.1, 152/504.4
• US Class Current: 15/250.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4019 the retention means being protrusions or holes
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4032 the element being able to receive arms with hooks of different radiuses

Abstract

The invention relates to a windshield wiper, having a drivably supported wiper arm which on its free end carries a wiper blade, and the wiper blade is joined detachably and pivotably to the wiper arm by means of a retaining bracket, and for the sake of adapting different wiper arms and retaining brackets, the connection is made via an adapter element. The point of departure for the proposal is that the adapter element (28) can be disposed pivotably about 180°, and for the detachable and pivotable connection between the wiper arm (12) and the retaining bracket (22) a detent connection exists both between the adapter element (28) and the wiper arm (12) and between the adapter element (28) and the retaining bracket (22).

Claims

1. A windshield wiper, comprising a drivably supported wiper arm;

a wiper blade carried on a free end of said wiper arm;

a retaining bracket detachably and pivotably connecting said wiper blade with said wiper arm;

an adapter element connecting said wiper arm and said retaining bracket, said adapter element having a shape which permits a form-and force-locking connection with said wiper arm and said retaining bracket, said adapter element being detachably arrangeable on said wiper arm and said retaining bracket in individual positions in which said adapter element is pivoted by 180°

with respect to said wiper arm and having a different shape characteristic permitting adaptation to differently shaped wiper arms, said adapter element having a longitudinal face provided with a shoulder which forms in said adapter element portions with different heights, said portions having end faces extending at a radius, which depending on a height of a free space of said hook forms a form lock with a jacket space of said hook.

2. A windshield wiper as defined in claim 1, wherein said retaining bracket has a pivot pin, said adapter element being rotatably supported on said pivot pin of said retaining bracket.

3. A windshield wiper as defined in claim 2, wherein said adapter element has a through opening which is open in its periphery so that said adapter element can be snapped by said through opening onto said pivot pin in detent fashion.

4. A windshield wiper as defined in claim 1, wherein said wiper arm has a hook which is in a form-locking connection with said adapter element through said portions.

5. A windshield wiper as defined in claim 1, wherein said wiper arm has a detent opening, said adapter element having a plurality of longitudinal faces each provided at least one detent protrusion snappable in detent fashion into said detent opening of said wiper arm, depending on a disposition of said adapter element.

6. A windshield wiper as defined in claim 1, wherein said adapter element has clamping hooks providing said form-and force-locking connection said wiper arm.

7. A windshield wiper as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising a detent connection both between said adaptor element and said wiper arm and between said adaptor element and said retaining bracket allowing a detachable and pivotable connection between said wiper arm and said retaining bracket.