Windshield wiper frame connector which accommodates different size wiper arms

• US 7,207,082 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2002
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Albert Lee
• Original Assignee: Albert Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham; Gary K.
• Application Number:
  US10/329,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20040123414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,579 Days
• Field of Search: 152/503.2, 152/504.4, 152/504.3, 152/503.51, 403/321, 403/326, 403/329, 403/4
• US Class Current: 15/250.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4003 Multi-purpose connections for two or more kinds of arm ends
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4019 the retention means being protrusions or holes
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4074 with means provided on the blade for locking the side pin
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4087 the end being provided with protrusions or holes
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4032 the element being able to receive arms with hooks of different radiuses
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/409 characterised by the arm or connecting part mounted on the arm presenting a shaped opening for bearing the pivot axis

Abstract

A windshield wiper frame connector for connecting a wiper blade unit to a wiper arm incluces an elongated body member defining a longitudinal axis therealong. The body member has a pair of opposing sidewalls defining opposing inner surfaces. A connecting slot is disposed in a lower portion of the body member for rotatably receiving a transverse pin of a wiper blade unit. A hole is formed in each of the pair of opposing side walls for rotatably receiving a pin of a pin type wiper arm. An upper jam portion is disposed on a top portion of the body member for tightly and smoothly receiving a hook type wiper member. At least one space is disposed in the body member for tightly receiving outer surfaces of a first hook type wiper arm. Furthermore, a pivotable lever is provided for removably engaging the pin of the pin type wiper arm.

Claims

1. A windshield wiper frame connector for connecting a wiper blade unit to a wiper arm, comprising:

an elongated body member defining a longitudinal axis therealong, said body member having a pair of opposing sidewalls, defining opposing inner surfaces;

a connecting slot disposed in a lower portion of said body member for rotatably receiving a transverse pin of a wiper blade unit;

a hole formed in each of said pair of opposing side walls for rotatably receiving a pin of a pin type wiper arm;

an upper jam portion disposed on a top portion of said body member for tightly and smoothly receiving a hook type wiper member;

at least one space disposed in said body member, said at least one space for tightly receiving outer surfaces of a first hook type wiper arm; and

a pivotable lever for removably engaging the pin of the pin type wiper arm,

wherein there are two of said at least one space, said pivotable lever is located above an upper one of said two spaces, said windshield wiper frame connector further comprising a second pivotable lever, said second pivotable lever including a detent on a lower surface thereof for removably engaging an aperture of a second hook type wiper arm.

2. The windshield wiper frame connector according to claim 1, wherein said opposing side walls include a slot, respectively formed therein at a location between said upper and a lower of said at least one space, said slot providing flexibility to said opposing side walls to vary the size of the upper and lower spaces to aid in the insertion and removal of the first and second hook type wiper arms.

3. The windshield wiper frame connector according to claim 1, wherein each of said side walls includes a slot formed therein at a location between said two spaces, each of said slots forming a movable portion of said side walls for increasing or decreasing a size of said two spaces.

4. A windshield wiper frame connector for connecting a wiper blade unit to a wiper arm, compnsing:

an elongated body member defining a longitudinal axis therealong, said body member having a pair of opposing sidewalls, defining opposing inner surfaces;

a connecting slot disposed in a lower portion of said body member for rotatably receiving a transverse pin of a wiper blade unit;

a hole formed in each of said pair of opposing side walls for rotatably receiving a pin of a pin type wiper arm;

an upper jam portion disposed on a top portion of said body member for tightly and smoothly receiving a hook type wiper member;

at least one space disposed in said body member, said at least one space for tightly receiving outer surfaces of a first hook type wiper arm; and

a pivotable lever for removably engaging the pin of the pin type wiper arm, said pivotable lever including an upper surface having a raised, arc-shaped detent formed thereon, said raised, arc-shaped detent for directly engaging a reduced diameter portion of the pin of the pin type wiper arm, wherein said pivotable lever includes said raised, arc-shaped detent on the upper surface thereof for engaging the pin of the pin type wiper arm, and a detent on a lower surface thereof for removably engaging an aperture in the first hook type wiper arm, wherein there are two of said at least one space, said pivotable lever is located above an upper one of said two spaces, said windshield wiper frame connector further comprising a second pivotable lever, said second pivotable lever including a detent on a lower surface thereof for removably engaging an aperture of a second hook type wiper arm.

5. The windshield wiper frame connector according to claim 4, wherein said opposing side walls include a slot, respectively formed therein at a location between said upper and a lower of said at least one space, said slot providing flexibility to said opposing side walls to vary the size of the upper and lower spaces to aid in the insertion and removal of the first and second hook type wiper arms.

6. The windshield wiper frame connector according to claim 4, wherein each of said side walls includes a slot formed therein at a location between said two spaces, each of said slots forming a movable portion of said side walls for increasing or decreasing a size of said two spaces.

7. A windshield wiper frame connector for connecting a wiper blade unit to a wiper arm, comprising:

an elongated body member defining a longitudinal axis therealong, said body member having a pair of opposing sidewalls, defining opposing inner surfaces;

a connecting slot disposed in a lower portion of said body member for rotatably receiving a transverse pin of a wiper blade unit;

a hole formed in each of said pair of opposing side walls for rotatably receiving a pin of a pin type wiper arm;

an upper jam portion disposed on a top portion of said body member for tightly and smoothly receiving a hook type wiper member;

at least one space disposed in said body member, said at least one space for tightly receiving outer surfaces of a first hook type wiper arm; and

a pivotable lever for removably engaging the pin of the pin type wiper arm,

wherein there are two of said at least one space, said pivotable lever is located between an upper and a lower of said at least one space, said windshield wiper frame connector further comprising a pivotable flap, said pivotable flap including an aperture formed therein for removably engaging a pin of a bayonet type wiper arm.

8. A windshield wiper frame connector for connecting a wiper blade unit to a wiper arm, comprising:

an elongated body member defining a longitudinal axis therealong, said body member having a pair of opposing sidewalls, defining opposing inner surfaces;

a connecting slot disposed in a lower portion of said body member for rotatably receiving a transverse pin of a wiper blade unit;

a hole formed in each of said pair of opposing side walls for rotatably receiving a pin of a pin type wiper arm;

an upper jam portion disposed on a top portion of said body member for tightly and smoothly receiving a hook type wiper member;

at least one space disposed in said body member, said at least one space for tightly receiving outer surfaces of a first hook type wiper arm; and

a pivotable lever for removably engaging the pin of the pin type wiper arm, said pivotable lever including an upper surface having a raised, arc-shaped detent formed thereon, said raised, arc-shaped detent for directly engaging a reduced diameter portion of the pin of the pin type wiper arm, wherein said pivotable lever includes said raised, arc-shaped detent on the upper surface thereof for engaging the pin of the pin type wiper arm, and a detent on a lower surface thereof for removably engaging an aperture in the first hook type wiper arm, wherein there are two of said at least one space, said pivotable lever is located between an upper and a lower of said at least one space, said windshield wiper frame connector further comprising a pivotable flap, said pivotable flap including an aperture formed therein for removably engaging a pin of a bayonet type wiper arm.