Universal flat windscreen-wiper blade and associated removable connector

• US 8,544,137 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Systemes D'Essuyage (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Systemes D'Essuyage (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Thienard, Jean-Claude
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, GARY K
• Application Number:
  US11/793,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20090199357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,846 Days
• Field of Search: 152/503.2, 152/502.01, 152/504.4, 152/504.3, 152/503.61
• US Class Current: 15/250.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3853 Snap-fit, e.g. elastic connection
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/387 the connector being suitable for receiving different types of adapter
• 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 1/407 with means provided on the arm for locking the side pin
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4035 the connection being covered by a removable cover mounted on the blade
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4051 the intermediate element engaging the side walls of the arm

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flat windscreen-wiper blade 100 in particular for a windscreen-wiper system of a motor vehicle, comprising a wiping strip 110 on which a linking support 120 is mounted, which is intended to connect said flat windscreen-wiper blade 100.

The invention is noteworthy in that the linking support 120 can be solidly and rigidly attached in a removable manner to a connector 130, 140, 150 which is, itself, capable of being coupled in a removable manner with a drive arm 160, 170, 180.

Claims

1. A flat windscreen-wiper blade in particular for a windscreen-wiper system of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a wiping strip on which a linking support is mounted,

wherein the linking support is solidly attached in a removable manner to a connector, the connector coupled in a removable manner with a drive arm,

wherein the linking support interlocks at least partially with the connector, and comprises locking means configured to hold the linking support and the connector in a fully interlocked position,

wherein the locking means comprise at least one locking element configured to deform elastically to allow the linking support and the connector to interlock and also configured to cooperate by locking-interlocking with the connecter once a main interlocking is complete,

wherein said locking-interlocking is carried out in a direction substantially perpendicular to a main interlocking direction, and

wherein, while the linking support is interlocked with the connector, the linking support is immobilised with respect to the connector.

2. The flat windscreen-wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein the linking support is solidly attached to the connector by snap-fitting.

3. The flat windscreen-wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein the linking support and the connector are interlocked in a given direction, and wherein the locking means locks the relative mobility between said linking element and said connector, in the interlocking direction.

4. The flat windscreen-wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein the linking support interlocks selectively with a first part of the connector, and wherein the windshield wiper blade comprises the locking means which locally supports a second part of said connector, said second part being positioned substantially opposite the first.

5. The flat windscreen-wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein the linking support can interlock on substantially the entire length of the connector, following a direction comprised in a plane substantially perpendicular to the sagittal plane of the flat windscreen-wiper blade, and in that the locking means can lock the relative mobility between said linking support and said connector, according to their interlocking direction.

6. The flat windscreen-wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein the linking support also comprises centring means capable of positioning and transversally locking the connector, once the main interlocking between said linking support and said connector is complete.

7. The flat windscreen-wiper blade according to claim 6, wherein the centring means comprise at least one element capable of interlocking with a part with a substantially complementary shape arranged on the connector, in a direction substantially collinear to the main interlocking direction between said connector and the linking support.

8. The flat windscreen-wiper blade according to claim 1,

wherein the locking means comprises an elastically deformable tongue comprising a free end that is hook-shaped, and

wherein the deformable tongue extends perpendicularly to a plane of the flat windscreen-wiper blade.

9. A flat windscreen-wiper blade according to claim 1,

wherein the flat windscreen-wiper blade is operable to be coupled reversibly and alternately with different removable connectors which are respectively compatible with at least one given type of drive arm.