Wiper blade having a connecting element

• US 8,595,889 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2009
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Op't Roodt, Inigo, Depondt, Helmut, Janssis, Yves, Herinckx, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Spisich, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): HORTON, ANDREW ALAN
• Application Number:
  US13/060,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20110258802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: 152/503.2, 152/504.3, 152/503.61, 1525044-25048, 152/502.01
• US Class Current: 15/250.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3808 Spoiler integral with the squeegee
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3858 with protrusions cooperating with holes
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/386 made in two halves
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/407 with means provided on the arm for locking the side pin

Abstract

The invention relates to a wiper blade (10) comprising a connecting element (26), which comprises a base element (28) and a hinge element (68), wherein the base element (28) has a first side part (30) and a second side part (32), which are joined transversely to a longitudinal direction (40) by locking means (54, 56) and centering means (46, 48, 50, 52) interlocking, and which are held together by side walls (72) of the hinge element (68). It is proposed that the hinge element (68) is an adapter cap (68) made of plastic which comprises on the insides of the side walls (72) thereof clips (86), which in the installed state engage in recesses (66) on the outer longitudinal sides of the side parts (30, 32).

Claims

1. A wiper blade (10) having a connecting element (26) which comprises a base element (28) and a hinge element (68), wherein the base element (28) has a first side part (30) and a second side part (32) which are joined together transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction (40) by latching means (54, 56) and centering means (46, 48, 50, 52) interlocking, and which are held together by side walls (72) of the hinge element (68), characterized in that the hinge element (68) is an adapter cap (68) which is made from plastic and, on the inner sides of the side walls (72) thereof, has clips (86) which, in a fitted state, engage in recesses (66) on outer longitudinal sides of the side parts (30, 32), wherein , in the region of the recesses (66), the side parts (30, 32) have reinforcements (64) which extend away from the clips (86) and partially project into clearances (73) in the side walls (72) of the adapter cap (68) above the clips (86).

2. A wiper blade (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the side walls (72) of the adapter cap (68) are connected to each other between a hinge part (80) and the clips (86) by transverse walls (88).

3. A wiper blade (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the adapter cap (68) has as a hinge part a hub (80) which runs transversely and, on an outer circumference thereof toward the base element (28), has two depressions (82) in which centering cams (60) of the base element (28) engage.

4. A wiper blade (10) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, in the region of the centering cams (60), the side parts (30, 32) have mutually facing tabs (58) which, on a side facing the hub (80), have pressure points (62) via which, in the fitted state, a pressure web (84), which is provided on the hub (80) between the depressions (82), presses the tabs (58) against a head strip (18) of a wiper strip (12).

5. A wiper blade (10) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the adapter cap (68), in the side walls (72) thereof, has recesses (76) in the longitudinal direction (40) symmetrically with respect to the hub (80) for an angled end (94) of a bridge (92) of a joining element (90).

6. A wiper blade (10) as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that ribs (78) are provided in the recesses (76) in the adapter cap (68).

7. A wiper blade (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the side walls (72) of the adapter cap (68) are connected to each other between a hinge part (80) and the clips (86) by transverse walls (88).

8. A wiper blade (10) as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the adapter cap (68) has as a hinge part a hub (80) which runs transversely and, on an outer circumference thereof toward the base element (28), has two depressions (82) in which centering cams (60) of the base element (28) engage.

9. A wiper blade (10) as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, in the region of the centering cams (60), the side parts (30, 32) have mutually facing tabs (58) which, on a side facing the hub (80), have pressure points (62) via which, in the fitted state, a pressure web (84), which is provided on the hub (80) between the depressions (82), presses the tabs (58) against a head strip (18) of a wiper strip (12).

10. A wiper blade (10) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the adapter cap (68), in the side walls (72) thereof, has recesses (76) in the longitudinal direction (40) symmetrically with respect to the hub (80) for an angled end (94) of a bridge (92) of a joining element (90).

11. A wiper blade (10) as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that ribs (78) are provided in the recesses (76) in the adapter cap (68).

12. A connecting element (26) for use with a wiper blade, the connecting element comprising a base element (28) and a hinge element (68), wherein the base element (28) has a first side part (30) and a second side part (32) which are joined together transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction (40) by latching means (54, 56) and centering means (46, 48, 50, 52) interlocking, and which are held together by side walls (72) of the hinge element (68), characterized in that the hinge element (68) is an adapter cap (68) which is made from plastic and, on the inner sides of the side walls (72) thereof, has clips (86) which, in a fitted state, engage in recesses (66) on outer longitudinal sides of the side parts (30, 32), wherein , in the region of the recesses (66), the side parts (30, 32) have reinforcements (64) which extend away from the clips (86) and partially project into clearances (73) in the side walls (72) of the adapter cap (68) above the clips (86).

13. A connecting element (26) as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the side walls (72) of the adapter cap (68) are connected to each other between a hinge part (80) and the clips (86) by transverse walls (88).

14. A connecting element (26) as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the adapter cap (68) has as a hinge part a hub (80) which runs transversely and, on an outer circumference thereof toward the base element (28), has two depressions (82) in which centering cams (60) of the base element (28) engage.

15. A connecting element (26) as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, in the region of the centering cams (60), the side parts (30, 32) have mutually facing tabs (58) which, on a side facing the hub (80), have pressure points (62) via which, in the fitted state, a pressure web (84), which is provided on the hub (80) between the depressions (82), is configured to press the tabs (58) against a head strip (18) of a wiper strip (12).

16. A connecting element (26) as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the adapter cap (68), in the side walls (72) thereof, has recesses (76) in the longitudinal direction (40) symmetrically with respect to the hub (80) for an angled end (94) of a bridge (92) of a joining element (90).

17. A connecting element (26) as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that ribs (78) are provided in the recesses (76) in the adapter cap (68).