Wiper blade adaptor device

• US 9,227,598 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2011
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Smets, Kris, Depondt, Helmut
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, GARY K
• Application Number:
  US13/994,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20130305476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,512 Days
• Field of Search: 152/503.2, 152/503.1, 152/503.61, 152/502.01, 152/503.51, 152/504.3, 152/504.4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3849 Connectors therefor; Connection to wiper arm; Attached to blade
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3851 Mounting of connector to blade assembly
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/386 made in two halves
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3867 pin formed on the interior of side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/387 the connector being suitable for receiving different types of adapter
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4003 Multi-purpose connections for two or more kinds of arm ends

Abstract

The invention is based on a wiper blade adaptor device, in particular for a wiper blade (14), with a wiper blade adaptor (10) and a coupling element (12) for coupling the wiper blade adaptor (10) to a wiper blade (14). It is proposed that the wiper blade adaptor (10) be releasably connected to the coupling element (12).

Claims

1. A wiper blade adaptor device, comprising a wiper blade adaptor (10) and a coupling element (12) for coupling the wiper blade adaptor (10) to a wiper blade (14), characterized in that the wiper blade adaptor (10) is connected releasably to the coupling element (12), wherein the coupling element (12) has a basic body (28) and at least one latching means (18) which is arranged at a free end of the coupling element (12) and which is configured to form, in a fitted state, a form-fitting connection to the wiper blade adaptor (10), and wherein the wiper blade adaptor has a skirt-shaped side guide (48) which surrounds the basic body (28), wherein the coupling element (12) has a longitudinal guide unit (24) which is provided to wide the wiper blade adaptor (10) upon a pushing-on movement during installation, wherein the longitudinal guide unit (24) comprises two longitudinal guide elements (26) which are formed in one piece with the basic body, each of the longitudinal guide elements forming a part of a respective one of opposite side walls (30) of the basic body, wherein the longitudinal guide elements form a lower edge (40) of the basic body which serves as a bearing for the wiper blade adaptor, wherein, in order to couple the wiper blade adaptor to the coupling element, the wiper blade adaptor is received by the longitudinal guide unit of the coupling element in the pushing-on movement, such that the side guide adjoins the longitudinal guide elements of the coupling element and the side guide surrounds the basic body (28) and reaches under the lower edge (40), and wherein a guide member (36) extends generally longitudinally on each of the side guides, each guide member ending at one end with a locking cam (42) that serves as a stop for the coupling element (12) during installation.

2. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the longitudinal guide elements (26) is formed in one piece with the basic body (28) of the coupling element (12).

3. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the latching means (18) is deflectable substantially perpendicularly to a supporting surface (32) of the coupling element (12).

4. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the latching means (18) has at least one spring (38) which closes off the coupling element (12) in a longitudinal direction (22).

5. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the wiper blade adaptor (10) has an extension (34) which, in the fitted state, forms a form-fitting connection to the latching means (18).

6. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein an extension (34) which has a curved contour is integrally formed on each of the side guides (48), and wherein, in the fitted state, each extension (34) forms a form-fitting connection to the latching means (18).

7. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, during the pushing-on movement, each guide member adjoins an associated longitudinal guide element (26) of the coupling element in a flush manner, and the side guides (48) surround the basic body (28) and reach under the lower edge (40).

8. A wiper blade adaptor device, comprising a wiper blade adaptor (10) and a coupling element (12) for coupling the wiper blade adaptor (10) to a wiper blade (14), characterized in that the wiper blade adaptor (10) is connected releasably to the coupling element (12), wherein the coupling element (12) has a basic body (28) and at least one latching means (18) which is arranged at a free end of the coupling element (12) and which is configured to form, in a fitted state, a form-fitting connection to the wiper blade adaptor (10), and wherein the wiper blade adaptor has a skirt-shaped side guide (48) which surrounds the basic body (28), wherein the coupling element (12) has a longitudinal guide unit (24) which is provided to guide the wiper blade adaptor (10) upon a pushing-on movement during installation, wherein the longitudinal guide unit (24) comprises two longitudinal guide elements (26) which are formed in one piece with the basic body, each of the longitudinal guide elements forming a part of a respective one of opposite side walls (30) of the basic body, wherein the longitudinal guide elements form a lower edge (40) of the basic body which serves as a bearing for the wiper blade adaptor, wherein, in order to couple the wiper blade adaptor to the coupling element, the wiper blade adaptor is received by the longitudinal guide unit of the coupling element in the pushing-on movement, such that the side guide adjoins the longitudinal guide elements of the coupling element and the side guide surrounds the basic body (28) and reaches under the lower edge (40), wherein an extension (34) which has a curved contour is integrally formed on each of the side guides (48), wherein, in the fitted state, each extension (34) forms a form-fitting connection to the latching means (18), and wherein the latching means (18) has at least one spring (38) which closes off the coupling element (12) in a longitudinal direction (22), the spring being formed in one piece with the latching means, and wherein the coupling element has a rounded portion (50) permitting high elastic deformation by the latching means, the rounded portion and the latching means having a curved contour matching a curved contour of the extension.

9. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 8 wherein, during the pushing-on movement, the latching means is elastically deflected out of a starting position perpendicular to the supporting surface (32) of the coupling element by a base plate of the wiper blade adaptor, and wherein, after the base plate has been pushed over the latching means, the latching means automatically moves back into the starting position, forms a form-fitting connection to the extension (34) of the wiper blade adaptor, and bears flush against a latching stop (46) on the base plate.

10. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 9 wherein, in order to release the wiper blade adaptor from the coupling element, the latching means is pressed downward, perpendicularly to the supporting surface (32), permitting the wiper blade adaptor to be pushed out of the fitted state.

11. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the longitudinal guide elements (26) is formed in one piece with the basic body (28) of the coupling element (12).

12. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the latching means (18) is deflectable substantially perpendicularly to a supporting surface (32) of the coupling element (12).

13. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the latching means (18) has at least one spring (38) which closes off the coupling element (12) in a longitudinal direction (22).

14. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the wiper blade adaptor (10) has an extension (34) which, in the fitted state, forms a form-fitting connection to the latching means (18).

15. A wiper blade adaptor device, comprising a wiper blade adaptor (10) and a coupling element (12) for coupling the wiper blade adaptor (10) to a wiper blade (14), characterized in that the wiper blade adaptor (10) is connected releasably to the coupling element (12), wherein the coupling element (12) has a basic body (28) and at least one latching means (18) which is arranged at a free end of the coupling element (12) and which is configured to form, in a fitted state, a form-fitting connection to the wiper blade adaptor (10), and wherein the wiper blade adaptor has a skirt-shaped side guide (48) which surrounds the basic body (28), wherein the coupling element (12) has a longitudinal guide unit (24) which is provided to guide the wiper blade adaptor (10) upon a pushing-on movement during installation, wherein the longitudinal guide unit (24) comprises two longitudinal guide elements (26) which are formed in one piece with the basic body, each of the longitudinal guide elements forming a part of a respective one of opposite side walls (30) of the basic body, wherein the longitudinal guide elements form a lower edge (40) of the basic body which serves as a bearing for the wiper blade adaptor, wherein, in order to couple the wiper blade adaptor to the coupling element, the wiper blade adaptor is received by the longitudinal guide unit of the coupling element in the pushing-on movement, such that the side guide adjoins the longitudinal guide elements of the coupling element and the side guide surrounds the basic body (28) and reaches under the lower edge (40), and wherein a latching stop (46) which forms a stop for the latching means is integrally formed on a base plate (44) of the wiper blade adaptor, the base plate being adjacent in a flush manner to the side guide, and, in the fitted state, the base plate resting on a supporting surface (32) of the coupling element.

16. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that at least one of the longitudinal guide elements (26) is formed in one piece with the basic body (28) of the coupling element (12).

17. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the latching means (18) is deflectable substantially perpendicularly to a supporting surface (32) of the coupling element (12).

18. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the latching means (18) has at least one spring (38) which closes off the coupling element (12) in a longitudinal direction (22).

19. The wiper blade adaptor device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the wiper blade adaptor (10) has an extension (34) which, in the fitted state, forms a form-fitting connection to the latching means (18).