Device connecting a wiper arm to a wiper blade, a wiper blade and a wiper arm

• US 7,581,279 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2001
• Issued: 09/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Wilms, Christian, Baseotto, Michel, Breesch, Frans, Verelst, Hubert, Vangeel, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham; Gary K
• Application Number:
  US10/399,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20040025281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,867 Days
• Field of Search: 152/503.2, 152/504.4, 152/504.3, 152/503.61, 152/503.51
• US Class Current: 15/250.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/32 characterised by constructional features of wiper blade arms or blades
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/38 Wiper blades provided with liquid spreading means B60S1/524; provided with gas spreading means B60S1/546
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3856 Gripping the blade
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4038 for arms provided with a channel-shaped end
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4041 the channel-shaped end comprising a pivot pin mounted between the side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/382 the backing strip being an essentially planar reinforcing strip, e.g. vertebra

Abstract

The invention relates to a device to connect a wiper arm (10) to a wiper blade (12) featuring a supporting element (16) on which a connecting element (14) for the wiper arm (10) is attached, which features at least two holding means (30, 32) for the counter holding means (34, 36) connected to the wiper arm (10). It is proposed that a base part (38) be attached between the connecting element (14) and the supporting element (16), which is firmly connected to the supporting element (16) and connected with the connecting element (14) so that it can rotate.

Claims

1. Device to connecting a wiper arm to a wiper blade featuring a head strip and a supporting element on which a connecting element for the wiper arm is attached, wherein the supporting element comprises a strip received within a longitudinal groove of the head strip, and wherein the connecting element includes at least two holding means that cooperate with counter holding means connected to the wiper arm to connect the wiper arm to the connecting element, one of the at least two holding means including a first aperture defined in the connecting element shaped to receive a pin of the wiper arm in mating engagement, the connecting element further including a lever releasably engagable with a second aperture defined in the wiper arm, the lever having a locked state in which the lever is engaged with the second aperture and prevents release of the at least two holding means from the counter holding means, the lever also having an unlocked state in which the lever is disengaged from the second aperture to permit release of the at least two holding means from the counter holding means, wherein the wiper blade has a curvature in a relaxed state of the wiper blade to present a concave shape directed generally away from the connecting element, and wherein a base part is attached between the connecting element and the supporting element, the base part firmly connected to the supporting element to prevent relative movement between the base part and the supporting element, and connected to the connecting element so that the base part can rotate, the base part directly connected to the supporting element.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element is U-shaped with a U-base and two U-legs and accepts the base part.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one holding means features a guideway extending through the U-base into the U-legs.

4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that first articulation means are attached to the U-legs which cooperate with second articulation means attached to the base part.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lever can be locked independently and unlocked manually.

6. A windshield wiper assembly comprising:

a wiper arm;

a wiper blade comprising a head strip;

a supporting element comprising a strip received within a longitudinal groove in the head strip of the wiper blade;

a connecting element attached to the supporting element, the connecting element including first and second apertures that each receive a respective portion of the wiper arm in mating engagement and cooperate to connect the wiper arm to the connecting element, at least one of the respective portions of the wiper arm comprising a pin, the connecting element further including a lever releasably engagable with a third aperture defined in the wiper arm, the lever having a locked state in which the lever is engaged with the third aperture and prevents release of the portions of the wiper arm from the first and second apertures, the lever also having an unlocked state in which the lever is disengaged from the third aperture to permit release of the portions of the wiper arm from the first and second apertures, the wiper blade having a curvature in a relaxed state of the wiper blade to present a concave shape directed generally away from the connecting element,

wherein the wiper blade is connected to the wiper arm by a single base part attached between the connecting element and the supporting element, the base part firmly connected to the supporting element to prevent relative movement between the base part and the supporting element, and connected to the connecting element so that the base part can rotate, the base part directly connected to the supporting element.

7. An assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting element is U-shaped with a U-base and two U-legs and accepts the base part.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one of the first and second apertures is a guideway extending through the U-base into the U-legs.

9. An assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that first articulation means are attached to the U-legs which cooperate with second articulation means attached to the base part.

10. An assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking device can be locked independently and unlocked manually.

11. A windshield wiper assembly comprising:

a wiper arm including counter holding means;

a wiper blade;

a supporting element;

a connecting element attached to the supporting element, the connecting element including a first and second holding means that cooperate with the counter holding means; and

a base part attached between the connecting element and the supporting element, the base part firmly connected to the supporting element and connected to the connecting element so that the base part can rotate, the base part directly connected to the supporting element;

wherein the connecting element is U-shaped with a U-base and two U-legs and accepts the base part;

wherein the first holding means features a guideway extending through the U-base into the U-legs;

wherein first articulation means are attached to the U-legs which cooperate with second articulation means attached to the base part;

wherein which can be engaged in holding means features a locking device in which at least one counter holding means so that it locks;

wherein the locking device can be locked independently and unlocked manually;

wherein the locking device is connected with at least one lever arm overlapping the supporting element; and

wherein the locking device features said lever arm corresponding to an opening in the wiper arm.