Windshield wiper connector

• US 9,108,595 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2014
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pylon Manufacturing Corporation (Qualitor Component Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Pylon Manufacturing Corporation (Qualitor Component Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Tolentino, Vambi, Peers, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carter, Monica
• Assistant Examiner(s): HORTON, ANDREW ALAN
• Application Number:
  US14/329,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20140317875A1
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 1525043-25048, 152/503.2, 152/502.01, 152/503.61
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3849 Connectors therefor; Connection to wiper arm; Attached to blade
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/387 the connector being suitable for receiving different types of adapter
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4048 the element being provided with retention means co-operating with the channel-shaped end of the arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4054 the intermediate element engaging the back part of the arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4058 comprising a separate locking element, e.g. in addition to an intermediate element

Abstract

A wiper blade connector releasably secures a wiper blade to a wiper arm, thereby forming a windshield wiper blade assembly. The wiper blade connector comprises an elongate body member having opposite facing side walls, a front end, and a rear end. The opposite facing sidewalls include means for receiving and releasably securing to the mounting base on a wiper blade. At the front end of the elongate body member, a first tongue receiving opening is sized to receive the corresponding front tongue of a wiper arm. At the rear end of the elongate body member, a second tongue receiving opening is sized to receive the corresponding rear tongue of a wiper arm. A locking mechanism, such as a slidable cap provided proximate to the front end of the elongate body member, releasably locks the wiper blade member to the wiper arm.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connector comprising:

an elongate body member having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first and second side walls;

a connector securing structure;

a first side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member;

a first tongue receiving opening located towards the front end of the elongate body member, the first tongue opening structured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm;

a U-shaped cap having an upper wall and first and second side walls, and including a first side protrusion provided on an interior surface of the first side wall of the cap, the first side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first side channel as the cap is slid between an open position and a closed position, the cap operable to secure the received corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm;

an upper protrusion projecting downward from an underside surface of the upper wall of the cap, the upper protrusion contacting an upper surface of the elongate body member;

a front locking tab provided within the first tongue opening, the front locking tab including a top portion and an arm portion connecting the top portion with the elongate body member; and

a locking tab channel provided on the underside surface of the upper wall of the cap, the locking tab channel conformingly dimensioned to permit the top portion of the front locking tab to slide along the locking tab channel as the cap is slid between the open and closed position,

wherein the first side channel is oriented in a direction corresponding with the longitudinal direction of the elongate body member, the cap thereby slidable substantially parallel to the top surface.

2. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a second side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface of the second side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member;

and

an additional side protrusion provided on a side surface of the second side wall of the cap, the additional side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the second side wall as the cap is slid between the open and closed positions,

wherein the first and second side channels are substantially parallel.

3. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a locking tab cavity provided on the cap adjacent to locking tab channel, the cavity conformingly dimensioned with the top portion of the locking tab and positioned to receive the top portion of the locking tab when the cap is in the closed position.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein a resilient portion of the cap projects into the locking tab channel in order to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the top portion of the locking tab into and out of the cavity.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the distance which the upper protrusion projects from the underside surface is a clearance distance between cap and the upper surface of the elongate body member, the clearance distance sufficient to permit the cap to slide over a distal portion of the received front tongue as the cap is slid into the closed position.

6. The connector of claim 1 wherein the connector securing structure comprises a rivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends between the first and second side walls and is structured and disposed for releasably securing the wiper blade to the connector, and the arcuate rivet clip sized to permit the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot during operation of the wiper blade;

and the rivet passage extending between the first and second side walls, the rivet passage structured and disposed to permit access to the arcuate rivet clip.

7. A connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connector comprising:

an elongate body member having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first and second side walls;

a connector securing structure;

a first tongue receiving opening located towards the front end of the elongate body member, the first tongue opening structured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm;

a first side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member;

a second tongue receiving opening located towards the rear end of the elongate body member, the second tongue opening structured to receive a corresponding rear tongue on the wiper arm; and

a U-shaped cap having an upper wall and first and second side walls, and including a first side protrusion provided on an interior side surface of the first side wall of the cap, the first side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first side channel as the cap is slid between an open position and a closed position, the cap operable to secure the received corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm;

an upper protrusion projecting downward from an underside surface of the upper wall of the cap, the upper protrusion contacting an upper surface of the elongate body member;

a front locking tab provided within the first tongue opening, the front locking tab including a top portion and an arm portion connecting the top portion with the elongate body member; and

a locking tab channel provided on the underside surface of the upper wall of the cap, the locking tab channel conformingly dimensioned to permit the top portion of the front locking tab to slide along the locking tab channel as the cap is slid between the open and closed position,

wherein the first side channel is oriented in a direction corresponding with the longitudinal direction of the elongate body member, the cap thereby slidable substantially parallel to the top surface.

8. The connector of claim 7, further comprising a rear tab projecting into the second tongue receiving opening, at least a distal portion of the rear tongue fittable underneath the rear tab when received in the second tongue receiving opening.

9. The connector of claim 8, further comprising:

a second side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface of the second side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member;

an additional side protrusion provided on a side surface of the second side wall of the cap, the additional side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the second side wall as the cap is slid between the open and closed positions;

a front locking tab provided within the first tongue opening, the front locking tab including a top portion and an arm portion connecting the top portion with the elongate body member;

a locking tab channel provided on an under side surface of the upper wall of the cap, the locking channel conformingly dimensioned to permit the top portion of the front locking tab to slide along the locking tab channel as the cap is slid between the open and closed position;

a locking tab cavity provided on the cap adjacent to the locking tab channel, the cavity conformingly dimensioned with the top portion of the locking tab and positioned to receive the top portion of the locking tab when the cap is in the closed position, a resilient portion of the cap projecting into the locking tab channel in order to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the top portion of the locking tab into and out of the cavity; and

an upper protrusion projecting a clearance distance from the underside surface of the cap, the uppers protrusion contacting an upper surface of the elongate body member, the clearance distance sufficient to permit the cap to slide over a distal portion of the received front tongue as the cap is slid into the closed position,

wherein the first and second side channels are substantially parallel.

10. A wiper blade assembly comprising:

a wiper blade comprising a wiper strip and a mounting base; and

a connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connector comprising;

an elongate body member having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first and second side walls;

a connector securing structure;

a first side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member;

a first tongue receiving opening located towards the front end of the elongate body member, the first tongue opening structured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm;

a U-shaped cap having an upper wall and first and second side walls, and including a first side protrusion provided on an interior side surface of the cap, the first side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first side channel as the cap is slid between an open position and a closed position, the cap operable to secure the received corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm;

an upper protrusion projecting downward from an underside surface of the upper wall of the cap, the upper protrusion contacting an upper surface of the elongate body member;

a front locking tab provided within the first tongue opening, the front locking tab including a top portion and an arm portion connecting the top portion with the elongate body member; and

a locking tab channel provided on the underside surface of the upper wall of the cap, the locking tab channel conformingly dimensioned to permit the top portion of the front locking tab to slide along the locking tab channel as the cap is slid between the open and closed position,

wherein the first side channel is oriented in a direction corresponding with the longitudinal direction of the elongate body member, the cap thereby slidable substantially parallel to the top surface.

11. The wiper assembly of claim 10, further comprising a second side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface of the second side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member;

and

an additional side protrusion provided on an opposed interior side surface of the second side wall of the cap, the additional side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the second side wall as the cap is slid between the open and closed positions,

wherein the first and second side channels are substantially parallel.

12. The wiper assembly of claim 10 wherein the connector further comprises:

a front locking tab provided within the first tongue opening, the front locking tab including a top portion and an arm portion connecting the top portion with the elongate body member;

a locking tab channel provided on an under side surface of the upper wall of the cap, the locking tab channel conformingly dimensioned to permit the top portion of the front locking tab to slide along the locking tab channel as the cap is slid between the open and closed position.

13. The wiper assembly of claim 12, wherein the connector further comprises a locking tab cavity provided on the cap adjacent to locking tab channel, the cavity conformingly dimensioned with the top portion of the locking tab and positioned to receive the top portion of the locking tab when the cap is in the closed position.

14. The wiper assembly of claim 13, wherein a resilient portion of the cap projects into the locking tab channel in order to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the top portion of the locking tab into and out of the cavity.

15. The wiper blade assembly of claim 10, wherein the connector further includes an upper projection projecting from an underside surface of the upper wall of the cap, the upper projection contacting the upper surface of the elongate body member.

16. The wiper blade assembly of claim 15, wherein the distance which the upper projection projects from the underside surface is a clearance distance between cap and the upper surface of the elongate body member, the clearance distance sufficient to permit the cap to slide over a distal portion of the received front tongue as the cap is slid into the closed position.

17. A connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connector comprising:

an elongate body member having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first and second side walls;

a connector securing structure;

a first side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member;

a second side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface of the second side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member, the first and second side channels substantially parallel and oriented in a direction corresponding with the longitudinal direction of the elongate body member;

a first tongue receiving opening located towards the front end of the elongate body member, the first tongue opening structured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm;

a cap including a first side protrusion provided on an interior side surface of the cap, the first side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first side wall as the cap is slid between an open position and a closed position;

an additional side protrusion provided on an opposed interior side surface of the cap, the additional side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the second side wall as the cap is slid between the open and closed positions;

an upper protrusion projecting from an underside surface of the cap, the upper protrusion contacting an upper surface of the elongate body member, the distance which the upper protrusion projects from the underside surface is a clearance distance between cap and the upper surface of the elongate body member, the clearance distance sufficient to permit the cap to slide over a distal portion of the received front tongue as the cap is slid into the closed position;

a second tongue receiving opening located towards the rear end of the elongate body member, the second tongue opening structured to receive a corresponding rear tongue on the wiper arm and spaced from the first tongue opening; and

a rear tab projecting into the second tongue receiving opening,

wherein the cap is operable to secure the received corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm as the cap is slid to the closed position, and the rear tab is operable to secure the corresponding rear tongue on the wiper arm as a distal end of the rear tongue is inserted underneath the rear tab.

18. A connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connector comprising:

an elongate body member having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first and second side walls;

a connector securing structure including a rivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends between the first and second side walls and is structured and disposed for releasably securing the wiper blade to the connector, and the arcuate rivet clip sized to permit the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot during operation of the wiper blade; and

the rivet passage extending between the first and second side walls, the rivet passage structured and disposed to permit access to the arcuate rivet clip;

a first side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member;

a first tongue receiving opening located towards the front end of the elongate body member, the first tongue opening structured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm;

a U-shaped cap having an upper wall and first and second side walls, and including a first side protrusion provided on an interior surface of the first side wall of the cap, the first side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first side channel as the cap is slid between an open position and a closed position, the cap operable to secure the received corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm;

an upper protrusion projecting downward from an underside surface of the upper wall of the cap, the upper protrusion contacting an upper surface of the elongate body member;

wherein the first side channel is oriented in a direction corresponding with the longitudinal direction of the elongate body member, the cap thereby slidable substantially parallel to the top surface.

19. A connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connector comprising:

an elongate body member having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first and second side walls;

a connector securing structure;

a first tongue receiving opening located towards the front end of the elongate body member, the first tongue opening structured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm;

a first side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member;

a second tongue receiving opening located towards the rear end of the elongate body member, the second tongue opening structured to receive a corresponding rear tongue on the wiper arm; and

a U-shaped cap having an upper wall and first and second side walls, and including a first side protrusion provided on an interior side surface of the first side wall of the cap, the first side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first side channel as the cap is slid between an open position and a closed position, the cap operable to secure the received corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm;

an upper protrusion projecting downward from an underside surface of the upper wall of the cap, the upper protrusion contacting an upper surface of the elongate body member;

a front locking tab provided within the first tongue opening, the front locking tab including a top portion and an arm portion connecting the top portion with the elongate body member; and

a locking tab channel provided on the underside surface of the upper wall of the cap, the locking tab channel conformingly dimensioned to permit the top portion of the front locking tab to slide along the locking tab channel as the cap is slid between the open and closed position,

wherein the first side channel is oriented in a direction corresponding with the longitudinal direction of the elongate body member, the cap thereby slidable substantially parallel to the top surface.

20. A wiper blade assembly comprising:

a wiper blade comprising a wiper strip and a mounting base; and

a connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connector comprising;

an elongate body member having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first and second side walls;

a connector securing structure including a rivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends between the first and second side walls and is structured and disposed for releasably securing the wiper blade to the connector, and the arcuate rivet clip sized to permit the releasably secured wiper blade to pivot during operation of the wiper blade; and

the rivet passage extending between the first and second side walls, the rivet passage structured and disposed to permit access to the arcuate rivet clip;

a first side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member;

a first tongue receiving opening located towards the front end of the elongate body member, the first tongue opening structured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm;

a U-shaped cap having an upper wall and first and second side walls, and including a first side protrusion provided on an interior side surface of the cap, the first side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first side channel as the cap is slid between an open position and a closed position, the cap operable to secure the received corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm; and

an upper protrusion projecting downward from an underside surface of the upper wall of the cap, the upper protrusion contacting an upper surface of the elongate body member,

wherein the first side channel is oriented in a direction corresponding with the longitudinal direction of the elongate body member, the cap thereby slidable substantially parallel to the top surface.