Patent ID: 7721382
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: B60S

Abstract:
1. A frameless, heated wiper assembly adapted to be mounted on a wiper arm operably connected to a wiper motor for reciprocating the wiper arm across a windshield of a vehicle and adapted to be electrically coupled to a source of electrical energy of the vehicle, the assembly including: an elongated, resilient blade having a top portion and a bottom squeegee portion for contacting the windshield and having first and second opposed end portions; spaced, elongated, resilient first and second backing members positioned over the top portion of the blade, each of the backing members having interior and exterior surfaces and first and second opposed end portions; first and second spaced, elongated, resilient spines, each of the spines extending between the end portions of the blade between the top portion of the blade and the interior surfaces of the backing members to connect the blade and the backing members and to allow the blade and the backing members to resiliently conform to the surface configuration of the windshield when the assembly is reciprocated by the wiper arm; and a center support apparatus connecting the blade and the spines together between the backing members and to connect the assembly to the wiper arm; wherein the improvement comprises: elongated, flexible, first and second heaters to convert electrical energy from the source into heat, the first heater being disposed between the top portion of the blade and the interior surface of the first backing member in direct contact with the interior surface of the first backing member and an exterior surface of the top portion of the blade, the first heater including a first heating element which extends sinuously between the end portions of the first backing member adjacent the spines, the second heater being disposed between the top portion of the blade and the interior surface of the second backing member in direct contact with the interior surface of the second backing member and an exterior surface of the top portion of the blade, the second heater including a second heating element which extends sinuously between the end portions of the second backing member adjacent the spines wherein the heaters directly heat the top portion of the blade, the first and second backing members and the spines to eliminate or greatly reduce icy buildup on the assembly and the windshield; and wiring electrically coupled to the heaters and extending through the center support apparatus to provide the heaters with electrical energy from the source.