Patent ID: 6301742
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: B60S

Abstract:
A windshield wiper arrangement for a windshield of a vehicle, the windshield wiper arrangement being coupled to a windshield wiper arm that is coupled at a first end thereof to the vehicle and at a second end thereof to the windshield wiper arrangement for applying a force thereto with respect to the vehicle in a first direction that urges the windshield wiper arrangement toward the windshield and which moves the windshield wiper arrangement in a second direction across the windshield, the windshield wiper arrangement having a windshield wiper blade coupled thereto for communicating with the windshield of the vehicle, the windshield wiper arrangement further comprising:a windshield wiper blade support system integrally formed of a resilient material, the windshield wiper blade support system having:a continuous primary beam that is continuous between first and second end portions arranged axially distal from one another, and further having a central portion therebetween arranged for coupling with the windshield wiper arm;a strap member that is continuous between first and second end portions thereof, said first and second end portions being coupled to respective ones of the first and second end portions of said continuous primary beam, said strap member being highly compliant in response to the force applied with respect to the vehicle in the first direction, and substantially less compliant in the second direction across the windshield;a plurality of resilient members, each having first and second ends, the first ends of each of said resilient members being coupled directly to said primary beam at predetermined fixed locations therealong, and the second ends of each of said resilient members being coupled directly to said strap member at predetermined fixed locations therealong, said resilient members being arranged to be compliantly displaceable along a respective substantially linear path of compliance, the substantially linear path of compliance being substantially parallel to the first direction and axially transverse with respect to said primary beam, and substantially less compliant in the second direction across the windshield; anda plurality of wiper blade coupling arrangements each coupled to said strap member at predetermined fixed locations therealong, for coupling slidingly with the windshield wiper blade.