Windshield wiper device

A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighbouring ends of said longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one end, with the special feature that the connecting device comprises at least two parts provided with protrusion/hole features for detachably connecting the parts together, wherein the first part is retained onto the wiper blade and wherein the second part has an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section at the location of its connection to said first part, wherein each leg of said U-shaped cross-section is allowed to bend outwardly upon insertion of the oscillating arm into said second part for connecting said first and second parts together through a snapping operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighbouring ends of said longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein said oscillating arm is pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis near one end.

2. Related Art

Such a windscreen wiper device is generally known. This prior art windscreen wiper device is designed as a “yokeless” wiper device, wherein no use is made of several yokes pivotally connected to each other, but wherein the wiper blade is biassed by the carrier element, as a result of which it exhibits a specific curvature.

In practice it has become apparent that, during use of the known windscreen wiper device, high forces are exerted on the connection between the connecting device and the oscillating arm. As a consequence thereof the wiper blade may get loose from the oscillating arm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a windscreen wiper device, wherein the connecting device and the oscillating arm are connected in an improved manner, using a minimum of parts.

A windscreen wiper device of the type referred to in the introduction is distinguished according to the invention in that the connecting device comprises at least two parts provided with protrusion/hole means for detachably connecting the parts together, wherein the first part is retained onto the wiper blade and wherein the second part has an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section at the location of its connection to said first part, wherein each leg of said U-shaped cross-section is allowed to bend outwardly upon insertion of the oscillating arm into said second part for connecting said first and second parts together through a snapping operation.

Preferably, each leg of the U-shaped cross-section is bendable between a first position, wherein the first and second parts are connected together through a snapping operation upon insertion of the oscillating arm into the second part, and a second position, wherein the first and second parts are released from each other upon removing the oscillating arm from the second part. In other words, sliding the oscillating arm into the second part of the connecting device results in the legs of the U-shaped cross-section being bend outwardly. As a result the first and the second parts of the connecting device are automatically snapped, that is clipped onto each other, using the protrusion/hole means . Both parts are automatically released from each other by sliding the oscillating arm off the second part of the connecting device.

In one preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordance with the invention the first part is provided with opposite abutting surfaces for abutting against the legs of the U-shaped cross-section, wherein a protrusion extends laterally outwardly from each leg of the U-shaped cross-section into a hole provided on an abutting surface abutting against a respective leg . In the alternative or in addition thereto, the first part is provided with opposite abutting surfaces for abutting against the legs of the U-shaped cross-section, wherein a protrusion extends laterally inwardly from each abutting surface into a hole provided on a leg abutting against a respective abutting surface.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention the second part is positioned at least substantially within the first part.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordance with the invention the first part comprises engaging members made integral therewith for engaging around the longitudinal sides of the longitudinal strips that face away from each other. In other words, the engaging members each form a groove for introducing the longitudinal strips therein, so that the first part of the connecting device is firmly retained onto the wiper blade. In order to enhance the retention thereof the engaging members may be welded, soldered, brazed or glued to the longitudinal strips.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention the second part comprises at least one resilient tongue engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in the oscillating arm, wherein the resilient tongue is rotatable along a hinge axis between an outward position retaining the wiper blade onto the oscillating arm and an inward position releasing the wiper blade from the oscillating arm. Particularly, the counterforce exerted by the oscillating arm on the resilient tongue engages at a point located behind the hinge axis, seen in the direction of the force exerted on the wiper blade. In other words, the moment of force ensures in a natural way that the resilient tongue is forced automatically in its outward position, that is its position retaining the wiper blade onto the oscillating arm.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordance with the invention the hinge axis is located near an outer edge of the joint part.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention the hole has a closed circumference . In the alternative, the hole has an open circumference.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordance with the invention the windscreen wiper device is provided with first and second retaining means for retaining the connecting device onto the oscillating arm, wherein the first retaining means comprises the at least one resilient tongue engaging in the correspondingly shaped hole, and wherein the second retaining means comprise at least one protrusion provided on the first part engaging the oscillating arm. Particularly, the protrusion engages into a correspondingly shaped hole with a closed circumference provided on the oscillating arm. More in particular, the protrusion engages into a correspondingly shaped hole with an open circumference provided on a longitudinal side of the oscillating arm. Even more in particular, the protrusion engages into a correspondingly shaped recess provided on the oscillating arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows a windscreen wiper device1of the “yokeless” type according to the invention. The windscreen wiper device is built up of an elastomeric wiper blade2, in the longitudinal sides of which opposing longitudinal grooves3are formed, and of longitudinal strips4made of spring band steel, which are fitted in the longitudinal grooves3. The strips4form a flexible carrier element for the rubber wiper blade2, as it were, which is thus biased in a curved position (the curvature in operative position being that of a windscreen to be wiped). Neighboring ends of strips4are interconnected on either side of the windscreen wiper device1by means of connecting pieces6functioning as clamping members. In this embodiment, the connecting pieces6are separate constructional elements , which may be form-locked ( “positive locking” or “having positive fit”) as well as force-locked to the ends of strips4. In another preferred variant, the connecting pieces6are in one piece with the strips4made of spring band steel. In the latter case the connecting pieces form transverse bridges for the strips4, as it were. Possibly, a spoiler5is furthermore provided.

The windscreen wiper device1is furthermore built up of a connecting device7of plastic material for an oscillating wiper arm8. The wiper arm8is finalized by an extension (without an adapter). Connecting device7consists of a first part7′ and a second part7″ detachably connected together, wherein the first part7″ is retained onto the wiperblade2and wherein the second part7″ is positioned within the first part7′. The first part7′ has a U-shaped cross-section and comprises clamping members that are integral therewith, which engage round longitudinal sides of the strips4that face away from each other, as a result of which the connecting device7is firmly attached to the unit consisting of wiper blade2and strips4. The oscillating wiper arm8is pivotally connected to the connecting device7about a pivot axis near one end, and that in the following manner.

With reference toFIG. 2the second part7″ comprises two cylindrical protrusions10extending outwards on either side of the second part7″ (FIG. 2a). These protrusions10pivotally engage in identically shaped cylindrical holes11of the part7′ (FIG. 2b). After the second part7″ is placed into the first part7′ (with play) by hand, the free end9of the oscillating arm8is inserted into the second part7″ (FIG. 2b). As a consequence thereof each leg12of the U-shaped cross-section of the second part7″ is allowed to bend outwardly resulting in a click or snap connection between both parts7′ and7″ (FIG. 2c). The protrusions10act as bearing surfaces at the location of a pivot axis in order to pivot the second part7″ (and the oscillating wiper arm8attached thereto) about the pivot axis near one end9of the arm8. The protrusions10are preferably in one piece with the second part7″ ; in the alternative, the protrusions10are part of a single pivot pin perpendicular to the connecting device7. The connecting device7may be equipped with a cover or cap in order to obtain an aesthetic appearance thereof, to avoid sharp edges and to provide protection against UV-light etcetera.

Referring toFIGS. 3aand4, the second part7″ comprises a resilient tongue13extending inwardly, while the oscillating arm8has an identically shaped hole14with a closed circumference at the location of its connection to the second part7″, so that the tongue13engages in the hole14(FIG. 4). While mounting the oscillating wiper arm8into the second part7′ , the resilient tongue13is initially pushed out against a spring force and then allowed to spring back into the hole14, thus snapping, that is clipping the resilient tongue13into the hole14. This is a so-called bayonet-connection. As can be seen fromFIG. 3a, the second part7″ is provided with a channel-like section15for receiving the free end9of the oscillating arm8.

The resilient tongue13on the second part7″ and the hole14in the oscillating arm8are meant for retaining the connecting device7onto the oscillating arm8and are therefore called “first retaining means”. However, in case the first retaining means would dysfunction, for example when the resilient tongue13would not properly fit into the hole14, the second part7″ and the first part7′ connected thereto would be able to move relative to the oscillating arm8in longitudinal direction of the wiper blade2. In order to avoid the wiper blade2from coming loose, with all negative consequences involved, second retaining means are provided for. The second retaining means consist of an upwardly extending protrusion16on said first part7′ cooperating with a second hole17having a closed circumference in the oscillating arm8(FIGS. 3band4). The protrusion16may also be called a cam.

FIGS. 5A and 5Brefer to another preferred embodiment, wherein alternative second retaining means are shown in the sense that the first part7′ comprises an upwardly extending protrusion or cam18cooperating with a notch19at the location of a longitudinal edge of the oscillating arm8. The notch19has opposite stop surfaces20,21so that the protrusion18in assembled position is present between the stop surfaces20,21.

InFIGS. 6A and 6Byet another preferred embodiment is shown, wherein an upwardly extending protrusion or cam22on the first part7′ cooperates with a recess23at the location of a longitudinal edge of the oscillating arm8. The recess23is provided with opposite stop surfaces24,25for accommodating the protrusion18between these stop surfaces24,25in assembled position.

For mounting or dismounting the connecting device7onto or from the oscillating arm8, the second part7″ and thus the free end9of the oscillating arm8connected thereto is pivoted relative to the first part7′ (FIGS. 2A through 2C). While carrying out the pivot movement the protrusion or cam16,18,22is no longer in line with the hole17,19or the recess23and cannot mutually cooperate any longer, so that the second part7″ and the first part7′ attached thereto can be released from the oscillating arm8. This can, of course, only be done when also the resilient tongue13in all embodiments is released from the hole14.

The invention is not restricted to the variants shown in the drawing, but it also extends to other embodiments that fall within the scope of protection.